First, Rochester was supposed to get this huuuuuuge blizzard. Blizzard of the Century. Such a huge blizzard, that Diary Queen couldn't compete. Or Sonic. So that means, for the first time that I've ever seen--including the ice storm of March '03 (when senioritis officially kicked-in)--ALL of the school districts in Rochester and our surrounding suburbs and the outlaying schools, ALL of them, canceled today's school day, yesterday. Yesterday! Crazy. And Funny. Because had they waited ... they wouldn't have canceled. So belly-laughing hilarious and yet, ironically sad. As in: there will never be another snow day as long as we live, ever. I'm calling it.
Second, I didn't even want a snow day! I was supposed to sub today. That's money in the bank ... (Which we'll get to.) Worse! I was supposed to sub Friday, only if there was no snow day today, ya know what I mean? Oh money. Moneymoneymoney. It laughs at me. Speaking of which...
Third, do not let cute bank tellers flirt with you while they are depositing your check! They might get distracted and, woops!, deposit your cash into the wrong account. Lucky for this person's account who got my cash ... judging from my receipt, it looks like they needed it. Lesson 2 for the day: always check your receipt! I knew that balance looked funny. Moreso, check the account number ... which, when I look at it now, doesn't look like mine. Hm, lesson learned: Beware of flirtatious teller. Not worth it!
Okay, onto the real stuff. My apologies for not having posted in forever. Also, for not having found old pics for post #2...or for taking new pics...or for making tutorials! (Hope we got some imaginative readers.) In the meantime, thanks for bearing with!
Since last post, I've wanted to discuss alternate routes to the scrunch. Because let's face-it, sometimes your curls won't be having-it. Below is a list of hair textures and the names that I've designated for the styling that can go with. Again: pictures would be fabulous. Noted.
Today I am focusing on low-humidity hair. Next post: high.
Low-Humidity Hair -
If only every day were so simple, so--ironically--straight-forwardly, simple!
Fresh & Bouncy - low-humidity, after your first wash (shampoo) or rinse (condition)
Definition: When I'm at "Fresh & Bouncy," I always feel at-home. It's my cleanest palette from which can create anything. By that, I mean anything--style, look, you name it!--for the rest of the wash-cycle. For me, "Fresh" means I've just shampooed and conditioned, or have conditioned within 1 day of that, and "Bouncy": that my curls look thick, glossy, and smooth when wet. You'll know you're at "Fresh & Bouncy" when you feel like a sea-goddess emerging from her underwater kingdom beneath the... Oops! Side-tracked ...
Styling: Classic scrunch. Those smooth, happy follicles will need a healthy coating of product (gel or mousse) to maintain that texture. Those thick, glossy curls will need some lift and separation so they can go fourth and multiply. Again, I recommend product and styling in this order:
1. leave-in : finger comb throughout
2. style-it : scrunch mousse or gel throughout, after a healthy coating to each strand
3. set-it : pull back with curl-clips to dry evenly, diffuse it, and use an anti-humidity spray post-drying if you feel inspired. (Especially if it smells extra delic!)
Vintage & Stiff - low-humidity, after a few rinses
Definition: After a few rinses in my wash-cycle, I'll observe a noticeable product build-up on my strands. The major difference is that instead of defined, glossy curls as exhibited in the "Fresh & Bouncy," I will have less-defined, straighter looking locks. Looks equally as nice. But don't let it deceive! These strands are the Sirens-of-Curls, calling you with their promises of straight and lush. Lies! All lies! Just because your hair looks like it wants to be straight, does not mean that it will. It will not. Be not seduced. Instead ...
Styling: Twirl. You must do the twirl. At this point in their cycle, or odyssey..., your semi-tired, almost worn-out strands need lots-o-love. That means less on the product, more on the curl.
1. leave-in: like normal
2. style-it: use your fingers to really comb gel throughout hair. Also, use about half as much as you would if scrunching (so 1.5 dollops instead of 3, if it were me!). The finger-combing will help to separate strands that, otherwise seem chemically-bonded, without adding excess frizz. The 1/2 sized product compensates for that which, though water-soluble, hasn't completely dissolved in past-rinses.
3. twirl-it: take your fingers (probably the index); gently gather strand-by-strand, layer-by-layer (starting at your crown, working back); and twirl. Loop the strand at the root, loosely twirl it round-your finger, and begin to watch definition form. Twirl some toward the back of your head, and others toward the front: mixing-up the direction will lend a more natural look.
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| Thought it was gloss. It's concealer! |
Do not spend hours, or even half-hours, twirling every single strand of your hair. First, you'll end up looking like an Irish Dancer. (Oh, hey, I do have some pics!) Also, you save time. Really, if you get a few choice ones in each layer (maybe 8 on the top and middle layers, and 4 at nape of the neck), you're good. Really, what you're doing is adding lift, separation, and definition to a few curls. The rest of that lift, separation, and definition comes with diffusing.
4. set-it: Diffuse! Definitely. To set the work you've just massaged into your hair (for lack of a better verb), you need to. This will secure the lift, separation, definition and add body that might otherwise was missed from not having scrunched. Diffuse!
Finally - I've noticed that in the past, when I have tried to scrunch this texture, I have created super-stiff, uber-processed '80's-looking-perm-hair. ...Good to know for Halloween, right.
Vintage Ribbons - low-humidity, after no rinse
Definition: As I've noted in past posts, sometimes, when I haven't rinsed my hair during a wash-cycle, the mixture of natural oil with the lack of added-moisture makes my hair to look like ribbons. Two-day old ribbons on a forgotten-gift (if that helps the visual), but ribbons nonetheless.
Styling: There's 2 approaches. If you want to stay in-the-dry, use some heat. This will create a more effortlessly-styled look. (It's all about paradox). If you want to stay more natural, use some wet and some heat (to your liking). We'll call the former A and the latter, B.
A - Heat, Effortlessly-Styled
1. leave-in : none (you got natural oil workin')
2. style-it : .5" curling iron, high heat. For extra protection and a sleeker look, use a heat-protection spry like CHI Shine Infusion. But really, all of that old product and natural oil already protects your hair. The choice is yours. However, if you want a super-styled-stay-all-night look, definitely use hairspray. Before curling each strand, lightly coat with a layer of spray. Your curled-curls will last all nigth.
Product aside, let's talk technique. Similar to the twirl, I do not curl every strand. We're not going for the Shirley Temple here. Instead, choose a few choice selections--certainly the bangs!, framing around the face, hit each layer on each side, and more-than-you'd-think from each layer in the back. Stick with those. Next, take the iron and curl. If the curl doesn't come out perfect, no problem! At this point, you're going for a mixed-medium of curls. Think a fruit display of tomatoes. Don't Heirlooms look so much more appetizing mixed large with small, size with shape? ...That's not to say that your head's going to look like a portrait of tomatoes ... But it is to say that you are going to look fresh and delicious! Fabulous. So mix-it-up. Experiment. Have fun. In the end, you might end up doing an up-do, like a messy side bun, or some half-up-half-down number. Whatever works. Either way, you'll look great. Effortlessly styled.
B - Hot 'n' Cold, Wet 'n' Hot
1. leave-in: spritz some water; maybe add some leave-in for workability. Less than you think!
2. style-it: Combo the scrunch with the twirl. You'll want to scrunch the roots to lift them from the crown. Twirl the strands to give them more bounce. In terms of product: 99% of the time, no. You won't need it. Your curls already have residual product from prior styling. The water should be enough to activate. However, you have to use your judgment, always. ...Do what feels right.
3. set-it: Air dry should be okay. For one, your hair, as a base, is already dry, and therefore more likely to drink-up any added-moisture. For two, you don't have much added-moisture! Unless your hair really needs some definition, let it air-dry.
(Speaking of which, always always always, if you need more definition: diffuse! It always helps in a pinch.)
Next post ... High Humidity.
Bye!
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