My No-(Sham)poo Experience

So a few weeks ago I saw a blog post link on Facebook. I'd heard about the "no-poo" method. But this post made it seem healthy, inexpensive and convenient.

I'd already tried to start shampooing my hair less, as another blog I read mentioned how over-shampooing can actually cause increased oil production due to stripping off all your natural oil with shampoo and your scalp over-producing oil to compensate.

I have always struggled with oily hair and facial skin. It IS getting better as I age, but my hair still looks its best when shampooed daily. But maybe I was helping to perpetuate this vicious cycle?

So I started shampooing every other day and using dry shampoo or baby powder on the off days. I was warned there would be an adjustment period. But overall it went pretty well. The off days were'nt "great" hair days but they were far more tolerable than I thought.

So I decided "what the heck?". Baking soda is cheap. The blog said to use straight baking soda and rub it into your scalp. They also used apple cider vinegar mixed with water as conditioner. I didn't try their conditioner as my hair wasn't dry enough to need conditioning during my trial.

It was a bit weird not having a nice lather whiles scrubbing. I also had to be extra careful to rinse my hair really really well. I would say that at first my hair really did seem to have more body. But as the 5th day approached it started to have more "buildup" than body. Upon further research I was probably approaching the "oily" phase a lot of people experience until their hair adjusts.

I probably would have kept on with it except one problem. It caused me to break out!

Yes, apparently my skin does not like pure baking soda washed over it. I would never classify myself as having sensitive skin. I've only had itchy rashes a total of three times now, and once was an allergic reaction to medication (SO not fun!). The second time was over Christmas when I washed/dryed my clothes in something my skin did NOT appreciate (perhaps that was baking soda related too?).
And the third was trying out the no-poo method.

At first I didn't realize that was the culprit. I thought I'd worn something I washed over Christmas but had failed to re-wash in my own detergent. But on about the 4th day I realized my chest was extra itchy right after washing my hair. And it hit me- the rash came just about the same time I started the baking soda routine.

I was a little disappointed. I wanted to be able to go a couple days without "washing" my hair and it not look like an oil slick. But alas, not at the expense of an itchy rash (which I still have more than a week later).

I did some research and while it's not possible to be "allergic" to topical baking soda, baking soda (especially in large quantities) can be a skin irritant to some. The only alternatives I saw mentioned was some other clay mud but you have to get it online or at a health food store. That defeats the inexpensive and convenient part to me.

I also saw a few posts warning that baking soda can very much irritate or burn the skin and is a simple household chemical, not a natural beauty wonder product.

I told my hair stylist about all of this, and she gave me a suggestion for my next experiment. She told me to get a 1 liter bottle of scented shampoo and cut up a small red onion into then let it marinate for 2 weeks. After that I can use it daily or even just weekly if I like. It will help repair damage and replenish oils. She says her mom has been using it for a year now and won't go back.
She learned the trick from a friend's grandma who stated they would use a red onion poultice on their hair 75-100 years ago to keep it looking healthy.And your hair won't smell like onions.

As soon as I have more data on that experiment I'll let you know!

Review: SensatioNail

So- unfortunately I am not a big-time blogger and no one sent me this kit for free in return for my post.

I asked for a DIY gel nail kit for Christmas. I had not researched any of them.

My grandma ending up getting Nailene's SensatioNail system from Wal-Mart.

When I found out the price ($50), I was a little shocked. The starter kit comes with enough product to do 5 manicures, by the box description. So it's about 1/2 price of a salon gel manicure (here they run about $20). But, there is only one color choice. Additional polish shades are about $10.

Well, my starter kit came with a raspberry shade. In fact I think the one in the stock photo above. It's very nice. But for Valentine's Day John got me a aqua and light pink shade.

I decided to try and be bold and trendy and do the aqua shade. I will not be doing it again. I've decided I'm just kind of traditional when it comes to nail color. I like shades of pink and red, or neutrals, and I have been known to do black a few times. But it's just not often I do purple, orange, yellow or anything too crazy.

So I was not prepared for this bold shade, that lasts about 2 weeks.

So here's my freshly done manicure:

Sorry it's blurry. But they were nice and shiny and completely set and ready to go.

I love how there's no fear of smudging or chipping while they "dry"

At 2 weeks. Minor chipping and some peeling where they have grown out at the cuticle

The Pros:
It really is easy to do. Takes about 30 minutes.
They are hard-cured as soon as you finish the last step. No dry time.
They keep the "wet" look the whole time.

The Cons:
Still a bit pricey in my book.
It's a big pain taking every last bit of polish off. It's stubborn. But you need a completely smooth nail before doing another one, or it will look bad. I haven't tried the removal tool, but I did use 100% acetone.
Limited color selection available in stores. They say they are adding 32 new shades, but they're not at our Wal-Mart, that's for sure.

Overall, it is a good option for me. There is no way I would EVER get 2 weeks of wear out of a regular manicure. And I do love to have nice manicured polished nails, but I don't have time to re-polish every 2 days.

So if you were thinking of trying it- I say do it! As long as you are going to use it at least 5 times you will be saving 1/2 off the salon price, and it isn't very difficult to do.

Product Review- Covergirl Outlast Lip Color

So I realized I've tried something else new lately that I could share.

I bought it with my own money and am reviewing it of my own free will :)

Recently I ran out of my favorite tinted lip gloss. It was Mary Kay and I got it new, at a yard sale, for a dollar! But no way I was going to pay regular Mary Kay prices to replace it. Not that I don't love Mary Kay, I do. But just cannot afford it. Or rather have a bazillion other things I need/want to put my money towards than expensive makeup.

Anyway, I'd been thinking of trying the "long wearing" stuff so that I could keep color on my lips all the time. I tend to eat or lick my color away. Commercials for Covergirl Outlast were the ones I was most familiar with, so I tried that.

I also have a friend getting married in March and I'm doing her makeup, and I thought it might be a good choice for the big day. (Note to self- should have done that for my own wedding!). What better way to see if it works than try it myself?

So I purchased a nice rosy but not too loud shade.

In the instructions it tells you to apply it but not to blot or rub your lips together. However, I did not like how opaque and bold the color was doing it this way. I finally figured out- you can put a small amount and rub it around for a more natural look. It just does not last quite as long.

It also comes with its own lip balm. Know why? It's really dry and makes your lips feel dry. That part, I don't like so much.

Overall, I would say it's a good choice if you do want something long lasting. It will not last ALL say though. About 6-8 hours max. Especially if you eat, drink and lick your lips like I do.
And be prepared to keep the gloss nearby to quench those dry lips.

Also, buy a much lighter shade than you normally wear, as it goes on pretty thick. Especially if you are used to colored gloss.

Product Review- Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips

Hi guys-

I've been wanting to blog, but this has been a busy week. Shoving my "busy" thoughts aside to jot this down real quick on my lunch break.

This review is just my own thoughts, no endorsements.

I got Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips for Christmas. I'd been wanting to try them but too cheap to fork over $8.50. I could almost get a manicure for that!
But, the allure was the cool patterns and that they could last "up to 10 days".
You see, I have a big problem with nail polish. Inevitably I chip or in some way mar my polish. Usually within 48 hours. Sometimes within a few hours. I've tried lots of top coats to remedy this. No real winners.

So, I decided to try these just before New Year's. I have to say, they were more complicated to apply than just good 'ole polish. But since it was my first time I cut them some slack.

The positives are: You can get cool patterns that are impossible with a manicure. They stay nice and shiny. They given an even coverage look (no shade variations nail to nail). There's no risk or ruining your surroundings with polish. When they do chip it's a little harder to tell because of the pattern (if you choose a patterned one).

The negatives are: They are pretty expensive compared to polish. It's a pain peeling the strips off and lining them up just so to your nail. They still chip after a few days and there's no "re-touching" them like polish. They seem to catch and snag easily. Like if you run your fingers through your hair a hair can get "under" the edge of the strip and snag. The tips can be a little rough at first and snag.

So IMHO- I think they are nice for special occasions where you want a certain pattern or look. But as an "All the time" thing to keep up your nails- too expensive and does not wear any longer than polish.

But the second set I tried, hounds tooth, was perfect for this night:

And then I could wear them for the rest of the week, since we won! :)
I put them on Sunday afternoon and took them off this morning after they chipped yesterday, beyond what I consider acceptable. In fact notice in the picture above the top right of my pointer finger had already chipped by Monday night. I repaired it with white polish and a black marker.

So all in all, fun but not worth the cost for the most part.