Living Proof of Great Hair

                    

I have fine hair but a lot of it in the words of my stylist. Over the years I have tried many products ranging from the least to most expensive promises in a bottle. In purchasing a few items from Sephora to replenish my stash, I was given a sample of Living Proof Full Thickening Cream. In two years, using it every day, I am now on my second bottle. It does not take much more than a small dime size to accomplish a full bodied look. The product smells fantastic and is super lightweight. I used too much one day and it still did not weigh my hair down. The product should be used on freshly washed hair.

I have reviewed Drybar Velvet Hammer in this blog which is a hydrating control cream that I blend in a product cocktail with Living Proof Full Thickening Cream, Kenra Blow Dry Spray, and Matrix Amplify Volume Foam mousse.  All products work extremely well together however everyone has different hair needs and I will be reviewing the others in upcoming posts. These items are applicable to fine color treated hair to give my hair bounce and shine all day long without feeling heavy.

Living Proof has won over 45 awards and holds patents on its products which provide revolutionary care that result in gorgeous hair. The founders use biotechnology to develop beauty products that are living proof of how their products are differentiated. The Full Thickening Cream has won five awards just on its own. It is actually designed with fine hair in mind. It is sulfate, silicon, and oil free. I receive so many compliments and really love the way my hair looks using this product. It has made a huge difference in adding much needed lightweight volume. 

Cheers!

Gotta Love Good Genes

Sunday Riley has developed amazing products to improve skin texture and restore radiance.  I had the pleasure of testing a Good Genes sample I received from Sephora.  The product contains unneutralized lactic acid, which is one of the most popular alpha hydroxyl acids to reduce fine lines, plump skin, and renew texture for acne scars.  Additional ingredients include licorice to brighten and improve hyper pigmentation as well as containing anti-inflammatory properties, squalene to replenish the natural oil in skin, and a yeast extract for healing the skin with moisturizing capabilities.

The product is very multi-functional.  It can be used as a serum morning and night, a peel for a quick facial, or a mask when combined with Sunday Riley CeramicSlip Cleanser.  Personally I use it as a serum at night and my skin is radiant by morning.  Occasionally I will use Good Genes in the morning under my moisturizer to treat a breakout.  It is a little pricey at $105 for a one ounce bottle however not more than a pea size is needed and will last for a few months depending on frequency of use.  

If you have sensitive skin, the product should only be used a few times a week as it does cause a peeling effect.  My routine with this product includes wiping my makeup away with POND'S OriginalFresh Wet Cleansing Towelettes, washing with Clean and Clear Deep ActionExfoliating Scrub, and finishing with Sunday Riley Good Genes.  I have very sensitive to combination skin and tried a plethora of products over the years.  These are my go-to items and I have seen great results.  

After much disappointment in harsh cleansers, I overhauled my entire routine to find a great base in Kat Von D Lock-It Powder Foundation, which I have reviewed in my blog that does not clog pores and reduced my cleansing ritual to only include three essential items.  The simplest yet effective methods are the best route to go.  A consultation with a good dermatologist can help you develop a list of products unique to your skin and texture as everyone’s skin responds differently. 

Cheers!

@sephora @sundayriley #beauty

Apple Watch Part II: Apps

The primary reason for purchasing the Apple Watch was for the fitness component.  I use Apple's built-in workout app for the watch which syncs with the iPhone. A workout can be logged and saved under various categories such as outdoor and indoor walk, run, and cycle as well as elliptical, rower, and stair stepper. The Activity app stores calories, steps, and total distance walked each day. Each week a new move goal can be set for calories burned which is motivation for progress. Other built-in apps like Apple Pay, messages, mail, reminders, and calendar can mirror notifications that are currently set up on the iPhone. Applications like Weather.com and Wunderground are useful quick reference apps in planning your day without having to check your iPhone.

Fandango is great for storing movie tickets purchased through the iPhone app or online. It has a feature to let you know when the movie is about to start and when you should leave your current location to be there on time. Theaters that support digital ticketing can scan the watch QR code for all persons in your party from a single swipe. Uber is a useful extension of the iPhone app which provides a notification that the car has arrived. Airline apps like Delta and American are helpful for boarding quickly by scanning the QR code and not having to worry about where to store your phone while holding your bags. Hotel apps like Marriott and SPG have a built in room key at participating hotels which mirrors the capabilities of the iPhone 6. Shopping apps such as Amazon and eBay are great on the Apple Watch which allows the user to know when items are shipped. The eBay app has the capability to increase the bid on watched items.

There are many other fantastic features that can be viewed on Apple's website and incredibly useful apps for various needs. I never leave home without it and I'm sure you will love it too!

Cheers!