Hairapy: Turban Braided Crown Tutorial

I feel like I should start this by saying that I don't do anything with my hair, not even ponytails, most of the time. This is partially because I'm usually okay with it hanging around all boring and doing it's own thing, and partially because I'm no good at doing hair. Well, it's kind of one of my goals this year to learn how to do some cute things with my hair. I recently saw an article on Refinery 29 with four really amazing braided hairstyles, which were way beyond my skill level, that inspired me. I've mentioned here already that I'm growing my bangs out and it's a royal, ugly pain. So this style was inspired by a turbanesque 'do, and out of necessity to get the bangs out of my face.

A Disclaimer: This is a rough tutorial, and *obviously* not very well thought out because who else in their right mind takes pictures for a hair tutorial with no makeup on, in their husband's shirt? Amiright?

So for this 'do you will need: A brush, two small hair elastics,  two elastics or clips to pin back extra hair, two to four bobby pins, probably some gel or hairspray, and a rat tail comb combs in very handy.

Step One: Start at the front and center of your hairline, measure back about 2-3 inches, and draw a part/line from the center of your head to right behind your right ear. Tie/pin back the rest of the hair to keep it out of the way. Repeat on the left side.

Step Two: Take the left out hair from the right side and comb/brush it forward and diagonally across your face. 

Step Three: Braid it in a fishtail braid (skip the initial ponytail part), about 3/4 of the way down. You want to leave some hair at the bottom unbraided so that it blends easily into the rest of your hair when your done, and fasten with a small elastic. Repeat step two and three with the hair from the left side as well.

Step Four: Gather both braids and tie together at the center of your head (like when you start to tie your shoes). You'll want to manipulate the way the braids face a little so that the more attractive parts of the braids show. This is where you'll want to maybe use some product for rogue hairs. If your hair is all one length and you don't see any poky hairs sticking out you could loosen the braids for a fuller look too.

Step Five: Pin the braids near/behind your ears.

Step Six: Let down the hair you tied back earlier and style it how you like. 

Pretty easy really. If I can do it, so can you!

The Evolution of a Consumerist Beauty Product Whor(der)

A lot of my life I've thought about, used, and loved an array of beauty and hygiene products. When I was two I started dancing and by age four stage makeup at recitals was required. When I was seven my grandma brought me violet parfum from her travels in France. Once I turned nine I quit ballet, but was basically a preteen immediately after and wanted to wear makeup and scents regularly. In fifth grade I had a tube of silver/blue Wet and Wild lipstick that I used on my eyelids, cheeks, and lips (gag!) with glitter caked on top. By middle school my mom helped me apply eyeliner some days and I was obsessed with body sprays. I received my first bottle of designer perfume (RALPH by Ralph Lauren) for Christmas right before I turned 14. In high school every dollar I earned doing odd jobs went to face washes, lotions, new makeups, blow dryers, etc. Then when I had my first steady job I spent about half of my money on food, and the rest on beauty supplies and magazines. I started box coloring my hair every couple months. It was out of hand! I would buy new foundations, shampoos, and anything that was new before I even ran out of the last one. I had a rotation of *at least* 4 designer perfumes. All that to say I've loved beauty products my whole life... but that is just a lot of crazy when I think about it now!

I still really love beauty products and get super excited to try new ones and experiment with them, but my love is much more rational now! Around the time I moved in with David in 2009, and had bills to pay, I stopped buying any new face paints and concoctions unless I was completely out. In the last few years of doing things that way I've still been able to try out different products (always looking for what's best for my skin, coloring, style, etc.) and have not once felt deprived of anything. 

When we moved to Washington in February of '12, my outlook on the stuff I was putting on my body changed again. I was more interested in finding products that were still affordable but not as harsh on my skin and environment. We stopped using body washes and started using organic handmade bar soap, and then Dr. Bronner's. I bought into products like Covergirl Nature Luxe and then Physicians Formula Organic Wear foundations and Organix Shampoo and Conditioner, which were frankly still too expensive for our small budget and as I later learned here still pretty toxic. 

And then there's the present...It seems like there has been a steady progression towards knowledge and care about what I do to feel pretty/clean/presentable. 

Currently in my makeup bag: e.l.f. mineral powder foundation, blush, lip tint and mineral mascara, and e.l.f. studio corrective concealer which are surprisingly low toxicity for their small price tag and vegan friendly. E.l.f. makes a very cheap nail polish as well in lots of trendy colors that is free of toulene, formaldehyde, and dbp (the top offending ingredients in most nail polishes), so I collect those when I can. I'm also a huge fan of Naked Eye Beauty's products. The Vegan Organic Rose Tinted Lip Balm looks, smells (passionfruit and rose), and feels so nice, but with a steeper price tag than I really like I use it sparingly.

Currently on my body/skin: Dr. Bronner's Tea Tree Liquid Castile Soap, Tom's of Maine Naturally Dry Antiperspirant, and Naked Eye Beauty Organic Vegan Sandalwood Vanilla Body Lotion (which like the lip balm smells and feels freaking amazing) For my face I rotate using oil cleansing methods with washing with this Rocky Top Soap Shop Cambrian Blue Clay bar soap. I've tried 3 of his other soaps and I would happily use no other brand of soap ever! They have a luxurious lather for bar soap and are unscented plus he has a pretty impressive selection based on your needs (even a dog shampoo soap bar!).

Currently in my hair: If the baking soda and apple cider vinegar no 'pooing routine is leaving anything to be desired then I'll wash my hair with the Dr. Bronner's Tea Tree soap and do a vinegar rinse. I don't use any other hair products.

Currently in my mouth: Tom's of Maine Propolis and Myrrh Fluoride Free Toothpaste, it tastes like a ginger mint and it's mild enough in flavor that Lorelei uses it too!

So those are the products that are cutting it for me right now. Maybe farther down the road I'll end up using less or at least gentler products but for now these ones make me pretty happy. At least I know that if I can ever afford to take up a hobby or start an etsy shop it will be in formulating natural beauty products because I love them, and also chemistry.

What are your favorite beauty products? Do you put much thought into what you're putting on your largest organ (that would be your skin)?

No 'Poo for this 'Do

I tried really hard to get a good picture of the whole head of hair, but had difficulties with focus using a tripod on the bathroom counter. Sorry. :( Hubs will help with the next update.

Since it's still January, I think it's acceptable to talk about trying new things, or goals to try new things, whatever. One of my goals for this year is greener cleaning. Both hygienically and around the house. So far I've really only started on the hygienic part of that. The week of Christmas I felt compelled to try no 'pooing for the second time, with the goal of sticking with it until my birthday in mid February. In my humble opinion Winter is a great time to try it out because if your hair goes through the nasty, over-greasy phase, you can just put a hat on it (even better a hat with a bird, 'cuz, you know).

So, thus far I am not swayed one way or the other. I've heard that it can take a good 8 weeks for your hair to re-adjust and be gorgeous. I'm waiting it out. I have had some kinda greasy days, but nothing too terrible. I think a lot of the major issues with no 'pooing are user error. That was the problem the first time I tried it anyways. Right now the roots and top half look pretty shiny and healthy, and the ends are a tad dry and tangly. Tangling and hair breakage/loss have been my biggest concerns this time around. I've probably experienced more of those things then your average shampoo-less gal though because my hair was not healthy to begin with. I have about 3 inches maybe more of half dead hair going on. For a week or more I had to brush my hair 5-8 times a day with monster rats. And my brush was full of hair every few days. Like post-natal hair loss amounts! But that has subsided and I'm back to brushing my hair 2-3 times a day. I've been dealing with all of the woes pretty well and I'm darned proud to say it too. I have a really hard time sticking with things, so this is a good test for me.

Good things I've notice as of 1.24.13 (one month from starting):

• I can now wash it every 3 days instead of every other day without looking like a grease ball.
• I have a nice lightly wavy natural texture. Before baby it was stick straight, then hormones gave it a few random, poorly placed wave/kinks.
• It's really shiny!
• I haven't had any smell issues like some people do. It smell like clean hair minus the artificial fragrances.

Here's how I do it, at the very end of my shower (as it's time consuming):

• Fill a 16 oz. bottle with a lid with 2 tablespoons of baking soda and the rest with warm water.
• Fill a 8 oz. bottle with lid with 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and the rest with "" water.
• Wet hair.
• Pour baking soda solution on a little at a time, focusing on roots, especially at the front, sides, and back/bottom (you don't need to put it on the ends, it will run through as you rinse).
• Work that in well and massage scalp.
• Rinse out very thoroughly. Don't expect your hair to feel squeaky.
• Saturate hair with vinegar solution, you'll want to intentionally put some on the ends.
• Work it in like the baking soda solution.
• Rinse until it feels like there hasn't been anything in your hair, and rinse again.
• Cold rinse to seal the cuticle.
• Allow to air dry before brushing. 

I find that the cold rinse and allowing to air dry before brushing are of vital importance, as my hair condition drastically improved after incorporating those steps. Though, I realize some people actually have lives and can't spend this amount of time just waiting for their hair to be ready to do. The improvement could also just be because my hair is finally regulating. *Shrug*

Anyways, it's a work in progress and I'll let you all know how it has gone again around February 15th. 

Side note: I'm also *trying* to grow out my bangs because I feel not having them would make my life easier. Another test in patience. We'll see how it goes.