As of 8:15 this morning, I have 117.5 hours left to go until I'm finished with school!
That leaves me about two and a half weeks, and let me tell you, I cannot WAIT!
For the past year and a half I've felt that career-wise, my life has been completely on hold. It was hard to start over on a new path, and now I'm finally finished and can't wait to get my life back! I am so excited to finally be doing something that I love.
Won't be long now!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Shampoo update
If you read last week's post, I wrote about how I think my cheapie shampoo and conditioner are wreaking havoc on my hair... I think it's true.
This morning at school I used Matrix Biolage to wash my hair, and the difference was almost instantaneous! It felt less brittle, smoother, and softer than it has in about 2 weeks. I finished it off with a moisturizing serum, and my hair feels healthy and silky again.
I think I am for sure going to have to go tommorrow and shell out some money for a better shampoo and conditioner. My hair will thank me in the longrun.
This morning at school I used Matrix Biolage to wash my hair, and the difference was almost instantaneous! It felt less brittle, smoother, and softer than it has in about 2 weeks. I finished it off with a moisturizing serum, and my hair feels healthy and silky again.
I think I am for sure going to have to go tommorrow and shell out some money for a better shampoo and conditioner. My hair will thank me in the longrun.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Man hair and Andrew McMahon
Last night this blogger went to a Jack's Mannequin concert. Reasons why this is important?
1. I absolutely LOVE Jack's Mannequin. I have been listening to them for as long as they have been around, and before that, I was a huge Something Corporate fan. This is besides the point...
2. I have seen these two bands so many times in the past 10 years that I have lost count.
Why do these facts matter? Because last night, I stood transfixed at the sight of Andrew McMahon's hair. Yea. Seriously. I spent a good majority of the show just staring at his hair, it looked THAT good. And this is important because in the 10 years I've been going to see this guy play his piano, I have never once thought to myself, "Wow, that guy has great hair!" Someone went and got themselves an amazing hairstylist. It was that perfect combination of rockstar/preppy/conservative with a little bit of "I don't give a sh*t what my hair looks like" thrown in. Over the years I've seen his hair long, short, black, blond, clean shaven, and bushy beard, and it's always looked cool. But last night he hit the jackpot in the hair department. Oh, and also, the music was awesome as always.
Gentlemen, think your haircut doesn't matter? THINK AGAIN! Other than the fact that he's a lead singer in a band, had I met the guy in a bar I probably still would have drooled over his hair, and then asked him where he got it done. It was perfection.
So yes, my dear male population, women do pay attention to your hair. It doesn't have to be styled perfectly, but please invest in a good cut, a product or two, and make sure your hairline doesn't run into your backhair. Nobody likes a wolfman.
1. I absolutely LOVE Jack's Mannequin. I have been listening to them for as long as they have been around, and before that, I was a huge Something Corporate fan. This is besides the point...
2. I have seen these two bands so many times in the past 10 years that I have lost count.
Why do these facts matter? Because last night, I stood transfixed at the sight of Andrew McMahon's hair. Yea. Seriously. I spent a good majority of the show just staring at his hair, it looked THAT good. And this is important because in the 10 years I've been going to see this guy play his piano, I have never once thought to myself, "Wow, that guy has great hair!" Someone went and got themselves an amazing hairstylist. It was that perfect combination of rockstar/preppy/conservative with a little bit of "I don't give a sh*t what my hair looks like" thrown in. Over the years I've seen his hair long, short, black, blond, clean shaven, and bushy beard, and it's always looked cool. But last night he hit the jackpot in the hair department. Oh, and also, the music was awesome as always.
Gentlemen, think your haircut doesn't matter? THINK AGAIN! Other than the fact that he's a lead singer in a band, had I met the guy in a bar I probably still would have drooled over his hair, and then asked him where he got it done. It was perfection.
So yes, my dear male population, women do pay attention to your hair. It doesn't have to be styled perfectly, but please invest in a good cut, a product or two, and make sure your hairline doesn't run into your backhair. Nobody likes a wolfman.
Straw hair!
Photo credit here
The past week my hair has been in a bit of a funk. It's not feeling that great when I'm washing it in the shower. It feels a little bit brittle and dry, and not a soft and touchable as it was a few weeks ago? It feels absolutely AWFUL, especially when I'm in the shower, after I rinse out the shampoo.
I'm starting to wonder if the culprit is the Suave I've been using. I've had it for awhile now, and have been using it every 2 days. I know it's not the most expensive stuff (ok, so it was dirt cheap) but why does my hair feel so crappy?!
I've been fighting the battle of "just because it's more expensive doesn't mean it's better", but maybe that's true? Which would make me sad, because I know you don't always have to drop a bundle of money on a good product.
I haven't changed anything in my hair routine other than the Suave, so I doubt it could be anything else. But the way it's making my hair feel makes it feel dry and straw-like even when I'm done styling it with the Aveda products. I got the Aveda before I bought the Suave, so I'm guessing it's not the Smooth Infusion, which leaves only the Suave.
After spending just $6 on both bottles of product, I'm a little bummed that I am going to have to haul my butt over to the CosmoProf next week and shell out some money and restock myself up on the Deva products that made my hair feel amazing...
It's starting to look like I may just be a sulfate-free convert (or as Deva calls it, a NO POO girl...)
February hair length
Ok, so I'm 4 days early... but I'm too excited to wait any longer. I find myself at the end of each month now getting excited to see how fast my hair has grown, and holy cow is it growing!
This month I'm posting from most recent to older, so there are now 3 months I've been tracking. I'm noticing each month that the top growing so that it gives the entire haircut a more blended and rounded appearance. When I look at the photo from December I almost cringe that my hair was that short! The layers around my face are also getting longer, which I am thankful for, as I feel a little naked with short hair around my chin area.
Enjoy!
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This month I'm posting from most recent to older, so there are now 3 months I've been tracking. I'm noticing each month that the top growing so that it gives the entire haircut a more blended and rounded appearance. When I look at the photo from December I almost cringe that my hair was that short! The layers around my face are also getting longer, which I am thankful for, as I feel a little naked with short hair around my chin area.
Enjoy!
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New fringe part 2
After playing around with the camera a bit, I finally got some photos of the bangs.
I've been drooling over these bangs from theurlwithnoname.tumblr.com for a few weeks now, so these are kind of what I was going for. Sadly the rest of my hair isn't long enough for the rest of this look quite yet, but this girl is growing it out! This would be my dream hair...
Mine aren't as long as these yet, but for right now this is what I've got, and I love it!
I've been drooling over these bangs from theurlwithnoname.tumblr.com for a few weeks now, so these are kind of what I was going for. Sadly the rest of my hair isn't long enough for the rest of this look quite yet, but this girl is growing it out! This would be my dream hair...
Mine aren't as long as these yet, but for right now this is what I've got, and I love it!
Friday, January 27, 2012
New fringe!
After the great shampoo cap debacle of 2011, I'm glad to say I once again have bangs that look normal. In case you missed the disaster, I bleached my hair to within an inch of my life, and then it all mostly broke off. Since I already had bangs to begin with, it left about an inch of stubble all along my front hair line, which I tried to hide with headbands, lots of strategic blowdrying, and maybe even some praying.
It's been since October, and I'm pleased to announce that my bangs are once again at eyebrow level. I've also decided that I'm the person that is always going to HAVE bangs. I've had them since college, grew them out last year, and just don't feel the same without them.
That said, since they are once again long and healthy, yesterday I changed it up a little bit. Where I had side swept bangs, I had the bang ninja at the salon pull a whole new hairful from the top of my head, and give me a heavy, blunt, FULL set of bangs. I am in love right now!
Since there are now so much more of them than before, I actually have to put some effort into styling them, which was super easy and fast this morning. I like to call them my hipster bangs, and for now, they are here to stay...
It's been since October, and I'm pleased to announce that my bangs are once again at eyebrow level. I've also decided that I'm the person that is always going to HAVE bangs. I've had them since college, grew them out last year, and just don't feel the same without them.
That said, since they are once again long and healthy, yesterday I changed it up a little bit. Where I had side swept bangs, I had the bang ninja at the salon pull a whole new hairful from the top of my head, and give me a heavy, blunt, FULL set of bangs. I am in love right now!
Since there are now so much more of them than before, I actually have to put some effort into styling them, which was super easy and fast this morning. I like to call them my hipster bangs, and for now, they are here to stay...
Waxing
For the record, I would like to state that in my formal opinion, men have WAY less of a tolerance for pain that women do.
Case in point: the full leg wax.
I had a friend (who shall, for the sake of this blog) remain nameless, who came in for a full leg wax this week. In case you've ever seen "The 40 Year Old Virgin", think of that, except he wasn't yelling "KELLY CLARKSON" at me, but screaming a slew of other obscenities at me.
Since he was a friend, I felt a little more relaxed in completely laughing as him as I ripped off the muslin, and all of his leg hair. Sadistic? Yes. Funny? For sure!
I almost felt bad for him, but he was paying for a service. I tried to perform it as quickly and as painlessly as possible, but the proof is in the pudding folks, the menfolk can't handle it!
Case in point: the full leg wax.
I had a friend (who shall, for the sake of this blog) remain nameless, who came in for a full leg wax this week. In case you've ever seen "The 40 Year Old Virgin", think of that, except he wasn't yelling "KELLY CLARKSON" at me, but screaming a slew of other obscenities at me.
Since he was a friend, I felt a little more relaxed in completely laughing as him as I ripped off the muslin, and all of his leg hair. Sadistic? Yes. Funny? For sure!
I almost felt bad for him, but he was paying for a service. I tried to perform it as quickly and as painlessly as possible, but the proof is in the pudding folks, the menfolk can't handle it!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Extensions
So at school this week I had a friend bring in her extensions. They matched my hair color pretty well and I jokingly said "So, can I try those on?" She said sure, and 10 minutes later my hair had grown about 20 inches.
These were clip in extensions. She bought a 14" pack and a 20" pack, at about $98 a pack. They're real human hair, and can be straightened, curled, washed, and colored.
I've toyed with the idea of getting some of these for quite some time, and truth me told, I'm glad I tried them on, because now I don't want them anymore. They felt super weird on my head, and quite honestly, I have NO idea what to do with that much hair!
Still, it was fun while it lasted, and kept me motivated to keep growing my hair out...
These were clip in extensions. She bought a 14" pack and a 20" pack, at about $98 a pack. They're real human hair, and can be straightened, curled, washed, and colored.
I've toyed with the idea of getting some of these for quite some time, and truth me told, I'm glad I tried them on, because now I don't want them anymore. They felt super weird on my head, and quite honestly, I have NO idea what to do with that much hair!
Still, it was fun while it lasted, and kept me motivated to keep growing my hair out...
#1 Winter beauty tip
I think hands down my biggest complaint about the dry winter weather is the fact that my skin is screaming in pain from December thru March.
LOTION LOTION LOTION!!!!
In my case, my hands are wet for a significant part of my day. Between shampooing client, running my hands through wet hair, and then handling laundry and washing my hands, my hands are currently red, cracked, and sometimes bleeding. I know it's getting bad when they start burning. You can see the redness in the photo, and this is after I've showered and applied lotion.
I carry around lotion with me EVERYWHERE, and slather it on throughout my day. I find that Aveda's Hand Relief does wonders for my hands, but when I don't have that handy my 99 cent CVS lotion also works.
Put that lotion on, your hands will thank you!
LOTION LOTION LOTION!!!!
In my case, my hands are wet for a significant part of my day. Between shampooing client, running my hands through wet hair, and then handling laundry and washing my hands, my hands are currently red, cracked, and sometimes bleeding. I know it's getting bad when they start burning. You can see the redness in the photo, and this is after I've showered and applied lotion.
I carry around lotion with me EVERYWHERE, and slather it on throughout my day. I find that Aveda's Hand Relief does wonders for my hands, but when I don't have that handy my 99 cent CVS lotion also works.
Put that lotion on, your hands will thank you!
Bang blow out
I'm an avid reader of www.TheBeautyDepartment.com . Awhile back they did a GREAT tutorial on blowing out your bangs. I like their tutorials because they give you a step by step how to (with photos!) of how to achieve what it is you're going for.
TheBeautyDepartment.com - Bang blow dry tutorial
As the owner of a pair of pretty heavy bangs myself, I enjoyed this one, and the model has some pretty enviable hair herself.
Enjoy!
TheBeautyDepartment.com - Bang blow dry tutorial
As the owner of a pair of pretty heavy bangs myself, I enjoyed this one, and the model has some pretty enviable hair herself.
Enjoy!
Video? Um, no thanks
So after lots of practice videos and some serious considerations, I've decided to NIX the videos on the blog.
Quite honestly, I can't get past looking at myself on camera, and it mostly just creeps me out. I'm super awkward and completely self concious, so I thought it better that I just don't put my readers through that kind of torture.
Quite honestly, I can't get past looking at myself on camera, and it mostly just creeps me out. I'm super awkward and completely self concious, so I thought it better that I just don't put my readers through that kind of torture.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Start to finish
I thought it would be neat to see how I went from no makeup to ready for my day, and now I'm sharing with you all!
1. No makeup whatsoever. Fresh out of the shower, and freshly moisturized.
2. This is after primer, foundation, and powder
3. After adding a bit of bronzer and blush
4. Eyebrows filled in, highlighter on eyes, and a teeny bit of eyeshadow and mascara
Primer
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Makeup
I know that techically this is a hair blog, but every once in awhile I like to branch out into the other realms of beauty. Today, it's makeup. I mostly don't write about makeup because, well, I don't really wear it, and in order to wear what I do wear, I had to watch YouTube videos of high school girls putting on foundation. Seriously, it's THAT bad. That was when I first started hair school. These days I'd like to think I'm good at throwing on the foundation, putting on a little blush, and maybe some mascara. Eyes? Forget about it. I mostly prefer the "I have makeup on to look like I'm not wearing any makeup" look. As long as I look glowy and unsplotchy, I'm fine with it.
The point of this blog (which I'm finally getting to!) is that we had a professional makeup artist come into school today to give us a how to. He asked for 2 models, and since I'm makeup moronic, I was volunteered. I was informed by said makeup artist of the enormity of my pores and the small eyes I have. In front of 40 people. Thanks.
Mildly insulting comments aside, today is the day I discovered PRIMER! That's right people! Before he did anything to my face, he put primer on me, told me to touch my face, and I am hooked like a meth addict. My. Skin. Felt. Amazing. I have no idea why I did not know about this before, but considering I think chapstick on my lips is getting done up, don't judge.
Benefits of primer
I'm going to give it a shot in the morning when I do my makeup, and will hopefully get to shoot some before and after pictures. As ridiculous as I feel for just having decided to get some of this stuff, I'm excited to see how it works!
The point of this blog (which I'm finally getting to!) is that we had a professional makeup artist come into school today to give us a how to. He asked for 2 models, and since I'm makeup moronic, I was volunteered. I was informed by said makeup artist of the enormity of my pores and the small eyes I have. In front of 40 people. Thanks.
Mildly insulting comments aside, today is the day I discovered PRIMER! That's right people! Before he did anything to my face, he put primer on me, told me to touch my face, and I am hooked like a meth addict. My. Skin. Felt. Amazing. I have no idea why I did not know about this before, but considering I think chapstick on my lips is getting done up, don't judge.
Benefits of primer
- Makes the surface of your skin smooth and soft
- Creates a surface for the rest of your makeup
- Makes your makeup go on smoother and blend better
- Stops oil and shine throughout the day
I'm going to give it a shot in the morning when I do my makeup, and will hopefully get to shoot some before and after pictures. As ridiculous as I feel for just having decided to get some of this stuff, I'm excited to see how it works!
Update
As of today, I have 225 hours left to complete school. In real world terms, that's about 5 weeks. I've upped my hours at school to start attending on Mondays, and every Saturday instead of 2 a month. I am thisclose to being done, and am getting SO antsy, but the end is finally in sight. It's time to start making the appointments with financial aid to get all my exit stuff done, test out of practicals, and get my ass OUTTA THERE!!
On the job front I have also been hard at work. I have a job interview in Cincinnati tommorrow, 7 miles from where I'll be moving next month, which would be amazing. Next week I'm also on my third interview at a salon in Dayton, which will be my first technical interview, meaning I'm bringing a model and chop chopping her hair. The only reason this interview terrifies me is because from what I was told, I am the only person interviewing who is still in school. I hope I don't look too clueless next to a bunch of licensed professionals! I think I might also still be in the running for the apprentice position at the salon I'm interning at, which would be my #1 choice of a job, so I'm extremely hopeful on that chance.
Interning is still going amazing, I'm still learning so much there every day that I'm there. I've decided I could watch people cutting hair for HOURS, it never gets old to me. To see how every individual stylist works, to see their work pace, their flow, and their final outcome, is always exciting for me. Each one works differently, and I get to learn things from all of them. I'm getting recognized by clients now, I'm starting to feel a little bit more at home there, and will be sad at the end of the month when my internship comes to an close.
My goal at this point is to have a job lined up before I graduate school, so I can smoothly transition from school to working, so here's to keeping fingers crossed!
On the job front I have also been hard at work. I have a job interview in Cincinnati tommorrow, 7 miles from where I'll be moving next month, which would be amazing. Next week I'm also on my third interview at a salon in Dayton, which will be my first technical interview, meaning I'm bringing a model and chop chopping her hair. The only reason this interview terrifies me is because from what I was told, I am the only person interviewing who is still in school. I hope I don't look too clueless next to a bunch of licensed professionals! I think I might also still be in the running for the apprentice position at the salon I'm interning at, which would be my #1 choice of a job, so I'm extremely hopeful on that chance.
Interning is still going amazing, I'm still learning so much there every day that I'm there. I've decided I could watch people cutting hair for HOURS, it never gets old to me. To see how every individual stylist works, to see their work pace, their flow, and their final outcome, is always exciting for me. Each one works differently, and I get to learn things from all of them. I'm getting recognized by clients now, I'm starting to feel a little bit more at home there, and will be sad at the end of the month when my internship comes to an close.
My goal at this point is to have a job lined up before I graduate school, so I can smoothly transition from school to working, so here's to keeping fingers crossed!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Suave
I stood in the aisle for a good 10 minutes reading all of the labels on the different types of lines they have, and finally settled on the Shea and Almond butter shampoo and conditioner, as I have dry/damaged hair and it promised me moisture. They have 3 or 4 different types, all formulated for different hair types, so make sure to get the correct one for your hair type.
I got the big bottles, and for both products spent under $6, so that was a big win right there. In the week that I've been using it I've really liked it! Sometimes when I use a "cheaper" conditioner I can feel it in my hair when I'm rinsing, and right away my hair feels dry again. That hasn't happened with this stuff. My hair is clean, soft, and bouncy. For someone who doesn't like to spend $$$ on hair products, or if you're on a budget, this stuff is pretty great!
I think next time I'll try the Rosemary Mint they have.
Grade: B+
January hair length
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| January 1, 2012 |
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| December 1, 2011 |
Happy New Year to everyone!!
Winter arrived in Ohio this morning, bring with her snow, wind, and a whole lotta traffic messes on the roadways.
That said, winter is always my best hair time. Dry air is a curly girl's best friend, and this is the season I get to make my hair do anything and everything I want it to, and it listens.
I've also got the new January hair photos, that I'm posting along with last month's photo. It looks like it's grown a ton to me, but that could be just me. I'll post them both for your own interpretation!
I've noticed since I've started using the Aveda products (about a month) a HUGE difference in my feel and texture of my hair. It's noticeably softer and looks like it has no damage anymore. I've gotten lots of comments from people who know me, who are saying there's a huge difference in my hair, and how much shinier and healthier it looks. I think now that I've drank the Aveda kool-aid, there's no going back...
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