Before You Get a Pixie Cut: Pulling It Off

Getting a pixie cut is probably one of the most daring changes you can make with your hair. If you don’t like it, all you can do is put on a hat and wait several months for it to grow back. The other common worry about short hairstyles that is women’s face shape is wrong or their nose is too big or they’d need to lose some weight first.

The only factor that is needed is confidence. Ladies, if you want it, you need to believe you can do it! While trends like Instagram-inspired highlights and pastel strands are having a moment, it’s hard to say whether or not they’ll become certified classics. The pixie, on the other hand, is one of those styles that continues to go strong for decades on end, and will never look passè. Take Audrey Hepburn’s iconic crop above as a testament to its staying power—it was a gorgeous look back then, and we could easily see the exact same cut resonating in 2016.

But if you decided to chop off your hair pixie, you are the right place! Here are some of my go-to pictures that remind me why I chopped off my hair. I bring these up every time I have a “why did I do this?!” moment.

Tag your favorite pixies cuts to #TOGpixie. So until tomorrow loves!

Before You Get a Pixie Cut: Products

I remember the night I came home from cutting off my little bob. I didn’t have the cut I wanted because I made my stylist stop before she had the chance to finish. I let it go for about a week before I went back to have her finish what she stated. I always love how Leah does my hair but this time I had to wash it immediately. My triple processed blondes know that this is a HUGE no no but it was something I needed to do. I had to play with it, mold it, run my fingers through the two inches of hair I had.

I watched a lot of videos before I decided to cut it and practically lived on Pinterest looking at styling options and best products for short hair. There was a lot that I needed to learn… the hard way. I went through a whirlwind of looks, from frilly dresses to ill-advised “high fashion” looks. Not everything I tried worked, but my hairstyle gave me the confidence to try styling my hair with curls or braids. I also started to experiment more with makeup. Now, sensual perfumes and bright lipsticks express my femininity for me on days when I can’t be bothered to change out of boyfriend jeans or run a brush through my bedhead.

Speaking of bedhead, I will now impart one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from having a pixie cut: Learn to embrace messy hair. Bad hair days will happen. If you’re thinking about getting a pixie cut to streamline your morning routine, think again. Pixie cuts are not as low-maintenance as people seem to think. Some mornings, I wake up with bedhead that defies gravity. There’s no throwing it up in a ponytail or top-knot, and most workplaces discourage wearing giant hats or beanies.

 

1.Sexy Hair Play Dirty Dry Wax Spray

The best wax I have found so far. I have very thin hair so products have never even been on my mind but a wax for a pixie is a must! It adds the right amount of grit to freshly washed hair and gives you that piecey texture that our favorite celeb pixies are rocking.

To Use: Your spray is in one hand and your blow-dryer in another. Put it on high heat and begin spraying. YOU DON’T NEED A LOT OF THIS PRODUCT. Once you have the right amount set the spray down put your dryer on cool to set the product. Then adjust to your liking. This product will get you looking like Twiggy all the way to David Bowie.

2.Kenra Professional Platinum Working Wax 15

This was my first product I bought for my haircut. The cream based serum allows you to mold and fix all day. I can add a little sass to my hair by fluffing it up on the way to a happy hour after work because of its all day hold.

To Use: Put a small dollop of it on the tips of your fingers. Make a clapping motion that will allow the serum to pull thin strands so it doesn’t fall heavy on your hair. Use the remainder to add additional texture to the top and back of your hair. Avoid the sides because they’re always the first to get that “shine” we all hate.

3.Pureology Colour Stylist Supreme Control Hairspray

I love the hold of this spray and the smell. I really hate how a majority of hairsprays either smell like Aqua Net or some weird combo of fruit. This is a product my salon uses so I can get that salon feel at home. Plus this doesn’t make my hair look like spun sugar once I’m done so that’s a plus.

To Use: Use as the final step of your “getting ready” process. Hold it pretty far away from your head because you don’t want to have the Wash and Set look your gram would rock.

4. Spoil Me by Bed Head

Since I cut my hair I don’t have to wash it every day. Actually I go three to four days. Well on day three your hair needs something to put it back into shape. It gets a little frizzy so Spoil Me acts as an instant defrizzer and restyler, while preventing static.

To Use: This is the step before you style your hair. So once I calm down my bedhead, I spray this on. A little goes a long way but make sure you cover all of your head. I especially like how it helps mold the back.

5.Small Talk by Bead Head

I usually use this on the day I wash my hair. You can do so much more on days two and three because your hair isn’t so soft and limp, but Small Talk helps with this. It adds just a little more texture then your would normally have on the first day you wash your hair.

To Use: After I towel dry my hair and put in my protectant on I work a small amount of Small Talk into my hair. A little goes a long way, putting in too much of this product, will mean you have to rewash your hair and no one has time for that.

6.Beauty Protector Protect & Oil

This is literally the best product of all time. I am obsessed with the way my hair smells when I use it, it’s like a hint of cotton candy. That being said, it does a great job of hydrating my hair without making it look weighed down. It 100% is the reason I have shortened my time between washes, because it add such little grease, as any oil usually does.

To Use: I use it on damp hair before I blow it out and I’m impressed with the smooth look and baby soft feel. I only use one pump so I don’t add unnecessary grease to my hair.

7.Batiste Dry Shampoo

I have been through (what feels like) every dry shampoo. Some I find are so drying while others leave a filmy residue on my hair. Batiste is a quick and convenient way to get soft, clean and fresh smelling hair, without washing.

To Use: Blow dry your hair -if you had to wet it because you woke up looking like Animal for the Muppets- and spray on the parts of your hair that are just a little too shiny for your liking. Do not touch it. Let the product sit in you hair. Usually at this time I put my makeup on or pick our an outfit while the product does its magic, then brush through. The less you touch it the better.

Keep in mind I don’t use all seven products every day, my hair would feel like maple syrup! But they all hold a place in my arsenal of beautification tools. There are some days I don’t put anything it my hair at all because I just don’t want to. So see what works for you and your hair.

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think? Do you have any that you would recommend? Comment below! I’d love to hear!

Before You Get a Pixie Cut: Reaction

So you’re thinking of chopping off all your hair- whether you’re going from a bob or to the top of your butt, it’s a huge change. There is nothing to hide behind, bedhead is a real struggle and say goodbye to the ponytail. This series is all you need to know about the pixie cut! Just remember if you do it, you’ll love it!

Perhaps it would be better to start from the very beginning. Somewhere about 5 years ago I began to admire short hair, I always thought that short hair look incredibly sexy and touching on the girls who confidently rocked those short locks. The beautiful lines of the cheekbones become more visible, eyes and lips become more expressive, the neck turns into something extraordinary, like a swan neck, and the collarbone became the most elegant accessory you could wear.

The results wowed me, and everyone else. The pixie cut was a massive success. As I looked in the mirror, I felt like the final puzzle piece had snapped into place. Yes. This – this was right. But what I first thought was simply a “good style” began to morph into something a lot bigger than losing a few inches of hair. But that wasn’t the initial case for me. It was a huge shock but I came into my new do pretty quickly. No one one can change my mind about my cut but in the beginning I’ll never forget having a “friend” say how she couldn’t believe I would do such a thing. I wish she had the gall to say that now.

In the beginning you’re going to be a bit vulnerable (and if not girl you are an incredible human). You cut off all your hair and all of these ridiculous thoughts run through your head. You no longer fit in with feminine societal norms you’ve been bound to for years. You hear some horrible things from people who you would never expect them from. I didn’t ask your opinion so I really don’t want to hear it, but get ready because you will.

“Well why did you cut it?”

Be ready for this question to be asked over and over but you never have to defend yourself. You made this bold move, stand by it.

“I just don’t like women with short hair.”

Oh honey, I do and that’s all that matters.

“Where did all your hair go?”

I’m assuming a garbage can somewhere after it was swept up off the floor of the salon.

“Well it’ll always grow back.”

God I hope not this platinum is expensive. Plus this should only be said to mothers whose children just took their play scissors to their bangs.

“Interesting choice.”

So is your tackey choice in sweaters but who am I to judge.

“Have any girls hit on you yet?”

No arbitrary fashion statement says anything about my sexuality, not even my hair. Don’t be ignorant.

There are just some things you need to prepare yourself for. Reactions from people and comments that aren’t needed. Sure, it’s just hair, but in the same way people lost their minds when Jennifer Lawrence chopped hers off, someone is always going to want to say something about any choice you make that they wouldn’t make themselves.

Fear not my friends because you will realize (and it will take time) that you did this for you. When I had long hair, I would wear my hair one of only three ways, straight, top-knot or braided into a low bun. I never tried anything new. Something was holding me back, I was scared or maybe it was that I wanted to blend in. Once I cut it all off something inside me changed. My style and confidence was challenged and allowed me to try new things! Mind blowing concept I know but I couldn’t stop experimenting. From products to styles, I wanted the most out of this hair cut. I curled it, teased it, fluffed it. Anytime I wanted to try a style I just did it. I made no excuses because I loved the cut. I still can’t get enough. It really brought out the real me. Stupid I know but I can’t explain it any other way.

In making the cut, I realized the thing that allows women to pull off pixies, is an energy — a combination of style and confidence. Neither can be bought or borrowed but they can be unlocked. In cutting my hair, I unearthed a self-assurance I hadn’t yet fully realized.

I feel free, beautiful and, yes, feminine. In short — pun intended, maybe — my hair indicates one thing and one thing alone: I love it that way, and I don’t give a damn what you think. So if you’re on the fence, DO IT! You won’t regret it!

 

Work Wear: Tips and Tricks

My casual clothes and work wear never seem to mingle. You hear the word work-wear and you think dull, school uniform-esque outfits that you wear whilst you endure a boring day at the office, but your work wardrobe doesn’t have to be boring. Play with patterns, materials and sioulettes. “Appropriate” is no longer a matching blazer and pencil skirt, we work too hard to wear boring clothes.

But fashionistas beware!

If you’re new to the working world, I should warn you: Beware of the fashion police otherwise known as “Human Resources” and your fellow co-workers. Committing an at-work fashion faux pas is a legitimate offense. Just because you didn’t get the pink slip for your crime (crime = teal tube top) doesn’t mean you’re getting away with it (it = teal tub top)… Wearing the wrong threads has the potential to distort your image as a valued employee and may even prevent you from getting ahead. If Wendy Worker sports tight skirts, sheer blouses and routinely puts her “girls” on display at work, her co-workers may have a difficult time taking her (and her wacko wardrobe) seriously. Therefore, as with all occasions, dress for success–and mean it, especially when you’re on the clock!

Here are some ways to sport your style while making sure your clothes aren’t outshining your capabilities.

Add a Pop of Color

Classic shades such as black, white and beige are traditionally timeless, but too much of these ‘shape’ colors can make you look bland. Be a fashionista by adding ‘pops’ of color into your wardrobe. For example, fitting a pink blazer with a white top and striped skirt can make you a fashion darling in the office.

Take a Risk

You might be on the safe side of fashion – wearing pencil skirts and button-down dresses to work. Although these offer a refined look, they can be boring in the long run. This coming new year, swear to take a fashion risk! Trade your pencil skirts for full skirts. Wear dresses instead of the usual pantsuits. Change up your silhouettes! In the end, you will earn some fashion commendation from your colleagues.

Incorporate All of Your Clothes

You have loads of pieces in your closet for casual day-outs. But do you know that you can wear them to work as well? The key to making these pieces work is making sure you have some “dressier” clothes on. From the midi skirt to crop top, start incorporating for a fun yet professional look.

Make a Statement with Shoes

Girls like us can never have too many shoes. Use this as a reason to buy new statement shoes for work. While nude pumps and black heels are inherently classic, they can dull down your look. Create a refreshed work wardrobe that’s perfect for the new year with vibrant, eye-catching shoes.

Overhaul your Accessories

You know you have been taking your fashion lightly if you have been wearing the same pair of studs, necklace and bracelet to the office. While they might be classically polished, they foster a boring, monotonous style.

Pay Attention to Detail

Paying attention to even the smallest of details will help you achieve a look that’s cohesive and well-put together. Sometimes, all you really need to tie your whole outfit together is one little detail like an accessory, a styling trick or maybe even just your hair and makeup look.

I hope you find these tips helpful! Stay tuned for my upcoming Work Wear blogs where I’ll show you more on my office wear take. Tune in on Friday for another article!

If you’re a working girl (9a to 5p not 9p to 5 a), what’s your work environment like and what’s your go-to office outfit? Comment below!

Work Wear Series: Shoes

Modays. They’re the best of times, they’re the worst of times. Or maybe just the latter. Still, not all is lost on Mondays, cause alongside the blues and the weekend hangovers, we get to play with fashion and take style to work. Yay. 

How many of you really wake up and start singing of joy cause it’s Monday, and use the extra hour before work to try on outfits with a smile on your face, only to finally, in an even more happy state of mind, pick a colorful posh combo to go with your Monday happiness? Yeah. I thought so.

If this is you, then stop here.

If however, every single week, for 4 out of 5 times you find yourself running late, burred in clothes that to a mere mortal would make killer outfits, but to you they’re all crap. It brings out your inner fashion demon, leaving you looking crazed in your underwear staring at piles, and I mean PILES of clothes thinking ”Great! I’ve got nothing to wear”, then I’ve got something to tell you – this series is for you.

Dressing up for work is difficult. Sometimes it feels that you spend more time with coworkers then you do with family and friends. This series is all about taking different ideas and a new look on typical “work wear”. So we start with my favorite: shoes. Oh and they’re all under $50!

Choosing your work shoes is about more than just your personal style — it’s about picking the kicks that send the right message. You are professional, confident, and ready to conquer the world, and your footwear should show it.

 

|| ASOS || Charlotte Russe || ModCloth || ASOS ||
|| Shoe Metro || Forever 21 || DSW || Steven Madden ||
|| Zappos.com || Target || Charlotte Russe || DSW ||
|| Go Jane || Nordstrom || Go Jane || Make Me Chic ||

Stay tuned for more of my favorite ways to spice up your [at times boring] work wear! Until next time loves!

Blogging

For the majority of us bloggers, working full-time in an unrelated field is the norm. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible to turn your blog into a success overnight, so most of us work during the day and spend our nights and weekends blogging.

I have no photography experience, I didn’t go to school for Shakespearean literature or hell, even English. I have no idea what I’m doing but I love doing it! I work a minimum of 40 hours during the week so I constantly need to squeeze in time for my blog before & after work. SO far I have done this for about 2 years – balancing the two I learned a lot along the way. So for today’s Blogging 101, I wanted to share with you a few tips on how to run a blog while working full-time without going completely insane. It’s possible, or at least that’s what i tell myself

Work With Your Schedule

Clearly, your days are taken up by work but if you find ways to easily incorporate photo-shoots into your daily life, you’ll be able to get a lot done. For example, I would often shoot my outfits in the morning on my way to work, just before leaving my house or catching what’s left of daylight on my way home. Nights are meant for editing and writing. Weekends are great too because I can get a lot of writing in and maybe a quick photo-shoot to plan for a rainy day Instagram addition. Sundays are also a great day to work on a few posts you can schedule out ahead of time for the week. Which I try to always have at least three waiting to be posted. Life happens and so do happy hours, so in my downtime I blog

Your Blog is “You Time”

I think when you start looking at your blog as a job, and you already have one, it can be too stressful. Remember why you started blogging and make sure you’re getting what you want out of it. Shift your perspective and look at blogging as some downtime for you. It’s your time to be creative, play with photography, learn more about topics you enjoy writing about, improve your writing, socialize with similar people, and more. Let yourself enjoy those aspects and don’t put so much pressure on yourself.

Don’t Get Frustrated

Speaking of taking off some pressure, make sure you are setting realistic goals for yourself that won’t make you go crazy. Maybe you’d like to post 5 times a week, but if that’s not realistic, then that shouldn’t be your goal. Start with once a week or 2-3 times — whatever you find feasible. Remember, you have a full-time job and it’s okay to post less often than your ideal. I post Monday/ Wednesday/ Friday. That is all my schedule allows.

The same goes for growing your blog. It’s easy to look at others’ Instagram accounts and feel envious of their large readership. DO NOT drive yourself crazy by trying to reach 100k followers when you currently have 2k is just not worth it. I would love to be Pink Peonies or Happily Grey but it’s not going to happen. There are times I wanted to quit when someone makes a jab at my minimal followers or I don’t get the response I’m looking for but that’s not why I started. I started because of the feeling I get when someone I know says hey I saw your blog post about tutus and I ended up buying one! That literally makes my whole month! Love what you do and never forget it.

Living Your Life is Most Important

For me, life will always supersede work. I think it’s important to check in with yourself while trying to balance your blog and your job. Are you happy? Are you enjoying spending your time on these things? Do you feel like you’re missing out on life? Make sure you remember what’s most important to you and prioritize your happiness. (Plus, the happier you are, the better your work will be!)

So that’s that. My fellow bloggers what are your thoughts? And those who are just here to read, tell me what you think! Until next time loves.

The Basics of Gym Etiquette

It’s that time of the year again when we all want to get that beautiful body we’ve so desired for all, well the past decade. It’s still early enough in ’16 for people to believe it’s the year of change. You may be saying to yourself well, it’s February and right you are. We all know January was a trial month. Now the real deal is starting because your gym membership that mom bought you for Christmas is more than just an expensive key chain.

Every day from now until mid-March, classes are going to be packed full of people. This concept of new year, new you, is not a unique idea. There will be people ranging in all fitness levels, every locker is taken, every [good] spot is gone and every weight in the hand of a guy who has no idea what he’s doing.

There’s a certain etiquette the new members are walking into. It’s kinda like prison [I know this because I watch a lot of SVU], in the sense of hierarchy, not murder. There are the regulars who have laid the groundwork for how the gym is run and then there is you, the new guy. Take it all in buddy because you don’t want to go against the grain.

Be Mindful of Your Sweat and Stank

Dogs pant, humans sweat and then there is the guy who looks like someone pushed him into a pool. We get it, you sweat a lot, I too, am one of these people. It’s bad enough that droplets of your sweat fall on the treadmill looking like you’re leaving a trail to find your way home but it’s when I watch you walk away that makes me gag and rethinking everything I’ve touched. Leaving your germ infested equipment for the next unsuspecting victim, is gross and rude. Clean up after yourself! What does your home look like? Bring a towel, disinfect your equipment. Simple rule: If you’re dripping, clean it up.

Keep it Quiet

This isn’t a social club. On a good day I have about an hour to get a good workout in. I really don’t need people gabbing throughout my class. It’s distracting especially when the conversations that are being had, consist mostly of complaints. Listen I’m over here busting my ass, I don’t need you reminding me that this is a hard workout. Also out trainer told us to do it, so do it. Then there is the excessive noise maker who is running faster, lifting more or hitting harder. Grunting and throwing down your dumbbells relegates you to caveman status. If “walrus sex” doesn’t immediately come to mind, the fact that you haven’t worked out in a while might: sounds like you’re overexerting yourself, but I’d check with a professional.

Don’t Hog

Once we start going to the gym we get on a schedule. Well at one point I was on the same schedule as the woman who would use the only working bike for 90 minutes. Lady, you’re kidding right? In the whole time you’ve probably gone 10 miles because if you were going any slower you’d be going backwards. It’s straight up rude to be a machine hog. You have exactly half an hour to do your thang and an hour if there are multiple of the same machine. After that, switch up your activity. It’s polite, courteous, and to be honest: I can’t see how doing the same thing every day can be helpful!

Put Your Shirt On

This isn’t an Nike ad. Why is your shirt off? There is a chance of snow this week. There is no need to be showing off your goodies. We get it, you’re in shape but vanity isn’t very becoming on people. You may or may not be in the gym to get a great body, but that does not make the gym the place to show off said bodacious bod. Plus, taking off your shirt means you’ll get other people’s germs all over your skin instead of your clothes. Ew. See above, I don’t want your nasty all over the gym either!

I’m Not Your Mom

Blame growing up with nannies, butlers and maids. For some, cleaning up after themselves isn’t second nature, which means stray kettle-bells, plates and other gym essentials not in their proper place. There’s nothing worse than finding a piece of empty equipment loaded up with a bunch of weird weight on it. If you don’t have time to re-rack your weight and put all the equipment back where it belongs, you don’t have time for that exercise! Avoid timeout by returning your equipment back where it belongs.

Perfect Form

This is probably the hardest one to deal with. There are some people that look like they are going to physically hurt themselves if they don’t stop whatever Godawful motion it is they’re doing. Ask a trainer in the gym if you’re not sure how a piece of equipment works! Are unsure of how to do a lift or you’ve been in your gym for a while, and have questions? Who cares! Consult someone who knows what they’re doing. A workout that works for one person might not work for you so find out what exactly you should be doing. If you don’t the only consult you’ll need is from a chiropractor.

So what are your gym annoyances? Comment below I’d love to hear!

 

 

Valentine’s Day Shop

 

You have a date, your reservations are set, but there’s one last piece of the Valentine’s Day puzzle — figuring out what to wear. Whether you’re going out with your girlfriends or having a cozy night in with someone special, dressing the part can make all the difference.

From a fashion perspective, we can all agree that Valentine’s Day can get tacky—fast. My advice: Pick one or two festive-but-chic pieces, and keep the rest of your look simple and refined.

I narrowed down my favorites for every occasion, so you will feel flirty, fun, and sexy no matter where the night takes you. And, yes — there’s definitely a little lingerie involved. Read on for a little naughty (or nice!) Valentine’s Day inspiration.

Casual

Girls night out or just running some errands. Throw on one of these adorable tees. They get the job done for the low key look you’re going for.

|| J. Crew Factory || ILY || Loft ||
|| Etsy || Express || The Limited ||
|| The Light Blonde || J. Crew || Old Navy ||

Dressy

Big night out with your man, bestie, or Tinder date? Wear something that makes you feel fierce because ladies we all know we don’t wear these pretty dresses for the men in our lives.

|| J. Crew Factory || Lulus || ModCloth ||
|| Kohl’s || Revolve || Bloomingdale’s ||
|| Express || Tobi || Nasty Gal ||

 

Minimal

This is for whatever after hours plans you have going on. Check out the rest of the pieces that these stores have, you never know what you’ll find!

|| H&M || ASOS || Forever 21 ||
|| ModCloth || Nordstrom || Frederick’s ||
|| Charlotte Russe || Lulu’s || H&M ||

Any Valentine’s Day plans or is it just another day in the year? Comment below I’d love to hear your thoughts about this “Hallmark” Holiday!