Beauty, Hair, Photos, Reviews

The cheaper I go, the longer it’ll grow

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I’m going back to the cheap route of doing my hair. It may be the biggest mistake of my life, but I won’t know until I keep trying (or screw up).

My mom used to cut my hair back in the day. Believe it or not the first time I went to a hair dresser I was in my early twenties. It was at what I thought was a fancy hair salon in the local mall. Turns out it was the one of the worst hair cuts in my life. She said oops, while she was cutting it. I never went back.

For years I thought expensive meant better; and sure, I left it up to the experts for the past few years or so, but my hair wasn’t growing longer. Recently I’ve been going to get my hair trimmed every 14 weeks. I have pretty fine hair so I really need the ends trimmed off every few months or it’ll look ratty and damaged.

My co-worker goes to this one woman who has a hair salon in her basement. Have to admit, I’m uncomfortable there, since it’s a little old and a bit sketch, but for a $15 hair cut I can live with it. My hair has been growing at a steady rate ever since. I don’t know why. Maybe they listen to what I say? Maybe she doesn’t go wild with the scissors? It just works.

In about two weeks I’m due for a hair trim. I may not even go for another month or two yet. Why? Because I got these hair cutting scissors (thanks to Flat Iron Experts) and I’ve been trimming off the dead ends myself.cutting-my-hair

My hair cut is pretty simple since I don’t have any layers. Though, it’s not long enough yet to cut the back, nor do I really want to depend on a blind eye to trim the back. I don’t want to mess things up. So there aren’t any before/after photos. I cleaned up the split ends in the front so it feels nice and fresh.

I forgot how sharp hair cutting scissors are compared to paper scissors. Have to admit, I almost got a little out of hand trimming off the dead ends. After I was done, my hair was just as healthy as if I had paid someone to trim it for me.dannyco-scissors

Great little Japanese motif design on the Dannyco scissors, don’t you think?

dannyco-hair-scissors

Some features of the Dannyco scissors:

  • High-grade Japanese stainless steel blades
  • Hollow-ground blades
  • Zinc alloy, lightweight ergonomic handles
  • Adjustable stainless steel screw to set the cutting tension
  • Removable finger rest

Dannyco hair scissors retail for $76.99 on Flat Iron Experts website.

How often do you get your hair cut?

Who cuts your hair?

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Daily, FitFluential, Photos, Triathlons / Duathlons

Shopping Habits

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You guys know already, I lead a pretty active lifestyle as my week usually looks pretty crowded with workouts from going to CrossFit, soccer, climbing and the occasional run and yoga session. Well, my (internet anonymous as he calls it) boyfriend of nearly 8 years, also is quite active as well as he is a competitive Ironman Triathlete.

We have a fantastic relationship where we’re both passionate about leading healthy active lifestyles. This also means that we rarely get to hang out with each other as one of us is always running out the door for exercising. We don’t exercise together, because our interests are completely different from each other’s.

Normally, we try to catch up with each other on weekends and do the weekly shopping with one another, but last weekend was a bit busy so I decided to pop into a few different stores after work yesterday.

An older gentleman walking into good ol’ reliable Canadian Tire saw me launch into the air galloping towards the front doors. He nodded his head and thumbs up’ed me when he noticed my antics. What can I say, I like to keep things interesting. Why am I documenting me shopping at Canadian Tire? Why not? The boyfriend saw a few things in the weekly flyer and wanted me to check it out since my office is close to one.running-into-Canadian-Tire

I had my cell on hand to take photos to send the boyfriend when I spotted my own deals. I bought a similar water bottle to this at one of his races the other year. I like these kind — but we certainly don’t need any more water bottles in the house.water-bottles-at-canadian-t

I tend to steer clear of the machinery aisles at Canadian Tire, and stick to the one’s that catch my attention. Hellooooo house wares.

So many colorful Kitchen-aid mixers. I’ve always wanted one, but I don’t even use my hand-held mixer all that often. I think I’d just want one to sit pretty on my counter top. I’ve always adored them. My aunt whips up the fluffiest mashed potatoes using hers.kitchen-aisle3

I don’t take things so seriously all the time. Can you believe that? Chomp chomp, oven mitts are going to eat you!kitchen-aisle

The paint aisle is another section of the store I like to browse around at. Here I am helping my co-worker select a few gorgeous shades of fuchsia paint chips for her en-suite bathroom. Jealous!paint-aisle

Spot that sale sign? Got that right folks… candy is on sale at Canadian Tire this week. Since I’m starting my paleo challenge on Sunday, I opted out of buying these large tubs. So hard to turn down a steep discount on candy. But I did. Try buying that at bulk barn. Not happenin’ for that price!sale-on-candy-at-Candian-Ti

Right around the corner there was a short aisle with all sorts of fun goodies for kids (errr… and even Adults, not gonna lie). This gadget below brought back memories of me being 8 years old in our backyard, playing for hours with a SKIP-IT! Didn’t know that they still made these. No one will judge me if I buy this for myself, will they?skipit-at-canadian-tir

It’s funny, whenever my Boyfriend and I aren’t around each other and we need to pick up some stuff at the store when the other one isn’t around, we usually take a quick picture with our blackberries and send it via bbm to the other person.

“Omg they still make skip-it’s. Buy one for me for my bday!?” or… “I’m buying these for Alfie. His food bowls are disgusting. The End.“dog-bowls

I want to get him dog bowls that don’t look like dog bowls. Something like what I found in the housewares section, glass food storage containers maybe? kitchen-aisle4

Both the Boyfriend and I enjoy going down the pet aisles to scope out the new digs they may have available for our Pomeranian dog, Alfie. This bag I’m pulling out from the shelf weighs about 3x as much as our lil’ dog. He’d have a field day eating all that delicious dog food. dog-food-aisle

Holy, all that shopping made me pooped right out. Time for a little cat nap before I head home. Ha ha! Not a bad deal, save 15% even before patio season starts. Sweet.sleeping-Canadian-Tire

Oh! Speaking of patio season – lounging by the pool is around the corner as well. What’s with the empty shelves in the pool aisle? Maybe they were re-stocking? Not sure!pool-aisle-is-empty

Have you ever analysed your shopping trips before? Do you make shopping lists and only go down the aisles you need to, or do you meander throughout the whole entire store, slowly taking your time? I have to admit, I do a bit of both. When I’m by myself and I have a list I like to go in and out of the store as quickly as possible. But if I’m with the Boyfriend, we enjoy taking our time on the weekends and seeking out new items for our home.

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®. All opinions are my own.

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Beauty, Photos, Reviews

Clarisonic Mia2 review

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I’m a late bloomer. Always have been, probably always will be.

A few years ago I discovered the fine art of self-tanning at home. It took me years to get the guts and try it our for myself. I’ve heard complaints in the past about streaking products or looking orange. Then came along St. Moriz, and St. Tropez — and even then I didn’t buy it right away. Why? When I spend money on something, I want it to work. I don’t want to ever be put into an embarrassing situation of my tan looking splotchy or remotely carrot colored. You think I’m going off topic here, but I’m really not, you see the same goes for the Clarisonic…ClarisonicMia2-in-hand

I’ve heard about it for a few years. Initially I saw it being talked about on YouTube. Was it really for me? I don’t have troubled skin. Would a $100+ over sized toothbrush be good for my delicate skin? I still don’t understand the two speeds for your face. Are we on a race track? It does the same thing, no?

Why spend $100 when you can get similar products at the drug store for a fraction of the cost? There is a difference between the Clarisonic and other exfoliating tools.ClarisonicMia2

The Clarisonic vibrates using a very soft oscillation movement, where as some have a rotary brush head. Meaning that the Clarisonic is so much more gentle and not abrasive at all on the skin.

Opened the box and I wasn’t sure how to set up the charger onto the Mia.Clarisonic-plugin

Oh buddy, how fancy is this? I nodded to myself as soon as I figured it out, as my Boyfriend laughed at my antics. The charger is magnetized and just clicks right onto the top of the Mia. It also blinks (or glows in and out, slowly) when charging. ClarisonicMia2-plugged-in

I didn’t really know what to expect when I tried it out for the first time. There’s always a bit of uncertainty when trying out new products. The instructions stated my skin could go through a purging phase. Would I? All these unanswered questions. So I manned up and charged the Mia 2 for 20 hours and used it for the first time on Sunday, March 3 and I’ve been using it every single day since. EVERY DAY.

Start off by wetting your face with some luke warm water, and then wet the brush head. Put a little squirt of your cleanser — any cleanser works, and I’ve researched! So that’s good news bears, right? I am using up the sample sized cleanser that came with the kit, but my go-to cleanser is Purity by Philosophy. I try to never stray from that amazing one.

Here’s the set up you’re supposed to follow:

  • 20 seconds on forehead
  • 20 seconds on nose and chin area
  • 10 seconds per cheek

I started on my right cheek. First mistake was that I forgot to count how many seconds it was rubbing my cheek for. I was waiting for the beep but remembered that it was only supposed to be on each cheek for 10 seconds at a time. Whoops.

My face wasn’t even red after the first use (as it always does, when I touch it, or wash it — I have sensitive skin). I washed the access facial cleansing gel off my face and I didn’t feel like my skin was tight. Perhaps it’s because I moisturized right away? Perhaps the Clarisonic is a miracle?

Scrubbing the face with the little Mia2.Clarisonic-on-my-face

But get this. Before I applied my Ole Henriksen Truth Serum, I couldn’t stop touching my face. Coincidence? I think not. It was like a miniature spa retreat and you get a minute of pure bliss.

After I’ve been using it for a few weeks I can finally give a review on it. My skin did not go through a purging phase. I didn’t break out (thank the baby you-know-what) and I’m even considering using it twice a day. But let’s not go too over board here now. I still have sensitive skin. I may introduce this though, soon. Clarisonic-before-and-afterBefore and after using the Clarisonic Mia2.

I can now see why it has become some people’s staple in their beauty routine. The first time I used the Clarisonic, I didn’t wear make up for two days as it was the weekend. I was disturbed but pleasantly surprised at the Clarisonic’s actions that there were traces of dirt on the brush head after the 1 minute of use. Guess it really does clean 6x better than your hands alone. On the box it says your skin is receptive to treatments, lotions and serums. Meaning, the products you use will absorb into your skin better.

The best analogy as how your skin will feel after the first use, not one word of a lie? Touch the inside of your forearm. That is exactly how smooth and soft the skin on your face will feel after using the Clarisonic. It’s just one of those things where you’re going to have to test it out for yourself to believe me. I didn’t believe the hype either, until I flippin tried it and now I can’t stop using it. It feels like my skin is 10 years younger. Madness. I can’t get over it. Sephora Clarisonic BrushesA few different brush heads are available at Sephora for $29, so you can swap them out for your skin type.

  • Normal
  • Sensitive
  • Delicate
  • Deep Pore (for oily or large pores)
  • Acne
  • Body (it’s a little larger but you can only use this with the Clarisonic Plus model)

Make sure to replace those brush heads every 3-4 months! The Clarisonic Mia 2 comes with a sensitive skin brush and a refreshing gel cleanser, so we’re set. I was a bit hesitant about bringing it into the shower with me, but I’ve certainly got over that fear. It’ll slough off your days make up (always remove your mascara first. Then again, you’re not really going over the eye area with it), or gently exfoliates off your dead skin cells, ready to grow and emerge some new baby soft skin. Hoo yeah.

All in all? BUY IT. That’s right, I just yelled that at you. I’d wait for a sale at Sephora though, if you’re a VIB or have a friend that is — until you can get it at 20% off.

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