Iona Cheerleaders

I dug these up during my research for the NCAA tournament cheerleader previews, but didn't have a chance to use them. So I'm going to use them now. Not sure what's up with the uniforms in the first pic, but I'm definitely digging the hottie on the right in the 2nd picture.

100 Things: Part III

21. alcohol


22. sleeping with my man


23. video games


24. roadtrips


25. presents


26. tattoos & piercings


27. messy hair that looks great


28. laughing


29. horseback riding


3o. the countryside



Pictures are from wehartit

Review: Reviva Labs


Reviva... over 3 decades of skin treatment experience and ingredient research - for problems ranging from acne to aging and all the in-betweens.


Reviva Labs has introduced many groundbreaking concepts since its inception in 1973:
  • The first to introduce exfoliation to america with our European Light Skin Peel (We were explaining the importance of exfoliation years before the cosmetics giants introduced their versions)
  • The first to introduce elastin to america, both in skin-care salons and health food stores
  • No animal testing! Before it was even an issue (way back in 1973), we announced the testing of our products in skin-care salons rather than on animals


I was given the opportunity to try some products from this brand.


Makeup Primer ($19.50 for 1oz)

Apply over moisturizer or instead of moisturizer. Lines fill in, pores are concealed, excess oil is controlled. Skin so touchable, so silky smooth, you will find it hard to believe. 



This is my first time using a makeup primer so I really didn't know what to expected. I first tried using it on my face, but I've been disappointed to see that it doesn't conceal lines or pores. However, it did left my skin super soft and silky. See for yourself:


Then I tried in on my lids, and I wasn't disappointed. It really makes the eyeshadow pops and it helps make it stay all day. As it has a gel consistency (which is a little too runny for my liking), it's very lightweight and you can't tell you are wearing a primer.

Wet n Wild Coloricon Palette in Vanity

A let down for me is that it takes quite some times to dry, so I would recommend to apply this primer as the first step in your makeup routine, let it dry, put on your face makeup or do your hair, and then finish with your eye makeup.


Recommend? yes



With a high percentage of soluble collagen to hydrate skin, our serum not only helps increase skin's moisture level, it helps smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. This easily absorbed serum features Collagen Concentrate that permeates deeper than cream to bind moisture and help improve the contours of facial skin. Regular usage alone or under supplementary creams (such as antioxidant, elastin or peptide creams) can help smooth severe as well as fine dry lines or help improve skin texture. 


I have always loved serums as I have super dry skin, so I never say no to a boost of moisture, and this one didn't disappoint.

I love the lightweight gel consistency (which is less runny than the primer) that absorbs very quickly into the skin, so you can apply your day or night cream over it without having to wait.

This serum really left my skin super soft and smooth, and call me crazy, but I swear I have noticed results after the first use! Maybe I was too excited, but I really think my skin was less dry than the day before, especialy my dry patches of eczema. Of course, even after continuous use, this serum didn't get rid of my eczema (nothing really can), but I feel it has helped at least a little.

Now maybe it's too soon to talk about the appearance of fine lines, but I didn't really notice a difference, but I will definitely continue to use this serum to see if there's any improvment.

Recommend? yes


Disclaimer: These products were sent to me for consideration to review. I was not paid for this review,  I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the products were free absolutely does not influence my opinion.

CLOSED - Giveaway: Enter my hairfreé Hair Brushes Giveaway!


If you have enjoyed my previous review on hairfreé hair brushes and you are curious to try them, now here's your chance to win both!

The prize: hairfreé Flat and Round Brushes (valued at $18.95)


Rules: 

  • This giveaway is open to everyone, no matter where you live!
  • You have to have an active blog in order to enter (no blogs made only for giveaways!)
  • This giveaway ends on April 12 at midnight

To enter (mandatory):
  • Be a follower of Gaby's Beauty Blog
  • Fill out the Google document form at the bottom of this post

Extra entries (optional):

  • Post my giveaway on your blog, either in a blog post or in your sidebar, and include the picture above and the link to my giveaway +5
  • "Like" Gaby's Beauty Blog on Facebook +2
  • Follow me on Twitter and tweet about my giveaway (be sure to include @GabyFauchon) +2

Possible entries total: 10

Good luck!!!

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by hairfreé.

University of Arkansas-Little Rock Cheerleaders

You just never know when a team is going to make an improbable run through the NCAA tournament (for example, VCU), so I always have to be prepared with cheerleader pictures. Most of the time, those pictures go unused because the small schools typically get destroyed in the first round. Then I'm left with a bunch of cool pictures that I have no use for.

Which is exactly what happened with Arkansas-Little Rock this year. I have all of these great pictures, but no place to really use them. So we'll just post them today and see what everyone thinks.








Review: hairfreé Hair Brushes


Price:
Flat Brush: $9.95 + $3.25 shipping/handling
Round Brush: $15.95 + $3.75 shipping/handling
Both brushes: $18.95 + $4.75 shipping/handling (best deal)
At NOFLATIRON.com

What is hairfreé?
hairfreé brushes are unlike any other styling brushes on the market today. hairfreé brushes are very versatile, in that, no matter your ethnicity or the type of hair you have, be it fine, thick, curly or straight hair hairfreé brushes work well.  hairfreé brushes can be used as, a regular styling brush or a vent brush.


Why hairfreé?
Most blow dryers reach a top heat of about 175 degree while the heat generated from a flat/curling iron starts at about 200 degrees and can reach a top heat of upwards to 450 degrees, depending on the make and model.

For years women have been using flat/curling iron to style their hair. Why? Because for years it was thought to be the best/only way to create a sleek shiny sexy hair style was/is to use high heat. Based on this school of thought and no viable alternative women had no choice but to use that flat/curling iron all the while damaging ones hair in the process with all that heat.  That was before hairfreé.

The claims:
hairfreé with its ceramic coated plates is making use of the most current hair drying technology and methods. Some of the benefits associated with Ceramic technology includes:
  • Creating a smooth and polished effect with added natural shine
  • Aids against static build-up.
  • Whilst drying the hair the heat is equally distributed for fast and effective styling.
  • Hair straightening or curling. 

I was given the two brushes to try out and review.

 The Flat Brush

It is equipped with a cheap and not so useful mirror on the back.

 The Round Brush


What makes hairfreé special is also its cleaning system. Both brushes are equipped with a handle push the ceramic plates away from the "body" of the brush, making it easy to grab the unwanted hair.


With the flat brush, you push on the button on the back of the brush, and for the round brush, you simply pull the rod out. Genius, isn't it?

Pros:
  • cleaning the unwanted hair is easy
  • gentler on the hair than flat/curling irons
  • inexpensive alternative to pricey flat/curling irons

Cons:
  • hard bristles
  • cheap construction (plastic)
  • takes longer to get the desired style than with a flat/curling iron

What I think:
Basically, you can use the brushes as regular brushes or you can use them with a blow dryer. Personally, I wouldn't use them as everyday brushes as the bristles are quite hard and rough if you have thin or fragile hair.

For this review, I have used them to replace my flat iron. The instructions say to heat the cleaning plates for around 45 seconds to get them hot, and then you have the choice to style your hair with or without the continuous use of a blow dryer. I absolutely can't use a blow dryer and a brush at the same time, so I opted for the second option, which results in the plates cooling off after 5 minutes. Now that is quite annoying, but I guess it's the price to pay to inflict less damage to your hair.

The night before using the hairfreé brushes, I had slept on wet hair in a braid, which resulted in pretty tight curls. So I started with the flat brush. I heated the plates with the blow dryer and then brushed my hair as I would normally do. It loosened the curls and straightened my hair. Then I used the round brush to add some volume at the roots.

Let's take a look at the result:


I'm left with wavy hair and some volume. I wasn't expecting my hair to be super sleek and straight, but I have to say I'm  a little disappointed, after taking a look at the pictures from the website:


We are far from this, aren't we?

Overall, I'm not sure what to say about these brushes. For sure it's a genius idea, but I think there's a reason why we stick to our flat/curling iron, and it's because we need that much heat to achieve the look we want. I could have kept on heating the plates and continue to brush my hair for a longer time, but honestly, who have that much time to spend on their hair in the morning?

BUT, please keep in mind that this is my result without the continuous use of a blow dryer. I'm pretty sure better results can be achieved when the brushes are used with a blow dryer, as the plates won't cool off.

I will keep on using hairfreé hair brushes to see if I can come up with something better. Other than that, the cleaning system is great and makes the job effortless and quick.

Recommend? not if you plan on using them without the continuous use of a blow dryer

Want to try hairfreé hair brushes for FREE? Stay tuned for a giveaway tomorrow!

Disclaimer: These products were sent to me for consideration to review. I was not paid for this review,  I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the products were free absolutely does not influence my opinion.

Kentucky Dancer Allyson Is Very Excited About Final Four Trip!

Even though Kentucky's win yesterday cost me a chance to win my office bracket challenge, there is a silver lining. Now I have a reason to post these pictures of Allyson. I think she is absolutely adorable!