B E A U T Y : Blonde on Blonde

While I have always been a highlighted blonde, over time and in the hands of various stylists my blondness morphed into darker versions of itself than I ultimately prefer.

As you have undoubtedly noticed from my recent IG photos, I have dared to add a little more edge to my blonde highlights. Lisa, my hair stylist at Nine Zero One Sanlon on Melrose Place, took the lightening process slowly over two separate visits. When I went to her in June, she painted in highlights. This last time she added more of them, plus a little “bowliage.” That’s the salon’s clever word for its variation on balayage — the technique of hand-painting highlights along the surface of the hair. Nine Zero One stylists do this while your head is still in the shampoo bowl.

Although the bowliaging took quite a long time in the chair, the time was well worth it. The end result is a natural, sun-kissed, dimensional head of hair that looks just as amazing after I washed and styled it by myself at home. My hair is still as shiny and happy as it was when I walked out of the salon. That’s the true test of a good treatment, right?  And bowliage highlights are cost-effective because they don’t require frequent touchups, a plus for nomadic me.

I’m continuing to use my fantastic regular shampoo and conditioner from Living Proof, which is sulfate-and-silicone free with no unhealthy parabens or phthalates. Once a week I treat myself to a Kerastase Elixir Ultime Oleo-Complexe cleansing oil shampoo to prevent any debris and excess buildup.

This new, blonder look makes me feel both refreshed and glamorous. And the shorter cut, which I’m showing off with more necklaces, doesn’t take much work, which is a big plus. I look for any and all simplifications in my life!

I’m wearing Acheval Pampa Gloria Shirt and Dannijo earrings

Other things I do for my hair:

I try not to blow dry much because it really dries out your hair. Because mine is short, I’m able to walk around at home and air dry it. I avoid going to bed with wet hair.

Once every three weeks I  use coconut oil on my entire body, including my hair and scalp.

The ponytail holders that I use don’t damage the ends when you pull them off. You need to be extra gentle on the fragile ends.

Every morning and evening, I brush my hair to pull its natural oils to the ends.