Headlines: Sexy, Summer Curls with International Hair Company Deep Wave Hair

July 9, 2014 / No Comments

With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer, who wants to spend all day (or night) in front of the mirror, curling iron in hand, taming the mane? This season, I am on the mission to find a low maintenance style that combines my easy-going yet stylish personality. I’m normally one who opts for wigs, but I wanted to try something new and get a sew-in weave. As a fan of curly hair, I did some research online for some good quality virgin curly hair and came across International Hair Company.

International Hair Company sent me two (2) of their Virgin Indian Remy Deep Wave bundles in 18″ and 20″ and one (1) 14″ Curly Closure to review. Because I’m natural and didn’t want to leave any of my hair (hence, why I love wearing wigs), getting a closure was a perfect choice. I couldn’t wait to share my fabulous experience with the hair with you guys!

About International Hair Company Virgin Indian Remy Deep Wave:

Virgin hair can be styled and colored to your desire. This hair comes curly and can be flat ironed or curled. This fun and curly style is a low-maintenance solution to your desire to “finger” through your hair without the fuss of tangling and matting. This hair is used for full body curly look

About International Hair Company Curly Closure:

This curly closure will match all of our curly hair from medium curly to deep wave and will even blend in with the kinky. You can’t go wrong with beautiful Remy hair.

My Results:

After my initial install, I had two words: LOVE IT! What really struck me about the hair was the really defined curl pattern. Though I like straight hair, this deep wave looks very natural and is perfect for my no-flatiron-owning lifestyle. Can you tell that I’m wearing a closure? NOPE. Another plus for this hair. I left a slither of hair out in the front so that the lace closure could blend seemlessly with my hairline.

It is very easy to “finger” through the hair and so far I have had very minimal shedding and almost NO tangling, which is great being that this is curly hair. The hair came with hair instructions to keep it moisturized so at night I lightly spritz it with a conditioner + water mix and braid the hair into loose braids. Then, I seal with argan oil and cover my hair with a silk bonnet.

The only negative drawback was that the curly closure and deep wave bundles’ hair texture did not match at first. I quickly fixed this by curling the hair in the closure with a 1″ barrel Remington Curling Wand to give the front defined curls like the rest of the hair.

After my first wash:

About two weeks after first installing the hair, it was time to finally shampoo and condition the hair for the first time. had been doing alot physically and knew the hair was getting a bit dry. After shampooing and conditioning, I let the hair air dry. T0 my surprise, the hair texture changed a bit. I didn’t have as tight of a “deep wave” pattern as I had before but more of a tightier, kinkier curl, which I loved too. This even looked a bit more natural the original state of the hair.

Overall, I am really loving the quality of this hair and the texture. Coupled with a VERY realistic closure, I’ll probably be wearing this install for a while. One plus of this hair is that it straightens beautifully. I went to a wedding and straightened and pincurled the hair.

I would have LOVED to have 3 bundles for an even fuller look, but there’s always a next time!

To check out a review of the hair I did right after I first installed it, click here.

I recommend this hair to anyone who is looking for a easy maintenance curly hair style.

Bling Factor:

Pro: Low Maintenance, non-tangling, minimal shedding quality hair texture and defined curl patterns. Straightens wonderfully!
Con: Curly closure was originally different texture than bundle hair. After conditioning, the two textures blended better.
Price: Prices range from $139-199/bundle depending on length.
Buy Again: Yes
Packaging: 4 Blings
Overall: 5 Blings
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Skin Care Review: Arcona Cranberry Gommage Exfoliant

Lately, my typically clear skin has become unrecognizable. My low-maintenance facial routine couldn’t contend with my new facial issues: erupting pimples all over, stubborn dry patches on my cheeks, and oily areas on my forehead and nose. My face went completely haywire overnight it seemed, and the usual routine just wasn’t cutting it! Confession: I’ve been slacking on my sloughing-—big time. Life has been so hectic lately that I’ve pretty much abandoned my regular exfoliation routine, and it shows. When a close friend suggested I give Arcona Cranberry Gommage a try, I figured it couldn’t hurt. Little did I know, it would not only return my blemish-free visage, but give me a more even, smooth complexion over time! About Arcona Cranberry Gommage $47 Exfoliant containing cranberry extracts, volcanic minerals and essential fatty acids, to cleanse and renew all skin types. Smells berry delicious. Cleanses, tones and decongests enlarged pores, leaving skin clearer, smoother and more refined. Unclog and minimize pores with cranberry and raspberry enzymes. Exfoliate and purify skin with salicylic acid, volcanic minerals and sucrose that work deep within the follicular wall and provide antimicrobial, antibacterial benefits. Protect skin with the anti-aging properties of antioxidants that prevent free radical damage. My experience: Fresh out of the bottle, Arcona Cranberry Gommage is a deliciously grape-scented, lavender-hued scrub. Suggested use is twice weekly, but I reach for this exfoliant daily! more often because it’s such a treat. I can feel the difference immediately after applying Arcona Cranberry Gommage to my face and neck. I use a gentle circular scrubbing motion with the pads of my fingers. Rinsing clean, my skin feels so soft and smooth and moisturizer just glides on once I’m out of the shower.. It only took about a week of using Arcona Cranberry Gommage for me to see the results. I received a number of compliments ranging from “your skin looks so good,” and “what do you use,” to “you’re glowing!” Nothing else changed in my regimen, so I have to credit the Cranberry Gommage! While I found the scrub gentle enough for sensitive skin, it also has the right amount of grit to be effective. The polishing action instantly brightens, leaving you with fresh, glowing skin after regular use. For this reason, if you aren’t into a scrub that actually scrubs, what’s wrong with you? Arcona Cranberry Gommage might not be the product for you. Arcona Cranberry Gommage is specifically recommended for normal to oily skin, but my wacky winter combo skin got great results. Don’t be afraid to try it out if your skin tends toward the dry end of the spectrum. Bling Factor: Pro: Gentle exfoliant, smells and feels amazing! Cons: Could be too gritty for some, but i loved it. Price: $47 Buy Again: Probably, will need a new bottle soon! Packaging: 4 Blings—Typical flip-top squeeze bottle. Overall: 5 Blings Hero Ingredients: Cranberry and Raspberry enzymes Natural/Organic/Vegan: Organic Cruelty Free: Yes SHOP:
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Trending-Winter Beauty: Try These Products When You Are Stuck Inside!

Has cold weather got you in the house with nothing but time on your hands? Well, why not treat your skin and hair to some spa-worthy treatments? Treat your skin to a clay face mask… DDF SULFUR THERAPEUTIC MASK (SULFUR 10% ACNE TREATMENT) A clay mask and spot treatment with sulfur and purified clays to absorb oil and help keep pores clear ($45, ddfskincare.com) Help your skin recover with an intense moisturizer… Lumene Bright Now Vitamin C Sleeping Cream Restores skins natural balance because it’s packed with antioxidants to help brighten, nourish and vitalize tired and dull skin. ($19.99, CVS and Ulta) Revive your hair with a coconut oil and banana pulp leave-in… Sun Bum Beach Formula 3 In 1 Leave In This spray enriched with Coconut Oil, Banana Pulp and Peel, Banana Leaf, Quinoa Protein and Sunflower Seed Oil will protects, detangle and condition your hair while enhancing and restoring its natural body. ($14.99, trustthebum.com) Don’t forget to brush this product through your hair after applying! Use a Conair Ultra Detangling Wood Cushion Brush Professional quality wood cushion brush that glides through wet or dry hair. ($12.99, Ulta.com) Shop:
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Editor’s Picks: Winter Skin Care Tips & Best Moisturizers for Cold Weather

Cold winter weather can wreak havoc on our skin. Not only does heat from indoor sources zap the moisture from our skin, but so does outdoors cold air and wind. Unfortunately, indoor heat and the winter cold can leave skin dry, dull, irritated and itchy. If you suffer from eczema or psoriasis it may be exacerbated by winter weather. Try these tips for keeping your skin’s moisture level up to par all winter: Use a body wash instead of bar soap. Limit your time in the shower, using warm, not hot water, then pat dry skin. Drink more water. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Moisturizer works by keeping the moisture in the skin and preventing moisture loss. Also consider using a hyaluronic serum to boost the benefits of your moisturizer. Additionally, be sure not to skimp when applying your moisturizer. And, the richer your moisturizer, the better. We rounded up some of our favorite moisturizers for winter skin care that have our seal of approval. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair® Cream Intense Hydration $30 (Ideal for eczema and extremely dry skin) An all-over moisturizer that provides instant relief and long-term hydration for dry, distressed skin and eczema. First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream’s whipped texture is instantly absorbed with no greasy after-feel. Safe for sensitive skin, the cream can be used by all members of the family, even children and babies. Suitable for all skin types, especially dry, flakey skin, this hydrating moisturizer leaves your skin feeling smooth, hydrated, and comfortable after just a single use. Formulated with colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, ceramide 3, and the First Aid Beauty Antioxidant Booster, it provides immediate relief and visible improvement for parched skin, and it is clinically proven to increase hydration by 169 percent immediately upon application. OzNaturals Super Youth Retinol Moisturizer $19.95 (Read our review here) A powerful cocktail of antioxidants combine with Vitamin A to diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and premature aging. This results-oriented formulation fights free radical damage as well as restores and renews firmness, elasticity. Vitamin A boasts a long list of anti-aging skin benefits to restore your skin to a more beautiful, youthful look. Try our natural retinol cream and experience the results for yourself! Murad Hydro-Dynamic® Ultimate Moisture $75 (read our review here) Hydro-Dynamic® Ultimate Moisture is clinically proven to lock optimal moisture levels in the skin while delivering instant comfort. This super-hydrating antiaging formula is moisture rich, yet light and non-greasy. Collagen support complex helps restore youthful resilience and plumpness to dry skin while avocado, sunflower, and olive fruit oils enhance skin’s ability to retain maximum levels of hydration. Retinyl palmitate and shea butter improve texture and tone while restoring natural smoothness and softness. This gentle formula is safe for sensitive skin and is ideal for use with any Murad regimen as a step three moisturizer. It comforts and restores youthful hydration to dry skin as part of Dr. Murad’s Inclusive Health® System of care. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare C+ Collagen Deep Cream $72 A rich, fast-absorbing cream that energizes and deeply hydrates dry, uneven, tired-looking skin without leaving it greasy for a visibly firmer, brighter, dewy complexion. C+ Collagen Deep Cream features 3-O vitamin C technology that quickly absorbs into skin to correct the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles while helping prevent the formation of future damage. An advanced form of vitamin C is combined with a proprietary energy complex to recharge skin’s battery while targeting damaged skin for accelerated improvement of a dry, tired, uneven complexion. An intense concentration of nourishing oils extracted from camellia japonica seed, sunflower seed, and rice bran provides rich moisture to replenish skin’s barrier and reduce trans-epidermal water loss. When nature’s most powerful vitamins and nutrients are boosted with modern science, the result is deeply nourished, supple skin with a dewy glow. Caudalie Vinosource Intense Moisture Rescue Cream $39 (read our review here) This ultra-nourishing cream is here to save dry, cracked, uncomfortable skin. Grape seed oil and olive squalane nourish and soothe irritation, while shea butter and borage oil repair and replenish cracked, damaged skin. Often times people with dry skin have a thin hydrolipidic layer, and this formula works to strengthen it. By rebuilding the hydrolipidic layer, it fights the dryness that results from harsh weather conditions. The formula also contains grape seed polyphenols to protect against free radical damage (pollution, stress, and sun exposure). This product is vegan, non-toxic, cruelty-free, noncomedogenic, hypoallergenic, safe for sensitive skin and pregnancy, and free of all fillers, gluten, GMOs, and synthetic chemicals. SHOP:
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Editor’s Picks: Leap Year Winter Skin Care Essentials

It’s Leap Year. That means you have an extra day this year to do something special for you. Since we are in the throes of winter, with the harsh cold wreaking havoc with out skin, it may be time to check out some skin care products that bump up the level of beauty quotient of your skin. Remember how you used to write a word and associate another word with each letter of that word? Well we are doing just that for LEAP year. 1. L—Lather Choose gentle cleanser that not only get’s your skin clean, but is calming and chock full of good-for-you ingredients. Try: First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser $18 What it is: A face cleanser with a whipped texture that transforms into a rich cream when blended with water. What it does: This Face Cleanser gently cleanses the skin—removing surface oils, make up, dirt and grime—and its whipped texture transforms into a rich cream when blended with water. It’s infused with a powerful botanical antioxidant blend that works hard to scavenger free radicals. It calms redness and is PH-balanced to maintain the natural acidity of the skin. Daily use will result in fewer flare ups and reduced skin reactivity. 2. E—Exfoliate Improve texture, brighten and clarity your skin in one fell swoop with a gentle yet effective exfoliant. Try: Jurlique Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator $45 What it is: A fruit-based facial treatment that leaves skin visibly smoother and revitalized. What it is formulated to do: This ideal natural alternative to synthetic chemical peels harnesses enzymatic action to gently exfoliate skin and boost cell renewal for a refreshed, clear, glowing effect. Indigenous Australian extracts help to brighten and invigorate dull complexions, and improve skin texture and firmness. A dose of antioxidants and humectants soften fine lines and wrinkles while contributing to an overall healthier look and feeling. This formula is dermatologist tested. 3. A—Anti-aging It’s never too early to start fending off the ravages of time. Adding a treatment into your daily skin care regimen will slow the clock or turns the hands counter-clockwise. Try: Philosophy Miracle Worker™ Miraculous Anti-Aging Concentrate $62 What it is: An advanced antiaging serum designed to target the appearance of deep wrinkles and loss of elasticity. What it is formulated to do: This versatile, gel-textured, oil-free, age-defying essential features breakthrough peptide technology that bolsters the skin’s self-restorative capacity, supporting natural collagen to increase firmness and elasticity, and minimize lines and wrinkles. The water-based gel formulation helps bind hydration to the skin, maintaining a natural moisture barrier, while multiple antioxidants protect against free-radical attack. – Encourages improved elasticity and firmness. – Helps improve the appearance of deep wrinkles. – Helps protect against environmental attack. 4. P—Pamper Take one day a week to pamper your skin with a mask that adds hydration and nutrients. Try: AmorePacific Moisture Bound Vitalizing Masque $60 What it is: An overnight mask with a liquid-gel texture for improving internal hydration and antioxidant levels. What it is formulated to do: Restore tired, dehydrated skin overnight with this lightweight mask. AmorePacific’s 5-Hydra Complex dramatically improves internal hydration and antioxidant levels. Cellular turnover and youthful metabolism are promoted while moisture loss is prevented, all from the inside out. Get your leap year goodies here: Editor’s Picks: Leap Year Winter Skin Care Essentials Face Anti-Aging by philosophy Face Moisturizers by Amore Pacific
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Bad Beauty Habits: Taylor Resolves to Wash Her Face

I don't have acne or breakout much, so I usually just wash my face in the shower with plain water and rush out the door (after drying off and getting dressed, of course). Even though I know that it's a bad beauty habit, laziness and a hectic schedule (can you say 8 a.m. classes?) make it a hard one to kick. I'm a Chemistry/Math major, so I know that dirty skin + no cleanser=breakouts. Not cute. Over my winter break, my (nonexistent) skin regimen totally backfired on me. With the school year starting back up, I'm going to break my bad beauty habit. I resolve to wash my face…with actual cleanser… at least once a day. I already have a cleanser that I have been using since my mom first spotted a pimple on my forehead—Doctor's Dermatologic Formula Blemish Foaming Cleanser. The cosmetic formulation of DDF Blemish Foaming Cleanser, $38: What it is: A gentle cleanser that reduces oil without over-drying. What it is formulated to do: This skincare essential, tailored to the needs of normal-to-oily skin types, helps fade post-inflammatory red spots while minimizing future blemishes. A blend of salicylic acid, azelaic acid, red clover, and golden seal extract delivers clear, healthy results. Now it's your turn to "come clean!" What bad beauty habit do YOU resolve to break in 2012?
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