Makeup! Clothes! "Girly stuff" thread

[Nehelenia]

Conditioner is essential - make sure it's a thick, deep conditioning type, not something light or that '2-in-one' shampoo/conditioner stuff.

A lot of bright colours are semi-permanent, but even permanent ones fade. Blues fade fastest, apparently. Mild shampoos work to keep the colour from being stripped, but you're gonna have to re-dye often if you want the colour to stay bright I'm afraid. Manic Panic brand colour is about the longest lasting stuff there is. It's a bit more expensive than other semi-permanent bright colours but it's worth paying the extra (their colours are amazing too). On the other hand, if you have a colour disaster and don't like what you're left with, using something like Head n Shoulders or Vosene brand shampoo should strip the colour out quickly. I never found those colour protect hair products made any difference.

Try to keep away from straightening or heated hair tools like curling tongs if you can, it'll only damage your hair more.

That's about the best advice I can offer. I've been dying my hair stupid colours for many years and it hasn't flounced off my head in disgust yet. My hair is pretty thick and wiry, though.

Very good to know, especially about conditioning--that in particular is something I hadn't given as much thought as I maybe should have. Of course, I have very dense, thick, curly hair (think your typical Jewfro, but longer), so my mop has always been pretty high-maintenance; I don't think I have ever used a 2-in-1 hair wash in my life. Having said that, everything you said and especially finding the right conditioner will definitely be at the forefront of my mind; thanks so much!

 

[Dysnomia]

The leaves seem to not really smell or smell like a dead animal.

Maybe it has something to do with pollination or keeping certain pests away.

I broke one open in a grocery store and it didn't smell bad.

Can't be worse than ketchup, vinegar or anything revolting like that.

 

[Barbarella]

Apologies if someone's already covered this in the thread, but:

I'm finally caving and going into semi-dangerhair territory. Nothing crazy (I'm a grown woman who works where clients can see me), but I'm looking to get a streak in or near my bangs bleached (I naturally have almost black hair) and colored... probably something like a pink or a lavender?

I haven't done anything like this since I was a teenager (and I treated my poor hair like shit then), so any maintenance tips so I don't fry my hair? The bleaching and coloring will dry it out some, I know that's unavoidable, but any tips on minimizing the damage/keeping the color looking nice/general maintenance for someone who's forgotten how hair dye works?

Absolutely, get Olaplex. It's expensive but you can bleach the crap out of your hair and not damage it. I'm a platinum blonde with hair almost to my bra and it's silky and shiny. I think my stylist does a level 9? Not sure but the other stylists ooh and ahh at the percentage of bleach she did because of Olaplex. Google it, you'll hear great things.

The other thing I recommend is have it done professionally, (with a stylist who uses Olaplex) even if it's just a bit of color. The stylist will know what went in and will be able to change it back easily when you are ready. I'm a believer in going to a professional after a certain age. A high schooler can experiment with bleach and manic panic their hair but anybody in the public eye should have it look right.

If that's a powerlevel, let me know, I'll edit it. These threads sometimes it seems like you have to give personal experience...

Good luck!

 

[HickoryDickory]

Very good to know, especially about conditioning--that in particular is something I hadn't given as much thought as I maybe should have. Of course, I have very dense, thick, curly hair (think your typical Jewfro, but longer), so my mop has always been pretty high-maintenance; I don't think I have ever used a 2-in-1 hair wash in my life. Having said that, everything you said and especially finding the right conditioner will definitely be at the forefront of my mind; thanks so much!

Definitely go to a stylist, it's easier and you can ask questions. When I get my hair done I only get my side bangs dyed, and always in three separate colours. (Usually red, blond and pink or purple. I did blue at one point, but it does fade out pretty fast)

 

[Nehelenia]

Thanks for the advice, both of you! I definitely am going to get it professionally done, and I will ask about Olapex; it really will just look nicer in general if I go that route, especially since I'm at an age where I really can't socially afford to have a bad dye job when it comes to bright colors.

 

[Dysnomia]

Kinda powerlevely.

Spoiler: Lupus talk

I don't know if anyone can help me on this... But does anyone have any experience with what lupus does to your hair? I currently have active scalp lesions and had to be put on prednisone. I take plaquenil and that has a side effect of hair loss. That's the stuff Michael Jackson didn't want to take. It has so many side effects. It sucks.

For around a year my hair got really good and I was happy. It pretty much looked like normal hair. Then I got an active lesion and it thinned again. I screwed up by scratching my head without knowing about the scab. So I'm back to square one with healing.

I usually do a scab check regularly so I don't accidentally hurt myself. But I haven't had lesions in so long that I didn't think of it.

I started taking biotin in addition to a high level of vitamin D I was prescribed due to anemia and low D levels. I also started using a boar bristle brush, which I should have done a long time ago. I just don't like that when dry it spells a bit burnt and when wet it smells like a wet dog. But it is from animals...

My hair stopped shedding. But the texture has changed and it is very broken. I don't want to cut it short and start all over again. It will take a long time to grow back. Is there any sort of leave in that's good for fragile and delicate hair that I can use to smooth it out? I will get it trimmed soon. But I am hoping to grow out the breakage and I want the texture to go back to normal. It's a bit rough. Probably because it's broken so much. What helps hair grow well other than biotin? I eat nuts regularly. I don't care for eggs.

At least I haven't had the butterfly rash in a long ass time.

 

[Barbarella]

Kinda powerlevely.

Spoiler: Lupus talk

I don't know if anyone can help me on this... But does anyone have any experience with what lupus does to your hair? I currently have active scalp lesions and had to be put on prednisone. I take plaquenil and that has a side effect of hair loss. That's the stuff Michael Jackson didn't want to take. It has so many side effects. It sucks.

For around a year my hair got really good and I was happy. It pretty much looked like normal hair. Then I got an active lesion and it thinned again. I screwed up by scratching my head without knowing about the scab. So I'm back to square one with healing.

I usually do a scab check regularly so I don't accidentally hurt myself. But I haven't had lesions in so long that I didn't think of it.

I started taking biotin in addition to a high level of vitamin D I was prescribed due to anemia and low D levels. I also started using a boar bristle brush, which I should have done a long time ago. I just don't like that when dry it spells a bit burnt and when wet it smells like a wet dog. But it is from animals...

My hair stopped shedding. But the texture has changed and it is very broken. I don't want to cut it short and start all over again. It will take a long time to grow back. Is there any sort of leave in that's good for fragile and delicate hair that I can use to smooth it out? I will get it trimmed soon. But I am hoping to grow out the breakage and I want the texture to go back to normal. It's a bit rough. Probably because it's broken so much. What helps hair grow well other than biotin? I eat nuts regularly. I don't care for eggs.

At least I haven't had the butterfly rash in a long ass time.

I'd look into Olaplex too. I don't know if it would help but it fixes the hair shaft from the inside. Since you aren't bleaching, all you would need is the hair restorer. (Olaplex is three different things-the hair restorer is the home conditioner.)

You might also want to go to a salon and get a clear toner put on. It will help plump your hair too.

As for eating, I think biotin is the main thing. Just be very protective of your hair and scalp-use a sunscreen for hair if you are going to be out a lot. I wouldn't want to recommend a food because I don't know if something could make your condition worse.

I'd look for groups online of people with your same condition as they might have tips for you. Good luck.

 

[wifflypuff]

Is there something that can be taken for hair that isn't biotin? When I tried it, I ended up with deep, painful cystic acne.

 

[Polexia Aphrodisia]

Is there something that can be taken for hair that isn't biotin? When I tried it, I ended up with deep, painful cystic acne.

Some people take prenatal vitamins. Or vitamin E?

 

[melty]

Apologies if someone's already covered this in the thread, but:

I'm finally caving and going into semi-dangerhair territory. Nothing crazy (I'm a grown woman who works where clients can see me), but I'm looking to get a streak in or near my bangs bleached (I naturally have almost black hair) and colored... probably something like a pink or a lavender?

I haven't done anything like this since I was a teenager (and I treated my poor hair like shit then), so any maintenance tips so I don't fry my hair? The bleaching and coloring will dry it out some, I know that's unavoidable, but any tips on minimizing the damage/keeping the color looking nice/general maintenance for someone who's forgotten how hair dye works?

Just not over washing your hair is helpful. I've had pink, lavender, and blonde. I like using dry shampoo and definitely don't wash my hair every day to keep color longer.
Purple shampoo and conditioner like Shimmer Lights helped when I had pink and purple hair, to keep brassy tones away, even though it's mostly for platinum blonde hair. If you do lavender, leaving in purple conditioner will really keep the color looking nice. I actually got my hair from platinum to lavender one time just by leaving in purple conditioner for a long time lol. Not the best way to do it, obviously. Also, purple shampoo can be harsh so don't overuse it.
My friend who has pink hair mixes a small amount of her pink dye into conditioner and uses that - I think I did something similar but don't really remember, maybe look into that?

I'm weird, and whenever I see girls with platinum hair I REALLY like I chase them down and ask them what they use. I've tried a bunch of products, but shimmer lights is still my favorite.

@Barbarella that's a really good tip on the Olaplex.. I also have platinum hair but I recently cut it short because it was damaged (I did a lot of shit to it is why, really). I don't think my stylist uses it, but otherwise, she does a great job with platinum.

 

[Sketch]

Conditioner is essential - make sure it's a thick, deep conditioning type, not something light or that '2-in-one' shampoo/conditioner stuff.

A lot of bright colours are semi-permanent, but even permanent ones fade. Blues fade fastest, apparently. Mild shampoos work to keep the colour from being stripped, but you're gonna have to re-dye often if you want the colour to stay bright I'm afraid. Manic Panic brand colour is about the longest lasting stuff there is. It's a bit more expensive than other semi-permanent bright colours but it's worth paying the extra (their colours are amazing too). On the other hand, if you have a colour disaster and don't like what you're left with, using something like Head n Shoulders or Vosene brand shampoo should strip the colour out quickly. I never found those colour protect hair products made any difference.

Try to keep away from straightening or heated hair tools like curling tongs if you can, it'll only damage your hair more.

That's about the best advice I can offer. I've been dying my hair stupid colours for many years and it hasn't flounced off my head in disgust yet. My hair is pretty thick and wiry, though.

Manic panic is shit, imo.
Punky colours by Jerome Russell lasts 4x as long for me, personally.

 

[bloodcoffee]

Just not over washing your hair is helpful. I've had pink, lavender, and blonde. I like using dry shampoo and definitely don't wash my hair every day to keep color longer.
Purple shampoo and conditioner like Shimmer Lights helped when I had pink and purple hair, to keep brassy tones away, even though it's mostly for platinum blonde hair. If you do lavender, leaving in purple conditioner will really keep the color looking nice. I actually got my hair from platinum to lavender one time just by leaving in purple conditioner for a long time lol. Not the best way to do it, obviously. Also, purple shampoo can be harsh so don't overuse it.
My friend who has pink hair mixes a small amount of her pink dye into conditioner and uses that - I think I did something similar but don't really remember, maybe look into that?

I'm weird, and whenever I see girls with platinum hair I REALLY like I chase them down and ask them what they use. I've tried a bunch of products, but shimmer lights is still my favorite.

@Barbarella that's a really good tip on the Olaplex.. I also have platinum hair but I recently cut it short because it was damaged (I did a lot of shit to it is why, really). I don't think my stylist uses it, but otherwise, she does a great job with platinum.

You can buy colour refreshing conditioners in Sally's beauty supply in many colours. I bought an orange one when I was ginger and it was great. They make good toners too.

Manic panic is shit, imo.
Punky colours by Jerome Russell lasts 4x as long for me, personally.

Two words: Special Effects.

Best I have ever used.

 

[Sports Casual]

I found a bottle of that gradual tanning body lotion at the back of the bathroom cupboard. I'm thinking of trying it out, but I'm a bit confused about where hell I'm supposed to stop. I mean like, if I tan my legs, what about my super pale torso? (maybe not important since it's winter) do i then tan that? Then my arms look pale - tan them? etc etc. I feel like putting this stuff on my face might be a bad idea. Which bits am I supposed to tan, and are variously coloured body parts a faux pas or just something you have to deal with if you can't afford to get a professional to spray you from head to toe?

 

[WW 635]

Fuck all that tanning stuff. Pale is in, especially given that tanning equals sun damage and premature aging of the skin. Artificial tans aren't great either since they make most people look like a pumpkin.

I've been using Kojic Acid soap for three months now. Not only am I now freckle free, my skin is amazingly even and clear. The best part is I'm now almost white possible.

Kojic Acid > spray tan

 

[melty]

I found a bottle of that gradual tanning body lotion at the back of the bathroom cupboard. I'm thinking of trying it out, but I'm a bit confused about where hell I'm supposed to stop. I mean like, if I tan my legs, what about my super pale torso? (maybe not important since it's winter) do i then tan that? Then my arms look pale - tan them? etc etc. I feel like putting this stuff on my face might be a bad idea. Which bits am I supposed to tan, and are variously coloured body parts a faux pas or just something you have to deal with if you can't afford to get a professional to spray you from head to toe?

You can really do whatever you want. They make special face tanners, but unless you break out easily I don't see a problem. Think about it, how often do people notice if you're consistently tanned? I know during the summer, my arms are a lot tanner than my legs naturally. Is anybody who matters, or cares, going to see you naked anytime soon? I wouldn't worry about it. You could also do one or two full body layers, and then more on your legs or wherever, so it's a more natural gradient.
Definitely wear gloves, or wash the shit out of your hands after using it. Be careful using it on areas like your elbows, ankles, toes, it can get too dark.
Like @Cricket I just embraced being pale. I like having super light skin now. Mostly, I didn't like tanning lotions because they have a certain scent, and they can rub off on light colored clothes. But why not try it if you already have it? It all washes off in like a week or something if you don't like it.

 

[Durable Mike Malloy]

I found a bottle of that gradual tanning body lotion at the back of the bathroom cupboard. I'm thinking of trying it out, but I'm a bit confused about where hell I'm supposed to stop. I mean like, if I tan my legs, what about my super pale torso? (maybe not important since it's winter) do i then tan that? Then my arms look pale - tan them? etc etc. I feel like putting this stuff on my face might be a bad idea. Which bits am I supposed to tan, and are variously coloured body parts a faux pas or just something you have to deal with if you can't afford to get a professional to spray you from head to toe?

Once, I was in a wedding party where the bride had chosen yellow dresses for her bridesmaids. She asked the pale among us to tan so we would not look ill in her wedding pictures. You can profit by my experience - patch test first to make sure you aren't allergic.

Spoiler: I looked like a pumpkin, all right.

You wouldn't guess from the pictures, though - that wedding photographer must've been a photoshop god.

 

[Lackadaisy]

Can anyone recommend a good dry shampoo? I've had mixed results with what I can find in my area...

 

[bloodcoffee]

Can anyone recommend a good dry shampoo? I've had mixed results with what I can find in my area...

When it's on offer, I'm a big fan of the Tony and Guy dry shampoos, because they don't leave the same white powdery finish as Batiste. I really liked the Herbal Essences one in the tall white can for the same reason, but all four I bought leaked and ran out very fast. They might have fixed that by now though!

 

[Broken Pussy]

Can anyone recommend a good dry shampoo? I've had mixed results with what I can find in my area...

My favorite so far has been Hask. It comes in pretty decent sized cans and works pretty well and is reasonably priced and readily available. I have bought it at Walgreens and Walmart but have also seen it at other places.

 

[mama Lazarou]

In case anyone is interested, nabla has a site wide sale plus half off on shipping. Especially the cream eyeshadows are a good deal, 50% off to €5,75.

....I don't want my poor wallet to suffer alone..