Hair Masks to Use this Summer

I was sent 4 conditioning hair products to try, which is incredibly helpful since my hair started to dry out and become course from the bleaching/dying and the craziest heat exposure here in So Cal. I tried the following masks and gel and found that the easiest to use was the RUSK Deepshine Color Repair Restorative Masque because of the squeeze bottle packaging. The best results in shine, moisture and smoothness was from using the Cantu Argan Oil Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream, although the RUSK and Macadamia product did create shines and add moisture, I liked the results from Cantu the most. I've used a Macadamia Deep Hair Mask before, but unfortunately was not as impressed with the results of this Macadamia Professional Ultra Rich Moisture Masque

When using the Smooth 'N Shine Olive & Tea Tree Extra Hold Conditioning Gel, I applied it onto my hair as I would gel or mousse. I liked that it dried fairly quickly in my hands (so I wouldn't have to wipe off excess gel from my hands), and the product didn't harden my hair. It has a pleasant tea tree fragrance, and it really smoothed down any hairs without looking like I applied a ton of product into my hair.

Read more about and shop these products below:

Smooth �N Shine Olive & Tea Tree Extra Hold Conditioning Gel 
At last, a conditioning gel that holds up to its name! Smooth 'n Shine Polishing Extra Hold Conditioning Gel is an non-hardening styling gel that revives dry hair with the holding benefits of a gel and the conditioning it needs for superb softness and shine. It's formulated with a perfectly balanced blend of olive and tea tree oils that nourish and transform hair on a microscopic level so hair doesn't feel weighed down!

Cantu Argan Oil Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream
This miracle mask is formulated for dry or coarse hair and is infused with 100% pure Argan Oil. Cantu Argan Oil Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream stops and mends hair breakage while leaving hair soft, shiny, and manageable.

RUSK Deepshine Color Repair Restorative Masque
This masque deeply penetrates the cuticle to help strengthen and repair damaged, stressed hair. Contains bio-marine ingredients and a patented UV-absorbing technology with antioxidant-rich vitamin E acetate to help shield hair color against damaging sun-generated free radicals, a leading cause of accelerated hair color fading.

Macadamia Professional Ultra Rich Moisture Masque
Macadamia Professional Ultra Rich Moisture masque provides nourishment to dry, damaged hair and strengthens the individual hair strands to help repair and defend against future damage. Hydration is locked in and hair is left healthy, shiny and restored. With Macadamia Oil, Argan Oil and Shea Butter this masque is great for coarse to coiled hair!

Whish Soda Foundation Collection at Nordstrom

Whish released their exclusive Soda Fountain Collection at Nordstrom to celebrate the 2015 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Flavors include Black Cherry, Ginger Melon, Key Lime, and Orange Cream in 16-oz pump bottles of a bubbly Bath & Body Gel or hydrating Body Butter which will leave your skin feeling silky smooth, and smelling yummy like vintage soda fountain flavors.
The Whish Soda Fountain Collection is currently available through regular sale now until August 2nd exclusively at Nordstrom stores nationwide and Nordstrom.com.

What makes Whish different aside from the delicious soda fountain scents?

The beauty products are Paraben Free, Sulfate Free, TEA & DEA Free, and Petrochemical Free, as well as made up of all-natural ingredients. Whish strives to incorporate organic ingredients when possible to create an indulgent and soothing experience. Read more about the Whish story here.

What did I think of it?

I received sample sizes of the Black Cherry and Ginger Melon Body Butters and absolutely loved both and can't stop using them. The scents are addicting and not overwhelming, almost too good not to eat. Upon applying the body butter, I immediately noticed how velvety-soft it felt on my skin, and kept me moisturized throughout the day. Usually when I think of body butter, I'm expecting a thicker consistency, but Whish's body butter have an appealing light, lotion consistency which makes it effortless to apply. It's also a huge upside and relief to know that what I'm putting on my skin is not made up of harsh chemicals and ingredients.

NYX Butter Lipstick Haul from ULTA

Other than NYX Cosmetics' Matte Lipsticks which I tried last summer, I haven't tried any other NYX lip products. I was excited to pick up these NYX butter lipsticks from ULTA because they were buy one get one 50% off, I wanted to stock up on some new colors, and see if the lipsticks were moisturizing. The lipsticks did apply with lightweight coverage and my lips felt moisturized while wearing the lipstick and after removing the lipstick. It's a great way to wear color without feeling like you're wearing a heavy lipstick; it glides on easily and has a nice satin finish. If you want to enhance the color and the longevity of the lipstick, apply a lip liner before the lipstick. See the colors I purchased with the lipstick swatches and lip application below.


NYX Butter Lipstick in FIZZIES
NYX Butter Lipstick in BIG CHERRY
NYX Butter Lipstick in MARY JANES
NYX Butter Lipstick in LICORICE

How to Wear a Summer White Dress at Night

Andrew and I were invited to lifestyle blogger Rachel Mccord's event at the Skybar, Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood last week. Seeing that it was a summer night at a rooftop bar, I wanted to wear an all-white look. I had just brought home this Line + Dot Spring Life Apron dress from their Summer 2015 preview and kept the look fresh and simple with a pair of nude pointed pumps from Charles David, and amped up the look for the evening with a red lip. Wear a slim to semi-fitted white dress with nude heels for an instant summer hot look. Keep your lips nude or add a pop up color with a vibrant red, pink, or coral lip color. Here are the details on the look:

Butter Lipstick in Big Cherry (BLS19), NYX Cosmetics
Spring Life Apron Dress, Line + Dot
Pact Pumps in Nude, Charles David 
Clutch, Marshalls
Photos taken by Andrew Nguyen.

The House Salon, Mission Viejo

I was thrilled when Morgan from The House Salon in Mission Viejo contacted me for a blowout. I had an upcoming wedding, and her timing couldn't be more perfect. I came in on a Saturday morning and was absolutely enraptured by the space. I love the openness and the industrial meets uber chic salon space. There's a ton of room and all the furniture and product looks in it's rightful place. Morgan was very sweet from beginning to end; starting me off with a mimosa, then onto a shampoo and blowdry, and lastly curling my hair with an iron. Before we had gotten started I showed her the look I wanted and she delivered. She even took pictures for me by the salon's seating area, which may I add had runway shows up on the tv (above the fireplace) the entire time (my kind of shows). I would most definitely come back to Morgan for another blowout, she also specializes in color and cuts. See her work here, and book her here.

The House Salon
23981 Alicia Parkway,
#170 Mission Viejo, Ca 92691 
949-380-2677

Trying London Soho New York's Disney Collection

Image via London Soho New York

Blue Ombre in Motion

My blue ombre has been such a hit that I wanted to capture images of it in motion. Photographer Shawna of Bleudog Fotography and I got together and had some fun shaking out my hair and snapping photos! Want to see how I had my hair dyed blue? Click here to see hairstylist Casie work her magic.

Pretty Threading Blowdry, Rancho Santa Margarita

Pretty Threading Blowdry opened it's second location in Rancho Santa Margarita and offers blowouts, make up application, henna tattoos, and threading. I got to experience a VIP media day in which I came into the beauty salon and experienced all the services available. I started with  a blowout and half up-do, eye brow threading, then make up application and a henna tattoo.

My hair wash was relaxing which included a nice head massage; I asked for natural waves which my stylist tried to achieve with a brush and blow dryer but my curls didn't hold so he went back and used a curling iron. I ended up with curled hair and a braid and bun half up-do. I looked like a princess with a rad braid which was a very pretty look but I would have preferred just loose waves.

I moved onto eye brow threading, which I had never had done before and didn't know what to expect. It was a fairly easy process and the stylist doing the threading was really great at walking me through the entire process. It was a weird sensation and stung a little bit but the slight pain got easier from one eye to the next. At least she cleaned up my brows nicely.

I had natural eye make up applied by one stylist before having the rest of my face completed by another stylist. The salon uses cosmetics brand, Mirabella Beauty, which has all Paraben-Free and Gluten-Free products without sacrificing pigmented color. I ended up with a more natural look even though I had my eyes darkened up a bit because I usually like a darker brow and heavy, winged eye-liner; but it's fun to try different make up looks. My fave was the bright, cherry red lipstick that was applied and matched my sweater.

I finished my beauty services with a henna tattoo; I wanted to try something different and had a beautiful anklet drawn on. The stylist that threaded my eyebrows also drew my henna.

Want to visit Pretty Threading Blowdry? Until May 15th, enjoy daily promotions and 20% of sales will be donated to A.W.O.L., A Way of Life (after cancer). Contact the salon below for the daily promotions!

Pretty Threading Blowdry
22312 El Paseo,
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
(949) 229-5408

Store Hours for Grand Opening Week:
Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT
Thursday-Saturday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT