The Mix Miracle - My Hair Care & Routine

PART I

Using the right shampoo range for your hair

Hey all! Hope you all are doing good.

Okay, So while most of my fellow bloggers are busy taking up the #HappyHairChallenge by Garnier and reviewing the products. I thought of sharing my hair care  & routine procedure with you all which I think will be fun for you to read, as the title already must have given you a hint about some magic in-stored.

I have always been complimented for my hair. Quite straight they fall from the roots and go down as wavy as they are, my friends really like the texture (I really don't know why). On the contrary, I have always felt helpless and insecure about my hair type because like every second girl in India, I too am a victim of this dreadful, grievous 'disease' called HAIRFALL. Yes! a disease it is (huh). Also, I'm a champion carrying oily, frizzy and unruly hair (argh - grin). To add to the dilemma, a little grey hair started to grow when I was mere 14 years of age and I hated it, well I still do.

Two years back I came across this MATRIX salon, newly opened near my place. I went there for a hair-cut and the girl there recommended me to try the professional MATRIX opti care range, which included a smoothening shampoo, conditioner, serum and a bio nutrition hair oil. And I bought the products.

I have always been experimenting with the new range of shampoo brands past 10 years now, starting with Dabur Vatika, Garnier Fructis, Dove and many more to name, but nothing really satisfied me. I still had to deal with the frizz, everyday! And I really don't believe in straightening my hair or curling them up using all those heat products (well sometimes I do - like twice or thrice in a year), so I like to keep my hair natural and easy-to-brush-and-style.

To my surprise, using the MATRIX shampoo, did bring a difference in my hair texture. It justified most of the things it claimed - adds shine, straightens hair naturally, makes hair manageable. But that's only when I oiled my hair in the night, and washed them with the shampoo and conditioner the next morning and applied a little serum while combing when the hair dried (naturally). BUT, the parabens was a turn off point, the frizz wasn't controlled at all even after 6 weeks, and as for the hairfall problem, I didn't feel any change. My hair were going....The volume decreased drastically and literally I was in a predicament.

2 years later, after using the MATRIX range, I was suggested by a friend of mine to use the TRESemme hairfall range which included a shampoo and conditioner. I thought of giving it a try too. It has now been 4 full months that i'm using the TRESemme hairfall +control range and I love the products.

But, here is a twist... I realized that the shampoo from the TRESemme hairfall +control (keratin) range and the conditioner from MATRIX are the best suited products for my hair. I'm in awe of the creators of the two most magical products for the type of hair I have, only thinking why couldn't they make it earlier (haha)? These two products have come to my rescue now, and I'm loving it. Plus, MATRIX bio nutrition oil is a must for me, though I don't like oiling my hair much but once in a week I do it, without fail. It doesn't let my scalp dry keeping it moist enough to scratch my head and get no flakes. Now, even if I don't apply the MATRIX serum after my hair dries, they still feel so smooth.

I went for a hair chop last month to the same MATRIX salon and told the girl (who recommended me to use the opti care range 2 years back) about the combination of hair care products I'm using and how much I'm in love with them due to the reduction in hairfall and the volume of my hair getting back to what I had when I was a kid (like SO MUCH HAIR ON MY HEAD). And to her surprise, TRESemme and MATRIX worked together for the first time creating magic (wink wink).
PS : I love the aroma of both the shampoo and conditioner, and after washing, I really feel so fresh because of the same. Inspite of having oily hair, I can go without washing my hair for about 3 days, all thanks to these two lovely products (TRESemme shampoo and MATRIX conditioner). Just can't get over it (haha).

Other than these products, I do not believe in using anything else for my hair. That's basically for two reasons :

1. I am really lazy to apply masks and go to spas and get my hair treated (all chemicals).
2. I am so happy with the products that I use that I don't even want to experiment with any other stuff to cause any damage to my now healthy growing hair.

Now, I wash my hair twice a week in luke-warm water using the products mentioned above, let them dry naturally (in the sun or under the fan) and they appear so soft, bouncy and healthy that I love playing with them, in fact my friends have started getting envious now, and I kinda enjoy it (hehe). Also, I love the natural curls I get after washing my hair, specially because I don't have to waste hours using rollers or curling iron to style my hair and I'm always read-to-go-out, with just a wish woosh with the hairbrush.

PART II

Using the right type of hair brush for your hair

Hairbrushes come in thousands of styles, materials (plastic, metal) and designs. Knowing what brushes to buy begins with understanding the difference in bristles & basic categories of brushes (vented, cushioned, round and classic). other than that, choosing a particular design really depends on your style of doing hair. Trying to keep track of all the different styles of brushes can drive a perfectly sane person crazy, so you only need to be familiar with my favorite categories : thick bristled plastic brush (for removing frizz), cushioned and round styling brush. To be able to style any hair that comes your way, you should for sure have these.

Cushioned Brush

This category of brushes includes the oval-shaped cushioned brush (padded head where the bristles are attached) for simply brushing out the hair and flat paddle brush with an air cushion that's used exclusively for long hair. the latter is an invaluable tool, by the way, because the cushion and bristles are designed to collapse anytime they meet resistance; hence, they prevent long hair from being stretched, split or broken.

Round Brush

Many round brushes have wooden or plastic handles with a variety of grips that ensure good traction and fit your hand. round brushes look exactly as named : They have a round, metal barrel for more defined movement. Use a round brush anytime you want the hair to have some bend or curl, but not as much as curling irons or hot rollers would provide.

TIPS :

1. Never comb wet hair. If necessary, comb with the thick bristled plastic comb which wont let too much of hair breaking.

2. If you have frizzy hair, avoid using round brush, as it folds hair into itself and leaves you pulling out each strand one by one (which is painful too).

3. Use the slimmest bristled plastic comb to puff up your hair from the center (over-head) to show volume.

4. Use very little serum while combing your hair, otherwise it will leave them oily and damp.

 

   

We all love our hair, long or short, we just love it! And anything we love needs care and pampering.

Choosing the right type of products for your hair can be difficult. So do not hesitate experimenting, and once you get the right stuff for your hair type, do not get over it. Stick to the perfect product and let it make you and your hair happy. 

Do tell me what do you think about this post in the comments below and if it helped you in any way, also if you need any suggestions, or suggest me with something. I am open to everything!

Note : I really want to thank Saumya Kumar from the bottom of my heart for helping me shoot for this post in such a short notice (a few hours before the shoot I called her to say, 'I NEED YOU GIRL') and she agreed instantly, brought her camera and made me so comfortable while posing that I just can't thank her enough! I love her.

I love all my readers and I just wish you all the best for/with the happy hair you have. 

Do not forget to follow me on instagram and keep yourself updated with all kind of activity that goes around me. 

~xoxo~

In The Mirror

I look into the mirror,

Combing my long, wavy hair,

I wonder at its silkiness,

Perceiving a change somewhere.

My reflection tells me,

That I look no longer the same,

My mysterious visage is now alluring,

Beauty has given simplicity a name.

My cheeks have a wild bloom,

My eyes harbor a vivid shine,

My lips part, like soft rose petals,

Make me look seductively divine.

I also sense something deeper,

There is something in my eyes,

My heartbeats quicken with ardor,

I feel my color gently rise.

I see you standing next to me,

Smiling through the mirror,

I reach out, but can't touch you,

Yet you're so close to me.

Your love flows like fire in my veins,

Your affection is the reason for my beauty,

your voice echoes like music in my body,

I realize that my own heart,

No longer belongs to me,

It now beats in your chest,

The tender stranger in the mirror.

Note : All images are taken from Google and the credit for all these beautiful paintings goes entirely to the artists.

~xoxo~

Ethereal Bohemian!

Hi pretty people!! How did the first month of this year treated you? Hope all went well *smile*

In the first post for 2015, I mentioned I'm gonna share with you some truly exciting posts this year, so here I am, back with another outfit post - The BOHO-CHIC look as commonly named the 'bohemian look'. I'm sure most of you have been following this look since long but I'm gonna show you a different way in which you can pair up metallics and prints altogether giving the whole look a glam touch. Bohemian fashion style has all the funky elements and the exotic zing of fashion – creating a rich cocktail of casual, hippie 70s style and ethnic along with vintage. Reflecting on the fashion style of "boho-chic", I thought its ironic that "fashionable girls wore ruffly floral skirts in the hope of looking bohemian, nomadic, spirited and non-bourgeois", whereas "gypsy girls themselves are sexy and delightful precisely because they do not give a hoot for fashion". The term "bohemian" first emerged to describe a way of life, rather than a particular look. Full to bursting with outspoken artists, musicians and others with less traditional views and lifestyles, residents of the area and their overall style and mentality became known as "bohemians." The tag has managed to stick in modern times, although some use the abbreviation "boho." Fortunately for fans of casual, creative apparel, boho style is no longer limited to people with unconventional politics or world views.

Keep reading to learn more about how you can sport this fun, friendly look.

Shrug & Croptop : Forever21 | Palazzo pants : SplashIndia | Heels : factoryrush

Bag : ZARA | Neckpiece, Bracelet & Ring : shopnineteen

There's no surprise to why this look is so appealing to us. It's cool, hippie and definitely feminine in a rugged and effortless way! The Boho-Look is one of my favorite styles because it plays up my dark features. I often infuse some ethnic-inspired details into my Classic Fashion Persona.

In this particular look, today I have paired up my elephant-print palazzo pants which I totally love, because of its perfect length (which I didn't need to alter - for the first time as I'm so short) and the print, oh my lord...I can't tell you how much I'm obsessed over elephants. I looked at these palazzos and grabbed them instantly from the Splash store back in Bombay! with a basic grey crop top from Forever21 and a basic black shrug which again I love because of its elasticity & fitting as I'm on a heavier side on my chest and tummy (I do not exercise :P). For my accessories I have kept it quite simple and have picked up some metal pieces - long-necklace, broad white-stone studded bracelet, and a black stone ring. I usually carry a big sling bag but for this one I have picked up an envelope clutch, but it is reversible and can be worn as cross-body bag by pulling out the metallic chain from inside. My black-snake print peep-toe heels are really cool & comfortable and my favorite too. One of the important things you'll have to remember when it comes to fashion is to always personalize a look to make it more YOU. So adjust BOHO fashion into your own liking and flair!

How to dress Bohemian :

* Do as you like.  An important aspect of bohemian style is individuality; this means embracing your own personality and expressing it through your fashion choices. Bohemian style may be described as a trend with certain looks to follow, but it's really all about following your own inspirations.

* Mix it up. Learn how to pair pieces of your wardrobe together. Women often match everything together perfectly, but if you pay attention to fashion greats such as Kate Moss, Chloe Sevigny, Mischa Barton, Sienna Miller, and other icons, you can see that by using your imagination, so much more life can be added to your wardrobe. The possibilities are truly endless.

* Accessorize. In the world of boho-chic, extreme attention is paid to details. From long or layered necklaces, bracelets, rings and head scarves, ballerina flats, shiny pumps, it's all about the small things. The difference between someone simple and someone with a bohemian sense of style is in the accessories.

* Add a bag to complete the look : Whether you prefer distressed leather or cloth, fringe or suede, a tiny cross-body or an oversized hobo bag, having a reliable and fantastic bohemian purse is key to tying your outfit all together. Cross-body bags are awesome because they keep your hands free. This is especially useful at concerts or festivals! A cute, fringy, small- to medium-sized bag would be perfect for this.

Adding bohemian jewelry is an inexpensive and flexible way to create different fashion looks.

What I really love about boho jewelry, is that you can wear them to instantly transform a basic tee or a dress into a very chic and classy bohemian look. So they are quite cost-effective in terms of styling.

How to wear BOHO jewellery : Avoid Overdoing It!

I personally prefer to opt for a classy boho-chic look, by wearing jewelry strategically. So if I'm wearing a boho necklace, I like to keep my earrings simple and add bracelets instead. Or if I'm wearing boho earrings, drop the necklace. Also, if you're wearing stacked bracelets that ooze a fashion statement, try keeping your outfit simple, free from details and prints that will only compete with the jewelry. Combining metals adds some super-chic interest to casual outfit.

In collaboration with shopnineteen blog - All the jewelry i'm wearing in the pictures (in this post) are from shopnineteen They have an eclectic range of ready-to-wear, high fashion, lifestyle accessories. An exquisite collection conceptualized by their selected team of design artists, visualisers and painstakingly crafted by master craftsmen. From necklaces, pendants, chokers, anklets, rings, earrings, bands and bracelets, handbags, belts and fine hand crafted footwear they have the very finest in their exclusive range. All products have a distinctive look in each design. Threads, beads, stones and metals weave a kaleidoscope of magic and colors when they express themselves on you. The core range includes a series of couture jewelry - a subtle yet classy style statement for the woman of today and a veritable range of personal accessories. When you wear a shopnineteen stuff, you can rest assured of wearing authenticity and class. Most designs are essentially of limited edition. So when you wear a piece from their collection you can be certain that you are wearing exclusivity.

Fashion in general is about finding out who you are and what you like. So experiment! Where's the fun in fashion if you don't allow yourself to take risks? Have fun. If you are following the beat of your own drum (fashion-wise), it is almost certain that some mistakes will be made, that is, unless you stick to basically the same thing all the time which completely contradicts the bohemian state of mind. Sometimes you need a fashion shake-up to breathe new life into your personal style. If you're interested in embracing a look that's synonymous with creativity and a laid-back attitude, consider picking up a few bohemian pieces on your next shopping excursion!

Do tell me what do you think about this look of mine in the comments below and don't forget to follow me on instagram to win giveaways from shopnineteen.

~xoxo~