Monday Musings- A Fresh Start
Happy Monday, ladies. I hope your weekend was a fun one. We had rain which allowed me to catch up on some reading and do my ironing…I know, I lead an exciting life:) I also moved some things around in my wardrobe and started another bag to donate once things open back up here.
Here’re are a few things on my mind this week-
Location Is Everything
Have you heard of the Nuface? It’s an at-home, advanced microcurrent facial toning device that promises to help improve facial contour, tone, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 
I bought one a couple of years ago because women seem to love it! I was excited to use it but hardly ever used it. Not because it’s hard to use or time-consuming, because it’s quick and easy. I never used it because of its location. I kept it on my dressing table where I sit to applyĀ “putty and paint” as my husband calls makeup. By the time I spotted it there each morning it was too late to use. I vowed to remember the next day, then the day after that, and so on. I never did remember to use it before my shower, so I gave up and stowed it under my sink.
After reading another glowing review last week, I hauled it out and plugged it in right next to my toothbrush. Not glamorous, but I’ve used it every morning since. Proving that location is everything and that having things handy means you don’t have to rely on your memory. A win-win for me.
Wine
We belong to several wine clubs and love to go wine tasting. Several weeks ago I got an email asking if I’d like to receive two bottles of Far Niente wine in exchange for sharing Far Niente’s Join a Club, Help the Community initiative. This initiative donates $50 for every wine club signup to the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation and the Napa Valley Food Bank through the end of May to provide relief to those in need. I said heck yes and decided to share it here as well in case any of you are wine lovers like we are.
Hair Raising
The salons here in California aren’t open yet and are showing no signs of doing it anytime soon š The longer I go without a trim or high and low lights, the thinner and flatter my hair becomes. My daughter is adamant I shouldn’t trim my own hair but I did do my bangs and that turned out ok. The color issue is a real struggle. The decision to go gray or silver has many working parts but the one I forgot, was how much benefit I get from the color process.
I have messaged Madison Reed and we’re talking about a color that could/would work for me. They promise salon-quality, at-home hair color that is ammonia-free and has no parabens. My mom used drug store hair color her entire life and looked great so how hard can this be?
Hummingbird Update
You ladies were right! These cheeky little birds prefer the least expensive feeder possible. I took your advice and boiled the filtered water and sugar and mixture and they’re coming around! The brazen little fellas aren’t concerned with my presence at all! There are so many around they’re even drinking out of my old feeder they previously wanted no part of.
Do you color your own hair? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
Thanks for reading and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
I stopped coloring my hair almost 2 years ago just at the same time I decided to let my super short pixie grow out. The color part was easy mostly because I have light colored hair. Growing out the pixie, however, was frustrating. I found a hairdresser who didnāt fight my desire for a one length bob style & I scheduled my appointments 6 weeks apart. Since the virus Iāve acquired quite a collection of clips, ties & hair bands to cope with a longer length that I havenāt had since my thirties. I, like you, colored my hair for texture and volume. So I am shocked at the difference in my texture without color. I actually have more volume.
Wow, I would love that to be true for my texture too
I donāt color my hair. I turn 67 in a month and Mother Nature is blessing me with pure white highlights all over my head. Itās mixing well with the hairs that still have a reddish brown color. In fact, I have had many people ask me if I had them done and they like it!
I used to have my hair bleached blonde. It was pretty but as I aged, just became too much trouble. The grow out period was awful but itās all gone now and I am left with easy to maintain by myself hair. I get a cut maybe once a year and I maintain my bangs by myself.
Now I never have to worry about my color growing out again. For me, natural was best. That isnāt always the case though, just depends on your coloring and what type of hair you are blessed with.
Another blogger I follow, Kristin, uses eSalon. She posted a lengthy review in April, and it was full of detailed information. Her blog is My Southern Charm Style. I donāt even color my gray hair, and I enjoyed reading it.
I am lucky. My hair salon opened last Wednesday. I have an appointment this week. I was ready to color my own hair. I used to do it when I was younger. As I am older, it takes coloring every 5 weeks to look good. I don’t know what I would look like if I let it grey. The roots are very mousy color so I don’t think it would be pretty. I am brunette which I don’t think looks as good as a blonde turning grey. I was going to order Madison Reed a month ago but my color was back ordered. I would try that brand.
After I had chemo I just let it be natural. It came in silver with dark undertones. People think I actually color it like that. years ago I colored it at home and it worked great until I needed it done every 3 weeks. Then my hairstylist colored it for years until cancer. I’ve kept it short ever since so I thought this would be a good chance to see what it looks like growing out. It’s HORRIBLE! Flat and straight, can’t wait to get it cut!
I have almost always colored my own hair. In fact, I prefer the Preference/Excellence box colors to the few times I have had it colored at a salon; and it is so much cheaper. I also add my own brush on highlights. I bought a wide salon color brush and bowl at Sallyās- just like the ones the salons use, and mix the color in the bowl and work from there. I wear a paint t-shirt that is now stained brown and old work-out yoga pants, and move the bathroom rug aside so it doesnāt get stained. The dye will wash off my countertops and floor with a wet rag. The counters can’t be Formica, or it wonāt wash off. My counter is faux marble and my flooring is porcelain, so it cleans up well. When I do the back of my head I just hold a mirror and perch myself on the edge of the counter so I can see what Iām doing. So there you go-easy peasy:). I completely understand why most women say no way and go to the salon, but I think it’s fun, and I love the results and the money I save! Good luck on your adventure; Iām sure you will look great!
I went natural 6 years ago and I love it. There are wonderful products that give volume to fine hair.
Please name the volume products. Thanks.
I just tried a sample of Aveda Thickening Tonic on my fine hair and it actually works without leaving my hair sticky or dull.
https://www.aveda.com/product/17769/35659/styling/tonic/thickening-tonic#/shade/3.4_fl_oz%2F100_ml
I colored my hair for years but when it got to the point where it was needing colored every 5-6 weeks I decided it was time to go au naturale. Now I love my silver hair.
I’ve been coloring my hair for years. I use a product called eSalon online. Love it, they work with me to get the right color. It’s so easy to use.
Nice and Easy is like the name implies. It give natural highlights. I have had good luck with the lightest natural shade. Sometimes I use it over my gray hair for a more blonde color. You may also call Clairol for advice.
My sister was a hairstylist and many years ago taught me how to colour my hair as well as cut my bangs. I used to get it coloured at the salon twice a year and do the touch-ups myself, but now I do it myself most of the time. The caveat is that I buy the professional products and get advice on which colours to select.
There is no word on when salons will open here, and when they do it will be over a month after that before I can get my haircut appointment due to the backlog of cancelled appointments. Hair accessories and hats for me for a while yet. š
During this COVID quarantine, I have colored my hair (for the first time) with Madison Reed products. I am very pleased with the quality of the products. The hair color is not harsh on the hair, and a beautiful rich color. I also liked the shampoo and conditioner single use they sent for color treated hair. My only problem in coloring my hair myself, is getting to all the roots on the back of my head. Good luck with coloring your hair!
Thanks for the report. I may enlist my husband’s help for the back
Pre Covid19, I was having my hair colored and cut at a salon. I didnāt do a full overall color, just the root touch up. So now I have been doing this same process at home. I too trimmed my bangs and did ok with that. I like the non structured hair cut that has some movement and the versatility of being able to clip it up on those days when itās breezy and warm.
You look so nice with your hair pulled up with a clip and the soft bangs and wispy side hair. A lot of us are dealing with thinning hair and hair that needs help maintaining volume and texture. This look offers a great alternative to our ābad hair daysā. Lol
Stay well, be kind and remain grateful!
Be well Jan xx
Have you asked your stylist to mix up your āformulaā?
Then you rake it home to apply with a nuzzled bottle or little brush? Many salon operators are doing this and you pay and pick up without contact. On front porch/ steps at set time ? Contactless and wipe down outside of jar itās packed in.
Yes, my stylist prepared and delivered kits to several clients which included everything needed to touch up color, including specific instructions. Everythng was disposable except the brush. I will return that to her when I go back. It was easy for me and worked well. You can do it yourself, the only challenge being finding the right color.
I can’t because she does high and low lights to weave in.
If you decide to try Madison Reed, please let us know how you like it. I’m in PA where the salons have been closed since mid-March, and most likely will be closed for weeks to come. I vacillate between letting the gray grow all the way out, or touching up my roots in the interim to remain a blond. Madison Reed is one of the options I’ve considered until the salons open. Another option I’ve read about is Concihairge (https://www.concihairge.com/). They do a Zoom color consultation after which they send you a color kit. You an even book another Zoom appointment so they can walk you through the color application. I haven’t tried it but it’s tempting!
I will keep you posted
I have colored my own hair for years, LāOrĆ©al. Always was happy. Just recently I started having my stylist color my hair, only because I decided I wanted to be pampered. I will cut my bangs and have a thinning shears but thatās the extent of it. What I donāt do for myself is the home facial things. I need to start !
I found that esalon.com does a great job, both in customer service and the product. (I am not an employee.) I suggested a color and they made a better selection looking at my photo. The color is vibrant and lasts. I use a red, which usually fades quickly in any hair color line, but the faded color is still pretty. It is fun to do at home because the results are beautiful. I find the texture is better than the boxes from stores.
Great tip, thanks Kerry
When much younger, I would henna my hair without problems. However, when many years later, I did my own hair using a box colour it was a disaster and ended up with two tones, the roots were much lightenthan the ends and the back of my hair looked blocky. Luckily, our hair salons have never closed during the coronavirus lockdown, so I am off to get my hair done tomorrow morning. There are you tube videos on how to apply your own hair colour – so good luck Jennifer.
Wow, you are fortunate. I have no idea when ours will open
Thanks Susan
I have been coloring my hair for over 15 years…..along with highlighting it. It always turns out nice. And about 3 weeks ago, I cut it. Yes my hair is short and have cut it in the past but knowing this time my salon would not open for over 2 months, I went for it! Since my hair is thick and has wave/body it is very forgiving not showing too many mistakes! Lol
Blessings
Fifty years ago I colored my own hair with Clairol NicenEasy. I was so pleased to find out that itās still available and I did a pretty good job. The best thing they have added to the line is Root Touch Up. Words to the wise: do this naked, with plenty of newspapers on the bathroom floor. Wear the gloves that come in the box
LOL, thanks for the tip.
Thank you Gail