Embracing Your Hair....

It's too thick or too thin, it's too curly or as straight as can be... Yes. It's your hair we are talking about and its not always your 'crowning glory'.

Many of us (me included) are guilty of working against our natural hair. So this sign at my hairdresser really made me think:

 "Life is an endless struggle filled with frustrations and challenges...

but eventually you find a hairstyle you like" 

QUESTION: Have you embraced your hair's natural color and texture? Or do you color and straighten it? How much effort and money are you willing spend on hairstyles and management?

A New 'Do = A New Attitude!

Changing your hairstyle can change you whole attitude on life. It really can. 

So if you are feeling a bit down in the dumps or tired of living with the same 'ol same 'ol...change your hairstyle!!!

What do you think about this drastic hairstyle change of Miley Cyrus? Does this give her a more 'grown up' look or a refreshed identity? What do you think? Good or bad hairstyle?

Sensitive to Hair Dye?

Here are a couple more hair tips (to wrap up "Hair Week" at MissusSmartyPants.com)

If you are sensitive to hair dyes...here are a couple of tips to use when dyeing your hair or having it professionally done. These tips by the way were shared awhile back from my own personal Aveda hairdresser on my Blog Talk Radio show (the link was shared on my facebook page)

1. Add Sweet n' Low (5 packets). I know this sounds crazy, but my haircolorist insists there is something that makes the hair dye less harsh, yet just as effective.

2. Use Aveda's calming oil (available at Amazon.com) on all of scalp and hair line prior to applying any color.


3. Get "double foiling" done. This process does not touch your skin...but yes, it's expensive to have done. However, the look is fabulous!

Your hair is your "crowning glory". So pamper yourself by finding a hairstyle that flatters you and adding color or highlights if needed.


Love, Leslie MSP

Hair Color That Lasts

On my last visit to my hairstylist, I figured I knew enough about her private life. It was time to dig deep and go beyond how her hubby and golden retriever were doing...

I wanted to know how I can get my hair color to last as long as possible. Since I am shelling over some big bucks, just what can I do personally between visits to keep my hair color looking its best? Alisha was kind enough to spill all the details I was looking for!


I pay a fortune on my hair every 6 weeks! But it is worth it to me-- and so I do it happily because if I had to color my hair at home there would be disastrous results!


How to have lasting hair color:


1. Don't wash your hair so often! At my visit Alisha shared that it had been 5 days since she last washed her hair and admitted that might be pushing it a little (ya think???) Alisha said she's been using a dry shampoo spray to stretch out the time between washings. She recommends washing hair every 3 days. Hmmm...interesting idea...however, I workout 3-4 days a week at the gym and I'm sweaty-gross afterward.  I like the idea of using a dry shampoo product to give yourself another day (NOT Alisha's 5 day stretch, LOL!) I'm going to keep on my every other day schedule...but agree less washings would keep my color and my hair from getting dry and unmanageable.


2. Use less product! As a product junkie, this hit home. I use to believe if this good, then more of it would be better! Wrong-o! Too much product is wasteful and can just dry out your hair. Alisha also suggested that by using a QUALITY product you don't need as much and therefore will use LESS product! I'm going to stop over-lathering my hair today!


3. Change how you wash/shampoo your hair.  Huh? What do you mean? Well, since you aren't using so much product, concentrate on washing/scrubbing your scalp instead. Your scalp is the source of the oil and dirt--not your hair! Wet your hair WELL...then apply a small amount of product and scrub your scalp.


4. Cool it down. Don't wash and rinse your hair in hot water. Take your hot shower if that's your thing, but when it comes to washing/rinsing your hair have a pitcher of warmish to cool water ready to rinse away the suds. A cool rinse will close the cuticles and give your hair some shine.


5. Waterfalls are for vacations. Don't, don't, don't stand under the shower and let the water run on top of your head!!! Well, as it turns out this is not only drying to your hair and skin--it leaches color from your hair cuticles and FADES YOUR COLOR! 


And because I'm extra special with a cherry on top ( I DO always ask about her hubby and golden retriever) Alisha GAVE me a fab product to try. It's a color maintenance product by Tressa called Watercolors shampoo tint. It is a violet wash that you add to your regular shampoo and it helps keep your blonde-blonde. Honestly, it's cool for sure but reminds me of the blue-ing shampoo I used to use on my miniture Schnauzer, Gus years ago, LOL!

Do you have any color saving tips you'd like to share with the gals? If so, ring in and SHARE it!


Love, Leslie