Winter Chill

I've talk about winter on this blog before, or more specially, your hair care routine in winter. But when I looked down at my hands this morning, in the 46º weather mind you, and silently screamed at what I saw. Okay, maybe it wasn't so silent.

The cold weather was reeking havoc on my skin. My poor hands were dry and cold and lonely. So after I rubbed them together, let them be friends for a bit, I decided I needed to take better care of my skin in this dry winter weather.

And since I assume that all you lovely readers have the same problems I do, obviously I'm going to share some tips.


Try a hand or body scrub. Scrubs are super fantastic. I used one while I was on vacation on my hands, and they felt super soft for days after. Not only will a scrub exfoliate your skin, but it will also leave you feeling silky smooth after it's rinsed off.


Moisturizer. Obviously. Find yourself a really good one. I love Aveda's Hand Relief. It penetrates deep down and really leaves your skin moisturized. Put one everywhere. In your purse. At your desk. By your bed. I promise, your hands will thank you later.

Holiday Gift Guide

Aveda's Shimmer giftset. These two lip glosses are spectacular in person. Himalayan Snow and Nepali Berry, and at only $18 for both you can't really go wrong.

Aveda's Relief giftset. This is my favorite giftset every year. I absolutely love both the hand relief and foot relief. And hello, travel sizes! $52 will get you all four bottles.

Awapuhi Deluxe giftset. This giftset is a steal. It comes with full size bottles of the Paul Mitchell Awapuhi shampoo, keratin cream rinse, styling treatment oil, and the hydrocream whip. Basically everything you need in your beauty bag. $68.40 for this bad boy.

Paul Mitchell Express Ion Smooth. This flat iron is always, always on someone's wish list. Let this year be the year they get it. $180. Totally worth it.

Elchim 2001 Pro Blowdryer. Some people have a hard time spending $140 on a blowdryer. But why I ask you? It's as, if not more, important than your flat iron. Maybe it's time to give it to yourself. 

What is on your wish list this year?

The New Year's Resolution Everyone Should Have

Heathy, shiny hair

It sounds simple, right? But, ahh, if you're not used to taking care of your hair it is definitely something that should be on your list. Don't worry though. I can break down this resolution into three simple steps. 

1. Cut
2. Color
3. Conditioner

And look at that, they're all c's. 

Snip, Snip.

Getting a regular haircut is probably the biggest component to having healthy hair. Trimming off the dead and split ends not only keeps your hair looking better, but it will also keep your hair from breaking off and thus allow it grow longer.

All the pretty colors!

It's no secret that bleaching your hair over and over again can leave it dry and brittle, making it more prone to break. It's not impossible to have perfectly heathy hair when it is bleached out every four weeks, but it's a lot harder. So this year, try a different look. Maybe a honey blonde, or something more dramatic like a chestnut brown. 

I've already talked about the importance of a deep conditioner, but it's possible that you need a reminder, because I know I do sometimes. Deep conditioners are important. They replace the moisture in your hair that you have lost through blowdrying, flat ironing and all those other kinds of ironing. 

Besides healthier hair, what are your beauty New Year's Resolutions? Tell me in the comments below!

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The Perfect Stocking

I love Christmas. I love Hanukkah. Basically I just love the winter holidays. They mean laughter and lights, singing really loud, and the new season of Doctor Who. The only thing that would make it better would be snow. But as I've said before, Texas isn't quite known for its white Christmases.

If only!

But one of the best parts about Christmas is the Christmas stocking. My mom always know exactly what to put in it for me. But in case you don't, here's Cassidy's guide to stocking stuffing.

1. Lip Gloss: Aveda's Nourish-mint Rehydrating Lip Gloss. The color goes on your lips looking almost exactly like it does in the tube. And really, how often does that actually happen?
2. Gift cards: These are probably the best thing to put into a stocking. For an adult that is. I get giftcards for every member of my family to stuff with.
3. Travel size lotions: Aveda Hand Relief. This stuff will save your hand's lives. Seriously. It works miracles.  
4. Nail Polish: OPI. You can't really go wrong.
5. Magazine Subscriptions: I love magazines. For a while I was loving reading them on my Nook Color, but now I'm all about buying the actual magazine again. It's a dying industry that I would like to save. Plus, who can refuse 24 magazines for $12.00? Not me.
6. Candy: No stocking is complete without a bit of candy.

Stocking stuff should be small and cheap. That's the way of the stocking.

Stockings roasting over an open fire...

What is your favorite item in a stocking?



Photo 1, Photo 2

Winter Is Coming

When I woke up this morning, I did what I do everyday. Check the weather. You see, in Texas this is pretty much a necessity. Because Texas likes you surprise you.

But where I was hoping to see a high of somewhere in the 70s, I see this...

Feels like 86º. Feels like 86º?

And then I log onto Facebook and see that my cousin, who lives in Colorado just so happened to wake up to three inches of fresh snow this morning. And in that moment I thought, is it ever going to get cold here?

But then I calmed down and remembered that I love Texas. Of course it is going to get cold. Winter is coming. Which also means a whole new hair care routine. 

 In the winter, or in cold weather in general, the air becomes really dry, thus causing your hair and skin to crave moisture. So you're going to need a really, really good deep conditioner. Here are some of my favorites.

Brazilian Blowout Acai Deep Conditioning Masque

$40.00

Made for the Brazilian Blowout, but can be used even if you don't have one. What makes this masque so great is that you can leave it on overnight. Or if you think that will make your hair too heavy, use it like a regular deep conditioner and rinse it out.

Awapuhi Keratin Intensive Treatment

$24.95

 This deep conditioner is about half the price of the other, but just as good. You can't leave it on overnight, but it still packs a punch. Plus, it smells amazing.

What is your favorite deep conditioner? Or if you don't use one, how do you keep your hair healthy in the winter?