December 28, 2012

a brew of shampoo...

Over the past six or seven years that I've been actually paying attention to the products I use in my hair, I've experimented with so many different brands and types of shampoo. Shampoo, for me, is pretty much hit or miss. I either like it or I don't. Some people can get away with using whatever kind they want (whether it be a cheap, no-name bottle from the dollar store or a professional label from a high end salon that they paid an arm and a leg for) and it won't affect their hair. To those people, I say, congratulations for the odds being ever in your favor. But for most people, its not that simple.
There are actually a lot of factors to take into consideration when deciding on a shampoo, the most relevant being hair type, hair color and the condition of your scalp.

If you don't know what type of hair you have, you can either go to your salon and have a stylist take a look, or the easier of the two, google "types of hair" and match yours with the descriptions you find. Your hair type plays a big part in which shampoo you should use.
  • If you have color treated hair, stick with shampoos that are made specifically for dyed hair. The chemicals are less harsh and they also have ingredients in them to preserve your color.
    • FAVORITE: I'm a huge fan of the  John Frieda "adjective color" line...you know,  Sheer Blonde, Brilliant Brunette and Radiant Red? These are relatively cheap for a salon brand and actually work very well to restore nutrients and keep your color looking how it should.
  • For thick or curly hair, you'll definitely want a product to cut down frizz and slightly reduce volume. 
    • FAVORITE: I do love the John Frieda Frizz Ease products. I've used both shampoos in this line and I have to say I favor the Repairing Shampoo over the Hydrating Shampoo. The Repairing Shampoo basically does the same as the other, but adds minerals and nutrients that restore your hair and lock in moisture while keeping your locks tame.
    •  
  • With thin hair, you most definitely want to use a product that contains a volumizing agent.
    • FAVORITE: TIGI Bed Head Superstar is fabulous. While I haven't used it on myself, I've used it on friends and family who have thinner hair. It keeps your roots standing high and healthy and looking fabulous for hours without using massive amounts of hairspray to hold it up. (Its like a pushup bra for your hair!) 
  • For an oily scalp, I've found that it doesn't really make a difference what shampoo you use. An oily scalp is a bit easier to tame than a dry one. If your hair gets greasy easily or fast, minimize the amount of times you wash your hair per week. Every time you wash your hair, you remove the natural oils that your scalp produces. This sends a signal to your hair follicles to make more oil for your scalp. By reducing the amount of washes your hair gets per week, you're training your hair to minimize the amount of oil that it produces, in turn, leaving you with a not-as-greasy healthy scalp.
  • A dry scalp is slightly harder to tame than an oily one. Its hard to tell exactly why your scalp is so dry and to the extent that it needs to be moisturized. I recommend getting som esample sizes of a few shampoos and testing them out to see which works best with your hair. 
    • FAVORITE: Any anti-dandruff shampoo would be good for a dry scalp. Head & Shoulders has an awesome range of shampoos for a flake-free lifestyle, and there's a shampoo for every type of hair and level of scalp dryness. (And its cheap, too!)
Don't like how dark your hair came out after a new coloring sesh, or maybe you want to brighten up your blonde a bit? Use Head & Shoulder's Classic Clean Shampoo to fade it a bit. Still don't like it? Go back to your salon and have them recolor it! If you do it within 48 hours, they'll usually fix your botched color (and cut) free of charge!

Have questions or comments? Leave me a message in the comment box!
NEXT STOP: CONDITIONING!

Stay cheeky! :) x

December 17, 2012

lets talk about hair

Everyone has it. (Well, mostly everyone...) Its fun to style, color and cut when you want to change your look. If you're like me, you're constantly looking for ways to change your image, and instead of getting a new wardrobe every month to do that, you change your hair color.

When salon color is a little pricey, I'll admit, I have used many a box dyes. But while they're fine for a root touch up here and there when you can't get to a salon, I wouldn't recommend using a box dye every single time you color your hair. The chemicals in box dye are much more harsh and damaging than the mixes they use at salons. Trust me, I have been personally victimized by this stuff on more than one occasion, and the only reason I would ever use a box dye again would be for semi-permanent reasons, say to test out a color.

I'll admit, I was blessed with A LOT of hair. My hair has been 7 different colors in the past year, and I haven't lost much of it. I started off in January with my natural dirty blonde color, and now mid-December, I've been  golden blonde, golden blonde with a chocolate cherry underside, dark brown with highlights, platinum blonde, chocolate cherry red, and now, believe it or not, ginger. That's A LOT of damage in 12 months. Actually that's a lot of damage for any amount of time. But regardless of the over-processing and what was used to color, my hair is still mostly healthy and able to be dyed again and again.

How? Well, with color processing comes responsibility. Keeping up with my hair is not an easy task. I use good shampoo and conditioner, keep the heat tool use to a minimum, and indulge my thirsty locks with hot oil treatments and deep conditioning hair masks on a weekly basis.

Over the next few posts, I'll give you some helpful tips and tricks to keep your hair looking and feeling its absolute best. These treatments should work on all colors, textures and lengths, and even if you don't process your hair at all, these products and suggestions are still a good way to show your hair a little love and keep it soft, smooth and shiny!

Next stop, SHAMPOO! But until then, stay cheeky! :) x



December 15, 2012

latest purchases

There are two things you need to know about me:

1. My entire wardrobe consists of three colors: black, white and grey
2. I hate wearing pants





Herringbone Trousers | Zara  Faux Leather Leggings | Zara  Patent Pumps Zara  
Berkeley Ankle Boot | Nasty Gal


So imagine my surprise when I went on Zara's website and found not one, but two pairs of pants that I loved! (This was after months of coaxing from my mother and Cat (and just about everyone else who knows me) to "Please, please buy a pair of trousers for winter. You will freeze to death otherwise.") 

These herringbone trousers look fantastic paired with a crisp white shirt and my Berkeley ankle boots (pictured below). And I love love love the pockets! The faux leather leggings are another great find, I wear them with absolutely everything. However they weren't photographing well, so I took a close up to show you the knee detailing. They're super warm, comfortable and can easily be dressed up or down. I've also had a few boys at my university compliment them...does this mean I've found the perfect pant? Moving on.  

I've been wanting a pair of classic black pumps for ages, and since I wasn't ready to max out my bank account for a pair of Louboutins ($625?! I can't justify it.) these ones from Zara are just what I was looking for. The heel is 3 1/2 inches, bringing my frame to a whopping (wait for it) 5'5''. I rocked 6 inch heels through high school...I must be getting old. But these pumps are easy to walk in, not at all painful and have an incredibly Audrey Hepburn à la Breakfast At Tiffany's feel to them. 

Lastly, I picked out these ankle boots from the Nasty Gal site. As you can probably tell from the picture, they're already worn in- I wear them everywhere with everything. They're the perfect heel high, just enough to lift your frame, while still allowing you to dash across the street if need be. The perfect shoe to make the transition through the seasons.

What are some of your latest purchases? Comment and let me know!



December 14, 2012

christmas wish list

christmas list

Well, Christmas is right around the corner, and if you're like me, you've spent more time procrastinating than buying or thinking of what to put on your own list. It happens every year, and every year, I get frustrated and flustered, but why break tradition? So this year, with Christmas less than two weeks away, I have yet to purchase anything for anyone and I've just gotten around to putting my own list together. 

I really love shoes. I have so many, but I always find myself wanting more and more. So instead of asking for a cute pair of heels that will sit in my closet and only come out to play on special occasions, I opted for a cute pair of sneakers from Supra. I've always been a big fan of high-tops and these were just too cute to pass up! I'd most likely pair them with a pair of cute leggings and a cute top like the GEEK sweatshirt from Topshop. And of course every outfit needs a good accessory or two; a watch is always a go-to for quick and easy accessorizing.

In the makeup department... I've tried quite a few gel/creme eyeliners and have not been very impressed with any of them, but the MAC creme eyeliner is fabulous. Of course the NAKED palate with eyelid primer from Urban Decay is an absolute essential for any girl and a good eyebrow gel (this one is from MAC) is also a must-have. Even if you don't have wrinkles, its never too early to start using an anti-aging cream. In fact, if you use the Sephora Super Loaded Age Defy Serum before you start showing signs of age, it will help delay those symptoms and keep your skin looking young and fresh longer!

If you color your hair (professionally or from a box dye), make sure to pick up a pot of Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment. In just one use you'll be able to notice the amount of moisture restored to your hair even after years of chemical processing and dye. Even if your hair is in it's natural state, its a nice luxury for untreated hair :) It keeps your hair shiny and smooth and it smells delicious!

Last but not least, everybody loves a good jam! And by jam, I don't mean the stuff you spread on toast! If you don't know who Annie Mac is, first, bless your poor, deprived soul, and second, let me introduce you! Annie Mac is an Irish radio DJ at the UK's BBC Radio 1. I've heard only snippets of this CD, but what I've heard is loads of fabulous mixes, funky sounds and a whole heck of a lot of dance jams. Sadly, I haven't been able to find anywhere in the US where I can get this CD, so I highly doubt I'll be opening this on Christmas morning, but who knows? It'd be a nice surprise!

What are you asking for?

December 13, 2012

christmas wish list

#41



Drape Collar Parka $45 | House of Harlow 1960 Sunglasses $69 | Cropped Blouse $39 |  Tazo Tea $6.95 | Mango Leather Mini Skirt $100 | Studded Wedge Sneakers $105 | Ryan Gosling Coloring Book $14 | Gold Ear Cuff Chain Earring $4.83 | Jet Romper $88 | Chanel N°5 $89

With finals almost over and Christmas just around the corner (honestly, where did the time go?) I've come up with a wish list. I've mainly asked for gift cards this year (while I appreciate family members buying me clothes, our tastes aren't always the same) so I thought I'd share some of the items I hope to purchase.

I'm in love with this army green parka, it's lightweight and feminine and perfect for transitioning into spring! It can be paired with anything, leather leggings, skirts, boots (or the wedge sneakers directly below it). I saw these wedges on Nasty Gal and decided they were a must have, perfect for running around, whilst maintaining a girly, edgy vibe. I'm also in desperate need of black sunglasses, as well as a cropped blouse that will go with everything! And I did put Ryan Gosling on my Christmas list...though this coloring book is probably as close as I'll ever get to the real thing (cue the sad tears). I've been wanting a chain ear cuff for a while now and this one does the trick. Since Cat and I have a (minor) Starbucks obsession, I always get this tea at the holidays, it smells like Christmas! The Jet Romper also comes in red, I'm loving the 40s-esque/Veronica Lake vibe it's giving off. The Mango skirt is the perfect leather skirt in my opinion, it can be dressed up or down. And what's classier than Chanel?

What's on your list this holiday? 








December 7, 2012

welcome to cheeky!

Congratulations! You've made it to Cheeky! Cheeky is your one-stop-blogspot for everything fashion, beauty, music and boys. 

While we may not be total experts on these subjects, we've noticed that they all have one thing in common: EXPERIMENTATION! Lets face it, life can get pretty crazy sometimes, and on more than one occasion, we've all journeyed to the internet to look for advice. Well, we're not exactly the writers for Cosmopolitan magazine, so if you came here looking for ridiculous antics and suggestions that most likely won't work, you probably won't find anything useful here. But, if you're interested in real girls' opinions and tips on how to survive the frazzling chaos of the regular girl's day to day life, you've come to the right place. 

We're quite good at rambling on about things. This will be a blog full of tips, tricks, tutorials, recommendations, and pictures like these:





So there you have it. Thanks for visiting and we hope to see you back soon! Cheeky, innit? :)