I remember my mom teaching me how to curl my hair on her gold Hot Tools curling iron when I was in middle school.
I saw all of the salon stylists using the same gold iron that I had and I thought it was SO cool. That first Hot Tools curling iron lasted me through high school AND college and it was like this fun secret that I had a professional iron. I remember teaching the girls on my dorm floor how to use my curling iron too!
Now my secret is out and I want to share some of the reasons why I’ve been a Hot Tools fan for the past 10+ years (and a discount code below!)….
These curls also last. When I curl my hair with my Hot Tools iron the curls last through the end of the day. As the next few days pass, my curls loosen a bit (which I love) and I just do a few touch-ups around my face. The third day curls are my favorite.
BEAUTIFUL NATURAL LOOKING CURLS
I am loving the Hot Tools Signature Series 1 ¼” Gold Large Tapered Curling Iron + Wand, especially for fall! Right now I’m really loving the look of full, mesy, naturally looking curls. I’ve been styling my hair this way for a few weeks now and I can’t wait to continue this look into the fall.
SALON QUALITY AT HOME
Hot Tools irons are my go to iron because they are designed with Gets Hot…Stays Hot Pulse Technology, which means the iron maintains the same temperature at all times, giving me the perfect curl every time. I used to only see ladies at hair salons using Hot Tools, but I’m happy to announce that theHot Tools Signature Series 1 ¼” Gold Large Tapered Iron + Wand is now available at Amazon!
*pro tips:
Start at a lower heat setting (around 350) to help reduce heat damage, and work up to a higher head as needed.
Mix up the size of strands of hair as you curl. A mix of bigger curls on bottom and tighter curls on top will make for more natural looking curls.
Curling away from your face on either side helps frame your face beautifully.
Leave 1-2 inches at the end of your hair out of the wand for a more natural look.
Once your hair is curled, grab a few smaller sections of hair at the top of your hair and curl them a little tighter and tease the base of your top curls. This will give you ultimate volume!
What are some of your favorite fall hairstyles? Have you used Hot Tools irons before? If you grab one with my discount code, DM me and let me know! I would love to see what looks you create!
In partnership with Hot Tools. All opinions are my own.
I’ve tried and tested tons of products over the last year to help with breaking and damage to my hair, and today I’m sharing TEN of my favorites with you. These hair products have really helped nourish the ends of my hair, help my hair grow faster, and leave my hair silky, shiny, and healthy!
I have naturally wavy hair that is on the dry side from coloring, so it’s been really hard for me to find the best way to air dry my hair. Air drying helps keep my hair from being dry and brittle, but without the right products my hair is huge and out of control. I get asked a lot about how I get so much volume in my hair…but the truth is, I’m constantly adding product to tame the volume. But dry shampoo on the roots is my #1 tip for getting more volume at the roots!
IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE SAME KIND OF HAIR AS ME:
If you have more oily hair you will want to cut down on how many oils you use in my hair…but I use a ton on the ends of my hair to keep my hair from drying and breaking. In my roundup I’m also including the blonde products that give me the best results for maintaining my blonde without becoming orange and brassy.
THE HAIR CURLING IRON I USE:
I get asked a lot what I use to curl my hair and I use this Gold Marcel Iron in the 1″ barrel. I’ll post a video of how I use it over on my instagram. I’ve been using this particular curling iron since I was 12 and I always reach for this one when I need good curls in a hurry. It’s the best and a great price point!
Holy grail, hands down, get it. I apply so much of this serum to my hair it’s a bit ridiculous. A little goes a long way, but with as dry as my ends are, my hair just drinks this elixir up. I apply a pump to my whole head when my hair is wet, then to the ends when it is dry. I also have been applying it to the ends of my hair daily to keep my hair from breaking and I really feel like this has helped my hair in the front of my head grow. Finally! My hair is glossy and shiny and healthy. I’m almost out of my first bottle and I’ll be ordered a second bottle asap.
Do we see a brand preference going on here? There is a reason. Kerastase products work. I got a second bottle of this mask because mine is almost out. I only wash my hair once a week, and I use this as my conditioner. A little goes a long way and it starts working instantly. It’s incredible how soft and shiny my hair is after this mask. I feel like you can go cheaper on a shampoo…but this mask is worth the splurge. They also have this mask for thin hair.
One of my favorite drugstore hair products. Garrett first started using this putty on his hair years ago, and I’ve slowly taken over his bottle, so now we each have our own. This texture is so good and it’s under $10. Creamy, not sticky, but it acts like a texturising spray or salt spray when I run it through my hair. I add this to the ends of my hair after curling for a slightly messy/beachy look.
I use this primer on damp hair whether I’m blow drying or not. It protects my hair from any heat so I apply it to the ends before I curl my hair. I’ve seen less heat damage from using this primer.
Best purple hair product I’ve ever tried. It tames any brassy color in my hair in minutes. Be extra cautious with this mask and only leave it on for a few minutes. The lighter your hair, the faster it works. My blonde is fresh and a bit icy after using this mask. I only use it about once every few weeks to keep my blonde color exactly the way I want it.
A good alternative to the elixir oil (but still not as good). Let’s be honest, I use both. I add this oil to the front of my hair on day 3 & 4 to keep it from getting too dry and frizzy.
One of my very favorite dry shampoos, the Blush scent is my favorite (smells like flowers). A little goes a long way, so spray with caution. Very great for adding volume to the roots. I spray this on my roots from day one and it helps my hair last a full week in between washings.
I shampoo just my scalp with this shampoo. Because my hair is so dry I have a very dry scalp. I did a sponsored post on this shampoo years ago and have used it ever since. It helps keep my scalp from getting dry and flaky. I also think it’s helped with my hair growth because it’s given me a healthier scalp.
This oil is incredibly. It’s a dry oil, so it is very lightweight. I spray this on my face at night over my moisturizer and on my hands too, so it’s really versatile. Again, I use this to hydrate the ends of my hair. I get the best use out of it for my hair when I spray it on my hands, rub my hands together, and lightly run my hands through the ends of my hair. A little goes a long way. This bottle has lasted me well over a year and I’m halfway through it.
I may not wash my hair regularly enough, but I do my best to keep it healthy. I love to try new things with my hair that will protect it and help it grow. I’ve had long hair all of my life, and I love having long hair! I remember when I was little my mom showed me how to comb out my hair when it was wet by starting at the bottom and moving my way up, so that I didn’t break or damage my hair. Right after I had Eli, my hair was really long and thick (three cheers for pregnancy hair!). When my hair started falling out a few months after giving birth, it was depressing. I knew it would happen because it happened with my first two. One thing I noticed was how much shorter my hair was in the front than it was in the back. I’ve been desperate to get those front sections of my hair to grow long and healthy again, and I found a few things that have helped over the past few months.
1. I stopped blow drying my hair. Never in a million years did I think I could do this. I have a very thorough hair-drying routine that I do. It turns out the heat and brushing from blow drying was really damaging the ends of my hair and stunting it’s growth. So I started washing my hair at night, and straightening and styling it in the morning. I do end up needing to wash my hair a little more frequently than I used to, but it isn’t as big of a hassle because I don’t have to blow dry. One thing that helps is prepping my hair with the right products when it is wet to keep it from drying super frizzy, which leads me to my next tip…
2. Iprotect my hair with the right quality products. I’ve used all kinds of products on my hair, and the ones that I keep coming back to are the higher quality products that really truly protect my hair. Even without blow drying, my hair can still get damaged with straightening and curling. I used to think that my hair just needed a little more moisture to stop the dry ends, but I’ve found one product that adds more than moisture to my hair. The formula in Living Proof’s brand new Restore Perfecting Spray starts working on my hair when it is wet, which is a crucial point in the damage cycle. At night when it’s damp, I spray my Restore Perfecting Spray all throughout my hair, and then comb it out to make sure it gets evenly applied. This spray coats my strands (without the buildup) and acts as a shield against hot tools. It also acts as a detangler, which is why I spray it on before I brush out my hair. This helps against any breakage while I am brushing.
At night I also run my fingers through the ends of my hair with the Restore Instant Repair lotion to help prevent split ends. In the morning it is mostly dry, and I noticed how much smoother my hair is after spraying the Restore Perfecting Spray all throughout my hair the night before. When it is dry, I spray Restore Instant Protection on my hair for an extra shield before I straighten or curl it. I have to use heat to style my hair, but these Living Proof products help to protect my hair through all the styling, up to 400 degrees F. It’s so nice to know I now have a protecting shield on my hair to stop the breaking and damage that comes with higher heat. The time-released conditioning helps with restyling on the 2nd or 3rd day after washing. I get these products online, and they are also available at any Sephora.
3. I take vitamins everyday. When I am pregnant I take a prenatal vitamin that is packed with a ton of good daily nutrients that just so happen to make my hair grow like crazy! I didn’t stop taking the prenatal vitamins after I had Eli, and I also take a Biotin supplement every morning religiously. The biotin helps with my skin, hair, and nails and I can really tell a difference whenever I stop using it! I just pick it up at Costco or a grocery store. I just switched to the gummy kind and they taste good too!
We all have beauty issues we struggle with; acne, overly plucked eyebrows, short lashes, thin hair, etc. etc. I have struggled with a beauty issue for years that I rarely see talked about among women. Mostly because it’s embarrassing and pretty easy to hide. I’ve had an extremely dry scalp ever since I was a young girl. The dry, winter weather just makes it worse! It is dry, itchy, flakey…I can hardly even write this because it grosses me out! I’m always embarrassed every time I go to a new hairstylist, and I’m constantly apologizing for the condition of my scalp when they highlight my hair.
While I’m dishing embarrassing secrets, here is another one. When I was in middle school I got lice while I was away at a girls camp. To make matters worse, I had a sleepover with a bunch of my girlfriends right after the camp, and I didn’t know I had it at the time. A few days later we realized I had lice, so my mom had to call all of my friends’ moms from the party and tell them! You guys…it was awful. Trying to get rid of lice was one of the worst experiences. I remember coating my head in vaseline and wrapping my hair in plastic wrap. Then we had to use this awful gritty mud to get the vaseline out of my hair once the lice was gone, and it completely dried out and damaged my hair and scalp. To this day I blame my dry scalp on that horrible lice episode.
I have tried so many products to stop my dry itchy scalp. As a lot of you know, I only wash my hair about once a week (I did a full post about it here). By the end of the week, my scalp gets really itchy, and that is one of the main reasons why I cave in and wash it. I recently switched my shampoo to Head & Shoulders Instant Relief Shampoo to see if it would give my scalp long lasting relief, and I have been so happy with the results. My scalp usually starts getting bad by day 3, but after using Head & Shoulders Instant Relief Shampoo I was able to go 5-6 full days with an itch/flake-free scalp! The mint-infused shampoo cools my scalp and starts working on contact. I then use my normal conditioner and styling products, and I am left with soft healthy hair and finally a healthy scalp! I no longer have to apologize to my hair stylists anymore.
Do any of you struggle with a dry scalp? Why does it feel so embarrassing?! If you have gone through what I have, you have to add Head & Shoulders to your hair care routine! It’s available on Amazon, it’s affordable, and it works.
I wanted to follow up from my post yesterday about the sale happening on my favorite NUME curling wand. I talked my friends over at NUME into extending the crazy sale through this weekend, so right now you can get $50 off any of the NUME tools by using this link. It will list the normal price at first, but when you add it to your cart it will automatically deduct the $50.
I wanted to show you exactly how I use my NUME Classic 25mm wand, so I put together a tutorial. I like my curls to be long and loose, and my NUME wand gets hot enough for me to get a good curl that will actually last to the next day.
I have another tutorial for you today! I love this pretty side braid that looks a whole lot more complicated than it is. It would be a perfect look for your Valentine’s date night! Check it out below, and make sure you head over to my new Youtube channel and subscribe so you wont miss any of my videos! (I have some really fun ones planned)
HOW TO BLOW DRY YOUR HAIR (TO MAKE IT LAST A FULL WEEK WITHOUT WASHING) + MY NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND A $100 NORDSTROM GIVEAWAY!
I’m so excited to announce that I have officially launched my Youtube channel (you can subscribe here)! I’ve gotten so many requests on how I do my hair or makeup, and sometimes its just easier to show you on a video rather than in pictures!
In honor of my launch I’m giving away a $100 gift card to Nordstrom! The entry is at the bottom of this post and its super easy (all you have to do is subscribe to my Youtube channel).
Today I’m walking you through how I blow dry my hair in order to make it last me for a full week. If I don’t blow dry it correctly I can’t extend the life of my blow out as long as I want to (and you all know how much I hate having to wash/dry my hair). I link to all the products that I use right below the video.
Make sure you subscribe to my Youtube channel in order for your chance of winning a $100 gift card to Nordstrom! The giveaway goes through this Sunday night.
Let me know in the comments below any future tutorials you would like to see! I have some fun beauty and fashion ones planed throughout the year but would love to hear what you would like to see!
I can’t believe 2015 is coming to a close! Its been fun to reminisce and look back on what an amazing year this has been. Today I’m sharing 2 simple hairstyles that would be perfect for a fun night out tonight to ring in the new year…
This side braid adds a little glamour and complexity to simple loose waves. I love pairing it with pretty statement earrings, because it pulls the hair out of the way to show off the earrings.
Start with fairly dirty hair and curl the ends of the hair.
Part hair on the left side of the head, and tease the left side of the hair to add volume. Spray with dry shampoo or hair spray.
Take a small section of hair on the left side near the part and form a tight dutch braid, only adding sections to the braid with the hair on the side closest to your face.
Stop the braid when you reach the top of your ear, and pancake the braid (pull out each section a bit to make the braid fuller).
Continue braiding for another 2 inches, but don’t add hair to the braid.
Secure with an invisible elastic behind your ear. Add sections of additional hair not in the braid when you secure it, to keep the braid in place.
This look is simple, but the styling keeps it elegant. It works best with 2-3 day old curls.
Spray roots with dry shampoo to add a bit of volume. Curl the ends of your hair starting from your cheekbone down in loose waves that curl away from your face.
Part your hair on the far left.
Put the hair on your left side behind your ear and sweep all the hair off your left shoulder and onto your right shoulder.
Spray in place with hairspray.
If I weren’t going to be home banging pots and pans at 9pm with my kiddos, I would definitely be rocking one of these hair styles, and this gorgeous look below (just click on any image and it will take you right to the site!)
I have these heels in blush and they are the most flattering heels I own! This perfume is one of my favorites in a light floral scent that lasts all day. This coat was just restocked and at literally makes me drool. I love it so much. And how amazing is this sequin dress? The beading is super intricate and it is impeccably cut. The emerald earrings and ring are the right pop of color to the look, and the clutch stands out with the graphic modern design.
I hope you all have a fantastic New Years! Thank you so much for reading!
HOW TO SKIP HAIR WASHING DAY (AND MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOU DIDN’T)
We’ve all done it. Wash and style hair, wear it styled for a few days, then toss it in a messy bun around the time that it needs washing. But so many times I throw it in a messy bun with every intention of washing it the next day…and it just doesn’t happen. I put the Living Proof products to the test, and today I’m sharing how I was able to recreate a freshly styled look (long after my hair was fresh) using my favorites from their line.
I’d say this was about day 5 since my last wash. I wore it in a messy bun exactly like this the day before.
FIRST: Dry shampoo. This one is my favorite of all the Living Proof products. I’ve tried a lot of dry shampoos and this one is fantastic. It has a clean citrus scent to it that I love, and I feel like it really does ‘clean’ my hair. (I watched this cute video to show just how well it can clean sweaty hair here- perfect for gym days!) Hold the bottle 8-10 inches from your hair and spray along your roots. I section off parts of my hair as I spray- so the front, lift up each front side and spray, lift up the back middle section and spray etc. Then wait about 30 seconds.
You will see a white powdery look to your hair at first, but after the 30 seconds, take your fingers and rub along your roots where you sprayed the dry shampoo to spread evenly and ‘dust off’ the dry shampoo.
SECOND: Add a dime size about of the Prime Style Extender Cream just to the ends of your hair. This will give it a little weight and make it piecy, perfect for curing. Don’t add it to your roots or you will undo the cleaning effect of the dry shampoo. I should also add that I don’t brush my hair out. I feel like this ruins the effect of the soft beachy waves you will create.
Curl your hair in slightly thicker section. Curl away from your hair and start about 5″ from your roots, leaving 1-2 inches uncurled at the bottom.
THIRD: Add a tiny pea-sized drop of the Satin Hair Serum to your palms (a little goes a long way!). Rub it between your hands to warm it up and ‘activate’ it. Very loosely run your fingers through the bottoms of your curls and touch lightly along the top of your hair to smooth out and fly-aways.
FOURTH: Set your curls with the Flex Shaping Hairspray. I like this hairspray because it isn’t too stiff. It lives up to it’s name because it allows you to still run your fingers through your hair while keeping the curls in tact.
And there you have it! Nobody would guess that your hair was in desperate need of a wash when you woke up. I used this technique last week for a Christmas party I was attending. I had every intention of washing my hair but that was a luxury I just didn’t get to that day. Instead of rushing to try and wash it (and be late for the party in the process) I just did all the steps I listed with my Living Proof products and it added another day of not having to wash and style my hair.
Everyone’s hair is different, and mine reacted really well to the Dry Shampoo. But if you are unsure of which product to start with, try out this product selector tool to help you figure out which products would work best for you!
in collaboration with Living Proof. a product I use and believe in.
THE GIFT OF RELAXATION- 3 TIPS FOR A STRESS FREE DECEMBER
The holidays are always crazy. There are so many fun activities to go to and parties to attend…but preparing for them takes a lot of time and energy. Three years ago I was tired of being so stressed out the entire month of December, so I made a few changes in how I prepared for holiday parties and it has made such a difference! I’ve followed suit every year since then and I am really able to enjoy the weeks leading up to Christmas, rather than spend them stressed out and frazzled.
I look forward to holiday parties probably more than the average person. I love getting dressed up and going to parties! But the truth is I’m usually trying to get dinner for the kids, pick up the babysitter, nurse the baby while putting on my makeup, etc. So even getting ready (my favorite part) can become stressful! Today I’ve partnered with GLAMGLOW to share 3 things I do early in the month of December to make getting holiday-party-ready stress free!
GET A MANICURE
After having Eli I struggle to even find time to paint my nails! And even if I do, they end up chipping 2 days later because I’m constantly working around the house with my hands. So early in the month of December I get a gel manicure (either with Eli in my baby wrap while the kids are in school, or early in the morning on a Saturday when Garrett is home). It is so nice not to have to try and paint my nails last minute as I’m running out the door.
GIVE MYSELF A GLAMGLOW MUD MASK
I used to never ever go to bed without washing my face. But so many late nights have taken their tole, and I’ve become guilty of quickly scrubbing my my face with a makeup remover wipe and climbing in bed. My complexion tends to be dry and uneven because of this, so I’ve been using this GLAMGLOW mud mask all throughout this month. My favorite mask is the GLAMGLOW YOUTHMUD Tinglexfoliate Treatment mask. It’s a quick application and I only have to leave it on for 10 minutes. So I throw it on before I nurse Eli at night, a time where I can actually sit and relax. The mask starts working right away and gets tingly, and my skin is super clean after I wash it off. I can tell a difference in the tightness of my skin as well. I’m so paranoid about getting wrinkles, I love this aspect about the mask. The results are instant! By spending just a few minutes taking care of my skin with GLAMGLOW, my skin is fresh, glowing, and ready for holiday party makeup. The great thing about these masks is that they don’t interfere with any other skincare products, so they work great for all skin types (which makes for a perfect gift as well!).
DO MY HAIR AND MAKEUP FIRST
I always have a million things I’m trying to take care of before I leave at night for a party. On the days that I leave my hair and makeup very last, I’m always the most stressed and wishing I had more time to spend on it. This year I started to do my hair and makeup early in the day and it has made a big difference. Sometimes I will have my makeup completely done and my hair curled before I pick up Cash from preschool. This probably sounds crazy, but I have the most free time in the mornings while the kids are in school. By the time dinner rolls around, all I need to do is freshen up my lipstick, blush, and spray my hair a bit. So get yourself ready first and I promise you’ll enjoy your night a whole lot more.
With the holidays in full swing, I’ve really been focusing on amping up my beauty routine. I’ve been to a few Christmas parties and I have another one tonight to attend, so I’ve wanted to make sure that my hair, makeup, and nails are consistently “holiday party ready”. But let’s face it, I’m busy with three kids and work as it is – throw the holidays into the mix and I have zero time left for pampering!
I was so excited when Kelly from Studio K convinced me to put my busy schedule on pause for an afternoon of pampering at her salon earlier this week and to tell me about a hair product line that would help carry me through the rest of this crazy month. She is absolutely the sweetest, and even held Eli while I got my hair washed! I’m so glad I carved out some “me” time for an hour. I got a much needed trim, an amazing blow out, and talked with Kyle, my stylist, and Kelly, about how to maintain salon quality hair when I’m constantly on the go. Kelly told me all about the Living Proof products that they use in their salon.
Living Proof products use a special molecule that creates a thin invisible shield around every strand of hair. This shield protects hair from damaging heat from styling and repels oil and dirt so that it stays cleaner longer. Cleaner hair for a longer amount of time means my favorite thing- less washing. I’ve made it my personal mission to perfect the art of the ‘once a week wash’, so I’m really excited to put these products to the test and see if they really can keep my hair cleaner longer.
I left Studio K with a bag full of all the Living Proof products that they used on my hair and I can’t wait to test them all out myself. I’m most excited about the dry shampoo. I’ve tried so many that work ok, but have yet to be blown away by one. I’m putting Living Proof to the test through the rest of the party season. I will let you know how they hold up to my dirty hair when I only have 10 minutes to make it look fresh and amazing before a party or shoot!
My hair has a natural wave to it. The kind of wave that causes it to get pouffy and frizzy the second I encounter humidity. Years of bleaching my hair has only made it worse. Because I live in Southern California and deal with humidity on a daily basis, I’ve had to rely heavily on my straightener to keep my hair from going “Mufasa” on me (ie: morph into a lion’s mane). My hair washing, blow drying, straightening hair routine is a long one. I try to wash my hair only once a week because I dread this lengthy process.
I recently tried a new at-home frizz eliminating system called TextureTame. Have you heard of it? OH my goodness it’s a game changer. I’ve always wanted to try Keratin treatments at my salon, but I simply don’t have 3-4 hours every 2 months to devote to it. I did the 3 step at home treatment with TexureTame and saw immediate incredible results! I’m in love!
Before I used TextureTame my hair was looking dull. It was so full of product and was in desperate need of a boost. I hated wearing my hair straight because it was looking so dry and damaged at the ends. After I used TextureTame’s 3 step treatment, my hair was glossy, vibrant, and I barely even needed to use a straightener! Honestly! I didn’t think I could get this kind glossy straight hair without having to straighten (and damage) every strand of my hair.
TextureTame is a three-part process that you can do at home to permanently eliminate frizz and strip your hair of any product buildup that causes dullness. It doesn’t have any harmful or toxic chemicals either. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Eliminate treatment- This step takes 30 minutes and only needs to be done every 3 months. It doesn’t smell the greatest…and because of this I was a bit skeptical. But boy does this stuff work!
Step 2: Moisture Lock treatment- This step takes 15 minutes and can be used once a week to keep hair super soft.
Step 3: Finish treatment- This step can be used as often as you want to dry or damp hair. It helps enhance shine and protect your hair from any additional damage.
This would make a fantastic Christmas gift for someone looking to step up their hair game! Plus, all Elle Apparel readers can get 30% off a 3 month supply of TextureTame by following this link.
I really love this product. Its much more cost and time effective than going into a salon for a similar treatment. And it WORKS. I’ll just let my handy little animated GIF do the talking…
In collaboration with Dermstore. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
