A Hair Game Changer

A couple weeks ago, I booked a hair cut appointment at a salon I had never been to before. It was my first experience at an Aveda salon, and from that moment on, my hair's life has been forever changed.   Yes, I do realize how dramatic that sounds...bare with me for a second.

I fell in love with my haircut (just added a few more layers), I loved the free massage with every appointment, score! but what I loved the most was how my hair felt afterwords. I've never felt it so soft before and it just felt so much more healthy if that's even possible. I asked the hair stylist what she used on my hair to make it feel this way, and she introduced me to this product:

Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair Leave In Treatment

It's a leave in hair treatment that you apply after showering into damp hair. It's not only a great hair moisturizer/conditioner, it's also a heat protectant! Seeing that my hair is very dry and I curl it almost everyday, it was like a miracle product. 

So, for a few minutes I contemplated buying it. After all, I am cheap and spending $28 dollars on a hair product seemed crazy to me. Ultimately, I put it back and left the salon empty handed. 

A few days went by and I realized that my hair has yet to feel as good since that first initial use of the product. I finally decided that maybe it was worth it. Instead of going back to the salon, I decided to look online.  Well, it must have been my lucky day because there was a coupon code for a free 3 piece sample set and free shipping! I snatched it up and waited patiently for it to arrive. 

Ever since I got it in the mail, my hair has been amazingly soft and healthier looking, just like it was at the salon. I can't say enough great things about this product and I am not one to recommend something so expensive if I don't absolutely love it. I absolutely do. And, if you think about it, you are basically paying for two products (leave in conditioner and heat protectant) in one, so you are getting a better bang for your buck! 

I'd definitely recommend checking this product out if you struggle with dry (even normal!) hair or use a lot of heat styling like I do.

Going Darker

I typically have always been blonde (except one time when I decided to dye my hair dark dark brown and it was the biggest mistake of my life.. OK not that big, but still).

I normally only get my hair highlighted about twice a year and cut about 4 times a year. I'm weird, I know. My hair just doesn't need it as much because typically the sun will lighten it and I don't really struggle with damaged hair. 

Anyways, that's all to say that I need to go get my hair highlighted and I was thinking of adding more of my natural color in. (I have a light brown natural color, I describe it as squirrel colored). Nothing too stark, just a gradual darkish color. (No, not ombre)

Of course the first place I look for inspiration is Pinterest which really tempts me to want a change for fall!

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What do you think? Should I go darker?

Coconut Oil: The Great and Powerful

                           Source: blogs.cincysavers.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Surely, by now, you have heard about all the wonderful uses for coconut oil

I have heard so many great things about it, so you know I had to jump in on the trend.

THE BASICS:

First things first, coconut oil is an edible oil thats extracted from the meat of a coconut.

While it looks similar to Crisco, it is hard to the touch. In other words, you cannot easily 'scoop' it out. To be able to use the oil, you have to set in in hot water, so the solid melts into a liquid. I just fill up my sink with hot water, and sit the jar in it for 5 minutes or until there is enough oil you'd need. 

I purchased a large jar from Walmart for less than $6. You can find it where you'd find olive oil.
Another plus is that it's 100% organic! I'm all for using less chemicals on my body!

THE MANY USES:

~So far, I have used it to shave my legs with. It worked great! Normally, I have to apply lotion immediately after I shave. Because coconut oil is a moisturizer, I didn't have to. 

I also loved that since it is an oil, it didn't run off as soon as water touched it, which is one thing I hated about shave gel.

~I also have used it as a face moisturizer. After I washed my face with a cleanser, I applied about a dime sized amount all over my face. At first, my face looked extremely oily. I was worried that I would be blotting my face all day, but I was wrong. After about ten minutes, it soaked into the skin, and left my face super soft, but not oily. I really liked it!

~I also used it as a lotion. After I showered, I applied some all over my body. It also worked great! 

~I also read somewhere that coconut oil helps diminish stretch marks. So every night I apply a generous amount to some problem areas. I haven't been using it long enough to tell a difference, but I will update you if/when I do. 

~I have also heard that coconut oil is a great deep conditioner for your hair. While I haven't tried it yet. it works great on every place else, and I'm sure it will have the same effects. 

These are only just a few of the many uses for coconut oil.
If you want more ideas, this blog wrote 101 ways to use coconut oil.
There are literally so many different uses.
Have you tried coconut oil? If so, what are the different ways you've used it?
Share with me in a comment below!

Hair ( I really need your advice!)

OK, so if you read my WIWW post yesterday, then you already know that I am getting my hair cut tomorrow. 

I want a change...I think

There are a a few problems with my hair now:

#1. It takes FOREVER! and I mean FOREVER, like 3 years, to grow out.  I cut my hair short about 3 years ago, and have been growing it out since then. I started to take biotin around christmas and that worked immensely. Now, its semi-long and probably about as long as it will grow. 

This is a problem because, if I was to cut it short, It wouldn't grow back fast.

Here is what it looks like now. 

(do you see that NASTY blue streak, Yup. still there, and still HATE it)

#2. it is style-less. The only thing I can do to style it is to

a. put it in a pony tail

or b. straighten it

This is very frustrating because I have absolutely NO versatility.

So here is what I was thinking...

Searching through pinterest

(by the way, Did you notice that new bar on the side ----------> there! 

you can now follow me personally on pinterest!!)

where was I? oh right, Hair

So I found these pictures last night and fell in love.

So you get where I'm going with this, right?

I'm thinking a long bob.

I want to, I really do, but I have a couple concerns:

a. what if I hate it in a couple weeks and want my ever so slow-growing, long hair back

and b. It will make me look like I am twelve.

You see, I am often mistaken for being younger than I actually am, and as much as I will appreciate that when I am older, I really dont like it now. 

What I like about cutting my hair short:

-easy styling that will look effortless

-not so dang hot (with summer coming, I know I will appreciate it)

-less brush time and less time in the shower

 Like I said, I cut my hair short a while a go and here is what it looked like:

It wont be this short, if I decide to cut it, mainly because I HAVE to be able to put it up and plus, I just want some hair.

So, as you can see, I REALLY REALLY REALLY need your help.

Should I cut it? or leave it?

If I do cut it, will it make me look younger?

If I leave it long, How should I trim it?

Any suggestions besides what I have? 

Maybe a new style all together??

AM I CRAZY?

yes, you should know that already.

Please, I am begging, begging, for your suggestions and help!