Day Of D.I.Y

Days off can be so rewarding.  Today after drinking a huge cup of coffee I was so inspired to create.  Coffee can change my demeanor dramatically. I need any motivation I can get to stop reading fashion blogs all day.  I'm fairly certain I need to drink it everyday instead of just sometimes. It really motivates me like nothing else.  I recived a lovely package of feathers in the mail today (thanks mom).  My father is a hunter so he has quite a few whole pheasants laying around, they are such beautiful creatures.  Over the holidays he gave me a few since I had been running out of feathers.  I was so excited to get them that I immediately starting making things.

I have been wanting to make a braided headband for a while.  After attempting it,  the size was a bit too small for the headband which led me to the idea to put feathers underneath it to make a combo of feathers and a braid.  It's great that the faux hair matches my color so perfectly!  I am really liking this, my plan is to make some more to sell in my Etsy store.    I want to say thanks to the beautiful creatures who made it possible to make these things.  I love being able to use all the parts of things and my father hunted these for the food but art was made as well. 

The braided/feathered headband

Feather earrings coming soon too!

I made this ring/bracelet about a month ago and had misplaced it until today.  I was so thrilled to have found it.  I have been wanting to find it and wear it again!  It's so comfortable that I can wear it while I do hair, not many of my rings have that going for them.  Wow, my hand is looking pretty beat up, silly cats. 

Bang Bang ☞

I did it!! I cut my bangs, I have been contemplating doing it for a few weeks.  You see, I have had bangs of some sort for over 10 years and had decided about 6/8 months ago to try something new, growing them out.  After trying it out, It seems hippie hair is not for me.  Bangs are so much more fun.   So this is what I wore today to update the store and run some errands.   I need to color my hair and I am trying to decide if I want to do it myself at home or have someone do it at work (I am a stylist at G squared salon).  It's always easier to have someone at work do it, but sometimes I like to be more adventurous and do it at home.  I want to add some bright orange streaks that peek out of the bottom and maybe a darker layer on the bottom of the fringe.  I've always had crazy colored hair up until a couple years ago when it became more natural looking.  I'm so bored.....what do you guys think?  

Outfit details-

asian inspired oversized jacket (worn upside down)-Thrifted

F21 tunic-Crossroads in castro

Vintage 6 strand necklace (worn crisscrossed)-Garage sale in Oregon years ago

Bracelets-Thrifted all over

Jeans-Element denim

Shoes-Thrifted at Thrifttown on Mission (crazy right?)

Dry Shampoo Review

I just left a long comment for Sally Jane about dry shampoos so I figured I might as well do a proper review of these products.  These are the only ones I have tried so far.  I have heard good things about the bumble and bumble powders as well but haven't tried them yet.   Here are my two cents on the ones I have tried.

Here is what Sephora says about this one.......

Naturia Dry Shampoo
Perfect for the gym bag, long flights, camping, office drawer, maintaining your hairstyle, or avoiding frequent shampooing, Naturia Dry Shampoo cleanses hair in minutes leaving it light, luminous, and perfectly healthy, without using water.

This unique formula instantly absorbs impurities and oil on the hair and scalp with a patented formula containing kaolin clay, silica, rice, and cornstarch powders for antistatic and antisebum action as well as the high absorption power of essential oils of peppermint, caraway, and basil to soften hair.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Petro-Chemicals
- Phthalates
- Triclosan

And I say.....

This is the first dry shampoo I ever used, it changed my life.  I loved how it worked.  It managed to take my oily fringe and make it seem freshly washed with the natural volume back.  The only problem I had with this product was the smell.  After I would apply it I felt like my hair was emanating a really weird smell.  Otherwise I liked how it worked and it turned me on to something amazing.....Dry Shampoo.

Here is what Sally's has to say.......

Beautiful delicate fragrance
Instantly leaves hair feeling clean
Quick & convenient to use
Made in England

Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo with a beautifully delicate fragrance, revitalizes greasy, dull, and lifeless hair between washes. Instantly leaves your hair feeling clean, full of body, and smelling amazing! Made with rice starch.

I have to say.......

I really liked this one, the smell was right up my alley. It didn't seem to clog up my scalp pores or leave a weird buildup.   This particular brand has a few different smell options but this is the only one I have tried.  They were founded in the 70's and after just peeping their facebook page, it looks like they are being revamped to keep up with all the new hype surrounding dry shampoos.  I noticed they had a new one for brunettes which would be amazing because with all these products the white powder like consistency can look a little strange on dark hair or even red like mine.  To avoid this I always spray it underneath the part.  This product is a great value for the price and I liked the smell the best out of the three I have tried.

What Tigi has to say...........

The secret is you don’t have to shampoo everyday! Spray at roots to absorb excess oils, make hair smell fresh and keep it rockin’ one more night. This stuff is so funktabulous!

To Use: Shake can well. Spray throughout hair to absorb oil and odor or just at the roots for volume and texture. Wait a minute, then brush or work lightly into hair.

The Lowdown:

Less frequent shampooing saves hair from heat styling damage and colour loss.
Unbelievable texture is perfect for big hair or updos.
Near colorless formula won’t show on your clothes or pillowcase!

What I have to say.......

As a professional hair stylist and colorist I have used tons of products by TiGI and have received advanced training in their rock star hair cuts and colors.  I love the company for their creativity.   I apprenticed with a Italian hair dresser who started working with this companies founders in the 70's.  I am not in love with their products but some of them are amazing like Manipulator and After party.  This particular one fell a little short for me.  I really felt like it was clogging my scalp pores.  It felt really weird on my scalp.  The smell is like orange citrusy freshness, it's nice.  I have a whole bottle to use up so I might change my mind about this one, but In my opinion the second product is the best value for price and the way it did it's job!


Please feel free to weigh in with what you have tried and like/dislike!  Thanks!

Outfit for Today, I cut bangs again

Since you can see my dry shampoo here I might as well take this opportunity to tell you how this stuff has changed my life. I am so addicted now. I was wearing my hair only curly for a while because when I straighten it, it gets so oily so fast. Dry shampoo is a gift from the hair fairies. I told my girlfriend about it last night then sprayed some on her, she also could not believe it's effectiveness at taking away the oily from her fringe (she has to shampoo everyday becuase her hair gets so oily by the end of the day). There are many kinds out there, so just look for it where you shop. I have one from Renee Furterer from france as well as a brand from Sally Beauty supply (pictured). I just found out that Tigi makes one now too and rumor has it that the terrible Heidi from the hills is going to be coming out with one soon. Which ever you choose, just make sure to spray it under the part and rub it in so it's not too white. If you are too monitaryily challenged, just use some corn starch or baby powder, but use sparingly and rub it in under the part.

Today I am wearing
Jean jacket-Vintage thrifted
Scarf-F21
Grey shirt-Old Navy
Belt-Vintage Thrifted
Skirt-new with tags thrifted
Leggings-AA high waisted
Shoes-Etsy seller cookies and cream

Got my hair did

I have been gradually lightening my hair, I got more highlights added today and toned them to stay lighter than the rest of my hair.  Our receptionist at the salon is wanting to go to beauty school, so we are letting her do our hair as we teach her.  She did a great job today, I love how it turned out.  I did all the formulations for the color and taught her to weave instead of slice the hair for the foils.  My hair is also straight here, and it's finally getting long enough that the layers look good blown out, with out flat ironing.   Yaaaa!

  I am wearing a vintage dress that I shortened, vintage and new necklaces, Hue capri lace leggings and Mia gladiator heels.  I am so ready for colder weather, even though San Francisco is officially having our summer right now.  I just want to wear layers and boots and coats and tights and scarves!

Granny fashion

Anyone else ever use these spongey rollers as a kid?  I used to use them all the time, in high school.  I never wanted to get up early so these were a great way to have a good hair day, after sleeping in them all night.  But, there was that one time, I used a ton of them, the really small ones.  I woke up, took them out and looked like shirley temple.  It was bad.  I wore my hair up all day. From then on I would only use the larger type.  I just found these at the dollar store by my house a few days ago and thought I would try them out again.  Yep, they still work.   So here I am before sleepy time with the granny rollers!  Outfit shots soon to come!  Sorry about the M.I.A, having too much fun!  

My hair war!

I have been wanting to lighten my hair up for a while without damaging it now that is is semi healthy. I have had it long forever, in all shades of dark. My boss had a color remover product that he wanted to try out, so of corse I agreed to be the model. The coolest thing about this product is that it doesn't effect your natural hair color at all, which most color removers do. So here are the results and, I will post another picture today after I get it toned. I haven't done anything to it, since i had it done, to let it rest. It should be more carmely later today!

Before, see how dark the bottom layers are.

After, it is much lighter and felt amazing.  I would definitely recommend this Pravana color remover to anyone.  If you are in the SF area we offer this service at G squared.  If not, you will have to find someone in your area. 

Finally my other hair model

I finally just got the photo of my other hair model.  I did really natural highlights on her as well as the cut, styling, and makeup for this photo.  Thanks to my gorgeous model Kristy for making the pictures so easy and flawless.  My boss took one photo and couldn't believe how photogenic she was.  We could've been done after the first photo but we took more because she was there. 

Do la la

So work is finally back to normal which means I have been neglecting my blog.  I was really slow for a few weeks, and had so much time to post.  I haven't been taking outfit shots, so I decided to post some shots of all my many hair styles.  I am constantly changing my hair because I get bored so fast.  So here in order from today back to a few months ago are some shots I have taken via photobooth.

Today was a bad hair day so I did all kinds of braids. They are going all the way around my head and I also braided my bangs out of my face.  I am wearing a new thrifted Valentino cardigan that had no tag, it ended up being 1.99$

Bangs pinned to the side

My natural wave with heavy fringe and fresh color 

Straightened with my favorite lipstick (viva glam 2)

Wavy again with lighter copper fringe

Curled via hot iorn

Shorter and different color placement

My creation

I just got the pictures of my lovely model in a email today.  I created this gorgeous hair for our website, www.gsquared.us   Her hair was previously colored so it was more of a challenge than I had expected  but I think it tuned out beautiful. I also gave her a fresh new haircut with great new layers to go with the color placement.

 I'm doing my other model tomorrow so those photos will be up soon.  The other model is going to be my more "natural" model so it won't be as colorful.

Hair sculptures

Check out these great hair styles from Mexico's fashion week courtesy of Face Hunter.  

I love their whole look as well. 

Hair sculptures

 These hair designs are so inspiring to me.  I wish I got to do updo's like I used to when I did a lot of weddings in Seattle.  It was so much fun to create sculptures out of hair.  I need to get some long haired friends over and practice some sculpturing.  Pictures from www.fashion156.com

Fashion, Hair

This is a lovely client of mine, Kate.  She showed up to the salon today looking super cute after braving the craziness that is 5th street.    I loved her colorful ensemble, the colors and tones blend seamlessly together to create a very young and flirty look.   I also did her color (highlights), haircut and styling.  Thanks Kate for modeling for me and also being so sweet!!

Yaaaay a blog finally

I am so excited to start this blog.  I  have had the idea for a while and am now, finally, getting the ball rolling. 

 I'm going to be discussing and adding as much as possible, fashion pics of people on the street as well as my friends and I's personal style, clothing I have designed, and jewelry and other accessories.  I will be adding links to trends and other stuff I think is amazing!

I am also a hair designer at G-Squared here in San Francisco, so  periodically there will be pictures of hair cuts and or color that I have created.  And last but not least, photos of other crafty things I have created as well.  I hope you enjoy the pictures. 

The very first picture is, of corse, me wearing my invention called a bustle belt. Here you can only see the back, the front is a typical belt with a large buckle

J