I like to refresh my makeup cabinet every season with just a few essentials (its also a good excuse to clean out old stuff), but how’s a girl to know what to buy if her head isn’t constantly submerged in the beauty world 24/7? I decided it was time I did a little research and [...]
Forget Goldie. I’ve got a major thing for these glitter locks featured in Wildfox Couture’s White Label Collection… Like glamorous stardust, I love the way these slicked back waves look covered in shimmer and shine. Do I really need to wait until Halloween for an excuse to rock this!?
Molly {Dreams in HD} wow, such a cool look!
Tiffany D'Souza WOW that is intense! and very cool!
Alyssa This is amazing, the hair and the clothes. What a great presentation!
Alyssa
glitterandgapske.blogspot.com
FripperyVintage Wow love this, amazing.
Claire Lol! YES, you need to wait till Halloween! Otherwise it will just look like you were attacked by glitter gel or are channeling you’re inner 80s child. 
M Fun look! But that poor girl’s legs are soooo bowed.
Zena That dress in the last photo is amazing..
Franki Bring it ON!!! franki
Mina I can definitely appreciate them trying to be different, but this would not be my style at all. It’s just too much.
Monika This hair looks AMAZING!! Especially from behind!! Maybe not every day look, but worth trying at least once!!
There’s nothing like a long trip without your favorite beauty products to make you appreciate them even more! When I was packing for Africa, I had to be pretty aware of the weight limit with my bags, which meant one thing: my plethora of product was staying at home. I pared it down to the [...]
Kaitlin Emollience and Daily Moisture from Skin Ceuticals are my absolute favorite moisturizers! Also, welcome home! I haven’t been to Zambia or South Africa, but I work in Tanzania! Can’t wait to hear more about your African travels. http://m.skinceuticals.com/_us/_en/category/emollience.htm
Cassandra LaValle Post author i’m a big skin ceuticals fan, so i will test those out! thanks kaitlin, and hello to you all the way in tanzania! i’m missing my adventures in africa already!
Alyssa I love the Dermalogica cleanser! As far as mosturizers go, I’ve always relied on Olay. I have never gotten a sunburn using their complete spf lotion! I swear by it’s effectiveness and price!
glitterandgapske.blogspot.com
Molly {Dreams in HD} i have been using korres wild rose moisturizer for the last few months and really love it. however, i have never found a serum that i really love…so i may have to give the nude a try!
Cassandra LaValle Post author ohhhh… i LOVE korres. good call. will try and get some samples of that moisturizer!!
Drew @ Catfish & Caviar I love Kiehl’s for the winter time but I have dry skin! La Mer makes some amazing stuff too!
Kelly Premier by Dead Sea makes an amazing night cream. People tell me my skin is glowing since I started using it. You can find it online, and some malls have a special kiosk of Dead Sea products.
Cassandra LaValle Post author thanks kelly!
Nealey@dixiecaviar.com I am a total product junkie! I’ve been lucky enough to try tons of crazy products ranging from Babor’s Sea Creation cream (stupid amazing, stupid expensive) to La Mer to Olay, and everything in between, but no lie, when i started using Colonial Dames vitamin E cream per a Celeb dermatologist recommendation, my skin has NEVER looked better. It’s like $13 on Amazon, and it makes my skin as soft and smooth as a 12 year olds. I highly recommend it!!
Cassandra LaValle Post author well, with that price tag, it would be silly for me NOT to try it!! thanks so much for the recommendation! ordering away
Miranda {onestylishdayatatime} I totally know how you feel! I always feel so deprived while traveling, having to fit all my beauty products into one plastic bag. Plus, all that plane time can really take it out of your skin!
FripperyVintage Love Dermalogica I have been using many of their products for over 10 years.
Carolynn I love my Pumpkin Renew Cream that I slather on my face every morning when I get out of the shower. It doesn’t clog my pores and its from Whole Foods. I highly recommend this as a moisturerizer snob. http://www.mychelle.com/Pumpkin-Renew-Cream-1oz
Cassandra LaValle Post author ohhh – sounds yummy. will have to test it out! thanks carolynn!
Kay Smith Hi. What would be really awesome and helpful would be to know WHY you actually like those products. I find that I just don’t know what it does to your skin, what age group you’re in, and how maybe a different product might do differently. I’d love, especially, to know why you like the brightener. Does it really brighten or does it maybe just make your skin feel better. And was your skin dull? My skin is dull now and used to be beautiful! So when I was younger, it didn’t really matter what I used because my skin was nice. But now it’d be great to have something that actually did brighten it, not just take my money! Thank you SO MUCH!
Cassandra LaValle Post author Hi Kay! The reason I like ALL of these products is that they all do exactly what I’ve written below them. The brightener actually brightens (and gets rid of redness), the serum soaks in really nicely, but is light as well, so I can layer moisturizer over it without feeling like things are getting all clogged in there. I’m 33, and I’d say I have combination skin. It prefers the summer to winter for sure, so it feels much more dull this time of year, as well as dry!
Kay Smith Okay! Thank you!
Dianna I started using Kiehl’s Rosa Artica Lightweight Cream at night a few months ago and it has made a difference in my skin. Their Midnight Recovery products are great as well!
Rose I love Clarins Multi-Active Nuit for a night time moisturizer. It’s a little pricier ($50-$60 a jar, I think) but my skin always feels amazing when I use it, it smells wonderful and it lasts a while!
xx
Rose
Blonde in this City
Meghan I recently converted to the beauty of facial oils! I have combo skin and thought it would be terrible for me, but I’m now a really big fan of argan oil (Acure Organics makes a great one, and Josie Maran is well-known for hers) because it soaks in quickly (no actual ‘oily’ feel) and moisturizes really well. Lots of people like jojoba oil for the same reason. Acure Organics also makes a great night cream!
Monica@beautyparler Awesome picks, a few I haven’t heard of. As for moisturizers, I recommend La Roche Posay or Vichy.
Michelle Great pics. I haven’t used a manual scrub in ages but really like the sound of the Dr. Brandt one
Lilly Great products! Can you tell me the ingredients in the Harman London product? I can’t seem to find a list anywhere online.
Wandering through blogs the other day (something I miss having time for oh so much!), I discovered a beautiful editorial featuring this summer Christmas tabletop (sounds so funny as a northerner saying that, doesn’t it?) Since I’m obsessed with beachy themes like this one, I stopped to browse through all the images, and literally let out an [...]
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures OMG I love it! Modern day mermaid!!
Miss Betty Boop beautiful and inspiring…
Anngelik I love the pictures and the hair pieces are gorgeous!
-Vogue&Heels
vogueandheels.wordpress.com
jess The tablescape is GORGEOUS but so is her hair, not only the seashells (which appeal to my fantasy of being a mermaid and having mermaid hair), but also the color. Everything about every picture here is just beautiful.
Miro - Dose of Dash Very cool and mystical!
Athena Ben Amazing photos, and I love the color combinations in the table.
xx A.
glimpsesofa.blogspot.com
Maria @ Inspiration Affirmation How beautiful! She absolutely looks like a mermaid. These photos make me want to head to the beach, collect some shells, and sprinkle them with glitter (of course!). 
Franki Seashells tipped with sparkle perfect for tables and tresses!! franki
Diana I love everything about this look!! Especially the mermaid inspired hostess look, it reminds me of childhood days wishing I could be the little mermaid…Just stunning details!
Patti Borrelli @BeSoStyle Of course i love all things beachy. So i just had to click. Very fun + magical. Thanks for sharing the beautiful images. Definitely feeling a shell-project coming on…
Mona I really love this romantic hairstyle which matches the mermaid beach style gown. Especially in the beach, what a beautiful moment!
In the winter, my wardrobe tends to follow the weather patterns. Greys and blacks dominate the daily rotation, and color is hard to come by. Now, I know from experience what happens when you try and stray too far from what your natural instincts are for dressing - you buy these pieces that are supposed to push your limits, [...]
wmbg so fresh. love the neutrals with the little pops of color. the first image feels so cozy and sexy.
Lejla Love the color popping up on the whites.
Megan I never would have thought to wear these creamy colors in winter, to be honest. Great idea!
Jen Love the sequins with the chunky neutral sweater. Gorgeous!
I was born with straight hair. Actually, it was even a little blonde (I swear, I have proof), but by the time I hit junior high I started getting waves. By high school, they were full on curls, and I had no idea what to do with them. I also have proof of this somewhere, but [...]
Hannah McGowan I have crazy big curly hair, and when we have our rainy springs up here in Maine, I use Organix Awapuhi Ginger products! It helps my curls stay hydrated without being all heavy and greasy. My biggest prodcut that I cannot live without? Curls Up! gel … $5 and at almost every Wal Mart I’ve ever been to!
danica
i generally always wear my hair curly. i have no patience to straighten what isn’t really suppose to be straight in the first place. it took me quite awhile to find products that worked. my fave product since high school has been the frederic fekkai curl cream. it’s really helped my hair. i then use other styling products to keep the hold i want. i actually did two posts on my little ritual over at my blog.
Natasha Fatah
I love big curly hair! And all my girlfriends that have it, try their damndest to straighten it out.
xoxo
Elizabeth
I love curls! I was born with them. I have long hair to my waist, a lot of hair, its thick hair too and curly…. Everyone knows me by the hair. To be honest I don’t really try to tame it and find that if I take really good care of it (hair mask, deep conditioning and the like) My hair keeps itself with moisture. The problem comes when for some reason it becomes dry, then its a mess. Oh, I don’t use any products and don’t go to the hairdresser, I cut it myself… I learned a trick in my20′s o how to layer it… Works like a charm.
Kiss kiss, Elizabeth.
Becca - {extra}ordinary wonders I hear you! My hair was straight, and then started getting wavy and then turned into full on curls when I was thirteen. I had no idea though! It was pretty disastrous. A lot of frizz … since I was still brushing it. It wasn’t until my sister helped me that I realized my hair was curly. It’s also very thick, so I do like to use a tiny bit of hair oil. I also still love Finesse Curl Mousse…it’s something I’ve been using on and off since my sister helped me many years ago. I also have just gotten something from Birchbox that I like called Miss Jessie’s Original Quick Curls. I say embrace your curls!
CDS
I think the grass is always greener on the other side. My hair has a wave to it, but is afro frizz in the humidity and heat of Miami in the summer. When I was little, I use to see pictures of people with perfect ringlet cuurls and feel so jealous. If I had curly hair, I would try to control them so they had bounce, but definatly would keep ‘em BIG!
Tiskita
I´ve learned to embrace my curls! and frizziness that comes with it from living in the tropics…
I love Mixed chicks leave-in conditioner
GLAMd0lll
That’s beautiful! I LOVE curly hair. I’m waiting for my hair to get big
xoxo
jess
I LOVE big curly hair, I have long wavy hair and if I could change anything it would be to have more volume. Whenever I’m getting my hair done I always tell my stylist, bigger is better! I must be a southern girl at heart 
amy b.s. crazy. and fab. and i so miss a little humidity to lift my curls. definitely post pics of the new due so i can make sure i’m keeping up with my hair twin.
Inge
I’ve been reading along for a while now but never commented, don’t know why I didn’t do that sooner! But I totally hear you! I was blonde with straight hair when I was young. My hair got curly when I got older (and darker).
Love all products of Schwarzkopf Professional for taming my curls. Oh… and when I go to the hairdresser I always ask to straighten my hair.
Anna Louisa
I love it! post pics of the “after” please
Kjirsten Brynn I love Aussie, it’s my go-to when I do curly hair {which I don’t, very often anyway}. And when I DO do it curly, the bigger the better is my motto! Can’t wait for your before/after photos! ♥
Sabrina I have blonde loose waves and I’ve always wanted a big blonde curly fro. If I could make this happen with a perm I would. Unfortunately, I’ve never found a perm/hair cut that could make this happen. *sigh*
Cristina Cleveland I’m a curly gal too! My best tip is to take a curling iron and curl just the very top layer of hair, but leave the rest natural. That way it looks naturally curly but doesn’t feel totally of control. And it only takes 5 minutes!
house of earnest I definitely think it’s a ‘grass is greener’ situation. I have straight fine hair and wish I could go big!
Charmaine The same thing happened with me. Straigh hair when I was little
Kate
It took me years to figure out how to handle my curls! I love DevaCurl products, I always have it cut dry and I haven’t brushed it in years. Now that I have it down I love my hair and wouldn’t dream of wearing it any other way. Plus it takes way less time to wear it curly! Good luck!
Kate
Kacie Fab. Do it! I would if I could.
Kacie
Elo Que guapisima que es Natalie Portman!
Un beso, Maquillando sueños
Maegan Tintari
I was born with stick straight hair too and this is one of my favorites… but that’s no secret I’ve done a few hair tutorials on it! {it’s my husband’s favorite look too}
Lindsey Suggs
I have crazy curly, thick red hair. My absolute favorite product for calming it down is Minardi Subdue. Definitely give it a try. It smells delicious and it should as its fragrance was developed by Jo Malone. But, even better, it works like a freakin’ charm. Other than that, I’ve always been a fan or Terax Crema conditioner. It’s only taken me 29 years to figure it out…
Lygia I have fine and curly hair which can be a tricky combo. I usually use a sea salt spray mixed with a bit of curl defining cream-both from Bumble and Bumble. Usually tames the frizz and gives some body without weighing down. The key to curls is finding the right product cocktail for sure!
Kathy Hey welcome to my world, I live in Gig Harbor with curly hair and have gotten a little spray bottle to mist it with along with some good hairspray and it will stay curly and not go flat all day ….well somedays! Good luck
Miz.November If you do this, you HAVE to show us!!! I have hair that borders on wavy/curly. It has a total mind of its own and I always think it looks terrible unless it is tamed to a tee. However, lately I’ve been letting it air dry and do its own crazy thing and I have been getting compliments left and right! Who knew?
Dog Blogging With Luna Having curly hair in Seattle was never an issue for me. It’s when I moved to Virginia that I wore my hair curly all of the time due to the humidity. However when it ‘misted’ in Seattle, I did a combination of smooth and curly- so as to not look frizzy. I am a hair stylist, so I never really have an issue taming my curly hair anyways. Bumble
Helene It probably looks great! Try to comb your hair with conditioner in the shower (with a wide tooth comb or denman brush) before rinsing it out then use ouidad humidity gel
Helene
Bon Vivant a Budget
LeeLi I love this post!
I think volume is definitely fabulous!
I have thick, long, big curly hair, straightened it in high school, learned to love it in college, and recently decided I love it more the more there is of it! I always feel like my hair is my most chic accessory!
I started cutting it myself, I’m growing it longer with lots of layers that give it lots of fun volume!
I use Deva Curl products (no poo shampoo, their conditioner and styling product), follow the no sulfite rule, and use a serum to add shine, if its too frizzy I’ll use garnier fructis spray gel (works like a charm!)
I diffuse it a little to make sure the roots have a nice lift so there’s the right balance of volume, getting down a flattering shape was always the toughest part of having curls for me and I finally have it figured out now that I got up the nerve to take the scissors to it myself! I’ve gone through so many different regimens and preferences with my hair, it’s an ongoing experiment!
Its always great to hear how other people manage their curls, its a conversation we can never resist having when we meet other curly haired girls!
In conclusion, I am all for rocking big hair! (Another instance in which I finally accept that my mother was right all those years!)
Sarah My best friend has curly hair. She recently discovered that if she avoids towels and “plops” her hair in an old t-shirt overnight the frizz is limited and her curls are amazing. She found you tube videos about “plopping.” I had never heard of it before, but it makes a huge difference.
cassandra @ coco kelley um, have i mentioned you guys are the best girlfriends ever? look at all this amazing advice!!!
i certainly have my own hair routine (sarah- i just heard about the t-shirt trick myself!) and it includes a wide tooth comb in the shower, no brushing, no blow drying (unless it’s with a diffuser), and sulfite-free shamp/conditioner. i go back and forth with product – usually end up going back to bumble bumble curl creme but it doesn’t always define the curls.
my stylist and i decided we need to go on a product testing marathon and report back to you all. wooot! i think this just became a little bit of a beauty blog!
The Pretty Pinhead
I love big hair. My fave is Baby on Dirty Dancing Mine looks like that for about 10 mins out of the shower and then it falls flat and looks like poo. I wish my hair would hold curls better. It looks so pretty!
I’m a new follower and love our blog! Would love the follow back! Enter my giveaway for a Nordstrom and Starbucks gift card!
Stephania My hair did the exact same thing! I finally took a trip to Deva salon in NYC. They specialize in curly to wavy hair and made my hair look like I walked off a movie set.
Ferren I love big curly hair. I wish I could get my hair to look like this. Diana Ross all the way!
Emily @ NewlyWife Do it! Then tell us how! I had the same progression – straight, wavy and then wtf when did I get curls? To make matters worse, I got it from my dad and my mom had stick straight hair and didn’t know what to do either. So now I mostly straighten it every day…
Andrea
Oh I totally know what you mean!! I have lots of thick hair, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But I used to hate it, because it’s never quite straight or completely curly, it’s always such a weird inbetween, like you could call it messy waves (but not the super pretty ‘messy’ that you see in magazines. So I used used to work on my hair with a straightening iron every other day to get it somewhat straight, which resultet in my hair being so damaged that I decided to cut it off last June! Somewhere along the way of growing it back, I found a picture online which said ‘Embrace messy hair’ and I’m not kidding you, my hair is quite thankful for that little find. I haven’t used a straightening iron in almost a year, and my hair behaves quite nicely. So long story short, Embrace your messy hair.
xo Andrea
Wonderful and Marvelous
Niki I have wavy hair but I love love love big, messy curly hair. I actually style mine big and curly more than I do straight, or even wavy. I would die to have naturally curly hair!
null Be Curly by Aveda will save your life.
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures FAB, not crazy in the least bit, I looooove curly hair!
Karena Cassandra, I have wavy and frizzy hair. I either blow it out or add a moisture mousse to soften and tame the curls. It is also long enough that I sometimes pull it back in a ponytail!
Thought you would enjoy…Interview with Leslie of Segreto Finishes and her fabulous Book Giveaway!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Nikki Cassandra who is cutting your hair these days? I loved your layers in your Crate and Barrel post and I am starting to look like Captain Hook!
Our Youth
FAB. Curly and wavy hair is pretty
Laura I am totally with Kate. Once I found out about a Deva cut I headed on over and have been happy ever since. I do not ever dry my hair, with a hairdryer, but actually like my curly hair. I am from Seattle, will be back in 2013, but live in humid Boston now and still like my hair. I found my hair lady on the Deva cut web site. Check it out!
null Been in fashion for a long time and big hair is coming back in a big way. Throw away the straightening iron, forget the $300.00 straightening treatments, let the curls out!
Inner-Outer Beauty Great post! I have long and thick hair, but my problem is that it is so dry! So I am all into hydrating, like Marrocanoil, new shampoos, conditioner….what I love most (with three young kids) is dry shampoo! And my Maison Pearson brush, it actually works magic, recently invested in one. Love from Sweden
beth so fab. do it!
Merlin Listen…I remember “the day” ladies were “tied” to a hair look…there is So Much More Freedom now to look your own thing. franki
Monica of BeautyParler.ca Gorgeous pics, I especially love the 1st of Natalie Portman. I have wavy hair, so no complete curls
Denise Santiago I LOVe curly hair and yes my opinion might be a tab bit biased. I grew up hating my hair. I’ve grown to love it just how it is!! Go Big or go home!!!!
Bella Signature Design
Love it!! – remember those of us with super flat hair (which STILL manages to frizz in this wierd Seattle weather we are having) WANT your curls Let it shine!!
Life is always full of ups and downs, isn’t it? One minute I’m in Iceland, the next I’m spending days and days crazy prepping for photo shoots and the next issue of Rue and vacation feels like it was months instead of weeks ago. On Monday, I had my last shoot, and on Tuesday? I [...]
Ivy Lane ahhhh…tha spaaaa! I think I shall treat myself to a pedi tomorrow!
Enjoy your weekend!
Krissy
Always, treat yo self! (Parks and Rec high five!)
This sounds like just the sort of relaxing day I need to rest up
Natasha Fatah
I love how in just a few weeks, that Parks and Rec reference has become a mantra for all of us.
Beautiful picks guys!
Maggie Rose Ok, I might need to do this. For just $50 I can drag my butt over to the Eastside.
Merlin That’s some serious luxury! franki
Laura
Beautiful ideas and great work! Your blog is lovely! I do street style but an also passionate about interior design:)
Would you like to follow each other?
life is in the details. style accordingly.
I’m loving all of this! I’m thinking I’ll rock tan skin and some blue subtle eyes for an event this weekend!
Also, love how you edited the look above!
glitterandgapske.blogspot.com
Gorgeous makeup! Love it all put together on the last model!
Love the bright pink lip and the all natural look. So perfect for summer!
Love the way you break it down and then put it all together. Makes it super easy.
I love the bold brow look! I wish I could rock it—but with blonde hair and really light brows, it just looks too intense on me. I’ve been using Pixi’s natural brow duo from Target to make them stand out a bit but look natural, and I really like it.
I like the nude a lot! The blue eyes I don’t think I could handle.
I wear bronze polish..on my toes…all the time. Absolutely adore that blue around the eye…makes the white (minus a nite drinking) really stand out!! franki
WOW I LOVE this post:) so much make up inspiration fo the summertime. Your blog Is on my fav. list now.
If you want to see a lovely Swedish home..check out my blog:)
Have a wonderful week dear
LOVE Maria from inredningsvis.se
(sweden)