EWP Reviews: Keratin and Aveda Keratin Treatments (With Before & After Pics!)

Keratin treatments seem to be all the rage right now, and I obviously had to find out what all the fuss was about.  It's supposed to give good protein or something to your hair, thus taming frizz and making it easier to blow out.

As I've mentioned before, basically all my hair fell out after I had a baby, but it's begun to grow back, which is good except for a curly-haired person, new short hair just leads to a crown of frizz.  See below:

The frizz was making me INSANE.  And I decided I needed to step into the world of keratin.  I did my first treatment in November (with Alex and Michael Anthony Salon on North Avenue. I LOVE him) and had planned to do a before and after post for all of you, but never got around to taking pictures. Oops.  But the treatment's lifespan had ended (as evidenced by the above photos) and it was time to re-keratin myself.

I went back in for the keratin blowout since I liked it so much the last time, but out of stupidity and scheduling issues, I did not go to my styling love Alex but another stylist I'd never seen before.  She told me about how Aveda has their own keratin treatment now and, while it is more expensive, it uses much less chemicals and is more natural and lasts longer.  After some convincing I upgraded to Aveda's treatment.  Whichever treatment you get, it has to be flat-ironed to seal into your hair, so this is me post-flat ironing.  No, this is not what your hair looks like regularly after a keratin treatment.

And then I completely forgot to take the real "after" pictures where I just let it air dry normally.  Oops.  I then proceeded to go on a trip to the Bahamas where I washed my hair daily, if not twice daily depending on pool visits.  So these pics (which I lazily took with my phone) aren't a fresh post-keratin look.  You're not supposed to wash your hair everyday as to extend the life of the treatment.  But you can get the idea.  These are just air-dryed, nothing done to my hair days.  Please note the significant decrease in the crazy halo of frizz ridiculousness.

This one is post gym, so I'm especially gross but it seems to look only slightly frazzly.

Please don't judge my chipped nail polish, I'm doing my nails tomorrow. 

Okay, picture time is over, now it's time to get reviewing.

First of all, there are two different levels of keratining, one lasts, I think, 6 weeks (if you don't wash your hair everyday and use certain types of shampoo) and the longer one lasts... 3 months?  I've never done the longer one.  Michael Anthony Salon (not sure what other salons do) has you do a consultation first to figure out what works better for you and at my consultation we discussed how the longer version would be too heavy for my hair.  And I like a little bit of wave/curl left so I didn't want to do the whole shebang. Plus it's twice as much and I'm loathe to drop that much on my hair in one visit.  And with each of the services you can't wash your hair for 1-2 days.

1) The keratin treatments.  There's the full treatment at... $300?  You get a free shampoo and conditioner that is compatible with keratin with your treatment.  It lasts about 3 months.  I did the keratin blowout which was, I think, $175.  It's labeled as lasting 6 weeks, but I found it lasted much longer than that.

2) Aveda keratin.  This is the one that was kind of sort of pushed on me as "better."  This too has the longer version, which I have no idea how much it costs, but does not come with the free shampoo and conditioner, which are Aveda and pricey so sad not to get them.  The shorter version was $225 and SMELLED SO BAD.  I seriously was ready to vom for most of it.  It's done just as good a job at de-frizzing but it's left my hair feeling really dry and strawy.  For being the more "natural" option, I would've expected it to be easier on my hair. I was pretty annoyed about that and called to complain, and in the 5 years of me going to this salon I've never complained once.  Lastly, I only got it 3 weeks ago, so I can't vouch for how long it lasts yet, but having been washed extra, it's still holding up well.

EWP Grades.

Regular Keratin: A- (minus for the price)
Aveda Keratin: C+

Michael Anthony 20th Anniversary Celebration

Last week was Michael Anthony Salon Spa's 20th anniversary celebration. Staff from all 4 salons, plus their new Canadian business partners, and the 20 clients from the photoshoot were all invited.

Look! It's me!

They had the party at this adorable floral shop/event space with a darling outdoor area.

I dragged my friend Kim with me. She was more than happy to show up to an event where people actually dressed well. We'd both seen enough shabby lawyers and were excited to be among stylish stylists. I figured as this was a fun salon event, it was definitely a place to whip out the ol' fascinator. It looked awesome.

I, however, did make a bit of a miss on the dress choice. In my head I know I went up two cup sizes from this whole nursing BabyWP thing, but I guess I hadn't really noticed in real life, so I donned a Nanette Lepore dress that had previously been borderline appropriate in the cleavage department and now was just plain scandalous. And I didn't realize until I got back and looked at the pictures. What a hoochie I am! My weirdo pose isn't helping matters either.
Left is my aesthetician Tilly and right is my colorist Allie. They're both fantastic, you must see them.

Kim decalred at the end of the night "I know why you spend so much time at your salon, these people are so nice!" It's true, the Michael Anthony folks are super wonderful. We had such a great time! And I did score some swag: a yummily soft robe, a giant picture of me (which was a nice gesture, but, um, what on earth am I going to do with that??!), and a $250 gift card. I'm going to spend that in, oh, .23 seconds. Mr. EWP definitely appreciates that last gift. Sadly, no digitals from the shoot, which I was really looking forward to. I'll have to harass them for those.

It's Here! It's Here!

Well, sort of. My big modeling gig photoshoot made its first appearance in the following invite for an event for the salon. Can you find your favorite EWP?

Look at me getting my model face on. That was the face I made when he told me to "smile, but not really" I had NO idea what I was doing. I'm pretty sure I look very confused.



My move is tomorrow and I have no idea when the stupid internet installation people will be showing up, so hope to see you within a week.



xoxo,

ModelWP

I'm Definitely Not Meant to Be a Model

Yesterday was my big photoshoot for my salon's 20th anniversary/thank you to clients/ad campaign/thingamabob.

Every girl at some point in her life has dreamt of being a model. Admit it, there was a time when you dreamed of getting your picture taken and walking the catwalk - maybe just at the mall's fashion show when you were 8, but you definitely thought about it.

I fully admit that I had many times growing up thought how fun and glamorous it would be to be a fancy model, try on clothes, have all the attention as people take my picture. Yesterday was my big day to live out that fantasy. And, oh my god, it is really not for me.

The getting my hair and makeup done part I truly enjoyed - you know me, I'm a sucker for pampering - but the whole stand there and get your picture taken thing made me so uncomfortable. I actually felt really self-conscious with all the attention and camera in my face. I didn't know what to do with my arms. I didn't know what to do with my mouth. If you've met me, you know I'm a big grinner. I have never taken a closed-mouth, non-smiling picture in my life. But this was serious photography, I couldn't be grinning like an idiot (even though I tried to). This was a close-your-mouth-smile-but-not-really photoshoot. Yeah, I had no idea what I was doing. Add on top the whole crane-your-neck-to-elongate-it-in-the-most-unnatural-position-ever thing. My neck was so tired at the end. But it was fun to see photography tricks, like having my hair pinned forward to make it look like I had lots more hair. And there was definitely a fan involved.

Oh, and there was my constant embarassment because my hair is falling out. Yes, I'm going through that fun post-baby hair loss everyone had warned me of. Just globs of it coming out. And when the salon mogul/photographer would adjust my hair for shots, his hands would come back covered in clumps of hair. It was both gross and horrifying. He, thankfully, understood, but it didn't stop me from feeling so so bad. By the end of the shoot there was like a carpet of hair around my feet. I'm super surprised I'm not bald.

And so ended my first and last day of modeling.

I'll get digital copies of the pics eventually once they've been edited. Can't wait to get them and post them for y'all!

ModelWP

No, I haven't taken up modeling. I just got a very exciting phone call today.

You know my salon Michael Anthony, the one that I frequent ENTIRELY too much?


Well, I got a phone call from them this morning saying they were doing a new ad campaign and wondering if I'd come in for a photoshoot to be part of it!!!! Two whole hours dedicated to making me pretty and taking pictures of me. You know I can't turn down an opportunity to have my hair played with, so I obviously said yes. And luckily this time my mother-in-law can watch BabyWP so we don't shelling out a bunch of money for me to have my hair played with, like we did last time.

The pictures will be used on their website, in their salons, on their facebook page, and other promotional materials. Eep!

They'll be doing my hair and makeup, but they asked me to bring in 3 outfits for me to wear. OMG WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR???? I'm particularly fond of this new dress of mine (yes, I bought it. No, I shouldn't have). But the salon person said that they would prefer solids. And that dress is very not solid. Once again, WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR?????????????????????????

I think I'm going to have to try on outfits and post pics and have y'all decide.

The photoshoot isn't until July 13th, so there's time. Anyone want to come over and go through my closet with me? Or, you know, go shopping and pick out all new things to wear?

I knew my salon addiction would pay off eventually! And by payoff I mean not pay me anything but let me live out a modeling fantasy for an afternoon.

Updo? Don't Mind If I Do

Sorry for the lack of posting round these parts. Blogger has been giving me lots of trouble. I do believe it's time for me to throw in the towel and move on over to Wordpress. But that's a headache for another day. I'll let you know when the big move happens.

For now, let's chat about my hair.

My trusty stylist asked me to be her hair model Monday afternoon. The salon was closing for a mandatory updo class for all its stylists to learn and practice looks they normally didn't do. And my stylist wanted me to be her updo guinea pig. I've only seen my stylists for cuts, so I actually had no idea what her updo capabilities were, but an afternoon of having my hair played with sounded just too fun to pass up.

So we hired a sitter, (Yes, I got a sitter just so I could get a bunch of updos for an afternoon) and I went off to be the best hair model I could be.

First thing my stylist exclaimed was how I had so much hair. This was a surprise to both of us as we both have been waiting for it all to fall out. (Apparently after you have a baby, you go bald. Who knew?) Lucky for both of us, I have not yet gone bald and she had plenty of hair to style.


First up: the french twist


Verdict: it made me feel very fancy, but I don't think it looks very good on me


Style Two: the smush and pin.

Verdict: this is actually something I do with my hair all the time. Who knew that I was such a master of hair that I could do my own updos? Definitely not shelling out $65 to have someone do this for me.

Style #3: The Sexy Pony

Verdict: Y'all, I am a big fan of the sexy pony. I myself suck at making a nice, clean, high ponytail. Shameful, I know. What girl doesn't know how to do a ponytail? But this sexy pony was, well, sexy. I liked it. I think I need to do that more often.

Random in between looks shot: There was A LOT of backcombing involved. I looked kind of like the bride of Frankenstein in between each style. Also, man oh man was my scalp sore by the end of the afternoon.

Style #4: Chignon

Verdict: I've never had a chignon before, though I feel like I see it sported on celebs for big events all the time. And, well, I liked it. It didn't really go with my casual dress, but if I was being fancy, I'd def love to have a chignon. I felt uber fancy in it.

Style #5: The 20s finger wave

Verdict: I was most excited for this look. I am a huge fan of the retro glam finger wave look. Alas, it was the first time my stylist had ever done it (hence that whole learning in a class and practicing thing) and I was not fond of how it turned out. So disappointing because it was really how I wanted to spend the rest of the day, but it all fell out basically as soon as I left. Oh well, you can get the basic idea and I def think it's an updo I should get (albeit from someone else) for a future event.

What do y'all think? Do you do updos? Or are you a hair down kind of gal?

I Heart Fashion Nails on Michigan Ave.

I'm a creature of habit. Once I find a nail salon I like, I just keep going there. But last month I was out shopping on Michigan Ave. with Laura and we wanted a mani/pedi. So we hopped into some place that was open on a Sunday. We'd never been but, hey, a nail place is a nail place.

What we didn't know is that when this nail place said "spa manicure/pedicure" they meant "we give you an amazing massage you will never forget." Like serious deep tissue massaging of your feet, calves, hands, arms, shoulders, and neck. I love a deep tissue massage. And this massage, just the massage part, takes at least an hour. It was heavenly. And all for the low price of $55.

Clearly I will only be going there. Why not get my tired ol' dogs (my feet ache like crazy these days) deeply massaged in addition to nicely painted? And the nice lady Lin (who I totally recommend) has started giving me discounts because I'm cute and pregnant.

So, for those of you in Chicago, I totally recommend Fashion Nails located at 210 N. Michigan Ave. for your next mani/pedi.

Oh and I also recommend this color for your next pedi: Essie's Damsel in a Dress. It's actually a super dark purple, almost black, and I can't stop staring at it. My toes are hawt, I'm telling ya. I'll have to buy it for myself. I'm that in love with it.

Essie, $8

EWP Giveaway - Best Makeup Remover EVER!

This week is going to be a doozy. Had a 14 hour day on Monday and a 13 hour day yesterday, and who knows what kind of day today. So, as there will be little to no posting out of your fave EWP this week, I'm having a giveaway!

This week I'm giving away another one of my favest products - The Nature's Alternative (or maybe it's Mario Tricoci brand... I can't remember, it's at home) makeup remover (retails $25). I have trouble with makeup removers because my eyes are extremely sensitive and everything makes them sting, burn, and turn red. That is until I picked up a makeup remover at Mario Tricoci. Mario Tricoci is a Chicagoland salon. I picked up the remover on a whim and have been in love ever since with its gentleness and its very convenient pump. My dear friend small&mighty shopper tried it out when she was over a few months back and she went gaga for it too. Unfortunately, this product, as far as I've been able to see, is not available online. But because I love you, when I went to pick up one for myself on Saturday, I picked up an extra to give away to one of you!

To win this awesomest of awesome products, answer me this:

What do you do for winter outerwear and do you think I would approve?

I was going to do a post on winter outerwear and staying bulk-free, but no time, so this question is the best I can do for now towards my un-bulking ends.

Only one entry per person. Anonymous entries are ineligible. You may enter through Friday11:59 PM CST. Winner announced on Saturday (maybe).

[P.S. There were going to be cool pics of the product so you could see it, but, as I said, no time for an EWP photoshoot, so you're just going to have to live without a picture. Hey, it's not like it's clothes, you don't actually need to see it.]