Generally, I think shorter hair fits when you’re older, but I’m just not lovin’ this hair.  No matter which way it’s styled, I just don’t like it.  I think it ages her a bit.

Maybe if it were darker?

I wonder what Diddy thinks!

Thoughts?

Now I must say, last summer I purchased these nail stickers for myself and it was a disaster, NOTHING stuck!  However, when my daughter applied them, it worked like a charm, go figure!  I will re-purchase and maybe have her apply them for me.

Caitlin came to her senses earlier this year and  became a brunette (who says blondes have more fun).  The pics below are in the following order form left to right:

 (click image for larger view)

1st pic – natural hair after washing with her own products

2nd pic – 1st wash with shampoo and conditioner only – hair feels the same, slight difference in color

3rd – 1 week later – shampoo, conditioner and leave -in conditioner used – with repeated use throughout the week, hair became stringy, ends were dry and frayed, some frizziness

4th pic – 2 weeks later – (during 2nd week, shampoo was used with a moisturizing conditioner from another line) – noticeable difference in color (darker), hair is shiny, full and felt soft

Note:  No other products were used during testing period.

Pros – hair does get darker, like the use of a foam shampoo, sulfate free

Cons- conditioner is not moisturizing,consistency of moisturizer is too thick ( like icing), products can be messy, stains

How do you maintain your color-treated hair?

There should be no embarrassment now when going through airport security.  Take that TSAs!

Earlier this year I did some research on other alternatives to controlling my eczema.  In addition to my neck, I developed a rash on my inner elbow.  Here are the three steps I took to control it:

1.)  Coconut Oil – this oil is amazing.  I use it daily all over my body as a moisturizer.  It works better than any body lotion I’ve ever used.  I use Organic Unrefined Coconut oil by Jarrows.  Applying this to my eczema instantly calms down the inflammation and relieves the itching.  When I applied this daily, I rarely had breakouts.

2.)  Amlactin Lotion:  Now that I had the inflammation and itching under control, I needed something to smooth out the patches.  I’ve talked about this lotion before and how it helps exfoliate the skin to keep it smooth.  Of course I got to thinking and figured it could smooth out my patches.  Every night I applied this on my neck and inner elbow.  It does sting a bit when first applied, but it’s nothing thats unbearable.  After a few days, I’d say less than one week, the patches were completely smooth.  No more rough looking skin.  Eventually, after a couple of weeks of use, the discoloration began to lighten.  Killing two birds with one stone!

3.  Fish Oil pills – it’s pretty simple.  Eczema is an inflammatory condition.  Fish oil pills contain a fatty acid called EPA.  EPA is an anti-inflammatory acid, meaning it works by reducing inflammation.  I take a fish oil supplement every evening with dinner and I believe it’s one of the reasons why I haven’t has any flare-ups in almost one year!  Just be ware that all fish oil pills are not the same.  Always check to see how much EPA and it’s buddy DHA are included in your pills.  EPA and DHA should have a total of at least 500mg.  A lot of pills out there are just a bunch of fillers.

Here is a before pic of my eczema:

And here we are a few months later:

Again, the itching, inflammation and smoothing happens almost instantly.  It’s the lightening that takes a while.

The basic concept of the Oil Cleansing Method is that the oil used to massage your skin will break up sebum and grime on the surface of your skin.  Your skin gets clean without stripping its natural moisture the way it does with most traditional cleansers.  And YES, oily skin people can use this too!

You can try this method in 2 easy steps:

1.  Massage a few drops of oil onto dry skin.  Massage it well to break up all that stuff on your face.  A good minute should do the trick.

2. After your done molesting your skin…(ha)…either rinse your face with warm water or use a wet washckloth (soaked with almost hot water) and wipe the oil off.

Most people report not needing to use a moisturizer afterwards, because skin feels balanced and supple.

Cleansing Oils to try:

Origins Clean Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil

I’ve been using this for the last two weeks and so far so good.  It’s light and the smells refreshing.  I use it in the mornings on dry skin, but I think I may be switching it to nighttime use soon.

Ahhh…the one that started it all.  Shu Uemura created this after working as a makeup artist years ago.  The result was an oil based cleanser used to remove heavy makeup completely and effectively, while maintaining skin’s moisture.  This was the first product I tried when experimenting with oil cleansing.  A bit pricey, but I liked it.

A deep cleansing oil that uses Olive Oil and Vitamin E to clean and nourish.  I’ve never used this but the reviews are amazing!

Have you ever tried this method?

bTreated:  A daily members-only site that offers last-minute deals at local Spas and Salons.  Save up to 80% off on services.  Of course I’m a member and I’m inviting all of you to join here.

LifeBooker:  Another site offering several daily deals.  Sign up here.

The Right Deal:  We all love Spa Week, now love their weekly Spa and Beauty deals.  Every Wednesday a new deal is up for grabs and you get a free gift with each purchase.  Only one email per week, so your mailbox won’t be flooded!  Sign up here.

$30 Thursdays:  Set to launch in the fall, this weekly site will offer a new deal every Thursday that will always be $30!  Sign up here for your city.  Only one email per week also.

SpaPhile:  This site will offer 1-2 deals per week  at some of the finest spas in your area.  Check them out here.

According to owner  Sarah Cameron:

“It might strike a chord, but as the way our society and community is getting, we keep tailoring everything because everyone is getting so sensitive,” said Cameron.

“Anyone who has a connection or a story behind anything can be upset or have an opinion. We are not trying to attack anyone.”

 

Tomfoolery at it’s finest…that is all!

A few of  the manicures from last night’s VMAs…

Beyonce

Demi Lovato

Katy Perry

Kreayshawn

Nicki Minaj

Selena Gomez

Snooki

Zoe Saldana

According to OPI’s Suzi Weiss-Fischmann:

 “Not only do The Muppets characters inspire fun, bright and joyful colors, the fashionable Miss Piggy lends her name to three high-shine pink-based hues, ranging from bold red flecked with silver to a multi-dimensional strawberry shade.”

Available November 2011 for $8.50.