Hair Glaze for Your Grays! And a Little Holiday Organizational Tip Too.

So you remember yesterday, when I was talking about "just starting"? It was my motivational tip of the week, a tool to begin accomplishing your goals and getting things done!

One personal  example that I used was  FINALLY picking up the phone and calling my beautiful, wonderful, super supportive hair stylist Lydia, and going in for a "glaze."  A glaze for those of you who are not in the know, is a transparent layer of color that's applied to the hair. It's super conditioning, helping to soften and smooth. In my case, Lydia adds in just a touch of lavender to take away any yellow tones throughout my white. Did you know that daily pollution in our environment and hair products, no matter how much we scrub and wash, can eventually turn white and light blond hair a brassy yellow tone? What's so awesome about these glazes is that you leave the salon with a whole new soft head of sparkling white hair! Also, it lasts 3-4 months, which is MUCH nicer than the measly 3-5 weeks I would go between root touch ups....when I was dying my hair.

The only issue that I have with glazes is that they depart from my "no chemicals!" rule.  I believe in most things in moderation, and since I've been so careful in using the most organic and natural shampoos, conditioners and products that I can find, I think an occasional glaze is just fine. Just a bit of reasoning on the whole no chemicals rule- I try not to get TOO crazy and worried about daily chemical usage, but I do. I just think it's best to avoid them where I can. Also though, gray hair can very dry and coarse. I've found that my more natural hair products like the super moisturizing Shea Moisture's Restorative Conditioner with raw shea butter, sea kelp and argan oil have helped a lot!

Here is a LINK to an earlier post on my favorite gray-hair  products! Hope it is helpful! :)

So after months of wanting to go in to see Lydia for a glaze, but being oddly complacent, I finally called to make an appointment! I am soooooooooooo incredibly glad that I did. WHY DID I WAIT!? My hair looks great!

Wow! This is the FIRST time I have ever said that! The first time that I felt confident enough about my hair to say that it looks great! I know that "great" is subjective , but it's how I feel.  I PROMISE you my gray-haired friends, once you get through the grow-out phase and your hair is less of a shock to you, you'll feel happy and triumphant! HOORAY!

If you live in the area, please go see Lydia at The New You Salon. I couldn't recommend Lydia or the salon more. Lydia is sweet and engaging and knows her stuff. Most of all though, Lydia was one of my very first and biggest gray-hair supporters!  At the very beginning, when I was sporting that weird looking "skunk stripe," while many people asked me if I REALLY wanted to do this..... Lydia was cheering me on! She said that embracing the real you is awesome! She gave me encouragement, and never tried to push me to dye. Yay! Thank you Lydia, I could not have done this without YOU!!!! :)
Also though, you'll have so much fun and great conversations!

So here's how it went down.....

Here is a "BEFORE" picture of me, un-touched, no edits this morning. It's not the easiest to see because I'm using my cell phone and the morning lighting isn't so great, but I've arrowed to the areas with yellowing. You can also tell that my hair is a little coarse.

Some of the darker areas are just my dark brown hair. Especially the ends are a mixture of brown and white. Someday I'll cut that part off, but after having such short hair, I really want to grown my hair longer first.

And here is the "AFTER!"  OK, so you just have to believe me on this one guys. I KNOW that my hair actually looks MORE yellow in the after, but IT'S JUST THE LIGHTING! I stood in the same position when I got home, used the same light, but the sun is much higher and warmer now, giving a golden light. I didn't want to edit these pictures, so that I can give you a realistic view.

While you can't see the whitening effect, please believe me when I tell you that my whites are much more bright and shiny and sparkling and soft now! I wish you could come over and feel my hair, it's so smooth!

You just have to believe me on this one people. Trust me. 

Onward! I can't quite remember if I started a post or actually published a post on the upcoming few months, and all of the birthday, Chanukah and Christmas gifts that I need to purchase or make. In all honesty, it's completely overwhelming. Noah, Jon and my nephew have November birthdays. Then, Chanukah begins, followed by Christmas. I have multiple step-families, I have four nieces and two nephews, and because I'm married, we have two families. Between Jon and I we have one Grandparent, six parents, six siblings and their spouses, plus their children, our nieces and nephews. We also have two special teachers that we love and enjoy making gifts for. The eight days of Chanukah thing is what usually gets me. That and having Jon and Noah's birthdays right before Chanukah. I stress.

Anyway, this year I plan to use two awesome "tools" to help with my holiday prep. I'm hoping to get everything done early, so I can just sit back and enjoy the holidays! WOW!!!! I love just thinking about it! Hooray, the holidays are SO beautiful!!!! :)

The first thing that I would like to mention, that I probably posted before, is my "HOMEMADE GIFT IDEAS" board on Pinterest. I've been pinning and curating this board for a long time. It includes gift ideas for everyone on your list. Please take a look if you're so inclined!

Also, I have a "GIFT WRAP IDEAS" board that you might enjoy too. Aren't people so creative? I love them all!

The second tool is this Handmade Holiday Organizer that I found on Giver's Log.

Starting on September 29th, which is this Sunday, through December 21st, the organizer breaks everything down into twelve weeks worth of SHOPPING, MAKING, DOING and CELEBRATING!
Kind of cool, huh!? Just a nice way to keep you ahead and on track.

I'm a little stressy because Chanukah begins early this year on November 27th! The night before Thanksgiving! We usually host Thanksgiving, but we might keep it low-key this year.
And so, there are your two tools. enjoy!

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Yesterday I went on my evening walk. It's getting darker and darker, earlier and earlier! :(
Soon I don't know if I will be able to go. :(

I don't think it's dangerous to walk in the dark around here,  but with my headphones on, maybe it's not the best idea. I'll have to try to walk earlier, or maybe I should invent a hat with a disco ball on top. That would love AWESOME! Then I could light my way and everyone would also stay away! LOL.

I saw these boys skateboarding off into the sunset. I just like the photo and wanted to share.....

xoxoxox,
Lauren