On top of coming in later than usual, my dang graphic had issues – thanks for bearing with me. I’ll update with a picture later. :) For details on my August 2018 Favorites, follow the jump!
A peek at some of my balayage highlights.After lengthy consideration, I decided to go forward with balayage highlights. I went for a consultation on September 13, which is where I gathered my information on how to prepare for my balayage highlighting appointment. Balayage isn’t something new, even if it is a new-ish trend in the United States; but I could swear, of all the haircolor techniques out there, this one was made with me in mind.
I did extensive research and chose a charming salon in my area, had a really positive consult, and was ready. By my September 20 appointment, I was rarin’ to go.
To my consult, I brought the following three photos, found on Pinterest, for inspiration:
Clients get caught up in trying (and failing) to describe what they’re looking for. Pictures help. But you know what else really helps? Explaining and or showing what you definitely, under no circumstances, do not want. Most balayage highlights create a lovely, ombre effect on the hair – but not all ombre hair is balayage. For me, “ombre,” leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Search Google Images for, “Ombre hair,” and you’ll see what I mean. Severe, harsh transitions. Lines, even. I want nothing about my hair to be harsh, and I grew out a misguided hair choice once before and dealt with awkward lines. Never, ever again. Balayage is french for, “sweeping,” and damn it, that’s what I want. Lines of demarcation are the enemy.
Armed with those three photos my colorist and I made some decisions together. Notice how I said together? It should be a joint effort. Most of these decisions took place during my consultation. But if you and your colorist don’t agree on the course of action – say, you want X and she thinks you ought to do Y? You’re going to have a bad time. As a client, you should have realistic expectations and asks for your colorist. She or he may well seem like a wizard, but it isn’t magic.
Based on those photos, my expression of my #hairgoals, my habits, and prior aversion to color we decided:
It can be a little intimidating to be in the chair, but when you’re spending money on these services, it’s worthwhile to be 100% sure you’re on the same page. If your stylist or colorist is worth a damn, she or he WANTS to produce results you’re happy with. If the salon you’re working with is not eager to work to that goal, find another salon. Seriously.
via Hair World MagI wrote, a while back, about considering getting Balayage highlights.
After a long time, a lot of consideration, and a consultation at which I asked my poor colorist half a million questions, I decided to take the plunge. I booked for Tuesday, September 20.
Here’s how I prepared for my balayage appointment.
This legacy post has been given a facelift! I’m still amazed it took me as long as it did to find this product. Opinions are the same but content has been updated for clarity and readability. Enjoy!
When I was younger, I scoffed at the idea of the semi-old-fashioned excuse of, “Oh I’m sorry, I can’t… I have to wash my hair!”
Washing your hair is easy, come on!
Drying it, however, sucks.
Styling it (if you’re me) definitely sucks.
In my natural habitat, I’m absolutely a wash-and-wear sort. I do not enjoy blow-drying it (2018 Update: I have actually come to appreciate it for its practicality). I do, when I need to, but I much prefer to towel or air dry. Wrapping your hair in a full-length body towel also sucks, though. Too much towel! Doesn’t stay in place, you have to redo it a few times. It’s obnoxious.
Years ago, I had seen the Turbie Twist but dismissed it as a gimmick. Last month, though, I came across one in Wal-Mart or Target (can’t remember) and they were only like $6 – so I grabbed one.
I never thought I’d buy, enjoy, or write about an As Seen On TV product… but here I am.
The Turbie Twist is a microfiber terry towel that is sewn like so – tapered so it fits around your head and isn’t too much fabric for the length of your hair.
To use it, you flip your wet hair (brush it with a Wet Brush first!) upside down and put the larger side at the nape of your neck with the tapered end facing the floor. Tuck your hair into the inside of the towel, then twist the towel to secure. While holding your twisted towel, pull it back towards your neck and slip the end through the elastic.
I’m a little over thirteen months into my Invisalign treatment. Last week, I wrapped up my seventeenth refinement tray! That’s it, 53 trays and I’m done!
So I thought.
At the conclusion of my round of treatment, I returned to the orthodontist to, I hoped, remove my attachments. When I arrived, my doctor informed me he’d do an exam and re-scan me with the iTero to check my progress. I sure picked a great team – he told me that they’re committed to achieving results we mutually love, so that might mean more further refinement if I’m open to it.
Uh, yeah, I’m open to it.
Granted, in my case it was a flat fee for as much treatment as I need to achieve whatever I want. I highly recommend working with a provider who offers a flat rate structure, particularly if you have a complicated case like mine.
We went through my exam, I provided some feedback on a few teeth that I felt could be just a touch better. Then, he noticed a few things that I didn’t. A technician took a new scan and photos (which are hilariously awkward to capture), and we confirmed our observations from the exam.
After eight years, Urban Decay is laying to rest the groundbreaking Naked Palette. That’s right, a favorite of mine, maybe yours, definitely thousands of others – is facing discontinuation.
Gasp.
Cheekily, Urban Decay even went as far as to make a funeral video for the iconic palette o’ neutrals.
I’m desperately hoping they surprise and delight. One one hand, if the Aphrodisiac palette is any indication, we’ve got good things in store. On the other, Trendmood leaked a brand new Naked Cherry palette … that I can entirely do without.