eggplant pigtails

A little sneak peek at my bedroom! :)

Right before the new year I re-dyed my hair and it came out so dark! It was one of those really cold icy days and I was still getting over being sick and I was dead-set on dying my hair, so when I saw that I was out of the conditioner I use to dilute the hair dye I thought "oh what the heck" and just applied it as-is. And wow does it come out dark when it's not diluted. It was basically black with an ever-so-slight blue/purple tint. I mean, this photo was taken after it had faded a bit with a few shampoos and it's STILL super dark. Right now it's getting a little closer to what I consider acceptable lightness (ex: if you follow me on instagram you can see what it looks like now, here) but I'm really looking forward to when it fades even more. It's funny, I have naturally dark brown hair and lived with it for 17 years but as soon as I (accidentally or on purpose) end up with a dark hair color now I hate it so much.

If you're curious, I used punky colors in violet. I like it most when it's almost completely faded, and it looks kind of grayish-lilac. When it first goes on, even when I dilute it, it's a little too blue. I bought some punky colors purple and I'm going to try mixing them for my next touch up :) I'm also going for a haircut this week and taking along a photo of Phryne Fisher from Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries -- is anyone else hooked on that show (and her hair?!) I love it! She's like a living flapper doodle!

dress - modcloth | blouse - thrifted | bow - topshop | shoes - c/o bait footwear

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purple purple purple!

I have purple hair! It came out darker than I wanted, and the bleach didn't lighten all of my hair enough so some areas look kind of murky grey... but I do like it. It's like the first time I did pink, it takes a few times before the hair color really gets the way I want it. I need to fiddle with the dye to conditioner ratio and I think I might need to mix this color (Punky Colors violet) with a redder shade of purple to get the hue I was going for.

I've had a weird week. I ended up catching Chloe going on my bed, so now I know which cat was the culprit. She ended up doing it three times before I caught her.. luckily when I got my new mattress I bought a waterproof liner just in case, but that still doesn't really make it any less gross :( I just hope she's ok.. she did this once before when she had a UTI so we're off to the vet to make sure everything is fine.

I got SUPER excited today because I managed to snatch up tickets to an X-Files event in NYC next month... I called pretty much everyone in my family to gloat and even ordered a smaller version of my I Want to Believe poster so I could get it signed. And then I got an e-mail from the place hosting the event letting me know that they actually sold out on Wednesday (!!) and anyone who purchased tickets after that would be watching the event on a closed-circuit tv in a room on another floor. So I just cancelled :( It really bummed me out because I was just SO excited about seeing Mulder and Scully in person. But you know what, I got to meet Steve Carell (and a bunch of other Office cast members!) earlier this year so I guess I had more than my fair share of awesome tv experiences for 2013. Maybe I'll have better luck when the next X-Files event rolls around :)

sweater - c/o oasap | skirt - h&m | shoes - urban outfitters | glasses - c/o firmoo

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hair we go

I've been pinning my bangs back for a few days and I think I'm going to stick with this for a while. I've gotten very used to hair covering up half of my face, so all the forehead I'm seeing in the mirror is a little odd but it just feels so good. I don't have to worry about wind blowing them out of place, heat making them stick to my skin, accidentally making them too short or letting them grow out too long. I love the way bangs look on me, but I need a break. Instead of putting up with them, I'm putting them up ;)

On an unrelated note, has anyone seen the news about The Little Mermaid re-release? It's apparently being released this week with a gimmick that has you bringing your ipad into the theater and participating in audience games and sing-a-longs. I was so excited when it was originally announced that it was going to be released in 3D (and very heartbroken when that was cancelled) but now I'm not sure if I want to go. I know I'm old fashioned, but I really love that movie theaters are one place you can still go to escape from constant connectivity. Will you go?

dress - c/o oasap | shoes - c/o bait footwear | sweater and belt - forever 21

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diy clip in bangs [guest post]

Hi there, my name is Ally and I blog over at now that's pretty. Today I'm here to share a little DIY that can totally change your hair but doesn't require any awkward cutting or growing out periods. The other day I was out shopping and saw clip in bangs (we call them winges over here because they are fringe wigs...oh yeah we call bangs fringes). They looked pretty cool but were uber expensive so I decided to make my own. The only downside to the DIY version is that you have to wear a ribbon to cover the seam but there's nothing wrong with a little encouragement to decorate yourself with bows right?



You will need:

Hair extensions of the same colour as your hair- I had some from when I'd been growing my hair out but you can usually get them in chemists and beauty stores quite cheaply. If not you can use a wig and then cut the hair away from the net (keeping the hair fibers on the seam).

A needle and cotton
Scissors
Hair straighteners



The making- 1) First straighten the hair you're working with, it makes it easier to manage and judge length. 2) Cut off the existing clips or attachments. 3) You will now be left with hair on a seam. Do this until you have a few layers because you need the bangs to be nice and thick. 4) Layer up your seams and sew them together (You don't have to be very neat here as long as its relatively strong). Also at this point check they are the right width for your head. 5) You now have the hair you will be working with! 6) Re-attach some clips- one in the middle and one at each side. 7) Finally cut your bangs. It's better to cut a little at a time than to suddenly realise you've cut it way too short. 8) Yay! All finished! I left some little tendrils at the sides as well because they make it look a little more natural.



The styling- 1) Unclip all your fastenings. 2) Clip your bangs on. 3) Use a straightening iron to slightly curl your bangs under. This makes them look less rough. 4) See? Much better. 5) Since you can still see the seam you will need to cover it. You can get a little creative here, I usually use a ribbon but in the past I've used plaits or curls of my own hair. 6) Ta-daa!

Have fun with your new hair style!

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quick & easy hairdos [guest post]

Hello wonderful readers of Scathingly Brilliant! I'm Britney from Scout and today I am blogging for Kate while she is away. I am sure that we can all understand the hardship that Kate is going through. I recently lost my dog and its so heart wrenching that at times it is unbearable. You've spent their life thinking you are prepared but up until it happens you never realize just how much it will hurt. Lets all send Kate hugs and love from all around the world. Lots of them!!!

In honour of Kate (and her brilliance) I'm going to show you a few quick and easy hair-dos to make your day better if you are feeling a little uninspired and sad!! When I am a little down and even if I have no where to go I'll do my makeup, hair and get dressed up. Its amazing how it can make a difference!



First and foremost a pretty little half-up beehive. If you want to do a full beehive its super easy to just tuck in all the ends! I would have to say this one is my favourite! And it is remarkably easy too! I love the vintage, 50s feel this hairstyle gives. Plus it can make any outfit so much more prettier!! Who doesn't like a beehive?



1. Part the top section of your hair from the bottom. 2.Tease the top section all up!! Try and avoid the very top as this will show at the end and I'm betting you'll want it to look smooth! 3.Use a bun ring to add extra volume. 4. Simply tuck it in under the teasing. 5. And pin it down with bobby pins. 5. Tease the side sections out more and then clip at the back (with more bobby pins). 6. Spray and smooth with lots of hairspray. 7. Add any finishing touches. I added a big white bow as a homage to Kate! 8. And wear it with pride!!




The Tinkerbell Bun is just as easy, perhaps even more!!! I recently purchased this pretty floral hair tie from a New Zealand accessories store but you can find similar (possibly prettier) here, here (this one has butterflies!) and here. All you need here is a bun ring, a hair tie and any pretty decorative things!



1. Start with your hair out. 2. Put it into a silly (but fun) high pony tail!! 3. Grab a bun ring. 4.Pull the pony tail through the ring. 5.Drop the hair down (making sure it covers the ring completely) and tuck in the edges. 6. Decorate!!! With anything you like!




This is the easiest!! So simple! You can just put it up and go! Generally when I am at home and want my hair out of my face I'll go for this. I've used a scrunchie-esque bow. The bow itself has wire in it so it keeps itself in great shape!!! And its in a pretty red polka-dotted pattern. Whats not to love?



1.Start with a head of teased and voluminous hair. 3. Bring it all into a pony tail and wrap the hair tie around a few times. On the last time through don't pull it all the way. Leave some tucked in. 4. If needed add some bobby pins until you are happy with the shape. 5. Done!



I sure do hope I've given you some Kate inspired inspiration!! She sure is one amazing gal. Am I right? So lets all send her our well wishes and hugs. If you are going through something similar reach out!! Take steps to make yourself happier (like putting your hair up all pretty even if you aren't leaving the house). Its not easy. But people always tell me it will get easier! And I am pretty sure the passing of a loved one gets easier when you are surrounded by more love, friends and family.
Britney

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origami moons and stars

If I look sort of different but you can't quite place your finger on why... it's because I'm wearing my hair down! I never wear my hair down, except when I'm going to sleep or if I have a headache (obviously since I'm wide awake and dressed and it's daylight, the reason for my lazy hairstyle in these photos was the latter.) I'm not even sure why, but even when I was a little girl I always liked my hair in some kind of updo. I keep thinking that once it gets longer (right now it's just barely past my shoulders but I'm trying to grow it out) I'll start wearing it down more often but I still don't think it suits me and I almost feel naked without at least ten bobby pins poking my head.

dress & cardigan - forever 21 | shoes - c/o bait footwear | lady tie - c/o flapper girl

belt - from another dress | tights - old navy | brooch - c/o under the shade of a bonsai tree

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peachy pink

Sorry for the terrible mirror photo! We've been having a really dreary, overcast week so when the sun decided to show itself for a few minutes I hurried and took a quick picture of my new hair color!

In real life I think it's a little bit more muted than it looks here (or maybe that's just because I've been seeing it in rainy-day-lighting all week) but I really do like it! I used Clairol Light Red-Neutral Blonde (8RN) mixed with 20vol developer for the base color. And then the next day I used Special Effects Cupcake Pink mixed with a smidgen of Manic Panic Wildfire Red, and a decent amount of conditioner (to dilute the color) and left that on for a few hours. So it's like a peachy, muted pink instead of being really bright.

If I can maintain this color I think it will be perfect. With a less saturated shade of pink, I feel like I'll attract less attention in public (which is a huge plus for a wallflower like me) and I won't feel compelled to match my outfits to my hair, which I always do when my hair is bright pink. But my hair will still be PINK! I think it's a happy medium :)

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Simple bouffant bun updo

I was fooling around with my hair the other day and remembered a style I used to wear a lot a couple years ago when I had much longer hair. My hair is pretty short now (the longest parts are just above my shoulders but I cut it myself so it's pretty [read: very] choppy and uneven) but with the help of bobby pins I managed to get it to work. :)

You can see how it looks with a lot more hair (my hair was almost halfway down my back when I took this picture) and no bangs in this super old outfit post here.



1. Pull your hair into a super duper very high ponytail and secure tightly. Since I have so many flyaways, I pinned those down at this point. 2. Roll your hair forward, and tuck the ends underneath. When I had long hair I used to secure the ends with a hair tie, and then roll them so that the massive amount of hair was easier to handle ;) 3. Insert bobby pins -- I used really large ones -- on both sides. It helps to crisscross them, so they stay secure. 4. Tug at your hair at the base of the ponytail to fan out the hair and make the hairdo tighter. 5. (Optional) I like to add more volume to the sides, so I just took a pen and loosened up the hair a little. A fishtail comb is probably better but whatever ;)

Then I always finish any hairdo with a sufficient amount of bobby pins to tame all the flyaways and split ends that stick out when I'm done. And that's it!

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pink!

Well, I have pink hair again! I've been thinking about it for a while (basically ever since I stopped having pink hair. If you've ever dyed your hair a fun color you probably know exactly what I mean!) But I've been seriously debating it for the last couple of weeks. It got to the point on Monday where I was just sick of thinking about it so much! I swear every single time I looked in the mirror, saw the tips of my bangs out of the corner of my eye, glanced at my blog (I think you get the point) I considered pink. So I just dashed over to Sally's, got my supplies and did it before I had a chance to reconsider.

I really love the pink SO much. I think it looks more natural on me than any other color, and I feel so much more like ME! I just hate touching up my dark brown roots, and being a super introverted person, I really don't like that it sparks so many conversations with strangers when I'm out. But in the end I think those last two points are outweighed by how much I love it. Love, love, love, love, love it!!

Dress - modcloth | Cardigan - h&m | Collar - luminia | Shoes - from my grandmom

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3 minute maiden twists

I was getting ready to do my hair one day last week and thought I'd record a video just for the heck of it. I've been wearing my hair like this almost daily for months because it's just SO easy. It's almost as quick as putting your hair in a ponytail but it looks like it took much longer!

It usually doesn't take me anymore than 3 minutes to do this (in this video, it's about 2.5 minutes.) You just part your hair, twist one half and pin it to your head. Then twist the other half, tuck the loose bit of hair from the other side underneath, and pin again. Pin down all the flyaways (I have a TON on my right side for some reason!) and that's it! I also like to pin the back too, and I find that tilting my head back helps make it tighter :)

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