Beauty Archives - Love, Fancy Pants

monicafarber / July 16, 2018

Easy Home Teeth Whitening

What’s better than cheese and wine? Nothing. Not the best for your teeth though, especially when you already drink as much coffee as I do. I’ve been thinking about whitening my teeth for the longest time. I’ve tried Crest White Strips and even strips from the dentist but I found it to be too painful on my sensitive teeth, and extremely annoying. When I didn’t see results after a few days, I gave up. That being said, I’ve been considering going to the dentist to have the LED treatment done… which is expensive. So when Smile Brilliant reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in a collaboration to review their product, I was down, albeit skeptical.

I know that I’m not the only one who drinks coffee and red wine, causing years worth of stains. Nothing that’s exteremly noticeable, but once you whiten your teeth, you’ll wonder why you waited so long…

So, here is a before and after:

Good News/Bad News:

Bad News is that my teeth were quite sensitive in the beginning, also it burned my gums at times. I mean, come on, you’re putting a chemical in your mouth. What do you expect? Good news is, this did not last for long, after a week, my teeth and gums got used to it. It’s worth it. I’m literally wearing the whitening trays now as I type this and I can’t feel a thing.

The Process:

The process was super easy. You will receive a package in the mail with everything you need to make your impressions, the directions are easy to follow and it only takes a few minutes. You then mail them back in the enclosed envelope and in about a week, you will be receive your custom fitted whitening trays.

So, technically, the directions say to not drink coffee while you’re going through the whitening process, that I ignored. So, I guess you could say that my results could have been even more intense should I have followed the rules. I put in the white trays for 45 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of the desensitizing gel every night for 11 days in a row, and I still have enough for several more days.

The Verdict:

I would definitely recommend this at-home teeth whitening kit. The directions do say to keep in the trays anywhere from 45 minutes up to 3 hours at a time. I can only imagine how white my teeth could have been had I kept them in for hours. The trays are very thin and fit snug to your teeth, so it’s not uncomfortable. I just don’t like being unable to drink anything for a couple hours.

Needless to say, I have ZERO plans to stop drinking coffee or red wine, but now that I have this at home whitening kit, I can keep my teeth pearly white and not spend a fortune at the dentist… more money for shoes. Win-win.

The Best Part (for you):

Smile Brilliant is offering one of my readers a $149 credit – the value of their T3 Sensitive System. Click here to enter. All you need to provide is your name and email address. This giveaway is open to the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. I will announce the winner on Instagram, on July 30th and Smile Brilliant will be reaching out to fulfill your credit. For all others, you can use coupon code LOVEFANCYPANTS to receive a 10% discount on your order.

As always, all opinions are my own. Good luck and CHEERS (*furiously air toasts a glass of red wine)!

Home Teeth Whitening

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monicafarber / January 15, 2018

Icy Blonde Bob

All about my hair – who, what, where, for this “icy blonde lob”. People approach me in Atlanta all. the. time. and ask me where I get my hair done, what color it is, etc… Well, here ya go.

Enter: Ivy from Lumière Salon de Beauté in Alpharetta, GA. I love this salon and the wonderful ladies that work there. Ivy is a “creative stylist” with 8 years industry experience specializing in blondes, extensions, and trendy textured cuts. Yes, Alpharetta is quite the drive up 400 but once you find someone that get’s you (your hair), it’s like a committed relationship.

Until last Summer, my hair was quite long with warm blonde highlights:

and then, the big cut.

Ivy gives me a long angled bob and icy blonde highlights (more on how I keep this color so cool below).

I have seven weeks between each appointment, so I have to keep up that cool blonde color, protect, and style my hair on my own (ugh.). Here are my favorite products:

For when I don’t have time (or just don’t want to) wash my hair, I’ve found these to be the best dry shampoos: Not Your Mother’s CLEAN FREAK refreshing dry shampoo (best drug store brand) and Oscar Blandi pronto dry shampoo (best luxury brand)

I wash my hair about 3 times per week. Prehaps that is because I work from home so I don’t always have to look “put together”. I will say that with shorter hair, I have to wash it so much more. It gets more oily and it’s quick to have an uncontrollable cowlick. Here is my favorite AFFORDABLE shampoo & conditioner. This So Silver Shampoo is usually $25 at Ultra but on sale right now for $15!! This is a purple shampoo. Meaning that the shampoo itself is a very vibrant opaque purple color. This fights the yellow tones that blondes tent to take on. If you’re going for a warmer blonde, do not use this product. I’m going for Daenerys Targaryen blonde, so I leave this stuff on for a minute.

As for conditioner, I have used Aussie 3 Minute Miracle for as long as I can remember, and my hair is very healthy. If it ain’t broke…

After washing, I use Matrix Brass Off Blonde Threesome. It’s a leave in (purple – for icy blondes) cream that softens your hair and protects it from heat damage. I use only a tiny dab as it will weigh down your hair. I am OBSESSED with my Elchim hair dryer and take it with me everywhere.

I then spray my hair BEFORE and after curling and/or flat ironing it. My favorite hairspray is Chi Magnified Volume Finishing Spray. I usually wouldn’t suggest buying makeup or hair products from a Marshalls or TJ Maxx (you just don’t know how old the products are, if they were properly stored), but I do buy this at TJ Maxx when I see it and it works wonderfully.

To achieve the tousled beachy waves (with added shine), I use Oribe Apres Beach spray. It’s not cheap, $42 for a can but it is worth it. Here is a small travel version (half the price) if you want to try it out first for less…

And lastly, Sun Bum 3 in 1 Leave in Formula. This is sunscreen for your hair. It shields it from sun damage as well as acts as a leave in conditioner. I use this product in the Summer when I go to the beach. Getting in and out of the ocean and/or pool can make my hair tangled, and dry. I spend too much to achieve this color, so it’s more than worth $15 to protect it from the sun’s rays.

That’s it. Ha! That was actually a lot.

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monicafarber / December 22, 2017

SERIOUSLY Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Fashionista in your life (all under $50)

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gift ideas under $50 for the fashionista

1. Gemstone iPhone 6/7/8 & 6/7/8 Plus Case

2. Black Metallic Diamond Cell Phone Grip & Stand

3. Look in a Box Nice ‘n Spicy Lip Kit by MAC

4. BENEFIT COSMETICS Soft & Natural Brow Kit

5. Echo Dot Tech Gloves

6. Kate Spade NY Square Drop Earrings

7. Nakamol Tassel Necklace, 33″

8. DSW Gift Card

9. Michael Kors Card Holder

10. Allure Of The Night Kimono in Grey by DressUp

11. Kate Spade NY Out of the Box Jewelry Box

12. Jessa Drusy Quartz Adjustable Ring

And the best news yet? You don’t have to order online, because let’s face it, unless you find it on Amazon Prime and order it RIGHT NOW, it’s too late. You can find these in stores. So get out there at get it done (or just buy yourself a little present… I know I did).

Happy Shopping!

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monicafarber / December 29, 2016

These are a few of my favorite… Fashion and beauty finds this season.

1. Anastasia’s Modern Renaissance eyeshadow palette

This is THE palette to buy this season. I was planning on purchasing the new Chanel red palette (don’t get me wrong – it is gorgeous!), but this has way more bang for your buck and it goes on super rich. It’s also only $42 for 14 different shades. Available at Sephora.

2. OPI’s Washington D.C. collection

A collection of lovely matte shades that work so well with a Fall or Winter wardrobe, and add that little POP!

3. Benefit’s Goof Proof eyebrow pencil

I have used multiple eyebrow pencils, pomades, special brushes, etc. and this is my favorite product. For many reasons – the color is a perfect shade of brown/dark blonde (in attempt to not make my brows look TOO fake), the shape of the pencil is a narrow triangle, perfect for outline and shading, and the brush on the other end is just convenient. If you’re partial to using a pomade, try Anastasia’s Dipbrow (a previous favorite before discovering this product). I sometimes revert to Dipbrow when I want a more dramatic look.

4. Suede!

Aforementioned as one of the hot trends on the runway this Fall, suede has made a comeback. I think it works great as an accessory. Shoes, boots, belts, bags… Or, layered with different textures and fabrics, perhaps a short flowy suede dress paired with a long drape front knit cardigan…

5. MAC’s Nutcracker Sweet: Red Mini Lipstick Kit

This is awesome. I went to Saks to buy my all-time favorite shade (Rebel) and the MAC rep sold me this instead… It includes 4 mini lipsticks of the best shades of red/berry that MAC has to offer (including Rebel). Also available: a Nude Mini Lipstick Kit and a Pink Mini Lipstick Kit. Currently on sale for $21 (that’s less than the cost of ONE lipstick, people!).