updo uproar.

one: Michael Radford Photography | two: Nessa K Photography | three: The Graziers | four: John the Photographer | five: The Nichols

This weekend, I'm honored to be standing beside one of my beautiful cousins as she says "I do." Whenever I'm asked to be a bridesmaid, I always get a bit nervous--because of my hair. Do a quick Google search of "curly bridesmaid updos" and you'll be seriously frightened. It's where the butterfly clips and jewels of the early 2000s went to die. There are a few celebrities in the mix, but walking the red carpet is very different than walking down the aisle.

Growing up, no one at the hair salon knew how to tame my hair. I ended up with cornrows and a puffball of curls for my junior and senior proms. {I wish I was kidding.} In a few recent weddings, my hair has been so cemented to my head that I get a three-day headache. The only day I've ever really loved my curly updo was my wedding day. The difference there? It was my wedding day and he spent two hours constructing that perfect pile of curls.

As a bridesmaid, you're simply an auxiliary part of the day. While important, guests are really only focused on one thing: the bride. I'm really ok with that. {I've had my day in the sun!} My argument with curly updos is simply that I don't want to look embarrassing in photos. I don't wear my hair down because it inevitably would find its way up. I don't have those curls hanging in front of your eyes because I have weird flashbacks to eighth grade dances and butterfly clips. I simply want some loose curls which look elegant and not frizzy. Is that so much to ask?

For the wedding this weekend, I've decided they should simply blow out my hair and add some curls into the mix. Thankfully, my hair would happily hold whatever shape someone puts into it. I'm just going to pray for no rain {or snow!}. If you're a fellow curly girl, what directions do you give your stylist when you ask for an updo? Cross your fingers for no cornrows this weekend ;) xoxo {av}

my curl evolution.

 While it still surprises me that people want my curly hair advice, I am here to share a few of my secrets. In the last year, I have worn my hair straight for less than 10 days. I am about as low-maintenance as they come. This post contains some embarrassing early-in-life photos to show my curl evolution and a handy guide to the morning routine I've used for more than 12 years.

From start to finish, my entire morning hair routine takes me less than three minutes. I could dedicate more time to perfecting my curls, but I find the more time I spend, the less controllable my curls become. Some days, the process works better than others, but it still works. Though I'm sure my younger self would cringe at the thought, I have come to accept a bit of volume as a badge of honor.

As most curly haired women do, I have a love-hate relationship with my crazy locks. My mom "straightened" my hair every four days or so until fifth grade, when I took control of my own curl destiny. After finally growing out my bangs in sixth grade, I discovered those magical accordion-like hair contraptions which helped me keep things somewhat contained. The best discovery though? MOUSSE. Over the last 15+ years, I have tried countless other remedies...and nothing seems to work quite like mousse. For your viewing pleasure {and amusement}, I present to you my very own curl evolution--complete with American Girl dolls, braces, and blown-out bangs...

Since I was 16, I have used some variety of Pantene Pro-V Mousse and Detangler/Leave-In Conditioner. While I have tried curl creams and potions from my salon, the volume of product I require keeps me coming back to my old staples. These products are also easy to find when we travel, which makes it easier to travel without checking my bag. I just make a quick stop at a drugstore when we land. {The $8 investment is much cheaper than checking a bag both directions!} In the last year, I have added a bit of Moroccan Oil hairspray to my routine for long days. I think any hairspray will do, as long as it is of the light hold variety.

My process may sound crazy, but it is tried and true. The towel really helps prevent me from touching {and frizzing up} my curls. Brushing curls may be a hairstylist's worst nightmare, but it works wonders for my curl definition. Though I can't promise to create curls for straight-haired ladies, this is the process I use to tame my curly mane on a daily basis...

If you're a curly girl, what products do you use? 
I may have my own routine, but I always love to hear what works for others.
Cheers to my fellow curly girls out there! xoxo {av}

your best blowout.

I've had crazy curls my whole life. {You can see early evidence here.} Growing up, my mom attempted to tame my locks, but it wasn't until I discovered mousse in 1999 that I came to embrace my curls. Truth be told, I am still clueless about how to straighten my hair. I only own a blow dryer because I know our female house guests might need one. I've never used it. 

{cv} fell in love with me with curly hair, so thankfully, he prefers my hair the natural way. I do too. It's easy and low-maintenance, which is a lot like my beauty routine. When I do want a change in pace, I rely on the professionals. I got my first "blowout" in November 2011 and loved the results. {cv} didn't mind them either. My "straight" hair is definitely different than what I wear on a daily basis. After an experience at a few different salons, I have a few tips for your best blowout...

1)  Think through what else you have on the docket for the week you book your blowout. If you're training for a marathon, a blowout may not be your best investment. Sweat {or any kind of moisture} is a blowout's biggest enemy. Be realistic: you want to make your blowout last--and if it can't, it may not be worth it.

2)  Double check the weather forecast. If the weather would breed frizziness, you're almost guaranteed to have double the volume when it is blown out. {This goes hand in hand with #1.}

3)  Go in with an open mind. They're professionals. Let them give you a little body or volume. In the days after your blowout, you'll be glad you did. This extra oomph will keep it from looking flat and dull.

4)  Even though you'll want to, don't touch your lovely tresses. I can vouch for this. Too much touching is a recipe for fluffy locks. 

5)  Just say no to hairties: I'm a big topknot fan after a long day at work. For the days after your blowout, do everything to resist the urge for a bun or a ponytail!

{Dress: Rent The Runway | Necklace: Moon & Lola | Phone Case: Kate Spade | Watch: Michael Kors}

Speaking from experience, I simply cannot say enough good things about Be Styled. Not only is their facility gorgeous and inviting, their staff knows how to make a girl feel pretty every day. {Isn't that a great concept?} If you have the chance to visit Be Styled or another blow dry lounge in your area, take it. You'll feel like a queen for the day {or two or three}. I was able to stretch out my Be Styled blowout for three full days! {I know people who are able to stretch it even longer, but I'm not that brave!}

What other tips would you give to make your blowout last? xoxo {av}

NOTE: I was given a free blowout to sport at our Boston Bloggers event in August. I was not required to write a post for their services. I simply liked my experience and wanted to share more about a curly girl's perspective with blowouts.

lifetime of curls.

During one of my long treadmill runs this weekend, I was transported back to 2001...when the movie Princess Diaries hit theaters. Cue me--{av}--an awkward high school junior who only recently discovered the glories of leave-in conditioner and mousse. 

Anne Hathaway's transformation in the Princess Diaries {and over the last decade} is nothing short of spectacular. It also made me realize something: she is my celebrity hair icon. There. I said it. I think Anne Hathaway is an absolute curl goddess!

{photo credits: left from the Princess Diaries | right from Love and Other Drugs}

In the last ten years, she's managed to rock my curly-girl world on a number of occasions, most recently in Love and Other Drugs. As that gawky girl with frizzy hair {from ages 5 to 15...eeks}, I am entirely jealous of the team of stylists she must have to manage her locks. If the Golden Globes were any indication, she can even manage to pull off straight hair--and do it beautifully. 

{Remember this image from yesterday? sigh.}

Photo by Steve Granitz of WireImage via InStyle

I'm sure that if I had somehow managed to make it as a movie star I'd have my own team to tackle my tresses. In lieu of such treatment, I found my miracle makers back in 2001, the same year I saw the Princess Diaries:

 Pantene Curl Defining Mousse + Pantene Curly Hair Light Conditioning Detangler

 

{Image via Soap.com}

{Image via Soap.com}

For less than $8 a month, I have the curls I dreamed of in my early teens. Sure, they're not Anne Hathaway's immaculate locks, but they're manageable--and I've come to love them. My morning hair routine takes all of three minutes, which means I can get on with my day. I don't even know how to use a blow dryer or a straightener, though I'd love to learn just for the benefit of any daughters {cv} and I might produce. One of my biggest fears is that Pantene would discontinue these products...they've changed packaging over the years and thankfully I've always been able to track down my favorites!

So, I'll continue to admire Ms. Hathaway's curls from afar. I know I have a lifetime of curls ahead of me, but my 25-year-old self likes that prospect much more than my 16-year-old self did ;) 

This discussion begs the following questions:

Who is your celebrity hair icon?  And what are your miracle makers?

Can't wait to hear your answers! I hope you don't think I'm crazy woman with a secret passion for Anne Hathaway's hair {though that may be true!}. 

Have a great night, all! We're almost to Thursday! YAY! xoxo {av}

P.S. Proof I've rocked the curls from the early days on...

little {av} in 1987 on the beaches of Hilton Head