Category Archives: Hair

Hair

Go Buy Now: Alterna Caviar CC Cream

September 4, 2013

caviar cc cream

It’s not often that a product like this comes around… and when it does, you just want to shout it from the rooftops! I scored a deluxe sample of this hair magic at Sephora a few weeks ago and I’ve been in love ever since. Like most girls, I was used to my usual schtick of using 3+ products on my hair: one for sleekness, one for volume, one for heat protection, etc. Then, along comes this CC cream which takes care of everything. Shine? Check. Moisture? Check. Manageability? Check. Heat protection? Check. I have pretty (ahem) difficult hair that usually takes a lot of work to manage. Since I’ve started using this product, my hair has been so easy. I also color treat my hair fairly regularly, which inevitably leads to damage and dullness. Never has my hair been so shiny and silky! I LOVE THIS STUFF. Go buy it now (you think I’m kidding?). You will love it.

XO, J

P.S. It’s also free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic color, paraffin, gluten, DEA/TEA, mineral oil & petrolatum!

Hair

Hair Crush: The Lob

August 14, 2013

Two and a half years ago, I did something drastic. After months of feeling weighed down by my hair, I made an appointment at a hair salon and got 14 inches chopped off. I swear to god, I left the salon 10 pounds lighter that day. I donated my 14 inches of hair to Locks of Love and couldn’t have been happier with my new cut. Fast forward to two and a half years later and I was bored with my semi-long hair again. I longed for a real style, instead of just plain and long (read: boring). After browsing Pinterest for inspiration, I settled on a fresh, new summer hairstyle.

The Lob

If you’re gonna go for it, here’s a few tips:

  • Ask your stylist for the lob to be about 2 inches longer in the front than in the back (and to hit about an inch below your collarbone). This adds movement and texture and prevents the dreaded soccer-mom hair!
  • Let them know that you want feathery, piece-y long layers, especially in the front around your face. Make sure you emphasize that you want your ends tapered to eliminate any bulkiness.
  • This hairstyle looks the best with extremely long layers – just enough to add a bit of movement and pick up waves and curls. Do not ask for short layers!

Enjoy your sexy new hair!

XO, J

Hair

How to: Shampoo & Condition (like a pro!)

July 26, 2013

lion shampoo

Girls, there’s something about going to the salon that makes you feel like a rockstar. No matter how hard you try, you’ll never be able to replicate everything about that perfect, bouncy blowout. But not all is lost! I’m here to give you the steps to getting a little closer to that freshly-styled salon feeling (hint: it’s in the shampooing and conditioning techniques).

Step One:

Step into the shower and wet down your hair. I’m not talking about standing in the water for 10 seconds and then lathering up, gals. I’m saying stand under the water for a good minute to let the water penetrate all the layers of your hair and become saturated. If you have long and thick hair (like me), lift it up to make sure the hair in the middle gets wet, too.

Step Two:

Wash your body. This allows your hair to absorb the water even further. The point is that you want your hair to be as wet and saturated with water as possible.

Step Three:

Squeeze a handful of shampoo into your palm. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter how much you use (you’ll know when you’ve squirted too much, anyway). Then, emulsify the shampoo between your palms. Seriously, this is the most important part. Emulsifying it activates the detergents in the shampoo and helps you achieve a better clean.

Step Four:

Apply the emulsified shampoo to the crown and back of your sopping wet head first. By doing this, you are avoiding applying a large gob of shampoo directly to your forehead area and not evenly distributing it to the rest of your scalp. Yes, shampoo is for your scalp only. Do not actively shampoo the rest of your hair (rinsing the shampoo out cleanses the ends as much as they need, anyway).

Step Five:

Rinse thoroughly. If you feel that your scalp didn’t get fully clean, don’t be afraid to lather up again. Since I only wash my hair about twice a week, I usually end up lathering up twice. After rinsing, gently squeeze the excess water out of your ends. If your hair is too wet when you apply your conditioner, it will be dilute and not as effective.

Step Six:

Squirt a generous amount of conditioner into your palm. Distribute briefly between palms (do not emulsify). Apply to the ends of your hair only. Remember, shampoo is for your scalp ONLY and conditioner is for your ends ONLY. Let the conditioner sit on your hair for a good 2-5 minutes to really absorb and deep condition.

Step Seven:

Rinse the conditioner out of your hair thoroughly. You’re good to go! Style your hair however you wish.

XO, J

P.S. How to: Blowdry Your Hair (the right way!)