Chi Ceramic Flat Iron Review

If you are going to spend big bucks on a beauty tool, this one be the one area I would suggest doing it.  I have owned this straightener for almost 7 years, and use it EVERYDAY.  It works like the first time I took it out of the box.  I have owned many flat irons and straighteners over the past 15 years, and this has been hands down my favorite one.  I recommend it to anyone who asks.  And, yes, it does work on super curly hair.  Whether it's used on long hair, or even as short as a pixie, I love it.  It hasn't failed me yet, no matter who I have used it on.  You can straighten and curl with this flat iron.  I would suggest buying it online, and saving yourself about $50 though.  You can find it about $100 online. 

Aveeno Ultra Calming Daily Moisturizer Review

As I mentioned before I have super sensitive skin, and since my hysterectomy, I have needed some major moisturization.  This moisturizer is worth every penny (about $17).  I use it everyday before I put my makeup on, and at night when I take it off.  It takes away the redness in my face, helps keep it from breaking out, and gives my skin a more even tone.  Even if I am not putting makeup on, I put this on, and instantly evens out my skin, and helps calm down the war that is raging on it.  There is a face wash that goes with it, that I equally love.

Sauve Touchable Finish Hairspray Review

 

I just discovered this hairspray at my Mom's over Christmas.  As I mentioned before, I am on a budget, so when I find something I love for cheap, I have to spread the word!

The things I love about this are: the smell, the hold, that fact that it doesn't get all crunchy, and the volume it adds to my hair.  I only have to apply it once in the morning, and it lasts all day.

I would only suggest this for a final spray/hold, not for extreme styling, because it does seem to leave a little powdery stuff on your hair if you use a ton, but for a regular end of style hair spray to set it, it works amazing! 

Bare Minerals Review

I hesitated trying Bare Minerals makeup for years.  I worried it wouldn't work for me, and that it wouldn't work like was shown on tv.  My sister in law finally convinced me to try it, and I am so glad she did!

Ever since my hysterectomy, my skin has changed, and I have felt self conscious.  I grew tired of my old routine, and my face would not stop breaking out! I had issues with half sick oily skin, and half extremely dry and painful skin.  No matter my skin routine, I couldn't fix it. 

Once using Bare Minerals, changed my mind!  My skin looked flawless (even though it wasn't!), they had a shade for even my ghostly white skin, it helped my skin clear up, and made my skin look like it belonged to a 27 year old, and not a 60 year old.  I get compliments every time I wear it.

I am not one to wear a ton of makeup, I like to wear as little as possible, and keep it as naturally looking as possible.  I love that I can look very natural, or very dramatic in this makeup.

It did take me a few tries to get down, and not have too much on.  A little goes a VERY long way, and a light hand is needed.  It is a bit of a learning curve to put on all of your makeup powder style, even foundation, but it is amazing makeup.  I will never go back.  I have been using it for over a year, and I am still on my starter set!

It's definitely worth a try if you need a change in makeup, or you have super sensitive skin!

Sauve Professionals Keratin Shampoo/Conditioner Review

To give you a quick background, I am a fully licensed Cosmetologist/Barber/Nail Tech, but that being said, I am a mom, and a wife, and I am on a budget.  I am here to tell you, that I have tried it all.  I can't afford to use the professional beauty products for my everyday use.  So, I have been a search for things that work just as good, for much less $$.

I have been using this shampoo and conditioner for about 9 months.  I was skeptical at first, but I was blown away at how much I love this stuff! I am pretty sure I won't ever go back to anything else! I have super sensitive skin, and my scalp is no exception. I used to have to change my shampoo and conditioner every couple months because it would make my scalp break out like mad.  I have had very few if any breakouts with this. I used it for medium length hair, and continued using it with my current pixie cut.  I have used it for both straightened, and my naturally out of control curly hair.  With straightened medium length hair, I had much more volume, and my hair never looked more shiny!  With curly hair, it was less frizzy, and much more easy to deal with, with more ringlety curls, and less frizzy creeper curls. With my pixie, I have to fight with my curls and cowlicks less, and it works so well using my straightener everyday.  It seriously has cut my hair doing time in 1/2 of what it used to. 

I am addicted to this stuff.  I can tell an insane difference the few times I haven't used it, and for around $3 a bottle, everyone can afford this stuff! I have reccommended it to clients, and family.  That's how serious my love affair with this stuff it.

Put aside your assumptions about Sauve being cheap crap, and try it out.  I don't think you will be disappointed!

It gets better

I have been reflecting a lot on the past few years of my life.  Between the crazy amounts of surgery, losing 4 sweet babies, 2 difficult pregnancies, cancer, many health issues, a hysterectomy at a young age and all that brought, a sick baby, job loss, moving, and so, so much more.

There were points in all of it, that I wasn't sure it would ever get better.  I worried it would be like that forever (flashback to David at the Dentist anyone?) and that I would never be happy, or healthy again.  It's a despair I cannot explain, to feel that way, but one I think we can all relate to at some point.  It seems worse in a way to see your children hurting, because you not only feel it for yourself, but you feel it for them too, and it's a different kind of pain.

I was working on our family Christmas letter the other night, and reflecting on all of our struggles the past year, but the things that hit me the strongest was all of the times we were so blessed, and God's hand in our lives.  It all could have ended so differently, and could have been so, so, much worse.

At the end of each trial, struggle, and terrible tragedy we have been through there came a point of relief, and peace.  For some it took a very long time. Some I am still working on, and some we are still in the thick of.  But, for the ones that came, there isn't much like it.  The end is bittersweet, and there is a kind of beauty that comes with it that I cannot describe.  It is then, my friends, when you see how blessed you were, how protected you were, and how much you grew.  You see your strength, and when that moment comes, you see that your trial, was actually a blessing.  A blessing used to make you into who you needed to be.

I recently came to the end of a very big trial for me.  Now that I am on the other side of it, I still feel some pain, but I feel so much peace.  I know that I am better for it, and I am so grateful that I was guided through some of the most dark days of my life.

I just feel a need to remind people, that it really does get better.  Life is hard.  It's supposed to be.  We are born to change and grow.  We weren't meant to stay stagnant, and with that comes pain.  It is natural, and it is part of the circle of life.  It is part of the plan, and it is why we are here.  But it does get better.  We are so blessed to have moments when we realize it is better, that we are better for it.

It really, really does get better.  I promise...

Poor Bubby

My poor bubby was in the hospital last week.  He was very sick, and it was uncertain for a time how long he would be there, if he would need surgery, and after we came home, if/when he would have to go back.

I would give anything for all of his terrible health issues to just go away. 

It took me a week to get him back to his normal.  I am so glad to have him back to himself.  He has 2 appts this week to see different drs, and I'm hoping he will be doing well by Tuesday! He can't be sick on Christmas!