Bayalage on Thin Hair

I totally forgot to post anything about this for some reason, but I had bayalage done on my hair at the end of July 2016. I have pretty thin hair so bleaching wasn't the best idea, and I didn't request Olapex because I thought it was pretty standard to use it now. As you can see, the tips of my hair look a lot thinner. But I like how it turned out, and it looks fuller if you style it right.

The photo on the left is super random but it's one of my favorite snapchat filters, but you can see how much lighter my hair looks after the toner washed out. It was very ashy-grey/blue at first, and then it gets very blonde. I started trying to use a purple shampoo, but I wasn't using it right so it didn't make that big of a difference.

I got it done again this past weekend, and it turned out ok. In real life it doesn't look too bad but idk why in the photo it's very golden. In person, my hair looks very thin if I don't curl it, but I don't want to curl my hair all the time, so I'm resorting to washing my hair twice a week. My oily scalp will have a hard time adjusting but I accidentally bought a lot of dry shampoo before Christmas, so it'll be a good way to finish using a lot of them.

I kind of like having a lighter hair color, but bleaching and whatnot does too much damage to my thin hair :'(

 

Catwalk by TIGI Fashionista Violet Shampoo

Has a bit of chemical smell but seems like a decent purple shampoo

Joico Color Endure Violet Conditioner 

Conditioners are always sulfate free. When I bought this it was on sale for $15 at Ulta. Whenever I use this conditioner my hair feels really thin so, not a fan.

Fanola No Yellow Shampoo

Nice of Amazon to send me a used one that's also the old version. I don't think it matters that much for hair products, but I used it last night and it is indeed, VERY pigmented, esp when I compare it to the TIGI one. If you're going blonde this is a good choice, but I used the TIGI for my scalp and Fanola for the part of my hair that's actually blonde.

My hair stylist told me it is very pigmented, but it doesn't make the scalp feel clean, so she told me to use a sulfate-free shampoo (she recommended Redken), the Fanola purple shampoo then a moisturizing conditioner. I also purchased the Olapex weekly treatment after seeing it on costco.com (like $30 for 2, they're about $24 each on Amazon, score!). So hopefully my hair won't break as much as last time.

Historically I've never really care for my hair, but the occasional wavy curl every now and then makes me feel a lot more glam.

HAIR | Is T3 worth it? T3 Twirl Convertible 1.25" curling iron

I first heard about T3 from Raeview in 2015. Guy Tang had used the motion sensing one on her.

I had previously purchased the trio curling wand, but returned them because the "cool tip" that helps the curling wand stand on a flat surface often caught my hair when I slid my hair down. If you've used a curling wand, you know it works best upside down

Sephora description:

What it is:
A curling iron featuring an interchangeable barrel design to style polished, long-lasting curls in one twirl. 

What it does:
Create enviable curls with long-lasting shine. T3 Digital SinglePass™ technology heats up fast and ensures even, consistent heating along the tourmaline and ceramic barrel as you style for frizz-free, polished curls. When heated, the unique T3 tourmaline and ceramic styling surface emits negative ions that seal the cuticle, eliminate frizz, and deliver shiny, long-lasting results. The five adjustable heat settings (260 to 410°F) provide the optimum heat level for any hair type while the interchangeable barrel design offers great versatility—letting you explore endless looks with additional T3 barrels (sold separately).

It features auto world voltage (100-240V) for use around the world (plug adapter needed), one-hour automatic shut-off for worry-free styling, and a cool tip and stand to enable easy, secure styling. It comes with a nine-foot 360° professional swivel cord to prevent the cord from getting tangled or twisted, and a heat-resistant mat (shown below) to protect tabletop and clean plates.

First time I saw it I was a bit disappointed bc the rose gold is brassier than I imagined, but it is beautiful nonetheless

Pros
Beautifully constructed
Curls hair well
Doesn't make my hair feel dry/coarse
Long lasting waves

Cons
Expensive

Price
$185 for the 1.25" (link here)
Interchangeable barrels is great for traveling purposes.
The Trio wand contained a traveling case, I wish this had one too.

Verdict
The curling iron definitely has a quality feel and weight to it. I love the white ceramic/tourmaline against the rose gold.
There are 5 heat settings, since my hair is thinner I use the 2 or 3.
Previously I was using a Hot Tools Gold curling iron, and I noticed when I wash my hair that the curled parts feel a bit dry and rough. With the T3, my hair feels soft. I wouldn't have expected any less from a $185 curling iron (the Hot Tools retail for $50), but it is a nice surprise.

Ceramic and tourmaline hair tools are supposed to be better for your hair and helps with frizziness. I don't notice a huge difference but it doesn't make my hair more frizzy.
I've been told cheaper ceramic curling irons work similarly, but I love aesthetically pleasing products that work well. The rose gold and white is just too beautiful to not buy if you can afford it and actually get use out of it.

Would I recommend it?
Yes! But not the curling wands

Repurchase?
I might consider a different size barrel if I start caring about my hair more, but right now I'm set with this and my 1" Nume curling wand (review here)

Yes I do realize this doesn't look as nice as the way some people curl it, but I don't want to fry the tips even more after all the bleaching/coloring

After 1 1/2 days. I was pretty impressed - I mean this doesn't look amazing but better than my straight, thin damaged looking hair.

FYI I don't sleep ON my hair. I usually place them above my head when I lie down.

What are you favorite hair tool brands? I'd love to know

My best friend uses a CHI flat iron, I've heard of GHD, but I never committed to buying any high end hair tools because they kinda look the same for how expensive it is and I didn't care to style my hair until more recently. 

I own a Revlon 1.5" ceramic curling iron and a Remington 0.75 - 1" tapered curling wand (both of which I bought in high school), but I haven't gotten much use out of them due to laziness and lack of skill. They've been tucked away in a corner of my room for so long, I forgot I had them.

I had previously purchased a DryBar curling iron where the clip moves around the barrel (link here), but the design is flawed (your hair gets stuck at the ends), so it was returned with no review... And it felt kind of cheap for $135.

I mostly bought the T3 for looks, and I'm glad it works well.

Eventually it only takes me 10-15 minutes (I have thin hair though)

HAIR | $38 Hairbrush?! Anna Sui

Plastic and boar bristle mix

Boar is really good at smoothing out your hair and is supposed to distribute oil evenly, but doesn't really massage the scalp (or at least, not the way I am used to). The plastic bristles are very flexible, hope they don't break easily.

I love how this brush incorporates both (mostly why I can justify the $38 price tax)

I purchased mine at Beauty.com when they had a sale, link here

I thought this brush was all looks, but surprisingly the plastic is very solid, sturdy and high quality. I'm impressed!

If you're in the market for a pretty hairbrush to put on your vanity, this is probably one of the prettiest hairbrushes I've seen that works well.

I will say that the cushion isn't as soft and flexible as some of the Conair ones I've owned, but it doesn't really affect the performance of the brush.

As a lazy person who almost never brushes my hair, this kind of gives me incentive to. ;)

HAIR | Nutika by Nume 25mm Curling Wand (Before and After) - I'm Impressed!

Features:

Heats up to 210°C / 410°F

Tourmaline infused ceramic wand

Infrared heat technology

Ergonomic design

Head-resistant glove

Dual Voltage

Description:

The Nutika Curling wand uses our signature negative ion technology to get you the lasting look you want. Quickly and without the damage of conventional irons and curlers.

No hairspray used, just the Tresemme heat protectant

I'm really impressed

My hair is naturally straight and thin, usually never holds a curl (or perhaps, I never used a good curler before. I've tried the Revlon ceramic one as well as the Remington pink curling wand, and my hair went from curled to wavy within maybe an hour). This heats up to 410°F so it is probably damaging to your hair if you use it frequently, but I only curl my hair once in a blue moon using a heat protectant, hope I'll be ok.

I originally bought this because it's mint green (my favorite color since last year) and it's really nice that it actually curls well.

This was $25 at my local Marshalls. I tried looking for this online but all the ones I could find that are similar looking are over $70. Good luck on your hunt with curling wands! If you're into curled hair that is.

Next day hair, still pretty curled!

Would I recommend it?

Definitely! I will try other Nume products when I need it

Review: Psssssst Instant Spray Dry Shampoo

Written review:

Claims:

- Easy Flow Spray

- Refreshing

- Unscented

- For normal to oily hair

Directions:

1. Shake well

2. Hold can 6" to 8" from hair. Lift sections and lightly spray scalp and roots of each section. Wait a few minutes, then brush hair well. Style hair as desired.

Pros:

- Refreshing on scalp

- Scalp feels less greasy after product sets in

- Adds volume b/c oils no longer weigh it down

- Aerosol can sprays fine mist

Cons:

- Clumps up if sprayed too much

- Somewhat expensive, but most dry shampoos are pretty small

Verdict:

4 out of 5
For the price, I suggest buying this if it's on sale or you can get a rebate (like me). Or, if you really need something after gym or you don't like washing your hair everyday b/c it dries your hair out, there are other options by Salon Grafix and/or Tresemme.

This is an aerosol can spray that's to be used at the roots where most of the oil is concentrated (if you have oily combination to oily skin, you probably have an oily scalp as well). When I spray this, it feels very cooling and refreshing on the scalp, either b/c of the temperature or the product itself. After a few minutes I brush it through and my hair feels a lot less greasy and because the oils are mostly absorbed, my hair has more volume, which I like. On Makeupalley some people mentioned that this makes their hair gray, and I believe that's because they used excess product. Spraying too much in one spot does not work, since it will clump up, and when you actually try to brush it through, white specks may form b/c it doesn't have enough oil to absorb and run down the rest of your hair.

Scent: It says unscented, but to me it has a musky type of smell, which isn't bad but for those of you allergic to cologne or perhaps heavy perfumes, you may find this somewhat irritating.

Value: $7 for a 4 oz. spray can (prices may vary, I purchased this at Ulta)

Controversial issue: A while back, I heard that aerosol cans were bad for the environment because the gas it releases when spraying slowly destroys the ozone. Although I am not completely sure, I believe they've changed the chemicals so that it's not so harmful, so aerosol cans are not so bad anymore.

Repurchase?
Maybe, but I want to try the Salon Grafix or Suave one