I have always had a hard time blowing my hair. To be honest, I really hate it. I'm not good at it and it never comes out looking nice. It's a hassle, time-consuming, and just not worth it. Because of this, I have gotten countless keratin treatments, wear my hair naturally curly, or let it my hair air-dry and then straighten it from there. 

I felt pretty hopeless about blow dryers until I saw a trend start to rise: blow drying brushes. They are quite literally blow dryers with brushes attached to the head so that you can brush your hair out while blowing. That was always my issue: I could never brush while blowing and my hair ended up a big, puffy, and frizzy mess. A blow dryer brush basically solves that problem because it keeps air flowing in one direction and allows you to get into every nook and cranny of your locks. 

I've spoken extensively over the years about my love of Drybar but I've never done a full Brand Buzz aka brand overview about them. 

Drybar has been on my radar for a while... at least 4 years because that's when I went to Drybar for the first time. However, I think my love affair with the brand had been a year or two longer than that. I've used their products for a long time and am pretty obsessed with the idea and branding of the entire brand, from the salon to the accessories to the tools and products. It's ingenious and I've learned so much about the idea behind it from listening to interviews with Alli Webb. 

I've been a little obsessed with my hair during quarantine because I feel like it's been changing and I figured that now is as good a time as any to share my favorite items from the brand.

I've suffered from dry scalp since I was young.. like 11 years old young. All of a sudden, my scalp started to itch and nothing helped. My scalp was flaking and I would have a white dusting on my shirt, which looked like dandruff. I thought that's what I had but the itching was unbearable.

Finally, I went to see a dermatologist and they told me I had psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin condition which causes your skin cells to build up and that creates dry patches and scaly rashes. It made total sense and just until recently I discovered that psoriasis was not what I had.

Now, I don't think that doctor misdiagnosed me; I think after 13 years, the condition transformed into something else.

However, at the time I began treating my scalp for psoriasis; I used special shampoos, conditioners, styling products, creams; everything under the sun I used. These products would work for a handful of weeks or months but then they stopped and I'd have to move onto something else.

As of a few years ago I kind of just accepted that my head was going to be itchy and my scalp was going to remain in the state that it was in.

It wasn't until recently that I actually found some solutions to my issue and they were helping. My scalp wouldn't get itchy until it was time to wash my hair (I sometimes go 4-6 days without washing my hair because it's so thick, it never gets greasy).

A few months ago I did go to the dermatologist for a check up and told her about my scalp; she prescribed me some medicated shampoo and it helped immensely. She said that it wasn't psoriasis but rather just a build up (there is a medical term for it that I can't remember) and that the shampoo should help.

I've never loved a doctor more because I've been using the medicated shampoo for 2-3 months and my head has never felt better!

I do believe that there are cases of dry, flaky scalp that isn't as bad as mine and I think these products would work wonders for anyone suffering on a lesser level.



1. Alterna Caviar Exfoliating Scalp Facial: This product is a miracle worker. You use it before shampoo and you basically massage the product into your scalp with the little feet attached to the bottle. It removes all the dead skin from your scalp (you can actually feel this and it's gross) and cleanses your hair. I am obsessed with this and it's the one product that really worked and made a difference.



2. Drybar Double Standard Shampoo: When I saw that DryBar was coming out with it's 2-in-1 cleansing shampoo I bought a bottle the moment it was available. This is made for lifting and cleansing impurities and product build up from the scalp, leaving you with squeaky clean hair. This really helped, especially in conjuction with the Caviar Facial. My hair felt lighter, softer, and smoother with this shampoo and it left my scalp clean and fresh. It's a must-try!

3. Selsum Blue: This is a drugstore shampoo that is perfect for cleansing the scalp. Once my medicated shampoo runs out I'll start using this again. It's one of those old classics that never steer you wrong and I highly recommend starting with this shampoo to try and rid your scalp of that itch and dryness.

Another tip is to try using sulfate and paraben free hair products. The less chemicals, the better! I've been using them for years because I need to use them when I have a keratin and there really is no difference. Most products are sulfate and paraben free these days!

When all else fails, go to your dermatologist and get that itch figured out! You'll be much more comfortable and happier with a healthy scalp :)

xoxo
B

I've talked a lot about haircare on the blog... I've also talked a lot about my love of Drybar. Those two things combined is a match made in heaven for me.

Drybar cannot release enough products to satisfy my love & want for them, so when I saw that they were releasing a new shampoo a few weeks ago, I jumped at the chance to purchase it. I bought mine from Sephora when it was a VIB Rogue exclusive but it's now available to everyone at a variety of retailers, including Ulta & Nordstrom.

Double Standard Cleansing + Conditioning Foam is advertised as a something for ladies on the go, especially ladies who are athletic & focused on the athleisure lifestyle. That's because it is a deep cleansing shampoo that is also a conditioner, so no other product is needed.

Do I fall into that category? I suppose I can. I don't go to the gym before work, and I don't necessarily ever wash my hair when I'm in a rush but it's by Drybar and I was in the market for a new shampoo so mind as well try!



Double Standard is described as a gel foam formula that will gently cleanse & condition your hair. It claims to remove product buildup, prevent drying, and adding moisture to your hair -- all while staying lightweight and not weighing down your locks.

It contains volcanic ash which helps in absorbing the residue & removes the environmental pollutions that stick to your hair.

All sounds very enticing doesn't it?

It does & it is! This is by far my favorite Drybar product at the moment. I've never experienced a shampoo like this. My mom used it too and we can't get over the results.

Ok, so, I don't use a conditioner with this shampoo since it is 2-in-1. That's very unusual for me because I usually don't trust 2-in-1 products. I feel like they're a gimmick but this is not. It truly is a gel & foam mixed together, which helps cleanse and condition your hair at the same time.

I work part of it into my scalp to remove the impurities and then add a little more at the ends of my hair to condition. Once I get out of the shower and I brush my hair,  I do apply my Prep Rally Detangler/Leave in conditioner, but even before that it's insane how squeaky clean my hair is.

All the build up is gone and my hair has never been cleaner. After I straight my hair it's incredibly smooth & soft. I even felt my mom's hair after she cleansed with Double Standard and it was weird how clean her hair felt. It's almost unnatural because I've never felt my hair be so clean.

After washing & styling my hair with Double Standard

Now, the catch with such a heavy duty cleanser shampoo is that the directions say to use a regular shampoo every 2-4 washes. I did that and my hair seems to be fine.

My hair styles better with this and even stays cleaner a little longer.

For the record, I have very thick, frizzy, coarse, and unruly hair so it didn't make my hair oily or change anything in a negative way.

I know I say this a lot about products, and that's because I am a true product junkie but my hair is something I'm serious about, this is a hair product I will continue to buy and use because it makes my hair feel and look amazing. I may be taking a break from it for a bit because I need to use a medicated shampoo for a while -- I have a severe case of dandruff that is effecting my scalp, but that's besides the point.

If you're looking for something that will really cleanse your hair without stripping it of any essential oils & properties, try this one. Nordstrom has a mini size for $13 that you can buy to try it before splurging on the big size. You also need the tiniest bit of it to cleanse so you won't run through it too fast.

Please pick it up & let me know what you think! I'm always up for a chat about beauty so leave a comment or email me at briana@royallypink.com!

xoxo
B

The love affair with Drybar is still going as strong as ever but it came to an all time high in mid November when I purchased the Drybar Tress Press Digital Styling Iron & the 3-Day Bender Curling Iron.

I have very thick, unruly, frizzy and coarse hair. My mom & sister have the same exact hair, so when you have three women with horrific hair, you go through hot tools like hot cakes.

The curling iron we had broke, and the straightener we had was on it's way out so I decided to splurge and buy both items.

I got the Tress Press iron at Ulta when I had a coupon and I purchased the 3-Day Bender Curling Iron from QVC and it was a little cheaper than it is usually, and it came with some mini Drybar products.

Both products are incredible, and definitely some of the best I've ever used. I really don't know how to use a curling iron so I was skeptical about buying this, but it's very, very easy to use. I don't know if I just learned how to use the iron or if this is super easy, but it's great! My hair always holds a curl so I don't know if this item is a testament to that, but it does get very hot & creates a great curl.



The Tress Press is one of the best irons I've ever used, right behind a classic Chi iron. It does leave my hair slightly static but it heats up to 450 degrees, which I think a lot of irons only go to 400. I use the Drybar Prep Rally heat protectant so I'm not that worried about putting the heat on my hair.

The degrees makes all the difference because my hair has never been so quick to straighten.

Both of these items get an A+ from me so if you're in the market for a new iron or curling iron, definitely check these out! I do recommend buying from Nordstrom or Sephora because they have the most lenient return policies if the tools aren't to your liking!

xoxo
B

This post is brought to you by Her Campus Media and its College Fashion Week brand partners.

I attended Her Campus College Fashion Week in New York City over the weekend, and my goodness it was incredible.

I've been to a lot of conferences and "blogger" events over the years but I think this was my favorite. Clothes, beauty, food, and goodie bags... it was just the ultimate girls night out.

The event was held in Manhattan and I arrived at 5:45, escorted in by some HerCampus staff, along with other InfluenceHer bloggers who were covering the event.





The event venue was huge, and all white -- it was the perfect spot for a fashion show. I was inside by 6 PM and the show didn't start until a little after 7, so I had plenty of time to look through my goodie bag, and roam around to see all the sponsor tables.



There were a few tables set up: Maidenform, Insomnia Cookies, a candy table, Bertha Watches, European Wax Center, Boxed Water, and KIND bars. You bet your sweet butt that I got myself loads of candies & Insomnia Cookies, along with a KIND bar (I think it was a new flavor called Roasted Nuts & Honey -- SO GOOD), and Boxed Water, which I've never had.





I also got a brow consolation at the European Wax Center station; a gorgeous, lovely women named Natalie helped me out. My brows are pretty bold, but I never could seem to get them right, no matter how much I try. She transformed my brows with some European Wax Center products, and they looked super clean, precise, and perfectly bold. I definitely won't be able to achieve that on my own but ugh, they looked so good!

Soon enough I found my seat and the show started; they had 4 different sections: Rush, Festival, Study Chic, and Girls' Night Out: my favorite shows were definitely Study Chic & Girls' Night Out. They had REAL college girls modeling and the clothes were created by MySocialCanvas & Bow and Drape (one of my favorite designers). The looks were completed by FitBit, Vince Camuto, Perfumania, and Rebecca Minkoff, and honestly, I didn't even think a Bow & Drape sweatshirt could look THAT good. I was totally inspired to switch up how I wear my Bow & Drape sweatshirts a little more fashionably.







The show was over before the sloted 9 PM time, but I was more than happy to get home and dive into my goodie bag.

I got a VIP bag & special influencer gifts, and my goodness, this had to be the best giftbag I've ever received at an event.

The VIP bag had a FULL SIZE Triple Sec from DryBar (we all know how much I love that brand), a coupon for a FREE FitBit Flex 2, a PeopleStyle Watch Magazine, a bag of SkinnyPOP, some HerCampus swag, and lots of coupons!

The bag itself is adorable; usually the bags from these events aren't that nice, but how adorable is the winking face?

Now, the really good stuff -- I was so excited to get a 2nd goodie bag, specially from HerCampus. This was the jackpot: a Rebecca Minkoff makeup bag, a Lavendar FitBit Flex2, Essie Nail Polish, a free blowout from DryBar and a Vince Camuto perfume! Does it really get any better than that? I don't think so.












All in all, it was a fabulous event. I think if you're interested in fashion, beauty, and fun events like this, you would love it. It's just a great night out -- and don't be fooled, just because it's called College Fashion Week, doesn't mean you have to be in college to enjoy it, take it from me!

This has been a long and fast month. It seems like so much has happened in such a short time. I cannot believe it's already June. How is the year half over? How is that possible? Wasn't Christmas, uhhhh yesterday????

It's very scary how time goes by and if this is growing up, I don't like it... at all.

I'm currently writing this sitting in bed, watching Harry Potter on MDW. Strep Throat is not fun, as I mentioned yesterday and I'm in so much pain, I can't even speak. SOS.

Trying to think of my favorites this month is a tad difficult. I feel like I discovered a lot of new products but nothing that I'm obsessing over. That's a change for me... not obsessing over things.

I have been loving some trends, that I want to talk about in a different, more in depth blog post. I've been addicted to cream beauty products. Cream foundations, cream blushes, bronzers, and highlights. ALL THE CREAMS, PLEASE! It could be a cream or a liquid, just not powder. I think cream is amazing for summer and I can't wait to share my favorites -- I'm still testing some products out!

As for my other favorites...



-InvisiBobble Traceless Hair Ring: I've been obsessed with my hair lately. I just want it to look good, clean, and healthy. I'm getting a keratin treatment this week so I've been trying to maintain my hair however I can. These hair ties I found at Sephora are everything. They look like a slinky, in a way, and at first glance you think "Those are NOT going to fit in my head" but then you receive them and they're super stretchy and keep your hair in place. My hair is super thick, curly, and unruly and these are the best hair ties I've ever used. The best part? They don't leave a dent in your hair after using. That is my biggest feat when it comes to hair ties -- they always leave a mark. Since using these I haven't had any trouble and my hair has never looked better (so my co-workers say!)



Rebecca Minkoff Avery Tote: I talked about this bag a few weeks ago. I scored it in the Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale and I have not stopped using it. It's the perfect year round color (a stone griege if you will) and it's the perfect size for everyday use. It's not too big, or too small. It fits just right. It comes with a long strap to wear as a cross-body or on the shoulder but I'm not a fan of that. I like just carrying it on  my arm. I can't find this bag anywhere but here is a similar style.

Alterna Scalp Facial: I've suffered from dry scalp since I was around 12 years old. I've tried everything in the books and while things have worked in the past, my head usually starts to reject it after a few weeks. It really was getting to me this month so I did some research and found this little gem. It's pricey but my goodness, it's incredible. It's a pre shampoo treatment that you massage into your scalp to get the product buildup and dry flakes off your head. I wet my head, start scrubbing, and start to feel the particles leave your head. It's REALLY GROSS and REALLY WEIRD but I am addicted and will never be without it ever again. It does make my hair look and feel cleaner, while also keeping my dry scalp at bay one or two days longer than without it. I've only used this three times but I'm excited to see how it keeps up.

DryBar: On the subject of hair... I'm having a love affair, a love affair with The DryBar. You can read about my experience here but not only am I obsessed with the salon, but the products are incredible. They have been helping keep my hair shiny, gorgeous and clean. Take a look below at what I've been loving!

I have a weird obsession with being fancy, chic, and the most basic blogger gal in the universe. My friends mock me on a daily basis for my Instagrams, for my love of being "fancy" and just enjoying girly things. I love being part of a good trend and I don't like to miss out on something trendy.

Another week has come & gone. I'm getting ready to head to my cousin's wedding today (it's raining and just not good wedding weather) and I haven't been to a wedding in over 10 years. I'm pretty excited to eat & drink... Millennial complex, ladies & gents.



I hate feeling rushed & hectic but that's what this morning is: I went to the Drybar for the 1st time last night and it was epic. More on that later... but this morning I need to paint my nails, shower, pack up and get out of the house by 2 PM.

The good news is that next week is Memorial Day Weekend which means the start of summer fridays at work so I'll have off every other Friday. I am SO HYPED.

This was also a week of highs & lows. I got published on Elite Daily again but was also passed over for a freelance position and another Elite Daily article got rejected. You win some, you lose some but I'm getting used to rejection...as all writers & everyone else should. Take it with stride!



Also -- the Champagne Glow Collection by Becca & Jaclyn Hill releases next week (I already have the face palette that was released in limited quantities this week) and I'm planning on buying everything because JH is QUEEN and I'm so excited.



That being said, here's what I loved this week:

• 50 couples who made us believe in love
• Twitter is making links & photos NOT part of the 140 character limit! #Rejoice 
• Gilmore Girls is coming back & you may want to refresh your memory 
• Baking a cake? Follow some of these tips
• Student loans are the bane of my existence 
• Interesting article on why we don't enjoy our free time
• Got anxiety? These apps can help