product review : unite blonda shampoo

Haven't done a product review in quite some time... In fact, I've only ever done one. After washing my hair this weekend I decided it's time for another.

I've been in the process of going blonde for about five months now. Part of the reason why it's taking so long is because of the stupid amounts of $4 box dye that is plaguing my hair. I get bored so easily, but it's not as easy to dish out $80+ every time I decide I need a change. Sooo, my go-to solution is a cheap box of terrible hair dye that destroys my locks and insists on sticking around FOREVER.

I have since made a vow to quit box hair dye. As quick and easy as it is, it's not worth the hassle getting rid of.

I've been through a couple lightening treatments as well as one highlighting sesh. I'm sorta stuck in the ombre phase currently. I like it, but I want a more all-over look. Currently giving my poor strands a break though, so that they don't literally break off (I never used to believe that could actually happen.... and then one time I bleached my hair and months later I realized the right side of my hair was way shorter than the left, thanks to breakage).

I picked up a bottle of UNITE Blonda Shampoo after being recommended it by my lovely hairdresser Sara at Cheeky Strut. It's a bit pricey (by a bit I mean a lot), the 8oz bottle goes for $26.25 on the website. However, I think it's worth it. The shampoo is a toning shampoo and essentially does what a glaze would do. So instead of having to go to the salon to fix your brassy blonde every couple months, and pay however much that costs, you use this shampoo once or twice a week. I think it was February when I bought mine and I still have maybe 1/4 bottle left. 

The instructions say DO NOT leave on for more than 60 seconds... But I definitely leave mine on for like five minutes. Sometimes I'll go without using it for up to two weeks and it's crazy to see the difference it makes when I use it again. This shampoo is fantastic, especially if you're an ex-box-dye-user like myself.

The last photo is of my hair in its most current state. Hoping to gradually work that brown out soon. Anyways, if you struggle with brassy blonde tones, I would highly recommend trying out this product!

-teddy x

tomorrow // photos

This is essentially a post of photos and nostalgia. 

Watching Harry Potter tonight made me miss the UK a lot.

Tomorrow I would like to be in England, 

having a full English breakfast 

and tea with sugar cubes and milk

in some tiny, remote village in The Lake District.

These photos were taken by me in March 2013,

with 35mm Fuji color film.

Don't really know how anyone could deny the beauty of this place.

-ted x

product review 101

So, cheek colour seems to be one item of makeup that a lot of women have a hard time picking out. I think part of this has to do with the fact that we don't know how to apply it in a way that flatters us! Growing up, I only remember being told to apply blush up along the cheekbone, and while this can accentuate some faces very nicely, 

it doesn't work for all of us.

This past summer, I spent a few months as a manager at The Body Shop and it really taught me a lot. I learned that applying blush to the apples of my cheeks makes my face look fuller (which I like because my face is naturally narrow and long) and it also makes me look much more awake.

This is called baked-to-last-blush in shade 01 (petal, 02 is coral) from The Body Shop. I was terrified of the pinkness of it when I first discovered but I grew more and more intrigued until finally I tried it out. I fell in love right away! As long as you don't go overboard, the pink hue is perfect. There is some shimmer as well, which I was unsure of, but it's less of a sparkle and more of an illuminator. 

I applied the colour with this brush, and what I do is get the product on the brush then blow on it to lighten it up a little. After that I just brush it on right at the roundest part of my cheeks, then do one light sweep up my cheek bone. 

Not the best photo of me but I especially love the brightness it gives in the dead of winter! Thanks for reading!

-ted x

a tip for french tips

So every once in awhile I'll get the urge to do French tips on my nails, but I always get discouraged because they always turn out sloppy. Awhile back, I found something on Pinterest and they're simple as pie now! 

Here I've shown step-by-step how it works.

Try it out! Think out of the box and don't go with the typical white tips! Make things fun!

Step 1: Pick a base colour. Or, leave that natural. With Christmas only 4 days away I chose red.
If you choose a colour, make sure to let it dry fully before going to step 2.

Step 2: Find some Scotch tape, and choose a colour for your tips. Feeling festive, I went with gold for mine. Tear off 10 strips of tape, each about an inch and a half long. You can try reusing strips but I've found it's less messy and stressful to just use one per finger.

You're going to want to place the tape over your nails, with the edge right on the end of your nail bed. Don't press the tape down too hard. This will prevent peeling off your base polish. Pushing it just so it is sticking is perfect. If you have short nails, just leave a couple mm of space before the tip of your nail.

Step 3: Take the colour you've chosen to do your tips and paint only the area not covered by the tape. I suggest leaving the tape on your nail for a few minutes after applying the tip colour to prevent smudging or smearing.

Step 4: Just add a clear coat on top and voilá! Done!

Happy nail painting! 

-ted x

elizabeth taylor

  beauty && class 

"I feel very adventurous.
There are many doors to be open, and I'm not afraid to look behind them."

"Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together."

-ted x