DW Community Catch-up Thread
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I’m in Mexico (west coast) and needed to wash my hair. It’s humid here but not like Cancun so I felt like I could attempt to dry my hair with the Airwrap. In addition to my heat control product, I grabbed some extra-hold Mexican herbal essences mousse at the shop, and damn! It made it smooth, with body, and held a curl!!! I think their mousse is more serious down here.
Ok so, for those with the Dyson Airwrap (or who blow-dry and curl with an iron probably), I’m late to the party but mousse is a key ingredient. I was using a blow-dry primer spray and a heat-protecting styling cream, but my results with the Airwrap were tricky… I’d have to have my hair be pretty damp when using the curling barrels in order for it to hold a curl, but there’d be a little frizz and the style didn’t really hold up the next day so I’d put it in a ponytail. But now I add mousse to the roots and it makes a HUGE difference. I had some Evo MacGyver mousse at home, and I just ordered Amika Plus Size.
It’s like magic. Basically I can just blow all my hair out dry and smooth, then curl large sections using the smaller curling barrels like a wand upside down, and I get beautiful smooth waves that stay in! This morning I let my hair down and didn’t have to do ANYTHING to it. The mousse gives it body and hold without stickiness. I cannot believe how well it held the wave. I did love the Airwrap and what it could do, but this has perfected it for me.
I think it’s because modern mousse has polymers? Or copolymers? That build your hair up and give it shape memory. You want one that’s not just like a blast of alcohol for volume like I feel like it was in the 80s. The ones I’ve been using don’t seem to have alcohol or silicones (not that I avoid silicones, but I like to know).
I think at one point there was discussion on manicures, probably pre pandemic. Any thoughts on gel manicures? How much damage is there on your nails?
In an attempt to find the convo I saw Ver’s post about her wedding. So amazing you pivoted. Did your SIL get married in Disney?
I am 5 months out. Can’t believe covid is still around ha. We have some contingencies for guest lists. Wish we didn’t have to deal with this. The good thing is that even though my venue is indoors the past two years they rented a tent with the couples. So outdoor might be an option.
Gel manicures are generally safe as long as the manicurist maintains a sanitary environment. Your nails will get a little weaker but most people don’t have issues if they remove the gel that a little Sally Hansen Nail Hardner can’t help. My mom and aunt have been getting them for decades with no issues. My Aunt stopped during the pandemic and just used nail polish until things opened up again. I learned how to do a gel fill on my mom’s nails until her manicurist opened up again.
I was just googling this the other day. The recommendation is that you not do back to back gels, to give your nails a chance to recover in between. The removal process can be tough on your nails.
That said, I’ve done back to back with no really bad effect. I take biotin and have strong nails.
Also, rubbing cuticle oil into your nails daily is supposed to be a good idea while you have the gel on. And definitely makes your hands look better. I do this.
I haven’t had any issues with gel manicures. I don’t get them consistently. I’ll only get back to back if I have a few events or happenings over several weeks in a row.
I do prefer to get them removed at my salon over at home.
I have fairly week nails In general FWIW.
I got regular gel manicures for about a year maybe 4-5 years ago. I’m one of those people who always chips her manicure quickly, so I think they’re pretty great. Your nails will look kinda rough after you remove them, but I didn’t think it was a huge deal. I stopped doing them regularly because it was an unneeded added expense, but continued doing it occasionally for events. I’ve been doing my nails at home more during COVID and like Essie’s gel couture line as an alternative. It lasts longer than a regular manicure for me, but not as long as a professional gel mani. My sister got one of those at-home kits sold with the UV light and likes it.
On the subject of beauty, has anyone ever used any of those lash growth serums and had favorable results? I feel like my lashes just aren’t what they used to be.
Amazing, thanks all. I’m thinking of getting that done for the wedding so I can try it out now, and then let my nails recover before doing it before the wedding
It will last at least 2 weeks. Just make sure to NOT start picking and peeling it off when it starts to chip, go in and get it soaked off.
@Copa – Lash serums, yes, I am on my third tube of an Essy Naturals lash serum from Amazon… black tube, looks like a mascara, but goes on with a skinny little brush like eyeliner. It made a major noticeable difference in my lash length and I think health. It’s like $20-something, not that expensive. I sleep with an eye mask, not sure if you do, but I started wearing the Bucky brand ones that are contoured so not flat against your eye. They don’t smoosh your lashes down when you’re sleeping.
Also, I tried a new brush hairdryer! There was a Black Friday sale on the T3 Airebrush at Sephora so I bought it. It has 2 brush heads, a paddle one and a round one. The round one is ROUND, not oval, and smaller than the Revlon but bigger than the dyson airwrap. It would be a GREAT solution for anyone who loves the Revlon but it’s damaging their hair. It has 5 heat settings and doesn’t get anywhere near as hot as the Revlon. With the Revlon, I was impressed by how quickly and smoothly it straightened out my hair, but I was afraid to use the high heat because it seemed like way too much. But the lower setting was kinda meh, leaving my hair a bit limp. And with the huge brush head I couldn’t get too much bend. This T3 one gives you more volume and more bend, with that same sleek blowout look.
That said, it is $180 (I got it for $130), so if the Revlon is working great for you, don’t get it. But if the Revlon fucked up your hair, it’s definitely worth it. I’ve been using it instead of the Dyson Airwrap round brush. And if I want waves after, then I put them in with the airwrap curling barrels.
