The change of seasons is always a good time to make changes or add on to your current beauty routine.  As I've recently gone a little lighter than usual, I'm trying to focus on upping my hair product game and I've rounded up some new (to me) items that I want or have already added to my toolkit.

sugar mist: I've been a devotee of Bumble & Bumble's Surf Spray for decades (does that age me?).  Regardless I am not so eager to jump ship from a tried and true, but word on the street is that sugar mist has all of the benefits of the loved salt spray bur less the drying of salt with the moisturizing bonus of sugar.

wella luxe oil:  The smell of this oil alone is enough to make me want to use it all day every day.  But in addition to smell, wella is known for products that are great for color treated hair (hello.) so I'm all in on anything that promises to make my hair more healthy & smells great.

aveda blue malva conditioner: Since I've gone a touch lighter on my hair color as of late, I'm working double time to not only keep my hair healthy, but work on the color in between treatments.  Enter blue malva.  I've worshipped at the shampoo counter of aveda previously, but I use this conditioner once a week (note: I only wash my hair twice a week). I keep it on for the duration of the my shower and it is the last thing I wash off before I get out.

beachwaver: I've held out on a curling wand long enough.  Everyone sings the praises of the beachwaver and I am looking for an easy tool to integrate into my everyday.  Has anyone tried this one yet? Do you have a favorite?

I'll read you in on a little secret, more often than not these days more and more women aren't washing their hair everyday.  Depending on your hair type, there's a lot of literature out there that says washing your hair everyday strips it of healthy oils and actually dries your hair out more over time making it less healthy (And yes, there is actually literature on hair care).  Or maybe that's just my excuse for not washing and drying my hair everyday.  I had started this washing my hair two times a week thing while I was out on maternity leave - it was easier to get away with greasier hair when you had the valid excuse of an infant, but hadn't found my holy grail of dry shampoo until a little over a year ago.  Here's the trick with not washing your hair, dry shampoo.  Live it. Love it. Own it.  As proof that this not washing your hair everyday thing actually works, I thought I'd offer up some photographic proof, as well as my hair care regime.

Sunday Night - Wash my hair, put in 'It's a 10' Leave-in Conditioner, and let air dry overnight

Monday Morning - Hot style hair with either curling iron or straight iron

Tuesday Morning - Spritz Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray in hair and curl

Wednesday Morning - Spray DryBar Dry Shampoo (for Brunettes here) at hairline, and at several points underneath hair around crown of head.  Let sit for a few minutes and comb through.

Wednesday Night - Lather, rinse, repeat.


So basically, under the best circumstances, I wash my hair on Sunday and Wednesday nights.  Depending upon my level of activity and what else we are up to, I might alter the schedule a little (e.g., using dry shampoo earlier in the process), but generally speaking the schedule works for me.

A few other tips for keeping you hair as healthy as possible:
- I use a wide tooth comb to brush my hair at all times. It tends to pull out the tangles a little more gentler and I have found less breakage
- Use a good shampoo/conditioner; I haven't found a favorite yet, but I bounce around between several options
- Limit heat to your hair as much as possible.
- Vitamins; at least a multi-vitamin, if not a biotin supplement

So let me know, is this something you'd want to give a go? Do you wash your hair everyday? What are your favorite products?

The other day I spent a lovely Sunday morning at Sephora working with one of their make-up artists to play with new product and get some recommendations.  I often find myself in a make-up rut and I love to try out new product and see what works best for me and my skin.

What I tried:

• Make-up For Ever HD Foundation, Primer, & Powder: Exclusive to Sephora, this brand is designed with a photo finish in mind.  Overall, I really liked the brand, but it was a lot more make up than I was used to.  It blended well and looked great on.  

                       Verdict: I might purchase it for use on bigger events, but definitely not everyday.

• NARS Laguna and Orgasm: Laguna as a bronzer and Orgasm as a blush.  The makeup artist who I worked with did a lot more contouring than I am used to and it looked fantastic.  I have NO idea how to re-create the look (although she did instruct me as to how), but I will be YouTubing in the future to get a better understanding.  

                     Verdict: I already use Orgasm and would consider Laguna as a supplement bronzer to my

• Benefit They're Real Mascara: I've been hearing a lot of hype about this mascara and it really was excellent; however, I'm hooked on Mary Kay's Lash Love.  

                     Verdict: Definitely not switching.

• Smashbox Eye Shadow Trio - Auto Expose: I loved how this eye shadow looked with my eye color.  It is also fool proof to apply with great coverage and lasting ability.

                     Verdict: Purchased

• Buxom in Dolly: Every year I resolve that I will pay more attention to my lips.  I will wear lipstick more.  And every year, I fail.  This year, I took a step in purchasing a lip color and gloss that I adore.  Not only that but this brand plumps your lips and makes them look fuller.

                     Verdict: Purchased

• Make-up For Ever Lip Line Aqua Lip (3C): I suffer from imperfect lips: my top lip is thin and my bottom lip is full.  Therefore having to add an extra umphf to my upper lip is a must.

                     Verdict: Purchased

• Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation: This an an all-natural brand that works to reverse spots, aging, etc.  I really liked the light formula.  My make-up artist sent me home with a sample and so far it has worked really well with my skin type.

                    Verdict: Will purchase later once my current daytime moisturizer runs out.

• Philosophy Eye Hope Eye Cream: I liked the consistency and I think I do need to up my game as far as eye care is concerned-my dark circles are only going to get worse from here!

                    Verdict: Seriously considering purchasing later.

• Sephora by OPI Nail Color: I've been looking for a rainbow glitter top coat for a while and happily found it in Sephora.

                    Verdict: Purchased

• Bumble & Bumble Styling Creme: An old standby of mine that I love and couple with Josie Maran Oil product.  This time of year my fly-aways are a little out of control so I need this additional help to power through.

                    Verdict: Purchased