Howdy babes! Long-time, no talky. I'm coming at you with another beauty post. Who am I? Out of all of my friends, I'm the least "beauty" obsessed. I put my makeup on in the morning & literally, don't look at it until I'm getting ready to take it off. Yikes. Most ironic thing...out of everyone in my family, I would most definitely be labeled the diva which I find so funny.

Okay, enough rambling...let's get to the nitty-gritty. I've had lash extensions on and off again for the last 2ish years. I just recently had them put on earlier this year (I believe April) but ended up taking them off due to my allergies getting so severe. My entire body has taken a serious beating from this year's allergies...like it has never ever been this bad in my entire life. Anyone else feeling the same? Back to lashes, I personally love how effortless they are. I can be completely bare face and still feel somewhat put together with them on & that's what I love the most about them.

Here are some questions I have been asked for the past few months:

WHAT ARE LASH EXTENSIONS?

Lash extensions that are individual faux lashes that are placed on each individual lash with a special glue that is designed for lash extensions.

HOW LONG DO THEY LAST?

You will need to come to get a fill-in every 2 to 3 weeks. I usually go every 2 weeks.

WILL THEY RUIN MY NATURAL LASHES?

Not if they are applied correctly. That is the importance of going to someone who is certified and has experience.

WHAT ARE LASH EXTENSIONS MADE OF?

They can be made from synthetic material or mink. Haley uses synthetic lashes because she feels like they hold a better curl than mink.

HOW DO YOU CLEAN THEM?

With a lash shampoo that is designed for lash extensions. You apply the shampoo with a lip brush or a lash brush. Do this every day or every other day right before bed after cleaning your face.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF LASH EXTENSIONS?

You can get a classic which is one lash.
Hybrid is a mix of classic and volume.
Volume is more fanned out & dramatic.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH KIND OF EXTENSIONS TO GET?

It really depends on the look you are trying to achieve. Your lash extension tech will go through a consultation to determine which would be the best fit for you.

HOW MUCH DOES IT TYPICALLY COST?

$100 - $300. Haley charges about $100 - $150 for a full set. Fill-ins typically cost around $50 - $75 depending on the lashes that you get. Reach out to her for a specific price.

About a month ago, I shared that I was getting some preventative Botox done. I've had so many positive responses from me sharing it in snippets on my Instagram that I decided to dive in a little bit deeper with a blog post.

I think that the subject of Botox is very controversial. A lot of people have mistaken celebrities that have had one too many face lifts with Botox. I think that most of you would be shocked by how many people in your life get Botox, they just don't talk about it.

I want to say this before we go any further. Nothing is wrong with having wrinkles or aging. Botox is absolutely not a necessity in your life.

WHAT IS BOTOX?

Botox is a neurotoxin that relaxes the muscles and ends up preventing wrinkles from getting deeper.

Another alternative to Botox is another neurotoxin called Dysport. I haven't used this before but Rebecca told me that it activates a little bit quicker but it doesn't last as long as Botox does. Do your research and be informed!

MYTHS ABOUT BOTOX

I feel like when people here Botox, they think of the women who have frozen faces and look like they got caught in a windstorm. So many people think that Botox is only for you once you are older. When in reality when you start when you are younger than you don't need as much when you are older. Remember that the deeper the wrinkle, the more Botox it is going to take to correct. It is going to take time and patience to completely smooth out the wrinkles. The wrinkles didn't happen over night and it won't be fixed overnight.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

It really depends on wherever you live. Here in Augusta, GA I have seen the price of Botox range from $9-$12 per unit. I have seen it go all the way up to $20 per unit but that is usually in larger cities.

WHEN SHOULD I START GETTING BOTOX?

This is a personal decision. I personally feel like mid-twenties is a great time to start. Like I have said before, the longer you wait to get Botox, the more Botox you are going to have to get. When you start younger you will end up having to get less the older that you get.

HOW LONG DOES BOTOX LAST?

Botox lasts depending on how fast your body metabolizes it. I've noticed that certain parts of my face metabolize faster than other parts. For example, I noticed that my forehead started "cracking" more than around my eye have. So I just got my forehead injected the last time that I went.

HOW MANY UNITS DO YOU GET?

When I went in for my first visit, I got about 25 units. A few weeks later, I came back in and had touch-ups done which she did about 5 more units totaling out at about 30 units.

WHERE DO YOU GET IT INJECTED ON YOUR FACE?

I got Botox all in my forehead, the outer part of my eyes (aka crowfeet), and my 11's (the muscles between your brows). Rebecca also does an eye lift with Botox which is the best thing I've ever witnessed!

Photo

DOES IT HURT?

NO! Which is shocking to me because ya girl loathes a damn needle. Since I was a tiny little thing, I would faint if you even talked about a needle to me. I've semi-grown out of this but still not the biggest fan. Rebecca applies a topical numbing cream wherever she is planning on injecting the Botox. The numbing cream helps a lot plus she uses a nifty vibrating tool whenever she injects so it distracts you from the needle going in.

DO YOU RECOMMEND IT?

I recommend you doing whatever makes you happy. Simple as that. If it is something that makes you feel better and more confident about yourself, DO IT.

I will end up doing Botox for the rest of my life. I'm obsessed with it and I love the effects that it gives! It has given me back a confidence that I have truly lost over the years.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT FILLERS?

Yes. I would love to get some filler for my smile lines. I know a lot of people who get lip fillers and absolutely love them! I've been really blessed with great lips so for now lip fillers are not gonna be for me but I am totally open to fillers!

WHERE DO YOU GO?

I go to Aesthetics Essentials of Augusta! I go see Rebecca (@botoxbecca) and she is such an angel. She listens to what you want and gives you her honest opinion. I have heard great things about everyone that works there! Tell them that I have sent you!

9 times out of 10 if you see me out in public my hair is going to be in a bun. Usually I'll make it nice and big on the top of my head but recently I've been very into low buns. This one I'm going to share with y'all today is insanely easy and takes less than 5 minutes.

Step 1: Start with a low ponytail and secure.

Step 2: Fold the bun underneath and secure. Make sure you have some hair hanging out the end. Enough to wrap around the base of the ponytail.

Step 3: Spray the extra hair that is left out with hairspray to give it some grip.

Step 4: Wrap hair around the base of the ponytail and secure with bobby-pins. 

Step 5: Spray hair with hairspray again!

Step 6: I like to pull the bangs around my face out to make it a little bit more messier (if you don't like that look by all means leave it pulled back and look like a boss). 

Shirt is from a local boutique called Peppy Poppy in Evans, GA. I'm linking similar tops below! I'm also linking my favorite hairspray below!

         

        

One of my most frequently asked questions is how do I curl my hair? Well I put together a quick tutorial for you to get the achieved look. If you have tried doing loose waves but they haven't worked out then try this tutorial a few times until you get the hang of it. Before I start on my curls, I add a heat protectant after I towel dry it. Next, I let it air dry for a good bit. After I feel like it's air dried to my satisfaction, I'll round brush dry it.

STEP 1: GIVE IT TEXTURE

This step is essential if you are someone who has to wash your hair every single day. Curls love "dirtied" up hair. If you have to wash your hair every day or curls don't like staying in your hair then spray it with some dry shampoo. All over. It gives the curls some grit to hold onto. I've linked some dry shampoos I really like from over the years of testing. My tried and true right now is this one from Bumble & Bumble. 

STEP 2: SECTION YOUR HAIR

I section my hair into two or three sections. Just depends on my mood that day. I find that the more sections, the more volume. To section my hair I use a hair tie but I really like these hair clamps. 

STEP 3: CURLING TIME!

Grab 1" sections at a time. I place my curling iron about 1" away from the root of my hair and start to wrap your hair down the iron keeping 1-2" inches of hair out, this gives you that nice laid back look. The key to this look is curling away from your face. I hold it for about 5-10 seconds. Everyone's hair is different so it'll take a few times for you to know how long to hold it. I like to lightly hair spray each section of hair before moving on.

STEP 4: RE-SECTION & KEEP CURLING

Once you are done with your first section, let it cool! Then take down your next section of hair. Repeat step 3 until your done with all of your hair.

STEP 5: GIVE IT SOME LOVE

By now you should be ready to part your hair. I do mine either dead center or off slightly from the part. You do whatever makes your heart happiest. When I use to part my hair deep, I would section and curl it as well.

STEP 6: RECHECK

Make sure you let your hair curl completely before you start messing with it. It might look a little funny but I promise it looks so good once your done. Once it is nice and cool I like to "finger" my hair aka just run your fingers through it. Some pieces may have fall when you do this part, that is a-okay. Simply re-curl and do touch ups here and there 

STEP 7: STRAIGHTEN (if necessary)

If any of curls got a little too curly, go ahead and pull out your straighter. Run over the ends of your hair to give it a more polished look. I don't always do this, my hair is naturally wavy so my ends go pretty straight once I blow it out. Also depends on what kinda mood I'm in that day as well.

STEP 8: FINISH IT UP

Last step, I like to spray my hair with an extremely light mist of hair spray. This is all going to depend on your hair texture with this step. If you have hair that never wants to hold curl then give it some extra love. Like I said above, my hair is naturally wavy so it holds curl pretty well. I love to add some texture to my loose waves and have been LOVING the Ouai Texture Spray. 

And that's it! I really hope that this post helps you out! Tag me (@abigailgwfn) in your photos so I can see the completed look on y'all! Also let me know if you have any questions in the comments.

         

        

Morning

Cleanser:

I've been using Purity for years and I love it! I do this every night and every morning. It's a very gentle cleanser and it leaves your skin feeling so soft.

Toner:

I use witch hazel. I've been using witch hazel since I was in high school. I can tell a huge difference from when I do use it and when I don't. Best part? It's less than $5!

Facial Spray:
I have been using this product for about a year and it is one of my favorites. I use it daily in my skin care routine and throughout the day when I need a little pick me up.


Serum:
I got this serum in the mail just a few weeks ago and I can already tell a huge difference. My skin has gotten tighter, the wrinkles are disappearing, and overall a better texture. Plus it is under $20!!

Eye Gel:

I've been using this eye gel for a few months now and I must say that I really like it. My dark circles have gotten lighter and it takes my puffiness away.

Moisturizer:

I was using First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair which I love but recently I noticed that my skin was getting kind of oily with this winter weather. I did some research and figured I could try a gel moisturizer and  I decided to try this one. I absolutely looooove it.

Night

Cleanser:

Same as above.

Toner:

Same as above.

Facial Spray:
Same as above.

Serum:

Same as above.

Eye Gel:

Same as above.

Moisturizer:
I either use my Origins or I'll use my First Aid Beauty. Depending on how dry my skin is feeling.

As Needed



Exfoliator:
I exfoliate twice a week to really get all the dead skin off my face.

Spot Treatments:

Buffer Lotion
Overnight acne treatment for cystic acne breakouts.

Drying Lotion
Overnight acne treatment for whiteheads.