All About Blonde Hair

As of summer 2013 I am officially blonde. It only took me a little over a year to get the color blonde I achieved. I have read up on so many blogs and websites. Watched so many tutorials and catch all videos. Asked hair dressers, professionals, and enthusiasts alike. And let me tell you, there is plenty of info to benefit from out there! I must say I am quite happy with my hair right now. That goes for color and the health of it. It could stand to be a little thicker but that is sacrifice for over-processing your hair. Otherwise, my hair is healthier then I ever thought it could possibly be as a blonde.

This video encompasses everything I know about blonde hair.

How to achieve the color

Avoiding Bleach

Repairing Your Hair

Smoothing the cuticle

Keeping it soft and shiny

Keeping it healthy and gorgeous

Never go to a salon again! This is how I went from a darker brown all the way to platinum blonde. Here's everything you need to know!

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Products Mentioned:
.Ion High Lift Color 305215 High Lift Natural Blonde HL/N 12.0
.Salon Care Professional 40 Volume Creme
.Garnier Nutrisse Extra Light Ash Blonde {White Chocolate} 111
.Garnier Olia Lightest Cool Blonde
.AG Sterling Silver Shampoo Mild Toning Shampoo
.Redken All Soft Conditioner
.Mane and Tail Conditioner
.Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum {or any serum for that matter}
.Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde Dramatic Repair
.Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray
.Silk Elements Heat Protection Spray

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References. Learn More!

The Natural Haven Bloom
Black Girl Long Hair
Natural Beauty Wellness
How to Get Bleach Blonde Hair At Home. Maintain Platinum Blonde Hair
Drugstore Dye Job - How to Dye your Hair Blonde At Home

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If you have any questions leave them down below.
If you have some other tips, leave those in the comments too!

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Disclaimer!!!!
Yall know I am just a normal who went from a dark color to light blonde at home, right? Obviously, I am not a professional. But don't worry! I learned all of this on my own and did all the experimenting for you so you don't mess this up- You can do it! Please watch the videos and read the blog post's I have listed here for you. If you want to take care of your hair, these are great places to start!




I know all my of beauty bloggers have some great tips. Leave them down below? 
Thank you!

take care,
Erica

Product Spotlight: Love it or Hate it?

Ever notice your makeup is kinda like your closet in a sense when its like "I have nothing to wear!" I see posts like this all the time and I think it is a really good way to bring those products back to life and also a great way to save your money! So these are those makeup products that I bought and I don't nearly use them as much as I should be. I am determined to shop my own stock and bring those diamonds in the rough back to life!

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Remember this palette from icing? I didn't! great pigment, great price, great colors, hasn't been touched since! I think this would be great for a really dramatic smokey eye. Lately, I have been putting some black eye shadow over my liner (which I am so glad I picked that tip up! It makes your line look even black-er) & this black would be perfect b/c my other black shadow is shimmery as this one is matte. I am a bit scared of blue shadow, I think its because I am better with warm colors, but I think the dark blue would be really nice for an outer corner color, no? On top of all of that, the packaging is adorable!

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Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara - I actually hated this mascara when I first got it. I thought the formula was too watery and I wasn't a huge fan of the brush. I have done a complete 180 because I have been using it the last 2 days and actually loving it. My lashes are thick and long so I don't like lots of clumps on my lashes. This stuff really separates my lashes and I love the brush now. See, thats what happens when you start shopping your stash.

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Garnier Fructis Roller Ball- I just wanted to mention this because I had really high hopes for this since everybody talks about it, but I am sorry - I really don't see much of a change in my under-eye area. I really wanted to like this stuff, but I just don't. I still use it hoping it might be doing something that I am not even aware of, so I still have hope, I suppose.

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Mark.Celestial Eyes in Mint Sky- It's a cream shadow and even tho it is looking a little dried up, once rubbed between my finger to warm it up for a couple of seconds, it is still good to go- for me anyways. Keep in mind that I bought this in like March. I think these would be really good as a base. Cream shadows are perfect to pair with the same colors of the powder shadow to make your look really pop

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This next one is def. a diamond in the rough. I cant barely read who/what it is but I managed to figure it out Rimmel's Kiss & Stay. I bought this when I was a dancer a couple years ago, I can probably just go ahead and toss it if I wanted....but I don't want to! It is a really beautiful color, a bold pink that is perfect for a night on the town, since I don't dance anymore. I pulled it out and swatched it to see if it still had the staying power it did, and let me tell you, it does! I have never seen anything cling to me like this stuff does. Water will not take this stuff off. I used my Clinique makeup remover to take this stuff of but I think soap and water will do, but you may have to scrub a bit. Not majorly or anything but it does "kiss & stay".  If you try to take it off with just water, the water will run right off of the product and as you scrub it will kind of feel rubbery, you know what I mean? Although a little annoying, I think its a good thing, held up to their promise. Thanx Rimmel!

(left)swatch I left on while I slept (didn't attempt to wash it off) (right) swatch that I swatched 1 minute before I took the picture

Is there anything that you are bringing back to life? What about tossing it and never looking back? let me know in the comments! Thanx for reading!