HowTo Style Second Day Hair Into A Medium Length Pony

When it comes to a few extra minutes of shut-eye in the mornings, I'm all for it. As a newly converted second-day hair wearer, my morning routine has been shortened significantly. Our hair follicles are constantly producing oil and actually benefit from less frequent washing. Now for me, I'm talking 3 days max. I actually find that my hair stays less "greasy" looking when I put in a mousse or volumizing spray before blow drying, as opposed to leaving it au-natural. I have also noticed that adding curls will give my hair an extra-fresh appearance since it isn't sitting directly on my scalp collecting oil. I always take a daily bath or shower, and when my hair isn't involved, dry shampoo and texturizing powder are they key to a fresher look. Here is a step-by-step overview of how I style a shine-free ponytail in under 5 minutes when I'm in a time crunch.

Start with tangle-free hair and spray dry shampoo close to the roots of your hair. I like the original Batiste.
Section the hair in pieces from front to back and tap osis+ texturizing powder along the roots.
Massage products throughout hair to create volume and absorb shine-causing oil.

Pull hair into a high ponytail with fingers, creating a loose and textured look to eliminate that "slicked back" appearance.
Loosen specific sections to enhance volume at the crown of your head.
Remove small bits of hair around your face to give a more "undone" appearance.

Tip: when using a texturizing powder, put a piece of tape on the sifter to block off the majority of the shaker holes (see photo)
This allows for more precise placement and reduces wasting product. The Schwarzkopf osis+ "dust it" powder causes your hair to feel very sticky and requires a decent amount of "massaging" to properly work its volumizing magic. The result is comparable to teasing with a comb, but without the hassle and damage. It is truly worth the price, if you don't dump too much out each time.

I hope this gave you some tips and tricks on how to keep your hair looking healthy and fresh even when it isn't freshly shampooed. Hair tends to overproduce oil when you continuously strip its natural oils in the shower, causing that greasy look to come even quicker. Use a shower cap or take a bath to eliminate that problem all together. And remember, you'll save money on buying less shampoo.

Madeline,
xx

My Go-To Post Workout Lunch

I'm one of the lucky few who has Fridays free of both class and work. In the early afternoon I take a cardio kickboxing class at my gym, which is the best workout I have ever experienced. The instructor is phenomenal and the class is always small, forcing us to do all of the exercises to the best of our abilities. After a long shower, I get home and often find myself making the same thing. I am by no means a health expert, but this lunch combination makes me feel energized and ready to tackle the weekend in full force. The ingredients are easy to get a hold of and preparation takes no more than 10 minutes. 

Frozen mango and raspberries can be found at grocery stores or in bulk bags from Costco

Ice Storm 2013

Such a unique experience going on a walk and observing the plants completely frozen in time. Fringes of icicles lined our patio furniture, making it truly picturesque.

December 22nd, 2013 made history as one of southern Ontario's most devastating natural events to date. It began overnight, as the rain fell right at freezing temperature. The water droplets froze directly on contact with all exposed surfaces, leaving a thick coating of ice absolutely everywhere.

Photos To Inspire

It seems impossible to escape a tired state of mind. Whether it's the weather(ha), school, work or crappy diet, we all experience this terrible fatigue. It seems so much easier to lounge around, than to truly "get up and at em". I love opening up to my Pinterest and my favourite inspiring blogs, to reboot my mind and seize the day before it's gone. Here are three of my favourite images of the moment, which are helping me be the best I can be.

Photo via: dailyinphographic.com

Making a conscious effort to put these 29 items into your routine will undoubtedly help you improve in all areas of your life.

Photo via: the Fao of Dana

In todays technological world, it is too easy to forget some of our most basic building blocks- words! Making it a natural habit to speak eloquently will allow you to excel in situations, like interviews and public speaking. like..omg ya.. like totes.

Photo via: Backahime

This one speaks for itself. If I could permanently stick it on the back of my hand, I would in a heartbeat. It encapsulates everything I try to do in life, with "love more" added as #11. Time goes by so quickly and it is far too easy to waste hours of it staring at screens, arguing with loved ones and being unhappy. Make 2014 your year to do all of the little things you have been meaning to do, and do them with a smile.

Madeline,
xx

Review: Revlon Colorstay Whipped Crème Foundation

I am happy to say that I have found my favourite foundation to date. Welcome, Revlon Colorstay Whipped Crème Makeup. I first tried this foundation about a year ago and have not once been disappointed with its performance. The product description reads "mousse-like texture feels like silk on your skin. And, the time release formula balances skin for a flawless look. All day flexible wear without flaking, caking or feeling heavy".. I couldn't have said it better myself, Revlon! This is the first time for me that a product has completely lived up to its claim. 

Watch my rave review here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzNYqPCzHI0

Product Rating:

Ease of Use: 6/10

For a flawless finish, no primer or setting powder is necessary when applying this foundation... this is music to my ears. I like to blend this product out with a damp beauty blender sponge, but a dense synthetic brush works fine also. Fingers do not provide a very even finish with this foundation.

Lasting Power/Appearance: 9/10

The best. Although I would choose my Skin79 BB cream over this for overall appearance, this wins for a North American foundation product. It doesn't slide off when my skin gets a bit more oily, nor does it cling to dry patches or change throughout the day. I love this stuff.
Packaging: 4/10
I do understand the whole "luxe" feel of a heavy glass container, but it is just so inconvenient. Constantly dipping into a pot of product is calling for bacterial growth, which is especially great for gemophobes like myself. I would love to see either less glass being wasted in this clunky packaging, or simply a squeeze tube to make everyones life easier.
Price/Value: 6/10
There isn't a ton of product in the container- 0.8 fl. Oz. when a typical foundation is at least a full ounce. For around $20 CAD, sometimes more sometimes less, this is a high price tag for a drugstore foundation. Although you could reuse the container, I really hate seeing so much packaging go to waste for a small amount of foundation. This product will receive an overall B rating.

What is your favourite foundation? Leave a comment below!
Madeline,
xx

Review: Revlon Designed By Marchesa Jewel Appliqués in Jeweled Noir

Marketed as "fashion for your fingertips", Revlon's new nail strips are both a hit and miss for me. Featured in a previous post linked here, I have a hard time applying and filing down the edges of these particular styles of nail polish strips. As you can see in the image below, the edges begin to wrinkle and peel up a bit as time progresses. These specific Marchesa designed nail appliqués, released October 2013, are gorgeous and precisely detailed.

Image featured on my Instagram, taken on day 5 after application

Review: Revlon Parfumerie Nail Polish in Bordeaux

"Captivating Colours, Irresistible Scents...A whole new way to experience colours."

 The new and limited edition Revlon Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamels are a cute alternative to a typical bottle of nail polish. They have a very Chanel-esque look with a square bottle and snazzy circular lid. These polishes come in 16 shades/scents and were released in November of 2013. 

I Received the Bordeaux shade, pictured and compared below:

Comparison swatches (no top coat) featuring Revlon Bordeaux, around $7 at Canadian drugstores