hair – Page 2 – the Spiff

Three Shower Tricks I Swear By

June 29, 2016 No Comments

knoxville beauty blogger, beauty blogger, how to make your blowout last, shower tips

Taking a shower can range from being a chore to a quick spa-like moment alone.

If I’m not going to wash my hair, I really look forward to standing in the hot shower for a minute. If I am going to wash my hair, I’m on a time crunch.

Now that I’m a mom with a baby that’s got an ever growing to-do list (which includes but is not limited to the following: empty cabinets, empty basket contents, empty diaper bag, empty trash can …all over the floor), I’ve got to maximize my shower time.

So while he sits in the bumbo seat outside of the shower with a tray full of puffs to keep him occupied I’m doing the following to make sure I come out {and stay} beautiful till my next shower adventure.

I double wash my hair.

A little over a year ago I read how shampooing only once just moves the product around, but shampooing again really rids your hair of everything.

Once I started doing this I noticed my styling lasts longer and my hair feels better. I do this especially when I’ve curled my hair because I hair spray it every night before I go to sleep, which means I’ve got lots and lots of product to get rid of.

I start with Head and Shoulders to help my scalp then use Dove because it comes in a giant pump bottle from Sam’s.

Most of the time I just double shampoo and don’t condition, but that’s because conditioner takes away some of the coarseness and I like the coarse because it helps me keep my style longer. You can take that or leave it, but definitely pick up double shampooing. It’s great.

I apply after-shower lotion.

I got in the habit of applying lotion everywhere. Then the next day dawned and I feel off the wagon.

Jergan’s makes an after-shower lotion that you apply before drying off that’s AMAZING. I get lotion everywhere without having to stand there and let it soak in.

Another bonus is that your skin is more susceptable to soaking in the moisture before you dry off, so it’s a great time to do your skin good without taking a lot of time.

I rub coconut oil everywhere before getting in the bath.

Ok so this is a bath tip and not a shower tip, but it might work in the shower as well if you do it after you’ve washed (add to it the tip above and you’ll be swimming in moisture).

Remember a couple lines up when I said your skin really soaks in the moisture after a shower? Playing on that is the tip to apply coconut oil all over your body before you get in the bath tub.

The heat from the bath opens your pores and since the oil doesn’t mix with the water it seaps into your skin and you’re left wonderfully soft.

Check out these summer beauty swaps to keep you cool and looking more summer-ish.

Beauty

The Most Important Person in Your Beauty Life

March 16, 2016 No Comments

Here’s how my mornings go…

6 AM the alarm goes off. I’ve got it set to a quack – which was cute at first, but some days it’s really not.

I hit snooze a couple times until I’m ready to not hear a quacking sound anymore, then I get out of bed. From there I walk to the bathroom, turn on the light and let my eyes fully adjust so I can look at my hair to see how it survived the night. As I’m brushing my teeth, I assess what needs to be done to get it ready for the day.

Most of the time, I can predict what it will do. In fact, I have to, because if I’m going to need to wash it I’ll need to budget some time for that waaay in advance. #thickhairprobs

Your morning may vary a little, but just like me, your day starts with your hair – washing it, fixing it, grimacing at it.

If you’re happy with it when you walk out the door, you can concentrate better, live life more fully. I know if I’m not happy with mine – the public better hide because nothing puts me in a bad mood faster. Which is why I’ve taken steps to ensure that never happens. And really, it’s rare.

Why? Because I’ve found the greatest hairdresser on the planet – Salon Barnes and Barnes – run by a husband and wife team who really know their stuff.

In the past, I’ve had hairdressers who would ask me questions every step of the way (kind of like the cabinet guy on Seinfeld). Then there’s the kind that chop away and yadda, yadda, yadda you’ve got bangs (I’m happy about it now, but I sure wasn’t happy about it 13 years ago).

Both Barnes’ are the perfect blend of asking you what you want and giving their input. Sometimes I know exactly what I want, and other times I want their input because I trust them. Implicitly. Have for 11 years.

When you go to someone as experienced and knowledgeable as they are, you can take them any hair problem and they’ll help fix it. I don’t have to deal with as much hair in the summer because they can cut it in a way where I lose the weight but keep the shape and length.

It’s a one-stop shop too because you can get your nails done, get a massage, and now you can get a facial. Then just walk across Market Square and finish the day off with some Rita’s Italian Ice – which has nothing to do with hair, but it’s amazing stuff.

So the answer to the question, “Who is the most important person in your beauty life?” It’s your hairdresser. Go get a good one at Barnes & Barnes. And I’m not being paid to say that, I’m just speaking the truth.

Beauty

Humidity Can Suck It, Have a Good Hair Day

August 10, 2015 No Comments

This post may be from summer 2014, but humidity is with us every summer ;)

So please enjoy this post while I enjoy getting to be a new mom! And follow my on social media (links on the right) for updates on our cutie little boy!

As I type this, I’m sitting outside enjoying a 75 degree day, completely humidity free.

That’s something I never could have done in the middle of a Floridian July (I am wearing my Jacksonville t-shirt, just so you know I haven’t completely lost allegiance ;) But I did want to point out that my humidity fighting resume includes battling it in Florida where the air sweats for you.

I’m certain our fight with humidity here in Tennessee isn’t over yet (in fact, two days later it’s in full swing again), so I wanted to pass on a few tips on how to help you fight the humidity battle…and win.

The very first step to fighting frizz and humidity, is to suck all of the moisture from your strands.

This means you’ve got to spend extra time under the blow dryer, but it’s worth it. Because when you don’t dry your hair completely, the moisture that’s left in it reacts to the moisture that’s in the air, and that’s what helps to bring about the frizzies.

Next, find a hair spray that has the words, “all day humidity resistance,” on it. This one from TRESemme has worked really well for me all summer. Spray over hair that you’ve styled or even just spritz it on a day when you’re wearing your hair straight for an extra layer of defense.

You could always lean into the humidity and allow it to work for you by going with some sea salt spray. I talk about this stuff a lot this time of year because it works so well. Unlike mousse it’s not going to harden your hair and make it crunchy. No, instead it’s going to give it a soft, matte texture. Even if you don’t have any wave to your hair, spray this stuff in and let it air dry for that tousled/bedhead/I’m a model off duty look.

And of course, you can always revert to throwing it up in a pretty bun, then taming your flyway’s with a cutie little hair tie like this one. It’s fabric that surrounds wire, so it stays put and doesn’t hurt your head, stopping humidity right in its tracks because it’s too busy saying, “Dang girl! You’re looking good!”

Beauty, beauty products, hair, hair spray, Videos, wbir

Where to Save and Splurge with Hair Products

May 13, 2015 No Comments

I was going to start this by saying I could REALLY blow a budget when it comes to hair products, but then I thought about it for a second and realized, I could easily blow a lot of money on just about anything I put on my body…just ask my husband ;)

But just as there are ways to save and splurge with beauty products, there are strategic ways to spend when it comes to how you do your hair.

Hair tools: Splurge

Because these are things you use on a regular basis and because they really play a big role in the health of your strands, it’s important to spend a little bit more to get quality hair tools.

A straightener especially can make a difference. The higher quality tools (like Chi) will have things in place to protect your hair (like real ceramic) and a way for you to see the temperature. You may think that’s just a luxury to see how hot your tool is, but it can be the difference from you frying off strands because you can see how hot you’ve gotten it.

A blow dryer is another good example. The good ones are high powered which means you spend less time underneath them = less chance of you doing any more heat damage to your hair.

And while this might be a surprise to you, a hair brush is another great tool to spend a little bit more on. This brush acts just like a straightener leaving your strands super soft and frizz free.

Let me point out, investing in great hair tools is money well spent because they’re going to last a long time and really make the investment worth it in the long run – especially in the life of your hair!

Speaking of saving…. Since you’ve bought some expensive tools, let’s save when it comes to certain hair products. Not all products are worth skimping on but these three are…

Hair products: Save {on certain ones}

Hair Spray – if you want to read all my thoughts on this spray, you can do so here. It works great, doesn’t leave your hair sticky and truly holds your style.

Heat Protectant spray – again, for a full review click here. I love the way it sprays and that it really coats my hair which is important with something that’s protecting your strands.

Mousse – honestly, Sauve is a favorite of mine. My biggest requirement for a mousse is to not leave my hair crunchy. I want it to control frizz and let my natural wave do its thaang. I’ve not tried a ton of expensive versions, but I have gone through all the drugstore possibilities and this one always comes out on top.

Now Sephora and Ulta are filled to the brim with hair products we can all easily splurge on, and I’m not saying never do that. But you can cut some corners with these three products which will allow you to spend a little more on others.

I hope this helps! It’s always good to have the peace of mind that you’re putting your money in the right place!

Watch yesterday’s segment to see where to save/splurge on beauty products!

Beauty, hair

How to Wash Your Hair Less Often

April 13, 2015 1 Comment

If you’re jealous when I say I only wash my hair once a week, I’ve got good news for you…it’s possible for you to get to that point as well.

It doesn’t matter how much hair you have on your head, once a week washes can be yours too!

I’ll get to the bad news about it in a minute. First, let me explain the science behind it…

You know how with your face if you scrub it too much, you start to break out? That’s because you’re disrupting the natural oil your skin produces, and when you scrub it off all the time, it signals to your body to make more and more and more and pretty soon you’ve got zits (yippee). The same is true for your scalp.

The more you scrub off that natural oil your scalp produces, the more it will make. So when you thought to yourself at the beginning of this post, “She’s so wrong, I HAVE to wash my hair everyday or it will get too greasy, but I’m going to keep reading any way because she’s such an engaging writer.”

You’re right, I am an engaging writer. Also, you’re right about your scalp ;) You do have to wash your hair everyday, because you are. If you were to stop, your scalp would quit over-producing oil and you could live the life of luxury in the mornings.

Here’s the bad news…the adjustment period is a little tricky. It would take your scalp about 2-3 weeks to balance out and quit producing excess oil. Which means you’d have to do a lot of buns/hats/ponytails/accessories on your head while your hair got used to your new routine. I would suggest trying this in the middle of summer when it feels good to have your hair up anyway.

Think about how great it would be to only wash your hair once a week. I can tell you, it’s like living in a dream ;)

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