I'm officially obsessed with Revlon's Color Effects Frost & Glow®

*Let me start by saying that like many, I was always against box colors...for so many reasons.  But let me tell you, this has changed my mind.  I can't believe I've overspent many of THOUSANDS of dollars over the years- for no reason! I wish I would have tried this stuff years ago! That's all, lesson learned and I can't be more thrilled that I'm using it now!*

Seriously you guys, I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about this stuff!  Okay, first let me tell you how I even discovered it...

The other night Rob & I had a conversation, it went like this:

Rob: "So what do you want for your birthday? And don't say "I want my hair done"."

Me: "Ummm, I kinda wanted to get my hair done."

Rob: "$350 to get your hair done, is just out of control."

Me: "You're right, I guess I'll wear my hair up from here on out then.  Just get me a card or something; I don't really need anything (in my pouty tone)."

....After he went to bed I actually felt bad about the conversation we had.  He really does spend A LOT of money on my upkeep.  This year alone, he's spent over $2k on my hair.  If you're asking why I can't just pay for it myself, it's because I left my job (family decision) to raise our babies until they start school.  Anyhow, my guilt led me to digging around online for how to do my own hair.

I'm a huge fan of Jessie James Decker, I just think she's stunning and her hair- well it's pretty much spot on.  I searched her name on Pinterest, and that is where I found her tutorial on "honey dipping" or I think it's titled "highlight hair tutorial"- her take on how to get natural looking highlights (or that same effect that you get from the balayage or hair painting technique). I then continued to youtube videos for more tips and tricks, just to confirm that this "could" really work...I mean, I was really REALLY nervous about the whole idea- but SO excited about the potential of saving so much money!

After a couple hours, I finally said to myself "I have got to try this."

I ran to Walmart, and bought a box of  Revlon's Color Effects Frost & Glow®, one in blonde and one in honey.

Here's what the boxes look like (I didn't think to take a photo of them at the time, as I didn't plan to write a review- this was completely unplanned!)

I followed the directions on the box and performed a stip test from each kit, to be sure it would take to my hair right.  After the strip test, I followed Jessie James' directions that she gave in her youtube tutorial.  I did the honey first, and then followed with some strands of blonde.  I ended up leaving the honey on for the max time of 60 minutes, and the blonde for only 20.

What I loved most, is that this doesn't have ammonia in it- no stinky strong smell, and no burning. When it was done processing, I washed my hair with my regular shampoo and conditioner Aveda's Color Conserve®, and followed that with a dab of Living Proof's Restore Mask Treatment (I'm obsessed with this stuff!).  

I definitely did not expect the end results that I got. I am officially a fan of this product for life; it will forever be the way I color my hair. This product combined with the way that Jessie applies the product, is perfection. My hair looks so natural; I'm not kidding when I say it actually looks better than my $350+ jobs! 

The best part? Showing my husband what I did...MYSELF, and for $10!!!!!!!!

He about fell over.  This is going to be huge for us, with the money we're saving now.  

Here's my before and after...

...So in my "before" photo my bathroom lighting was pure crap, but you get the idea...my dark brown roots were grown out pretty much all the way down to my collarbone, and the ends were a brassy-supposed-to-be-golden. 

My "after" picture is much lighter, totally summer friendly, and SO natural looking! I started all of the highlights between 3-5" down from my roots (varying between strands) to keep it looking more natural and a bit grown out.  

I had so much fun doing this, and loved my results so much- I seriously hope if you're thinking about doing your own hair for whatever reasons (like saving hundreds of dollars every couple/few months!) I hope you check out the tutorial I linked, and you try the Frost & Glow kit. 

When I'm due to do my hair again in probably 8-10 weeks, I'll be sure to take step-by-step directional and progress photos of the whole thing.  I was really thinking this wouldn't work, to be honest- that's why I didn't have any photos taken this time around...this was a complete surprise to me; I LOVE it so much!

Alright, off I go...I'm trying to make a birthday list for Rob.  Now that he no longer has to get my hair done, I'm thinking maybe I'll ask for a spa visit for a massage- I mean, I'll never be able to do that one myself...or could I? 

Youtube, here I come...