Bed Head Groupie 1" Ceramic Mini Curling Iron

On days I want a loose wave or plainly just some texture added to my naturally pin straight hair, I grab for my curling iron. This weekend I wanted to sport some curls for my BFF's birthday party, so I decided to test the Bed Head Groupie 1" Ceramic Mini Curling Iron. I know it's a mini, but if I'm going to bring this with me when traveling I want to see if I can style my entire head with it. So far I have been using it only to curling my ends or to touch up my curls throughout the day.

After spraying some heat protecting spray and letting it dry completely, I began to section off my hair and curling it from the bottom to the top. The bottom portions get tighter curls since those tend to fall out quicker, and the top portions get looser curls to match the bottom's style. My first section of hair took about 15mins to do about 7-8 individual strips of hair. The curling iron gets hot, but it wasn't hot enough to curl my hair as quickly as I can with a full size curling iron. By the time I finished my entire head, 2hrs had passed - usually with a full size curling iron it takes 45mins to an hour to do my whole head. (I have A LOT of hair!).

Here's my hair in its natural state - air dried after my shower in the morning

Here are my fresh curls, still warm at 4:00pm

Here are my curls at 6:00 pm

Here are my curls at 1:00am

I think the mini curler did a great job at styling my hair, my curls lasted all night and even in the morning when I woke up. So, it is possible to style you whole head with a mini curling iron - it just takes longer.

I also did a comparison photo of the Bed Head Groupie 1" Ceramic Mini Curling Iron next to my Revlon Curling Iron to show how small the mini tool is compared to my full size one.

BedHeadStyling.com: Groupie 1" Ceramic Mini Curling Iron / $17.99
FEATURES:
- 1" Ceramic Barrel
- Perfect for touch-ups, shorter layers and bangs.
- High Heat, Constant
- Sensors monitor temperature quickly restoring heat to the perfect styling level.
- 30 Second Fast Heat Up
- On/Off Switch
- "On” Indicator Light


*Product(s) were received for trial/review; these are my honest opinions

Bed Head Groupie 1" Ceramic Mini Straightener

I rarely have time to style my hair, but when I do, I always grab for a straightener to either add polish and shine to my already straight hair or to do a little minimal styling, like flipping out/in the ends or some light curling for texture and body. I've used the Bed Head Groupie 1" Ceramic Mini Straightener a few times now and it does a great job at polishing my straight hair and taming all the baby hairs that have been sprouting up all over my head. Its mini size is perfect for on the go, I can just throw it into my purse or even my cosmetic bag for traveling. Since it is a smaller size I can't really do my entire head in the 15-20mins I normally need, but as my BFF pointed out, it's great for touch ups during the day and for getting the roots and baby hairs.

Recently, as BFF and I were getting ready for a Girls Night Out, I had her try out the Bead Head Groupie 1" Ceramic Mini Straightener. She said the flat iron took about 10 mins to heat up to a temperature that is not as high as a full size straightener. It also took her about 15 mins to straighten one section of hair, when usually it just takes her 1-2 mins to straighten a section with a full size tool. I was able to snap a before and after photo before she busted out her full size flat iron to finish getting ready for the night. The left side is a section of hair that has yet to be straightened, and the right side has the section of hair that she straightened using the Bed Head Groupie 1" Ceramic Mini Straightener.

I also snapped a photo of the Bed Head Groupie 1" Ceramic Mini Straightener next to my Herstyler Forever Ceramic Flat Iron to show how small the mini tool is compared to my full size one.

BedHeadStyling.com: Groupie 1" Ceramic Mini Straightener / $17.99
FEATURES: 
- 1" Ceramic Plates
- Perfect for touch-ups, shorter layers and bangs.
- High Heat, Constant
- Sensors monitor temperature quickly restoring heat to the perfect styling level.
- 30 Second Fast Heat Up
- On/Off Switch
- "On” Indicator Light
- Instant Heat Recovery


*Product(s) were received for trial/review; these are my honest opinions

Kristin's New Blog - rainysunraysnails

If you have been enjoying my cousin, Kristin's, nail designs, tutorials and videos then you should go check out her brand new bloggy! She just started it, and I'm sure she'll have it packed with all her adorable nail art and helpful tutorials real soon!

Here's her blog link: http://rainysunraysnails.blogspot.com

And her YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/rainysunrays

Also, check out her latest How-To videos on water marbling!

A Lunch with IndulgEra

This Sunday I met up with fellow fashion blogger, Liz from IndulgEra for lunch over at Bay Street in Emeryville. We are ex-co-workers, but have shared a common hobby for beautiful things and blogging about them. We met up at Sephora, where I repurchased some Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (in the original/sheer formula), kinda bummed they didn't have the golden one in stock since I want that one too. I also scored two samples rather than one because originally the cashier gave me an Escada sample, which I already have a sample of, so I asked her to swap the sample for something else and she brought me two from the back! So sweet, huh? :)

After downing a big Ceaser Salad at Buckhorn, we headed to H&M. As Liz browsed the clothing, I headed straight for accessories, but got distracted by some cosmetics. I didn't even know H&M had cosmetics! I wanted to buy all the little polishes, lip balms and body butters in the adorable mini packaging, but I stuck to just one mini polish trio; Metallic Grey, Metallic Blue and Spark Me Up (only $5 for these babies!).

A Night at Temple in SF

Saturday night was BFF's birthday party at Temple in San Francisco. This was my first time at a club in over a year, so I spent all day getting ready - between house chores and mommy duty of course. I didn't get photos of my makeup, but it was pretty much the same look I've been wearing all month - a soft brown shade in the crease, a pink shade on the outer corner, a neutral shade on the lid, and a blue shade on the lower lash line and water line. I rocked a bright red lip, but since the VIP room had red/pink lights you couldn't see any off my bright pink eyeshadow or my bright red lips :( I know... I was bummed too.

I had BF choose my nail polish color, SpaRitual's Star Gazer

I sadly spent 2 hrs totally trying to curl my hair! I really do need to get it cut and layered, my hair is long and thick and it took forrrevvverrr for the curls to set. they ended up falling out before I even left the house, but I still had some wave and texture in my hair.

BFF's makeup was gorgeous! She was rocking some bright teal eyeshadow that I bought her from MAC a few years back and some amazing lashes! Which I forgot to ask her what kind they were... maybe she'll comment below and tell us! ;)

Klout Perk: Lipton Tea & Honey

This week I received this Klout Perk of 10 packets of the NEW Lipton Tea & Honey in Mango Pineapple! Perfect timing since it's been sunnier and warmer - season of sun tea! :)
I'm already a Lipton Tea fan, so I know we'll like this a lot!

What is Klout?: Click HERE to find out more information

Influencer disclosure
I was given a free product or sample because I'm a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

Klout Perk: T Mobile $10 Card

I'm so used to sharing my Klout Perks on here, and although I'm just going to be giving this perk away to someone else, I thought I'd share it anyways ;) A few weeks ago I qualified for a $10 Cash Gift Card to T Mobile. I don't have T Mobile, so I'll be giving this to someone who does have T Mobile so they can use it.

Okay, so Jessica says this is more of a gift from T Mobile, so I'm going to try to use it to buy something fun online!

What is Klout?: Click HERE to find out more information

Influencer disclosure
I was given a free product or sample because I'm a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

Klout Perk: Jason Pure Natural Shampoo

I received this Klout perk a while back but forgot to share it on here - I got a Jason Pure Natural Shampoo Restorative Biotin. I'm currently testing another shampoo so I haven't tried it yet, but I plan on switching to it next month. Keep your eyes peeled for a review on it!

What is Klout?: Click HERE to find out more information

Influencer Disclosure
I was given a free product or sample because I'm a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

Klout Perk: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair

I received this Klout Perk, Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair, a few weeks back and since I was testing out skincare products, I didn't share it or even try it yet. Now that I'm free to move onto other skincare products to test and review, it's currently in trial - which means a review is soon to follow. I don't really have wrinkles, so I'll be testing this out in any "wrinkly" spot I can find! LOL!

What is Klout?: Click HERE to find out more information

Influencer Disclosure
I was given a free product or sample because I'm a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

Klout Perk: Simple Skincare

A few weeks ago I got a notification that I qualified for perk from Simple Skincare, "UK's #1 Skincare".
I received Simple’s Cleansing Facial Wipes and Replenishing Rich Moisturizer.

What is Klout? Click HERE for more information on the website and how to qualify for perks like this.

SimpleSkincare.com: Cleansing Facial Wipes / 25 wipes (approx $4.99-$5.99) / 7 wipes
Our Cleansing Facial Wipes refresh and nourish your skin plus remove waterproof mascara. Our wipes contain a perfect blend of our purest possible skin loving ingredients with an added vitamin.
SIMPLE GOODNESS, 1 ADDED VITAMIN, PRO-VITAMIN B5 known to help restore, soften and smooth, NO ALCOHOL, NO OIL, NON DRYING and NO GREASY residue, NO DYES, NO ARTIFICIAL PERFUMES, NO HARSH IRRITANTS to upset skin
Dermatologist tested, Ophthalmologist tested, Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, Hypoallergenic, Noncomedogenic

MY THOUGHTS: These are really gentle, they smell oh-so-good and fresh, best of all I love the size of these wipes. They're not too big or too small - usually I have to use two wipes to wipe down my face, neck and decolletage. With the Simple wipes, I only need one, and they are moist enough to cover the whole area before drying out or losing it's cleanser. Just as the product description states, it doesn't leave behind a greasy residue, which is my biggest pet peeve about facial wipes. Instead, the Simple wipes soak into the skin and dry down, leaving the skin smooth and hydrated. If I had oilier skin, I could get away with no moisturizer for a few hours after using these wipes. With my combination skin, it starts to feel a bit dry after just an hour.

SimpleSkincare.com: Replenishing Rich Moisturizer / 4.2 fl oz (approx $9.99-$12.99)
Our Replenishing Rich Moisturizer leaves your skin replenished and nourished all day long, plus it's a perfect blend of our purest possible skin loving ingredients with an added vitamin.
SIMPLE GOODNESS, 1 ADDED VITAMIN, PRO-VITAMIN B5 known to help restore, soften and smooth, 3 SKIN LOVING INGREDIENTS, GLYCERIN hydrates and nourishes, BISABOLOL helps soothe and calm, ALLANTOIN helps soften, NO DYES, NO ARTIFICIAL PERFUME, NO HARSH IRRITANTS to upset skin
Dermatologist tested, Noncomedogenic, Hypoallergenic

MY THOUGHTS: I really like this moisturizer. It's light weight, easy to smooth over the skin, it smells clean and fresh and it's gentle. If I don't wear makeup, the moisturizer and my natural oils keep my skin looking fresh and smooth. On a day I wear makeup, I have to use a primer to help reduce the oils, this moisturizer tends to promote more oils on my face, that mixed with makeup is not an attractive look for me. I prefer to use this as a daytime moisturizer for non-makeup days and a night moisturizer for days I wear makeup.



Influencer disclosure
I was given a free product or sample because I'm a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.