Hey everyone! Today I have a very special post for you guys. (There's a giveaway at the end!) I'm excited to announce that I've partnered up with Sally Beauty (one of my fave places to shop for nail and hair supplies). The partnership will celebrate summer and in this post I'm sharing with you how I get my beachy waves - especially with my medium-length hair. In future posts I'll be challenged to go on a shopping spree with a limited amount of money - and I'll share with you just how much I'm able to get for my dollar. And in my third post, one of YOU will get a personalized beauty consultation from me! P.S.--did you know that Sally Beauty is the world’s largest retailer of professional supplies? Who knew??

So for today's tutorial, you'll need only a handful of products. First, I started off with freshly washed hair to ensure I get lots of volume. I like to wash my hair with a purple shampoo & conditioner every time--which may sound extreme, but I'm going for that icy-white Nordic blonde look. You can blow dry your hair with a boar bristle round brush like the one I've shown below, or you can do what I do and just air-dry it. Not only does it save your hair from unnecessary heat, but it also gives your hair a nice piece-y texture. Next, I prep my hair with some sort of protectant spray. I love this one called Ion Sun Protection Spray.

Next, I take my 1" curling iron and heat it up to just about the lowest heat setting there is. Keep in mind that the tighter the curl, the higher the heat. That mantra will take you far in life's hair-curling adventures. Since I  want beachy waves that look tousled and imperfect, I'm going for the lowest heat setting there is (on this one, it's 300ºF). I love this iron because it's the only one that doesn't leave me with any burned fingers at the end of it! This one is unique because it clips your hair just like a regular iron, but then has a rotating barrel. It rotates left or right depending on the direction and side of your head - and it's so easy! Perfect curls every time, and no phaffing around with clipless irons and gloves! Plus my arm doesn't get tired since I don't have to invert it at all. But anyway, back to the tutorial.

You'll want a nice, loose curl that doesn't go any higher than the tops of your ears. Remember: low heat, less than 10 seconds. You may have to fiddle around with the right settings because hair types are different in their heat requirements. I have very fine hair.

Next I like to throw in a couple of spritzes of a dry texturizing spray. I love this one by Aloxxi but any texturizing spray will do. If you don't have one, don't worry, it's not necessary. After that, (step 6) I smooth some shine serum from root to tip. The Ion Oil-Free Glosser is lovely because it's lightweight, oil-free, won't weigh fine hair down, and won't make it look greasy.

After that, (step 7) it's hairspray time. I use this very sparingly since I have fine hair, but I generally do 3-6 short mists on the lower half of my hair all the way around, concentrating on the under-section that touches my neck, since that's where curls tend to fall out the fastest (thanks to body heat and sweat). Not that I sweat. A lady never sweats. Right. My favorite hairspray of the moment is this top-rated Ion Color Defense Extra Control Shaping Spray. It smells amazing, locks in your hair color, and has a firm hold but is soft to the touch. 

Lastly, I "juj" it up (zhuzh? How do you even spell that word? *mystified*) so the curls look piecey.

Voila. 

Pretty Shiny Sparkly + Sally Beauty Giveaway

• Ion Dual Voltage Ionic Travel Dryer 
• Ion Swimmers Shampoo
• Ion Miracle Leave-In Conditioner 
• Ion Sun Protection Spray 
• Plus a cute tote bag!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

P.S.  you can get a free tote bag in stores whenever you buy 3 Ion products or 1 Ion styling tool appliance!

Sally Beauty + Beaches Resorts Sweepstakes

Enter to win a "Luxury Included®" (luxury all-inclusive) 4 day/3 night Caribbean Vacation to any Beaches Resorts. 7/1/14-7/31/14.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post collaboration in conjunction with a favorite beauty store that I frequent often. Feel free not to participate if you feel any conflict regarding my collaboration with Sally Beauty. Love you guys!