Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Cleansing Oil-Crème Duo is a super hydrating-cleanser that will leave your hair silky and soft. The dual-chamber disperses the moisturizing cream from the inner chamber, and a low-foam cleanser from the outer chamber. It's a two-in-one super hydrating wash. This product is great for anyone with dry, damaged strands, flyaways and frizz. I use this Cleansing Oil-Crème Duo every third wash. Hairdresser's Invisible Oil signature scent is coconut(ish) and subtle. Along with every other product by Bumble and Bumble, I LOVE this Cleansing Oil-Crème Duo.

Another amazing new product from Bumble and Bumble is the Balm-To-Oil Pre-Shampoo Masque. This stuff saved my hair. Take a big dollop, rub your hands together to melt the product and apply to dry hair, section by section (dry hair absorbs better than wet hair). Leave for a minimum of twenty minutes. This super hydrating masque contains the Hairdresser's Invisible Oil six signature oils - argon, macadamia nut, coconut, safflower seed, grape seed oil and sweet almond. The signature scent is delicious. I apply this masque once a week, and it has made a HUGE difference in my hair. I've been struggling with severely damaged hair for a year, and only saw a significant improvement after using this product. A MUST HAVE.

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil is my favorite haircare collection. I've been using the shampoo, conditioner and oil for years. Each time a new addition is released, I purchase it, and am never disappointed. The product line includes - shampoo, conditioner, primer (great for detangling wet hair), oil (super lightweight), the Cleansing Oil-Crème Duo, pre-shampoo masque, and Dry Oil Finishing Spray. I use all of these products regularly.

I've tried many other brands over the years, but keep going back to Bumble and Bumble. Many of the products are also available in travel size (love that). If you don't wanna invest in the full-sized, opt for the travel size (I'm sure you'll upgrade to the larger versions).

To be honest, a waterless shave sounds painful, and screams RAZOR BURN! I played it safe and tested the Gillette Venus Waterless razor on my knees (the skin on my lower legs is super sensitive). The portable razor is fairly small. The soft handle contains a lubricating softgel with aloe. Just squeeze the product onto the gel applicator + cleaning pad, apply to your skin and shave. You can use the foam-like applicator to rub excess gel into your skin post shave. The process is easy, the shave is smooth and the hair is gone. The gel is non-sticky, leaves no residue and has a refreshing scent. I had no irritation - my legs are perpetually sore from shaving, so that's sayin' something.

The Venus Waterless razor has a disposable single blade, and is only meant to be used a few times. This convenient razor is not a daily shave kinda razor, but rather an on-the-go solution to touch-ups, travel or 'I didn't have time to shave in the shower, so I'll do it the cab' razor! I was reluctant to like this product, but am convinced that this Waterless razor is a great on-the-go solution to our hairy needs.

I'm addicted to lip balm and was so disappointed when Sephora discontinued the Kiss Me Balm - the little egg shaped balm came in a many colors, the scents were yummy and the product was amazing. So began my search for a new go-to balm.. Of course, I went with a Sephora lip balm hoping it would be similar to the Kiss Me Balm. The soothing Coconut Water Lip Balm is nice. The scent is delicious and the product feels nourishing on your lips. The balm is thicker than the Kiss Me Balm, but a similar texture. The packaging is less than what you would expect from Sephora. The turn-tube is made of plastic, and the coconut printed cover feels like card-stock. I'm not sure how the packaging would hold if it got wet (and am not gonna test it out).

Sephora Honey Lip Scrub is amazing! When I first applied the scrub, I thought this isn't working - how can a balm exfoliate your lips. After a few vigorous applications I reached the grains inside. I rub the balm in circular motions on my lips until they're drenched in product, then I use my finger and massage the grains onto my lips. The result - smooth lips in seconds. Best part is the gains dissolve, and your lips are covered in a creamy, honey-scented balm. It tastes good too - not that you should eat it, but scrubs tend to get in your mouth. LOVE!

Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Double the Lip Lipstick Liner in One is innovative, and allows you to create fuller lips in one swipe. The teardrop shaped lipstick and liner in one combines two complimentary satin-finish shades - one is the liner and the other a lipstick. Just place the lipstick and liner in one flat on your lips, and apply them simultaneously. I find the contrast between the colors a bit too much, so I blend with my finger. The result is gorgeous. I purchased the full-sized Criminally Coral and received the Lusty Rose travel-sized as a gift with purchase. The sandy-coral shade of Criminally Coral looks great on my pale skin (I'm a fan of coral) . I'm sure the Criminally Coral shade would look amazing on sun kissed skin. The neutral shade of Lusty Rose is a dark rose shade (not really my color). The lipstick and line run one feels nice, your lips appear fuller and there's no feathering. Definitely a New Lipstick 'LOVE'.

Oh and the Sephora Kiss Me Balm in Creme Brûlée (clear) appears to be temporarily back in stock, and it's on sale. I bought eight!

The three cosmetics I can't live without are blush, eyebrow gel and lip balm. I LOVE blush and have as many shades as I do lipstick colors. I usually opt for coral shades - cool tones look great with pale skin and black hair, but I do dabble in pinks and neutrals sometimes. Blush changes your complexion (and overall look) dramatically. Whether you want a subtle no-makeup-makeup look, drama or sun kissed skin, you can transform your face with blush. I have a great Spring/Summer collection of blushes - the variety of colors make for the perfect look in every situation..

The Bobbi Brown Cheek Glow Palette (Pearl and Pink Flush) includes the amazing BB Pot Rouge cream blush and a cream highlighter. This palette can be used on your cheeks for a subtle glow or on your lips. I've been using Pot Rouge on my lips for a while, but never on my face. Cream blush always seemed little strange to me - application is more difficult and I like using makeup applicators, rather than my fingers. You gotta prime your face before applying cream makeup and only a little at time. The heat exuded from your fingers allows you to blend the blush nicely, so take your time. If you have dry skin, cream blush is a good solution. The Pink Flush shade and Pearl highlight in this palette are perfect for summer - pretty and subtle.

I've always been a fan of Bobbi Brown blush. There's a variety of shades in matte (for the perfect flushed look), or shimmer. The pigment is strong and the color lasts. The brighter/darker shades can be heavy in color, so layer lightly. Bobbi Brown Blush in Coral Sugar gives you a subtle pink-flush. Apply to the balls of your cheeks for a healthy look. Bobbi Brown Blush in Apricot is a vibrant shade (a deep coral), and is the perfect evening color.

Bobbi Brown Blush in Nude Peach and Laura Mercier Joie De Vivre Windflush are the perfect no-makeup-makeup shades. These colors give you a subtle-flush (wind flush). The peach shades will look great on any skin tone, especially pale tones. When your outta time or just lazy, these blushes are great for a little color and no-fuss look.

MY FAVORITE - Givenchy Prisme Blush in Rite and Givenchy Prisme Blush in Spice. I'm obsessed. These prisme blushes can be used four ways - candid alone (lighter color), bold alone (darker color), harmonious (combination of both), or structured (allow your brush to pick up the light on one end and dark on the other, then apply with the darker shade on the bottom. I have one negative critique - the scent is strong and unpleasant (kinda like an old ladies perfume). I'm not sure why blush should even have a scent. If you're sensitive to smells, this blush is not for you.

These colors are AMAZING. The peachy-coral shades of Rite (pictured) are sweet and subtle - Perfect for a sun-kissed glow. Spice is a little darker, with a coral undertone and pink highlight. LOVE.

MARVIS is THE superior dental brand. The Whitening Mint toothpaste is my favorite. It has a strong cool-mint flavor that lingers in your mouth. Like all seven flavors, the Whitening Mint toothpaste gives you a slight tingling sensation - so refreshing first thing in the AM. You can purchase MARVIS toothpaste in full-size or travel size (I like that). You can also purchase the Seven Days of Flavor Set. These delicious toothpastes are available in Classic Strong Mint, Licorice Mint, Jasmine Mint, Ginger Mint, Cinnamon Mint, Aquatic Mint and Whitening Mint. The Jasmine Mint is a little strange (for my taste). It's like brushing your teeth with minty-flowers. I'm not a fan of licorice either, but again, it's personal taste.

The Strong Mint Mouthwash Concentrate is an alcohol-free mouth rinse, that promotes good oral hygiene. The flavor is super-strong - I tear up (seriously), and can't swish it around too long. The mint flavor is refreshing and lasts.. This mouthwash does everything you would expect from an oral rinse - fights tooth decay, combats plaque, bacteria, inflammation and leaves your breathe minty-fresh.

This dental care product line is imported from Florence, Italy and expensive - BUT worth it. The packaging makes for a nice bathroom accessory, and the unexpected flavors are stimulating. I brush my teeth often and appreciate a variety of toothpaste flavors. LOVE this brand.

Spring is here - aka - 'pedicures are necessary weather'. It's time to let your feet breathe a little, and show off Springs favorite shoes. There are so many styles to choose from this season - it's kinda all over the place. While I usually opt for sneakers, heels are making a comeback on my shoe rack. These are my favorites (so far).

The t-strap and nude color of Francesco Russo ankle length sandals (available at FARFETCH) will elongate your legs dramatically. The wide vamp is comfy - in 4" heels, you need that extra support. Pair with skirts or cropped trousers. Fendi stripped cropped trousers, and a loose silk camisole would look amazing with these sandals.

These Gianna Meliani flamingo print feather sandals (available at FARFETCH) are EVERYTHING - the printed tie wraps above your ankle to elongate your legs, the flamingo print is fun, feminine and pretty, and the pink feathers - LOVE! These are statement sandals.

My favorite shoe this season is Stuart Weitzman's Nudistsong sandal. This style is flattering, feminine and comes in many colors. I purchased the Nudistsong sandal in Azure (pictured). This pale shade of blue will look great on sun-kissed skin. The shoe runs narrow (and I have small feet), so I recommend opting for the 'wide' fit.

Yeah, the weather is heating up, but booties are still an essential Spring shoe. These Chloé fringe open toe booties (available at FARFETCH) are sexy and who doesn't love fringe. Pair with high-waisted denim shorts (I'm not talking booty baring shorts), and a simple top (maybe a tee), or a loose, floral print dress. This fringe will sway while you walk.. 

It's been almost a year since my traumatic and altogether unsuccessful hair transformation. They all (the many hairstylists) said it will take six months to recover my hair. I've been obsessively treating, cutting and babying my strands - Still, eleven months and counting.. Hair grows (it's a fact), but repairing severely damaged hair takes time - Oh, and lots of products. I'm embarrassed to say how much I've spent on hair repair solutions and vitamins.

Initially, I was skeptical of Olaplex and didn't have great things to say about this preventative treatment. The stylist who took my hair from black to orange to green to greenish-gray-yellow-blonde (YUP, that's what I ended up with), said Olaplex would protect my hair from the bleach and there would be little damage. NOT TRUE! Clearly, this stylist overestimated the treatment and was 'possibly' misinformed. I was still under the impression that Olaplex would repair my hair. I used Olaplex one, two and three for a few months after, but I didn't feel like my hair was getting better, so I discontinued the treatments.

Sometime later my new stylist explained that Olaplex is a preventive treatment, and not a hair repair solution. She said regular applications would keep my hair from being further damaged. I got back on the Olaplex-wagon. Along with intense hydrating masks and vitamins, my hair 'slowly' started to grow. My stylist includes Olaplex step-one in my color solution. After rinsing the color, Olaplex step-two is applied. In between salon visits, I use Olaplex step-three (just once). Admittedly, I've been converted and am a fan of this hair-care product.

Nutrients support hair strength, resulting in less breakage and thus healthier strands. Vitamins you should look for in a vitamin blend - A, B, C, D, K, Biotin, Keratin (your hair is made up of keratin protein), Folic Acid, Iron, Niacin, Magnesium, Protein, Zinc.. Not to mention minerals and oils that support healthy hair. Viviscal Hair Growth Vitamins are comprised of vitamins and minerals your hair needs. This supplement gets great reviews, many dermatologists sell or recommend these vitamins, and from my experience, IT WORKS! I've been taking these vitamins for about six months. I'm terrible at taking vitamins regularly, but my sporadic vitamin-popping has still made a difference.

Viviscal vitamin supplements contain Biotin, Zinc, Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, Niacin, Horsetail Extract, Millet Seed Extract and the exclusive marine complex AminoMar (shark cartilage and Oyster Extract Powder). there are a few essential vitamins missing, but if it works, who cares. Six months of intense hydrating masks, Olaplex treatments and Viviscal supplements has made my hair stronger, a little thicker (I have baby hairs), and healthier.

WARNING - Don't trust a stylist that says Olaplex is a miracle treatment that will take your hair from black to blonde in weeks. Below are pics of my disastrous transformation. After days in the salon, fried strands and painful lesions on my scalp, I went back to black. I couldn't settle for greenish-gray-yellow-blonde, and further bleaching was not an option.

Original posts - See August 2016.

Oily hair and dandruff go together like 'yuck'. I'm not an expert and will never understand how skin can be oily and dry at the same time. Since my dramatic hair transformation last year ('tryna' go black to blonde), I've had major scalp issues. My hair is much more oily and I have dandruff!? Yup - dandruff. It's kinda like 'the' curse word nobody says out loud - DANDRUFF! Ok, now that I've said it aloud, or rather posted it in shouting context, lets talk oil and flakes.  

Amongst the damaged hair treatments and gentle hair care, I've been struggling to combat my oily hair and dry scalp. After just one day, my hair looks greasy (I KNOW). My hair is damaged from bleach and I can't shampoo every day, so I began researching.. My oh so lovely hair stylist recommended I apply Bumble and Bumble All-Style Blowdry to my scalp prior to blow-drying my hair. I also use Bumble and Bumble Repair Blow Dry and Mending Complex on my strands. The All-Style Blowdry formula has oil-absorbing powders and doesn't leave buildup on your scalp. Applying this product after washing my hair has reduced the oil buildup dramatically. 

In all my on-line studies, I realized that healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, so I invested in a few treatments. My favorite treatment shampoo is Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo. The charcoal and coconut oil-infused shampoo exfoliates and soothes your scalp. The detox formula is super refreshing. Scalp Revival has a peppermint scent and slightly tingles. I expected a strong cold-tingly feeling but was pleasantly surprised at the subtlety. I use this shampoo every two weeks for a super cleansing, refreshing, detox of the scalp.

Phyto Phytopolléine Botanical Scalp Treatment regulates the scalp, promoting healthy, energized hair. This oil treatment is super strong in scent and sensation. I use it once a month and love how refreshed and revitalized my scalp feels. This elixir is 100 percent pure and natural oils - Approximately four pounds of fresh plants per bottle!

The combination of these three products has allowed me to skip TWO DAYS in between washings. This is a big deal for me (I used to wash every day). My scalp is less itchy, I have fewer flakes and my oil problem has subsided (at least for two days). Washing my hair two-three times a week is so beneficial to the hair-repair process. It never occurred to me to treat the skin on my head, but it makes perfect sense now. I invest so much money in facial serums and creams, of course, I should invest in my scalp.

I love Benefit cosmetics. The brand is fun, vibrant and ranks high on the 'favorite makeup brand' charts. Benefit Cosmetics Makeup Kits are the prefect way to try the brands best sellers and get a cute little makeup pouch. I purchased the 'Sunday My Prince Will Come Easy Weekender Kit' and 'Date Night With Mr. Right Sexy Night Out Makeup Kit' (the names are so fun). The products pictured here are from both kits - I only kept my favorite mini products and the pink pouch. There's also a Benefit Work Kit, Girl! Work-Day Essential Makeup kit. Each Benefit Cosmetics kit comes with four mini's and a makeup bag. 

My favorite Benefit products - Benefit Watt's Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter in Champagne is my favorite highlighter (and I've tried them all). The highlight is subtle and the perfect shade. The stick glides on nicely - apply to your check bones, the bridge of your nose and upper lip with a damp beauty blender. The full-sized product has a little sponge applicator on one end, but I prefer the beauty blender. Benefit High Beam is a satiny-pink liquid highlighter. I put a little in my moisturizer for a healthy glow. Benefit They're Real! Tinted primer in Mink Brown is the perfect primer for eyebrows and lashes. Apply the primer before mascara for a dramatic look, or alone for a 'no-makeup' kinda look. Benefit GALifornia Blush in Sunny Golden Pink looks amazing on sun-kissed skin. It's an orange-coral shade and the pigment is strong, so apply a little and layer. 

The Benefit mini products are really small and perfect for your handbag or travel cosmetic bag. I love mini's! Each kit retails for $32 and are available at Sephora.

In preparation for self-tanning season (Imma faux-tan kinda girl), I've been sampling body scrubs. The verdict - Babe Green Tea Body Scrub is my favorite.  This body exfoliator has transformed my tired, 'winter' skin. The robust granules are tough on dry skin. You can really feel the aggressive scrub removing the dead, parched skin and you'll love how soft your skin feels after a few applications (even those little bumps on the back of your arms will slightly diminish). WARNING - this stuff is aggressive, so if your skin is sensitive, I don't recommend using Babe Body Scrub. I used the entire bag (everyday) for a week and now I can't live without it. 

The Green Tea scent is refreshing. I used Babe Body Scrub Pink Salt as well but didn't love the smell. Babe Green Tea Body Scrub doesn't leave your skin feeling oily, but just refreshed and smooth. The resealable bag is convenient, cause you can dump some product into your hand and exfoliate your skin by section. I also use this scrub on my feet after a pedicure - amazing results (yes, I do my own pedicures). There's also a coffee scrub that is supposedly good for cellulite. I think the three scrubs do the same thing but smell different. Caffeine-infused salts are not going to diminish cellulite! 

I really like this body scrub and will definitely repurchase. Babe Green Tea Body Scrub is available at Sephora.