Best Dry Shampoos (and DIY Dry Shampoo Options)

Hi Shine and Sparkle Report Readers!

I love dry shampoo.  It really makes life so much easier! I adore dry shampoo because:

• De-greases hair so you can go more days without washing it (which strips your hair of natural oils, fades color, and can stress/break hair because it is weaker when wet.)

• Adds volume and texture to your hair because it's adding product around each strand making it take up a bit more space--thus looking fuller.

Squiggles is making a full come back into this blog.  He looks so cute in Microsoft Paint outfits (despite his protests).

How do you use dry shampoo?
For spay dry shampoos, I section my hair off into about 2-3 inch sections and spray it at my roots.  Then I massage it with my fingers and brush out any extra.  For non-spray dry shampoo, I put some powder on my hands, pat my hands together a bit, then massage it into my roots.  Again, brush to get out any extra powder.

My Top Dry Shampoos:

Batiste Dry Shampoo*:  This is my #1 favorite dry shampoo.  The spray is very convenient.  It comes in many scents as well as colored versions (blonde and brunette) if you worried about it leaving a white cast on your hair (though I never find this to be a problem and I have dark hair).  It is also very affordable at around $7.  My favorite scent is "Blush" which is very floral.  Spray shampoos are the most convenient but they do contain varying levels of alcohol that can dry out your hair.  I find that this does not have as much alcohol and doesn't leave my hair dry.



Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo:  I like this one because sometimes I don't want to use a spray.  I typically use this when I have just colored my hair and it is weaker/dryer than normal. I find it easiest to squirt a small amount of this into my hands, pat my hands together gently, then massage this into my hair in small amounts until all of the oil disappears.  Squirting this directly on my scalp yields patchy results and too much product in certain places.  The product has a light citrus scent that my bf loves.  This is a bit pricier side at around $12 for a bottle.  However, I think it lasts much longer than the Batiste.

DYI Dry Shampoos:

Corn Starch or Baby Powder
While these do work, use them sparingly!  Too much is very heavy and leaves a very white cast to your hair.  This is pretty undesirable unless you are bringing white powder wigs back (see Squiggles above).  Then this is perfect! I do not think they work nearly as well as the more modern versions.  That being said, if you are super into not using chemicals, these are great options to check out!

I hope this guide to dry shampoo is helpful!  Thank you so much for reading.


Shine & Sparkle!

*I am not paid or contacted by any of the companies mentioned in this post.  These are my honest feelings and opinions. Also, like all my images, I'll gladly give someone credit for their image or take it down if someone throws a hissy fit.

Excited to Chat about S&SR Business Cards!

Shine and Sparkle Readers,

I'm so excited to announce that I'm getting business cards for our little blog!  So excited I posted on my facebook, instagram, and twitter about it ages ago.  A good reason to follow me on social media right?  Anyway, I'm moving up in the world! How cool!  I thought I would share the new design with you all because it's just so exciting!  They are going to be a clsasy matte finish on premium stock paper.  Ooooh ahhh....  Are we excited?! We are excited!!!  Are we over using exclamation points?!  You bet!!!  Do I need a better adjectives than "excited"?!  Yes!!!

This totally counts as this Wednesday's post right? No, it doesn't, there will be another for you tomorrow.  So keep an eye out!

These are my business cards that I designed on Vista Print.  You could copy them, but why would you want to do that?  If you want to take this image, go right ahead!  More publicity for me, woohoo!

One last little update, I have been slaving away getting together posts to make sure I have a post every Wednesday.  It's hard work but worth it.  I'm really glad I have Squiggles to cheer me on.  I'm really enthusiastic (see what I did there?  Synonyms FTW) for all the nifty content coming soon!  It's so hard not to post it all at once!

Shine & Sparkle

Soy Nail Polish Remover Review

Welcome to my first of many Wednesday posts Shine and Sparkle Report Readers!

For the last 4+ years, I have rarely seen my natural nails.  I LOVE painting my nails.  I find that working at a desk in front of a computer, I type a lot.  And looking and pretty colors on my hands makes doing my job just a tad more enjoyable.  I'm also slightly weirded out by feet (mine included...I know I'm strange) and painting my toe nails some how makes them much less weird to me.  My odd views about my nails aside, it means that chemicals are always on my nails.  I make sure to have nail polish that is free of 3 or 5 of the major bad chemicals.  This includes OPI, Essie, Wet n' Wild (see my love of their polishes here!).  But I have always used acetone nail polish remover because...well...it works.  Fast.

Fast forward to giving myself a manicure/pedicure at home (see how I do that here!)  and after studying the weakness of my nails, I googled "weak nails from polish".  Several horrifying google images later, I determined that continued use of acetone was a major culprit to my weaker-than-I-would-like nails.  But how to get off polish without acetone quickly, easily, and without drying out my nails?

This image is copyright of ManiPure.  Squiggles is taking a break this report.   Like all the images I steal from the internet, I'll gladly give someone credit for their image or take it down if someone throws a hissy fit.

SOY OIL NAIL POLISH REMOVER!  Yes, you heard me.  I'm sure you are thinking, no way can that stuff work.  I know you are thinking that because I thought the same thing as I shrugged and spent $14 on only 4oz of ManiPure: Soy Power! Soy Nail Polish Remover * on Amazon.  But believe it or not kiddo's, it is equivalent to 100% pure acetone and way better than acetone nail polish removers.

How do you use it?
It is very very concentrated, so put a cotton ball over the top, flip it over and back up right.  Let the remover on the cotton ball sit on your nail for about 30 seconds (this is key!), then start easily rubbing away the polish!  One cotton ball with remover and you have plenty for both hands.  I'd use another cotton ball for toes.  For any light colors, you wont deal too much with the color bleeding onto your skin form the cotton ball once a nail of polish is removed.  However, for dark colors of formulas that do bleed off of the cotton ball, just use an extra one to clean up your skin after the majority of polish is removed. It is such a joyful thing to not struggle to remove nail polish!  

Do you have that awful dry/cancer feeling you have after using/breathing normal nail polish remover?  
No!  Not with amazing-magical-unicorn soy nail polish remover!  You nails feel hydrated and strong from the soy oil.  And the smell is a mild lavender essential oil scent.  My nail painting life is revolutionized.  I see no reason why this is not strictly superior to regular nail polish remover.

What about that steep $14 price tag?
Well, I have to say that since you need so little of this product, the 4oz should last you quite a while.  I used way more 100% acetone.  And I used gobs more regular nail polish remover.  Gobs.  Also, $14 gets you barely one cheap professional manicure (if you include tip) and does not get you a fancy spa manicure at all.  So just by skipping the professional treatment, you are saving tons.  I think this is an essential addition to your home mani/pedi routine.  Heck, I'll probably bring it to the nail salon (since it is such a portable bottle) and make them use that instead!  Trust me, google nail damage from acetone on google and you will be racing to pick some of this stuff up trust me!

Does it remove all nail polish? What about gel nail polish/gel nails/acrylics?
I tested my Wet n' Wild Mega Last, Revlon Color Stay, OPI (with a Glitter layer then top coat), L'Oreal (in a navy-almost-black shade), and Essie.  Soy nail polish remover took all of them off without any issues.  Note: I like to do at least 2 coats over my base coat then have a top coat.  If it isn't opaque enough, I've been known to do 3 coats of color.  I like it looking like gels, without being gels *wink*.  So I'm a prime candidate to see if soy nail polish remover has the power to remove all kinds of polish.  HOWEVER, it does NOT remove gel nail polish, gel nails or acrylics.  That being said, if you are doing any of these three nail processes, you probably are going to a nail salon to have it done.  They will remove them as gently as possible, but soy nail polish remover doesn't have the proper solvents to handle the superglue or UV treated gel.

Shine & Sparkle!

*I am not paid or contacted by any of the companies mentioned in this post.  These are my honest feelings and opinions.

I'm Accepted into Her Campus Blogger Network!

Hi Shine and Sparkle Report Readers!

Quick St Patty's Day announcement (which you probably know from the title and badge in the right side bar)!  I have been accepted into Her Campus Blogger Network!  I'm so excited to be networking with so many amazing young women!  I can't wait to share everything about being part of this great network with all of you! (Is that enough sentences ending with an exclamation point?)

Another benefit to you is I will be now posting at least once a week (I'm thinking at least by Wednesday)! How exciting is that?  I will still be writing detailed reports for all of you, but you might see a few more "quick tips" and slightly shorter reviews as well (I always get carried away chatting, so how short will they ever really be anyway...)

This image is copyright of Her Campus. Like all my images, I'll gladly give someone credit for their image or take it down if someone throws a hissy fit.

In keeping with my 100% honesty and transparency with all of you wonderful readers, I will share that according to Her Campus, "As a member of the HCBN, I'll be a part of a robust network of bloggers with influential blogs on everything from fashion to food to fitness and much, much more.  Plus, I'll receive both editorial and paid advertorial opportunities from Her Campus for special blog features and promotions.  And this is just the tip of the iceberg!" This is super exciting for me, and hopefully will inspire lots more great blog content for you all.

That being said:

1. I will ALWAYS let you know upfront (not in tiny print at the bottom) if I received a product as a promotion, sponsorship, or anything of that nature.  
2. I will ALWAYS give you my honest opinions about a product, and I really hope that you will continue reading and sharing my blogging journey with me.
3. I will ALWAYS put you wonderful readers first.  This blog would mean nothing without you!!! Thank you so much for reading and helping propel my blog to it's new HCBN status!!!

Shine & Sparkle!

Best Long Wearing Eyeliner for Monolids/Hooded Eyes

Hi Shine and Sparkle Report Readers!

People with hooded/monolids (See post on "Tips to Deal with Eyeliner for Monolids and Hooded Eyelids" if you are baffled by these concepts)  typically need very durable eyeliner.  Stuff that will not turn you into a hot mess/raccoon under extreme circumstances.  After struggling with every type of liquid, gel, and pencil liner out there,  I wanted to share my winning combination for the world of eyeliner challenged people!

Copyright of whoever made this image.*

Clio Waterproof Turnliner "TwistTurn"- $18.15 USD:
This is Clio Waterproof Turnliner "TwistTurn"  is a Korean product.  It is reasonably easy to obtain from online stores, ebay, or your Dad's trip to Korea. I already have a back-up somewhere in the mail on a 2-3 month journey by ship for when the one my dad got me runs out.

Why is it worth it for mono/hooded-lids?  It comes out in a pigmented but more runny liquid.  3 or so clicks gives you enough to cover a large area (such as the area under the hood).  It dries pretty fast but has plenty of time to work with the product.  It also has a long and precise brush that really lends itself to drawing a perfect eye of hooded eyes.  (even the models for the liner HAVE hooded monolids!)  I can seriously line my upper eyes in seconds with this thing.  And it lasts ALL day, even on oily lids!  Why? Because oil doesn't budge it.

Make up remover is the only thing that removes this stuff.  It doesn't smear at all when I put on my olive or coconut oil to remove all my waterproof mascara, M.A.C Liquid Last Liners, and eyeshadow.  Only when I use my make-up remover or face-cleansing towelettes does this liner easily swipe away.  

Copyright of M.A.C*

M.A.C Liquid Last Liner*-$19.50 USD:
Yes, M.A.C Liquid Last Liner is pricey, but the amount you will waste looking for a product that works like this makes it worth every penny!  It is quite a thick formula and I find it applies best using an angled eyeliner brush over the one in the bottle (I just dab my brush on the product's brush then apply it).  That being said, a bit of practice and you can use this liner with its brush no problem.

While you can use this on both your upper and lower lashline, I tend to just use it on the bottom.  Mainly because it sticks SO well, that it's a pain to remove in the large quantity I have to use on my mono and hooded lids.  However, if you want a normal thin line at your lash, feel free to use this on top and bottom.  While make-up remover will do NOTHING to this eyeliner, a little olive or coconut oil on a cotton pad or ball with take it off in a jiffy.  If you don't use oil based make-up remover, your eyeliner will remain tattooed to your eyes indefinitely.  No joke, perfect liner one morning after wearing all day and being too lazy to take it off the night before.  I might or might not have worn the same eyeliner again until the next afternoon.  This is another reason a prefer to use it on my lower lash line, since my eyelids can sometimes get a bit oily.

In a nutshell,  if you have the three challenges I mention in my "Tips to Deal with Eyeliner for Monolids and Hooded Eyelids" post or any other issues with eyeliner, I guarantee that one (or a combination of both) of these products will solve your problems.

You can definitely get good liner results on the top and bottom with just one of these products.  But for me, the combination of Clio on top and M.A.C on the bottom is perfect!  I was so thrilled to find this combo.  It has made all of my eye-make up looks possible.  I'm so excited to share this information with you all!


* I am not paid or contacted by any of the companies mentioned in this post.  These are my honest feelings and opinions.  Also, like all my images, I'll gladly give someone credit for their image or take it down if someone throws a hissy fit.




Shine & Sparkle!

Tips Applying Eyeliner on Monolids and Hooded Eyelids

Hi Shine and Sparkle Report Readers!

I have 3 huge challenges when it comes to eyeliner:

1) Monolids:  This means I have no upper crease to my eyes.  This also means my eyelids are much more flush with the rest of my skin and get more oily than usual (eyeshadow primer is a must).

2) Hooded eyelids:  This means that not only do I have no crease, but when my eyes are open, there is extra skin that covers my upper lash line so if I just put eyeliner on my upper lash line, it will "disappear" when I open my eyes. Le Sigh.

3) High round cheeks: To top off the other 2 eyeliner challenges, when I laugh and smile, my cheeks tend to push against the skin under my lower lash line.  This leads to lots of smudging and raccoon-eque smudges under my eye.  Not cute...unless you are trying to catch a raccoon.

I struggled for years and years of crappy looking/non-existent eye make-up.  Nobody really seemed to know how to make my eyes look cute.  Still to this day, nobody "professional" has gotten them to look great.  I think it is because I have all 3 of theses issues.  Make-up artists can usually handle 1-2 but 3?  Disaster.  For those of you who need a visual, here is is:

Now that some of you are thinking "duh" and others are thinking "woah, never even thought about that before."  So how do I apply my eyeliner so it actually does what it is supposed to (make eyes look more defined and larger).  A picture is worth a thousand words:

Magic right?!  Some extra information:

• What eyeliners do I use that absolutely do NOT smudge, budge, or attract racoons?  Check out my post on "Best Long Wearing Eyeliner for Monolids/Hooded Eyes".
• I did this whole eyeshadow look using the "Naked" eyeshadow pallet by Urban Decay.*  The lid is the color "Sin".  I smoked out the very thick black liner with "Gunmetal".  The outer corner and crease color is "Toasted" with a tiny bit of "Hustle" right in the darkest part of the crease.  The inner corner and brow bone are "Virgin".  And I blended it using a bit of "Naked".  WOAH!  Did that just sound like a foreign language?  Well, it's pretty much a full eye look.  To me, this means using all the tricks in the book.  You can totally just swipe on one color for a classic eye.  However, using different colors in different areas of your eye gives you many more options and can really add dimension.  This look uses all areas.  Let me know if you are interested in a post detailing different eyeshadow techniques!
• My stick straight and wimpy lashes need a lot of help.  I curl them using the Shiseido Eyelash Curler.  Then I do a coat of water proof mascara only on the top lashes to hold the curl.  Then I use a volumizing mascara over the top lashes and on my bottom lashes to really give them oomph (a very technical term).  Let me know if you want more detail on this too!

* I am not paid or contacted by any of the companies mentioned in this post.  These are my honest feelings and opinions. 

Shine & Sparkle!