For NYFW I had the amazing opportunity to collab with Tease HTX hair! This local company offers remy clip-ins, perfect for enhancing your look in literally seconds!
In the pictures above I have demonstrated what a difference the extensions make! Here I have set this post up as in a quick Q&A style including my thoughts on the extensions, how I would style/wear them, and lots of images so you can see just how natural this hair really looks! Enjoy, and I hope you find this helpful! 🙂
Q&A
So first things first; what length, and color did I get?
I was color matched for #18 Chai Tea Latte, and am wearing the 20″ length clip-ins.
How much do the extensions cost?
There are two length options available so the prices range between $129 and $149 for the classic shades, and $179 for the ombre hair.
How do you style them?
Since these extensions are real hair, you are curl, or straighten the hair as you wish! I like to curl and brush the extensions out before I install them. – This is my preference and I have noticed it gives me the most natural finish. I also style my hair as usual i.e. curl or straighten before installing the extensions. This avoids pulling, extra tension and I feel cuts down on the time it takes to get ready. Once my hair is ready, and the extensions are ready I install them and blend with my fingers.
Do this clips hurt?
Each weft has a lace piece attached to the hair to avoid irritation and provide stability, and each sewn-in clip has teeth as well as a silicone strip to provide a secure grip. The reason I call this out is because these features keep the extensions from moving around and adding tension to the scalp. The clips stay secure creating less pulling and pinching. I will say there is a slight discomfort the first time wearing all 10 wefts, but only because I personally was not used to the added weight. After that I didn’t notice any discomfort.
Are they difficult to install?
No, not at all! The wonderful thing about clip-ins is it is super simple to install them yourself! I have found it best to start at the base of my neck and work my way up. Also when taking off the extensions I start at the top of my head and work my way down. You want to leave the clips open after removal so that they are easy to install for your next use. This also helps to preserve the clips as you are not opening and closing them in excess.
Pros:
My favorite pro is that the hair is removable. I personally have very thick hair. It takes me a long time to wash, blow dry and style my hair even when at the length it currently is! When my hair was naturally long it took me forever to complete these tasks so my hair ended up in a bun a lot. Since this hair is removable I have the ability to take it off when I get home, it is ready to go all of the time as it does not have to be washed and re-styled upon every use, and you have the option of such versatility! Also you instantly can have long hair! No need to wait years to grow it out! Also, if you bleach your hair, as I do, it is super difficult to grow it out as your ends are always needing to be trimmed or are breaking off. Versus leaving those ratty ends attached to keep from trimming that precious length off, extensions give you the flexibility to keep your hair healthy and trimmed while looking long and luxurious!
Cons:
The con is the same as the pro actually. Since the hair is removable you have to take it off and make adjustments to it often. And what I mean by often is daily. So lets say you just install it for an event, chances are you will not need to make an adjustment, but if you were to wear it for an entire day, yes, at some point you many need to fix weft of two. And that is seriously the only “con” I have. There really isn’t anything negative I can say! 🙂
Overall thoughts
I absolutely LOVE these extensions and would totally wear them every day if I could! They create an instant change to my look and at such an affordable price! Definitely check out Tease HTX if you are thinking about changing your look! Its such a simple way to give yourself a luxe touch without the hefty salon price tag.
For NYFW I had the opportunity to collaborate with a few amazing companies, one of which was Elaine Turner! I was able to take the gorgeous Ally crossbody with me, and loved how transitional this piece was. Here I will share with you all of the ways I styled the Ally, and what essentials I carried with me from show to show.
From day to day, evening to evening, my style changed dramatically and yet this bag was able to seamlessly compliment each look perfectly. One of the best features I would like to call out about this bag is that the chain strap is actually removable; perfect for converting the bag into an evening clutch. The gold hardware and embossed snake print make this piece such an elegant accessory.
Essentials
So my essentials from show to show included: gum, granola bars, sunglasses, my phone, wallet and a lippie, all of which fit perfectly in this crossbody! I will add that gum and snacks are super important to have with you during NYFW because you have zero time to eat, and are constantly talking and introducing yourself to people.
Couture
The talented Danny Nguyen allowed me the opportunity to wear a few of his pieces to NYFW, which was totally a dream! I selected a gold embroidered cream jacket and mesh lace shirt, both of which have gorgeous details and embellishments. For both of these looks I carried the Ally as a clutch!
Street Style
For the GCDS show I wore ripped jeans, velvet and embellished pieces so a clutch was also the perfect pairing. The texture of the Ally added additional dimension and appeal to this look!
Classic Chic
This was my absolute favorite way at style the Ally. With a chic black dress, oversized sunnies and tall black boots. The “all black look” is so timeless, but received an update with mixed prints of plaid and snake print. Also, the chain crossbody strap added such a luxurious touch to the look and amplified my ensemble.
So no matter your style, the Ally is a perfect match for any ensemble, and is my fall pick for the perfect lightweight bag. For this bag and other amazing pieces check out Elaine Turner!
For NYFW, I partnered with a super cute boutique located in Tulsa named Posh! They were so sweet to provide me with two looks for my trip, which I happily curated.
So I wanted to select something travel-friendly, that would be cute and be easy to pack. Following these guidelines I selected the white split sleeve top, versatile black jeans by Dear John in the style Joyrich, a lightweight mixed print romper from Olive + Oak, and sparkling bracelets by Rustic Cuff.
Co-owner Melissa, was amazing communicating with me throughout the process! And I must speak to Posh’s customer service, which is wonderful! They boast about their superb customer service in-store, but I must say, that translates to their online experience as well! Just wonderful!
The pieces were packaged so thoughtfully and arrived to me in time for my travels, despite shipping delays from Hurricane Harvey. I tried everything on and all of the pieces fit perfectly! I especially loved the way the jeans fit! I am hard to size when it comes to denim but Dear John is apparently a great brand for my figure! This is something else I would like to call out about Posh. They sell clothing that fits how it should fit nothing is misleading, or unflattering which I really appreciate! You can tell their assortment was well thought out with no fillers, just excellent merchandise!
So the first look I created was for my air travel to NYC. I wanted something comfortable, but also cute…something oversized but not baggy. This look was the perfect match for what I was looking for in a traveling ensemble! The white top I am wearing is in a size small for reference. I kept my accessories minimal with just the white Rustic Cuff bracelet and my favorite pair of oversized sunnies.
For the second look I paired the adorable, Olive + Oak lightweight button front romper with my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Steve Madden boots, a burgundy lip, this oversized felt hat that I picked up at Marshalls, and a slouchy grey hobo from Kenneth Cole. I seriously wore this ensemble all over Manhattan! The relaxed fit and dual pocket design make it the perfect piece to trot around town in. From fashion shows, to meetings, and even the subway I managed to stay comfortable, confident and cute in this piece!
My experience with Posh was fantastic! Every piece on their site is of quality, and in my opinion, all pairs well together. The pieces’ compliment each other from department to department and the prices are extremely affordable for what you get!
If you are interested in shopping at Posh Tulsa, the great news is they have a website so you do not have to live in Tulsa to shop with them! Check out their site today and receive 25% off of your order with the code “HALEY”
So I really want to start off this post with some confessions. Over the past few years I have not taken very good care of my hair. With color, bleach, stripping of color, color, bleach, and repeat. My endless desire to change my hair has really brought damage to it over the years. This year I have really focused on ways to pamper my hair and give it some much needed TLC, so when David Douglas Beauty reached out, I of course welcomed the opportunity to try out their product line!
David Douglas Beauty is a professional hair care company founded in 2002, offering products made with high quality ingredients and best of all, never tests on animals. So lets get started with my review!
The products I have tested on my hair include:
- Violet Toning Shampoo
- Violet Toning Sealer
- Keratin Infused Shampoo
- Keratin Infused Conditioner
- Spray Straight
- Keratin Infused Serum
Packaging website and ordering
The packaging is sleek and minimalist, perfect in my opinion for hair products, that way the focus is on what is inside! The website is beautiful, and is neatly categorized by Product Type, Hair Treatment, and Hair Concerns. This makes it super easy to find exactly what you are looking for. As for shipment, my order came quickly and everything arrived safely. Each item was securely sealed with no leaks or damages.
Violet Products
The violet shampoo is a deep shade of purple and has similar texture to other violet shampoos I have tried. The benefits of this particular brand are the quality of ingredients and, for me the fact the I don’t have to sacrifice feel for color. Normally when I use color toning shampoos my hair is left feeling brittle and dry on the ends. That is simply not the case with this violet shampoo. My hair felt clean and workable. There is no heavy leftover residue, just soft clean hair that looks brighter and a cooler shade of blonde even after one use!
For the sealer, the shade is a pastel purple and has what appear to be sparkles in the formula. You apply to towel dried hair, let it sit for a few minutes then rinse with cool water. I really like this product! It sort of feels like a conditioner but not as heavy and doesn’t leave hair weighed down. You have the option to leave it in longer based on the shade you are trying to achieve, which is really cool, and again, I like this product because it is not over drying of harsh. – best of all it does not stain my fingers!
Over the next few uses of the violet products, I have noticed my hair has felt softer as well as brighter. When you have bleached hair, it can often feel very dry especially if you wash it too often. Since using these two products I have noticed that I can extend the life of my hair between washes, as it does not produce as much oil at my scalp, so that I can go 2.5 days between washes versus everyday. This process is much healthier on hair so I am very pleased with this product and its payoff so far.
I have been using these two products as my regular routine to keep my hair shiny and its best shade of blonde.
My New Straight Hair Regimen
Now these products are the real game changer for me. I have always struggled to manage straight hair. With the Houston humidity, and the fact that I have curly/wavy hair, even with the best straightener I end up with a frizzy mess every time! With the Keratin infused products, and spray straight I am able to achieve my straightest hair that lasts!
Keratin Infused Shampoo and Conditioner
On days when I want to straighten my hair I have been using the keratin products. The formula is thick and provides a rich lather. My hair is left feeling clean and ready for styling.
Styling Products
Following the wash, I towel dry my hair and apply the Keratin Infused Serum then blow dry. The serum is by far my favorite smelling product, seriously it smells amazing! It is not too oily or sticky and doesn’t leave my hair greasy. To finish off, I apply the spray straight. This is seriously the miracle product when it comes to keeping my hair straight. It does slightly change the texture of my hair…meaning you can tell there is product in it, but it looks natural and reduces frizziness which keeps my hair tamed in the humidity. Basically I would like to know where this product has been all my life?! 😀
To Sum It Up
My overall thoughts on the David Douglas brand is the products are very high quality and perform as described. They definitely surpassed my expectations, and I would recommend them to anyone looking to improve their blonde, combat frizziness, or just want to enhance the appearance of their hair! David Douglas the go-to for it all!
Here is a great example of my results! The left image is what happens to my hair is the humidity, before I had David Douglas products, the right image is how my hair withstands the heat and humidity with David Douglas products!
Now that I have had the A Perfect World line for over a month, and have been using a few of the products in my daily routine, I wanted to provide you all with a quick review of the products I love and what results I have actually seen from using them on a daily basis!
So the 4 products I will be reviewing include:
Origins A Perfect World Age Defense Eye Cream with SPF 20
Origins A Perfect World Age Defense Skin Guardian
Origins A Perfect World Age Defense Treatment Lotion with White Tea
Origins A Perfect World Antioxidant Cleanser with White Tea
I really wanted to share my opinion with you after continuous use of the products, and specifically the changes I have seen in my skin over the past month.
So lets start with the Treatment Lotion with White Tea. I have been using this product in the morning when I wake up and at night before bed. The scent is consistent with the rest of the line, and since it is alcohol-free it doesn’t irritate or burn the skin, eye area, or nose. I apply this product to a cotton ball and glide it across my face. The product is cool and tightens my pores effortlessly. It leaves skin feeling clean with a slight tightening sensation.
Once the Treatment Lotion has dried, I apply the Skin Guardian. This product is by far my favorite from the line. The texture is like a gel, and leaves my skin feeling like silk! I use 1.5 pumps and disperse the product over my face evenly. I can definitely tell a difference in my skin overnight from this product. My skin is softer and smoother. In the mornings it makes makeup application so simple and gives me a “primed” canvas to smoothly apply my liquid foundation.
At night when I shower, I use the Antioxidant Cleanser with White Tea. This creamy cleanser removes all dirt and make up from my face, leaving my skin feeling squeaky clean, yet not over dried. I am prone to breakouts and redness but I have noticed since I have started using this product, and this line in general, my skin has balanced out and I create less oil on my forehead, my redness has subsided, and uneven texture and breakouts are minimal – if even at all! If you are thinking of trying out this line, I would recommend purchasing this product first.
I have been finding the eye cream most valuable on days I decide not to wear makeup. It lightens the area under my eyes a slight bit while hydrating. Plus, the added bonus of the sunscreen means I am protected while letting my skin breathe.
My regimen:
AM: Treatment Lotion with White Tea – Skin Guardian – Eye cream
PM: Antioxidant Cleanser with White Tea – Treatment Lotion with White Tea – Skin Guardian
If you are debating on trying out the collection, I highly recommend it for breakout prone skin, prone to t-zone oiliness, redness, and even if you just want something with anti-aging properties. This line has truly worked wonders on my skin, and I love that I can feel good about the product that I am using because it is from Origins!
I hope you have found this review helpful, and will give this line a try!
I recently purchased Charcoal toothpaste from a local Houston Business named: No Crap In It. This is my first time purchasing charcoal toothpaste, though I have been curious to try it for a while. No Crap In It offers products with just that, nothing artificial, or toxic, just natural organic goodness! So if figured if I was going to try this type of toothpaste, this was the way to go!
No Crap In It offers 2 flavors of charcoal toothpaste; Chocolate and Peppermint. I decided to go safe with the classic peppermint this time around.
On my first use the consistency was a bit strange and uneven. I will also say that the flavor is not like regular store-bought toothpaste, it is not as sweet or sticky. The toothpaste is grainy and minty similar to the texture of toothpaste used at the dentist office. When I finished brushing my teeth I immediately noticed a whiter appearance, but what really surprised me was how clean my teeth felt! Similar to when I exfoliate my skin, the teeth felt silky smooth! I will also add I did not have any gum irritation.
I have now implemented this product into my routine using this toothpaste a few times a week to keep my teeth looking ultra fresh and white.
If you are interested in trying charcoal toothpaste, I totally recommend it! Yes, it is weird at first and takes some getting used to but the results and quality of the product are totally worth it! No Crap In It’s charcoal toothpaste starts at $12.99 and at that price, why not try it out? That is way cheaper than whitening kits and much safer for your teeth and gums. So give it a go! Your teeth will thank you.
I am always on the hunt for quality skin care and hair care products, so when Hilltop Gardens reached out to me I had to give them a try!
First of all, they are a Texas based company, which is actually an aloe vera farm, and one of the first in the United States! What interested me in the brand and product line is that they practice sustainable agriculture on the 700+ acre farm, and the products are organic.
Growing up, we always had aloe vera plants potted in the backyard and would snip from it when we had a burn, or sunburn. Little did I know there are so many other uses for aloe vera!
**Giveaway and site coupon code available at the end of this post!**
Borrowed By Design is an online dress retailer that sells and rents dresses. What makes the unique is that they also offer the option to donate to dresses to them and percentages of purchases made gets donated to non-profit organizations!
I was offered the opportunity to review the website and product selection. I chose 3 dresses from the site and anxiously awaited my order. All three pieces arrived separately which was to be expected as it explains on the site. The pieces were well packaged and as described.
This dress in particular is a summer must-have! The length and fit are perfect, and the material is light and breathable. I especially love the striped print and layered design. And at $25.99 you have no reason not to pick this one up!
Since it gets pretty hot here in Houston, my summertime wardrobe generally consists of shorts. Because of that, I like to find creative ways to spice up my ensemble with sparkling and fun accessories that maybe wouldn’t normally be paired with shorts. Enter this over the top large and in charge statement necklace from Mirina Collections. I had the opportunity to try out their brand and selected two pieces from their collection. This one is by far my favorite! Pairing such an eye catching piece with shorts, and a solid top really changes the feel of the look.
For added fun and sun protection I paired this look with my current favorite grey faux suede hat, and to coordinate with the texture and shade, I am wearing these on-trend mules by Kensie from Stage. This style of shoe is super comfortable and gives any look a little 90’s throwback.
By adding these accessories to my look an otherwise simple top and classic pair of shorts is transformed into a trendy ensemble that demands attention.
What I’m Wearing
The top I have on is from Romwe. I am actually really pleased with the quality of the piece. The design is well crafted and the fit is on point. This top is only available in one size so I am sure it will fit everyone a little differently, but I do like how it fits!
For bottoms, I am wearing high waisted shorts from Shein. These are currently my favorite pair of shorts! They are super flattering and I can pair them perfectly with my cropped shirts for a modestly trendy look.
My top was only $9.99 and the shorts were just $15.00 so if you are on a summer budget, these pieces are definitely worth ordering as they are transitional and can easily pair with other pieces in your wardrobe!
Summer is here and that means tan skin. Since I am super pale, and have a history of skin cancer in my family, I love to find alternatives to achieving a luminous glow. This year I had the opportunity to try out COOLA Tan products!
If you havent heard of COOLA, they are an amazing sun care company creating quality products that are vegan, cruelty free, and are non GMO.
The Tan line currently consists of two amazing products, the sunless tan anti-aging face serum, and the sunless tan dry oil mist. Both products offer gradual tan results, perfect for year-round use.
Packaging: The packaging is beautiful! The cocoa and aqua packaging is textured with a subtle matte feel, similar to NARS products. The box slides open to reveal a dark brown glass bottle with a white cap. Both products are securely sealed ensuring oil leaks will not occur.
Scent: The scent is a light cherry scent. It sort of reminds me of a white cherry icee scent. This was really surprising to me as most sunless tanning products have a musty banana or coconut scent.
Product impressions: The dry oil is light and sprays evenly, making application quick and simple. Since the results are gradual, you don’t have to worry about streaky mistakes! The anti-aging face serum is a clear product with a silky finish. It applies easily and absorbs quickly, leaving skin smooth and nourished.
I also was able to try out the Tinted Mineral Liplux in the shade Bonfire. This lip product offers a brilliant sheer bronze shade and SPF 30 coverage. I enjoy using this lipstick on days when I know I will be outdoors. My lips are protected and have a gorgeous summer bronze glow.
Try out COOLA for quality sun care and sunless tanning products that you can truly feel good about wearing, and your skin will thank you for! – please also note that the tan line does not include SPF*