Growing out a pixie....

Once upon a time... I was a pixie.
And I loooved being a pixie! 

And yet, for various reasons, I decided to grow out my pixie.

9.20.14

I didn't decide to grow out the pixie until a few months later but here's an example of it near its shortest

12.2

This is about when I decided to let it grow out. 

1.27

2.28

You know... just a "Don't Stop Believing" lip-sync sesh in the car.

3.30

4.22

6.12

7.12

9.1

9.24

10.9

As of yesterday, I've unlocked the "bob with bangs" level and from here I should have an easier time - fewer haircuts interpolated by bang trims. 

The grow-out process hasn't always been easy, but it wasn't so bad that I wouldn't go back to a pixie.  Here are a few tips and tricks I learned along the way:

* A hairstylist you trust is a requirement!  I mean, it should probably be a requirement before getting a pixie.  But you need someone who really knows your long term vision (is it weird that I always have a 1-2 year hair plan?)

* Be prepared to visit said hairstylist often to take care of trouble spots #FightTheMullet

* I grew out one side at a time and it kept me sane!  I probably could have grown it out faster, but I refused to look like a 2008 Beiber!  My pixie had always been asymmetric, so I kept trimming the left side while the right grew out till I could really style it.  That way I could draw attention away from the left as it grew out.

* Color is your friend! Before I started growing out the left side, I had ombré highlights added and they have helped even more than I anticipated!

* A women's multivitamin has improved my overall hair health.  I also added lavender essential oil to my shampoo to help it grow a bit faster. 

* Get experimental with tools and products.  It seemed like I had to slightly adjust my hair routine every 4-5 weeks or so.  And at one point I was blow drying with 3 different round brushes!  My favorite products?  This texturizing spray and a good dry shampoo (preferably Batiste's).  

* To see some more of my "goal hairstyles" along the way, visit my Hair board on Pinterest :) 

* * * * * * *

Dear pixie,
You were good to me.  You helped me be more me.
Thanks you so much for that.
One day, I'll find you again.
Love,
Samara

Haikus: Epiphany

I know this summer I haven't posted as much as usual.  Due to my job and thesis research, I didn't have as much time for personal writing as I wanted to.  I did find myself jotting down phrases on the go and eventually got the idea to work on a collection of haikus.  I had a lot of fun with this project and it was really fascinating how once I embraced the form, it seems like I started thinking 5-7-5.  I'm not sure if this project is over, but it's time I share these snippets from the past few months.

So, without further adieu, summer 2015 according to Haikus: Epiphany.

* * * * *

Cascadia:

Disillusioned ones

walk on. But the face of God

is a mountainside. 

Staying up the hours the carpool lane is open:

Embrace the night owl 

living within yourself and 

stop harboring guilt.

Post Alley:

I don't remember

the song playing, but I now 

have my alibi 

Flat Rate Boxes:

Can't account for the 

words, tears, everything, but...

"You want your stuff back?" 

Park West:

See the pale half-moon, 

fire-red sun share the sky

and feel my pulse calm. 

Breakfast conversations:

"Girls go to work, too?"

As mothers and execs, but

yes, darling girl, yes.

12805:
Strangers footprints mark
once most-familiar floors,
when home is not home.

Soho, 1.30am:

"What the hell is that?"

Your wedding ring... Brokenness 

I can't help you bear. 

Anticipation:

Oxford isn't a place, 

but an ancient creature made

of heart-beating stones. 

Original Starbucks:

Spain. England. Belgium. 

"No, that wasn't the last one." 

Stroking away fears...

Welcome:

Fresh-faced pixies, once

I was like you, before I 

felt always behind. 

Cœur de la vallée:

Wood smoke.  Unbroke.  Our

star-gazing conversations

ease anxiety. 

Highway 101:

Ever think about

Seattle and recall that

corridor we shared? 

An Erasure from Compline, Book of Common Prayer:

Glory to Father, Son 

Holy Spirit, as it was, 

is, will be. Amen.

Westview:

That moment when they

cry, "I can't believe..." and it's

like vindication. 

h a i (r) e v o l u t i o n

5 years of hair... 

 It's been a tale of bangs and buns, pinned up-dos and now pixies.

"Life is too short to have boring hair." 

- Kayla Roberts

If you are reading this, it means my hair is dead.

Ok... not dead.  Just mostly gone.  I got it chopped.  Or, I should say, I'm getting it chopped.  I'm writing this a few days before my appointment.  I've decided on the look.  It's an above the shoulder length - a long bob, I think they're calling it.

I haven't had my hair this short since 2009.  I got a reverse bob after my sister's wedding, and that actually went pretty well.  But then I grew it out so it'd be easier to take care of during school.  I've since fallen in love with a variety of buns and other updos and kept it long.  And I like it.  I like what it looks like long and done well.  But I like the feel of it when it's all up.  Off my face.  Off my back.  I can read with nothing falling in my eyes... You get the drift.  Long is fun; and I've enjoyed it.

But, I needed a change.  I can't even always explain why.  I've been tempted to do something even crazier.  Like, on the drastic scale, what I wanted was a 10 and this is a 6.  The nice thing about this length is that I can grow it back out or go even shorter.

I am all nervousexcited for the cut.  I feel anxious.  I feel ecstatic.  I want to tell everyone.  I want it to be a total surprise.  It's the strangest feeling.  The other day, I was 100% positive that this was the only look for me right now.  Then today I was back on pinterest looking at pictures of long hair.

But I am excited.  Really truly excited.  I can't wait for that can't-go-back moment.  To hear that metallic sound of scissors cutting through thick hair.  For 7, 8 inches to be cut away.  For that startling sensation of running your hands where there used to be hair. 

My hair will be better for it.  It feels dead and heavy on the ends.  It needs a breather.  And I'm so excited for a completely different 'do.  The plan is that it will still be long enough to pin back.  But I want to curl it as often as possible.  I love the pics I've been seeing of shoulder length curls.  I'm sure there'll be plenty more to experiment with.

It's just... time for a new season.

So adieu, hair.  You've been my best hair.  You went red with me.  It's just time to give you a break... who knows where we'll go from here ;)

* * * * * * * * * * *

I was so nervous today that I had to read this to myself right before the appointment.  But I shouldn't have been so worried.  Looks good!  Pics to follow soon :)

Just found this picture of me with short hair...

Someday, it's going to be shorter.  Much shorter :)

#butdon'tworrynotyet

Fireworks - Red

Sorry for the vague-blogging last week.  Let's start to clarify :)


Well, so one of things I was hinting at here and here last week (and dreaming of for a while) was this - I am now a red-head and loving it!

[It's very dynamic and so looks different depending on the light.]

I'd never ever colored my hair before, so this was a big step.  And I'd been warned red is dangerous... but I'm so glad I tackled it.  My stylist is amazing, so I really had nothing to worry about.  But my need for understanding and flare for the dramatic sometimes rage at war conflict - hence being all nervous/excited.

But I am so excited to join the league of red-heads!

 

"I've never been ginger!" - 10th Doctor

Now I have, Doctor.  Now I am :)


[Before and after]



I whole heartedly agree with Coco Chanel when she said,

A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.

I would only add,

A woman who colors her hair is about to change her world.

One day...

...I will have red hair.

monday, bun-day

My take on the Keiko Lynn "do"

fun and funky bun! =)

With 10 days left in Europe, I feel this Audrey-esque compunction to go get a pixy cut.

Don't worry! I'm not going to. I've been growing my hair out for such a long time and I'm always wishing it was longer... but, it just seems like I'm breaking a tradition or something:

Sabrina (1954) - Sabrina before Paris

Sabrina after Paris =)

Roman Holiday (1953) - Princess Anne when she arrives in Rome

Out on her "Roman Holiday" after her famous haircut =)

So I'm not going to chop off all my hair... but I feel like I should do something. Hmmm... :)

I cut my hair!!!

It's all gone! I whacked my hair. It hasn't really been this short since I was two years old! 

This is a little exhilarating -- a little strange! But above all, it is FUN. 

Craziness - it's just totally not there! 

So far no regrets - just shock! 

I'm going to stop rambling now... Haha - it's just SO different!!!