Hair Products and Nail Polish and Make-up, Oh My!

** The follow post contains Amazon affiliate links.For a full explanation, please see my complete   disclosure HERE!  But, NONE of the following products were sponsored.They're just things that I happened to find and really like, and 100% of the opinions are my own. Thank you!!! :) **

\(^-^)/ Hi friends!!!! 

How is everybody doing? Been up to anything good? I'm half-way finished with a long "what's been new around the How Bourgeois house" kind of post with lots of pictures, so keep an eye out for that soon. 

In the meantime, I just wanted to stop in with a quick post about a shampoo that I've been using, that I THINK has helped to reduce my white hair's brassy tones as much if not more than many of the purple shampoos that I've used in the past! I've found something that works and felt compelled to share. (Then I thought of a few more new-since-last-blogging items that I've fallen in love with  and wanted to share them too). 

If your hair is anything like mine, other than taming the texture, your next biggest gray hair concern might be all of the potential yellowing. I'm guilty of using heat styling, like hairdryers and curling irons and even sometimes a straightener. I also use styling products to help tame the frizz. These things, in addition to just being outside with any environmental dust and pollution (so I've read) can lead to our white and gray hair taking on a yellowed cast. My ends are definitely more brassy and less pure white than the top of my head. It drives me nuts!

I've talked before about hair glazes at the salon and about purple shampoos that can help with this problem, but there is one type of product that I have not talked much about- it's "Clarifying Shampoo!" Clarifying shampoo works to wash away build-up and residue from styling products and the environment. I've owned this Pantene Pro-V Weekly Deep Cleanse Purifying Shampoo for a while now, and basically passed over it because I believed that only purple shampoos would work well on my hair. But boy, was I wrong! 

For whatever reason, I came across my bottle in the cupboard again recently and decided to give it a try. Immediately, after using this shampoo and drying my hair, I noticed a difference! The best way that I could describe it is that my hair felt lighter, shinier and squeaky clean. Also though, my white hair was just brighter. At least that's what it looked like to me. My theory is, that because I use 2-3 styling products on my hair to keep the texture soft and as frizz-free as possible, some of my hair creams and serums have been building up over time, even though I'm washing my hair. This clarifying shampoo lifts anything left behind and results in lighter, brighter gray hair!

I do know that this is not a natural shampoo at all, so for my more eco conscious readers, please take note. I'm glad to know that at least there are no parabens. Also, Pantene Pro-V Weekly Deep Cleanse Purifying Shampoo is meant to only be used ONCE A WEEK.  The photo above, the shampoo I have, it's a slightly older version of the new one available. My shampoo did not say once a week, but I believe they also recommend against using it daily. So, for what it's worth, you won't be using this one all the time, just when you need a boost. I know that I will continue to keep it in my rotation. In fact, I just purchased a new bottle myself. You might like it too!

Along the lines of "clear" and "non-yellowing" for gray hair, I also pulled out a bottle of this GIOVANNI ECO HAIR, L. A. Natural Styling Gel that's been sitting in my cupboard for a bit. I bought it in a sample size at a local natural grocery store. I love Giovanni products. They're definitely on the more natural end of styling products, no parabens and little to no harsh chemicals. This gel in particular is weightless, colorless and odor-less. It says to smooth into damp hair, but I also use mine on my dry hair for a bit of frizz control and shine. Really, this gel feels like nothing. It dries right away and there is no sticky residue leftover. I love it! 

This is kind of embarrassing, but here's a picture of me with both the clarifying shampoo and the Giovanni hair gel. I look pretty tired here. "Glowsie" , Josie's nighttime alter ego came out the night before. This is the version of Josie that wakes up in the middle of the night, ready to run around outside or to eat or to just act like a crazy puppy. On this day, Glowsie came out at 1:00am, 3:00am and 5:00am. THANKFULLY the following night, Glowsie decided not to emerge. Phew! ;)

Anyway, for my hair, I think it looks pretty light here and also tame, so I'm satisfied!

Onward to nails! 

Look, I figure, if I'm going to have gray hair, and I want to make myself look as youthful and glowing as I can, then I need to pay some additional attention to my nails and make-up sometimes. You don't have to of course, but for me, I feel like it helps me to feel more confident in my own skin hair. And besides, make up and nails and things like that, they can be fun!

Do you remember my favorite nail polish from last spring and summer? It's Essie Nail Color, Cute as a Button . Oh I LOOOOOVE that color. I still wear it, it's on my toes right now! I found "Cute As a Button" when looking for a fun and springy retro color, kind of ala' Betty Draper from Mad Men. You can read about the color in my old blog post HERE.

I've been wearing Cute As a Button for a while now, and have been thinking of "branching out" a little, when I came across the Glamorous Housewife's instagram photo of her nails  wearing 

Opi Nail Lacquer in Cajun Shrimp. They were SO PRETTY!!!!!!!

I had to go out and try this nail polish. I'd call it a retro-looking orange-y red? It's fun and vibrant and a great choice for this summer. I rarely go out for a manicure. I just do it at home most often. I start with Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Base and Top Coat, followed by two coats of color, and then to seal and shine I use Sally Hansen Mega Shine Top Coat.

This is what Opi's, Cajun Shrimp looks like on. Cute, right!?

One more recent favorite, it's the Burt's Bees Lip Crayon in Sedona Sands. Oooooh I ADORE these Burt's Bees Lip Crayons! Do you remember that I blogged about the  Carolina Coast color HERE and then again in another post about the Hawaiian Smolder  HERE? Carolina Coast is a kind of pale, icy pink, and the Hawaiian Smolder is what I think is one of the most perfect, rosy tones. Not too bright, not too dark with a bit of punch! And now, because I really really like these paraben-free, mostly natural lip crayons, I've decided to add Sedona Sands to my collection! This is the PERFECT, nude, with a hint of pink to wear around town on a daily basis. I'm so so glad that I tried it. At first, after seeing the lipstick through the clear top, I was worried that it was too vibrant of a color, but on your lips, it's sheer and natural, but also polished looking.

Here it is on my lips. It's almost like no make-up, make up! Sedona Sands gives me a nice glow with a bit of color. I have a feeling that I'm going to be wearing this one everyday. :)

And finally in my new favorites category......some springtime Boden!!! I've written before about my love of Boden clothing, particularly their dresses and cardigans.  What I like about Boden is that they have a lot of girlie dresses in fun prints and colors. Although, in the past few years, I've felt like their textile patterns have strayed more from flowery and cute to geometric and more sophisticated. At any rate though, I was instantly drawn to this coral colored polk-a-dot dress and contrasting cardigan. The dress is their "Casual Weekend Dress" and it's now on sale! (I also found these two items on sale, there is always a Boden sale or coupon if you look)! The cardigan is the "Favorite Cropped Cardigan." And now I see that their "Fifties Cardigan" are out and I am obsessed and want one in so many  of their colors! (wishful thinking). A note on their cardigans....I have several in cotton and they've always fit wonderfully and held up in the wash. The colors are great too.

I also purchased the "Casual Jersey Dress." I fell in love with this print. Just like the Weekend Dress above, the Casual Jersey Dress comes in many fun prints. I'll take a picture of it soon, when I start to wear the dress. Warmer weather, hurry up!

And that my friends is a short list of my recent favorites. I only share things that I love and that I can personally recommend. Little items that help to brighten your day and make you GLOW!!!!

Until next time, have fun and be YOU!

xoxoxox,

Lauren :)