Natural Hair: Color Me Happy

After getting my ends trimmed a few weeks ago, I was obviously going through a little "thang" regarding the shorter length. Hoping to change things up a bit, I scheduled another appoint with Cori at Justin's Salon Studio to get my hair colored. I brought in a few inspiration pics and went over different tones/shades that I was interested in. I ended up wanting to stay in the brown family, but was open to getting highlights, playing around with a honey/golden brown shade.

I had colored my hair a few times in the past... more like hair coloring disasters!! Suffice it to say that I learned my lesson - - when wanting to go lighter leave it to the pros.This was my first time getting professional color and overall I was extremely pleased. 

The Specifics...
1. From start to finish it took about 3 hours - - that includes color and getting my hair blown out/flat ironed.
2. The price was $115 (not including tip) for my custom color.

** I am only recommending Cori as I'm familiar with her level of service and skill. She has colored, natural hair herself and is the only stylist I trust to color my hair. If you want to schedule an appointment or consultation with Cori click here. **

Getting my color and highlights

Finished color job - - blown out in the natural light

Back to my curls

I've had my color for going on 2 weeks and I'm still a happy camper. I have noticed that my hair is softer, not necessarily more fragile, but the color did soften my hair a bit. Cori did warn me that this could happen, but I'm not sure if this will be a permanent thing or just temporary. I read online that a few people noticed a change in their texture for the fist 2 weeks. I'll have to follow-up on this next week.

In terms of my hair being dryer, it really isn't much different. A small portion of hair in the back of my head was left my natural color, so this has helped to compare texture changes and any dryness issues. I think the biggest different is that my lighter hair looks dryer than it is. Something about a darker color really does make the hair look healthier, so I've noticed that my problem areas (front frizzy sections) look even MORE ratchet if I don't properly prep them. Color really does highlight your curls and make them look great, but if you're lazy, darker hair will mask a lot of issues.

I'm still itching to get another Brazilian Blowout, and they actually just came out with a Zero product that releases NO formaldehyde before, during, or after the process... kind of excited to see if my salon in Arizona starts carrying this new one - - not that I had any issues with the original formula.

I think embracing my natural texture has been wonderful, and more than anything just proving to myself that I could care for and grow my natural hair on my own has done wonders... but hair is supposed to be fun, so I think I'll continue to experiment with different products, treatments, colors, and weaves to keep my approach to hair light-hearted and fun.

Sidebar: Does anyone know of a good great styler? I'm on the hunt for something creamy and awesome to help hydrate my curls. I unknowingly tried the baggy method a few days ago, as well as doing a castor/coconut oil pre-poo... but I need a styler to layer on top of my knot today!

Any questions about my coloring experience? Feel free to ask... I'll be documenting how things go.

Natural Hair Inspiration...

Source

It's been quite some time since I've posted any hair inspiration pics on my blog. I actually have been meaning to blog about my experience getting professional color for the first time (last weekend), but I promise that blog is in the works and will post on Monday!

In terms of style, consider me a creature of comfort. I love the look of dry twist-outs done on blown out hair, and would seriously wear this style everyday if possible. This is hair perfection in my eyes.

Now that Fall is here, I've been on the hunt for cold weather-friendly styles. Any suggestions? I don't want to put my hair though weekly blow-outs, nor do I really have the energy for all of that lol... but I need something quick and easy (and cute), that I can rock to work... as well as options that are nice, but transition to the gym - - I'm back in the gym working out 3 days a week :) And I've already lost 4 lbs!!! Yay for me....

Anyways, I'll be scouring the web to try and find more hair inspiration, but I welcome all suggestions! Share the wealth....

Season 2: AMC's "The Walking Dead"

Last year, AMC's hit show The Walking Dead quickly became a favorite for my husband and I to watch. It had enough suspense and drama to keep both of us entertained, with the violence and gore he loved, and heart-warming relationships that hit the spot for me. I just saw the official trailer for Season 2, and I'm SO freaking excited it premieres Sunday night @ 9/8c! Seriously, if you haven't watched this show you're definitely missing out! The writing is so well done, sucking you in and bringing you to the edge of your seat, while the ensemble cast does a remarkable job giving life and dimension to the characters.

Set your DVR to record the Season 2 Premiere Sunday Night (9/8c on AMC), and in the meantime get your zombie fix by checking out the trailer below.

Sidebar: I've always been one to OD on reality shows, but I've been enjoying all of the scripted series in my life! It's actually refreshing...



 

Natural Hair: Time for a trim

Last weekend it dawned on me that I had not trimmed my ends in 8 months and that was causing major breakage, splits, and shedding. The amount of shedding was actually out of control, but because I was wearing my hair curly 95% of the time, it really "hid" the damage, thus making me feel perfectly fine that I hadn't trimmed my ends. Still, with the weather cooling off I knew I would want to go straight more often and I felt as though my ratchet ends would be a big mess.

I headed over to Toss Hair Salon to see Cori, the same (and only) stylist that trimmed my ends during my transition (2009). I actually only got my ends trimmed once during my transition before I did my big chop back in 2010, and Cori was great back then... and still great today!

I made an appointment for a walk-in and got my hair trimmed wet! Yes, I trimmed my hair wet and curly for the FIRST time ever. *le sigh* The cut was much needed and I have mixed feelings (even still) having any issues with it because the cut itself was fine. I think I wasn't prepared for how much length I needed to lose - - about 1.5 inches curly, so about 3 inches straight. In fact, my curls look a million times better after the cut and I have NO straight pieces anywhere in sight.

Before Trim

After Trim

I still have a similar shape to my hair, but it's back to that annoying, weird length. I think the most dramatic thing is that my front pieces always hung looser and longer, and now they're the shortest parts! Wowzers... I'm just not used to seeing those sections short. Comparing the above pics it probably seems like I'm on crack because they're not that different, but I assure you, I can tell the difference. Now, I can't put my hair into a bun because it's not long enough for all pieces to reach. nor is it long enough to throw in a low pony-tail because the front can't reach - - annoying ass length!

When I have it blown out it's the perfect length... but once the curls pop I'm doing multiple internal cringes and woo-sahs. It's like mid-neck length and kinda irking my nerves. Like, irking me to the point I want to get a Brazilian Blowout and go straight for a while. I don't like myself with short(er) hair. I like short, curly hair on me even less. Plus with the straight(er) ends gone my hair is shrinking up even more. I can say that whenever I stretch my curls I'm perfectly happy, but my hair had finally reached the length where I didn't HAVE to stretch the curls. Okay, okay... I'm ranting.

Long story short, I like my cut but am adjusting to the shorter length. I think I've learned from all of this that I need to be more diligent about trimming my ends more often... not just twice a year. I think I'll step it up to trim at least 4 times a year... so every 3 months. And I'm ONLY GETTING MY ENDS TRIMMED STRAIGHT!!! No more experimenting with curly hair. I want to be sure that I'm only losing 1/4 inch at most... and trims only, no CUTS!

On another note, I was feeling pretty "blah" about my new length so I went in for some color yesterday!!! This was my first time getting professional color done so it was pretty exciting. On top of that I dramatically changed my dark brown color... well, at least dramatic for me lol... but am loving my new color/highlights more and more.

Here's a preview ---->

"Stay hungry, stay foolish..."

By now the whole world is mourning the loss of Apple Founder and former CEO Steve Jobs. Even for those that never found themselves swept up in the awesomeness of iPhones, iPads, iPods, or Macs... the incredible impact that Steve Jobs had on our lives is hard to overlook.

I was touched by his 2005 Stanford Commencement speech and found it full of simple, yet crucial rules to live by. My favorite quotes:

1. "Stay hungry, stay foolish..."
2. "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life..."

It's so easy to let logic and the opinions of others deter us from going for our dreams, but living your own authentic life is truly one of the most rewarding things anyone can strive for. We've all heard many cliche sayings telling us to live each day to the fullest and like it's our last on earth, but most of us brush it off, often getting caught up in the grind of our daily lives. But really, if we were to take quotes like that to heart and really live our lives to the fullest, without fear, and go for our dreams, I wonder what it would be like.

There are many opportunities I would like to pursue but I allow "life" to get in the way. Even dreams that my husband has that I may think are far out... why not really just live our best lives now and go for them. As Jobs said, death is really something that nobody can escape... the great send-off of life. Out with the old and in with the new... and in 120 years everything will be new again, so why not go out with a bang... or better yet, live life with a "Kaboom" lol...

I know people can find a thousand reasons why NOT to do something, but why not find just 1 reason why you should go for it!

 

 

Bienvenidos a El Paso

First off, Happy October!!! I can't believe the year is almost over!

I spent the past week in El Paso, Texas with my husband preparing for his 2nd deployment, but I might as well have been in Mexico - - thus the reason for the title of this post.

Although I'd been to Texas before (Houston, Amarillo, Dallas...), I'd never been this far South... literally 10 mins from the border and about 15 mins from Juarez, Mexico - - the most dangerous city in the world right now. As a friend so eloquently said, "The murder capital, where they murder for capital..."

Driving on the e-way you could see the ginormous Mexican flag waving proudly in the sky. This picture (to left) didn't do it much justice, but it was actually a HUGE and very beautiful thing... yet it couldn't distract from the eyesore that was the majority of Mexican homes. Wow, they looked like the freaking slums and shacks on shacks on shacks. No wonder why folks are always running for the border and a better life. Can't say I wouldn't be doing the same thing if in their position.

Crave Kitchen & Bar - - my favorite place

A highlight of our time in El Paso was the the food!! I mean, being that close to Mexico you would expect them to get Mexican cuisine right, but they hit it out of the park. Tex-Mex cuisine is so delicious, no wonder they're one of the most obese states. My favorite restaurant was hands-down Crave Kitchen & Bar. The food was impeccable and the service was great. I'm still thinking about the bacon-wrapped shrimp I had. Yummy in my tummy.

I'm someone that loves history and wanted to enjoy some of the historical delights that El Paso had to offer. I made my husband drive me to the cemetery (kinda creepy, I know lol), so I could view the Buffalo Soldiers memorial they had. My husband definitely wasn't a fan of trekking around the graves to find the memorial, so I had to send him back to the car to wait for me lol... everyone can't hang in a cemetery I guess...


Still, the memorial was pretty cool. Just the historical significance of the soldiers and all that they did - - again, I was reminded of how amazingly great black people were and it still makes me sad that we went from being soldiers to "soulja boys"...  *electronic tear*

Another fun part of my trip was being able to squeeze in some time with my family in Arizona. I think it's always wise to schedule longer layovers in cities you have friends/family so you can make the most of your travel time. Things worked out great as I had time to eat breakfast with my parents and play with my dog. And can I just say that when I stepped foot off the plane and into the gorgeous weather of AZ it definitely made me long to live there again. Yes, I still own a home there so I'm not totally free of AZ, but I work and live in Chicago right now and with the approaching Winter (which I'm dreading), the beautiful Fall/Winter temps of Arizona are calling my name.

I'm still learning to juggle my new job, school, and blogging... which I'm self-admittedly struggling with lol... but I'm hoping to set aside some time to knock a few blogs out and make some YouTube videos. I want to write about my life as a military (air force) wife, new hair cut trim I got which is driving me to tears (it's so freaking short), along with some other random musings.