how to make your fashion hair color last

It's been 9 months since I switched my hair into the scary fashion color trend. I worried about having to constantly dye it, losing my length, having it look fried, fading into something weird... there was a lot to lose, it seemed.

True. All of those things CAN happen, but you can also easily avoid them all and get whatever colors you want on your head. It's up to YOU [and your hairdresser] to keep it looking pretty and healthy.

I'm no pro, but I've listened to the tips my girl Ruby Devine gives me, and adapted older practices, and random things I've learned on the Internet, and after three months since my last dye job, my hair still looks pretty good.

Before I even get into the things I do, let's get this out of the way: No excuses. Don't say "that won't work on my hair" or something of the sort until you've given it a solid try. I'm talking weeks-months of trying.*

• Find a stylist that's good at it. This isn't something you do yourself or try out with a Groupon. The good ones [like Ruby] will use the best products AND practices.
• Don't wash your hair. Okay, wash it, but I only do it twice a week. Tuesdays and Fridays. That pic above is on day FOUR. The right dry shampoo, braids, ponytails and hats will become your best friend. [Also, see above.* These things take training. Your hair will absolutely be greasy and disgusting until it's used to it.]
• When you do wash it, COLD WATER is a must. Hell yeah it sucks. You're gonna have to bend over awkwardly or get a detachable showerhead if you wanna survive in the winter, but it's also very energizing and saving your hair! Just crank the heat as soon as the hair is washed and out of the way.
• Also, use good shampoo and conditioner for your color. I use purple because, well, my hair is purple. Your stylist's suggestions will be key here.
• Limit your heat. I rarely blow dry, unless it's to finish up the air drying real quick. I normally let it dry some, throw it into a bun, then bring it down when it's dry and beautiful. I've also ditched my straightener. I use a ceramic curling wand and throw THICK sections around it. See Guy Tang for proof on how terrible heat is. 
• Do an Olaplex treatment before every other shower. It helps keep the color AND the strength. 
• Stay out of the sun or use an SPF spray if you don't want to bleach the top/roots. Sometimes I like the blonde that happens from the sun, but depending on your color- it might not look right. I also used bandanas etc to protect it.
• For extra treatment, there are PLENTY of products, but I use Keratase on my ends, which happens to be more expensive than I thought, but I got it in Birchbox so I'm chillin' for now. It lasts a LONG time.

Those are my main points. Maybe it seems like a lot, but I think it seems pretty simple. It's a new routine you break into. [Along with not using light colored towels and expecting some crazy colored shower water.] The color you get also matters, obviously. I like the red I have at the top right now because when it fades/my roots come in, it's not very obvious.. probably even less noticeable than with blonde or any highlights.

So, embrace the magic, the fade, the excitement, etc of fashion color if you want it! If you have a job that'll allow it, there's nothing else to hold you back!

Plus, how fun is it to have hair that looks different in every picture? These were taken seconds apart, in the same place, same light, same phone. 

Can I also say I love being sent all the new hair trends and colors to try?! I also love seeing what everyone else gets done- so send them my way! And have fun!

love,
elizabethany

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podcasts: worst tips for servers, and more

A little catch-up on the show! These are from Monday, but I've been swamped this week.

It was National Wait Staff Day, so I asked servers to tell me the worst tips they've ever gotten. Since I was one for about a year, I know there are a LOT of awful kinds. It's not just a small amount of money, but guests do and leave some lousy ish for you.

 

Seriously those religious things are THE WORST. And they really make no sense to me. I'm not your slave and I don't think sweet baby Jesus would appreciate you treating me like one.

We also talked about songs you'd never wanna find on your parents' iPods. TONS of calls on this one, and the list can definitely go on.

 

"My neck, my back, my.." AHH! If I EVER saw that anywhere near my parents' belongings, I'd freak out.

FYI, my iPhone/iPad app now has a streaming option! You can listen live directly from there, for free, so holla at it, kthanks.

love,
elizabethany

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EBudget: prepare to get the most out of black friday

As you know, I'm ALL ABOUT saving money, and considering I've spent entirely too much money with this moving process, I'm going to be struggling this holiday season.

Last year was the first year I REALLY got into Black Friday. I went to Walmart at midnight, woke up at 4am to hit Kohl's and a few other department stores, then went to work, and continued shopping after. It may sound like an awful and long day, but I actually had everything I wanted so organized and planned out, that it was easy and enjoyable!

So, this year, I'm going to tell you my tips.

1. First and foremost, get a Black Friday app.
   I'm a loyal Brad's Deals user, and that site/app is to thank for my experience last year, so if you have an iPhone or iPad, get their version of the Black Friday app. If you're an Android person, I got this Black Friday App and am loving it so far.
   They have already started posting several ads from the biggest stores, and will continue to do so. It's organized beautifully, but the best part is that you can save individual items that you want to grab come Friday. When the time comes, your list is organized by store so you can zoom in and out, without getting distracted by other things!
   
   
2. See what sale items are available online
   A lot of stores have started offering most, if not all, of their sale prices online. Obviously, if they do, it saves you a lot of time, gas, and frustration to be able to shop at home than to fight the crowds in the middle of your food coma.
   
   
3. Time it out wisely
   Look at your items you need to get and the stores they're located and separate it all based on times they're available and how important it is that you get it that day. If something is a really good deal, and is the early bird electronics special at Walmart or Best Buy, chances are you need to be there early. If it's a kitchen item at Kohl's all day, go there after you take a little power nap.
   
   
4. Mentally prepare
   It is a storm out there [people have DIED from the stampedes at Walmart!], so don't go in with an attitude or a need for personal space. Get ready to be up close and personal with way too many strangers, and make quick moves/grabs. Wear good shoes. You may even want to pack some boxing gloves, and definitely some snacks. No sense in spending more money on food.
   
   
5. Everything else...
   
   • Some people like to bring friends, and as much as it might help you calm down or have more fun, I think it slows down your process. This is a mission, people. Don't let someone else get in your way.
   • A Black Friday Party AFTER all is said and done sounds like a fabulous idea. Have a meet-up place for you and all your friends to go, relax, drink, and share your buys.
   • We're two weeks away. For a lot of people, that means one paycheck between now and then. STOP. SHOPPING. Two weeks isn't a lot of time to put down the checkbook to save money before you go spending it all.
   • Just in case you're interested in my favorite deals, I'm starting a board on Pinterest dedicated to it today. Follow me or bookmark it!

I'm so excited about this year now that I feel like a pro, so hopefully I can help you enjoy it, too! If you have any additional tips or tricks, let me know!

love,
elizabethany

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