Fab Find: CHI Ceramic Hairstyling Iron

A couple of weeks ago, a friend at school told me that Costco was selling CHI irons for 59 dollars! So of course, I had to take her word for it and check it out. Sure enough, I found my very own CHI for much less than the usual cost. I had been faithfully using a Remington straightener for about two years, and it worked all right. But it never got hot enough for my liking, and it seemed that as soon as I left the house my hair would get slightly wavy/frizzy again. My hairstylist uses a CHI to style my hair, and she has recommended I get one of my own for years now. I just never wanted to spend the money for some reason. I must confess that I am not a hair wizard. In fact, i'd probably rather do anything at any given time besides styling my hair. I am a "girly" girl, yet I never inherited the talent of properly doing my own hair. I usually just blow dry it...then straighten it...repeat! In the summer I let my waves run wild, but now that it is actually cold here in southern CA, I can't bear to leave the house with wet hair.
So needless to say, I love my new find! It definitely straightens much better than my old cheapie, and the style lasts. You can also curl your hair with it, but I have yet to attempt that. My dream is to one day own a GHD. That seems to be the "holy grail" hair tool for everyone on Youtube, and i so wish I could afford one of those babies! But I really am happy with my fab hair tool, and Costco's deals are unbeatable.

Thanks for reading!

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Update!

Since I got a couple requests asking me to test out the Burt's Bees Acne Spot Treatment, I wanted to let you girls know how it was working. Well, unfortunately...it wasn't, or should I say, it didn't. I think it actually made my spots worse! I think I might be allergic to the tea tree oil in it, because instead of reducing my redness, it made the redness even more noticeable. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I just didn't see any results at all, and I used it more than a few times over this past week. I'm not saying it is a horrible product. Everyone's skin is different, and even though it did nothing for MY skin, that doesn't necessarily mean that it wouldn't work wonders for someone else. So I went back to CVS today and bought this instead:

It is the Neutrogena On the Spot Acne Treatment with 2% benzoyl peroxide. Now, I don't know if benzoyl peroxide is better than salicylic acid, but I have used products containing both and they seem to work equally well on my skin. I have been using Neutrogena skin products for years now, and have always had luck with the brand. So I'm hoping this one serves me just as well. I guess i'll have to wait and see! However, the next time I go back to Ulta, I am definitely going to buy the Mario Badescu drying lotion. I have seen so many rave reviews on that particular product. The only reason I ever held off on buying it before  was that I never really broke out that often, so I figured why spend the money? I shouldn't have been so sure that my skin wouldn't act up. But for now, Neutrogena it is...

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OOTN

I'm sorry the picture looks so small, not quite sure why. I think if you click on the picture, it may expand. And of course, the lighting is off! Everything I am wearing can still be found at stores, except for the shoes. Sadly, those were purchased a couple years ago.
I am wearing:
~Black jacket with attached belt: Forever 21
~Black top (underneath): Express
~Dark skinny jeans: Express (stella fit)
~Creme scarf (so soft!): Nordstrom
~Leopard print peep toe heels: Guess

Thank you for reading,

<3 Noelle

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Burts Bees: Acne Spot Treatment

I don't know if it's because of college finals or the stress of the holidays that is causing my skin to freak out, but lately my chin and nose have become riddled with spots. I have never really had too much trouble with acne, but I did break out once in a while during my teen years. Oh the joys of adolescence ;) I thought that maybe once I reached my twenties, all traces of breakouts would magically disappear. I didn't take into account how stressful my last year of college was going to be. So, let's just blame my bad skin on school these days. I don't break out that often, but when I do, it isn't pretty. I get horrible cystic bumps, almost always on my chin. I think it must have something to do with resting my hand on it during boring lectures.

So this morning before class I went to CVS and bought the Burts Bees Spot Treatment. It is a little bottle with yellowish liquid. I'm hoping for a miracle. It contains 0.75% salicylic acid, which is supposed to eliminate current acne, as well as prevent future breakouts. Here is what the package says: "This natural spot treatment is clinically proven to help reduce and improve the appearance of blemishes without irritating skin. Formulated with tea tree, calendula, yarrow, and parsley extracts to help soothe skin and reduce redness and borage extract to promote healthy skin resulting in clear and smooth skin, naturally." Well i hope so! I have never tried Burts Bees, but I have heard many wonderful things about the brand. I am going to put some of it on a few spots that I have tonight and see how and if it works. I'm sure they won't disappear overnight. But I must say I am excited to try a new product, even if it is for something as annoying as blemishes.

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Blog Awards

I was fortunate enough to be given two blog awards today, one from Catanya of http://catanyasthings.blogspot.com/ and also one from Laura of http://magnolianotes.blogspot.com/. Thank you so much girls! These really do mean a lot to me because I want to make sure that everyone actually enjoys what I blog about. Awards offer a little reassurance ;)

I believe I have already received the award that Laura gave me, but I feel bad not accepting!  I want to pass the love on to these  fellow bloggers for both awards as well, or maybe just the one they haven't received yet:

   http://princesa-livia.blogspot.com/

   http://glamourdiaries.blogspot.com/

 http://highslowsandstilettos.blogspot.com/

http://sparklemidori.blogspot.com/

http://beautifulthingsdiary.blogspot.com/

http://ifoundpablo.blogspot.com/

http://clearlybeautiful.blogspot.com/

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November Loves

This past month completely flew by! I can't believe it's almost Christmas...where does the time go? Anyway, I want to share my monthly favorites, which happens to be my favorite posting every month.

Makeup Loves:
* MAC Mineralize blush in Superdupernatural: The name describes it perfectly - the most amazingly natural blush I have ever encountered. It isn't too much, or too little. It can be layered very easily if you want a more intense color payoff. I usually just do a couple swipes with my MAC 187 brush. I was never a huge fan of the mineral blushes until the Holiday collection came out last month. I always thought that they were too shimmery, but this one is exceptionally beautiful, and it isn't glittery at all. Just enough to warm up the face. I also went back and got the other mineralize blush from the collection in Conjure Up. I have yet to use it though, because I can't put this one down!
* NYX jumbo pencil in Black Bean: At night when I like to do my usual smokey eye, I layer black bean on top of UDPP. It intensifies my smokey shadows and gives them an extra base to stick to so my eye makeup won't budge all night. Which brings me to...
* MAC e/s in Smoke and Diamonds: I have been using this like crazy on the weekends! I still can't decide what color to classify it as because it can look charcoal in some lighting and taupey brown in other lighting. Whatever color it is, I think it's beautiful! I hate mentioning a product that isn't permanent, but 9 times out of 10, Smoke and Diamonds is on my lids every Friday and Saturday night ;)
* Again another MAC product, Nude Rose l/s: You girls know how obessesed I became trying to track one of these down! It seemed hopeless, until one day I finally got lucky! I am so happy I was able to find it, because I LOVE IT.
* Sonia Kashuk blending sponge: I have been using this to apply my foundation for months now, and I don't know why I haven't mentioned it before. I love the way this gives me that airbrushed look. I know some people have mentioned their sponge falling apart, but for whatever reason, mine is still good as new.

Hair Loves:
* Aussie Sydney Smooth Conditioner: It does what it claims - keeps my frizzy hair from becoming...well, frizzy!
* Back to Basics Leave-In Conditioner with Sunflower: I spray this on before blow drying, and I can tell it has restored a lot of lost moisture back into my hair. It also helps with static, which is good when you live in desert like conditions as I do.

Fashion Loves:
* My black knee high boots from Forever 21: They are so comfortable, as the heel is only three inches and very sturdy. And I love the red bottoms! I know it is a cheap imitation of the infamous Christian Louboutins, but they are so cute!
* Super skinny jeans from American Eagle Outfitters: Ok, so these are super super skinny! I mean, they are practically leggings they are so tight. Only at the ankles though. The bottom is still roomy enough for a girl like me ;) And of course the sole reason for buying them was so that I could fit them into my boots.

I hope you enjoyed reading this and it wasn't too boring this month! Happy Sunday
Oh and what do you think of my new background? Better than before?

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