Holiday Wishes Come True: Hair Products from Folica

December 11, 2012 - Mel

Hair Wants & Wishes: all of us can admit to wanting hair that is longer or blonder or fuller or straighter. Why can’t we just accept our hair and ourselves, right? We 30-somethings can achieve semi-greatness with the right hair products, however; and that’s why I look to Folica.com for Great Hair.

Folica knows hair is your most important accessory. That’s why in December Folica.com is offering a special promotion where everyone wins up to $50 to spend on hair styling products. Through January 1st, 30-somethings (and beyond) can cross great hair off their wish lists when they enter to win a credit at Folica — 1 in every 100 wins a $50 credit to spend instantly. With over 60,000 great hair products, more than 300 beloved brands and over 70,000 customer ratings and reviews, Folica.com is helps you recreate today’s hottest hairstyles.

In Folica.com’s Hairspiration Giveaway, you can win up to $300 to shop namebrand hair styling products.
It’s a holiday hair wish come true!

On my Holiday Hair Wish List: MORE VOLUME. It’s true, I suffer from thin, flat baby hair… at age 35. My hair, it has the sad. And Folica carries a line of hair products that I SWEAR by to get the biggest OOMPH (emphasis on big): blowpro. Seen below: No Crunch Body Builder, Faux Dry Shampoo (on my no-style/lazy days), and Strong Hold Finishing Spray.

That said, because of all the necessary styling and blow outs my hair requires, I need a daily treatment. For that, I use Biosilk Silk Therapy Leave-in Conditioner (when I said baby hair, it tangles like baby hair too). This hair product gives INCREDIBLE shine and doesn’t weigh down my (naturally lifeless) hair. Tell me about your favorite hair styling brands in the comments — and don’t forget to enter the Folica.com contest to win a $300 credit!

Disclosure:. As part of the Single Edition network, I was selected to review Folica.com and highlight their services. Although they are a sponsor of this post, all thoughts and opinions herein are my own. See my disclosure page for more info.

Back to Beauty: new Birchbox – and a worthy charity

December 16, 2011 - Mel

I FINALLY received this month’s Birchbox. Which means, I’m FINALLY back for a new post. This month, Birchbox is donating 100% of its profits from full-size product purchases to Baby Buggy. The packaging made me smile. I’m trying SO HARD to get into the holiday spirit.

Birchbox 30-somethings — One more try, Birchbox!

Seriously though, I still have not located my camera and its accessories since the move. The basement is getting tackled this weekend.

December’s contents:

Harvey Prince’s Yogini – The scent is supposed to calm the mind with its notes of sandalwood, grapefruit and myrrh. I really like it (and yes, the more I smelled it, the more I wanted to jump in the bottle and nap in it). Powerful front note, but fades into a beautifully balanced perfume.
Jouer Lip Gloss – an exclusive color: Birchbox Pink (might be too pink for me)
L’Oreal Professional Mythic Oil – I think I’ve talked about hair oils before… not for this excessively oily head. Even on ends, makes my hair look like crap. Meh.
Befine Gentle Cleanser – hooray, I love getting cleansers! And this contains mint — one of my favorite things to breathe in while washing my face. Also: allergen & paraban free.
Show Stoppers Designer Fashion Tape – Now, to find the dress to try these out! *wink*
EBOOST Orange Natural Energy Booster – I’ll definitely use this, as this month has not been conducive to sleep. I need all the energy I can get most mornings.

Tell me what was in your Birchbox!

On a search for a new tinted moisturizer…

November 6, 2011 - Mel

I’ve alternated between using Cover Girl and Smashbox Sheer Focus tinted moisturizers… and to be honest, I like both, but I’m not in love with either.

Smashbox changes color on me after barely an hour, making me look far too pink — but the coverage is good (I just have to use a powder over it to balance the color). I’ve used Cover Girl for years, but I’m beginning to think that their “non-comedogenic” claim is BS because no matter what product/cleanser I use on my face, my skin remains in terrible condition (read: blackheads and whiteheads EVERYWHERE). But again, that sucks because I like the coverage AND it stays put during workouts. Which is a whole other trait of awesomeness.

So, I’m in the market to sample a few products again (sadly, haven’t received anything of this sort to try in my monthly Birchbox). I’ve been recommended Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown and Makeup Forever (although that last one, I have only seen a foundation). But all of these leave me with big question marks attached to their large price tag…

Note: I have sensitive (eczema) skin, with severe oiliness (which I’ve curbed with using Kiehl’s oil-free lotion FINALLY!). I’m fair-skinned, with a yellow-almost-greenish undertone. Also, I have considerable sun damage on my face — no wrinkles yet, thankfully — but age/brown spots, so need something to cover those a bit (I realize that to cover completely, I need a concealer or heavier make-up, but refuse to do this daily).

Suggestions?

UPDATE: Found — and fell in beautiful coverage love — with LORAC’s tinted moisturizer.