Temple of Glam

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

Yo Diary,

Mama recently experienced a chemical treatment of the relaxer persuasion.

I won't go into the details, but I will tell you the result: strands...and...strands...and strands...of hair in my hands. And on the floor. Trauma.

Considering I've had a relaxer since the the heyday of PCJ, this certainly isn't the first time my strands have been damaged. But my goodness, it's not fun to be here again. So yeah, I've come to the final stage of mane mourning: acceptance. The obvious solution would be to cut it, but gah, I always do that.

Before I resort to the "take-off-as-much-as-you-need-to-I-don't-care" chop, I'll give Redken Extreme Strength Builder Plus (~$20) a go. Since you are all-knowing, hair diary, I won't tell you that protein is super important for distressed hair--like ahem, over-processed relaxed hair; it strengthens weak manes and has restorative powers.

Oh yes, I just said "powers". Anything that can possibly stop the kind of shedding my joint is doing, is in fact, magical. Say a prayer for me, hair diary. Me thinks, I'll need it.

I totally remember watching this PCJ commercial. You?

xx Shaunequa

Yo Diary!

Long time no write (I know, I know). Remember when I jokingly told my grandma about a life decision I made, knowing she'd disapprove? And she glared at me, as if to say, "so help me, if you are serious, I will stab you".

Though her latest accessory is a walker, when she sternly says, "hold it" mid-conversation, she ain't playing games. Speaking of "hold it" (mmm hmm segue time), I have been super excited to tell you about Rene Furterer Vegetal Finishing Spray ($27). Now normally I shy away from using any kind of holding spray on my fragile, winter-molested tresses. But this one is supposed to be different. It offers hold and hydration without weighing hair down; it has Vitamin B5.

And you know me, dear diary. I put this bad boy to the test: during the east coast's latest precipitation-wind mash up. I have to tell you. I ran my fingers through my hair just now and it felt soft and managed. Kinda' like the way I feel when my grandma gives me "the eye".

Write ya again soon,

S Breezy

Image courtesy of Estee Lauder

When I got a call after 6 pm for a job interview with a well-known makeup company the next day, I immediately thought about my hair.  I knew I missed the cut-off for my salon, and didn't want to chance being late for the interview dilly-dallying during a morning salon appointment.

So I whipped out the magnetic rollers I bought last year and never used.  The stylists make it look so easy, I thought I could do it too.  Two rollers in and I understood my DIY skills had a limit. This was best left to the professionals.

Not to be discouraged, I decided to wear my hair pulled straight back with a side part for a touch of drama.  I abandoned my dream of having my bangs lay perfectly at my brow after having accomplished an at-home blow-out.  I tackled what I knew I could manage, like making sure my hair was freshly washed, conditioned and shiny.  Isn't that what counts?

So instead of face-framing bangs, I channeled my inner Jody Watley and Liya Kibede, both rock a fresh yet sophisticated face. Lesson learned - keep it simple.

Image courtesy of xolondon.blogspot.com

Posted by Shanna Sabio

Are you there Hair, Diary?  It's me, Cat.

I confess, this morning's rain made me want to curl up and play hookie.  I'm glum and bored and uninspired.  I can't even bring myself to talk about hair.  And we can always talk about hair.  So, allow me to talk about...scarves to cover my hair.  Yep, Jackie O and Nicole Richie-style.  While I didn't have their style cojones to wear one to work, on my way out tonight, I wrapped one on and threw caution to the wind (or drizzle).

When I returned home, I decided to play my usual game of "If My Bank Account Had a Few More Zeros" and perused the internet for some fun scarves to adorn my noggin.  Here's what I found:

A good place to begin?  Etsy.  They have so many hand-painted wonders.  The one above matches my blue mood.

Next up is a scarf that reminds me it's time to plan a vacation to a far-away place.  This one is the Marrakesh scarf.   If only I were there....

This scarf is called the Fishy Skull scarf, which made me smile.  Hence why it made the list.

Last but certainly not least,  the gold standard of scarves (and it happens to be gold).  This one would do my head proud.

Here's to a little bit of sunshine on a gloomy day, Hair Diary.  Hopefully next week, we'll meet under better circumstances.

xo,

Cat (as in it's raining Cats and Dogs out there)

-Posted by: Cathy Spinley

Image courtesy of fanpop.com

Are you there Hair Diary?  It's Me, Cat.

Tonight, while riding an elevator, there was a stop on the fourth floor.  Who should get in?  A girl sporting a Louise Brooks haircut that rocketed me right back to ANTM Cycle #9 and fond memories of Saleisha Stowers.  Saleisha was my very favorite contestant because, let's face it, who can rock an LB haircut and still look like a supermodel and, as Tyra would put it, commercial?  No.  One.

As the elevator climbed the remaining two floors to my final destination, I stared in complete awe at only the second person on this planet (or at least the second person I've ever seen) work a bowl cut from the roots of her hair to the very tips of her strands.  She was fabulous and I wanted to hug her for inspiring me so.

Of course, that would be downright creepy.  So instead, I wrote this diary entry.  Please, in my next life, make me the kind of girl who can pop a bowl on her noggin' and snip away.  Sigh....

-Posted by: Cathy S.

Are you there Hair Diary?  It's me, Cat.

Today is my birthday.  It was great, thanks for asking.  I was even thrown an impromptu party at work.  When I blew out the candles I wished for one thing and although it is bad luck to tell you for what I wished, l tell you everything, so here goes.

First, I wished for the chicness of the French bed head above...

Then for the cuteness of this pixie:

And, of course, the playfulness of the free-spirited hippie hair:

Of course, I wished for health.  Well, for healthy hair, preferably like this:

And finally, for a good colorist who understands the importance and subtlety of an inch of roots:

Here's to another year!

-Posted by: Cathy S.

Hey Hair Diary,

This week I went to my salon to get my relaxer touched up, and the most horrifying thing happened.  My regular hairdresser was not there!  Not to be deterred, I decided to try another hairdresser there and while touching up my relaxer she did a BIG NO-NO.  She applied relaxer to my already relaxed ends!!! I was horrified.

You and I know that you should not reapply relaxer to already-relaxed portions of the hair because it thins it, leading to breakage.  You know how fine my hair is already, so of course I asked her rinse it off, and when I left, I promptly sought a remedy.

Luckily I found L'Oreal Hair Fixer.  It's a bit like a science experiment (which being the nerd that I am, I love).  You drop a tablet in the mixer bottle supplied, add the solution, and shake.  Apply it to your hair and the effects accumulate over time, strengthening your hair.

I bought three boxes; one can never be too safe...

-Posted by: Shanna S.

Image courtesy of www.cupcakesandcashmere.com

Are you there Hair Diary?  It's me Cat.

Because you're omnipotent, you already know I am having a bad hair day.  My curls are out of control.  I'll be straight (pun intended) with you.  I went out last night, had a few margaritas and before you know it...BAM!  It was 8:45 am and I had time to shower but not style my hair.  Problem is, I need my hair to look good.  Pronto.

That's when I remembered one of my favorite bloggers, Emily from Cupcakes & Cashmere, had long-ago posted a tutorial about a girl, her curling iron, and some shine spray. It's, hands-down, the quickest way I know to turn dull, unmanageable hair into something much more presentable.  In fact, her hair looks downright adorable!

Check it out and bookmark it!  This tutorial is like MacGyver, but for your hair.

(Hair) crisis averted.

-Posted by: Cathy S.

Are you there Hair Diary?  It's me Cat.

Being the Italian Princess I sometimes am, I knew in order to pull off my Snooki Halloween costume, I would need one helluva pouf on my head.  I searched high.  I searched low; but, Bump-Its were sold out so close to the big holiday.

What to do?  I had two hours to figure out how to add an extra foot to my frame via my tresses.

I needed three things:  a pick, hairspray, and a girl with some hair history to help me out. So I called my friend, Court, who has a Lon-guy-land pedigree (not Jersey, but close enough).

After much teasing, she applied the secret weapon to make my updo last longer than a smoosh-session:  So Sexy Spray and Play Volumizing Hairspray.  My 'do survived four cab rides, rain, and a sleezy guy dressed as Reverend Run offering me a sip from his Budweiser forty.

For one night only, I had hair every girl in Belmar would envy.

-Posted by: Cathy S.

Are you there, Hair Diary?  It's me Cat.

It's been one of those weeks and I need to talk it out.  It's been the kind of week where I throw away hard-earned cash on a Mega Millions ticket and dream of buying a private island with my winnings.  I want to sell my worldly possessions, take my job, shove it, and drive Thelma and Louise-style over a cliff.  I want to burn my bra and join a commune founded on the tenets of free love and good food.

Because, I'm not that open to change, I decided the biggest switch I could make was...my shampoo and conditioner.  My hair looks as limp and lifeless as I feel.  I turned to Kiehl's Amino Acid Shampoo and Conditioner.  They give your hair silkiness and shine without weighing it down.  And the conditioner is silicone-free, which I know will make the TOG readers happy!

Until I can understand what the universe is telling me (I'm deaf and it whispers), I'll keep on keepin' on.  At least my hair will have some life to it.

-Posted by: Cathy S.

Are you there Hair Diary?  It's me, Cat.

Allow me to put my cards on the table.  I am lazy.  We're not talking wearing your tee-shirt inside out to the corner bodega lazy.  No, I am talking about I will text you even though you are in the next room lazy.  Like...I don't comb my hair lazy.  That's right, judgers.  I said it.  Why bother when it is in a bun 23 hours a day?  So, when I found out about Goody's Spin Pin, I almost pitched my brushes forever.

Have you heard about this thing?  It gives you a perfectly messy bun in seconds flat.  It's perfect for a girl who doesn't get out of bed before 8:15am.  The directions say you twist your hair into a bun and screw in the pin.  Viola!  A perfectly messy bun.  AND...it has the holding power of 20 bobby pins!  That's like 20 tiny elves holding your strands in place. I plan on buying two this weekend and giving them a whirl (or twist) next week.  Something tells me if the Spin Pin works, I've bought myself an extra ten minutes of beauty sleep!

-Posted by: Cathy S.

Dearest Hair Diary,

This year has been one of firsts for me: my first time getting a relaxer, my first time making regular visits to the salon, my first time getting a "real" hair cut, and now my first time having full, bouncy hair.

Mari, my hair magician, looked at me askance when I pulled out all four products, but I was committed to the entire Living Proof experience. First she used the Full shampoo and followed with the conditioner.

"What do you think? I asked.

"Shampoo always works, but I don't know about the conditioner." She replied.

She was still skeptical, but after the roller set with the Full Thickening Cream and Root Lift Spray, she was sold.

"Bien brillo!" She exclaimed.

Super shiny and my hair was soft, full, and big! Score!

-Posted by: Shanna S.

Image courtesy of Rantings of a Shopaholic

Are you there Hair Diary? It's me, Cat.

It's been so busy, I've barely taken a comb to my mop. But my neglected hair will get some much-needed attention next week. I am taking the plunge and getting my hair bleached on the ends and darkened at the roots.

Eeew. Roots. "Really?", you ask.

Yes. Roots. On purpose.

I sense your judgment, Hair Diary. So let me calm your nerves.

The technique is very simple. My hair fairy  puts a little dark brown on my roots (to cover my grey--our secret!) and highlights on the under layer halfway down, gradually lightening down to the ends.That means no visible grow out! And between pedicures, bi-weekly eyelashes and eyebrows plucked every three weeks. Adding one more touch up to the mix is a recipe for a breakdown.

-Posted by: Cathy S.

Are you there Hair Diary? It's me, Cat.

I know I portray myself as an Italian Princess, more Bump-It than Mohawk, but I've a confession: I am obsessed with a new do! It's shaved on the sides and long on top a la Kate Lanphear and Cassie.

A few questions for you, ever-wise Hair Diary:

Who in "real life" can pull off this 'do?

Am I a disgrace to the Snookums (my fellow Snooki followers)?

Do you think Mama Spinderella would bust a Rosary bead if I showed up to Thanksgiving freshly shorn?

-Posted by: Cathy S.

Image courtesy of Shoppinglifestyle.com

Yo Hair Diary,

I know I was a little whiny pants about the textural state of my hair last week. I mean, I had a wedding to go to, man! But this week I'm embracing my coarse curls and rocking my signature goddess updo.To add some sheen (you know how dry relaxed hair starts to look when it needs its creamy crack), I spritz Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Moisturizer ($11.50) before twisting my tresses.

I'd take a picture of the style, but I'm bloated. Just imagine Nicole Richie's 'do with (much) tighter and darker curls. You get the idea, right?

Peace in the Middle East,

Breezy

Are you there Hair Diary?  It's me (again), Cat.

Waking up to a gray, rainy day is second only to waking up naked next to Mickey Rourke and his chihuahua.

"Why so dramatic?" You ask.

"Have you seen my hair?" I answer.

It is on days much like today (and yesterday, and the day before, and the one before that), I wave the white flag of surrender and work with my wave rather than against it.  Knowing rain and humidity will always defeat even the best blowout efforts, my strategy includes a wide-tooth comb and Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray.  I begin by letting my hair partly air-dry, spritz product thoroughly on damp hair, twist and shout, tip my head over and blow dry. And viola!  My mangy mop turns to a shaggy, textured, voluminous, effortless coif.

What I end up with is hair that looks as though I've spent a day at the beach in St. Tropez.  Fine - like I've spent a day at the beach in Belmar. Capiche?

-Posted by: Cathy S.

Yo Hair Diary,

I've noticed a little something. Every time I'm like a week away from a relaxer, it's the same time as a wedding or big vacation. In other words, there will be loads of pictures taken where my tresses look BUSTED.

I'm hoping you can shed some light on the matter. Is this follicular culture clash an exercise of continued humility? Is it so I can more deeply explore my creativity (i.e. finding ways to make the best of a tangled monstrosity)?

I'll wait for your answers...

Love (not now, but usually)

S Breezy

Cathy is the Natalie to my Tootie. The dark chocolate to my milk chocolate ( I MUST tell you that story!). She is as brutally brilliant as she is painfully stylish. She is a bastion of beauty and I'm thrilled that she's on board to share her hair "sitch" with you every Thursday. Enjoy her first "diary entry"...I did! xx Shaunequa

Are you there Hair Diary? It's me, Cat.

My hair is not my selling point. Ever since that attempt at a perm in 5th grade, I've been in a love-hate relationship with my strands. While I no longer have a perm helmet that could have secured me the leading role in Annie, I struggle with taming the beast that is My' 'Do. I've bobbed it, banged it, dyed it, streaked it, twisted it, scrunched it, and still, I wake up in the morning, look in the mirror, and wonder what my hair will do (or more often, not do) that day.

I'm on an extremely spiritual mission to learn what works best for this Italian girl's wavy, frizzy, fine, tangly hair.

There will be gel, mousse, serum, dye, dryers, curlers, and flat irons. And since no one who knows me wants to hear about my hair one second longer, I will divulge my innermost hair secrets to you and only you.

And unlike the diary I kept during my childhood, I don't have to worry about my brother finding you and reading my entries like performance art, at Thanksgiving dinner. Do you like the pic of me and my heroine, Snooki?

-Posted by: Cathy S.

I am so pleased to announce the first installment of The Hairess Diaries: Wows & Woes of Hair. Shanna is a hair product junky, a fragrance fiend, and she has an extensive beauty background. In fact we met when we worked for the same beauty company. She is also very, very chic. I know you will love her "diary entry" about last night's Living Proof event...enjoy! xx Shaunequa

Dearest Diary,

Going to beauty events after work can be problematic especially when you've been running like crazy all day, the beauty event starts at 5:30pm, and lasts only an hour. But you know me. I slapped on some lipgloss and kept it moving!

It turns out the scientists at Living Proof are introducing shampoo and conditioner to their mega-successful Full Thickening Cream ($24). The Full line pumps up fine, limp hair (like mine, except you can add frizz for a "hair-don't" trifecta). I usually don't mind frizz because it gives my hair some volume, but I definitely mind when I want a sleek and full look. My blowout's fantastic fullness lasts all of 2 minutes and then it seems like my hair is magnetically attracted to my skull. Not cute.

Needless to say, I almost dove for the swag bag at the end of the presentation. I can't wait to try the products and tell you all about them!

-Posted by: Shanna S.