Celebrate Curly Hair with The New Curly Haired Emoji Keyboard from Dove Hair Care!

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Dove, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #LoveYourCurls #pmgdove http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

If you have curly hair like me, you know that occasionally "the struggle is real"; other times your hair is your best buddy and it just curls perfectly, with no frizz in sight. While I love that my hair has a ton of natural volume and body, the crazy curls that I was blessed with are something that I have had to learn to love and tame a bit.

It's been a process learning how to, not only appreciate, but take care of my unruly head of curls. From finally finding products that keep my hair hydrated, like the Dove Hair Care Quench Absolute line, to adjusting to not dying or straightening my hair as often, I've really grown into my natural look and feel proud to rock my curls most days.

That's why I want to share a way for all of us girls to rock our curls! It's time to #LoveYourCurls, girlfriend! So grab your phone, you'll need it to download the coolest new thing for us girls with curls!

With your phone in hand, the next step is simple, just download the Dove Love Your Curls Emojis in the App Store or the Google Play Store to show you #LoveYourCurls! Now we can send emojis that actually look like us to everyone in our phone!

We all know pictures are more fun than words and these emojis are honestly beyond words, they are so absolutely perfect for us curly-haired gals that want to show off our emotions! With 74% of people using emojis everyday, it's time to start putting our stamp of approval on group texts with a dancing, curly-haired emoji!

I think the designer of the Dove Love Your Curls Emojis may have even decided to make the brown curly haired emoji to favor me, I mean look at the resemblance...

Let me be real and share with you that I spent almost all weekend sharing texts with my adorable curly emojis and sipping coffee.  Now if they make a coffee sipping curly haired emoji, they will have literally created me in emoji form.

Want to help spread the word about how much you love your curls? Share your images with the hashtag #LoveYourCurls on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram! Oh and don't miss your chance to see a curly emoji pop up after each use of the hashtag on twitter!

Now that I've shared my natural look and my love for my curls, I'd love to hear from you about your hair texture... Are you blessed with curly, wavy, or straight hair? What are your tips and tricks to keep your mane tamed? Tell me all about your hair care routine and what you do to keep your hair looking fabulous in the comments below! I can't wait to hear all about it...

Simplify Your Skincare Routine & Get THE Glow You've Been Dreaming Of...

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT®. I received product samples as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Living in Florida in my late twenties means that I have to be really conscious of my skin, I need to make sure that I have a skin care routine that includes SPF while still using products that are gentle on my sensitive skin. Being in your 20's means that wrinkles can and will start appearing unless you treat your skin correctly and lately I've noticed that I really need to be moisturizing, exfoliating, and making sure that I'm protecting my face from super the harsh florida sun and all the stuff in my make up. I love my freckles but I don't need any more of them and I definitely want to avoid break outs, luckily I have the tools to do just that now...

It's serious business making sure your skin looks and feels nice. I'm so over dealing with an entourage of products to make sure my skin still holds it's youthful glow, though... I no longer will carry around a primer, a moisturizer, a deep cleanser, a spot treatment, an eye cream, etc. AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® has given me an alternative to using so many products, now I just grab my face wipes and my moisturizer and I'm ready to show off my fresh face.

I use a wipe every single morning and evening to make sure my face is clean and fresh and I use the moisturizer as a primer in the morning and as a night cream in the evening. What's the deal with my obsession with AVEENO®? I'll fill ya in...

As you probably already know AVEENO® harnesses the power of active natural ingredients but now they have a new line,  AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT®. This line of products is specifically formulated to help even out tone and texture, transforming dull, tired looking skin into gorgeous, radiant skin with the power packed Total Soy Complex.

I bet you are wondering, what exactly is the Total Soy Complex? It helps to visibly transform the tone, texture, dullness, blotchiness, and brown spots of skin. The complex is included in both the wipes and moisturizer and I've noticed a huge difference in the way my skin looks lately.

The AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® Makeup removing wipes combine the total soy complex with gentle cleansers to reveal brighter, smoother, healthier looking skin. The skin you've always dreamed of and I'm so excited to share they even help clear up some of my break outs - probably because they are oil-free and noncomedogenic, which means they won't clog your pores.

The other star of the show today is what I use to protect my skin, prep it for makeup application, and sometimes I just use it to freshen up my face -  AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® Daily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 15 is a life saver! Formulated to help even skin tone while reflecting light, to make tired skin look bright and more radiant - it's a beauty secret that the world needs to know about!

Replacing a complex skin care routine, with AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® products has been life changing - in a good way. If you want to start taking better care of your skin now, I suggest you check out what AVEENO® can do for you and your daily routine.

So tell me, what does your skincare routine look like currently? Do you want to simplify your routine? Tell me all about your skin care habits and what you hope to achieve with your routine in the comments below, I look forwards to hearing all about it!

Plus, don't miss your chance to win big - use the giveaway form below to enter for a full Aveeno set up!

AVEENO Positively Radiant AET

Let Me Tell Ya About My Best Friend: Kérastase - Repair Your Hair NOW!

Thanks Influenster and Kérastase for sending my new best friend to me!

If you've ever bleached or dyed your hair before, you probably are the victim of over-processed hair - especially if you're like me and you tend to change hair colors as often as one changes the show their binge-watching on Netflix. I've tried the no-poo thing and although I saw some benefits from using just a cleansing conditioner, my hair-type is just not made to go without some cleansing shampoo as well.

So when I heard about Kérastase from Influenster, I knew I had to give the line a try! I was hesitant to believe a conditioner and shampoo (used in that order) could repair my hair, but it's absolutely true. I officially have a new best friend in Kérastase, it keeps my hair looking fabulous and we selfie together and everything... haha!

Let's get serious though - My hair, which is currently fading and is a fantastic mixture of 50 shades of purple, has been nearly every color under the rainbow in the past. I've accidentally dyed it a deep midnight blue (now I want that color on purpose), I've been red, I've been a bright blonde, I've also had black hair and green hair, and one time it was even blonde with pink. I've gone through nearly a million different hairstyles over the years and I've finally found a line of products to keep my hair from feeling as damaged as it once did, so maybe I'll try another color soon!

Want to know another reason I love Kérastase so much? My hair is finally growing again, after years of "just a trim" at the hairstylist I'm actually seeing my hair grow again. Plus, the fact that I don't have to use additional products to keep my formerly frizzy hair under control is amazing.

Have you heard enough about Kérastase yet? I think it's high time you give my new favorite conditioner and shampoo a try; treat yourself to beautiful hair - you're worth it!

The Best Health & Beauty Products {that won't break the bank}!

This post is not sponsored, although I'm an amazon affiliate and have linked to the products below.

I do a lot of shopping online. From custom made clothing to super rare foods to fancy beauty products, I've bought a little bit of everything from retailers online. Lately I've been browsing Amazon a little bit more than other sites and I may be guilty of going on a few shopping sprees from time to time. Most recently, I got lost on the health & beauty tabs and found all kinds of awesome stuff.

Today I'm sharing some of my favorite beauty related items that I purchased via Amazon and why you should add them to your collection...

1. Pink Make Up Brushes

These adorable pink brushes are the deal of the century and are higher quality than any other make up brushes I've owned, including my favorite Younique brush! I love the pink detail and after using these for months, they are still super soft yet sturdy and bright pink! I would definitely recommend these to anyone and everyone looking for a great deal on a new set of make up brushes!

2. Contouring Palette

This gorgeous contouring palette has the perfect shades to allow a girl to really make her cheekbones pop! I love using this palette and with the amazing price point, I'll be buying these for all my friends come Christmas time! If you're looking for something different to add to your make up collection, I highly recommend this palette! The powder goes on smooth and the color lasts, without looking thick and cakey!

3. Neutrogena Mineral Powders

Speaking of powder, this Neutrogena mineral sheers powder is my "base" powder. I always, always, always use a powder to set my liquid foundation and this sheer coverage powder is the perfect way to make sure my face looks superb all day long. I love using a lighter powder, just because I also use the contouring kit and blush and  I want no cake, on my face at least.


4. The Cool Fix

This "aftershave" is life changing, ladies and gentlemen. I'm going to reveal a dirty little secret and say that I've had my fair share of battles with ingrown hairs and razor burn. OUCH. I've used everything under the sun to try and control the problem and The Cool Fix is the only product that has a long-standing track record of keeping the bumps at bay. If you suffer from the red, burning, miserable hell that is razor burn, I highly suggest you buy a bottle of this life-changing "fix" today.


5. NARS Foundation

I just recently switched to NARS foundation and so far I'm a pretty big fan. It offers a decent amount of coverage without looking thick and comes in so many shades you'll be able to find one that matches your skin perfectly. The only thing I don't like about this foundation is how thick it is, if you are looking for something offering less coverage I highly recommend American Beauty foundation.

6. Beauty Blenders

No matter the coverage of your foundation, you need to apply it correctly. I used to think you could just use any sponge, but I was mistaken... Blending your foundation with a beauty blender will change the way your foundation applies and the way your face looks at the end of your make up routine. I always saw beauty vloggers and the like using these little blenders and I finally decided to buy some! I bought a pack of 4 and there's no turning back, I'll never use a regular ol' sponge again...

7. Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Make Up Remover Wipes

After I'm done with all the make up fun, I have to remember to remove the mess. I've searched high and low for a face wipe that doesn't irritate my semi-sensitive skin and I finally found these Witch Hazel wipes. These witch hazel infused wipes remove my make up leaving it refreshed, clean, and toned. I've noticed a serious decrease in pimples since I started using these wipes and love using these to remove my eye make up because they don't burn, unlike most other wipes.

Now that I've shared a few of my beauty favorites, I'd love to hear what some of your beauty and hair related favorites include? Tell me all about your favorite products or your oddball beauty secrets in the comments below, I can't wait to hear!

Some Days Just Call For a Tutu & Heels...

Thanks to Shabby Apple for providing me with an adorable tulle skirt.

Some days just call for a tutu and a pair of heels, today is one of those days. It's not a special occasion, I have no where to be, but today definitely felt like a tutu-wearing type of day. Running around my office, working on upcoming projects, and wearing this skirt has made for a pretty sweet day - it's nice to feel pretty and a bit snazzy while going about an ordinary work day.

As you can tell, I'm in love with my new tulle skirt; paired with all different types of shirts and a wide variety of shoes, I can wear this little number all different kinds of ways! This time around I opted to wear my beautiful violet purple tutu with a frilly black shirt I purchased at a thrift store and a pair of Nina heels that I've had for many, many moons.

Next time I can picture myself rocking it with my kitten eye sunglasses and a cropped leather jacket and boots of some sort or maybe something simple like a cardigan and ballet flats... either way, I can't wait to rock this tulle skirt over and over again. If you're wondering where I snagged this beautiful skirt, you'll need to check out Shabby Apple! I love everything they carry, a little bit of everything from beautiful accessories to perfectly pretty tutus, they've got it all. Plus, these gorgeous skirts come in a huge variety of colors and lengths, so I'm sure you'll be able to find the perfect tulle skirt (and more) to add to your wardrobe!

Do you ever have days that just call for something ridiculously girly for no particular reason? Where would you wear a tutu?

The Ultimate Sophisticated Cycle Survival Kit

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CycleSurvival #CollectiveBias

This coming semester I'm going to be a busy, busy girl! Now that I've finished my associates degree, I'm officially starting my "program" which means that I'll be in classes that are specifically aimed towards my degree. That also means that I'm going to be around a lot of people that I want to make a good impression on, ranging from future politicians to head honchos at companies I may want to work at in the future.

When my period comes I'll still want to make a good impression and always remain professional, I can't let cramps or a little bloating get in the way of my education and career! I certainly can't have a mishap and end up with a stain on my clothing, that's just not going to cut it in this environment... That's why I've put together the Ultimate Sophisticated Cycle Survival Kit for that time of the month. I've included everything you'll need to comfortably survive Aunt Flo, without giving away the fact that you aren't exactly feeling on top of your game and I'm adding the entire kit into my purse today!

My list of items I included all can be found at Walgreens! First things first, you'll want to grab an adorable, sophisticated small make up bag in the make up section and now it's time to shop for all the goodies that go inside!

Everything you'll need for The Ultimate Sophisticated Cycle Survival Kit includes:

1. EOS lip balm to make sure your lips are hydrated and healthy!

2. BIC Soleil Glow Razors so you can shave on the spot if you miss a hair or two on your ankles or knees, which we all do.

3. U by Kotex CleanWear® by U because you need to know that you are protected at all times!

4. A Nail File with all the works, because a manicure can get chipped/scuffed way too easily! 

5. Dark Chocolate with Almonds because we all love chocolate and a little protein, especially while dealing with PMS!

6. Wintergreen Mints are a must, you want to make sure your breath is fresh always!

7. Menstrual Pain Relief is optional but truly helps with cramps

8. Tweezers are a life saver when an eye brow hair gets out of wack

9. Band-Aid Advanced Healing Blisters are the answer to that irritated spot on your feet from your high heels!

Do you want to hear the best part of buying all of these goodies for a new sophisticated cycle survival kit? If you buy $15 of participating U by, EOS, and/or BIC products, you will receive 3,000 extra Balance Reward Points! Being a member of Walgreens Balance Rewards program always pays off!

Now that I've shared all the awesome stuff I'm including in my sophisticated cycle survival kit, I'd love to hear what you would include in a kit for a friend to help her survive her cycle...? Find more cycle survival inspiration here.

My Secret to Beautiful Skin: Neutrogena Sunscreen

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Neutrogena. I received samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

When I was younger I was one of those girls that was convinced I didn't need to wear sunscreen. I suppose I thought I was invincible and the more UV rays that tanned my skin, the better; especially because I'm porcelain pale naturally, I wanted a tan. The thing is, I was doing some pretty awful damage to my skin and after my dad had a skin cancer scare, I realized it was time to start taking care of my skin! Using sunscreen became a regular thing for me from that point on, when we were at the pool or spending lots of time outdoors, but I always dreaded using a sunscreen that was full of unhealthy chemicals and left my skin feeling uncomfortable.

After our move to Florida a couple of years ago, I started spending even more time out in the sun. We love spending long days on the beach and kayaking out on the open water for hours on end. We also love shopping every single aisle at the farmers market and exploring new parks. Basically, we spend a lot of time wandering and we love it here, but that also means that sunscreen is a necessity for any occasion, no matter where we are going because we never know where the day will lead!

While my skin is pale, it's also pretty sensitive so I love using products that are oil-free and hypoallergenic like Neutrogena sunscreen! I love the entire sunscreen line from Neutrogena because it's the smart way to protect yourself from the harmful UV rays without harming your skin with harsh chemicals.

This year, I've also started using Neutrogena pure & free liquid as a primer when applying makeup, it makes the perfect non-greasy, smooth sheer layer of moisturizer on my face and it's 100% naturally sourced... The answer to my sunscreen woes and I'm absolutely in love! Neutrogena pure & free liquid is the perfect way to make sure your skin is protected no matter where you are.

Did you know 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer, yet only the same ratio use sunscreen daily? That means that we need to up our sunscreen game to avoid being the unlucky one in that group of five, we may even be able to lower that statistic if we just applied sunscreen regularly. Whether you are running errands getting in and out of your car all day or spending the entire day with your significant other fishing, you'll want to apply Neutrogena sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

I also recently found out that The National Eczema Association awarded its Seal of Acceptance to five Neutrogena Sun products! That means my little nephew with eczema will be able to visit and use sunscreen without any of us having to worry about his skin!

Neutrogena pure & free baby isn't just for the cuties that have eczema though. We'll definitely keep it around for all my nieces and nephew, we want to prevent a sunburn for all the little cuties in our family because children that suffer sunburns are more likely to have skin cancer later in life... that's definitely something we want to prevent!

There's so much to love about Neutrogena sunscreen products and spending time at the beach. I'd love to hear where you think you'll use your Neutogena sunscreen the most this year? Neutrogena and I would also love your opinion on all of their fabulous Sunscreen products, leave a comment here or write a review over on their site!