great lenghts | part II

great lenghts | part II

4.26.2012

Yesterday I whined about how slowly my hair grows. So in the meantime, I’m doing everything I can to take SUPER good care of it so that it grows quickly. I have several products that I love and a few new ones that I’m about to try.

Here are my hair care staples:



SEBASTIAN Shampoo/Conditioner in Drench or Penetraitt (though I’ve tried them all).

A while back, I asked the woman who was cutting my hair to recommend a shampoo/conditioner brand (other than the seemingly exclusive Kerestase) that wouldn’t break the bank but was worth a splurge. I’d tried everything under the sun at Target and had yet to find a favorite, something I wanted to stick with. She turned me on to Sebastian and I never looked back. At $16 each (shampoo/conditioner) it’s not cheap but it lasts forever (at least 2-3 months for an every other day hair washer) and it’s totally worth it.

Rusk w8less Ceramic Hair Dryer $79

I had been using the same $30 Conair hair dryer for the past 5 years when I finally caved and bought this one. I read tons of reviews and this one stood out. It. was. worth it. My hair is so soft and silky after I dry it and I don’t feel like I’m damaging it as much. I hope this dryer lasts me a while.

Nisim FAST Shampoo $18

This might be a total gimmick, but I bought it. This shampoo is supposed to create “maximum length in minimum time”. I’ve only been using it every other day for about 2-3 weeks now so I can’t say I’ve seen any outstanding changes but I’ll stick with it until it’s gone. Worth a try, right? It would probably work better if I used it every day, but I can’t justify blow-drying my hair every day…serious damage.

Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo $11 (small bottle)

A friend turned me on to this about 3 years ago and it’s been a staple ever since. It lasts FOREVER. I think I’ve had this small bottle for over a year. The tip dispenser lets you add the powder to those extra greasy spots and then you just rub to disperse with your finger tips. It smells amazing too. It’s the only way I could survive washing my hair every other day. (I got a sample of this in my Birchbox though so we’ll have to see how it stacks up.)

I also recently purchased this Sebastian Penetraitt Deep Strengthening and Repair Masque. I keep reading that a deep conditioning treatment will help keep hair healthy and grow longer/faster. I’m giving that a try this week.

I’m also going to test out this Sebastian Whipped Creme (light conditioning style whip). It’s supposed to encourage wave/curl while keeping hair soft, light and shiny. No more crunchy beach waves for me. I’m hoping this is the perfect product for summer air-dry hair.

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great lengths | part I

great lengths | part I

4.25.2012

I would like my hair to be long now. Please and thank you.

But my hair grows at a snail’s pace and it drives me nuts. I like change just as much as the next girl but I frequently find myself chopping off 7-8 inches of hair and then promptly regretting it the next week.

Why, oh WHY do I do this to myself?

Below I’ve included a handy timeline that documents my hair growth and my irreversible decision to keep cutting it off just as it reaches it’s peak length. You’ll see below that I chopped my hair in 2008 and it wasn’t until July 2011 that it finally got nice and long again (with minimal trimming). Just when I’ve survived the painful years it took to grow it out…there I go again cutting it just mere weeks later.



I have issues.

There have been tears involved.

Considerations of extensions. Vitamins. Treatments.

Then, just when my long, beautiful ponytail reaches the middle of my back, I take a scissor to it and chop it off…

…calmly reminding myself that it’s just hair

…and it will grow back

…in the next millenium.

It’s not that I don’t like my shorter hair, I’m just getting sick of it. It was fun and cute for some time and now it’s just annoying.

So, self, this is your very visible, public reminder to STOP DOING THIS. Two, maybe three…even four inches will suffice. Because inevitably, dear self, you are going to regret it. And in two years when you hair has grown a whole three inches…you’ll be wishing you would have taken this advice.

In the meantime, I’m doing everything I can to “care” for my hair and encourage growing. Check back tomorrow for my hair care favorites.

And no, I’ve never died or highlighted my hair. Yes, I feel blessed…I just wish I was also blessed with speedy hair growth.

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hair happiness.

hair happiness.

3.02.2012

I love recommendations. I love getting a great referral. I love it even more when someone trusts my recommendation. So listen up, readers, I’m about to enlighten you.

Let’s start at the beginning…

Most of you probably have a favorite hair stylist/cutter (whatever you want to call her/him). I’ve moved a lot. I never really stuck with one person mainly because my hair is pretty simple to cut. I just couldn’t justify paying $60, $70, $80, $90 for a haircut! I would hop from place to place, using coupons etc. Once Dallas became a more permanent home, I decided it was time to commit. I mean, I’d already found a dentist I loved, a doctor I loved…you get the gist. So I settled on Lure Salon. That’s where I found Hilary and that is where this story begins.

I love Hilary. People always say that their hair stylist is like their therapist, for 1 hour they chat, gossip, catch-up…that is exactly what Hilary and I do. We had a connection right from the beginning (I should have known I’d love her since she also cuts my other friend Hilary’s hair).

So my first recommendation to you is to go see Hilary at Lure. You won’t regret it (and I’ll get a free conditioning treatment!)

Hilary is a hair-god and when she says I need to own this product, I do not hesitate. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll go buy these two products:


Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray - $39

Part dry shampoo, part amazing texture, this stuff works wonders on second day hair. It’s also gives amazing hold for updos. I can’t live without it. The large bottle should last you about 2-3 months depending on how often you use it. It also smells INSANELY amazing.

Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray - $26

I have “thick” hair, meaning my hair is very fine but I have lots of strands. Because of this, my hair often looks limp and has no shape. This stuff is really good. Most thickening sprays make my hair feel waxy and greasy, but this gives me the perfect amount of body without being heavy. Apply to towel dried hair before blow drying.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve already placed an order for these products and if you’re looking to sample more, sign up for Birchbox! $10 a month gets you a whole pack of samples mailed to you!

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