My New Darker Hair: Lots of Adjustments!

Earlier today in my Valentine's day look you may have caught a sneak peek at my new hair. I started thinking about going darker recently (hello, Mila Kunis obsession) and during my Live Styling Event, Joey thought that "darker and richer" would be better for me.

So, last week I went from (very grown out) highlighted light brown/blondish hair to...

This new darker auburn color. You may have seen some of my sneak peek pictures on my Instagram, and I think these 2 pics from there are probably the best representation of how my hair really looks. It is a bit darker and redder than I had thought I'd be going, but once my stylist, Heather, and I had the hair color book in front of us, we both picked the same little hair swatch. It's a bit redder now than it was on the swatch, but she said it would fade a little with the first few washings (this is a demi-permanent color). This color is also very similar to my mom's natural hair color (though, this is a bit darker) so that is likely why it works so well for me.

I'm finally starting to recognize myself when I look in the mirror (rather than still thinking "who is that??"). I'm just trying to figure out all of the other adjustments that such a drastic change in hair color results in.

First, while I have about 20 foundations, I've noticed that all but about 1 (which I'm wearing in that right instagram pic above) are about 1/2 shade too dark and a bit too yellow. While this wasn't really noticeable with good blending before, it's really obvious now with darker hair. I think that's the main reason I felt like I looked a bit plastic in the pics earlier today. My hair was curled a bit strange (it looks better as 2nd day hair with this cut/color), my foundation color was a bit too yellow... you get the idea.

I also have noticed that my eye makeup now seems to somehow disappear with this darker hair! I need to break out some new and darker colors, get a new foundation (I already ran to ULTA this morning to do that) and I need to be a bit heavier/darker in my shadow application.

I'm looking back at pics of a few of my favorite brunettes for makeup ideas.

Obviously Mila was the biggest inspiration for this look, so I'm going to be rocking a lot more and darker smoky eyes! I think I need to buy the LORAC Pro Palette now, it's perfect for a Mila eye.

@15minbeauty you should totally channel Emma Stone...she always has fantastic makeup!

— Kim Porter (@MakeupbyKimP) January 30, 2013

Kim Porter, one of my fave makeup artists (look for a great wedding makeup post from her very soon) thought I should look to Emma Stone for some inspiration. I don't have Emma's amazing light eyes, but her hair color is closer than Mila's to mine now, and Kim is right! Emma is always flawless. The key seems to be always having more color somewhere, a lippie or an eye... there can't be a bare eye and a nude lippie, I look blah that way.

Finally, the last of my favorite brunettes, Jen and Emily. Definitely time to start playing up my eyes a little darker!

Have you made any drastic changes in hair color? What tips do you have for me?

15

Success! Heat Free Curls Despite Long Layers

Success!

So, apparently the 3rd 4th try post makes the charm. If you've been following along for the last few weeks, I've been attempting to curl my hair at night. I did not want to use curlers, even little foam ones. I feared ridicule from my hubby (he is a nice guy, but he would laugh since he finds my beauty antics amusing) and strange looks from a half asleep 8 month old at 3 am who may (or may not) recognize mommy.

(If you haven't been following along, first I was excited about sockbun curls, which kept falling out at night. I tried curling my hair with a head band, which worked but some areas were flat (too much hair, not enough band...) So I tried 2 headbands. In a nutshell, all of these attempts were foiled by my crazy thick hair (I have a ton of hair, enough for about 3 people), the length of my hair (it is past my shoulders but somehow too short for the sock bun to work well), or the long layers that I have (the shorter layers love to fall out and refuse to be in a sock bun).

So, via another video, I finally succumbed to using something more like a curler. Well. A rag curler.

Of course, like all things inspirational, this technique was via another Pinterest Pin, that led to a Babble blog post looking at life changing hair videos (OMG, the first 2 are the ones I've already watched... is the entire world on Pinterest??), and the third was this one from YaYa Lifestyle.


So, this isn't really so terribly different than any other tutorial or mention in a magazine telling you to wrap your hair around a ribbon or scrap of t-shirt to curl it. She uses socks, she shows you how she wraps her hair around it and then rolls the whole thing up.

I already have some socks that I was trying to use for my sock buns that weren't so stable. I cut those in half (so I have 4 scraps of material to wrap around my hair), wet my hair and got going!

I only wrapped my hair into 3 sections, though for smaller curls a smaller section would be better. I wanted bigger curls that would be easy to brush out into a mostly straight style. So, 3 sections.

I found that the hair I initially wrapped around the sock (before rolling the whole thing up) was pretty much the part that got curled. I think this is because I wound it around in a corkscrew, rather than the looser rolling. You can see this with the tighter (and higher up) curls that I had in the back. Those were wound tighter and higher up. Because of the way everything is wound and then tied, taking this down was way easier than the other techniques and left the curls intact.

Since this was second day hair I styled it with a dry shampoo. My current fave is by Oliver Ifergan, that stuff adds amazing volume, never makes my hair look dusty/white and the nozzle doesn't clog. I need to write an entire post about it. I sprayed the dry shampoo on my crown, tousled my hair with my fingers and then sprayed some hair spray on the whole thing. Quick and easy, it was about 3 minutes total styling time in the morning.

7

Heat Free Curls Attempt Update: I Look Awesome in 2 Headbands

I would like to nominate myself for some sort of amazing blogger award for being willing to post these pictures of myself on-line. Look at my hair! I look like a crazy person. Oh, and this is right before bed, and I had been on-call the night before. So, I'm super tired looking. Sigh.

Anyways, you might remember last week's post about curling your hair without heat by wrapping it around a headband. I mentioned trying with 2 headbands in order to have the curls start higher on my head. I thought this would help with the inconsistency I had in curl size as well (I had some super tight spirals, some big waves and one small chunk had come out straight despite being wrapped. How this straightened my wavy hair I don't know.) Anyways, if you look down in the comments you'll see the discussion about adding a second head band, a'la Kim Kardashian's strange wedding head gear.

And above that's obviously what I looked like once I finished wrapping my hair. I did the horizontal band first, using an elastic Goody no-slip headband, and then added a more diagonal stretchy fabric headband (also from Goody) over the first one. I did find that it was easier to wrap all of my hair using 2 headbands, though I have an insane amount of hair so this might just be something particular to me.

Read on to see if this more advance technique of lazy hair curling worked!

13

Friday Hair Posts

So, while I'm not a hair dresser, I'm certainly not a schlub when it comes to hair either. I'd say I'm a bit above average in skill when it comes to dealing with my hair. And I have insane amounts of it. I'm really looking forward to playing around with it more for these posts.

So, my plans are:
• My usual hair product reviews
• Pics and links to hair styles that I've been inspired by, and if I am able I'll attempt and show you how I did with it
• I'm a "2a" in Curly Girl speak, and I just bought the book! I'm planning to read it and maybe even do the "no-poo" method. So, expect a few posts about this.
• I have a series planned with Aussie's Sarah Potempa

 Any other ideas?

 

1

Pinterest Challenge! Sockbun Curls and Aspiring to be Sherry

I've briefly mentioned my Pinterest addiction in the past (here's my Pinterest Boards in case you're curious). I discovered Pinterest through one of my favorite blogs, Young House Love. (My obsession with YHL has reached the point that when I have a new idea for our house my hubby first asks "is this from that blog again? That one you're trying to become?")

Well, recently over on YHL they announced that they were challenging themselves with a Pinterest Challenge. Rather than collecting pins, they would actually do one of the things they had pinned. I know. The interwebs are awesome.

I've decided that I'm going to participate as well! I went into my beauty board and found this pic that I had pinned. I must try out sock bun curls!

It was originally pinned by Amy from Life on Twentieth. Unlike most pins it doesn't link to the original source, but it looks like her hair, so I really think it must be her.

Read on for more about this hair do trial

6

What Does That Thing Do? Double Barreled Curling Irons Explained

Have you seen the double barreled curling irons in stores? Apparently it is perfect for creating beachy waves and Veronica Lake waves. But, I've always been confused by it when I see it in stores, so I've quickly bypassed it. Recently RSession tools sent me a few images that explain how it works.

Read on for the easy explanation.

7

Formal Looks: Nicole Kidman's Edgy Updo at the SAG Awards

Stylist David Babaii created an edgy updo for Nicole Kidman at the SAG Awards this year.

Starting with clean hair, David applied his new favorite must have product called Couture Colour Pequi Oil Treatment to her entire head.

Next, he blow dried Nicole's hair with the IT&Y HAIRFASHION Ionic Dryer along with a large round brush to achieve a sleek straight finish.

After the hair was dried, he gently back combed the top and sides for volume and then smoothed the surface. To begin the up-do, he swept the hair gently over creating a faux side-part and brining the rest of the hair to the center back and securing with a band just at the top of the nape.

David wrapped the hair into an un-structured Chignon and securing with bobby pins. The secret was not to over comb or smooth the hair but to allow the hair to create a soft natural look. To finish, he used additional Pequi Oil to her bang area to define strands. For added glamour, David added a subtle decorative clip to the side.

IT&LY HAIRFASHION
Couture Colour

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Formal Looks: Mila Kunis at the SAG Awards

Mila's amazing smokey eye was done by makeup artist Tracey Levy for Lancôme.

Face
• Teint Miracle Lit-from-Within Makeup
• Blush Subtil in Sheer Amourose

Eye
• Color Design 5 Pan Palette in Midnight Rush
• Color Design Eye Shadow in Volcano
• Le Crayon Khôl EyeLiner in Black
• Hypnôse Drama Mascara in Excessive Black

Lips
• L’Absolu Rouge Lipstick in Rich Cashmere
• La Laque Fever Lipshine in Hotness


Drybar owner Alli Webb has some great tips on how to achieve Mila's romantic curls!

• Dry your hair using a medium-sized round brush (always start in the front!) and don't worry if your hair is a tad frizzy when you are done. Your 1 inch curling iron will smooth it all out.

• Take one inch sections and work all the way around your head - I recommend sectioning your hair into 4 large pieces and curling one section at a time so you don't miss any hair!

• Curl away from your face, on both sides. End with a light spray shine and twist


The Dry Bar
Lancome

Image courtesy of Lancome, Wire Image

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Formal Looks: Gwyenth at the Grammys

Celeb Stylist David Babaii says to always start with clean fresh hair. The clean canvas theory remains his mantra for every red carpet look. David began by applying Couture Colour Pequi Oil Treatment and gently massaging into the hair. The Pequi Oil Treatment is used prior to blow drying to deliver silky and shiny hair. With the IT&LY HAIRFASHION Ionic Blow Dryer, David rough dried the hair for texture and volume.

Next, he created a center part and began taking random sections wrapping only the center portion of some of the strands (leaving the top and ends free) around a 1" curling iron. Alternating stands were wrapped around the curling iron, leaving only the very tips free. This was done to create uneven curl patterns.

Once the strand cooled, David ran his fingers up the strand creating a "fanning effect". To finish, he added additional Couture Colur Pequi Oil Treatment to his hands and tousled the waves for added volume, texture and hold.

IT&LY HAIRFASHION
Couture Colour

0

Formal Looks: Updos at the SAG Awards

January Jones and Natalie Portman had similar updos this year at the SAG Awards. Note that both had a low bun in back, but their hair swooped up and around in the front.

Pureology ColourAmbassador Natasha Sunshine, owner of Byu-ti Hair Therapy, a Pureology Salon, gave me some tips on how to recreate this look on your own.

1. Start with damp hair, apply a nickel size of Pureology ColourStylist NourishingNectar evenly throughout.

2. Dry thoroughly and set with large rollers wound away from the face.

3. After rollers cool, remove and brush hair through.

4. Leaving out the top front section, pull all the hair back into a low pony and create a side part.

5. Finish ponytail into a bun securing with bobby pins.

6. Brush top front section back and push forward to get a smooth swooping fringe.

7. Spray finished style with ColourStylist StrengtheningControl zero dulling hairspray.


Edward Tricomi of Warren-Tricomi Salon provided a few more tips on how to achieve these looks.

On January Jones:
To achieve this smart, lady-like look of January Jones, blow out hair straight, using a bit of a round brush to create lift wave. Take a drop of hairspray and comb hair back, then comb the wave into play. Any extra hair can be pinned in tightly by twisting hair back and tucked in until all hair is up off of neck.

On Natalie Portman:
To easily achieve this look at home blow dry hair softly with a round brush. Part hair to the desired side. Spray and twist the smaller side rolling it toward the back of your neck. The larger side should be twisted and sprayed into an “s” shape to follow your natural hairline. Make sure to swoop the front pieces into a wave securing it with hairspray. Pull hair into a rubberband and put into a ponytail. Twist ponytail into a sleek bun and secure with a bobby pin.

Warren Tricomi
Pureology

0

Formal Looks: Nicole Kidman's Red Carpet Wavy Hair 2011

I think that Nicole Kidman is one of my all time favorites on the Red Carpet. You can pretty much always count on her to get it right and I love how much happier and more relaxed she looks with her husband.

This year in particular Nicole seemed more... approachable? I think that's the best way to describe it. Perhaps it is the new baby that is agreeing with her. That and the ability to move her forehead... Wait, that was snarky and I don't want to be snarky as I love her. The snarky is directed at Botox. I'm glad it is out of her system, she looks better now.

Regardless, I loved her long hair down and wavy at the Golden Globes and Independent Spirit Awards this year. She worked with Celebrity Hairstylist David Babaii for all of her Red Carpet looks this year. I'll be sharing some of her updos in later posts, but today I thought we'd look at the two events where he left her hair down.

Read on for pics and his input on how to recreate this at home.

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