Healthy Scalp Solutions Scalp Renewing Treatment Review

In a search for a scalp rejuvinating or soothing treatment I found a new line by Ion brand from Sally’s Beauty Supply $6.99 +/-. It’s called Healthy Scalp Solutions Scalp Renewing Treatment. Is taken me sometime to get on the dry shampoo bandwagon but I’ve finally embraced it. Love wearing my hair up in different styles never truly repeated. Some days it cooperates others I regret not washing it. Regardless, dry shampoos, texturizers & hairspray are always in the mix. More product means more irritation & drying of my scalp. Is always itching & many times the products are flaking. Long story short is this promise of exfoliating my scalp treatment was an instant sale. But it turned out to be a nightmare. I followed the instructions squeezing the grit onto my scalp where needed and it just stuck instead to my hair. I barley felt it on my scalp at all. It took shampooing & lots of shower time to rinse the thick, goo from my hair. Now understand, my hair has thinned beyond my belief over the past couple of years. I’ve actually started using my brow powder to fill in a few sparse areas of my scalp. My hair used to be very thick & would have it thinned every few months. I can’t imagine the nightmare of rinsing it out years ago. So in conclusion, this is a horrible product I’ll never buy again (In fact is being returned.) and I do not recommend to anyone.

Five Tips To Get The Most Out Of Birchbox Each Month originally posted by Elizabeth on Practically unperfect in every way blog

Great read!

Practically unperfect in every way

If you are unfamiliar with Birchbox, they send 4-6 beauty and lifestyle items to your door for $10 each month (less with an annual subscription).  We’ve been getting Birchbox and Birchbox Man for almost two years and almost every month we love every item we receive.

Birchbox December 2014

I’ve answered a few Facebook posts about people disliking their boxes with my tips and have heard they help, so I decided it’s time to write a full post.  This is a compilation of tips I’ve read online and is not based on anything that Birchbox has told me.

1.  Whenever you can check as many boxes as you want, check only one or two:

Boxes are based on your answers to the profile.  You want to be specific, but this is one spot where being too specific could hurt you.  The more boxes you check, the harder it is…

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TOCCA Stella Laundry Delicate, Blood Orange Fine Fabric Wash

I’m really loving TOCCA Stella Laundry Delicate, Blood Orange Fine Fabric Wash. This leaves a subtle but noticeable fresh yet warm fragrance. It makes me smile everytime I wear a delicate item. The fragrance is lovely but I also smile because I know I’m wearing something special. If you dread hand washing your special items (sweaters & bulky items are the worst) give this a try. It turns a chore into a delightful, relaxing dare I say happy experience. And yes, the liquid cleanser is gentle & effective. I will never use the discount store W___ite again.

Help!

Ladies, I have a job interview tomorrow and need your advice. We recently moved and I’m heading back to work.

I’ve gained a couple of pounds and most of my dress outfits are too…well you know.  So, I raided my Mum’s closet paired with what I have & came up with options. I thought I’d add a color pop with my jewelry. Am thinking of a power red. What do you think? I’m…um, in my 40’s. The job is for cabinet design/s

the black pants are dress stretch. Both pants are tight legged so if I wear boots they’d be tucked in. Give me your thoughts skirt,  pants,  shoes,  boots?????  Or, are none of these appropriate. Help!

1/31/15 UPDATE

I landed my job. Thank you ladies for your advice.  I wore pic 2 with a pain of black back zip booties that I forgot about. It feels amazing & am so very proud of myself. This is the job of my dreams. I’ve put in my time & earned this. WOW!

 

Some of My Favorites

These are some of my favorite things. Some are old loves and a few are newly discovered. 

One of my newest loves is in the mason jar. Brown sugar & coconut lip/body scrub.

 ybf beauty Automatic Universal Taupe Eyebrow Pencil $12.00

ybf beauty Perfect Face Primer 28.00

beautyblender® double $28.95

beautyblender®blendercleanser solid $15.95

Coastal Scents® Revealed Palette $19.95

Michael Todd True Organics™ Pumpkin Nutrient-Rich Facial Mask $34.00

It’s a 10® Miracle Leave-In Product Plus Keratin 18.99

Chella Highlighter Pencil $18.00

Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips $14.50

philosophy® pure grace body lotion $37.00

philosophy® pure grace $48.00

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream $16.00

Benefit They’re Real! Mascara $23.00

Benefit Erase Paste 26.00

amika Bombshell Blowout Spray – 2.03 fl. oz. $9.00

Caudalie Divine Oil – 100 ml $49.00

CAILYN Cosmetics Dizzolv’it Makeup Melt Cleansing Balm – 50ml $24.00

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pen $21.00

Liz Earle Pure Muslin Cloths $21.00 for 7

Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+ $34.00

Ojon damage reverse™ Restorative Hair Treatment $33.00

ORIGINS Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask to Quench Skin’s Thirst $24.00

NARS Blush $30.00

OLE HENRIKSEN Fresh Start Eye Creme $38.00

JOSIE MARAN 100 percent Pure Argan Oil $48.00

JOSIE MARAN Argan Cleansing Oil $32.00

BURBERRY Brit Eau de Parfum $74.00

Urban Decay Lip Envious – just learned is been discontinued

Pond’s Dry Skin Cream $7.99

Maybelline Mineral Powder Foundation $8.95

Covergirl Trublend Liquid Makeup $8.95

TimeWise®3-in-1 Cleansing Bar (with soap dish) $20.00

TimeWise® Matte-Wear® Liquid Foundation $22.00

Ultimate Performance Professional Foundation $40.00

Mally Concealer – discounted in Form

For Great Design Ideas

If you’re looking thinking about building or remodeling your home it can be overwhelming. The Internet and social media has changed the design world by introducing ideas and concepts. It can also create a mess if you don’t state what you want clearly. Designers and contractors try to stay on top of trends but that doesn’t mean we are minds readers nor gesture readers. No matter how many times you air draw out Susie’s kitchen with your hands we still can’t see it. Always print and/or save pictures and take them with you to your design consultations. Always ask for drawing, and material samples. If they don’t have an exact samples ask if they can order one.  Most all manufactures make samples and are happy to provide them. Expect a few days to 2-3 weeks typically but it’s worth the wait.

Below is a link to my design portfolio on Houzz.com. utilize Houzz.com to both find ideas and help facilitate them during your design consultation.

http://www.houzz.com/pro/valerie-smith3133/designs-by-valerie-r-smith

January 2015 Birchbox

First I must say I love Whish products. This lavender scented body lotion did not fail to impress me. The lotion soaks in nicely & isn’t greasy. The scent is a soft lavender true but not overpowering. I have used the almond and it’s a light lovely scent as well.

I love the Aqua Reveal Satin Bright Water Peel. I was amazed with how much my skin needed a peel. This was gentle & left my skin soft, clean but not dry. I’m going to put this on my to buy list.

Costal Scents eye shadow is the best I’ve ever used. Colors are perfectly pigmented, go on smooth & stays put. This is one of 3 different color samples I’ve received and I love them all.

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo worked great. I tried it this morning as I am on day four of my style. This is pushing it for me. I rarely go four days with out washing my hair so this is perfect day to test. It did leave a blondish tint where I held it too close. It brushed out just fine. The smell isn’t great but it didn’t linger so I don’t mind. Like all dry shampoos I use it left a dull cast so I misted a little shine serum. Overall I think is a great product. I’ll update my review as I use it more.

Coola Radical Recovery After-Sun Lotion pleasantly surprised me. I do not like the feel or smell of spf on my face. I know I should wear it but I just don’t. That said I know is not an spf product but I was expecting that smell. It is a much more pleasant smell. It did hydrate and didn’t have a heavy feel. I realize this isn’t a fair review since I haven’t been in the sun today. I will give it a try next time after a Day in the sun and give update.

Birchbox Mystery Sample Bag with 3 samples

Birchbox Mystery Sample Bag with 3 samples. *Davines sample was not included.  Shown for size relationship only*

This make up bag is perfect for my big purse. The outside is easy to wipe clean, love the colors and the cute BB charm on the zipper. I’ve included a picture with sample to show the size.

Costal Scents eye shadow is the best I’ve ever used. Colors are perfectly pigmented, go on smooth & stays put. This is one of 3 different color samples I’ve received and I love them all.

Loving the suki® exfoliate foaming cleanser. It smells like Lemonheads candy. It is a course scrub that requires a lite touch. It feels luxurious when it melts into an oil. Cost from Birchbox is $32.95 for 4 Oz. and would last forever.  The sample size is tiny but I’ll have 3 uses out of it. I would use this about 2x a week.

Gilchrist & Soames Spa Therapy Body Wash $15.00 for 8 Oz.  Is not a favorite. First, I’m not into the liquid soaps and second,  the fragrance is too masculine.

Birchbox Points Purchase

 Yu-Be is a universal moisturizing cream that I won’t live without. I like it primarily for my hands. They get so dry my knuckles would crack & bleed. I’d been following it & finally bought it out of desperation last month. It doesn’t smell or taste great but works wonders. I put it on before bed & woke to baby soft hands. Cracks healed in a few days and I haven’t had one bloody knuckle since.  This is a must have. 

I love how happy these products have made my hair.  Love,  love Amika Bombshell Blowout.  Is A Ten with Keratin has made my hair soft and shiny.  Very healthy looking & feeling.  

A learning experience.

Blogging is new to me & I’m looking for help. I just started this blog and am excited to have followers.  We recently relocated to Marion from Indianapolis and am enjoying some free time as I job hunt. Not many jobs in Marion in my trade. Writing isn’t a skill that comes naturally to me but I have spent thousands on beauty products. I love my monthly Birchbox & have a passion for beauty. Reading other blogs I’ve noticed many highlight a product with “I haven’t tried yet…”. Do you benefit from me showing you my new products without followup? How much followup is too much? I realize the balance is as much of the art as the phrasing itself. Please don’t take this wrong. I’m not criticizing other blogs by any means. I’ve just been thinking about how I want my blog. “What do I want to know when I read a blog?”

Please tell me, what do you want to know when you read my blog?