My Journey From Blonde to Brunette

Senior year of high school, I finally gathered up the courage to go blonde.  I asked my stylist to turn my blonde and she informed me that the best way to do it is through highlights.  That first round did not leave me blonde, rather a brunette with blonde highlights, which I hope to never embark upon again.  I eventually went blonder and blonder till I was all blonde.  I was a fan of the white blonde, not the yellow blonde, so my hair was basically platinum.  My underneath was kept dark, just because its cheaper, but I probably would not go for that option again.  As with most girls, I got bored of the blonde, mainly because I had tried to do an at home and dyed it that yellow blonde I'm not a fan of, so I decided to go brunette.  Now, I had already gone from blonde to brunette and wanted to go immediately back.  This I now attribute to picking the wrong shade of brunette, and also being younger.   This time around I wanted a big change, so I decided I really wanted to be a red head.  I had my first initial dye done at a salon.  Many salons now carry hair color that has keratin in it, which is really good for your hair.  However, being a college student, I can not afford to keep going to the salon for a touch up, so I now do box color.  I used the clariol nice and easy, dark auburn, probably about 4 times (spread out over 4 or 5 months) to really make sure my hair wouldn't keep fading to blonde.  Since then, I have been using clariol natural instincts, cinnaberry medium auburn, to maintain my color.  Since going to brunette, or red head, my hair has grown faster, had less split ends, saved me so much money, and made me look more professional.  People take me more seriously now, and I never have roots, which I feel can make you look unkept, if you let them grow out too much.  I think just based on the pure fact that it has been easier to find a job, and save me hundreds a year, the healthy hair and great new look are a bonus.  No regrets here and, the greatest part, I don't miss being blonde!

Freeman Beauty Masks (from September Ipsy)

As I was over on MUT looking for October Ipsy spoilers, someone posted that the Freeman Beauty Masks deal gave you a lot of bang for your buck.  Well seeing as I am beyond stocked on makeup and hair products (I don't have to buy either ever again thanks to subscriptions), I figured I might as well check into face and body products.  With the code, IPSYFB, on the freeman beauty website, I was able to get 17 sample size masks, the pssst dry shampoo, a full size dead sea minerals anti-stress foaming bath, a surprise gift, and free shipping for $26.99.  I love deals, and this seems like a great deal to me.  I've already tried the moisturizing paper mask from my ipsy bag and I really liked it, therefore, I am super excited and love a great deal.

Update:
So, because I was so eagerly awaiting my package, I noticed that my ups tracking was not updating past "label made."  I gave it a few days and finally emailed Freeman Beauty.  Let me just tell you that their customer service is AMAZING!  I first received an email from an office assistant letting me know that they did have a lot of order due to the promo code and some were delayed or lost.  However, because of this, 3 additional gifts would be added to these delayed or lost orders.  They apologized profusely and said that my package would be delivered the next day.  At this point I was just excited to be getting even more for my buck, and that my package was indeed on its way.  Well it only gets better.  I then received another email, I think from their customer service department, apologizing profusely once again and giving me another tracking number.  This is when I observed that they had next day aired my package.  All in all, my package is taking a week to get here, I am enthralled with the customer service, and from what I've heard, the products will be amazing too.  I would highly recommend this company and I will be buying from them again (and probably sending a thank you email).

Broadway Nails imPRESS Review

In my spring fever voxbox from influenster, I received Broadway Nail imPRESS manicure nails in Glisten Up.  It is a shiny purple color.  I'm really glad I got to try them out before I spent money on them.  I've considered picking some up lately but ended up spending the money on nail polish instead.  The packaging is cute, in it's fake nail polish design.  The peel off backings make it easy to use.  However, by the time you pick out your nail sizes and press them on, it takes the same amount of time as a normal polish manicure.  I found that they did not fit my nails exactly right, making it look exactly like I had used pressed on nails.  They made me feel a bit like a little girl putting on nails, especially with the purple color.  I ended up removing them within an hour of applying them.  I did not think they were appropriate to wear to work.  I wish I could've tried the French Manicure ones seeing as that would be the only color I would consider buying in press on nails.  I would suggest just buying a bottle of any color that you like and getting many uses out of that.  The press on nails are actually really short, not adding length like one would with fake nails at a salon.  Therefore, I probably will not be spending money on these or recommending them to anyone else.

Birchbox May 2013 Review

Unboxing of my birchbox! I will update with my reviews of the products as I get to use them!

Fabulous by Isaac Mizrahi: I feel like the fragrance is too musky for me.  I prefer floral, citrus scents to ones like this one.  My finace likes it though, so I will only wear it if he asks. 

Supergoop CC Cream: This is the product I was most excited about this month so I am bummed that the sample was smaller than the perfume sample (I put the sample in the pictures for size references). 

Whish Shave Cream in blueberry: I don't normally use shaving cream so I'm not overly excited for this. It will have to be freaking amazing for me to be even a bit excited. 

Beauty Protector leave in conditioner and detangler: I have a lot of oils that all seem to condition and detangle.  However, people rant and rave about this product.  It'll be interesting to see how it measures up to the others!  

Amika nourishing hair mask: This is a deep conditioner.  I'm sure I will love it but it looks to be only good for one or two uses, amount wise. 

Amika oil treatment for the hair: Anti-frizz, shine and nourishment.  Another oil to try out!  My hair has never looked so good.  Just wish it was resealable.

Verdict: I think the reason I am so bleh about this box is sample sizes.  I just want a little more umph.  However, I see why birchbox does it.  Who would want to buy the full size when you already have enough of the product? I will continue to refrain from a purchase until I find something I love and don't already have.

May Birchbox 2013 Spoilers

So today is the day when Birchbox releases all their boxes online!  Looking through instagram, I realize that many people have already gotten their box, and mine is projected to be delivered May 14th.  However, it is common for Birchboxes to be delivered early so I will be on the look out.

To find out what you are getting:

Log in to birchbox.com, and click on box.

To find out when you are getting it:

Log in to birchbox.com, go to account settings under your name, look next to the grey truck.

To find out what others are getting and what box number you have:

https://www.birchbox.com/shop/birchbox-1/may2013/may-2013-bb-3

I put the link for my box, but to view the others just change the number on the end.

Exciting!

May Ipsy Sneak Peek #4

Ipsy did something different this month by using snap chat to send, what I thought, was going to be the next sneak peek.  However, it turned out to be a sneak peek of a sneak peek. (not my picutre)

They did however, post ads around the internet advertising this bag and the Zoya:

I personally think the bag is adorable! I'm surprised it didn't go along with the whole flowers theme but I am just as happy.  It is very summery!

Some super sleuths over at MUT found this on Ipsy's website:

The rollerball's are perfumes from Pacifica.  The silver item appears to be St. Tropez tanner.  The blue dropper is Arganics by NuMe Argan Oil.  The two white bottles are Pacifica body butter tube.  The brown bottle with green cap is Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment.

I'm loving this spoiler but hating it at the same time.  Ipsy says we will be getting two things from the items pictured, but I want to try everything.  I will most likely have some serious bag envy this month.

May Ipsy Sneak Peek #3

Item number 3 is concealer! Some are saying it may be Yaby, also, there is a question of whether we are getting all four or just one.  I hope all four, I want to try contouring! However, if it is just one, we will find out if Ipsy is really personalizing the bags!

Update:
Ipsy confirmed that we will only be getting one concealer based on our profile.