How To Balayage Your Hair At Home

I often times go to the salon and spend a fortune and wind up feeling as though I never get exactly what I want - even if I bring pictures! So, I have taken to doing my hair at home. I am not a professional, but I do get tips from my mom who use to be a hair dresser. I wanted to do a balayage technique since I think the final result looks natural and would be great for summer!

This is the before and after from my at-home balayage experiment (apologies for the terrible quality of the "before" - I didn't plan on doing a post about this):

A little bit of info about my "before" hair: It was a dark brown before. It had been previously dyed dark brown, but had faded to a color very close to my natural color (which is still a medium to dark brown)

In order to do this at home, I looked through a lot of blogs and youtube videos. I ultimately followed this tutorial:

Click here to check out the tutorial I followed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7HUHBHZRWU

Note about the video: This girl is great! She makes it easy to understand the process and walks you through it. Just follow this along with the product suggestions below.



What you will need: 

1. Boxed color/frosting kit. Typically, if you are lightening your hair, you'll want to go with a highlighting kit since it involves some bleaching. I chose Revlon Frost and Glow in Honey:

I did A LOT of research on what kit to use prior to buying. Check out all the great reviews of this product on Amazon. Note that you will not need the cap that comes with it but will use everything else included in the kit. 

2. Tint brush: You can pick one up for cheap at a hair supply store like Sally's for about $.79

Tips: 

• It is always best to wait a couple days after washing your hair to do color. The natural oils help the process and can protect your hair as well. 
• Put on an old t-shirt before you begin the hair color.
• The video suggests using saran wrap, but I found it unnecessary 
• Check the frosting color every 5-10 minutes until you see your desired color. I only left it on for 10 minutes after completing all the highlights.

Good luck!

April 2015 Stitch Fix Review

So I haven't ordered a Stitch Fix in a while and figured it was time! Here is how the service works (link at the bottom of the page to sign up!):

The style profile is pretty detailed and includes questions on everything from your sizes, what colors to avoid, price range, print preferences, etc. Now for the pricing details: 

Here is what I found when I opened my box:

You also get this great styling sheet to help with styling your new pieces:

Here is a review of each piece that was hand selected for me:



Item #1: Elsa Chevron Arrow Bib Necklace by Romolo (Price: $32)

I thought this was cute, but it felt cheap for the higher price tag of $32. Back it goes!

Item #2: Colibri Paisley Print Sleeveless Top by Market & Spruce (Price $44)

I wanted to love this. The print is gorgeous and perfect for spring! But...I just felt like it didn't do much for my shape - it was too boxy for me.. It was a decent price as well at $44.


Item #3: Brittany Bermuda Short by Liverpool (Price: $48)

When I saw on my invoice that I was getting bermuda shorts, I thought to myself "absolutely not - I already know these are going back, even sight unseen" but I actually thought they weren't as bad as I thought they'd be. They were super comfortable, but didn't do anything to compliment me. Back they go!


Item #4: Elise Crochet Detail Swing Skirt by Loveappella (Price: $58)

This skirt was my favorite! I loved everything about it - the print, the crochet detail, the length, the fabric (it is so soft!). This is definitely a keeper!


Item #5: Troy Drape Vest by Kut From The Kloth (Price: $88)

When I saw this on the invoice, I was intrigued. I don't really but vests, but it seemed cute enough from other pictures online. But when it arrived - well, that was a totally different story. It was a cute color (dark olive/almost brown), but the fabric is like canvas, very still. Also, it looked so bad on I almost didn't want to post the picture. Pass!


Overall, I thought the stylist did a good job of capturing my unique style. Even if they didn't all fit as planned, they were still interesting pieces that jived well with my current wardrobe. As always, the process was a lot of fun and exciting. I will definitely be ordering another Stitch Fix soon

Want to try it for yourself? Here is the link to the site (this is my personal referral link, so if you use it, I get a credit, which is fabulous!): http://stitchfix.com/sign_up?referrer_id=3110660

Work Look: Florals With A Hint Of Nerdy!

Just a quick post to show my work look that combined one of my new favorite prints (florals) with a hint of nerd:

Top: Paper moon

Black Jeans: Forever 21

Flats: Steve Madden

Here are close ups of my nerdy accessories:

             

Nerdy glasses ring: Kate Spade

Harry Potter Ring: Purchased at a geek craft show (can be found on Etsy as well)

Watch: Fossil 

Aries constellation necklace: Nordstrom

P.S. I am in love with my constellation necklace because it has my astrological sign on one side, and the actual constellation on the other. It's a perfect need accessory!!

Feminine floral look

Feminine floral look by the-stylish-nerd featuring a chain necklace

Flowing floral top with delicate straps paired with cuffed jeans. A soft mint colored cross body and delicate accessories complete this fun spring/summer look. 

Crop top
choies.com

Zara skinny jeans
zara.com

Kate Spade mint green purse
katespade.com

Kate spade jewelry
$290 - johnlewis.com

Gorjana chain necklace
zappos.com

Gradient aviator
ray-ban.com

Spring looks

Spring looks by the-stylish-nerd featuring white flat shoes

Uniqlo sleeveless blouse
uniqlo.com

7 For All Mankind zipper skinny jeans
$275 - zalando.co.uk

Best Society white flat shoes
gilt.com

Fendi blue leather tote bag
nordstrom.com

With Love From CA crystal pendant
pacsun.com

Kate Spade crown jewelry
amazon.com

Express straw fedora
express.com

Sweet Harry Potter Ring

I wanted to share my score from a nerdy craft show today - a Harry Potter ring! It was so unique, that I just had to have it (my friend picked one up too). It features Harry's glasses (complete with lightening bolt) and the Deathly Hallows. Want one of these yourself? I was able to find a very similar on on Etsy.

Why yes, we are holding wands!

I gave into the dark side...I mean, my nerdy side, today!

I made the best, most awesome purchase today and just had to share! I was looking for a simple pair of sneakers, maybe a pair of Toms or Converse, but I came across these bad boys and had to have them:

Star Wars Sneakers by Vans

I may be almost 30, but I couldn't help but get these. And they were on sale for $24.99 to top it off! I got them at Nordstrom Rack, but these Star Wars Vans can also be purchased (along with a few other Star Wars styles) at vans.com

Current Obsession: Colored Jeans

I am lucky enough to wear jeans at work, so I have an extensive collection. I have lately become obsessed with adding colored or patterned denim to my collection (my current collection is pictured to the below):

A few great colors for spring 2015 are:


Pale Pink

From left to right:
Target - $27.99
Rag & Bone - $190
Gap - $69.95

I am in love with the feminine blush pink color seen in stores right now! Pair with a pair of sandals and a chambray shirt and you have a casual yet chic spring look. They also look great paired with patterned tops or neutrals.

Mint

From left to right:
Mod Cloth - $52.99
7 For All Mankind - $178
Tinsel -$49

I have actually wanted a pair of mint green jeans for years! It is such a beautiful color and absolutely perfect for this time of year. Textured or printed tops look fab with this color. Peasant tops in lace or eyelet are my go to choice for these jeans.

Floral prints

From left to right:
7 For All Mankind - $198
Ann Taylor - $98
Express - $128

Florals seems to be everywhere this year – even on denim! Since this is a busy print, you’ll want to keep it simple with a solid colored top.