I beg your pardon...

Sort of had a bit of a flooded basement over the weekend...no biggy but we can't return home until Wednesday...the posts shall return then! So sorry for the break. Good hair til we meet again!

Feature Friday

So I have said a lot about heat protection lately. Today's feature is continuing this tangent. I would like to introduce you to Beyond the Zone's Turn Up the Heat spray heat protectant. This is a fabulous one size fits all heat protectant.

Who is it for? Anyone using heat to style their hair.
What does it do? Protects your hair from heat, duh.
How does it do this?  As a spray protectant, it lightly coats your hair in its protective formula.
How do I use it? After your hair is dry and before you flat iron or curl it, lightly spray your hair. Keep it off your roots to avoid looking greasy. Also remember a little goes a long way, don't over saturate.

So I usually say I prefer heat protection that is included in your shampoo and conditioner or in a pre blow dry lotion because you need to be protected through your blow dry too. However, this is wonderful for the days you don't wash your hair but still use heat to style it. It also smells fabulous and gives your hair a sleeker look, so it is great all around!

Most of the products I feature can only be purchased through a licensed salon or stylist, but this one you can find at your local Sally's Beauty Supply! It is super affordable and your hair will thank you.

Blame it on the band.

I have mentioned before there are primarily two different types of hair damage. There is chemical and mechanical. Chemical damage is cause by lightening, perming, or any other chemical processing you put your hair through. Today I would like to say a word about mechanical damage.

Mechanical damage is caused by the physical stress you cause to your hair. One of the biggest causes is the beloved ponytail. Wearing a pony repeatedly in the same general place can cause breakage. Clipping your hair in the same place can do the same thing. Now don't stress, I am not saying you should never wear a pony. But to avoid breakage here are some things to remember...

• Use a covered elastic. NEVER use an exposed rubber band in your hair. Breakage city.
• Try to change up where you sport your pony. High, low, or side to side.
• Don't wrap it sooooo tight. Use enough tension to hold it in but there is no need to tighten it to the point of no return.
• Let your hair down. Life sometimes requires we wear our hair up, but when you have the chance, let it down. Give it some time to breathe.

If the damage is done have no fear. Just start changing your ways and be loving to your locks. 

Pill popping.

It is common knowledge that prenatal vitamins are said to improve the strength of your nails as well as make your hair grow faster. What do I say? I say why not! They are fabulous vitamins for women to be taking even when not making a baby. While I don't think the changes are so amazingly drastic you will notice a ton, I do think they help your hair and nails. It is simple. Vitamins help hair and nails. Prenatals are packed with things women need. So why not? Give it a try. It definitely won't do anything BAD to you. And maybe you will see a difference. You have nothing to lose. I pick these ones up from good ol' Walmart. Easy. Cheap. And potentially fabulous.

The best hair day of your life.

I know it is Tuesday but can you hear the bells? It is wedding season and I love it! No matter your relationship status I am sure you can enjoy a little bit of wedding hair. I thought I would share a few of my current favorite ways to walk down the aisle along with a few tips for the big day.

There are so many things that go in to planning your bid day. The way you look? Tends to float it's way right to the top of the list. So what are some things to do to assure you are picture perfect saying "I do"?

• Think about it. It might sound silly, but you need to put some serious thought as to what you want to look like. What kind of bride do you want to be? Don't just assume you need to be a classic bride or do things the way people "expect". Be your own bride!
• Shop around. Finding a stylist to fit your needs and style is crucial. It is worth using a bit of your budget on this. Don't settle for a friend doing your hair and makeup just because it is free. 
• A thorough consultation is vital. While I never do a "practice run", it is important to actually meet with your stylist, play around, and really make sure you are on the same page. Why is doing a trial run not always smart? It is almost impossible to do the exact same thing twice. It can complicate expectations and really isn't necessary.
• Give yourself enough time. Schedule a long enough block for hair and makeup to allow you to be comfortable. You will be stressed enough without worrying about falling behind schedule.
• Schedule a potential touch up for mid day. Depending on your wedding itinerary you might get a little worn out looking by the time the evening events begin. Either schedule a time with your stylist to be freshened up or ask for directions to do it yourself. 
• This may seem obvious, but please....be freshly colored. Fade and regrowth have no place in the wedding party.
• Wear a lot of make up applied correctly. After arriving home from getting my makeup done for my bridals I came home and headed to the bathroom to wash my face. Luckily, my wise older sister intervened. I thought I looked crazy because I had never worn that much makeup. Turns out, it was perfect. My pictures looked fabulous. It might seem dramatic, but you need more makeup than usual for a day of photographs and glam. I also recommend not doing your own makeup. It will be one less thing to worry about and will most likely end up better in the hands of a professional. 
• Be yourself. I had short hair when I got married. I had many people ask if I would be getting extensions. While I am a huge extension advocate, especially for special occasions, I didn't feel like they made sense for me. I have had short hair all my life, wouldn't it look weird if all of a sudden just for one day of my life I suddenly had long locks? For me, I thought it was better to be more myself. I am a short hair person, even as a bride. Don't be afraid to let your own style shine through. You should feel like yourself on your wedding day, the very BEST version of yourself. 
• Explore your accessory options. Tiara, veil, flower, feather, headband, or none of the above. You have options. Consider them.
• Look both ways before going trendy. Everyone loves an in style bride, but consider your photos years from now. Do you want to scream the year you were married in simply by your hairstyle? It is totally cool if you do. Just consider it.

So there is my list of thoughts when it comes to wedding hair. You need to love it. You will look at pictures of it the rest of your life. Don't settle, and PLAN!

So what do I love for weddings these days? A few words come to mind. Soft. Natural. Texture. Wish I had better pictures but the hair I REALLY love, is in my head waiting to happen.

with the hairpiece of your choice

LC does no wrong

Classic

sorry...just love

Yep I am on the royal bandwagon. Love half up elegance.

Love the face exposure.

A new breed of updo

Summer vibes

Well there are some of my current faves. If you haven't notice, I love weddings! Brides are some of my very favorite clients. So congrats if a wedding is in your future! Have a blast!

Did you know...

...you really only need to condition the ENDS of your hair? By "ends" in this context I mean everything except the root area. Maybe this is obvious, but when I learned this little gem I felt enlightened. The mid shaft and ends of your hair are the parts that need to be nourished and detangled. Using conditioner on your root will only add to build up, waste your product, and cause your hair to look dirtier faster. Now you know!

Feature Friday

Today's feature is a product that is perfect for everyone's hair. Everyone. It is Aveda's Light Elements Texturing Creme. Smells great and gives the perfect finishing touch to any do.

Who is it for? Everyone. Seriously. Even little kids and some men.
What does it do? It is like no other pomade type product out there. It is nice and light, but has fabulous hold. It kills fly aways and baby hairs and it ideal for assisting in braiding, twisting, and any other little syle. I also love just running it through your finished hair after you style.
How does it do this? I think it is magic. Just kidding, but really, there is nothing else like it. It manages hair like a thick paste but feels light and clean. Amazing I promise!
How do I use it? A little bit goes a long way, so one container will last forever. It is so versatile. I love just taking a bit and rubbing it on my fingers, then go over anywhere you have fly aways or unruly hairs. Then I run it through the ends to give a sleek finished look.

I can't imagine anyone not loving this. It is amazing! It is an investment your hair will thank you for.