Good morning dolls!

Make sure if you haven't entered my giveaway yet that you do so soon. There is a limited edition MAC lipstick up for grabs as well as lashes, a Covergirl lipstick, brushes, and a lipgloss. 

Click here to enter.

Today I've got lots of photos to take and spring cleaning to do. It's about time I deep clean my makeup brushes too- that's gonna be a workout!

 What are you all up to this weekend? 

This cute little tub is by the spa brand called Heel to Toe. They make all sorts of salon quality tools and products that are affordable and professionally packaged. I picked up the Feels Like New Foot Softener from the Spa Pedicure Collection. It was a part of the little display in front of the registers at my Sally Beauty Supply and I couldn't resist. I am so glad I did though because it is something I now use day and night. It's just what I needed to prep my feet for their appearance in some cute sandals and wedges when the weather gets a bit warmer.

Formula

The formula sort of reminds me of a gel version of Vaseline. It's sort of gooey and melts into the skin quickly. The yellow color in the container does not transfer; the parts where the product is rubbed just look a bit shiny. A little definitely goes along way even when applying it all over the feet. It does smell a bit strong, sort of like an herbal tea, but it's not unpleasant. 

Ingredients

Soybean oil- protein rich moisturizer that heals damaged skin

Beeswax- protector that seals in moisture while softening

Corn oil- soothes dry skin

Lanolin-moisturizes delicate, chapped skin or burns and abrasions

Experience

I truly love this product for foot care even more than my Ultrabalm by Lush. It does an amazing job of moisturizing and minimizing the appearance of dryness even on the thick parts of the feet. I have been applying it all over and without any further exfoliation or pedicure pampering, it looks like I just walked out of the salon. I even use this product on my dry fingertips too and it makes them feel incredibly soft and just look a lot better.

I do not have corns or calluses, however I do have lightly cracked heels and some dryness around my cuticles. I really love how clean and pretty this product can make feet look and this is ever so helpful when they will be publicly visible soon.

There's nothing worse than taking a look at a girl's shoes and noticing her unsightly, unkept feet. It not only looks more hygienic, but it feels better when you take the extra time to take care of the tootsies. 

Also- I have a sensitivity to Lanolin and this product does not irritate my skin at all. 

Buy

It's a sample sized amount which is perfect for traveling, throwing in your purse and also getting the chance to test out the product before committing to bigger amount. At Sally's right now, this size pictured above at .62 ounces is $1.79. The full size product at 2 ounces is $4.99. A fabulous bargain that will last you such a long time.

Do you invest in foot creams? If not, what products work for you?

For awhile, this amazingly strong product was used exclusively in salons and other professional environments. I've seen pure acetone popping up in lots of stores lately; but until trying it out myself I didn't know it's versatility. 

All of these tips call for pure, 100% acetone. You can usually find it at Sally Beauty Supply, most drugstores, Target and Wal-mart- which is where I found the one I use. 

Always do a spot test before using this powerful solvent. You can also dilute it with some water before applying it to surfaces. Fabric usually has to be soaked to get the entire stain out. Use with caution, and never apply acetone to cloth with modacrylic, triacetate or acetate on the label as it will dissolve it.

Here are the 15 ways that I've found this product especially useful for removal:

As with any flammable liquid, be very cautious when using acetone for reasons other than stated on the bottle.  It is potent so dilute it when possible and always do a spot test.

Okay, so she's 9 years old and her glorious pup days are far in the past. To me, she will always be my little baby...

That is my dog Daisy. She is a fawn Chihuahua who enjoys long walks in the park and yummy treats. She was in fact born a long haired dog- she just gets haircuts in order to keep her cool, clean and looking cuter than ever. We recently made the switch from Petco to Petsmart for her monthly grooming and I am in love with the style they gave her. 

I use to cut her nails, shampoo and condition her, brush her teeth and all that by myself until her hair started to need trims. Now I take her to the groomers who work all the magic and manage to put pretty little bows at her ears. It is a little more expensive than DIY but in order to save her from looking like a hot puppy mess I let the professionals cut her the proper way.

The women who worked at this Petsmart were so incredibly nice, and my sometimes nervous pup didn't leave with any shakes- she actually seemed sort of relaxed. I sometimes felt like the other store didn't put any effort into interacting with the owners and always had these dreadfully miserable looks on their faces. The grooming center was always super cramped and very clinical looking without the same cleanliness.

In our town, the Petsmart store is much more sanitary and bright than the small and dingy Petco. The prices to get your pet a haircut are about equal as well. I feel much more comfortable bringing Daisy there which is sort of silly because I'm sure the environment doesn't bother her quite as much. I know animals have those senses too- but there really wasn't anything terribly wrong with Petco. I just wasn't feeling the 'vibe'.. whatever that means. I think for the same amount of money, having your pet in a friendly, more positive environment is worth the extra few miles or dollars. I know all stores are different; however the more inexpensive option isn't always best.

In a world where the canine is man's best friend, spend a little more time and effort to make sure they are well taken care of and happy.

If you are here in America and happen to be looking for a cheaper, clean place to have your pets styled then definitely give Petsmart a try.

See more of Daisy here in my the Pet Tag!

Do any of you get your pooches groomed? Is a good environment something you look for?

Face

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude

Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer in Ivory

L'oreal Infallible Never Fail Powder in Natural Beige

NYX Eyeshadow Base in White

MAC Blush in Lovecloud

e.l.f. Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder

Eyes

Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Liner in Charcoal

Revlon Photoready Mascara

Maybelline Expert Wear Eye Shadow Duo in Dusk

NYX Eye Shadow in My Favorite Color

Maybelline Eyestudio Cream Eye Shadow in Purple Possibilities

MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Young Venus

Wet' n' Wild Coloricon Eyeshadow Palette in Greed

Urban Decay Bamboo Palette- Grifter

Lips

Too Faced Lipstick in Free Love

Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Glitz & Glam

Review

This all in one spray is a leave in conditioner for all hair types. As you can see from the bottle, there are ten main things the product claims to do in order to be the ultimate 'miracle' hair repairer. What I especially love about this leave-in spray is that it can be used in any way you'd like- on damp hair that is going to air dry or be blow dried, or also on dry hair as a styling product. The natural ingredients in it work to make the hair more strong and in return it instantly looks less damaged. It never appears greasy even when slightly over applied, and soaks in nicely when applied on dry hair.

Top Ten

1. Repairs dry, damaged hair

2. Adds shine

3. Detangles

4. Controls frizz

5. Seals & protects hair color

6. Prevents split ends

7. Stops hair breakage

8. Creates silkiness

9. Enhances natural body

10. Flat iron spray & thermal protector

Some ingredients in the product:

Panthenol- a highly effective strengthener

Sunflower Seed Extract- natural sunscreen that guards against color fading and/or brassiness 

Green Tea Leaf Extract- shield hair from environmental damage with powerful antioxidants

Silk Amino Acids-restores natural moisture balance while adding strength and shine

Vitamin C- a powerful antioxidant that defends hair's natural strength and beauty

My Experience

After seeing the It's a 10 product line in a few salons I was at, I was familiar with the reputation but wasn't happy with the expensive price tag. However, at my last haircut when the stylist recommended it to me I decided to make the investment for my hair and buy it (I secretly couldn't pass up the neon pink packaging).

That was back in January, so I have been using it for a full three months now. I haven't been a sucker for expensive haircare in the past but this product might have made me change my mind. I definitely credit it to improving the status of my chemically and heat damaged hair that looked fried, dull and lifeless.  Through a better routine which including the daily use of the spray, my hair is now softer than ever and is recovering well. 

Not only is the packaging nice, but the actual product smells absolutely divine. It's one of those scents that makes you feel like you just walked out of the salon. Every time I have it in my hair my mom always comments on how good my "perfume" smells. The spray top is really convenient and makes it easy to get into all the layers of my hair. The product inside looks really thick but comes out of the nozzle with ease. 

Buy

This product is sold in many salons across the country, but can also be found online too at places like Folica.com, Target.com, Walgreens.com, Drugstore.com, and more. 

I wish I would have waited instead of paying the salon price of over $20 for just 4 ounces, however after three months I still have about half a bottle left.

I found this product the cheapest on Amazon.com and they carry all different sizes and amounts as well.

Final Say

I would recommend this product to anyone. It has done wonders on my dry, damaged hair and I would will definitively be repurchasing when I run out. If you are not using a leave-in conditioner, grab this product and add it to your routine- you will see a difference!


 Have you tried this product? If not- what's your favorite leave-in conditioner?

Review

This fun baked eyeshadow from an Italian brand called Milani Cosmetics is in the shade Green Fortune. It's a swirly mixture of many different colors including a light lime green, a medium kelly green, a grape purple, a sky blue, and copper and gold flecks. When you dab a brush randomly in the pot to apply to your eyelid, the color shows up as an olive shade with chunky gold glitters. Because the baked marble pattern is so compact, the way the shadow appears on the eye is fairly consistent.

Formula

As with many baked products, this eyeshadow can be worn either wet or dry. Applying it to the eye wet will intensify the color a bit and make it look darker. Dry application will create a more subtle and soft effect.

This product isn't amazingly pigmented, however the end result of the rainbow marble is quite pretty and also flattering. The mix of colors gave the green a nice dimension on the lid and is just plain gorgeous looking in the pan.

There was a ton of fall out when I used a dense brush to pack the color on my lid, which as you can notice below left gold sparkles on my face and all over my eye lashes. I would definitely recommend using this shadow first then completing the rest of the face to avoid the excess powder that seemed to have traveled all over my other makeup. 

Other

Like all Milani eyeshadows, the packaging is super clunky and hard to store. 

The little sponge-tip applicator and brush combo is super cute and convenient for touch ups. 

The wear decently long lasting without a primer. 

Find

Milani is carried at many retailers all depending on where you live. Wal-mart.com, Target, CVS Pharmacy,  Drugstore.com and Milani.com are good places to look. The eyeshadow costs $7.49 retail.

I found this shadow on Cherry Culture for $6.75 which also offers free shipping with a $40 purchase. Click here to check them out!

Final Say

This product is not only nice to stare at, but is also a very pretty shade to have in your collection. If you don't mind the hassle of fall out, this shade is unique and versatile. Make sure to use a primer on the lid to get a better grip on the glitter and also to make the powder look more bold. Pick this shadow up if you can find it- it's too gorgeous to pass on.

 Swatch

These super skinny tubes from Milani Cosmetics are called the Haute Flash Full Coverage Shimmer Lipgloss.

I was searching everywhere for these babies, and per usual all the CVS Pharmacies in my area were the last places to get a shipment! Gotta love living in New England...

102 Flashy is a true fuchsia pink with shimmers of the same color. It applies very pigmented straight from the tube without a lip liner or any layers of lipstick. The blue undertones are great because they make a smile appear brighter and whiter. The finish is not super glossy or shiny, and is much heavier than a normal lipgloss in terms of how it feels and looks. This is definitely a fun pop of color to try- however the texture may not be favorited amongst natural makeup wearers.

106 Quick Flash is a light pink with coral tones and light catching shimmers. This shade surprised me because it did not apply as rich and pigmented as Flashy did. It is noticeably more sheer and subtle- which for a full coverage gloss is sort of puzzling. 

Nonetheless, the color is so beautiful and adds a plush, pretty look to the lips. In daylight, it does appear to have a bit of a frosty finish that still looked flattering. Out of the two, this is my favorite due to the wearable factor and also just simply how I adore how it looks on me.

What's the formula like?

It's definitely thick and a bit goopy, which can be expected of a product that claims to be full coverage. When applied, it does smooth out nicely at first with the help of the flat, soft applicator.
I could feel the texture on my lips, and when I pursed them together the product sort of clumped near the part closest to the inside of my mouth. I might have just applied too much in order to get proper pictures. These are definitely not 'swipe on and go' glosses and they might be bothersome to those who like the typical light and shiny lipgloss. 

Where to buy and cost?

I found these at my local CVS store for $7.49.

They are also available online at the Milani site and other places as well.
 Cherry Culture is a discount cosmetic store where the glosses are available for $7.25.

Other?
There is a light vanilla scent.
Sleek gold packaging that looks great and show the colors inside well.
Neither of the shades feathered.
The long tube doesn't easily stand up on it's own.

Review

 This blush called Lovecloud is from the MAC Spring 2012 Tres Cheek Collection. It is a gorgeous medium pink with a subtle blue undertone. The finish is satin with a sheen that gives the cheeks a slight glow. Looking at it in the light, I notice tiny micro glitters dotted randomly around in the pan.

When applied very lightly it gives a pretty flush, but with a heavier hand it gives a doll-like, unnatural effect. The buildable option makes a blush like this a great investment to have in a makeup collection due to the versatility and flattering shade.

A pigmented color like this is perfect for warming up the face and drawing attention to the cheekbones. The color is fresh and perfect to brighten a dull complexion. The texture is smooth and easy to blend out with a regular blush brush. Like most MAC blushes, the staying power is about 8 hours without much fading.

Lovecloud was part of a limited edition collection; however it may be still available at select MAC stores, Macy's, Nordstrom, and other locations. It is a standard MAC blush size and cost $20 when I purchased it during the online launch on April 2nd. 

Lovecloud swatch:

Review

This vibrant lipstick called Watch Me Simmer is from the MAC Reel Sexy collection that was launched the first week of April. It is a medium coral shade with a hint of pink. The 'amplified creme finish' made this product glide on while still providing high pigment and a lot of shine. In the tube, it definitely appears darker than the true color that shows on the lips. It's one of those unique shades that changes a bit with the light and would also look different on various skin tones.

Formula

Due to the creamy texture, it does feather a bit even with a lip liner underneath; however this wouldn't hinder me from wearing this gorgeous shade. It's a great pop of color on the lips that's a little less bold than red but still bright enough to be the accent of a makeup look. This was my first ever MAC lipstick and I must say I was really impressed with not only the quality, but also the 5+ hour lasting power. It made my lips look smoother, while moisturizing and making them look pillow soft.

Find

Even after this lipstick was released in February of this year with the Shop MAC, Cook MAC collection- it still sold out online within a couple hours. That being said, this shade is no longer available on the MAC website- however there are stores like Macy's or Nordstrom as well as others online where it may be found.

I was lucky enough to grab a few pieces from the new MAC limited edition collections that were released online on Tuesday. Within literally a day, most of the popular shades from "Reel Sexy" and "Tres Cheek" had sold out. 

I had never been a part of the whole MAC cult following but I am afraid to say that might be changed now. Their marketing scheme is brilliant- it was like a high to grab what I wanted and quickly checkout; praying my order went through. By the time I refreshed the page, the item was pinned SOLD OUT and it felt so exciting and addicting.

Included in my mini haul is:

Lovecloud Powder Blush

Trace Gold Sheertone Shimmer Blush

Young Venus Extra Dimension Eye Shadow

Watch Me Simmer Amplified Creme Lipstick

I will be reviewing all these items soon so be on the lookout for that.

You can win the gorgeous limited edition lipstick in my spring giveaway.

Have a great weekend loves!

I received this fabulous fuchsia colored award from my blog friends What Rebecca Said, Beauty by Emma, and Forever a Lifestyle. These girls are so incredibly sweet and have great posts so make sure to check them out!

Also- don't forget to enter my Spring Giveaway dolls, the prizes are pretty good :)

I NOMINATE:

Hey dolls! To show my appreciation for your support and all your lovely comments, tweets, emails, and everything else- I put together a special little prize package for one lucky winner. It's the least I can do for such an amazing group of girls I've gotten to know over the past few months. I may be adding more to this giveaway as time goes on so be sure to check back!

Included is over $60 worth of products:

1.   e.l.f. Glossy Gloss in Pink Candy

A high shine, moisturizing gloss for the perfect pink nude lip. Click here for my review on the product.

Rules

Just use the entry counter below & in one month on May 4, 2012 I will be choosing a winner at random. 

Unfortunately this giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. I will be hosting many international giveaways in the future so don't be discouraged! 

I paid for all the prizes with my own money.
Thank you, and good luck.

<< CLICK READ MORE TO ENTER

Please read my hair journey so this post will make sense. 

The photo above is the length of my hair as of 3.31.12

It has been two whole months since I got my last haircut. I noticed that my layers have definitely grown out a lot which made my hair lay more flat. My uncolored roots are about an inch an a half longer which is so exciting! I was so happy to see it's been growing so quickly and that my routine is working.

January                                              February

Products Used:

Hairtrition Color Product Leave-in Detangler

Ion Daily Solutions Silk Drops

Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product

Regis Designline Curl Lock Leave-in Moisturizer

Routine:

Straightened once this month

Used minimal products 

Deep conditioned with every wash (about every other day/2 days)

Health:

 90% 

No split ends 

Minimal flyways

Smooth texture

Less frizz

The Low Down:

I used heat on my hair once this month which made a huge difference in it's health.

My hair was less dry and frizzy, and grew so much as you can see from the photo.

I did improve my water intake like I wanted to last month and also took a daily multivitamin which I think also helped too.

My natural curls look better, and when I straightened it with a flat iron it was so smooth and healthy looking.
I'm going to wait another month to color it again because my new growth blends decently with the rest of the color.