Hair – styleXsydnie

Winter Beauty Products

December 25, 2017December 19, 2017 SydnieLeave a comment

I find myself craving moisture more than ever when the weather is cold. My skin is dry, hair is full of static, and lips are cracked. Over the past few years I’ve learned about a few products that always make this time of year more bearable; check them out:

Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer: My mom has been using this since I was a kid, and I understand why it’s lasted all these years. She has incredibly dry skin year-round, but this stuff is thick and powerful. After putting this on, my rough and dry patches are less noticeable; plus my makeup goes on smoothly and lasts all day.

Tarte Maracuja Oil: I haven’t done a skin care post without mentioning this holy grail product! It’s magic. I love soaking my face and neck in it before bed and waking up with rejuvenated skin. As someone with combination skin, I suffer from breakouts and dry patches at the same time, but this stuff remedies it better than any other combination of products. It contains maracuja fruit nutrients, like vitamin C and essential fatty acids, that my skin craves.

Aveda Dry Remedy Moisturizing Masque: I have always been a big fan of Aveda’s plant based hair care products and was recently introduced to their masque. Prior to using it, the static in my hair was unmanageable. Now, both my hair and scalp are hydrated and frizz-free. If you’re suffering from dry hair like I was (most curly hair types have a tendency to be dry), I recommend using a moisturizing masque once a week.

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil: If I was stranded on a deserted island and could only bring one beauty product, this would be it. I love putting this on after I shave my legs, or on my hands before bed. It’s also great on wet or dry hair and for healing acne scars…the list could go on forever. I haven’t found a body lotion that can compete with simple, natural, inexpensive coconut oil, and I don’t think I ever will.

Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm: This product has been in every purse I’ve owned since high school. I love the fruity smell, the variety of lip tints, the SPF 20, but most importantly, the long lasting moisturizing effects. It’s an easy, every day step up from regular Chapstick that I never leave the house without.

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Holiday Hair

November 13, 2017November 9, 2017 SydnieLeave a comment

The holidays are creeping up on us, and I couldn’t be more ready. One of my favorite aspects of the season are the many fun excuses to get all dolled up! It’s no secret that experimenting with hair and makeup is one of my most beloved past times, and Thanksgiving is a great chance to debut a new style! As I’ve blogged about before, Kristin Ess is one of the most Instagram worthy hairstylists out there—she’s constantly inspiring me to try something new. I love her effortless, chic looks. They feel ethereal and timeless, and usually aren’t that difficult to recreate. I especially love when she adds a simple accessory to her up-dos—something that would fit well on an extra special occasion during the Winter months. Take a peek at some of my favorite looks that she has created; I also gathered up some pretty accessories that will elevate any hairstyle this season. Happy styling!

Shopbop

Anthroplogie

Madewell

Shopbop

Shopbop

“I’ve always thought of accessories as the exclamation point of a woman’s outfit.” —Michael Kors

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Put Together

July 17, 2017 SydnieLeave a comment

I have always been told that I look “put together”, and it’s something I strive for when I am getting dressed each day. It doesn’t mean that everything matches perfectly, or that I have a million accessories on, but instead that everything together creates one, unified look.

I have a few tricks that can make this process a little bit easier. 1) Always start planning your outfit at the basics—the shirt and jeans, the skirt and top, etc. For instance, if you’re wearing a pair of high waisted jeans, choose a crop top. If the baseline of your outfit looks off, then your whole ensemble will suffer.

2) Match your shoes to your blouse. This doesn’t have to be a perfect color match—it could mean that stylistically they go really well together. For example, a lot of jobs allow you to wear jeans to the office, but you still need to look professional. To do this, wear a button down top and a pair of pointy toe pumps. The top and shoes always signify the mood of your look.

3) Pick one statement piece. In the look I’m wearing, I chose the bell sleeve cardigan. You want something that stands out from the rest—something that draws the eye in, but still subtle enough that onlookers won’t be able to pinpoint it. This goes for jewelry too. Have you ever heard the famous Coco Chanel saying, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off”? Overdoing it is an easy mistake to make. Wearing just one statement piece of jewelry is a good way to play it safe, be it a dramatic earring or a beautiful necklace—you can’t go wrong.

On Me: Similar Nordstrom Cardigan

Similar Clarks Shoes

Forever Top

Urban Jeans

Easy Summer Buns for the Lazy Girl

June 26, 2017 Sydnie1 Comment

Dealing with my hair in the summer is always difficult. During the rest of the year, I stick to my strict washing/blow drying schedule. But whenever I’m up at the lake, everything shifts. I’m in and out of the water constantly, and blow drying becomes less and less realistic. I’ve developed two go-to easy summer buns:

My first look is done with semi-wet hair. Out of the shower, I let my hair begin to air-dry while I put on make-up and get dressed. Then I use a round brush to blow dry just the front section of my hair. Styling the front pieces adds a little framework to the look and reduces the overall damage to the majority of your hair. After that, I part my hair and tie it up into a low twisted bun.

For my second look, I let my hair air-dry overnight naturally. Whenever I do this, I wake up the next day with a curly mess.

To tame my textured mane, I start by parting my hair farther left than I normally would. Then I create two messy French braids with the front sections of my hair. After that, I loosen up the braids even more, making them big and romantic. Finally, I pin up all of my hair (including the braids) into a low messy bun.

Both of these looks are incredibly romantic. And most importantly, they take less than two minutes to accomplish!

Though I prefer my hair blown out, these easy alternatives come in handy when you would rather spend your time enjoying the sunshine.

Coachella Hair Ideas

April 18, 2017 SydnieLeave a comment

Kristin Ess has been one of my favorite hairstylists for a long time. Her “perfectly-imperfect” signature look is ideal for Coachella. Can anyone say #hairgoals?! Check out some of my favorite music festival worthy looks she created:

“A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.” -Coco Chanel

WhoWhatWearXTarget Collection

February 14, 2017 SydnieLeave a comment

I recently went into Target to pick up the new Kristin Ess Haircare line, which I love by the way, and I came across the WhoWhatWearXTarget collection!

I have been a huge fan of their fashion content for a long time, so when I saw they created their own line with Target I knew I had to check it out!

As expected, they did NOT disappoint. This top is one of my all time favorites! It’s feminine, flattering, and affordable.

Not to mention, perfect for a last minute Valentine’s Day outfit. When I say Target is killing it recently, I mean it.

Check out their collection here.

New Year, Same Hat

January 11, 2016January 11, 2016 SydnieLeave a comment

This is my go-to outfit right now: jeans, booties, sweater (or flannel), bomber, sunnies, and hat.

Each season I find myself gravitating towards a certain silhouette. Though I love experimenting, it is nice to fall back on an outfit that I know will make me feel confident and comfortable all day.

I have been like this forever. I always have a better day when I like my look. For instance, I always make sure to wear my “go-to outfit” on test days. The psychology of fashion is so fascinating, isn’t it?

I am also this way with my hair. Every now and then I will let my natural hair make an appearance, but when I do that I can’t stop fussing with it. When I blow out my hair I don’t have that problem. I feel more like myself. I used to feel ashamed and guilty when I straightened my hair. Friends always made sure to warn me of the damage I was causing and assumed I was trying to hide a part of myself that I was insecure about. But straightening my hair wasn’t about fitting in or hiding something. It was about wearing my hair the way I liked it, and that’s what style is all about.

“While clothes may not make the woman, they certainly have a strong effect on her self-confidence, which, I believe, does make the woman.” -Mary Kay Ash

Fall

November 11, 2015 SydnieLeave a comment

“That country where it is always turning late in the year. That country where the hills are fog and the rivers are mist; where noons go quickly, dusks and twilights linger, and midnights stay. That country composed in the main of cellars, sub-cellars, coal-bins, closets, attics, and pantries faced away from the sun. That country whose people are autumn people, thinking only autumn thoughts. Whose people passing at night on the empty walks sound like rain.”
― Ray Bradbury

I LOVE Fall. In the spirit of things, I thought I would share a few of my favorite things that I associate with my favorite season.

Bronzer

Oversized Sweater

Big Bowls of Hot Chocolate and Chai at Zazie

Dark Shades of Lipstick

A New Book (preferably read by a fire)

The End of Summer

August 15, 2015 SydnieLeave a comment

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

I am dreading the end of this season with the beginning of school around the corner.

I decided to wear something that embraced Summertime to its fullest last night–a 1970s babydoll, flower patterned, peasant top.

When I think of Summer, I imagine shorts and wedges, loose fitting blouses, natural hair, and sunglasses.

Trying to grow out my hair has not been easy. I’ve been making an effort to wash it less, try new products, and apply less heat. Fortunately, the dry weather in Grass Valley has been decreasing my hair’s natural tendency to create frizz, allowing me to let it air dry.

I have also been trying to wear shorts as much as possible, because Foggy San Francisco almost never allows it. It has been so much fun to dress up my shorts with heels. I used to fear the fashion-no-no, but now I have embraced it–making my own rules.

On Me: Urban Top

Levi’s Shorts

Montego Bay Club Wedges

Nordstrom Sunnies

Lucky Brand Earrings

Blown Away

July 31, 2015July 31, 2015 SydnieLeave a comment

If you follow me on Instagram, @lookbookbygoodies, you might have noticed my post featuring my mom’s beautiful blowout:

I wanted to describe what I used to achieve this look in a little bit more detail.

For starters, I used the Revlon Hot Air Dryer & Styler:

This tool has literally changed my life, and my mom’s. It is the perfect combo of blowdryer, brush, and curler. It works on ALL hair types. My mom’s hair is incredibly dry and frizzy, but this tool tames her hair seamlessly. AND it’s SO EASY. Trying to blowout your hair with a round brush in one hand and a heavy blowdryer in the other can seem overwhelming and difficult. With this tool, you can get salon quality results without stepping foot in the salon.

1. Apply product and heat protectant to cleansed hair after the shower.

2. Use the non-round brush connector to dry your hair, using only the tool and your fingers, until it feels slightly damp (this will speed up the styling process).

3. Section off your hair into layers. Pretend you are straightening or curling your hair, and work from underneath layers to top layers, using only a small lock of hair at a time.

4. With each strand you style, repeat the motion of curling and brushing out your hair around the round brush until the lock is completely dry. As long as you remember to stay in motion, your hair will be less prone to heat damage.

5. Depending on your hair’s thickness, you should be done within 15-30 minutes. Apply a finishing product to maintain the look.