May 18, 2011

i've been conditioned

I just learned that there are women in the world who don't use conditioner . . . and still have great hair.

As someone who cannot fathom ever leaving my hair unconditioned, I was honestly shocked by this. I know, silly thing to be shocked by. But, seriously, that's amazing. 
I knew that men didn't often use conditioner, but I always thought that was a length thing. 

Equally shocking was my discovery of the opposite last year - that lots of curly-haired peeps use conditioner and NOT shampoo. I've started doing this myself, only using shampoo half the time, but always conditioner, and my hair is way less dry. 

But seriously, aren't Shampoo and Conditioner the quintessential bathroom couple!? 

And now I learn, after all these years, that people have been breaking them up in houses all over the world.  I know it's crazy, but it's true. 


May 9, 2011

do it like a dude


Many people look in the mirror or around at their friends and compare themselves to celebrities they may resemble.

I have never been told I looked like anybody famous, but lately I've noticed that I've been rockin' some Bob Dylan-goes-electric hair. Seriously, it's uncanny.

Then today I was reading an article about internet whiz-kids and couldn't help but see a hair-semblance with Jessie Eisenberg ("The Social Network").

Is it weird that I can relate in looks most to men?
Maybe a little, but it's all good. Those boys have some styling hair!

April 28, 2011

It ain't all bad



I realize that I mostly use this blog to voice misconceptions (or straight-up whine) about my curly hair, but that's not the whole picture. There are some really great things about having curls, too, so I've made a small list:

1. Curls make people happy. People smile at me brightly when saying, "I love your hair!" It's cheesy to say, but it's really great to be able to give a small joy to someone just by standing there.

2. Babies love me. I'm not sure what it's about, but babies love to stare at me. I think it's the combination of the texture of my hair and the light reflecting in my glasses. Whatever the reason, it's awesome!

3. People always think my hair looks good. Granted, I don't go out with the worst bed head, but still, sometimes I'll think I'm having the worst hair day ever and still get compliments. I can get away with being pretty lazy and I love it!

4. I never look like anyone else. Often I see this as a negative thing, but in a world where so many people have the same clothes, bags, shoes, etc. it's actually pretty cool to have a unique look.

P.S. Do you like my pictures? We watched "Napoleon Dynamite" last week and I was inspired by Glamour Shots by Deb (who wouldn't be?!).  All I need now are some great '80s bedsheets to use as backgrounds, then I'll pretty much have a business. pretty much. . .

April 13, 2011

Cut it out!

I got my hair cut today.

I love going to see my stylist, Sally, (co-owner of Joji's Salon.) She has great energy, is always up for trying something new, and we have really interesting conversations while she chops. She's also the only hairstylist I've ever had with straight hair. How she knows what to do with curls is mystifying.

In contrast to my awesome experience with Sally, I have not always had a positive relationship with hairstylists. I've dealt with numerous bad haircuts, stylists who were too precious/possessive about my curls, and people who just had no clue what to do with my curls and decided to treat it like straight hair. Different situations which all end the same: tears.

It was fated that I find Sally, though. I was shopping on Main Street, feeling terrible about my grown-out haircut, and I stumbled upon a shopgirl with amazing curls. I, of course, think I have the right to talk to anyone with curly hair and find out all I can about how they care for it. She told me excitedly about her stylist, Sally, and the rest is history.

Go check her out for a great cut, good tea, and a heavenly head massage.

April 9, 2011

The Sheila E look

Every once in awhile i get tired of fighting my perfectly '80s hair and just go for it. I went to the pool the night before and must have slept on my right side because I woke up with my hair looking like this. So instead of fighting it I secured it with pins and went on my way. It was so fun to wear my hair differently. 

I was instantly reminded of Sheila E, who was the percussionist for Prince at the height of his career. I have no clue how I can even remember her because I would have been so young, but she must have made an impression on me. 

She has amazing beats, a style all her own, and competed in a field dominated by men at the time. Just wearing my hair like her made me feel empowered. Here's to you, Sheila E, you still kick ass!
                                                                                    

March 23, 2011

ideally . . .

Showering at night seems ideal to me. 
The hot water feels good after a day's work and I go to sleep feeling clean and relaxed. 
There's also way less chance of a water conflict with the upstairs neighbours. 
But then I wake up to this. . .


        


And I basically need to shower all over again to fix my hair. 
Ideals and reality don't always meet (sigh).

March 21, 2011

wow, did you do something to your hair?


 I've been told a few times this weekend that my hair looks "especially good," (followed by, "not that it usually looks bad, i mean . . . just today, i don't know . . . it's nice") so here are a few shots.

The only difference I can notice is that my curls are softer, but I've been using a bit of gel with my hair cream, so theoretically they should be harder. Maybe it's the change in weather? Whatever it is, people seem to be liking it.

I don't often notice the subtle differences in my hair anymore because I have long ago surrendered to the fact that my hair has a mind of its own. I cannot control it in any way, shape, or form. Sure, I can use nice hair products to guide it and hope that the curls listen, but the results are out of my hands. Like when you give a friend advice, they might take it and they might not . . . you just have to go with it.

March 12, 2011

Brushed.


People often ask me how I brush my hair. I don't. This picture demonstrates why.
Big, fluffy frizz. Like sticking your finger in an electric socket.

This question is often followed up with the person describing excitedly how they would totally wear their hair big and afro-y if they had my hair. Really?!
I find that difficult to believe.

March 8, 2011

Alberta Bound

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with the blogging. I'm in Alberta visiting with family and sitting off to the side behind a computer seems a waste of precious time that could be spent visiting with my 95 yr old Grandma, 2 yr old niece, and all other ages of family in between.

But here, I found a kitchen (why do I always take my pictures in a kitchen?!) in which to take a picture of my hair. Freshly washed with Yes to Carrots conditioner (which I bought on a whim at Shoppers because it was on sale and, though choosing hair products at random usually goes terribly wrong, I'm LOVING!) Finished off with Sebastian Potion #9 (thank you, sister, for sharing) and Aveda Be Curly. I still haven't made up my mind about Be Curly, though. I don't know that it's worth the $30 price tag. . . jury's still out.

The -15 weather in Calgary hasn't noticeably effected my hair, but I've been well distracted by a cold, making it through a weekend in close quarters with family, and a super cute 2 yr old ("Auntie Jenny want play! Laila want play!")

Lastly, no Calgary hair blogging session would be complete without including a photo of our brother-in-
law's baby beard. Yes, as his wife carries their child for 9 months, he shows solidarity by not
shaving his beard or cutting his hair. It's a choice. . . The Yeard, as it is lovingly referred to, is much further along than in this picture as our nephew is due in 5 weeks. Better start sharpening those razor blades, Jeremy . . .

March 5, 2011

No new posts

All apologies for the lack of posts this week. I've been various types of sick and am now in Alberta for my Grandma's 95th birthday. (amazing, right?!)

I don't have one of those fancy smart phones, so pictures of the effects of the dry Alberta air on my hair won't be posted for a few days.

So glad to hear people at enjoying the hair chronicles, though! Super fun.

Posted from Blogium for iPhone

February 28, 2011

Just my imagination

Today, I saw a woman who has the hair that I only think I have - dark auburn, tight, luscious curls that shimmer under the light. I then glanced in the mirror, thinking I would see something very similar to that, only to realize that my hair doesn't look anything like that.

Many people think that I have natural auburn hair (which I didn't even know existed) because I've been dying it some shade of red or caramel since I was 12. I've recently decided to stop dying my hair (at least for now, I'm not making any life commitments here), mostly because I have no idea what my natural hair colour is anymore and I think that's a little ridiculous. I've also just become frustrated with the cycle of roots and dyeing.

So now to the task of working with what I actually have and not just what I imagine I have.


That blur to the right is my mom. I was trying to take a picture of both of us but she wasn't too keen/didn't quite get it. ("I mean, I don't even know how I would get to a blog, Jenny")

February 25, 2011

Those curls grow slowly



Here's a bit of a flashback to show how long my hair took to grow in.

My parents say I was bald until the age of 2 or 3, as evidenced in the picture to the left (I'm the younger one, with my sister). My poor, cold head!

In the picture of my preschool class below, I am probably 3 or 4, so that's how long it took to grow that beautiful head of curls. (I am in the second row on the far right, if it wasn't blatantly obvious).
Aren't I cute?!

Of course, I am. Any child is cute with curls, but a fully grown woman who still gets called "cute" can get a little old . . .
but I soldier on. ;o)

February 24, 2011

Curls change over time?



My sister pointed out to me last night that my curls have changed. Looking back at pictures from 4 years ago (like this one with my mom and I from behind), it is also clear to me. I have a different hairstylist, wear my hair a bit finer, use different product, so I guess those are all reasons. But frankly, I like the old curls better.

I'm sure I didn't feel that way at the time, though. I always remember my hair as a point of frustration for me my whole life. That's part of why I'm doing this blog. I'm hoping that seeing my hair through pictures will make me appreciate it and see it for the beauty that it is. We'll see. . .

Oh, here's a picture of me today, just washed my hair. It's looking a little water-heavy, but I'm hoping that that will keep the frizz at bay. Today, I used Aveda Be Curly, which is supposed to be the best, but I have yet to be convinced of. One more time!

February 23, 2011

Here we go . . .

Bed head. First thing in the morning and I am actually less ashamed of my hair and more of my tired eyes and blotchy skin.
This is not as bad as it gets, though, don't fear. I can be privileged to wake up with some pretty sweet Kramer hair on occasion.

Apres washing. It's actually a fine art to know how long to dry my hair for after I wash it. I just towel dry it, but still, from this picture I can tell I let it go for too long and it will be frizzy today - excellent. When straight-haired girls get frizzy hair it has a cute name, 'Fly Aways,' like you're going on a holiday. When my hair is frizzy it sits 8 inches off my head and people reference bad 70s movies. No sympathy. 

But I'm ranting. 

I did actually intend to use this blog constructively to answer questions people have about my hair. 

Yes, it's naturally curly. (to get the obvious question out of the way) 


February 21, 2011

A Hairy Situation

My hair. 


I get the most comments, questions, compliments about it. It's state affects the way I feel on any given day and is, more often than not, a source of frustration for me. But I never know how to explain that to people who look admirably at my curly locks and think I must have it made hair-wise.


So I've decided to take a cue from my favorite fashion bloggers and take a photo of my hair in all its states of  glory and disparity over the next few weeks.