The Surprising Things I do with My Hair

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Weirdo, or genius?

I’m just going to get to it – I wash my hair every 6 days. Every once in a while, I’ll have a busy week that requires me to have fresh hair for an event, so I’ll break that cycle but for the most part – every 6 days.

I just started using conditioner.

For a very long stretch of time, I skipped conditioner and shampooed my hair twice while in the shower. This made a HUGE difference in how my style worked and lasted. But over time I realized I needed to be treating my hair better, so now I…

Shampoo. Condition. Shampoo again.

This makes for a decently long shower, but I say it’s one of the secrets to my hair. Because I’m really getting all of the product out. And when you wash your hair only every 6 days, there tends to be a lot of product build up. I was skipping conditioner because it was making my hair too slick. I didn’t want to loose the fullness of my hair, so that’s where the second shampoo comes in. Plus it leaves me squeaky clean.

Curious as to how to get your hair to last a full 6 days? Read here.

Other things I do to make my style last? I hair spray my hair at night. Not a ton, but just a good all over spray and I let it set before I lay my head down on a silk pillow case. That’s another great secret – because that case is going to save your skin, and your hair style.

I only get my hair cut 4 times a year, but that’s because I keep it long. I trim my own bangs with nail scissors because they give me more control.

And where you get your hair cut is SO VERY IMPORTANT. If you don’t have a hair dresser that listens to you and takes your feedback as well as offers their own, then you don’t know what you’re missing! I’ve gone to Barnes & Barnes in Market Square for over 14 years now and wouldn’t go any where else even if offered large sums of money. Steve Barnes gets me, gets my hair and offers valuable insight while taking into account my opinion and the things I like to do with my hair. If you don’t have that kind of relationship. Go get it. They’re in Market Square next to Stock Burgers.

If you have any more questions about what I do with my hair, feel free to leave them in the comments below, also check out this post and this post for summer hair tips and products!

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5 Tips to Keep Your Hair Healthy & Spiffy this Summer

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If you’re going to be in and out of the pool, the heat or even just in and out of bed (CAN I GET AN AMEN) I’ve got some tips to help you keep healthy hair!

This time of year our hair can take a beating, but it doesn’t have to with a few tweaks to our routine.

So take just a few minutes and watch these hair tips that I gave on 10 News This Morning.

One thing I didn’t get to mention on the show… that amazing brush I talk about at the end – that’s a great tool to use to get all the tangles out of your hair BEFORE you shower. I stand there and brush out my whole head before getting it wet so that I don’t have to deal with tangles afterwards.

I hope this will help you maintain spiffy hair this weekend and that you have a great time relaxing with family and friends!

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My Favorite Hair Tools

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Winning the mane game.

There are a handful of hair epiphanies that I can distinctly remember…the first time I flipped my hair over to dry it and how great it was; the first time I used a straightener; the first time I quit fighting my waves and let my hair air dry…the list goes on and on.

As a teenager with lots of hair that grew like a Chia Pet in the soupy Florida air, my constant goal was to fight for the opposite and have small, straight hair. Puberty had brought with it the gift of waves (I didn’t see it as a gift until I got to college), so one year at youth camp, I remember running into our cabin every 20 minutes to re-straighten my ever frizzing/waving follicles.

Oh how the tables have turned.

Over the years I’ve learned a lot about my hair. What works, what DOESN’T work (I’m looking at you electric crimper) and what products help me walk out of the house looking and feeling my best. I’ve also learned how to best take care of my hair without it becoming a full time job.

All of that, I plan to share with you this week on the blog.

So let’s get started…

Here are the products I use on the regular. Click on any of the pictures to get your own!

Besides my hair dryer, this puppy probably gets used the most. I’ve got the 32mm (in the fun blue color). I like the size waves it gives, I don’t know that I would want it to be much smaller or larger (although I’d be willing to try 1.5 inch just to see).

This next product is one that has caused me to put down my straightener. It gives me hair that’s just as smooth and as better styled than if I had stood there for 15 minutes heating up my hair for a second time. It’s a time saver and a hair saver (all my hair strands say, “AMEN.”) Bonus points? It’s less than $15.

Brace yourself, as this is going to be the most expensive thing on the list. It rings in a little under $150 BUT it drys my hair in a nano second (well, maybe not that fast, but still SUPER fast). It’s got a great cool setting and more power than most vacuum cleaners. Favorite hair dryer in my lifetime…

Come back all week for more tips on how to have spiffy hair this summer!

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Products to Help You Look Good All Day

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Beauty that can’t stop won’t stop.

I laughed at myself the other day as I put on my makeup around 5:00, lamenting over the fact that I was putting it on for only one event.

In my college days (and even just a couple years ago) I would come home from work and fully refresh my makeup. I’m talking, take it all off and start all over again to go somewhere that night. Nowadays it’s like – Where else can I go with this face?! The store? Does anyone need me to go get them gas?

Because I’m really into the makeup-all-day thing, it’s important to find products that will have you looking fresh for hours.

I swear, Bare Minerals has crawled into my head and started eves dropping on my dreams because every time I start to get a craving for a different kind of foundation, they come out with what I was looking for.

This liquid foundation has gotten me so excited. I get the liquidy goodness of their incredible ingredients, with the coverage of a super model and they staying power of…(I can’t think of a good makeup staying power example other than cement but that’s not a good visual).

PLUS it’s only $34. Sure, it’s a few more dollars than their original powder, but it’s still way cheaper than the $60 foundation I was considering putting in my “cart.” Boy am I glad I didn’t.

Check out this week’s segment for more about that dreamy foundation, and AND see the secret weapon I use for voluminous hair (even at the end of the day)…

Want to know what to shop for this time of year? I’ve got the answer to that.

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Look Good Through the Heat & Humidity

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I AM THE MOTHER OF A ONE YEAR OLD.

Admitting it in all caps is going to help it sink in, right?! Although I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel once it does sink in…

I do know this – I’m excited about him turning one and all the adventures and learning and growing it will bring! (Unless any of those adventures/learning/growing involve blood, bugs or bugers).

He had a pretty epic party and I can’t wait to show you pictures from it – Southern Roots Photography always does an amazing job!

For now, I want to help you finish out the summer looking spiffy!

Here are links to two of my articles for Knoxville Families Magazine…

The first is all about how to dress for a kids pool party.

Even if you don’t necessarily have one of those to go to, my hope is that it will help you figure out what to wear for events that could be tricky.

(Pics below provided by Brittany Arnold of Southern Roots Photography)

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The second is how to help your hair beautifully survive the humidity that has made itself comfortable.

As you will read, I have a black belt in fighting frizz, so learn from my ways, Grasshopper.

I hope you have a wonderful week! I’m looking forward to spending more focused time on the blog now that I have someone’s first birthday party under my belt. :)

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