DIY: An amazing blow out at home! Round brush tutorial

picture from here

Hey everyone! Today's post  is about something a lot of my clients struggle with; blow-drying their own hair.  You know the feeling, you come home from the salon with bouncy, shiny smooth locks in half the time it usually takes.. how does she DO THAT?? The secret is the blow out.  If you blow out your hair properly it kills two birds with one stone.  You have to dry your hair anyway, so why not make it look awesome?  It will take you longer in the beginning to blow out your hair with a round brush, but with time you will be able to do it quicker than you think.  And if you have curly hair, it reduces the amount of "lions mane" effect you get after trying to blow dry you hair.  Its so much easier to finish flat ironing it to perfection and you cut down on the amount of time you are going over and over and over that strand with the flat iron.  I know if you have super thick or long hair you feel like this is never going to work, my arm wont reach that far! That may be true, but after you dry what you can reach just pull the hair over one shoulder to dry ends then the other side to create balance.

If you have curly/thick hair I would suggest using a straightening balm.  I really like the straight sexy hair line it makes the hair soft and not too heavy.  Also make sure you some sort of moroccan oil because as well as adding shine and softness, it also helps seal the cuticle and cut down on drying time.

If you have fine/thin hair I definitely would be careful on what you use to blow it out.  Some products dry way too fast and you will have a hard time getting the brush through. (like all over mousses)  If the product you like to use does dry too fast; try adding it layer by layer so the brush will slide through nicely.  Don't forget a root lifter, this makes all the difference.  When I blow out my hair it gets less oily, and typically it looks great the 2nd day too!  This is a big plus for me vs. letting my hair air dry. I may take more time one day, but it lasts longer so its pretty much a win, all around.

Also as I said in the video, don't give up! The first time you might feel like its a complete FAIL, the brush is getting stuck, your hair might seem frizzy but it will get better!

Check out my tips to get an AMAZING blow out below!

are you following me on instagram? face of the day/outfit of the day posts,

 and lots of fun beauty related things! username:Girlbehindthechair09

xoxo Amber

Healthier Lasagna: Olive Garden Lasagna Primavera Copy Cat Recipe "clean"

So if this is your first time here you may be wondering..wait..this is NOT a food blog.  You're Right!  This is a more or less "beauty blog" but I feel like eating healthy is one of the many components that make up our beauty.  If you would like to read more about the different directions I am taking with my blog and why, you can click here.

So last month to celebrate my husbands new job we went to Olive Garden.  Since I have been trying really hard to eat healthier I wanted to order something other than the fully loaded Alfredo. (Yum!)  I looked at their new lower calorie menu which was under 600 calories or something of the like.  I was like YES! Then I can still have some bread sticks and not break and eat like 2000 calories in one sitting (Yikes!)

Anyway I ordered the Lasagna Primavera with grilled chicken, and I LOVED it.  It totally was not something I think I would usually like, but it was soo good!  So I tried to find a copy cat recipe on line and nothing really was what I was looking for, so...challenge accepted! 

So here Is the recipe.  Now this is my first time ever posting a recipe so I don't have step by step pictures but I think you can still get a good idea. :)

The Ten Things I learned To Become a Happier and More Beautiful Feeling Person

Hey guys!  If you are familiar with my blog you probably know a lot about me, if not let me introduce myself!  My name is Amber I have been a hairstylist for almost 10 years! I love beauty, fashion, and makeup.  Some people may think being obsessed with the latest trend or color of makeup may make you vain, self centered and worldly.  I have been accused of the very thing myself many times.  How could a girl like me who is so into makeup possibly have more to offer the world than her latest lipstick color? Is that possible? I would like the think I am the opposite of that stereotype.  I consider myself to be a very religious, giving person, a wife and mother of the two sweetest boys you ever saw.

So why is beauty important to me?  Isn't the beauty on the INSIDE that counts? This is true.  But today I am going to share how my beauty on the OUTSIDE helps me be a more beautiful person and happier on the INSIDE.

Being in the beauty industry I have encountered so many types of people.  I have gained some sorts of weird experiences of being a friend, a counselor a confidant.  I have also been a source of inspiration for hundreds of women on the topics of beauty.  So as this blog is titled "Confessions of a Hairstylist"  Today is the day for some REAL confessions from a hairstylist. On not only feeling beautiful but being happy.

Products I used up! Also my acne / rosacea update!

So everyone has experienced that anticipation of something new and you are so excited to try it out!  Some of those products you cherish every drop!  But do you ever find yourself using a product for the sake of not wasting it?! How many times do I hear "I'd really like to try something new..but I want to use up what I have first.."  ALL. THE. TIME.

Well here are a few of the products I used up recently and I will let you know what I thought about them!  Also I go over what I am currently using on my skin to keep my acne and rosacea behaving!!

xoxo -Amber

IPSY MYGLAM BAG

Hey guys today I wanted to talk about a really fun service from

 www.IPSY.com called the "GLAM BAG"

The glam bag is a makeup bag filled with 4-5 beauty samples (sometimes full sized) beauty products for $10 a month.  Its a great way to try out new high end products without committing to a full size bottle with a full sized price.  Then they always give you discount coupons so if you do like the product you can purchase it at  discount! Awesome huh?!

I have received, skincare, eyeliners, lipsticks, lip glosses  blushes, mascara,eye shadows, false lashes, nail polishes, nail decals, hair product, makeup brushes etc..and tons of cute make up bags.  Although every single product in the bag may not work for me (wrong color, or just didn't like the product) I find there is always something in the bag to make it worth the $10 a month!  Also its great for moms like me who dread taking your children to ANY kind of makeup or department store.  You can try all kind of fun things without even leaving the house! Also you can do month to month and cancel anytime or pay for a 1 year subscription. It also makes a great gift! 

I have received product from Urban Decay, Be a Bombshell, Big Sexy Hair, Josie Maran, Mica Beauty, The Balm, NYX and many more! 

Each glam bag has a theme, last months was called "Pretty in Pink" It was by far for me one of my favorite bags, cause hello PINK!   To Sign up for the Glam bag click Here!

Still not convinced?

Check out my latest review for what I received this year so far! (including swatches)

 

Have a wonderful spring day everyone!

xoxo- Amber

ELF makeup review: Blushes, Bronzers and Highlighters

Hey guys,

SO if you've been around my blog awhile, or have peeked at past posts you may of noticed a few ELF Hauls.  So today I am going to go over my Blushes, Bronzers and Highlighters...Tell you what I like and what I didn't like.  Elf is an abbreviation for Eyes lips face.  It is considered more of a "drugstore" Brand because the prices are all super affordable!

Sedona Lace Vortex Brush Set Review

Hey guys!  So for Christmas I received an awesome brush set from Sedona Lace.  It is called the Vortex collection.  I suggested this to my husband because...well picked it out really... because I felt like the brushes were very unique and not your standard make up brush set.

OPI Liquid Sand Nail Polish Review

Hey guys! Its been a while since I have done just a blog post without a video so I thought I would talk about a new polish just released from OPI.  It is part of the "Mariah Carey" Collection.  This collection released in December of last year.  I thought a lot of the colors were super gorgeous.  Of course my favorite color "the impossible" the shimmering pink coral was sold out.  But luckily my next favorite "Can't let go" was still available.  

Mostly Matte Smokey Eye

Hey guys here is my latest eye look using mostly products I received in my 2012 IPSY subscription. Whether you subscribe to IPSY/Myglam or not this is an easy dark smokey look that can work for everyone! If you enjoy this video be sure to subscribe to my You Tube channel and "Like" this video!

Taylor Swift "RED" album make up tutorial!

Hey guys I did this make up for Halloween, and even though it is over I thought it would be perfect for a holiday party! (which we know there are tons right around the corner!)  I hope you guys enjoy! Make sure you are subscribed to my you tube channel for all the latest updates on my videos!