Best of: Nails

A good manicure is just the icing cake.  The perfect finishing touch!  So I thought it would be fitting to wrap up my Best of series with my favorite nail products!

1:   Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream has been my go-to for years.  I have one at my desk and on my nightstand, and try to apply two times a day.  It keeps my super dry hands and cuticles tame!

2.  I also keep Fine Grit Nail Files all over the place too.

3.  I loved Essie's Grow Stronger base coat when I was trying hard to grow my nails out & stop biting!

4.  I pretty much exclusively use Essie Nail Polish.  Favorites for my hands include Ballet Slippers and Allure and for the Piggy's Smokin' Hot, Mint Candy Apple and other fun seasonal colors.

5.  Dry time is the worst.  Essie's Good to Go helps speed things along!

6.  I mentioned this Sally Hansen Hard as Wraps base coat a few Friday's ago.  It really has made my manicure last so much longer!  I can really get away with going a week without noticeable chips!

My normal routine:
-File {buff if needed} and apply cuticle butter and hand cream.
-Swipe an alcohol soaked cotton ball over my nails to remove any residue.
-Apply one coat of Hard as Wraps, let dry approx. 2 minutes.
-Apply one coat of polish, and let dry about 3-5 minutes.  Apply a second coat if needed, and dry the same time.
-Apply one coat of Good to Go.

I took a tip from my blog pal, Emily, and surf the iPad for about a half hour while I really wait for them to dry.  That way I can really be sure they won't be ruined.  Because ruining your nails as soon as you do them is the WORST!

What are your favorite nail products?  Any tips to make your mani last longer?!

Best of: Hair Tools

Good hair products are only as good as the tools you pair them with.  I'm a firm believer in that.

{1} The Vented Ceramic Brush is my first line of defense when I start to dry my hair.  The vents allow air to travel through, helping me rough dry just a little faster.

{2}  On days when I actually want to curl my hair, I reach for the BaByliss 1 1/4" Curling iron.  If it can create a curl that will hold in this mane, it deserves an award.

{3} My old trusty friend, the Chi Ceramic Flat Iron.  This bad boy has been with me since my sophomore year of college, survived almost daily use, has been dropped numerous times and even had a trip in the toilet once while plugged in.  It is the best tool I've ever owned.

{4} If my raving about Drybar wasn't enough in this post and last week, let me give you a little more.  This brush!  The best I've ever used.  It is the perfect size, actually helps dry my hair a little faster, and creates enough movement that lasts all day.  Worth every penny.

{5} O gave me this hairdryer a few years ago for Christmas after my previous one kicked the bucket the night of my work holiday party.  Wet hair in December was borderline traumatic.  I digress...  This guy knew what he was looking for, because this Conair dryer is the best hair dryer I've ever used!  So good, that my momma went out and bought the same one after she used mine.  Top five gifts he's ever given me.

The thing with hair tools is, they're usually a little bit on the expensive side.  I'll tell you this: I've killed more straighteners, curling irons and blow dryers than I care to count.  But once I started investing in quality tools, I stopped ruining things and replacing them.  Take the Chi for example...it went in the toilet.  THE TOILET!  And lived to tell the tale...

Best of: Hair Products

We've covered skin, makeup and lips.  Lets jump into what might be my most favorite product category: the hair.

{1} Bed Head Urban Antidotes Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner.  Y'all, I could literally sit and sniff this stuff all day.  Insane, I'm aware.  But it smells so good!  And it really helps with the dry and crispy hair.

{2}  I have professed my love for Drybar here, but it's worth mentioning again and again.  I LOVE the Southern Belle Mousse.  Best weightless, truly volumizing mousse.

{3} After I'm done drying and styling my hair, I run a tiny bit of Bed Head After Party to smooth everything out and keep frizz at bay.  Again, this one has the all important smell factor.

{4} To finish off a good 'do, I spray on a little Money Maker Flexible Hold Hairspray

{5} And, of course, on day two I need a little boost.  Which brings me to Detox Dry Shampoo, yet another amazing product from Drybar.

If there is a product out there out there that will make my hair dry faster, that would be super.  Or maybe when I hit the lotto one day, I'll have someone do my hair for me daily.  Glam squad a la Kim Kardashian...

Best of: Lips

What's a good make-up routine without taking care of your lips?!  I intentionally left this off of my Best of: Makeup list last week, because I thought it deserved a post all of its own.  I will try any and all lip products, but here are my all time favs!

1: Kiss me exfoliating lip scrub.  I use this about once a week, more in the winter, to scrub the nasty, dead skin off my lips.  LOVE the minty scent and my super smooth lips after.

2: Kiss me tonight, is by far the best intense lip treatment.  I put this on every night before bed, and I can still feel it in the morning.  Totally withstands the stuffy nose, open mouth breathing and potential drool.

3: Since I'm not much of a lipstick girl, I gravitate to tinted lip balm.  I have loved every single shade of Fresh Sugar I've used.  In my purse now is the Honey color.  Favorite thing: buy the mini's around the holidays and test out all of the different colors!

4: When I just need some chapstick, no color, I reach for EOS balm.  Love all of their flavors scents.

I may not be able to stray from these, but I'm certainly open to suggestions!  What are your favorites?

Best of: Makeup

Last week, I listed out my favorite skincare products, so it seems fitting to move right into the makeup this week.  I don't spend a ton of time doing my makeup...5-10 minutes, tops.  Here's my routine:

1. After my morning skincare routine, I use TheBalm concealer under my eyes and on any blemishes.

2.  I use Laura Mercier's Mineral Powder all over my face {this should really be at the end...its the last thing I do}

3. Maybelline's Eye Studio Color Tattoo--game changer.  I use this all over my lid, up to my brow bone.  It acts as a primer, and eye shadow.  Goes on smooth, and won't crease.  LOVE.

4. I use Stila eyeshadow in my crease--its a purplish brown, discontinued color.  I once read purple brings out the green eyes, so that's what I use.

5.  I line both the top and bottom lashes lightly with Make Up Forever's Aqua Eyes in Grey

6.  I've mentioned this in a 5 on Friday post before, but the Benefit Brow Zings has seriously helped to define my sparse brows.  It also keeps them under control.  I hate unruly brows.

7.  I finish off my eyes of Clinique's Lash Doubling Mascara.  I've tried TONS of mascara's, and this isn't sticky or stiff, comes off easily with little rubbing, and stays put all day long.

8 & 9.  I'll use either {sometimes both} Nars Blush in Orgasm or Snow Bunny Bronzer by Too Faced.  Both last forever--I've had them for well over a year {or more?}

Sounds like a lot, but I've got it down to a science.  On days when I'm in a hurry, it'll be #1, 2, 3, 5 on top only, and 7.  That's like a 2 minute routine...

Don't be afraid to try something new or expensive.  I get almost all of my makeup right from Sephora--they have an AMAZING return policy, even if you used it & didn't like it or had a reaction, etc.

What are your favorite brands?  Any tips to speed up the process?

Best of: Skin Care

I'm no beauty blogger, but as a self-proclaimed "product junkie," y'all know I've searched high and low for the best of the best.  I thought I'd spend the next few weeks breaking it down--my "best of" list!

I've raved on and on about my love of philosophy skincare.  I've used a lot of products over the years, and this is by far my favorite skincare routine!  It's quick & effective.  No fuss.

I start off each morning using the microdelivery exfoliating wash* {1} with take a deep breath moisturizer {2}.  Then, on to makeup.

Every night, I use the purity foaming face wash {3} to remove all of my makeup, follow with take a deep breath, and hope in a tube {5} around my eyes and mouth.  Follow up with clear days ahead on any trouble spots.  DONE.

This has proven to be an extremely effective system.  I receive compliments all the time on my skin {minus the massive breakout I had recently...still weird.}  It's not cheap, but its not overpriced either.  A little goes a long way, and lasts a long time.  And is totally worth the results!

I have to know--what are your favorite skin care products?!

Drybar at Home

For some reason, I'm obsessed with Drybar.  I've never been to one.  We don't even have one close to where I live {which is probably a good thing.  Because I'd be there ALL.THE.TIME.}  But I'm obsessed!  I have no idea why.  Oh wait, yes I do.  I LOVE a good blow out after a haircut.  And why not have one all the time?

After browsing their online store, I was encouraged by my glass of Riesling to make an impulse buy.  Or three.  Whoops!  Good thing I had leftover gift cards from Christmas...

I shared a few Fridays ago about my exciting little delivery!  So many of you commented on my post and on Instagram that you'd love to know more about my purchases.  I really wanted to give them a good run before I formed my opinions, but first things first:

• I have A LOT of hair.  My stylist always adds on more time to my appointment because it takes FOREVER to style.  My hair "hides" water.  It appears to be dry, but then you feel it & there's damp patches.
• I don't wash my hair everyday.  Mainly due to the reason above.
• I have no idea how to "fix" my hair.  I either dry it, or it goes up in a ponytail. I'll occasionally run a curling iron through it if I have time.  Again, it comes back to the too much hair issue.
• I'm impatient.  And I like sleeping in.  So getting up a little earlier to style my hair never seemed like a route I wanted to take.  That is, until I had a few "ugly days," and decided to make a change.

So here's what I got:  Full-Pint Round Brush, The Morning After, Big Hair in a Cute Little Box.

How great is the hand written note?!  That added so much for me!

My main goals were to get a little more volume, enough to last through day two & have more of a "style,"  not just dry and flat iron.  My new cut has a lot of layers, and I know it has the potential to look as good as the day I left the salon, every day.

What they say really is true: the right tools and products make all the difference in the world!  I LOVED every.single.thing I bought.

• All of the products I purchased have the same scent--vanillaish, maybe.  Whatever it is, it smells awesome. 
• I watched the "How To" videos {link at the bottom} on the site to gain a little more knowledge about how to maneuver the brush and dryer, since that takes a level of coordination I clearly don't have.
• The Full-Pint Brush is the perfect size to create just enough flip and movement through my hair. I love the smooth handle
• The Southern Belle Mousse!  My word, y'all--this has made the ugly days disappear.  It is lightweight, and doesn't make my hair stiff, crunchy or icky.  Once my trial size runs out, I will most definitely be getting the full size!  Paired with the Full-Pint Brush, it creates enough volume that lasts well through day two.  
• Speaking of day two... The Detox Dry Shampoo is great!  A little goes a long way, and is barely noticeable in my dark hair.  I also LOVE the lined shower cap, which keeps the hair free of water or steam in the shower on the second day.  Know who didn't like the shower cap?  My dogs.  They barked at me.
• The Money Maker Hairspray is so light & still allows for movement.  No helmet head here.

So my Drybar blowout at home?  I'm by no means an expert--far from it.  I know the pros would do a FAR better job.  But I can live with this day-to-day {disclaimer: worst selfies EVER.}

What I've learned?

• Good hair days require a little effort.  And patience.  
• I can't wait for my hair to air-dry a bit before I pull out the round brush and dryer.  I've found that I can wait 5ish minutes {enough time to put on my makeup} before I really need to start drying.  The more it air dried, the more frizz I ended up with and it was actually harder to style.
• As soon as a section looks dry, dry it for a little bit longer.  Just to be sure my hair isn't hiding any extra water.
• That a great hair day can make you feel like a million bucks.  Even on the coldest, snowiest, dreary winter day! #ineedatan

I was not compensated for this post.  These thoughts and opinions are all my own!  But if founder Alli Webb wanted to hook a sister up next time I'm in DC, I wouldn't be mad ;)