2010 October | whoorl

My Blowouts Will Never Be The Same

October 8, 2010

I don’t want to get too excited, BUT I think I might have found the holy grail heat protectant/setting spray. (Squeeeeeeeeee!)

(Compose yourself, Sarah.)

Before I delve in, let me give you my criteria for loving a product.

1. It has to actually do what it claims to do. Duh.

2. Must smell great.

3. Bonus points for packaging. I know, I know…it doesn’t mean much, but I don’t enjoy looking at ugly bottles in my bathroom. Viva la lovely!

So. A couple of weeks ago I was chatting with the gorgeous ladies from Lock and Mane, and they told me about Alterna Caviar Styling Tonic. (Doesn’t it just SOUND lovely?) It’s a medium hold setting spray for styles that require a blow dryer, hot rollers or flat/curling irons. Now, I have plenty of blowout balms, but I was intrigued by the promise of “an instant dose of energy and vibrancy to the hair.” Plus, the tonic is free of sulfates, gluten, parabens, synthetic color, DEA, TEA, phthalates, mineral oil, PABA, and paraffin. Hot damn.

My main issue with blowdrying is that I’ve never been super happy with the way my hair looks directly after, so I always find myself adding an additional step, whether it be a once-over with a flat iron or creating curls with a curling iron.

I sprayed the tonic liberally throughout my hair, blew it dry with a round brush, and this was the result. No flat irons, curling irons or any additional steps. (Although since this is a setting spray, I also can’t wait to use it with my styling tools since it provides a nice hold.)

It had bounce, but not overly bouncy (my hair has too much volume at times), it was super shiny AND did I mention that this stuff smells damn good? Totally fresh and clean and I KIND OF LIKE IT. Can you tell?

I’m about to slip that perfectly gorgeous bottle some tongue. Frightening. If you are looking for a great heat protectant/setting spray, I say go for it.

COMMENTS (12)

Projects!

October 7, 2010

I always need to be doing something. Always, always, always. In fact, I come from a wickedly intense lineage of always-need-to-be-doing-somethingers on both sides of my family. Oh, how we long to gaze out the window calmly while daydreaming or actually sit down to watch an entire 30-minute sitcom without working on 2-3 other tasks simultaneously. It’s a disease, people. Who’s with me on this?

When I quit my job to stay home with Wito, many of my friends weren’t so sure about the arrangement. In fact, more than a few laughed in my face. And it’s not that anyone thought that child-rearing wasn’t a full-time job (because HOO BOY IT IS), but it had become pretty obvious that I thrive on consistent stimulation in the form of projects. Good God, I love projects. The minute I drum one up in my head, I dive in headfirst like a crazed lunatic, for I am Crazy Project Girl. (And that’s why I love so many of you! You are Crazy Project People too!)

That’s one of the things I love most about this blog. The projects, man! When I think of all the fun projects and freelance jobs I have worked on over the past five years, I can’t help but do a little jig.

During this past pregnancy, I started to wonder if I would be able to keep up with all of my freelance deadlines once Wita arrived, so I stepped back and took a project/freelance writing hiatus. (Well, except for the Hair Thursday redesign.) And it was great. For awhile. Especially the first three months of newborn haze. But now? With Wito in preschool and Wita the napping champ? I’m a little bored. Okay, maybe a lot bored. OMG I AM SO BORED I NEED A PROJECT RIGHT NOOOWWWWWWWWW I JUST WATCHED AN ENTIRE 90-MINUTE EPISODE OF PROJECT RUNWAY WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING ELSE WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE?

Cue Project Fall Closet Clean. I spent all of Sunday cleaning out my closet and although I donated about 90% of it, I decided that I would try to sell some of my suits, maternity clothes, jeans, shoes and accessories because NEWSFLASH, no freelance work means no money in my bank account. (Did I ever tell you about when I moved to California in 2003 without a job and became an Ebay powerseller? I couldn’t just focus on looking for a new job…nope, I JUST HAD to buy Victoria’s Secret bras in bulk and sell for a meager profit. You see? ONCE AGAIN WITH THE PROJECTS.)

((Why Victoria’s Secret bras? I have no idea, but I learned so much. Have you seen what a 40DDD fuchsia satin bra looks like? Wow.))

(((And I’d also like to take this opportunity to point out that I am an eBay seller with 100% positive feedback. Thank you, thank you very much.)))

Long story short! I’m selling some of my stuff! (Mostly J. Crew suits, maternity jeans and shoes for now…) And because I love all of you, even those of you who have absolutely NO desire to watch this go down, I’ve started another website named Whoorl’s Closet so you won’t be barraged with this particular project here at whoorl. Feel free to go there. If you want, of course! No pressure! IT’S ONLY MY CURRENT LIVELIHOOD.

COMMENTS (14)

Someone Likes the Blow Dry Perfector!

October 7, 2010

Remember the Garnier Blow Dry Perfector giveaway I did awhile back? Well, I got some really mixed reviews on that product. Since I’m breastfeeding and opted to not try it out, I have no personal opinion. However, Nicole was gracious enough to send an email detailing her positive review of the product.

Here’s what Nicole had to say:

Hey Sarah, I used the Blow Dry perfector this weekend and LOVE it! It says on the box not to used on color treated hair. I am attaching a picture I just took…not brittle or dry. I just used a round brush. No flat iron at all. I would say that it cut my hair time in half. I did use a little Moroccan oil this morning on the ends, as I always do. No other product.

Have you had good experiences with this product? Bad? I’m actually cringing that I’m opening up this forum, but I thought it would be helpful to those who are considering the treatment.

Nicole
(the same Nicole who you used an example long ago, short hair, blonde…growing it out, obviously)

COMMENTS (2)

Minnie Trumpette Socks

October 5, 2010

Living in Southern California, Disneyland is a pretty big deal around here. We’ve been many times with Wito (once already with Wita) and watching the wonder in his eyes never gets old. Plus, Wito has been a diehard Cars-aholic for over two years now. To say we are waiting with bated breath for the new Cars Land to open at California Adventure is a huge understatement.

When the folks at Disney Consumer products heard I was having a girl, they sent over the sweetest Disney gifts for Wita. (And Wito too!) I received some of their new nursery items, but I really fell in love with these Minnie Trumpette Socks. Trumpettes have been my favorite since Wito was born for their stay-on-ability (that’s a word, right?), and we are totally reusing them on Wita. However, now Wita has her own special pairs! Take that, hand-me-down city!

Also, Wito felt super important when he received some rad Cars stickers and racing suit pajamas. Can you tell?