**** CLOSED **** – GIVEAWAY! WIN a Pravana DELUXE PERFECTION PACK! US Only ****CLOSED ****

Pravana

I have super exciting news! Pravana is sponsoring a giveaway to all of my readers!
This is my big THANK YOU for reaching 5,000+ likes on my Facebook page. I know Pravana isn’t easily available for most people since it is a professional salon brand, which is why I am so excited to give somebody the opportunity to fall in love with their products just as I have.

Here is YOUR chance to WIN my personal hair care products!

When commenting to enter, please enter a valid email address that I can contact you at if you are chosen to be the winner of the prize.

- You must complete steps labeled required OR YOUR ENTRY WILL NOT BE VALID. The rest of the steps are optional!
- There will be one winner chosen at random
- Must be 18 or older or have your parents permission to enter
- Contest ends December 14, 2012 11:59pm PST
- Contest is open to US residents only

 

 

Which celebrity do you think has the best hair?
Answer by commenting below with a valid email address!

*** These next steps are optional but we would love to have you interact with us through our other social networks! ***

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GOOD LUCK!
Winner will be mentioned via Facebook and emailed by me! Thank you for entering! :)

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Vintage Inspired Hair – Video Tutorial

pin up hair

I’m on a tutorial roll! Here is the second requested looks. My vintage inspired hair style that I wore in the above photos. It’s not very different from my original curling look, except the front area, but I decided to give the complete tutorial anyway. I curled away from my face on both sides except the front strand was curled inwards to give the S shaped appearance. This has become one of my most favorite hair styles!

Here is the video tutorial. Hope you enjoy!

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Red Eyebrows – Video Tutorial

Here is a requested tutorial on how I fill my eyebrows in to get a red color. This is, of course, personal preference since I like mine more dramatic than others may. However, you can still use the same steps but run the shadow lightly through your brows for a more natural look and use a clean mascara wand to brush the product through to blend it in even further. This is not much different than the other eyebrow tutorials I have done in the past. This video just features new products that I have been using recently to get my red brows. Keep in mind, I actually dye my eyebrows and have a tutorial here.

red hair

Basic steps of the tutorial:

1. Line
2. Blend upward into brow and blend in
3. Clean up with concealer.

I am using MAC Folie eyeshadow with an angled brush followed by a no-name brand of a dark brown gel liner.

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Quick Face of the Day – Striking Yellow Shadow

sugarpill cosmetics

Here is a quick product listing for the look I wore to a recent Misfits concert. I wanted something bright and striking, also to help my hair color stand out even further. I decided to match my eyeshadow shades to my beanie I wore that night. I prefer my dramatic eyes with a bold lip most of the time so if you want to recreate the look yet feel it is too colorful for your liking, pair it with a nude lipstick such as Ben Nye Nudie or MAC in Myth. I recommend false lashes with dramatic looks to help your eyes appear completed and polished. It really helps tie the look together and add the appropriate drama to your eyeshadow look!

Products -

Eyes:
NYX Milk
Sugarpill Burning Hearts palette
MAC PRO Chromagraphic in Yellow
MAC Blush in Harmony for crease
Makeup Forever Aqualine Liquid liner
Makeup Forever Smoky Lash mascara
Ardel Wispies

Brows:
Sugarpill Burning Hearts palette (Red shadow)

Lips:
NYX Hot Red Lipliner
Besame in Red

Blush:
MAC Blunt

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Dark Vampy FOTD

makeup forever

Aside from classic pin up makeup, I love very dark and edgy looks. This includes defined eye makeup with a deep bold lips. I used different makeup products today aside from my normal routine. I prefer to switch things up every now and then just to get different ideas of other products.

I wanted to use the new holiday sets from Makeup Forever which are filled with goodies!
(Available at Sephora)

makeup forever 2012

The items I used from these are Smoky lash mascara, HD powder, Aqua cream, Aqua Eyes #0L & 11L, Aqua liner #13. What I love from the Makeup Forever Aqua line is that everything is waterproof. This makes smudging, melting off, and moving around nearly impossible with the makeup. Especially for pencils going on the waterline which helps it to actually make the product LAST all day! Also, the Aqua liner does not have a shiny finish, which is the main reason I typically do not use liquid liners.

smokey makeup

Products -

Face:
Smashbox primer
Makeup Forever Foundation #117
Smashbox powder to set, mixed with Ben Nye Super White powder for my under eye area (because I am so pale, they are never light enough for me!) followed by Makeup Forever HD powder
Makeup Forever Velvet+ Foundation #15 for under eye highlighting

Eyes:
MAC Folie
MAC Star Violet
Makeup Forever Black 4 – matte black eyeshadow
Makeup Forever Aqua Cream – shiny soft gold
Smoky lash mascara
Aqua cream
Aqua Eyes #0L (black) & 11L (purple) eyeliner
Aqua liner #13 – Black liquid liner

Blush:
Victoria’s Secret bronzer
MAC Notable

Lips:
MAC Nightmoth lipliner
MAC Girl About Town
Read about this as a MAC Heroine dupe here

Eyebrows:
MAC Folie eyeshadow

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Lip Combo Dupe for MAC Heroine

mac heroine dupe

I think I have finally come up with something extremely similar to MAC’s limited edition color- Heroine. I came up with this combo today because I have been getting back into pink bold lipsticks and since Nightmoth lipliner is practically one of my most used lip products.

As far as the photos go, the dupe image was taken in direct sunlight while the picture where I have on Heroine was taken indoors. This may be the reason that the color looks a bit lighter. Of course it isn’t an exact dupe, but it is extremely close. The way to get the closest you can to the actual lipstick will be to set it with a purple/violet shadow (which I did not do) such as Makeup Forever eyeshadow in #92.

Now, onto the lip combo!

mac heroine duplicate

Products used: MAC’s Nightmoth lip liner and Girl About Town lipstick
mac nightmoth mac girl about town

I simply lined my lips and shaded them in with Nightmoth lipliner and filled in using Girl About Town lipstick. Both products have purple tones in them so it brought together a combination of a color extremely similar to the original lipstick Heroine. Again, to further create this lipstick set it with a purple/violet toned eyeshadow to help bring more to the color (which I did not do).

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Pinky Pin up FOTD

pin up red head

My favorite style of all time is a pin up inspired look. Whether it be the simple things such as hair flowers, head scarfs, or cardigans, I love to mix them up into other styles. I like to play around with the classic winged liner and red lip by doing other things such as changing up the crease shade, which is normally a soft brown, to different colors and then using bolder and more striking lip colors. I am going to keep this simple because I have so many pin up makeup posts! It really is a favorite of mine, but I have since changed up my makeup routine and products, so this is for an updated look using my current favorite brands.

pin up makeup

Products -

Face:
Smashbox primer
Makeup Forever Foundation #117
Smashbox powder to set, mixed with Ben Nye Super White powder for my under eye area (because I am so pale, they are never light enough for me!)
Makeup Forever Velvet+ Foundation #15 for under eye highlighting

Eyes:
MAC Notable blush in the crease
Makeup Forever Bisque 15 – light ivory eyeshadow
MAC Blacktrack eyeliner
CRÉME False Eyelashes #747L
NYX Jumbo Pencil Milk

Blush:
Victoria’s Secret bronzer
MAC Notable

Lips:
MAC Impassioned

Eyebrows:
No name brown gel liner

 

 

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My Hair Stylist Booking Information

red head

For those unaware, I get my hair professionally done by my stylist Dani. Anyone interested in visiting her in regards to hair services are now able to since she has moved to a new salon and is now taking on new clients.

She is an ABSOLUTELY amazing and talented stylist! She has been the only one to touch my hair in over 6 years and I can’t thank her enough for taking what was once a dull and unprofessionally done color on myself (from a previous stylist) to the beautiful thing it is today. I am beyond satisfied with her and have recommended her to a great handful of close friends who have been loyal clients to her. She knows how to take care of her clients needs and actually LISTENS. This is the only stylist on earth I have gone to who has preserved my hairs length for me! Usually they get to excited with their scissors and chop half of my hair off, but from what you can tell now, my hair is at such a long and healthy length. I really owe it all to her for blessing me with the style, color, and health of my hair that I currently have. She deserves to have her work seen by everyone, which is why I have taken the time to let everyone know about her (especially since my hair is my #1 frequently asked question!).

If you would like to book with her call Cleo salon at (818) 879-1940 and ask for Dani. The salon’s location is in the Thousand Oaks area.

pravana vivids

For direct inquiry or questions, you may email her at Danidoesyourhair@gmail.com or follow her on Instagram @HairbyDani.

 

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Favorite Hair Care Products

Keeping up with great hair care is important for those who dye their hair often. In addition to dyeing hair, those using heating tools daily (such as myself) must keep up with a hair care regimen in order to keep your hair appearing as healthy as possible.

I often switch up my hair products just as often as I switch up my makeup and skin care. I love using different brands to really get an idea of how different products work for my hair. After trial and error, I have discovered my top favorite products when it comes to caring for my color.

1.) Pravana Perfection Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner
Pravana  Perfection Smoothing
I absolutely love these products. They are basically my top pick when it comes to what I use. I truly believe Pravana has such amazing quality products and trying these out definitely validated that for me. My hair never had the shiny appearance it does now before I started using their products. My favorite thing about the shampoo is that my hair really does feel super clean after rinsing it off. It does not leave any product residue which I often struggle with when using other products. The scent is incredible, it just smells super clean. The conditioner is the same and helps revive my hair after days of using heat tools. A tip: The way to get the best out of their conditioner for your color is to use a fresh mixture of your Vivids color with the product in the shower to help refresh your color!

2.) Pravana Intense Therapy Leave-in Treatment

pravana

As Pravana’s website describes, “Enriched formula gives a burst of moisture and instantly transforms coarse, dry or frizzy hair to a smooth, soft texture. Specially formulated to rejuvenate and protect hair while shielding it from harmful UV rays.” I use this product when I have my hair freshly washed, right out the shower. I noticed using this product before my hair air dries really helps tame the frizzy texture it tends to have. My hair definitely feels soft after using this as well and I make sure to focus on my ends of my hair when applying this product. It also smells amazing (which I believe all Pravana products do!)

3.) Macadamia Natural Oil Rejuvenating Shampoo

macadamnia shampoo

Macadamia’s shampoo would be my second favorite. I get the same great clean feeling throughout my hair when using this product and experience no left over residue. This is my go to product when I am not using Pravana’s products.

4.) Macadamia Deep Repair Masque

Macadamia
This has to be my favorite hair mask I have used for reviving my hair. I love using this product once a week for intense conditioning for my dry hair. I leave this soaking on my ends for about 10-15 minutes in the shower and the difference in texture is amazing. This product is a must for me personally and it smells lovely in addition to everything!

5.) TIGI S Factor Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner

S Factor

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of these products is the smell! It smells like candy to me…such a favorite of mine because of how amazing my hair’s scent is after using this product. I seriously can’t stop smelling my hair after freshly washing with this product, it’s that good! Aside from its delicious scent, the product does work well at washing and conditioning also. I will admit though, my main love for this product really is the smell… can’t get over that! Haha.

6.) Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask

Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask

For those on a budget, my favorite affordable hair mask is the Triple Moisture Deep Recovery. This is a great product, in my opinion, to get by. I believe Neutrogena did very well with this product and it definitely brings back the moisture to dry hair. I personally think this product also smells really good (I love products that do). This is easily affordable to keep up with using one time a week for good hair care therapy!

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Gypsy Inspired FOTD

I finally, finallllllllllly found a gypsy turban inspired hat the other day at Target after contemplating whether or not to order online. I am the type of person who prefers to try things on before making a purchase, especially if it was going to be sent out from another state and I would have to pay additional shipping. So, from my excitement, even though it was so hot today I wore my beanie like hat. To go with the look I knew I wanted to do purple lips. I have been thinking about stepping out of my normal makeup zone for a while so I decided to pair the lips up with a super smokey eye.

The difference between this smoked out look compared to the other traditional ones is that the darkness is on the inner and outer corners only, while the entire middle of the lid is highlighted. I went with a super frosty pigment to really give off an exaggerated yet wearable highlighted effect. Overall, this look is really simple to replicate.

gypsy makeup

Products used:

- Face:
Garnier BB Cream in Light mixed with Makeup Forever Mat Velvet foundation
MAC Love Joy and Blunt blush
Smashbox concealer in Light

- Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
MAC Vanilla pigment, Whims & Fancies eye shadow palette, Blacktrack fluidline, and Rule
L’oreal Voluminous mascara
Ardel Wispies lashes

- Lips:
MAC Heroine lipstick (check my older post <a href=”http://www.saraashouri.net/2012/10/02/fall-inspired-fotd/”>here</a>  for the dupes!)

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