Lavanila Laboratories

Want to try a scrumptious new scent? Lavanila has become my favourite brand of perfume, for so many reasons. For one, it is long lasting, but never overpowering. It is all natural, styled beautifully, and the scent is feminine and I love how it works with my own body chemistry. Know how some perfumes just don't smell the same for everyone? I've never had anything but compliments. Working as a teacher, you need to be careful about being in a public environment where some people may have allergies. Almost every week I will get some sort of compliment (often unintended but gladly accepted) on the scent. One of the cutest examples that comes to mind is the day I was doing a cool chemistry demonstration for my students. One of the boys said "those chemicals smell like vanilla!" When I told him it wasn't the chemicals, and that it was most likely me, he says "well then you smell really good!" On more than one occasion I've been told that I smell like "frosting and cupcakes." Seriously, how awesome of a compliment is that?! 

The dilemma you will face when you go to buy a perfume from Lavanila Laboratories is how to choose? Every scent is delectable. I started out with a 5ml roller-ball set, which gave me 4 travel sized scents to try out - Vanilla Lavender, Vanilla Grapefruit, Vanilla Coconut and Pure Vanilla. While all of them were beautiful, my favourite quickly became the Vanilla Grapefruit, and I quickly went through another 10ml rollerball and now am on to the 50 ml spray. 

All of my purchases so far have been from Sephora, but I was disappointed to hear that (at least the Kelowna store) is no longer carrying it. That shopping trip turned into me waiting patiently while two of the employees went and raided the back room for me for any bottles that remained. I will be good for a while but I will be ready to shop online from Lavanila.com for my next fix. 

Pixie Cut Products

Since cutting my hair, I've learned a lot about different hair products and what works best for my hair type and style. When I first cut my hair I will fully admit I was completely clueless. My first venture into a pixie cut was not by choice. A new hairstylist hacked my hair into a mullet, and another stylist had to practically scalp me in order to fix it. It was fortuitous however because just a few days later my husband proposed to me, and who wants pictures of one of the most important days of your life with you sporting a mullet? 

Years later I rediscovered the pixie by choice, and I haven't looked back. But learning how to play with my hair, and not be afraid of product and playing with it didn't come naturally to me. So wherever you are in your hair adventure, here are some of my favourite products...

Spray Wax - I use ISO (isohair.com) - it was a great purchase to introduce me to the wonders of spray wax. I love the flexibility and hold of it but my next purchase will be for one that has more grit. It may sound strange but I love my hair to feel gritty and 'dirty.' Without of course, actually being dirty. I have learned that 'first day hair' is unmanageable and no fun at all to style, and a good spray wax will help you with that. 

Beach Spray - J Beverly Hills - something else to help give you that gritty feel. I love that this has salt in it, and it does just what it claims to - makes you feel like you just spent a day at the seaside! 

Volumizer/Thickening Spray - Ojon - another wonderful Topbox product. This spray works amazingly at giving body to my hair. My hair is very fine, but I have tons of it, and it can get pretty limp and lifeless. A couple spritzes and a blow dry and I've got some great volume. The bonus - this product smells divine!!

Thermal Smoother - Joico and Wella - I purchased the Joico Thermal spray when I had long hair and used a flatiron almost every day. The Wella Thermal Spray came to me in another Topbox. Both work well, and I find different purposes for each. The Joico spray I find to be heavier and better for use with a curling or flat iron. The Wella smells great and is lighter texture which works perfectly for me since I just blow dry my hair to style it. 

Moulding Putty - I will admit, I don't have any real brand loyalty when it comes to pomades or styling cremes, but I do really like this Salon Selectives putty for my hair when it is cut really short. It works into my hair easily, gives great hold without being heavy, and isn't sticky like a lot of other products. it doesn't dry crispy or hard like other products can, and because I don't wash my hair everyday, all it takes to do a quick second day restyle is reactiviating it with little spritz of water. 

Hairspray - again, something that I have no brand loyalty to. I usually buy what is on sale, and my last purchase was Garnier Fructis Crystal Resist. I would buy it again - It gives great hold without the 'shellac' effect and smells nice, which I find with all Fructis products.

Messing Creme - KMS California Hair Play. Unfortunately I am all out of this product and I seriously need to find some more fast! This Creme did the work of a moulding putty and spray wax rolled into one. It combined the hold and grit I wanted and is definitely at the top of my next shopping trip.