Being a Blonde

I was born a blonde, and a platinum one at that.  Growing up my hair naturally got darker and I was forced to start coloring.  As I girl that's gotten highlights since I was 10, I think I have a fair share of knowledge about dealing with roots.  I've been so lucky to have a mom that is a hairstylist (and that is generally awesome) because I've learned lots of great tips.

I'll start by saying this: being a blonde is fun, but it's definitely high maitenence.  Highlights should be done every 6-8 weeks.  Within that period, depending on your natural color, the roots start getting pretty noticeable.  The following are my best tips for concealing the roots as best as you can.

Charlize Theron

1. Go curly (or wavy)! This is one of the best ways to hide the roots.  The messier, the better! Since it generally adds some volume, you'll find that the roots just kind of hide themselves. Side note: Do not go straight!  I seem to forget this every time my hair falls in that 6-8 week window, but hopefully you can remember.  My straightening it, it makes the roots extremely noticeable since the hair is sleek (as pictured below).  You don't want that.  Trust me!

I love you, Carine, but your roots are showing.

2. Do a zigzag!  Instead of your normal side or middle part, mix it up a little and try a zigzag part.  Highlights are usually placed on your natural part, so by throwing this off, the roots aren't as noticeable.

3. Use product! My best root-fighter is dry shampoo.  This lifts the hair, gives it volume, and adds to the messy look that conceals the color difference.  I use Klorane Dry Shampoo.  It's French and wonderful!

So what do you do between coloring? Moisturize your hair!  By using bleach and color, it dries out the hair and if not done properly, can completely break off or "fry."  Not good.  Usually I use Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment or Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil, which work wonders. 

Lately, I was introduced to No.4 Lumiere d'hiver Reconstructing Masque.  I can't say enough good things about it.  My hair always can out silky smooth and gave the best blow outs (no frizz).  The best part was that it doesn't leave a filmy coat on your tresses like some masks do.  The only bummer is that it's $58, but then again, you don't use a masque everyday, so it would last a while.

I hope some of these tips are new and helpful to my fellow blondes.  You can see my previous hair tips here and here!  I'd love to hear what advice you have!

Blogging to the Front Row

My friend Sarah is of a rare breed.  She is brutally honest, uber funny, super generous, and incredibly kind and comforting.  I am beyond lucky to call her my friend.  (You've seen her here and here.)  A little over a month ago, she gifted me this.

Blogging Your Way to the Front Row-Yuli Ziv

We actually went to a Fashion 2.0 meetup on Online Retail & Technology and while back and she knew that I was starting to get very serious about blogging.  I immediately started reading it and finished it within a few days.  I then read it again.  And again.  There were so many helpful hints for all bloggers: novice to professional.  It touched on everything from branding and revenue to dealing with vendors and photography tips.  I have recommended this book I don't know how many times now.  Below I have listed the top 3 tips I found most useful in blogging.

1. Treat your blog like a business.  If you are in it for the long haul, you need treat it like a business. You are representing yourself and presenting a product (your blog) to your readers.  You should have a mission, vision, goals, strategies, and objectives.  You are the CEO and you should act professionally (which doesn't mean you can't have fun).  This also means honoring your readers.  Do you respond to them in some way?  Do you thank them?  They are your lifeline, so you shouldn't take them for granted.

2. Have high standards.  Think of this: would a glossy ever publish the work that you publish on your site?  Are your images the best they can be?  Are you religiously proofreading?  Yuli gave a great action tip to help you figure this out.  Go to a local stationary store, such as Kate's Paperie or Papyrus, and get one sheet of high-end beautiful paper.  Now, construct a post on it.  I imagine that going to the store, picking out paper, and figuring out what to write on this one piece of paper may take a while.  It will most likely take more time and effort than a usual blog post takes.  This experience will help you really look at your blog, your posts, and how to make it the best it can be.

3. Be yourself.  Ok, ok. Don't roll your eyes so soon.  This blog is yours.  Yes, there are some bloggers that use the same format, techniques, and even writing style and have been successful.  Just because you want to be successful, doesn't mean that format is for you.  Pave your own path!  Have your own niche!  That's what makes blogs exciting!  Have the layout that best represents you.  Talk about what is meaningful to you.  Write the way that you talk (with some exceptions, of course).  Wear the things that suit you, that you like, and that you normally wear.

Readers can tell when you're being insincere or fake.  I can't count the number of blogs I've seen that all follow the same trend because they think it will end up getting them some notoriety.  By showcasing who you are gives you the most connection with your readers and could end up in meaningful relationships.  I can't begin to describe how happy I am to have friends worldwide that are equally passionate about big hair, the color black, leather, artsy nails, and fancy food.  Remember this: readers (and sponsors) want to know you, not who you are pretending to be.

Now, all of these were obviously valuable lessons.  I wanted to share this with other bloggers.   Here's the plan: One blogger will read the book, write a post about what they learned, link to the previous blogger, sign the book, and pass it on to the next blogger.  Hopefully this book can get all over the world and be the jet-setter that I always dreamed of being!  I'll make sure to keep you updated on who gets the book and what they've gotten from it.

First stop: Sydney, Australia with Kel from Amuse About!