dealing with postpartum hairloss

When I was about 3-4 months postpartum, someone asked me on instagram how I was dealing with postpartum hair loss. I wasn't having any yet, and was like "hmmm, maybe this is one of those things I just got lucky and avoided!"

Jokes on me because two months later, my hair was falling out in handfulls. It was honestly disturbing how much hair I was losing every time I washed my hair. Every time I showered, I had huge clumps of hair left over. I seriously dreaded washing my hair. Everyone was commenting on the beautiful head of hair my baby had, while I was losing all of mine!

And then about two months later, I all of a sudden felt my hair looked crazy, because I had all these tiny short hairs along my hair line. Initially I thought it was just the new shampoo I was using, and then I finally realized it was my hair growing back. So not only did I lose a bunch of hair thickness, but then I had all these wirey new hairs growing in along my hairline.

Telogen effluvium is the medical term for diffuse hairloss (and definitely sounds like a Harry Potter spell). It happens after a big triggering event, like delivering a baby, and makes the hair follicles go from the growth phase they are in during pregnancy (which is why many women get thicker hair when they are pregnant) to the resting phase, where hair eventually falls out. It typically happens 3-4 months after that triggering event, which is what happened to me.

There isn't a "cure" for postpartum hair loss unfortunately, and not a ton you can do to prevent it. But there are a few things I found in this process that has helped deal with the hair loss and helping my hair in this journey!

every day // I continued taking a prenatal vitamin after penny's delivery. Not only is that helpful for lactating mothers, but I really believe it makes a difference for hair and nail growth! I don't have any medical knowledge to back that up with, but just something I've noticed personally. I also eat lots of healthy fats in avocados and olive oil, which I think helps.

in the shower // I only wash my hair every 5-6 days (thank you, world's best dry shampoo!). In the shower, I use Amika's purple shampoo for my highlighted hair with this shampoo brush - it helps get a great lather and supposedly stimulates blood flow to the scalp (again, who knows if this truly makes a difference as I don't have any studies to back that up with, but it sure feels good on the scalp!). Then I follow with the It's a 10 deep conditioner. I use a comb to detangle my hair while that is on - this is the traumatic part when you're going to lose a bunch of hair on the brush, but I think it's better to brush in the shower with the conditioner on as it's less tearing at wet hair outside of the shower.

after the shower // After I step out of the shower, I use this microfiber towel that I use by draping across my forehead and then spinning into a bun at the nape of my neck - I feel this pulls less at the hairline than when you drape it on top of your head because it's not pulling at the hairs when you spin it to be on top of your head. I think use several products specifically to help with regrowth, to protect the hairs I do have, and help smooth out the new hairs. First I apply Kerastase's strengthening serum mostly to be hairline and at the top of my head (I use two pipette's worth of product). This stuff is seriously worth it, and I will continue to buy it. It helps strengthen the hairs you have, preventing hairs from breaking off. Since I was already losing whole strands of hair, I didn't want to lose even more due to breakage. Then I apply Living Proof's no-frizz cream - this stuff is great for the frizz that comes with the new hair growth, and a little bit goes a long way. I focus this first on my ends and then at my hairline. After drying my hair, I use this hair oil,  again first on my ends and then on my part. My hair is almost frizz free using these two products, and don't even straighten my hair anymore (which is an extra win since I'm not applying any heat!).

styling // I tried several different products and tricks to try to get the new hairs to lay flat - I even got one of those hair mascara products in hopes it would keep my new hairs down, but it really only worked for like 5 minutes and then they popped back up. I snuck a little bit of my husband's pomade to make the hairs at my hairline lay flat. Several people also had luck spraying some hairspray on an old toothbrush and using that to brush the hairs down! What I really had the most luck with though was just using headbands to get through this regrowth phase! Amazon is a goldmine for headbands. My favorite for work are these yoga headbands and these floral ones - I get compliments every time I wear them! I love the look of the Lele Sadoughi headbands but $150 for a headband is not something I can afford, so this pack of headbands in a similar style is a great alternative - I've worn these to several weddings and events and love the look of them! I just found this pack of 12 headbands that are now in my Amazon cart...my husband probably won't be too happy about even more headbands but when you wear them so often, you can't help but want a few more!

In the end, it's "just hair" and motherhood is hard enough without beating yourself up about your hair, so we all need to give ourselves some grace when it comes to how we think we look in the postpartum (or any time) period. The several times I brought up my crazy hair regrowth in real life or on instagram, every one said they didn't even notice! So it's like all things, we are always our worst critics! But I hope these little tips help you get through the months of losing and regrowing your hair. Would love to hear any other tips from all you experienced ladies!

hair products I'm currently loving

I've been trying out a few new hair products recently, so I wanted to discuss them all in one place! 

First up is L'oreal's Ever Pure shampoo in the Frizz Defy version. I've been using the Ever Pure line for years - I think it's one of the reasons my hair has been doing so well the last few years. This line of shampoo is sulfate free, and for around $8, always a really good deal. My bottle also says it's 100% vegan, if that's something you're interested in (it wasn't something I was looking for in a shampoo as I'm not vegan, but I did think that was interesting!). Anyway, I've tried a bunch of different Ever Pure shampoos, usually sticking with the version for colored hair. I picked up this Frizz Defy shampoo + conditioner the other day, and my hair has never been so soft while in the shower ever. It was actually the inspiration for this post because I was like "I have to share this!!!". So if you're looking for an inexpensive shampoo from the drugstore, I would highly recommend the Ever Pure line, especially this Frizz Defy Shampoo!

I've been using Kiehl's smoothing heat protector for years and years now, but was tempted to try out DryBar's Hot Toddy recently. This is mainly a heat protector - it promises to protect up to 450 degrees F, and also to repair split ends. I will say, this smells amazing - I think my hair always smells so good after using it! I find that a lot of spray heat protectors leave hair stiff and not very touchable, so I've always preferred a cream version. That being said, I don't think I've noticed a ton of difference between this and the Kiehl's version. Both say they protect your hair (but how do you know if it really does? No idea, I just have to believe it works!), both make your hair smooth, and make it more manageable. Since the Kiehl's cream is $17 for 5 ounces, versus $30 for 3.4 ounces of the Hot Toddy, I'm going to go back to the Kiehl's cream once this is done. It's not because I think the Hot Toddy isn't doing a good job, I just know I get the same results for less money.

I have these little short hairs along my right hairline that I've never managed to completely grow out (if you look at these pictures, you can see what I mean). No matter how much deep conditioner and minimal heat I apply to it, the hair just doesn't really stop breaking off there. I've used various methods to try to tame them (as they are frizzier and stick off my head) over the years. I recently tried Bumble and Bumble's contour cream while playing with hair products at Sephora, and it did such a great job of making the hairs lay flat without making them stiff or sticky. You really only need a tiny amount, especially if you have fine hair like I do, so I'd imagine that this jar would last for years and years. I think it's originally meant for shorter hair styles, but it has been doing a great job for me taming my baby hairs! If you also struggle with those short hairs along your hairline, this could be a good option to help tame them!

The last item I wanted to mention is Aveda's Shampure dry conditioner. I had never heard of a dry conditioner before, but I was excited to receive this from Aveda as I'm a huge fan of their dry shampoo. I would say this is similar to a detangling spray, except that you use it on dry hair rather than before blow drying wet hair. I've been using this on day three and four of my ~ 5 day hair process, as my hair tends to get a bit tangled from all the teasing and quick buns I do. As with all Aveda hair products, it has a slight floral/herbal smell, which I really enjoy, but I know some people are quite sensitive to smells, so I wanted to mention it just in case! This would be a great option for those of you, like me, trying to constantly push how many days you can go before you need to wash your hair again (mostly while figuring out your social calendar! 😂).

Alright, that's it for today! I have my eye on a couple of products in the future - t3 has some gorgeous curlers that I'd love to try on my hair since I love my curling iron from t3 so much (see Veronika's review here), Aveda's moisturizing hair mask, and eventually I'd really like to upgrade my current hair dryer (anyone have one they just love?) .

all my beauty secrets, in one post

Okay, that title is misleading, because I have all of four beauty secrets. But I am going to share them today! These aren't those odd beauty tips like "use a potato instead of a beauty blender" or "use a spoon to apply eyeliner", but little things I've experimented with over the years that have really worked for me!

spray setting spray on a beauty blender instead of your face

I discovered using a setting spray about a year ago. I loved that a two second spritz could solidify your make-up and make it last all day (or night!). But I really hated spraying it on my face. It just felt wrong, and eventually I stopped using it because I didn't like the process. . Then one day when I was using my beauty blender to add a bit of liquid highlighter, I wonder if I couldn't use the sponge to also apply the setting spray. Turns out, I love this way of applying setting spray much more, for several reasons! One, you get a much more even coverage of the setting spray since you control exactly where it goes. Two, you don't have to spray anything on to your face. Three, it doesn't get in your hair. Four, since your pressing the setting spray into your make-up, your make-up not only lasts longer, but it also looks more natural!

how to: spray 2-3 spritzes of your fave setting spray (this is the one I use) onto a beauty blender, and pat pat pat!

use a dark eyeshadow + eyeliner brush to blend out liquid eyeliner

up close pictures of eyelashes are weird.

Liquid eyeliner is my go-to eyeliner, and has been for the better part of the last decade. I love that you can be really precise with it, you can easily get in between the lashes (important for blondies like me!), and it lasts all day (seriously). My favorite holy grail eyeliner is Stila's - I keep a stock pile now just because I love it that much. One of my favorite tricks for emphasizing the eyes is to "smudge" the eyeliner out with a dark eyeshadow. I like to keep my eye make-up pretty "minimal" during the day (minimal for someone who likes to play with makeup!) by just wearing a swipe of eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara, but for occasions like going out with friends, on a date, or to special events, I use this to add a bit of dimension to my eyes without going overboard with a bunch of smoky eyeshadows and more liner.

how to: dip an eyeliner brush into a dark eyeshadow (mine is a dark purple from this palette), then starting right past the outside of your eyeliner, brush it towards the middle, right over the liquid eyeliner. Finish with your favorite mascara (my go-to combo is Urban Decay's primer + Bobbi Brown's mascara).

apply dry shampoo before working out instead of after

sports bra | water bottle

I only wash my hair about every four days...but I also work out about 4-5 days a week. My secret to not washing my hair after every work out is to use dry shampoo before rather than after. I find this provides some cushion to get your styling to last longer - the sweat doesn't get in your hair as much, and it's less likely to get frizzy from the humidity. I also always wear a shower cap when I take a shower afterwards!

how to: spray a generous amount of your favorite dry shampoo (this is mine!) before going to the gym. Use a soft hairband to keep your hair back during your work out, take your hair down soon after finishing, and wear a shower cap while in the shower. 

use texturizing spray before curling your hair to help set curls

I have fine hair - I have a lot of it, but it's fine, which means it does not hold a curl very well. Multiple hair stylists have tried to prove me wrong over the years, and every single one has commented how "oh yeah, your hair DOESN'T really hold a curl, huh?". Yep. I have found a few things that have helped though with my eternal desire for hair with more curls and volume. The biggest thing I've found that makes a difference is using a texturizing spray before I curl my hair. I have two I really like - Oribe was my original favorite (it smells so so good...but is also pricy) and Living Proof's volume blast is a close second. I find that my hair curls quicker (less time on the iron!), the curls last longer, and bonus, you already used the volumizing spray so you don't have to disrupt your curls after.

how to: spray on hair, focusing on roots and ends, wait a few seconds to dry, and then curl your hair how you usually do.

And that's it! My little beauty secrets that I've learned over the years. I would love to hear what your own little secret is - I'm always looking for new tricks to try!

beauty tuesday: nine steps towards healthier hair

About 18 months ago, my hair got accidentally chopped off. I went in for a trim, and for some reason, I left the salon with about seven fewer inches than I walked in with. I...cried. I really was upset! I feel like I am always growing out my hair, and I was almost at the length I wanted...and then some guy cut it all off. Since then, I've been back in the growing out phase, but I went into it trying to grow out healthy hair. Looking through pictures, my hair is now about the same length but it looks and feels so much healthier than it did then! Here's what I've done differently in that time:

1. Washed my hair less: This has probably made the biggest difference over the past couple of years. A few years ago, I was still washing my hair every other day, if not every day! Horrible -between the shampoo, toweling, and all those hot tools, that puts so much strain on your hair! It definitely takes a bit of time to get your hair used to going from frequent washings to less frequent, but it's so worth it in the end. I now save all that time I used to spend drying and styling my hair, and my hair is in much better shape! I've used a ton of different dry shampoos over the years - my current favorites are the Living Proof dry shampoo (duh, you guys already knew that) and the Aveda Shampure. 
2. Treat while you sleep: The Living Proof Overnight Cap is kind of a genius idea, if you think about it. I personally don't love putting on a hair mask in shower all the time because you have to stand around forever for it to work. This is great because you put it on at night before going to bed, and it does the work overnight while you sleep! I slap it on (focusing on the ends), put my hair into a loose bun, and go to sleep. In the morning you just rinse it out! I use this about once every other week (I typically wash my hair at night after a work out)
3. Use less sulfates: A couple of years ago, I made the switch to using L'oreal's sulfate-free shampoo. I had tried a couple of different sulfate-free shampoos, but most of them didn't give you that good lather (I just like feeling like my hair is getting cleaned!), but L'oreal's does, which is why it's one of my favorites. Since sulfates dry out your hair, and strip your hair of color if it's dyed like mine is, not using sulfates in shampoo makes a big difference! If you are willing to spend a bit more money, Aveda also has a great damage remedy shampoo that gives you a good lather (and smells great!). 
4. Deep condition: I have been using this intensive restructuring treatment from Aveda for about six years now. I first started using it when I got a perm in college (yikes...not cute on me!), and recently re-committed myself to using it. It's fairly pricy, so I use my normal conditioner on the rest of my hair, and use the treatment on my problem areas (my wispies and my ends). Typically I use this when I'm shaving my legs, since I'm standing around in the shower anyway!
5. Use a hair towel: I don't remember where I first learned about hair towels, but they are definitely a game changer for me! I like my hair to mostly dry before I use a hair dryer, but when using a regular towel and partially air drying, my hair just got really frizzy. Using a hair towel has made my hair dry more evenly and quicker than it was before, plus it's a lot thinner than a normal towel, so it's less of a pain to carry around on your head! The one I'm currently using is from Aquis (I got it on Amazon), but I also just received this one in my PopSugar Must Have box that I'm going to try out next (ps. if you want to save $5, use code SHOP5 for your first box!)
6. Protect from the heat: I've tried a bunch of different heat protectors over the years, but I keep sticking with Kiehl's smoothing cream. I love that it is a styling cream and a heat protector, and doesn't leave my hair crunchy like heat protecting sprays I've used in the past. 
7. Better tools = less overall heat: I used inexpensive curling irons for most of my life - I figured, they all heat up and curl your hair, what's the difference. Then I got my hands on a T3 iron, and wow...I'm a believer now. The curling iron is expensive, for sure. But because it holds its heat so well, my hair curls quicker (less time on the iron) and the curls last longer (less re-curling). I used one of my old irons a few days ago, and couldn't believe the difference. Eventually I'd love to also own a nicer hair dryer, but we'll have to keep saving for that one for a little bit!
8. Biotin Biotin Biotin: When I got home from that hair chop, I immediately went online and ordered a huge bottle of biotin. For some people, biotin makes hair and nails grower quicker and thicker, and for some people it doesn't do anything at all. I'm somewhere in the middle - my hair and nails definitely grow at a quicker pace when I'm taking the biotin (which is almost annoying because I don't like when my nails grow quickly). I get the gummies because I don't like taking pills, and it's like a little treat every time you get to take them! Some people have noted that they have issues with acne when they start taking biotin, so if you haven't taken it before, just be warned. 
9. Use gentler methods of pulling your hair back: Nothing pulls your hair out of your hair quicker than a rubber band. I still use a regular hair tie when I work out, but other than that, I stick with clips and scrunchies (a scrunchie?!). I love the little clips during the day, big alligator clips at home and when styling my hair, and a scrunchie or invisibobble at night or in the shower. They are all a lot more gentle on your hair than a regular hair tie, and that makes a big difference in the long run if you use a hair tie every day. 

And for a bit of proof, here's a bit of a hair timeline. The left picture is a few weeks before my hair cut, the middle picture is the week after, and the right picture is from a few months ago!

beauty tuesday: how I only wash my hair twice a week

I used to be one of those girls who had to wash their hair every day - I just didn't know how to get my hair to not look greasy the next day! I feel like maybe five years ago or so, the movement towards not washing your hair as often kind of kicked in. Dry shampoo became a lot more mainstream, and nowadays, just about every hair product company out there makes some version of it. I have tried a ton of them - I've really liked quite a few of them, and others have not been as impressive. Ones I've really enjoyed, on the cheap to expensive scale, are Dove's, Amika's, and Bumble & Bumble's versions.

I had heard about Living Proof's PhD Dry Shampoo for a while, but was hesitant to initially try a $22 dry shampoo since the $10 versions (or the $1 baby powder when desperate) I had been using were doing alright. I finally tried it when I had a Sephora gift card, and I haven't looked back yet - I'm on my third or fourth bottle now! The thing I like the most about it is that it really does feel like my hair is cleaner, instead of just covered up grease with powder. I now wash my hair about once every 4-5 days, depending on what service I'm currently on - on months where I'm in the OR, I wash my hair less just because it's up every day and usually covered by a headband (and a bonnet). This is my basic plan:

Day 1: I wash my hair using L'oreal's EverPure shampoo. I like that it doesn't have sulfates but still gets a good foam going (I feel like if my hair doesn't get foamy, I don't feel like it's really washed). Then I use Aveda's Damage Remedy around my hairline (because that's where I have all my breakage - I'm pretty sure it's hereditary as my mom and sisters all have breakage at the same spot) and then Aussie's 3 minute miracle on the rest of my hair. After my hair has half dried, I use Kiehl's smoothing cream and then spray in Aveda's Hair potion. I dry it with a blow drier and round brush, and pretty much leave it alone for the rest of the day as it's had enough heat for one day!

Day 2: I'll start off using the Living Proof dry shampoo around the top of my head, wait the suggested 30 seconds, and then rub my hair to really get it in every where. Then I use a texturizing spray before I curl my hair (I've been using T3's 1.25 inch iron) and Verb's hairspray after. 

Day 3: Today is typically the day that needs a bit more help on the dry shampoo side of things. It's also the day I'll start getting really sick of my hair being down, so I tease my crown (more than usual) and pin it back with a clip. 

Day 4: Most times when I get to this point in the hair washing cycle, I either braid my hair or throw it up on topknot after a good spray of dry shampoo. I just loosely french braid my hair and then pull out the sides to make it a bit looser and messier. 

Day 5: start over! 

I feel since I've started this process of "training" my hair to be okay with not washing it every day, I have noticed a big change in the health of my hair - I can go longer without getting hair cuts because I use less heat on it, and it is overall just shinier and healthier. I know many people still feel the need to wash their hair every day, but I highly recommend looking into trying out various forms of dry shampoo to start the process of washing it less. I've also heard that a good spray of dry shampoo before working out helps with the post-work out hair! 

beauty tuesday: how to trick people into thinking you have thick hair

I've mentioned this a ton of times before, but when it comes to my hair, it has taken me a while to find ways to trick people into thinking I'm good looking that I have thicker hair than I do. I have a lot of hair, it's just very fine and thin, so it just lies flat without help. There are a ton of products that give your hair volume, but I've found that a lot of them leave your hair super crunchy or sticky or dirty looking. Over the years, I've found a few products that not only give my hair volume but also make it look naturally thicker. I kind of think of them in tiers - from the ones I use every day for a bit more volume, to the product I only use for certain occasions when I really want my hair to look thicker and stay voluminous.

The first one is the Aveda volumizing tonic. I did a full review on this last fall, but basically, I use spray this onto wet hair, and it just gives your hair really natural volume. It doesn't leave your hair crunchy, and to be honest, I don't really know how it works, all I know is that I'm running low and am definitely buying a second bottle (this one lasted about nine months, using it 2-3 times a week). If you are looking for an easy way to add volume, this would be a great place to start.

Now if you want to up the ante a bit, a texturzing spray is the way to go. I've tried several, but keep going back to the Oribe Dry Texturizing spray. I use this two ways - I first spray just a bit on the ends of my hair before curling - I've found that this really helps my hair hold the curl a bit more. Then once I'm all done, I'll spray a bit more at the crown for volume. Because it is so expensive, I try to be conservative with my use of it, but this goes such a long way. If you aren't ready to commit to a texturizing spray, simply using dry shampoo, even the day you wash you hair, will add enough product to your hair to give it some oomph. What did people ever do before dry shampoo?!

The last tier of volume producing products is the Aveda hair potion. I mentioned this in my April Favorites video, but basically, this is a powder you sprinkle into your hair and it creates almost a stickiness that thickens up your hair. Unlike the other two products, this one does make your hair feel like you have product in it, so I don't use it every day because I really try to minimize how often I wash my hair. I'll use this if I'm putting my hair half up (so I have more volume at the crown that also stays there) or if I have a special occasion.

And that's it! How to trick people into thinking you have thick voluminous hair when you really don't ;)

beauty tuesday: oribe grandiose hair pumping mousse review

I know I've lamented about the fact that my hair does not hold a curl nor keep its volume very well in the past. A couple of days after posting my most recent hair curling routine, I saw a post on Glamour's facebook with a clickbait title of "You'll never believe the one thing you need to make your curls last!". I'm always one to fall for clickbait, but I really was expecting something outrageous like "use snail mucus " or "wrap your hair in maple leaves and dry with a heating lamp". Nope, turns out the thing you won't believe will make your curls last is...mousse. 

While the article was clickbaity, it did bring up some good points about straight haired girls using mousse to make curls last, and their recommendation with the Oribe Grandiose Hair Pumping Mousse. As a lover of their texturizing spray, and also as someone who had a little bit of an Amazon giftcard left, I figured why not? 

what it promises: 

Each luxe pouf gives hair an exaggerated sense of body and structure, without the slightest hint of crunch. All-day memory leave styles supremely soft yet set, for hair that's thicker, fuller, larger than life. 

how I use it:

After I've air dried by hair 50% of the way, I use my Kiehl's smoothing cream all over, and then my Aveda tonic at my roots (review here). Then I'll put the smallest "pouf" I can get out of the bottle, flip my hair over, start at the ends of my hair, and then work it up towards my roots. Then I dry as I normally do. 

what I like:

They're not lying when they say it isn't going to cause any crunch. I've tried some cheap mousses in the past that did leave my hair crunchy, and that doesn't happen with the Oribe Mousse. That's not to say that you won't feel it in your hair, because you will, but it's definitely not the crunch I remember from high school.

And my curls really did last longer, which is the whole reason I even started using it in the first place! It's not perfect, and they did loosen up quite a bit, but I noticed a visible difference in how long the curls lasted throughout the day. My hair just overall looked thicker and bouncier than it normally does. 

Lastly, while I enjoyed the smell of the Oribe texturizing spray, it could be overpowering at times. The mousse barely has a smell at all, which is great. 

what I don't like:

What I liked about the Aveda volumizing tonic is that it does give you volume without make you feel like you have product in your hair. I can't say the same for the Oribe mousse - it does make your hair feel just a bit stickier than it does on its own. That means you feel you have to wash it sooner because it feels greasier. I also think it makes my hair the next day look a bit flatter. That's definitely the trade-off between having naturally smooth hair, and having hair that holds a curl. 

Also, lets be honest, $38 for a bottle of mousse is a bit (!!!) outrageous. 

would I buy this again? 

I don't think so - it's just too expensive for something I could maybe get at a lower price point. I love the results on the first day I use it though, and I do really enjoy that it makes my curls last longer, so I intend to use it on days I need them to not disappear in ten minutes, but I don't think I'll be buying a second bottle. I will look for a slightly more reasonably priced mousse though, so if you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear them!

ps. that's the Target organizer I was talking about a few weeks ago! Isn't it cute?!

beauty tuesday: my daily hair routine

I filmed a video a few years ago on how I curled my hair, but since it unfortunately was deleted in the great "switch everything to one account" of 2015, I re-filmed it (with better quality) this past weekend. This is how I curl my hair on mornings that I wash it, which is 2-3 times a week (dry shampoo is every girl's best friend!). It's not perfect, but I can generally do it in under 15 minutes total. Here's the video, and step by step (+ products) below!

• I start with semi-dry hair, usually I let it air dry while I'm putting on my make-up.
• I use Kiehl's smoothing + heat protection cream first - I have been using this product for at least three years now, and I can't imagine doing my hair without it. It smooths out my hair, makes it more manageable, and helps protect my hair from the heat. One bottle lasts me about 9 months. 
• Then I use Living Proof's style extender. I focus on the bottom half of my hair because that's where I want my hair to stay curled the most.
• Lastly I'll use my Aveda volumizing tonic (reviewed here). 
• My hairdryer is from Conair - it's alright, but I would like to eventually upgrade to something a little stronger.
• Once my hair is completely dry, I typically wait 10-15 minutes before I start curling it (I usually go have breakfast during this time). Then I will divide it in half, spray the bottom layer with Amika's texturizing spray (c/o), and back comb my hair. I find that the texturizing spray before curling really keep my curls around longer, and same goes for the back combing.
• Then I use a 1.5 inch curling iron, start in the middle of my hair, curl around, and then hold it horizontal. Holding it this way keeps it from getting too spirl-y. Once I've gone all the way around my head, I'll spray it all with L'oreal's hairspray. 
• Then I do the top layer, finish with a little more texturizing spray at the end, and that's it!

I always thought a good idea for a company would be to have women take videos of them doing their make-up or hair, and then having someone with more knowledge/experience tell them what they are doing wrong, so if you have any tips for me on how to get extra volume, how to make those curls stay, or must-have products, I would love to hear them! (and no stealing my million dollar idea please :P )

my hair curling routine

I've had a couple requests to share how I curl my hair, so I made a little video about how I try to do it most days. I use the following products, but am definitely open to suggestions (especially ones that help the curls stay!) :

Kiehl's Smoothing Cream

Aquage Uplifting Foam

Suave Dry Shampoo

John Frieda Curling Iron

Tresamme Hairspray

(P.S. I'm wearing a Project Social T + a Kendra Scott necklace c/o Popsugar)

easy "curly" hair for the straight-haired girl + pantene giveayway

So if you, like me, have fairly straight and lifeless hair, but would like to maybe have a bit more volume, here are a few quick and easy ways to get there. I use this method during the school year a lot since I can just quickly shower at 2 AM and have my hair almost ready to go in the morning with minimal effort, but for the holidays I would add a bit more volume and maybe some sparkle!

Step 1: Shower and wash your hair at night. Before your hair air dries, use some mousse (I used Pantene's Triple Action Mousse) and serum (Pantene's Smooth with Argan Oil Shine Serium) for shine and hold. Then french braid your hair, and sleep!

Step 2: In the morning, use the time you would have usually spent washing and blow drying your hair to sleep a bit longer...or to give yourself a manicure, as I should have. Take the braid out and loosely comb out your hair with your fingers. No brushes allowed!

Step 3: Clip up half of your hair, and curl the bottom half. I use a wand-less iron, and just grab at random pieces. The whole point of the french braid was to provide some texture, so if you miss a piece here or there, it won't be as noticeable as if you started with straight hair.

Step 4: Then curl the top half - I usually hold on to the curl for a few seconds to let it cool down.

Step 5: Make sure all your "hard work" doesn't go to waste - I used Pantene's Extra Strong Hold Hairspray. Wait a few seconds, then comb your fingers through your hair to loosen up the curls.

Step 6: Tease to Jesus. Just kidding - don't go overboard, but do tease a little more than you think you need to since some of it will fall with time.

Step 7: Pin! Or don't. I like my hair pinned back most days so I just take a little poof and use my favorite bobby pins to make it stay back. 

Step 8: Spray some more! I used Pantene's Keratin Repair KeraGloss Oil Mist to add a little shine and a lot of good smell (seriously, it smells so good) to finish it off. 

And that's it. Easy, festive if needed, and just an easy hairstyle for every day if you want it to be. Pantene has been so generous and is offering to give away the same products I received including:

• Pantene Advanced+ Keratin Repair KeraGloss Oil Mist
• Pantene Smooth with Argan Oil Shine Serum
• Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Silky Moisture Whip
• Pantene Stylers Extra Strong Shaping Hairspray
• Pantene Root Lifter Spray Gel
• Pantene Volume Triple Action Volume Mousse 
• Pantene Pro-V Heat Shield Shampoo
• Pantene Pro-V Heat Shield Conditioner

Just enter the Rafflecopter below - the winner will be chosen on Thursday and contacted by email. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

home for the holidays

I'm finally home! The semester wrapped up on Thursday, and I spent Friday getting some of my life in order (okay, mostly just cleaning and Christmas shopping), and then headed back to Wisconsin on Saturday. I have heaps of thoughts on going through and finishing my first semester of medical school, but that's for a future post!

For now, I'm just glad to be home, have someone else make my meals, celebrate Christmas with my family, and then fly down to Alabama for a few days on the beach. I'm already missing my friends back at school terribly but I'm trying to appreciate the short amount of time my family and I have together.

Speaking of holidays, when I was asked by Pantene to talk about holiday hair, I was unsure what exactly to show you guys. My hair is pretty lifeless on it's own, and I tend to just go with straight hair pinned half back most days. I've been using Pantene products for years and years, so I was excited to test drive a few more of their new products. Since I received a whole box full of Pantene products (including their Triple Action Volume Mousse, Extra Strong Shaping Hairspray, and their KeraGloss Repair Mist, which I'm really excited about), I decided that I'd show you how I make my straight hair have a little life twisted into it. It's super simple, takes only a few key products, and will hopefully save you time in the morning!

Today is all about just spending time playing in the snow with my puppies, but tomorrow I'll have a little post about what products I used and how you can win a box for yourself!

Vest: Gap [LOVE this plaid version]

Cardigan: J.Crew, thrifted

Scarf: H&M

Pants: Gap [exact]

Boots: Hunter [exact]

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

#hairspiration with vidal sassoon pro series

As a bunch of stressed out first year medical students, my friends and I don't get a lot of girly time to ourselves. We have to throw some professional outfits together in the morning, sit in lecture and anatomy lab all day, and then study into late in the night, so there isn't much time left for us to do fun things like watch our favorite TV show when it actually airs, or try out new hairstyles.

When Vidal Sassoon Pro Series offered to "host" a party just like that, we made sure to block of the night after our anatomy exam to do just that - watch our favorite TV shows (The Mindy Project and New Girl), talk hair and fashion trends, and try out different hair styles on each other. I love this kind of stuff - I've always been cutting/ coloring/ doing my friends' and siblings' hair, so I was super excited to get my hands on the gorgeous hair of my friends.

We were provided with a Target gift card to stock up on both hair supplies and treats. I bought one of every product, which worked out perfectly since each of the girls ended up taking home their favorite product. I was honestly surprised how affordable the products were - all were under $4! 

We started off the night with Kira, who has these amazing curls. My hair is pretty straight and boring, but Kira's hair just is so dang beautiful so I'm always jealous. We decided to go in the opposite direction though, just because we wanted to see what she looked like with straight hair!

face lift

So I got a hair cut.

and I like it a lot.








My blog also got a mini facelift thanks to Modern Buttercup. I also like it a lot :)

Shirt: Ralph Lauren, thrifted {save | spend}

Jeans: Urban Outfitters {exact}

Belt: H&M Mens

Boots: Frye  {exact}

Watch: Kate Spade  {exact}

Shoutout to my Frye boots - they had to go to the cobbler to have the heel re-enforced and to be cleaned and moisturized. They feel brand new again, and all that for only $18 (for those of you in Madison: I went to Cecil's West).








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Linking up with Style Elixir. 

Bang Bang

I may have gone a littttttle crazy yesterday while getting my hair cut. Full on bangs. I've never had them before but they're pretty fun! Any styling tips for bangs?

The more I wear my vest, the happier I am that I kept it. I can't wait for the temperatures to drop a little bit more so I can wear it outside of work too.

I've been seeing tons of ladies wearing theirs in cute ways so check them out if you are looking for some new ways to style a cargo vest:

26 and Counting
Because Shanna Said So
My Here and Now
Lilly's Style
Putting Me Together
Sterling Style
Bon Chic Bon Gastronomique
J's Everyday Fashion
C's Evolution of Style
Clothes, Kinks and Curls
Librarian for Life Style

Let me know if you'd like to be added - I need the inspiration :)

Vest: Old Navy (sold out online, try in stores)
Shirt: Old Navy  (similar - on sale!)
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang
Watch: Target (exact)
Bracelet: J. Crew

One of my closet friends Alexa (the one that gave me my favorite scarf) is back from New Zealand for 6 weeks - I'm so excited to have her back stateside! Her family just got this adorable yellow lab that we've been cooing over all afternoon - her name is Cali - isn't she just adorable?!

Snippity Snip

Off it went! I did the semi spontaneous (okay, with 4 days of back and forth) thing and cut off my hair. If you remember my hair stories, it is not that unusual for me to just "drastically" do something to my hair. I'm excited for all the cute short hair styles to try out! At least it won't be another messy bun like it was with my long hair!

Blouse: Forever 21 (similar in peach at JCP)
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Belt: The Limited (similar)
Necklace: Tiffany & Co. (similar)
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang (similar)



And  a little bit of office colorblocking....

To Chop or Not to Chop

I love having long hair...when it looks good. I think I have an idealized idea of what long hair looks like and it looks like every long haired picture on Pinterest - long, full, wavy, beautiful.

Reality: my hair does not look like that. It doesn't hold curl, it gets frizzy and it is spent in a bun 95% of the time. What's the point?

Its time for a chop. Shout out to Sandra for the inspiration.