Neither Hair nor There

Looking back at some of the recent outfit posts, I've realized that I don't really love my hair. Unfortunately, this isn't a new concept for me. There are days {and outfits} when my natural curls seem perfect, but most days I prefer my flat iron, and I regularly dream of having perfect messy waves. Then, on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, part of me wants to just chop all my hair off a la Emma Watson. So while I'm wrestling with the decision {and my often unruly mane}, here are some of my current hair inspirations.

{see them all here}

xoxo

copyright HIking in Stilettos

{constant} obsesison: retro red lipstick

image from W magazine

it's no secret that i love color,
that much is evident by a quick peek into my closet,
but something you may not know, is that i am obsessed with retro red lipstick.
{evidence here and here}

ever since my high school days of trying to be audrey hepburn,
i have been in love with the vintage, feminine, and classic look of red lips. just that pop of color can completely transform an outfit and change the entire look of the garments.

here are some recent inspirations for retro red lips:

image from GQ Magazine

image from W magazine

image from W Korea

image found here

image from GQ Magazine

what about you, my lovelies? what are some of your favorite beauty staples?
what do you do to completely transform a look?



copyright Hiking in Stilettos

Soap and Glory

image courtesy of soapandglorycosmetics.com

I have mentioned more than once that yummy smelling soaps and lotions are my favorite beauty products, and one of my favorite companies for said products is Soap and Glory Cosmetics. Soap and Glory is a UK based company, but their products are available at Barney's Co-op Stores (full line) and  Target (only certain products) in the US. Soon you will also be able to purchase SG online from their website. 

Among my favorite SG items are the "Clean on Me" body wash and the "Righteous Butter Body Lotion." They both smell like the soaps and lotions from Anthropologie, but without the price tag. The company states on its website that "at Soap and Glory, we believe that you shouldn't have to spend an arm and a leg just to moisturize one (or the other, or both)." Also, the packaging is absolutely adorable. Black and white with lots of pinks and blues with brown complement the vintage photographs and Union Jacks on the labels. Slogans like "Everyone uses soap. (At least everyone we want to spend time with)" and "At Soap & Glory we believe its always in one's best interest to come clean" add even more fun to the wonderfully girly packaging.

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Pom-mania

As everyone is becoming more health conscious these days, certain items have become more readily available. One of these trends that I am particularly pleased with is pomegranate flavored/scented everything!  I have been a fan of pomegranate fruit for a while, but until recently, pom-scented beauty products were difficult to find. Needless to say, I was quite excited when I stumbled upon this shampoo at Target (where else?).

image courtesy of Organix

Welcome to my new favorite shampoo: Organix Pomegranate Green Tea. This little guy smells amazing, and my hair feels much softer. As far as the role of antioxidants in hair care, I'm not so sold that they will actually change much considering that your hair cells are among the most quickly growing of your entire body. Even still, I am hooked. Also, if the pomegranate green tea flavor just isn't for you, Organix has a wide range of deliciously smelling hair products.

images courtesy of  POM Wonderful

Another of my favorite pom-tastic items is POM Tea by the makers of the juice POM Wonderful. Most of you probably know that pomegranate juice is chock full of antioxidants, but you may not know how important those antioxidants can be. Cancer is often caused by free radicals that initiate in your body naturally for various reasons. Your body produces its own antioxidants to keep free radicals to a minimum as they basically run amuck in your system; however, a little nutritional assistance is never a bad idea, especially if you are consistently exposed to cancer risk factors (cigarette smoke, radiation, UV rays, many others). Ok, enough of the science babble. Basically, it's good for you, and it tastes great. POM Tea is a combination of pomegranate juice and whole leaf tea available in a wide variety of flavors. They now come in ecologically friendly plastic bottles that are 100% recyclable. Not to mention that the company's website also provides pom recipes and decoration ideas, and they sell some really cute posters! Here are some of my favorites:

And finally, a bit of (healthy) frivolity....

Considering that alcohol consumption can initial free radical formation, mixing it with something high in antioxidants is a great idea. Therefore, another fun way to (responsibly) enjoy the health benefits of pomegranates is via PAMA, a pomegranate flavored liquor. It has health benefits, and it tastes great. Pomegranate martinis and mimosas... yum!! 

 

image courtesty of PAMA

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Red Dirt Soap Company

The Red Dirt Soap Company is an Oklahoma-based company providing natural soaps that contain "no animal fats, artificial dyes, pigments, petroleum products or chemicals with unpronounceable names... made with olive oil, coconut oil, pure essential oils, and/or fragrance oils, herbs and spices." Originally only found at Oklahoma craft shows, the Red Dirt products are now available online! 

This particular soap is citronella infused to deter unwanted insects while providing you with a clean, outdoorsy aroma.

"To keep bugs away, before going outside, wet the bar of soap, rub a light layer of lather over exposed skin, let the soap dry on skin, don't rinse it off. When you're back inside, you can rinse the soap off."

CUBA Cologne for Him: this is just adorable. I'm not sure how it smells, but, according to the website, it's great. I, however, am sold by the adorable packaging... typical me.

The company also sells skin care products especially for shaving (although who doesn't love a man with a little scruff?) that are guaranteed to leave his skin smooth, and burn/bump-free. The soaps also come in girly fragrances and are sold for women's shaving as well. So, there's something for you both! All the soaps smell delicious.. with scents like Chocolate Raspberry, Truly Pomegranate, Sea Kale, Safari Nights, and Kiwi Pear, how can you not find something you love?!  Overall, the products are au naturale and smell incredible! Check it out!

Beauty Secrets No. 16, 34, 58, 72, and 87

We all know that every girl has a few beauty secrets up her sleeve, and I've decided that it's time to share a few of mine. Let me know if you have any as well!

Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in RSVP by Benefit

I get so many compliments on this! The color gives the effect of two different shades of neutral and has just the right amount of shimmer. Also, it is the first cream shadow I have used that doesn't crease. I use it just about daily.

10 by Benefit: the perfect blush/bronzer for a year-round summery glow.

Benefit products are available at Macy's and Sephora.

Healthy Hoof Lacquer: a great nail-strengthening product.

Use it over nail polish as a top coat or alone for a slight shine. Pick it up at your local CVS in the nail care section.

Hollywood Fashion Tape: a "do-everything" adhesive that will replace your safety pins!

This is definitely a miracle product! It is perfect for fixing hems and bust lines, hiding bra straps, preventing buttons from poking out, and countless other things! Available at Victoria's Secret stores or online at Beauty.com.

 

Jergens Natural Glow Firming Moisturizer: a gradual tanner/moisturizer

I realized after I returned from the beach that I look a bit better with a sun-kissed glow, so I decided to give the Jergens lotion a try. I was quite impressed! The firming lotion doesn't have that self-tanner smell that often accompanies products of this sort. Just make sure to apply evenly on areas such as ankles/elbows/knees to avoid splotches! Find it at your local drug store.

Archipelago and OPI

My leisurely weekend in the Virginia Highlands (more about that later) began with a search for the perfect nail color. (Take note that lately I have been shopping for very specific things and only wanting that one find that will be worthy of what I have imagined... the shoes, the nail color, and a hat which I have yet to find. Hmm. Interesting.) So, back to the story...

My lovely friend Erin of Smock and Bustle and I headed over to the Ulta store on Howell Mill Road. I admit, I was a bit (well maybe more than a bit) skeptical of the Ulta experience, but Erin assured me that it was definitely worth it, and she was so very right! They carry just about every line of makeup, hair care, and skin care generally available at drug stores and salons without the hefty price tag. I found my old favorite skin care collection by Archipelago Botanicals that I used to only find at Anthropologie. It is made from soy milk so it really moisturizes the skin, and it smells divine!

I also picked up my new favorite nail color. It is called "Lincoln Park After Dark" by OPI. It is a deep plum that looks almost black from a distance, but it doesn't have the glitter/shimmer often found in darker nail colors.

I also found (but did not purchase) a few colors from OPI's new "Mod about Brights" line that really perked my interest... "Dating a Royal" and "The 'IT' Color" (top two in the line-up below) were among my favorites, but I really did like all of them.

While browsing the OPI website, I also found this, which I think is really incredible, and you should definitely check it out.