Hair Care, Menswear, & A Paper Doll

Sorry for the extreme lack of posts lately. I am still trying to recover from being out of town and several family events. I think I will finally get a chance to breathe this week. Hooray for getting back into routines!

I just realized which FBFF post I missed 2 weeks ago! It was all about hair care!! And you know what, I want to post it anyway, so here goes...hey, it's only 10 days late!!!!

April 2007. My favorite haircut EVER.

1. How often do you get your hair cut?

I get my hair cut probably once ever 4 to 6 months. I'm trying to force myself to get a hair cut more often because I know my hair wants to feel and look healthy, so I'm trying to make that every 3-4 months. My problem is that I used to always want something drastic done in order to get a bang (haha) for my buck. But now I realize that if I like my current hairstyle, then why not just get a trim and a few more layers instead.

The best (hair) day of my life.

2. Do you go to the same stylist each time, try someone new, go to the
cheap hair cutting chains or live it up in a salon?

I used to go to Master Cuts a lot when I was in college. And I liked the services there; my hair cuts and color always looked good. I have tried them a couple times since I moved back to Houston and I haven't been too happy. I last went on the day of our engagement photos (Feb 2010) and told the guy I wanted sweeping bangs. He then proceeding to chop them at a very sharp angle and then blow my hair out to give me big Texas hair, ugh! I went home, straightened my hair, and pinned my bangs to the side. That's a good lesson for why you shouldn't get your hair cut on picture day!

I've decided that with so few hair cuts I get a year, that it's definitely worth it for me to spend a little more and end up looking great every time. I now go to an Aveda salon (Josephine's Day Spa and Salon for those in Houston) where the service is impeccable and you aren't allowed to tip. This makes it a lot easier when you are getting both your nails and hair did...it's always confusing to know which of the 5 people that helped you should get a tip and how much they should get. I try to go to the same girl but I've been to 3 different ladies there and have had a wonderful experience each time. I also love that they have Aveda products there and I always buy some during my visit.

3. Do you color your hair? How often? What’s your natural color?

I used to get highlights all the time. But I haven't done that in about 4 years now. I was tired of getting them redone or redying my hair to my natural color and my husband liked my hair better in its natural state of color anyway, so I just stopped getting them and saved myself some money. I've never dyed my entire head one color (except when going back to a natural look) and I'm thinking of trying a lighter brown shade for a different look. (Plus I am getting a few gray hairs at the crown.) My natural hair color is what you see now...dark dark dark brown.

August 2006. Short wavy hair with highlights

December 2006. Shoulder length hair with highlights.

December 2006. Hair dyed back to dark brown after lots of highlights.

4. The one thing you always do to keep your hair looking great is:

Not washing it. That sounds gross when you put it in writing, but my hair dries out if I wash it every day. When I had shorter hair, I washed it more often but I guess I just don't touch it as much when it's longer so it doesn't get greasy.

I also let it air dry most of the time so that I'm not over stressing it with a hair dryer and straightener too many days of the week.

I also use hair products sparingly. I don't use hair spray but my favorite products are Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother to prevent frizz and Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam for a little body.

2005. Shortest haircut as an adult...donated that chunk to Locks of Love.

5. What hair trend do you love and wish you could rock?

I used to want to sport a really short layered do, and rock it for a few months. And when I was younger, of course I wanted to be blonde...every brunette thinks they want that at some point. But now I'm pretty happy with my hair. I like that I don't have a new, cutting edge, trendy hair style. I'd rather have hair that I can look back at in 20 years and not know for sure which decade I was living in because it looks timeless and flattering to my face. That's more important to me now.

Now that we've covered hair, let's get into a little fashion again. I haven't posted an outfit in a while, but here's one I wore last week.

My pants were a little baggy so I paired them with a fitted blazer, which I think creates a more feminine look for the menswear.

I'm really liking the menswear trend lately. And blazers are definitely one of my favorite accessories to jazz up an outfit a little.
I go through phases...one week, I'm all about cardigans, the next week it's blazers. Either way, I have to make sure I stay warm in my cold office.

No close up pics as I wasn't wearing any makeup yet!

I bet you're wondering where the Paper Doll part of this post is coming in and it's right here.

Have you met Elisa? (read as though Barney is saying that on How I Met Your Mother)

Well Elisa is letting the blogosphere choose her outfits for her. In other words, a real live paper doll for you to dress up, YAY!

See the outfit I chose for her here.

So what have YOU been doing the last couple weeks that I might've missed? Point me in your direction so I can catch up on all your doings.

Polyvore Floral Ensemble

I found a fun new challenge to do! And now I'm obsessed with the Polyvore website.

I have Polyvore sets on numerous blogs and sites but I didn't know until this morning how beautifully addictive it is!

Where have I been all this time? I could have been wasting so many hours at work with this fun site. Oh, right, maybe it's a good thing I didn't know about it.

Here's my florally inspired set.

Garden State of Style by lemondrop_linz featuring flat shoes

Sonia Rykiel cotton tank top, 560 GBP Miss Selfridge shrug top, 28 GBP Top, $25 Crochet tank top, $10 Dolman tee, $7.99 TopShop floral print skirt, $75 Flat shoes, $88 Dorothy Perkins leather handbag, 32 GBP Flower necklace, $15 John Lewis Women straw hat, 23 GBP TopShop hair accessory, $8 Ray Ban aviator sunglass, 135 EUR Paul & Joe - Lipstick N - # 20 (Milk Chocolate) 3.2g/0.11oz, $25 CHANEL COCO MADEMOISELLE PARFUM, $95 THE COSMETIC MARKET :: Makeup :: Nails :: OPI Tutti Frutti Tonga, $8.50 Table Flowers - Roses and Carnations in a Vase Singapore

I started with the gorgeous skirt and then coordinated the outfit based on that.

And of course I couldn't just have one top as an option with the skirt because that wouldn't be me. So I had to go overboard a little and give my girl a few choices.

I think the tank & yellow lacey cardigan is perfect for a weekend day outfit. I like the 3/4 sleeve top with the Sonia Rykiel tank layered over it for a work outfit. And I couldn't help but add the gray tank with crochet back...it was just too cute!

Just throw these extra tops in that cute gray Dorothy Perkins handbag and you've got your work to weekend options ready to go!

The orange flats can be used for work or play and will definitely grab envious attention from your coworkers or friends. As will the adorable flower headband you'll be wearing. For the weekend, grab your striped hat so you can protect that porcelain skin while you're out and about!

Now that you're looking at the world through your rose tinted glasses, all you need is a killer necklace, rockin lipstick, and pretty nails and you're good to go!

Don't forget a quick spritz of my favorite perfume and then treat yourself to some gorgeous roses so you have something pretty to look at after your fun weekend!

Come join the Polyvore fun with Danimezza!

FBFF: Beauty Products

My first post as a member of the Fashion Beauty Friend Friday...YAY! :)

Also my first post on beauty products. That's a little strange considering I LOVE makeup and fun beauty products! I try not to walk into Sephora often for that very reason. I made the mistake of going in there on a payday for my favorite foundation...I only got a few things and spent $100. Eek!!

Talking about Sephora reminds me of the first FBFF question this week.

1. What's your favorite drug store makeup product and favorite higher-end product?

Drug store makeup: I LOVE my Revlon Colorstay eyeliner in black! My dark & beautiful brown eyes (conceited much?) need a dark pencil that's easy to apply and Revlons works bestest for me! Woah, I just browsed Revlon's website and found the eyeliner for $6.79 online, what a deal!

Higher-end product: d.j.v. beautenizer Fiberwig LX mascara!!! Before I met and married this product, I had clumpy, smearing lashes, but those lashes are no more with Fiberwig!! Easiest mascara EVER to take off...maybe I don't even take it off sometimes...and my face isn't (as) scary the next morning! Retails for $24...and totally worth every penny!!!

I also have to give a close runner up to Smashbox's Camera Ready Full Coverage Foundation. It's so smooth (like buttah) and keeps my complexion looking even. The only complaint I have is that the brush it comes with leaves brush lines on my face. And of course it is tres expensive for not much product! Retails for $38.

2. Is there one type of product that is your go-to, can't live without?

Definitely my foundation. Can't leave home without it! Ok, sometimes I do, but it's on before I arrive at my destination. And maybe applying my makeup while driving isn't the best idea!

But I also love my Mary Kay Timewise Age-Fighting Moisturizer!! I put it on every morning and most nights. It is just so refreshing on my skin.

3. What's the best hair product you've ever used?

Hmmm...I don't fuss with my hair as much when it's at a longer length. I don't like to put a lot of product in it or style it too much during the week so it stays healthy. I know this is a weird thing to say but I do love the shampoo I use. Organix Shampoo - my favorite "flavor" is the Pomegranate Green Tea. It's sulfate free and leaves my scalp feeling refreshed and not dried out! Retails for $6.99 on Drugstore.com

I also love Aveda products, especially the Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother - perfect for the humid Houston climate! Retails for $24 but I've had it about a year now since I don't use it every day.

4. Fess up, what's the worst beauty look you've tried to rock and look back at now with a little shame or apprehension that you actually did that?

Um...does a "trendy" haircut count? If so, I shall hang my head in shame as I admit to once having "The Rachel" cut as my do in high school.

Remember how the 90s were really no better than the 80s with regards to style?

5. When it comes to beauty products, we all use the same basic products. What do you use that helps show off your personal flare and personality?

My eye shadow. I usually use Urban Decay's Deluxe Shadow Box set. I bought it for my wedding because the pink color was perfect for a sweet day like that, and I thought the bright colors would be fun to wear on my honeymoon in Costa Rica!

Retails for $38. SO worth the money. Dude, I bought this last April and still have a few months left in it!

I like to think I have a colorful personality...plus I love to wear bright colors in my clothing! So, why not wear bright eye shadow as well?! High school girls totally compliment me all the time on my eye shadow now, haha!

Colors I wear most:

The pink in the bottom middle is gone.

The purple on the top left is nearly gone.

The green has a hole in the middle.

And the dark purple and bright blue are also wearing down.

I literally wear THE brightest colors in the mix!

Here's my typical work day makeup.

And now I'm thinking that maybe my foundation is a little on the yellow side. I have to wear 2 different colors of foundation from winter to summer.

Does everyone else run into that issue as well?

What are some of your favorite beauty products? Please share!