Brooke's Looks

I'm here to make you look (and feel) good.
Upon my lip balm crusades I’ve recently discovered a delicious product that is ALSO: all natural, organic, vegan, and raw.  I love finding products that vegan and naturalists can enjoy and this is definitely one of them that everyone will love.  This chapstick, or lip balm is called Hurraw! (exclamation mark included) and it’s simply amazing. It has sheer texture and a slight sheen. It’s also available in over 10 flavors including chai spice, root beer, and black cherry. I purchased chai spice and I’m addicted. I purchased mine in an American Apparel store but they also have a flagship website, www.hurrawbalm.com, where it can purchased directly. The website also has a wider variety of their products. They cost $3.79 (except moon balm which is $4.29), worth every penny.

Upon my lip balm crusades I’ve recently discovered a delicious product that is ALSO: all natural, organic, vegan, and raw.  I love finding products that vegan and naturalists can enjoy and this is definitely one of them that everyone will love. 

This chapstick, or lip balm is called Hurraw! (exclamation mark included) and it’s simply amazing. It has sheer texture and a slight sheen. It’s also available in over 10 flavors including chai spice, root beer, and black cherry. I purchased chai spice and I’m addicted.

I purchased mine in an American Apparel store but they also have a flagship website, www.hurrawbalm.com, where it can purchased directly. The website also has a wider variety of their products. They cost $3.79 (except moon balm which is $4.29), worth every penny.

Recently I colored my hair (just a light ombre) which is not something I do very often, but I immediately noticed split ends! I know that between dying, straightening, and blow-drying my hair, I am inevitably doing damage to my hair.. and I’m sure many of you are too. So, off to CVS I went to find a color treated shampoo that smelled delicious and a conditioner to help preserve my color and keep my hair lively. I sniffed a bunch and decided on Herbal Essence’s Color Me Happy shampoo & conditioner. Lucky first choice! I love it, it smells fruity and lush. The shampoo formula lathers much better than most color treated shampoos. I find that I can also go longer in between hair washes, which is a plus. The conditioner really detangles my hair and has made it noticeably softer. The formula is very creamy and rich. After using both products my shower smells like a spa, it’s wonderful. Overall, this product works just as well.. if not better than salon products such as Paul Mitchell which can cost around $19 a bottle. Not to ‘bash’ other brands, I just like to save money where I can and still look dashing! Both the shampoo and conditioner can be purchased at drug stores for around $6 per bottle. I purchased my bottle(s) at CVS but I’ve seen them at Target and Walmart as well. 

Recently I colored my hair (just a light ombre) which is not something I do very often, but I immediately noticed split ends! I know that between dying, straightening, and blow-drying my hair, I am inevitably doing damage to my hair.. and I’m sure many of you are too.

So, off to CVS I went to find a color treated shampoo that smelled delicious and a conditioner to help preserve my color and keep my hair lively. I sniffed a bunch and decided on Herbal Essence’s Color Me Happy shampoo & conditioner. Lucky first choice! I love it, it smells fruity and lush.

The shampoo formula lathers much better than most color treated shampoos. I find that I can also go longer in between hair washes, which is a plus. The conditioner really detangles my hair and has made it noticeably softer. The formula is very creamy and rich. After using both products my shower smells like a spa, it’s wonderful.

Overall, this product works just as well.. if not better than salon products such as Paul Mitchell which can cost around $19 a bottle. Not to ‘bash’ other brands, I just like to save money where I can and still look dashing!

Both the shampoo and conditioner can be purchased at drug stores for around $6 per bottle. I purchased my bottle(s) at CVS but I’ve seen them at Target and Walmart as well. 

I love having straight hair but it can get boring. To spice things up I like to go for the wavy deconstructed look. It can be hard to find a product that doesn’t clump but actually creates texture  and volume with the “messy” but sexy hair style. Redkin’s rough paste 12 is a godsend. It’s a light weight formula that can give volume and texture to even the straightest and most difficult hair. It’s best used when your hair is slightly damp but not by any means soaked. Blow dry your hair until it’s mostly dry and start with a pea sized amount of the paste. A good way of creating the deconstructed waves is by flipping your hair over and “scrunching” or grabbing your hair from the very ends and hold it to your head while messing it around. Use as much as desired, but I find that less is more. Redkin’s rough paste 12 is sold at hair salons, beauty supply stores (such as harmond, ulta), and can be purchased online www.drugstore.com. It costs around $20 ($17.63 at drugstore.com!) and lasts for at least a few months.

I love having straight hair but it can get boring. To spice things up I like to go for the wavy deconstructed look. It can be hard to find a product that doesn’t clump but actually creates texture  and volume with the “messy” but sexy hair style.

Redkin’s rough paste 12 is a godsend. It’s a light weight formula that can give volume and texture to even the straightest and most difficult hair. It’s best used when your hair is slightly damp but not by any means soaked. Blow dry your hair until it’s mostly dry and start with a pea sized amount of the paste. A good way of creating the deconstructed waves is by flipping your hair over and “scrunching” or grabbing your hair from the very ends and hold it to your head while messing it around. Use as much as desired, but I find that less is more.

Redkin’s rough paste 12 is sold at hair salons, beauty supply stores (such as harmond, ulta), and can be purchased online www.drugstore.com. It costs around $20 ($17.63 at drugstore.com!) and lasts for at least a few months.

Eyebrows make our face. They may not be glamorous, like the color of your eye, but they help frame their beauty. It can be hard to keep the perfect shape to your eyebrow or to make sure they stay perfectly in place all day and THAT is what I love eyebrow gel. Yes, I know it sounds silly. Eyebrow gel. Get your laughs out now but soon enough you’ll be buying some for yourself. Essentially it’s a clear mascara formula, a bit thinner though, that holds your brows in place. Brilliant idea. A lot of companies make expensive gels but they’re really all the same. I use Maybelline’s Great Lash clear mascara for my eye brows (which are wonderful by the way). It only costs around $6, last a long time, and does the job right.  This product, along with other eyebrow gels, can be found at local drug stores (CVS, Walgreens, ect). Also, Sephora, Ulta, and other beauty supply stores carry “higher quality” eyebrow gels.

Eyebrows make our face. They may not be glamorous, like the color of your eye, but they help frame their beauty. It can be hard to keep the perfect shape to your eyebrow or to make sure they stay perfectly in place all day and THAT is what I love eyebrow gel.

Yes, I know it sounds silly. Eyebrow gel. Get your laughs out now but soon enough you’ll be buying some for yourself. Essentially it’s a clear mascara formula, a bit thinner though, that holds your brows in place. Brilliant idea.

A lot of companies make expensive gels but they’re really all the same. I use Maybelline’s Great Lash clear mascara for my eye brows (which are wonderful by the way). It only costs around $6, last a long time, and does the job right. 

This product, along with other eyebrow gels, can be found at local drug stores (CVS, Walgreens, ect). Also, Sephora, Ulta, and other beauty supply stores carry “higher quality” eyebrow gels.

BB creams are the new thing.. and they should be. Five important things in one flawless cream. Smashbox’s Camera Ready BB cream is the best. It has SPF 35, moisturizes, primes, controls oils, and protects skin. Could you ask for more? Because I feel like that would be asking too much. When using the cream you have to pat it on slightly, rather than rub it in like with other facial creams. Patting it allows for proper absorption of the product on your skin. Other than that, it’s pretty simple. It protects your skin and gives it an amazing glow. This can be purchased for $39 at Sephora and www.sephora.com, as well as www.smashbox.com.

BB creams are the new thing.. and they should be. Five important things in one flawless cream. Smashbox’s Camera Ready BB cream is the best. It has SPF 35, moisturizes, primes, controls oils, and protects skin. Could you ask for more? Because I feel like that would be asking too much.

When using the cream you have to pat it on slightly, rather than rub it in like with other facial creams. Patting it allows for proper absorption of the product on your skin. Other than that, it’s pretty simple. It protects your skin and gives it an amazing glow.

This can be purchased for $39 at Sephora and www.sephora.com, as well as www.smashbox.com.

Maybe I’m extremely vain but I hate being sweaty but I do believe every women (and man) out there knows what I mean. Especially with the summer coming up and excursions to the beach and other warm places, the feeling of being sticky and sweaty is just no fun. Thats why I always carry a bottle of Evian spary with me. It’s great for when after tanning (yes I know thats bad for you but as I said, I am vain) when you feel pretty but drenched in sweat. Also, like I said at the beach, it helps remove sand. And in everyday life it helps maintain a healthy dewy look to your skin and body. Evian Spray mist can be purchased in a large bottle  (10.1 oz) or a small bottle (5 oz), which is ‘travel sized’. They’re a little costly for what people think it “just water” but really, they last a LONG time and are worth it ladies! The large bottle is $16.50, small is $11 and a duo of the travel sized is $14, I recommend the latter. They can be purchased at Sephora and www.sephora.com, as well as www.drugstore.com and other wesbites.

Maybe I’m extremely vain but I hate being sweaty but I do believe every women (and man) out there knows what I mean. Especially with the summer coming up and excursions to the beach and other warm places, the feeling of being sticky and sweaty is just no fun. Thats why I always carry a bottle of Evian spary with me.

It’s great for when after tanning (yes I know thats bad for you but as I said, I am vain) when you feel pretty but drenched in sweat. Also, like I said at the beach, it helps remove sand. And in everyday life it helps maintain a healthy dewy look to your skin and body.

Evian Spray mist can be purchased in a large bottle  (10.1 oz) or a small bottle (5 oz), which is ‘travel sized’. They’re a little costly for what people think it “just water” but really, they last a LONG time and are worth it ladies! The large bottle is $16.50, small is $11 and a duo of the travel sized is $14, I recommend the latter. They can be purchased at Sephora and www.sephora.com, as well as www.drugstore.com and other wesbites.

I love giving myself home manicures. My only issue is I can never fix my peeling cuticles the way the people can at the salon. I’ve tried trimmers, lotions, you name it. Then I decided to try a cuticle cream. Loving Burt’s Bees products so much, I gave their a try (among others) and was extremely happy with the results. This cuticle cream is soft and nourishing to the skin. It contains lemon oil that helps heal and moisturize, while making your fingers smell delicious. It’s best when used overnight. Push your cuticles back, trim them lightly (if you’d like to) to get rid of all the scraggly ends. Apply a thick layer of the cream around your nail bed and keep it on over night. Try doing this 3-4 times a week and those suffering from hang nails and dry cuticles will be very happy with the results. Burt’s Bees Cuticle Cream costs $6 - definitely worth it if you have yucky fingers. You can purchase it at your local drugstore or beauty supply store. And of course at www.burtsbees.com, along with all their other wondrful products.

I love giving myself home manicures. My only issue is I can never fix my peeling cuticles the way the people can at the salon. I’ve tried trimmers, lotions, you name it. Then I decided to try a cuticle cream. Loving Burt’s Bees products so much, I gave their a try (among others) and was extremely happy with the results.

This cuticle cream is soft and nourishing to the skin. It contains lemon oil that helps heal and moisturize, while making your fingers smell delicious. It’s best when used overnight.

Push your cuticles back, trim them lightly (if you’d like to) to get rid of all the scraggly ends. Apply a thick layer of the cream around your nail bed and keep it on over night. Try doing this 3-4 times a week and those suffering from hang nails and dry cuticles will be very happy with the results.

Burt’s Bees Cuticle Cream costs $6 - definitely worth it if you have yucky fingers. You can purchase it at your local drugstore or beauty supply store. And of course at www.burtsbees.com, along with all their other wondrful products.

I’ve been spotting people all over the place with the ‘perfect bun’. Every time I ask how they accomplish this spotless look they say ” a sock bun”. Sorry, but that seems gross to me. I don’t want a sock in my clean hair. I did manage to find ‘the perfect bun’ at H&M. It’s phenomenal. It’s made so, if necessary you can stick bobby pins into in secure your bun to perfection. It’s so easy to use and created the perfect ballerina style bun with limited effort. All that you have to do is make a high ponytail, slip the ‘perfect bun’ ring through the pony tail and spread it out evenly though out the bun ring  (which should be slipped at the base of the pony tail). After doing this, all you have to do is spread out your hair evenly (as possibly) and tuck your hair under the loop and almost swirl it around. Place bobby pins as needed. Also use some hair spray to keep it intact! This Perfect Bun can be purchased at H&M stores for$3.94, quiiite a deal!

I’ve been spotting people all over the place with the ‘perfect bun’. Every time I ask how they accomplish this spotless look they say ” a sock bun”. Sorry, but that seems gross to me. I don’t want a sock in my clean hair.

I did manage to find ‘the perfect bun’ at H&M. It’s phenomenal. It’s made so, if necessary you can stick bobby pins into in secure your bun to perfection. It’s so easy to use and created the perfect ballerina style bun with limited effort.

All that you have to do is make a high ponytail, slip the ‘perfect bun’ ring through the pony tail and spread it out evenly though out the bun ring  (which should be slipped at the base of the pony tail). After doing this, all you have to do is spread out your hair evenly (as possibly) and tuck your hair under the loop and almost swirl it around. Place bobby pins as needed. Also use some hair spray to keep it intact!

This Perfect Bun can be purchased at H&M stores for$3.94, quiiite a deal!

I love color club’s nail polishes. They’re super cheap and have a formula that lasts! Their shades are often similar to Essie’s. This color is called ‘Jackie OH!’ which is similar to Essie’s ‘Secret stash’. Don’t get me wrong, I love Essie.. but often they’re just too expensive for me to rationalize spending my money on them. Color club on the other hand, I have no issues spending my cash on. Color club polishes cost about $4, such a bargain! They can be purchased online at www.brightonbeautysupply.com for $3.50. I get my polished at Harmond and other beauty supply stores.

I love color club’s nail polishes. They’re super cheap and have a formula that lasts! Their shades are often similar to Essie’s. This color is called ‘Jackie OH!’ which is similar to Essie’s ‘Secret stash’.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Essie.. but often they’re just too expensive for me to rationalize spending my money on them. Color club on the other hand, I have no issues spending my cash on.

Color club polishes cost about $4, such a bargain! They can be purchased online at www.brightonbeautysupply.com for $3.50. I get my polished at Harmond and other beauty supply stores.

We all want rockstar hair that stays in place. Unfortunately a lot of the ‘good’ hairsprays are expensive and the cheaper ones can leave your hair feeling crusty. I’ve flip flopped between the cheaper ones and the more expensive ones and I’ve found one that perfect for the price. Mega Spary by Aussie hair care is by far my favorite. It’s cheap and effective. I like to use a medium hope spray so I can still have movable hair and can blow in the wind (always looks sexy) and so I can still play with it and not fear ruining my perfect look. When using Aussie’s Mega spray use quick sprays as you style, it give the maximum hold and a professional style. It’s shiny and leaves no build up.. so no crunchy hair! Aussie’s Mega spray (and their other awesome products) can be bought at Ulta, Walgreens, CVS, and all the other great drug stores that carry hair products. It only costs $3.69, can you believe it?! So, go out and get it and create the awesome style that’s true to you!

We all want rockstar hair that stays in place. Unfortunately a lot of the ‘good’ hairsprays are expensive and the cheaper ones can leave your hair feeling crusty. I’ve flip flopped between the cheaper ones and the more expensive ones and I’ve found one that perfect for the price.

Mega Spary by Aussie hair care is by far my favorite. It’s cheap and effective. I like to use a medium hope spray so I can still have movable hair and can blow in the wind (always looks sexy) and so I can still play with it and not fear ruining my perfect look.

When using Aussie’s Mega spray use quick sprays as you style, it give the maximum hold and a professional style. It’s shiny and leaves no build up.. so no crunchy hair!

Aussie’s Mega spray (and their other awesome products) can be bought at Ulta, Walgreens, CVS, and all the other great drug stores that carry hair products. It only costs $3.69, can you believe it?! So, go out and get it and create the awesome style that’s true to you!