Southern Blondie: July 2016

A Lash Lift and Tint Review

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About a month ago I was whining to a friend about my lashes and how I had been using this to grow them but always had to wear mascara because my natural lashes are so blonde. It's not a real life problem - I'm completely aware.  

A few days after my initial whine, she texted me about something called a 'Lash Lift and Tint.' Of course, I immediately looked it up. A lash tint is basically a temporary coloring of your lashes. It only lasts a couple of weeks and can cost $20-40 depending on where you live. A lash life is like a perm for your lashes. Your lashes are held back, there is a 'perm gel' applied and once it's done your lashes look like they are curled. A lash lift will last between 2-3 months.

I googled, "Lash Lift and Tint in Little Rock" and beauty spa called Beauty Geek in the area popped up that provides the service.  The lash lift is $100, the lash lift is $40 and if you combine services it's $130. Not cheap, but I wanted to try it so badly that I figured it was worth the splurge. 


So here are my lashes with one coat of this mascara. I did not curl them, I didn't do anything but add one coat of mascara to show a better before/after of the lift. 


So this looks weird, but let me explain. First, your lash expert, mine was Jai at Beauty Geek, will apply an under eye pad that holds down your bottom lashes. You don't really 'feel' anything because your eyes are closed the entire time. 


Here's a closer look at what it looks like. 

Next, a curved silicone pad is glued to your eyelids. This part feels a little funny because there is a little warming feeling of the glue from the pad to your lid, but it's not painful. These silicone lash pads come in different sizes of S, M, or L depending on your lid size and lash length. My lid/lash size is a medium.



OK - Now this is the part that is strange to see in photos but feels surprisingly relaxing while it's happening. Basically, your lashes are gently being placed on the gel pad that holds them down. 


All this feels like is someone is massaging your lashes. Again, no discomfort. The lash expert was playing some really easy going music so the entire atmosphere is pretty comfortable.


Once your lashes are gently placed on the gel pad, it's time to apply the magic perm potion that curls them. 

There *might* be a slight smell to this part, but only if you breathe deeply. To be honest, at this point I was a little concerned if my eyes would start to water from having a pad holding down my bottom lashes, my top lashes on the gel pad and then adding the perm solution. 

The lash expert assured me that everything was fine and kept me updated on the timing of everything. The gel solution is left on your lashes while you relax with your eyes closed. 


Doesn't this look so weird? 

The perm solution is left on for around 10 min, then the tint was applied and left on for 5-7 minutes. I went for the blue-black tint color because it is the darkest. 

Next, a nourishing treatment is applied and left for a few minutes to make sure it's all set. 

The entire process is maybe around an hour.


Once you're done the solutions are gently removed and again, this might be the best feeling because 1) it feels like another massage and 2) you know it's almost time to see what it looks like! 


My lash expert called this the 'lash blowout' which felt really bougie and I loved every minute of it. 

I love bougie moments.


After all the eye pads are removed it's time to open your eyes! The light will feel really bright but I couldn't get to a mirror quickly enough.

I look awake and like I am wearing a coat of mascara!!  I WAS SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS! My lashes look longer, are darker and no need for an eyelash curler!

Now, remember the cardinal rule of getting a perm from Legally Blonde. You cannot wet your perm for 24 hours after getting one in risk of deactivating the solution. 


Yes, spending $130 might seem like a lot, but honestly, considering how happy it makes me ... it's totally worth it. 

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Crockpot Chipotle Pork Tenderloin

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Sometimes I can catch a case of the lazies when it comes to organizing, cleaning, showering ... and cooking. However, I've never gotten a case of the lazies when it comes to eating. 

This is when I'm in a predicament. I don't want to cook, but, um, I have to eat. 

Insert crockpot recipe to save me from getting the hangries yet still allowing myself to be lazy. 


This creation was a mix of what I had in my cabinets, and a few different recipes I had saved online. 



The first step was to get out my slow-cooker and add one chopped white onion. 



Next, I made a little seasoning mix of things I had in the cabinet. 

1 teaspoon Oregano 
1 teaspoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Chili Powder



I salt and peppered the pork tenderloin and added it on top of the chopped onions. 



Next, I added my homemade mix to the top of the pork tenderloin. I only added it to one side because the other side was the fattier side of the tenderloin. 




I had some Salsa Verde on hand so I added probably 1/2 cup to the crockpot. 

I also added a couple of chipotle in adobo peppers with a spoonful of chipotle sauce.

For liquid, I added a can of beef broth.



I put the slow-cooker on high for about 2-3 hours. I checked it, then let it on low for about an hour until it was pulled apart tender. 

As you see above, I pulled a piece apart before snapping a photo. 



Then I shredded the entire pork tenderloin in the crockpot and let it all submerse it's delicious self in the juice it had created.



After a few pieces were removed, the only thing I wanted to do was make a simple taco out of it. You could use this meat for: tacos, burritos, salads, by itself, made into chicken enchiladas, you get the idea. 



A simple taco of chipotle pork tenderloin, white onion, diced tomato and some shredded cheese. 




I couldn't just make one so I made three. And then ate them all in about 3 minutes. How do you cook pork tenderloin in a slow cooker? Let me know because I need more inspiration for lazy cooking!


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Trunk Club Fashion Box Review

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Trunk Club Fashion Box Review

There are two things in life that I find comfort in ... coming home from a long day and enjoying a glass of wine while online shopping and checking my mail to see that I have a package. Something that's becoming a new comfort is coming home to see I have a package that includes shopping... but with a surprise twist. 

If you're new to this blog or need a reminder, I blogged about Trunk Club in this post and did a Pro & Con list for Stitch Fix vs. Trunk Club here

Why am I currently loving Trunk Club so much? Because it's so easy and fun. The idea of having a 'personal stylist' who can pull clothing and shoes for life, work or events is just really handy. It's also nice to have someone just send you clothes that you can try on with what you already own. 

Trunk Club Fashion Box Review

This month's trunk included something that I would have never tried for myself - for instance, the bottom right top is cute, but just didn't work on me because I have a long torso and this turned into a crop top. (Can I wear a crop top at 30?)

I'm still thinking about the flats on the left because they were super cute but something I would have never picked for myself. The two bags were both really nicely made but I sent them back because I only carry Stella & Dot purses since I am a stylist. 

Trunk Club Fashion Box Review


These were my FAVORITE picks from the trunk. Yes - they are all more on the 'simple' and basic side, but most of the time so is my style. I like tailored and classic pieces with a little trendy, but mostly easy to wear and go. 

The tank top also comes in a lot of different colors (I may or may not bought more...), these jeans had a great fit (need to be hemmed) and this dress was something I would have never picked out but loved once I put it on. 

That's why I love Trunk Club. You get someone who starts to know you and your style, sends you items you may or may not have picked out for yourself but gives you the convenience to try things on in your own home. I was able to take this olive dress and try it on with a lot of different shoes that I already own. I also tried it on with a few jackets to see how it could transition into fall. 

Trunk Club Fashion Box Review

 
I also received this Faux Leather Moto Jacket that I laughed when I opened the box because I already own it! To me, this means that my stylist and I are on the same page of what I like.

Remember: Joining Trunk Club is free. There is no cost for having a personal stylist, receiving a trunk box, or sending a box back. The only thing you pay for are the items that you keep. You can also let your stylist know your budget so they can keep items affordable for your life. 

If you want to signup, here's my referral link:  


(Not a sponsored post. Just my love for receiving surprises in the mail and want to share with everyone.)
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Eyelash Extensions: The Pros and Cons You Need to Know

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Over a year ago, I was asked by a beauty salon owner in Little Rock if I would be interested in getting free eyelash extensions. She needed a volunteer to take before and after photos for her website. It seemed like a great deal to me - free eyelash extensions for just letting someone take a picture of my eyes before and after? DONE.

Here's the thing... when things are 'free' and 'new' it's best to do a little homework about what this means for your lashes.

Before and after eyelash extensions

Here's my personal before & after... on the left, you will see that my lashes are VERY blonde and you cannot tell their length without a lot of mascara and continually curing them throughout the day. 

The transformation was dramatic and amazing. No need to apply mascara, your lashes look incredible, you feel amazing, and you wonder why you had never gotten eyelash extensions before this moment in your life. It took about two hours total to do both eyes and you have to be very, very still. The glue that is used to adhere the fake lash to your real lash can make your eyes water, and even burn. (Ask what type of glue your lash expert uses before you allow them to apply anything.)

pros and cons of eyelash extensions

Then comes the part no one wants you to know... the lashes start to fall out after a couple of weeks. The fake ones, and your real ones. If you were to pay for this, it would easily cost between $150-200 for the first set. Refills cost around $75-125 and you need to have them done every 2-3 weeks. That's a lot of money to have these types of lashes if you start adding it up. 

After I decided that I didn't want to get them refilled again, I researched how to get them removed or let them fall out. Now, DO NOT DO WHAT I DID... if you get extensions, go back to your lash expert and let them remove them. Do not believe anything that is on the internet on how to remove them yourself. Stem, oil, none of the tips online work. 


eyelash extension damage
My lashes after the lash extensions were removed with one coat of a regular mascara.

What's going to happen once you get them removed is that you will notice a lot of your natural lashes have fallen out or are VERY short. I cried for almost two weeks because my original lashes were long once mascara was applied and after removing the extensions my lashes were very short. 

Once I stopped crying, I researched and bought neuLASH. Again, I was skeptical of spending $100 for lash serum, but I read a lot of reviews and people seemed to see results. 

After a YEAR, and still using the same bottle of neuLASH (it seriously last forever and I've had NO irritations from using it) my lashes look 10x better! My lashes are thicker, longer and all I have to do is apply a coat or two of mascara and I'm out the door. 


how to grow eyelashes naturally

Will I ever try extensions again? Nope. Not even if I was paid to have them. It's not worth it in the long run. 

If you want your lashes to stand out, consider trying neuLASH, trying a thickening mascara, or researching a 'Lash Lift and Tint.' I'm actually going to try it next week... stay tuned to see what a Lash Lift and Tint looks like before and after! 

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