Olaplex during Pregnancy...

I've seen the question online, in the salon, and wondered myself if Olaplex is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Olaplex has been hitting the market all through my pregnancy and first year of breastfeeding. Here is my OPINION on the safety of Olaplex on a developing baby.

During my 10 years as a hairdresser, I've seen products like Wen have a class action lawsuit. Brazillian Blowout had to reformulate after high levels of formaldehyde were causing health issues. From what I understand the FDA does not regulate the beauty industry and no testing is required.

I am a hairdresser. I am not a chemist who understands what chemicals do on the hair and body. I have a limited understanding from the product reps and my own research. To truly know how these products effect our bodies and the bodies of our babies there needs to be long term testing.

Olaplex suggests clients consult with their physicians before using while pregnant on their MSDS sheet. This does not instill confidence in me as to the safety of this product while pregnant.
When you're at the doctor how much time do they usually have to think about a question like this? I would not risk exposing my baby to Olaplex while pregnant or breastfeeding. Hair color has been around for a long time. I feel safer using color during pregnancy after the first trimester, but Olaplex is relatively new.

 I do agree it makes the hair beautiful, and I hope this is a safe product for everyone in the future! Glad it's here, and I'm happy so many people are using it!

New Year Resolutions 2017

Something I try to do every year is create goals for having a more fun, open life. Here are my ideas for 2017!!!

1. Do something fun every week.

ideas
Learn how to use my nice camera.
Take a hair class
Aquarium
Bubble Museum
Shadow puppets
get out my sewing machine
practice guitar
find live music
Hike somewhere new lagoon in Cardiff
Dig a hole at the beach
Lake Dixon Camping
Peddle boat Lake Dixon
Play with Daniel with bubbles, whipped cream, messy day

2. Climb at the gym at least once a month.

(This has to be a goal of mine because I gave it up to spend time with Daniel in 2016. I used to be there 3-6 times a week. But, I've been happy to invest my time building our relationship. It's been amazing.)

3. Read a book.

Hahaha as a new mom simple things like reading and personal time have been a real challenge. This will feel like a huge accomplishment.

4. Organize my passwords by the end of March.

5. Put Effort into Halloween and Christmas

work on family costume starting in September
decorate for Christmas or go to relatives

Some things I'm thankful for and want to carry on from 2016

1. Del Mar Concerts by the ocean

2. Library Class for Daniel
3. Moving to our new place and setting it up as our home
baking cookies, banana bread, trying new recipes
4. Game nights with friends


UPDATE 7/1/17

As we pass the midpoint of the year, I'm excited to see what I've accomplished and what still needs to happen! 

1. Learn how to use my nice camera..... STILL NEEDS TO HAPPEN
Take a hair class... Hattori Hanzo cutting class in January with Ryan Teal
Aquarium.... I've gone every month
Bubble Museum.... Realized there is no bubble museum, but Josh and I have been to the New Children's Museum downtown and LOVED IT!

Shadow puppets.... yep..Check.. little bunny foo foo watch out!
get out my sewing machine... STILL NEEDS TO HAPPEN
practice guitar...STILL NEEDS TO HAPPEN
find live music...saw Phoenix thanks to Lydia Mcdonald
Hike somewhere new lagoon in Cardiff.. great family day!!!
Dig a hole at the beach... check!
Lake Dixon Camping... STILL NEEDS TO HAPPEN.. waiting for cooler weather
Peddle boat Lake Dixon....STILL NEEDS TO HAPPEN
Play with Daniel with bubbles, whipped cream, messy day... check

2. The climbing gym happened Jan, Feb, Mar, maybe April.. NOPE May, June:(

3. Book! LOVED reading Hans Florine's book On The Nose. I had a goal to read 1-3 pages a day which was sometimes more. It was so funny to me reading a speed climbing book as slow as possible. I loved that Josh knew all about the route, the history, the climbers in the story. It was great sharing funny sections with him. We went to hear Hans Florine speak on his tour last year to SD. I had seen him speak 14 years ago. So, this was a real treat reading his book. And, Josh stayed at his house.. I'M JEALOUS!

4. Organize passwords.. I've got much more control of this situation!!! And, it's been wonderful!

5. Halloween/ Christmas.. I've got some ideas

From last year I've carried forward

-Daniel's library class
-Making our place a home.. I've baked a lot of cookies and banana bread.. My favorite new recipes are for meatballs, quiche, and learning to use our crockpot.
-I've been thankful for the few game nights with friends. The laughs have filled my heart!
-Del Mar concerts are starting up again.. So excited to try to make that happen again!

All in all I'm happy with were I am in 2017!!!!! I'm glad I still have some New Year's goals to work for!!

Ueli Steck Hair

This has been an interesting year for me. Shifting my focus from hair and climbing to being the best mom I can be has been a new challenge, and finding the balance has not been easy. In my life before my son I spent all of my time at the salon, climbing, or at fashion shows/photo shoots/ hair classes. That was it. If you had scales for my life it was climbing on one scale hair on the other. I had my balance. Now I've given up climbing. I've only been on the wall in the gym 4 times since Daniel has been born, and on the wall once outside this first year. And, I've cut back on hair this year too not taking new clients, weddings, or fashion shows. 2017 is going to be different as I bring the balance back with more time at the salon and the gym. 

I'm happy with my choice to spend the first year with my son, giving as much of my time as possible to him. I'm thankful for Josh for all of his hard work making my choice possible..... But, this was a special day!! I got to cut Ueli Steck's hair at the climbing gym between his climbing and before his climbing presentation with the American Alpine Club. This 30 minutes gave me time to bring my love of climbing and hair together and feel my heart sing. 

Ueli told me stories about when he got his haircut on his expeditions (I'm writing this over a month later so the country escapes me) But, the story made me smile. I noticed he had color in his hair. This is odd for a professional male athlete who typically gives very little thought or time to their hair. He said he went to the salon and didn't understand the menu. So he chose the most expensive service, which was still very inexpensive compared to European and American standards. He thought it would include a hair washing , maybe a massage, and a cut. But, oh no... Out came the pictures of David Beckham.. (He wears so many hairstyles well) Ueli pointed to one short cut. They agreed and out came the color bowls. Before Ueli could say anything the stylist was painting away. And, that's where the blond streaks came from. I was glad to know this was an accident. Because when I first saw him I thought, "Oh boy this guy is probably way more high maintenance than I expected." 

I thought I'd give him just a little trim to keep his hair in more of a style before his presentation since it was such a styled/colored cut, but like any male athlete he kept asking for shorter. Then he told me this was going to be his haircut before his next expedition. So, it had to be short.. I love how guys think of their hair as functional and practical. It really does just grow out so fast.. Some women can go 1/2 a year and still have their hair looking about the same just longer. But, men look homeless after about 2 months. It's really too bad. I was happy with Ueli's cut. His friend gave him a little grief that he now had his military cut, but we all knew it was the cut of someone going on another epic adventure that 99% of us would never have the skill, bravery, or endurance to attempt. I love being around someone whose life is so different from mine yet being able to connect with such simple things: hair, travel, climbing, community, and family. 

thanks to my friend Heidi Medema for making life more fun!

How cool is this.. Someone is climbing in the background while our cut happens.. My dream salon:) Actually, I want 2 salons. One in the gym, and one in La Jolla where I can feel fancy and girly.

the little guy is getting inspired

my family with Ueli

Josh, me, Daniel, Ueli, and Heidi (American Alpine Club tour leader)

life is good:)

Cutest Baby Winning Smile

Daniel needs your votes for the cutest baby! I'm so proud and completely in love with him!! I'd love it if he could win for cutest baby... We've thought he was just absolutely so stinking cute since we met him in the hospital the day after Christmas!

Gerber Baby Photo Contest copy and past the entry id 243374

You can vote once a day until 11/25/16...Even if you can only vote once during that time We appreciate any help!!  

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

one special day

Jamie and Josh traveled from Oklahoma to get married at the romantic La Valencia Hotel in sunny La Jolla, CA. With its view of palm trees and the Pacific ocean, La Valencia Hotel sets the mood with elegance and 1920's fun! Let the celebration begin as seagulls peek in the window and mimosas are shared with loved ones. 

Sister Love

Gail and her daughters share the same radiant smile and bright eyes.

His queen approaches.

BFF's

love

Josh and Jaimie I loved being part of your special day! Thank you!

Wedding Coordinator : Thomas Bui Lifestyle
Photographer: Michael Svoboda
Makeup: Ann Denicolo
Hair: Kira Pinski

How to shampoo your hair.

Does your hair sometimes feel dirty even after you wash it?
Do you have to wash your hair often to keep if feeling clean?

A few things could be happening...

1. You might be using way TOO MUCH SHAMPOO. For example <a href="http://www.pureology.com">Pureology</a> has no added water in their concentrated formulas, so to get a good lather you need your hair to be completely wet. I find the best way to use <a href="http://www.pureology.com">Pureology</a> is to add a little shampoo, slightly bigger than dime size to the front and sided, then add water on your head and add a little more shampoo to the scalp. Or, wash twice. On the second wash you will notice a rich lather.


2. NOT RINSING WELL...  The best way to rinse is to start with warm water... rinse...Then turn it a little cooler...rinse until you can feel it on your scalp....Then turn it a little cooler and repeat. And finally cold until you can feel it on the scalp. Not only does it help ensure your rinsing your hair of shampoo residue, the cold water shuts the hair cuticle leaving your hair shinier.


3. WRONG SHAMPOO... Some shampoos have too much protein that can build up in the hair. The first few times your hair will look and feel great, but after a while your hair won't feel clean. Sometimes it can even feel brittle. A clarifying shampoo is recommended once a week to exfoliate the hair and remove build up from shampoo, product, and the environment. This can be done 2 weeks after color treatment.  After you clarify use the shampoo of your choice to restore moisture.

Clarifying shampoo are generally clear. Hydrating shapes are typically not see through.

Pureology and other high end shampoos can actually improve the texture and appearance of your hair by reducing flyaway/frizz, volumizing, taming curls, improving dry scalp, brightening highlights, and softening texture.


4. WASHING TOO OFTEN... Every hair type is different. Some people with very fine hair need to wash daily to give volume to the hair and prevent it from being greasy and flat. People who work out need to wash their hair due to sweat making the hair look and feel dirty. In the ideal situation you would wash your hair every 2-4 days. Washing too often can cause your scalp to over produce oil. When  you remove the oil your scalp wants to create that barrier again protecting your scalp, so it can begin to over produce oil.

NOTE ON SPECIAL OCCASION HAIR

If you are getting your hair done for a special occasion it is best to come with clean, completely dry hair. Dry shampoo can be used to absorb oil, but for your hair to look it's best it should be clean.. The biggest reason stylists tell you to come with day old hair is because too often clients show up for special occasion hair with damp or wet hair. Your hair MUST BE COMPLETELY DRY for curls to hold. Flat ironing is also a bad idea before you are getting your hair professionally curled. If you think of it like clothing, after a crease is ironed into pants it is hard to completely iron it out or change the pleat. It is best to rewet clothes or hair to change the texture. A simple blowout is like the clothes dryer it will leave your texture nice but not as polished or lasting as an iron.


Hope these tips help!!!!!


Enjoy this funny shampoo video by HoomanTV

Fast Hot Mom Hair

I've found it's hard to feel like you look put together as a mom and HOT! This is what I find when I google "mom hair" ... Aside from Eva Longoria and Emma Stone I don't find these hairstyles to be...HOT.

We are looking for ways to SAVE TIME, be STRONG, be FEMININE.

These 3 styles are for hot mammas. 

SHORT HAIR saves time day to day, but does require more frequent visits to the salon to maintain the shape of the cut and prevent a mullet. 

PONYTAIL is strong, no fuss, and with a little effort can be a great go to style. If you're battling tiny hairs sticking out I suggest either spraying a light hold hairspray on the sides only (not the top to prevent 90's ponytail). Or, use a light wax in the roots before creating ponytail.

LOOSE WAVES and BANGS is feminine. With dry shampoo added on day 2,3 possibly 4 this style can last days without rewashing/styling. First you must wash your hair with clarifying shampoo then your regular shampoo (hydrate or volume) 2 shampoos make the style last longer by removing all the build up. Then blow-dry your hair for a more finished texture and to prevent oil from building at the roots. Then iron curl your hair. This style takes more time 2-3 times a week, but you can go longer between salon visits when it's hard to get away from the house.

3 Women : 3 Looks

Jennifer Lawrence

Save Time

 Strong

 

Feminine

tease and add product to give a new look to your pixie cut

I love this straight end/blunt bob. Flat iron the top front, tease the back for lift and slight messy texture and flat iron the ends.

The Mother of Dragons/ Game of Thrones Star

Emelia Clarke

Save Time

Strong

Feminine

Awesome Hollywood Mom

Jessica Alba
creator of The Honest Company , providing natural diapers, body care, and non-toxic cleaning products. Founding member of the Charity Baby2Baby

Save Time

natural texture and a half up knot

Strong

Feminine

Most important...

Have FUN trying some new looks!!