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Nexxus Color Assure System

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Today’s post is sponsored by Nexxus Salon Hair Care. 

So, I am approaching 40, and my hair has been fighting me on this one since I turned 33. I am a natural brunette. No other way around it, except for those brief moments in college when I was seduced by the San Diego sunshine and decided to lighten up my locks a bit. Other than that, brown, brown, brown. Which is a bit challenging when you start to go gray.

For a few years, I was OK with spotting one or two whispy pieces. I’d cover it up with a quick swipe of my mascara wand until my next hair appointment. Truthfully, though, I had highlights and all kinds of hair colors going on, so they gray just blended into wash. Once I started having children though, it became harder and harder to get to the salon every 4-6 weeks. As I got older, it became harder to extend those weeks from 4 to 6 to 8. At one point I remember considered buying a bottle of dye to just do myself at home. I tried this once in college…was not a good look for me. Instead, I opted to have my hairdresser just get rid of the highlights all together, and bring me back to my natural color. Though less maintenance, I still found myself needing to be at the salon no more than 6 weeks after my last appointment, and that was pushing it. At least I just had to sit there for one color process, and could be in and out within an hour if needed, with wet hair.

Nexxus Color Assurance Family

Of course, single color processing gets boring after awhile, and I needed, wanted, something to bring my hair back to life. This time around, I went with the ombre look. I absolutely love this because I can still have depth to the color of my hair, and only have to do my roots each time. A fun new look, but same gray haired sob story. Some things just never change, I guess.

The Sway Team at Conde Nast reached out and asked if I would be interested in trying a new line by Nexxus- the Nexxus Color Assure System. I have not used Nexxus since I was in high school, but the new line looked intriguing and possibly one that would be beneficial. A beautifully wrapped box was sent to me, with these fantastic metallic pink bottles which made me excited and annoyed at the same time. I really don’t like high maintenance products. I don’t have time for 12,000 steps before I get to the finished results. I’m lucky if I can get into the shower alone, and remember to shave my legs, let alone put 8 different bottles of product on my hair and wait the allotted time in order for them to work. Admittedly, the bottles stared back at me for about a week, which was the same amount of time until my next color appointment.

Nexxus Color Assure Collage Before

I love that fresh look after the hair salon. With the Nexxus Color Assure System just begging me to use it, I thought, OK, let’s see if it will really do what it says and keep my grays hidden longer. Surprise surprise! There are 4 bottles, but seriously 4 super easy steps. As long as I remembered to do the first step, add the Color Assure Pre-wash Primer to my hair before getting into the shower, the rest was crazy easy.

Nexxus Pre Wash Primer First step

The important thing to remember about this primer is that a little truly does go a long way. Too much will leave your hair feeling and looking heavy with product. I know because it happened to me. But, was super simple. I left the bottle right nest to my face wash, which I also put on before getting into the shower, rubbed it through my hair, then jumped in. I washed my hair with the Color Assure Vibrancy Retention Shampoo & Conditioner.

nexxus shampoo and conditioner

The one thing I didn’t love about the shampoo and primer combo was that I found the shampoo to not suds up enough for my liking. I wasn’t sure if my hair was really getting clean, which caused me to use more of the shampoo than I normally would have. The conditioner was just like any other.

Once everything was rinsed out and towel dried, I sprayed the Color Assure Glossing Tonic in my hair, then combed through. Four easy steps.

nexxus tonic

Results: the color lasted. Really, it did. Even though I am still struggling to find a balance of the amount of product so my hair doesn’t feel heavy, I was pretty impressed. We spent a week at the beach and in the pool about 2 weeks after I got my hair colored and started using the Nexxus Color Assure System, and though not quite as shiny from the salon, the color was still rich, and I did not spot any grays after 3 weeks. They usually start making an appearance at that time. You will see in the pictures below that my hair still has great color from top to bottom. I love that!

Nexxus Color Assure Collage After

Which product does all the hard work around here? The Color Assure Pre-Wash Primer. All the products are needed, of course, to get the full benefit and great results. However, it’s the primer that is the activator.

Nexxus Color Assure Pre-Wash Primer

  • The Pre-Wash Primer is meant to repel water- one of the harshest agents for fading hair color.
  • Ingredients like white orchid extract help to provide moisture, while ingredients like almond oil work to reduce breakage, and coconut oil makes your hair extra soft.
  • Combined, the ingredients in this product work to give you color that lasts up to two times longer than if you didn’t use the Pre-Wash Primer.

Try it for yourself and see how the Nexxus Color Assure System works for you! Visit Nexxus.com or follow @NexxusHair on Twitter or Instagram to learn more.

Thank you Nexxus Salon Hair Care for sponsoring today’s post.

 

RockStarMom Recommends :: Disney Social Media Moms 2014 Sponsors

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RockStarMom Recommends is a featured round-up series of products, projects, or places to be I discover on my own, or ones that were sent to me via sponsorship or media opportunity. I will always let you know which is which, and I will only feature topics I would or have bought, participated in or travelled to myself. 

This week’s RockStarMom Recommends is brought to you by the magic of the Disney Social Media Moms 2014 Celebration, held in Anaheim, California April 10-13th. As you know, I attended the conference and received several gifts from the many wonderful sponsors from the event. Additionally, there were some really great new programs Disney is launching that I also wanted to share. Click on the links to learn more about products or programs from the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration sponsors.

1. Disney Animator’s Collection “it’s a small world” Dolls | Everyone has a favorite doll, probably located in their favorite country. Mine are the hula dancers from Hawaii, and the can-can dancers from France. If you are an avid Disney, and It’s a Small World fan, you most likely know this year marks the 50th anniversary of the ride created by Disney as an exhibit meant to benefit UNICEF at the 1964-65 New York’s World Fair. You can share your love for the ride with your family, or just keep it all to yourself by bringing home one of these adorable and authentic re-creations of the dolls from the ride. Personally, I love how the dolls inspire the excitement of travel, the intrigue of different cultures and benefit of children around the world. The dolls sing the legendary song in English, and then in their native language. (Don’t worry, there is an on/off switch.) Retails for $29.95. disneystore.com

2. Hanes Girls No Comfort Blend Socks | Way before I was gifted some of these funky fabulous socks, I was already buying them for my daughter. I love that they are cotton and colorful. She loves to mix and match (who knew mismatched socks were a thing?) and wears them with everything from her tennis shoes, to her jazz dance shoes to her TOMS. They are a blend of cotton/polyester/natural latex rubber/spandex, and do not irritate my little girl’s sensitive skin. They wash well, are easy to match up assuming the dryer doesn’t eat one, and come with Box Tops to boot. (Just for the record, I also buy these for all three of my boys. Best. Socks. Ever.) Retails $8.50 for a package of 6 pairs. hanes.com

3. Disney Magic of Healthy Living TRYIt! | This is truly a healthy active lifestyle program I can really stand behind. My TV is tuned into Disney Jr. more hours in the day than I would like to admit. Because of that, my kids are actually trying new things. They wanted to try acting because some of their favorite actors star in their favorite shows on the Disney Channel. They wanted to try peppers because Sheriff Callie and her gang sing about it. They get up and dance to the DJ Shuffle. Even mom has tried various recipes and photog tips given throughout the day. We are big fans of the new healthy living initiative Disney has inspired in our house. It is also so great to see some of these things in action around the park, especially in the selection of healthier food options, like Foodles; a variety of fruits, veggies, yogurts, cheese, granola or pretzels in a easy to grab-n-go container. My kids take these in their lunches or as afternoon snacks, which helps them select these healthier choices when at the Disney parks. Learn more at citizenship.disney.com/tryit or use #TryIt on Instagram or Twitter.

4. h2o+ Face Oasis™ CC Cream | Last year was my first experience with the h2o+ products at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2013. Fell in love with the products, and have been pining over them ever since. This little beauty secret was in my Room Drop Surprise Bag one night. I am not a huge fan of foundations, and I prefer an under eye concealer and powder. But sometimes, it’s just not enough coverage. Sometimes I need to look fresh and even, not blotchy. The Face Oasis™ CC Cream delivers exactly what I need without cakey looking base. It also has a Broad Spectrum SPF30, goes great over my everyday moisturizer and allows my make-up to go on smooth. I’m in love. Did I mention h20+ is the official Disney® Amenity? Retails at $35. h20plus.com 

5. GoGo Squeez | Long before the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, my refrigerator was stocked full of GoGo Squeez. It’s kind of a futuristic thing I had to get used to when I started feeding my babies mushed up fruit and veggies from a pouch, but it worked, and they loved it. From there, they graduated to more of a big kid version with GoGo Squeez. Which is just alright by me. I love reading things on my kids’ food packaging like: 100% natural, organic, BPA free, No Added Colors or Flavors, and No High-Fructose Corn Syrup. As you can see in the picture, all of my kids are BIG fans- from 10 to 3 years old. GoGo Squeez has expanded their line to include new flavors like AppleGrape and AppleMandarin that my kids now add to my grocery list. Retail prices vary. gogosqueez.com

RockStarMom_Recommends_Disney_Sponsors

6. American Tourister© Color Your World 21″ Spinner | American Tourister© is the official luggage of Walt Disney World Resorts and Disneyland Parks, so it would only make sense that we would be given the opportunity to review a piece from their latest line, Color Your World. This is the second piece I’ve had the opportunity to review and add to my luggage collection, and I love them both. Surprisingly accommodating to pack for at least a 3-day vacation, or a convenient use of a carry-on in-flight. Fashionable and functional, I have truly enjoyed adding American Tourister as one of my go-to pieces when traveling. I especially love the inside compartments that keep certain items discreet, and others well organized. Retails for $89.99. shop.americantourister.com

7. New Balance 890v4 Barringer runners | By now, I am sure you heard of the Disney character inspired line that New Balance launched earlier this year, New Balance runDisney. They are so stinking adorable, my faves being the Cinderella, of course. New Balance was awesome enough to provide conference attendees who also participated in the runDisney 2-mile fun run through Downtown Disney, Disneyland and California Adventure a pair of their most popular, in demand runner, and the prototype of what the runDisney collection is based off; the 890v4 Barringer. A chic and modern style, with careful consideration of the foot placement at all speeds, I also found the 890v4 Barringer to be super light as well. I encourage my fellow runners to at least try them on if in the market for a new, top of the line shoe. Retails $109. newbalance.com

8. Disney Junior Give a Book Get a Book Program | “In some of the lowest-income neighborhoods in the United States, there is only one single book for every 300 kids. That is just not OK.,” explained LeVar Burton, of Reading Rainbow fame. Mr. Burton introduced us to the newest program from Disney Citizenship and in partnership with Disney Junior, the Give A Book Get A Book campaign. As a parent, you know the value of storytelling and sharing those magical moments reading to your little one. Imagine being a parent, and not having the capability to provide your child a book to read aloud. Starting April 2014 and running through September 2015, Disney hopes to donate up to one million books to First Book to make storytelling in all neighborhoods around America a reality. They need your help! Visit a Disney Store near you, purchase a book, and receive a code. Then go to GiveABookGetABook.com, enter the code, and select a book to be donated to a region of your choice in the United States.

9. Disney and Kohl’s Magic at Play by Jumping Beans | In April, a collaboration with Disney and Kohl’s, Magic at Play, launched its new line of Disney themed fashions by Jumping Beans for both boys and girls, infants to size 7x. Kohl’s provides quality and style for my party of 4 at an affordable price. I was quite pleased with the options of the new Jumping Beans line for Disney. The spring collection was adorable, and I’m sure the summer collection will be super sassy and fun! Perfect for that upcoming visit to Disneyland this summer. I already see a new dress on there my daughter would love! Retail prices vary. kohls.com

10. Disney Cruise Line Sets Sail to Norwegian Fjords and Iceland | Inspired by the fiercely popular box office smash, Frozen, Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, delighted the crowd with the announcement of a Disney Cruise Line new course for Norway in 2015. How amazing does this description sound: “…guests will discover breathtaking natural wonders such as magnificent mountain ranges, massive glaciers, steaming geysers and majestic fjords. The enchanting Scandinavian culture of the region comes to life through local attractions, stunning architecture, storybook villages and historic city centers.” I’ve not yet been on a Disney Cruise, but I am adding this to my bucket list for sure. Possibly for my 40th birthday (hint*hint)?? Learn more by visiting dclnews.com.

Full Disclosure: I was invited to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. The Disneyland Resort offered a discounted rate for all attendees and their families. I was not asked nor expected to write about my experience. All stories are based on my personal thoughts and opinions, not those of the Walt Disney Company.

Magic is in the Details at Disneyland

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Last week I had the unique pleasure of being invited to and attending the 5th annual Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. No matter how many times I visit the park, or participate in special social media events through Disney, I am always amazed at how different each experience is for me and my family.

During the celebration this year, we heard from Jay Ward, Creative Director Cars Franchise, Pixar Animation Studios. My mind is blown every time I hear from one of the brilliant master minds behind Pixar Animation Studios. I really took so much from his presentation at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration this year. His insight also helped me begin to wrap my head around why each and every experience at Disney is different from the next. As I wrote down the words that most captivated me, I started to connnect them to places around Disneyland and California Adventure parks and the feelings evoked when taking a stroll down Main Street, the sights and sounds of parades and fireworks shows, or racing through Carborator County on Radiator Spring Racers. I often feel transported to a time and space as if were really there, making me never want to leave, and take in as much as I can. It’s all in the magic.

Two statements I took away from Jay Ward’s presentation made it all come together for me:

Details are crucial to the storytelling. People have to believe they are really there. – Jay Ward

Only make good stuff. And make less of it. -Steve Jobs

Pixar Animation is not limited in these premises. These actions and thoughts encompass the entire Disney company, and all the people who work to take those dreams and turn them into reality. The next time you find yourself wandering around a Disney park, take the time to notice the magic in the details:

Detail

Carsland_Details

Commitment to the Idea

Halloweentime at Disneyland

Storytelling

hollywood tower of terror ride at Disney's California Adventure

Authentic and Accurate

Lightening Mc Queen Carsland Disney's California Adventure Park

Humanize the Idea

Bugs_Life_Disneyland

It’s no wonder I am particularly fond of the Pixar Studios and seeing how their creative teams make ideas come to life. One of my favorite places at the Disney Parks in Anaheim is in Carsland in California Adventure. Every visit, I feel as though I am living in the movie. I am reminded of my own road trips on Route 66, as the store fronts, street designs and mountainous landscapes exude a most authentic recreation with plenty of attention to detail. Did you know Ornament Valley, the huge rock scape that serves as a backdrop to Radiator Springs in Carsland, took over 2 years to build, 280,000 square feet of rock work, and 4,000 tons of steel to make it look and feel real? Part of my experience with the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration was participating in a 2 mile fun run that took me through Disneyland and California Adventure, with the finish line in Carsland. Once there, we celebrated with our families the conclusion of the conference with a grand breakfast and the opportunity to really enjoy Carsland in a private party experience. One final memory from listening to Jay Ward speak, was of him telling us a story about a young boy who visited Carsland at the grand opening. He looked up at his dad and asked, “Is this where they filmed the movie Cars?“. I do believe that statement settles my point.

Run Disney Collage

Full Disclosure: I was invited to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. The Disneyland Resort offered a discounted rate for all attendees and their families.I was not asked nor expected to write about my experience. All stories are based on my personal thoughts and opinions, not those of the Walt Disney Company.

instagram-travel-thursday-linky-bannerThis post is apart of the Instagram Travel Thursday series hosted by SkimbacoLifestyle.com and other fabulous travel writers from the US and around the globe. All photos in this post were taken with my iPhone and used on Instagram.

Follow the feed on Instagram using #IGTravelThursday! Are you following me on Instagram? Find more Disney pics and adventures using #RSMLVDisney.