Two Super Simple Hairstyles & My "Secret" Way to Go Blonder!

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

I'm going to admit something to you guys, growing up I always longed to have blonde hair. With a naturally auburn curly head of hair, I dreamed of being one of the girls with beautiful, soft, straight blonde hair and while I never really outgrew my longing, I did eventually start highlighting my hair and I've officially achieved the look I wanted... and that's where Sheer Blonde® Go Blonder comes into the picture.

I recently went back to blonde after having purple hair for a short period of time and I'm so happy to be back in my "element". With that said, I have one of the best hair stylist in the world and she definitely helped bring my color to another level during my last visit. But with her talent comes a high price and a long drive... don't get me wrong, she's totally worth every penny, I simply can't dish out hundreds each month to maintain my blonde shade. So I started using Go Blonder in between appointments to always make my hair the brilliant, beautiful shade of blonde I've always wanted.

With the new Sheer Blonde® Go Blonder In-Shower Lightening Treatment I'm able to keep my roots looking bright and my hair the right tone without seeking help from a stylist... it's simply a one-time treatment and my hair color lasts longer and looks better each time I use it.

Beyond the In-shower treatment, I also use the Go Blonder shampoo and conditioner; while these products aren't new, they are new to me and definitely a favorite now that I'm back to blonde and trying to keep my hair this beautiful shade as long as possible.

I'm not saying the line will take you from black to blonde, but if you're seeking a natural sunkissed look - Go Blonder is the answer and you can find it at Walgreens, along with a little bit of everything else on your shopping list! Whether you're a natural blonde or highlighted blonde like me, it's time to lighten up and achieve the color you desire with this line.

Now that I've shared how I go blonder each time I shower, I think I should share a few of my favorite (simple) ways to style my hair. I know I'm not the only one that likes a quick way to feel beautiful and both of these hairstyles are easy enough for pretty much anyone to achieve!

Your flat iron isn't just for straightening your hair anymore, it'll become your new best friend with this SUPER easy technique. All you need to do is section off about an inch of hair and wrap it around your flat iron, as shown in the photo.

Once your hair is wrapped around your flat iron move it gently down the shaft of your hair, while holding onto the "tail" of hair hanging out, all while creating a slight bit of tension. Run the flat iron all the way down and viola, you have a beautiful bombshell curl in seconds. Do this around your head and run your fingers through and your hair is styled just like it is post blow-out at a nice salon!

Now, this next hairstyle can be worn with curly or straight hair, but I prefer to rock this look as a second hairday look after curling my hair the day before. To achieve this look you'll begin by braiding about 1 1/2 inches worth of hair from the bottom of your head, the area behind your ear/near the nape of your neck works best for longer hair.

Take your first braid and put it into place with a bobby pin, on the opposite side of your head, as if you were placing a crown.

Now braid another piece of hair from the opposite of your head and put it into place with a bobby pin as well. Now you're rocking a crown of braids and your look is complete in just a few minutes flat.

With these two hairstyles and my blonde hair, I'm feeling like a million dollars. Are you a blonde wanting to brighten up your look? You can reveal your best blonde, with every single wash! Maybe you're a brunette that needs a special little pick me up?

Head on over to Walgreens and check out what the John Frieda line can do for you. Plus, You can score a Buy 1 Get 1 50% off deal with your Walgreens Balance Rewards card, available both in-store and online until January 30th!

Copy Katy Perry's Flawless, Radiant Look This Winter with These Simple Steps!

This post contains affiliate links, regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

Want a beautiful, flawless look quickly and easily this winter? Have you been admiring Katy Perry and her gorgeousness lately? I'm sharing some of my favorite makeup tips that help to emulate KP herself, follow my lead and you'll be a "California Girl" like her in no time!

Get ready to wow with bright lips, stunning eyes, and a complexion so flawless and glowing! With this new look, everyone will ask you what your secret is... so be prepared to share! Here's seven simple steps to achieve the perfect look in no time flat!

1. Prep & Invigorate your skin with a toner and a moisturizing primer. Making sure your skin is healthy and hydrated before applying makeup ensures an even application and a lasting look!

2. Start the illusion, use Sally Hansen Airbrush Face Makeup (found at Walmart) to help give your skin the perfect complexion you've always dreamed of. While this foundation offers plenty of coverage, it's so lightweight you won't even feel like you have any makeup on! Coming in six different colors, Sally Hansen is bound to have the shade you are seeking!

3. Turn on the lights within! Use a gorgeous shade of bronzer, highlighter and blush to lightly contour your face. Applying just a slight contour will illuminate your natural beauty without looking overwhelming, polish the contour off with a finishing powder.

4. Apply a LIGHT amount of eyeliner with a small brush, only enough to make your eyes pop! While applying eyeliner with a brush feels tricky at first, the precision a brush can provide is SO worth it.

5. Add a pop! Whether you want a bold burgundy lip or a funky fuchsia shade, apply some flattering lip gloss for the perfect addition to your look. I'm digging the Oh Sugar line from Cover Girl for a cheap buy or of course, any shade of MAC will do!

6. Add a window to your eyes! Using the TruNaked Palette in Roses from CoverGirl you'll want to apply a matte shade first, with a glittery shade accenting your eye shape. Apply a teeny, tiny amount of a white or lighter colored eye shadow at the innermost part of the crease of your eye, near your tear duct but not in it, to really make your eyes POP!

7. Now bat your long, dark eyelashes with a luxurious mascara like Plumpify Blast Pro from CoverGirl. With such a lush addition to your look, your lashes will look longer and healthier in no time flat.

Now that's it, you're set to walk out of the house looking glamorous and absolutely radiant with this simple makeup tutorial. So tell me, what's your favorite winter time makeup look? Do you have a standard routine you follow during the cooler months? I can't wait to hear the details in the comments below!

Check out Donde: My Shopping Secret!

Thanks to Donde for feeding my shopping addiction and sponsoring today's discussion,
regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

I'm the definition of a shopaholic, but I tend to have a bargain shoppers brain. I literally could spend hours browsing websites and comparing prices, it's a hobby of mine to find great deals! Plus, the less you spend on one item, the more you can spend on another... See, I told you I'm a shopaholic!

So when I heard about the new app, Donde, I knew I had to download it instantly! With the ability to select the garment I want, in the style I prefer, in the color I'm seeking, with the detail I request... it's pretty much like having my dream closet at my fingertips! Now I can find any new item of clothing I want within seconds... I think this may be a Christmas miracle!

From hunting for the perfect pair of golden shoes for the holiday season to browsing for a new purse to rock in 2016, I'm loving how easy Donde is to navigate. You can find items that fit your specific look and style, so we can now all say goodbye to pesky store clerks and long lines in the mall - no more #shopstration for any of us gals now that we've got this app!

Plus, they've made shopping even easier with a universal shopping cart. That means you can shop at all of the retailers and you'll only need to submit your payment information once!

While I mentioned I'm a shopaholic, I also mentioned I love a good bargain and that's where Donde comes in. I can add an item to my wishlist and they'll let me know when it goes on sale... or if I'm ready to buy that new addition to my wardrobe today, I can add it to my cart and Donde automatically adds any relevant coupons to the transaction! That means I have even more free time on my hands and honestly, I'll probably be doing a little more shopping with Donde!

If you're looking for the perfect dress for New Years or an awesome new pair of shoes to ring in 2016, you should go ahead and find Donde in the app store (for FREE) and start using their customized search engine today! You'll find everything you love from 6,000 of your favorite brands, designers and retailers, including: Banana Republic, Bloomingdale’s, Forever 21, Free People, Gucci, H&M, J. Crew, Macy’s, Nasty Gal, Net-a-Porter, Nordstrom, Rent The Runway, Revolve, ShopBop, Shoptiques, Target, Topshop, Tory Burch, Yoox, Zappos, Zara... and more!

So, after you've downloaded the app, go ahead and tell me all about your favorite item you found while browsing on Donde! I'm pretty excited about all of the items on my wishlist, click here to check it out!

Spread Joy This Holiday & Get a Brighter, Whiter Smile with Crest 3D White Whitestrips

With Christmas literally right around the corner, I'm doing everything I can to prepare for the holiday! From packing bags and boxes full of presents so we can send and deliver it all to our friends and family to whipping up batches of delicious holiday goodies in the kitchen, I've been having a good time getting in the spirit of the season.

While I'm joyous about all the holiday fun, I feel like I need to share something... We took pictures for our Christmas cards earlier this month and here's the good news: the photos turned out adorable and I'll be sharing them soon. But there's also some bad news: I noticed something about our smiles I didn't like... I'm not going to blame it on any one thing, but maybe our espresso habit and our love for red wine have something to do with it... I really hate to say it type it, but our teeth were looking pretty yellow and that's just not okay! Eeeek!

After realizing we had a "situation", I couldn't let me or the hubs head home to see family with our teeth looking funky... I mean, really, who wants to be that couple in their family photos? Not us!

So I had to take steps to whiten our teeth immediately, I decided to check out Crest Whitestrips and when I saw that I could eliminate YEARS of stains within an hour with Crest 3D White Whitestrips 1-Hour Express Teeth Whitening Kit, I knew we were in business and that out smiles would soon be brighter! These little Whitestrips whiten teeth faster than ever and with the advanced no-slip grip you can even talk and drink water while you are whitening your teeth... Plus, you don't have to worry about crazy chemicals because Crest Whitestrips only use the ingredients your trusted dentist uses!

I know all of this is great, but the best part about our teeth whitening experience is the fact that my husband taught me how to play chess while we whitened our teeth. It's always nice to learn something new from him and he never ceases to amaze me, I guess I'm pretty lucky to call this man & his smile mine.

You can see our official results with Crest Whitestrips below:

 

After we whitened our teeth, we both were feeling pretty fancy so we dressed up in our Christmas finest and decided to do some Christmas shopping... You better believe I was smiling at everyone we crossed paths with because when you have noticeably whiter teeth, it's easy to flash a friendly smile!

Are you wanting to whiten your teeth like we did? I've got some awesome news! Crest 3D White Whitestrips 1-Hour Express Teeth Whitening Kit is offering a limited time deal - if you buy one kit at walmart.com, you'll get the second kit completely free!

So tell me, do you have special plans this holiday? Would having a brighter, whiter smile make you a little merrier this time of year? Tell me all about it in the comments below!

Proactiv Review First Impressions

This post was sponsored by Proactiv as part of a Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

After a little battle with breakouts lately, I need to up my anti-acne game and start using something powerful (yet gentle) like Proactiv again. So when my box arrived in the mail a few weeks ago, I knew I had just invested in having beautiful skin again and luckily the process wouldn't take very long!

As I opened the box, I found a treasure chest of familiar goodies. I've been a fan of Proactiv for a while now, so it was no surprise that the kit included all the complexion perfecting items a gal (or guy) could need!

With exclusive microcrystal benzoyl peroxide, Proactiv gets down and dirty with acne and eliminates bacteria and other impurities like oil and dirt! I love that Proactiv gently cleanses my skin while completely clearing existing blemishes and even helping to prevent future blemishes from forming! The best part about Proactiv, other than how well it works, is the fact that the package makes the system completely user friendly! The entire package details how each item works and the bottles even perfectly outline each step so that even the most inexperienced skin care user can understand how to get clearer skin quickly.

While my skin is acne free now that I'm using Proactiv, I think I also should point out how healthy, hydrated, toned, and dare I even say how radiant it looks... without an ounce of makeup! I can now show off my freckles without having to worry about pimples and I have my new skin care routine to thank for that fact! It's nice to show my "real face" to the world and feel comfortable and confident doing so! I think anyone who has ever suffered from acne knows what an accomplishment it can be to go makeup-free, so kudos to Proactiv and I hope that my positive results will continue, I'll update you all on my Proactiv progress soon!

I had no idea about this little fact, but did you know Proactiv has actually been America's #1 solution for clear skin for the past 15 years? Don't miss your chance to clear your skin of blemishes and get the look you've been dreaming of - now is the time to find out how Proactiv can help improve your complexion today!

I'm Participating in No-Shave November: I Quit Shaving with my Flash&Go!

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

Life is good in Florida! I suppose you could say I'm living on island time, most days, so it comes as no surprise that I love spending time at the beach whenever I get the chance. What I don't like about my islander lifestyle is constantly having to deal with my bikini line and unwanted hair, especially on days when I just want to hop on the kayak in my bikini and go... Plus, my legs always burn when they're freshly shaven and I spend time in the salt water - that's something I definitely want to avoid at all costs.

Since I want to avoid that sting, I'm participating in "No shave November" this year. While I won't be shaving, I'm clearly not going to be walking around hairy... that's just not my style. I bet you're wondering how I plan on staying hairless?

I don't have to worry about shaving all the time because I've started using the most amazing little device, the Flash&Go. What exactly is a Flash&Go? It's an innovative light-based device for permanent hair removal on the face & body, the perfect tool for a busy girl that wants a smooth body without having to put all the effort into shaving on the daily.

Plus, I no longer have to worry about pesky ingrown hairs or razor burn, a beach bum's worst nightmares! The Flash&Go is so easy to use, effective, and safe on sensitive skin, that's why I think it'll make the perfect gift for every woman, especially my besties.

How do you use the Flash&Go device? It's simple, you need to make sure your legs are freshly shaven to allow the Flash&Go's energy to go directly to the source of the problem.

Then you'll plug your Flash&Go in, set the device to the correct setting (starting with the lowest and working your way up to the desired setting). You'll place the device over the spot you want to rid of unwanted hair and hit the "trigger" button.

Once it sends a light pulse and you feel a tiny little zap, it's time to move the device using the little itty bitty guidelines (just little imprints from the device) to help you treat an area thoroughly.

That's it, just keep using the device to rid any area below your cheekbones of unwanted hair and after several treatments the hair growth stops! I should note that only gals with darker hair and lighter skin can use this device and luckily it has a sensor that helps determine if it can work on your skin or not - I love safety features like that!

Are you wanting to reward someone in your life with the gift of not shaving? Did you know you can get a Flash&Go from Kohl's and/or Bed Bath and Beyond? This FDA-cleared, Dermatologist recommended spa-like device is easily accessible for everyone and that's what makes it so amazing! Say goodbye to $2000+ hair removal treatments and start ridding your body of those pesky hairs on your knee that we all manage to skip while shaving... I know that's the FIRST spot I started my treatments on when I got my Flash&Go!

This spa-like product wants you to spread the love, so they're offering an awesome deal! First, you need to pick up a Flash&Go for yourself, then go to KeeponGifting.com and snag a $25 gift card so you can grab a Flash&Go for a friend and you'll score an entry into a giveaway for a trip to Aruba - the perfect place to show off your hairless bikini line! Want even more amazing news about that gift card? It can be used up to 3 times, offering you a total savings of $75! So what are you waiting for? Head into Kohl's or Bed Bath and Beyond and start zapping away unwanted hair today!

Once I grabbed an extra Flash&Go with my Keep On Gifting gift card, I decided I wanted to make my bestie a gift basket full of items we both love. Since she's as much of a beach bum as I am I decided to make her a beach bag full of all the essentials.

I included the Flash&Go in her bag, of course, as well as all kinds of little goodies that I knew she would love. If you want to make your best bud a beach bag that'll make her smile you will need to grab a new sparkly bikini, some citrus scented sunscreen, a rad pair of sunglasses, a pretty little white pashmina, a trendy, floral headband, frilly, lacey shorts, a fun and fancy pair of flip flops, a handful of beach towels, and a beach bag! Now she'll be all set to rock the beach all year long, with hairless legs and all the essentials a girl needs.

Now that I've shared how you and your bestie can stop shaving and participate in No-Shave November with me, I'd love to hear what you think of handy new device in the comments below! What area of your body would you choose to treat first? Who in your life would you love to gift a hair removal device to this year? Don't forget about the awesome $25 gift card from KeeponGifting.com when you decide to surprise that special person!

How to Achieve A Golden Glow for The Holidays with Milani + a CVS Gift Card Giveaway!

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

I've always been a makeup junkie, I love trying out new products and experimenting with new looks so when I found all kinds of fun Milani products I hadn't tried before at CVS, I knew I had to invest and add a few new items to my makeup collection.

I grabbed a handful of everything Milani, from Eyeshadow Primer to Black Gold Foil Eyeliner. That's why I love shopping the little Milani area at CVS, they carry everything this makeup lover could want or need!

With a whole new look in my bag, I was on my way out the door and ready to start experimenting with the new products... If you're a makeup junkie like me, you know the excitement of getting a whole new line up of makeup products.

I've been trying to figure out how I was going to do my makeup for our upcoming Christmas photoshoot, plus I've just been wanting to give a "new look" a try so trying out a new line of makeup was a great way to mix things up for me!

The Fierce Foil eyeliner is actually new to everyone, not just me. It's hopping right off the Milani runway and into the hands of makeup lovers everywhere. Blackened jewel tones with a beautiful, shiny foil finish add the little extra pop you need when used as a liner or the fierce foil can really make your eyes have depth if used as an eyeshadow. I'm loving the gold flecks mixed with the darkness, it's perfect for a smoky eye effect with some glimmer!

The next item on my list of goodies is the Milani Supreme Kohl Kajal eyeliner. It's so super soft and easy to apply, yet it doesn't smudge like other brands tend to do. Plus, it's waterproof and laced with hydrating, nourishing ingredients... I've always been a heavy eyeliner user, so I'm more than happy to have finally found a drugstore brand eyeliner that won't smudge!

The Stay Put Brow is something that I wouldn't normally use, but I'm so glad I decided to give it a try. I love makeup, but I've always felt my brows were satisfactory, until recently. I want to give my brows the extra oomph they deserve so I've started filling them in some with Stay Put Brow from Milani and boy, what a difference good eyebrows can make with a full face of makeup!

The Eyeshadow Primer is one of those makeup items that everyone should own, especially if you love bold eyeshadow looks. It's amazing how easy the primer was to apply and it definitely helped my eye makeup last longer and made the colors more bold!

The Milani foundation powder is a definitely going to be a new makeup staple in my collection. I loved how silky smooth it went on and the color matches my skin to a T. Plus, it provides just the right amount of coverage without looking cake-y!

The Golden Eyeshadow Palette includes four gorgeous shades of brown/gold tones that are absolutely dreamy. It has a creamy texture which means it won't flake off onto your cheek and it goes on smooth as butter! I'm a HUGE fan of Milani eyeshadows now and will be buying every color palette they make!

The last item I grabbed was a Color Statement Lipstick and it is stunning! I'm a huge fan of adding a pop of color to a fairly neutral face and vice versa so I grabbed a shade that I think will look good no matter what. Laced with vitamins A and C to hydrate and nourish my lips, the Bahama Beige is another new staple in my makeup collection! Next I'll be adding the Brandy Berry to my collection I think, although all the colors are beautiful!

Now how did I apply it all? Here's a super quick video of my application... But I started with the Milani powder, leaving a gorgeous base for me to work with. Then I added some of the eyeshadow primer to my eyelids, followed by a heavy line of Fierce Foil eyeliner. Next, I lined my lower eye with the Supreme Kohl Kajal eyeliner.

Then I added a heavy helping of the light tan/gold eyeshadow all over my lid, with a little bit of the medium color on the corners of my eyes. Followed by applying a small amount of white eyeshadow on the inner part of my eye and smudge it a tiny bit so it blends into your eyeshadow - this really makes your eyes pop! Next I line my brows, if I'm feeling fancy... and lastly, I apply blush and mascara and out the door I go!

It's easy to achieve this makeup look, I promise anyone can do it if I can! It's my new favorite look to rock and I imagine I'll feel that way all Fall long!

Now that I've shared how I achieve my golden glow, I want to reward you with something super awesome! You can enter to win 1 of 3 gift cards from CVS, one lucky reader will win (1) $500 CVS Gift Card and two lucky readers will win (1) $250 gift card! Use the giveaway form to enter to win:

#LookByMilani - Holiday Looks with Milani at CVS

All of this makeup talk has me thinking maybe I should do more makeup tutorials! I'd love to hear what celebrity looks or makeup trends you are digging this year, I'll do my best to find creative, simple ways to achieve these looks and share them with you! Leave me a comment telling me which look you want to try and achieve the most this season...