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.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
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.
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