Get Holiday Hair Ready with Schwarzkopf 2013 BC Beauty Bags and Joico K-PAK Colour Therapy #Giveaway

I've dyed, fried, rinsed and repeated. 
From when it was cool to have permed hair to stick-straight hair (the old-fashioned way using an iron and an ironing board - this was before awesome hair straighteners were on the market) to thick, chunky blonde highlights and then ombré, I have done it all.
And all in the name of style!
Unfortunately, my wasn't too pleased with all the experimentation and undergone some seriously heavy punches.

Most recently, I dyed my hair a gazillion shades lighter than it is (I have naturally black-dark brown hair so that makes it even more injurious), so even after dying my hair darker again, the texture has never gone back to the way it was pre-bleach.
Boy, do I regret doing that!
I had shiny long healthy locks before that and no matter how many times I trimmed the split ends or used leave-in conditioners, it was very tough to find products that really worked.

The Holidays is fast approaching which means tons of events and memorable photographs.
I was so happy to be introduced to a powerful reconstructing 3-pack system, Joico's K-Pak Colour Therapy Sets including their Revitaluxe (heaven-sent!).

With the highest concentration of Bio-Advanced Peptide-Complex in its formulas, Joico’s K-PAK Color Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner delivers the ultimate in healthy hair. Revitaluxe, a post-wash luxury treatment, works to rebuild, reconstruct, strengthen and correct even the most severely damaged hair.
Joico has also unveiled the power of DNA science and the latest advancements in bio-mimicry to create Joico’s patent-pending Bio-Advanced Peptide Complex, the most powerful, targeted hair repair technology ever created.

To restore your hair for the fall and winter months, try these three products from the Joico K-PAK collection:

• K-PAK Color Therapy Shampoo ($12.69, 300ml): Indulge with this gentle yet rich colour-preserving shampoo, which improves the hair’s elasticity and shine.
• K-PAK Color Therapy Conditioner ($14.99, 300ml): Ideal for damaged and colour-treated hair, the K-PAK Color Therapy Conditioner hydrates and repairs hair making it stronger, shinier and feeling silkier
• K-PAK Revitaluxe ($24.95, 150ml tube): This fortifying treatment repairs years of damage instantly by reconstructing the hair structure from the inside out. It offers dramatic cumulative benefits, by continuing to correct and protect strands with regular use.

I LOVE the K-PAK Revitaluxe! It's the ultimate hair product must-have to help bring back those silky, healthy locks you dream of!

The full K-PAK line is available in fine salons and spas nationwide.

Another truly awesome brand that I have used in the past with success and loved, Schwarzkopf, has come out with their new Holiday 2013 BC Beauty Bags.

I love their line of products, and recently have been using their Repair Rescue set.
At first try, when applying the conditioner, I thought: this conditioner is so watery - how could it possibly coat and nourish my dry hair?
The results will speak for itself after continuous use. That's the thing I noticed about Schwarzkopf conditioners. They feel more on the watery side as I'm more use to the thickness of conditioners but it really works!

Wrapped in a festive travel clutch, the five new BC Beauty Bags feature assortments of Schwarzkopf

Professional’s best-selling BC product lines to accommodate anyone on your holiday gift list. Options

include BC Color Save, Moisture Kick, Time Restore, Repair Rescue and Oil Miracle.

How pretty is that travel clutch? What's great about it is that you can use it even after the holidays is over to carry your hair products with you when you travel in an elegant way.

Another fantastic thing about buying a Schwarzkopf BC Beauty Bag?
Schwarzkopf Professional will donate a portion of purchase proceeds from each BC Beauty Bag to their Shaping Futures Initiative.
Established in 2010, the Shaping Futures Initiative aims to transform lives through hairdressing. By
teaching disadvantaged young adults basic hairdressing techniques, this pioneering program opens up
possibilities for a better future and a new livelihood. The purchase of Schwarzkopf Professional’s BC
Beauty Bag Holiday Gift Sets will give a disadvantaged young adult the opportunity to make hairdressing their profession.

I love it when you invest in a product that gives back and goes far beyond!
The NEW BC Beauty Bag holiday gift sets are available as of October 1, 2013 for a limited time
exclusively at Schwarzkopf Professional partner salons for a suggested retail price of $34.95 and $49.00 for the Oil Miracle assortment. For salon listings, please visit www.salonfinder.ca.

These would make a really lovely gift for the ladies (or men with long locks!) on your Holiday Gift list!

I am giving away one Schwarzkopf BC Beauty Bag Repair Rescue and one Joico K-PAK Colour Therapy Set to 2 lucky winners!

To win one of these 2 fantastic prizes, simply leave enter via rafflecopter below. Don't forget to leave a comment (mandatory entry!)
Open to Canadian Residents only.
Contest ends December 1st, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Disclosure: I received full sample packs of each product to conduct an honest and thorough review; however, as always, the opinions expressed are completely my own.

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Happy 1 Year Anniversary GLOSSYBOX!

Attention Beauty Lovers!
We have yet another monthly beauty box subscription available to you, but this time we're getting a little more daintier, chic and high end.

So as you already know, I've done tons of Beauty Monthly Box Subscription reviews to date, all of which have not disappointed and offered a nice surprise for me. However, the GLOSSYBOX has raised the bar and perhaps stands as #1 of Beauty Boxes for me to date.
What I love (and can totally tell) about the GLOSSYBOX is that it was created by and for the chic and trendy woman.

Similar to the others, how it works is simple.
You join GLOSSYBOX online, choose your subscription plan and create your body profile.
Based on your profile, 5 carefully selected deluxe luxurious beauty samples are sent to you each month in a pretty keepsake box (more durable than it's competitors) and wrapped in pretty packaging.
I always hate opening the packaging when it's so pretty!

Usually the GLOSSYBOX is in a lovely pale pink keepsake box but this was a special box for their one year anniversary + Valentine's Day special Month.

Upon opening the ribbon, here was what came inside the Anniversary Box.

Right away I was pleased to see some Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips in there because my nose was in total of need it! No matter how often I care for my skin daily and exfoliate 1-2x a week, sometimes you really need a deeper cleansing strip to remove all the dead skin and blackheads.

 

Another product that instantly screamed out to me was the Anatomicals Shower Gel. Catchy name, especially because it really did smell like a rose bouquet.

 

 I am a lip gloss fanatic so I was very happy to see a sample of Givenchy's Gloss Interdit in No.3 Coral Frenzy. What a pretty colour for Spring!

The Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment is a product I'm definitely looking forward to trying out. I just recently coloured my hair for Spring and the it's in some need of a little extra TLC.

 

It's too bad the Crabtree & Evelyn Tarocco Orange Eucalyptus & Sage Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy was only a small sampling satchet. It smelled delightful! However, a little birdie told me to stay tuned for a full-size of this product in an upcoming box! 

 

I'm not usually one to try out eye shadow if I am unfamiliar with the brand name as I've had a bad experience in the past, but once I tried out the (full-size) Essence Quattro Eyeshadow that I received in my GLOSSYBOX, I was quite impressed! The staying power is great and I didn't need to apply more than 2 swipes of a colour on my lids for it to show. 

This is the Oh-So-Cute Quattro Eyeshadow collection with pretty shimmery shades of Pink, White, Blue and Dark Midnight Blue/Black.

This is how the colours looks on my skin after just one swipe. Pretty vibrant, huh?

Other products included in the box was a Eucerin Hyal-Urea Anti-Wrinkle Day/Night Cream Satchet Duo and a GLOSSYBOX Cupcake Kit. How adorable are they?!

 I'm predicting some delicious red velvet cupcakes in the near future.

For only $21 a month (+ free S&H) and other great perks and discounts if purchased in bulk installments, I truly think this is a fun and worthwhile subscription for the beauty-loving lady that enjoys the indulgence and all pretty things.

You can cancel anytime you want.  For more information, visit them online at: www.glossybox.ca.

Cupcake, anyone?

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Let's Get This Straight: Rowenta Beauty Double Straight Review & #Giveaway

If there's one thing that can totally transform your entire look, it's your hair.

Being a very busy mom of two under 5, days are shorter, nights are longer and time is not on my side.
But you know what, this doesn't have to mean I stop caring about how I look.  I still do!

Aside from a great pair of well-fitted jeans (which is near impossible to find these days) and some rouge, and maybe perhaps even a quick spritz of my favourite scent, another thing that makes feel drag to fab is my hair.

My hair has a natural wave to it which I like but sometimes it does not cooperate and ends up looking odd if I do not style it afterwards.
Plus, after pregnancy, it has lost it's shine and luster. *Insert sad face emoticon*

Next to my blow dryer and brush, the most important styling tool in my hair vault is my flat iron or as others may call it, my straightener.

I've owned pretty much some of the best brand name flat irons over the last few years, sadly lost one during travel and another to old age.
So one of the biggest mistakes I made was purchasing one of those more affordable pharmacy-brand straighteners thinking why not?
That was a fail on all counts.

Not only did it not straighten well enough because the heat didn't go high enough, but it also damaged my hair more and after straightening, there was absolutely no shine.
On top of that, once any humidity or water got near my hair, forget I even spent 15-30 minutes of my life torching my hair.  Bye-bye smooth and sleek hair, hello frizzy hot mess!

Stop wasting your money on flat irons that will only do more damage to your hair.
Meet Rowenta Beauty Double Straight.

Truth be told, I have never owned a Rowenta product before; however, I do have some close friends that have and have had nothing but positive things to say about their products.

I was sent a Rowenta Double Straight to try out for myself and I was very curious to see if it was worth the cost for it.  The Rowena Beauty Double Straight retails for $179.99.
Which is average of a salon-quality straightener, by the way.

The key features:

• Double the styling power: this super efficient unique technology combines two straightening actions to deliver smooth, shiny, fabulously frizz-free in one stroke.
• Instant heating built-in comb with Ultrashine Nano Ceramic technology: takes a step out of the straightening process by keeping hair taut as the ceramic coated plates smooth it to perfection
• Up to 450° F heat
• 30 second instant heat-up  
• Ionic generator
• LED digital temperature display
• 1” slim plates
• Swivel cord

So after brushing my hair and letting the flat iron heat for about a minute (my old store-bought straightener took me anywhere between 5 - 10 minutes for optimum heat but still not hot enough to tame stubborn waves).

This is the result after not two or three, but just one run-through. 

Sleek, shiny and it feels great to the touch!
It literally took me only 10 minutes to do my entire head.
Looking into the sink after, I even had very little strands of hair in there which meant it did not aggravate my scalp and tug out my hairs.

I'm in love.

Here's the before and after.

The end result?
Fast heating and styling (this was SO important to me in my hectic lifestyle), zero frizz, lots of shine and because of the ceramic plates -- damage protection!

To learn more about Rowenta Beauty Products, you can visit them at: www.rowentabeauty.ca.
I'm looking into their 2 in 1 Straight & Curl and Infini Pro Auto Sensor Dryer for my next hair tools purchase.

How would you like a Rowenta Beauty Double Straight of your own?

Thanks to Rowenta Beauty, one of you lucky duckies is walking away with a brand new Rowenta Beauty Double Straight {ARV $179.99} of your own!

To be eligible, simply enter via rafflecopter below.

*Open to Canadians only.*
Contest ends February 8th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Schwarzkopf Limited Edition BC Line Gift Set & #Giveaway

If there's one thing that has changed dramatically for me post-pregnancy (thank you hormones...), it's my hair.
It went from lustrous and full to dull and damaged.

Thank goodness for good hair products!
Much like your skin, during the frigid and harsh weather temps (like today's -23+! Brrr!), your hair also requires extra care.

One of the brands that I have used and loved in the past for taming my tresses is Schwarzkopf Professional.

They came out with their best-selling BC product line and recently offered their products in amazing Limited Edition Gift Sets.
What makes these sets unique is that they include full sized versions of the products and are packaged beautifully for gifting.  Each gift set includes full size shampoo and conditioner, as well as an additional styling product.

These gift sets are no longer sold in salons but one of my lucky readers will get their hands on the Oil Miracle Restore Holiday Beauty Box.

The Oil Miracle Restore Holiday Beauty Box comes with a BC Oil Miracle Shampoo (200mL), BC Oil Miracle Gold Shimmer Conditioner(150mL), BC Oil Miracle Finishing Treatment (100mL).
The retail value was $49.00 and that is a serious steal if you ask me as just the BC Oil Miracle Finishing Treatment alone is worth $35.99.

You can learn more about the BC Oil Miracle line here.

To enter to win a Limited Edition Oil Miracle Restore Holiday Beauty Box, simply enter via rafflecopter below.

Open to Canadians only.
Ends January 30th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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CAC's Favourite Spring/Summer 2013 Trends

Pretty Floral Prints, vintage 20's-inspired bouffants and Poppy Reds; this year is looking bright (literally!)

I am always keeping my eyes open for what's on trend although I admit that I am not really a fashion risk-taker and will stick to what's comfortable and suits me.
I think that's the way it should be though.
Fashion is meant to bring your best out and be an expression of who you are not what you see others wearing.
What may look great on another person may not look so amazing on you.

What I always like to do when experimenting with new colours is put it close to my face at a mirror in a well-lit room, usually when I notice a glow oozing from my face, there's a match!
Let me clarify: colours that complement your natural tone should brighten the appearance of your skin and look good with your hair and eyes.
Colours which aren't so great will make you appear pale and washed-out and accentuate any dark shadows or blemishes.
You'll know when once you look in that mirror.

Deciding on the colours that are best for you is very simple. It just depends on your own colouring, which includes your eye and hair colour and skin tone.

In order to tell your skin tone you need to look at it under natural light, checking to see whether there is a hint of golden or rosiness. A hint of apricot or golden undertones means you're "warm" toned, being slightly pink or rosy makes you "cool" toned.

Cool-toned people look best in blue-based colours; warm-toned people will look best in yellow-based colours.

POINTERS:

Warm tones
Warm tones suit natural earth colours such as browns, bronzes and sage greens.
For pretty feminine summer shades try peach and apricot.
If you prefer reds, then try brick red, dark tomato or a burnt orange hue.
Earth greens like olive or jade enhance warm skin tones.
Clean ivory or oyster whites also enhance the warm skin tone type.
For your professional wardrobe, look for clothes in taupe or bright navy. Try brown and gold accessories for maximum impact.

Cool tones
Pure white is a great match for cool skin tones.
Bold raspberries, deep greens, royal blue, plum and pure black are also winners.
Cool-toned people can wear bright ruby red to great effect.
Cool skin tones can also be enhanced by soft pastel blues and pinks.

Pay attention to what you are wearing when friends compliment you on your outfit — it's likely that this colour is a good match for you.

Okay so back to my favourite trends for Spring and Summer 2013!
 
I've had long hair for most of my life (short hair just does not suit my round face!)
I love that the long & sleek hair is back on the trend watch this season. Also, we're seeing the mid-part and deep side-part taking over! Love it!

Great Gatsby! How beautiful are these 20's inspired looks?

My trend-radar is sounding off loudly and I'm not complaining -- love this look!

Coincidence that the much-anticipated (well for me that is!) The Great Gatsby movie is debuting this year? Perhaps.

On top of the hair, look out for Great Gatsby inspired hair pieces too!
 

Oh, and it's not just on trend for the ladies.  Men, we're looking at you! Check out Leonardo DiCaprio's coif -- I'm so not complaining about this one either. *wink, wink*

Now onto the makeup.
Loving these looks for the face this year.

Graphic Liner.
Graphic eyeliner, especially in the vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired hues of turquoise, jade and aqua, goes from ramp to real with ease.

Cherry Red Lips with Neutral Eyes.
I've always been rocking this look -- love it! 

Fresh-faced with Glowing Skin.
Whatever other makeup you choose, the focus this year is on supple, hydrated and healthy skin that radiates with a beautiful mother-of-pearl glow. Extra-vigilant skincare is key. May I introduce you to Mèreadesso?  But till the results kick in, try a light-reflecting primer, liquid foundation applied with a brush and a highlighter.

Now going back to the clothing, check out what I think is "haute" this coming season!
I absolutely adore the abstract and rich florals, chevron patterns, stripes and poppy red! YES!
Pretty, feminine and light.

Mango

And for the home...

 

I'm smitten by all this gorgeousness and excited for the year ahead! 

Have you got  favourite trend for this year?

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The Best Makeup for your Hair Colour

Not all makeup colors and shades look good on you, that’s because the colors does not automatically match your skin tone as well as your hair color. These pro makeup tips will ensure that you look your very best every single time. Color Rules! that simple.

Black/Darker Hair

For those with Dark Hair, Sheer mauve gloss looks gorgeous with peach blush and balances ruddiness in fair skin while Blue-based magenta and wine shades with subtle sparkle combat the shy undertones of darker complexions. Play with your eyes by applying a cool tone to your lids to get a pretty doe-eyed effect that’s not too “done” if you have light skin and Plums can appear gray against tan skin, so opt for shadows with pinkish undertones.

Brunette

Brunettes know that it’s simple for their complexions to get lost and washed out due to the fact dark hair will cause more contrast with their skin. Brunette absorbs a lot much more light and so your skin might not get the chance to shine itself. To fix this problem, pick light-reflecting peaches and corals to brighten up your skin as well as give it a soft, warm, glow.”Darker hair works with brighter makeup and still look fresh. An orange lip is unexpected and brings out chocolate-brunette tones.” Don’t shy away with bright colors.

Blonde

If you’re a blonde, you realize that it can be challenging to wear bright or dramatic colors. Anything bold seems that much harsher on a blonde and that’s why it’s important to work with what you have. Combine soft, muted colors into your makeup bag such as pale pinks, nudes, and burgundy’s. Avoid going overboard as you’ll just end up looking overdone. If you’re looking for an extra kick, line your upper lids with a sparkly black liner. Substituting blush with bronzer ensures that your skin won’t look washed out. Tips for your eye makeup, draw attention to your eyes with dark- and neutral-toned shadows and liners.

Red Hair

Redheads have a hard time picking out their colors simply because of the harsh contrast between their pale skin tone and the fiery red hair.But the same can go for those with dyed red hair too. The undertones in the hair and cosmetic colors absolutely need to match. Obviously the lighter you are, the softer the colors should be. If you have auburn highlights you should probably get rid of cool shades and go for warmer tones such as tawny, champagne and even gray.A splash of purple does a redhead good. Copper tresses require a more natural color palette – play up eyes with little shimmer. With your lips, Choosing a nude lip doesn’t mean you may skip the liner. Always keep your lip shape strong.

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Product Review: GO Styling Iron by FHI Heat

Ok, for those that know me, one of the most important must-have's is a straightener. If you were to see me you wouldn't believe that my hair isn't actually straight & super shiny (according to the comment's I get on my hair). After years of wear and tear (and terrible perm's and multiple colour's), my hair is no longer the same as it was when I was 10 -- naturally straight and glossy. 
 Especially after pregnancy I noticed my hair changed a bit. My hair after the shower and dried naturally (no blowdryer or styling tools) has a slight wave to it.
I was lucky to have received top-of-the-line salon brand CHI and Babyliss Pro Ceramic Straightener's from my sister as gifts in the past (she does hair on the side so she knows hair!), but after a hotel stay, I fried my precious flat iron. :( Yes, that was a disappointment seeing I rely heavily on it (as it's part of my hair routine every other day) but also because if you know flat iron's, they are not cheap! Sure you can head over to Shoppers Drug Mart/Walgreens or Walmart/Target to purchase a new one, but those aren't the real deal. Trust me. They not only do lack proper ceramic thourmaline plates (which seal the hair cuticle and make it super shiny without frying/damaging the hair) but it takes FORever to straighten (because it takes more than 1 or two strokes to get straight because they don't heat well enough to get the job done right and quick). Once humidity or moisture (water) get to it, your efforts of straightening just go down the drain. Whereas with the right flat iron, moisture and humidity does nothing to it! It stays looking the way it was after you straightened your hair! 
I was happy to stumble upon this flat iron while hubby was getting his haircut and browsing the salon products they were offering while I waited.


Features:

• Limited edition patterns and fashion colors
• Looks amazing
• Convenient portable size
• Extra long cord
• Dual voltage international plug
• Advanced adjustable heater
• Super fast heat recovery
• One swipe technology
• Ceramic tourmaline plates (for healthier hair. So it's actually good for your hair!)
• Beveled plates with round edges
• Create multiple hair styles

And the Price is right :
Same features as a more popular salon brand @ less than half the price
$79.99 MSRP
Purchase here online or check with your local salon, they may just have it! 

Finally an affordable straightener that looks, works and feels like you are using a professional iron.

The Go is more of a styling iron than a straightener because you can do much more than straighten your hair. You can also create perfect flips, curls and ringlets because of its cushioned beveled plates with round edges. The GO has a micro chip temperature control and it heats up immediately, so as soon as you turn it on it will be warm in seconds. The temperature range is 140 – 410 degrees. The only thing that is that you have to be careful not to touch the top and bottom near the plates - they get pretty hot! 

Overall, I'm very impressed with this styling tool and even more impressed with it's price!  I was lucky to purchase the last set with a free MINI styler (value of 30.00) for quick touch-up's or travel.

If you're looking for a new flat iron that does salon-quality work for an amazing price, I highly recommend this product.

Here are some before and after photo's using the GO Styling Iron by FHI Heat. Sorry I'm not wearing any makeup as this was done late this evening after a long day and I was ready to settle in for the night. So, please don't get scared off. Haha! The hair looks great though, gotta admit. ;)

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