Drugstore Products to get rid of Red Hair Color

Alright, the red is now almost 100% gone. As you know from my previous post on Copper hair, I used the Revlon Frost & Glow to lighten some of the red out and got a nice tolerable copper. Then someone commented on my "orange" hair and I was over it. I'm fickle like that. So I did some online research and found a couple of things to try to lift as much of the red out as I could. Started here:

I've been red on the underneath before so I know there's really no getting rid of red. You can alter it by bleaching or cover it but it's basically there until you grow it out. I didn't want to keep bleaching it because I don't really want to be blonde again. At least not around my face, I wouldn't mind blonder ends but I definitely want a more balayage look with darker roots.

So...I went to Target, grabbed a box of Color Oops, a box of L'Oreal Superior Preference 9 1/2A (Lightest Ash Blonde) and 6A (Light Ash Brown). I know to counteract the red, you need an ash. My hair pulls ash really easily so I was nervous, but it was also a deep level 6 red and had been dyed a good solid 6 months with that color.

I kept seeing people using Color Oops. Over and over I saw good results, less damage and you could dye over it the same day. But the complaints of the smell, oh goodness. I mistakenly thought these girls must be super sensitive. I've smelled all kinds of chemical hair products, I used to work in a salon for cripessakes. How bad could it be?

Oh, good lord. It's the worst thing I've ever smelled. It's literally like a foul perm, rotten eggs and cow manure mixed together with a dash of pure sulfur on top. No exaggeration. It's god awful. And it also didn't feel like it was doing anything. You basically apply it, put a plastic cap on, stay away from drafts or cold air and let it marinate. Then you rinse, and rinse and rinse and rinse. The instructions say what it does is basically shrink the color molecules and then you rinse the color away. So the longer you rinse, the more color you remove. It suggested to rinse, wash and then rinse for 20 minutes, wash and then rinse for another 10 minutes. Talk about a sore neck.

But it did work. A lot. It did remove the red but not as much as I'd hoped for. So I dried it and applied the L'Oreal 9 1/2A. I know you can't lift color with color, but I hoped that the ash would tone down the warmer bits without adding any more color to my hair. I didn't want to go dark brown to get rid of this red. Followed the directions, rinsed, dried and was left with this. Not ideal, but workable. Totally wrong for my coloring though.

So I left it alone for a few days and then went over it again with the L'Oreal 6A. The box said light ash brown so I was expecting darker hair. I've used L'Oreal before and always liked the results but it tends to go about a level darker than the box says on me. So I was prepared for that but pleasantly surprised with the results. A legitimate level 6 ashy dark blonde/really light brown with some warmer lowlights from the red remnants and some lighter pieces from the previously highlighted bits.

Overall I'm very pleased. The base color is honestly almost identical to my natural color. For now, I'd like to let my roots grow a good 2-3 inches and then go for something like this:

image courtesy of pinterest.com, hair by misteranhcotran.com

Copper Hair - At Home Highlighting with Revlon Frost & Glow Kit

Hi! It's been a while, I know...I kind of got into a routine and just haven't been changing much or trying many new things.

As you know, I've been dark red since about September of last year. While I still love being a faux redhead, I did start to get a little bored of the shade and felt it was a little too rich for spring. So...I busted out the tried and true Revlon Frost & Glow kit and gave myself a little at home highlight. I only did my crown section following the pattern on the cap and left the underneath solid deep red.

I love the results, it left me with a much more copper tone all over and very even and vibrant results. I've been using purple shampoo a few times a week to keep it copper and not the color ORANGE...that's a very fine line and one I don't want to cross.

I'm sure this is the start of eventually ending up blonder all over, because blonde is an addiction and once I start I just want MORE AND MORE AND MORE until I hate it and go dark again, but for now I really do love this color and don't feel the need to immediately change it.

I've done several other posts on Frost & Glow by Revlon, I'm a serious, long time supporter. I have one post with detailed step by step instructions here if you are interested: Frost & Glow Tutorial

After:

Before for Reference:

Things I'm Loving Lately-Drugstore

I love posts like this because I think it gives someone a good idea of what you actually use rather than just a straight forward review, but I never like showing pictures in these posts. Like...who wants to see my gunky half used tube of lipgloss and foundation? So...I will post pictures and links to help you find these things if you think you'd like to try them. Deal?

CoverGirl 3-in-1 Foundation. I've used almost an entire bottle of this and will definitely be purchasing it again. It's great coverage, awesome finish and hasn't effected my skin at all. It lasts all day without breaking down and doesn't leave my face greasy or too matte. It's literally the perfect drugstore foundation for me. As much as I love Colorstay my skin does not. But with the CoverGirl, it's everything I want in a foundation AND my skin likes it. WINNER. I wear shade 810 or 825.

covergirl.com



Revlon Brow Fantasy. Seriously love this. I have blonde eyebrows that are pretty ashy. It's hard to find a pencil that doesn't get too warm or dark. I've been using powder from my Naked Basics palette and an angled brush for a long time but that takes time. You have to have a steady hand and some patience. With this product you get a pencil and a gel and it's the PERFECT shade of dark blonde. Just enhances my brows without making them look like sharpie brows. You know...not a good look.

revlon.com

 

L'Oreal Infallible 24 Hr Eye Shadows. I've been using Amber Rush for a long time but without a tan it can be a tinge too pink for my every day eyes. I generally like something with a gold reflect to it. I've been wearing Iced Latte and Bronzed Taupe together and they are just so gorgeous. I can use the Barely Branded or Bad to the Bronze from Maybelline as a base for either and they last ALL DAY. They don't budge or flake or fade or crease. The colors are buildable and stunning.

 

loreal.com

 

 

Maybelline Baby Lips Electro "Strike a Rose".  I'm a sucker for anything Rose. This is kind of scary neon in the tube but goes on super flattering and feels really nice on. It's super sheer so it kind of leaves that popcicle stained effect on your lips, just pinched pink.

 

maybelline.com

 

Here's my mug with all of these products on...the lip balm has kind of faded but you can see the color that remains.

 

August Favorites

I'm doing favorites a little bit early this month, because I don't plan on blogging at least for a week with the holiday! I really can't believe that summer is almost over, but I will say...come Monday morning my house will be ALL decked out for autumn. It is definitely our favorite season, so we are very happy to see it come!

This past month I have been loving a few things, so much so that I haven't really dabbled in much else. Not really a rut, just a hard core obsession lately!

First on our list is the L'Oreal Total Repair 5 System. I have the Shampoo, the Conditioner and the Damage Erasing Balm. These are totally unlike any drugstore hair system I've used before. First of all, they actually work. I know that you can't "undo" split ends, but you can sure as heck add moisture and shine and get the appearance and feel of healthier hair. One use of the conditioner and my hair was totally transformed. It made it smell amazing, feel amazing and actually looked a lot healthier. I use the conditioner daily and the balm about 3 times a week. It's amazing. I like to apply after I shampoo and condition and then wrap my hair up on top of my head and leave it at least 45 minutes before I rinse. This is a nighttime product for me. The balm is so thick and the jar is massive. Definitely worth it.

This system is to repair the 5 main signs of damage, split ends, weak, rough, dull dehydrated hair, and it really does repair the appearance of damaged hair for me. Moreso than most other products I have ever tried. These 3 products just makes my hair so happy and feels so dramatically better. I am definitely going to be trying other products in their line, they have a dry oil that looks pretty tempting!

For foundation, I have been trying to use up some of my collection before buying anything new. I never really loved the Revlon ColorStay Whipped Foundation as much as the formula for normal/dry skin. It's alright but was too matte for my liking and I just don't love the finish of it on it's own. So there she sat, until I decided I needed to force myself to use it.

I have been using a little scoop of the ColorStay Whipped on the back of my hand and adding 1 pump of the L'Oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer. I apply with the Real Techniques Expert Face brush and have just been so impressed. It's glowy, but it lasts ALL DAY and doesn't transfer. You get the longevity of ColorStay but it's so glowy and pretty and looks so fresh. I have managed to use almost 3/4 of my jar of ColorStay this way and will definitely be repurchasing that as my next foundation! (Please excuse my rained on hair)

 

L'Oreal leGloss lipglosses. L'Oreal appears to be my favorite contender this past month. I have really been enjoying their products and definitely haven't been disappointed by L'Oreal yet. Hands down my favorite drugstore brand at the moment.

I've already done a full review of the leGlosses but they are definitely top notch in my book. Color payoff, scent and texture are all perfect. The packaging is classy and exactly what I want in a lipgloss.

So that's it for my current favorites! Hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend and we will see you in September!

April Favorites

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Normal/Dry Skin. I caved and gave ColorStay a second chance...I do not have dry skin, I have oily skin in the T zone for sure. TiffanyD was talking about this and saying how she doesn't have dry skin either but likes this formula so much more than the other version. I had a coupon for $3 off any Revlon ColorStay product and thought I'd give it a try. LOVE. Everything I liked about the original ColorStay, but this doesn't break me out and isn't nearly as heavy. It also has more of a natural/satin finish which the dew lover in me just adores. Great purchase!

Maybelline The Vivids Vivid Rose. I have a full review of this product on the blog. I can't get enough of this color. I've been loving putting a pink gloss on and then applying a swipe of this over it to brighten it up but still have a sheer glossy finish. It's an easy way to get color without the work.

Tresemme Platinum Strength Deep Conditioning Treatment. After going this blonde, my hair is parched to say the least. This product claims it can reverse up to 2 years worth of damage when used with the shampoo. We all know you can't reverse damage but you can conceal it and make it look better while preventing further damage. I have noticed some serious results with this and really liking it.

One n Only Shiny Silver Shampoo. Again, a must for a blonde girl! Super drying though, so definitely use sparingly and with a good conditioner. Works so well to get the brassiness out though.

Orly Passionfruit Nail Polish. Always my spring/summertime favorite nail color. So bright, so punchy and lasts a long time. I like this best for my toes. It just makes you look super tan.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder. Why does this smell so good?? For $4 I sure do love this stuff. I apply to my Tzone with a fluffy brush and it seriously lasts all day. LOVING this.

DIY Super Blonde Using Drugstore Products

If you follow my twitter you know I've been on a mission for super blonde hair for about 2 weeks. I've been going slow so as not to fry my hair and I would not recommend that you do this in a 2 week span because it was not awesome for my hair. Buuuutttt...I got the color I wanted at home for about $30. So, that's a win in my book. As always, I'm not a professional. OBVIOUSLY. This is just what worked for my hair to get it the color I wanted.

I have never been this blonde. I've never done an all over blonde before, just highlights which can only get you so far. I just decided to be brave and try something new, which is hard for me. Mostly because I am impatient and I hated the idea of walking around with hair I didn't love while going through the process. But I did it and I think it was worth it for me!

ROOTS!!!! The horror.

 

I started with DIY highlighted hair with about 2 inch roots. I decided that I wanted to lift the base and then highlight to get it all over blonder without going platinum. I still wanted some highlights. So, basically I bleached my roots out with powder bleach and 30 vol on the scalp developer, washed, dried and then covered my whole hair with an all over high lift blonde (ION High Lift Ash Blonde) to get a uniform base. I then toned it all and left it alone for about a week to calm down. It was definitely blonder, but not a pretty blonde in my opinion. Kind of a dingy blonde. Which was fine, it was just the base color.



After All Over Color and Toning

Way blonder, but blah...

 

I used 2 boxes of the High Lift Ash Blonde with 40 vol developer all over my hair, processed about 45 minutes

1 box of T18 (formerly White Lady) Wella Toner with 20 vol developer, left on about 8 minutes

 



I then went back in and had to highlight twice. First, I used Revlon Frost n Glow and it looked like this. Good, but not quite there yet. It was still a little too brassy for my liking.

 



 

I was going to use the same kit the second time but the store I went to was out of it so I tried a different kit, which I kind of fell head over heels in love with. I have never used this kit before and am kind of kicking myself over not trying it. It's the L'Oreal Frost and Design kit in Champagne. It's about $4 more than the Revlon kit but it has a lot more products in the kit. It contains a lot more bleach (I have to buy 2 Revlon kits for the length of my hair and 1 L'Oreal kit did my whole head with leftover product). It also has a protectant cream that goes in the bleach which makes it this almost creamy whipped texture that is super easy to work with. It has a toning rinse included which I think is just genius. It left my hair feeling soft and not fried and also a perfect shade of blonde. I will definitely be switching to this kit from now on.



Holy Grail Drugstore Highlighting Kit. For real.

Anywhoo, after several different processes I basically went from dishwater blonde with highlights to all over blonde with platinum and honey strands mixed in. I couldn't be happier with the results! I am trying to minimize heat tools for a while to let it recover from this crazy blonde ambition, so please excuse the boring, straight hair. But you can see the color results pretty clearly. Love, love, love!

 

 

 

Prom Hair and Makeup

This year my super gorgeous cousin Allison went to her first prom. I was so excited when she asked me to do her hair and makeup for it. I don't actually remember if she asked or if I insisted...either way :) We've done hair/makeup for homecoming, but prom is a major deal and so much more exciting.

Her dress was this gorgeous, poppy pinkish red hue that just looked stunning on her. Because it had one shoulder of rosettes, we decided to do her hair all to one side. She chose a voluminous side swept style and I think she chose the perfect hair to compliment her dress.

This was the inspiration picture she chose. I think we got pretty close, with a few little changes because her hair isn't as long as the picture.

I started on her dry hair. I split the hair in sections by layer and sprayed each section with heat protectant. I then curled the hair with my flat iron  and curled it in different directions so it wouldn't clump together. I think curling in different directions was the most vital step to this look. It really gave her hair more volume and kept it big. Which is what she wanted.

Once I got about 1/2 way up her head, I started slightly backcombing each section before curling to give it a little more "oomph" since she wanted volume.

When we reached the crown section, I used Backcomb in a Bottle by Big Sexy Hair. I sprayed at the roots and then slightly backcombed that as well for extra volume. I flat iron curled all of those sections and allowed it all to cool in clips.

Once it was cooled, I started pinning the bottom section. She didn't want a "ponytail" look, more side swept. So I just very loosely (don't pull) started pinning pieces to the side while working with the curl. As I worked my way up I tried to pin on top of the already pinned pieces to create more of a cascading look instead of an updo.

I finished by taking my backcomb tail, inserting it on the crown section and lightly pulling up to get the top to loosen. This created the final bit of volume at her crown. I then placed 3 rhinestoned pins in the twist section of the hair and sprayed the ever loving hell out her hair.

 

 

Now on to makeup.

 

 

 

Because her dress was such an extraordinary shade, we didn't want to try to match or go bright with the lips. So, a traditional smokey eye seemed like a good choice for some drama. This girl has crazy long eyelashes so we didn't have to use fake eyelashes. 

 

I think the combination of a smokey eye with a lighter lip kept her look youthful and fresh but still dramatic and special enough for prom. I used the following products for her makeup look:

 

Face:

Revlon ColorStay Foundation

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Rimmel Match Perfection Highlighting Concealer

NYC Sunny Bronzer

Revlon Coral Reef Cream Blush

Wet n Wild Reserve Your Cabana Highlighter



Eyes:
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded and Bad to the Bronze
Urban Decay Naked Palette (Sin, Virgin, Halfbaked, Smog, Toasted, Hustle and Creep)
CoverGirl 24 Hour LashBlast Mascara on top lashes only
Sephora Flashy Eyeliner in Ultra Brown on ower lashes and waterline
L'Oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense liquid eyeliner

Lips:
Bonne Bell Lip Lites Strawberry Parfait

Overall, I was so pleased with how it all came out and was so lucky to be able to be a part of Ali's special day. She's a gorgeous girl who I love so very much and I can't wait to do it again next year!!

Girls Night Out

 

This past weekend a bunch of us girls went out to celebrate the upcoming wedding of one of my girlfriends. I was feeling daring and decided to do a gold and black smokey eye.

I don't usually like a black smokey eye. If I do one, it's typically a bronzey one as I just find it to be more wearable on me and not "too much". But, if you can't do a fun eye look with your girlfriends, when can you really? I used the black more toward the outer corners of my eye to keep it looking open and not too raccoony.

I didn't use false lashes, but you definitely could if you wanted to amp the look up.

For this look I'm wearing:

Face:
L'Oreal True Match Foundation mixed with Clinique Even Better
MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural powder
Revlon PhotoReady Concealer
NYC Bronzer in Sunny
Revlon PhotoReady blush in Coral Reef

Lips:
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Precious

Eyes:
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded as a primer
Urban Decay Naked Palette:
1. Virgin on Inner corners and browbone
2. Half Baked on the middle of the eyelid and bottom lash line
3. Smog on outer 1/3 of eyelid
4. Hustle on outer V
5. Creep to intensify outer V
6. Naked to blend and on eyebrows
Maybelline black gel eyeliner on top and bottom lashes and also tightlined
Maybelline black The Falsies mascara on upper lashes
Maybelline black The Rocket mascara on bottom lashes

My hair was done using a 1 inch Hot Tools flat iron.

Favorite Pink Drugstore Lip Products

My last post kind of inspired me to dig through my stash and find all of my favorite pink lip products. It's overwhelmingly clear to me that pink is my favorite lip color. I had several different products and thought I'd swatch them all for you here.

I think pink is an easy color for my lips. My lips are already moderately pink so they take to that shade easily. It pops my grey eyes and is just the color I gravitate toward. I also think that pink is a good statement lip with a coat of black mascara and a lil tan. Easy peasy.

I am not loyal to gloss or lipstick. I can go either way, but if I had to pick a favorite out of these, it's the Revlon Just Bitten. Just out of pure laziness and the fact that it does stain and gives a pow of bright color. It also feels nice on the lips and does not have to be reapplied frequently.

 

Top 4 are:

 

NYC Lip Gloss in Fashion Ave Fuchsia
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick
Avon Glazeware Lipgloss in Darling Pink
Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart

 

Bottom 4 are :

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstain in Wink of Pink
Sally Girl Lipgloss in Sassy
Revlon Matte Lipstick in Stormy Pink
Revlon Matte Lipstick in Sky Pink



Pink Spring Fever

photo courtesy of weheartit.com

Oh, the weather here has been so beautiful. As a true Pacific Northwesterner, I know this is only a tease and indeed, woke up to 32 degree weather this morning. But still, the blue skies make it so hard to resist spring fever.

One of my favorite looks right now is flushed cheeks, long black lashes and a pop of bright lip color. My go-to for that look is Revlon Lip Butter in "Sweet Tart". It is the perfect girlie bright pink without going into neon territory. It's just a perfectly flattering and wearable pink. It can be sheer with only one swipe, but builds to a buttery opaque pink with a few more layers. It gives the shine of a gloss but feels like a lip balm. Best combo ever.

I've said it before, the Revlon Lip Butters are some of my favorite lip products. They feel so nice on and come in such a great assortment of colors and finishes. Sweet Tart is definitely going to be my favorite this spring.

 

 

The rest of my products for this look are:

• Revlon ColorStay Whipped Foundation
• MAC MSFN
• Urban Decay Naked for Brows
• Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blush in Coral Reef
• Maybelline "The Falsies" Mascara
• Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded on browbone and inner corner only.