I'm back! I'm back!

Holy crap. I can't believe I haven't blogged since last February. My "hiatus" was never intentional, other than real life getting in the way. And by real life, I mean nursing school and all the clinical hours that go along with it. I couldn't even remember what my login was for blogger. But I'm back! And I'm excited to start blogging again. I think I'm going to have this blog be everything from beauty, to clothes I'm loving, to things I'm using to organize with...more like a lifestyle blog!

I didn't even know where to start when I decided that I should start blogging again. Do I do a favorite products post? Do I talk about where I have been? ETC ETC. So, since I got my hair done yesterday, I will share that with you...considering the last time I blogged I was a PLATINUM & TONE blonde.

Last April I decided I was over being platinum blonde. I had been a platinum blonde for well over a year at that point, and it was time for a change. I honestly will probably NEVER go back to being that bright of blonde, but it was fun while it lasted.

Now that my hair is no longer drinking bleach every 6 weeks, it has actually gotten so much healthier and grows almost 2 inches every 8 weeks. Incredible. And since I have never actually had super long hair, I'm trying to grow it out below my boobs. THIS BETTER HAPPEN BY SUMMER! I have big dreams of having beautiful, curly, Pinterest-esque hair EVERY.DAMN.DAY.

My hair as of yesterday:

I have fallen into the ombre craze! I feel like that look has been around for about 2 years now, but I think it looks good on everyone. I go to an Aveda salon, and my "base brown" is a level 5. The ombre section is in the reddish brown family and is a level 7. 

Here are some of my favorite *hairspiration* pictures:

This is about how long I want my hair to be. Her shortest layer is about my longest layer right now. HURRY UP HAIR.

And I *LOVE* this color for summer.

I can't wait to see what the hair trend of 2013 will be!

Sephora & Ulta Haul.

I recently went to Sephora with my mom, so I had to take full advantage of that seeing she is also a product hoarder just like myself....and I wonder where I get it from?

Products from Sephora:

• NARS Blush in Orgasm
• NARS Blush in Oasis
• NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Via Appia
• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eyeliner in Crash
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow in YDK

NARS Orgasm (left) & NARS Oasis (right)

The other makeup products shown are from the Cargo Mediterranean Collection, which is a GREAT deal. You get a blush (Mendocino--gorgeous!), eyeshadow duo, full sized mascara, lipgloss and eyeliner for about $34. The blush alone retails between $26-30! Cargo blushes are amazing. I think I like them even better than NARS blushes (whoa, did I just say that?). I'm going to invest in some more blushes by them ASAP. I go through phases where I'll buy lipstick, or eyeshadow...I think I am officially in my "obsessed with blush" phase. 

The hair products I purchased at Ulta. The can is Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Dry Shampoo and Powder Play. Powder Play is a hair texturizer that adds volume. Both products are repurchases for me. I also picked up Batiste Dry Shampoo, which I thought they only sold in Europe! I was wrong. It's also another great dry shampoo, and a lot cheaper than the Big Sexy Hair one. 

Hope I gave you some shopping ideas!

Remington T-Studio Curling Wand.

This is my recent obsession!! I have seen a lot of tutorials on YouTube with girls using the ConAir Curling Wand. Now that my hair has grown out from an angled bob completely, I decided to finally pick a curling wand up.

The wand has a "ceramic pearl finish" which is supposed to offer the smoothest possible finish. I find this to be true, my hair is way less frizzy (especially the next day) than when I have used a regular curling iron. It also includes a heat protectant glove, which I find to be worthless. It's too big and bulky to curl hair with.  The wand heats up to 410 degrees. I usually curl my hair in the high 300s. The best thing about curling your hair with this, is that it lasts for a couple days. I like my curls even more the next day...plus it keeps the shine along with it. It's also very fast to use, it probably takes me 15-20 minutes to do my entire head. After I'm done, I spray my head with hair spray and tousle the curls to separate them a bit.

I paid $25 for this baby, which is $5 cheaper than the ConAir one. I definitely recommend it!

I am a hair product snob...usually.

I have to admit, I'm kind of a hair product snob.

I would never let VO5 touch my hair, or better yet, Mane 'N Tail. I cringe at the thought that some of my friends would lather their locks with a shampoo that started out for horses. Mane 'N Tail claims that the shampoo is not just for horses, I claim that the shampoo is not for humans. Sick.

Anyways, I have blonde locks, so therefore, I am high maintenance. However, the following drugstore products are endorsed by this hair snob herself:

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deeeeep Conditioner

I hate to admit it, but it is better than the $36 deep conditioner that now resides under my bathroom sink. I can't stress how amazing this stuff is. I use this product 2-3 times per week. Slather it on, shave your legs, and then enjoy touchable and hydrated hair. Your boyfriend can thank me later.

Car insurance....for your hair. This is basically the leave-in conditioner of the 3 Minute Miracle. Whenever I don't use the deep conditioner, I get out of the shower and use this. Who wants Dodge Neon hair when you can have Mercedes-Benz hair? Exactly.

I forgot to mention that all these products are so cheap a homeless man could afford them. That is, if they showered. I purchased both of these products for $2.87 at my local drugstore.

If these products can make my dry, bleached hair feel like a 100$ silk scarf from Hermes, imagine what it can do for YOUR hair.