My Haircare Routine

Ok, so this post has been a long time coming, but the wait is over, yay! Continuing with last week's beauty theme, I decided to finally do a q&a post answering some of the frequently asked questions I get about my hair. If there's anything that I didn't answer in this post, leave it in the comments below, or send me a message on social media, and I'll be happy to answer it! Ok, let's dive in...

Where do you get your hair done?
I love the team at Nuovo Salon, and get my cut and color done there. My stylist is Scott, and he's one of the best in the industry! When looking for a good stylist, be sure to mention what your typical routine is like, your hair needs (volume, texture, moisture, etc.), and what you're looking for in a good cut or color. Read all about my salon experience at Nuovo here.

How do you curl your hair?
My favorite way to curl my hair is to use a clipless 1" barrel wand (regular, not tapered). I start by putting half of my hair up, and will take 1-2" sections of hair and wrap them around the wand, away from the face. If I'm going for more of a wave, I'll leave out the last 1/2" of hair to keep it straight, giving it a beachy look, rather than a more glamorous style curl. Once the bottom layer is done, I section the top layer off into 4 sections, leaving the front pieces for last since I don't do those in as tight of a curl. The important thing to remember is to not let the pieces immediately drop off the wand when you release. I usually hold the curl in my hand for a few seconds after taking it off the wand to allow it to start cooling in the shape. This technique helps keep my curls in tact for hours. Once everything has been curled, I'll decide to either flip my head over to loosen up the curl or run a wide-toothed comb through them. A quick dab of dry oil on the ends, a spritz of shine spray, and a light mist of hairspray helps to keep them in place.

What hair dryer and brushes do you use?
I've used many different dryers, some high end, and others from the drugstore, but I keep coming back to this one from Revlon. It's super simple, has a retractable cord which is great for storing when not in use, and I always use the additional attachment that it comes with. My hair's texture is very curly, so I dry it using a big round brush to give it smoothness and manageable volume. Typically, I let my hair air-dry for about 15 minutes before I start working on it with a dryer. Before I dry my hair, I always use this leave-in conditioner, a little heat protectant, and run this tangle-taming brush through it. If my hair needs a little extra smoothness, I use this and this from the Aveda line that helps to keep things from getting frizzy or wild.

Do you get highlights or base color? What color is your natural hair?
I don't get a base color, but I do get highlights! My hair is naturally blonde, but over time it's gotten darker, so I keep my natural color as the base and get a partial highlight to keep things looking light and bright!

What shampoo & conditioner do you use?
I love Aveda products and use both the Blue Malva and Color Conserve lines. They keep my hair looking and feeling healthy and strong, and as a bonus they smell SO good. If you are a blonde, Blue Malva will be your best friend! I highly recommend it! Typically, I'll use the Blue Malva once a week, just to keep the color in check and avoid any brassiness, and the other times I'll stick with Color Conserve.

What dry shampoo do you recommend for light hair that doesn't look super chalky?
Dry shampoo is the best, especially when you've got limited time in the morning, or want a quick refresh after a workout. After trying a few, my favorite is by Batiste. It is lightweight and doesn't leave behind a chalky residue on your strands. The tropical scent has a slight hint of coconut and isn't overpowering. To salvage my blowout after a workout, the trick is to quickly dry any sections that may need it, section the hair off, spray dry shampoo on the roots, and leave it for about 5 minutes before using your fingers to massage it into the hair. Do a simple brush through the strands to finish blending it and voila!

As I mentioned, if there's any additional questions, leave them in the comments or send me a message on social media! I've linked all the products I love and use below for you! Here's to good hair days ahead! ;)

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Summer Cut & Color

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is, "Where do you go to get your hair done??" For many years growing up I disliked my hair, but now, thanks to my wonderful stylist, Scott, and the team at Nuovo Salon, I love it. It's amazing to see how having a great cut and color can really add such confidence! Recently, Nuovo invited me to come in for a fresh cut, color and makeup session for summer, so I wanted to bring you along for the experience! The attention to detail, impeccable service, and overall standard of excellence in the salon is evident from the minute you walk in the door, and I always leave feeling beautiful.

When I first started coming to see Scott back in 2011, I had recently dyed my hair a deep shade of brunette (yikes), and was looking for the best stylists/colorists in town to help get my hair looking healthy and back to blonde again. I had gone to Nuovo salons before, knowing they were some of the best in the business, and after being booked with Scott, I knew this was going to be a perfect fit. We have a great time coming up with a new vision for my cut and color each visit, and I always love the results! It can be a challenge to find someone who understands both your vision and your hair's needs. When you find a stylist that not only brings talent, but true artistry, knowledge, and passion to their work, you know they're a keeper. Over the years I've recommended so many of my friends to Nuovo who now love their stylist and hair.

Lately, I've been wanting to switch things up a little, so this time we took some length off the ends and added in a little more playful texture around the crown. He balayaged (hand-painted) some pieces around my hairline to give me a beautiful custom, sunkissed look. I love being a light, bright shade of blonde, and my hair tends to be naturally thick, curly and dry, so when you add in color treatment on top of that, it is important to protect the hair from damage as much as possible. Scott uses Olaplex on my hair in order to obtain the beautiful color without damage, and I also get shine and moisture treatments to keep my strands looking and feeling healthy.

Speaking of health and wellness, I love the organic and all natural Aveda products that Nuovo uses, and the salon is on the cutting edge of environmental respect and care through it's reuse, recycling and water purification systems. It's the attention to these kinds of important details that make such a difference in experience. For my makeup application, I got a pretty, fresh-faced look for summer and loved the all natural cosmetics that felt and looked so great on my skin. If you're local, I highly suggest booking an appointment with the Nuovo team for your next salon experience; you'll be absolutely delighted with the results!

p.s. I'll be sharing some of my styling secrets & haircare routine on the blog next week! Stay tuned...

Thanks to Nuovo Salon Group for partnering on this post.

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What's In My Bag: Summer Beauty Edition

Summer is here, and it's time to switch over the makeup and beauty favorites for a lightweight, more bronzed, beachy look. These are a few of my latest favorites that I'm bringing along in my beach bag, and packing in my travel tote for some summer trips. 

Face: When it's hot and humid or I'm headed out to the beach, I don't like to put on a full face of makeup. Instead, I'll start with a quick moisturizing lotion/self-tanner combination and use that as a primer. Lately I've been loving this one by St. Tropez which gives a natural, glowy color without being obvious. 

To combat shine and even out my skin, I'll dab on a light veil of this Tarte foundation which is oil-free and all natural. It's great for a long day in the sun when you don't want anything to melt off your face.

Finally, a quick swipe of a punchy lip color will highlight a tan and instantly pull your look together. Summer is the perfect time to bring out those corals and bright pinks. I've been alternating between these two colors by L'Oreal. 

Body: As much as I love the beach and spending time in the sun, I'm also pretty mindful of the amount of sun exposure I get. A beautiful tan makes everything look better and is definitely part of that fabulous, beach babe look; however, in order to avoid skin damage and wrinkles later, I like to use a bronzing mousse from the St. Tropez line. The color is beautiful and natural, with a bit of an olive undertone to create a gorgeous glow without looking orange. I use a tanning mitt to apply it and have found the application to be extremely easy and streak-free. 

In addition to a healthy glow, it's important to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. For travel, I'll bring along a tiny lotion with coconut and shea butter that I use on both my hands and body to keep skin feeling fresh post flight. 

One of the best things to keep in a travel bag is a small roll of floss; Cocofloss is my new favorite. It is infused with coconut oil, smells amazing, and has the tiniest hint of sweetness to help freshen up while on the road. I have both the Cara Cara Orange and the Strawberry flavors!

Before heading out the door, I'll dab on a little bit of perfume. I'm a bit of a fragrance chameleon, so I've found that it is hard for me to finish an entire bottle of perfume. Instead, I'll often opt for a rollerball that can be brought along for midday touch ups or travel. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue has been my go-to for the past two summers; it is light, clean, and reminds me of the cool, crisp sea air. 

There you have it! What are your go-to beauty favorites for summer? 

I'm always looking for suggestions!

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Merriest of Wishes

Hooray! It's one of the merriest weeks of the year! Wishing you and yours the most wonderful, fun, and joy-filled Christmas celebration! Among the presents, hot chocolate, twinkling lights, and parties with family and friends, may we never forget the reason we're celebrating this beautiful time of the year.

"That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.  After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.  All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them."
Luke 2:8-20

Wishing you the merriest Christmas, and best wishes for a fabulous new year ahead!
xo,
Candice

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Vested Interest

(Top: Target, Vest: Lilly Pulitzer, Skirt: F21, Shoes: Lauren Conrad)

Fall weather makes me want to wear plaid shirts and vests everyday. I recently got to get away for a quick trip up north to experience the color and crisp air! I'll have to share more photos soon. It was so much fun to be able to layer up with cozy cashmere sweaters and break out the riding boots. One of my favorite layering pieces this season is this lightweight quilted vest. While I love traditional puffer vests, this silhouette adds warmth without adding bulk. It's definitely going to be my go-to all season long. I added this cute pair of black patent pumps because I love how the gold bows accent the gold buttons in the vest, but to make this a little more casual, I'd throw on my tall black riding boots, or even a pair of tan ballet flats. Restyling is the key to outfit interest. Do you have a favorite piece for fall? 

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Cozy Up

(Sweater: Lilly Pulitzer, Top: F21, Denim: Target, Scarf: Lilly Pulitzer, Boots: Amazon)

I love the beginning of fall that shows up as a cool breeze, late afternoon golden light, and brilliant skies at sunset. When the mornings are cool, the first thing I grab is a cozy cardigan and a lightweight scarf. This print of this scarf is so soft and beautiful, so I paired it with the grey cashmere to let the colors do all the talking.

It's hard to believe it's mid-October...where has this month gone?! While temperatures won't drop significantly until later, it's fun to take advantage of the early signs of fall. Besides sipping on apple cider and trying pumpkin flavored everything, I've been burning this candle which makes the house smell incredible. If you're a candle person, or wanting to make the house feel festive and cozy, you absolutely need this, it's definitely the best. Happy Fall, friends!

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Floral Favorite

(Dress: c/o Eshakti, Jewelry: Etsy, Lilly Pulitzer, Clutch: Vintage)

We're still in the middle of the sweet summertime, and there's nothing better than a simple look that is unfussy and effortless. This pretty, custom chiffon piece from Eshakti is so light and feminine, and the soft blue floral print is reminiscent of an old French print. I've gravitated toward more skirts and dresses lately, simply because it's just too hot for structured pieces. Maxi dresses are great for their simplistic silhouettes and chic appeal. Easy, breezy, beautiful...oh, and did I mention it has pockets?! Definitely a winner. In fact, I think this one is coming to brunch with me next weekend. 

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You're Pretty

We focus a lot of time and energy into what makes us pretty. We purchase products, choose outfits, take photos from the "right" angle, read books/articles/blogs on how to achieve the ever-changing, and sometimes elusive trends, all in the hopes of becoming beautiful.

I came across a quote recently that somewhat shifts the paradigm on this topic when it says,

Do you consider yourself pretty? Is "pretty" something that only affects the outside? 

Scripture would tell us that it's about more than just a good hair day:

"Be beautiful inside, in your hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit that is so precious to God." /// 1 Peter 3:4

What does inner beauty look like in your life?

We're quick to judge another's appearance, or base a friendship on surface attributes, yet the beauty of a person's heart and spirit are what sustain relationships. Instead of allowing "pretty" to determine whether or not we like someone, or to inhibit our friendships from further growth due to competitive comparison, our objective should be to embrace and encourage the beauty found within everyone. Each of us has beauty to bring to the world, yet too many of us are so busy wishing it away, hoping for something that someone else has. Give yourself a little love and encouragement. You are awesome. It is ok to want to look and feel your best...in fact, it's encouraged! In addition to the "pretty" found in the outward appearance, let's cultivate the "pretty" found within. Let's be pretty smart, pretty funny, pretty kind, and pretty encouraging to all those around us. Instead of comparing to one another, decide to ditch the drama and embrace the strength found in all of us enjoying and living life together. Now, with that said, I just wanted to tell you, I think you're pretty. Live like it!

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Island Paradise: A Photo Diary

I love going on vacations to explore beautiful parts of the world. The Hawaiian islands are one of my favorite places to visit. On our recent trip, we did a good amount of exploring and also took a few days to simply relax and soak up the sun. It is always fun to go back and sift through the many photos after a great trip, and so I've compiled a little photo diary of our time in the islands. Have you been to Hawaii? I'd love to hear your recommendations...there's so many cool local hangouts to discover.

 Ho'okipa is a popular surf break, especially during the winter months. Even on one of the less sunny days, it's still beautiful! It's one of my favorite places to visit, as the waves, surfers, and view provide endless entertainment.

The best place to lay out and get some sun, right? In the afternoons, someone would bring around fresh fruit juices, dried coconut, and even extra sunscreen. Perfection.

(shop my shorts on sale here)

Obviously gelato shops are a must-visit on vacation. This one in particular serves a flavor called Lilikoi Quark, which has passionfruit and goat's milk. It sounds totally bizarre, but trust me, it's ridiculously delicious. 

We took a day and hiked to a couple of waterfalls on this trip, and plan to come back with swimsuits next time so we can hop in one for a swim! Doesn't it look fun? This is one of many, many falls on the island. Around each curve of the road is something even more beautiful to discover. 

These painted eucalyptus trees look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, but they're 100% real! The neon colors of the bark are even more dramatic and stunning in person. Nature is just the coolest!

One of the things I loved most about the islands is that the valleys are just exploding with beautiful plants, flowers, and trees. Everything is so lush and filled with wild beauty!

Many of the roads are so close to the water's edge. Funny story, we were driving along this road and I had my window down to let in the breeze. All of the sudden, a couple of big waves came in, and I got splashed with water! 

This is an entire eucalyptus forest that exists halfway up a volcano. If you've ever wondered what heaven smells like, I'm pretty sure it's something close to this. We were lucky to catch it right after a rain shower, and it seemed to intensify the scent even more than I had remembered from previous visits.

 These sea turtles were so fun to see up close! We got the chance to both snorkel with some, and watch them sunning themselves on the beach. In recent years, these turtles have come up on this particular beach during the day, and no one seems to know why. I like to think that they are enjoying the sun just like the rest of us! ;) 

I highly suggest a trip out to snorkel, see the beautiful reefs, and even swim with turtles, colorful fish, and other creatures. It's an experience you'll not forget! There's all kinds of beauty beneath the water's surface to be explored. 

(shop my dress here)

(shop my cover up here)

If you visit the islands, I strongly encourage you to get out on the water and view the islands from the sea. It provides an incredible view of the stunning beaches, valleys, and mountains. There's nothing like it! 

Acai bowls are always delicious, but having fresh fruits, coconut, and local honey all from the island makes this treat even more fantastic. On both Oahu and Maui you'll find a fabulous new shop called Wow Wow Lemonade which makes the freshest lemonade (choose from a delectable variety of flavor options), smoothies, and acai bowls. Wow Wow is definitely worth the stop, especially after a day at the beach! 

Each evening we were treated with the most spectacular sunset display. While every one was different, there's nothing better than watching a brilliantly colored sky, accented with swaying shadows of palms, all to a soundtrack of sweet hawaiian songs being sung into the night. 

Have you been to Hawaii? I'd love to hear your favorite spots and recommendations...

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