My First Video: Rock that Guidette Look

Before you watch this video, let me provide some context.  I wasn't planning on dressing up or doing anything for Halloween until Saturday afternoon.  A few of my friends were going out and at the last minute I decided to join.  So what's a girl to do with 4 hours to come up with a costume?  Well, I took inspiration from my sister's costume - she bought a "Guidette Kit"...that's when I know I could come up with something fast - Snooki :)  Getting ready for this was ridiculous.  There was more poufing and bronzing than I'd ever done in my life.  As I was waiting for my ride, I decided to take a few pics...and felt the need to create this.  I've spent way too much of my time on this.  I hope this uploads correctly...and I hope you enjoy:

 

I've also uploaded it onto my Facebook Group, click here to watch a clearer version.

Here are some of the actual photos I used:

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

This is pure ridiculousness. 

This is what I look like today: Bangs & Elephants

This is what I look like today.

Peace out homies!



FOTD & OOTD: Call of the wild ft. Vasanti Luxembourg Lipstick

I didn't do it intentionally, but after I got ready this morning I realized that my total look was totally animal-inspired.  Okay, maybe not totally, but there were definitely some wildlife elements!

Here was the face and hair:

Foundation/Concealer:  Vasanti Liquid Cover Up in V4
Powder:  Vasanti Facebase in V4
Eyes:  Cargo Essential Palette in Bronze
Liner & Mascara:  Annabelle Smudgeliner in Oh My Goth, Maybelline Falsies mascara
Bronzer:  Annabelle Zebra Bronzer
Lips:  Vasanti Luxembourg lipstick

I want to point out the lipstick.  On the website, Vasanti describes it as "the perfect brown that will never turn orange":

I would consider my lips to be medium-pigmented, meaning without lip product they are fairly pink.  So Luxembourg did not show up brown per se - it's more of a nude in which I see a hint of a brown tone.  The main thing I noticed is that it is less pink than any other nude-ish colour I've tried!  I think it complimented the overall bronzed look - what do you think?

SIDE NOTE:  Anytime I have a bridal client who wants a neutral lip but hates pink, I reach for Luxembourg - it compliments almost every skin tone I've worked with!

This was the outfit:

Again, it's a bit Plain Jane - nothing overly trendy or fabulous, but I'm in a bit of a fashion funk right now...so bare with me!  The animal-print top is from Jacob (bought in the Spring) and the beige cardi is from H&M (bought 2 years ago!).  Animal prints are in this season so I thought I'd try this combo out.

As you know I'm a big fan of blingy rings, so I added my snake ring:

I love him :)  This ring is from the same place I bought the elephant, Obsessions in Toronto. 
Just as I am typing this, I realized another animal element - Annabelle's Zebra Bronzer (read review here) looks like this:

So I am not sure why, but apparently the jungle was calling today!

Things I've Been Meaning To Do...

Okay we need to get serious here for a second.  As you know, I started a new job last week.  As part of the orientation I met with Jessica, one of the Director's of my group.  As she was giving me an overview of her role, our conversation veered into personal life.  We ended up talking about a fundraiser event she's hosting next week and the reason she got involved.  Honestly, I left her office with goosebumps after hearing the story.

Jessica was good friends with a woman named Shirley Case.  Shirley was a young, vibrant, ambitious woman who traveled the world to spread love through humanitarian work.  Her hope was to educate, assist, and empower young children who were helpless but in need.  Jessica described Shirley as a caring, loving individual, who never failed to tell the people in her life how important they are and that she loved them.  It was in 2008 when Shirley was working as an aid worker in Afghanistan when she was one of two Canadians who were tragically gunned down.  At the young age of 30, Shirley's life was taken away from her.  

Photo taken from the Faebook Group:  Shirley Case School Project

For two years now, thousands of friends and family members have been mourning the loss of their beloved Shirley.  With such an open heart, I'm sure she touched the lives of many people around her.  And it is in that same spirit that her family and friends are coming together to do something very special in Shirley's memory.   

THE PROJECT:  Build a school in Nicaragua, named after Shirley Case

THE DETAILS:  In partnership with SchoolBOX, a Canadian grassroots charity, and in honour of our dear friend and inspiration, we will build The Shirley Case School and provide a safe and functional learning environment for more than 100 children in Monte Olivo, a rural village in northwest Nicaragua.  

Photo from Facebook Group:  Shirley Case School Project

Shirley's closest family and friends have been working together to plan and organize the building of The Shirley Case school.  The goal is to raise $32,000 by March 2011.  On Tuesday, November 2nd, this team is hosting a fundraiser event in downtown Toronto to raise the money needed to keep this project running.  

THE EVENT:  Things I've Been Meaning To Do
DATE:  Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010
TIME:  7pm
LOCATION:  The Berkeley Church, 315 Queen St E
TICKETS:  $55 in advance or $65 at the door


The event will be a night of good food and good fun with live entertainment and a silent auction.  For more information, you can visit the website here.  


In celebration of Shirley's beautiful life, I will definitely be there.  In fact, my whole work team will be there!  If this story touched your heart, I encourage you to be there as well - bring a friend, support a cause - it will be a great night :)


Follow the event group on Twitter:  @meaningtodo
Like the Facebook page:  Shirley Case School Project 
Donate here.

Backstage with MAC Makeup Artist Melissa Gibson @ Ashley Rowe SS11

Pre-Fashion Week, I was invited to meet MAC Makeup Artist Melissa Gibson as she was keying the makeup for Toronto fashion designer Ashley Rowe's Spring/Summer 2011 collection.  I was ecstatic for the opportunity to meet and interview such an influential, world-renowned artist!
When I arrived at the event, Melissa was prepping the face of a beautiful young model but was (thankfully) willing to speak to me as she worked. 

Here is a shot of a model she had just completed:

The look for the evening was "all about the lip" - a pop of colour that Melissa saw all over the runway in Europe.  It's a bright, matte, neon pink that is matched with a matted face and bronzed eyes.  Melissa thought this look was perfect for the collection, which was 70's-bohemian inspired (check out the video at the beginning of this post and the photos on Ashley's blog). 

Curious as to what shade was used for the lip?  Don't waste your time looking for a MAC lipstick to match, in fact, it was a neon pink pigment applied using LipMix - a MAC Pro product used by makeup artists to create lipstick shades.  My first reaction was Pigment on the lips???  Melissa reinforced that this is not an everyday kind of application - but works very well and lasts a super long time for photo shoots and fashion shows - take note makeup artists!
Here are a few more questions I asked Melissa while I was there (note: answers are not quoted, this is a summarized version of our conversation):

How has working with various fashion designers changed or influenced you as an artist?

I can't say it's changed me per se, but working with high profile fashion designers has definitely influenced the way I work today.  I'm always looking for inspiration and feel fortunate to have access to such thought leaders in the industry.  I always start by taking what I know and adapting it to the designer's vision - it's a great way to leave with subtle tips like using a powder brush in a different way or a product for something we'd never think of.  That only helps you grow as an artist! 

How important is runway beauty in terms of setting seasonal trends?

Runways and seasonal trends go hand-in-hand, you can't have one without the other!  We need inspiration from the industry, so knowing what fashion trends will be "in" in the Spring/Summer and working with designers sets the tone for runway beauty, which translates into seasonal trends.

Runway beauty can be fairly extreme - how can an everyday woman tailor a runway look to suit her?  What should she look for?

Runway beauty is not always extreme.  Quite often, these are looks you can wear easily.  The main thing is to look at colour and texture, not technique.  If an eyeshadow is applied in a funky way, don't let that distract you from the real trend - use the shade or a variation of it.  Is it shimmery?  Matte?  Cream-based, or powder-based?  Taking small things like this will help you translate a runway look into everyday wear.  

What trends do you predict for Spring/Summer 2011?

Definitely neon colours on the face - mainly on the lip!

Bringing it back to the here and now, what beauty tips do you have for Fall/Winter 2010-2011?

Anything VV (Venomous Villains) is fun and appropriate for Fall!  Aside from products, skin care is HUGE at this time of year.  I recommend staying hydrated and always using SPF before or in your foundation - just because it's not shining doesn't mean the sun doesn't affect us.  I also like lip balms to keep the lips soft and moist. 

Great tips and insights from Melissa Gibson!  I would like to thank Melissa for the time she took to speak with me, and Samantha from MAC for inviting me to meet the artist.  I cant wait to rock those NEON looks in the Spring!

I'll leave you with a video created by Beauty Geeks, demonstrating how the lipstick was applied:

Done and Done: Half Marathon & First Day on the New Job!

So I did it.  The 18 weeks of training paid off - yesterday I completed my 2nd Half Marathon!!!  It was such a great run.  Here's my summary of the event:

5:30am  Wake up from a restless sleep...today is the day!
5:45am  Eat breakfast: 2 slices whole grain bread with organic peanut butter, a banana & coffee
6:15am  Out the door and heading to Mel Lastman Square in Toronto to start the big race!
7:00am  It's freeeeeezing outside at the start line - let's move this party inside the sports complex
7:45am  Final pee before we start...
8:15am  I've crossed the start line - the race as begun...

1km - Holy sh!t - my legs and feet feel like solid bricks - why is this happening?  (my guess is that I wasn't prepared for the cold weather and my body was slightly shocked)
2km - Still having difficulty with the legs - this never happened in training, I'm a bit confused
3km - Running Room buddy Natalie runs up beside me - haven't seen her for a while, we end up running most of the race together
4.5km - We approach a behemoth hill - the sharpest incline I've ever run up - this is what all the hill training was for
5km - Done the hill, I feel like dying.  At least my legs have loosened up
8km - Felling good, except now my feet are blistering...whyyyy????
11km - Halfway there - I can do this!  The weather is gorgeous - much better than the freezing start we had
16km - Only 5km left, I can do that in my sleep.  We just finished running the prettiest trail down the Bayview extension! 
18km - 3km left, I feel like my legs are going to pop out of my hip sockets
19km - Try to keep moving. Feeling nauseous, afraid I'm going to puke.  Feet are completely blistered, legs are tired, hips are sore...but I'm almost there.
20km - So close.  The crowds are cheering and a man says "Don't give up now!"  I take his advice and push harder
21km - the final 100m - I pick up the pace for a final sprint
21.1km - I. AM. DONE.

As soon as I crossed the finish line I high-fived Natalie, got my finishing medal and headed straight for the food tent.  I was feeling a little light-headed and needed a bagel and orange to refuel.  I ended up finishing in 2 hours and 21 minutes.  Not my best time, in fact, much slower than I anticipated, but I'm trying not to get too caught up on the numbers.  The point is, this is something I trained 3 months for and am proud of accomplishing! 

I want to take a moment to thank all of my readers for your encouraging comments and tweets over the past 3 months.  Trust me, some days I'd come home from work and the last thing I'd want to do is run, however your excitement about my training only motivated me to get out there and do my best.  I'm so glad to be part of this very special online community that's so caring and supportive.  Couldn't have done it without you :)

Today my quads were a bit tight and my feet were heavily blistered, but I managed to get through the day.  Around 5pm my ankles and calves started stiffening up, so I'm drinking lots of water and stretching my legs out.  Hopefully I'll be back to normal by Wednesday! 

That will be my 3rd day on the new job!  Today went really well.  I had a day of orientation with my new manager and teammates and settled into my new workplace.  This was a good move for me, I'm looking forward to new projects and challenges!  But this is not a work blog, let's talk beauty.  Here is the makeup (and hair) look I wore:

It was a fairly neutral face - just my basic foundation and powder, a very light shimmery brown shadow,  eyeliner, mascara, blush and a light coral(ish) lip gloss.  Now, you may notice that the eyeliner is blue - not ideal for the first day on a job, but to be honest I couldn't find my black liner and literally had 3 minutes to put this together.  I wrote a post in August about wearing blue eyeliner to work (read it here) and thought I'd take my chances and try this subtle pop of colour.  For me, it was better than nothing!  And it was fine - in fact I think it brightened up my face considering I was wearing a very safe grey outfit:

I'll be the first to admit, this is kind of boring and "plain Jane", but after waking up from a very heavy sleep, choosing something fun and vibrant just wasn't going to happen.  My feet were a bit swollen from the run and my legs were still sore, so I paired the outfit with some grey flats.  Very business casual.  Here's the one thing added to spice it up: 

Look familiar?  I previously blogged about the necklace version of this bracelet from Three's Company here.  It was a temptation I just had to give in to...I decided I would get more wear out of the bracelet ended up getting that instead.  I love that such a small piece can make huge impacts on an outfit - that was my element of something trendy today :)  Love this bracelet!

So that's it!  This is going to be a busy week - I'll be attended LG Fashion Week events Tuesday to Thursday and then have a few other events to attend on Friday and Saturday.  I'll try fit in another post, but might not get to it until Sunday.  Hope you all have a fabulous week - let me know what you thought of this FOTD and OOTD! 

WINNER: MAC $75 Giveaway!!!

Congratulations to Curls and Pearls - the winner of a $75 MAC gift card for Rock that Look's Birthday Giveaway!!!!  This selection was made using Random.org:

Thank you to everyone who participated - your feedback and suggestions were extremely helpful!  I'm so excited to start my 2nd year of blogging. Stay tuned for more FOTD, OOTD, Product Review and "How To" posts - you asked for it, so I'll bring it!!!!

Art of Fashion: La Belle Epoque (Toronto), Oct 2nd

This post is a little overdue, but I attended an event so fabulous, it's better late than never.
Those of you who live in Toronto must be aware of Nuit Blanche - did anyone attend?  I did...in fact, we kicked off the evening by attending a fashion design competition/event in Liberty Village.  Heard of Art of Fashion?  Ya, that's where we were :)

For those who are not familiar with the event, here's a little blurb from the website:

Without the support available in places like New York, Paris and Milan, it can be a steep uphill battle for Canada’s fashion talent to launch their careers. In 1998, Michelle Planche, CMP, president of Paradigm Events, created Art of Fashion to help offer that support. Driven entirely by the support of volunteers and sponsors, Art of Fashion’s critically-acclaimed events have helped to raise the profile of Canada’s fashion design industry, and helped hundreds of designers get started on their careers.

I love that this non-profit event is put together to give Canadian fashion designers exposure in their industry...AND it's not exclusive!  This year's show, La Belle Epoque, was open from 7pm to 1am for the general public to walk in, grab a drink, and peruse the various displays of 10 designers, competing for a chance to win one of two awards: Most Promising Designer or Best Exhibit (click here to read about the advantages of each award).  As we walked the aisles, jumping from exhibit to exhibit, we had a chance to meet the designers, hear them talk about their lines and take a few pictures.  Take a look (click on the name to learn more about the designer and his/her inspiration for the exhibit): 

Exhibit: Georgia Varela

 

Exhibit: Fuy-Na Tse

Exhibit: Natalia Cuervo

Exhibit: Stefanie Ayoub 

Exhibit (my fav): Stephanie Mahseredjian 

 

 

Exhibit: Amber Watkins 

Exhibit: Mark Aguilar 

  

Exhibit: Rebecca Milward 

More photos can be found in a Flickr Album posted by sponsor Vitamin Water, see them here.

Of course an event like this wouldn't be complete without some sort of shopping...right?  Luckily there was also a Trunk Show where various event sponsors and partners were selling unique pieces of clothing and jewelery.  I had my wallet on a tight lock that night, so didn't end up buying anything, but my sister bough two pieces and if I can get my hands on them, I'll be sure to take pics and post them! 

I had a great time at this Art of Fashion event.  I loved the opportunity to check out unique exhibits from up-and-coming Canadian designers and appreciated that it was open to the public.  Will you be in Toronto next Fall?  If so, keep your eyes peeled for next year's show - you're bound to have a good night!

Rock that Look's Birthday GIVEAWAY: $75 MAC Gift Card

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION! KEEP READING & STAY IN TOUCH :) - ANJALI

It was one year ago today that I wrote my first post for Rock that Look.  At the time, this was simply an avenue for me to write about makeup for anyone who was interested in reading.  Since then, I've gained a following that I am so proud of, have made great connections in the beauty industry, and have built friendships with some amazing beauty bloggers.  I had no idea this blog would evolve into what it is today and I have all of my readers to thank for my success!

In honour of your constant support, interaction, and kindness, I am hosting Rock that Look's first birthday giveaway!  What's up for grabs?   

 A $75 gift card to MAC Cosmetics!  

Want to win?  All you have to do is leave a comment below stating any (or all) of the following:

• Your favourite post on Rock that Look
• What you'd like to see more of on Rock that Look
• How you heard of Rock that Look 

Entries will be accepted until 11:59pm EST on Sunday, October 17, 2010.  The winner will be selected using Random.org and will be announced on the evening of Monday, October 18, 2010.

The following rules apply:

1. You must be a follower of Rock that Look - if you are not one now, you can become one by signing into Blogger and clicking [Follow] at the top of my blog OR you can follow via Google Friend Connect on the side bar
2. One entry per person
3. All entries must include an email address as I will be notifying the winner via email
4. You must be willing to provide me with your mailing address as I'll be sending a physical gift card via mail
5. You must be a resident of Canada or the US
6. Your entry must be submitted by 11:59pm EST on October 17, 2010

I would like to thank all of my readers for all their encouragement and support.  Good luck guys!!!

An Anjali Update: When it rains, it pours...

Hello, hello!

I've been very infrequent with my posts and just wanted to give my wonderful readers a small life update. 

Running:
If you've been reading my posts throughout the summer, you know that I am currently training for the Toronto Half Marathon.  It big day is almost here!  I'll be tackling the 21.1km race this Sunday, October 17th.  As you can imagine, the training for the past few weeks has been quite intense with our long runs going up to  20km and our short and steady runs around 8km.  Running longer distances four times per week can really take it's toll on a person, so I've been temporarily easing off on other areas of my life (i.e. I have no social life and unfortunately I've been neglecting my blog - one day I will find balance). 

Makeup Work:

As the Fall settles and we prepare for the cold season ahead of us, a some women have been counting down to one of biggest days of their lives - their wedding day!  I've had quite a few bridal makeup appointments over the past few weekends and will be adding photos to my online portfolio (currently housed on Facebook) soon!  Aside from bridal clients, my next big event will be demoing for Vasanti Cosmetics at the Women's Show in Toronto on Sunday, November 7th...oh!  and we can't forget that IMATS is coming to Toronto on November 6th - you better believe I'll be there :)

Corporate Work:

Finally, the last big thing that's been occupying my time is my daytime work.  I've been working with my current company for about a year and four months and have been tying up some loose ends over the past week...why?  Because I got a new job :)  I'll be starting it on Monday, October 18th (the day after the big race) and am totally stoked for the change! 

With LG Fashion Week events starting Oct 18th, the rest of the month is going to be pretty hectic.  I imagine after the half marathon and after starting my new job, the dust will settle and by November I will be back on a regular blogging schedule.  Until then, here are some posts I am planning to get us through the rest of October:

- Rock that Look turns One!  A giveaway you won't want to miss :)
- An eye cream you shouldn't live without
- Event Review:  Art of Fashion
- Fall makeup trends you can wear in the office
- Keratin Express Treatment updates

Okay so that was my update.  Today is Canadian Thanksgiving - hope you all had a wonderful weekend with family and friends and have had time to reflect on everything you are thankful for.  Among other things, I am thankful for the kindness and inspiration the Fall season has brought me, and I hope to spread some of that on to the people in my life. 

Have a good one :)

FAQ: Keratin Express Brazilian Smoothing Treatment

Since I blogged about the Keratin Express Brazilian Smoothing Treatment (read it here), I've received many comments and emails with questions about it.  I've compiled a list of questions from my readers as well as from the Keratin Express website and have posted them (with answers) here.  Hope you find this helpful!  Feel free to comment/message me with additional questions if I've missed any :)


FAQ from the website:

What's in the Keratin Express treatment?

First, Keratin Express contains NO FORMALDEHYDE. Keratin Express contains its exclusive Cyprosil Complex, which includes cationically modified hydrolyzed keratin and cystine peptides, producing immediate and noticeable smoothing, shining and conditioning.

Who is Keratin Express for?

 Anyone who wants shinier, smoother, healthier hair. Keratin Express works best on porous or chemically processed hair. Applications on virgin hair will show the best results after the 2nd or 3rd treatment. 

What is the result of the treatment?

 Wavy hair will be straight; curly/frizzy hair will be smoother with up to 100% less frizz. Subsequent blow-dry time will be cut 50% or more. Straightening is a breeze with a blow dryer & brush or flat iron and clients have the option to wear hair curly if they so choose.


Is Keratin Express safe for highlighted, bleached, relaxed, damaged hair?
 The #1 consideration for Keratin Express treatments is the porosity of the hair, and its ability to withstand 450° heat. If hair is “fried” or breaking, do not perform the service. Keratin Express can be used on all hair types based on porosity and will actually improve the health, condition and shine of the hair. 

What happens near the end of the treatment?

 Hair will gradually return to its original state, but in better condition.

Can hair colour be applied after a Keratin Express treatment?

Yes, but it is recommended to wait 2 weeks.



Rock that Look reader questions:

Will I lose my natural curl/wave with Keratin Express?

No!  For the duration of the treatment (up to 3 months) wavy hair will be straighter and curls will be looser, however the treatment does not change the structure of your hair.  Instead, as it fades out, your hair will return to it's natural state.

How long does it take to apply the treatment?

It depends on what other services (if any) you are getting along with the treatment.  Mine took approximately 1hr 15min - washing hair, applying treatment, letting it sit for 20min, cutting, blow drying, then flat ironing. 

What changes have you noticed in your hair?

I'll start off by stating that my hair sits at mid-back length and is on the finer side.  Since I got the treatment, my hair is now shinier and smoother.  It air dries with virtually no frizz and literally takes 15 minutes to blow dry and style.  That said, I've also noticed my hair is a tad flatter - I need to back comb around the crown to get more volume (but that was always an issue for me).  Also, it gets greasier faster - because the treatment is basically an injection of moisture, I find my bangs and roots are visibly greasy the day after washing.  This can be countered however, with the use of dry shampoo.  A light sprinkle on the bangs and roots will allow me to go 3 days between washes.

I hope this answers some of the questions you may have about the Keratin Treatment!  More information can be found on their website's FAQ page.  And please feel free to ask me anything else :)

I Tried: Keratin Express Brazilian Smoothing Treatment

Over the past few months I've been hearing the buzz around the Brazilian Blowout - a famous all-natural hair treatment that stars like Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Ritchie, Salma Heyak, and Halle Berry use to smooth out frizzy and damaged hair.  Haven't heard of it?  Check this out:



As my hair grows longer, it always gets more dry, frizzy and lifeless - especially if it's coloured or highlighted.  Sitting at my mid-back, this is typically the point where I get so fed up I decide to chop it all of in an attempt to revitalize the frizzball it turns into.  After I heard the Brazilian Blowout could cost upwards of $175, I thought I was in a chop or settle situation.  Luckily, it was just a few weeks later that I was informed of a salon near my house that was offering the blowout for just $70.  I was thinking of cutting some bangs anyway, so I decided to make an appointment for blowout + bangs combo - wouldn't hurt to try, right?  Right.

I was so pumped for the treatment that I must admit, I was disappointed when I got there and realized it wasn't the celebrity-adored Brazilian Blowout I would be getting.  Instead, this salon used the Keratin Express Brazilian Smoothing Treatment.  What?  I know.  Turns out some places use the words "Brazilian Blowout" to market other similar treatments out there.  Now that I've done some research, I found that this Keratin Express treatment is VERY similar to the Brazilian Blowout, just seems to be different brands of pretty much the same thing (please correct me if I am wrong).  So take note: If you're signing up for a treatment, make sure you clarify which treatment you are actually getting!

Okay, well, I was already in the salon so I figured I'd try it out.  The hairdresser, Holly, walked me through the process.  We'd start off by shampooing the hair twice with a clarifying shampoo, then blow dry to 90%.  Next she'd apply the treatment, then trim my hair and cut bangs while it sat in my hair.  After 20 minutes she'd blow dry the hair completely, and finish off with a once-over flat iron.  Seemed easy enough to me.

As we went through the process she explained some of the benefits of this treatment:

• Our hair is made up of protein and keratin.  As we style, blow dry, flat iron, etc. it, our hair loses it's keratin and becomes dry and damaged.  This treatment would replenish the keratin for 3-4 months, leaving it in a much healthier state.
• It will significantly reduce frizz
• It will reduce styling and blow drying time by 50%
• The hair will be left shiny and radiant

Those were the elements of the Brazilian Blowout that I was looking for, so it sounded great to me.  By the time we were done I had new bangs and my hair was thick with the keratin treatment - I had to leave it in for 48 hours (good thing I had all my runs/workouts for the weekend taken care of!).  The best part of it all?  THE TREATMENT SMELLS LIKE CHOCOLATE.  Sweet.  I got the treatment done on Saturday so it wasn't until Monday night that I could wash my hair and test this magic out.  The result?  AMAZING!!!!

Here's a picture of my hair on the Monday night.  I just washed with my regular shampoo, flipped my head over and blow dried.  No round brush, no extra product, just a few finger combs...and voila:

YES!  My hair blow dried this shiny, radiant, and straight without any effort!  I realized that it was probably that fabulous because I had just gotten the treatment done...so I took another picture last night, 1 week later.  Same thing, just washed (probably the 3rd wash since I got the treatment done) and blow dried without any styling tools or extra products.  Here's what I got last night:

It literally took me 15 minutes to get my hair from soaking wet to this.  Isn't that fantastic?  Throughout the week, I was still able to style and curl my hair as usual, the only difference is now it's shinier, less frizzy, and much healthier!  I love that this is non-damaging, and in fact, perfectly healthy for the hair!  As I get closer to the 3 month mark, my hair will start to go back to it's original state, so I'll try to document the progression on a weekly (or bi-weekly) basis to show you how it's holding up.  For now, I'm loving it :)  Your thoughts?