Hair

Still Love the Wet Brush

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A few years ago I discovered the joys of The Wet Brush. This inexpensive brush is great for long and/or tangle-prone hair. Since I wrote that, the line has expanded considerably! They have so many fun colors and different brush styles now. I’ve gifted a bunch of them (and plan to gift more). Their original form-factor includes the original that I wrote about as a style with mixed bristles intended for improving shine.

Pop-Fold

My silver-haired friend (who showed me The Wet Brush in the first place) alerted me to the fact that they have a fold-up version. Using a gift card (and therefore not violating my No Buy), I picked one up. I love it!

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Beauty Chatter

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I’m taking today to recharge as much as one can recharge while still going to their day job.

Here’s a quick round-up!

Nix it, NYX!

nyxcakethat

Why does this exist, NYX? I have plenty of black eyeshadows (too damn many) – any and all of them can be used for this same purpose.

A Sense of Community

Sephora launched their new Beauty Community recently. It has a ton of groups and sections, but I haven’t really explored it yet. I’m not sure how I feel about a retailer hosting a community. My knee-jerk reaction is the risk for censorship of critical discussion (of product which Sephora would be in their right to execute, don’t get me wrong); but if that’s a risk, why not go to a less-fettered platform?

Off-Topic

I got the portable washer that I mentioned in a recent post! It’s completely off topic but it is super neat. Like most sane humans, I loathe the laundromat – so its a welcome appliance even if it does take up a wee bit of my tiny apartment’s precious space.

Lighter Hair, Do Care

My balayage appointment was Saturday before last. Overall, I’m happy with my lighter hair but my old colorist left and the new one didn’t really approach balayage as it is intended to be approached; I have one spot on the left that is a bit abrupt (and high up) so it is fairly obvious and odd. It isn’t a crisis, but it does have me reconsidering my approach. Do I keep the same salon but just ask for a different (more experienced) colorist? I didn’t realize I’d have a different person until I was there.

Just… Damn, so Pretty!

Hourglass’ third Ambient Lighting Edit has been released. I’m not sure if this is worth it, but god is it pretty! I probably wouldn’t buy for myself, but I think it would make a great gift.

The Bottom Line

What beauty-related (or, you know, not – like my washer!) stuff have you seen or done lately?

What I Learned About My Hair

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What I Learned About My Hair

Ever learn something and go, “How did it take me so long to figure this out?” Yeah – that’s was me, this past Saturday, in disbelief about what I learned about my hair.

What Isn’t New

My ambition simply does not extend to my hair. If I could just wash-and-wear every day, I would. I don’t have much love for the tedium of blow-drying, not to mention using heat less often makes for healthier hair.

In fact, I do it more often than I should. I’m sure my lazy approach to my hair is my most-common detractor from my professional appearance.

It’s a catch-22 – and that’s why I adopted my simpler haircut. It’s easier for me to coax into being presentable.

What I Learned About My Hair

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My Simpler Haircut

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Over years and many haircuts that are nowhere near close to what I asked for, I’ve adopted a simpler haircut. Here’s how my stylist and I describe it.

All one length hitting about two inches below the vertical midpoint of my collarbone with low, face-framing layers that start below my chin. I considered a lob (long bob) but opted to eschew that for now.

Easy.

Simpler Haircut, Simpler Styling

Truth be told, I got tired of hunting for a stylist. It takes more time and money than I care to invest at this stage of my life, not to mention the disappointments (be it finished product or stylist ‘tude) that come along with that hunt.

My colorist actually does a nice job but because I’ve opted for this simpler haircut and because I’m only getting balayage highlights twice a year, why pay $40 + tip for what I can have done for $13 + tip?

Don’t get me wrong – if I wanted a more involved or challenging to produce-and-maintain style, I’d gladly fork over more to keep it well-maintained. But majestic dream hair takes monumental effort – ain’t nobody (who isn’t a hair model) got time for that. That’s just not where I am with life right now.

Sure, the experience with the colorist is nicer, but that’s mostly because of the shampoo and scalp massage. It isn’t 3x nicer and I get that when I get highlights anyway!

In fact, my balayage touch up is August 18 – so close, but so far away! I’m excited.

Speaking of Balayage

I’ve updated my inspiration board on Pinterest.

 

I want to go lighter this time, can you tell?

The Bottom Line

Do you have a haircut that must be closely maintained? How often do you go, and roughly (don’t share exacts if it makes you uncomfortable) how much do you spend when you go?