Category: beauty

beauty, lifestyle

7 Ways to Repair and Maintain Healthy Hair

by Nicole KatLeave a Comment on 7 Ways to Repair and Maintain Healthy Hair
7 Ways to Repair and Maintain Healthy Hair

About two months ago, I decided (impulsively) that I wanted to go back to blonde… it was a mistake. After getting balayage done three times in a row, my hair was breaking and had turned to straw! It was so frustrating and made me feel extremely insecure. In an effort to repair my damaged hair, I tried MANY different techniques and products, but only a couple truly worked to get my hair back to being healthy. The few tips and tricks I have picked up to repair and maintain healthy hair are the following:

  1. Taking Amino-Acids every day. Amino acids are great for your hair and I have seen them make my hair thicker and stronger.
  2. Adding a shower filter to your shower head at home. There are so many things in our water that aren’t good for our hair (and skin), this filter will get rid of the unwanted copper, fluoride, chlorine, etc. I have seen a major difference in my hair since using the shower head filter.
  3. Using a hair masque once a week. My boyfriend’s sister recommended this hair masque to me and I am not kidding you after trying 4 or 5, this masque has saved my hair from breaking off. The bottle will say to leave in hair for 7 minutes – I usually do 10-15 minutes in the shower.
  4. Using high-quality shampoo and conditioner. You should always use a sulfate free shampoo and conditioner. You should never use cheap shampoos or conditioners because they will strip the natural colors out of your hair and not replenish it as it should do.
  5. Use clip in extensions instead of glued in or hand tied extensions. This will prevent you from damaging your hair further. I absolutely love the brand I use and pictured above!
  6. Get a hair cut once every three months. By doing this, you will cut off an inch or so of dead ends and be able to grow your hair more.
  7. Lastly, only wash your hair once a week! I know it sounds gross, but it is not good for you to wash your hair more than that. Although you may think your hair is getting greasy, it will take 2-3 weeks or so for your hair to not get automatically greasy and will get used to the new hair washing schedule.

All of these things have worked for me to get my hair back to being healthy. I hope they help you in repairing your hair or keeping it healthy!

A link to all of the products I use can also be found here.

beauty

Glowing Skin with Vitamin C Serum

by Nicole KatLeave a Comment on Glowing Skin with Vitamin C Serum
Glowing Skin with Vitamin C Serum

Three months ago I went from using a bar of soap (I know, so gross) to a full skin care routine (that I will post about soon). One of the products I started using is a Vitamin C Serum, recommended by one of my girlfriends and available on Amazon. I did some research and it looked legit. Also I could see my friend’s skin looking brighter and all glowy, so I knew I had to get it. I went ahead and bought it and did I mention that it is super affordable… BEST DECISION EVER.

So it basically is a clear serum you can use 1-2 pumps and lather over your face and neck. (Definitely avoid too close to your eyes, this serum has witch hazel in it which is extremely strong.) Once you lather on the serum it literally feels like it is eating your skin, but really it is just absorbing into your skin. It will help tighten and brighten your skin and I have noticed a huge difference in my skin going from dull to bright. I highly recommend!

The Vitamin C serum I use can be found here (along with other Amazon products I use).

beauty, clothes

My favorite red lipsticks for Fall

by Nicole KatLeave a Comment on My favorite red lipsticks for Fall
My favorite red lipsticks for Fall

Out of all the seasons, Fall is my favorite. Not because of the Pumpkin-flavored everything, but because of the fashion and lipstick options. I tend to wear more nudes and lighter colors in the Summer. However, in the Fall – it’s game-on!

One of my favorite colors is a classic red. To ensure you are reaping the benefits with a red, always make sure you have a red that has blue undertones. The blue undertone will make your teeth pop and look sparkly white. I tend to use matte liquid lipsticks more often than creme lipsticks because I really like how long they last. Also, it dries instantly so I never have to worry about walking around with lipstick on my teeth, and it’s kiss-proof.

My favorite red lipsticks include:

Liquid Mattes: Mary Jo K by Kylie Cosmetics (pictured), Immortal by Gerard Cosmetics (last picture below), Creeper by ColourPop. *Tip: Make sure you exfoliate your lips before you apply a matte liquid lipstick. I use a tooth brush and brush it on my lips in little circles to ensure there is no flakiness when I apply my matte liquid lipstick.

Creme: Dubonnet by MAC Cosmetics, with a layer of Fire by Revlon lipstick gloss on top which makes it more shiny and hydrated.

IMG_2724-3IMG_2670-2IMG_2727-4IMG_2883-6IMG_2828-5Nicole Kat in Mary Jo KNicole Mary Jo K LR

*Picture directly above: wearing Immortal Liquid Lipstick by Gerard Cosmetics.

beauty

Herbivore Botanicals Product Review

by Nicole Kat1 Comment on Herbivore Botanicals Product Review
Herbivore Botanicals Product Review

Herbivore is my newest obsession! They have made some of my favorite products that include rose and coconut ingredients. Here’s an overview of four products from Herbivore that I use:

Rose Spray – I’m obsessed with using this as a toner and a moisturizer. I spray it on my face at night before I go to bed and in the morning when I wake up before I put my makeup on. I’ve noticed my face has been less dry while using this spray on a regular basis, and it smells amazing.

Sea Mist Hair Spray – I have been trying to wear my hair natural more often and avoid excessive heat from hair tools. After I let my hair air dry, I spray the Sea Mist Hair Spray into my hair and walk out the door. It smells amazing, but I will admit that it isn’t a huge difference in texture, however, it also depends on your hair type.

Coco Rose Body Polish – I love to exfoliate my skin in the shower. This body polish exfoliates your skin while also moisturizing it. I highly recommend using this product 1-2 times per week and you will be able to see the difference in your skin. My skin feels more hydrated and smooth when I use the Coco Rose Body Polish.

Orchid Facial Oil – Out of the four products I would say I use this product the least. When I put on make up for a night out, I like to put the oil on my face to help keep my face moisturized all night. This oil is more deep moisturizing than the Rose Spray, so if you’re looking for more moisture this is your product. I highly recommend the Orchid Facial Oil if you have dry skin and wear heavy make up on a regular basis.

Check out Herbivore here: https://www.herbivorebotanicals.com //

 

beauty, clothes, lifestyle, travel

The Perfect Desert Getaway

by Nicole KatLeave a Comment on The Perfect Desert Getaway
The Perfect Desert Getaway

Living in San Diego, you have it all: the mountains, the beaches, the lakes and the desert. If you live in Southern California and haven’t made it out to the desert yet, I highly recommend you do so. In the desert (Yucca Valley, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, etc.) you can find affordable, clean, and modern houses up on Air BnB, that will give you a real “desert” experience. For our anniversary my boyfriend and I decided to rent a beautiful house we saw on AirBnb that was tucked away in Flamingo Heights just outside of Yucca Valley. The house looked beautiful in the pictures, and once we arrived and ran through the house in ‘awe’ we realized that the pictures didn’t even do it justice.

The house was tucked away on a long dirt road with 180 degree views of the desert terrain. The neighbors were so far away that it didn’t feel like we had neighbors and we were all by our lonesome in the desert wild. The house didn’t get cell service, but we found it as a blessing that we didn’t have an option to be sucked into a vortex on social media and got to give each other our full and undivided attention which was very romantic. Overall, the two bedroom house had a very rustic feel with a jacuzzi, fancy indoor bathtub, a very large modern shower, and AC in every room (THANK GOD). Although we spent most of the time indoors enjoying the features of the house, the 108 degree heat didn’t feel as bad as we thought since it was extremely dry.

We spent the weekend appreciating each other without any disturbance from our phones, blasting the owner’s rock vinyl collection on the record player, cooking delicious food, and relaxing in bed. The environment the house provided allowed us to rid ourselves of the unimportant things, live in the moment and deeply appreciate each other. I will never forget this anniversary weekend and will definitely go back.

If you haven’t ventured out to the desert yet, I recommend doing a trip with friends or your significant others and finding an AirBnb that meets your requirements of a perfect getaway. Remember to bring your own water (desert water tastes awful), and if you are allergic to bees remember to bring your Epi Pen.

Please enjoy the pictures below.

nicole kat desert boho chic shift dress braids hair extensions remy clipsnicole kat boho chic fringe jacket forever 21nicole kat boho chic desert smokey eye hello kitty nailsbathtub yucca valley flamingo heights house desertNicole Kat Desert trip cowboy boots boho chic forever21 dressNicole Kat White Dress Desert picNicole Kat cooking Yucca Valley Lululemon Vuorinicole kat yucca valley desert rustic black long brim hot boho chicyucca valley flamingo heights house sunset

 

 

beauty, clothes, lifestyle, travel

A Perfect Place for a Date

by Nicole KatLeave a Comment on A Perfect Place for a Date
A Perfect Place for a Date

When you grow up in San Diego, going to the Del Mar Fair becomes an annual tradition. A day or evening at the fair can be a great way to get a group of friends together or the perfect place to take a date. There is so much to do at the fair such as going on rides, playing games, eating questionable deep fried foods, face painting, photo booths, and the magnificent people-watching.

Every year that I go to the fair I always have so much fun whether it is with a date, a group of my girlfriends or my family. I will admit, there’s something romantic about going on a date or with your significant other to the fair. The fair can be the perfect environment for some great romantic moments like riding the Ferris wheel, kissing in a photo booth, or having your man win you a stuffed animal.

If you have yet to go to the fair, I highly recommend making plans to do so this summer so you can experience it first-hand. A tip for anyone going to the fair: make sure you wear comfortable shoes (there’s a lot of walking) and make sure you bring some cash, however, most of the vendors now take cards.

Outfit Details // Reader Glasses – Urban Outfitters, Ramones Tee – Forever 21, Jamie Jeans – Topshop, White Classic Low Top Converse, Silver Nixon Watch, White Purse – Gucci //

Makeup Details // Lipstick – Kylie Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in High Maintenance, Hair Extensions – http://www.remyclips.com

Nicole San Diego Fair1Nicole San Diego Fair4Nicole San Diego Fair2Nicole Kat and Dripcult at Fair PhotoboothNicole San Diego Fair3Nicole San Diego Fair9Nicole San Diego Fair5Nicole San Diego Fair7

beauty, lifestyle

The Best Chemical-Free Product for Your Skin

by Nicole KatLeave a Comment on The Best Chemical-Free Product for Your Skin
The Best Chemical-Free Product for Your Skin

There are so many different products out there for skin care that are currently being sold. How do you find which one is best for you? You don’t. Have you ever read the ingredients on the back of your face creams? I have and the ingredients I can’t pronounce scare me and I don’t want them on my face or body. Because I am a strong believer in natural remedies I have gotten rid of all my skin creams and I have replaced them with coconut oil.

Coconut oil can be used for cooking, baking, a moisturizer for hair and skin, sunscreen and it can even be used as a lubricant for certain “activities”. Coconut oil is a great way to use safe and organic ingredients to lock in moisture and help keep your skin silky smooth.

I have incorporated using coconut oil into my daily routine. Every time I get out of the shower I lather myself from head to toe. I will admit, at first, it feels very thick, but it absorbs into your skin within an hour or two and becomes less noticeable.

Additionally, (whether I shower or not) every day after I take off my makeup, I apply the coconut oil all over my face, neck and collarbone area. It’s important that you moisturize parts of your body that are exposed to the sun, especially your neck. Your neck is such a delicate part of your body and when you get older, you will be happy you moisturized that area every night. Not moisturizing can cause wrinkles especially in the neck area, which is why it is important to be proactive against aging especially the sensitive areas of the neck and face.

If you have oily skin, coconut oil might not be the right treatment for you because it could potentially clog your pores. However, it can be used by all skin types as a great alternative to 15 SPF sunscreens and always handy to have for a day out in the sun. I warn that using just coconut oil in direct sunlight might not be enough in some cases and to also use a sunscreen if necessary.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to do your homework, look at the ingredients on the back of your face creams and lotions and see what chemicals you are putting on your face and body. If you don’t like what you see there’s no need to worry because there will always be a healthy, chemical-free alternative called coconut oil.