I have incredibly sensitive skin, which can lead to loads of issues, from acne to red irritation and dryness to dullness. I’ve had a hard time finding the right balance of oils, moisturizers and skin calmers that brighten my skin without clogging my pores or leaving me feeling parched.

Enter Evan Healy’s Rosehip Facial Treatment Serum Oil. Mixed with my favorite hydrosol (because combining oil and water on your face is as close to replicating your skin’s natural oils as you can), this serum reduces redness, diminishes fine lines and attacks dry patches. It’s a dream. Plus, it smells good.

The other great benefit is that IT DOESN’T CLOG MY PORES. Even though it’s oil, it actually helps my skin heal from breakouts instead of contributing to them. The serum is lightweight, soaks in quickly and doesn’t feel greasy either. I use the "BLUE" formula, which is specifically for sensitive skin, but you can also try the "ROSE"  formula, for congested skin.

Rosehip seed oil promotes skin cell regeneration while also moisturizing deep down into pores. So as your skin regenerates itself, it’s also enhancing elasticity and moisturizing from the inside out.

You can get pure rosehip seed oil as well – try Aubrey Organics’ version. (Those prone to acne beware: Pure rosehip seed oil is extremely moisturizing and can contribute to breakouts, especially if you have cystic acne.)

Are there any serums you’ve tried that you love? Tell us in the comments below!

Fall is a great time not only to change up your wardrobe but also your makeup routine. I always find I start to gravitate to darker, richer colors at this time of year. Bolder lips, more dramatic eyes, rosy cheeks...

Here are a few Fall makeup looks that I am loving:

What are some trends you'd like to try for fall? 

Until next time...

*Before we jump into today's review, I have to apologize about the lack of updates over the last week. As many of you know, fall trimester started last weekend making my weeks quite full again. But, I've lined up some great posts for this week. The review today is brought to you by the ever-fabulous Nicolle Westlund. So, read on and enjoy!* 

Last time we chatted, I told you that the Onesta Smooth & Shine Thermal Straightening Crème was literally the best hair product I’ve ever used. At the risk of establishing myself as prone to hyperbole, I’m going to add that the Onesta Create “Finish” Aerosol is the best hairspray I’ve ever used. 

I’ve used hairspray my entire life. As a former competitive gymnast and dancer, hairspray was my best friend. Needless to say, I probably abused it (and gave myself a DIY face lift with every tightly bound high ponytail).

But my dancing days made me a hairspray connoisseur. There wasn’t a drugstore or salon brand I hadn’t sampled, from aerosol to spray, from wet to dry, from “soft hold” to “extra firm.”

I couldn’t find one that worked when I wanted to wear my hair in loose curls AND when I wanted to pull it back for an updo. Most were too wet, turned crunchy or flaked off like dandruff (gross).

I wanted an aerosol can (which equals a more even application) and buildable hold without the stickiness and wetness of most hairsprays.

Then I stumbled across Onesta’s Create. It has a dry hold, so you don’t feel like you spent time blow-drying your hair for nothing, and it truly has buildable hold. A light spray gives perfect all-day hold to my loose, curling-iron waves. A heavier application keeps my updo in place for a night of wedding-reception dancing, sweaty forehead included.

But the picture-perfect results are just a bonus to the fact that it has natural ingredients, including 100 percent natural fragrance. Most hairsprays (and body washes, body lotions, face washes, shampoos, conditioners and styling products) have synthetic fragrance comprised of dangerous chemicals, including formaldehyde. With an aerosol can, the fear can be that you’re inhaling tiny particles of the product as you try to style your coif. Onesta’s Create eliminates that fear – and kills the competition when it comes to performance.

The green tea (protects against sun damage and UVA+UVB rays), milk thistle (protects against photo damage) and rhatany root (helps absorb moisture) in Create also make your hair healthier in the process. You can’t ask for much more than that.

Have you tried Create? What do you love about it?

Some people are yo-yo dieters, I have yo-yo hair. I grow my hair out and then I want short hair, I have short hair and I want long hair. Lately, I've been looking at photos and thinking of going short again. Simple, fresh, and a time saver there are several benefits to going short but I always get the question, “How can I style my [short] hair differently? I don't always want it to look the same.” Here are some ways I keep my hair looking fresh and style differently when it is short:

Slick it back! This is my personal favorite. It's polished, pretty, and draws focus to your eyes. Tip: Use Onesta's Play paste for a more textured appearance a la Carey Mulligan. You can even use a cute headband to keep everything secured. Or Use Onesta's Styling gel on wet hair to get a more of the wet look.

Pump it up! Style the longer bangs back in a pompadour while keeping the sides either straight down or swept away from the face. Depending on how long the top part of your hair is, you could even curl it back for a different feel.

Make it messy! Halle Berry always does messy right. The key to this look is to make sure you are getting regular trims. It is a messy look but it's a purposeful messy. Keep the sides and neckline well groomed and pull up pieces around the top of the head and in the back. (Tip: Literally, make pieces stick out.)

Accessorize it! Just because you have short hair doesn't mean you should shy away from hair accessories. Headbands, hippie bands (the ones that go across your forehead), barrettes, and bobby pins can all be used to clip bangs to the side or straight back. (DIY tip: Buy bobby pins and hot glue cute brooches to them.)

Here are some of my favorite short hairstyles and some different ways to style them. If you have a favorite way to style your short hair, leave it in the comments below. I love to hear new ideas!

Until next time...

Ever wonder what to do with those left over glass candle holders? Well, wonder no more with this easy DIY project. 

Project time: 30 minutes

Supplies:

Mod Podge

Glitter of your color choice

fluffy pain brush 

1. Clean out old candle holder. I find the easiest way to do this is to put the candle in the freezer for a few hours and then with a butter knife break up the old bits of candle. After all bits of the candle are out, wash the holder and allow to dry. 

2. Pour a small bit of Mod Podge into the bottom of the candle holder. Work Mod Podge all around the inside of the holder. 

3. Pour a small bit of glitter into the bottom of the holder. Gently work glitter up the sides of the holder. (Place a piece of paper under where you are working so you can collect and reuse the extra bits of glitter. 

4. Once all the Mod Podge is covered in glitter, allow holder to dry for a few hours. 

5. Fill with a tea light candle or with small rocks to use as a makeup brush holder. 

6. Enjoy! 

Do you like small DIY projects like this? And, if you try it post a photo! I'd love to see what you come up with! 

Best,

I've tried several different types of make up removers but never found one that I love. They were always too drying, too greasy, or they just didn't work. I even tried the oil cleansing method (OCM) with coconut oil (this method totally works but is messy. I'll do another blog post on it later.)

Recently, I was browsing TJ Maxx's beauty section and I came across Blum Naturals Daily Cleaning & Make up Remover Towelettes. I hadn't heard if the brand before but after reading through the package and seeing the towelettes were made with organic ingredients, I decided to give it a try.

I immediately fell in love. Everything I had been wishing for in a towlette was in the Blum Naturals. It has a light, earthy scent from the tea tree oil and the towelettes are thick and sturdy. After using the towelette, my face felt cleansed but not dry.

Forget what ever method you are currently using and try out Blum Naturals. It's like the holy grail of make up removing towelettes. They make several different kinds for different skin types. I bought the combination & oily skin one because I do tend to get oily in my t-zone and I am prone to breakouts. I also just used the towelettes as a make up remover. I washed my face after using the towelette just to make sure that my face was clean, clean, clean but I'm really particular about making sure I remove every bit of makeup at night.

Will I buy Blum Naturals again? Yes!

Ingredients: Aqua, Organic Aloe Vera Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Sage Extract, Salicylic Acid, Organic Tea Tree Oil, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Glycerin

**All ingredients are plant, sugar, or naturally derived.    

Best,

Finding the best blow dryer is like finding the perfect pair of shoes...nearly impossible! Lucky for you, I've owned my fair share of blow dryers (some hits and many misses!) and I've compiled a list what I think are must haves for a good blowdryer.

I used to think the higher amount of wattage the better the blow dryer. I've since learned that more watts = burned hair. Luckily these days, we have a lot more choices than just wattage. Do you want a ceramic dryer or one that boasts tourmaline or ions? Say what?!

To understand how these new dryers work, we have to understand how classic dryers worked. Old school dryers used a metal or plastic heating element that would blow out intense and uneven heat, essentially drying your hair by cooking the water out of it—no joke!--and making the hair dry and brittle in the process. These types of dryers also diffused positive ions that cause the cuticle of the hair to splay open causing frizz and dull hair. (Yikes!)

Gone are the days of dry, frizzy hair thanks to modern technology. Ceramic, tourmaline, and ionic dryers help dry hair faster and help to leave hair in better condition. Ceramic is an amazing heat conductor that penetrates the hair shaft, heating from the inside out, instead of the outside in.

Tourmaline dryers generate negative ions, helping to dry hair up to 70% faster, which close down the hair cuticle, retains moisture in the hair shaft, eliminates frizz, and helps give the hair more body.

Ionic dryers help reduce drying time by breaking down water molecules in the hair. They also product negatively charged ions to help retain mositure, eliminate frizz, and close the cuticle.

Good dryers cost more than your average fair at Target or Wal-Mart but last a great deal longer. A good blowdryer is an investment. In turn, you spend less time blow drying (more time enjoying your blowout) and your hair will become stonger and more mositurized.

I've rounded up a few of my favorite dryers and why I like them.

High-end: T3 Bespoke Featherweight Hair Dryer (Ceramic, Ionic, and Tourmaline)

http://amzn.to/OYoC3n

Pros: Extremely lightweight, very quiet, dries hair super fast, great for thick, course hair that requires more heat, named 'Best Hair Dryer' by Allure Magazine

Cons: Extrememly hot, slow air speed

Rusk Speed Freak (Ceramic,Tourmaline)

http://amzn.to/OYpO6V

Pros: Fast wind speed, meduim weight, fast drying time

Cons: Medium weight (some might consider it heavy), on/off switchest located in an awkward position.

Medium price Range:

Babylis Pro Tourmaline Titanium Dryer (Tourmaline)

http://amzn.to/OYsmlJ

Pros: Light weight, Fast drying time, great for hair that requires more heat

Cons: strong wind, some users have had problems with the concentrator staying on

Best,

Fall is a great time to not only change up your styling routine but to also take a look at your styling tools. Are they showing signs of wear and tear? Missing bristles? How's that hair dryer looking? Still in pristine shape or is it a little worse for the wear? Just like clothes or shoes, our styling tools sometimes need to be tossed when they get old!

Here are a couple of rules of thumb to keep in mind when you are inspecting your brushes:

-Are any of your brushes missing bristles? If so, it's time to go!

-Are your brushes full of hair? Take a wide tooth comb and remove all excess hair. (This should be done every week or two. Brushes full of hair increase drying time

Have you ever washed your brushes? No? You should. Brushes accumulate dead skin cells, hair products, dust, and bits of shed hair. This can increase drying time and reduce the effectiveness of your brushes.

A few more things to keep in mind, are you using the correct type if hairbrush for your current hairstyle? Not sure what kind of brush you should be using? Here's a brief guideline to follow and links to my favorite brushes:

Small Round brush (Diameter: 1 inch): This brush is mostly used to create volume and smoothness. The shape encourages root lift (aka Volume!) and the bristles allow for a nice, tight grip (hello smoothness). However, this brush is best left to those with short hair.

http://amzn.to/RgXyl5

Medium Round Brush (1.5-2.5 inch diameter): Offers the same benefits as a small round brush but is best for medium to long hair. On medium length hair, this round brush creates volume and subtle bend on the ends. On long hair, this brush will create curls and waves with a fair amount of volume at the root.

http://amzn.to/PEPMyr

Large Round Brush (2.5 inches+) Best left to the those with long or thick hair. Creates lift with a subtle bend on the ends.

http://amzn.to/SrETD2

Ceramic Brushes- heat up faster and more evenly, while holding the heat for a longer period of time to help redue drying time, frizz, and create shine and smoothness. (Ceramic round brushes are my favorite and what I recommend for at home use.)

Flat Paddle Brush: Quick and easy! Paddle brushes are great for detangling and smoothing. Running short on time? Use the paddle brush to dry all hair from the tops of your ears and below. Then use a round brush to create fullness through the crown and front. Everyone will think you did a full blowout!

http://amzn.to/PEMdbl

Vent Brush: Just as the title suggests, this little brush lets as much air as possible through the spine of the brush to dry hair as fast as possible. Great for short hair (bobs and pixies) and get most of the moisture out of the hair before round brushing.

Wide Tooth Comb- great for detangling and distributing product evenly.

http://amzn.to/PEMhb5

Next Blog: Blowdryers. What to look for in a blowdryer? 

Best,

Sleek, shiny, full hair with just the right amount of curl on the ends. We all know the hairstyle (thanks to the Duchess!) and we all want it. But, how does one achieve it? Well, with a salon blowdry! It's rumored that the Duchess, herself, gets blowdries as often as 3x per week so she's always looking fab.

Ok, we love the glamorous look. But really what is a blowdry? You know the part of a salon service after the haircut or color where your stylist magically transforms your wet hair into a beautiful style full of volume, shine, and bounce making you feel like a princess? That's a blowdry. It's quick (45 minutes), inexpensive ($35), and lasts for 3 or more days, and did I mention, you feel like a princess after it's done?

When is the perfect time for a blowdry? After a hard day at work. Before the big meeting. Before cocktails. After coffee. After Yoga. To start your week off right. As a treat for reaching a goal. With a girlfriend. When you don't want to do your hair. I could go on, but you get the point: there's really never a bad time to get your hair blown out. It's quick, simple, works for any occasion, and it always leaves you feeling extra pretty.

Ready for your next blowdry? Get glam by booking here!

Best,

I began my migration to clean beauty products (those that have no chemicals or detrimental ingredients) about two years ago after one too many allergic reactions to products chock-full of chemicals. Until then, I’d basically given up on ever uncovering all the things I’m allergic to – I’d resigned to purchasing really expensive face creams that promised “redness relief” only to wind up buying hydrocortisone cream to combat the inevitable red rash that appeared after my expensive products failed to deliver.

I started religiously scouring blogs, websites, magazines and friends’ medicine cabinets for “professional” recommendations. I researched natural solutions and spent too much money on “organic” remedies and “natural” products. It was so hard to find an authoritative source on what kinds of products I should actually be putting my hard-earned cash towards. Thankfully, the last two years have also been a period of advancement in the natural, clean and organic beauty industry, and with that has come more awareness about the kinds of beauty products we should avoid and more local choices to choose from.

Enter Onesta, a clean, natural and organic hair care line based in Edina, Minn. (actually just down the street from Ten.Ten!). With its irresistible scent and its incredible results, Onesta is a product line you have to try.

Onesta’s Hydrating Shampoo is quickly becoming my favorite clean, organic shampoo. Not only does it carry Onesta’s signature, natural (no chemicals there!) fragrance, the shampoo’s ingredients list also includes certified organic extracts of honey, sage and white willow bark.

Honey (one of the natural beauty industry’s best kept secrets) is extremely moisturizing and adds a natural sheen to the hair. It also thickens thin hair (definitely a concern of mine!).

Sage is naturally antibacterial, and naturally antioxidant, both of which make this shampoo ideal for those with sensitive scalps (ever had a dry, flaky, itchy or red scalp? It could actually be CAUSED by the chemicals in your shampoo!). I totally fall into this sensitive scalp category and Onesta’s shampoo has done nothing but soothe it my hair and hairline.

White willow bark has incredible volumizing properties. You know how most moisturizing shampoos can weigh down your hair, making it feel lifeless and heavy? Well, thanks to white willow bark, even my thin hair has bounce, fluff and volume.

Onesta’s products also have this unique strengthening Omega 3 & 6 Essential Fatty Acid Complex. You’ve likely heard that fish oils (like salmon) and some healthy fats (like avocado) contain Omegas, which have tons of benefits like conditioning, softening, strengthening and repairing.

Onesta’s complex, which contains sunflower, kukui and macadamia oils, does all these, while also helping to maintain your hair’s natural balance. And that means softer, stronger, shinier hair over time.  I can attest to that.

Before Onesta, my hair was kind of a mess. It was blow-dried, curled, highlighted and hair-sprayed to within an inch of its life – and I’m not exaggerating. Between the heat styling, the highlighting and the extra hard water my apartment complex has, I felt like I needed a trim every four weeks to keep my hair from looking like straw.

I tried five or six different clean shampoos and conditioners, but struggled to find one that protected my color (no brassy highlights here!), foamed nicely (a lot of clean shampoos don’t foam, which I had a hard time getting used to) and didn’t strip my hair of much-needed moisture (but also didn’t weigh it down).

Thankfully, Onesta’s Hydrating Shampoo did all three. Hallelujah! Have you tried the Hydrating Shampoo? What do you think of it? We’d love to hear your feedback!