Quick Tip #19: Organize your Stash Creatively!

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I have a type “A” personality. I like to have a place for everything and everything in its place! When you live in a small space, organization becomes even more important than those blessed with more ample square footage. Whether my aim has been to efficiently decorate my dorm room (in years past … ahem…), maximize my vertical storage space in a super tiny city apartment, or just prevent clutter and stay organized, here are some of the storage and organization systems I currently utilize. Remember, just because something is called a “bookcase” doesn’t mean you have to use it for books!  Some of the best solutions I’ve come up with to meet my storage needs involve using items in a different way than originally intended (or marketed). And, that’s okay! Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

(1) Large Shower Caddy by 3M

Although I use this in my bathroom, I DO NOT use them in my shower. Instead, I use several of these to keep my hair and beauty products (e.g., my beloved S-curl No Drip Moisturizer) at hand. I like to keep my current go-to products at the ready so that I am not constantly walking back and forth between my bedroom and bathroom for face wash, hair moisturizer, gel, etc. It just makes life so much more less frustrating. My larger products (or products I don’t use every day), I store elsewhere (on a black 4-tier shelf that holds up to 350 lbs). I originally purchased 3M’s spice caddy, but it was just too small. This large shower caddy fits my needs much better. I bought several and staggered them on my bathroom wall to create hair product storage, no shelf installation required!

(2) Tension Pole Corner Shower Organizer

I love my tension pole corner shower organizer. I use it to store my shampoos and concitioners, shower gel, body scrub, etc. I originally found this gem at Bed, Bath, & Beyond. I have the one by Spa Creations in chrome (with the snap down frosted plates). Unfortunately, I don’t think they make that version any more. Here are several other options that are similar: (i.) BINO Tension Pole Corner Shower Caddy in nickel, (ii.) Koval Inc. Tub Shower Caddy Bathroom Organizer Tension Pole with Baskets (available in black, white, or chrome), (iii.) Yosoo 3 Tier Triangular Shower Tension Corner Pole Caddy Shelf Storage, (iv.) InterDesign York Tension Caddy (available in bronze, matte black, pearl white, satin, and silver), (v.) Zenna Tension Corner Pole Caddy (available in bronze, oil rubbed bronze, nickel, brushed nicked, and nickel and bamboo), and (vi.) CREATEASY Tension Shower Caddy .

(3) Acrylic Makeup Organizer

I absolutely adore my Houseables 7-drawer Acrylic Makeup Organizer. It comes with a top tray that I removed and use to store my essential oils. I originally purchased mine for $180 two years ago, and now it sells for about $70 less! I’m so jealous. I store large bars of soap in my bottom drawer, travel-sized products and samples in my sixth drawer, eye shadows, blush, and various palettes in my fourth and fifth drawers, concealer, foundation, and setting powders in my second and third drawers, and tools and other accessories in my top drawer. It has been a truly invaluable investment in terms of keeping my makeup and beauty products organized, all in one place, and easy to see all at the same time! It was expensive, but I have NO regrets!

(4) Organizers within Organizers

Inside of my 7-drawer Acrylic Makeup Organizer, I have other organizational systems. If you have a huge compact collection, you will love Alegory’s acrylic compact organizer. I use this for my additional face powders (i.e., my contouring powders, eye brow powders, bronzers, and other loose powders). I also utilize Alegory’s eye shadow organizers for my large mineral eye shadow collection.

 (5) 4-tier (or more) Shelf Systems

I use a 4-tier shelf by Whitmor to store my larger beauty items (i.e., my foot tub or salon-sized hair products) and to house more delicate items (i.e., my Chanel, Prada, and Sean John perfume stash), or keep items I use infrequently (i.e., my first aid kit or other personal care items) out of the way/sight. Because I live in such a small space, to maximize storage, I even use my top shelf to house seasonal linens. I added small and medium-sized wire baskets will chalkboard tags to further streamline my storage.

 (6) All-purpose Cabinet Storage

I purchased Mainstays Storage Cabinet in Northfield Alder to use as part linen cabinet and part storage to house my larger supply of oils and butters for my DIY hair and beauty projects.  It serves my multi-purpose needs perfectly.

Hair Talk on Hair Health, Hair Loss, and Vitamin Deficiency

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Most of us understand what it is to struggle on our journey to healthy hair. And, a few of us (like myself) comprehend all too well the obstacles we face and may likely always encounter on the road ahead to a luxurious mane. If you exercise, eat a nutritious diet, drink plenty of water, and avoid unhealthy hair practices, you will obtain super long, floor-length hair, right? Not so fast! Just because you do the right things at the right time doesn’t mean you will get the results you want. Watch the video below to find out why!

 

 

Quick Tip #18: Stay Clean!

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Your hair brush and comb can become a vacuum for dust, bacteria, and old product. All the more reason to keep it clean on a daily basis. I make a habit of washing all of my brushes and combs every time I wash my hair (once a week). I sometimes use my makeup brush cleaner. When I ran out, I started to use my sulfate-free shampoo. But, that got pretty expensive. So, I switched to a gentle cleanser, like a baby shampoo. It’s economical AND effective! A clean brush and comb makes for healthy hair, so be sure to keep your clean!

Quick Tip #17: Use Coconut Oil CAUTIOUSLY!

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Ok, scientifically coconut oil IS NOT a protein but, in a sense, I feel like it behaves like one because it contains lauric acid (a medium chain fatty acid that binds easily to protein in hair). Because of this, coconut oil has the ability to penetrate the hair shaft (due to its low molecular weight), reducing protein loss and strengthening the hair’s structure. It also creates a “hardening effect” due to its ability to change viscosity so quickly (i.e., from a liquid to a solid state) at low temperatures. As a result, harsh winter winds, for example, can create stiff hair very quickly. In addition, repeated use of coconut oil can cause protein build-up, drastically reducing hair’s elasticity and causing follicles to become dull, dry, brittle, easily tangled, and more prone to breakage.

Have you been overusing coconut oil? If so, consider utilizing a deep conditioner or moisturizing hair mask to restore the protein:moisture balance of your hair. Need a complete restart? Try a reconstructor instead.

 

Quick Tip #16: Hack for Storing Bobby Pins (and other things!)

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Use a traditional magnetic
paper clip holder in a new way!

If you’re anything like me, you’ve got bobby pins everywhere … in your pocket … in your purse … on your vanity … on the bathroom floor … in your hair … The list could go on and on. Storing them can be problematic because you need them at the ready but don’t necessarily want them in a pile of 50 on your bathroom counter. Want your bobby pins neatly contained yet within arm’s reach? Buy yourself a magnetic paper clip holder. No, you’re not going to swap out your bobby pins for paper clips. But, you are going to use them to store them. Because the paper clip holder is magnetized, you will no longer have to stress over dumping over your collection of bobby pins just to get the one (or 20) you need for your hairstyle of the day. You can simply grab and go like the civilized hair aficionado I know you are (or want to be). 😉

Use color to organize your bobby pins in style!

Add a touch of whimsy!

Need to #getorganized? Buy several and use one to store bobby pins and the others for hair pins, small hair clips, or miniature hair accessories. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. You can go traditional or avante garde. I personally love the bright bold coloring of the open bowl style. You can use one for each type of bobby pin! Or, you can go contemporary with a dual top holder. Either way, I think my Spring cleaning just got started early!

Quick Tip #15: Say, “No!” to Traditional Towels

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I know, I know! You refuse to give up your traditional loop towel for a T-shirt. I agree. A T-shirt just doesn’t dry hair as efficiently (or neatly). I, too, tried drying my hair with a T-shirt, and it just DID NOT work for me! I’m sorry, but it’s just not for everyone!

However, traditional towels can cause friction, frizz, and even lead to hair breakage, especially over an extended period of time. So, what’s a naturalista to do? Use microfiber instead!

I love microfiber hand towels and bath towels. And, over Christmas, I received a Turbie Twist in an adorable chevron pattern. The best part? It dries my mane quickly so I can moisturize my hair without it being sopping wet (or waiting hours on end for it to completely air dry).

I’ve been using microfiber for a while, but my Turbie Twist has become a game changer. With the Turbie Twist, form meets function because it’s both cute and practical. I often wrap up my hair and then eat breakfast, check e-mails, etc. Then, after about 30-60 minutes, I’ll untie my Turbie Twist and moisturize my hair. It has virtually erased the “waiting game” during my hair wash routine. Gone are the days of being self-imprisoned at home while I wait for my hair to dry! I absolutely love my Turbie Twist, and I think you will love it, too!

Quick Tip #14: Ditch the Arctic Rinse

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You’re probably used to doing a cold-water rinse in the summer at the end of each hair shampoo and condition session. If you’re a really good hair aficionado, you also do it in the wintertime, too. But, stop! Those arctic cold hair rinses you’ve been suffering through are unnecessary. I know, I know. You’ve been told that cold water rinses help to close the hair’s cuticle, thereby creating more moisturized, shiny hair. However, according to Dr. Eric Pressly of the University of California at Santa Barbara, this is a complete myth.

The process of opening and closing the hair’s cuticle is a very fast one that requires deft balancing of pH levels. Chances are you’re not taking a pH probe or litmus paper into the shower stall with you. Because there are minimal differences between hot and cold water, even if you were, it would likely be a waste of time given that hair is dead and lacks blood vessels and nerves. In fact, according to Anabel Kingsley of the Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic, cold water could have the adverse effect of constricting the scalp’s capillaries, preventing vital nutrients from reaching it.

I personally never noticed much of a difference after doing cold water rinses, and I’ve been doing them loyally for over six years! In fact, recently (in the past month or so), I stopped doing them and swapped them out for a warm water rinse instead. My curls have been loving it. #happyscalp

To be honest, I’m kind of ashamed that I stuck with something for so long that produced ZERO results. The upside? No more cold water rinses means less time in the shower, which means a simplified hair regimen, which means a happier coily curly me. And, now, you can have that, too, as my little, early Christmas present to you. You’re welcome (and Merry Christmas)!

Still want to get your arctic rinse on? Go for it! Just know that the shinier hair you notice right after is all in your head. 😉