This is brilliant.
My friend, Genna, sent this to me, and I am dying to try it out. Have you ever had something really cool to go to, like a concert or party, and wanted to try some funky colors in your hair? Well, you could try to track down some faux pieces, or (gawdluvya) ACTUALLY dye your own hair...or you could try chalking.
Photo Credit: kandeej.com
Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. You use chalk to color your hair. Basically, you spray your hair with water, then rub non-oil-based chalk onto the strands. Set the color with a curling iron or flat iron. The color will wash out the next time you shampoo. Again, I haven't tried this, but if anyone has and wants to share pictures or experiences, let me know in the comments.
Also....
WHILE I WAS OUT
Okay, so I haven't really gone anywhere. Still...I'm never really all here...
My latest blog post is up at Paranormal Pop Culture. If you've ever been curious about the Jersey Devil or indie filmmaking, check it out. It's fun. :)
I've been a big fan of Neutrogena makeup remover wipes for some time now. However, I've recently switched to Olay Total Effects wipes. Look for a review sometime in the near future. Also, I'm still on the hunt for one more Real Techniques brush, then I can review the set. Unfortunately, we only have one Ulta in town, and I don't feel like paying shipping for one. flipping. brush.
Lastly, I received some promo codes from the Mints (JewelMint, ShoeMint, etc). If you are looking to join any of those groups--note: this is for first-time purchases only--leave me a message in the comments. I may be able to hook you up with a discount. Of course, this is while supplies last, only.
Showing posts with label hair color. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hair color. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
And Now, a Few Words From Prof. Higgins and Col. Pickering
I had a commercial audition earlier this week. As of right now, I haven't heard anything on it, but it went well, so if I don't get it, I won't blame myself. It will just be because they needed someone taller/shorter, blonder/darker, thinner/heavier, or, possibly, male. You never know, but that's the way it goes sometimes.
That, however, is not what this post is about. See, I had very little notice for this audition, which left me in a bit of a panic. I mean, I try to keep myself up--and I think I do pretty good job of it, too--but it seems like the only times I get called in for interviews, photo shoots, or auditions are the times when I'm inbetween hair colorings, desperately need a tan (so I don't glow in the dark), and have a zit the size of East Texas somewhere prominent on my face. Oh, and I'm extra bloated. I can't forget that. Can't have an audition unless I'm feeling super-duper super-sized. It's not allowed.
At first, I moaned for a while about choosing such a superficial profession, but the thing is, once I thought about it, I realized that we all go through this stuff. Maybe it's not an audition; maybe it's a corporate function you didn't plan to attend. Maybe it's a date with that someone you've been crushing on for...well, ever. Maybe you just got up one morning, looked in the mirror, and thought, "Good morning, Corpse Bride. I am totally worth more than this..." Whatever the reason, I thought I'd share some of the products I keep around for quick fixes on a tight budget*. At the end, I'll list everything discussed, with links.
Tell-Tale Roots and Grays
I can't stress enough the importance of having a trustworthy, professional colorist. That said, sometimes schedules, finances, and good old procrastination get in the way of making that hair appointment, and we have to make do as best we can. I keep a box of L'Oreal Root Rescue in my bathroom for emergencies. That way, if something important comes up and there is absolutely no way of getting to the salon, I can do a quick touch-up without adding hours to my prep time...and then I call Miss Jessica for a real coloring!
Puffy Eyes
I know our moms all told us to lay cucumbers over our eyes to get rid of puffiness, but who has time for that? My go-to for puffy eyes is the Ganier Nutrioniste Eye Roller. The metal ball cools while the caffeine-infused liquid de-puffs your under-eye baggage. One will run you less than $15 and last several months. Have a couple of days notice? Pat on a good eye cream before you go to bed (which we should all be doing anyway, and I am appalled that any of you could think that I would go even one night--yeah, I can't get through that sentence. I'm HORRIBLE about remembering). I'd recommend mine, but it's discontinued, and would have been insanely expensive had I not found it for $6 on sale. Instead, try Biore SkinPreservation See the Future Eye Cream. It's $13.99 at drugstore.com, and while I haven't personally tested this, it's gotten fantastic reviews.
Coffee-Drinker Teeth
Now, I know there are a bajillion whitening systems out there, with some only taking a couple of hours for full effect. Unfortunately, they are freaking expensive, and, quite frankly, I can't afford to keep something like that in my cabinet "just in case". Instead, I keep Colgate Optic White, an exceptionally good whitening toothpaste, and a whitening mouth rinse. They may not work as quickly, but I noticed an improvement right away, and better results with continued use. Got something special going on? Brush and rinse in the morning and after each meal, with one more good scrubbing right before you walk out the door. Best of all, the two together will only cost about ten dollars.
Dry, Flaky Skin
The last thing you want to do right before an event is a facial because they can cause breakouts. So, how are you supposed to exfoliate and moisturize? Um...by exfoliating and moisturizing, simple as that. When you wash your face, use either a facial scrub brush (like this one from Sephora. It's $18, but less expensive ones are also available), or you can carefully scrub with a coarse washcloth. I like to use circular motions, alternating directions. After washing, slather on a gentle moisturizer, like Philosophy Hope In a Jar, which is only $15 for a travel size.
Pimples and Blemishes and Zits, Oh, My!
So, you're already broken out. Welcome to my world. Above all, do not pick at your face! First, apply a towel-wrapped ice cube to the affected area to help bring down redness and swelling. Next, dab on a spot treatment (available at most drugstores for about $5). Once that dries, you can continue with your usual makeup routine, adding concealer to that area. Oh, you already popped it? Yeah, I probably would have, too. In that case, I hope you have overnight to deal with it. Use a drying paste formulated for popped pimples. Again, it'll run about five bucks. Now, don't do that again!
Puffy...Everything...
On short notice, there are a few little things you can do to de-puff. First of all, can the soft drinks and super salty foods for a day and drink as much water as you can stand. This will help flush out your system. Secondly (and, boy, does this sound ridiculous), before you get dressed, do as many crunches as you can without breaking a sweat. That's probably 20-50. Believe it or not, just that little bit will make your abs temporarily appear more toned. Not enough? Might I suggest a fun, effective shaper?
Snow White Legs
If you're day-glo, like me, and find yourself in the position of having to show off your legs with zero notice, you might want to try a quick-drying airbrush tanner. If you have a day or so to get ready, a tinted self-tanner might be more up your alley. In either case, make sure you shave and moisturize beforehand. An easy way to keep down streaks is to apply moisturizer to each section immediately before applying the tanner. If you're only doing your legs, keep the application light, so it just knocks the chill off of your skin, and wash your hands thoroughly after.
Five Minute Manicure
One of the easiest ways to look polished and put-together is a manicure. Now, I know I don't have the time or extra cash for a pro mani-pedi at the salon, but I can usually find about five minutes to file and slap on a coat of paint. Sally Hansen may not be my favorite line, but they have a fantastic collection of quick-dry, one coat polishes. Try one in a pale neutral to look effortlessly chic (and camoflauge any chips!), in about five minutes. Back when we filmed The Night Shift, I used Rapid Red, and could refresh my manicure standing up, oustide, balancing on my car door, and be ready to roll camera within minutes. A-mazing.
Droopy Locks
This is probably the easiest fix of all. When you wash your hair, make your final rinse a cold water rinse. It seals the cuticle and cuts down on frizz. Do the same thing when you blow dry--finish by blasting your hair with cool air, in a downward motion. If you're dealing with dull or lifeless hair, try adding a volumizing mousse to towel-dried hair before blow drying, then spritzing with a shine-enhancing finishing spray (this Bumble & Bumble is a little pricey at $26, but it will last a very long time, since you have to use it sparingly).
Alright, here's the list of direct links to my personal recommendations, but you could definitely use your own finds. Heck, if you find something that works really well, send it to me and I'll happily share it with the rest of the class!
The Bare Necessities
Root Touch-Up
Eye Roller
Eye Cream
Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening Mouth Rinse
Facial Brush or Coarse Washcloth
Moisturizer
Acne Spot Treatment
Popped Pimple Drying Paste
Shapewear
Airbrush Tanner or Self Tanner
Quick-Dry, Neutral Nail Polish
Volumizing Mousse
Shine Spray
*Disclaimer: I am not an esthetician, cosmetologist, or in any way qualified to give expert advice. These are tricks and products that I, a normal, average person, use myself on a regular basis, with positive results.
That, however, is not what this post is about. See, I had very little notice for this audition, which left me in a bit of a panic. I mean, I try to keep myself up--and I think I do pretty good job of it, too--but it seems like the only times I get called in for interviews, photo shoots, or auditions are the times when I'm inbetween hair colorings, desperately need a tan (so I don't glow in the dark), and have a zit the size of East Texas somewhere prominent on my face. Oh, and I'm extra bloated. I can't forget that. Can't have an audition unless I'm feeling super-duper super-sized. It's not allowed.
At first, I moaned for a while about choosing such a superficial profession, but the thing is, once I thought about it, I realized that we all go through this stuff. Maybe it's not an audition; maybe it's a corporate function you didn't plan to attend. Maybe it's a date with that someone you've been crushing on for...well, ever. Maybe you just got up one morning, looked in the mirror, and thought, "Good morning, Corpse Bride. I am totally worth more than this..." Whatever the reason, I thought I'd share some of the products I keep around for quick fixes on a tight budget*. At the end, I'll list everything discussed, with links.
Tell-Tale Roots and Grays
I can't stress enough the importance of having a trustworthy, professional colorist. That said, sometimes schedules, finances, and good old procrastination get in the way of making that hair appointment, and we have to make do as best we can. I keep a box of L'Oreal Root Rescue in my bathroom for emergencies. That way, if something important comes up and there is absolutely no way of getting to the salon, I can do a quick touch-up without adding hours to my prep time...and then I call Miss Jessica for a real coloring!
Puffy Eyes
I know our moms all told us to lay cucumbers over our eyes to get rid of puffiness, but who has time for that? My go-to for puffy eyes is the Ganier Nutrioniste Eye Roller. The metal ball cools while the caffeine-infused liquid de-puffs your under-eye baggage. One will run you less than $15 and last several months. Have a couple of days notice? Pat on a good eye cream before you go to bed (which we should all be doing anyway, and I am appalled that any of you could think that I would go even one night--yeah, I can't get through that sentence. I'm HORRIBLE about remembering). I'd recommend mine, but it's discontinued, and would have been insanely expensive had I not found it for $6 on sale. Instead, try Biore SkinPreservation See the Future Eye Cream. It's $13.99 at drugstore.com, and while I haven't personally tested this, it's gotten fantastic reviews.
Coffee-Drinker Teeth
Now, I know there are a bajillion whitening systems out there, with some only taking a couple of hours for full effect. Unfortunately, they are freaking expensive, and, quite frankly, I can't afford to keep something like that in my cabinet "just in case". Instead, I keep Colgate Optic White, an exceptionally good whitening toothpaste, and a whitening mouth rinse. They may not work as quickly, but I noticed an improvement right away, and better results with continued use. Got something special going on? Brush and rinse in the morning and after each meal, with one more good scrubbing right before you walk out the door. Best of all, the two together will only cost about ten dollars.
Dry, Flaky Skin
The last thing you want to do right before an event is a facial because they can cause breakouts. So, how are you supposed to exfoliate and moisturize? Um...by exfoliating and moisturizing, simple as that. When you wash your face, use either a facial scrub brush (like this one from Sephora. It's $18, but less expensive ones are also available), or you can carefully scrub with a coarse washcloth. I like to use circular motions, alternating directions. After washing, slather on a gentle moisturizer, like Philosophy Hope In a Jar, which is only $15 for a travel size.
Pimples and Blemishes and Zits, Oh, My!
So, you're already broken out. Welcome to my world. Above all, do not pick at your face! First, apply a towel-wrapped ice cube to the affected area to help bring down redness and swelling. Next, dab on a spot treatment (available at most drugstores for about $5). Once that dries, you can continue with your usual makeup routine, adding concealer to that area. Oh, you already popped it? Yeah, I probably would have, too. In that case, I hope you have overnight to deal with it. Use a drying paste formulated for popped pimples. Again, it'll run about five bucks. Now, don't do that again!
Puffy...Everything...
On short notice, there are a few little things you can do to de-puff. First of all, can the soft drinks and super salty foods for a day and drink as much water as you can stand. This will help flush out your system. Secondly (and, boy, does this sound ridiculous), before you get dressed, do as many crunches as you can without breaking a sweat. That's probably 20-50. Believe it or not, just that little bit will make your abs temporarily appear more toned. Not enough? Might I suggest a fun, effective shaper?
Snow White Legs
If you're day-glo, like me, and find yourself in the position of having to show off your legs with zero notice, you might want to try a quick-drying airbrush tanner. If you have a day or so to get ready, a tinted self-tanner might be more up your alley. In either case, make sure you shave and moisturize beforehand. An easy way to keep down streaks is to apply moisturizer to each section immediately before applying the tanner. If you're only doing your legs, keep the application light, so it just knocks the chill off of your skin, and wash your hands thoroughly after.
Five Minute Manicure
One of the easiest ways to look polished and put-together is a manicure. Now, I know I don't have the time or extra cash for a pro mani-pedi at the salon, but I can usually find about five minutes to file and slap on a coat of paint. Sally Hansen may not be my favorite line, but they have a fantastic collection of quick-dry, one coat polishes. Try one in a pale neutral to look effortlessly chic (and camoflauge any chips!), in about five minutes. Back when we filmed The Night Shift, I used Rapid Red, and could refresh my manicure standing up, oustide, balancing on my car door, and be ready to roll camera within minutes. A-mazing.
Droopy Locks
This is probably the easiest fix of all. When you wash your hair, make your final rinse a cold water rinse. It seals the cuticle and cuts down on frizz. Do the same thing when you blow dry--finish by blasting your hair with cool air, in a downward motion. If you're dealing with dull or lifeless hair, try adding a volumizing mousse to towel-dried hair before blow drying, then spritzing with a shine-enhancing finishing spray (this Bumble & Bumble is a little pricey at $26, but it will last a very long time, since you have to use it sparingly).
Alright, here's the list of direct links to my personal recommendations, but you could definitely use your own finds. Heck, if you find something that works really well, send it to me and I'll happily share it with the rest of the class!
The Bare Necessities
Root Touch-Up
Eye Roller
Eye Cream
Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening Mouth Rinse
Facial Brush or Coarse Washcloth
Moisturizer
Acne Spot Treatment
Popped Pimple Drying Paste
Shapewear
Airbrush Tanner or Self Tanner
Quick-Dry, Neutral Nail Polish
Volumizing Mousse
Shine Spray
*Disclaimer: I am not an esthetician, cosmetologist, or in any way qualified to give expert advice. These are tricks and products that I, a normal, average person, use myself on a regular basis, with positive results.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Frugal Fridays, Shine On Me! (A Reminder and Review)
Today's Frugal Friday is more like a reminder. If you haven't joined Sephora's Beauty Insider program, I really encourage you to do so. Even if you only shop there occasionally, it's better to get a few points here and there than none at all. It's free to join, they send you discounts from time to time, and after so many points you get free stuff. This is a no-brainer, folks.
No, the Sephora people did not pay me to say all that. I really love this program that much. For reals. And here's why:
You see, recently, the bonus gift for 500 points (that add up quicker than you'd think) was a travel set of Bumble and Bumble's Let It Shine shampoo, conditioner and finishing spray. I needed travel sizes for a trip anyway, so I hopped on the deal.
First of all, the shampoo and conditioner are the most color-safe I've ever tried. I'd just had my hair dyed red, and usually, the first shampoo after a coloring leaves me with a tub and towels that look like they came off the set of American Psycho. This time, though, there was nothing left in the tub, and the towels only showed the tiniest amount of transfer.
Secondly, the finishing spray is gorgeous. In the past, I've dealt with sprays that either did nothing--no shine, no hold, no nuthin'--or had great shine, but were so oily they killed my hairstyle. One also left a greasy film all over my bathroom floor. That was fun. With the Bumble and Bumble, I just lightly mist a little over my hair (use VERY sparingly!), and either brush it through or tousel slightly to distribute. You can also just spray a little on your palms and run through to separate curls or pieces. It has a very light hold, and your hair glistens.
Lastly, and most importantly down here in the ninth cir--Deep South: no frizz. None. Nada. On vacay, I washed my hair with the B&B, then blew it out to straighten and sprayed a little finishing spray on it. My hair never frizzed up. The next day, it looked just as good. I thought, "lower humidity".
So, we got home. I repeated the process. No frizz. I thought, "lower humidity?" We went to my Mom's. It was 100 degrees, and we were out by the pool with an electric mist sprayer thingy pointed right at me. NO FRIZZ. Let me repeat that: NO FRIZZ. This was not a fluke. There was an outdoor photo shoot for the movie earlier this week, and that was the only stuff I would trust. I fixed my hair in the morning, and by the end of our evening shoot, my hair still looked amazing (God, I hope it photographed as well). I couldn't do anything about the mosquitoes, but one victory at a time. (Sephora, $23-$25)
My point (and I do have one) is to join the program. Had I not gotten this a free gift, I never would have found the brand that can preserve my color and keep my naturally-spastic hair frizz free. Now, that promo has passed, but the new ones are just as impressive. These are great ways to really be able to try out something that you've maybe been interested in, but didn't want to shell out the big bucks without testing. I've also been known to break up sets for stocking stuffers and small Christmas gifts (yes, I'm cheap. What of it?). However you choose to use your gift, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that this is a way to get a little something back for all the money that you've spent on routine maintenance. It's not exactly something for nothing, but it's something, and we could all use a little something these days.
No, the Sephora people did not pay me to say all that. I really love this program that much. For reals. And here's why:
You see, recently, the bonus gift for 500 points (that add up quicker than you'd think) was a travel set of Bumble and Bumble's Let It Shine shampoo, conditioner and finishing spray. I needed travel sizes for a trip anyway, so I hopped on the deal.
First of all, the shampoo and conditioner are the most color-safe I've ever tried. I'd just had my hair dyed red, and usually, the first shampoo after a coloring leaves me with a tub and towels that look like they came off the set of American Psycho. This time, though, there was nothing left in the tub, and the towels only showed the tiniest amount of transfer.
Secondly, the finishing spray is gorgeous. In the past, I've dealt with sprays that either did nothing--no shine, no hold, no nuthin'--or had great shine, but were so oily they killed my hairstyle. One also left a greasy film all over my bathroom floor. That was fun. With the Bumble and Bumble, I just lightly mist a little over my hair (use VERY sparingly!), and either brush it through or tousel slightly to distribute. You can also just spray a little on your palms and run through to separate curls or pieces. It has a very light hold, and your hair glistens.
Lastly, and most importantly down here in the ninth cir--Deep South: no frizz. None. Nada. On vacay, I washed my hair with the B&B, then blew it out to straighten and sprayed a little finishing spray on it. My hair never frizzed up. The next day, it looked just as good. I thought, "lower humidity".
So, we got home. I repeated the process. No frizz. I thought, "lower humidity?" We went to my Mom's. It was 100 degrees, and we were out by the pool with an electric mist sprayer thingy pointed right at me. NO FRIZZ. Let me repeat that: NO FRIZZ. This was not a fluke. There was an outdoor photo shoot for the movie earlier this week, and that was the only stuff I would trust. I fixed my hair in the morning, and by the end of our evening shoot, my hair still looked amazing (God, I hope it photographed as well). I couldn't do anything about the mosquitoes, but one victory at a time. (Sephora, $23-$25)
My point (and I do have one) is to join the program. Had I not gotten this a free gift, I never would have found the brand that can preserve my color and keep my naturally-spastic hair frizz free. Now, that promo has passed, but the new ones are just as impressive. These are great ways to really be able to try out something that you've maybe been interested in, but didn't want to shell out the big bucks without testing. I've also been known to break up sets for stocking stuffers and small Christmas gifts (yes, I'm cheap. What of it?). However you choose to use your gift, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that this is a way to get a little something back for all the money that you've spent on routine maintenance. It's not exactly something for nothing, but it's something, and we could all use a little something these days.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
What's the Matter With Kids Today (Or Adults, For That Matter)?
My mom and dad always told me to enjoy being a child while you can. You're an adult for most of your life, but childhood is only for a little while. Smart folks, those guys. Unfortunately, it just seems to get harder and harder to be a kid. Don't get me wrong--it's never been easy. You've got hormones to deal with, a limited income, and restricted transportation...plus, you're short. Being a kid, for all it's carefree wonderment, can, in a word, suck.
Now, though...these kids have it rough. I mean that with absolutely zero sarcasm. When I was a seventh-grader, if a kid was mean to me at school, it was awful, but I knew that as soon as 3:00 rolled around, I would be away from it. Not so, anymore. No, sir. My brother's in the seventh grade, now, and between texting, emailing, Facebook, texting--and did I mention texting?--there's no escape!
I mean, when I was a kid, if I did something stupid at school (fall down, say something idiotic, accidentally let it slip who I liked), the rest of the day might suck--maybe even the rest of the week--but the kids forgot and we all moved on. Now, if a kid makes a misstep, there's an entire evening of texting and facebook messages coming at them, and it's all anyone can talk about the next day. Sometimes, it's not even making a mistake, though. Sometimes, it's liking the "wrong" sports team, or having a hobby that's not cool this week. Sometimes, it's just being yourself that's the "mistake".
The circumstances were always different--maybe it was body-type, grade point average, financial status, whatever--but it's happened to just about everyone I know. I could tell stories, but they aren't mine to tell. What amazes me, though, is how much of the bullying came, not from the children, but from adults who should have known better. Boo-ing, name-calling, even discrimination. With all that going on, where do kids turn when the other kids are mean?
Nothing has changed. It still happens, but now it happens at school, online, and on your phone. You can not get away from it. Too many kids have been bullied to death. A friend of mine's daughter just lost a good friend to the epidemic, and I'm sick. Just sick. Bullying is not just a fistfight or stealing someone's lunch money. It's not just calling someone a nasty name. It's making life difficult for someone simply because you don't like them. It's having to watch your back for no other reason than just being who you are. The perpetrator can be a child, teenager, or even a teacher or principal.
Had my parents not been the amazing people that they were and are, constantly reminding me that I could be anything I wanted, and that who I was was good enough, I don't think I would have the can-do spirit I'm so proud of today. I like to say that I've gotten my strength and determination from having to fight for every accomplishment. Honestly, though, if I'd had to go through it all over again, but in the tech-heavy present, I don't know that I could have done it. I fear for my brother. I'm just thankful that he has a wonderful mom and step-dad to turn to. Plus, he always has Sis and Thomas to talk to about anything (and I promise not to blog about it).
My friend, Tara, posted this on her Facebook page today, and I just had to share it. This woman's five year-old little boy wanted to dress up as his favorite character for Halloween. His favorite character, however, was Daphne from Scooby Doo. He's five. He's a baby. He wasn't coming out or anything like that. This was not his way of announcing his stand on gay rights. He just liked Daphne. What's interesting, though, is that none of his little classmates thought anything of it. His teacher didn't bat an eye. The other mothers were the ones throwing hissy fits.
I like this mother's stance. How many football players dress up as cheerleaders for pep rallys or other goofy school activities? How many frat boys dress in drag for parties or university events? She pointed out that no one would have cared if her daughter had dressed as Batman, and, "I am not worried that your son will grow up to be an actual ninja so back off." The thing that saddened me, though, was that through this all, her little boy, at five years old, knew that he would be made fun of. He just wanted to wear that costume so badly that he was willing to deal with it. That's a brave kid, and a brave mom for letting him express his individuality. He now knows that no matter what he wants to do in life, his mom's got his back.
Kids, be yourselves. Don't let anyone tell you that you're not good enough simply because you don't agree with them. Like Star Wars, sports, books, Mozart, cheerleading, makeup, board games, stamp collecting, watching tv, acting silly, being serious, whatever! You are worthy. You are amazing. You are you, and that's something that no one else can ever be. Be proud of who you are, and don't change because you feel you have to. Talk to your parents (they really do care about you, and they're not completely dumb), ignore negativity, and enjoy being young. And please, for the love of God, grow up and grow old.
Well, that is not the blog I started out to write, but sometimes these things get away from me.
Actually, I had planned to write about hair color. Seriously. So, with that, let's leave this dreary topic and move onto something more fun, shall we?
So, this morning, I touched-up my roots. It's not something I really wanted to do. I'd much rather have made an appointment and gotten them taken care of professionally, but that wasn't an option, and I have stuff going on this weekend. These suckers had gotten to the point that they were embarrassing, so I had to take matters into my own hands.
Walmart only had one dark auburn root touch-up kit, so I had no real choice but to go with L'Oreal Root Rescue. The kit was a little less than $7, and came with a bonus trial size bottle of L'Oreal EverPure Shampoo. I've used that before, and it's actually a pretty darn good shampoo. It's no Fekkai, but as far as budget brands go, it's a keeper. Smells good, helps keep color from fading, and leaves hair soft. Not bad at all.
Anyway, back to the haircolor. The kit comes with instructions, plastic gloves, plastic eyeglass protectors (nifty--never seen that before), color, and a developing lotion that's housed in a neat plastic tube. Set up is super-easy. Add the color to the lotion, replace cap, shake to blend, then remove the cap and replace with a comb applicator. To apply the haircolor, part your dry, unwashed hair as usual, then squeeze the tube to dispense color as you comb the applicator through your roots. Wait ten minutes, shampoo, and style. Your roots should match your haircolor, be it at-home or salon brand.
As I said, the set up was easy. The application less so. I found that the color was difficult to squeeze out of the tube, had a tendency to go where it wanted (and not where I was trying to put it), and was impossible to keep off of your scalp. I did the best I could with what I had to work with, but I was nervous. Once I shampooed, I was even more nervous. My hair looked polka-dotted!! Some places were definitely brighter than others. It looked like some spots had been missed entirely. My scalp was stained in places, and I wanted to cry. What had I done?!
However, once I blow-dried, I realized that things weren't nearly as bad as they had first appeared. Yes, my scalp was stained slightly (I think it should fade with a good scrubbing), but the uneven spots had all but disappeared, and the roots really did match my color. I feel much better, but I'm still a little unnerved by the whole roller-coaster of an experience.
Overall, I think this is a decent temporary quick-fix. By that, I mean, it'll get you by until you can make an appointment for a color, but don't think that you can get out of a trip to the hairdresser's by using this on a regular basis. Yes, it all worked out in the end, but it felt like a gamble that I just happened to win this time.
Now, though...these kids have it rough. I mean that with absolutely zero sarcasm. When I was a seventh-grader, if a kid was mean to me at school, it was awful, but I knew that as soon as 3:00 rolled around, I would be away from it. Not so, anymore. No, sir. My brother's in the seventh grade, now, and between texting, emailing, Facebook, texting--and did I mention texting?--there's no escape!
I mean, when I was a kid, if I did something stupid at school (fall down, say something idiotic, accidentally let it slip who I liked), the rest of the day might suck--maybe even the rest of the week--but the kids forgot and we all moved on. Now, if a kid makes a misstep, there's an entire evening of texting and facebook messages coming at them, and it's all anyone can talk about the next day. Sometimes, it's not even making a mistake, though. Sometimes, it's liking the "wrong" sports team, or having a hobby that's not cool this week. Sometimes, it's just being yourself that's the "mistake".
The circumstances were always different--maybe it was body-type, grade point average, financial status, whatever--but it's happened to just about everyone I know. I could tell stories, but they aren't mine to tell. What amazes me, though, is how much of the bullying came, not from the children, but from adults who should have known better. Boo-ing, name-calling, even discrimination. With all that going on, where do kids turn when the other kids are mean?
Nothing has changed. It still happens, but now it happens at school, online, and on your phone. You can not get away from it. Too many kids have been bullied to death. A friend of mine's daughter just lost a good friend to the epidemic, and I'm sick. Just sick. Bullying is not just a fistfight or stealing someone's lunch money. It's not just calling someone a nasty name. It's making life difficult for someone simply because you don't like them. It's having to watch your back for no other reason than just being who you are. The perpetrator can be a child, teenager, or even a teacher or principal.
Had my parents not been the amazing people that they were and are, constantly reminding me that I could be anything I wanted, and that who I was was good enough, I don't think I would have the can-do spirit I'm so proud of today. I like to say that I've gotten my strength and determination from having to fight for every accomplishment. Honestly, though, if I'd had to go through it all over again, but in the tech-heavy present, I don't know that I could have done it. I fear for my brother. I'm just thankful that he has a wonderful mom and step-dad to turn to. Plus, he always has Sis and Thomas to talk to about anything (and I promise not to blog about it).
My friend, Tara, posted this on her Facebook page today, and I just had to share it. This woman's five year-old little boy wanted to dress up as his favorite character for Halloween. His favorite character, however, was Daphne from Scooby Doo. He's five. He's a baby. He wasn't coming out or anything like that. This was not his way of announcing his stand on gay rights. He just liked Daphne. What's interesting, though, is that none of his little classmates thought anything of it. His teacher didn't bat an eye. The other mothers were the ones throwing hissy fits.
I like this mother's stance. How many football players dress up as cheerleaders for pep rallys or other goofy school activities? How many frat boys dress in drag for parties or university events? She pointed out that no one would have cared if her daughter had dressed as Batman, and, "I am not worried that your son will grow up to be an actual ninja so back off." The thing that saddened me, though, was that through this all, her little boy, at five years old, knew that he would be made fun of. He just wanted to wear that costume so badly that he was willing to deal with it. That's a brave kid, and a brave mom for letting him express his individuality. He now knows that no matter what he wants to do in life, his mom's got his back.
Kids, be yourselves. Don't let anyone tell you that you're not good enough simply because you don't agree with them. Like Star Wars, sports, books, Mozart, cheerleading, makeup, board games, stamp collecting, watching tv, acting silly, being serious, whatever! You are worthy. You are amazing. You are you, and that's something that no one else can ever be. Be proud of who you are, and don't change because you feel you have to. Talk to your parents (they really do care about you, and they're not completely dumb), ignore negativity, and enjoy being young. And please, for the love of God, grow up and grow old.
Well, that is not the blog I started out to write, but sometimes these things get away from me.
Actually, I had planned to write about hair color. Seriously. So, with that, let's leave this dreary topic and move onto something more fun, shall we?
So, this morning, I touched-up my roots. It's not something I really wanted to do. I'd much rather have made an appointment and gotten them taken care of professionally, but that wasn't an option, and I have stuff going on this weekend. These suckers had gotten to the point that they were embarrassing, so I had to take matters into my own hands.
Walmart only had one dark auburn root touch-up kit, so I had no real choice but to go with L'Oreal Root Rescue. The kit was a little less than $7, and came with a bonus trial size bottle of L'Oreal EverPure Shampoo. I've used that before, and it's actually a pretty darn good shampoo. It's no Fekkai, but as far as budget brands go, it's a keeper. Smells good, helps keep color from fading, and leaves hair soft. Not bad at all.
Anyway, back to the haircolor. The kit comes with instructions, plastic gloves, plastic eyeglass protectors (nifty--never seen that before), color, and a developing lotion that's housed in a neat plastic tube. Set up is super-easy. Add the color to the lotion, replace cap, shake to blend, then remove the cap and replace with a comb applicator. To apply the haircolor, part your dry, unwashed hair as usual, then squeeze the tube to dispense color as you comb the applicator through your roots. Wait ten minutes, shampoo, and style. Your roots should match your haircolor, be it at-home or salon brand.
As I said, the set up was easy. The application less so. I found that the color was difficult to squeeze out of the tube, had a tendency to go where it wanted (and not where I was trying to put it), and was impossible to keep off of your scalp. I did the best I could with what I had to work with, but I was nervous. Once I shampooed, I was even more nervous. My hair looked polka-dotted!! Some places were definitely brighter than others. It looked like some spots had been missed entirely. My scalp was stained in places, and I wanted to cry. What had I done?!
However, once I blow-dried, I realized that things weren't nearly as bad as they had first appeared. Yes, my scalp was stained slightly (I think it should fade with a good scrubbing), but the uneven spots had all but disappeared, and the roots really did match my color. I feel much better, but I'm still a little unnerved by the whole roller-coaster of an experience.
Overall, I think this is a decent temporary quick-fix. By that, I mean, it'll get you by until you can make an appointment for a color, but don't think that you can get out of a trip to the hairdresser's by using this on a regular basis. Yes, it all worked out in the end, but it felt like a gamble that I just happened to win this time.
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