It's Hair Time!!!

 "I am my hair, I'm hair, It's all the glory that I bare" -Lady Gaga

Hair, hair, hair!  It is the one thing we must deal with everyday.  Who doesn't have a love/hate relationship with their hair, right?  I'm sure a lot of us can relate right about now.  Hair is the one thing almost every woman complains about at least once in her life time (come on we know it doesn't only happen once).  But there is no way out, we must deal with it while we have it. 

I have dealt with mine pretty good I would say, yeah, that's why I have it short now, haha.  When I was in elementary school, my hair was curly and rebellious. I would refuse to have it brushed, and my mom had to chase me around the house yelling "Ven, Amanda Miguel" ("Come here, Amanda Miguel").  Amanda Miguel is an Argentine-Mexican singer known for her big curly hair.  So yes, I hated brushes, and I would cry most of the time when my mom would actually catch me and brush my hair. 

Over the years, my hair's texture has changed.   I am sure my constant coloring, blow-drying, and ironing has been part of the cause.  But, also with the years, I have learned to love my hair, and embrace that it's only hair.  It sheds and grows...and sheds and grows.  I have changed my hair style quite a lot as you will see in the images below.  I have had it medium to long length since I can remember, but about a month ago I decided to go short.  I was ready for a change and I had promised myself years ago that I would go short when I turned 30.  I must say I don't regret it one bit.  I was always scared of the change, but once I did it I loved it.  And now, I plan to stay short for a while.  It also helps that I can change it and color it whatever color I want because of my job.  I am a musician, so anything goes ;)

So here is a time line of my hair looks.  And keep scrolling down for my all time favorite hair products!

My Natural Hair, brown and curly.

I use to twist my hair to make it look like dreads, lol

Medium Lenght, highlights.

Long redish-brown hair.

PatBenatarish cut with highlights.

Long bright red hair.

Bangs, dark brown hair.

Long brown hair.

Ombre effect, hot pink-purple.

Hot Pink, medium lenght hair. 

Half shaved/Half Long pink and brown hair.

Half shaved/Half long hair. 

I went short!!!
Short platinum blonde hair.

Roots grown in, gives it a Rock&Roll look.

Two-tone, short hair. 

A deeper blonde and shorter hair.

There are so many brands and products for hair out there.  I have tried a lot of stuff, believe me.  I recently had a garage sale and pulled out a box of only hair products that I was trying out and wasn't blown away by.  Therefore, I have cut my list to those products that I know work.  When choosing hair products make sure to take some time to research and read reviews and pay attention to ingredient list as well.  Avoid products with alcohol and lean towards those with Vitamin oils, antixidants, and reconstructing and moisturizing properties.

My Favorite Hair Products

Shampoo: Pilopeptan Woman Anti-Hair Loss Shampoo- This is a great shampoo, they also make hair vitamins and other products I use and love.

Recostructing Shampoo:  Joico K-Pak Reconstruct- Hair savior I swear! I discovered it back in college after a major hair disaster where I showed up with my burnt hair in a braid and under a cap wearing sunglasses to cover my swollen eyes from crying, lol...yeah figure that one out! My hair gained its strenght and elasticity really quickly after using this shampoo with the rest of the line.

Reconstructing Conditioner:  Joico K-Pak Conditioner- Goes hand in hand with the hair savior shampoo right above.

Anti Residue Shampoo:  Neutrogena Anti Residue Formula Shampoo-  I would use it once every two weeks when I had long hair, now that its short maybe once a month. It removes build up from hair products, love it! 

Strengthening Shampoo:  Lanza Healing Strength White Tea Shampoo- It's sulphate free! 

Violet Shampoo:  Schwarzkopf  BC Color Save Silver Shampoo.  Oh yes, if you are a natural or fake blonde go and grab this one, the best shampoo i've used for cleaning and neutralizing blonde and pre-lightened hair. Make sure to condition well after use.

Dry Shampoo: I don't use dry shampoo. So I can't recommend one.

Hair Mask:  Pilopeptan Woman Regenerating Hair Mask
                      Alterna Deep Hydration Mask
                      L'Anza Color Perserving Trauma Treatment
                      Schwarzkopf BC Repair Rescue Treatment for Damaged Hair

Homemade Hair Mask:  Mayonnaise!!!  Yes, it is the best gross thing you can put in your hair.  I had never tired it until I went blonde and my hair was in major need of moisture. All I gotta say it that it does work and makes a tremendous difference.  I use the one that has Olive Oil in it.  If you can't stand the smell go ahead and mix it with your favorite hair mask and oils and then put it on your hair and leave it on for as long as you can.  You gotta try it!
                                         Organic Coconut Oil- Warm it up in the microwave and leave it on. You can use it as a mask or as a styling product.

Leave in Product: It's a Miracle Leave In Product- Yes, it is actually a 10! I love this leave in product because it does a lot of goodness to my hair. I use it on both towel-dried and styled hair.
                                Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/Uv Protective Primer- I work at the beach a lot, so after I shower I coat my hair with this to protect it from the sun.
                               Caviar CC Cream 10 in 1 Complete Correction Leave In Hair Protector- I prefer using this one on dry hair, I feel that's how it works the best.

Hair Oils:  Pilopeptan Woman Hair Repair Serum
                   Kerastase ElixirKUltime
                   L'Anza Neem Plant Silk Serum
                   Schwarzkopf BC Oil Potiom.  

The products mentioned above is pretty much what I use to style my hair. I'm not a big fan of hair gels, mousses, pomades, waxes or sprays. I have ocationally tried such products and have some recomendations for you but I rarely use them since I just personally don't like to put much stuff in my hair unless it's something that will be nourishing or benefitial to it. But here's the list of my rarely used hair products...

Hair Spray:  L'oreal Paris Elnett Satin

                      Tresemme Extra Firm Control

                      Suave Professionals Touchable Finish Hairspray.

Hair Gel:  I don't use any at all.  I use styling cream instead.

Hair Mousse:  Suave Professionals Volumizing Foam.

Styling Cream:  Bumble and Bumble Styling Creme

Hair Texturizer:  Osis+ Dust It 

Hair Pomade:  Redken Rough Paste 12

Hair Wax:  Got 2b Glued Spiking Glue

Hair Tools

Blow Dryer:  GHD Professional Performance Blow Dryer- I have owned different brands in the past, this one is simply the best.

Hair Iron:  GHD Classic 1 inch Hair Iron
                    T3 Single Pass Hair Iron

Curling Iron:  I use my T3 hair iron to make curls 

Hot Rollers:  Carusso Steam Hairsetter Rollers- They work with steam and don't damage your hair.

Styling Brush:  Denman Classic Styling Brush

Teasing Brush:  Phillips Tease 2 Brush

Round Hair Brush:  Spornette Italian Boar Rounder Brush

                                   Phillips Monster Vent Brush-  Excellent for blowdrying long hair.    

Hair Extras

Favorite Hair Era:  The 80's!

Can't live withoutC: Bobby pins!

Celebrity Hair Inspirations:  Shakira, Lady Gaga, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Rhianna, Shannyn Sossamon, Keri Hilson, Katy Perry, JLo, Victoria Beckham and a few more.

Remember, Love your hair and have fun with it whatever your style is.   I like to match my hair to my personality and I got a love for change.  I am already brainstorming on what I will do to it next, hehe.  How about you, are you ready for a change? Dare to try, it's hair and it grows back!

Until next blog, 

Rock n' Lipstick, Dii