Beauty Product of the Week: Spin Pin

What is it? Goody's Spin Pin allows you to get "3 easy styles. Spin your style! Style guide inside features 3 spin pin styles. To use:
1. Gather your hair at the nape of your neck (no ponytail holder needed).
2. Twist your hair into a tight bun and tuck in the ends.
3. Spin one pin in from the top and the other up from the base, taking care not to interlock pins."
Available at drugstores and big box stores in either blonde or brunette for less than $7.00.


What do you think? Good Housekeeping gave this product a VIP (Very Innovative Product) Award and for good reason: it's easy to use and it works. 

I suck at styling my hair.  My hair styling skills are limited to a simple ponytail and, when I'm feeling plucky, flat ironing.  I've been growing my hair out--it's now just at my shoulders--and being able to pull it back and up into a quick easy bun is a great option, especially now that it's getting warmer.

The Spin Pin makes pulling my hair away from my face and up off my neck a breeze.  The instructions are easy to follow, and once you get the hang of it, putting your hair up into an easy bun takes a matter of seconds.  The Spin Pins keep hair in place without being overly restrictive.  They don't pull or snag, and they twist right out.  I can't stress how easy these pins are to use!

Lots of us have used pencils or chopsticks in the past to get our hair up into an easy bun.  With these pins, you can leave pencils for writing and chopsticks for sushi.



Final verdict? I like this tool so much that I bought an extra to keep in my purse. It's easy to use, easy to remove, and I love it!  Give it a try if you're a hair klutz like me!

(Pro) Mend Your Evil Ways

I've been having hair issues lately.  I know what I need to do: I need to get my butt into the salon for a cut and color pronto.  But I haven't.  I am not sure what my problem is, but lately I haven't wanted to take the time (or spend the money!) to deal with it.  I haven't been to the salon since July (gasp!) and as a result, my hair is a wreck.

I was thinking sadly about the state of my hair when I received a huge box from Nexxus.  The answer to my woes?  I sure hope so!  I eagerly tore into the box to find a new system--Nexxus Pro-Mend--that gave me hope--hope that my fried, split, unloved hair could be restored.

Let's check out the products and see what Nexxus has to say about them:

Pro-Mend Shampoo: ProMend Split End Treatment Shampoo prepares split end prone hair for repair by gently cleansing away damaging impurities and build up while giving it the vital nourishment it needs, leaving hair clean, strong and shiny.

Pro-Mend Conditioner: ProMend Split End Binding Conditioner is a revolutionary daily conditioner that feels and performs unlike any other. It targets and binds split ends back together in just 3 washes. Use daily to keep hair looking beautifully healthy and strong.

Pro-Mend Leave-in Creme: Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Leave in Treatment Crème provides daily repair for split end problem areas. Use after each shower to bind split ends back together before styling, so ends look beautifully healthy and strong.

Pro-Mend Overnight Treatment: Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Overnight Treatment Crème provides intensive repair as you sleep, binding split ends back together and dramatically strengthening against future splits. Hair is healthy and restored in the morning without leaving residue on bed linens.

My thoughts: Like I said, my hair was a disaster when I started using these products.  It was difficult to style, I had a lot of fly-aways, and the texture didn't look great (thanks to dying and frying!).  I've used the entire line of products for a couple of weeks now, and I am very satisfied with the results.

The shampoo and conditioner are great.  I've been using them daily, and my hair feels clean, silky, and smooth when I'm done.  The shampoo seems gentle and the conditioner is relatively light, which surprised me since this line promises to bond hair back together.  Seems that the gentle approach works pretty well, though!

I use the leave-in treatment right before I blow dry.  It seems to help control those dreaded fly-aways that I get, especially in the winter.  I've used many other products before styling, but I like this one.  It's lightweight and doesn't make my hair look overly greasy or weighed down like it can with other products.

I try to use the nighttime treatment twice a week (though I sometimes forget).  I love that it doesn't mess up my pillowcases!  It, too, is surprisingly light.  It does seem to saturate my hair, but in a non-greasy way that I appreciate.

After a couple of weeks of using this line of products, I think my hair looks a bit better.  Do I still need to get into the salon?  Oh hell, yes!  But does my hair look a little less like straw than it did before?  You better believe it! 

I like this line and would recommend it.  Another decent batch of products from Nexxus!  Well done!  Look for the Pro-Mend line at big box stores, Ulta, or salons.

Age-Busting Tips from Women's Health

For many of us, a new year means undergoing a lot of personal assessments.  We think about ways we want to improve our bodies, our finances, our lives, and our looks.  Even if we're not planning huge changes, we often want, at least, to rejuvenate our looks for a fresh, new start.

The first step is to kick signs of aging—many that can be surprisingly unexpected. Women’s Health magazine highlights four under-the-radar areas women should treat early to radiate youth.  Take a glance and enjoy!

Yellow Teeth and Receding Gums: Bacteria and dark drinks cause enamel stains, while plaque results in receding gums. Bring back a younger smile with a timeless trick: floss daily, no excuses! Also, keep your pearly whites glowing by keeping disposable toothbrushes on hand and using whitening strips every six months.

Thin Hair: Hormonal changes, diet, and inadequate levels of iron in the bloodstream thin out hair with age. Save your locks’ thickness and shine by taking multivitamins rich in amino acids and B vitamins. Last resort options like a Rogaine prescription or precision laser hair therapy also boost hair growth.

Sparse, Brittle Eyelashes: Eyelashes grow sparse with age, whether through excessive rubbing or naturally slower growth. Invest in eyelash enhancing serums offered at drugstores to improve resiliency. Old mascara also lends to weak, brittle ends— replace mascara every 90 days and remove eye makeup at night.

Dry, Rough Nails and Damaged Cuticles: Age, frequent hand washing, and overexposure to cold temperatures rob skin and nails of moisture—especially as women age. Hydrate hands with petroleum-based creams and massage cuticle oils into the nail beds to prevent breakage.

Holiday Hair That Will Knock 'Em Dead!

I've been obsessing over hair lately.  If you're a regular reader of this blog, you'll know that I recently devoted two weeks worth of posts to hair tips and product reviews.  Since then, I've been working on bettering my hair styling habits.  I'm washing my hair less frequently (my goal is to only wash my locks twice a week), and am trying to take a little more time and put a little more effort into getting my hair styled daily.

Now that the holiday season is upon us, no doubt you're going to more social events than normal.  Between matinees at the Nutcracker, office parties, cookie swaps, and other events, you're a busy lady and you need to look great.  Here's a great 'do that will keep you looking stylish all the way through your New Year's Eve events. 

The tips for getting this style come from Jet Rhys, and the steps to completing this look don't seem that complicated...even to a hair styling flunkie like me!

Step #1 Spray Bumble and Bumble's dry shampoo throughout your hair, this will give hair ton's of body and volume to work with.


Step #2 Roll sections of hair in hot roller's, anywhere from 8 to 12 roller's in all. let cool for about 15 minutes. Take out the roller's, use a Mason Pearson brush to lightly brush through your hair.

Step #3 Take a thin elastic headband place it around your head. Tip your head upside down, shake your head to wake up your curl's,lift your head upright. Using both hands place the headband down on the head behind the hairline. Try the clear headband by goodie, these headbands are perfect for updo's.

Step #4 Take a few random section's of hair and wrap them around your finger, this keep's the hair bouncy and springy for a glamorous look.

Step #5 To keep this look picture perfect for the party finish with a soft holding spray, like L'oreal Paris Studio Line finishing spray.

DIY: Tips for Dying at Home

At the start of the week, I asked you about your dying habits.  Mine have changed over the years.  I used to dye my hair myself, in an attempt to save money and because I have only recently found a stylist I adore.  Now?  I go to my stylist (not as often as I should) for both a cut and a color.  But lately I've been toying with going back to my old ways, to dying my hair at home.

If you're an at  home hair dyer (or want to be!) here are some tips for getting the job done right.  I don't think home hair dying is particularly difficult or scary, but that could just be me...whatevs.  Here are some tips...as always, feel free to add your two cents in the comments!

1. Pick the right color.  Check out this cool site!  They give advice for finding the perfect shade.  Before you leave the store, take a second to make sure all the products inside the box match the color on the outside of the box.  I get paranoid that some prankster's going to put red dye in the blond boxes, blond in the black, and so on.  Just take a second to make sure you're buying the right product before you head home.
2. Make sure your hair is in good shape and is not freshly washed.  You'll want some of the natural oils in your hair present to help protect the scalp and to aid in even distribution.
3. Prep your area.  Make sure you read the directions and then read them again...before you get started. Take a few moments to gather all the necessary tools, towels, timers, etc.  You don't want to have to chase down a comb in the middle of the dying process!
4. Pick your dying location well.  I always dyed my hair in the bathroom.  I had the best light available, and a wall-sized mirror so I could see hard to reach areas of my head more easily, using a hand mirror and the wall mirror.
5. Follow all the directions.  Yes, ALL of them.  Take your time and make sure to saturate the hair as best you can.  Keep the dye on for the amount of time the instructions indicate.  Don't deviate from what the instructions are telling you because you think you know better.  You probably don't!
6. Don't panic if the dye in your hair looks dark...or funny.  You can't tell what the final product will look like when your head is soaked with dye.  You'll need to trust the process.
7. Rinse really, really well.  You don't want to leave any dye in your hair (it will be a total mess!) so be sure you take your time and rinse every strand free of dye.  You'll know you're done when the water dripping from your head runs clear.
8. Follow all after care instructions.  Use the deep conditioning treatment the manufacturer gives you and use it as directed.  Invest in shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair.
9. Enjoy your new look!

Before I close for the day, here's another fun (quick) poll for you:

Do you lie about dying your hair?
	Yes. Everyone THINKS this is my natural color.
	No. Why bother? Everyone dyes their hair, so why lie?
	I don't dye my hair.
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Never Have a Bad Hair Dye

When done right, dyed hair looks shiny, healthy, and compliments your overall look.  When done bad...well...I think we've all seen what happens when bad dye happens to good people.

Here are some hints for hair color from the Rita Hazan, hair maven over at Oprah.com.  Consider this the top 10 hair color screw ups, if you will:

Tip #1 You shouldn't over-highlight to blend gray. The highlights are an accent to the color, not a color themselves.

Tip #2 Colors that are too beige or ashy don't complement skin tones. Try using gold or warm tones, this gives the skin a more youthful, healthy glow.

Tip #3 Too solid of one color can look too dense.

Tip #4 Too light of one color can wash you out! Too dark can turn scary. Too red can be too clowny. So try to stay away from the extremes.

Tip #5 Don't forget the conditioner! There are very lightweight conditioners out there if you are concerned with weighing your hair down. Conditioner keeps your hair healthy and shiny.

Tip #6 Don't have the same hair color for years! Every season you need to change the tone a little bit, this way, you will never get stuck in a rut.

Tip #7 Following trends can be hard. Add a touch of a trend but nothing stripey or chunky.

Tip #8 Roots are simply never sexy.

Tip #9 Two-tone hair: Do not walk around with half your head one color and half another color. If you are growing out your hair, darken it first.

Tip #10 Don't get too creative with your color, less is more in hair color!

And there you have it!  My worst hair color disaster (apart from unnatural colors like purple, blue, etc.): dying my hair caramel.  The color was too wishy-washy and just faded away in a matter of a few washings (and it wasn't a cheap mistake, of course!).

Style Tips for Mere Mortals

I mentioned last week that I have a heck of a time styling my hair.  For my every day look, I just part my hair in the middle, dry it using a round brush, and let the hair fall where it may.  If I'm feeling fussy, I'll hit my locks with a flat iron.  When I'm working out, I throw it back into a messy ponytail (if I am feeling ambitious...I usually just let it flop around!).  But for me to attempt something more technically skilled than flat ironed hair takes hours of work, the uttering of countless curse words, and still...I never feel like my hair looks as good as it should. 

Yes, I can paint my face up like a pro, but when it comes to doing my hair, I am something of a spaz.  So...I've been searching all over the interwebs and have pulled together some hair styling tips that I think even I can pull off.  Here you go...if you have anything to add, be sure to leave me a comment!

• To give hair more body: blow it straight with a round brush.  Use large hot rollers and coil small sections of hair under, rolling them up.  Let hot rolls stay in several minutes before removing.  Use a paddle brush to brush curls into big waves.
• For sexy, messy hair: Scrunch up large sections of damp hair with your hand while blow drying to fluff up the hair (just don't burn your hand in the process!)
• Create a neat knot: Tease hair at the crown before gathering back.  Use a brush to smooth out the front and sides, and pull a few strands out to frame your face.
• Switch it up!  The easiest way to change your look is to change your part.  Try changing sides, or go for a center part for something new.  This will give you more lift at your roots!
• Use a bobby pin: Part hair on one side then slide a bobby pin at the opposite side at the spot that lines up above the arch of your eyebrow. Cover the pin with a little hair from farther back on the crown or look for a bobby pin with a little bling to dress up your look.
• Embellish it!  Slide on a fancy hair band, tuck in a sparkly flower or hair accessory and viola! Your hair is instantly flashier.
• Change up your ponytail: Either try a very high ponytail, a low side swept one, or wrap some hair around the elastic to cover it up.  You can also curl your ponytail or (if you're more skilled than I!) wrap it up into a chignon.

There you have it...a few quick and easy tips for hair styling.  If you have a favorite trick, leave a comment!

Curl Up and DYE!

A blurry photo of me and my crazy roots.  They look worse in real life!

If you saw me right now, you'd scoff at the idea that I'm a beauty blogger.  My roots are INSANE!

I haven't had a cut or a color since (at least) July, and I have no plans to get in and see my girl any time soon.  I usually have my hair bleached out to a perfect white-platinum shade.  This is a hair color that requires regular upkeep, but because I am trying to save money and haven't found the time to get into the salon, my hair has grown considerably.  My roots are taking over and any trace of platinum is long gone.  My hair is brassy at the ends, darker at the roots, and is a hot mess in general.

Ugh.  Sometimes I wish I never got into the habit of dying my hair at all!

Here's a quick poll for you since I'm curious and since I am contemplating dying my hair myself, something I used to do before developing the platinum habit!  Please take a second to answer.  Oh, and if you haven't noticed, yes!  Hair Week is continuing this week as well.

When it comes to dying my hair, I...
	Only trust my color to a professional.
	Do it myself! Why pay someone else to do it?
	Only go to the salon if I can afford it. Otherwise, I do it myself.
	Don't dye my hair at all. I'm all natural!
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Beauty Product of the Week: Keratin Complex Shampooo and Conditioner

What is it?  Keratin Complex Keratin Care Shampoo and Conditioner are "designed for customers to enjoy the benefits of a protein-rich keratin regimen on a daily basis.  Using these maintenance products prolongs your beautiful results long after a professional Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy in-salon Treatment."  Keratin Care Shampoo and Conditioner are designed for "damaged hair.  This shampoo is safe for everyday use and is formulated with a low pH-value and a light blend of essential oils that provide gentle cleansing and long lasting protection."  Available for $20-$37 each per bottle (price depends on bottle size) at salons.  See their website for a location. 

What did you think?  I haven't been to the salon in ages, and I haven't had a recent in-salon Keratin treatment.  I received samples of the Keratin Complex products to try out, and have been using this duo of haircare products regularly for the past couple of weeks.  Both products have light scents, but do leave my hair clean smelling.  The shampoo actually lathers (thankfully! It seems like pricier shampoos are oddly devoid of lather sometimes).  The conditioner doesn't feel too thick, but it does coat my hair.  After using this product for a bit, I think it makes my hair look shinier.  On the down side, I have noticed that my hair seems a tiny bit greasier, especially if I use Keratin's Shine, a product that goes on damp hair to help increase shine. With my hair type, this probably isn't the best product for me to use on a regular basis.

The final verdict?  For me, these products are a pass.  They're too expensive and leave my hair too limp feeling.  If I'm going to buy a salon brand, I'd just go for my all-time fave: Matrix.  But if you have regular Keratin treatments, this just might be the shampoo/conditioner combo for you.  Other people swear by this duo, and even though it's not the right product for my hair type, it wasn't a terrible product demo!

Tool Time: Turbie Twist

I blow dry my hair every single day.  I try to give my wet locks some time to drip before breaking out the hair dryer since I know that regular exposure to super hot products is not ideal for healthy hair.  Even after 30 minutes of drip drying, I still spend a considerable amount of time drying and styling. 

I just received a Turbie Twist to try out, but so far, I'm loving it.  The Turbie Twist says it's easy to use: you just place it over your head with the loop at the back, twist your hair like you would with a bath towel, and then loop it through the elastic band in the back and Viola!  Your wet hair is on top of you head, wrapped up in a super absorbent towel to help reduce drying time

I was a bit concerned that I would have difficulty figuring out how to use the Turbie Twist, but it was a snap to use.  My wet hair was tucked into a towel neatly, bundled out of the way on top of my head.  The towel is lightweight (unlike a bath towel!) so it's not awkward or heavy to wear.  I through on the Turbie Twist and easily did some vacuuming while my hair dried.

I still needed to blow dry my hair, but because the Turbie Twist absorbed some of the moisture, my drying time was cut down a bit.

Overall, I'm very impressed with the Turbie Twist and would recommend it.  You can get Turbie of your own from places like CVS, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc.--they run about $10 for a pack of two.

Tool Time: BrushLab Black Label Hair Brush

One of the more expensive beauty products out there is this:

A Mason Pearson nylon and boar bristle brush.  A brush like this could set you back $100 or more easily.

But!  You can save yourself some big-time cash while getting a kick ass brush.  Check out this:

A Black Label hair brush from BrushLab.  Like the Mason Pearson, the Black Label brushes feature a single nylon quill surrounded by tufts of natural boar bristles.  Brushes like this smooth out the hair making it ready for styling and finishing.  The nylon controls the shape and style of the hair while the boar bristles add shine and a polished finish. 

I received two Black Label brushes to try out...and I LOVE them!  They feel good on your scalp when you brush and they really do make your hair look and feel smoother...more finished. 

The Black Label brushes from BrushLab are a great alternative to the Mason Pearson brushes.  Better yet, the Black Labels will set you back about $20.  These would make a great gift for one of your fashionable friends!

Check out the Black Label brushes at www.brushlove.com or at your local Ulta.

Theme of the Week: Hair!

This week, I'm focusing on hair products and tools.  When it comes to doing my hair, I am a complete and total mess.  I know how to apply makeup and use skin care products, but there's something about doing my hair that makes me crazy.  I can never get my hair to look right, no matter how hard I try.  In fact, the harder I try the worse it often looks.  It's maddening!

Here's a question for you: What are your best hair styling tips?  What would you tell a person like me, who is completely useless and in major need of some hair help?  I'd love to hear what you have to say, so leave me a comment!

In the coming days, I'll be highlighting a few tools and products for your hair.  For now, I leave you with a few fun quotes:

If truth is beauty, how come no one has their hair done in a library?

~Lily Tomlin

Gray hair is a blessing - ask any bald man.

~Author Unknown

Experience is a comb which nature gives us when we are bald.

~Proverb

Go to Beautiful Lengths for BCA

Women with breast cancer typically undergo chemotherapy to try to save their lives.  But did you know that  58% of women consider hair loss to be the worst side effect of chemotherapy?  In fact, 8% of these women will potentially avoid life-saving treatment altogether due to this hair loss fear.  Wow--that seems a little crazy to me, but it's darn near impossible to say what you are and are not willing to go through when faced with big things like cancer, chemo, etc.

For Breast Cancer Awareness month this month, Pantene wants to continue inspiring people to make the kindest cut of all by donating their healthy hair for women who need it most through Pantene Beautiful Lengths, a campaign that helps provide free, real-hair wigs for women undergoing cancer treatment. Since 2006, more than 220,000 ponytails (that’s around 1,760,000 inches of hair!) have been generously cut for this cause and 6,304 wigs have been distributed.

Pantene is proud to announce the new look of its collection, Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths. In honor of the launch of the new look, Pantene is supporting the cause by donating $500,000 directly to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths campaign, actively taking part in the fight against breast cancer by helping to create more wigs for cancer patients.

Here's some info about the collection.  I received some samples of these products and will report back soon.  My husband has lovely, insanely long hair that he cuts about once a year.  He's given to Locks of Love in the past--this year I'll have him check out Pantene Beautiful Lengths.  It's good to spread the hair love from time to time!

Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths Collection

The customized shampoo and conditioner systems contain targeted damage protection to help prevent breakage so you can grow your hair longer, ideal for those preparing to make a generous donation! The system work to restore three common signs of damaged hair: roughness, dullness, and unruly frizz.

• Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths Breakage Defense Shampoo and Conditioner
• Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths Shine Enhance Shampoo and Conditioner
• Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths Frizz Control Shampoo and Conditioner
• Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths Smoothing Balm
• Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths Replenishing Mask
• Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths Anti-Humidity Hairspray

Like I said, I'll report back on these products soon, but I think this is a pretty cool BCA/hair product tie in.  Good for Pantene!

More Fall Trends!

As I mentioned yesterday, a new season means it's time to make some changes and to adjust your beauty routine to reflect the new season ahead. For whatever reason, it seems like the move into fall brings with it the most change...and it makes me want to update my beauty products and clothes more than at other season changes throughout the year.

No matter what season we're in, I think we all want the basics: glowing skin, kissable lips, rich hair color and perfectly styled strands.  Here are some tips and beauty buys to keep you looking effortlessly chic throughout the fall season from the folks over at Proctor & Gamble (don't laugh--they're the home of some of your favorite beauty products like Pantene, Cover Girl, and Olay!).

Hair Color
Variations of warm reds, red-auburns and strawberry will be the color looks of the season. Whatever your hair color, fall looks will be fresh - the days of visible roots are over! Get the vibrant fall color you want with Clairol Perfect 10. The AminoGlycine technology creates depth and dimension using high-gloss, high-shine color for flawless gray coverage in just 10 minutes. (No visible roots!  Ah!  I need to get to my salon ASAP!)

Hair Style
Flat hair is so last season! Fall is all about making a statement with your look – including your hair style. Boost strands to reveal ultimate volume and bounce with the NEW Pantene Pro-V Fine Hair Triple Action Volume Mousse. It is formulated to keep hair from falling flat, creating effortless volume by lifting at the root and extending through strands. (I could really use this stuff!  My hair has seemed a bit too flat lately...)

Skin
This season give your skin a fresh start and a firmer, younger look. The Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum is a super concentrated serum clinically proven to help firm skin’s appearance across three key zones – the face, neck, and décolletage after only five days. Containing Olay’s most concentrated amino-peptide complex, this hydrating serum is the perfect pre-makeup skin solution.  (I love Olay.  For me, they can do no wrong!)

• Insider tip from Olay Celebrity Makeup Artist Bruce Grayson: “Great makeup starts with great skincare. The key to prepping and hydrating the skin without overdoing it is using a product that’s powerful yet lightweight.”

Lips
Complementing all skin tones, sheer lipsticks in rose, pink, peach and beige will be seen this fall season. Soft color gloss will mimic nude lips and add fullness. COVERGIRL Outlast Lipstain gives lips a natural look and the innovative formula delivers precision application and color that lasts without the sticky, heavy layer of many traditional lipsticks. Lips feel bare and look beautiful – what more could a woman want from her lip color?  (I am currently on the hunt for a killer fall lip product and will happily accept any suggestions you want to throw my way!)

• Insider tip from COVERGIRL Celebrity Makeup Artist Molly R. Stern: “To achieve the perfect pout and smooth lips, start by exfoliating your lips with warm water and a wash cloth, then apply an emollient lip balm to deeply nourish lips throughout the night.”

Do or Don't: Big Hair

I've been flipping through what feels like (and probably is!) thousands of pages of fashion magazines lately (thanks to all the September issues).  In my reading, I've been bombarded with trends for the fall and winter.  In one of the mags, they featured big hair. 

To get big hair, the magazine (I think it was Glamour) suggested boosting hair by doing the following:

• Add volume, carefully.  Instead of making hair wider or higher, pick just one.  They suggest going with wider hair if your face is long; higher hair if your face is round.
• Add width by making spirals with a curing iron, working from the bottom layers up.  Follow this by fingercombing and letting top hair fall flat.
• Add height by teasing the crown area with a fine-toothed comb.  Smooth out the front up and over the teased section--pin the sides back and spray.

If none of these work, I suppose you could always pick up a Bumpits.

So: what do you think of the big hair trend?  Is it something you would try out?  Or do you think it looks ridiculous?  Here's my take: I prefer the high look over the wide look, but I don't think I could personally rock either look.  Big hair can look cool on the catwalk and if done right for an event, but for every day?  Meh.  It's too fussy.

What do you think?  Leave a comment!

Do or Don't: Blonde Streaks

Black hair or blonde hair?  You don't have to decide!  (Or do you?)

I'm a natural blonde but I do enhance my color.  Being a platinum blonde (at the moment) I am no stranger to the bleach and tone.  I am also no stranger to non-natural hair colors.  In the course of my life, I've had hair in many shades, including blue, purple, pink, and green.  I'm all for self-expression and shaking up the status quo.

One look I don't quite understand is when girls have dark brown or black hair on the bottom with chunky platinum streaks on top.  (NOTE: I'm not trashing the emo girls here.  I'm thinking more of the mall-girls with their crazy, fried hair, low-rise jeans, over done makeup, and orange tans). To me, the black on the bottom, ultra-blonde on top look is reminiscent of one thing:

But what do I know?  Do you think black hair with blonde streaks is a do or a don't?  Leave a comment!

Spray On!

I have a love/hate relationship with dry shampoo.  I LOVE the idea of it.  I'm one of those really bad girls who washes her hair every single day.  I know I shouldn't be doing this, but it's hard for me to stop.  I always think and hope that a dry shampoo will be the answer.  But (now for the HATE part of my dry shampoo relationship) I have never been able to make dry shampoo work for me.  I feel like I'm either applying too much product or not enough, and no matter what I do, my roots feel greasy and I feel like I would be better off just washing my hair like normal.

I recently received some samples from Batiste of their new dry shampoo.  At first, I was apprehensive.  But then I actually TRIED the stuff and, surprisingly, it wasn't that bad!  It sure is a hell of a lot better than Jonathan's dry shampoo.


Here's a little bit about Batiste Dry Shampoo:

• Batiste is ideal for creating the body and volume while ditching the oil, dirt, and grease that can wreak havoc on hair in the summer. 
• Batiste works by penetrating the hair shaft to absorb the unwanted oil, dirt and grease while giving your hair a fresh clean scent.
• Batiste comes in two great scents- Original and Blush. The travel size is perfect for a beach bag or night time clutch. Full size (150ml) retails for $7.99 while the “on the go” size (50 ml) retails for $3.99 at www.BatisteDryShampoo.com

 Here are my two cents:

• Unlike other dry shampoos I've used, this one sprays into the hair.  I like this feature!  It means that I can hit my roots quickly and efficiently without getting too much powder in one spot.
• The scent is nice.  At first I was worried it was too strong, but it seems to dissipate quickly so it doesn't interfere with my perfume!
• It makes my hair feel (and smell fresher) and it does seem a little less oily than normal.
• The price beats the pants off of other, more expensive options.

FINALLY!  I've found a dry shampoo that I can use and recommend.  NICE!

Eyebrow Raised in Speculation...

This post can be summed up by two nice, neat bullet points:

• I don't trust mall kiosks
• I sorta like the process of waxing

Random?  Perhaps...but keep reading.

So....over at my closest mall, the central pathways are littered with people selling all sorts of crap interesting things from kiosks.  They sell cellphone cases, tacky stickers, hair straighteners, creepy sketches, ironic t-shirts, crummy art, etc.  Kiosk vendors frighten me a little--they're like the mall equivalent of freakshow barkers, but unlike freakshows, I have no interest in what they're peddling. They can be a little aggressive, and when you're trying to dodge through the slow-moving mall masses who are intoxicated by the ulta-potent stink spray wafting from Abercrombie, the last thing you want is a kiosk vendor trying to clip fake hair into your scalp.

Then one day a few months ago, I noticed it.  Right near the food court.  Some unsuspecting mall shopper was plunked down in a salon chair, leaning back.  Another woman (kiosk barker) hovered over the sprawled out shopper, raking what looked like a long, thick piece of dental floss over the shopper's face.  I couldn't stop staring.  The kiosk lady had one end of the thread IN HER MOUTH while she dragged the rest of the thread over the shopper's eyebrows, chin, and so on.  Then I saw the sign, "Eyebrow Threading."

I had never heard of eyebrow threading, so I looked into it a bit:

• Threading is a "ancient" hair removal technique that comes from Asia
• It removes hair from the follicle, so it's relatively long lasting
• A pure, thin, twisted cotton thread which is rolled over untidy hairlines, mustaches and so on
• Threading removes an entire row of hair, resulting in a straighter line 

I'm all for trying new things, but a few things struck me here:

1. When I am getting a spa procedure done, especially one that involves having hair removed from my body, I prefer to have said procedure done in private.  This eyebrow threading kiosk was, as I said, in the middle of the mall, right near the food court.  Thousands of people walk by on their way to get their hit from Aunt Annie or that slut Cinnabon.  There's no privacy smack in the center of the mall. There was no partitian, nothing to allow for at least the appearance of discretion.
2. The threader kept holding the thread in her mouth.  HER MOUTH!  ICK!  I'm probably just being a germ-phobe, but the whole mouth thing just hits me wrong.  It seems so unsanitary.

On a final note: I am going tomorrow for a much needed brow and upper lip waxing (and express pedi!) at my favorite (private and hygienic) spa.  There's something about waxing that is almost pleasurable to me.  I like the feeling of the hot wax on my skin, the way the gauze is rubbed into the wax, and that moment right before the gauze is ripped off my flesh.  Those silent seconds of anticipation are a hoot.  I don't think I'd give that up for someone to rake a thread (dangling from their mouth) over me.  But that's just me.  I'm stuck in my ways, I suppose!

If you've had threading done or if you want to convince me that it's better than waxing, leave me a comment!

Oh Happy Day!

I'm rather surprised to be typing this, but--despite having to go back to work--I had a pretty darn good day yesterday!

As soon as I left my agonizing, slow day at the office, I headed out to my salon for a much needed dye job.  My horrid roots were touched up and I left with shining platinum hair.  I also made the decision to switch from a side part to a center part.  I haven't had a center part in years!  I forgot how much I liked having my part in the middle--it makes my hair really easy to style.

Here's a shot from my powder room of me with my new hair (and my old, trusty iPhone).

Now that I'm fully platinum again, I can wear red lipstick (yay!!).  The shade I'm wearing in the photo is something I picked up at Target yesterday.  It's Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Cinnamon Stick.  It's a bit heavy, but I'm liking it...and it seems to last a good long while.

I ended my day by going out to dinner with my husband, sister, and nephew.  After dining on super yummy pizza, we headed over to the mall and found ourselves in Nordstrom.  I wandered through their cosmetics section (they ARE having their anniversary sale after all!) and I accidentally fell in love with a perfume: Victor&Rolf's Flowerbomb.  Nordstrom was out of the rollerball, but my husband grabbed his iPhone and checked Sephora's online inventory.  He said they had it, so off to Sephora we went...and I left with my fabulous find...a rollerball of lovely Flowerbomb (thanks, hubby--you rock!).

All in all, it was a pretty good day.  I feel prettier than I did before I got my hair done, and I can't wait to wear my new scent.  Here's hoping to more awesome days this summer!

Beauty Product of the Week: Dry Shampoo

What is it? Jonathan's Green Routine Dry Shampoo is "an all-natural hair powder that cleanses and refreshes the hair and scalp without the use of water. The powder helps create volume at the root, and the portable brush makes application simple and convenient. Talc and aluminum hydroxide help to absorb oil, dirt, and product buildup. It's free of petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and silicone." Available in dark, light (and coming soon, black) shades for less than $20 from QVC.

What did you think? I received a sample of this product and have given it a try. Let me first post a disclaimer: I commit a terrible hair sin--I wash my hair every day. I tried this product a few times, after working out and getting my hair soaked with sweat (I blew it dry and then applied the dry shampoo).

Here's the good: I like the packaging of this product. It has a built-in brush to make applying the powder easy. It's small and spill-proof so you could easily toss it in your purse, overnight bag, or gym bag. The product is relatively simple to use and apply. And, like all of Jonathan's stuff, it's not tested on animals and is 100% vegan.

And the not so good: I just didn't see any vast improvements in the texture of my hair. I had a few splotches of light-colored powder that I had to brush through, but my scalp and roots still seemed a bit greasy. Maybe I should have used more product? I don't know...I was a bit nervous to over do it!

The final verdict? For me, I'd say this product is a pass. As I said, I'm in the horrible habit of washing my hair daily and really can't stand the way my hair and scalp feel when I miss a day.
I know that other people swear by dry shampoos and can get them to work. I'd rather just hop in the shower and get my lather on. We're all different! If you're not a daily shampoo-er or if you like dry shampoos, I'd recommend you give this one a try.