Heeello
A little over three weeks ago, I handed out my last paper of the winter semester! As for my summer semester, it started last Monday. (I am enrolled in two courses.)
This post is only an update on some important stuff to me or just random things that I was able to photograph.
🎕 I tried a strengthening hair mask from a hair salon (and used it up).
I had gotten tired of trying DIY hair masks that kept deceiving me and thought it was time I invest a bit more in my hair since it's dear to me. I got this reconstructing hair mask by Wella Professionals.
A lady at the hair salon recommended me this mask after I explained I was looking for something that strengthens my hair.
I wasn't too enthusiastic about her suggestion, because I had never heard of the brand (plz don't throw rocks at me if it's well-known), but especially because the lady proudly told me it didn't have sulphates – and I become immensely suspicious when a brand claims to be bio, vegan, silicone/sulphates-free (i.e. a saint).
Alas, my choice was limited to the Wella hair mask or another one by Kerastase that was very costly. As someone who isn't used to buy professional hair products, I thought it'd be wiser to start "smaller" with a 23 $ CAD hair mask, which was Wella's.
Here are my general thoughts on the product.
- Smell: ★★★★★
The smell is really nice. It doesn't linger for long after my hair has completely dried, but it isn't a reason to rate the mask lower.
- Quantity: ★★★★★
I applied the mask religiously every week, from my hair ear-length to the tips. Considering I first used the mask on March 21st, and that the last day was on May 22nd, the mask lasted me two whole months! I thought it would last me a month tops. My hair was down to my upper knees when I used it (so it's pretty long), but I don't have thick hair, so I guess that helped.
- Results: ★★★★ ½
This mask gives me all the results I wish for and for a fair price. I give it 4 stars and a half because I feel it's unrealistic to give something 5 stars out of 5?
In a nutshell, I am extremely satisfied with this hair mask. I'll probably buy it again next time I want to treat my hair.
🎕 I started using professional shampoo and conditioner.
After months of thinking about it on and off, I switched from drugstore brands to hair salons' for my shampoo and conditioner. (Though I may switch back in the future, I really have no idea.)
I went with Paul Mitchell by the lady's recommendation at the hair salon. I had told her that my hair was prone to grease and that my scalp had started to itch (again). For info, my scalp usually itches one day after washing my hair, which is the same time that it starts to get greasy (already!).
The shampoo is clear and smells very nice – just like lemon pie. As for the conditioner, it looks like custard but smells like sunscreen. I don't dislike it, but it's the first time I use a hair product that carries such a scent. However, it goes away pretty rapidly once my hair has dried – at least in my case.
I tried to show the consistency and colour of the conditioner (╥▽╥)
I can't say I'm in love with the conditioner. It makes my hair, from the ears to the tips feel a bit waxy and thicker. Though I prefer this over greasy hair, the wax-like texture makes my hair subject to tangles.
Since using Paul Mitchell, my scalp itches less and my hair sheds less. It's a difference big enough so that I noticed it. However, I've been using the products since April, and because my hair sheds less during the summer, my observation could be due to the season's change instead of switching to Paul Mitchell.
🎕 I had my hair trimmed.
My last trim was in September 2020.
Every time after a trim, I vow the next one will be once my hair is under knee-length. Well, once again, I broke my promise. Last weekend, I impulse-asked my mom to trim a good chunk of my hair. I don't know how much exactly (see picture below), but my longest tips went from touching my upper knees to going back to a solid mid-thigh length.
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Both pics above are before the trim; only difference is that the one on the right is brighter to see better (and I don't know what's up with the vertical white streak in the middle of my hair!).
What my mom has cut!
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After the trim. Disliked the first pic on the left, so I took one myself.(We had already taken so many pictures and had to put an end to the photoshoot.)
I miss my longer hair, but the trim was a necessary evil. And I must admit, it's nice to have thicker ends.
🎕 I bought hair accessories.
I found these cute hair ties at Simons.
A white lace hair bow and a simple knot made out of burgundy satin
I saw a video on IG with a girl wearing an accessory similar to the one on the right, and the ribbons hanging on both sides of her bun made the hairstyle look so pretty. I'm not sure if I can make the same with mine since the hair tie is pretty tight, but maybe once it becomes looser with use.
Edit Sept. 19th 2021: Here are pictures of me wearing the white scrunchie. It's my favourite and goes well with everything. ♡
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I also bought my first hair fork! It is from 60th Street on Etsy.
Front of the fork
Back of the fork
Here is the fork's listing for anyone interested. You can also read the review I posted – it should be just under the listing's picture. I'm really satisfied with the fork. It's very solid and holds my hair in place all day long.
The only problem – and that's not the seller's fault – is that I can't make a nice-looking bun with the fork. Every time I try to, I always find an issue with it (too tight/loose) which prompts me to remove the hair fork. And yes, I did watch YouTube videos on how to make a bun with a hair fork. I'm a lost cause.
The bun pictured below is the best I could do with my non-existent talent in hairstyling.
This is the same pic I posted in my Etsy review (despite countless tries,
I only have pics of the one nice bun I managed to do lmao).
I think I just rolled my hair on itself, then rolled it into a bun and pricked the fork into it. Unfortunately, the hair fork was getting hidden by my hair which was slowly getting loser. I had to remove the fork pretty rapidly because the bun would have eventually collapsed. A shame since it didn't look too bad.
Another shot of the bun; you can see my hair creeping over the fork even more.
I was left with a dilemma: either I do pretty buns that don't last long, either I do ugly buns that stay on. I chose the latter, so I've been constrained to wear the fork when my hair has become greasy or when I do cleaning (so only when I'm at home). It's not absolutely bad cuz I get to wear it at least, but its primary use wasn't intended for that. TT
🎕 Miscellaneous (I couldn't categorize these things.)
Saigon chicken soup from our favourite Vietnamese restaurant. Mmm.
Weeks ago, I bought a ravishing and high-quality full slip to wear under my see-through dresses...
... and the day after, I tried it on with a dress and the dress' zipper caught a part of the slip's mesh. It had to be ripped off, FML.
🎕 After more than a year of staying at my parent's house, I'm now back at my apartment in Montreal.
I'll work at the office on some days (hybrid schedule), so I will probably restart posting on my OOTDs page.
Lovely (cork?) board that my parents put up
Among the new improvements in my apartment (thank you 👫), my parents installed a portable aircon so that I'm not repetitively hit by heat strokes this summer. It's been working since I've returned to Montreal, and my quality of life has improved so much... much more energy to cook and clean during the day (and basically just move) and better sleeping.
Last Sunday, I cooked General Tso's Chicken in my slow-cooker.
I shall talk about this dish more in detail in another blog post.
Oh, and finally, I got my first Covid shot last Saturday.
:D
