What is WRONG with me?????????

I am losing it. Cannnot make up my mind over this hair debacle.

So i tried something different with my hair last night. I think it's actually kind of cute. Not that i'd want a "messy" look everyday, but now i don't know WHAT to ask for at my re-cut tomorrow.

What do you think? (Excuse my no make-up. I took a late shower and wasn't about to put on my face to go to bed a few hours later...)

4 hair appointments later...

Weeelllll, On my trip to run errands before going to see Downtown Laura Brown, i stopped into a few other salons along the way. It really irks me when i feel like a stylist will say whatever to get you to let them do your hair, even though you're already a pitiful mess over your bad cut. And this is a short cut peeps. There isn't anymore room for mistake!

So i finally get over to Salon Valin and it's in a run-down strip mall. SOB! The parking lot is all busted up and the parking spots are too close together. The place looks like crap. When i got inside it did get better. Then i met Downtown, and she is not what i pictured. Maybe mid to late 30's, brownish-red hair underneath, barbie blonde on top, in a long, slightly a-line bob. She is really tan and wears a lot of makeup. (Not that that's bad... i've been known to wear a bit myself! heh.) She's a fast talker with a raspy voice and seems slightly put off by Caleb being there. (Until he charms her with his cuteness of course!) I'd never bring my kid to an actual appt, but this was just a consult and i had no choice. Overall she was friendly, and she listened to me whine.

i told her i feel ugly everyday. and bad hair makes your make-up look wrong, your clothes look wrong, and the world feel wrong. She agrees with me. (Can i get an amen ladies?) After examining my hair and lots of talking we made an appt. for Friday, but i got uneasy 'cause she seemed super determined to achieve the Kristin Cavallari bob that i was after originally. I don't want that anymore. I even told her that. Lets just fix the current mess.

So - as if it was meant to be, the stars aligned, fate intervened - there was road work going on that forced me to take a detour and it led me right past - MY salon. (It's actually called "Salon Salon". No joke.) So i take the sign from God and pull in. Ahhhh, like putting on your fave pair of comfy jeans, i slip into the gorgeous salon, with dimmed light sculptures and the BEST products lining the mod glass shelves... the faint sound of blow dryers and the hum of gossiping clients spilling it to their trusted hairdressers. People are happily congregated around the beverage bar chatting it up while sipping iced tea, the ladies at the front desk poise their fingers over their keyboards and ask me if i am there to check in. Suddenly, I felt dirty. Like i'd been out cheating in a seedy motel and had just arrived home to my faithful family greeting me with sincere smiles.

Lucky for me, they were able to squeeze me in between appointments on Friday, so i'ma give it one more shot before i decide to go elsewhere. I don't really wanna break up. I just hope we can get something cute going on atop my head before i officially hit 29+1.

Now to call and cancel with Downtown...

Downtown

Today has been another day of trying to make my wretched hair do something and me just hating it and almost breaking the mirror with my flat iron.

So i called a salon in town to see about coming in to talk about fixing it. The ad said INNOVATIVE CUTS. Yep. That's what i need. I tell her i need someone good with short cuts and with repairing BAD cuts.

The girl says "Can you come in today? Around 1:45, to see... downtown?"

I think to myself, ohhh it's downtown. Can i get back in time to get the boys picked up... "Okay. That should work. Who will i be seeing?"

"Downtown."

"Oh i know it's downtown, but who should i ask for when i come in?"

She laughs "You'll be seeing Downtown. 'Downtown Laura Brown'. She's the owner."

O. M. G. I just hope someone who has the cajones to call themselves "Downtown Laura Brown" is a REALLY good hairstylist.

Dumpin' meh BumpIts

I've had a few people ask me about the bumpits. Sorry i didn't review them. I felt like in order to give a decent review, i should use them, take pics, explain the process, etc. Problem is that i can't get the dang things to work very well at all. So everytime i set out to take some pics of them in action, it winds up being a bad hair day.

I received my bumpits about 2-3 weeks after ordering them. I was starting to believe it would be the entire 6-8 weeks they say in every infomercial. I was TICKED that i paid $7.95 S&H to get my "free" hollywood bumpit, and then ALL THE BUMPITS CAME IN ONE BOX! Total i received 2 regular ones, 2 tiny ones, and one gigantic one. I had paid $5 extra to get the ones that have this rubber gripper lining stuff. It was supposed to make them hold in my hair better.

Now, i have a lot of hair so i never thought concealing the device would be a problem. And as far as actually seeing it thru my hair - no problem there. But the "bump" it creates is very precise, and very noticable in my opinion. Because it is making one narrow section of hair stand up quite high, the hair around it can't compete, and you can "see" that the bumpit is there in my bouffant.

I've played around with them a few times with very little success. I have yet to wear one out of the house. Heck, i've not even worn one out of my bathroom! Maybe i just have a weird head. Or weird hair. i dunno. I'll say this much, it wasn't worth the $50 i paid.

So if you want to give them a try, don't order them like i did. Instead visit Sally Beauty Supply who now carries them. I've also heard that Walgreens has them. Better yet, write to me and ask for mine! LOL!

If you DON'T want to try them, but want the look, get inspired by Pursebuzz's method that uses no devices and very little teasing.

I think we're gonna break up.

I've been unhappy for a little while now. And recently it's gotten really bad. I can't stop thinking about it. Every morning it's consuming my mind while i get ready...

I need a new hairdresser.

When i first went to her, it was because i was referred by someone with hair like mine, (Thick, but fine, with natural curl.) with a style i wanted to get (a bob). I went from hair that was 30 feet long to the a-line bob that was so popular. I was happy. WE were happy. Oh how we gossiped. and laughed. and stared together at my new 'do. *sigh* we were so perfect together.

The last time i had the a-line trimmed up, i noticed right away something was wrong, and had to go back in and have it fixed. Then when i decided to grow out my hair, she cut it kind of wonky. There was a weird layer that just seemed entirely out of place. Due to major scheduling issues that she and I have, i wore that cut forever, and it was always in a pony tail.

This time i went in and showed her this pic of Kristin Cavallari, explained that i wanted a cool brown base with LOADS of blonde highlights, and she went to work. When she turned me around in the chair i almost cried. I had a massive bubble of hair around my face. and not the color i wanted. I kindly pointed out the things that didn't seem right to me cut-wise and she fixed it. She also smashed down the big bubble so it didn't look so poofy and it seemed better.

This was the end result that day:

I consider myself pretty decent at styling my own hair, but since the cut i've styled my own hair 3 times and something is just all wrong.

It seems like it's rounder at the top, and then goes down into a flip. It kind of reminds me of the old "Rachel" cut. ugh.

i'm so sad. i wanted to look hawt and i feel fugly. now i have the daunting task of trying to find someone new in time for my b-day party next month. & even though it's the best salon in town, i won't go to someone else where she works.

Bump up the jam! BUMPIT Up BUMPIT Up!

I just ordered my Bumpits from Big Happie Hair! WOOT! This could potentially make pony's & half up/half down do's SO much easier. I am so excited and the 4-6 week wait will surely be unbearable.

If you haven't seen the commercials yet - check them out and as soon as I've got mine, I'll let you know if they really do "bump it" or not. :P

YouTube Viewer Question

This question was asked in response to my round brush blow drying video:

Q: "May i ask what dryer you have? the one i have is too heavy =( "


A: You know, mine is actually a cheapo that i've had for ages. I believe it's Vidal Sassoon or some such Target brand. I'm really ready to invest in a good quality (read: expensive, lol!) ION dryer. A lot of the reason we can't get our hair to look like "salon" hair is because of the tools we use. I used to buy cheap flat iron's and would have to replace them several times per year. Really wasn't so inexpensive when you look at it that way. Plus, they never got my hair shiny or smooth. So i finally broke down and paid about $130 for a good one, and it's been doing its job very well for 4 years now. (Knock on wood!) I would recommend going someplace like ULTA or a beauty supply store where you can try out a few before you buy. And if you have a good hairdresser, ask him or her what they recommend. (and when i finally acquire a new one, I'll let you know what i end up choosing.) GL!

Quick and Easy "Up-Do" for short hair!

If you have short hair, like a bob or an angled bob, this is a very quick and easy way to change up your look. Putting hair "up" even though it's too short for a typical up-do. My hair has some natural curl to it, but you can fake curls with an iron or hot rollers, or just do the style with straight hair!

Tutorials, Travel, and Turning Twenty-nine.

I have a hair tutorial video uploading to YouTube as i type. I am trying a new format that provides better picture quality, so we'll see how that goes. Anyhoo, as soon as it's ready, i'll post it here. Just something new and different that i tried out on my hair the other day and really liked.

I'm getting ready to go out of town in a few days, so I've been crazy busy making lists, sorting clothes, doing laundry, cleaning every inch of the house, making little post-it notes to leave all over for my MIL who'll be feeding the cat while we're gone, and all kinds of other obsessive/compulsive type things that make up my "prepping-for-a-trip" routine. So i don't have much planned in the way of posts (other than the hair video) until we get there. Then i'm sure I'll have shopping spree videos to share. hee hee.

Tomorrow, I turn 29, for real, for the very first time. I have been looking forward to my 30's for a few years now, so tomorrow is going to be an exciting reminder that the 20's are on their way out. lol. i don't care how old i live to be, i'm rockin' the wild eyeshadow for as long as i can see straight to put it on. :)

Another very cool thing... Friday's date is 08-08-08, and it's my 8th wedding anniversary! i hope i get 8 presents. just in keeping with the theme and all...

ttyl! xoxo

My Fave Things

These are a few of my favorite things...

1. Smith's Mentholated Salve by Rosebud Perfume Co.
Awesome stuff. The only cure for chapped lips. Also good for bug bites, irritated skin or dry nose when you have a cold. I even used it on my tattoo while it healed. Comes in a tin that is about 2 in. across and a little under an inch deep - one tin lasts a long LONG time.


2. Clean and Clear Sensitive Skin Facial Cleanser
I used Clinique 3-step for most of my life, but i felt like my skin became immune to it or something. After trying products of all kinds, i found that i really like Clean & Clear. It doesn't burn my eyes out or taste like I've swallowed anthrax if i accidentally get some in my mouth. I use it every day and one bottle at about $3 lasts for months!


3. Clean and Clear Daily Pore Toner
See above. This stuff is also awesome and doesn't burn like some astringents. I love it!

4. Q-tips.
Do i need to explain why? Accept no imitations. I hate generic Q-Tips. Can't live, if livin' is without Q-Tips.

5. (Anything by) Soap & Glory
Very distinct scent that isn't too soapy and isn't floral/sweet. I just love their Righteous Butter. Their Body Scrub is the perfect thing to use to exfoliate before putting on your sunless tanning products..

6. Bare Minerals Foundation
The key ingredient to a flawless yet natural looking face. You don't need all that heavy liquid stuff and cakey powder. Seriously. And best of all it's the fastest of all my beauty routines. Getting my face on in under 5 minutes means more time to play with my eye makeup!

7. Loreal Telescopic Mascara
I've used so many mascaras and i love this one best. (plus, i'm not spending over $10 for mascara when i go thru it so fast!) the brush takes some getting used to but it's the best stuff.

8. My Shower Cap
Okay I don't have a link for this because a shower cap is a personal choice that i just can't begin to make for you. lol. I used to use one that i had from a hotel stay and it actually lasted me a very long time, cheap as it was... During the great NYX/Big Lots event a few months ago, I picked up two caps for $0.80 each and they are super cute. Very girly and not old-lady-ish. I am an every other or every 3 days shampoo-er so I can't live without my cap.

9. Manicure Buffing Block
Besides cuticle removal (and well, painting them like you AREN'T drunk) using a good buffing block is the best way to get a good salon finish for your nails when you manicure at home. I especially like how now they have the order of things numbered right on the block itself. Buffing smoothing and shining your nails is literally as easy as 1-2-3.

10. The RockSTARR FAM
once upon a time, before I was a ROCKSTARRMOM, i was just plain old Cara Starr. Sometimes i miss how easy Cara had it back in the diz-ay, but i always wonder if i could be anywhere near as fulfilled without my little fam. So, here they are, my sexy hubby and my rockstarr kids. Make up and beauty stuff is to stay attractive for one, and in spite of the others. It's my "me-time" stuff. :)

My Hunny.

Caleb

<--- Riley & Tyler --->

*Update* Herbal Essence Free Mani/Pedi

I picked up two specially marked bottles of Herbal Essence products (Color Me Happy Shampoo & Conditioner) and went to the H.E. website to get the skinny on the deal. I had to go to another page, tlc-rewards.com, and enter the UPC codes off of both bottles. When i did so, it first came back telling me that both numbers were not eligible for the offer. I sat here scratching my color treated head for a moment, because there is a big HUGE advertisement on the front of both bottles. As it turns out, they are only interested in the main and bigger printed number, directly below the bar code. Not so much the 2 smaller corner numbers that flank the main one.
Anyhoo, once it accepted both UPC's, it instructed me to download and print a pdf redemption form. As it turns out, you need to mail this form in along with your ORIGINAL receipt. No copies accepted. So, if you are purchasing, say a new plasma, and your shampoo & conditioner all in one trip, your best bet is to make them separate purchases. Luckily, my receipt is a mish-mosh of baby formula, mascara and Windex. I'm not having anxiety about giving up the original.


Now I'll take a moment to be a bit of a Debbie-downer. TLC Rewards is a "concierge" service for other companies wishing to run these types of promotions. When I was in the hospital after having Caleb, (my just-turned-one year old. *sniff*) I received a gift diaper bag from Similac, full of samples and coupons. Along with all the loot, was a voucher from Similac, for a promotion run thru this TLC company, and it was meant to treat me to some pampering. The rewards varied from haircut to massage. I chose a massage, OF COURSE, and called the 800 number to set it all up. They said they would call me with a list of participating salons. Weeks went by. I called back. I got a pre-recorded message saying that TLC was very busy and re-organizing their system and to try back 2 MONTHS LATER! As I'm sure they'd anticipated, i got too busy with my newborn, and then eventually lost the voucher. boo hoo. So i'm hoping to have a better experience this time, but I thought I'd pass on the dirt I have on this fantastic concierge service. < / sarcasm>

FREE Mani or Pedi!

Even though I am very devoted to Pureology shampoo and conditioner for my color treated hair, my "back-up" shampoo is Herbal Essence! (The one in the pink bottle.) It smells so good, and never hurts my demi-permanent hair color. Well, Herbal Essence is running a promotion where if you purchase specially marked bottles of their product, you can redeem a voucher good for a free manicure or pedicure! Go HERE for all the info!

Hair Teasing Tutorial

A how-to on backcombing your hair to get it nice and poofy. :)

The products i use are Pantene Touchable Aerosol Hairspray, (i recommend an aerosol for sure, and i like the Pantene cause it's like $3, smells really good, and isn't to sticky/has a flexible hold.) a rattail comb, and a shine spray by Samy. (I will not get the samy gloss stuff again. It's stinky. Next I'll try the one by Garnier.)

The little hair clip i used is a Goody, and you can get 2 on a card for a few dollars at Target.

How to blow dry your hair with a round brush.

(RockSTARRMom's first video tutorial!!!!)

Can you count how many times i say the word "volume"? LOL! Listen for Caleb in the background!

Coming Soon

DIY French Mani Pedi Tutorial

How to Tease/Backcomb Your Hair

How to apply sunless tanner

Blow drying with a round brush

Bare Escentuals Review