Hair Chalking

I've always wanted bright colored hair.  I've especially longed for bright blue tips on my dark hair. No matter my age, it's something I've always thought about doing. With a government related job I've never considered it as a permanent option.  I've tried a few spray-in, temporary colors but didn't love them. They were super messy and didn't give the bright color I craved. Then came hair chalking. If you aren't familiar with hair chalking, it's basically coloring your hair with chalk (or pastels). Hair chalking has become increasingly popular lately. It's an easy and non-permanent way to add bright color to your hair. Many of the tutorials use pastels from an art store. I've also seen options from hair product companies. On Friday I went to Walgreens and saw Hot Huez and I decided to finally try out this trend.

Hot Huez comes with 4 colors (pink, blue, fuschia and green). The chalk is in a compact form. I purchased the set at Walgreens for $9.99.  It was an impulse purchase because the chalk in compact form seemed less messy than using sticks of chalk.

I tried blue and hot pink for this post. I wore blue first but the pink shows up great in photos. The directions in the package said that I needed a towel and a bottle of spray leave in conditioner (for smoothing the hair) and hairspray. Luckily, I had a bottle of heat styling spray on hand. I've done research and many of the tutorials suggest using water and either a curling or flat iron to set the chalk. I decided to follow the Hot Huez directions exactly, for my first try.

This is the result of my attempt with electric blue. I LOVE the look. This was my first attempt and by the end of the day I had a blue neck. Setting the color is crucial. See my tips below.

I tried a strand on the top of my hair. I did a single application and set it with hairspray but not with heat. By the end of the day it looked light on my dark hair. I'm sure if you are blonde it would stand out more. Next I tried the water and heat method.

I wet a strand and combed it out.  I covered my shoulders with a towel. The chalk dust is messy even with the compact. I clamped the compact down on my hair and ran it down the length of my hair.

I repeated the chalk application, combing the strands in between each application. Then I set it with a flat iron and combed it again. Finally I gave it a light spray with hairspray.  Don't spray too heavy or your chalk will look faded and streaky.

TIPS

• Wear a top you don't care about or completely cover yourself with a smock or towel.The chalk is messy and dusty.
• Make sure to set the color well. It can rub off on clothes and your skin. 
• Wetting the hair more effective than using leave-in conditioner.
• Multiple applications with combing or brushing in between gives the most even application.
• A dry style hairspray will help to set the color without making it blotchy.
• If you use soft pastels instead of compact applicators like Hot Huez, make sure to wear gloves.  Don't use oil pastels. They will be sticky and may stain hair permanently.
• Clarifying shampoo is best for washing out your chalk but other shampoos are effective.

PROS

• Easy application with the compact and it didn't get on my hands.
• Bright colors.
• The price was reasonable. I found some hair chalking kits selling for $5 and up for a single color.
• It doesn't permanenetly stain your hair or your hands.
• It's fun and temporary.

CONS

• The instructions in the kit could have been better. I found better tips on the internet.
• The applicator only places color on one side of your hair. If you want all over color you have to flip the compact or twist your hair.
• The color choices are limited to four.

Hot Huez were a fun and easy way to try out the chalking trend. You can find them at drugstores all over and also on the internet. If you'd prefer to use pastels, try a local arts and crafts store like Michaels.

If you give chalking a try, let me know. I'd love to see your results!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are my own. I was not compensated for this post and purchased the kit myself.


Have you entered the Stella and Dot $50 gift card giveaway?  Make sure to enter before the contest ends on Thursday. You could win a gift card for some amazing jewelry.

Ode to Short Hair

Fortunately for me, my hair grows fast. I've never worried much about changing my hair because I figure it's easy to change it again, if I don't like the way it looks. That's not to say that I've never had a hair meltdown.  I've had a few.  Once when I was a teen, I asked for a feathered, Farah Fawcett cut and I got a mullet like shag.  There were tons of tears and stress while it grew out.  The biggest stresses have been about color. Luckily for me, that is an easy change. Once there was a platinum blonde mistake that took hours to create and then correct.  It also took many days to get my scalp back to normal. Lots of pain.  I've done a few shades of dark brown that I didn't love and some shades of red that were fun at the moment.  Right now, I'm dying to change my hair and go short again.  I love being able to style my long hair but I miss the ease and fun on my short styles.  This photo of Miley Cyrus' new cut made me want to chop mine off even more...

photo credit: @MileyCyrus

She went from a shoulder grazing cut to this fantastic short style. I love it and she's thrilled with her new do.  I really want a messy up do for our wedding in April so I'm fighting my urge to cut.  This little post is an effort to enjoy my short hair without cutting it (until after the wedding).  My first super short do was in high school when I had an asymmetrical do that was spiked on the side and long in the front.  I will post a picture someday, if I can find one.  It's been short and long and all phases in between. Some haven't been my favorites and I've changed them quickly. At the time the change was good for me and was good for me. It gave me the lift I needed.

2012

2009

2008

2007

2005 (me and my Honey)

The moral of my story (and I think Miley's too) is to try something new.  If you don't like the result, you can always change it again.  Talk to your stylist about your hair and your face shape, they can give you great advice.  A new hairstyle can change the way you feel, lift your mood and give you wings. If you take a chance it can make you feel like a new woman.

"Nude" Polish for Every Skin Tone

I'm sure you've noticed that nude nail polish is all the rage. It's been featured on blogs, websites and in every major fashion magazine. That's because it goes any where and every where. I've been wearing lots of neutral polishes on my nails this summer. My toes have been every wild color imaginable and I've balanced those wild toes with neutral polish. Most magazines contain features of the "best nude polish". The choices are pretty but most of the time they are in the off white to tan range.  The last time I checked, the women I know aren't just one skin tone. Nude comes in every shade, depending on who is nude. The shade that works on me doesn't work on my friends who have much lighter or darker skin tones. As I was choosing polish last night I realized that my go to polish lately has been essie Jazz. It's the perfect shade for me, winter or summer. My skin tone is close to Julia Roberts without a tan and edges closer to Frieda Pinto's with a tan.

My Favorite - essie Jazz

I've picked some famous faces and matched up polish that I think suits their skin tone. Hopefully, this will help you find a "nude" polish you love and that suits your own skin tone.

Zhang Ziyi - Wet n' Wild 2% Milk

Dita von Teese - Sally Hansen Nude Now

Julia Roberts - Revlon Sheer Nude

Frieda Pinton - Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Sand



Shoreh Aghdashloo - China Glaze Caramel



Eva Longoria - OPI San Tan-Tonio

Oprah Winfrey - essie Mink Muffs

Alex Wek - Revlon Top Speed Espresso

Casual Beach Colors

My beach vaca beauty routine is very different from daily life. Simple is my mantra. I don't spend tons of time on makeup and hair. With the exception of jewelry, I go for simple outfit combinations.

The heat and humidity have been over the top this week. Cool and breezy have been the only outfits for me. The combo of aqua coral is fresh with a beachy feel.

Tank - Old Navy, Skirt - Lane Bryant, Belt - Lane Bryant, Sandals - Simply Vera Vera Wang for Kohl's, Necklaces - JewelMint and Kohl's, Bracelets - Kohl's

My photos are a bit haphazard in this post. They were taken as my Honey was holding her grandson and my family was playing volleyball. Say hi to cousin Tommy. He is the one you see over my left shoulder.

My beauty routine is scaled way down with wash and go hair. Lots of braids and up dos. Makeup is concealer, mascara, and NARS Multiple for cheeks and eyes. The beach is so casual that "Done" hair and makeup are too much unless it's a date night.

It's refreshing to go the simple route.