I don’t venture into beauty/fashion topics very often (well, really never) but my brow wax today got me thinking about my “no compromise” beauty rituals.
My #1 must is my monthly brow/lip wax. I started waxing when I was in high school and have been faithful ever since. As someone with dark hair and features, waxing gives a clean look that tweezing can’t provide.
This is an old picture after a brow wax several months ago. (Coincidence that I am also holding my yoga mat? I think not! ;)) Everywhere I have lived I’ve been on a first name, friendly basis with my estheticians. A talented waxer is one of the first people I seek out in a new city. Once I find someone I love, I am extremely loyal. Here in Charlotte, I have been seeing Ariana at Varji & Varji. She’s so talented, beautiful and sweet.
My #2 must is haircuts. Even though I have long hair, I need regular cuts to keep it looking styled and healthy. I used to also be very picky about what products I used on my hair but unfortunately, budget doesn’t allow for $20 shampoo and conditioner right now.
Clearly, I don’t have bangs anymore but this was taken on the day of a haircut last summer. (Hmm…maybe I should cut bangs again? They’re just so annoying during workouts.) I used to be religious about eight-week haircuts but now I stretch it closer to 12-16. Also, cuts only. No color.
One thing that I love but enjoy only as a treat is getting my nails done. I decided a long time ago that I’d rather keep up my brow waxing and do my nails at home. I just can’t afford it all!
What are your no compromise beauty rituals?
Well, that was a fun change of pace! 😛
Breakfast this morning was plain ole’ banana oats.
Oats, sliced banana, chia seeds, cinnamon, raisins, almond milk, pinch salt, water and topped with peanut butter and jam.
I had a waxing appointment at lunch. The spa is in the same shopping center as Earth Fare so I always treat myself to the salad bar after.
Salad, crackers and Honest Tea. I had the Greek yogurt for my snack later in the afternoon.
My salad was super delicious. Baby spinach, edamame, chick peas, roasted butternut squash salad, mock chicken salad, feta, fresh fruit and more.
I went for a quick 3.5 mile run after work before heading to teach my evening hot vinyasa class. Class went well but I was all confused on my left and rights. I swear, that’s the hardest part about teaching yoga!
I kept dinner simple. Egg scramble with green pepper, tomato, mushrooms, spinach and feta with toast on the side. And then I had leftover strawberry crumble and ice cream. I mean, is it possible to say no to that!?
Finishing my evening tea and off to bed. You might not hear from me tomorrow night because I’m teaching BodyPump and then we’re off to a concert but don’t fret, I’ll be back at ya midday on Friday. I’m taking a half day!!!
I’m the same with the beauty rituals. I found someone near my hometown who does waxing for very little cost and she does a good job. If I tried to find anything close to where I live now, it’s more than twice the cost. I’ll take the drive to get a good wax. For hair, I only have it trimmed maybe 3 or 4 times a year, so it’s a splurge for me and I go to a place on Newbury Street in Boston. But my stylist does such a great job, I don’t want to go anywhere else. 🙂
The last time I got my nails done was for my wedding over 2 years ago.
Oh, moving to a backwater blue-collar town forced me to abandon waxing (it was done too poorly to be worth the cost), and after a bad haircut that ruined my chances of giving 10 inches of hair to charity… I now drive 8 hours to a proper city to get my hair done. And I was a “no colour” kind of girl, too… until the white started creeping in. For the last 2 years, I’ve been getting high- and low-lights, so even though *I* still see those white hairs, no one else does… they seem to think it “blends”. 🙂 Ride the “no colour” train as long as possible–it’s SO EXPENSIVE! Oh, vanity! 🙂
It has been two years since I abandoned shaving altogether in preference for waxing. Which has been interesting. My hair (legs, bikini, underarms) has become thinner, but you have to wait for it to grow in to wax it, which is always a painful test of will power. With the summer on the horizon, I’m saving up (hair and funds) to splurge on one big leg-wax: as the follicles start giving up hope, your hair starts growing in at such different rates – I have stubble still waiting to emerge and one-inch (yes, one-inch) hairs right now – so frustrating!. I recently gave up on the self-bikini wax – thank God! That is something worth paying for every 5 weeks, for sure.
I also maintain a ridiculous skin regime, which includes, to the mockery of my friends, anti-aging and eye creams. I’m only 23, but I’m looking to preserve what I’ve got!
I also have dark features and get my eyebrows done every 3-4 weeks. Religiously! Have you ever tried threading? I’ve been getting my eyebrows threaded for about 6 months and I feel like its so much better on my skin. You should give it a try!
i tried threading years ago. i would definitely try it again sometimes! i’m a freak…i’ve been waxing for so long that my skin doesn’t even turn red anymore from it and it doesn’t hurt! crazy!
I cannot compromise when it comes to hair. I probably spend too much, but I really believe that a good cut makes all the difference. It’s easier to manage and style. The only product I use on my hair (other than shampoo/conditioner) is Moraccanoil. I swear by it!
MUST check out this Moraccanoil. thanks for the tip!
I’m kind of random when it comes to waxing. Even though I have dark hair and dark features, my body hair is blonde so the only thing I ever need waxed are my eyebrows. I tend to only get them waxed after I’ve let them get out of hand for quite a while and usually just pluck. Lucky girl, not to need color. I’ve been getting gray hair (just a strand here and there) since I was 20! But you must be doing something right because your hair always looks great! 🙂
kelly – that is crazy that your hair is blond…and very good for you! i have my fair share of grays, i’ve had them since i was 18 but so far i can hide it without color!
I revel in beauty rituals. I think they are so much fun to keep up with. I’m extremely religious about my skin care routine, and have been since I was about 14 years old. Hopefully, it pays off when I get older… only time will tell! I also keep up with manicures and pedicures (I do them myself most of the time). I’m pretty horrible about keeping up with my hair, though.
i am SURE that your skin care ritual will pay off. i really need to get serious about mine now that i’m approaching 30! prevention is so much easier than treatment!
I’ve got no beauty rituals other than showering 🙂 I really need to work on taking care of myself.
you’re awesome
xoxo
😀
I need to check out this salon… I’ve been growing in my brows and I need them shaped up without messing with the progress I’ve made 🙂
ariana is the BEST and she’s all about natural/full. don’t worry about her ruining what you have going! 😉
I have dark features like you. I get my brows waxed every 4 weeks. That is definitely a no compromise ritual! I also get my hair cut & colored every 8 weeks. I started getting a few stray grays when I turned 30. I hid them as long as I could, but when you have very dark hair, you can only hide them for so long!
erin – i commented this to kristy below but i definitely have a good number of grays too. i’ve had them since i was 18. so far i’ve been able to hide them/pull out the really obvious ones – trying to hold out on color for as long as i can!
My eyebrows need to be waxed twice a month. I, too, search for the best waxer I can find and then remain loyal. There is nothing like a bad eyebrow wax 🙁
My hair is curly and super dry so a cut every 12 weeks is a must. And since I have pesky gray, I also color every 5 weeks. Ugh!
Funny you mention getting right and left confused when teaching yoga. I had a rough time on Tuesday night distinguishing b/t right and left!
kristy – if i could go twice a month i totally would! mine grow so fast! luckily, i’ve never had a bad experience but i’ve heard (and seen) horror stories!
i have more gray than i like to admit but so far i’ve been able to get away with hiding it and pulling out the really obvious ones. holding out as long as i can!!!
I have light features and blonde hair so I dont require a brow was but I do get a bikini wax every month or so and get manicures/pedicures every 2 weeks. And I get my hair cut and highlighted every 3 months. I consider myself pretty low maintenance but writing it all out I guess it is a lot of rituals!
bikini waxes are the best (albeit very painful) during bathing suit season!
Does shaving under my arms and brushing my teeth every day count?
Sigh.
Someday, someday, I’ll have time to get a haircut again 🙂
Oh! I forgot! I WILL get a mani/pedi for my sister in law’s wedding on Saturday. Whew. I’m not totally a fuddy duddy! 🙂
this comment made me laugh…too cute melissa! hey, i can feel your pain when you feel so busy that remembering to brush your teeth and put on deodorant is a challenge! 😉
enjoy the mani/pedi for the wedding! relax!
I love a good mani/pedi, but being able to get my eyebrows waxed is crucial!
You should totally go for the bangs – they’re really cute on you!
aw, thanks! i just wish they weren’t such a pain in the *** when i’m working out! so hard to pin back!
I love your bangs! You always look beautiful, but they especially suit you. Though I completely understand not wanting to deal with them, as active as you are.
mine are definitely waxing and pedicures. Well, the pedicures are only if the hubs lets me. But he knows how much I enjoy it, so its usually a go! hehe. Love the bangs, go for it!
Do you let your brows grow in between waxings so there’s enough hair to pull out? Or do you pluck/maintain as well?
I used to have rituals, but since becoming a stay at home mom, I let it all slide. I’m trying to pick things back up again, I hate looking and feeling like a total sloth!
I have fake nails and its a non-negotiable for me because otherwise I’d bite, chew, tear my natural nails apart.
As for teaching yoga, I’ve found that walking around the class and standing behind your students as you’re about to take them into a complicated series can help you differentiate between left and right. When you’re staring directly at them trying to give them the proper cues, it can be much harder. Its definitely tricky when you’re new to it – something I’m still working on 🙂