Going Natural... Well kind of

I love using just a serum in my damp hair after the shower and letting it air dry. That way I get lovely natural waves and I don't have to spend a lot of time on my hair and can focus on more important things like sleeping in or reading a romance novel or scrolling instagram.  The hair serum I am using is Hypnotik Hair from 1 am Beauty  (check out my other post about it: Product Review ). I have been very happy with it and plan on finishing the bottle! 

Obviously this is not my hair 100% in its natural state, because red is not my natural hair color.  Most of you know this if you have known me longer than a year or have checked out some of my posts from further back. I have finally made the decision to go back to my natural color. That way if I do want that red back I will use my temp color from Clairol to jazz things up!

 It's not that I don't love the red, I definitely do! I just don't like that I can't go back and forth between the blonde and red as easily as I used to.  Another aspect of this permanent red hair is the touch up. It is getting to be too much and I have gotten lazy, so now I have the lovely blonde roots majorly showing. 

Over a full year of being a red head has been wonderful and I am so glad I tried the permanent red. I felt spunkier and more vibrant. Maybe it was because I was becoming more confident in my business or maybe it really was just the red hair (we may never know). But it is time. Granted my natural blonde hair does have some red in it so I am never truly without it, I just want to be lazy again without looking like a hot mess. You feel me?

What do you guys think? Excited for a lighter shade on the blog?

photos by Margaret Thombs

Owning Your Own Business

I know a lot of you out there own your own business or are planning on starting one, here is some advice from fellow business owners that I have the pleasure of knowing and been able to work with. 

"Owning your own small business comes with a lot of responsibility, challenges and struggles but the reward of being a small business owner is so worth it! I think the coolest part of owning a business is that I can have an idea and make that idea come to life on my own terms. So if I want to do something; I put in the work and I make it happen and know that the only person who is stopping me is myself. If you fail at something, you've got to pick yourself up knowing that failure comes with the territory of being a business owner and that your next idea may be your next big break, so keep pushing forward!"

- Travis Curry of Travis Curry Photography

"I love this quote by Henry Ford.   "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."  So much about succeeding in small business comes down to your mental state and your ability to persevere when you fail.  And you WILL fail.  A lot.  You just need to learn from the why, evolve, and move forward.  It's always good to look back and see how much you've accomplished, to reflect.  I've failed a great deal, but I've succeeded more.  I like to think my success bank account is in the black. Also, don't do what you loathe.  Outsource and be done with it.  We can't be all things to all people.  When in doubt, farm it out! :)"

-Danielle Tirserio of Danielle Tirserio Photography

"To anyone considering launching their own business, I would encourage you to do one thing and do it well. Many of the "flash in the pan" businesses are such because at their core, their owners are trying to do too much, too quickly. Not to say that a business cannot offer multiple services or goods, but find the one singular thing for which you want to become known, and run with that, tease it out, and extrapolate it into your business model. Consumers resonate with and appreciate businesses that are true to their craft and don't pretend to be something that they are not."

- Meghan Streit of Shindig Weddings & Events

"I would say that you have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Sometimes things feel all wrong, like nothing is going to ever work out... But if you can just push through, I promise the next day will bring something of great joy. Take it one day at a time... Success is a lot of little things done right."

- Rachel Lynch of I Hate Blonde

"My favorite entrepreneurial quote is probably from Michael Gerber who said, "I am the leader. I am called upon to do the work of leadership." It is an important reminder that things don't just fall into your lap. When you own your own business you are the one who is responsible for your success. You're the boss. You have to get out there and make things happen! But that's the beauty in it too, right? The only limit to your success is yourself."

-Tyler FitzHugh of Voilá! Event Studio

"For me its all about team work! No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you're playing a solo game, you'll always lose out on a team! And also don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve."

- Julia Olivares of OLIV ARÉS HAUS of GLAM

"As a photographer I am my own boss, employee, marketer, accountant, etc. The list goes on and on. It can be totally overwhelming! For a long time I took on every job I could but at the end of the day that hurt me and my business. You can’t do it all. Don’t be afraid to turn down jobs and say no. You may feel like you are letting people down but sometimes it is the only way to keep your sanity."

-Brittanny Taylor of Brittanny Taylor Photography and 1am Beauty

"What keeps us motivated is moments when someone who has read our website or book tells us they've used it as a resource. When someone tells us they've recently moved to New York and our book helped them get to know the area, when someone is at a beer event in the city because they learned about it from out website. Our goal is to be a resource for people to get to know local beer, and when we accomplish that goal, it's the best feeling in the world."


-Sarah & Giancarlo Annese of BeerUnion


And finally here is some advice from me!

" To keep myself motivated, I think about why I am doing people's makeup or writing for this blog. And then I remember that I am doing it because it makes me happy and when my work makes others happy, that is the greatest reward of all! All the negative feedback and the negative thoughts that may run through your mind, should only fuel your resolve to be better and to continue towards your dream. Never let anything make you lose sight of what you want to achieve, stay true to yourself. When owning your own business or starting a new venture you need to be your biggest supporter because if you don't believe in yourself how can you expect anyone else to!"

Carolyn Thombs Makeup Artistry & Consulting // Lipstick & Chiffon // Carolyn Thombs Fine Art & Photography



What is some advice you have heard that has helped you to stay on track towards your goals?

Product Review: Hypnotik Hair and Hair Tutorial: Styling with a Wand Curling Iron

Product Review: Hypnotik Hair 

available at 1ambeauty

use code hyplip15 to snag this amazing product for 14.99!!!

For a limited time only for my followers get this amazing must-have product added to your hair wardrobe for just 14.99 with the code hyplip15 (normally 29.95).  (the promotion ends on 2/14/2015)

Trust me you will love this product as much as I do! I mean just check out that shine!!!

Check out my video I created to see how I used it before styling my hair. Also in the video I show you how I use my Hot Shot Tools Wand curling iron to add loose curls/waves to my hair. 

disclaimer: This product was given to me free of charge, but this in no way has influenced my opinion upon the product. The views expressed here are entirely my own.

Product Review: Altchek MD Depuff Eye Pads

Altchek MD Depuff Eye Pads

I came across these eye pads when Brittanny Taylor launched her new site 1am Beauty. Since it was right before Christmas I decided to check it out to see if there were any pieces I wanted to get for gifts or stocking stuffers. That is when I came across these eye pads! I had been wanting to try this type of product for sometime, so I ordered a box! When I got the box I took out a few to put in stockings and then kept the rest for myself.

Of course I had to try them right away! And let me tell you they immediately felt  refreshing and I instantly became relaxed. So already I was in love with this product! Even if they turned out not to really work very well I figured hey, at least they work pretty damn well as just a stress reliever and who doesn't need an abundance of those in your life?!

After the allotted 30 minutes (actually I wore them for an hour) I removed them and my under eye area looked so much smoother and hydrated. Those are the immediate effects, I did not expect my eyes to look like I had just gotten an eye lift. If that is what you expect from your skincare then please lower your expectations a bit because good skincare takes a little bit of time to truly work and repetition. To sum things up, would I buy these again...? Hell yes! Now here for some sciencey stuff.

These are for depuffing, hydrating and refreshing. They with help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and puffiness while hydrating the sensitive and fragile skin under the eyes. This is what you can expect: Immediately refreshed and revitalized tired eyes, hydrated and replenished skin around the eyes, the Retinyl Palmitate (one of the primary antioxidants found in skin which can also offer sun protection) helps to renew and improve the skin's resilience, lines and wrinkles will be diminished and smoothed, and the antioxidants present will help the delicate eye area to build a resistance to environmental stressors.

The suggested use is 2-3 times a week and each time wear for a minimum of 30 minutes. Cleanse your skin and then apply each one. I either put them on during the day if I am just working from home or in the evening while watching Downton Abbey or NCIS. After one use I definitely noticed that my eyes looked and felt more refreshed so I can only imagine if I continue this regimen as directed how much happier my eyes will be.

If you have tried these methods found in my previous post on baggage,  and they didn't totally do the job for you; then add these great eye pads into your regimen. They are not only refreshing but you really can see a difference.