We're off the barre! Or the bar.
Really, you can wear your hair in buns, braids, intricate plaits and twists either to the gym, yoga studio or bar. Or the office. A waterfall plait says "I'm creative but I am in control here. Don't mess with me!"
I am loving this book by Christina Butcher, Braids, Buns and Twists! Step-by-step tutorials for 82 fabulous hairstyles.
I discovered it on a Google hunt, naturally.
I also discovered Power Yoga For Athletesthat gives pictures and instruction on 100 poses that are intended to improve sporting performance. It can be difficult to gain the confidence to go to a yoga class for the first time, especially when you are skilled in a particular sport and you have to face being a beginner BUT starting out with a book and streaming online classes is a great introduction. Author, Sean Vigue is a skilled and notable pilates and yoga instructor who also runs online classes and writes for various yoga and pilates journals.
I love a hair makeover – new colour, new cut – to signal the
end or the start of something. I just finished up a work contract and I’m
approaching more teaching, which I love. Rather than a new Porsche or a trip to
Ibiza, I invested in my hair instead.
From dark brown with a bit of copper through the ends, I
went ombre – or lighter at the ends with balayage technique. Because red is
like a clingy boyfriend you just CAN’T GET RID OF, it took two appointments to
tone up the light ends and get rid of the redness. Because hair appointments
aren’t cheap and there’s so many options, I want to drill down to some haircare
basics that will see your colour last and hopefully you can also see a big
improvement in strength and softness.
1.
Olaplex: I had this treatment in-salon and also
have the at-home conditioning treatment. It is a new system designed to protect
colour, strengthen strands that have been highly processed, and create softness
and shine. I definitely notice my hair feels softer and easier to style after I’ve
used it. It’s early days still!
2.Protein, silica and vitamins: Your hair is made
up
of keratin protein. Just like your skin, muscle and nails it requires
protein and essential vitamins, minerals and fatty acids to build and maintain
lustre and strength. I eat lots of lean protein in the form of meat and fish,
as well as taking a supergreens supplement every day for multivitamins and I
also take a daily silica supplement. I definitely notice my nails get longer when I’m taking silica. By the way, the Q Silica spot gel is freaking amazing. If I need a spot gone overnight, it’s my new go-to.
3.Colour and damaged hair specific products:
Depending on the shade of your hair, you may need a blue or red-based toner to
maintain the colour. I use the L’Oreal
Vitamino range of shampoo, conditioner and also a new CC cream. Yes, CC cream
for the hair! It is Color Corrector which means it ensures the integrity of
your colour – no brassiness creeps in. Especially necessary if you are a
swimming pool user...chlorine is NOT your friend. The range is available in
salons, online or at Hairhouse Warehouse
4.Non-damaging styling products: Remember the
scrunchie? I learned how to sew them and use to pump out neon coloured
scrunchies while watching Beverly Hills 90210. The following are absolutely
mandatory for being gentle on fragile, post-colour hair.
Closer to counting your coins than your diamonds? I hear you. You don't need to make half your beauty and wellbeing appointments beyond your bathroom. Here's what you can and should be mastering at home!
Hair Colour. Ok - NOT if you have super blonde hair unnaturally or complex highlights happening. Put down the bleach immediately. However, if you are touching up the roots on a colour within 4 shades of your natural colour (I dye my hair 2 shades darker brown than natural) then save yourself an expensive salon visit and do it at home. I swear by no-mess, fast L'Oreal Sublime Mousse or Colour Preference in Brasilia. It is so easy to apply in mousse form and way less messy than the typical liquid formulas.
Facial. Sure, this is such an appealing luxury BUT you can apply a skin-specific masque at home and spend the waiting time dancing to lame 90s hits in your loungeroom. Can't do THAT at a salon can you? I love Elemis, Kiehl's, Sanctum and Nut'rir skincare ranges for their masque offerings. What you choose is dependent on what you want to target (acne, uneven skin tone, dryness, sensititivity and redness etc) so look at what the masque says it does. Not all products do the same thing!
I've also just discovered indeed labs exfoliator. It is awesome. A fine powder that works into a foam - you can use it alone or add it to your current cream cleanser for some added oomph. Cleansing before a masque is mandatory.
Contouring. Yes you can. Thanks to Into The Gloss for the insider guide to contouring by Kim Kardashian's makeup artist du jour, Mario Dedivanovic. Note that he FILLS THE BROWS to "frame the face". Such a quality tip! I dye my brows dark, dark brown. Skip the salon and use 1000 Hour Eyelash & Brow Kit (saves you $$$ and time).
Watch, learn, do.
My go-to is the top knot and I will stick by it! I also love a high ponytail and waves. Now that everyone in your cafe and local organic produce store is in their yoga leggings and compression tank top, you really need to master hair that goes from crossfit to cafe.
I just upgraded from the ghd styler to the Cloud Nine Touch and it is the best straightening/wave making tool I've used. I've used a lot. It was the tool of choice at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia (MBFWA) and it had been recommended to me by friends and hairdressers.
Love it. Totally recommend it. What you REALLY need to know is it's automatic.
It switches off automatically after 30 seconds of no use! Great for absent minded girls!
It straightens, waves and does fringe smoothing in seconds.
We're off the barre! Or the bar.
I discovered it on a Google hunt, naturally.
