my Dye-ing story

There’s something I’ve been dye-ing to tell you…

I’m not a natural red-head. I’m like…The Doctor. “Still not ginger.”

Okay, let’s start with a few facts about my hair…I am a natural blond, my hair is pretty fine but I have a lot of it, I have a bald spot about the size of a dime on my right side about 2-3 inches above my ear, ever since I can remember my hair has been a bother to style, to maintain, and in general keep clean. (That sounds gross…but whatever.) Anyways, growing up my hair was always fairly long, Barbie blonde, and straight as a board.

Just before my first semester at university I decided I was gonna dye my hair. I always wanted to…so why not? And so began my color craze. I was told many times that I looked like Zooey Deschanel in Elf. (You know…when she had blond hair) So I figured that if she also looked good with dark hair I could pass of the look too. I got a box dye from the grocery store and my best friend from high school dyed my hair. The chemically smell actually made me very sick. Being the first time I had dyed my hair…I didn’t think much of it, but the smell still leaves my stomach in nasty turny knots. (I promise there’s a reason I told you that.)

Anyways, since then my hair has been highlighted to soften the transition back to natural blond (due to the fact that keeping up a good dye job is expensive for a broke college student), temp dyed blue for a Halloween costume of Coraline (that was awesome) pixie cut to get rid of the nasty black-brown box dye ends for good, grown out to have happy healthy hair, and dyed deep red by my hairstylist. I really wanted a more bright orange “natural ginger” looking red…but apparently that is nearly impossible to recreate. *Curse you natural gingers and your hair!*

Through this time period, I did a little research because my boyfriend, I found out, was actually allergic to most preservatives, sulfates, and perfumes in most generic soaps. He had homemade his own soaps, shampoos, and body washes since his mid-teen years. I found out what kind of things are put into most shampoos etc. and haven’t used those since. (at least not if I could help it) This was when I discovered…*<Lush>* not just the concept and the online store…but there was one on 6^th Street in Austin. I was so excited. (Stores like Bath and Body Works and the perfume area of Victoria Secret always hit me with a mass headache and in the end…frequenting these shops were never worth the pain in the end.) Not Lush…oh my goodness…if I’m ever downtown I’ll stop into the store just to escape the heat and smell ALL THE THINGS! Not only did the store smell HEAVENLY, but they had a more natural option for dye! About 25$ for a brick which with hair at that length lasted about 3 rounds. I sampled a few things, got a few “treatments” which were fun, and bought a couple small things that I liked. Once it was confirmed that I trusted the brand I was confident in buying the dye. (Story about THAT adventure later I think) However, in the end my hair was the EXACT shade I had been looking for, tons cheaper, and when I went back to my stylist for a simple trim she LOVED the color. It was better for my hair, for my budget, and was the right color. I’d say *that’s* a win.

So there you go…there’s my dying story. 

The Pixie Did it!

<STORY TIME> Okay, so I was in fifth grade and in my first big musical. Backstage many moms and dads were helping the little actors do a bit of makeup as well as hair for the show. The director asked if we could curl my hair…it took 2 parents, 3 cans of hairspray, a curling iron that I swear was about 4500 degrees, and all my strength to keep my nerves down enough to keep still, JUST to get my hair finished. I loved it, it was pretty and curly all around…I felt like a star on Broadway. Next thing I know it’s Positions and the curtain went up for everyone’s opening song. I went out, sang my little heart out, came back when my scene was done so I could get water…my hair looked as if you had just ran a flat iron through it. 

The most I could ever do to my own hair was put it in a ponytail. I’ve tried styling tools and products nothing helps. I figured as I grew, got to know my hair a bit better…I could practice more and I could do some cool things to my hair, even if it’s just a relaxed curl. Nope. On top of that, it destroyed my hair. Heat damage like no other, split ends, my scalp has ALWAYS been dry and itchy BUT at the same time can get oily and make my hair look stringy and gross. There really was never a good middle ground for me and my hair. 

So…I began dying my hair. The extensive story can be found here if you’re interested. Short version? After lots of different colors and brands of dyes I finally found one I love that is red.

I now had long red hair that was the color I wanted and could test out all the different styles I had been seeing all over the media. (My favorite was the hair bow.) Unfortunately for me…my hair was layered and didn’t like to work well with any style. It also didn’t like to hold a curl. Yes, I tried all the tricks, the tools, the products, I even changed my diet just a bit for healthier hair…nothing. This all was happening early last summer.

<ANOTHER STORY> So, last July I did a photo shoot with my best friend Rexie. I got all glammed up, and we trekked to Downtown Austin. The location was where there was a HUGE wall filled with graffiti and we hiked all over to get “The shot.” (We are known for this…doing whatever it takes to get “The shot.”) My boyfriend and dog came along to help us out if we needed anything. The heat beat down on me like an outward pulse echoing my heartbeat. It’s Central Texas in the summer. Yes, it’s hot. 

After the shoot was done we walked across the street where there is a cute little pet boutique store so my furball could get some water. Less than five minutes from walking inside, I collapsed and my boy laid me down on the ground while Rexie grabbed the car and some cold water from the corner store across the parking lot. I had collapsed from heat exhaustion. I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt and was confused as to why. My confusion was answered when my boy took one of the cool water bottles and set it on the back of my neck. My hair had been down the entire shoot.

I had a pixie cut previously, and loved it. I grew it out because I didn’t know how to dress with it cut that way and still feel feminine. Guess what…I know how to do it now. It took a little time but I called my hairdresser and scheduled an appointment for a cut. Now…for those of you looking for ANY dramatic haircut/color change these are some tips I suggest you follow…

• Trust your stylist. When I went in, both for the first red coloring and my latest pixie cut, I went to my stylist. I’ve known her for about twenty years now and she knows my hair. She knows what looks good with my face shape and skin tone as well as my personality.
• Bring more than one picture. Everyone has different hair types and yours probably isn’t the exact same as the model or actor in the picture you got online. This allows a little bit of space for your dresser to make the cut fit to what you’re looking for.
• Don’t make a split-second decision. If you want a dramatic change in hair, keep looking at photos for a good month or so. Personally, I’m extremely indecisive and one day I may want a pixie cut that’s bright pink and the next I may want dark hair that goes down to my hips. If what you want remains constant, go ahead and make the appointment.
• Think about how you will look in different settings with this haircut. What kind of makeup/clothes you may need to maintain that confidence the dramatic change will give you initially. My first pixie cut I got when my wardrobe was mostly torn up jeans and t-shirts. I didn’t have the passion for makeup that I do now so that wasn’t there. I looked like a teenage boy, while I was a twenty-something college student going into Advertising and Photography. As well as a *woman.* 
• Consider what kind of maintenance will be required with this hair. If it’s a color, will you need touch ups? Or if it’s a cut, how often will you need a trim? These things you need to consider because they also take money out of your pocket and time out of your schedule. 

Other than that…take the plunge. Show your spunk. Be who you are, and ROCK IT!

I did it.

Okay weirdos, here's what's been taking me SO long with EVERYTHING.

When I first began my blog/youtube channel I wanted everything that I didn't have. I felt like I needed it. Nice lights, a better camera, ALL the expensive makeup that I saw everyone use, AND brushes...lots of brushes. So, for the past...year or so I've been saving and collecting. I don't have EVERYTHING I initially wanted...but I do have a good handful of things and I just ordered a new camera with a flip screen and HD video capabilities.

Since beginning, I also got a job that I'm finally comfortable in AND will be starting school in about a month. (Super nervous...super crazy.) I will be attending a local cosmetology school to get my estheticians license. Because of an insane schedule, but also an odd determination...I will be posting a new blog every Sunday and a video (once the camera comes in) every Saturday.

I've watched SO many videos on YouTube saying that you don't NEED expensive lights or a super nice camera or any of those things...you start with what you have. However, before stumbling upon the YouTube beauty community, I was in college majoring in Photography. A good camera was something I felt was very necessary. Now, lights...I still don't have...makeup...eh, it's accumulated from gifts and some visits to Sephora when I just got a bit carried away....

I already have a couple posts ready...ish to go up here. (If I can get the photos on it right.) AND I have a few video ideas ready to film. Keep your eyes out for something super.

Til next time weirdos, stay super.

Plans...

I've begun my plans...plans are good, right? Well, yes and no. I have this problem where I plan...but nothing ever seems to be ready to do. AHHH!!! I want to do one video every week this summer. (We'll see how well THAT works out.) BUT I have the plan...kind of. I'm not sure what to do for blogs though...I have a ton of YouTube plans...BUT NO PLANS FOR BLOGS! O.O oh no!

I think I'm going to prep for filming...be ready interwebs!!!

Embrace Your Weirdness

Growing up, I was never really in a group. I had a few friends and that was pretty much it. I never cared  how I dressed or if my hair was up or down or perfect. I did things because I liked it and wanted to and didn't care if others thought I was weird, because I had fun. I have continued this throughout my life. Sure my aspects changed as I grew. But I didn't change because of others, I changed because of me. It's what I wanted. It's what I was interested in. It's what was part of me.

Now, at 22, I am still figuring out what I want to do when I grow up. It's okay, I'm still happy. I'm doing what I want for my own personal reasons and goals. What I didn't know was the effect I have had on those around me.
My hairdresser's daughter is out in her first year at college. (We grew up together, her daughter and I. We weren't the closest, but we're still friends.) While getting his hair cut, our hairdresser told my dad stories about her baby girl's first year in college. Mingled in with stories of tests and new friends, she told my dad the following story.

"So, Danielle is at school and she's in the middle of the courtyard walking towards her class. She's nervous about who she may meet, how she thinks she should act, what the work is all going to be like. When she thought to herself, and this is exactly what she told me, "I thought to myself, I'm going to be me. I'm going to be like Lyssa and embrace my weirdness."

I, honestly, had never felt so complimented.

Now, I do care how I look...but the only opinion that really matters is mine. I love retro clothing and makeup styles. I feel they suit my face and fashion style well and really stay classic. Thus the name of my blog. Red Lips and Cat Flicks. I still enjoy swings, climbing trees, bicycle rides to the park, making up nonsensical words, handmade gifts, singing at the top of my lungs in the shower and the car and while I'm cleaning when no one else is home. I play with makeup. I photograph. I roll around on the floor to play with my fur ball pup, Maximus. I watch Disney movies when I'm sick or sad or, really, whenever I feel like it. Because that's me. That's my weirdness.

So, go out. Be you. Embrace your weirdness.

Me.

Okay everyone, this is me.

Well...technically that was me two years ago. I still look the same...except my hair. (My hair changes a lot...just a thought. I just like this photo.)

A few years ago I went through a span of about 3 months or so where I didn't do anything. I had already graduated high school, I attempted college but that just didn't work out. (Story for another time.) I ended up moving to Baltimore, MD for a few months. Living with my aunt, watching my 2 year old cousin, and only having connection to friends through the interwebs. While with my aunt, I did a lot of things with my hair that my parents wouldn't have approved of. This included dying blue as well as having a much more dramatic cut than I've ever had done.

I chopped it. Yup, pixie. Something I had always wanted to do but couldn't bring myself to. I loved the cut. Easy, cute, and...EASY. My shower time was cut from 15 minutes to about 5. I barely had to do anything to my hair and it still looked fine. However, I didn't feel good about myself...ever. I felt less feminine, and could never bring myself to wear my cute dresses because I didn't think it "worked." Thus the mid-length growth in the photo above.

After moving in with my parents and going through the whole "figuring out who I am...." etc. phase...I figured something out. I like to be pretty, but I LOVE to be comfortable. I needed things to be easy to do, comfortable to live in, AND still feel like the empowered, strong, woman that I am. I don't wear makeup everyday. I don't put a ton of thought into my daily outfits. I don't spend time looking good if I don't feel good. I began looking for blogs, YouTube channels, and just about anywhere I could to find tips and trick for looking feminine and girly...AND being super comfortable. Nothing. Nothing at all.

Not only that...but everything that gurus were talking about...well...let's just say the products were out of my price range. That being said, my dad is definitely accountable for 1/2 my raising. (He relates a lot to Spock.) Since I also have his DNA, I share his logical thinking. I hate spending more money on makeup which I know will run out eventually and has an inexpensive alternative. I'd rather pay much less and have the same look. I don't need the specific brand just because of the brand.

These thoughts all coming together; my YouTube Channel, blog, and passion for weirdness, confidence, comfort, financial awareness, and pretty things were born. I type now to share my thoughts, my findings, and to give others confidence to go out and be the best version of themselves.

I aspire to become a photographer for fashion and advertising. I decided I needed a good kick to actually begin. So, tonight, I sat down at my computer and began typing...

"Okay everyone, this is me..."