I love Etsy. I don't think that's a secret. But I find the best stuff on that website. It's the best for somewhat personalized accessories, beauty products, and home decor. Here are a few of the things I've gotten recently:
Mane Message Pantone Fall 2011 Package, $16.50 at etsy.com: I've wanted some of these hair ties for FOREVER, and they are a heck of a lot cheaper on Etsy than at other places. These were actually an Xmas present from my brother! The set is all the 2011 Pantone colors, mustard yellow, tangerine, pink, purple, green, deep ocean blue, brown, nougat, orchid, and quarry. So they're fun, on-trend colors. I got this set because it had a nice mixture of bright and neutral colors, but Mane Message's shop also has a ton of different, fashion-forward color options, including tie-dye. These hair ties work out to $1.65 each, which is decent. In terms of quality, they're the same as any other incarnations of this trend I've seen, but I love me these colors. They look pretty on my wrist just as a bracelet, and they look much nicer holding up a ponytail than some ratty old elastic. And they work well too! I have tons of thick, slippery hair, and these manage to keep it contained in a bun with minimal falling out and no awkward hair kink marks. Consider me a convert.
BirdAve Gossip Poster, $18 at etsy.com, Big Ben Skyline Poster, $20 at etsy.com: I finally caved and got these posters! I've wanted the one on the left for at least a year now. BirdAve's shop has a TON of adorable posters, including lots of city ones and some sassy quote ones. The chair one says 'If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit next to me.' It's perfect for me! I got it in a pretty medium pink, and then I got the London skyline one in a royal blue. I also got little white frames with glass from Amazon so I can actually hang them on my walls like a real person and not just haphazardly tape things everywhere. I feel so grown-up.
All images via etsy.com.
WELL I JUST FAIL. I'm struggling with the whole 'I have too many extracurricular activities and classes to have a normal life right now' thing. I have iCal reminders telling me to eat lunch. It is that ridiculous. ANYWAYS. Hopefully I will be able to get back on a normal blogging schedule now that my life is kind of figured out. Here's something I've been waiting to review for forever!
Bb. Texture (Un) Dressing Creme, $26 at sephora.com: That name is a mouthful! But the product is great. This is the Bumble and Bumble spiel: "This product gives hair a hint of grit, some extra lift, and a tousled, shine-free finish. Its dry moisture finish leaves hair matte but not parched. It's made to mess with perfection and craft one-of-a-kind, freehand looks."
Okay, first some background on my hair--I have very thick (not coarse, just really thick), very straight, very heavy hair. It needs texture and volume like I need cookies on the daily. I used to use a volumizing mousse and a salt spray to give my hair texture and volume, but neither of those were particularly cheap products, and I have a LOT of hair, so I go through product really quickly. I air dry my hair every day and I curl it with my conical wand about half of the time, but my hair is awful at naturally holding a curl.
I saw great reviews of this gel/creme on all my favorite beauty blogs, so the last time I was at Sephora I picked it up (Sephora has Bumble and Bumble now! So exciting). First off, this definitely isn't cheap. However, you get 5 ounces of product. This is a lotion-sized bottle, and it will definitely last you a long time. The packaging is easy to work with, it's just a squeeze bottle with a twisting lid on the bottom. The product itself is a white gel/creme hybrid. It's thick and has a very sticky texture, with a pretty, soft floral/perfumey smell.
I take a pea-sized amount of product, rub it between my fingers, and then scrunch it into my roots. I then take a dime-sized amount of product, rub it between my fingers, and then run it through the length of my hair. Then I put my hair up in a bun and let it air dry. My hair normally dries stick straight, even in a bun. However, this stuff makes my hair hold a curl so well! If I let it air dry I get a lovely, lived-in texture with a hint of a wave. If I use my conical wand, my hair holds the curl for the entire day without falling at all! This is very exciting for me, guys. It gives me volume in my roots, and gives my hair just the right amount of 'grit' to give it some texture and hold. It doesn't dry matte on my hair, but it does make my hair less slippery, and easier to build volume into.
If you have thinner hair or a more normal amount of hair, I would use less product. This is kind of like a liquidy hair wax, and it could definitely weigh your hair down and make it look greasy if you use too much. But I do think this would work for all hair textures--I hear it's really nice if you have naturally wavy hair.
Awkward Chic rating: A+. My favorite hair product of all time. Seriously kids. It gives me volume, texture, wave, and it works like hairspray to keep my curls intact! It basically does everything. It's borderline magical.
