The Blowout

Finally, after years of failed attempts and one particularly scarring round-brush incident, I have successfully used a hairdryer-- might I emphasize, only a hairdryer-- to style my hair. That's right-- the elusive blowout. Performed by hairstylists countless times a day, but a seemingly irreplicable task at home, the blowout is a coveted skill, capable of masking otherwise mundane haircuts till the dreaded first post-salon shower. 

I have no one else to thank besides Anna Lee Fiorino (annarunswithscissors) and her ever-informative Youtube video. 

FYI, I used CHI Silk Infusion as my styling product and different round brush (though I would not recommend it). I'm definitely interested in the round brush Anna Lee recommends, but I would have to check it out first, and perhaps give myself a few months/ years of solemn coveting, before I can take the leap and invest in one. 

Lust List: 1.19.2014

Hello, my name is Mel, and I have a far too expensive taste to live reasonably within my means. It is for this reason that I have lust lists. It includes just a few of the things I would frivolously purchase once my wealth is comparable to Smaug's.

left to right; top to bottom:

• SHISEIDO: Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion+ Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ For Face/Body
• I've been using a sample of this product for a week now and I have not broken out-- a keeper! What I like most about this product is its watery consistency. Since it is not as thick and creamy as most sunscreens, it blends well into skin, affecting neither your natural color nor texture. Just be careful pouring it, as it can easily spill! 

• BENEFIT: The Porefessional
• All my Youtube-idols are talking about it, so it must be awesome, right? I'm not a big primer person (I just have one mini-tube of Smashbox photo ready) but I really enjoy the idea of becoming a big primer person... Also, I've recently developed a complex over my nose pores. 

• GLAMGLOW: Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment 
• I've never tried it, but this product has been catching my eye for quite a while now... Everyone raves about it, and I've run out of the mask I used to use weekly. Apparently, the Glamglow treatment is 

• BOBBI BROWN: Eye Blender Brush
• I've heard that this brush is amazing for applying creamier concealers. As I had mentioned in an earlier post, I have recently purchased a MUFE creamy concealer palette. I've tried every brush and sponge I have but, so far, I have not found an applicator that is better than my finger. I don't think that method is particularly hygienic though, so I really want to give this brush a try. 

• BUMBLE AND BUMBLE: Color Minded UV Protective Styling Balm (recommended by Shar)
• As evidenced by my latest post, I've recently colored my hair! Since it was a double-process job, my hair is particularly damaged. I've been switching between color-protect Pantene and Bedhead products for shampoo and conditioner, but I do not have a special color-treated hair styling product. It might do me some good, since my newly damaged hair does not have the same form and texture as it used to. 

• ORIBE: Surfcomber Mousse
• One of my most trusted beauty Youtube gurus recently posted about this mousse, and described it to be incomparable to anything else in the market. She also double-processed hair, and her hair is beyond amazing. 

I know, I know-- the things in this list are not really too expensive, as they are all less than $100. The thing is, I know there are cheaper options, and if you know me, you know that I am frugal to a fault. Although I splurge occasionally, I'm typically the girl who is outraged by the price Publix vegetables. 

Bleaching That Asian Hair

Presenting... the final product!

Asian hair is notoriously difficult to dye. As it is typically dark brown or completely black, any drastic change in shade typically requires double process color, in which the hair is first bleached to remove much of the hair's natural pigmentation, then dyed to render the desired shade. Given this, it's a big no-no to endeavor dying your own hair when bleach is involved. Though I have never bleached my own hair, I have bleached a friend's. The color began changing within minutes, my friends and I freaked out, and we all ran to the nearest bathroom in our dorm. Needless to say, that friend had to go to a professional soon after.

So I went to a professional. After showing my stylist, Jenn, a few pictures of what I wanted, I asked for her recommendation, based on my skin tone and her own experience coloring hair like mine. Due to my yellow undertones, she advised that I stray away from too much red (as I had originally wanted) and opt instead for an ashy color. She also told me that I probably shouldn't lighten my hair too drastically. Rather, we start off with a lighter brunette shade, add in some highlights, and see what I think; if I wanted it lighter, she told me she had no problem adjusting it free of charge. 

However, after she had dried my hair and styled it, I was more than satisfied. Jenn did an amazing job and I am SO happy I had gone to see her and taken her advice.

  

In case anyone was wondering, I had my hair done at Adore Hair Studios by the amazing Jenn Hipp.

Adore Hair Studios
Inman Park
245 N Highland Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
404. 522. 0336
Adore Studios Website 

Update and Hair Poll

*NOTE: I noticed that the "cuts" picture is wack. I'll try to fix it sometime by the end of this week, but ... not till then :P* I haven't posted in awhile. On one hand, I've been going through a lot of major life adjustments this year. However, on the other predominant and less-extenuating hand, my latest fashion choices have been on the, quote, cozy side. 

I haven't really gone shopping at all since the summer, save for a few (very few) purchases. On a side note, I suppose I can post about them later? Anyway, I hope that, by next year, I can start anew, purchase some much-needed alternatives to my wardrobe, and post a bit more regularly on this blog.

---end of update---

Though my fashion has been a bit comprised, as of late, my hair has been adjusting quite well to the erratic Atlanta weather. After 22 years of lusting over my mother's stick-straight hair and straightening each strand between 450 degree ceramic plates, I've finally come to accept that my natural curls suit me just fine.

HOWEVER, I want to try to something new-- very new. I've been playing with a few of these more radical hair ideas: 

• getting an asymmetric cut/ cutting my hair 5+ inches
• hair color (light reddish-brown)

Here are some choices for cut and color: 

CUTS:

 COLORS:

To cut or not to cut? To color or not to color? -- or even both?

I am aware that there are at least two people who will read this blog post, so I ask that both of you-- even if you're sitting right next to me, watching me type this, I ask that you comment on this post and let me know which cut and/or color you think will suit me.

Until next time, Mel out.

OOTD: Diffusion

Today, I successfully used a hair dryer-- only a hair dryer-- to style my hair. I styled my bangs using a nylon vented brush (a la Goody©), and I styled my curls with a hair dryer diffuser. I prepped my tresses with Chi© Silk Infusion. 

I didn't do anything too exciting. Just slipped into some comfort clothes, and studied at a local cafe.

Picture taken via Instagram, so please excuse the size/ quality/ filter.


Outfit Deets: 

• Forever 21 crop top
• Madewell boyfriend jeans
• Steve Madden flats
• Izod jacket