Tag Archive for summer

Love My Links: Easy Summer

It’s been over 100 degrees here for a record number of days.  Its hard to be motivated to wear cute clothing and hairstyles when its that hot!  So I’m loving anything thats cute, easy and breezy!

1) Pink Pistachio’s Michael Kors Runway: Knot Bun

 

Michael Kors Runway: Knot Bun from Pink Pistachio on Vimeo.

It is sideways but it is my new go to bun.  It takes a total of 5 minutes and is a loose style that doesn’t hurt my head!!

2) No Guilt Fashion’s What They Wore Wednesdays: Chambray Shirts

http://noguiltfashion.com/2011/08/24/what-they-wore-chambray-shirts-denim-shirt

I’m on the lookout for a chambray shirt for the transition from summer to fall, since fall won’t come till bout November.  I love these looks!

3) Glamour’s The Best Beauty Products of 2011—According to YOU!

What could be better than a broken down lists of beauty products!! I agree with a lot of them and got a few ideas for some others!

Beauty Review: Hawaiian Tropic Island Radiance Self Tanner

This summer, my tan has come from the natural sun and bottle.  Self tanner is one of the best ways to darken my natural tan with no work. At the very end of June, I decided to switch self tanners.  My new choice:

Hawaiian Tropic Island Radiance™ Self Tanner Crème Lotion– in Medium Dark

I picked it because Hawaiian Tropic is a trusted/well known brand for tanning products.  So shouldn’t they be good at self tanner too?  I decided to risk it.

I’m really happy with the results it has produced!  It is actually lotion.  I apply it after the shower then apply my regular lotion on directly after to ensure that I didn’t miss any spots.  Its not a thick greasy lotion which is helpful for this hot hot weather.

It produces a good even color after about 6 hours.  I’ve been applying every other day and it keeps a nice even color. Never too dark or too orange.  Its only gotten orange when it wears off because of sweat.  This happened when I wore my gladiator sandals all day. It rubbed off around the straps.  I recommend it!

As always when you apply self tanner:

Exfoliate before applying.

Apply lightly around feet, hands, knees and elbows.

Wash hands after application.

*blog disclosure* I purchased this tanning lotion with my own money and wrote a review because I liked it.

New Summer Hairstyles: Up and Out of the Way

Summer is here, in full force! As the temperature rises , so does my frustration with my hair.  I’m growing my hair out and having it down, around my neck, is driving me nuts.    In response, I’ve found some pretty, some romantic, and some easy hairstyles that are perfect for summer.  I.E. away from your neck and face.

The French Braid

First off is the French Braid.  Since I just learned how to French braid from this video, I’ve been kind of obsessed!  It’s a simple style that you can tailor to your own style.  You can make it as tight or loose as you want.

Simply French

For an interesting take on the regular French Braid, tuck the end of the braid up under your hair and secure with bobby pins.

Source: google.com via Michelle on Pinterest

 

 

 

My hair was dry and straight.  It might work a little easier with some texture spray to keep away flyaways.  The hardest part was the braid itself. Roll up the ends and the band of your braid underneath and pin.

Cascade of a Braid

For another style with a French braid, braid it across the back of your head. No, not your forehead; the back of your head.   It’s called the waterfall braid. Here’s the tutorial from Love, Maegan!

 

And here’s a more descriptive tutorial from Cute Girls Hairstyles (it was a tad easier for me). I think this look is fantastic for long hair…which I’m working on growing.  But layers might make it more difficult.  It isn’t for the faint of heart.   It’s difficult but worth trying. This was my third try and I just braided it straight into a low side pony.

 

Non Boring Ponytails

Ponytails never go out of style. But they can get repetitive and boring.  Here’s a few with some interest!

A Messy Pony

This messy pony is perfect for almost any length hair.  If you have shorter hair, skip pulling it into a pony. With a simple broken down picture tutorial AND written instructions, it is easy to accomplish.

 

This took no time at all.  The hardest part was the backcombing.  To make it easier, spray with a light mist of hairspray first.  I also have more bobby pins than I wanted, but my layers kept popping out so they had to be pinned.   This is an easy, off the face, style that still has lots of volume.

A Knotty Pony

This style from The Beauty Department is a knotted version of a side pony.  It also included a simple broken down picture tutorial along with written instructions!

Source: None via Michelle on Pinterest

 

I might never wear a regular side pony tail again! This is another longer hair style;  I felt my hair was almost too short.  My “left over” tail wasn’t very long so I tucked it underneath with a bobby pin.  BONUS:  Hubs said he really liked this style the best!

 

Beachy Wavy Hair

Wavy Hair for summer is easy and pretty for summer.  Its not exactly up and out of your face but when pulled into a pony, it still looks fantastic!

 

If you want to use a curling iron to achieve this look, this one includes pictures!  To avoid heat,  apply Garnier Fructise Style “Wonder Waves” Wave Defining Mousse to wet hair and start scrunching hair.  When hair is about 1/2 way air dried, spritz Fekkai Marine Summer Hair Beach Waves throughout hair and keep scrunching.  Let hair completely dry and style into desired hairstyle. Here’s the result on my hair:

 

All of these styles are going to be summer go-to’s for my hair. What are your favorite hair do’s this summer?

Quick Style Guide: Labor Day Weekend Wear

So its what most people think of as the last weekend of “Summer”! An extended weekend, family gatherings, friend gatherings, mini-vacays….go out with style this summer! Here’s a few suggestions to make your wardrobe this Labor Day weekend stylish and fresh!

Treasure those rompers one last time:

Express, Old Navy, Fleurish

Earrings by Express
Shorts by Fleurish

Pull out those frilly shorts and make them girly:

Xhilaration, Aldo, Splendid

Tees by Splendid
Flats by Xhilaration

Wear that summer white with a pop of color:

Janna Conner, Aldo, Opening Ceremony

Day Dresses by Opening Ceremony
Flats by Aldo

Shorts and Tee can be more fun with cute shoes and graphics:

Forzieri, Bebe, Hurley, Roxy

Tees by Bebe
Flats by Roxy

All spreads were created at www.shopstyle.com ! Most items are under $25.  Find more goodies at my shop style page!

Shine Beauty Guru: Best Beauty Product for Summer!

This month’s Shine Beauty Guru assignment is:

What is your best summer beauty secret?   Name one!

WHAT!?!? No way! Not possible! Too many choices! Well, maybe if I try!

hmm, ok I think I’ve got one!

My biggest beauty problem in the summer is my hair! I have little desire to dry and fix it.  READ: use any kind of heated tool!  While air-dryed hair sometimes dries nicely, mostly it just goes crazy!

ENTER: Frederic Fekkai Limited Edition Marine Summer Hair + Aquanutrients Beach Waves2206645

Beach Waves for short!

It’s the key for easy summer hairstyles, whether you pull it in a pony, half back, twist it, braid it, or leave it down!

My favorite way to use it: I let my hair dry overnight then in the morning I’m ready to start styling.  I flip my head over spritzing a few sprays of shine spray all over.   I flip my head back up and section into 4 layers (bottom, middle, top right of part, top left of part).  On each layer I spritz on a few sprays of BEACH WAVES then finger scrunch all over layer.  After I’ve completely finished I scrunch a few more times. 

Voila—5 minute hair!   celebrity-beach-wavesIf I’m in a rush, I’ll usually stop here but if not, I can take a little more time and make softer waves with a curling iron or a wave iron. This makes a dressy ’do a lot easier. (Like Kate Hudson and Jessica Beil!) It’s such a beautiful style that looks completely effortless and almost is!

One of the best things, it does exactly what it says: “Marine waters create surf-sexy texture, and sea kelp hydrates and blocks moisture loss for sexy, tousled waves, anytime and anywhere. UV shield helps prevent fading.” [Frederic Fekkai]

Beach waves can also be used before/after the pool.  Helps make a cute hairstyle after getting wet in the pool! And the UV protection makes NO DYE JULY just a little bit easier.

While it’s not the cheapest at $23.00, I’ll probably get 2 summers out of it which makes it worth it! I don’t think I could survive my horrible hair days without this little summer beauty secret. 

What’s your Summer Beauty Secret?

 PHOTO SOURCES: 

Celebrity Waves: http://dailycookie.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/celebrity-beach-waves.jpg

Ulta:http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2206645&productId=xlsImpprod1251312&navAction=push&navCount=0&categoryId=&title=Limited+Edition+Marine+Summer+Hair+%2B+Aquanutrients+Beach+Waves

More on Fekkai’s Beach Waves: http://www.fekkai.com/products/marine-hair/beach-waves

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