Summer Favorites

This summer I've stumbled across a few gems! I live in hot, humid Atlanta so I'm all about keeping my beauty products light and breathable and using as few products as possible. I've also been trying to restock my makeup and beauty products with new ones containing fewer harsh chemicals.

Tip: When shopping at Sephora online you can filter product selection by ingredients. I always filter by paraben free & sulfate free. You may be shocked to realize some of your favorites are already free of these ingredients, for example the infamous Nars Creamy Concealer.

I am on a quest to find holy grail products! I'm always excited about trying new products, however I'm trying to do less hoarding and overbuying and go for products that I can use every day. I think I've found some keepers that I'll be repurchasing over and over again.

 

Products:

Cover FX Pressed Mineral Foundation - N90

Nars Creamy Concealer - Amande

Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil

Loreal Telescopic Mascara Carbon Black

Loreal Telescopic Eye Liner Carbon Black

MAC -Retro Matte -Flat Out Fabulous

NYX Tea Tree Blotting Paper

Essie Sand Tropez

Essie Topless & Barefoot

Givenchy Ange Ou Demon le seceret


XoXo
Courtney

Protective Styles | Havana Twists

As you may know I did the big chop a few months back. I haven't quite figured out how to style my natural hair and because I relaxed my leave out when I was transitioning I had to cut it much shorter than the rest of my hair. With all that being said, I'm becoming the queen of protective styles.

Even before the big chop I've never wanted to have to do a lot with my hair in the mornings, so I've been wearing sew-ins religiously. I kind of wanted to changed things up so I decided to try some different protective styles.

1st up...HAVANA TWISTS.

I did these twists about two months ago and have been redoing them every other week or in sections as needed. I love them! Havana twists are so versatile, they give you a different look and your hair gets a break from constant manipulation.

It took me about 7 1/2 hours to complete these and I used 5-6 packs of Marley Hair.

I think I'll leave these in until the end of March or until I think of the next protective style to try.

natural everyday makeup

For a natural everyday look I use a beauty blender, wet it, apply a dime size of Mac Studio Fix Fluid all over my face. I then apply mineralize skin finish to my t-zone. After my skin tone is even I brush out my eyelashes and eyebrows with a spoolie, fill in my eyebrows, line my water line, then apply two coats of mascara. Lastly, I line my lips with a brown liner and apply one of my favorite nude lipsticks.

Products:

MAC Studio Fix Fluid

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish

Eco Tools Spoolie

Maybelline Lash Stiletto

NYX black eye liner

NYX brown lip liner

MAC Jubilee

XoXo,

Courtney

Big Chop

I've attempted to go natural 4 times. Each time I didn't stick with it; it was too time consuming, too expensive, too hard or just looked too bad. On my fourth attempt I decided to relax my edges only, then later realized that made no sense at all, so I cut it all off.

 October 10th I relaxed my edges for the last time and 8 weeks later I cut off all my relaxed ends.

I thought I'd cry or feel some sort of attachment to my hair, BUT I actually felt relieved and free. I don't know why I held on to those scraggly ends for so long.

So I'm officially all natural. Let the journey begin.

Finding the Perfect Hairstylist

Finding a hairstylist that takes her time, cares about hair health, is able to deliver the results you ask for, is professional and actually styles hair well is harder than it sounds.

When I moved to a city like Atlanta I thought I would have no problem finding a talented hair stylist, but boy was I wrong. With so many claiming to be "Weave-ologist","Master Stylist" and "Veterans" you'd think there would be too many great stylist to choose from.

So far, I've been to four hair stylists at four different hair salons. I've come across extreme unprofessionalism, lack of attention to hair health, hair damage, and just down right bad service. It left me wondering if I would ever find a stylist worth paying my hard earned money. I believe I've finally found a stylists I will be going to for a while & I'll share more about her in an upcoming post.

Now that I've been through a couple of stylists and had my share of horror stories I feel that its only right to share some of the tips I've learned in picking a stylist who will make your hair both beautiful and healthy.

Tips:

• You get what you pay for. Do not attempt to find a quality stylist by searching for the cheapest one. You may have to spend a few extra dollars for someone who is more qualified and uses quality products and tools.
• Ask Questions. Before you book your appointment do not be afraid or feel like a bother for asking questions. Find out about the products the stylist uses, how long the stylist has been doing hair, if the stylist can do the specific style you want and if the stylist is familiar with styling your hair texture.
• Get the price up front. Make the stylist aware of what you want done specifically and get the price so there will be no surprises.
• Take before and after photographs. It's always nice to have something to compare your final outcome with.
• Bring a picture. This is the best way to illustrate exactly how you want your hair, but be mindful all hair types are not the same and won't look the same in a style.
• Be professional. Although the salon is often seen as an informal place it is a place of business, so be comfortable and enjoy yourself, but always be professional and on time.

I will be sharing my hair story and following my hair journey here on Fashionofliving.com.

Stay tuned.

XoXo

Courtney

Nude Lips

I've been on the hunt for the perfect nude lipstick for a very long time! It's hard to find a nude lipsticks that flatters your skin tone and doesn't wash out your face or make you look like you've been eating powdered donuts!

Recently I've hit the jackpot in my search.

Tip: Lip liner makes the colors transition better with your skin and helps you customize the color.
I pair my lipsticks with mauve and brown lip pencils to obtain the perfect nude lip.

Peep my nude favs below:

 (Left to Right)

Lipsticks: Maybelline "Touchable Taupe", MAC "Freckle Tone", MAC "Hug Me", Revlon "Mink" & Revlon Colorburst "Coy"
Liners: "Nutmeg", "Nude Truffle" & "Medium Brown" (All by NYX)

My favorite of these so far is MAC "Hug Me"! It's an everyday, creamy nude and I can't get enough of it.


TO BUY LIST:

• MAC Velvet Teddy
• MAC Twig
• MAC Snob
• MAC Shy Girl
• MAC Myth
• MAC Jubilee
• MAC High Tea
• All of the Maybelline "The Bluffs" Lipsticks

Oh yeah, I bought MAC Mocha and returned it the very next day, it was too orange for my skin.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave me some lipstick suggestions below!

XoXo,

Courtney

No Soda Challenge

For the past few years I’ve been doing “No Soda Challenges”. I realize how unhealthy my addiction is and I’m trying to stop. I don’t know if I’ll ever stop drinking soda for good, but I’ve gone eight months no soda, so I know I can conquer my demons.  Soda is my biggest guilty pleasure. Coca cola is my all-time favorite and I literally can’t get enough of it.

Usually I convince my boyfriend and his mom to join me so I won’t feel alone and so tempted. My boyfriend’s mom is just as addicted as me so it’s fun to see who can hold out the longest and to have our little check-ins/support group.

This time not only will I be cutting out soda I’m going to drink a lot more water, this won’t be too hard because I’m an extremist. If I’m not drinking soda I’m usually drinking water,  I don’t really like juice.

This time my challenge started at the end of February I was two weeks soda free, then this weekend I couldn't fight the urge and relapsed. SO, let’s try this again. I’m attempting to go March 10^th  to October 10^th (my birthday), NO SODA!

I’d love for you guys to join me. 

Good Luck! :)

Fun Facts:

• Soda causes dehydration. 
• The acid in soda weakens the enamel on your teeth.
• Soda is loaded with calories and cutting it out of your diet may get you closer, quicker to your summer body goals!
• Drinking lots of water improves your skin’s tone and texture.
• Drinking water makes you happier! Research shows dehydration can cause a change in mood, staying hydrated remedies this and helps you think clearer

Is Beauty Killing Us?

I've been doing a lot of research lately regarding the ingredients in the beauty and personal care products I use every day. 

It started with my hair products, I'm on a healthy hair journey and for the past two years I've been weeding out all of my hair products containing mineral oil, sulfates, petroleum, and parabens. 

While reading the ingredients I realized how many words I could not pronounce and had no idea of what they were. So I wondered, "If this is what I was putting in my hair...WHAT THE HECK AM I PUTTING ON MY SKIN, especially my face?!" 

Before I get into my findings I have to to admit I'm a product junkie! I love going into Sephora, Ulta and MAC and finding new products, so I was extremely afraid to check the labels of my beloved beauty products and most likely see unfavorable ingredients.

Nonetheless, I check and was blown away by my findings. Not only do popular cosmetics contain the same parabens and sulfates I vowed to never again use on my hair, they contain lead and chemicals  that cause cancer and reproductive issues. 

I am not yet an expert on the subject, but I did want to share some chemicals to look for and AVOID:

• Benzoyl Peroxide
• Propylene Glycol
• Sodium Hydroxide
• Sodium Laureth
• Polyethylene Glycol
• DMDM/UREA
• Mineral Oil
• Triclosan
• Isopropyl Alcohol
• FD&C Color Pigments
• Fragrances
• DEA, MEA, TEA
• Dioxin
• Parabens 

Don't just take my word for it look it up! & Please share anything you know on the subject with me. These chemicals not only threaten our health, but they threaten our beauty (some age skin and cause wrinkles), which is the very reason we use them. How ironic?!

Anyway, I'm in a researching frenzy right now. Next, I will be having a funeral for all my toxic products....I'll be sure to document any other findings and my journey to overall better health.

XoXo

Courtney

SUMMER! SUMMER! SUMMER TIME!

SUMMER FAvorites

The summer is not quite over yet & depending on where you live it may feel like summer for a while after the seasons change. Below are some of the things I can't live without this summer and I'll likely use moving into the fall.

This Evian facial mist cools you down in the blistering heat and also gives your makeup a dewy fresh look.

I am in love with the summer scent of the Bath & Body Works Candles. The are relaxing, smell amazing and illuminate and entire room !

I am a magazine fanatic. Right now I'd have to say Vogue is my favorite for inspiration as I revamp my summer wardrobe.

Lip balm is a must this summer. I must admit EOS sold me on the cute little packaging. However, the product is just as great, they smell amazing and give your lips long lasting moisture.

MAC Mineralized Skin Finish has been amazing this summer. I love the bronze look it gives my skin and the way it gives my skin a even glow.

Last but not least a drink favorite! STARBUCKS FRAPPUCHINO! Since I am a food fanatic I think this is my favorite ...favorite! :) Refreshing, yummy & so many choices!

Now it's your turn, share your favorites with me! I love to try new things.