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Hair

Amika Dry Shampoo Is Awesome | Important Lessons on Aging

April 17th, 2024 by Karen 6 Comments

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Love this stuff

My main criteria for dry shampoo is how my day-two roots feel after a few sprays. If they’re stiff and coated in a thick layer of crusty powder, forget about it! I prefer lightweight sprays that virtually disappear into the hair yet still manage to soak up any jankiness.

For years my go-to has been Oribe dry shampoo, which I think is great at doing this, but you know. Sometimes it’s nice to have dry shampoo choices, especially one that isn’t $52 (!) for a bottle.

Enter the $28 Perk Up Dry Shampoo by Amika. It just takes a few shots to oily roots to, well, perk ‘em up!

I really like this a lot. I only have to use very little, and the spray is so fine, so there’s no need for me to massage any excess product into salt-n-pepper hair.

It soaks up all the excess oil, too, without that heavy, thick feeling.

Bonus, I like the faint floral scent. Everything triggers migraines for me these days, and this is subtle enough to not.

If you’re looking for a new dry shampoo to add to your rotation, try it.

Listen to this ASAP

I’m on a Mel Robbins Podcast kick these days because her shows teach me so much good stuff! Here’s one that I found truly enlightening on menopause. I don’t know much about it, but I’d like to learn as much as I can as I move into the later stages in life. This episode covers what it is and how it’s often dismissed by the medical community, and it offers some good tips on how you can keep your body strong and healthy as it changes when you get older. I found it really helpful.

Please give it a listen if you have a chance.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 6 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Amika, Hair, Product Reviews

Thursday Thoughts: Hair Rut Ruminations

August 31st, 2023 by Karen 5 Comments

Rocking the long layers since 2016

How do you know you’re stuck in a hair rut? I’m asking for a friend, aka me, ha ha ha!

I think I might be in the throes of one, and I have mixed feelings about it.

A little backstory –– I’ve had the same long, layered, salt-and-pepper hairdo for a few years now.

Before Connor, I was much more adventurous in terms of color and length. For the past few years, though, I’ve held onto this style because it’s less work.

At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

Long hair has always been lower maintenance for me; I can twist it up into a bun or throw it into a ponytail easily, and if I want to wear it down, all I have to do is curl a few pieces with a curling iron and that’s it.

I totally know what it feels like to want a big hair change. Over the years, I’ve answered the call many times, chopping and highlighting and doing all the things to my hair.

I haven’t felt that way in ages, though. Sure, every once in a while I get antsy to color it again, but someone (usually a hair stylist) talks me out of it.

One of my theories is I’m currently in a season where I need a security blanket, and that’s what this particular style is doing for me right now — comforting me in ways that I subconsciously want and need.

Or perhaps I’m more fearful of change than I used to be.

I’m not sure what the true answer is right now.

Side note, for some reason being in a hair rut makes me think of the teachers I had in middle school. All my teachers, and I mean ALL OF THEM, seemed to have dated hairdos from the ’60s and ’70s. The middle school version of me couldn’t fathom why they didn’t just go for something more hip and modern. I’m realizing now they might’ve been in a season where big changes seemed daunting to them, too.

Anywho, I know it’s just hair, and in the grand scheme of things it’s not that big a deal. But it feels so much deeper than that sometimes.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Thursday to you! I hope something wonderful comes your way today.

There are 5 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Hair

Checking In: The September Issue | Some Beauty Things from Trader Joe’s and Maybelline | Hallmark Nostalgia

August 30th, 2023 by Karen 7 Comments

Ooh, how lovely it is to see the thick, substantial September issue of “Vogue!”

Remember when they were all like that? I miss the days when I could curl up on the couch and just read magazines all day long, sigh.

Anywho, I was excited to see the “Supers” together on the cover. I love the hair, makeup and styling, and I’d wear Linda’s sequin jacket in a heartbeat!

I wonder if they had fun reminiscing about the ’90s, and if anybody gave Naomi crap about throwing a phone at anyone. Remember that?

On the beauty front, I was grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s earlier this week for dinner ingredients (I made salmon on Monday and ground beef and broccoli on Tuesday) when a couple things in the things beauty section caught my eye — a firming body lotion and a co-wash.

The Vitamin C Firming Body Butter speaks to me mostly because of the glycolic acid; I don’t really care about the firming part, but I could always use extra exfoliation.

So far, so good. The texture is thick and rich but not greasy, and the clementine scent is cheerful. A big 8-ounce tube is very affordable at just $6.99.

Speaking of good deals, this 8-ounce tube of Cleansing & Conditioning Hair Wash is only $4.99.

It’s a non-foaming co-wash with a delicate grapefruit and mint scent. If you’re living that “free of” hair life, FYI, this one has no sulfates, silicones, detergents or parabens.

I like it! I used it on second-day janky roots and was impressed by how clean my strands and scalp felt. I woke up the next morning with bouncy, soft hair.

Oh, not that I needed another base, but I was running errands at CVS and saw the Maybelline Skin Tint that’s making the rounds. I totally caved and bought a bottle, ha ha ha!
[Continue reading…]

There are 7 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Hair, Just For Fun, Maybelline, Trader Joe's

Beauty Q of the Day: Have You Ever Let a Hairstylist Do Whatever They Wanted to Your Hair?

August 16th, 2023 by Karen 7 Comments

As adventurous as I’d like to think I am when it comes to hair, I don’t think I’ve actually allowed a stylist to just go in there and do whatever they wanted. Perhaps having so many terrible haircuts over the years has made visiting the salon feel like an unpredictable outing in the wild west, ha ha ha!

While I love the idea of letting a professional execute their vision of my mane, I don’t think I could ever be that brave.

I applaud the gals/guys who can throw caution to the wind and let the hair goddesses do what they will.

Have you ever done this? I’m dying to know how it turned out! Fingers crossed that it was good.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 7 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Hair, Just For Fun

Hawaii Vacation Beauty Products

July 20th, 2023 by Karen 6 Comments

You’re extra beautiful today, Oahu!

Please excuse my paws in these photos. They’re extra t-rex because I was holding these beauty products over a railing with dear life, LOL!

Anywho, I always like seeing the beauty products people bring with them on vacation. Here’s what I’ve been using on this trip!

Sunscreen

  • Avene Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen and Tinted Sunscreen 50+ (both tinted and untinted)
  • Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 70 (Side note, my mom had this around which is why we’re using it, but it works but it’s a little sticky and uncomfortable, IMHO)
  • Banana Boat Sport Ultra SPF 50

Hair

  • Kenra Volume Spray Super Hold Finishing Spray 25
  • Bumble and Bumble Seaweed Air Dry Cream
  • I didn’t bring any shampoo, conditioner or body wash because the place we’re staying at has Malie Organics Mango Nectar hair and body products!

Body

  • Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant Anti-Perspirant Stick
  • Gilette Venus Razor
  • First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration

Face

  • elf Skin Holy Hydration Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm
  • CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oil Skin
  • Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream
  • Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion
  • Laneige Lip Mask

Hope things on your end are great!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 6 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Avene, Banana Boat, Biossance, Bumble and Bumble, CeraVe, Donna Karan, elf, First Aid Beauty, Hair, Kate Somerville, Kenra, Laneige, Malie Organics, Neutrogena, Skin Care

Summer Friday Check In: A Most Excellent Co-Wash, Manifesting and Moving On

June 16th, 2023 by Karen 3 Comments

Happy Friday! All I’ve been wearing lately is sunscreen, LOL! And yes, I know my hair is crazy.

Happy Friday, friend.

I have a new weird favorite thing to do first thing in the morning: checking the pollen count on multiple weather sites! My allergies have been out of control lately, so it’s been really insightful to know what things floating around in the air my body is rejecting, ha ha ha.

Apparently I’m wildly allergic to ragweed pollen, which has been popping off in my neck of the woods for the past couple days.

All this to say I’ve gone back to washing my hair every day to remove whatever pollen’s up in there.

I was previously on an every-other-day washing schedule because as I’m getting older, my hair’s getting thinner, and washing it less seems to help a lot with keeping more of it on my scalp.

At this point, though, I’d rather have less pollen in my hair to aggravate my sinuses at night, which leads me to something I picked up at Ulta the other day, Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk 3-in-1 Conditioner.

Good stuff!

You can use it as a leave-in conditioner, a traditional rinse-out conditioner after shampooing or a co-wash, which is what I do. It’s one of those tried-and-true products I always come back to.

It’s lightweight and doesn’t weigh my wavy hair down, and it keeps the frizz in check. I also like how it feels when I rinse it out. Some co-washes leave behind a thick, heavy coating on my strands, and this doesn’t.

Even if you don’t have curly hair, I think it’s still worth a try, especially if you prefer conditioners that leave your hair with a lot of bounce.

Oh, and the price! A 12-ounce bottle is $8.99. Super affordable and easy to find — two of my favorite things.

FYI, if you’re sensitive to scent, it does smell a little bit like fruit punch, but it’s not overpowering.

Anywho, besides dealing with allergies, everything else on this end has been just OK. I found out earlier this week that my time at Amorepacific/Laneige will be coming to an end very soon. They won’t be needing a freelancer come August, so while I’m a little disappointed to be moving on, I’m gonna assume it’s because the universe has bigger and better writing plans for me.

On that note, I’m now trying to manifest a gig with Olive & June! Sending those nail polish writing vibes into the universe…

Are ya listening, beauty goddesses?

Otherwise, though, I’m feeling good. It’s summer and Friday, and I get to hang out with this little dancer! She doesn’t have camp today, so we’re going to do nails, and then she’s going to help me find some Father’s Day gifts.

Hope you’re doing well, and that things on your end are peaceful.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 3 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Hair, Not Your Mother's

MBB Reader Recommendations for Moisturizing Hair Products That Don’t Weigh Your Strands Down!

June 6th, 2023 by Karen 5 Comments

I do my hair toss, check my nails…

Good morning, my beautiful friend! Last Saturday/Caturday you really pulled through when I asked for recommendations for hair products that hydrate without weighing your strands down. Thank you so much. 🙂 Me and my hella dry mane are so ready to invest in some new things.

Get ready to take some notes…

MBB Reader recommended hair products for gals over 40!

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Lite with 10 Benefits, $40

This spray leave-in conditioner is designed to repair, restore, detangle and remove frizz without adding weight.

CL says that she’s been using it for a couple of years now, and that “it works pretty well at detangling, smoothing and moisturizing hair (just a little).”

OGX Coconut Miracle Oil, $10

Ooh, I like the price tag on this hair oil treatment! It’s made to repair and soften thick hair while adding soft bounce and shine.

Laura says she found this product by following Abbey Yeung, who recommends using the oil from mid-length to the ends *before* shampooing to help with moisture and hair health.

Suzanne C’s recommendations

Suzanne offered this extensive list of recommendations. Thanks, Suzanne!

In her words:

Yes, I agree – I hit my 40’s and it’s like I have someone else’s head of hair. I’ve had to completely change how I style it, the products I us, and definitely how it can/can’t be cut. I’m getting the hang of it, but there were some dark, dark hairstyling years in between.

A few products I would recommend:

  1. Briogeo’s Superfood Avocado + Kiwi Moisture Leave-In Conditioner. Fantastic detangler, you don’t need much, and it doesn’t weigh hair down. (I love Briogeo so much!)
  2. Also, my niece swears by OGX Nourishing + Coconut Miracle Oil, specifically the mist, to combat frizz.
  3. But this is my regular routine: wash with Paul Mitchell’s Awapuhi shampoo, condition every other shower with Trader Joe’s Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Hair Mask (about $4/5 oz), and a tiny bit of Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hydrating Hair Oil Serum when my hair has dried. (The mini size lasts me for months.) When I don’t use the TJ’s mask, I use the Briogeo.

Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother, $30

This smoothing, conditioning and strengthening leave-in styling treatment is made for all hair types! Rachel recommends it, and says, “Just use it on your ends and it works so well when you’re in between trims and ends are looking dry! Got a sample of it and I’ve since bought 2 full size ones. It’s not heavy at all.”

Should we keep this list going? I think so! If you have any recommendations and would like to weigh in, please leave a comment below.

Thanks again, gals! Have a terrific Tuesday.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 5 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Briogeo, Hair, It's a 10, Just For Fun, Kerastase, OGX, Olaplex

New Bangs | Trader Joe’s Lemon Cake | Mineralist Warmth Palette by bareMinerals

April 4th, 2023 by Karen 15 Comments

I promise these new bangs aren’t a cry for help! Just needed a change.

I went with the longer length because I didn’t want the commitment of having to grow out a set of shorter bangs; if you’ve been through this, you know the struggle is so real, LOL!

Oh, I’m also hoping pushing the bangs forward will help with taming the wild pokey strands at my hairline. They refuse to do my bidding, and I’m determined to stop the madness.

(We’ll see if this actually works, ha.)

Oh! I learned something new from the stylist who cut my hair. For bangs, she suggested applying a flexible styling cream before blowing them out. That way, you get enough hold for the hair to stay pushed forward while retaining some moment. No crispy bangs, please! Let’s leave that behind in the ’80s.

So won’t been going on besides bangs?

Well, on this end of the keyboard, I’ve been typing non-stop for what feels like weeks. I’ve been lost in a fog of deadlines, and they’re only now starting to lift, but wouldn’t ya know it! Because the universe got hella jokes, I have an unexpected project to push through by next Tuesday. Lots going on here, but so grateful for the opportunity to work.

Totally not related, have you heard about the new Mini Lemon Sheet Cake from Trader Joe’s? Word on the street (aka the online mom’s group in which I lurk) is that it’s the best thing ever to grace TJ’s dessert shelves. It’s lemon cake topped with a lemon cream cheese frosting and lemon zest. Yes, it’s very lemony.

I like lemon cake and think it tastes good, but I probably would not drive out to TJs at night in my pajamas. I’m really picky about frosting and this one’s a smidge too sweet. If it wasn’t, though, girl… It would be so on! Try it if you see it on the shelf and let me know whatcha think.

Also in the realm of new things is this palette of warm neutral eyeshadows by bareMinerals.

Would you wear this? I tried it out today and like the softness of all the powders except for the beige shade — it felt hard a rock!

Anywho, let me know what you’ve been up to. I hope you’ve been doing great.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 15 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: bareMinerals, Hair, Makeup

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