I know you’re probably all snuggly in your Christmas PJs right meow, but peel yourself off the couch for a second, and grab yo’ phone so you can tell Siri to remind you to swing by the drugstore to grab one of these Jumbo Braidies by Mia Beauty.
Seriously, if there’s one thing I learned over the holidays this year, it’s that this synthetic hair headband is the gift that keeps on giving. It has saved me so much time! I haven’t really wanted to deal with my hair lately because it’s been rainy and stormy outside and, well, let’s face it, I’m a freakin’ procrastinator. 🙂 I did all my Christmas-related schtuff at the last minute and hardly had any time to mess with the hair, man!
I love this doohickey because it helps me look 10,000% less frazzled and scruffy. I just throw my hair up into a high messy ponytail/bun hybrid, slip this elastic headband on, and then I’m d-to-the-o-to-the-n-to-the-e. DONE. And in less than a minute, BAM.
I feel like it’s also helping me toward my ultimate goal of channeling Holly Golightly’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s fashion sense. 🙂
And, big plus, when I’m on day three of third-day hair, putting my hair up and using a Bradie helps me skip one more day of hair washing.
I know, sounds gross, but my stylist/buddy Alis told me that one of the secrets to getting the most out of expensive salon color is to NOT wash your hair everyday, so I like to shampoo every few days instead of daily.
Anywho, the Mia Beauty Braidies are available in five shades — Dark Brown (which is the shade I’m wearing here), Medium Brown, Light Brown, Blonde and Black — which leads me to wonder… Where’s the red head love?!
Each Braidie is $9 and available now online and at drugstores.
What foundation are you wearing Karen? you look like a goddess, daaaaaaamn!
Hey, this doohickey is nice! Later today I shall be fully awake and can buy one in the dark blonde shade. I’m giving up the auburn tint (thank you L’Oreal) for the New Year.
All I need now is the hair!!
Seriously, I am at that just-around-the-ear length that tempts me to take out the scissors just to trim it even! But I shall persevere and gut it out for a month — gah!
Goddess is right, I need to know all the makeup you’ve got on the face, especially the foundation and the eye makeup. Please and thank you.
I love that braid on you! So sweet and sophisticated at the same time. I would love one, but then I have red hair that always seems to be a different shade of red. Gotta see, however, if Mia Beauty has one that’s close, tho’ I doubt it
Indeed the foundation looks good
I love the way that looks but I didn’t see a color that matches my dark blonde hair with light blonde highlights :(. The light brown is too dark and the blonde is too light.
Please give the deets on your makeup look. It’s amazing. That highlight is beautiful. You always look beautiful. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
AAAAW they don’t have a red or auburn!
I think it’s really cute. It matches your hair perfectly.
Thanks babe! Do you get the day off today?
Nope. No day off till Monday. I feel like this week’s been extremely long…
Agreed, you have that “goddess/ethereal” look going on. Wish I would’ve seen this post before my run to the drugstore today, but no matter, pretty sure I’ll be running out again this weekend. Super cute!
Thanks! 🙂 Did ya get any exciting makeup at the drugstore?
I’m glad you asked
Not sure what’s going on with my phone but here’s my drugstore list, again, plus a *few* extras I picked up at Ulta, Sephora, & MAC:
Drugstore- WnW 902C Bare It All nude lippie. Hands down the best, and cheapest, nude I own. I even like it better than my nudes from MAC.
Two delicious smelling shower gels (I’m a sucker for anything fragrant).
Fuse gel polish in Sonic Blue- an opaque powder blue that I can’t wait to take for a spin (I’m already tired of my Christmas mani after only one day!)
MAC- two shadows- Naked Lunch & Antiqued + a clear Lipglass. I’m kinda obsessed with that Lipglass 😉
Sephora- a crease/blending brush #73
Peter Thomas Roth Mattifying Gel, PTR oil 100% purified squalane oil, Benefit They’re Real, + the NARS bday gift from Sephora.
Ulta- Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Whew! I should be good for a while *said with fingers crossed* ☺️
Oh gosh, what a fun haul! I’m intrigued by that WnW shade. I remember you raving about the lipsticks. Is it more of a rose nude or a peach nude?
I love this fake braid idea but can never find any that suit my daughter/my hair colour! Someone really needs to realise this gap…more colours to suit more people please!
Hi Caz,
I will keep my eye out for braids in more colors. If I see anything on shelves I will let you know!
On me, it pulls more of a peach/mauve nude. Confused you yet? Sorry I’m so terrible at explaining it! I pair it with a nude jumbo lip liner that I got from Sally’s & top it off with a matching nude gloss from Revelon. It wears for hours. I think it complements my yellow undertones. It’s moisturizing, to me anyway. Without the gloss on top, it’s matte but not as drying as a MAC matte.
Hi Rocior, Jennifer and Shan,
Thank you, gals! This look is one of my go-tos when I want to do something polished that doesn’t require a lot of effort (you can see more pics in the Merry Christmas post from yesterday).
Here’s a breakdown of the look:
Primer
MAC Prep+Prime Natural Radiance
Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing
Foundation
Laura Mercier Flawless Fluide
Undereye Concealer
NARS Pure Radiant
YSL Touche Eclat
Powder
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
Bronzer
MAC Give Me Sun Mineralize Skinfinish
Blush & Highlight
Le Metier Cheeky Chic Kaleidoscope
Eyes
MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot
MAC Mylar – all over eyelid
MAC Omega – crease
MAC Cork – lower crease and lower lash line
MAC Lithe – lid
MAC Brun – outer corner
MAC Smolder – upper lash line and upper water line
MAC Carbon – blended top of Smolder on upper lash line
MAC Costa Riche – lower lash line and water line
Eylure No. 117
Lips
MAC Boldly Bare Lip Pencil
MAC Soft Pout Ultimate Lipstick
I made several apps for Xmas eve, and tons of breakfast stuff for a family brunch. Pick me for the treats!! Merry Xmas Karen!
Any idea how LM flawless fluide appears on textured skin?
The gingers around here are sad about that color selection, but definitely not surprised. The braid looks great on you though!
So easy and quick, I love it. And I UH-LUV your make-up! You look angelic!
GENIUS!
The blonde I own sadly has a black elastic band, so I can’t put my hair up when wearing it.
How do these close?
I ordered a few different sizes of similar braids at Ebay – they cost a dollar or so… And I really don’t know what’s so different about this one that makes it so much more expensive 🙁
This looks super cute and natural on you! I didn’t even realize it was a headband when I first saw the picture lol. It’s pretty cool and seems so convenient
Crazy question…I have both primers you mentioned and just wanted to know how you use yours exactly? Do you mean you layer them? I just have never thought of using them both at the same time But now want to try it after seeing your flawless look! Details please girl!
Now that the Christmas festivities have ended at my house, I can finally catch up on your blog! 🙂
This braid headband is super cute! I wonder which color would look best on me. I have highlights, so it’s sometimes a bit difficult to match things like this to my hair color. This makes me think I should go all dark again…That’s how much I like this hairstyle!
Very chic! Love your blog Karen, hope you have a great 2015!
I tried the Mia easy bun, that you reviewed earlier this year, but didn’t work for me. sad sad sad