Two more inches and I've reached tail bone length! I had not noticed the growth as I've been more obsessed in having my hair curled/waved or simply pinned up and out of the way.
Due to my work schedule, I had to change my hair routine a bit. I also noticed i'm using a teeny bit more product than I'm used to so I had to clarify followed by a vinegar rinse. (Protip, those condiment bottles are amazing. So much easier to get the water and vinegar solution to the scalp than just a glass of water!) The bad side is that I lost more dye so now the ends are slightly more pink. Oh well. The good side? Mega soft, super shiny hair..
And since today is the first day in almost a month I let my hair air dry on its own without letting it get 90% dry then putting up in curlers/rags.. I noticed how long my hair is. 2 more inches to tail bone! WOOo!
And what does that mean? I'm that much closer to classic length!!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
Hey you
I've been thinking about you a lot the last day or two. Everything I do, see, or hear is you. It almost reminds me of back in the day when I had it bad...Instead of getting depressed about it -- or even nostalgic-- I thought about 'why' I would be thinking about you.
Then it dawned on me.
Happy Birthday.
And as I often do whenever I address anything about you, thanks. Thank you for all the smiles, all the laughter and all the heart ache you gave me. Because if it hadn't been for all the happiness and sadness You gave me, I would not have recognized Him as the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
I look back at our time no longer with fondness nor bitterness or anger, but with the knowledge that it had to happen the way it did. It wasn't your fault. It wasn't mine. We were young and stupid. You were my best friend for so many, many years that I can't help but miss you from time to time.
After all, you were the biggest life lesson I ever had to have and I am glad it was you who I got to share it with.
I hope you're having a grand time today. I know I am -- busted knee and all.
- Mrs. De La Renta.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
October-Nov lateness.
The nautulus. Oh, how I love thee! You're easy, secure and quick to do. Here, it is held by my lovely fork a friend made. :D I adore it. Its definitely one of my favorite toys if not *the* favorite.
I wear this particular bun often. I sometimes wake up, roll out of bed, wash my face, brush my teeth, get dressed and run out the door.Its a look I can do while sitting in the car in the parking lot or at my desk. It looks tidy and professional (except in this picture as it was taken right before I went to bed.) and I love how the colors blend together.
The red is just more obvious now.
Anyhow, I did good and only did this particular bun maybe four times in the last two months. That's ... a feat considering I was doing it every day for a while.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Dip Dye December
Truth be told, I was getting bored with my hair. And as usual, when I'm bored, I want change and usually ends up involving scissors.
But I resisted temptation, made an appointment with the lovely Alice and let *her* decide what I should do.
I was thinking of going black with streaks of red but she talked me out of it. Knowing how little time I have on my hands and how difficult it is for me to come see her (my employee bumpable services often get bumped for paying customers. To get in to see her by paying services I have to book weeks ahead.) We decided to do a dip dye.
Essentially she painted on the bleach on the ends only with a technique called balayage where she has full control of the gradient and intensity of the bleach. Once she rinsed that out, she added the color then I went off to get blown dry.
Usually she does the whole service, but let me tell you. We'd JUST gotten started and she'd put the bleach on the bottom most layers of my hair -- already the section that'd been pre-bleached and treated almost a year or so ago and therefore, the most delicate. Anyhow, she was prepping the medium layer when the freakin' fire alarm went off.
This is why I love her; instead of chancing a false alarm or leaving the bleach on for too long, we did a pit stop by the sink to rinse out what she'd just done. See, she knows how hair obsessed I am. Although I'm laid back and let her play with the color and style of my hair, I WANT length. Bleaching my hair too much would cause so much damage I'd have to get a haircut. That's a no no. I'm already irritated I had to get so many cuts this year as it is in an effort to grow out those fucking layers! >.<
Anyhow, good thing we did too. As we wound up waiting a little over an hour for the all-clear form the fire department. (There was a gas leak in the movie theaters above the salon.)
In the end, she convinced me to stay instead of rescheduling. She put on the bleach, let me process then left me to work on her next guest. She came back as her guest was processing, washed out my hair, put in the red and let me process while she went to her other guest. Then a colleague dried and styled my hair.
I LOVE the look. Too bad I didn't take pictures of the curls. Oh well. I'll make bandana curls on Wednesday and I'll show them.
But I resisted temptation, made an appointment with the lovely Alice and let *her* decide what I should do.
I was thinking of going black with streaks of red but she talked me out of it. Knowing how little time I have on my hands and how difficult it is for me to come see her (my employee bumpable services often get bumped for paying customers. To get in to see her by paying services I have to book weeks ahead.) We decided to do a dip dye.
Essentially she painted on the bleach on the ends only with a technique called balayage where she has full control of the gradient and intensity of the bleach. Once she rinsed that out, she added the color then I went off to get blown dry.
Usually she does the whole service, but let me tell you. We'd JUST gotten started and she'd put the bleach on the bottom most layers of my hair -- already the section that'd been pre-bleached and treated almost a year or so ago and therefore, the most delicate. Anyhow, she was prepping the medium layer when the freakin' fire alarm went off.
This is why I love her; instead of chancing a false alarm or leaving the bleach on for too long, we did a pit stop by the sink to rinse out what she'd just done. See, she knows how hair obsessed I am. Although I'm laid back and let her play with the color and style of my hair, I WANT length. Bleaching my hair too much would cause so much damage I'd have to get a haircut. That's a no no. I'm already irritated I had to get so many cuts this year as it is in an effort to grow out those fucking layers! >.<
Anyhow, good thing we did too. As we wound up waiting a little over an hour for the all-clear form the fire department. (There was a gas leak in the movie theaters above the salon.)
In the end, she convinced me to stay instead of rescheduling. She put on the bleach, let me process then left me to work on her next guest. She came back as her guest was processing, washed out my hair, put in the red and let me process while she went to her other guest. Then a colleague dried and styled my hair.
I LOVE the look. Too bad I didn't take pictures of the curls. Oh well. I'll make bandana curls on Wednesday and I'll show them.
We left the topmost of my hair untouched so I don't have to deal with grow out and having to come in every six weeks. I deposit manic panic on top of the sections anyway so I'll do that every other month or so. (Its how I managed to maintain the previous dye job she gave me in January to begin with!)
Monday, October 8, 2012
The Nautilus
Argh! I swore I wouldn't wear this bun in a while because its like.. my stand by but today was wash day. Wash day means my hair is loose like 60% of the day while it dries and once its dry enough it goes up.
Well, I'm sick. Have been for about a week now and today was the day where I felt less like a zombie in long enough that I had the strength/drive to wash my hair. I woke up at like 12:30 and it took me about four hours to finally get off my butt to go wash my hair. Its not that I'm lazy its just that I've felt like ubber crap. So, for the better part of the day I had my hair in Dutch braid, albeit a very messy one.
Its like past dinner time, Jouji and I decided to cook our dinner instead of being lazy like we've been so up it went. Into one of the easiest buns I could muster and the only one I could wear this lovely fork with. Its getting to the point where I can't wear it anymore, at all. My hair just spits it out in most buns as its so thick.
-sniff- I shall miss you, Veronica.
Yes. I name my toys. -huff-
Sunday, October 7, 2012
The Medallion
Aka my own twist on the Elling Woman hairstyle.
The original starts with a half-up half-down hairstyle with the main English braid coming from the crown. After a few plaits or so, the rest of the hair is gathered into a larger braid, then it is looped in on itself on the gap caused by the first plaits.
It looks something like this:
I have two problems when trying to wear this style that makes it almost impossible.
1) I am tender headed and prone to migraines.
2) I'm a ii/iii hair thickness, i.e. I got a lot of hair. More so than the average person but not quite enough to be considered 'extremely thick hair'. Thick hair , when not managed properly often cause pain when worn up. Someone like me with a tender scalp who is prone to migraines wearing a bun with a central point of weight distribution is just a disaster waiting to happen.
So I tried this style a few times in different variations: the original loop as found on the Elling Woman and as the speculated original wear of a the tail wrapped around to make a braided bun (some believe the bun became unraveled at some point like during the hanging or burial). Each time I wound up undoing it because of the pain. It looked beautiful, don't get me wrong, but I'm of the thought that beauty does not equate pain.
On Oct 1 I decided to wear my hair semi-loose to work and I had it clipped in a barrette. True to usual fashion, about two hours into my shift I was going bat shit crazy and tried putting it up. I did a clip-version of the Elling Woman. That lasted for about another two hours.
So I redid it again but two hours later I was in pain *again*. (I tried supporting the weight with bobby pins but that just ended up with a focal point of distribution with added pressure of the pins.)
Then I figured out what my husband so kindly dubbed "The Medallion."
1) To start off, I gather the hair in barrette. I then English braid the gathered section as one would normally Dutch braid. (To beginners: English braids are the simple braids we all know and are commonly started with a strand over the other. A Dutch braid is an 'inside out French braid" where the plaits are done by crossing the hair UNDER instead of over. All I'm saying here is that I did the traditional 3 strand braid but started crossing under instead of over.)
2) I began to gather sections from just behind the ears to form an official Dutch braid. I braided this to the end.
3) Inserting my fingers into the gap caused by the original plaits (because it isn't Dutch Braided at all, it causes a hair version of a belt loop), gathered the tail of the braid and looped it through. I kept going until I had no more hair left.
4) Pinned it all with some goody pins.
And viola, a complicated looking-but-simple bun that resembles the Ellen Woman style without pulling. The Dutch braid gives the whole style support so the weight of the bun is distributed along the whole back of the head versus the area where the loop ends. I tried French braiding and that's how I figured out how to do this originally. Its just that the Dutch braid puts more support along the scalp and minimizes pulling the best.
Enjoy!
The original starts with a half-up half-down hairstyle with the main English braid coming from the crown. After a few plaits or so, the rest of the hair is gathered into a larger braid, then it is looped in on itself on the gap caused by the first plaits.
It looks something like this:
For more on the Elling Woman, go here.
The whole website is simply *fascinating*
.I have two problems when trying to wear this style that makes it almost impossible.
1) I am tender headed and prone to migraines.
2) I'm a ii/iii hair thickness, i.e. I got a lot of hair. More so than the average person but not quite enough to be considered 'extremely thick hair'. Thick hair , when not managed properly often cause pain when worn up. Someone like me with a tender scalp who is prone to migraines wearing a bun with a central point of weight distribution is just a disaster waiting to happen.
So I tried this style a few times in different variations: the original loop as found on the Elling Woman and as the speculated original wear of a the tail wrapped around to make a braided bun (some believe the bun became unraveled at some point like during the hanging or burial). Each time I wound up undoing it because of the pain. It looked beautiful, don't get me wrong, but I'm of the thought that beauty does not equate pain.
On Oct 1 I decided to wear my hair semi-loose to work and I had it clipped in a barrette. True to usual fashion, about two hours into my shift I was going bat shit crazy and tried putting it up. I did a clip-version of the Elling Woman. That lasted for about another two hours.
So I redid it again but two hours later I was in pain *again*. (I tried supporting the weight with bobby pins but that just ended up with a focal point of distribution with added pressure of the pins.)
Then I figured out what my husband so kindly dubbed "The Medallion."
1) To start off, I gather the hair in barrette. I then English braid the gathered section as one would normally Dutch braid. (To beginners: English braids are the simple braids we all know and are commonly started with a strand over the other. A Dutch braid is an 'inside out French braid" where the plaits are done by crossing the hair UNDER instead of over. All I'm saying here is that I did the traditional 3 strand braid but started crossing under instead of over.)
2) I began to gather sections from just behind the ears to form an official Dutch braid. I braided this to the end.
3) Inserting my fingers into the gap caused by the original plaits (because it isn't Dutch Braided at all, it causes a hair version of a belt loop), gathered the tail of the braid and looped it through. I kept going until I had no more hair left.
4) Pinned it all with some goody pins.
And viola, a complicated looking-but-simple bun that resembles the Ellen Woman style without pulling. The Dutch braid gives the whole style support so the weight of the bun is distributed along the whole back of the head versus the area where the loop ends. I tried French braiding and that's how I figured out how to do this originally. Its just that the Dutch braid puts more support along the scalp and minimizes pulling the best.
Enjoy!
October Days and another project.
I've noticed that lately I've been playing with my hair less and falling into a horrible rut. Its always the same bun or same braid.
I plan to change that. I'm stealing an idea from one of my lovely LHCers and because the forum is broken (again), I'll pick it up here.
October Days. My aim is to photograph every up do I every day this month in an effort to break out of the monotony.
Starting tomorrow because honestly, I wore the French Fold all day today. It was pretty awesome..
At least until I got a migraine because I'm getting sick and the U pins didn't help the issue.
Then there's this too:
http://fabbulush.blogspot.com/2012/10/real-shapes-from-light-fantastic.html
I've been feeling super down lately and haven't been staying focused on the bright side of things. But I want to change that and share that there IS beauty in everything, everywhere even in the most popular conception of ugly.
I hope to publish a post a week at Faubulush. I just hope I get some more jucier pieces to work on.
I plan to change that. I'm stealing an idea from one of my lovely LHCers and because the forum is broken (again), I'll pick it up here.
October Days. My aim is to photograph every up do I every day this month in an effort to break out of the monotony.
Starting tomorrow because honestly, I wore the French Fold all day today. It was pretty awesome..
At least until I got a migraine because I'm getting sick and the U pins didn't help the issue.
Then there's this too:
http://fabbulush.blogspot.com/2012/10/real-shapes-from-light-fantastic.html
I've been feeling super down lately and haven't been staying focused on the bright side of things. But I want to change that and share that there IS beauty in everything, everywhere even in the most popular conception of ugly.
I hope to publish a post a week at Faubulush. I just hope I get some more jucier pieces to work on.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
I have conquered thee, Alien Head
I have finally figured out a French "Twist" for my hair.
Turns out is more of a French fold than a twist. So, its all about gathering a low pony, flipping the tail over the hand, twisting the 'log' and then winding the remainder of the tail over the thumb and finger. Tuck the wind up section underneath the log, adjust and pin.
I have this held in place with three U pins. Its solid. Its comfortable. Its very office friendly. Huzzah! A winter-friendly style to wear that won't get rubbed by scarves. Heck, I may even be able to wear a hat over it!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Mani Friday
Base: Hard as Nails (classic) by SH
Color: China Glaze - Liquid Leather
Accent: China Glaze Crackle - Latticed Lilac
Top Coat: Dries Instanty by SH.
True story: I'd just organized my polish collection -- well, about less than half of it anyway, on Monday. DH had said I didn't need any more polish and I agreed. Go to work Tuesday and I was given a goody bag full of stuff for having been a good employee for some contest. Anyhow, in said goody bag I got a collection of polishes. I could hardly wait until my manicure day to have a new look.
I think its a sign; I'm a polish fiend and the world is out to satisfy my addiction.
Monday, September 17, 2012
How to fix a chipped mani
And just in case some of you can't view the video here are the steps:
1) With a nail buffer, start with the roughest grit. Each buffer has its flavour di jour so it depends on which one you have. Most have a number sequence and that really helps out. Only focus on the piece where the polish chipped off for now. Make sure there are no rough edges left or pieces lifting. -- Wash your hands.
2) Apply your favorite base coat to the area you buffed. Its alright if you overlap the base coat a little bit over the regular polish. This will help 'seal' in the ridges.
3) Dab in the polish in place. Again, its alright to over lap slightly. Make sure to carry the polish over the overhang of the nail to seal it properly.
4) Apply topcoat to the WHOLE nail.
Monday, September 10, 2012
D'oh!
So I decided to make a nail tutorial today on how to fix chipped nail polish. I got my tripod ready, my camera ready... and then I never recorded anything. -.- I didn't realize that there was a second button to push to do so.
Oh well!
I guess I'll have to make it some other time. Under normal circumstances I'd be able to make another video tomorrow because my polish would chip but I think I finally discovered what to do to make it work. So. Yeah. For once, I don't have to worry about chips. In fact, this nail only started to peel because I jammed my nail in a drawer and an already compromised bit of nail lifted. Oh well. I'll have to post up a video on my newest baby later then. :D
Oh well!
I guess I'll have to make it some other time. Under normal circumstances I'd be able to make another video tomorrow because my polish would chip but I think I finally discovered what to do to make it work. So. Yeah. For once, I don't have to worry about chips. In fact, this nail only started to peel because I jammed my nail in a drawer and an already compromised bit of nail lifted. Oh well. I'll have to post up a video on my newest baby later then. :D
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Silver and Onyx
I was having a somewhat 'off' day, what with the menstrual cramps and irritability getting in the way of pleasantries. Add to that that I hadn't quite eaten on time and it was a recipe for disaster.
"Oh my god! You got a MONDO grey hair! Let me pull it out!"
"God, no, leave it alone!" As I spoke I jerked my head back, slapping his hand away. "I have another one at the side of my temple too, and don't you dare pluck it!"
"Why not?"
"Because. And before you start saying anything about me going old, women in my family gray young."
Whatever. The truth is they don't. Time seems to pass the women in my family to the point that we resemble little insects stuck in amber. Decades skip by, tap us on the shoulder and then skips on by again. Despite the weight gain, and the two or so feet of hair plus, I look remarkably the same as I did in High School. Except with a slight wardrobe change as I no longer wear my beloved dog collars.. not because I don't want to, I simply haven't gotten around to replace them.
But despite the fact that my graying is a somewhat anomaly, I'm not concerned about it. If anything, it has given me a slight glimpse into the future and it is one I'm quite fond of.
See, growing up I had an obsession with my Gammy's silver waves. Her hair wasn't white. It wasn't gray. It was *silver* complete with the sparkling dimensions whenever she moved her head. Despite the fact that she was nearing 90, she still had a nice chunk of black hair streaking through to the point that it looked like her silvers were turning back unto their original color.
And my mother, although the silver has now taken over the onyx, looks the same. Her hair too looks like its turning back to its original color with a few exceptions around her temple.
It looks like my few 'grays' are actually silver and I am looking forward to the fact that my maternal genes have kicked in and beaten the crap out of my father's dingy gray locks. (Hey, he's still a fucking handsome man, you hear? He may be much thinner than he once was and slightly bent over, but he's still a looker!)
Although I'm not too thrilled over the fact that I'm two years away from turning 30 and already begun to loose color. Then again, that may be Grandmother's genes kicking in pretty bad again. One of her children was completely silver by the time he was 34.
"Oh my god! You got a MONDO grey hair! Let me pull it out!"
"God, no, leave it alone!" As I spoke I jerked my head back, slapping his hand away. "I have another one at the side of my temple too, and don't you dare pluck it!"
"Why not?"
"Because. And before you start saying anything about me going old, women in my family gray young."
Whatever. The truth is they don't. Time seems to pass the women in my family to the point that we resemble little insects stuck in amber. Decades skip by, tap us on the shoulder and then skips on by again. Despite the weight gain, and the two or so feet of hair plus, I look remarkably the same as I did in High School. Except with a slight wardrobe change as I no longer wear my beloved dog collars.. not because I don't want to, I simply haven't gotten around to replace them.
But despite the fact that my graying is a somewhat anomaly, I'm not concerned about it. If anything, it has given me a slight glimpse into the future and it is one I'm quite fond of.
See, growing up I had an obsession with my Gammy's silver waves. Her hair wasn't white. It wasn't gray. It was *silver* complete with the sparkling dimensions whenever she moved her head. Despite the fact that she was nearing 90, she still had a nice chunk of black hair streaking through to the point that it looked like her silvers were turning back unto their original color.
And my mother, although the silver has now taken over the onyx, looks the same. Her hair too looks like its turning back to its original color with a few exceptions around her temple.
It looks like my few 'grays' are actually silver and I am looking forward to the fact that my maternal genes have kicked in and beaten the crap out of my father's dingy gray locks. (Hey, he's still a fucking handsome man, you hear? He may be much thinner than he once was and slightly bent over, but he's still a looker!)
Although I'm not too thrilled over the fact that I'm two years away from turning 30 and already begun to loose color. Then again, that may be Grandmother's genes kicking in pretty bad again. One of her children was completely silver by the time he was 34.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Whacked out routine
It all started because I've been working late on Tuesdays and coming home much too tired to take wash my hair, then I'm way too wired to sleep early and wake up absurdly late.
See, the thing is I take showers at night. I like to be clean and sweat free before I slip into my clean sheets at night. I don't like blow drying and my hair takes HOURS to air dry. Washing my hair does take some fine scheduling and planning ahead. Wet hair is annoying. Its even more annoying going to sleep with wet hair because damp pillows suck donkey balls.
I'm also working out too which makes the whole scalp care that much more tedious. I had managed to stretch out my washes to about 3-4 days in between without even looking greasy anymore. Now that I'm more active I have a major case of the greaseballs the next day. Its irritating.
Oh well. I'm working out, that's all that matters. I'll just have to work on two routines that'll work flawlessly:
A work out routine (i.e. days I go to the gym because right now its non existent. I just go when I go. I try to make it in twice or three times a week.) and a wash routine.
I also need to find some good up dos for my hair because I'm starting to notice splits where the ends stick out of my braid and rub against my back. The Dutch braid I use finally reaches my waist. AWESOME.
See, the thing is I take showers at night. I like to be clean and sweat free before I slip into my clean sheets at night. I don't like blow drying and my hair takes HOURS to air dry. Washing my hair does take some fine scheduling and planning ahead. Wet hair is annoying. Its even more annoying going to sleep with wet hair because damp pillows suck donkey balls.
I'm also working out too which makes the whole scalp care that much more tedious. I had managed to stretch out my washes to about 3-4 days in between without even looking greasy anymore. Now that I'm more active I have a major case of the greaseballs the next day. Its irritating.
Oh well. I'm working out, that's all that matters. I'll just have to work on two routines that'll work flawlessly:
A work out routine (i.e. days I go to the gym because right now its non existent. I just go when I go. I try to make it in twice or three times a week.) and a wash routine.
I also need to find some good up dos for my hair because I'm starting to notice splits where the ends stick out of my braid and rub against my back. The Dutch braid I use finally reaches my waist. AWESOME.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Sometimes, we just need professional help
I can trim my own hair using feyes method. And I can sort of do bangs but you know what? Sometimes I just want to go to a salon and enjoy the experience.
So that's what I did last Friday.
Part of it was that I got fed up with my bangs. I don't know how I screwed them up (okay, I lie... it was all Patrick's fault! His sexy, debonair attitude distracted me while I was snip-snipping. Ugh. Freakin' Mentalist!) They came out blunt and too short. I had to give it about a month and a half before I could trim them again and I was angry. ANGRY at myself for messing up and quite frankly, scared of screwing it up.
See, I'm a classic 'no bang' face. I'm oval shaped but have a low forehead. I'm not supposed to wear bangs. However, I am known to do this thing called 'marching to the beat of a different drum' and doing whatever the hell I damned please anyway. I like having updos but I wear them so often, I started looking rather severe and grannyish. I had no form of bangs or short layers in the front. So I snipped away.
1) I didn't do them thick enough.
2) I didn't do the graduation properly.
3) They were too short.
4) They came out a bit uneven.
Compound wrong-shaped bangs that wouldn't stay put with layers that had not been trimmed in about two years I figured I'd go get professional help.
Let me tell you that a good head massage is something that I can't replicate and my husband, as much as he may try, can't come even close. But those women over at GJ know what the hell they're doing. I consistently fall asleep at the shampoo bowl. Mmmm..
I got my bangs fixed, my layers trimmed up and I didn't lose more than an inch. Success!
That and I confessed I'm a long hair nut. Instead of being laughed at she cheered me on in my quest. She even looked at some of my pictures and was amazed at the intricacy of some buns. HAH if she only knew how easy they are. :D
Ah.. love it.
Oh, and I was cleaning up my disaster area of my desk and I unearthed my Quecraft dragonfly. I can't use it in a cinnamon bun anymore, but I can definitely use it in a lazy wrap/ nautilus. Yes! I already lost ONE toy, I couldn't bear to loose another.
So, can y'all guess what I'll be wearing tomorrow?
I need to organize this horrible place too. I have hair stuff *everywhere* its like my computer and a comb got into some sweet, sweet loving action and in its wake, tons of little hair thingies were born. Clips. Pins. Sticks. Everywhere. GAH!
I think I'll make that my next project: an artsy storage area. WOoO!
So that's what I did last Friday.
Part of it was that I got fed up with my bangs. I don't know how I screwed them up (okay, I lie... it was all Patrick's fault! His sexy, debonair attitude distracted me while I was snip-snipping. Ugh. Freakin' Mentalist!) They came out blunt and too short. I had to give it about a month and a half before I could trim them again and I was angry. ANGRY at myself for messing up and quite frankly, scared of screwing it up.
See, I'm a classic 'no bang' face. I'm oval shaped but have a low forehead. I'm not supposed to wear bangs. However, I am known to do this thing called 'marching to the beat of a different drum' and doing whatever the hell I damned please anyway. I like having updos but I wear them so often, I started looking rather severe and grannyish. I had no form of bangs or short layers in the front. So I snipped away.
1) I didn't do them thick enough.
2) I didn't do the graduation properly.
3) They were too short.
4) They came out a bit uneven.
Compound wrong-shaped bangs that wouldn't stay put with layers that had not been trimmed in about two years I figured I'd go get professional help.
Let me tell you that a good head massage is something that I can't replicate and my husband, as much as he may try, can't come even close. But those women over at GJ know what the hell they're doing. I consistently fall asleep at the shampoo bowl. Mmmm..
I got my bangs fixed, my layers trimmed up and I didn't lose more than an inch. Success!
That and I confessed I'm a long hair nut. Instead of being laughed at she cheered me on in my quest. She even looked at some of my pictures and was amazed at the intricacy of some buns. HAH if she only knew how easy they are. :D
Ah.. love it.
Oh, and I was cleaning up my disaster area of my desk and I unearthed my Quecraft dragonfly. I can't use it in a cinnamon bun anymore, but I can definitely use it in a lazy wrap/ nautilus. Yes! I already lost ONE toy, I couldn't bear to loose another.
So, can y'all guess what I'll be wearing tomorrow?
I need to organize this horrible place too. I have hair stuff *everywhere* its like my computer and a comb got into some sweet, sweet loving action and in its wake, tons of little hair thingies were born. Clips. Pins. Sticks. Everywhere. GAH!
I think I'll make that my next project: an artsy storage area. WOoO!
Monday, August 20, 2012
I'm having a Blah day
I had a fantastic time at the Sounders soccer game on Saturday.
And I hit the gym Sunday.
But today.. I don't want to do anything because I'm superbly sore and I just washed my hair last night. -facepalm-
Ugh, just when I'd gotten into a nice hair washing routine that didn't dry out my scalp to pieces and I start hitting the gym/being more active. I can't have it all!
Its also hot and icky. The kids are outside screaming their little heads off in the pool and park. I'm getting a headache and I just realized I haven't eaten since I woke up. My trainer would be pulling my ears. I'm supposed to be changing my dietary habits into something more consistent.
Food, just like coffee doesn't get consumed at home on my days off. Then I wonder why my metabolism is shot and I'm tired all the flippin' time. (oh. yeah. need to take my thyroid meds, that's why I haven't eaten yet. Do'h!)
off to go take my medication. Then I'll get something to eat. Yay!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
French Twist, I hate thee!
If there ever was another hair style that has driven me bonkers besides the French Braid it is the goddamned French Twist. (What is it about the fucking French by the way? Everything's so goddamned complicated despite the simple look. -shakesh of the fist.)
I've *never* managed a twist. Ever. Even when my hair was past shoulders. Its either a) much too thick to be properly twisted or b) much too long to be properly twisted.
I end up with some lopsided alien-look, the pins get spit out or if I finally achieve perfection it falls apart shortly after.
I don't know if I'm using the wrong pins or wrong technique. Either way, I've managed some pretty cool updos trying to figure it out.
I has to split the hair in to two sections. It came out lopsided but it did hold like a rock. Yay for a practice run! It hasn't made its way out of the house yet, though. My hair is considerably longer than it was in this picture and I have a hard time winding the twist and making it look *neat*.
Totally not a french twist. I just gave up trying that day. Maybe I should make a tutorial on it? Bah. Doubt anyone really cares anyway. Its not like anyone reads this blog. :P
I've *never* managed a twist. Ever. Even when my hair was past shoulders. Its either a) much too thick to be properly twisted or b) much too long to be properly twisted.
I end up with some lopsided alien-look, the pins get spit out or if I finally achieve perfection it falls apart shortly after.
I don't know if I'm using the wrong pins or wrong technique. Either way, I've managed some pretty cool updos trying to figure it out.
I has to split the hair in to two sections. It came out lopsided but it did hold like a rock. Yay for a practice run! It hasn't made its way out of the house yet, though. My hair is considerably longer than it was in this picture and I have a hard time winding the twist and making it look *neat*.
I gave up on the twist and did something else. Sadly, I can't figure out what it was. Ps: I adore that rose. I think I left it in California when I visited a month ago. :( Oh well. It was easy to make!
Friday, August 10, 2012
Tinting the brows at home
I love my gal. I adore her work and it breaks my heart that I can't get in to see her as easily as I did before. Instead of cheating on her, I had to learn to do crap myself.
And that included waxing as well as tinting my brows.
I have vitiligo, right smack dab center of my brow. No matter how perfectly arched, they always look off unless I powder in my brows. And I hate powdering in my brows because I am LAZY. I don't like make up that takes longer than five minutes. Its .. just.. mrergh.
Anyhow, I waxed my brows a few days ago, it came out gorgeous and I have the right arch for once. I realized I needed a tint but didn't know how to go about it.
I went down to Sally's, got myself a box of tint and went to town.
1) I made sure to only treat the spot that needed to be treated.
2) I had to find the right shade..or I'd have issues.
There was only brown and black. I went with black because vitiligo is caused by *lack of pigment*. White hair (yes, its white, not even grey) just absorbs the color superbly easy. If I don't have the right tint, I'm screwed. One gal put too much brown and not enough black; I still had to pencil in my brows because instead of a white spot (that people thought I overtweezed) I had a brown spot in the middle of the black.
Because I was working with black, I didn't want to swipe the tint over the already natural black hair. If I did, it'd be superbly black. I'd still have the stripe effect. Blue-black, black, blue-black. ack!
Thankfully, this tint was super easy to use. I used a cotton swab to put in the activator on the spot. Let it dry per directions. Put in the color. Let it dry and washed it off.
I did have to get creative and not let the final color process for the full minute. Otherwise I would've ended up with 'black, BLUE black, black.'.
It looks a tiny bit weird right now but that's because the skin got stained under it. A bit of mineral oil removed the excess pretty well. I'll be fine by tomorrow evening. :D
So, I'm pleased with the results. Although the kit cost me a whopping $37 bucks, It was still cheaper than *one* visit to my Brow Lady. And the little bottles will last me-- easily-- a year.
Ps: I still am going to visit Brow Lady, except for other forms of waxing where I dare not go with my epilator.
And that included waxing as well as tinting my brows.
I have vitiligo, right smack dab center of my brow. No matter how perfectly arched, they always look off unless I powder in my brows. And I hate powdering in my brows because I am LAZY. I don't like make up that takes longer than five minutes. Its .. just.. mrergh.
Anyhow, I waxed my brows a few days ago, it came out gorgeous and I have the right arch for once. I realized I needed a tint but didn't know how to go about it.
I went down to Sally's, got myself a box of tint and went to town.
1) I made sure to only treat the spot that needed to be treated.
2) I had to find the right shade..or I'd have issues.
There was only brown and black. I went with black because vitiligo is caused by *lack of pigment*. White hair (yes, its white, not even grey) just absorbs the color superbly easy. If I don't have the right tint, I'm screwed. One gal put too much brown and not enough black; I still had to pencil in my brows because instead of a white spot (that people thought I overtweezed) I had a brown spot in the middle of the black.
Because I was working with black, I didn't want to swipe the tint over the already natural black hair. If I did, it'd be superbly black. I'd still have the stripe effect. Blue-black, black, blue-black. ack!
Thankfully, this tint was super easy to use. I used a cotton swab to put in the activator on the spot. Let it dry per directions. Put in the color. Let it dry and washed it off.
I did have to get creative and not let the final color process for the full minute. Otherwise I would've ended up with 'black, BLUE black, black.'.
It looks a tiny bit weird right now but that's because the skin got stained under it. A bit of mineral oil removed the excess pretty well. I'll be fine by tomorrow evening. :D
So, I'm pleased with the results. Although the kit cost me a whopping $37 bucks, It was still cheaper than *one* visit to my Brow Lady. And the little bottles will last me-- easily-- a year.
Ps: I still am going to visit Brow Lady, except for other forms of waxing where I dare not go with my epilator.
Friday, August 3, 2012
50 Shades of Dirty part Deux
So I was standing there, last night, letting the warm water spill onto my body, fingertips wiggling away at my scalp to work it into a semi-lather (I do use low sulfates so not much sudsing goes on.) and it dawned on me; it took me almost 26 and a half years to figure out HOW to properly wash my goddamned hair.
I almost got shampoo in my eyes.
Idiot.
Anyhow, I couldn't believe it. Twenty six and a half years to get this shit right? WHY!?
Because mother didn't know how to properly wash hair (Don't get me wrong, but mom's so OG she shampoos and conditions her hair EVERY day. Dad's even more hard core... mom has to hide the soap bars because he'll wash his hair with Irish Spring!). She couldn't really teach me and I learned most of what I knew from Herbal Essences commercials and Psycho(s) movies (Haven't you noticed how in 99% of horror movies the damsel in distress winds up in the shower and is washing her hair when some random haunt happens? Ever since Psycho, I swear...)
I'd glob the shampoo, slap into my scalp, scoop up the length and SCRUNCH. I'd also dig my nails into my scalp to 'get rid of the dandruff'.
Eventually I got smart and realized that the shampoo was drying the fuck out of my scalp, hence the scruffies. So went on a no sulfate/low sulfate diet. That did wonders for the condition of my scalp. I got a talking to by a hair dresser two years ago and she told me I needed to condition more. So there was another lesson.
I watched a few youtube videos on styling and I came across this video from the beautiful Torrin :
This video covers the gist of what I do. But, it wasn't until I saw THIS video :
I almost got shampoo in my eyes.
Idiot.
Anyhow, I couldn't believe it. Twenty six and a half years to get this shit right? WHY!?
Because mother didn't know how to properly wash hair (Don't get me wrong, but mom's so OG she shampoos and conditions her hair EVERY day. Dad's even more hard core... mom has to hide the soap bars because he'll wash his hair with Irish Spring!). She couldn't really teach me and I learned most of what I knew from Herbal Essences commercials and Psycho(s) movies (Haven't you noticed how in 99% of horror movies the damsel in distress winds up in the shower and is washing her hair when some random haunt happens? Ever since Psycho, I swear...)
I'd glob the shampoo, slap into my scalp, scoop up the length and SCRUNCH. I'd also dig my nails into my scalp to 'get rid of the dandruff'.
Eventually I got smart and realized that the shampoo was drying the fuck out of my scalp, hence the scruffies. So went on a no sulfate/low sulfate diet. That did wonders for the condition of my scalp. I got a talking to by a hair dresser two years ago and she told me I needed to condition more. So there was another lesson.
I watched a few youtube videos on styling and I came across this video from the beautiful Torrin :
This video covers the gist of what I do. But, it wasn't until I saw THIS video :
that it really sank home.
Compared to the child's hair, mine is very, very, perhaps evenly pin-straight. But I do the same thing. I stick my fingers on the underside and gently rub. I give myself a good massage at the crown of the head, then slip my fingers to the area along the nape of my neck and continue. I then rinse off a bit, squish it along the length and rinse off before adding my glops of conditioner.
Because I use TONS of conditioner. I pre condition, shampoo, then condition one last time.
Man, I wish I had stumbled across these two videos a lot sooner. I love the idea of loose braids to keep the hair from tangling, especially when the child is old enough to do this herself. Its like... training wheels on a bike.
Ah. Youtube. I adore your pain in the butt availability.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Search & Destroy, among other things
I just trimmed my hair a few days ago (right when the moon was fullest, yay!) and I was an idiot. I know how to self trim, using Feye's Self Trim method and the first two times it was *amazing* and perfect. This time? Not so much... because, once again, I was an idiot.
One of the ways to control the depthness of one's U-shaped hemline is by the angle upon which one looks when pulling down the bands; I always look up but this time, since I was sitting down and looking down, I wound up with a much deeper U than I wanted.
AND I idiotically tried saving it therefore cutting off more than I anticipated.
I'm trying to look on the brighter side, though. That means I have less growth to trim in the long run (I am growing out layers) and most of the damage was taken care of. So. There. Positivity is thine middle name.
Anyhow, I decided to freshen up the layers a wee-bit since, well, those haven't been trimmed since I got them in the first place, over a year ago and its where most of the damage is. I figured I might as well make a quick 'tutorial' or how to on the way I do this. ps: this is also the way I S&D for split ends at the hemline anyway. -shrug-
One of the ways to control the depthness of one's U-shaped hemline is by the angle upon which one looks when pulling down the bands; I always look up but this time, since I was sitting down and looking down, I wound up with a much deeper U than I wanted.
AND I idiotically tried saving it therefore cutting off more than I anticipated.
I'm trying to look on the brighter side, though. That means I have less growth to trim in the long run (I am growing out layers) and most of the damage was taken care of. So. There. Positivity is thine middle name.
Anyhow, I decided to freshen up the layers a wee-bit since, well, those haven't been trimmed since I got them in the first place, over a year ago and its where most of the damage is. I figured I might as well make a quick 'tutorial' or how to on the way I do this. ps: this is also the way I S&D for split ends at the hemline anyway. -shrug-
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Dark Cat Beads is no longer
Tal renamed it as "Beyond Midnight Designs"
I still swear by those hair sticks I got in February. In a world where my hair has broken three sticks, refuses to accept most bird beaks and has decided to spit out my favorite fork, these suckers still hold up strong.
Hell, I've broken thicker pencils in my hair doing a simple nautulus bun and these lovely sticks won't even bend.
I still swear by those hair sticks I got in February. In a world where my hair has broken three sticks, refuses to accept most bird beaks and has decided to spit out my favorite fork, these suckers still hold up strong.
Hell, I've broken thicker pencils in my hair doing a simple nautulus bun and these lovely sticks won't even bend.
Hair Heaven
You know you have a hair obsession when you spend the whole five and a half hours at your local Andanda Mela festival GAWKING at every single head of hair that crossed my path. For those of you not in the know, Ananda Mela is an Indian festival put up by one of the cities in Washington. Its also known as the "Joyful Festival of India" and it is full of music, food, laughter and various other goodies that are to promote cultural awareness in the neighborhood.
I simply couldn't focus on anything long enough to enjoy it to its full potential. [And no, I didn't take pictures. I didn't want to be That freak who walks around taking pictures of longhairs unaware. That's just rude.. and creepy.]
I was sitting there, enjoying a local Punjabi group of girls dancing when a little girl walked by and I found myself staring at her lovely head of hair. It was delightfully shiny, superbly thick and so well taken care of I had to fight back the urge to touch it. My hair is on the thicker side -- a solid 4 inches and a little over in a pony tail circumference-- but I felt completely BALD next to these women. Some braids were thicker than my forearm, others about the size of my own braid, everyone's was shiny and soft looking. A few had their hair heavily oiled, most of them were in simple braids and others still-- the more modern of ladies-- had their hair loose past their shoulders. Even those who bleached and straightened their hair looked superbly well taken care of. Oh, and the colors! Most young girls (10 and under) had hair so black it shone blue. Older women had hair color of chestnut to a more obvious deep orange-red of henna.
My favorite heads of hair were those of the older women. There's just something beautiful about a head full of salt and pepper or silver hair that hangs well past one's hip.
The hair and those lovely sarees of them made me drool. I'm glad I put my shyness away to try on a sari; I'd always wanted to wear one but my self consciousness always got the best of me. I've gained *a lot* of weight since I moved up to Washington and with the dismorphia that takes over my brain I feel that I am a thousand times heavier than I really am. I *know* I'm not as horrendously huge (when I look in the mirror I see beached whale. I know this isn't true because I can still do things like tie my shoes and fit in my care easily) as I think I am but it is hard to go past it. Anyhow, every time I look at a sari, I want to purchase one but the little Imp inside my head keeps telling me I won't fit into one even though the strips of cloth are 'one size fits all' and I've seen heavier bodied women wear them successfully.
I fit into one and still had excess material to drape over me.
Hell, I even got suckered into wearing a color I normally avoid. PINK.. It was a vibrant fuchsia-spectrum pink with bright purple trim and silver detail. It felt divine, the ladies who helped me into it complimented me on the way the pink stood out against my skin and my husband beamed from ear to ear. He was proud of me. YAY!
He even took a picture -- and I won't put it up because I have the dorkiest of grins on my face. Maybe I'll crop my face and put up the body shot instead. O.o
The food was divine. Bhel Puri was DELICIOUS. It was tangy and spicy all at once. Perfect balance for me.
I couldn't find any parandi, to my dismay. I adore the lovely hair accessory with a passion.
I've made my own out of ribbon but it isn't the same. I couldn't find proper decorations to tie unto my paranda so its rather bland in my opion.
I did find a pair of brass pins embellished with red, green and gold but sadly, those two would not have held my hair. If the seller had not run out of them, I would've gotten another pair to wear around the circumference of my buns. Instead, I walked away with a barrette and two sets of bangles I managed to push past my fat ass hand.
Okay, my hands are not so much fat as they are wide. Even when I was at my thinnest I had wide-man hands. Its the Latin American in me, y'know.
All in all, I was in a gigantic stupor on Sunday. I fell asleep that night dreaming of gorgeous, Indian locks growing out of my hair and I finally understood the fashion world's fascination with Indian hair.
I simply couldn't focus on anything long enough to enjoy it to its full potential. [And no, I didn't take pictures. I didn't want to be That freak who walks around taking pictures of longhairs unaware. That's just rude.. and creepy.]
I was sitting there, enjoying a local Punjabi group of girls dancing when a little girl walked by and I found myself staring at her lovely head of hair. It was delightfully shiny, superbly thick and so well taken care of I had to fight back the urge to touch it. My hair is on the thicker side -- a solid 4 inches and a little over in a pony tail circumference-- but I felt completely BALD next to these women. Some braids were thicker than my forearm, others about the size of my own braid, everyone's was shiny and soft looking. A few had their hair heavily oiled, most of them were in simple braids and others still-- the more modern of ladies-- had their hair loose past their shoulders. Even those who bleached and straightened their hair looked superbly well taken care of. Oh, and the colors! Most young girls (10 and under) had hair so black it shone blue. Older women had hair color of chestnut to a more obvious deep orange-red of henna.
My favorite heads of hair were those of the older women. There's just something beautiful about a head full of salt and pepper or silver hair that hangs well past one's hip.
The hair and those lovely sarees of them made me drool. I'm glad I put my shyness away to try on a sari; I'd always wanted to wear one but my self consciousness always got the best of me. I've gained *a lot* of weight since I moved up to Washington and with the dismorphia that takes over my brain I feel that I am a thousand times heavier than I really am. I *know* I'm not as horrendously huge (when I look in the mirror I see beached whale. I know this isn't true because I can still do things like tie my shoes and fit in my care easily) as I think I am but it is hard to go past it. Anyhow, every time I look at a sari, I want to purchase one but the little Imp inside my head keeps telling me I won't fit into one even though the strips of cloth are 'one size fits all' and I've seen heavier bodied women wear them successfully.
I fit into one and still had excess material to drape over me.
Hell, I even got suckered into wearing a color I normally avoid. PINK.. It was a vibrant fuchsia-spectrum pink with bright purple trim and silver detail. It felt divine, the ladies who helped me into it complimented me on the way the pink stood out against my skin and my husband beamed from ear to ear. He was proud of me. YAY!
He even took a picture -- and I won't put it up because I have the dorkiest of grins on my face. Maybe I'll crop my face and put up the body shot instead. O.o
The food was divine. Bhel Puri was DELICIOUS. It was tangy and spicy all at once. Perfect balance for me.
I couldn't find any parandi, to my dismay. I adore the lovely hair accessory with a passion.
Here's my crappy little paranda wound up into a braided bun.
Okay, my hands are not so much fat as they are wide. Even when I was at my thinnest I had wide-man hands. Its the Latin American in me, y'know.
All in all, I was in a gigantic stupor on Sunday. I fell asleep that night dreaming of gorgeous, Indian locks growing out of my hair and I finally understood the fashion world's fascination with Indian hair.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
50 Shades of Dirt Part 1
All hair blogs talk about how to brush, comb, style and maintain long hair. We go over the ins and outs of products and accessories to try/avoid. Every now and then a blogger will cover the "Dos and Don'ts" of washing one's hair and NONE cover about how to take care of a Long hair's best friend: the vacuum.
I've heard statements from longhairs on how vacuums don't last unless said vacuum costs about the same as a small pony. Others swear by the superawesome Dyson (Hey, even shorthairs happen to like this vacuum, and I drool over it, but damn it I can't afford something that pricey. So until I can lay the golden turd, I make do with what I have.) blah blah blah...
No.
You don't need some mega-super-amazing-fantastically-fabulous-state of the art-vacuum. You just need to know how to maintain it!
Now, I have one of these:
and while I *love* and hate the damned thing, it has lasted me well over four years. I've heard of people replacing their $100+ machines every YEAR. Short AND long hair alike! Must be nice. -.-
Most vacuums are different and you'll have to take a look at your own personal machine's manual but the main concept is still the same.
A lot of the times, hoses will clog, and the brush bar at the bottom becomes jammed with hair. Lots of it. Disgusting amounts of it. Most people don't understand what's wrong with the machine and keep using it until the belt burns out (and in some cases, the motor). Often most people will check the main hose and leave it at that.
What I do, is start from the bottom. -- Now, unplug the damned thing first before you electrocute yourself, gentle reader. Unless, of course, you're into that sort of thing.-- Lay the vacuum on the floor so you can see the bottom. With a phillips screw, remove all the screws holding the guard in place (Now, the Mega Awesome Dyson has a button that spits it out. JEALOUS!).
Remove the guard and set it aside with all the little screws in a place neither husband, child nor cat can get it.
Pull out the bar. Put the belt aside along with the screws and guard.
With a pair of scissors, or an exacto knife, cut off the wads of hair.
Replace the belt, bar and guard. Viola!
Now sometimes, our beloved partners would have sucked up something they shouldn't have and there is a clog somewhere.
Find out where the main hose is attached, unhook it. While standing, hold the hose so it hangs down in a straight line, unbent anywhere. Often most, a large marble, ben wa ball or a giant toe nail clipper will be able to push the clog out without problems. Sometimes, you just have to use a broom handle.
Before you pull out the big guns to clear the clog, try to see where the clog is first. Most hoses are somewhat transparent (yes, even the black ones) and a bit of light can illuminate where the clog is. Its like candling an egg. Like this:
I've heard statements from longhairs on how vacuums don't last unless said vacuum costs about the same as a small pony. Others swear by the superawesome Dyson (Hey, even shorthairs happen to like this vacuum, and I drool over it, but damn it I can't afford something that pricey. So until I can lay the golden turd, I make do with what I have.) blah blah blah...
No.
You don't need some mega-super-amazing-fantastically-fabulous-state of the art-vacuum. You just need to know how to maintain it!
Now, I have one of these:
and while I *love* and hate the damned thing, it has lasted me well over four years. I've heard of people replacing their $100+ machines every YEAR. Short AND long hair alike! Must be nice. -.-
Most vacuums are different and you'll have to take a look at your own personal machine's manual but the main concept is still the same.
A lot of the times, hoses will clog, and the brush bar at the bottom becomes jammed with hair. Lots of it. Disgusting amounts of it. Most people don't understand what's wrong with the machine and keep using it until the belt burns out (and in some cases, the motor). Often most people will check the main hose and leave it at that.
What I do, is start from the bottom. -- Now, unplug the damned thing first before you electrocute yourself, gentle reader. Unless, of course, you're into that sort of thing.-- Lay the vacuum on the floor so you can see the bottom. With a phillips screw, remove all the screws holding the guard in place (Now, the Mega Awesome Dyson has a button that spits it out. JEALOUS!).
"Please be gentle with me!" Bessie exclaimed. "It has been such a long time since last you touched me."
"Aren't I always?" Raul purred, pulling at her bindings.
"Aren't I always?" Raul purred, pulling at her bindings.
Remove the guard and set it aside with all the little screws in a place neither husband, child nor cat can get it.
"Oh, Raul. I feel so...exposed! Oh!"
"Bessie, my love, I shan't neglect you thus. " Raul murmured.
With a pair of scissors, or an exacto knife, cut off the wads of hair.
And in a few short strokes from Raul, Bessie felt her release explode without warning.
Bessie's pent up urges were to be met 'lest both their loins homes caught fire.
[Wait, what am I talking about again?]
"Oh. Raul! You're AMAZING!" Bessie whimpered.
Replace the belt, bar and guard. Viola!
Now sometimes, our beloved partners would have sucked up something they shouldn't have and there is a clog somewhere.
Find out where the main hose is attached, unhook it. While standing, hold the hose so it hangs down in a straight line, unbent anywhere. Often most, a large marble, ben wa ball or a giant toe nail clipper will be able to push the clog out without problems. Sometimes, you just have to use a broom handle.
Before you pull out the big guns to clear the clog, try to see where the clog is first. Most hoses are somewhat transparent (yes, even the black ones) and a bit of light can illuminate where the clog is. Its like candling an egg. Like this:
You can usually see the main clog this way. If you see a bobby pin in there, have someone help you by stretching out the hose until its less accordion looking. This prevents the sharp/pointy thing from catching and puncturing the hose. Toss in the heavy item of choice (ben wa balls are really good for this, fyi!)
Check your filters. If they're not properly secured, the machine wont' suck.
Sometimes, not very often though, the clog is in the intake hose which is located BEHIND the bar. If this is the case, unscrew the hose from the back of the machine, straighten it out and use a broom handle to push the clog out.
Put everything back and viola, you're done!
PS: With my hip long hair I need to do this monthly or else I end up with the gross mess pictured above. I hadn't cleaned up the vacuum since.. oh.. February. :\
Friday, July 27, 2012
Ropebraids
Let us talk a bit about rope braids. I *love* rope braids. In the level of difficulty, this is the most *simplest* of braids a person can make and one of the most beautiful. It is deceptively complex. Especially so when it is wrapped around itself (the rope braid is the base of the rose bun).
To start off, begin with a pony tail. (A more advanced option would be to simply begin without the pony tail but it really does help to have all the hair gathered in some fashion when starting off with a rope braid.)
Split the pony in to two even pieces.
Twist the pieces in one direction, i.e. if you're twisting one half of the pony away from the face, twist the second half of the pony away from the face.
Wrap the two twists in the OPPOSITE direction. This gives the braid torque and it keeps it from unraveling itself.
Tie off with a band.
To make a Rose Bun, simply wrap the rope braid around the base of the pony and pin.
Viola, easy-peasy go to.
Here, more Rose Bun ideas for you to enjoy:
And mind you, the rose bun only gets better and more defined the longer the hair is. Regardless of is size, its still beautiful. I promise!
To start off, begin with a pony tail. (A more advanced option would be to simply begin without the pony tail but it really does help to have all the hair gathered in some fashion when starting off with a rope braid.)
Split the pony in to two even pieces.
Twist the pieces in one direction, i.e. if you're twisting one half of the pony away from the face, twist the second half of the pony away from the face.
Wrap the two twists in the OPPOSITE direction. This gives the braid torque and it keeps it from unraveling itself.
Tie off with a band.
To make a Rose Bun, simply wrap the rope braid around the base of the pony and pin.
Viola, easy-peasy go to.
Here, more Rose Bun ideas for you to enjoy:
This one came from a half-crown braid. The tassels were now wrapped up in as explained earlier. My hair was a tad too thick and short to do a successful side bun. :(
Rose bun braid with a ribbon wrapped in one of the twists. Held in place by a pair of lovely oak sticks.
And mind you, the rose bun only gets better and more defined the longer the hair is. Regardless of is size, its still beautiful. I promise!
See?
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Long time no Blog!
Woops. I've had a bit of a 'block' going on. I'll be honest, its been going on for years. I haven't been able to write any fiction in over three years. My blog(s) are really nothing more than an effort to get my Muse to come out of hiding. It is a little frustrating when I find it hard to even so much write about one of my biggest passion: hair.
So, let me bring you up to date with the things that I've been doing.
1) I oil the ends as usual with a drop or two of either baby oil, almond oil, or argan oil.
2) Trim about 1/2 inch every month (because I'm trying to get rid of layers while still growing as much as possible.)
3) I no longer comb nor brush: I tangle teaze.
4) Keep my hair up as much as possible. This one's rather easy on hot muggy days of Seattelite summer.
So, where am I now on the growing? I believe I'm officially at hip, if not touching hip. I'm thinking about chopping back another two inches just because I was an idiot and decided to 'comb through until frothy' some MP hair color. I got a lot of baby split ends, chiefly around the last inch or so. I've been S&Ding most of the damage and that seems to help, but still.
So far, so good. I was going to say more but there went my Muse.. -points to the left- Damn bitch.
So, let me bring you up to date with the things that I've been doing.
1) I oil the ends as usual with a drop or two of either baby oil, almond oil, or argan oil.
2) Trim about 1/2 inch every month (because I'm trying to get rid of layers while still growing as much as possible.)
3) I no longer comb nor brush: I tangle teaze.
4) Keep my hair up as much as possible. This one's rather easy on hot muggy days of Seattelite summer.
So, where am I now on the growing? I believe I'm officially at hip, if not touching hip. I'm thinking about chopping back another two inches just because I was an idiot and decided to 'comb through until frothy' some MP hair color. I got a lot of baby split ends, chiefly around the last inch or so. I've been S&Ding most of the damage and that seems to help, but still.
So far, so good. I was going to say more but there went my Muse.. -points to the left- Damn bitch.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
New Color for the New Year
Tired with the untouched purple, long-ass roots and over all lack of change, I finally bit the bullet and had the color professionally done.
I got a reverse balayage with an *amazing* colorist. She took my hair goals into consideration, lightened up the roots on the underside of my hair and dyed the whole thing a vibrant red. Its very plum-wine ish. Its a very pink purple. The top half of my hair, ears and above, was left untouched and in my natural color. Love it.
I was so excited over the change that I let my hair down today in a mass of bandana waves. It looks amazing. I love what she did. I think next time I'll go brighter. :D
I got a reverse balayage with an *amazing* colorist. She took my hair goals into consideration, lightened up the roots on the underside of my hair and dyed the whole thing a vibrant red. Its very plum-wine ish. Its a very pink purple. The top half of my hair, ears and above, was left untouched and in my natural color. Love it.
I was so excited over the change that I let my hair down today in a mass of bandana waves. It looks amazing. I love what she did. I think next time I'll go brighter. :D
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