Showing posts with label updo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label updo. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Hump Day Distractions

See what they did there?
Homies! We've made it to hump day! Are you with me!? Just in case you're struggling to make it through, here are some delightful distractions from around the web. See ya on the flip side:)

* Absolutely loving these fabbbbulously unique bird prints.
* We all know that every celeb photo is retouched, but still. Wow.
* I am also often "literally dying". (via CupofJo)
* Thanks so Justina, I have a serious case of Lake Tahoe wanderlust right now...
* Wise words from Coco Chanel.
* The perfect easy updo for your next "I just can't" hairday.
* If only I could dance that well in heels...
* Ohman I'll take one of ALL of these please!!! (Pizza scissors!?! GENIUS!)

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

The most important thing to prep for the holidays...

Well hello there!
With the holidays fast approaching, everyone is buzzing about appetizers, desserts, gifts and hosting, so I thought I would take a few steps back from the chaos and talk about something really important: your hair. Specifically, how you my friend, can be the envy of all at the table with a simple, sassy hairdo. Now before you go "but I can't!" I'm here to say "oh yes you can!" Many updos are far easier than you would expect and just require a bit of patience, good product and maybe a test run the day before, to achieve perfection.

This style from The Beauty Department is great "for shorties" like myself. Can't really use a curling iron? No problem, sleep with your hair slightly damp and in a bun the night before for gentle, natural body. Can't do fancy french braids? (Me neither!) Try these knots (like tying your shoe) for a way simpler way to achieve the same texture. Full post HERE. Pinterest HERE.

Another simple to execute but totally adorable style from The Beauty Department. This look is great for girlies with bangs, side bangs or just one who rocks a bun. The final result is charming and fresh with very little fuss. Full post HERE. Pinterest HERE.

Well, it doesn't get much easier than this! The "Tuck and Cover" from My Soul is the Sky requires only shoulder-ish length hair and 2 elastic hairbands to give you this classic-meets-bohemian look. Full post HERE. Pinterest HERE.

Bed head has never looked so good! This sexy braided look from A Little Bit Of... is casual "hippie-chic" and in my opinion perfect for a hearty Thanksgiving meal followed by backyard football and couch lounging. Absolutely one of those styles that tricks people into thinking you have crazy hair stylin skills! Full post HERE. Pinterest HERE

Merry Meri Hair Tricks of the Trade:
* Try a style out for the first time when your hair is wet. Even though this may not deliver a lot of body, wet hair has great hold for styling and it lets you practice the moves required to get the style right.
* Never use clean hair!! Wash the night (or ideally day) before for optimal oily/non-silky hair. If you have bangs or front angle pieces and are worried about looking greasy, pull those out and wash/blowdry just that front section before starting to style. If your hair is unavoidably freshly washed and dried, try spraying with a light hold spray first to make it less soft.
* Accessorize to hide imperfection!! (A personal favorite.) This past weekend I successfully copied a style I had done by a pro by using black hair flowers (approx $3 at Forever 21) to hide my whispy-stick-outs and sloppy bobby pin job. H&M and Forever 21 have an awesome inexpensive collection of pins, clips, scarves and flowers to add some sass to your style (while secretly hiding its flaws!)
* Have the right tools on hand. Tiny clear elastics, lots of bobby pins, light hold spray and heavy hold spray (for 1 final spritz at the end if it's a tighter style).
* Don't wait until the day-of to try a new style for the first time, especially if you aren't used to styling your own hair. Take some time on a quiet Saturday or Sunday morning to sit in front of the mirror and play around. Improvise based on your own hair's length and texture and don't be afraid to pull it all out and start over (I usually do at least twice!)
* Click HERE, HERE and HERE for a few other styles that I turn to on a regular basis for hair wow'ing!

PS- In case you were wondering how the plans from THIS post were coming, I was on an un-avoiding ROLL last night! Closet, sheets, laundry, dinner... I even scrubbed the stove top. Game on Fall Funk.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Hump Day Distractions

You guys, have I got some goodies for you!! It's like the internet's cup runneth over with delightful distractions this past week and each day my collection of links just grew and grew. And some of them are pretty damn awesome, starting with that Geico commercial courtesy of Sis. I mean that camel!? (whoot whoot!) So without further adieu... hump away.

* Millard Fillmore or Alec Baldwin? Harder to tell than you'd think! (via CupofJo)
* Super late to the game on this one, but in you also are in the dark: Alanis thought there was quite a bit that Uncle Joey oughta know.
* Some people are so creative it blows ma mind (su-shi what I mean HERE, full recipe HERE).
* Fact: I will never be brave (stupid?) enough to do THIS job.
* For my fellow anchor lovers... I think we need.
* Oh Boys, quit playing games with my (cuddly panda loving) heart.
* Discovering a 1,200 year old city buried 30 feet under the Mediterranean Sea.
* Grilled Cheeseburger Wraps by Skinny Mom. Yes please.
* DON'T LET ME DOWWWWWN!
* 3 easy, polished updos (and 1 more HERE).
* I want to go to there (plus, how great is the word "yurt"!?)
* Who knew that cutting things in half would be so beautiful (more here).
* I'm a Jawbone Up girl, but the Fitbit is pretty popular too.
* Tiny tattoos that will make you think "mmmaaaybe I could pull that off" (does #16 look familiar!?)
* That's a lot of food Ron.
* I miss my inflatable furniture (said no one, ever).
* And lastly, THESE teachers are my heroes. 

Who loves you?! I'm off to Boston and Cape Cod for some college friend fabulousness, Fenway fun and a wedding by the sea, so get ready for some. F.I.T.S.. to take you into the weekend. See on next week friends!

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Hair, there and everywhere

Rain rain go away.
Today is (another) one of those days when having hair, like, at all, is a pain in the patooty. I have literally gone through 3 different styles (bun was too flat, pony was too poufy, messy and down is just right?!) desperate to make something presentable out of the pouring rain, humid, misty mess on my head. Though I generally love my hair (It never puts on weight! It can always be changed!) my naturally curly(ish) coif ends up frizzy and lifeless when the weather does not cooperate. Since I know I'm not alone in my quest to keep my mane looking good, I thought I would share some favorite products and styles with my merry friends.
Bumble and bumble - Surf Spray
Beach in a bottle
This product is the best addition to my hair regime that I've had in a long time. Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray is applied to your hair right out of the shower (you don't even need to brush it, just towel dry) and the instructions are literally like "apply, crunch around, stand in wind". I'm amazed at the genuinely beachy look this product gives my hair and it is perfect to use when you're in a rush, or on a day like today when wet weather renders styling useless. 
Pros: Gives hair great body, creates a convincingly post-day-at-the-beach style perfect for summer (also rainy days) and requires less than 5 minutes styling time
Cons: The spray is salt-water based, so your hair does feel a bit dry after use. I wouldn't recommend daily application

Tons of products to choose from
Growing up, I used Biosilk to tame fly-aways and give my hair extra shine, but I've recently become a Moroccan Oil convert. Moroccan Oil smells amazing, and the tiniest amount (literally, less than dime sized for my mid-back length hair) reduces frizz and creates gorgeous shine. I apply the basic oil treatment after straightening for a glossy finish or after making barrel or kinky-curls to reduced the fuzz/flyaway halo that humidity or wind can create.
Pros: Gives hair gorgeous shine, an amazing smell (that lasts ALL day) and reduces frizz without creating oily hair (also, lasts FOREVER because you need so little per use)
Cons: VERY easy to overdo it. The little glass bottles don't have a dispenser meaning the oil sometimes flows out in amounts far larger than what's needed. DO NOT use too much or you'll look greasy

Knot Hairstyle (with photo instructions!)
Style-a-knot
Having a few go-to updo's for your hair is an awesome way to avoid ponytail fatigue. I've found that the key to these "everyday" styles is that they must be genuinely easy to execute otherwise you'll get frustrated/run late for work/never even attempt them. I LOVE the "knots" style featured above as well as the messy buns looks pictured below (just divide your hair into 2-3 sections and secure 2-3 messy buns with bobby pins in the back). Tricks to remember - when styling your hair, brushes are the enemy. If your hair is too smooth or clean, it won't hold a style as well (making easy updos a great option for non-wash days). I also sometimes cheat and use damp hair because it's so NOT smooth that it's easier to secure. Check out a few other fun/easy styles HERE, HERE and HERE
Pros: Unique (compliments abound on updo days), easy and fast
Cons: Practice makes perfect. Definitely take a new updo for a test drive BEFORE the morning you want to pull it off.

You accessorize your neck, ears, fingers and wrists, why not your hair!? I'm amazed at how a boring high bun or ponytail takes on new life by simply applying a colorful flower, hairband, scarf or pretty clip. Small accessories can add so much to your outfit and low-price point options abound at places like H&M and Forever 21. Next time you're desperate to get your hair from blah to beautiful, clip in a little something fun!

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Hump Day Distractions

Poor guy must be having a rough week. At least he has his lovey.
Yay! It's Wednesday!! (<-- Does anyone ever say that!?) Welcome to your weekly installment of Hump Day Distractions. Here are a few gems from around the web:
* It's not funny to laugh when people fall down... except it kind of is. Don't text and walk!
* Free, pretty and fun! Save yourself a trip to the store and print your own funky flamingo stationary. (via Snippet&Ink)
* While the sock bun may not have worked out for us, this quick updo looks foolproof! 
* I could not solve a rubik's cube to save my own life. This guy does it in 28 seconds, blindfolded.
* A modern art installation involving colorful stickers. Lots and lots of colorful stickers! (via Snippet&Ink - so much more than a bride blog!)
* Finally, we ask the age old question, "is Ryan Gosling cuter than a puppy?" 

Lastly, I'd like to ask a favor of my loyal readers: All the cool kids in the blog world have tons of "Followers". Being a "Follower" means that all the blogs you "Follow" aggregate on your personalized www.blogger.com homepage (powered by google). If you're a multi-blog reader, this is a handy one stop shop for your blog reading. If you never read any blog but me (nice taste!) becoming a "Follower" won't do anything (no spam I promise!) So please, if you're lovin Merry Meri, make me feel like a cool kid and become a "Follower" of my blog. Just click on that little "join this site" icon on the right side about halfway down the page under the heading "Followers". You can also "follow" me via Bloglovin by clicking HERE. Thank you kindly :)