Feeling Fabulous!

I can't believe I'm able to type that! I'm seriously feeling so good! For about the last 6 months or so, I have been in a serious funk. I was so overwhelmed with changes that were happening in our household. I was borderline depression, ok, probably past borderline. I couldn't keep a focus on getting anything done in our house. It got to the point that I would just gravitate back to the bed and play Candy Crush. I was able to get laundry done, but I think that's about all. Not only was this happening, but I was eating junk! Lots of junk! Life just seemed better if I was eating a bag of chips or a box of cookies. Well, not really but it seemed like a good idea at the moment. I couldn't wait till bedtime for the kids, because that meant my time to go to bed was really soon! I also wasn't sleeping very well, it would take me forever to fall asleep, and when I finally did fall asleep, I would often wake up several times a night. Then when the morning came, I felt like my feet were cement blocks! I just couldn't function until coffee-and then it wasn't even a real function, just enough to get the kids off to school and back to Candy Crush.

February 1st I started using a product called Thrive by Le-Vel. And before you roll your eyes and say "here she goes again", please know that I have also tried tons of different products and ended up with a lot of bottles and such under my sink. However, I love the simplicity of this product. In the morning when you first wake up you take 2 capsules, wait 20 minutes and drink a shake, then put on the Dermal Fusion Technology patch and you are done for the day! 1-2-3 and DONE! What???? I don't need to take 3 bottles with me in my purse? I don't need to remember to take something before a meal or after a meal? Yep, I can do 3 steps! And I have been, and guess what... I really am feeling fabulous! Of course, it didn't happen overnight. I am noticing different things about myself every week. But, I no longer want to just stay in bed. I feel like I can accomplish things. I no longer feel defeated. I want to eat healthy things. I want to eat less-I don't want to finish my kids plates after my own. I want to drink more water. I don't NEED coffee anymore! I am able to eat one or two cookies instead of the whole box! I have lost 7 lbs. My clothes fit better, I don't have that bloated, something heavy in my stomach feeling anymore.

How does this stuff work? Why does this stuff work? It is all natural, and I know that doesn't always mean much LOL. Thrive is basically all the vitamins and nutrients your body should have on a daily basis. You know, our body was designed to need these vitamins and nutrients. Our foods originally had all these vitamins and nutrients in them. Our dirt used to have these things in it, and that's how our fruits and vegetables had them. This is no longer true anymore...but that's a whole 'nother story for another post! ;) The DFT patch slowly releases these things throughout the day. This is why you don't need to remember to take anything else! How awesome is that? If you have any questions, please reach out to me. I would love to see everybody feel this fabulous! Check out my website www.coolhairchic.le-vel.com

Oh! I almost forgot....Le-vel offers everyone the chance to get their product for FREE! EVERY month! Ask me how!

Home Hair Color Gone Wrong

This is a phrase I am quite familiar with. As a hair stylist now for 15 years, I have several long time clients that originally were referred to me by another client because they had a home hair "oops" and were in need of a color correction. They have since been clients for life. The following story is about a dear friend and client that I have had the privilege of doing her hair for over 8 years now. I was recently on vacation, and while I was gone, she (who at her request will remain anonymous), had a cocktail party and decided her roots (new growth) needed to be done. She then went to Sally's Beauty Supply and asked the clerk to help her match her color so that she could color it herself. Her thought in all of this, was that she didn't want to bother me. She is afterall very sweet.

Well, she went home and applied said hair color formula that the Sally's clerk had recommended. Her hair is normally a very chocolate brown. It turned out BLACK. As in she now had a black stripe at her roots and the rest of her hair was brown! She had to go back to Sally's to get more of the same color so that all of her hair would match. Why she didn't give in and call me at this point, I still don't know. LOL So, she then returned home and applied the hair color to the rest of her gorgeous chocolate brown hair. Did I mention that she has been growing her hair out? So, due to some personal schedule changes, she had to reschedule her early January appointment with me. I think she was trying to let it fade and sneak it past me. ;)

When she walked in for her appointment last week, I immediately cocked my head and looked at her funny. I couldn't help it. I said "Why does your hair look so dark?" Her response "Well, I've got some xplainin' to do". She then told me the story above. I love her, and couldn't contain my laughter. The funniest part, is that her teenage daughter told her immediately "Amber is going to be so mad at you". Ok, so she wanted her beautiful chocolate brown color with slight natural light highlights back. Here is what her home hair oops cost her in the long run.

*First, I had to decolorize her hair TWICE. (Process of removing the black color while making sure not to damage her hair anymore)
*Then, Replenish the hair with a Redken personalized Chemistry Treatment to reassure that her hair would not continue to be damaged.
*Blow dry hair
*Apply desired shade and gloss.
*Deep conditioning treatment to seal her hair and again reassure that her hair would end in a soft, conditioned look.
*Cut off damage that remained from the original color oops. I was able to save a lot of the length, but her layers had to be shaped a lot.
*Blow dry and style new shiny, chocolate brown, long layered style.

Cost:
Original product purchase (twice) at Sally's $25
My services breakdown:
Decolorize-$65(2)
Chemistry Treatment $20
Desired shade application $65
Deep Treatment-$15
Cut and Style $50

TOTAL=$305

I personally love all of my clients, and would never ever be upset if they texted or called me while on vacation. If this ever happens to you, please know that I will either refer you to one of my esteemed colleagues, or walk you through something to tide you over till I get back. If you are considering that $5-$12 purchase of haircolor at the store, please think about the time and cost it may result in.