Last Minute Stocking Stuffer Alert!

Still need a few little items for those style-savvy ladies in your life? Do them a solid and grab a few Mixed Chicks Dent & Tangle-free Spring Bands to throw in their stocking.

These telephone cord looking bands are perfect for all types of hair, and leave hair kink and tangle free. They're available in light yellow, clear light pink, clear aqua blue, clear amber and clear black.

As a gal with frustratingly fine tresses, these little wonders still did a fantastic job of keeping my hair back for the entire day. I especially loved how the shape of the bands really allowed for a great messy bun or topknot.

I also passed a few along to a pal with completely a completely different hair type than mine and every time I've seen her in a pony tail since, she's been rocking the Mixed Chicks!

Another great stocking stuffer option from this awesome brand is their namesake shampoo, deep conditioner and leave-in conditioner. They gently clean and condition straight, wavy or curly hair and smell like a dream.

I enjoyed a nice little sampler trio!

Mixed Chicks is an all-around amazing company dedicated to women of all ethnicities and backgrounds. They celebrate the fact that "we not only come from everywhere, but we are going everywhere."

And on those adventures, it's always nice to have an extra dependable hair band or two!

Mixed Chicks Dent & Tangle-free Spring Bands $3.

Mixed Chicks Shampoo, Deep Conditioner and Leave-In Conditioner can also be found on their website.

Holiday Party Prep 101

Yule-time soirees offer the perfect opportunity to glam it up and experiment with new fun make up looks. And AVON is, as always, a fantastic resource for quality, affordable products that pack a mean beauty punch.

True Color Eyeshadow Quad in Metal Eyes: I love eyeshadow kits that tell you where to apply the color- a simple aspect that really helps yield stellar results. The mix of silvers and golds in this kit is also great for creating your own look. I am super into the sparkly white Snowglobe highlighter and the perfect moody pewter, Night Star.

True Color Eyeshadow Single in Bronze Luster: Bronze is so rich on the eyes and a unique take on the more traditionally festive silver and golds. It's also a great choice to make your green or blue eyes really pop.

Ultra Color Lip Crayon in Reddy for Me: Although I'm not a lipstick/lip color person, this chubby crayon option was a breeze to put on, left a nice pop of gold-flecked color, and lasted quite a while.

SuperShock Gel Eye Liner Pencil in BlackOut: Ever since Sephora SO rudely messed with their eye liner formula and thusly ruined my LIFE, I have been on the hunt for a new, intense, long lasting, black eye liner. And this stuff is the JAM. I love everything about it—it goes on smooth, the color is awesomely inky and it lasts even when applied to the inner waterline. Oh, but you know what I don't love? The fact that I carried it with me so often that I lost it! Arghdsdfjvldfjsdv!

AVON products can be found through your local representative or online at avon.com

Dope Soap

Soap and Paper Factory Bella Collection is the lovely little swag that stocking stuffers and hostess gifts are made of.

Now available exclusively at Anthropologie, these wholesome indulgences for hands and home are hand-crafted by founders Shannon and Lisa. They boast all-natural ingredients and adorable, individually designed packaging.

The three lush fragrance options Bella, Midnight, and Close are guaranteed to please even the most discerning noses. I was given Midnight—fresh cut gardenia mixed with calming jasmine. SOOOO very good. And the adorably boho label is almost too cute to destroy by opening!

Stock up on these fab soaps and candles and you'll surely be the hit of the holiday season!

Soap & Paper Factory soap and candle tins are available exclusively at Anthropologie, as well as soapandpaperfactory.com

Shea Butter Soap, $8. 

Candle Tin, $16.

Have you met Sam?

Im a nice person, I really am, but when it comes to hair styling tools, I am a bit of a snob. You will never catch me using a run of the mill straightener or curling my do with a drug store purchased iron, you just won't. (First world problems, right?!) Thus, my new friend, Sam Villa. The Sam Villa Etc Light is a light weight, quiet, salon quality hair dryer that has changed my hair routine forever! My buddy Sam has created an easy to hold, easy to use appliance, making my hair easy on the eyes! You will be shocked by how much power comes from this little guy. Looking for a boost? Hit up my new pal, Sam.

Respect the Kingsley

Real talk: In the winter, not only does my skin get ridiculously dry, but so does my scalp.

'Dems is 'da breaks with a die-hard devotion to scalding hot showers and a ever so sensitive epidermis!

Thankfully though, I have found a magical elixir that remedies this seasonal sitch: Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner.

It's a "rehydrating toner and scalp energizer" that stimulates blood supply to the scalp, absorbs excess oil and protects against flaking. All you do is apply toner directly to the scalp, comb through and style as usual.

Application is super easy with the toner's pointed nozzle and the liquid comes out evenly.  I found it worked best to make a few parts, squeeze along each, rub in and then comb through. It also felt really nice and cooling, and did not change the appearance of my natural hair state at all once dry.

Now, Philip Kingsley Elasticizer on the other hand was not for me. This "cult" hair care essential boasts that it will dramatically improve the condition of your hair after just one use. In my case, it dramatically hindered the condition of my fine tresses, leaving them limp and oily. I even made sure to shampoo and rinse an extra two times to de-coat, all to no avail. My wonderful pro-hairdresser pal thankfully came to my rescue with some clarifying shampoo though and all ended happily!

The takeaway: Philip Kingsley Elasticizer is a thick, potent conditioning treatment that is best left to thicker locks. Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner is my pick for anyone who suffers from seasonal scalp syndrome (or the dreaded Triple S as I'm now going to call it).

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer retails for $45 (150ml) or $25 (75ml). 

Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner retails for $29 (75ml). 

Both products are available at philipkingsley.com

Cancel Your Salon Appointment!

Like a true product junkie, I am always on the hunt for the holy grail of hair goo, that one potion that will change my locks for life, that spritz, spray, or slop that will bring the salon-feel home with me.

Call off the search! I've found her!

Allow me to introduce you to L'Occitane's Hair Repair Mask. This conditioning treatment is a little tub of miracle goop that magically transforms your dry, over treated, or dull 'do into a luscious look. Your hair will feel, fall, and smell like you just dropped a Benjamin at the beauty shop!

I've used this stuff once a week for a month now, and every time I do, I'm asked by someone if I've had my hair done. It has not failed once.

Looking for a boost in moisture and ego? Check this stuff out!

It's What's On the Inside...

I love facial masks. Especially the clay ones. As they harden and tighten I like to pretend I'm slowly turning into a statue... Or that I'm in Westeros on an epic quest with my direwolf and became unfortunately infected with Gresyscale. Curses!

Perfect Pores Clay from Twitty Natural Products is derived from volcanic ash clay that does in fact date back to ancient times. This particular clay has been known to remove toxins and soothe aching muscles, and is also used in many mineral makeups and other wellness products.

Perfect Pores Clay improves upon the clay's natural abilities by using a special proprietary treated manufacturing method that effectively pulls out the bad stuff like oil, impurities and infections, while infusing beneficial minerals that our skin needs.

My sample arrived just in time to tackle an increasingly large pimple on my forehead. But first, we need to discuss this:

What the what?!! What does a shirtless man in linen pants clutching a white-frocked damsel in a random field have anything to do with a beauty face mask?

(Related side note: Hey Twitty Natural Products- I know some really talented and affordable packaging designers and could easily hook you up, okay?)

Moving on!

The mask itself is awesome. I loved having to mix it up myself. The smell was earthy and natural. I enjoy the feeling that as it dries, it's pulling out yucky things from my face. And most importantly, it got rid of that pesky pimple in two days. Plus, it's additive free, chemical free, preservative free, fragrance free and is not tested on animals.

Definitely a cool product that just needs a bit of tweaking in the presentation department.

Perfect Pores Clay Mask can be purchased directly through its website, perfectporesclay.com