Beauty

Pumping Up the Volume with Voloom – Hair Volumizing Iron Review

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

As I hinted at my last post, I am sharing a review today. iFabbo gave me the opportunity to try out Voloom’s Hair Volumizing Iron. I of course agreed because I am always interested in trying out new things with my hair. 

What is the Voloom Hair Volumizing Iron? It is not an iron that straightens or curls your hairs. Instead it is the first heat-styling tool that is specifically designed to add volume to any hair with body and bounce minus the stickiness and weight that comes with using hair mousses and sprays. The best part is it just takes a few minutes.

With the Voloom Hair Volumizing Iron,  3 firm-grip clips, precision brush and a heat resistant mat and travel pouch were also included. 

The Voloom features a digital temperature control, fast heat-up, ceramic-coated plates, 8 ft 360-degree swivel cord, tool-locking feature for travel convenience and auto shut-off after 30 minutes of non-use. I really liked the 360-degree swivel cord and how fast iron heated up. I also am a fan of the locking feature not only because it makes it easier to store but also since it protects the plates.

On the left is me with my hair air drying. It is pretty limp after a shower, especially at my crown. I turned on the Voloom Hair Iron and had my hair parted normally. I pinned the top layer of hair on the right first. Taking the Voloom, I crimped small sections of my hair briefly and released immediately. I did it about 4 times for each side and unpinned my top layer to cover where I used the Voloom. 

Overall, it was an easy-to-use device. My hair felt soft and I liked how the volume on top balanced out my thick curls. I have not used it on myself with straight hair, but I am looking forward to trying this out again when I do.
If you struggle with flat hair and are not getting the results you want with your products, this might be the perfect investment for you. The price for these retails at $129.99 at Voloom.com. There is currently a 30-Day Risk-Free Trial period. I would recommend trying it out to see if it is not better than your current methods, especially when there is the opportunity to return it if it isn’t for you. 
I was very happy with the results and how easy the iron was to use. I will note when I’ve used it in an outfit post (especially if I’ve straightened my hair.)
Hope you enjoyed my review and let me know if you are thinking of getting a Voloom Hair Volumizing Iron. To make the decision a little easier, note that VOLOOM is having a special sale for Valentine’s Day. Use promo code VDAY15 for 15% off.
Until next time,
Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Voloom and iFabbo. All opinions expressed are my own.

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The Gift of Beautiful Brows – Billion Dollar Brows Best Sellers Kit Review

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

Holiday shopping being over with, it is time to take advantage of items on sale that didn’t quite make it under your tree this year. One of my favorite things to buy once sales are over are makeup kits exclusively for the holidays. They are typically a great stocking stuffer, but they are also a great for you to try out a new brand of makeup for a great value.

Case-in-point, I had a chance to try the Best Sellers Kit by Billion Dollar Brows. Billion Dollar Brows is a company I have heard of before but never ventured into trying out their products. I knew of their Brow Boost, which helps grow out thin eyebrows, but I have always had thick/full eyebrows, so I never needed to use that. Now that I have bangs I never really pay attention to how they look except for the occasional reshaping. I was pleasantly surprised by the Best Sellers Kit because it came with items I could actually use for my thick brows.

The Best Sellers Kit promises to “work with all hair colors and skin tones,” but I would also add it works regardless of how thick (or thin) your eyebrows are. This kit comes with 5 pieces at a $73 value for only $34.99 and include: The Universal Brow Pencil, Brow Duo Pencil, Smudge Brush, Brow Gel and a Sharpener.

Here is a breakdown of the pieces and what their functions are as described by the Billion Dollar Brows’ website:

Billion Dollar Brows Universal Brow Pencil – a unique product that will set you free from the headache of finding cosmetics that match your hair color. Universal Brow Pencil is a mechanical, self-sharpening pencil which goes on smooth and natural for all hair colors and skin tones.

Billion Dollar Brows Brow Gel Clear – an effective formula that will lock in your look, giving your eyebrows a long-lasting, radiant glow while keeping them perfectly in place all day. It’s the perfect finishing touch for giving your brows a polished, perfectly manicured look. Plus, it is a guarantee the Brow Gel never flakes. 

Billion Dollar Brows Brow Duo Highlighter – an amazing and unique two in one highlighter and concealer. With this innovative pencil you can get picture perfect brows. Brow Duo Highlighter allows you to highlight your brow bone to add gorgeous definition and warmth. Works with any skin tone. Plus, for those on-the-go touch ups, a handy universal concealer to the opposite end of the pencil. 

Billion Dollar Brows Smudge Brush – an essential item for applying Brow Highlighter. This flat, synthetic brush is the ideal mate for applying creamy cosmetics like our Brow Duo Pencil. Get your smudge on!

Billion Dollar Brows Pencil Sharpener – perfect for your Duo Highlighter.

Overall, the kit was a great value with some very useful products. My favorite was the Brow Gel because I know one of my bigger issues is having slightly messy eyebrows, but the gel keeps everything in its place. It was also light and did not feel super sticky. The Universal Brow Pencil was also very easy to use. The Brow Duo Pencil (concealer/highlighter) I have not had a chance to use yet since my eyebrows are in need of some tweezing before I decide to highlight their shape. The holidays can get busy, so I am hoping to find some time to shape them before New Years Eve. 
You can find the kit at Billion Dollar Brows website http://billiondollarbrows.com and you can enjoy Free Shipping since your order will be more than $30. Take a look at their other great products as well.

Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Billion Dollar Brows and Brandbacker. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

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Beautiful Curls with the KISS InstaWave

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

I have naturally curly hair. Actually its more frizzy then anything else, but sometimes I wake up with some great bedhead. Unfortunately it is not always consistent and I never learned how to curl my own hair (with either a curling iron or flat iron.) Recently the KISS InstaWave entered my life and I discovered just how easy it is to achieve gorgeous curls with this device without hoping to just wake up to some great bed head.
If you have never heard of it, the KISS InstaWave is a fully automatic tangle-free curler that instantly creates beautiful curls. It was easy for me to learn to use from any angle, with any hand. It features a Curl Dial with left/right curl directions and has 2 heat settings with a low/high switch with maximum temperature of 420. (Yikes that’s hot!) Luckily, if you ever forget to turn off your Kiss InstaWave, it automatically shuts off after 90 minutes.

This device is simple to use and so are the instructions. All you you need to do to work some in some curls is follow these 6 steps:
1) Hold InstaWave vertically
2) Place a section of hair on the InstaWave curling rod
3) Touch the Curl Dial either left or right so the InstaWave instantly and automatically catches and curls the hair
4 ) Hold for 5-10 seconds (Hold longer for tighter curls and less for beachy waves)
5) Pull the InstaWave down vertically and let the hair out
6) Repeat (Switch between curling right and curling left to create the most natural looking curls)
Check out their video for a better idea of how to use it:

Before:

After:

It took some practice, but I am so happy with the results. I had washed my hair and let it air dry, but did blow dry my roots before using the InstaWave, so I would recommend having dry hair before using. After about a couple of tries, I got the hang of it. It took me about 50 minutes to achieve this look, but there was a lot of trial and error so I could only imagine it taking less time with my next attempt.
 I will be making an effort to incorporate this beauty tool into my routine for tight and loose curls. I might be sharing an outfit post with this look hopefully before the end of the year, so stay tuned for that. I would definitely recommend this product because it works and is super easy to use. The KISS InstaWave is available at Target for $59.99, so pick it up as a great last-minute gift. You can find more information and other tutorial videos on how to use the Kiss InstaWave here: http://www.KISSInstaWave.com

Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Brandbacker and Kiss InstaWave. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

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Paula Dorf Aztec City Eye Color Palette and Teal Mascara Review

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

My daily makeup routine includes moisturizer, mascara, a sweep of neutral eye shadow, lipstick and powder foundation. I have been thinking of trying different types of eye shadows and learning how colors should be layered, it felt like it was perfect timing when the opportunity to try out Paula Dorf’s Aztec City Eye Color Palette and Teal Color Mascara came up.

Since I don’t know a lot about makeup, I was not sure exactly what to expect from Paula Dorf makeup. It turns out it is a pretty famous brand known for its unique “trick” products such as “Transformers.” This shadow palette works as eye shadow, but can also transition and be used as liquid eye liners. All it requires is the moistening of  the angle side of the double-ended brush that comes with the palette, dabbing the brush into a color of your choice, and applying it as you would an eyeliner.

My first impression of the palette and mascara packaging was sleek and professional. The palette has a mirror and fits in my Truffle bag, so it is something I can easily travel with me. The colors of the palette are  mix of professional and flirty shades that can easily transition from a day at work to a night out. The colors are inspired by a mix of the dessert and city. The colors, once applied, are not as highly pigmented, as you can see from my swatches. The beige almost blends too well with my skin, which makes it a great base. The dark brown is highly pigmented, so you would not need to apply too much of it. It makes for the best eyeliner that I would use out of all these colors.

I am pretty happy with the palette, and I am looking forward to playing around with the colors more to try to come up with my own eye look. Knowing that the eye shadows can be used eye liners is also a major plus. For a beginner with makeup, or someone looking for a more professional palette, this is one I would recommend.

Along with the palette, I had the chance to try the Teal Color Mascara. I have never tried any colored mascara, and the only other color I knew it came in other than black is blue. I was a little skeptical about the product because I wasn’t sure I wanted that color to be standing out from my eyes. Apllying it, I felt I layered two-three coats, but didn’t notice too much color. Removing the mascara afterwards, I noticed the color a lot more. I felt it was a really subtle color, so it could be great for someone experimenting with different looks, but not for someone expecting highly-pigmented mascara.
You can find view and purchase the Aztec City Eye Color Palette here. As an added bonus, you can also try out the Paula Dorf Teal Color Mascara free with purchase.  Enter the code TEAL at checkout for your own Teal Mascara so you can try it out for yourself!

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Paula Dorf and Brandbacker. All views and opinions are my own.

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Monat Global Rejuveniqe Oil Intensive Review

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by MONAT and IFabbo. All opinions and views expressed are my own.
My hair routine is not very exciting, so when iFabbo offered the opportunity to try a new hair oil from their shop, I signed up immediately eager to try something new for my hair. My typical routine is shampoo and conditioning every other day and applying mousse to add structure to my curls. The alcohol in mousse and hairspray can dry out air, so my needs are being able to rehydrate my hair. 
Monet promises to nourish and energize the scalp with an invigorating blend of 11+ unique molecular ingredients –including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, beta-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids – that mimic the body’s natural oils. The formula reduces hair thinning, prevents oxidative stress and adds volume, repairing the hair with instantly visible, long-lasting shine without the damaging effects of silicone. My hair is very thick and I tend to have it thinned out when I get a haircut, so preventing hair thinning was not on my list, but it is nice to know that this product takes care of that.
Ingredients in the Monat Global Oil Intensive include sustainable and natural ingredients. You can find the full list of ingredients here, but based on the list of ingredients, it shouldn’t be surprising to know that this product has a citrus smell (like lemon.) The texture is also not too greasy. I like that this product has a dropped that lets you control how much you will be using while not making a mess.
I read that the product was pretty versatile and could be used as a scalp treatment pre-shower or to damp hair and scalp and having a moist towel wrapped around for thirty minutes. I have just been applying it to my tips (so they don’t dry out as easily) and as a frizz serum. I feel it is too early to say whether I feel much of a difference, but I have never really been the type of person who gets complimented for their hair. I think if my co-workers notice my hair is shinier or shows more volume, then I will know it is doing its thing. 
You can check out Monet Global Rejuvenique Oil Intensive on Monet’s site along with their other hair product line here: www.monatglobal.com.
The cost of a 1.0 fluid ounce bottle is $99,  but VIP customers can get it for $84. It is a pretty steep price to me, but since this is my first foray in reviewing hair products, I am not sure what the price of natural hair oils typically retail for. I have felt my hair is a lot more moisturize so I would recommend it for that and to work as part of an anti-frizz regimen. Hopefully, I’ll get compliments soon on how shiny my hair is too.
Hope you enjoyed my review and look out for a few more beauty product reviews this month.

Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

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The Glam Squad

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Glam-N-Go. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

The holidays are coming up and as this time roles around I find myself finding very little time to make appointments for a haircut, let alone steal a moment for a mani/pedi.  
I thought I wouldn’t get a chance to get to any of that done, but a few weeks ago I was invited to try a beauty pop-up event called “Glam-N-Go” hosted at Jazz’z Salon on Fillmore street in San Francisco. I signed up excited to try this new salon concept and receive a blowout, express mani-pedis, and /or make-up application and having at least two of these services done to me simultaneously getting me in-and-out of the salon in under 45 minutes or less.

I arrived after lunch on a Sunday and was greeted by Sequoia, the entrepreneur and face of the “Glam Squad” concept. She was very sweet and let me know a little bit more of the salon concept and revealed plans to expand pop-ups to a location near the Marina in SF as well as in Walnut Creek in the East Bay. She was inspired by Drybar and wanted to solve her own problem of having to go to multiple places for salon services.

For a girl-on-the-go, this is the perfect solution to getting all my beauty needs met in a short time. I signed up for the Double-Package to try out a blowout and eyebrow shaping. I was offered a mimosa after I had my hair washed and I was seated in my chair. I had never had a blowout before and I thought it was a very fun experience. I did not know what to expect when my hair was finished, but the result was very soft hair with some fun curls.

I requested the eyebrow shaping as part of my Double Package, and realized right away it couldn’t be done during the blowout. While I was waiting for my hair to curl, the eyebrow waxing and shaping began. I received very friendly service, but looking back I might have requested a mani-pedi since it could have been simultaneously with the blowout. I know I  arrived at 1 and left well past 2, so I didn’t step out in 45 minutes. Overall it was a fun experience and I would like to try it again before a big event like a wedding or party in order to have my hair and make-up done in one place. $20 for each service is not too bad of a price and I would definitely recommend trying it for the experience of having your own personal team of assistants prepping you.

There are currently only 2 more days available to sign-up and take advantage of the “Glam-N-Go” pop-up events next month before the holidays. You can sign up through Eventbrite here and as a bonus you can enter the promo code WBFS10 for 10% off your Double Package services. (Sweet deal right?)
Let me know if you sign-up and I hope you are able to get glammed up for the holidays! Until next time,
Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

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