Think INSIDE The (Dye) Box

I can quickly become addicted to a new beauty product, so it should come as no surprise that my latest obsession is dyeing my own hair.  Sure, I went through the highlights phase (I thought it was a requirement to have some level of blond when I moved back to Texas six years ago), but that proved quite expensive and frankly, rather dated...rather quickly.

So in an effort to save money but still indulge my need to continually change my favorite accessory (my hair), I decided to hit my local Target and navigate the boxed hair color aisle (which can be quite daunting for a beginner).  Based on a few magazine reco's and a $5 coupon (yes, Marketing DOES work), I've now tried three different brands and actually liked all of them.  Hair dye has come a long way from smelly, messy, guessing-game hell...in the days of hair-dye-yore, you only had a few different color options (yellow, red, brown, black), but now you can pretty much find 29 different tones and shades just within the "chocolate" family (warm, rich, auburn, cool, dark, low fat...).

After many compliments on my first (successful) attempt, I finally had to reveal that it was all from a box...and that I kinda have fun doing it, much to my awesome hairdresser's chagrin (sorry Lyns, it's nothing personal!).  Plus, they all come with a nice conditioner that last at least another month after the dye job.  Best of all...no smell, and very little mess! Although I will warn you blondies - I have a feeling going blonde from a box can be a bit trickier than brunettes, so proceed with caution (and have your colorist on speed dial).

A few "tint hints" before you get started...
1) Make sure your hair is at least one-two days unwashed - the dye seems to hold better on dirty hair.
2) I suggest trying it on a weekend...just in case.
3) Put an old towel on the floor under you - if any stray drops occur, they end up looking like blood.
4) Wear an old shirt - same issue as #3.
5) Have your timer ready - it's pretty tough to start digging around for one AFTER your gloved hands are all covered in the stuff.

And now to my brand suggestions (in order of how I tested them over the past year)...

First attempt was with Clairol Natural Instincts.  Seemed to go very well and resulted in a lot of shine!  This was also my favorite smelling conditioner of the three.  My color was 4G Dark Golden Brown (in the "Golden Chocolate" Family - yes, it's a whole hierarchy of color spectrum science, and I'm sure if you mix two of them, you can create your own hybrid species of fabulosity).  Natural Instincts Hair Color
Magic K8 Ball Says: 6 = Outlook Good (A solid performance, but I've seen better)

Next was Garnier Nutrisse - yep, this is SJP's brand of choice with the fancy "avocado seed extract" stuff. Worked very well, although it's the traditional "liquid" formula so it can drip if you're not careful (the foam from above doesn't drip at all).  My color was 40 Dark Brown (in the "Dark Chocolate" family).  Garnier Nutrisse Hair Color
Magic K8 Ball Says: 7 = Signs Point to Yes (Just short of perfect, & definitely worth a try)

My favorite so far is John Frieda foam - it's easier to work in, and the gloves are waaay better (rubber and stay on well) vs. the other brands (basically clear trash bags with fingers that keep slipping off).  My color was 4N Brilliant Brunette (in the "Dark Natural Brown" family) - for those of you who see me regularly, it's my current color.  John Frieda Precision Foam Colour
Magic K8 Ball Says: 8 = Gotta Have It! (A winner right out of the gate, er...box!)

Oh Solo Mio...I'm Drinking the Kool-Aid!

You've seen the commercials - some mysterious colored liquid is squeezed into a glass of water as if the evil stepmother poured it out of her poisonous ring (it basically looks like fancy food coloring that you really only see during egg-dyeing season).  The voice-over proceeds to explain how this fancy new liquid will add flavor to plain ole' boring water without adding calories or other unneccesary junk.  Hmm, I think...(picture thought bubble over my head)...I don't love drinking water but know I should drink more - maybe this is just what I need! 

The fancy liquid is called Mio and comes in a neat little squirt bottle in six different flavors, so I picked up the Berry Pomegranate flavor at my local Target (that one sounded the tastiest, plus it's purple which is my fave).  I have to say, it's kinda fun squirting it into your glass, and you can add a little or a lot - it doesn't take much to liven up boring water.  Best of all, it really tastes like "adult Kool-Aid!" (only without the fun Kool-Aid dude busting through your wall).

I don't love that it uses Sucralose (it can sometimes leave an after-taste) but that's probably the worst thing about it.  For $3.99 a pop, I'll definitely try the other flavors.  Hey, whatever helps me chug more agua and makes me look cool without being poisoned, I'm in.
Mio Fun Liquid Stuff 

Magic K8 Ball Says:  7 = Signs Point to Yes (Just short of perfect, and definitely worth a try)

Magic K8 Ball Says...

Obviously, I'm a pushover for good Marketing - why else would I actually test and try so many new "life-altering, age-defying, must-have, new-and-improved, gotta-have-it" retail gems? Hence, my official rating system, The Magic K8 Ball, from 8 (highest) to 1 (lowest):

8: Gotta Have It! (A proven winner through repeated success or out-of-the-gate awesomeness)

7: Outlook Good (Just short of perfect, and definitely worth a try)

6: Signs Point to Yes (A solid performance but I've seen better)

5: Pretty Sure (Above average, but okay if you skip it)

4: Result Hazy, Ask Again Later (Too soon tell; need more time)

3: Not So Much (Below average but not a total loser)

2: Don't Count on It (Pretty crummy; $ better spent on an overpriced latte)

1: What A Joke! (Overrated and complete waste of good shoe money)

From Skinny Britches to Chubby Cheeks...Bring on Summer

As the hot season quickly approaches, here are my initial finds to disguise the muffin top, get lost in a book, and your next pedicure must-have...

1) Skinny Britches (no, that's not a typo)
I've tried to avoid any type of compression undergarment for years, but after I heard Kate Winslet openly admit that she's no stranger to Spanx, I figured, "If THAT Kate's doing it, so can this one!"  They're certainly not a daily wear for me (I'll save those for another post), but a sheath dress pretty much demands it at this point - enter Spanx Skinny Britches.  They're much thinner and lighter-weight than the traditional mummy-style Spanx, and they pretty much stay in place, unless you count a slight rollover effect at the waist (but no inching up on the thigh which is the usual frustration zone). 

I'm not as happy to report that you have to size up for sure; a Large is most comfortable for me (which seems a little crazy since my pants are typically a 6 or 8).  Still, they're the best I've found so far, and honestly, if you're wearing these things, does size really even matter anymore??

Spanx Skinny Britches

2) The book "The Hunger Games" (ah, the irony of that title after just praising a compression garment) - sure, it's a Young Adult book that's being made into a huge movie franchise, a la "Twilight," but this one is definitely more...adult in it's futuristic slant.  I'm not a sci-fi fan, but this one will definitely draw you in, and it's a quick read.  Gotta love a strong-willed teen who's more concerned about staying alive than whether or not Boy A or Boy B will kiss her first.

The Hunger Games on Amazon

3) My new go-to summer nail color - "Chubby Cheeks" by Essie (I promise this isn't all subliminal sub-text for "get thee to a gym before swimsuit season is fully upon us").  This is a fun WEARABLE coral that's great on fingers and toes.  I've always been frustrated by trite beauty copy like "it looks great on EVERY skin tone," so I refuse to make that claim - how do I know how tan or pale you are, and I wouldn't presume to judge if this "adds a golden glow" or "brings out your radiance," but I can tell you that I had three seperate compliments the first day.
Essie Chubby Cheeks

Happy Summering and remember, it's Never too K8.
K8

K8 Enters the Blogosphere....

It was inevitable.  I knew at some point I would HAVE to start blogging about my frequent musings and "social commentary" (typically as it relates to me and my fun-loving friends), as well as all my fashion and beauty purchases, suggestions, trials, and mishaps.  It's not that I mind sending a group email (who's distro name happens to be "Girlies"), but a few of you have asked if I could "just start a blog already!"  Alright, alright...I'm doing it!

You're probably wondering about the name, "My Sister K8" (or maybe not, but I'm telling you anyway)....I first started sharing all my retail escapades and "life-altering moments" (shaking Mr. Manolo Blahnik's hand IS a big deal) with my older sister. Apparently she was retelling my stories and updates so often that if she had a dollar for every time she started a sentence, "My Sister K8....," she'd finally be able to buy that Prada bag.

I'll start posting soon (and don't worry, I'm not planning to tell you about every time I clip my nails or buy a Starbucks), so feel free to share my new blog with friends and don't hesitate to ask or request something from me because I've likely seen it, heard about it, have an opinion on it, or best of all, want to try/read/see it myself! 

Whatever it is, it's Never Too K8.