Sunday, January 25, 2015

Tips for growing out your hair!




I have NOT taken very good care of my hair for the past few years between bleaching, dying, using cheap shampoo and conditioners, etc. I fried my hair using every heating product trying to curl it or straighten, etc, etc. However, I finally learned how to take care of my hair and it has grown so much! Here are some tips on how to grow your hair.
1)Brush hair from the scalp:
This stimulates your hair cells and promotes growth. I use a wire bristle brush, you can find it here: Sally Beauty and each night brush from the scalp down.
2) Vitamin E and/or Biotin
I have tried both of these and think the Vitamin E actually works better but they are both good. It also helps to promote health skin so there's a bonus! This is the kind I use: here and I take one every morning.
3) Don't use heat
Every chance I get I let my hair air dry. I know that it's not possible all the time. On the days I have to be at work I need to dry my hair because I don't have time to let it air dry. However, especially during the summer, I won't use ANY heat products on my hair. One summer I literally didn't use any blow dryer, straightener, curler, or anything and my hair grew a couple inches in those few months.
4) Deep condition
I deep condition my hair once or twice a week. You shouldn't condition your hair much more than that because over conditioning can be just as bad. I use Moroccan Oil Deep Conditioner: here and Biolage Strengthening Masque: here. I put it on in the shower and leave it for about 10 minutes then rinse it out. You can leave it on for longer (about 20 minutes) if you have more time. It's also better to rinse out with warm or cold water (not hot water) because hot water can kill the nutrients your  hair needs.
5) Heat protectant
If you have to use heat products on your hair then it is best to use a heat protectant. Just spray it over your hair before using whatever it is your using! Here are some good ones: here and here.
6) Don't trim your hair so much
I always heard that you should trim your split ends which I always followed. But if you are always trimming your split ends and your hair isn't growing fast enough then it's never going to catch up! Some people may not care about length and would rather trim those split ends but as for me, since I am trying to grow my hair, I just leave it alone and I can see the difference!
7) Use good products (not cheap products)
I use Biolage Shampoo: here and moroccan oil shampoo: here. For conditioner I use Biolage and Moroccan oil as well. I use It's a 10 leave in conditioner: here and Moroccan oil treatment: here. I have tried lots of different products and these are by far my favorites.
Happy Hair growing!


Sunday, January 18, 2015

My Nightly Routine

I hate the winter months because my skin is always so blah and I always get sick which definitely doesn't help. I just bought a new face wash (I like to switch it up sometimes) and it seems as if my face feels a lot better and fresher when I do this. I tend to buy cheaper face washes and spend more money on toners and creams.
 
Yes to carrots: here
I have tried other "yes to" skin care items and I really like this one the best. The "yes to berries" are great for anti-aging, the "yes to tomatoes" are good for acne. However, the carrots makes my skin feel great and refreshed and it actually smells good.
 
Arcona toner pads: here
Arcona is a great skin care line! These toner pads smell really good and minimize the appearance of pores. It also clears up blemishes and has vitamins. I used to never use toner but I'm glad I started and I wish I had been using it earlier.

 
Arcona eye dew: here
This product is the only product of this kind that actually works! I use it every night around my eyes AND every morning before I put on my makeup. It moisturizes the skin around your eyes and is an anti-aging product.


Olay micro sculpting: here
I have always had super oily skin and a lot of people think that you shouldn't use moisturizer or creams if your skin is oily. This serum is super moisturizing without being oily and it is good to keep your face moisturized no matter what your skin type. For people without oily skin there are other options such as this, this, or this.



Saturday, January 17, 2015

Blue Sweater

I almost dyed my hair blonde today! Eek! I have had it blonde in the past and loved it but since my hair is so dark it's better I don't take that on myself.





Shoes: ASOS similar: here/Top: Forever 21 ones I love: here and here/Sweater: Free People similar: here and forever 21: here/pants: Zara/Bag: Nine west/Sunglasses: forever 21 similar: here/Asos similar: here


Pop of Color





Friday, January 16, 2015

Nine West Booties

I have worn these nine west booties previously but absolutely love them. I wanted to do an outfit post around them. They are simple booties and the tan colors go with just about any outfit. I also love that they are comfortable and I can wear them to work as well as out. I like sturdier heels (I can't walk in pointy heels) because I can walk all day in them.






shoes: Nine West (very similar)/trench: Target/skinny jeans: forever21/Purse: Nine West (similar)/Rebecca Minkoff (very similar)


Sunday, January 11, 2015

BB Creams

I know a lot of people use BB creams but I had yet to jump on the bandwagon. I started to research different types of BB creams and what they do. I found out that there are so many different brands which is a little overwhelming What I found out:
BB= beauty balm.
Basically, it started in Asia and became popular and now it is super popular in the US.
I have always believed foundation to not be particularly good for your skin unless it is mineral based. However, BB creams actually have antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients as well as SPF. This means it nourishes and protects your face throughout the day. What I love about BB creams (other than what I previously stated) is that it also gives you coverage without feeling like you are wearing foundation.
The first one I bought is the Garnier BB Cream and it was really great. I NEED to wear foundation. I feel naked if I don't have it on and I like, not only coverage, but evenness . I also hate those "lightweight" foundations because I don't feel like it gives me enough coverage.
Here are 6 different BB Creams that I have great reviews and that fit different budgets.


Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Studded Vest

New Year's resolutions have always been hard for me because I usually end up making so many that it becomes overwhelming an then I forget about them. I do this in my everyday life too. For example, the more I have to do the more I feel like just laying down and doing nothing or taking a nap. So for this year I decided to just come up with one or two goals so as not to be too overwhelming and actually stick to it. The one I chose is to not overanalyze everything. I have the tendency to overanalyze EVERY. SINGLE. THING which means that I often miss out on potentially amazing moments because I'm worrying or thinking about what could go wrong. I want to live more in the moment and let go of my worries and reservations.






Studded Vest: Forever 21/boots (similar): Forever 21/Forever 21/Chambray top: Forever 21/Windsor/Leather leggings: Windsor
I realize I wear these leggings a lot but they are so comfortable and I love them. Plus they were only 15 bucks at Windsor. I probably wear them about 3 times a week.


Sunday, January 4, 2015

Lion Sweater and a Giveaway


I am doing a giveaway today for SheInside! It is a great site and they have a ton of really cute clothes. The winner will get a $25 gift card to sheinside.com to put toward a purchase. Here are some of the things I like:
(scroll down to see how to enter)
Here are my pictures featuring my lion sweater from SheInside!
 
 
 




 

sweatshirt: SheInside/leather leggings: Windsor/boots: Sorel, Nordstrom (similar)/beanie: Neff (Zappos)
To win a $25 sheinside.com gift card
*must follow Barefoot Brunette to enter 1 entry on bloglovin: here
like sheinside on facebook: here
follow meaganfox (me) on pinterest: here
for 2 additional entries:
follow SheInside on Twitter: here
pin an item from SheInside
GOOD LUCK
XO

Friday, January 2, 2015

Red Dress

I have been searching for quite awhile for a "modest" dress. I want a cute dress that I am able to wear to work but that still fits my budget. My favorite stores have always been stores like Forever 21 and H&M but most of those dresses are too short for work wear or tank top (which unless you wear it with a blazer can't be worn in a professional workplace). So I found this dress from Asos and I bought it while it was on sale. I absolutely love it.
 


 
Dress: Asos (similar)/Heels: Asos (similar)
Other quality modest dresses I like:
Nordstrom: here
Asos: here
J. crew: here
Asos: here


Thursday, January 1, 2015

Detox Juice

 
 
 
 
 
 
New Year’s Detoxifying Juice    
serves 1
1 1/2-inch nub of ginger
1 large cucumber
2 stalks celery
1 large beet, or two small
1 lemon, peel and pith removed
2 small apples, cored and cut into wedges
1 large handful of parsley
Press all of the ingredients through a juice extractor. Stir and serve immediately




Another type of detox juice that I like is where you just throw in random ingredients. I really like apples, tomatoes, spinach, oranges, cucumbers, and carrots. I just throw in random amounts and then drink it three times a day!