My New Obsession...

I have been using the volumizing shampoo, volumizing conditioner and two volumizing products from Nexxus for about two months now. In between, I have used other Shampoos and Conditioners to see if I am given the same results as I get with Nexxus. They are completely different. Nexxus leaves my hair feeling lavish, just as if I have been to a high end salon. I absolutely enjoy the luxurious feeling of my hair from the shampoo and conditioner. It smells absolutely amazing. It leaves my hair soft, smelling good, and life.

The two volumizing products are a mousse and a thickening leave-in volumizer. These two products don't give me build up and add to the body of my hair after it is styled. If you are looking for a new shampoo/conditioner or even styling products, give Nexxus a try. The price might be a little higher but spending the extra money is well worth it!

Aveeno Positively Ageless Update

Today marks day 11 since I started using Aveeno Postively Ageless. I like the line a lot so far. I usually forget to wash my face before bed, but I've been so good as far as sticking to a schedule. The eye cream has diminished the crows feet around my eyes when I smile too hard. I think I like the night cream best. It's for my whole face and it's actually filling in those lines and wrinkles while I sleep. I look forward to posting more information and even before and after pictures in a few days :)

Aveeno Positively Ageless

I have heard nothing but positive comments about this product line, so I decided to test it out myself and relay to everyone exactly what each product does. The kit, which I got at Wal-Mart was $34.95 and included all items in the picture (Daily Exfoliating Cleanser, Lifting and Firming Eye Cream, Lifting and Firming Night Cream, and lastly, Daily Moisturizer w/SPF 30).

Each product is made with the Natural Shiitake Complex (yes, mushrooms). The Shiitake Complex is a natural antioxidant that works with your renewl process to provide you with younger looking skin. The shiitake mushrooms have beauty-enhancing benefits that have been scientifically proven to give you a more youthful look.

Daily Exfoliating Cleanser
This light foam cleanser not only contains the Natural Shiitake Complex but it also contains microbeads to exfoliate the dull, dead skin away revealing healthier, younger looking skin.

Lifting and Firming Eye Cream
This product is a moisturizer which brightens, lifts and firms the skin around the eyes. It is also proven to reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Lifting and Firming Night Cream
This product goes above and beyond fighting fine lines and wrinkles and actually firms your skin while you sleep.

Daily Moisturizer w/SPF 30
Containing SPF 30, it helps fight premature aging of the skin. This product also nourishes, softens, and gives you more vibrant looking skin. It also reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

Now, I know what some of you have to be saying to yourself. You're insane! You're 23 and don't have fine lines and wrinkles. Blah, blah, blah..age doesn't matter. I have things that of course I would like tighter and firmer and if this product line can give me the look that I want then shoot why not try it! I will be experimenting with the Aveeno Positively Ageless line for 2-4 weeks and I plan on letting you know my personal results with of course picture representation! :)

Straight and Curly hair

My Straight Look
1. It's a 10!
2. Victoria's Secret So Sexy Root Boosting Spray
3. TIGI Catwalk Root Boost Spray
4. Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Mousse Spray

-blow dry in sections with paddle brush or round brush (depends if I want the curl at the end that day)





My Curly Look

1. It's a 10!
2. Victoria's Secret So Sexy Root Boosting Spray
3. TIGI Catwalk Root Boost Spray
4. Gardiner Fructis Curl Spray Gel

use product:
-scrunch while blow drying.
no product:
-air dry and style using damp hands


**NOTE: my hair is naturally curly and I don't have to put anything in it to get the gorgeous curly q's so many girls die for but I like using products sometimes just to control the curl so there is less frizz.**

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

I waited and waited to try Purple Lab's products and last week I FINALLY got the ones I ordered! I was beyond thrilled to test out my new makeup on me and everyone else that would let me experiment! First we're going to go over the ugly. You know the dreaded picture of no makeup that you're terrified for anyone to see.

Yup, that's me. No makeup, shiny face full of imperfections. As I've stated over and over in blogs, I possibly have to have the worst bags of anyone I've never known. My mom tries to tell me they are smile marks. HA, oh mom. :) I have two wrinkles in my forehead that when I was younger thought it would be cool to have..NOT. My pores, to me, are HUMONGOUS and I see some icky blotches. Yuck!

The point is, everyone has imperfections without makeup that they are unhappy about. It's natural and it's okay. One thing you have to remember is even without make up you are beautiful. It's not only outer beauty in which makes you attractive, but more importantly your inner glam that shines outward to add that pizzazz and sparkle to your looks. So breathe, smile and look at MY before. :) That shouldn't make you feel too bad!

The products, which of course are the good, that I applied to my clean no made up face in excitement (yes I ran straight to the bathroom and scrubbed my makeup from the day off) as soon as I got home from work was Luxury Squared and Lashionista Modelista by Purple Lab.

Luxury Squared is a two in one concealer and brightener and oh boy does it do just that! I was utterly surprised at how silky and light it feels on my face. After application, I still felt as if I had no makeup on and it blended nicely. (Note: You dont have to use a lot of this product to achieve the coverage you want. You don't want white eyes!) Lashionista Modelista is also another two in one product, one end being mascara and the other liquid eye liner made out of diamond dust. The wand for the mascara is bent to allow for better application as it's in the shape of how your eyelashes should be. The liquid diamonds isn't a brush but a hard tip which allows the liner to go on smoother and easier if you're like me and have MAJOR trouble with a liquid liner brush.

I am obsessed with concealer, and this does the job any concealer should! And, HELLO DIAMONDS ON MY EYES? yes please! :) This is my after picture. Again, I am wearing Luxury Squared, Lashionista Modelista and just a dab of bronzer. Just using those three items was fast and easy. The application process only took me five minutes, perfect for women on the go! Some days I feel like going more natural and this look is definitely the way to go. The liquid diamonds add just a hint of glitz needed to make my eyes pop!

The only bad thing I have to say is I wish there was more mascara! I almost wish that Lashionista Modelista were two separate products only so there could be more! More silk stockings and diamonds for my eyes please! However, I recommend these products for others to try if you have the money to splurge on new makeup. I don't think these products are over priced, but if you are on a budget you just might. You can order them on HSN or on the newly opened online store of Purple Lab. I am going to order the rest of Purple Lab's products and you can guarantee to see reviews from me! :)

Purple Lab Model Search: Most Viral

In December, Purple Lab teamed together with HSN and created the HSN/Purple Lab Star Model Search in hopes of finding their next "IT" girl. I saw the contest on a friends facebook and after reading about Purple Lab and their message; I entered the contest. Modeling has always been a passion and as my mom says I've had a camera in my face since the time I was born. I'm use to it; it's natural. I love makeup and team that together with being able to reach out to young girls and women everywhere about the importance of confidence and going after what you want is very important to me. I thought this would be the perfect way to get my message across.

I chose a random picture, I don't even know why I picked the picture I did. After realizing I couldn't change that picture I just added more that showed of my versatile looks and personality. Just after a few hours I was #10 and I just moved up and up and up. I decided not only should they see my different looks, but they should know my personality, so I made a youtube video about why I should be their "IT" girl. It was so much fun, I love making videos and was too excited about this one. My video has almost 1,000 views and I was THRILLED during the contest about how many people were viewing it. I thought I might have a chance at winning this contest. I was so flattered by all the votes and comments I received on my entry. The support was unbeliveable. I had people from all over the world pulling for me to win.

Along with all the positive, uplifting comments, also came the negative ones. I couldn't understand how some people in this world could be so cruel over an INTERNET CONTEST. A friend sent me a link where a contestant and her supporters were saying the most horrible of things on an internet forum. I was couldn't believe the malice and hurtful comments people made about me and other contestants. The funny thing is, no one on that forum knew any of the contestants in person (including the girl they were supporting) and it just makes them look foolish to be so judgemental over people just by their looks; but of course I suppose that is how most people judge each other these days.

The object was to be a good social networker; to get yourself out there, promotion, self advertising. I am really good at social networking and this was proven when I was ranked Most Viral just a short time after I entered the contest and remained Most Viral throughout the contest. I even got my local radio station to mention the contest on the radio as well as posting my link and story on their website, twitter and facebooks. I couldn't be more thankful for having a community that stood behind me and can't thank them enough for all the help! My ranking kept climbing and after just a few short days I was ranked #2. I couldn't believe how fast I moved up and was really blown away when I was #1. I stayed #1 for close to two weeks when Jessica Harlow came in from no where and totally blew all the other contestants out of the water, making it to #1 in just two days.

I had already purchased Huge Lips Skinny Hips to further show how much I loved and supported Purple Lab and just how great the product really was. I did blogs and made a youtube video about the product as well. I made everyone I came into contact with try Huge Lips Skinny Hips and all were just as amazed as I was. I've received I don't know how many thanks for introducing them to their now, most favorite lip gloss. In the last week or so of the contest, my objective wasn't to win anymore, but to spread the word of Purple Lab. To get across the message of you can have it all to girls and women everywhere and with the use of Purple Lab's products you can enhance those already beautiful features one possesses.

The contest came to and end on the early morning of February 4th. My finished ranking might have been #2 but I was #1 in votes, views and viral activity. I couldn't believe that I finished with 30 more votes than the #1 ranked girl and that I had the most views totaling over 107,000 (which has climbed to over 112,000 since the contest ended)! I felt that made me very marketable and surely was something I had going for me. Then the day came that Purple Lab Creatrix, Karen Robinovitz was debuting her products on HSN. FINALLY the day every contestant had been waiting for. I wanted a chance for all my supporters to be able to gather together to hear the winner, so I planned an online Watch Party that took place in a tinychat room where we could have fun, laugh and cam together while watching HSN.

I wanted to throw up the whole show, and then the time came right at the very end when they announced the winner...Jessica Harlow. My heart sank. I really thought I had a good chance to win, as I'm sure 99 of the other top girls thought. They announced two more winners would be chosen to go back in July with Karen and Purple Lab to be on HSN and we would just have to wait to find out. Everyone reassured me "Oh you have to be one of the two." I wasn't holding my breath. I knew I was Most Viral and I knew that was what I was going to win.

On the 23rd I received an email that confirmed what I knew to be true. I had been picked as Most Viral. Was I excited? Of course. I had worked my butt off to stay Most Viral and to keep my rank as #2 but I knew the other girls couldn't catch up to me and Jessica in the last week of the contest. What did I win? I win a swag bag full of Purple Lab products. I am stoked for the other two girls picked to be on HSN. (I am happy to say the contestant that had the forum of gossip wasn't picked) I learned about myself, my dedication, my passion, and my determination to succeed during this contest. Not only did I walk away with an awesome prize, but I made new friends who are amazing.

I will be a proud Purple Lab girl until the day I die. The products I have tried (Huge Lips Skinny Hips, Lashionista Modelista and Luxury Squared) pass my makeup needs and I will continue to support them and their products. Thank you Purple Lab and Karen Robinovitz for introducing me to your line and for the opportunity to learn more about myself and just exactly what I can accomplish.

xoxo, Purple Lab's Most Viral Contestant

March Model of the Month

I entered a contest that Tag Photography puts on every month called "Model of the Month." I filled out an application stating why I should be their Model of the Month and two weeks ago I got an email stating I won the contest. I was overjoyed! I needed that new spark and this was the perfect way to start off modeling again. I had my photoshoot Sunday and I would like to take you all on my journey!

Note: the photos labeled Tag Photography are from the photshoot. The one not labeled is a photo I took myself.

They wanted my look to be fun, cute and sexy all at the same time. I knew what I wanted to do. The look I was going for was glamorous and editorial. I chose the Lady Gaga look from the Grammy's that Jessica Harlow did a Youtube tutorial on. I took this picture with natural lighting standing in front of the front door. I wanted to make sure my makeup and hair looked perfect. I spent about three hours total getting ready.

I wanted my hair to be full of volume and sexy. I used three different volumizing products and hairspray to obtain the look I wanted. (I told you guys I was a nut for hair products!) I used Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Plus, TIGI Catwalk Root Boost and Victoria's Secret So Sexy Root Lifting Volumizing spray and Suave hairspray. I used the three volumizing products when my hair was damp before blow drying. When blow drying my hair I took a big round brush to get the roots and too keep from having the ends curled I used a paddle brush for the rest. (Of course having the natural curly hair I do, I did use my straightener for my ends and pieces that wouldn't straighten with the hair dryer)

I used my Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows to achieve the Lady Gaga look from the Grammys (as seen in right photo). I used Jabberwocky as a base on my lids and then I took the color Mad Hatter and applied that in my crease a just a little bit above my crease blending it in evenly. I then used Absolem and put that over the Jabberwocky to make that color pop. White Rabbit was applied right under my brow and blended into the Mad Hatter. After I completed the eye shadow I used the 24/7 Glide on Eye liner and added mascara. The look came together perfectly and was just what I wanted!

Tag Photography is a fairly new company but the talent is HUGE. The photographers for Tag Photography are a wife/husband duo and they both shoot you! The talent that both of them have for photography is just breathtaking. The wife does hair and makeup as well and will gladly do hair and makeup for a shoot (she is doing mine in my second shoot!) They were a blast to work with and are very professional. They lightened the atmosphere with music and even asked me what my favorite band was to listen to! We jammed away to Owl City during my shoot. They were so nice and welcoming and it felt very natural to model for them.

The photoshoot itself was absolutely amazing! I've always been a ham in front of the camera and this was no exception! It's just a natural thing for there to be a camera in my face. "I hope you don't mind us all in your personal space," said one photographer with a camera just inches from my face. I laughed and shook my head, "I'm use to it." What was supposed to be a 20 minute shoot turned into a 40 minute shoot. We were having too much fun!

First, I took pictures outside peering inside the studio to capture the natural lighting. They just let me do my thing while they captured the perfect expressions and looks. I heard, "gorgeous" "beautiful" and "you've got a good look" during the whole shoot. As a model, that makes me feel extremely good. We moved moved outside where I posed by a column for a few shots and then out by the brick stairs in a relaxed sitting pose. They even took pictures of my eye lashes which turned out to be beautiful pictures!! (and yes they are natural)


We then moved into the studio where I almost busted my butt on a rug leading into the room. It was just a little funny. The studio room was my favorite part of the shoot because I got the "super model hair" with the fans blowing in my face. It was a little chilly but I knew was going to bring me the best pictures! I posed behind black, white and purple tye dye backdrops. I got to be sassy and pose with my yellow jacket over my shoulder. I also was fierce with my sparkly American Eagle tank top and the wind blowing my hair. They made me laugh a lot and I got really cute pictures of me laughing. I loved how natural everything was. Nothing looked forced.

I am definitely looking forward to my second shoot with Tag Photography in April!! This second photoshoot will be bigger and better! Thanks Tag Photography for choosing me as your March Model of the Month! It was an awesome experience and I love representing your company.