Cortex: Clipless curling iron

Flat iron experts is so good to me. I’ve gotten to review a number of items from their online store over the past few years. I’ve given mostly positive reviews in the past about the hair straighteners, curling irons or new-age crimping irons. But in all honesty I didn’t know what I could compare the products that I was reviewing, to. More specifically, I didn’t know what to do with curling irons. My hands were always gimpy and the barrels that I chose to review, were frankly too large for my hair. It just gave me volume, without curl. Which is great seeing as I have fine limp hair, but some days I just want a little curl on the ends.

It’s not because any of the the products were crap. It was because I am such a gimp when it comes to doing anything with my hair. If I wanted curly hair I’d have to fiddle with my flat iron and maneuver it in a way to create odd looking curls. It took forever.  Which meant I’d rarely take the time to do that to my hair. Not to mention the fact that I went over certain pieces of hair multiple times to achieve a look I could go out in public with. Damage your hair more, sure!

I think all of the products were meant for super long, super thick hair. I e-mailed my rep that I deal with at Flat Iron Experts and asked if I could review a smaller curling wand, one that was clipless.

This thing heats up so fast. To the right (above) the digital screen temperature just rises so fast. It’s kinda fun to watch it heat up.

Here is the base of the iron, and where all of the tubes (wands?) plug into. Idiot-proof for sure.

Some specs.

Lord almighty I had no idea what a world of difference not having a clamp on your curling iron could do for your hair. And how much less time it takes up!

I was sent the Cortex 4 in 1 clipless curling wand and have been using it on the days that I don’t wash my hair. Which is a lot. The first time I used it my hair came out like this. I used the smallest barrel which is the 1.5-3.4 inch. It gradually gets smaller toward the tip of the barrel.

Okay don’t let the photo below fool you. That was just my first attempt at using it. Not a bad one I may add, but please…keep reading. It gets better. Oh boy does it ever.

On the left was right after I curled it. On the right is when I combed through my hair with my fingers to make it less prom-like. Not bad, right? I mean, could be better. It looks a little messy on the right, and just too perfect on the left. I didn’t curl my ends, and you can definitely notice it, so I made sure to include the ends of my hair the next time I did it.

 I’ve gotten the hang of it so well that I curl my hair multiple days during the week now! It’s so easy and super fast. The camera flash darkens my hair by the way, I didn’t dye it lol.

I even styled the ends of my hair for girls night the other evening.

Even though I say I’ve gotten the hang of it well, it really wasn’t a huge ordeal for it to work magic on my hair. I’ve used it probably 6 times and it’s been just as easy as the first time. I’ve decided to film and put together a video of how I curl my hair in the morning now. Watch me curl my hair in this video!

Super easy right? You can buy the Cortex 4 in One Curling Iron here.

Thanks to Flat Iron Experts for sending this product over to me, to review.

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The shellac experience number 2

My co-worker and I went to get our nails done on Friday during our lunch break.

I got my second shellac manicure done. The last time I had these things on my nails was back when I went to California last summer.

Oh mojito memories.

When I first went into the salon with L, I was a bit nervous because I didn’t spot a color that I absolutely adored. I wanted something like I had in the photo shown above. In fact, I was wearing my own nail polish while I was picking out the colors. It’s one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE colors to wear on my nails. A nice neutral white/pink, called Pink Slip by  Sally Hansen. I discovered this color from a receptionist at a hair salon once. I adored the color so much I had to ask what she was wearing on her nails. I went out and bought it the next day.

Did I mention it was my all time favorite color?

Well, when I went into the salon and the woman was trying to find a dupe for what I was already wearing on my nails. To no avail, she then convinced me to get this one color put on my nails. I cannot tell you how picky I am with nail polish colors. But,  of course we were on a limited time frame as it was our lunch hour. She picked out this pearl/opal color and said it looked way better than the nail color I had on previously. Oh, thanks for your opinion lady. P.S I hate this opal color already. (Not really).

It was the same brand of shellac (CND) that was used on my nails. But I’m not the biggest fan of pearl/opal colors. My Aunt wears it on her fingernails and always has. She’s in her late 70’s now and I just associate opal nail polish with….old ladies.

In certain light it looks like nothing on my nails, and other times it looks shiny. See above? Oh that nail polish! Such tricksters.

Then when I went to pay, she kept holding my hand and looking at my nails saying her color looked better than my all time favorite color that I had on when I walked in.

I’m sure the shellac will last a really long time and it is…kinda pretty. My co-worker gets hers done there regularly and it still looks perfect after 16 days of wear and tear. I also know that I could also request that she bring in that exact milky pink CND polish I had done last summer. I just wanted to tell a little story today, and maybe rant a little. hee hee! :)

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My CrossFit Journal (Year 1, Week 8)

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year 1, week 8, day one

Bench Press 1RM

I got to 75lbs and couldn’t lift it. I tried twice and the second time I definitely couldn’t. I even let out a big ol’ F bomb that made everyone laugh when I was on the bench pushing the weight.

Weighted Pullups 8×2

I didn’t do weighted pullups becuse I required the band. We had to do these pullups strict. I used the black band.

AMRAP 5
9 Lat Twist
6 Clap Push Up
3 Burpee

We had to do the AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) in 5 minutes, and if we didn’t get five rounds we were penalized with 10 more burpees! Thankfully I was on my 6th round when the buzzer went off. A short, and sweet WOD for sure. Had me huffing and puffing trying to get my five rounds in though.


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year 1, week 8, day two

For time:
Run 400 meters
21 Thruster; 95/65lbs  (I used 50lbs)
21 Pull-ups
Run 300 meters
15 Thruster; 95/65lbs (I used 50lbs)
15 Pull-ups
Run 200 meters
9 Thruster; 95/65lbs (I used 50lbs)
9 Pull-ups

This was a “modified Fran” WOD. Our warmup was a 1km run. We had a 20 minute time limit for this WOD and I didn’t end up finishing it.

For thrusters I used 50lbs, and ended up being on my last round of 9 thrusters. I had completed 3 in total, and the buzzer went off. Brutal workout, but love those ones.

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[older crossfit journal entries]

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