2 Easy Hair Tricks I Learned From My Stylist

Keep reading for how to get instant volume and wave.

I have always had straight (pretty flat) blonde hair. I’m terrible and only get my hair cut about once a year. And I’ve mentioned it here before, but outside of one other time getting it professionally done, my sister has always highlighted my hair…from a box.

My color was starting to get drab and muted and the box wasn’t cutting it anymore. Right after I moved to Dallas I was on a walk with a friend who lives down here and her color honestly just looked really good. I got her hair stylist’s number and immediately booked an appointment. Three days later I was sitting in her kitchen on a Sunday night (pretty sweet deal) getting my hair balayaged. I went with the balayage instead of highlights because it is more of a subtle ombré. It grows out with your hair so you only have to color about 1-2 times a year. Music to my annual haircut ears!

Not only did I love my color, but I walked away with two tips from my new stylist that are too easy and good not to share.

I use Shimmer Lights purple shampoo 1-2 times a week to keep my blonde hair it’s brightest shade.

1. Use a purple shampoo

   Blonde colored treated hair can often take on a gold/yellow hue after time. To keep your blonde color a bright and more silver/white hue, incorporate a purple shampoo into your routine. I use Shimmer Lights purple shampoo, per my stylists recommendation. Use it once a week or as needed. My stylist also suggested using it on a Friday or Saturday night before an event or going out. It gives you hair and your confidence an instant boost!

2. Wear your hair in a bun with bobby pins after blowdrying

   For instant volume and wave, twist your hair into a high bun after you blow dry it. Using just three bobby pins, I twist my bone straight hair up into a bun loosely secured. Then let it sit while you finish getting ready. When you let the pins down, your hair will have a subtle wave and some extra volume without a crease. I also do this while I sleep. I used to use a silk scrunchy, but the bobby pins leave my hair up out of my face without creasing it.

Do you have any quick tips you swear by?

Annie

Bites of My Life

Week 1 down, week 2 commence. Last week was great. I got in my mojo with work, working out, cooking, eating out etc. Then trotted up to OKC for the night and then back for a weekend in Dallas. The transition has been easy, and considering I have the same job has made things that much easier. The biggest difference has just been the energy and rhythm of the city. It’s fast paced and there are so many more opportunities of things to do during the week. And I love that.

-Monday night bachelorette night that included the worst episode ever, but a delicious and easy meal that was on repeat all last week.
-Beverly’s: place I’d been dying to try since I decided to move. Lived up to my hype!
-Easy weekday lunch to throw together with fridge staples. Mix of salami and prosciutto, fruit of choice, hummus and veggies (I’m hooked jicama right now)
-I normally wear a solid color t-shirt and jeans to work everyday. For some reason I moved and haven’t put on a pair of pants yet. That sounded weird, but it’s been dresses and skirts all day everyday.
-Checked out a really really cute spot on Thursday that is a coffee shop and non-toxic nail salon hybrid. I met up with my friend Molly who inspired me to write this post.
-Quick trip back up to OKC Friday to celebrate one of my oldest and closest friends getting engaged!
-The visit lined up perfectly with dad’s 61st birthday. Loved getting to make him a birthday breakfast. On the menu - Texas Breakfast Tacos. Naturally. It is all Texas everything these days.
-It’s a toss up on who will get more use out of dad’s putting game.
-Back in Dallas Saturday night and crossed off a highly recommended tex-mex spot, E Bar.
-The Defined Dish reposted about this asian-inspired chicken salad the other day and I immediately saved it to make for future meals. I made the full recipe to prep for lunches this week.
-Christened the Dallas kitchen with it’s first batch of Perfect CCCs. I also updated the photos on the recipe post, so give them a look-see!
-New city, new blonder hair?? I have only professionally colored my hair once, but my blonde is getting duller and duller and I miss the brightness it used to have. I stumbled into finding an angel of a hairdresser who did my hair in her apartment Sunday evening. She ended up balayaging my hair and I love the way it turned out. This picture is obviously the before not the after.

Annie

Did you see the top 5 places I went my first week in Dallas?

Tuck It In

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The hair tuck, have you heard of it, have you tried it? I am so all over this trend. The hair tuck takes no products, no blow dryers and really no effort to achieve. All you need is a turtleneck or coat. It's kind of my dream. My mane of hair somehow grew like a weed overnight, so this is the perfect way to tame it. All you gotta do is tuck it in.  

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I'll be over here all tucked in if you need me!

Annie

Brand Crush on Ban.do

I'm crushing on Ban.do; the cutest, funnest, flirtiest hair accessory line. We sell some of their cutie products at the shop where I work and I can't help but try on and mess around with their goodies every time I work. They are based out of L.A. and are constantly coming up with new "have fun hair accessories." 

Being the text, type and image junky that I am, I'm also crushing on the branding and design of Ban.do The fonts and graphics they use are so girly and whimsical.

My hair decided to revolt against me and has started breaking creating these unwanted bang things. I'm going through an awkward stage trying to repair and grow them out, so I've been looking for different ways to pull them back. Their bobbi pins and hair clips are the perfect way to disguise my awkward stage hair.

mint and polka dot $20/peony and silver $10/gold & turquoise $10/good, bad and rad $15

One of my favorite products are their Girl Talk headbands. These little pink metal headbands come in a variety from birthday to bachelorette party. They have wrap headbands, hair ties, flower hair clips and more!

happy birthday $15/hair ties $10

It's hard not to crush on all the Ban.do products. Check out their website or if you are local come into The Social Club and pick out your favorites!

Hooray for Ban.do!

xo annie

On My Radar

Sharing a few things that are making me excited, curious and anxious.

I'm leaving tomorrow to see John Mayer. I can't wait. His new single "Paper Doll" has been on repeat all week. Getting anxious for his next album, coming out August 13!

I cut quite a bit of my hair off back in the spring, but I'm feeling the itch to go even shorter. My hairdresser laughed when I said I wanted to go short, meaning right above my shoulders. She sports an edgy almost pixy cut, so short to her means really short. I'm not that adventurous, but I think it's time for another chop! Gwyneth is my go to hair style icon.

Brace yourself. Word on the street is that overalls are coming back. Call me crazy, but I'm kind of excited about it. I'm interested to see if the trend will take off again. Overalls seem to have gotten a bad rep after they went out of style a while ago, but come on they are so practical! You don't need a belt, they usually have tons of pockets, and they are comfy! I wonder if Gap will recreate the purple corduroy pair I used to love when I was 5.

I found this picture last week on Pinterest. With the 100+ degree temps we are having, all I want is to throw my hair up. I'm getting a little tired of the fun buns, headbands and braids. On the hunt for some little silk scarves to tie my hair up with!

xo annie