♥ How I Went Blonde ♥

Hi everyone! I've been getting a lot of questions about how I went from dark brown to blonde so well and I wanted to make a blog post about it!

First off, this might not work for you because all hair is different! But if you're trying to go blonde, the main thing is to keep your hair healthy. This means constant care, trims, deep conditions, and NO BRIGHT COLORS!

First off, let me explain how hair color works. Every layer of hair color you have is on your hair shaft until you cut it off, unless you have stripped your hair or bleached your hair. Since the last time I was blonde, I have put red and brown on my hair. This means that there was a layer of red underneath my brown hair. I've been coloring the roots of my hair brown and trimming it on a regular basis for three or four months, waiting for the red to be all the way out of my hair. With every haircut, my hair had less and less red in it, because it was being cut off. I knew that once all of the red had been cut off of my hair, the brown would pretty easy to bleach out. I had to have a lot of patience, because if I tried to bleach my hair before the red had grown out it would turn very orange. Red, along with any other bright color is VERY difficult to get out of your hair, making it really difficult to go a lighter color, such as blonde. This is where having short hair comes in handy, it takes A LOT less time to cut off all of the red. So after only a few haircuts, the red was completely trimmed out of my hair and all that I had left was natural hair with one layer of dark brown.

That may seem a little confusing, so I'm sorry, I suck at explaining things.
I went to beauty school, so I learned a lot of these things and this is me trying to explain it in simple words because I can barely understand "technical terms"

So when I knew I had no red left underneath my brown, I decided to bleach my hair.

I used "Up To 7" bleach with 40 volume developer.
Hair levels go from 1-10, 1 being the darkest and 10 being the lightest. "Up to 7" bleach can lift up to seven levels, which means that my dark hair, which was probably a 3 or 4, could lighten up to 7 levels, bringing it to a light blonde color. I used 40 volume developer even though it is harsher on the hair because I knew I needed a strong developer if I wanted to get to a really light blonde.

After the first bleach, the ends of my hair were still a little orange.

I then put more bleach on my hair, only on the orange parts. The rest of my hair was about the color of the inside of a banana peel, which is as light as bleach can get you, so I knew that putting more bleach on would only damage my hair, not make it lighter.

After that, my ends were the same color as the rest of my hair, a light yellow..

Now, to get it less yellow, I used a toner.
A toner is a color you put over bleached hair to take out the yellow and make it white.
There are many different toners. Some make your hair seem grey, some make your hair completely white, and some (when put on very light or white hair) can even give your hair a purple hue. There are many different toners, so before you use one make sure you ask a stylist or a local beauty supply shop worker to make sure you're using the correct toner.

After this, my hair isn't white, but is very light and not orangey. I would like to go a little lighter, but for right now I'm going to give my hair a little break and keep it as it is!

I hope this helped some of you, I know it seems a little confusing, so if you have any questions feel free to ask me and I'll try my best to explain better!

Thanks for reading! ^-^

♥ Ultimate Girl Powers ♥

I feel the need to share my role models (and why I love them so) with anyone who cares to hear.

Sometimes I feel so sad and inadequate but I try not to let that keep me down for too long. There are three ladies I look up to and who make me feel better and who make me realize that things will get better!

Ultimate girl powers; Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, and Demi Lovato.

What can I say about them that everybody doesn't already know? They're beautiful,they sell millions of records and make songs that help them and their fans get through their tough times. They've been through heartache and personal issues, yet they still do what they love, move on, and learn from their past problems and mistakes, all while looking absolutely gorgeous, staying true to themselves, and being super sweet to their fans!

♥ Taylor Swift ♥

I think everybody already knows how much I love her. She's perfect. Yeah, I know everybody thinks it's cool to slut shame her but really, she's cute and young and should be given a break. If you got it, flaunt it. And Taylor's definitely got it. She's an all around sweetheart and super cutie. She's the girl the boys want to date and the girl that girls want to be best friends with. We both love baking, cats, antiques, collecting clothes, and generally just being a little goofy and weird. That's why I love her so much. She's so down to earth and normal, other than, you know, millions of dollars, crazy fans, and super catchy hits. I just want to make cookies with her and listen to sad indie jams. She takes all of the hate that people throw at her and she just keeps going and making great music and being such a sweetheart to the people that love her as well as the people that don't. And have you listened to Red all the way through? It's brilliant, just like her. She's a postive role model and I can't see how anyone could even consider hating on her.

♥ Miley Cyrus ♥

Okay, what's up with Miley Cyrus this last year? She went from super cute Disney chick to super HOT all around swag queen, but in a good way. In a GREAT way. Even before she chopped the signature waves, she started rocking the best clothes and had perfected the sock bun. How can you not love her now though? She's beautiful, even without the long hair. Her new song is the ultimate party jam, and she's just out to spend money on cute stuff, kiss dogs, and have a good time. And who could forget Breakout? The post Nick Jonas relationship album is still being blasted in my car today. Everything about her makes you want to just go shopping with a starbucks in hand. Who doesn't want that? Especially with a girl that's all about self love and being yourself, no matter what anybody else has to say about it!

♥ Demi Lovato ♥

Demi Lovato is a huge inspiration. Celebrities usually don't open up about personal issues, because of fear and embarrassment. Demi opens up to help people. She's the first person that I have found to openly talk so deeply and so honestly about her emotional issues, eating problems, and self harming ways. Being someone who has struggled with depression, binge eating/starving, and even self harm, it's great to finally have that role model. I can look up to her and remember that if she made it, I can make it. She even openly admits to still having her bad days, and still letting her issues take control at times, but she went to rehab to learn to deal with these underlying issues and she works at bettering herself every day! So along with that, she sings songs that tug at your heartstrings and really make you feel like you aren't the only one. She makes time for her fans and sincerely loves them. Heck, she even got "Stay Strong" tattooed on her wrists because her fans would write that on their's and send her photos while she was in treatment. If you don't love Demi, you should. There's nothing not to like about her. She's brutally honest and to the point, while still being sweet and beautiful and caring all at the same time. If you want to learn more about her past you can watch her documentary! I watched it on Perez Hilton's website! Just search "Demi Lovato Stay Strong"! 

This seems like a silly post, I know, but I just had to get my love for these three ladies out in the open! 

Hope you enjoyed! 

♥ Mini Haul / What Alex Did ♥

I got paid today so I went up to Olympia to do some shopping! I didn't get much, so this will be a pretty short post, but I did buy some super cute things I'd like to share with you guys!

First, I went to Plato's closet (which I know a lot of people don't like because it's used and usually pretty overwhelming) and found super cute high waisted H&M shorts and a pair of black velvet flats. The shorts are super comfy and are just high waisted enough. I love that I can roll the bottoms up for shorter shorts if I want to! I needed a lighter wash pair of high waisted shorts and these were $5 so it was a deal I couldn't pass up. The flats are pretty basic, but I really needed a new pair and $6 was such a good deal, even if they turn out being uncomfortable I can still wear them every once and awhile! So worth it. 

Then I went to Charlotte Russe, and I didn't find any clothes (I tried on a jean crop top and realized that style just did not flatter me well) but I did find cute sunglasses and a pair of HUGE heart hoop earrings. I've been wanting a pair for so long, and I'm SO SO SO happy I found these! 

I went into Hot Topic, and unlike usual I actually found something! This Adventure Time bathing suit was on sale, so of course I bought it. I felt like I really shouldn't get it because my boobs don't fit well into string bikini tops, but I got it anyways and after I tried it on I realized I was right. It fits, but I might slip a boob in the river and I don't want that! I'm going to try to sell this, so get ahold of me if you're interested! It's such a cute bikini, I'm so sad I can't keep it forever and wear it every day! 

And here's a photo of me munching on some Little Caesar's pizza with a huge slurpee! It was grey but it wasn't raining here in Washington so I took the opportunity to actually sit outside and enjoy the grey for a little while.

That's all for this one, super short I know. Let me know if you want me to post anything in particular! I love hearing different ideas for blog posts from you cuties! ^_^

♥ Quick Update ♥

I took a little bit of a break from active posting, as some of you may have noticed. But I'm back for good and I have been planning a TON of cute posts for you guys, related to makeup, fashion, movies, books, wish lists, gift ideas, everything! I wanted to come back strong and I'm ready to have a great blog!

So since it's been awhile I figure I would give you guys a little update!

I got a job at McDonald's! It's honestly such a fun place to work! Sometimes it get's a little stressful, but I feel like every job has it's ups and downs and my great coworkers really make everything worthwhile. I work in service, so I take orders at the front counter and from the drive-thru, along with bagging food, making fries, preparing coffee/smoothie drinks and ice cream, and just generally keeping everything stocked, clean, and ready for customers!

My senior prom came and went! I had a blast with my friend, her date, and my date. We got pizza downtown Olympia and got frozen yogurt for dessert! (We also jammed Miley Cyrus' album Breakout on the way there) I never really was into dances, but I'm so so so glad I got to go to my senior prom, it was so fun and memorable, and all those catty girls I had to deal with the last four years weren't so catty. Senior year, senior prom, and the senior trip was all so laid back and chill and fun. No drama, just good vibes! I definitely recommend taking part of your senior activities, it's so much different than every other year!

I started a writing blog (inbetweenarms). I love writing, and I get so sad sometimes that I just want my head to explode to get everything out of it. I have realized that writing is my creative outlet and I will continue to write when I feel inspired!


Another big part of my life was graduating high school this last month! I ever thought I would see the day that I got to walk up in front of everybody and get my diploma. It was so surreal! It felt long overdue, but in the end it all felt like perfect timing, like it was finally my time after all of these years! If you've graduated, you know how I feel, but if not, you will see soon and you will just feel so accomplished and proud of yourself. I could go on forever.

And... drum roll please.... I finally found the perfect boy!
His name is Brandon, and we met through mutual friends/instagram. We went to the same venue for shows, but we were both too shy to talk to one another! Through mutual friends and instagram we started talking and we both knew right away that a relationship was a good idea for us! I've waited patiently for the right boy to come along, and of course that happens right after I finish high school! I'm so happy for my friends in relationships, and so happy that I'm finally in one. The perfect person really does come around when you stop looking! Just let things happen and things will fall into place. Being with him is surreal, he is really my dream boy. I finally get to show off how great of a girlfriend I can be!!

Alright, that's all for now. I'm going to be posting every other day at the LEAST from now on, and will be making up for it in an extra blog post if I forget! Thank you so much for sticking around even though I haven't been posting! Talk to you soon!

April

♥ April Favorites ♥

I've never made a favorites post but I figured since April is over I might as well  do one and stop putting it off until the next month is over! 

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Maybelline FIT me! makeup!

I'm always hunting for makeup light enough for my skin tone, so when I ran out of foundation and was left frustrated that even the lightest foundations made me look orange, my friend gave me both of these. She had started tanning so they were too light for her! She didn't like this product, but I'm glad I got it because it matches my skin tone perfectly and it lasts all day if I use a setting spray with it. I definitely recommend giving it a try, because even though I heard a couple of bad reviews it really worked for me.

Printed Leggings! 

I love love love fun leggings. They're so fashionable, and they can be worn with basically anything. Jean jacket, plain colored shirts or sweaters, band merch, boots, oxfords, flats, sandals, sneakers, ANYTHING! I have black and grey lace print, an oriental looking print, and black velvet. I have a pair of galaxy leggings shipping to me now, and I'm beyond excited to wear them and experiment with looks. I'm also planning order camo leggings. Leggings make your bum look great and are so cute and versatile! 

Acnedote Face Wash

 

I work at McDonalds and my face always feel greasy and gross after work, so I wash with this and it feels like it's just taking away all of the grease. I used Apricot scrub for awhile, but I saw this and it wasn't tested on animals so I had to try it. It's dark brown and reminds me of dirt which is odd but it really cleans my skin and leaves it super soft.

Spotify 

I recently downloaded Spotify after hearing so many good things about it. You can search ANYTHING and it's on here, even comedy acts. I know I hopped on the Spotify train a little late but I had to rant about how great it is regardless. I'm going to get Spotify Premium and start using that. For $10 a month you get unlimited music and you can download songs and albums straight to your computer! Pretty good deal since most free music downloads are hard to find and risky for your computer. And they don't just take all of the money, they give it to the artists so they actually make a profit unlike when we just illegally download every album. 10 bucks a month is pretty unbeatable. 

Duck Dynasty 

I know, it's kinda dorky. But I love Duck Dynasty. I made fun of it and thought it was stupid, but when I actually took the time to watch it one day I fell in love. I'm not really a supporter of hunting or anything, but it's still such a funny show and I could watch it forever. Even watching the reruns makes me laugh like a lunatic. Heck, my entire family has Duck Dynasty shirts. We are big fans, even though all of my friends hate me for it.

Enchanted Perfume

My friend recently gave me this as a gift and it took the #1 spot on my list of favorite perfumes. It has a perfect mix of musky and girly. The bottle is beautifully designed and colored. I love Taylor Swift and her perfume gave me one more reason to love her. 

Tyler, The Creator // Wolf 

This album is flawless. There's not really much I can say about it other than that. Tyler does a great job with his music, it's perfectly vulgar and it's always such a good jam. I think Trash Wang is my favorite song off of this, featuring Trash Talk. Give it a listen! And hey, if you have Spotify the entire album is up on there!

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That's all for my April favorites, I'm gonna try to do this every month!