Easy Summer Do's

This is the longest I think I've ever gone between haircuts. I've not visited my stylist since November, and she may suspect I'm cheating on her with another salon. But no, my mane has just taken off while I'm trying to decide what to do with it. The difference between "Hey, I think I might actually like having long hair" and "It's bugging me! Chop it off!" is about 4 days. With the weather FINALLY warming up around here, I need to keep it off my neck if I'm going to keep my cool when the weather heats up.

We're getting ready to go on a camping vacation, so I don't really want to figure out how to work with a new hairstyle, but I want to do something cuter than just whipping it up into your every-day ponytail, so I looked around for some up-do's that are easy enough for me to do and ones I don't need a third arm or eyes in the back of my head to make it work.

Here's a tutorial for a cute low side bun. Isn't she a cute girl?? I like tutorials that show the actual person, not a professional stylist, doing the styling. I think I can pull this off since my hair is about the same length as hers.

click here for details

Here's another one from her for a messy bun that looks messy in a cute way and not messy in a, well, messy way.

Of course, your average run-of-the-mill ponytail can be spruced up with a well-chosen and well-placed accessory:

OK! I'm off to do some experimenting. I'd love any tips you have for an easy summer up-do.

Cutting for a Cause

I am not one who gets a haircut on a regular basis. Why, because I am cheap. Yeah, I'll admit it. I actually just paid for my firs hair cut in over four years a few months ago. How do I do it you ask? I donate it. And most of the time, when you donate your hair, you get a free cut to go with it. (Call your salon and ask.) I have donated my hair three times to Locks of Love. It makes real hair wigs for children under the age of 21, suffering with long term hair loss. The majority of them suffer from alopecia. All you need is 10 inches

Me, October 2007, Before the Locks of Love Cut

The first time I donated was right after I graduated high school in 2003. That was the longest donation with 12 inches. I donated again in 2005,then again in 2007. I am about due for another donation. All together I have donated a little over 32 inches. That is almost 3 feet!

So you don't have 10 inches but still want to donate it to a good cause. How about Beautiful Lengths. Your hair goes to make real hair wigs for women fighting cancer. Especially those fighting Breast Cancer. You only need 8 inches of hair for this cause.

So you just want a trim. That is all you can do, well how about this one, Matter of Trust. The hair they receive goes to create booms to collect oil from oil spills, especially the one in the Gulf Coast. All they need is your hair, any length. This is what their website says, "Why should millions of pounds of absorbent, natural, renewable fiber go to waste every day? We shampoo because hair collects oil."

After the Cut, October 2007

10 Inches Baby!

So hey, now you have a reason to get your hair cut or trimmed. There are some good causes out there just looking for your hair. So go, indulge in a trip to your salon and know it is for a good cause.

Hair Cutting for Boys 101

With Summer quickly approaching (yay!), that means keeping my boy's head air-conditioned and looking good. I've improved over the last few cuts, so I thought I'd share my method for trimming those cute locks, so you can try it too! Don't be afraid if you've never done it before. As my husband told me after my first time, "The difference between a bad hair cut and a good hair cut is two weeks." I know, he's so smart.

1. Trim sides and back. Use a #2 extention on the clippers and cut from the bottom of his head to the top. Always cut in the opposite direction than the hair grows. And, no my little guy isn't protecting his identity...he just hates hair in his face.

2. Trim top and front. Switch to a #3 extension on the clippers, just so it's not too too short. Buzz off what's left on top and the front.

My little guy has a swirly cow lick on the back of his head, so I just move the clippers all around it, always making sure to cut against the hair growth.

3. Clean up the sides. I use scissors to trim around his ears like so. Look how still he's sitting - such a good boy.

4. Clean up the back. Use the bare clippers without an extension, and turn them around so the blades are perpendicular to his neck. Gently scrape downward in small motions along the bottom to make a straight line trim.

You're done! Everyone's happy and Mr. Cutie gets a bonus treat. Try it for yourself and let me know how it goes.

To 'Poo or Not to 'Poo

That's my hair in December, about halfway in on my "no-'poo" experiment.
(I'm trying to put pomade in my son's hair for our annual family photo shoot. In case you were wondering.)

I sort of can't believe I'm about to announce this to the world ... but for six months, from last October until recently, I did not use shampoo on my hair.

Not that I didn't wash my hair, I just didn't do it with store-bought shampoo.

When I first heard of the anti-shampoo movement over at Simple Mom, my curiosity was definitely piqued, eventually enough to try it myself. And I have to say, the whole experience was surprisingly ... normal. About once a week, I'd mix up some baking soda and water in one of those water bottles with the squirt top, and then every few days I'd wash my hair with it. I noticed a few differences in the way my hair behaved: it was a bit more flyaway than usual, and it actually felt less oily; nothing that anybody except me would have noticed.

I went back to using shampoo a couple weeks ago, mostly because store-bought shampoo is easier, and I can find great deals on organics at our local Grocery Outlet. But once in a while, I'll still get the itch to go homemade on my hair, so here are a few simple recipes in case you want to try it too!

Egg and Honey Shampoo:
Mix two egg yolks with some honey. Apply to hair and rinse with cool water.

Castille Shampoo:
Mix one part liquid castille soap with one part water.

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse:
Mix one part apple cider vinegar with five parts water. Apply to ends of hair and rinse after a minute or two.

For deep conditioning: avocado mixed with mayonnaise or coconut milk.

Have you tried going all natural with your hair?
What are your favorite kitchen ingredients for your hair?

To Be a Girl and To Have a Girl

If you have a girl or if you love being a girl then your hair probably plays a pretty big role in your life.  It somehow is the one thing that can make us feel pretty or make us feel well...less then pretty.  The time that can be spent on it is endless and the fact that it needs to be done everyday can be daunting sometimes.  So let's see if we can spice it up this week!  Throw in a flower or a headband or even a scarf and see if it brightens your outlook on your day.  I am not much of an accessory girl myself but I think, in honor of hair week here on Praiseworthy, I might try to add something fun and see if I change my mind.  Why not right? 

Will you do it with me?

 

Oh,and  let's doll up our little girls too. They're not going to let us do this forever so let's be sure to do it now.  Because my little munchkin doesn't have a whole lot of these luscious locks on her sweet little head I tend to make sure people know that she is a girl by adding something everyday.  Here are a few tutorials I love.  Make something special for you or your bug this week and see how easy and fun it is.  It's spring...the perfect time to let your style bloom.

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