Short & Straight Hair

Quilted Jacket: c/o Joules USA

This hairstyle is so easy with my short hair! I washed it in the evening and let it air-dry while I slept. When I woke up, added a spritz of dry shampoo, straightened it, teased the crown and sprayed a light mist of hairspray. So easy!

Products & tools used for this hairstyle:

Disclosure: The Mitch Stone Session spray is a c/o product.

Straight and Flipped Hairstyle for Short Hair

Shirt: Macy's (similar), Bracelet: Thrifted, Nails: OPI I Ate Berries in the Canaries and China Glaze Turned Up Turquoise

This is my go-to short hairstyle. It's so easy, and literally takes less than 5-minutes.

1. Blow dry your hair, curling the front under with a round brush, but leave it slightly damp (if only just in the back).
• I prepped my hair before blow drying with Aveda Volumizing Tonic and Style Prep.
2. Add a bit of Pure Abundance Hair Potion to volumize your crown.
3. Tease your crown (I use a steel pin brush).
4. Smooth a penny-sized amount of wax through your fingers and flip/spike the back of your hair. Mine does it naturally, you may have to flip yours out with a round brush. 
5. Finish with a quick shot of hairspray (I love Mitch Stone's Session Spray—it doesn't make my hair stiff but gives a great hold).

Products & tools used for this hairstyle:

Disclosure: the Aveda Products & Mitch Stone Session Spray are c/o products, though I use them daily and love them regardless of the fact that they are c/o.

I CUT THE BEEHIVE!

Today is my twenty-seventh birthday. It's my Golden Birthday... 27 on the 27th. I'm not sure why, but for my whole life, I've always told myself that 27 would be my favorite year... and now that 27 is finally here, I can't wait to see what it brings.

Also, I kicked my birthday off with a "why not" of all why-nots:

I've always been a fan of change, and for this new year of mine, I'm embracing it fully. I ended up having 12 inches cut, and I'm donating my hair to Children With Hair Loss—they accept all kinds of hair and since the tips of my hair were bleached a few years ago, I picked their charity because some of the others have requirements against bleached & highlighted hair. I went to Kendall of Roots Salon in Boise (208-514-5895) and can't recommend her enough. This new cut is spunky, sporty, and of course—extra saucy. Why not, right?

Last year as I blew out my candles, I made sure that I didn't wish for "babies or anything crazy like that." This year, let's just say I can't promise the same, though I'm in no rush to make any changes that big (or small) quite yet. Oh, 27, I can't wait to see what joy you'll bring.

Here's to new short hairstyles and a brand new year!!

My Hair Identity Crisis

Top: very, very old (like, wore it to my high school senior Honor Society banquet in 2005 old), Skirt: Thrifted F21, Belt: old, Shoes: Mossimo, Bracelet: Premier Design, Photos: Taylor Love Studios

Despite taking a year off from using heat or styling tools, an excess of hair products, teasing often, and "doing" my hair—and even though I knew my hair was growing—it never seemed to get any longer... until I saw these photos! I looked at them and thought, "That's me?"

Here's where I get frank with you... I feel like I've been having a bit of a physical identity crisis lately.

• First, I'm still not used to myself with brunette hair (I've been brunette now for over 3-months... my longest brown-haired record yet!). After being a blonde for 26-years of my life, this change—though one that I like—still catches me off guard. 
• Second, my hair has almost always been a mid to short length. Never did it ever come down to my bra straps in the back. And now that it does... it's just different. I'm not used to myself, the way my hair feels (it's getting thicker due to my lack of highlighting & damaging habits), and how it looks. 
• Third, I haven't dyed my hair since early April, and I'm very surprised at my lack of roots. I had thought they would grow in ashy blonde like before... but I really haven't noticed them and it's throwing me for a loop. Am I a brunette now? A real brunette? 

Anyway, I think that all of this, coupled with a recent bit of weight loss (more on that later) has had me asking, "Who is that person in the mirror?" To be honest, I'm not always sure... but I like her!

What's your preference? Blonde or brunette?

No-Heat Curls with the Friar Tuck

About a year ago, I made a post called Curl Your Hair Without Heat about how to curl your hair with a headband after watching a video on YouTube. It has since turned into my most-viewed post and has generated a ton of emails from readers who want to know exactly how to do it.

Today, I bring you my very own video tutorial for what I like to call the "Friar Tuck."

More details:

• I have fine hair—and a lot of it. It holds curl well. 
• This curling method does not work if your hair is wet. It must be completely dry.
• If your hair falls out of this easily, try wrapping your hair in a silk scarf before going to sleep.
• If you have long hair, try using two headbands to reduce tangles & make it easier to tuck! 
• Dry shampoo used: Suave
• Sea salt spray used: Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Spray
• Songs in the video: (1) 1234 by Feist (2) New Soul by Yael Naim
• The photos below show my hair after an entire day. Some days the curls don't last quite as long.

Products used in this video:

/ / Like this video? Subscribe to my channel on YouTube! If you try the Friar Tuck, tweet or instagram me a photo with the hashtag #auniefriartuck. Love love love

My Daily Hair Styling Routine

 Glasses: c/o Firmoo

Lately, I've gotten quite a few emails from ladies who want to know how I style my hair on a daily basis. Frequently asked questions include:

• What do I do with it when I sleep? 
• What dry shampoo do I use? 
• Do I tease it?
• Do I use hairspray?
• How do I get natural-looking waves?
• How do I style my bangs? 

Today, I'm answering your questions. Here's a short video of exactly how I style my hair when I wear it down.



More details:

•  Fave overnight keep-it-out-of-your-face methods: ballerina bun, French braid, or Friar Tuck (video tutorial coming soon)
• Fave dry shampoo: Suave 
• Fave hairspray: Lamaur Sprayage (I used Big Sexy Hair in this video)
• If I shower in the morning, I just let my hair air-dry naturally. It ends up with this same wavy texture. Once it's dry, I follow the same process.
• To keep my hair healthy, I avoid heat styling tools and I haven't colored/highlighted my hair since May, 2011.
• My bangs are longer here than usual--I'm growing them out!
• Song in the video: White Sky by Vampire Weekend 

Products used in this video:

/ / Like this video? Subscribe to my channel on YouTube!

Curl Your Hair Without Heat

Last week, I saw a post on my friend Kristen's blog

(Confessions of a Graphic Design Student).

She mentioned how she vintage-style curled her hair with a headband...

with NO heat.

Needless to say, I had to try it.

I began by putting an elastic headband over my slightly damp hair.

I grabbed pieces of my hair and tucked them around the headband,

continuing until I reached the back of my head.

It's really similar to the Holiday Updo that I did in December.

When I reached the back, I simply twisted that hair around and around 

the headband until it was all tucked in.

I slept in my headband overnight...

Daniel said I looked like Friar Tuck.

So this is the "Friar Tuck Method" now and forever in my eyes.

In the morning, I pulled the headband out of my hair and was 

SHOCKED at the curls I got.

Wowza, baby!

They stayed like that almost all day.

Of course they fell out a bit... but I didn't mind.

UPDATE // And just in case you'd like to see how to do this,

I included my very own video tutorial (original inspiration tutorial can be found here).

Enjoy!

Products used in this video:

Oh... and just last night after my shower,

I mentioned to Daniel that I was going to "Friar Tuck" my hair again.

His reaction was so adorable, and clearly showed that he found

that sleep-in style NOT attractive.

I opted for two French braids instead.

Sexy.

UPDATE** For those of you who asked 

if this could someday become a hot new trend... 

yes, the Friar Tuck... 

I've actually worn a version of it out before. 

Check out THIS LINK!

UPDATE PART 2** For those of you who say you
get a red mark on your forehead that won't go away for hours,
after you finish rolling your hair,
push the front of the band up, so it rests in your hairline instead
of on your forehead.
That's what I do!

Crochet Me Happy.

Are you ever wondering what to do with leftover crimped hair from a braided updo the day before? Why not add a simple crochet headband and walk out the door? Sounds like a great idea to me!

P.S. In 2012 I'm learning to say no... and lately managing 4 blogs is slightly overwhelming.  Yes. I have 4 blogs. Silly me. Simply Aunie, LastLash, No Naked Nails, and of course, BBB.

In lieu of wanting to keep my blogging time under control, I'm planning on posting on here Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. However, if you want to keep up with my daily happenings, make sure to visit Simply Aunie. Oh-- and I'm also running a sponsor special on that blog. Buy 2 months, get the rest of January free! Come on over, will ya?

Three By Three.

Good morning!

Are you ever in the mood to braid your hair back but don't want just a simple braided plait? How about you try a Three by Three! I called it that because it's 3 pieces of hair in a braid, times three (duhhh). You simply braid back 3 little braids and then braid those braids together! You can make them as large and funky, or as small and neat as you like them. Have fun!

Sheesh... how many times can I say braid today? 8. To be exact.

P.S. My curls are thanks to my trusty Wrap Snap & Go curlers.

Scrunch It!

You know those days when you wake up,

Have approximately 5 minutes to get ready,

and your hair just isn't your first priority?

Those are the days I do this.

 

Scrunching.

However, normally when I scrunch my hair

I also use gel and a blow dryer.

Since I can't use either of those,

I sprayed my wet hair with It's A 10 leave-in conditioner,

scrunched my hair with my fingers a couple of times,

and let that hot mess dry.

I feel a slight bit frumpy today,

but it's low maintenance, and I can't ask for anything more than that!

Imagine That.

Can you believe Christmas is right around the corner? A couple weeks ago my mom and the kids got together to take our family Christmas photo (since we haven't done one in ages). My sister's fiancè did the honors of being our photographer, and he's amazing, no?

The funny thing about these photos, to me, is my hair. It's not necessarily funny... but I'm rather surprised. That morning I just didn't know what to do with my hair. So I washed it, conditioned it, and walked out the door. Two hours later, these photos were taken. And they don't look bad. In fact, my hair looks good!

So if you can imagine-- that's absolutely NO teasing, NO hairspray, NO product, NO blowdryer, NOT EVEN a brush went through those tresses. I wish my hair did that every day!

What's your go-to hairstyle?

Rock The Band.

When you're running late, and you know that your hair is going to be the least of your concerns, why not opt for something easy? Usually I'm so preoccupied with trying to attempt intricate hairstyles, that once in a while it's nice to go with something simple.

That's where the headband comes in. What headband, you may say? Any headband. Plastic. Rhinestoned. Alligator patterned. Comb-like. Fabric. Elastic... any and all headbands work.

Today I picked my simple, black plastic Scunci headband. Last night I had thrown my hair into a couple of Wrap Snap & Go curlers (not freshly washed since I washed it yesterday morning), and this morning when I took them out I had a simple wave instead of corkscrew curls. I tossed a headband on and was out the door.

Easy as pie... well just kidding. If I were a baker, it would be easy as pie. But I surely am not (I make a fabulous bowl of cereal!) so I guess this hairstyle is more aptly said as easy peasy.

Annelise Au Naturel.

Yep. You heard me. OOF dah. After 16 days of this product and processing-free challenge, I finally broke down and didn't do anything with my hair.

I woke up this morning, showered and washed my hair, did my normal 10-minute get-ready routine, and left the house. I untangled my wet hair in the car. And a short 30 minutes later, I had this:

There you go. Annelise au naturel. The hair pictured above is a bona fide air-dried 'do. That means no teasing, no styling, no hairspray, and definitely no products applied to that hair.

Some may say it looks decent. I can't stand it. It wings out on the sides and just hangs on my head like a two-week old dishrag. Now you see why I'm all about sponge rollers, braids, and Wrap Snap & Go... no matter how cheesy they are.

So that's my au naturel look for you, as my coworker Zoë calls it. I think I'd much rather prefer to have naturally curly, big hair... or Annelise au les cheveux efféminé. AKA... Annelise with poofy hair!

Shirley Temple.

You asked for it... you get it! In homage to the legend Shirley Temple, I attempted her spiraled, corkscrew 'do.

While shopping at Sally Beauty the other day, I spotted the As Seen On TV Wrap Snap & Go curlers. With no haste, I snatched those babies up. I'm definitely looking for new hair innovations to try to give me some body and OOMPH, and those promised to give me the curly, voluminous look. How could I resist?
As with all my curling and braiding methods, I washed my hair and began while it was damp. The directions suggest to roll the middle section of your hair, interlocking the curlers as you go, and then begin on the sides. I started curling the middle section and found that it wasn't hard at all.

This would definitely be easier on longer hair. I want to try this method with more of a spiral along the roller next time. This time, I just rolled the hair under itself, like a sponge roller. I wasn't sure (since I couldn't use hairspray to keep it in place, as they suggest) that it would hold if I tried the spiral approach. Overall, it took about 20 minutes to roll my entire head. That's not bad at all! If I could get results from a 20-minute prep, it's definitely worth it.

It doesn't look like it would hold too well, since they are just little cloth/foam rollers. Surprisingly, they were quite tight and held all throughout the night. In fact, they didn't budge a bit and they were almost too tight. I looked like I had a face lift when I had finished rolling. It was pretty amusing.

I awoke this morning to find a few of the rolls still a little damp. Bummer. I took them out right before I got to work and found myself with cute little Shirley Temple curls. They're so bouncy and fun!

As you might expect, I really didn't want to leave them like that all day. I mean, they're cute on Shirley, but not on a grown woman... er... lady... er... they're just not cute on me (hehe, I don't consider myself a "grown woman" quite yet). Actually... they are cute, but cute isn't really the look I'm going for. Not for work at the hospital, anyway.

Since they were still a little damp when I took the curlers out, I waited about an hour before running my fingers through my hair to relax the curls. The final product was astounding! I love getting voluminous, curly hair from a 20-minute, super-easy prep.

The downside of this style is that I began while my hair was still a little too wet. Unfortunately I've made that mistake quite a few times over the last week. But, when I began, I didn't know how fast my hair would dry with this technique, so I charged ahead with my damp hair. I think this style is one that really should be done on hair that is only slightly damp or completely dry. Just to be safe.

The upside of Wrap Snap & Go is that they are so easy to use. They stay in all night and their instruction book includes lots of fun things that you can do with the curlers. Also, the curl is bomb-dot-com. I am really surprised at how well this style worked, considering my hopes weren't too high. You know, it is one of those As Seen On TV products... how was I supposed to know it would actually work? I mean, I tried the As Seen On TV doggie Pedi Paws, and those were just horrible for trimming my little puppy's nails. And don't even think about it... I will not be trying the As Seen On TV Bumpit. No way Josè.

Well, to wrap up this Shirley Temple tribute... Shirley, we love you. Here's to 83 years of your greatness. Keep it up, lady!

Throw-back.

Do you remember way-back-when, 4th grade for me, when sponge rollers were cool? Oh shoot... you don't?

Well, let me entertain you. Sponge rollers are those little squishy rollers that you use if you are 1) old or 2) a cheerleader. I think it's safe for you to assume I used them because I was a cheerleader... since clearly I'm young, vibrant and wrinkle-free. Clearly.

When I was in my elementary and middle school years, our family lived in Oklahoma. My sister and I were part of Twist & Shout, an amazing competitive cheerleading gym. The night before competitions, we were required to slick our hair into ponytails on the top of our head. We then had to sponge roll the ponytail hair into the tightest, littlest curls. We slept in our curlers overnight and took them out when we got to the competition the next morning. We were all adorable with our matching little bouncy Shirley Temple ponytails and cheer uniforms. Ahh... those were the days.

In fact, I still own my sponge rollers from 4th grade. What's even worse than that is that I was going to use them last night... until I came to my senses and popped into Sally Beauty on the way home. I bought a couple sets of extra large sponge rollers (I did NOT want teeny tiny Shirley Temple curls this time) and went on my merry way home to wash my hair.

While my hair was still pretty damp, I rolled it into the twelve rollers. I did four down the middle of my head and 4 on each side.

After I finished, I wrapped my head in a silk scarf to keep them in place overnight and went to sleep. Surprisingly (I think because I bought the extra large ones), they did not bother me while I slept. In fact, they were kind of kooshy. It was like I had a bunch of mini pillows all over my head. OK- maybe it wasn't that nice, but it wasn't bad at all.

This morning, I woke up and got ready. Each of the curlers held very well. I took them out in the car on the way to work (driving safely, of course!) and ran my fingers through my hair to finish the look.

Um... success!!! Since there was no heat involved, the curls held really well and hardly fell out at all.

Sheesh... I know it's only been 9 days that I have been doing this 365-day project... but if I can sponge roll and braid my hair... I'm goooooood.

The Faux Fro.

Well, I did it. I made it one whole day without hairspray or teasing. Just 364 more days to go. Awesome.

Last night, I washed my hair and now it's officially product-free for the next year. See, I wouldn't say that I cheated, because yesterday's hairstyle was the day-after, brushed-out version of the hairstyle I received from Lindsey on the day before this whole endeavor started. And let me tell you... already my hair is feeling flat, dreary and boring.

To help rid myself of my plain-Jane straight hair, I decided to put it in braids after I got out of the shower last night. Call it a Bo Derek-inspired day.

I sectioned my hair into 4 pieces and cornrow braided it down the back of my head. It was quite attractive. I mean, if Bo Derek can do it... I can too, right?

Um... maybe not. I'm far from the Bo Derek fantasy with this hair. Truth be told, I seriously never let people see me with that hairdo. It's just downright funky looking and totally makes me look like a pinhead. But it does make a great morning-after crimp... so that's why I chose it. The nice part about braiding it right before bed is that it doesn't have to be nice. I knew I was going to take it out in the morning, so I just did a quick job.

This is a very, very easy hairdo to wake up with. Basically, I woke up this morning, showered, put on my makeup and went out the door. I actually took my braids out while I was in the car by running my hands through them. And that's how I left my hair for the day.

I call it my "faux fro" because it definitely has some good body when it's crimped. If I'm not allowed to tease my hair, but I know I want body, this is the look I'm going to go for. I don't care if it's "in" or not. It's easy-peasy... and that's just what I'm looking for. Since my hair is pretty fine, it tends to hold what I do to it pretty well. I'm hoping that same fact is still true when I don't have my trusty hairspray by my side.

The ONLY downside of this wake-up-and-go style is that you MUST know how to french braid. You could always have someone do it for you, but when you live with your dad... it's usually not an option. So a big thank you to my beautiful mom, who taught me to braid at a very young age. Knowing how to braid just might be the only thing that gets me through the next 364 days.