Let's face it, your hair goes through a lot, especially during the summer time. Between sun exposure, chlorine from swimming pools, and copious amounts of dry shampoo that constantly save us from bad hair days, it wouldn't hurt to give your luscious locks a little T.L.C.

Maple Holistic's newest shampoo, the Apple Cider Vinegar shampoo is just the product you need to revive your hair this season.

 Apple Cider Vinegar For Your Hair?

Apple cider vinegar has been a buzzy ingredient in the wellness world and recently, it has been making its way into our beauty cabinets too. ACV is a very acidic ingredient that can help restore the pH level of our scalp. Balancing out the pH level will prevent dryness, which will lead to overall shinier hair. This ingredient also removes build up from products--think dry shampoo, hairspray, and serums. With the addition of an ACV shampoo, you can continue using all of your beloved products without the worry.

If you've been reading my blog for a little while, then you probably have noticed that Maple Holistics is one of my favorite natural shampoo companies. Their products are clean, don't leave your hair with any gross residue, and are packed with ingredients that actually benefit your beautiful hair.

The Review

First, off I have to mention the packaging. I love how sleek their bottles are, but this yellow label honestly gives off SO many happy vibes. I know it sounds corny, but this is one of my favorite shades of yellow, and it truly adds a touch of sunshine into the products that line my shower.

The shampoo has a very healthy scent. You know when you walk into a juice shop and it just smells healthy? That's what the shampoo smells like, but not quite as strong. I'm pretty sure it's because of the ACV. Personally, I don't mind the scent. It doesn't linger in your hair afterwards, so it doesn't bother me, but I know some people have a love / hate relationship with healthy scents like that.

The formula itself is a white color that is slightly runnier than a conditioner. I know some natural shampoos I've used are very liquidy and difficult to lather, but this is a little thicker. For being a sulfate-free formula it lathers extremely well--you may remember how much I geeked out about this in my last review for the Silk 18 shampoo. This is something I've found to be consistent across all lines, which makes me love the products even more.

The Results

Overall, I would definitely recommend this shampoo. My hair did not have any sort of greasy residue once it dried (can be common in natural shampoos) and it wasn't dry either. My hair was actually more voluminous after using this particular shampoo, even compared to other Maple Holistics products, which pleasantly surprised me. My guess is that it's because of the clarifying affect ACV has on the hair. Oh, and this shampoo can be used on any hair type. How awesome is that?!

If you're looking for a good clarifying shampoo that isn't harsh on your hair, doesn't have nasty chemicals in it, and still gets the job done, then I can confidently say this one is for you! Go ahead and give it a try. Let me know in the comments below if you have tried this product or plan to, I'd love to hear what you think! 

Shop These Must-Have Accessories For Summer

June is almost over. Wow. Now that sounds completely crazy, and maybe even a bit scary? I swear June 1 was just last week. The good thing is that this means the sunny season is in full swing! I sure have been loving all of the warm weather, and maybe it's because my outfits don't have to be covered up by a giant puffy coat, but I always find myself more willing to try new styles during the warmer months. One trend I've noticed lately is how popular accessories have gotten. I know, that sounds crazy, but between huge hair clips and woven bags, these little details can elevate your outfit in a whole new way.

Below, check out and shop these four must-have accessories you need to stock up on this summer. Trust me, after you wear them a couple times you'll be hooked!

Scrunchies

The 90s are back everyone! Lately, I've been loving hair scrunchies with bows on them. I think it's such a fun way to dress up your pony and add a little something extra to your look. Oh, and did you know scrunchies are way less damaging to your hair than a regular hair tie? You know I love a product when it's a double win!

AMAZON

FOREVER 21 (what I'm wearing in the photo above)

FOREVER 21

Hair Clips

Just like scrunchies and the Jonas Brothers, hair clips are reemerging from my childhood. I started seeing these pearl covered hair clips all over Instagram, and this is definitely a trend I can get behind. Big clips like this are a great way to pull back your hair while making it feel fancier than your typical bobby pin. I actually just ordered some of these big pearl hair clips Amazon, so when they arrive, I'll let you know how they are.

FOREVER 21

AMAZON

FRANCESCA'S

Wicker Bags

You know this round wicker crossbody bag? Well, it has been everywhere this season. Literally. So many stores have their own version at a huge variety of price points. This style of bag is adorable, and it makes an amazing addition to your favorite summer dress or romper. I don't know about you, but I definitely get all the summer vibes with this bag.

AMAZON

ZARA

ANTHROPOLOGIE

Platform Sandals

DSW

NORDSTROM RACK

NODRSTROM RACK

Along with the 90s, the 60s called and are coming back too. I went shopping recently for some new heels, and couldn't help but notice the dozens of platforms sandals that were in just about every single store. From DSW to Macy's, this style is definitely the one for summer. Actually, I've been thinking about adding this shoe into my collection. When I tried on a pair at DSW, I was super surprised to find out they are way more comfortable than expected; I could see my self even being able to wear them all day at work, which is a huge accomplishment for any pair of heels out there.

What accessories have you been obsessed with lately? Will you be hopping on the 90's bandwagon too? Let me know in the comments below!

What Style Means to Me & How to Find Your Signature Look

When you think of style or someone that has a good sense of style, the first thing that most likely comes to your mind is a person, maybe a friend or celebrity, that is up-to-date on all of the latest trends, or maybe it's the polished, over the top looks that grace the glossy pages of magazines. While this could all be very true, over the past five years I've learned style is so much more than that.

To me, style is a form of expression; it's an extension of our personality. I truly believe what you wear plays a huge part in how you represent yourself to others. While there are certain styles that are more popular than others, you don't need to look like you just walked off the pages of Vogue to have a good sense of style.

Having a good sense of style means you feel confident in what you're wearing, and it expresses who you are or how you feel. I have to admit, having an idea of what colors and silhouettes best suits you can help out a little too. Oh, and a little side note, I'd love to write a post on this if you're interested! Now that I've establish how I understand style, it's time to find your personal style!

Discovering your personal style takes a little trial and error, but it's seriously such a fun adventure! I definitely have had my style misses. Think: Juicy Couture tracksuits, neon peace sign t-shirts, and a plethora of brightly colored skinny jeans. Through it all, I discovered what kinds of shapes, silhouettes, and colors I felt the most comfortable and confident in, and found a wardrobe that is 100 percent me.

My Style: 

I describe my style as romantic and girly with pops of Disney. I wear a lot of pink, pastel hues, and gravitate towards pieces that are very delicate like chiffon and lace. I love bows, floral prints, and polka dots too! You'll rarely see me dressed in all black, but I definitely break out the darker colors like burgundy and black during the fall time. Oh, and I love a nice bright red; that's the Minnie Style in me. For accessories, I love dainty pieces like a simple necklace and pearl earrings, and a headband or hair bow is usually my go-to. I'm a big fan of the 1950's, my favorite silhouette is an A-line dress; I just love love love Christian Dior's "The New Look." It's probably no surprise to you that I wear dresses and skirts way more than pants, but I like to be comfy too, so I don't shy away from leggings. This may sound cliché, but I found my personal style by simply wearing what makes me happy. Check out my tips below to help you figure out your personal style too!

1. Pick a Color Palette

Picking a set of four or five colors that you fill most of your wardrobe with is a great place to start. Now, I'm not saying only wear the same four colors for the rest of your life, but this will make creating a cohesive style way easier.  When I started to figure out what style I liked the most, I went through phases wear I'd find myself buying a lot of blush pink, then mint green, and then light lilac. Before I knew it, I had a cohesive closet full of pastel hues and prints that worked together.

When I stick with pinks, pastel hues, and the occasional bright red, this makes shopping pretty easy. New clothes I buy are able to fit into my wardrobe pretty seamlessly and I'll have a variety of options to wear with it. 

2. Choose a Style Icon

Is there a certain celebrity's style you're always drooling over? A designer you can't get enough of? A specific time period you're completely obsessed with? Finding a style icon will spark inspiration when it comes to shopping and picking out new looks. I love Audrey Hepburn's classic, elegant, and feminine style. I'm constantly drawing inspiration from Taylor Swift. Her vintage, girly vibe is seriously #StyleGoals for me. Sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in the Speak Now era, but I don't think that's such a bad thing. Also, Ariana Grande's style from 2013, you know the girly 1950's looks she was always sporting, yeah, I'm sure it's no surprise I adore those too. 

3. Discover Your Shape 

Finding a silhouette that you feel comfortable in is crucial. I mean, this is essentially the foundation of your outfit. Maybe you're a boho girl and love flowy babydoll dresses, or you love a crisp clean look and want to stick to tailored pieces and defined lines. Hey, you may even love accenting a certain body part, who knows? Whether you gravitate towards one way or the other, it's easiest if you figure this out in the beginning. I love accenting my waist and like having an hourglass silhouette to my looks. Because of this, I'm drawn towards highwaisted pieces that represent Christian Dior's "The New Look." 

With these three tips, you'll be on your way to truly finding your dream style! 

Party In Style with Basic Invite's Monogram Graduation Invitations

Happy Spring! You have absolutely no idea how happy I am that spring has finally sprung! I'm ready for  pastel colors and floral prints--aka, my perfect aesthetic--to dominate everywhere. When the sunny season rolls around each year, I find myself getting invited to more events than any other time throughout the year.

Whether it is a graduation, shower, or wedding, Basic Invite has a stylish invitation for any occasion. Plus, it's always way more special to receive a hard copy invite in the mail rather than a Facebook invite, am I right? Remember when you would go to the store to pick out your invitation for your birthday or graduation party? There were never a ton of options in the store, and you certainly weren't able to customize them. Luckily with Basic Invite, you're able to create the invitations of your dreams!

Photo Courtesy of Basic Invite

With college and high school graduations right around the corner, Basic Invite as so many options to pick when it comes to invitations. You can choose from monogram graduation invitations, traditional graduation invitations, or invitations specifically for graduation parties.  Honestly, I wish these invites were around when I graduated! There are a ton of options to choose from, and I think this is also such a great way to remember the event.

Photo Courtesy of Basic Invite

My Experience

When I used Basic Invite, I created a brunch invitation, thank you card, and business cards! The site is super simple and very user-friendly. I picked a design that a liked (of course I had to choose a floral print, macarons, and adorable llamas) and then went a head and picked my font, colors, and inserted my text. I really love how I was able to change the shape of my brunch invite. This adds such a fancy flair to the invitation.

The entire process allowed for more creativity than I could have imagined. When I received my products I was genuinely so happy with how they turned out. All three of my items are extremely high quality and look just like they did on the computer. I was also very happy because my items only took about a week to arrive, which was shorter than the estimated time! Below you'll find five reasons why Basic Invite is now my go-to site when I need invitations, thank you cards, or business cards.

1. Endless Color Options

Did you know Basic Invite is one of the few websites where you can actually customize the colors on your invitations? This is my favorite feature on the site because I'm able to make all of my pink dreams come true. Not only can I choose blush, rose or hot pink, but I can pick from over 180 colors. So, you know that very specific hue you're trying to match for your upcoming party? Basic Invite has you covered!

2. Custom Samples

Since many things appear slightly different online than in person, Basic Invite allows you to order a sample of your invitation. You're able to make sure everything is picture perfect before ordering dozens, which I think is a really generous option to have!

3. 40+ Colors of Envelopes

Who wants to send yet another boring white envelope? Not me! When you receive a brightly colored envelope in that mail you have to admit, that piece of mail gets 10 times more exciting. You're able to pick out an envelope that matches your invitation. Talk about the ultimate #aestheticgoals!

4. Address Capturing Service

I'm going to guess there's a very good chance you don't have an actual address book sitting around your house, I know I sure don't. Have you ever been in that awkward spot where you need to get multiple addresses for friends or family members, but don't want to have to text every single person individually? Basic Invite makes it extremely easy where all you have to do is share a link on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, which requests friends and family for their address. From there, all of the addresses are stored on your Basic Invite account. You can even get the adresses printed on cards for no additional cost. Now that sounds super super simple to me!

5. Fabulous Foil

Oh boy! You mean you can add shine too? That's right! There is now a foil option which comes in gold, silver, or rose gold that can be added to any foil design. I mean, shiny things are better after all.

Photo Courtesy of Basic Invite

I know what you're thinking, "Wow now I need a reason to plan a party!" Don't you worry. For your next order with Basic Invite, you'll receive 15 percent off with the code 15FF51. If you have used Basic Invite before or plan to in the future, I'd love to hear! Let me know in the comments below. Have a beautiful day! 

Maple Holistics Silk 18 Shampoo Review

I've talked about Maple Holistics a few times on my blog, and this time the brand is back with a new shampoo: Silk18.

If you're not familiar with Maple Holistics, it is a natural bath, body, hair, and skincare company. When I started switching my shampoo and conditioner to cleaner alternatives, Maple Holistics is a brand I found myself always going back to. When I tried other natural hair care brands, a lot of times my hair was left feeling weighed down and a little greasy, but my Maple Holistics products have never done that to me! I also really like this brand because they are cruelty-free, source their ingredients ethically, and use recycled plastic for their bottles.

So, getting into the product, the Silk18 shampoo is a great option if you have frizzy, dry, or damaged hair because it helps you achieve smoother, stronger, and more luscious locks. Talk about dream hair. In the winter time I always try to add more hydrating products into my beauty routines because the cold weather is just so stinking rough on my hair and skin. Oh, and if I didn't use any hair products, my waves would be quite the frizzy mess, so I was very excited about the benefits of this shampoo.

Silk18 has a creamy consistency and lathers extremely well without using any sulfates. I was so surprised by this, I double checked the ingredient list to make sure there wasn't any SLS in it, and it was completely clean! The shampoo has a light sweet scent. It kind of smells like frosting, but in the best way possible and not over powering at all.

This shampoo uses argon and jojoba oil to smooth and soften your hair, so I was a little worried my hair would be left with a greasy residue, but that definitely wasn't the case. I was left with soft, smooth, and frizz-free hair and this shampoo gets a A+++ from me! Silk 18 will actually give you silky hair, there's no doubt about it. Seriously, I would buy this shampoo again.

If you're looking for a a natural shampoo that doesn't have all of those nasty ingredients, I highly recommend checking out Silk 18! I'd love to hear if you have used this shampoo before or have tried it yourself, is comment down below or tweet me @CaitlinRedd13 if you have!

Have a beautiful day!

I Tried Ice Cream Face Masks and it is the Sweetest Product Ever

Ice cream and face masks are the perfect recipe for a relaxing evening of self-care. I don't know about you, but a night watching FRIENDS and eating Ben & Jerry's peanut butter half baked while pampering my skin sounds so good to me. But how cool would it be if your face got to enjoy some ice cream too?

Thanks to Influenster and I Dew Care, I've been able to try out the brand's latest line of face masks: The Ice Cream Collection.

This is actually the cutest line of masks to ever exist. Seriously! The line consists of three different masks that each come with a scoop to apply. Remember those little ice cream cups with the wooden spoon that popped up at every birthday party as a kid? The face mask jars and scooper definitely brought back memories of those. Talk about nostalgia.

The Types

BERRY GROOVY

This is face mask is great for ladies who want to brighten their complexion. Glycolic acid, antioxidant-rich raspberries, and exfoliating strawberry seeds do the trick, which allow you to have the glowy skin of your dreams. Out of the three masks, this one has the strongest scent. It's obviously super fruity and smells like strawberries--it's just so sweet!

Berry Groovy is perfect for those days when your skin needs a little pick-me-up. When I used this mask, I noticed my skin really did look brighter the next morning and had a little extra life to it. Oh and the best part? The mask is PINK!

CAKE MY DAY

This may actually be my favorite mask out of the entire collection. I mean, it has sprinkles in it; how adorable is that?! Cake My Day is a hydrating mask, and trust me, this has been a life saver. Lately, my skin has been freaking out with all of this dry winter weather, so I've been incorporating this into my skincare routine more and more and it truly has helped.

Hyaluronic acid and moisture balancing squalene nourish and replenish your skin. Since these masks are pretty much ice cream for your face, it has a slight cooling effect to it, which I really love. It makes it the mask so much more relaxing and calming on my skin. After finishing the mask I noticed my skin actually was softer and didn't feel tight.

MATCHA MOOD

Matcha Mood is a soothing mask, which is great for reducing redness and for those ladies with sensitive skin. The magic making ingredients are green tea extract, vitamin B-3, and glacier water. If I ever want to give my skin a little extra love or notice that my skin is more red than normal, I'll often pick up this jar. Just like Cake My Day, this mask also has a cooling effect!

I love how this mask is actually green like matcha! I've been becoming a bigger fan of matcha lately, so I was super excited to try out this mask in particular. Oh and trust me, Matcha Mood did not disappoint at all. Since I have sensitive skin, certain products and masks irritate my skin and leave me looking like a tomato--ugh, so not cute, right? This mask did not bring out an inner tomato; it left me with calm, soothed skin. It gets an A+ from me.

Pros
1. Each mask lives up to their claim
2. Cooling effect soothes skin
3. Did not have irritation or burning from any of the masks
4. The CUTEST packaging ever (yes, I have to mention that again)
5. Masks have a light scent, but none of them are over powering

Cons
1. Price. Each jar is just over 3 ounces and costs 25 dollars each. It's not terribly expensive, but I wouldn't exactly call it budget friendly.

No, I didn't forget to finish the article, I truly have just one con for the product. I honestly loved each mask so much, and will be adding these into my skincare routine on mask days! I definitely recommend checking these out. Whether you're having a self-care night night with your girls or looking to revamp your skincare routine, these masks will make a great addition!

Beauty Trends to Keep Your Eye Out For in 2019

I'm sure it's no surprise that with every new year comes a fresh set of trends. Bold brows and glowing skin dominated the beauty world in 2018, but what can we expect this year? From a stunning copper hair color to skin-loving ingredients, there's an amazing mix of new concepts in beauty and trends we all know and love. Keep scrolling to find out what to keep an eye out for on your next trip to Target or Sephora. 

Natural Brows

Photo from Glossier.com

It's time to say good-bye to the boxy arched brows, which dominated our Instagram feeds in 2018. This year POPSUGAR, Marie Claire, and Elle have all named the 'natural brow' as the new style for them. To achieve this look, simply apply a tinted eyebrow gel and then you're good to go! A brow gel will add a little definition, keep the natural shape of your brow, and lock the hair in place all day long.

Try these brow gels for a natural look: Pacifica Brow Gloss, Glossier Boy Brow, and Wet n' Wild Brow Mascara

Eyeliner

Photo from EliteDaily.com

Photo from Tarte.com

Of course eyeliner never truly goes out of style, but the popularity of the no makeup makeup look has put our liquid friend on the back burner. Guess what! It's coming back. Liquid eyeliner will be the hottest way to make your eyes pop this year. Feeling adventurous? Try a graphic look to make a bold statement.

Try Tarte Cosmetics' Lights Camera Lashes Liquid Eyeliner, Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner, or 100% Pure Long Last Liquid Eyeliner to achieve a sleek cat eye.

Matte Skin

Photo from Maybelline.com

Just like that, matte skin is back! Style Caster, Marie Claire, and Elle have all deemed the finish this years go-to look. Honestly, this makes me a little sad, I love highlighter and a nice glowy look. To accomplish this look, try the Kat Von D Lock-It foundation,  BareMinerals Pro Powder Foundation, or the It Cosmetics Matte CC Cream foundations or add a mattifying powder to a satin finish foundation, like the BareMinerals Mineral Veil, Maybelline Fit Me Powder, or Kat Von D Lock-It powders.

Bold Lip 

Photo from Cacique Tribe

Get ready to bust out your candy apple reds and vivid hot pinks because bold lipstick is back. Over the last two years we've seen nothing but nude lips everywhere! Health, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour have all added this trend on their list of what to look out for in 2019. Honestly, I'm so excited about it. Sure, I love my natural pink lipstick, but it's so fun to wear a bold lip every so often! I can't wait to incorporate more brighter lipstick shades into my looks!

Shop these lipsticks to give off #BoldLipVibes: ColourPop Blur Luxe Lipstick - "All the Tea," ColourPop Ultra Satin Lipstick - "Ambush," Burt's Bees Satin Lipstick - "Scarlet Soaked," Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick - "Pink Coral C306"

Copper Hair

Photo from her.ie

A red / copper hue is this year's hair color of the year. Do you remember when I dyed my hair about a year and a half ago? Yeah, it's pretty much that exact same color, which is really making me want to turn into a red head again. This is such a beautiful color, and it'll be so neat seeing more and more people sport the shade.


Wellness Meets Beauty

Photo from TakeTimeOut.uk

Recently, we've seen a shift towards clean beauty in the industry. The term "clean beauty" refers to the ingredients in the products. Products that are clean don't include harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and phalates. Consumers want brands to be more transparent about the ingredients used in their beauty products. That's exactly what's happening, which  makes me super super happy! Origins, BareMinerals, and RMS Beauty are just a few clean brands that have become more revenant, and Sephora has even dedicated a whole shopping guide with a special seal to clean beauty. Okay, so I could talk about this all day. Perhaps a clean beauty post is in store?

Check out these brands which use good-for-you ingredients: 100% Pure, YesTo, RMS Beauty, BareMinerals, and Origins

From vivid lip colors to coppery auburn hair, there are so many exciting beauty trends heading our way this year. I'm so excited to try out these new trends. Which one are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @CaitlinRedd13 using the hashtag #ATinyTrendsetter