Wash, Rinse, Repeat?

"You wash your hair too often!"   My Mom always insists that I do, but parents just don't understand.  Ah, shampoo - the one 1/4 of my heart to which all foundations should stand.  Yes, it all comes down to what you are using and how often you are using it.  As I have blogged before, I have very oily hair and it is thick. This results in the fact that I have to wash my hair every two to three days.  I am not one of the lucky ones who can go a week to ten days without washing it.  They can get away with using dry shampoo, and probably can sleep in an extra thirty to fourty-five minutes in the morning.  C'est la vie, mes amis.

Being the adventurous type, I have spent a lot of time and money on various products, both expensive and cheap, and you know what?  It varies.  There isn't a secret, hidden product that is being kept from you in an exclusive salon.  I've used salon brands that are fantastic and used inexpensive brands that are also fantastic.  I have currently settled on the Dove haircare line.  I feel like it cleans my hair without weighing it down or drying it out and keeps it moisturized, even if I have to wash my hair so frequently.  They do have different products for different hair types as well, so don't feel like it is only suited for one hair type.  Also, it's not too expensive - that's always a great advantage in our current times. 

I also want to throw out there and advise that everyone should use a clarifier every four to six weeks to help remove any impurities in your hair.  Most salon supplies stores carry the product and it is not too expensive or you can use baby shampoo.  Believe it or not, it is a great shampoo that cleans well without stripping your hair of its natural oil.  It works on all hair types as well.   Even the generic store brands work as well as any name brand baby shampoo. 

Remember, get to know your hair, even if it's thin, thick, limp, dull, colored - whatever.  Make friends with it, treat it well and it will return the favor.  It all starts with a good shampoo then you will be ready to face the world. 

Stay beautiful!

xoxo

Humidity? Suffering In Silence

My silence is never so silent - it is more of a calm roar like that from a lioness taking a rest after a long day of being a lioness.  It is rough out there, especially for your hair.  This weather is really playing havoc on hair styles, patience, and your wallet.  I love and prefer my hair styled with my trusty blow dryer, straightening iron and touched up by my curling iron.   Yet on days like these, I do not care enough to waste over two hours just to walk outside and my hair is instantly frizzy!  I have done that before and then started to cry silently in my car while waiting for the air conditioning to come to my rescue.  I rely on a good shampoo,  conditioner then a leave in treatment to help my wavy/curly hair regain some semblance of a curl with my faithful salon like clips. It is not my favorite style but I tolerate it because it is wash and wear and I still look human. 

I have two products that I go between due to finances really.  The cheaper option is Suave "Professionals Mousse, Captivating Curls, Whipped Cream Mousse."  It varies in price depending on where you usually shop but it's inexpensive and works well (even if it is a mouthful to say).  Even though it is a mousse product, it does not make my hair crunchy or greasy.  They advertise that it works for 24 hours.  I find I get a good 18 hours out of the product before I am ready to wash it out.  Then again, my hair is very oily so 18 hours out of 24 hours is a very good deal.  Also, this product does last a while.  You truly only need a small dab and it will do ya'.  My hair is also very long and I do not need much for my desired result.  


The more expensive option is a product called, Miss Jessie's "Quick Curls."  This product is amazing but expensive at $32 for 8oz of product.  I shampoo, condition then add a small amount of this product to damp hair and away I go.  It dries well, no oily feeling on the hair, no odd smells, nothing!  This does last a solid 24 hours and you will get your money's worth from the tube.  I have not seen it in stores but that does not mean it is not there. 
Miss Jessie's Products  This is a link to the website where you can research the product plus other wonderful items. 


All in all, do not let the bad weather make you loose all hope for cute summer hair styles.  I am making more of an effort to work with my hair sans styling tools and I think I hear it quietly saying, "thank-you!"  

Seriously, the Dollar Store? Yes.

The Dollar Store.

Normally, your first instinct is off brand food, cheap candy and other miscellaneous items that you probably will never need in your life but at such a low price point you feel compelled to spend at least $10 every trip.  Would you ever consider buying makeup there? I was always skeptical over this.  How can their makeup be good for your skin since it's so cheap?  Does it really last for a few hours, or does it fade within 10 minutes after application?  My mind was always tormented with the how's and why's until I decided to give it a shot.  I was in need of some new eye shadow and wasn't in a position to spend upwards of $30 just to restock on various colors of eyeshadow.  I spent a total of $8 (plus tax)  which covered an eyeshadow brush, blush brush, liquid eyeliner, and five compacts of eyeshadow.  I was very anxious to get started. 

I have to add that I have very sensitive skin and can not use most makeup brands on my face.  I have an allergy to a lot of makeup brands that claim to be hypo-allergenic or are meant for sensitive skin.  When I started using the dollar store brand of makeup, I kept my allergy medicine handy just in case I broke out into a rash or worse.  I am very pleased to announce that not only does the makeup last five to seven hours with out a touch up, also I had no adverse reaction to the makeup.  No rash, no itchy eyes, no hives - nada!  I couldn't believe it and part of me still can't believe it - to be honest.  I have been using it for almost a month now and still have had no issues whatsoever.  The liquid eyeliner goes on smooth, doesn't smudge and looks great.  The brush is thin enough to do a basic line around your eye, or add curved lines on the side of your face, or create the "cat eye" look. 

I have nothing against expensive brands but if you are ever in a lurch and can't afford to fork over another $40-$50 for department store makeup, take a trip to the dollar store.  You will be pleasantly surprised.  There is also a wide variety of eyeshadow colors, blushes and liners that you can mix and match to completely customize your look. 

My loot from the dollar store

My custom color eyeshadow.  This was taken about 5 hours after application.

What's Your Unibrow Situation?

I have thick eyebrows that try and meet in the middle to discuss politics, or whatever they do to shame me into not wanting to go out in society.  I used to pluck them when I was younger, sat through wax torture one time in my life and have settled upon using an eyebrow razor to keep them in check.  This has somewhat worked but I knew they didn't look as great as they could.  Let's face it, we all want that perfect arch that actually lasts longer than a day (or three if you are lucky).  If you have found something that works well for your face, mazel tov!  My experience with waxing was so incredibly painful that it changed my view on torturing war criminals.  I was later told that the girl wasn't too experienced and it shouldn't hurt "that much."  C'est la vie?  C'est mal. :(     To me, pain is pain, and I don't believe beauty should be so painful that your skin is red for most of the day,  and your hair doesn't grow back properly afterward. 

As we age, our skin changes; period.  Everything changes.  Eyebrows included.  Skin sags, and if you over pluck or over wax when you are young, once you hit your 40s, they won't look right on your face anymore.  You will get your intended result of the hair growing in finer but it will be harder to style on your face.  If you are looking for an alternative or want to try something new, I suggest the technique of "Stringing."  They use regular string to whisk away unwanted hair on your eyebrows, upper lip, chin - whatever you need done on your face.  I am not sure how many higher end salons do this but it gives proven results and it is fairly inexpensive.  Mine cost $12 (plus a $2 tip).  I think $14 every month is worth it.  There is an extra charge if you want your upper lip done as well and any other facial hair but it is still worth it.  The results last and your hair will grow back in at a slower pace each time you have it done.  It's also not too painful and is great for sensitive skin.  No creams, no wax, no redness - just positive results. 

There are a lot of locations, I usually go to the location in my local mall.  I do have a few suggestions before you head in.  Make sure you know your face.  If you have thick eyebrows, just have them clean up the edges and trim their length. The trimming is included in the price.  For those with thinner brows, have them contour your eyebrows so it will be easier when/if you use a pencil to fill them in.  Also, a big one, make sure they use hand sanitizer before they start working on your face.  If they don't have a bottle sitting out, or they say they don't use it or make a big deal out of using it- get up and leave.  They are working very close to your eyes.  You don't want any extra bacteria sliding down there.  Why risk getting yourself sick or an infection?  That is not cute.

I have been doing this over the past year and love the results each time. 

 

On the left is the before, and the right is the after.  

Good luck! 

Hey, What's Your Color?

Pretty nails, cute toes; top coat, primer, base and go!  

 

There is nothing more relaxing and satisfying than a mani/pedi, even if you do them at home. It is even better when you have a beautiful color on your nails that does not fade, chip or cause damage to your nails.  I put my nails to the test each day by washing my hands multiple times, doing dishes, laundry and a whole host of other things that normally cause my nail color to chip off and look horrible a day or two after I paint them.  I used to go through the long process of base coat, mineral coat, paint, top coat and gloss for nothing.  If I'm lucky, it ends up peeling off which strips my nails of any goodness they had.  I have used various brands too.  Nothing compares to OPI, of course, but who has the money to shell out for one small bottle?  What if you want multiple colors to change to every other week?  The cost really adds up!  I have found a reasonably inexpensive nail polish that will last through a week of being human.  The hand washing, showering, laundry, kids, and work - you know, life. 

Sinful Colors Professionals is a great product found at most stores, and it is under $2 a bottle.  I still go through my process of mineral base coat, nail polish then top coat but this brand lasts a week and still holds up.  I would say on day 8 or 9 is when I noticed some chipping but it wasn't anything compared to what I have experienced before.  I currently have 7 bottles in my rotation and plan to buy more as we get closer to summer.  Do yourself a favor and test it out.  I also have to mention that if you don't have the time to do the base coat, polish, then top coat, this product by itself will last around 5 to 7 days without chipping or fading. 

Stay beautiful.