:: BEAUTY :: Hairplay | The Deep Part

As a girl with naturally curly hair, I've struggled with my hair for as long as I can remember.  I do love curly hair... just not my curly hair (but don't we all say that?).  Sure, I've had a good curly hair day here and there, but the problem is I never know what I'm going to get and it requires much so much more work than just blowing it all out straight, so that's what I've been falling back on on a daily basis these days.  However, as someone who has the versatility of curly hair... I have to say that straight hair can get kind of boring (sorry).  So lately I've been playing around with different blow out styles and one look that I've long admired is the deep part, side-swept hair.

Whitney Port

Cara Delevingne

Eva Mendes

Amanda Seyfried

Penelope Cruz

I've only just attempted it in recent weeks, but I have to say that I love it!  It has a way of looking uber glamorous, yet casual at the same time.  It's like, "Oh my hair?  I just run my fingers through it and give it a toss."  Meanwhile you're face is perfectly framed with a lush set of locks falling down around your shoulder.  I might also add that this look lends itself nicely to the old trick of tossing your hair about as a way of casting your scent in the direction of the cutie next to you at the coffee shop.  Just don't over do it, ladies, because we've all been suffocated by the overly perfumed.  And a quick side note: if you use anything but an oil for scent, keep it off your locks directly, as the alcohol in it can be drying.  I find that hair picks up any scent nicely if you just dab it on the back of your neck.

Anyway, this look is all about volume, and since my fine hair has a tendency to fall flat, I know I have to really work the round brush to pull this off.  I also broke out the hairspray, which I rarely use, to keep things lifted and in place.  My hairstylist recommended Paul Mitchell's Hold Me Tight, which works great and has that nice "I just walked out of the salon" smell.  I also use large round brush for my roots, to kick up  the volume, and a medium round brush on my ends to give them a nice bounce.

Here's an actual tutorial from hairstylist Anthony Turner on getting side-part bed head, à la Cara Delevingne and Whitney Port.  You may also choose to go for a more polished look, seen on Eva, or one with a little more body and curl, like Penelope and Amanda above, which is the direction I tend to go.

Have you recently tried a new hairstyle?  What's your go-to, feeling-fabulous hairstyle?

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:: BEAUTY :: My Essentials

I'm a product junky when it comes to beauty and makeup.  I don't like to hoard -- I actually prefer to be as minimal as possible when it comes to my beauty routine -- but I will try product after product until I find the one that's just right.  After years and years of trying almost everything under the sun, I've found a few products that I simply can't live without.

1. {Heritage Store Castor Oil}

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2. {Bragg Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil}

After reading this post on the Oil Cleansing Method for skin, I was determined that cleansing with oil would be the answer for my congested, but clear skin.  I went with the 50/50 castor + olive oil combo and so far have no complaints.  My skin is amazingly soft after cleansing, but I haven't necessarily noticed any major changes in my pores.  I'll continue to use the OCM because I feel like it's just healthier for my skin than a cleanser and it does a heck of a job removing makeup.

3. {J.Crew Paisley Makeup Case}

For my portable beauty essentials that I take along in my purse, I wanted something small and stylish.  This is one is J.Crew.  Enough said.

4. {Kuumba Made Oriental Musk Oil}

I've always wanted to be one of those women whose scent is like a natural extension of her aura, but obviously not in an overpowering, skunky kind of way.  This scent does just that -- I get compliment after compliment on it from men and women.  It's soft, feminine, and earthy, and because it's an oil and not a parfum, it's like it just sinks into your skin and becomes a part of you.

5. {Avalon Organics Vitamin C Lip Balm}

The only lip balm I've found that delivers long-lasting moisture.  It's made with minimal processing, and contains good-for-you ingredients, including coconut oil, which my lips drink up.  I'm admittedly obsessed and can't live without it.

6. {Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation}

This mineral foundation is light enough that I don't feel heavily made up when wearing it, but it allows me to build coverage when needed.  Though on the pricey side, the small tube lasts me about 3-4 months because I only need a little at a time.  Also comes in a versatile selection of shades.

7. {Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara}

Since I switched to this mascara, which I've been using for a while now because I haven't found anything better, I sometimes get asked if I'm wearing fake eyelashes.  Granted I do put on about 4 coats, but this macara is great for building tons of volume with each application.

8. {Gillette Men's Razor}

I was turned onto dermaplaning (aka, yes, shaving my face) after a recent facial where this was one of the many treatments they preformed on me.  While it does remove the hair on your face, the main goal is to remove the dry, dead skin that can clog up your pores and rough up your complexion.  My facialist suggested that I take the practice home with me for maximum exfoliation, so I use this men's razor (designed for the face) at home.  It's not as simple as your boyfriend's morning shave though(i.e., no need for shaving cream and techniques to prevent shaving off an eyebrow!), so you should test it out and consult with a professional first before trying at home.

9. {Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel}

Witch hazel has long been used to sooth and restore skin tone.  The rose petal version not only smells beautiful, but just feels fantastic on my skin and has naturally antiseptic properties.  Great for toner, after the sun, or just to give yourself a refresher.

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