If You Can't Make It, Fake It! (Or faking it until it grows back!)

This is me, decked out in my kimono, about to start my entire skincare routine before bed. Moreover, this is how my hair looks in its natural state. You may not be able to notice but my hair is very fine and thin. I began to shed a lot of hair back in late July. Even though I have been using Women's Rogaine for two years, the stress I endured this summer took its toll on my already thin strands.  In an effort to thwart any panic or further stress on myself, I began taking B-vitamins along with Biotin. I also went to see my dermatologist in late September who confirmed my hair loss was indeed stress-related and therefore, temporary!

So, until my hair grows back, I am going to continue my normal regime and wear a volumizing extension on a few days I wear my hair down. I love wearing my hair down but due to the shed, I feel my hair does not look its best and as a result, I have been wearing my hair in a ponytail or snood. However, with this lightweight hair piece, my hair confidence will be given a major boost!

The extension is made of human hair and comes on a 8-inch long weft with four small clips. The hair itself is 10 inches long.

http://www.voguewigs.com/10-in-easivolume-328-extension-easihair.html

Today my stylist Corry refreshed my red color and colored my new extension to match. He also trimmed it so it would better blend with my own hair and he also taught me how to properly place it in my hair.

Now, this is the back of my hair without the extension:

Here is the back with it in:

(I switched to my other bathroom. The lighting in my guest bath is too yellowy.)

Here is a front view with the hair piece in:

A view of the piece clipped in:

On the sides:

The extension itself:

And here is my cat, Misty Blue, yelling at me to brush her hair. She does this every night. She knows that when I am the bathroom at night (and in the morning), I do my grooming and she expects me to groom her as well. My cat actually recognizes my brush and understands the action of brushing.  Even if i simply I pick up my brush, Misty Blue will come running in the bathroom and demand I brush her (LOUDLY). I am telling you, this cat thinks she is a woman. A showgirl, diva, princess, queen bee, 'star of the show' woman!

Nevertheless, I am going to tough out this re-growing process. I am not going to let it get to me any more because stress makes hair fall out!  I also realize that at the end of the day, hair is hair. I count my blessings that all I have to worry about is thin hair!

But, I do acknowledge fully that I let that element of vanity get to me. When I see women with thick tresses, I do feel a pang of envy and wonder but in the end, I know I am going to be fine. I can already see new hair growing back. Up close, the new growth looks like tiny, pale blond sprouts. (New hair tends to come in pale and then develops its pigment as it grows out in most individuals).

Until my hair is filled in, I am going to rock out the fake (albeit human) hair. Like Corry once told me, "If you can't make it, fake it!"

I WANT This! Self-Adhesive Wallpaper with a Vintage Look!

Today while getting my red hair color refreshed and getting a hair extension colored to match (more on that in my next post), I was flipping through the latest issue of Lucky Magazine and came upon a feature that listed self-adhesive wallpaper. The company is called "Tempaper" and they make self-sticking wallpaper that can be easily installed and removed without destroying your walls!  Not only is this idea peachykeen, I love this "Alto" paper! It looks very mid-century. Uh, can we say, YES PLEASE?!

Here is the link:
http://tempaperdesigns.com/collection_alto.nxg

The average price per roll is about $60.00 to $74.00 USD. I know that is a bit pricey but to me it's worth it because I do not have to buy adhesive, tools, or deal with the mess. I have wallpapered before and it's a pain in the posterior! Moreover, the look of that Alto paper is gorg-e-ous! The paper also comes in a black and white print that is currently on sale! Want, want, want!

So, what do you gals think? Is the price worth the convenience and look?

Besame Lipstick Review: Classic Color Collection In Cherry Red

After updating my makeup kit last week, I realized that I was lacking a deep, cherry-toned red lipstick. Sure, I have several red lipsticks ranging from bright pink-toned shades, vibrant tomato-infused hues to neutral tones. But I needed a rich, sultry cherry shade to make my collection complete! Besides, a darker red is just perfect for fall!

In the last couple of years, I have come to the conclusion that most, mainstream makeup brands (e.g. MAC, Revlon, Make Up For Ever, Chanel, Nars, etc) fall a bit short (some more than others) when it comes to retro red lipstick colors. Moreover, their textures tend to be too dry or too emollient, they fade quickly when worn, tend to bleed, and/or the pigmentation is not quite "right."

Now, please do not get me wrong, I ADORE MAC's "Russian Red" and Make Up For Ever's Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in Satin #42 but I prefer a semi-matte finish paired with bright, intense pigment. With that said, I have discovered 'vintage red lipstick heaven' with Julie Hewett and Besame Cosmetics' lipsticks. Not only are their colors AMAZING, their comfortable semi-matte texture is unbeatable when it comes to comfort and longevity! Even their vintage-inspired gold lipstick packaging is to die for!

I have been contemplating buying Besame's Classic Color Lipstick in Cherry Red ($22.00 USD) for a while and last week, I finally did! My package arrived yesterday and I have been wearing my new lippie ever since! Cherry Red is the forth Besame Classic Color Lipstick I now own. I have Besame Red, Red Velvet, and Carmine.

http://www.besamecosmetics.com/products.cfm/Classic-Color-Lipstick/pID-15

Cherry Red is a deep, rich red with a deep cherry base. The color is really like a fresh plucked cherry.  Now, the first photo shows the lipstick in bullet form. I think my flash brightened the color because the actual color in person looks very similar to MAC's Dubonnet (a deep wine red). However, once the lipstick is applied, the color seems to come alive and looks lit from within! Here is a swatch on the back of my right hand:

Here is me wearing Cherry Red. The color pairs PERFECTLY with MACs lip pencil in Cherry:

I cannot say enough how much I love Besame lipstick! It is my favorite, hands-down! It lasts a long time on my lips (accept for drinking and eating) and the color fades evenly.

So, if you are in the hunt for the perfect 40s/50s red lipstick, give Besame Classic Color Lipsticks a try!

A Tale of the Neglectful Blogger

Again, I find myself being a 'lazy blogger.' I have been busy with work and some family things but for the most part, my absence from the blogging world is mainly due to not making time for writing. Writing is very therapeutic for me and when I am tense, I should turn to writing and not compound my stress by turning away from it.

With that said, I want to apologize for not commenting and posting on your blogs. I truly enjoy reading, learning, and interacting with all of you. Your blogs are wonderful sources of information and fun! In the past year and a half, I have met so many wonderful, like-minded vintage gals who have taught me everything from makeup application, hair styling, clothing, interior design, sewing, knitting, music, and so on. I also love reading about your sewing projects, the events you go to, the bands you see, and the people you meet. Overall, your blogs make me feel that I am not alone when it comes to my vintage obsessions!

So, when it comes to certain things that bring us joy, why do we often turn away and/or neglect those elements in times when we need them the most? As some of you may know, this summer was hellacious for me. I lost two aunts, my father has had some health issues, my mother is in mourning, and as a result from all the stress, I started to lose my hair (thankfully it was temporary).

For almost four months, I did not set one foot in the gym. I occasionally ran on my treadmill at home but I didn't feel a sense of accomplishment and one-ness with myself when I was done. It was like I was in a constant state of 'meh.' Like writing, working out is very cleansing and rewarding for me. I love that sensation of strength working out gives me and yet, there I was avoiding it like a disease.

A month ago, I decided 'enough was enough' and I literally dragged my lazy butt to the gym. As I struggled with weights that were previously easier to manage, I felt a rush of "ahhhhhh" and I realized *this* was what I was missing. I needed to get away from the stress by tackling the malaise that seemed to permeate my skin like stale cigar smoke. By the end of my routine, I was tired but it was a 'good tired.'

So, here I am writing, and I love it. I know that despite my knee-jerk reaction to go inward in times of stress, I have to rebel against my blasé self and do the things that may seem like an effort but in the end, bring me incredible joy.  In a sense, I am telling myself, "I am doing this for your own good!"

New Season, New Hair Color

Now that fall is in full-swing here in the DC area, it is time for changing my hair color. For most of spring and summer, my hair was red paired a bold platinum blond chunk. Part of me misses my blond but I love going 'all red' for fall and winter.

My stylist, Corry Kendall, colored my hair in a more golden, orange-based red. Last year in November (Election Day actually), I opted for a cooler, cherry-toned red. Having experienced several types of red shades, I prefer a more gold red. I think it looks better set against my pink-toned skin.  In my opinion, the pinkier, cooler reds bring out too much pink in my complexion.

Despite thin state of my hair (due to stress), I am happy with my hair! Moreover, if I miss my blond, I can always bring it back next year! But for now, I will enjoy this 'red state of mind.'