It’s been a while since I did a grey hair update, and yesterday I saw my stylist for a much-needed trim and glaze. My last appointment was eight weeks ago, and since hair supposedly grows faster in the summer, I was beginning to look pretty shaggy. I last highlighted my hair in December, so my roots and the highlights have been growing without any new color since then. At this point, I’ve got several inches of natural color streaked with grey, brassy blonde highlights, and old, dyed hair underneath it all. It’s a bit of a hot mess, but with my curly hair, I don’t mind it too much and I’ve embraced the Earth Mother look completely.
But my stylist thought she could significantly tone down my old highlights by applying a toner to the middle section and a clear gaze at my roots, so I jumped at the chance to blend it all together. The result was better than expected, and I’m really thrilled with the way it looks. (She always styles my hair straight to see the color, but I prefer to wear it curly on a daily basis.)
(The line of demarcation is much less noticeable now.)
Ryan took these photos outside so you can really see the color, and while my grey growth is visible on top, it blends very well with the rest of my hair. I don’t have the brassy gold layers now, and the bottom section looks more natural, too.
(My natural color at the roots, with a toner in the middle to cancel out my old highlights.)
My new greys are most noticeable at my temples and on top of my head, but they seem more natural without the three sections of obvious colors I had going on for so long. My stylist and I had even discussed the possibility of tinting my old highlights grey, but she doesn’t think I’ll need to go that route since this toner works so well. I’m planning to keep it up for a few months to see how I like it, and with regular trims, my hair should stay healthy and blended as my new greyish color grows out.
Despite the changes to my original plan, I have still found this growing-out process remarkably painless, and I hope to encourage other women who might be considering the same path. It’s okay to let your grey hair shine. It doesn’t mean you are letting yourself go at all, and it’s a really wonderful experience.
(I love the simple packaging.)
I’ve read about the wonders of Korean beauty products for a while now, and recently, I decided to venture into that territory with a small purchase from Peach and Lily. This online store features the best and most popular beauty products from both Korea and Japan. Korean beauty regimens often involve as many as ten steps, morning and night, and while I’m not ready to add that much commitment to my routine, I was curious to try a few products.
(My favorites: Botanical Pore Serum by Be the Skin and Peripera Tint Jelly Stick.)
I still use two prescriptions to keep my oily skin in check, but I feel confident enough to switch cleansers or change moisturizers these days without fear of a breakout. My skin issues have resolved, and I’ve found a basic care routine that works well for me. Since I’ve always been plagued by large pores, I decided to try Be the Skin’s Botanical Pore Serum after reading the wonderful reviews on several sites. Dermatologists recommend a simple cleanser and a light moisturizer (adding SPF in the morning), so I am always skeptical when it comes to extras like serums and night creams. I really don’t believe that they work, to be completely honest.
Somehow, my opinion was swayed enough to order Be the Skin’s serum, and using it has been a really enjoyable experience. After washing my face and applying my prescription cream, I gently pat a small amount into my skin at night. In the morning, I add my SPF moisturizer on top. After two days, I “thought” I noticed smaller pores, but I chalked it up to the placebo effect. Later that morning, Ryan and I were running some errands and he asked me if I’d started using “that stuff from Korea,” as he called it. I told him I had, and he said he could tell. Ryan never says anything about my skin, so I think it might actually be working!
Just for fun, I also tried Peripera’s Tint Jelly Stick, which is really similar to my current favorite lip product, Dior’s Addict Lip Glow. Both products use your body chemistry to lightly tint your lips a natural shade, but the Dior Lip Glow is quite pricey at over $30 and I seem to go through it extremely quickly. Peripera’s Jelly Stick is affordable at $12, and it comes in three fun colored shades. I ordered the Sky Stick, shown above, and it’s a nice bright pink shade.
I’m beyond thrilled with my new Peach and Lily purchases, and I took advantage of their Labor Day weekend sale to order Be the Skin’s toner and another Jelly Stick, too. I’m all set for fall beauty products now, and I’m really impressed with the quality of these products.
(Fall flowers.)
Ahh, this week felt crazy busy as James started kindergarten and our entire family adjusted to the new (and much earlier) schedule. I think we are really getting the hang of it, and next week, Rhys goes back, too. Thursday night I felt less frazzled and more like myself, and I’m excited to get back to my writing routine next week. This weekend, we’re planning to spend time with family and friends, and I hope to catch up on some extra sleep, too. Here are a few things that caught my eye this week.
A minimal blog about a 37-piece wardrobe.
Gorgeous photographs of a young girl, taken by her mother.
A happy ending for a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing.
I shared this on Wednesday, but even if you aren’t a parent, it’s a really funny read. And so true!
Life in the car pool hookup line. This is true, too! I think I’ve finally gotten the hang of our line, by the way.
A Texas judge ruled the funding method for our public schools unconstitutional. Now, let’s see some changes.
And a new micro-housing project for Austin’s homeless.
Have a wonderful weekend and a safe Labor Day!
