Tag: BEAUTY

dyson-blowdryer

Hair Game Changer – Dyson

Published on by thenavyleopardLeave a comment

I want a time machine. I want to go back and get all that time I spent drying my hair back.

Today is different.  The Dyson Hair Dryer is my hair game changer. I must confess, I do not blow dry my hair on a regular basis. It’s been a number of years since I have. It takes me over 45 minutes to do a decent job.  Instead, I rely on bi-weekly blowouts by a stylist.  It’s an indulgence I enjoy, but it is not always convenient.  So….

I have had my eye on the Dyson for a few months. I took the plunge.

I have blown out my hair several times and the results are amazing.  I am able to dry my hair so that it’s smooth, shiny and not frizzy in 20 minutes. Yes, in less than half my usual time. The Dyson is worth every penny – and it does cost a lot of them — in my book.  I am down to a weekly professional blowout (and I have even skipped a couple of weeks).  There are three attachments (including a diffuser) that are easy to take on and off as they are magnetic.

If you are in the market for a new blow dryer, an upgrade, this is the blow dryer for you. I am 100% happy with this purchase – and the time it has bought me for more interesting pursuits than drying my hair. Now if could just find that time machine…

I wrote about two other hair game changers here and here. I also get a head start with this fast drying turban that I have used for twenty years

The Dyson is available here, here and here.

Here’s to good hair days!

XO,

JAE

Mad for Plaid

Published on by thenavyleopardLeave a comment

I am all in when it comes to plaid.  I love the the tuxedo details on this blazer and could not resist matching my heels.  I kept it high/low with my new favorite vintage straight denim.  If you have been frustrated with distressed holes that continue to grow, these are for you.  They are patched underneath.

I updated my makeup with a few products by Chanel.  Including: a neutral eye shadow palette (Les Beiges) that I am already using more colors than the beige (they made the lightest color twice as large as the other colors – brilliant!).  I am also wearing the mimosa light creating base, blush (elegance),  brow pencil (blond dore), eyeliner (feuilles) , volume mascara (black), lip liner (nude) and a new color (light rose) of my favorite long-wearing lip color.

IMG_0519

Tartan Blazer (also here)

Tartan Heels (also here)

Denim

Metallic Pouch

Black Drapey Tee (similar here and here)

When I get home from a night out you will find me in any combination of these slippers, pajamas and scarves after removing all my makeup with my Eve Lom Cleanser.

IMG_0581

Leopard Fuzzy Slippers / Black Watch Pajamas / Leopard Stole

Red Moccasins / Tartan Plaid Pajamas / Tartan Scarf

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE

Tickled Pink

Published on by thenavyleopardLeave a comment

I am tickled pink about several of the new arrivals from J. Crew.  I went for this black and white geometric top, but had to add three shades of pink and my favorite new pink lip color by Chanel.  I don’t tend to wear lipstick.  I can still hear my mom saying ” You need lipstick” as I was leaving the house in High School.  I guess it is still a way of rebelling.  The truth is, it just doesn’t stay on and gets on my water bottle.

At a gift exchange over the holidays, a Chanel Rouge Double Intensite Ultra Wear Lip Color was the hot gift that kept being stolen.  I mentioned it to friend and she got me one for Christmas.  You apply the lip stain, wait a few minutes and then add a gloss.  It stays on all day without being drying.  I am wearing Darling Pink.

jcrew-prada

J. Crew Top

J. Crew Jane Sunglasses (on sale!)

J. Crew Cashmere Cardigan (on sale!)

J. Crew Pouch

J. Crew Toothpick Black Demin

Prada Shoes similar here and here

Chanel Rouge Double Intensite Ultra Wear Lip Color in Darling Pink

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE

Mani Friday – Plain White Edition

Published on by thenavyleopard2 Comments

I love white in summer – white jeans, a white dress, a crisp white shirt.  Until this week, I had never worn white nail polish.  I had decided I wanted it on my toes this week.  I also rarely match my manicure and pedicure.  I had a conversation with a friend who always matches.  She attributed it to her Virgo nature.  It stuck with me and I had to overcome my Gemini nature of not always being able to decide and choose just one color.  I liked it so much, that I decided to skip the art this week.  The plain white is the art.  I also had plain white on the brain as I was headed to a Summer concert to see The Plain White Ts.  They were amazing!

The color is “Amazing Grace” by Deborah Lippmann.  The manicure is by Olive & June.

Happy Friday!

XO,

JAE

Skincare Regime – Eve Lom

Published on by thenavyleopard1 Comment

I have noticed a huge change in my skin since using Eve Lom.  I started with her signature cleanser which comes with a muslin cloth that makes the cleansing process also exfoliating.  I used to dread washing my face before bed.  The cleanser with the hot cloth is so relaxing that now I look forward to it. It removes all makeup including waterproof mascara and leaves the skin soft.  The cleanser comes with one to two cloths (depending on the size).  You can also buy a pack of three cloths.  I like to use a fresh cloth each day.

I gradually tried other products and now both my husband and I are regular users.   The Daily Protection SPF 50 works so well and we both wear it everyday.  It is very light and also moisturizing.  There is nothing worse than trying to put makeup over a sunscreen that is thick and sticky.   Did you know it also protects against rays from florescent lighting and computer screens, which can also cause skin cancer?

FullSizeRender(151)
Our Collection

Eve Lom Cleanser

Eve Lom Eye Lift

Eve Lom Daily Protection SPF 50

Eve Lom Morning Time Cleanser

Eve Lom Rescue Mask

Eve Lom Brightening Cream

Eve Lom Brightening White Lotion

Eve Lom White Advanced Brightening Serum

Eve Lom Intense Hydration Serum

Eve Lom Brightening White Mask

Eve Lom Age-Defying Smoothing Treatment

FullSizeRender(157)
Morning Routine

Morning Time Cleanser, Intense Hydration Serum, Daily Protection SPF 50, Flawless Radiance Primer, Radiance Perfected Tinted Moisturizer, Eye Lift

FullSizeRender(156)
Nightly Routine

Cleanser with hot cloth, Brightening White Lotion, White Advanced Brightening Serum, Brightening Cream, Eye Lift, Age-Defying Smoothing Treatment

FullSizeRender(154)
White Collection

We started using the White Collection when it was first introduced.  We both saw a huge change in our skin in terms of getting rid of any dark spots. In addition to brightening the skin they products also help produce collagen.  A little goes a long way.  We have both been using the products daily since January and only recently had to replenish. The White Collection includes the Brightening Lotion, Brightening Serum, Brightening Cream, and Brightening Mask

FullSizeRender(155)
Two masks back to back once a week

Once a week, we have mask night.  We start with the Rescue Mask and then do the Brightening Mask.  The Rescue Mask preps the skin and clears impurities so that the Brightening Mask can penetrate.  The Brightening Mask comes in a pack of eight individual cotton masks.  They do give you a bit of a Jason from “Friday the 13th” look, but they are very effective and easy to use. It is nice to have a partner in my skincare regime.  My husband will remind me when it is mask night. This is the first time in a long time that we have used one line exclusively.  The products work well, have minimal chemicals, and no artificial fragrances.

Here’s to great skin!

XO,

JAE

Hair Game Changer – Dry Shampoo

Published on by thenavyleopard7 Comments

About a month ago I wrote about a hair game changing SHHHOWERCAP in this post.  I have been testing and trying a variety of dry shampoos for the last month.  Dry Shampoo is the other half of my time saving, blowout saving strategy.  The right one applied correctly can extend the life of a blowout for a few days.  I only wash my hair one to three times a week, typically twice.

  1. Rahua Volumizing Dry Shampoo – It is a light powder that absorbs into the scalp and hair easily.  The sent is subtle.  I really liked the result.  The bottle and application take some getting used to.  It does not leave a chalky finish, so you can go a couple of days longer after applying it
  2. Bumble & Bumble Pret a Powder – It is also a light powder that absorbs into the scalp and hair easily.  The sent is also subtle.  The result was great.  I went an additional day beyond and could have gone one more day with a clean ponytail.  The bottle is easy to use.
  3. Klorane Dry Shampoo with Nettle – This one is for oily hair.  The spray is very easy to use.  I typically only use a spray if I plan to wash my hair the next day.  This one can last for a couple of days.
  4. Bumble & Bumble a bit blondish Hair Powder – I found the spray to be a bit heavy and the color was not a good match for me.
  5. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray – This one gets rave reviews and I really like most Oribe products.  It is good for adding texture to hair that has flattened over time, but does nothing to absorb oil.  If you are not super oily, this is an easy one to use.
  6. R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo – This is another fan favorite.  It just was not my favorite.  I felt like the spray left a gunky layer and I definitely needed to wash my hair the very next day.  In fact, I wanted to wash it later that day.
  7. R+Co Badlands Dry Shampoo Paste – This one had the most immediate impact.  It is a paste and you put it on your fingertips and act like you are shampooing your scalp.  It made my hair look instantly refreshed and gave it volume.  However, the impact only lasted for a few hours.  This would be a good choice for reviving your hair before an evening out when you want volume and a quick impact.  Washing it the next morning will be required.
  8. Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo – Another spray that was not my favorite.  I find powders easier to use, but I know a lot of people prefer sprays.  Similar to the R+Co, I wanted to wash my hair pretty soon after.

Overall, my favorite powder is Bumble & Bumble Pret a Powder and my favorite spray is Klorane (they offer several varieties for different types of hair).  I will also keep R+Co Badlands Dry Shampoo Paste on hand for that last minute wow factor at the end my blowout cycle.

Here’s to good hair days!

XO,

JAE

 

Hair Game Changer – SHHHOWERCAP

Published on by thenavyleopard3 Comments

Until ten years ago when I moved to Los Angeles, I washed my hair every day.  I have a lot of hair and it would take me forty minutes to dry it.  A friend convinced me that every other day washing was the way to go.  It took some getting used to.  Now I wash my hair no more than three times per week and sometimes only once.  I usually get a weekly blowout and try to make it last.  I had used the old “granny” style shower caps and they did ok, but part of my hair would often be wet.    I recently discovered SHHHOWERCAP and my blowouts last so much longer.IMG_2494

The Kent

It is completely water tight, washable and stylish too.IMG_2639

I wish I had all those unnecessary blow-dry hours back!  I feel like I have so much time now.  I also use dry shampoo in between.  I will review a few dry shampoos in a future post.FullSizeRender(21)

Here’s to great hair days.

XO,

JAE