8 Tips For Fabulous Curls This Winter

Ah, winter. It’s the most wonderful time of the year – the holidays, hot chocolate, cute sweaters, the list goes on! But it can also be a not-so-wonderful time of year for your curls, if they’re not properly taken care of. Whether you’re a longtime curly girl or now embracing your curls, these tips will help you keep your curls happy this winter.

1. Consider going “no-poo.” Shampoos with sulfates strip our hair of moisture, which is literally the opposite of what we want. I committed to the “no-poo” lifestyle last year, and it was a game changer. It’s weird at first not to feel the typical shampoo lathering, but my hair feels softer, stronger and more moisturized. My favorite is the DevaCurl No-Poo Decadence for super curly hair.
2. Do. Not. Skimp. On. Deep. Conditioning. During the summer, I could get away with deep conditioning twice a month, but now I have to do it once a week. If your hair craves extra moisture like mine, it will thank you for the deep condition. You can make your own with your favorite oils, or take the easy way out like me and buy it. My favorites are DevaCurl Heaven in Hair, DevaCurl Melt into Moisture and Hask Monoi Coconut Oil. 
3. Use coconut oil (AKA the lifesaver). I put cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil on my ends for extra moisture and curl definition. When I tell you it keeps the curls POPPIN’, I’m not lying! A little goes a long way, so use it just on your ends, and not on your scalp. If you use too much, your hair will look super greasy (don’t ask how I know…).
4. Don’t towel-dry your hair. Drying with a towel creates too much friction, leading to frizz. You can use a microfiber towel, but that old cotton t-shirt you don’t know what to do with will work just as well. I’ve been using t-shirts for about four years and haven’t looked back.
5. Sleep with a satin cap or pillowcase. This will preserve your curls and prevent them from becoming matted. I use the satin pillowcase because caps always fall off my head in the middle of the night. 
6. Don’t sleep with your hair down. Sleeping with my hair down (even with a satin pillowcase) is disastrous. My hair looks flat, which is a big no-no for me! I prefer to put my hair in a “pineapple,” which is just a high ponytail and naturally, makes me look like a pineapple. Depending on your hair type, you can pineapple, braid or twist – whatever works for you.
7. Use a diffuser instead of a blow dryer. I air dry my hair because it doesn’t get so cold in South Carolina. But if you live in colder areas or need to dry your hair quickly, a diffuser will dry your hair without stripping its moisture. Every once in a while, I do diffuse my hair with the Bed Head Curlipops diffuser. 
8. Get a trim. Trimming your ends regularly is essential for hair growth and health. When you’re a curly girl, it can seem like light years have passed before any growth appears. I recently started using liquid biotin to aid my hair growth, so regular trims won’t seem as daunting.

Here’s to fabulous, happy curls this holiday season!

This guest post was provided by my fabulous daughter, Chardonnay Ismail. 

My Life, My Hair

Most days as I browse Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, I notice a very popular hair trend. It seems like rainbow, unicorn, and cotton candy colors are the big thing for girls and women of all ages. Believe it or not, I'm nearing 45 years of age and have never once dyed my hair. I started getting a few grays in my late teens. Those gray hairs have since multiplied, and are starting to spring up all over.

I really love my natural color and don't ever want to change it. Most people don't really notice the grays unless my hair is pulled back or I mention it. Most of the silver seems to be tucked underneath my black hair. Let me tell you though, when I go into the dressing room in a department store those silver strands stand out under those bright lights. I see every last gray hair and I get a little self-conscious. It's stupid for me to even feel that way. I am middle-aged, and getting older is a part of life. I have always said that I would not dye my hair, but sometimes feel like I'm not quite ready to be a gray-haired woman.

I have been following a few accounts on Instagram of some beautiful women who fully love and embrace their silver locks. I use it as motivation for myself. For now I will continue to just be. My hair color does not define the person I am. Are you going through this by chance? Let me know!

Thanks for stopping by xoxo

The Best Things to Wear With Leggings, Jeggings and those Skinny Jeans

They’re a classic part of our wardrobes at this point: leggings, jeggings, and skinny jeans. Basically, anything that doesn’t put a lot of fabric around our ankles and show off just how long our legs are. These are comfortable, fun, and tend to be easier to wear than anything else. However, it can get a little difficult to find something that you really want to wear with them.

Add Some Scrunched Up Hobo Socks
Looking for a little more warmth over your leggings or jeggings? Adding a great pair of socks at any length can make the look feel warmer and cozier. Go for the classic legwarmers look or just add a chunky pair of socks. There are so many options out there with great detailing, from buttons to lace.

Just make sure that you have some breathing room and that your socks are at the same height.

Dare to Go High with High Shafted Boots
How high are you willing to go? Since leggings, jeggings, and skinny jeans are all tight all the way up, it is easy to pair them with high shafted boots – go to the knee or to the thigh for a put together look. No matter what else you have on, these boots help you to look just a little more put together.

Have smaller legs? Add the socks mentioned above under the boots for a better fit and extra warm protection.

Don’t Be Afraid of Sky High Heels
Part of the reason we wear skinny jeans and leggings is because they make our legs look amazing – but so do high heels. When you pair a great pair of pumps with this type of legwear, you get a really amazing final look that will make you look leaner, taller, and more confident with every step that you take.

Make sure that if you are wearing leggings you use closed toe shoes – especially if you have a little bit that has to stick near the toe!

Classic, Cool, Country Cowboy Boots for Casual Days
One of the classic ways to wear your skinny jeans is with a great pair of cowboy boots. Whether you are going to a country concert, a music festival, Target, or even working outside, cowboy boots are always a lot of fun.

Just make sure that your belt and your boots match – no fashion faux pas.

Modern, Patterned Tunics Make a Perfect Pairing
Tunics have returned in a big way, and they have no sign of going away anytime soon. Whether you pick a simple tunic that skirts around your curves or you belt your tunics, they look great with a pair of leggings sticking out from under them. Mix and match styles for a fashion forward look or pair them with similar styles for a cohesive feel.

Even better, take one small element from the tunic and match it to your leggings or jeggings.

Under Your Boyfriend’s (or Husband’s Shirt)
Have to dressed in a hurry? Want to be comfortable? Take an oversized shirt from your husband or boyfriend (or buy one for yourself, this is 2017!) and throw it over skinny jeans, jeggings, or leggings. The different between the tightness on your legs and the bagginess of the shirt will make for great visual appeal. This is a great look for just hanging out around the house or spending lazy weekends running errands.

Just make sure he hasn’t left any stains on it!

Cute and Comfy Oversized Sweaters
Just like an oversized shirt, oversized sweaters are a great way stay comfortable and still look cute. For days when it is just a little chilly outside, adding an oversized sweater or even a hoodie can be a comfortable look.

Add sneakers to make the look more casual or high shafted boots to look a little bit like that famous pop singer…

Chic Belted Trench Coat For Rainy Days
Raining outside? Most of us reach for the skinny jeans or leggings on those days because they fit easily into our rain boots and they don’t get as wet if we step into a puddle. Throw a cute trench coat over for some more protection and a cute look. Add a belt to give your body more shape, especially if you have a longer trench coat.

Match your wellies and your trench coat and then go for a pop of color with your leggings if you are feeling fun.

Professionally Tailored Blazer At the Office
Want to be comfortable and casual but still look like a tough business woman? Add a nicely tailored blazer and a crisp shirt overtop your leggings or skinny jeans. This look is still approachable and comfortable but still professional enough. It is also a look that easily transitions from work to picking up the kids, going to coffee, or even going out.

With a Kicky Mini Dress
Have patterned leggings? Put them under a great solid mini dress and add a blazer for a look you can wear into the office. If you have solid leggings, you can put them under just about any dress to really set off the pattern and rich colors of the dress.

No matter what you do, make sure that you have a great selection of skinny jeans, leggings, and jeggings in your wardrobe. They come in many different colors, washes, styles, and levels of distressing, so you’ll have a great option for every event.

Get Set for Spring with These 5 Beauty Hacks

Just as spring is the perfect time for a full house clean and de-cluttering, it’s also great for a beauty update. There’s nothing better than getting your hair and skin ready for the summer season with a few new treats and luxuries. Since busy moms won’t have a lot of time and money to waste on beauty, We've rounded up the best beauty hacks to get set for spring. With these tips, tricks and trends you can look and feel gorgeous as the sun-rays start treating your skin.

Treat the dry hair

After winter, most of us suffer from dry hair. It’s not even our fault or a lack of TLC that causes it. Winter can just be rather rough on the hair with the temperature changes (indoors it’s hot, outdoors it’s cold) and weather such as constant rain and the wind. We all feel a bit worn out after winter so it isn’t really a big thing to find your hair calling for help as well.

If you’re suffering from parched, dry hair, hair masks are the way to go. There are tons of good treatments out there – give the FekkaiPrXReparatives Intensive Fortifying Masque a go. If you want to find a clever tip for keeping your hair looking smooth at all times, then make your own de-tangler. You just need to add about two tablespoons of your chosen conditioner into a travel-sized spray bottle. Add water, shake well, and you've got a handy product to spray on your hair for quick dehydration!

Wave it up with no heat

Since you want to give your hair a bit more breathing room after the tough winter, you want to leave those hair straighteners and tongs untouched. If you want a no-hassle look, then wave the ends overnight with this simple beauty hack.

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You can add a hold and shine product such as TRESemmé Make Waves to washed and damp hair. Twist your hair into long spirals and create a cute bun with the spirals by tying it up into a knot. Make sure the ends of the hair are tucked underneath. Hold in place with a hair elastic. Open up in the morning and voilá!

Become a primer fanatic

Primers are the unsung heroes of our makeup bags. If you’re not using one, then you need to add one to your storage box immediately. Primer is the perfect spring hack because it evens out your tone and hydrates the dry winter skin at the same time.

Finding the perfect primer on your skin will require a bit of testing. For this reason, it can be a good idea to enter makeup stores and ask for samples – they are more than happy to demonstrate their products and it will save your pennies! If you want a few ideas, we would recommend Benefit The Professional and MAC Prep + Prime Natural Radiance Primer.

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Now, don’t be afraid to go primer crazy. You shouldn’t just use it on your face. Primers can help you achieve a glowing look on the legs, décolletage and arms. So, before you head out on the tank top, add just a bit of primer for a healthier tone.

Makeup brush for the best complexion

Sometimes we pay too much attention to the actual beauty products and not the tools we use with them. But the blame, for example, might not be on the kind of foundation you use, but the way you apply it. When it comes to spring beauty hacks, do yourself a favor and ditch the old makeup brushes and invest in a great brush. A good brush can help you achieve that perfect dewy complexion for the season.

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Charlotte Tilbury’s Foundation Brush is perfect for adding a liquid foundation on your skin. The tapered tool is easy to use and clean, making it super easy to add a soft layer of makeup on your skin. If you want something more matte, then pick a larger brush – the KevynAucoin’s the Foundation Brush is a great pick. You can find both brushes from Cult Beauty – with the added benefit of saving money with your purchase!

Get a head start for the glow

Now spring sun isn’t yet enough to get that beautiful tan. However, you can add instant glamour and freshness to your look with a bronze glow. The solution then is to opt for the faux tanning lotions. Now, we admit, these are not always a girl’s best friends. The tanning lotions can cause more mess than beauty –it’s on the sheets, your clothes, your children and the furniture!

You should try some of the new additions to the tanning lotion regime. Whish Coconut Milk and Bareminerals Faux Tan Body are quite good and less messy than some previous products. Furthermore, if you do get a bit too much tanning lotion on you or you notice patches, pick a bit of baking soda to clean it up. Sprinkle the baking soda on a washcloth and scrub it onto your damp skin. Rinse with warm water and you are good to go!

With these 5 beauty hacks, you are set for spring in no time!

9 Types of Shoes Every Woman Should Own (Guest Post)

Even though people say that diamonds are every woman’s best friend, Carrie Bradshaw, as well as thousands of other, will disagree and say that shoes are the one thing that really makes them happy. In this article we are going to look at the classic shoes a fashion sensitive woman should own.

    I.Pointed Pumps

The black pump can pull together any outfit. Choose a black suede or leather pump, combine it with a gray top and suede trousers, and you’re ready to go and take over the world.

    II. Ankle-Strap Sandals

A high heel shoe, adds style and comfort, lengthens your legs and can be combined with almost anything. Sandals are a great choice for the summer season!

    III. Ankle Boots

If you are looking for that little edge that you want to give to your look, ankle boots are an excellent choice to do that. Pair them with jeans or a black letter dress for a ‘wow’ effect.

    IV. Luxe Loafer

This shoe, initially menswear, is the excellent daily shoe. It’s flat and comfortable, slips easily and looks great on slimmed jeans.

    V. Animal-Print Heels

Every one of us needs to have an animal print in their closet. I know it’s not the everyday shoe that you are going to wear, but you will need them to pair with the gorgeous black dress you own.

    VI. Metallic Heels

Metallic heels are an excellent choice for an evening look. They are neutral, smooth, and add just the right amount of glamour for your night out. The great thing about them is that you can also rock them during day time. You can even use this aldo shoes coupon code for more savings.

    VII. Casual Sneakers

So far, we’ve mostly talked about heels and boots, but then again, what is a woman’s closet with a fashionable sneaker? They are perfect for the weekend and can be worn with both jeans and dresses.

    VIII. Flat Sandals

At this point you are probably looking at your wardrobe, thinking, well all of those are great, but none of them fit my cut-off shorts and flo-ral sundresses I bought for the summer. The flat sandals are perfect with pretty much anything and as we’ve already mentioned, look great with floral dresses! Go and check Revitalign Sandals for some great look-ing and extremely comfortable sandals.

    IX. Tall Flat Boots

Tall Boots will never go out of style. They are the essential go-to footwear for the fall and early spring. Just use them to add style to the t-shirt and jeans look or combine them with a short skirt and long coat, to add flair to your style.

Conclusion: Those are our top picks of shoes every woman should have in their wardrobe. This way, you will never be unprepared for any event, whether it be to just quickly jump to the store or by some lucky coincidence, the Oscars. We hope that you’ve enjoyed the list and if so, stay tuned for more great tips on fashion.

How To Achieve A Trendy & Bold Hairstyle Without A Commitment

Today's conversation is sponsored and all opinions are my own as always

Have you all seen the latest hair trends that involve a whole lot of color? I've seen everything from purple, blue and even rainbow! I think it is a fabulous look on some people, but I don't think I'd have the nerve to go through with such an extreme process. I've watched those videos on Facebook and Youtube on how those looks are achieved, and I simply don't think I could go through with it. It takes half a day sometimes to get the color just right. Of course, you will pay hundreds of dollars for it, too. Look at how gorgeous the style and color is below.

The best part is you can have a fun and funky style like this with no commitment and no long wait in the salon chair. A great alternative is a trendy and stylish wig from Divatress. They are an online wig shop offering the latest styles at a super low price. They carry everything from short, long, curly, straight, and everything in between. So now you can achieve the look you want, for less. If you decide that the color or overall style is too much, you simply take it off!

Does the lady above look familiar? Ms. Vivica A. Fox has her very own collection of beautiful and natural looking wigs. Wigs are also a great for those who are trying to grow out their natural hair and need protective styling. I have seen it for myself and the hair growth is astonishing! Divatress has everything you need to complete your look, including bonding glue, tape, accessories, and hair care products. They have price ranges that will fit every budget, too.

If you are looking for a new wig for any reason, make sure you check out Divatress. You can follow on Facebook and Twitter for updates and promotions. Also, they are currently offering FREE shipping on orders over $49 in the continental U.S..

My Hair Is My Best Accessory #HairfinityStyle #ad

I am a Niche Parent Network & Conference Influencer. Thanks to Hairfinity for sponsoring today's post.

I can remember the days of being a little girl and being forced by my mom to get my hair cut in that bowl-shaped bob or those awful home-cut bangs. I hated it! All I dreamed of was having long, flowing hair. I went through so many hairstyles and phases throughout my middle and high school years. I grew up in the late 80s/early 90s so I wore all of the big, poufy hair styles. If you grew up in that time frame, you probably did some dramatic things to your hair whether it was hair color, a permanent wave or overuse of hair products. I was the Princess of hair spray in high school. I wore that signature "fan" on the top of my hair and teased it to make it extra big. I now look back and think; thank goodness the 80s are behind us!

I have always believed that stylish hair is my best accessory. I didn't always have body confidence, so my hair was my main focus. As long as I kept it cut or trimmed and took a few extra minutes each day for "primping," I would look more put together and feel confident. I take great pride in caring for my tresses and have grown to love my hair! I keep it relatively long so that I am able to toss it up into a messy ponytail on those bad hair days.

I have learned some great hair care tips over the years that I incorporate daily. I believe that drinking water is the number one most important thing. On the flip side, over washing is a big no-no. I try to go a day or two between washing to preserve my natural shine and fullness. If I wash it too often, it looks dull and lifeless. Proper diet is also key to fabulous, healthy hair. You must eat a good balance of fruit, vegetables and protein every day. If you can't stick to a healthier way of eating, a vitamin supplement can help. Hairfinity Hair Vitamins help encourage healthy growth from the inside out. Who wouldn't want that?!

The famous reality show sisters, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, have teamed up with Hairfinity Hair Vitamins. They certainly have the hair and style so many of us aspire to have.

Please join in on the #HairfinityStyle Twitter party on 4/26 from 10:00-11:00 PM EST for a recap of the Keeping up with the Kardashians episode and to talk all things hair and fashion.

There will be prizes so make sure you RSVP here and  follow the #HairfinityStyle hashtag. I hope to see you there!