The Way of These Things

Once upon a time, in a land far and away, I began this blog because I became fashion-obsessed.  And then it was make-up obsessed. And then I realized at my ripe 30-ish age, that I get obsessed, and then I get bored. I read blogs more than anything else online; be it my favorite websites, shopping sites, news sites, etc.  There's so much horrible out there, sometimes I need to check out and ponder superficial updates and happenings.  Not the Kardashians, but things I imagine I would sit in the library and read about.  Lately, my favorite ones to read are about minimalism and budget blogs; exciting stuff, right?

I began these posts with a lot of intention and not a lot of practice or artsy skill, like many of my previous blogs.  But it came from the need to dress less like I did while working in banking (so incredibly boring) and more like I worked in an office with respectable people.  Also, because tattoos.  I have a lot of tattoos that would not be professionally appropriate to have parading about at work.  I understood it would be a challenge when I got them, and now, 8 years later I'm used to covering them during the 9-5. I don't mind it.  Yes, I wish I worked in a creative environment where I could wear short sleeves and not think about or the way I might be treated by professional individuals.  Right now though, this is how it is.  Also, because I have a tiny clothing budget, I have to figure out how to make it stretch with lots of mall-buys and thrift-store trips.  Even then, I've been exhausted spending an hour to find maybe one thing that fit right! And I'd come home with more stuff I didn't really need.

Now I'm focused on quality items that I won't have to replace in a year, always with a higher price tag and definitely not made of things like rayon or polyester. The way of these things keep evolving. Sometimes it's hard to keep up, and I'm not a very good photographer.  I imagine new things on the horizon, so stay in your seat.  Let's see what's around the next bend.

Tresemmé, Tresemmé, Ooh La La!

Remember that old commercial from the '90's?  I'm a child of the eighties so that little jingle was catchy and still rings in my ears when I read the label.  I was able to try out the new Tresemmé line of Keratin Smooth 7 Day Expert System #seasonofsmooth including the shampoo, conditioner, and smoothing serum for a few weeks.

Because, admittedly, I dye my hair (have been for SO many years- if you don't, never start!) and rely on a collection of anti-frizz oils and dutiful dry shampoos apart from not washing my hair everyday.  Don't be grossed out- I DO shower. I just throw my hair up in a bun for a few days and it keeps it from drying out and being stressed out by all the products and our lovely dry Midwestern winter.  I was already using the Tresemmé Frizz Serum on my hair ends after every wash before a mandatory one-hour long air-dry session.  Technique, people, it's all technique!  Or, just my type-A personality enjoying the structured system of steps.

SO, the 7 Day Smooth System works with 7steps- the directions on the packaging only list 5 but there is more.  It promises that your hair will be as gorgeous on day 7 as day 1 and with only one round of the 7 steps to endure at the beginning of the week.  Like magic.

Or, at least through 3 washes.  If you're not familiar with keratin treatments, it's a fancy blow-out product that keeps your hair straight and frizz free for days. For days! And this treatment usually costs a pretty penny at the salon.  So, Tresemmé brought this to the store for you to try @ home, and it worked for me and my ruthless hair.  And I am currently dealing with below zero freezing temps and dry, dry, face-burning, eye-watering winds.  Somehow, that's all normal in my part of the nation.  But I followed the directions and it is 7 steps if you separate the first 3, but here goes:

1. Shampoo with the Keratin Smooth Shampoo
2. Condition (leave in for 2 minutes before rinsing) with the Keratin Smooth Conditioner
3. Towel dry (remember to squeeze and NOT rub your hair. Don't break those follicles!)
4. Divide hair into sections and apply the Heat Activated Keratin Smooth Serum.
5. Comb through to the ends evenly.
6. Blow-dry all the way baby, all the way dry.
7. Use a flat-iron on small sections

It sounds like a lot of work, but it's all at once and you're good for the week.  I didn't need to pick up the flat iron the entire week.  I have super-thick not-straight but not-wavy hair and this set will be my mecca for the rest of our darn winter.  I hope it lasts through the summer humidity, but one season at a time for this gal, and it beats making it to the salon before it's dark out at 5pm every day. #contest

*Disclosure people: This set of hair treatments were provided to me free, but without compensation.  All opinions and hair duties are my own and I can sing the little +TRESEMME Tresemmé jingle for you if you like, or, I do anyways when I read the label out loud. Shout-out to +Influenster !