December 31, 2012
The Best of 2012 Favorites of the Year - Tag
To narrow down of all the lovely things I discovered and enjoyed this past year, here is a list of my favorites that are worth mentioning and sharing with all of you. Leave me a comment letting me know what you loved in 2012 or complete this tag on your blog, paste the link, and I will check it out!
Beauty
Favorite...
Face product?
I repurchased the Revlon Colorstay foundation after being without it for almost a year, and I must say it is still the best foundation I have ever tried.
Cheek product?
MAC's Lovecloud blush that came out this past spring is the perfect light pink color to match with endless makeup looks.
Eye product?
Maybelline's Dream Lumi Touch highlighting concealer covers up and brightens my dark circles so well and overall impressive for a drugstore product.
Lip product?
The Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Creme Brulee is the perfect nude color that is also moisturizing and light on the lips.
Skincare product?
Pond's Clarant B3 Dark Spot Correcting Moisturizer is a hydrating cream that truly does gradually lighten hyperpigmentation on my skin.
Nail polish?
The Spoiled line by Wet 'n' Wild offers a unique seafoam green shade called Toad-ally Amazing that was on my nails for a majority of this year.
Hair product?
The It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Spray was my favorite treatment because of how versatile it is and also how shiny and healthy my hair looked and felt after using it.
Body product/perfume?
Even though I purchased it a few years ago, Beyonce's Heat was one of my most worn fragrances this year. The scent is feminine yet unique and mature, I would definitely recommend testing it out wherever you can find it.
Fashion
Favorite...
Clothing piece?
A hunter green oversized sweater I purchased at Old Navy last year is what I always grab as my go to winter outfit paired with either with leggings or jeans and a pair of boots. It's so comfortable, cozy, and easy to dress up or down.
Accessory?
My beautiful open heart key necklace my boyfriend gave to me is my most worn and special piece of jewelry I received this year.
Shoes?
A pair of cognac flats I picked up at Payless Shoes for $14 are my most comfortable flats and go perfectly with many of my outfits.
Random
Favorite...
TV Show/movie?
MTV's Catfish is an interesting show to watch, but I also liked to tune into the drama on TLC's Breaking Amish this past fall as well.
Book?
I didn't do much reading this year as other hobbies took up my time, so sadly I don't have a favorite book to share.
Beverage?
The new Keurig machine in the house has intensified my addiction to coffee, and I really enjoy the Italian roast K-Cups as well as the Breakfast Blend K-Cups by Starbucks.
Song?
I listened to so much great music all year, but for 2012 hits my favorites were Linkin Park's Burn It Down and Ed Sheeran's The A Team.
Have a happy and lucky 2013 beauties!
Have a happy and lucky 2013 beauties!
December 24, 2012
Happy Holidays!
Daisy & her pink tree
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to my lovely blogettes!
I hope you all have wonderful celebrations with your family and friends, and that you ring in the new year with positive and inspiring thoughts and goals. I have a feeling 2013 will be fulled with much success, happiness, and blessings that we can only imagine.
Thank you again for all of your support this year; I love you all more than you will ever know.
Thank you again for all of your support this year; I love you all more than you will ever know.
"And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you"
December 21, 2012
Perfume Favorites - Tag
I found this tag on my friend's blog Noire Dame and thought I would complete it myself seeing as I love fragrances. To me, perfumes are so personal and intimate, and I find it interesting how certain scents can even mix with the chemistry of our skin to create something unique. I remember visiting a French perfume shop in Florida with my grandmother last year and learning how my great grandmother loved Shalimar by Guerlain. To this day I still remember how my mother always smelled of Ralph Lauren's Romance fragrance and how nostalgic it remains to me.
What was your first perfume you ever purchased?
I remember the first perfume I ever received was Davidoff Cool Water, but I don't know the first one I purchased for myself!
What's your signature perfume?
Rock 'N Rose by Valentino. I purchased my first bottle in Italy and I am still in love with it to this day.
What's your most recent perfume purchase?
Beyonce Heat.
What perfume would you wear at nighttime/date night?
Any of the Eau de Toilettes from the Benefit Crescent Row perfume collection.
What's your favorite spring/summer perfume?
Incanto Bliss by Salvadore Ferragamo.
What's your favorite fall/winter perfume?
Give A Little Pink by Victoria's Secret which my boyfriend gave to me as a Christmas gift last year.
What's your favorite scent category? (fruity, floral, fresh, oriental, woody)
Floral and sweet.
What perfume are you currently lusting after?
Escada Sexy Grafitti.
What fragrance/cologne do you like on your significant other?
Very Sexy For Him by Victoria's Secret which is what my boyfriend likes to wear.
I tag all of you!
I tag all of you!
December 19, 2012
Small Target & CVS Haul
I scored some great deals at the drugstore lately that I wanted to share with my lovely blogettes. First of all, I found two giant bottles of Suave shampoo and conditioner at Target that came in a twin pack for $5.49. I couldn't believe the price, and when my sister raved about how the conditioner made her curly hair really soft and manageable, I tossed the set into my cart without a second thought. So far I am loving both and will probably be doing a review in the near future.
At the checkout line I finally got my hands on the pink EOS lip balm in the flavor Strawberry Sorbet. I'm not crazy about the scent as it smells like an artificial sweetener, however I love the formula of this product and will continue to use it regardless.
My love hate relationship with CVS Pharmacy led me to another unpleasant experience while picking up my favorite Revlon Colorstay foundation and the new Covergirl Clump Crusher mascara that were both suppose to be at a discount with my ExtraBucks card. Long story short, I ended up getting both for about half price after my rewards kicked in, paying $6 for the foundation and $4 for the mascara. Sometimes I don't know if it's worth all the hassle of trying to politely figure things out with the almost always rude cashier, however in the end it always seems to work out.
Have you scored any drugstore deals lately?
December 17, 2012
BestHairBuy Clip In Human Hair Extensions - Review
I received the set of hair extensions pictured above to try out from BestHairBuy.com which is a popular website known for it's wide variety of affordable yet high quality hair products. What stood out to me was the extensive amount of styles, colors, and lengths of hair in comparison to other companies I have researched and seen reviews on. The generous discounts on the site did set off my 'you get what you pay for' mentality, however upon testing out the hair I received my mind quickly was changed.
Washing
When I first opened the package, I held up the 22 inch wefts and was a bit nervous that I had chosen the wrong length. They went about 4 inches below my bra line, which I thought would end up being too long and making my petite frame look even shorter. I decided to cut them all then shampoo and condition before wearing them to make sure they were extra clean and also to make them smell a little less 'brand new'. When I rinsed them in the sink, I did notice some of the brown dye clouding up the water, which ultimately wasn't a big deal.
It took them about 6 hours to fully dry, and after that I coated them all with a heat protectant then shine serum on the ends. The Remy hair allows you to wash, style and dye the extensions if desired, unlike synthetic hair which cannot be treated and is therefore usually less expensive. I also find that the Remy hair looks a lot more natural and less apparent when mixed in with human hair.
Wearing
After straightening my own naturally curly hair, I ran the extensions through my flat iron as well since they had dried a bit wavy. I applied them to my head after sectioning in this clip formation: 3,4,3, in the back, and 2,1,2,1 on the sides. I took a look in the mirror and realized I didn't like the even blunt cut that the ends had, as it didn't blend well with my layered haircut. I then decided to give them all an inch and a half trim so I cut the back pieces into more of a 'V' shape, and also shortened and angled the front pieces to frame my face a bit more. After doing so, I tried them on again and I was much more satisfied with how they looked on me. I also wanted to mention I did not back comb my roots when applying the clips to my head and they felt very secure on; at no point did they become loose or fall out either.
I preferred how the extensions looked in my hair when I curled them to give a more tousled and natural look, as wearing them pin straight made them look a little more 'fake' and obvious. In order to blend the extensions the best way, you want to make sure you style them with your own hair whether that be brushing it all together or styling when the clips are already in. In the picture above, I took a 1 inch conical wand and curled big sections for about 5 seconds each, thus creating a loose curl.
Quality
This being my first full set of hair extensions, I was a little unsure about what to expect. From my personal experience, I would categorize the extensions as high quality because they are soft, shiny, and easy to style and blend into the natural hair. I ended up choosing the perfect color match, as my dyed hair is a medium chocolate brown with slight red undertones. I though that I would need more than 120 grams for my thick head of hair, however it ended up being just the right amount for me without weighing down my head. As for the wefts, 8 was a good amount to sufficiently look full; however I think in the future I might choose 12 instead simply because I felt as though I needed just a little more volume on the sides of my head. There was very minimal shedding when brushing and washing, and the hair feels very securely attached to the 'track'. The clips are strong and held onto my natural hair easily without tugging or slipping out even without any teasing or extra texture at the roots. The hair was very easy to both curl and straighten, and proved to be much less stubborn than my own hair which did not take to a curl once I flat ironed it.
Conclusion
I love the versatility of clip in hair extensions, and they are so quick and easy to apply. I was surprised at how natural they looked on me, even with minimal styling. I did choose to shape them because of the amount layers in my own hair, however I don't believe it is necessary if you have a more sleek haircut. There is always the option of taking the set to a salon and having them cut by a stylist to have them correctly blended or trimmed.
I am extremely pleased with these hair extensions, and I would recommend them to anyone looking for high quality clip ins for affordable prices. The website always has amazing sales going on, and depending on what you choose you can get a nice discount on some hair that other sites would charge double the amount for. I will definitely be purchasing from this website in the future as my hair color and styles change.
Visit BeastHairBuy.com
Disclaimer: This product was provided in exchange for a review. As the integrity of Boho Vanity always comes first, all opinions are solely mine and are always completely honest.
Do you wear clip in hair extensions?
December 15, 2012
The Holiday Spirit - Tumblr Inspiration
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The photos shown above at not my own, and can all be found on Tumblr.com.
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What is your favorite thing about the holidays?
December 12, 2012
Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Oil - Review
The Carol's Daughter Tui Moisturizing Hair Oil is a blend of three natural oils that claim to create "softer, more manageable" locks. The texture and it's weight on the hair is heavy, so it is best suited as a treatment for normal to slightly damaged hair types and as a leave-in product for more coarse, dehydrated hair types.
Use
Even though I have thick and color treated 3B curls, I found that using this oil as an part of my daily routine left my hair looking and feeling too greasy; especially because I have an oily scalp. After some experimenting, my favorite way to use this product is to run a dime sized amount through damp hair and then tie it in a bun, thus letting it soak and dry into my hair overnight or even longer. It did not work well as a finishing oil after I flat ironed my hair, as it left it too weighed down and 'dirty' looking.
Those with very dry hair or with a 3C-4C hair type (curly to coiled) could potentially use this product as a daily moisturizer. For those with 1A-3B hair types (straight to wavy), it is ideal as a hot oil or preshampoo treatment because of it's density. I could also see this oil working well for bleach blondes or those with chemically treated hair in need of an extra boost of moisture, especially on the scalp. Thinking back, I definitely could have used an oil like this when I had a used a damaging relaxer last year as my hair would have absorbed the rich moisture that it needed for everyday styling.
Experience
I see the Tui oil mostly as a temporary styling product that will help to improve the appearance of the hair to a certain degree. I knew when I purchased this product that I wouldn't receive the benefits or outcome of healing from the oil, so I wasn't disappointed by the lack of nourishment from the ingredients. I am still a bit indifferent about it, however I did notice that my hair looked more moisturized and less frizzy then usual after incorporating it into my curly product routine.
Ingredients
"Corn oil deeply moisturizes areas of your hair and scalp that are extra dry.
Calendula extract helps add natural movement and softness back to your hair.
Safflower oil protects your hair and scalp from the environment which can cause dryness."
This product also does not contain any silicones, parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, or artificial colors.
Other
I was forewarned about this, but the bottle does leak a bit no matter how tight the cap is on, which is slightly annoying.
The Tui oil contains black vanilla extract that lingers in the hair as a fruity bubblegum smell, which I quite liked. From reading other reviews online about this product, some people did not find the scent as appealing.
Find
Tui Hair Oil ($10 for 2 oz.) can be found at Sephora, Macy's, the Carol's Daughter website as well as other retailers online.
Conclusion
I am happy that I have this oil to use now as a weekly moisturizer, however I don't think I will be repurchasing. For coarser hair that needs intense hydration, this product would be more suitable. For straight or curly hair that is only mildly damaged or dehydrated, I found it too heavy to be anything other than a treatment.
When I purchase an oil in the future, I will be more selective to choose a lighter one with the benefits of vitamins or a repairing effect instead of just masking my dry curls for a limited time. I am still willing try other products from this brand other than the Tui line because I do like the natural ingredients and the overall quality of the product.
Have you tried any products from the brand Carol's Daughter?
December 10, 2012
Last Minute Holiday Gifts!
Marc Jacobs teal cashmere gloves / Woolrich aloe vera socks / Old Navy sweater slipper boots / Neff heather blue beanie / Target Xhilaration pajama set / Windsor gold skull headphones / Bliss lip balm / Alex and Ani pink and gold bangle bracelet / LUSH bestsellers boxed gift / NARS 'photo booth' nail polish gift set / Napoleon Perdis holiday brush collection / Timex black silicone watch / J.Crew enamel stackable ring / Benefit 'she's so...jetset!' gift set / Betsey Johnson phone case / Modcloth picture frames / Barneys New York rockin' candy tree ornament / BCBGMAXAZRIA reusable mug / Box of macaroons / White Ipad mini / Lindt lindor truffle / Modcloth clear umbrella / Crabtree & Evelyn 'winter garden' candle set / All Saints elissa wallet / Target gift card / L'Occitane shea rose petals hand cream
Tis' the season to run around like mad to find gifts for the ones you love!
To calm the stress, I put together this colorful gift guide to share some easy to grab last minute presents that are functional and (mostly) gender neutral. If you have any more suggestions, make sure to leave them in a comment below.
This year I purposefully tried to choose more fun, colorful items to give, however I always stick with neutrals if I know the recipient is a bit more subtle and conservative. It's all about keeping personality and style in mind to ensure your gift won't end up in the unfortunate return pile.
To calm the stress, I put together this colorful gift guide to share some easy to grab last minute presents that are functional and (mostly) gender neutral. If you have any more suggestions, make sure to leave them in a comment below.
This year I purposefully tried to choose more fun, colorful items to give, however I always stick with neutrals if I know the recipient is a bit more subtle and conservative. It's all about keeping personality and style in mind to ensure your gift won't end up in the unfortunate return pile.
Beauty
For those on your list who are into beauty, you can never go wrong with a gift set. It's a classic present that usually includes an array of deluxe samples or even full sized products to try out. A nail polish set, cosmetic kit, or a full collection of brushes would be well appreciated by both makeup pros and amateurs. A lip balm or a hand cream also make nice stocking stuffers or additions to any gift.
Apparel
Matching pajama sets or furry house slippers are easy alternatives to purchasing clothing as a present, which can sometimes be tricky. A luxurious pair of gloves or some cozy socks are also items that people typically can never have enough spares of. I usually like to pick up some type of apparel such as beanie or a pair of snow gloves for the men in my family, as it's something they will most likely need again this time of year.
Accessories
For both men and women, a piece of jewelry such as a watch or a brand new wallet are classics that almost everyone wears or uses. Other accessories such as ear buds or phone cases are fun too, as they can be found in an endless amount of colors and prints.
Food
One of the easiest gifts to grab in a hurry is something everyone loves, food. An indulgent bag of fine chocolates or a new cookbook are especially great for the foodies or chefs of the family. A coffee fanatic would be grateful to receive a new blend to try or a mug to add to their collection. A person with sweet tooth might like to dive into a box of trendy rainbow colored macaroons.
Decor & Other
Although not the most glamorous of presents, sometimes functional items will be the most used, worn, or loved. Candles, ornaments, picture frames, and umbrellas are simple and easy to find if you are in a rush. If you have a bigger budget, the latest gadget such as an Ipad mini is especially great for the tech lover. When all else fails, a gift card is the way to go for everyone on your list.
What are you giving friends and family for the holidays?
What are you giving friends and family for the holidays?
December 07, 2012
Winterlicious Tag
Favorite winter nail polish?
Chinaglaze Frostbite is a bright blue that always reminds me of shiny ornaments. I reach for it in the winter when I went a unique alternative to the typical colors of the season.
Favorite winter lip product?
Last Christmas I wore the Estee Lauder Pure Color lipstick in the color Wild Violet. It is a stunning dark pink shade with gold sparkles. Ever since then, I have been loving this deep fuchsia in lieu of the classic red lip.
Most worn winter clothing piece?
Leggings are what I wear most often this time of year. They are perfect to pair with long sweaters and boots without the bulk of jeans or pants.
Most worn winter accessory?
I love to wear scarves when the frigid weather of New England requires you to bundle up. I throw one on top of any sweater or coat and I am instantly warmer while still looking fashionable.
Favorite winter scent?
Nothing beats the smell of a real Christmas tree.
Favorite winter beverage?
I am addicted to the Dunkaccino at Dunkin Donuts which is a delicious mixture of half hot chocolate and half coffee.
All time favorite holiday movie?
I will always have a special place in my heart for the original Frosty the Snowman, as it was my favorite growing up. Any of the other traditional cartoons like Rudolph, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and the Grinch are also ones I love to watch every year.
Favorite holiday song?
I simply cannot pick just one! Anything on the Pandora Christmas station I will gladly listen and sing along to.
Favorite holiday food or treat?
This is a tough choice too, but each year I always look forward to Hershey's Candy Cane Chocolate Kisses.
What is your favorite holiday decoration this year?
This year I especially love the new set of white lights on my tree. They look so cozy and festive at night when all the other lights are off.
What's at the top of your Christmas list?
I'm wishing that Santa will give me a positive and peaceful 2013.
What are your plans for the holidays this year?
I will probably be heading to my Aunt's place to spend Christmas Eve with my Dad's family, then head to my Nana's on Christmas Day to see my Mom's side. Lots of family, feasting, and gift giving to be done!
I tag everyone!
I tag everyone!
December 03, 2012
Winter Fashion - Tumblr Inspiration
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The photos shown above at not my own, and can all be found on Tumblr.com.
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Where do you find your Winter fashion inspiration?
