Nobody asked and 4 months ago I wouldn't have said I'd dying my hair at home anyway but... here we are!

What are we talking about: Color & Co Personal At-Home Haircolor by L'Oreal
Why: Because my roots are like, RIGHT THERE, aren't they? And also I'm not at the home haircut stage - yet.
How much is it? Varies I'm sure, I found a 25% off promo code (25COLOR) which pretty much paid for shipping so the total was $22.

I'm not going to lie to y'all, I'm sure this was a boredom purchase. And an anxiety induced purchase, since I am definitely that person who likes to get their hair done when they're unhappy. But since I never really got into the home cut phase (1. curly hair, and 2. generally that's much harder to come back from), hair dye it is.

All of these home hair dye sites that have popped up are very similar in that you answer a bunch of questions about your current state and where you want to be, which they then use to pop out a color recommendation. Except for the fact that the first question is gendered (boooo), what I liked about Color & Co was that as soon as I said had full highlights it immediately popped up with a message strongly urging me to talk to a stylist. I am nervous person and I appreciated that they were like, talk to a real person or don't blame us if you f*ck it up.

I ended up chatting with a very nice man named Paul, who talked me through all initial questions and what my options were once I said I wanted to go back to red. He got to see my natural hair, the dyed hair, all the highlights, and do that thing responsible people do like tell me to do a strand test. Also, I really appreciated the way the service would (apparently) immediately send out a new color with free shipping if I didn't like the way it came out, and that I could video chat with them again if I needed help during the actual application.


Ultimately we decided on a demi-permanent color that would dye my hair but not cover my highlights - thus keeping all the built in depth that my regular go-to gal Josephine (WHO I SO SO MISS) had done.

Four days after placing my order I got my kit, which again due to Paul's foresight, included two applications of color to tide me over until my renewal (which I could delay, but hey, who the hell knows where we're all be in 8 weeks).

(Don't judge these photos ok? I decided pretty late on in the real life process to take pictures for the blog, so eh lighting and cat hair is par for the course.)


I planned it out so that I could apply the dye post-workout, and according to their instructions, 20 min on my roots and then 20min all over. They send you one of those little brush things and while I can't tell you I have the best technique, I did a few parts in the back and front right at my roots on both sides of my head, applied dye, massaged, waited. After that I applied the rest of the bottle all over, massaged again, fanning the hair in my fingers, honestly just kind of copying what I remembered as typical when I got my hair done professionally. After that it got plopped in a bun on top of my head for 25 min (as per Paul, more time would potentially make the final affect darker, but since we weren't lightening my base color a little extra time wouldn't hurt).

BUT WHO CARES, YOU'RE REALLY JUST HERE FOR THE AFTER RIGHT?

If you're my friend IRL then I probably sound like a broken record, but I really do love Girlfriend Collective. They're my favorite sports bras across the board, and these track pants 100% live up to the rest of what I've tried from the brand. Throw in the fact that items are made using recycled plastic and the sizes range from XXS to 6X (which is reflected in their marketing) and [chef's kiss].

So on the first trip out to McKee-Beshers WMA this year my friend Jessy and I were faced with two things: people, and in my preferred spot, sunflowers that were distinctly NOT in full bloom. But on one of our very few field trips into this new normal where (to be honest) everything is still terrifying and terrible, we were not deterred. We instead ended up hiking further and deeper in parts of the area  I hadn't explored before, got very inspired, and 100% want to go back when it's not a billion degrees outside to explore even more.

Also, why are these trips the ones where I always end up sweating like I've never sweat before?




*Fit Note: Esby says this dress runs true to size, and for the most part I agree with them. I like how oversized the XL appears on me, but due to my slightly narrow shoulders I've hand sewn in a couple darts in the back so the sleeves won't slide down. The material doesn't have any stretch, so just keep that in mind if you decide to invest!

I want you to know that it took everything in me to stop this post from having so many pictures in it that it became obnoxious. I'm always very conscious of what I wish I was able to find online when I'm doing my pre-purchase research, but in the end I decided we didn't need up close and personal glamour shots of each crème tint pro individually LOL (but also DM if you want one/some, cause I may have taken them anyway...).

Salt New York popped up on my radar last year, almost entirely due to Kackie Reviews Beauty (review video linked here), who was in the middle of her "Clean Beauty 2019" push. And since I admit to being just as susceptible to marketing as anyone else,  I watched along while she tried out a bunch of different products at varying price points.

I decided after her video that I really wanted to try the brand, but what I couldn't find were enough reviews to really inform my purchase. Brand founder Kiki G (Katelyn Galloway) is a working makeup artist, and while the products were created out of her own desire for a more well-rounded and inclusive offering from cream products, when it comes to makeup I depend on "real people" to make a decision. Online swatches and models are all well and good - I'm not saying the website doesn't do it's best - but I just couldn't get a feel for how it would work for me. Plus, everything was back-ordered even before the pandemic hit.

But we're all here right? Clearly I threw caution to the wind and bought some stuff, or this post would be spectacularly useless. In the end I just decided that even if I hated everything, at 50% off the bundle I was at least supporting a woman owned, made in the US brand and that's never a bad way to spend some (very reasonable) dollars.


And speaking of dollars, here's how the Crème Tint Pro stacks up against some of my other cream blushes:

Really the only other product you're maybe getting a better deal on is the Kosas blush/highlighter duo, and that's if you're ok with the pre-made palettes. I picked up two of their high intensity duos and while I love the blushes, the highlighters in both are a bit deep for me so their usability is arguable. The Kjaer Weis formula is one of my favorites ever, but $32 for JUST the refill is steep - you're really looking at investing $40 or $56 if you don't already have a case to put it in. I'm not so over the edge that it doesn't occur to me how expensive that is - if you're better than I am at moderation maybe it doesn't hurt so much, but I am aware. But I digress.

Keeping in mind my collection and what I like/tend towards using most often, I picked up 2 highlighters, a blush, and a bronzer. While I would typically not open everything due to what I currently have in rotation, each product has a 24 month shelf life so I figured it wouldn't be too bad. All four products are housed in the Palette Mini, a sturdy faux leather case with gold colored zipper, which firmly holds each product via magnets.


The Crème Tint Pro pans are "organized" (quotes because obviously they're just recommendations, buy what you want) into undertones and skin depth. Kiki G's video does a great job of describing how each pan varies as warm or cool, and what depth of skin tone (light, medium, deep) it is intended to suit. I kept that in mind for blushes and bronzer (I freakishly don't have a coral blush) but when it comes to highlighter I just couldn't make up my mind. Over the course of a normal year the depth of my skin tone can actually vary a lot, and after having been burned by the Kosas duos I picked up both Beige and Warm Tan and have NO regrets. I can tailor the highlight to my skin and mood on any given day which is excellent :D.

And there's more! You can head over to my Instagram right now for an IGTV dedicated to these products (don't hate me for the lack of editing, one step at a time, lol).

So as has been established at this point, I live alone. Living alone during a global pandemic that necessitates you not being around people you don't live with has been... not fun. While the numbers across the US are rising rapidly because of a lack of any true leadership and a complete disinterest in actually managing anything from the current administration, there are a few rays of sunshine. First, I bought a car.

(Did I want to buy a car? Not really, but here we are.)

Getting the car (and a COVID test) has allowed me to create a little bubble of friends that I could see safely, which has done wonders for my sanity, and explore a little wider afield than I would usually. Here I'm sharing a few pics from Butler's Orchard, where large outdoor fields and timed tickets meant that people could go out fruit picking in their masks but not feel overwhelmed. And hey - new dress. Which, I just checked, is like 75% off and made with sustainably sourced cotton.

So yesterday I threw up a picture on my Insta Stories of a skincare product that had just arrived in the mail and was reminded that not everyone is as much of obsessive as I am, lol. I'm trying to do better about responding on the topics that y'all bring up and not just the randomness in my brain, so here's quickie post about the Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Lotion!


Going back a bit to about Hada Labo itself,

"HADA LABO—which is translated as “Skin Lab”—is a technologically advanced Japanese skin care line researched and developed at the Rohto research facility in Japan. It is the result of more than 100 years of product development and the continued research efforts of Rohto Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd., a leading manufacturer of pharmaceutical products and cosmetics.

Using the power of Super Hyaluronic Acid, Rohto has updated the time-honored and long-admired Japanese ritual for beautiful, younger-looking skin. This combination of high-tech, modern technology and a traditional approach to pampering application is at the heart of HADA LABO. It provides the perfect balance in your skin care regimen—and perfect harmony for your skin." - Hada Labo USA

Now hyaluronic acid, a substance that's naturally occurring in the skin, works to attract and bind water. For dehydrated skin (vs dry skin - lacking moisture/oil), incorporating hyaluronic acid can improve plumpness, brightness, fine lines and wrinkles - all those kind of things. I've also had a facialist say that milia can occur/be exacerbated by dehydration. I have had oily skin my entire life, and now at 34 I think it's inching toward combination, and knowing that I'm already stressing my skin due to the anti-acne products I regularly use, hyaluronic acid for me is an easy ingredient to incorporate to help support the overall health of my skin.


Now, the Premium edition of Hada Labo's lotion has five different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, that absorb at different levels of the skin. It's a slightly thicker texture and often marketed towards more mature skin, and using multiple layers can even replace a moisturizer - especially in hot weather. And guess what friends - I have gifs!



I'm not out here on YouTube but I knew that what was really important to share was the texture of the product, as well as the efficacy. Also, IT'S UNSCENTED AND THAT'S AWESOME. I've only used it a couple times so far, including this morning, and I'm still developing my opinion. While it's called a lotion I use this right after cleanser in the morning, before serum, and a night after cleansing and any exfoliating step I might be using. I like having a hyaluronic acid product in my line up because even if I don't immediately see a difference, it's a ingredient I use for long term skin health. I can say immediately it's easy to use and doesn't cause anything I apply afterward to ball up or go weird, which is great. Also, it's $16 so....I don't mind continuing to play with it and see how it goes.

I realize this is a bit of a random post, or random for the times at least, but I really wanted to share for two reasons:

1) Chantecaille is a brand I've been intrigued by for a while, and
2) I want to support and encourage the work that Creators like Kinkysweat, aka Alicia, are doing.

Back on June 5th she used one of her Friday Night Lives to do a Q&A with Angela Barthel, a Team Lead from Chantecaille. Both Black women, the conversation flowed between the two of them about their experiences in the industry and also incorporated questions from viewers - and they weren't all softballs. I wouldn't say that all of Angela's answers were 100% to my liking, but I have to give props where props are due, and she stuck it out even while sometimes visibly uncomfortable. Black and other people of color (BIPOC) want to spend money on luxury makeup, and are no longer satisfied with waiting for the next round to find a color that's appropriate for them. We no longer want to be after thoughts. So yes, I benefit from this purchase because I wanted these products and the exclusive GWP was/is nice, but I also wanted to communicate to Kinkysweat and Chantecaille that people are watching. We will put our money where our mouths are, but excuses about formula to explain a lack of diversity in your shade range? That's not gonna cut it long term.

But you're probably here for the products huh? ON TO TOO MANY PICTURES!


First up are the two things I paid for, the Perfect Blur Finishing Powder and the Radiance Cheek and Highlight Duo. I've been chatting with a couple friends lately about the fact that I consider myself a try-er. I want to (for the most part) get use of the things I buy, I'm not super into the idea of collecting for the sake of having it, but I love trying things in case something new could be better, and these seem to be good products to try. Neither have any overt fragrance, but are super soft with the gelée texture that you'll see in some Tom Ford bronzers. Since is this just a first impressions I can't say too much about either, but the blur powder upon application does seem to set without mattifying, which I like but may be too little for the summer heat. It also doesn't leave any sort of white cast, which is great. The highlighter in the duo is AMAZING, and the blush is nice but I applied it with a pointed, natural haired brush and I'm not sure that was the best choice.


And swatches!


Next up is the Gift With Purchase (GWP) that Angela Barthel secured for viewers with a $150 purchase (down from what would usually be $300, so I am thankful cause without being able to see things in person I am much less likely to spend that kind of cash). It came in a super cute little green makeup bag, which hey, if I'm ever allowed to travel again I would 100% use.


As you can see the kit came with 3 super sized samples of skincare, and one full size lip product. If I was being *super* picky (which I can be) I'd be a bit disgruntled that some of the skincare products were switched out - the Bio Lifting Cream for the Jasmine and Lily Healing Mask (which I got way back when in the SpaceNK Advent Calendar and love for winter), and the Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser for the Nano Gold Energizing Eye Serum  (I've tried samples of this cleanser before and it's fine? Just not mind blowing). BUT, the Stress Repair Concentrate is already an eye related product, and at this price point trying one of them is fine. But on to the fun product - the lipstick!


I fell in love with the glossy swatch Angela did on the live and it lives up to that hype in person. It applies like a lip balm but gives this beautiful glossy affect that if I wasn't wearing a mask every time I leave the house, I would be even more excited about.

I promise to do a full face for y'all in the future, but so far so good and I don't really have any regrets about anything. It's funny though, because the only thing I've been making any headway into finishing is skincare, but makeup is still the thing I can fall head first into buying so easily. If you have a question about anything in particular, make sure to leave a comment or send me a DM or on Insta and I'll answer what I can!



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Quick update on some of the links in my posts. As you see in the sidebar disclaimer, some of the links in my posts are now going to be affiliate links. If you choose to use them, affiliate links allow blogs like mine to make a small commission off your purchase with no additional cost to you. It's a great way to support the content you love and I really appreciate y'all sticking around in the fast paced world of the internet. Got a question about the links? Feel free to send me a DM or drop me a comment!

So... it's been a while huh? I actually checked and apparently it's been almost a year (July 2019) since my last Friday Book Club post and I'm both horrified and not so much. I've been saying to friends that when my stress levels go up I find it super hard to read/watch anything new, because the anxiety of wondering how things will end is too much for my brain. Which is why at the beginning of the year I started tracking things in a more simpler form over on Twitter using the #GRHReads tag, and wow can you see the ups and downs of being an emotional reader.  And hell, this doesn't even cover the books I've started and stopped after a sentence or a paragrah, or the ones I completely DNF'd partway through.

It's been rough out there y'all.

But I've decided to give myself a break and if I reread something and just want to share how much I love it, I'm allowed - even if I've posted about it before. The joys of it being my own little piece of the internet hahaha. 99% of my reading is for pleasure, and I want a happy ending, with preferably low angst. No apologies. The world is way more than enough hard truth on any given day. And with that, here are a few of the more recent works that I've read new/reread old and enjoyed the heck out of.

Badger to the Bone by Shelly Laurenston (Paranormal Romance)
She’s the woman he’s been hired to kidnap. But ZeZé Vargas has other ideas . . . like getting them both out of this nightmare alive. Just one problem. She’s crazy. Certifiably. Because while he’s plotting their escape, the petite Asian beauty is plotting something much more deadly . . .

Max “Kill It Again” MacKilligan has no idea what one of her own is doing with all these criminal humans until she realizes that Zé has no idea who or what he is. Or exactly how much power he truly has.

But Max is more than happy to bring this handsome jaguar shifter into her world and show him everything he’s been missing out on. A move that might be the dumbest thing she’s ever done once she realizes how far her enemies will go to wipe her out. Too bad for them Zé is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her alive . . . and honey badgers are just so damn hard to kill!

My Thoughts: I have read and reread this book an embarrassing number of times since it came out at the end of March. The conclusion to Laurenston's Honey Badger Chronicles trilogy, it is peak ridiculousness. I'm not sure how to describe something so laugh out loud funny that also features some of the best kick ass and confident heroines that I've ever come across. Laurenston takes her stories seriously but they've never serious, which is why they've been comfort reads for two decades. Highly recommended, especially if you miss a good ol' action movie in theaters - you won't be disappointed.

Alpha Night by Nalini Singh (Paranormal Romance)
Alpha wolf Selenka Durev’s devotion to her pack is equaled only by her anger at anyone who would harm those under her care. That currently includes the empaths who’ve flowed into her city for a symposium that is a security nightmare, a powder keg just waiting for a match.

Ethan Night is an Arrow who isn’t an Arrow. Numb and disengaged from the world, he’s loyal only to himself. Assigned as part of the security force at a world-first symposium, he carries a dark agenda tied to the power-hungry and murderous Consortium. Then violence erupts and Ethan finds himself crashing into the heart and soul of an alpha wolf.

Mating at first sight is a myth, a fairytale. Yet Selenka’s wolf is resolute: Ethan Night, broken Arrow and a man capable of obsessive devotion, is the mate it has chosen. Even if the mating bond is full of static and not quite as it should be. Because Selenka’s new mate has a terrible secret, his mind surging with a power that is a creature of madness and death…

My Thoughts: Welp, as I suspected, this book brought my heart all the uncomplicated joy. Which is probably a little strange to say because one of the MCs, Ethan, has suffered all sorts of trauma in his life, but his relationship with Selenka? WONDERFUL. As the latest in Singh's very long running Psy-Changeling series (even if it's part of the Trinity sub-set) it's very hard for me to say this book is a stand alone. The romance, like in all her books, is done with relatively low angst within this one story, but the larger plot has been in the works for a while. Which is a lot of words to say YMMV if you haven't picked up the previous books. I know that Singh will make it worth your while (and yay for all the books you now have at your fingertips!) so may I tempt you to get started if you haven't?

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (Alternate World Fantasy(?))
Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He's tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world.

Arthur Parnassus is the master of the orphanage. He would do anything to keep the children safe, even if it means the world will burn. And his secrets will come to light.

My Thoughts: This was a bit of a random buy for me, picked up on the strength of Twitter and my experience with Klune's absolutely ridiculous Tales From Verania series. And despite the relatively high price tag, this book 100% delivers. I think the story most closely hews to Urban Fantasy, but it is also gives off very strong Studio Ghibli vibes. It's a story about found family, appreciating uniqueness, and finding the inner strength to do what's right, with the perfect amount of unabashedly queer romance. It's slow burn with some wonderful characters and I really hope it's just the beginning of more to come.


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Quick update on some of the links in my posts. As you see in the sidebar disclaimer, some of the links in my posts are now going to be affiliate links. If you choose to use them, affiliate links allow blogs like mine to make a small commission off your purchase with no additional cost to you. It's a great way to support the content you love and I really appreciate y'all sticking around in the fast paced world of the internet. Got a question about the links? Feel free to send me a DM or drop me a comment!