Video Tutorial: {How I Curl My Hair}

As promised last week, I filmed a video tutorial of my hair curling technique for you ladies. Nothing fancy, just a basic video of me...well...using a curling iron.

A few things before you watch:

1) As I say in the video, I think the way my finished style looks has more to do with the way my hair stylist cuts my hair than anything. If you have long hair, (my length or longer), I'd suggest asking your stylist for some long(ish) layers to help lighten up the weight of your hair in the front, which will help in the styling process.

2) It's all about the iron. If you haven't shelled out the $40 for a Hot Tools curling iron yet, do yourself a favor and make the purchase. Hot Tools just makes a better iron.

3) I'm not a fan of the curling wands. I tried a friend's a couple of times and I prefer the old style with the clamp. This would work just fine with a wand, though.

Products mentioned in the video

CHI Turbo Paddle Brush (Large)

Hot Tools Professional Rainbow Gold 1-1/4" Barrel Curling Iron 

Tigi Catwalk Your Highness Firm Hold Hair Spray

You can find a complete list of the other products I use on my hair, including shampoo and conditioner, on this page.

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Another email topic that frequently comes up: baby bangs and baby sideburns and how I dealt with this strange postpartum phenomenon.

I'll start by saying, I didn't avoid it, (and am still dealing with it a bit), but I didn't get it too badly. I think one thing was instrumental in that: Davines MELU Heat Protecting Shield. I used this stuff religiously both before and after Caroline was born. It helped to put a halt to breakage and speed up the re-growth process.

Davines MELU Shield Heat Protecting Spray

(A lot of people think the short postpartum baby hairs are from breakage alone, but it's actually new hair coming in and, sometimes, subsequently breaking off due to heat styling. See? Learning new things daily. That's what we do here on this highly educational blog.)

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Thanks for watching me curl my hair and thanks for reading this blog. It shocks the heck outta me at how many of you take the time to read this little piece of the internet daily and I sincerely appreciate that.

Locks as Vibrant as the Leaves: {Fall Hair Trends}

I'm definitely one of those people that likes to change things up dramatically with my hair each season. I mean, I've been blonde, golden blonde, ash blonde, baby blonde...long layers, no layers, face-framing layers...

Okay, so maybe I'm not the biggest risk-taker when it comes to my hurrrrr, but I don't think you really have to go crazy to play with change. Sometimes the subtle differences are just as fun, don't you think? Here are a few of my very favorite subtle hair trends for fall 2014. Maybe one of these will inspire you, too!

Sombré

LOVE my new color by Suzannah! (Photo via Crown Beauty Bar.) 

Sombré, or subtle ombre, is a fun and soft way to play with color and dimension without the commitment of constant upkeep. In fact, it requires less upkeep than typical at-the-root highlights, which for busy ladies like ourselves, is a good thing. My hairstylist Suzannah did an ash blonde sombre effect on my hair last week that I'm loving! It's subtle, soft and will grow out nicely in the coming weeks.

Cutie Kirsten, owner of Riffraff, rocks her sombre by stylist Kelly. (Photo via Crown Beauty Bar)

Photo via Crown Beauty Bar

Photo via US Weekly

Want to know more about sombre so you can tell your stylist? This article from Elle sums it up nicely and provides some good examples.

Red Infusion

Photo via Crown Beauty Bar

Maybe you aren't ready to dye your whole head the color of a fire truck...understandable. Doesn't mean you can't infuse the fiery tones into your hair in a more subtle way. I've seen a lot of ladies heading to the salons for a little red injection and I think it's gorgeous. My favorite combo is the brunette + red highlights. Sexy.

A more vibrant option if you dare...I kind of love it!  (via Vogue from NYFW Fall 2014)

Via Entertainment Tonight

Bronde

We kind of saw a more intense version of this back in the spring, but this fall's version of "bronde", (read: blondish-brown), is much more subtle. Best example? Beyonce. Her color is kind of amazing. But then again, so is she.

Photo via Harper's Bazaar

Photo via Crown Beauty Bar Instagram

Photo via Elle Magazine online

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Any hair color techniques you've seen that you'll try this fall? Or maybe you already have?

Randoms(!!)

Some things before our Independence Day weekend. Annnnd they are...

1) Confessional Friday is canceled tomorrow. I know everyone will be out and about celebrating the Fourth, so I'll probably just put up a regular post in lieu of the link-up. But do tune in for some Independence Day fun on here if you're cruising the interwebs tomorrow!

2) My Scentsy Party is still going strong! Be sure to stock up on all your very favorite fragrances right now. (For a list of my favorites, check out this post.) Also, Scentsy does this really cool thing called Bring Back My Bar where retired Scentsy Bars are only $5. Yes, $5!!!

Shop my party here and comment below to let me know what'cha get!

3) I did a fishtail braid for work today using ye olden Lauren Conrad tutorial and it worked out pretty well. Long-haired gals: you can see the tutorial below (and replicate the braid for yourself!) Shorter-haired gals could definitely do a fun little fishtail side braid. See? Works for all.

4) Those of you who have sectional sofas, do you love 'em? Hate 'em? We're trying to figure out what type of furniture to get for the living room in the new house. Our current living room set is going to look a little dwarfed in the room, I'm afraid. And, let's be honest, after many years of use, it's time for some new furniture. 

Okay. That's it! Enjoy your Thursday and don't forget that the link-up won't happen tomorrow because of the holiday! 

See y'all later!

A Concert, a Link Up and Other Stuff Lately

Hey, friends! Checking in a little later than usual this morning, as I've been hanging out with my momma. She came down last night to watch Caroline while we went to the Dave Matthews concert in Tulsa! What a blast that was. Seriously, does Dave ever not put on a helluva show?

1) If you follow me on Instagram (my username is ablondeambition) you probably saw these pics yesterday, so I apologize for the repetitiveness.

I did soft waves for the show last night and was pleased with how they turned out - so easy!

Also, can I just sing the praises of my concert dress? So breezy and cool, plus it looked really cute underneath my new (and cheap!) denim vest. The perfect look for a casual show. (And by 'perfect', I mean comfy.)

Dress purchased from Anna's Armoire (look them up on Instagram at annasarmoire), denim vest from Target (here), necklace is old (very similar here)

2) Y'all excited for the special recipe edition of Confessional Friday tomorrow? You should be. I am. Get ready to link up and share your favorite easy dinner recipes.

3 ) Our house officially goes up for sale next Tuesday and I'm SO ready. I'm hoping we sell relatively quickly, but we will see. We have a couple houses picked out that we'd like to tour, so fingers crossed that this one sells and we get to put an offer on another.

4) I had heard that the e.l.f. brand of blush/bronzer was super comparable to NARS and - WOW - is it ever. I bought the e.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzer in St. Lucia and loved how it gave subtle, sunkissed color for last night's concert look. I think it will be a summer staple.

What are you gals up to today? Big plans for Memorial Day weekend?

Summer Hair-spiration + New Beauty Find!

Know what I love most about warmer weather? Fun and easy updo hairstyles that are perfect for the season. Like every other woman on the planet, I tend to revert back to the tried-and-true messy bun when the going gets...well, humid.

I'm hoping to step my game up a little bit this summer and try out some new 'do(s) when the heat hits. Here are a few that are on my "must learn to recreate this" list:

Inverted Bun Thingy

I love that this looks a little dressy, but could also be worn with a baseball tee and denim shorts. I looked high and low for a tutorial on this, so if anyone else can find it, I'll give you the Golden Ticket to the Chocolate Factory.

via Pinterest

Update: This tutorial looks like it would achieve the same look!

Update #2: And this tutorial shows how to get this style without the headband.


The Braid 'n Tuck

This one actually looks really easy. I couldn't find a tutorial for it, but it looks like the hairstylist did a normal braid on one side of the head, then pulled it across the back of the head, rolled it inward, then pulled a section of hair down over the top of it to give it the illusion that the hair section was holding it in place. (Let's pretend that wasn't the worst run-on sentence in the history of written word, shall we?)

Excessive verbiage aside, isn't it a beaute?

via Pinterest 

Not Your Momma's Side Pony

Or maybe it is. I don't know your mom. 

Tutorial here. 

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For all you sulfate-free shampoo fans out there, I found another shampoo/conditioner duo that I really like AND it's by Redken. Still loving my Davines, too, so I'm just alternating the two.

Redken Color Extend Magnetics Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner

Hair It Is

Oh, hair. One of my favorite topics to blog about, actually. If I had an artsy bone in my body, I totally would’ve pursued a career as a hairstylist. I think the creative freedom that job would allow would be so rewarding.

But, I am not a hairstylist. I rely on The Crown and my stylist/hair guru Casie G. for that. 

The Wash

On average, I wash my hair two-to-three times a week. Yup, just that. Here’s why:

It’s a pretty well-known fact that washing hair every day can strip your mane of its natural oils. Those oils help keep hair in top condition, give hair its natural luster and also prevent breakage.

I love Davines Oi Shampoo and conditioner. Davines shampoo is sulfate-free, which is a good thing. Here’s why:

Let’s pretend we’re chemists and get all scientific for a moment.

Sulfates, (sodium laurel sulfates or SLS), are the ingredient in shampoos that create the lather. They are a chemical often used for kitchen cleaning solutions, too. YEP. You read that correctly. The same ingredient in your shampoo might also be lurking in your heavy-duty countertop spray, because sulfates have a grease cutting property. (Or oil-cutter, if we’re talking about hair.)

This isn’t a plug for Davines, but rather a plea to get you to switch to an SLS-free shampoo. Pureology, Bumble and Bumble, and LivingProof also make great ones, as well.

But surrrrriously, if you are using a sulfate-laced shampoo (that makes it sound like a drug, huh?), then go throw that mess away. Your hair will improve dramatically in a short amount of time, I pinky promise.

The Dry

Next, I apply Josie Maran Argan Oil from about midway down t to the tips before I comb it out. I use this wide-toothed shower comb to do this.  Then I spray it down with Davines Melu Thermal Protecting Heat Shield. This prevents breakage during the blow-drying and heat-styling process.

If you get one thing for your hair, GET THIS STUFF. Now. 

Finally, I use an Olivia Garden paddle brush and my Chi Pro dryer to create a smooth finish.

Day Two hair after washing and drying with all the steps above. Just a quick curling iron touch-up and I'm out the door!

The Fix

This part is what separates a good hair day from a great hair day. If I’m super pressed for time, I skip this step. My hair is really naturally straight, so I can wear a stick-like ‘do if I’m in a hurry.

If I do have time, I like to do loose curls with my 1” HotTools curling iron. I'm working on an updated tutorial (video), so hopefully I can get that up on here before the end of this decade.

Go with the Flowbee

I wish I had some grandiose blog post to send you all off for the weekend, but alas, I do not.

Instead, (and in honor of me FINALLY getting my hair done tomorrow after 8 long weeks away from the salon), I thought we'd watch this compelling infomercial for the Flowbee. Somehow, my dear husband and I got on the topic of bad infomercials last night and this one came to mind.

"It's a vacuum! No, it's a pair of hair clippers! NO! It's the FLOWBEE!"

Children of the 80s and early 90s probably remember this hair-raising (literally) gem. Funny story, my mom was a hairdresser for many, many years and had to correct approximately eleventy million haircuts marred by this handy dandy tool.

Here are my thoughts on styling or cutting hair with a high-powered suction device:

1. The words "vacuum" and "hair" should never occur in a sentence.
2. God gave us professional hairstylists for a reason. Amen.

See yous Monday.

And She Shall Wear a Crown

I am sooooo very excited to tell you Northwest Arkansas girls about my friend Kelly's new salon, Crown Beauty Bar!

As beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. 

Many of you probably know of or follow sweet Kelly on Instagram, but you may not know that she just opened the doors to her own beauty bar. I recently got an appointment with one of Crown's fantastic stylists/colorists Casie Gargrave and let me tell you, I love my hair!

Upon entering the salon, I immediately felt like I was walking into a chic 5th Avenue spa. The décor is clean, modern and super inviting - all the things you want in a salon, right? And her adorable doggies can often be seen greeting customers and just plain being cute : )

Products generously gifted by Kelly Stuckey & Crown Beauty Bar.

Crown Beauty Bar carries Davines products and you NEED to know about this line. Kelly sent me home with the OI Absolute Beautifying Shampoo, OI Absolute Beautifying Conditioner and, the mother of all products, MELU Shield, an intensive heat-protecting spray. Honestly girls, I probably will never go back to my former products. In just two weeks, I've noticed a HUGE difference in the texture and sheen of my hair. *Pinky promise!

One of the most inspiring things about Crown Beauty Bar has to be the story behind the name. From Kelly's Instagram, in her own words:

The crown is inspired by scriptures Rev. 3:11, Isaiah 62:3 and James 1:12. What comfort I have when I look at all the beauty of nature and know that we, the people, are His crown of creation.

Hmmmm...any locals recognize this cutie? Heyyyyy, Kirsten! 

Seriously girls, if you live in the Northwest Arkansas community and are looking for a place to go for cuts, color, manicures or even a great blow dry, Crown is THE place to go.

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To book an appointment with Kelly, Casie or any of Crown's amazing stylists, call 479.935.4070 and check out their website here. 

*All photos taken from Crown Beauty Bar FB page. 

Humidity-Proof Hair: {Vlog}

I had a couple folks ask after last week’s Ulta Super Blender Sponge Tutorial if I could do one on straight hair (or better yet, how the heck to achieve smooth locks during summer’s crazy humidity.)

As many of you know, I live in Arkansas and WOAH MOMMA…the humidity will straight up wilt a girl during the summer. We’re talking 80-90% humidity during the hotter parts of July and August. Fun stuff.

I thought it'd be fun (and less boring than a novella-sized blog post) to tell you girls what products work for me to achieve a smooth 'n straight hair do' that stays in tact, even in our terrarium-like climate .

Here are the products I mentioned in the vlog that keep my locks nice and tidy during the blazing summer months:

1. CHI Silk Infusion - here

2. CHI CA1084 Ceramic Hair Dryer - here

3. Redken Blonde Glam Shampoo - here

4. Kenra Color Maintenance Conditioner - here

5. Tigi Catwalk Series Work It Hairspray - here

6. Moroccanoil Treatment® - here

Link to the Remington Flat Iron - here

P.S.- That other Redken shampoo/conditioner I couldn't remember the name of (for non-blonde hair)? Yeah, it's called Extreme. And you can get it here. 

Click on the items below to purchase for yourself!