Oh Hair There!

Oh hair there, friends! Are you asking yourself, “WTH?” when looking at my glamour shot above? My husband did along with, “are you really going to put that up?” Sure am! This is actually part of my healthy hair process and not only does it show what some of us gals go through as part of our self care routine, its just funny (don’t worry…there will more like this one)!

This photo actually sparked this week’s blog post. I was talking about my upcoming hair appointment to an acquaintance and it led to her asking me what my usual routine was because I happened to be having a good hair day (must have been a day I opted to actually do it)! I began to tell her that all the credit goes to my hair stylist, Ms. Sandi (the best!) of over 25 years, but that she makes me sit in the space station for too long! She looked at me with that same “WTH?” look and I had to share the photo. I don’t remember the formal name for this new hair dryer, but I’ll say I like it so much better than the old school ones even if I look like some sort of alien while under it.

Some of you might be asking how this fits into the whole ShelleyB.Style site. Its not home or event decor and its not fashion. Well no, but when I think of putting together an outfit for an event or even every day, I think of the whole look…including how my hair will be styled. I also consider hair care just as important as skin care and we need to take care of it. Healthy hair means that when its time to put your full look together, your hair is going to be as good as that outfit!

Just another color day at the salon!

I go to Sandi (message me if you are looking for a stylist and I’ll give you her info; she is so talented and puts up with my nonsense-lol) every six weeks . I know some who visit their salon only a few times a year and well, if that works for them-great, but that is not doable for me. May hair is long and thick and I just feel like it needs that deep clean and extra TLC regularly. I don’t let the scissors come at me every time I go (right, Sand?) but when she tells me its time to trim it, I do. I have also been giving it more than just a trim more regularly and even though I typically cry for a few days after I do it, it always feels and looks better after several inches come off now and then. I also get my color; I’ve gone pretty close to my natural color at this point but I’m itching for the summer highlights so who knows what will happen at my next visit!

In between appointments though, I do try very hard to take it easy on the mane. I don’t wash my hair more than twice a week and honestly, I try for once (and that is with working out 5-6 days a week-don’t say ewww until you read further, its fine) and during the work week, I limit my use of heat tools and the need to use extra hair products to hold a style. All doable because of some of the products I use so here are Shelley’s Should Have’s for hair care!

I try to wash my hair on Sunday night when I’ll have time to let it sit in a towel or air dry a bit and not have to immediately dry it when its pretty much sopping wet (that just means a lot of heat for an extended amount of time on my hair). I have been using a Microfiber Towel from Kitsch and love it. I don’t have this specific bundle set, but I do have the towel and the scrunchies (they absorb like the towel) and while I have used other hair towels in the past, Kitsch is my favorite because I feel like it absorbs really well and pretty quickly compared to others that seem flimsy to me. They also have coordinating Shower Caps and I use that when I don’t want to wash my hair, its big enough to cover my whole melon with all of my hair piled up and stays in place (not all do)!

When its time to dry, I use this Dryer Brush. I have not used a regular hair dryer in over two years…woohoo! This brush dries my hair in half the time - yes, HALF THE TIME - and I don’t have to use a straightener or curling iron after. It gives me smooth, straight hair or a bit of volume and curl depending on how I style as I am drying. No more round brush and dryer and then styling tools after…PRAISE THE LORD! I love this thing so much.

So, I am washed and dried on Sunday and Monday, I wake up to work out. I throw my hair up in these hair ties (they don’t leave as deep of an ident in my hair as other ties do), but before I do, I spray Dry Shampoo throughout my hair. The trick…spray it in BEFORE you work out. If I need a little extra after my workout, I will use it but since Living Proof came out with this new Advanced Dry Shampoo, I haven’t had to do that. I used to be a Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo fan, but it has moved into second place for me. The new Living Proof formula is so light and I don’t feel like anything is in my hair weighing it down like I do with others. I’ll brush it through with my favorite Thick Hair Brush by Gimme (also available on Amazon (brush). If a day or two later I feel like I need some volume, I’ll add this Volume Spray and let me tell you…aside from Sandi teasing my hair and using texture spray, this is the only product I have been able to use on my own that gives my long, thick hair any volume and holds it for most of the day. I can’t say enough about it…it just works!

I think I can get away with this routine mostly because I’m sleeping on a satin pillowcase instead of cotton, which is prone to making your head sweat as well as tangle your hair…not the case with the satin! I wake up with very little work, if any, needed on detangling nor do I wake up with greasy hair like I would if I was sleeping on standard cotton case (added bonus, its also good for your skin). Again, I like the kitsch brand but there are many others out there. I think they also make great gifts for your girlfriends or daughter(s) etc…either on their own or as part of a beauty themed gift basket with all of the products I mentioned :)

I do use heat tools (I love hot rollers for the amount of hair I have, I can get curls quick as opposed to a curling iron), but unless I’m dressing to impress or have a special occasion, you’ll pretty much find me in straight hair (I’m truly not that talented or patient to do much more-lol)!

Moral of the story my friends, take care of your locks; healthy hair is always in style! xoxo- ShelleyB.