Video Tutorial: {How I Curl My Hair}

As promised last week, I filmed a video tutorial of my hair curling technique for you ladies. Nothing fancy, just a basic video of me...well...using a curling iron.

A few things before you watch:

1) As I say in the video, I think the way my finished style looks has more to do with the way my hair stylist cuts my hair than anything. If you have long hair, (my length or longer), I'd suggest asking your stylist for some long(ish) layers to help lighten up the weight of your hair in the front, which will help in the styling process.

2) It's all about the iron. If you haven't shelled out the $40 for a Hot Tools curling iron yet, do yourself a favor and make the purchase. Hot Tools just makes a better iron.

3) I'm not a fan of the curling wands. I tried a friend's a couple of times and I prefer the old style with the clamp. This would work just fine with a wand, though.

Products mentioned in the video

CHI Turbo Paddle Brush (Large)

Hot Tools Professional Rainbow Gold 1-1/4" Barrel Curling Iron 

Tigi Catwalk Your Highness Firm Hold Hair Spray

You can find a complete list of the other products I use on my hair, including shampoo and conditioner, on this page.

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Another email topic that frequently comes up: baby bangs and baby sideburns and how I dealt with this strange postpartum phenomenon.

I'll start by saying, I didn't avoid it, (and am still dealing with it a bit), but I didn't get it too badly. I think one thing was instrumental in that: Davines MELU Heat Protecting Shield. I used this stuff religiously both before and after Caroline was born. It helped to put a halt to breakage and speed up the re-growth process.

Davines MELU Shield Heat Protecting Spray

(A lot of people think the short postpartum baby hairs are from breakage alone, but it's actually new hair coming in and, sometimes, subsequently breaking off due to heat styling. See? Learning new things daily. That's what we do here on this highly educational blog.)

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Thanks for watching me curl my hair and thanks for reading this blog. It shocks the heck outta me at how many of you take the time to read this little piece of the internet daily and I sincerely appreciate that.

Buy This - Not That: {October Edition + Blanket Scarf Video Tutorial!}

Lipstick I'm wearing is here. I also use a 1-1/4 inch barrel Hot Tools curling iron. 

I'm loving the bargain hunting aspect that comes along with this monthly post series. I've scored so many designer look-alike items through research for these posts. Not sure my bank account is thrilled, but my closet is way happy ; )

Behold (!!) My picks for October:

Jessica Simpson Beagan Boot in Bourbon Fudgie ($99) vs. Frye 'Shirley' Over-the-Knee Boot ($478) 

3.1 Phillip Lim Medium Pashli Bag ($825) vs. Ann Taylor Pebbled Signature Crossbody Bag in Taupe Latte ($98)

Tinley Road Pleated Fit-n-Flare Dress ($89) vs. Milly Fit-n-Flare Textured Dress ($450)

Via Spiga Quilted Trapunto-Stitch Leather Jacket ($269) vs. Maurice's Quilted Faux Leather Jacket ($69)

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Finally, I wanted to show y'all how I tie my blanket scarf. These babies can be a little bit daunting because, well, they're massive. Hopefully, this will help if you're struggling to tie yours!

Also, I mentioned in the video that I got mine from Heart & Home Collection. Unfortunately, it looks like they're sold out : ( (They do have it in a very pretty red color, though!) CORRECTION: Megan says she still does have some - yippee!! Looky here!

My girls at Riffraff also stocked this scarf, the Mad for Plaid scarf in Multi, last week and, though it's currently sold out, they will be getting more. Simply enter your email address on this page to be notified when they have arrived.

Also, can we please take a minute to appreciate the incredibly moronic look on my face in the still shot of this video? Thanks, YouTube. 

(The lipstick I'm wearing in both photos and the video is called Plum Velour by Revlon and can be found here.)

I'll see you back here tomorrow for Confessional Friday!

P.S. - If anyone else knows of stores that have the blanket scarf in stock, leave a comment telling where! I know lots of ladies that are still looking to get their hands on one, so I thought that might be helpful!!

Younique Mascara: {An Eye-Opening Review}

Recently, my good friend Hannah passed along some 3D Fiber mascara by Younique for me to try out and give her my thoughts. I had purchased some back in January and could never quite master the application technique, (i.e. I looked like a hot mess), which I completely blame on having a newborn and just not having any time to play with the mascara and learn how to apply it. But, I knew if I could figure out how to apply it that I'd love it.

Well, Younique reformulated their now-famous mascara AND I finally took a moment and watched a couple of YouTube tutorials on how to put the stuff on. (I liked this tutorial.)

Let me tell you...amazing results.

I have pretty decent eyelashes on my own, but this stuff gave me major lash volume and length that far surpassed any of the lengthening mascaras I've tried in the past. I did a little comparison down below so that you can see what a difference just one application of the fibers made.

And, because I like to be 100% transparent in my opinions for reviews, I made a comparison chart for ya. I wanted you to see what I thought were the major perks and the tiny drawbacks...as you'll see, the pluses were numerous.

*I did get some oil-based eye make-up remover last night, (brand is Almay, I think), and it took the 3D Fiberlash off in a snap! So really, it's only a little challenging to get off if you use just regular water.

For a very reasonable price and the results it produces, I deem this product Ambition Approved. Get some 3D Fiber Mascara for yourself here from Hannah! You will not regret it, I promise.

Well-Concealed

Before I had Caroline, I had one teeny little tube of concealer in my make-up bag, (all the mommas are now chuckling and nodding their heads.)

During those first few days we had her home, I realized that I needed a dadgum arsenal of concealers – concealers to hide the evidence of those 5:00 a.m. feeding sessions, when little bit loved to party.

Ignore gigantic, ridiculous selfie from this morning...I needed a pic and sadly, Caroline can't operate our DSLR yet ; )

Now that she’s sleeping like a good four-month-old should, my concealer is simply what I use as quick fix when I’m short on time for applying all-over makeup.

I wrote about the bareMinerals Well-Rested Eye Brightener in this post, but lately, I’m loving NYX Concealer in a Jar ($4.99 from Ulta). I can pop a little smudge under each eye, dust on a little Ben Nye Banana Powder and then get on with my day. (I wear the 'Yellow' shade.)

I’m also a big fan of Smashbox High Definition Concealer, if I'm looking for something during the humid months.

To be fair, I’ve heard unbelievable things about Yves SaintLaurent Touche Eclat, but I just can’t fathom spending almost $50 on concealer (oh yes, 5-0). For $50, it ought to include the professional make-up fairy to come and apply it each morning. But, hey, if Caroline ever goes into the dreaded sleep regression, I may just buy a little tube of the stuff.

Desperate times and desperate measures and so forth…

I apply in the boomerang pattern: small dots under each eye, then dotted around the periphery of each eye in the shape of a boomerang.

Have you found a concealer that you love?