At-Home DIY: ombre hair tutorial

I'm a total nut when it comes to my hair (where my ladies at?) and can never seem to commit to any actual style. Therefore I'm always wanting a change. And the one style I always seem to come back to.... ombre. Maybe it's because I hate getting my haircut (and trust NO ONE). Maybe it's because hell, my man likes my hair long anyway. Or, maybe it's just because getting your hairs done is too damn expensive.

Whatever the reason, I always seem to just let. it. grow. But obviously that long brown straight mop gets boring after awhile and I need a spruce.

enter: ombre. 

salons are expensive. especially in LA. soooooo...... enter DIY ombre. 

 

//supplies//

gloves

  bowl for mixing bleach

(be sure you read the packet for what kind of bowl is acceptable)

developer

packet o' bleach

(i like to use L'Oreal QuickBlue) 

toner*

applicator brush 

 

*toner can be applied after rinsing bleach to avoid brassy orange. 

I usually don't need it, but you might. 

//step one

make sure you start with dry hair with no product added. add your packet of bleach to the bowl along with a few ounces of developer and mix with the brush. (also helpful to be wearing your gloves) make sure also to be wearing a shirt you care NOTHING about---preferably easy to remove (big open head-hole or button-up).   make sure your hair is falling how you like it and divide it in half pulling each side forward. 

//step two

using the brush, generously apply the bleach to the ends of your hair. I usually start with one side and brush it on, flip my hair over, brush some more, flip again and so on. you want to make sure you've coated the hair as much as possible on all sides. also decide how high you want it bleached and blend it out above that line by only lightly and sporadically applying the bleach. then move to the other side and repeat the process. 

//step three

let the bleach sit on your hair for up to an hour (or per instructions on packet). you will be able to see how light your hair is getting and decide when you're ready to rinse. I like to try and get it as blonde as possible so I leave mine on for entire hour. if you have thinner or lighter hair then you can probably leave it less time. once you are happy with it, pull off those clothes and hop in the shower! rinse that bleach alllllll out and then shampoo/condition as usual. 

//step four

apply the toner according to bottle instructions if you feel like your bleach came out t0o orange. (note: you may need to see your hair dry to know it's true color as it's usually darker when wet)  this should help tame it down. if you are happy with your results, rock that shit. you are officially an ombre-wearing beauty & hair-DIY champion. enjoy!

bleach on

bleach off, dried and finished

*if you feel like you need a watchable tutorial my lovely friend danielle (whom gave me the original inspiration and motivation for ombre) has a great video here on her blog.  thanks again friend for giving me the courage to be a rockstar. 

*also please note that doing your own hair means you are doing so at your own risk. i am NOT a professional stylist. 

 

If you want more seriously beautiful posts be sure to follow along with: 

 

How to Cook {if you don't like cooking}

It's no secret that I am not the best cook. That's why fella and I are together. He likes to cook. I don't but still need to eat. Thus, true love was born. 

But now he's working looooong hours everyday. And I'm not as much. So I feel like I want to have a nice hot meal ready for my hungry man when he gets home. How very June Cleaver of me right? 

via

But the problem I have with cooking... besides not enjoying it all that much.... is that I didn't ever really learn how. AND add to that, I've been living by myself most of my adult life (by choice of course) and when you are feeding just ONE person.... you can get by with lots of pizza and spaghetti and less basically anything Julia Child would approve of. 

But here's what I've learned from wanting to be a better cook; even though I don't like cooking. 

Take your time

Source: juztimage.com via Jillian on Pinterest

I am completely guilty of getting all flustered trying to make every component of the meal come together perfectly at the end. It's not important. Take your time with each step, know that mistakes are ok {there's no perfect recipe} and just stay cool.

Work with ingredients that you know and love

Source: themarionhousebook.com via Tara on Pinterest

If you try to cook something that uses ingredients that you don't like or are unfamiliar with; chances are you'll just end up frustrated. Plus, you either won't like the end result or you'll try to change the recipe as you go and it might not work out. That's not to say you shouldn't try new things.... you should for sure. Some of my favorite recipes involve foods I've never had {hello...turnips!} but work up to it. Start... with what you love. 

Read reviews on recipes

Source: thesmallobject.com via Casey on Pinterest

I have learned that with ANY recipe I try, it's important {and time-saving} to first read other people's reviews. Typically I'll read through a page or two of responses before I even head to the store to buy the ingredients for a recipe. Nothing's better than someone who has already done the trial and error. They can tell you what was good, bad or even some favorable changes. And leave a response if you do make something and have new tips to add.

Look EVERYTHING up

Source: aisletoaloha.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

It seems silly probably but I'm terrible at converting anything metric. And if I see an ingredient that sounds strange, I immediately hop on google and find out if I have it or where I can possibly find it. Spices are the most challenging because they cost so much and typically you only need a pinch. Many times I will see if there's something I already have that I can substitute.

Ask questions

Source: inomthings.com via Tara on Pinterest

People LOVE to help. I have a very hard time asking for it, but when I do....I'm always surprised to see how easy it was. If someone made something amazing that you enjoyed, ask for the recipe! Better yet, ask if you can prepare it together sometime. Friends are where most of my favorite meals have come from. 

Watch ridiculous amount of videos/food network/pintrest

Source: theculinaryenthusiast.net via Tara on Pinterest

The internet is amazing. I can't tell you how much I have learned how to do, just by watching videos online. It's sad to say but I probably could've skipped ALL of school if the internet had been around. But sincerely it's the BEST way I can tell you to learn how to cook on your own. You can see how everything is done and how it's SUPPOSED to look. You can know what it means to "brown the garlic" or what the inside of chicken SHOULD look like when fully cooked. Trust me, not a mistake you want to make. Take advantage of what's to offer online.  My favorite sites are Food Network, All Recipes, Elizabeth Ann's Recipe Box, A Collection of Passions, Whole Family Fare, and of course Pintrest.

Stay in your comfortable zone at first and then start taking risks

 

{Caution: Above video is hilarious.....but contains adult content. Language mostly.....because of all the drinking.}

Just as the drunk kitchen chick knows.... cooking needs to be fun. Because it's difficult. So you can keep it simple and fun, or stress.  Now I'm not saying you need to be drunk while cooking, in fact it seems to be more dangerous than anything else. BUT, my point here is to say just start with something easy. Don't try to pull off some crazy complicated recipe when there are SO MANY delicious easy ones you could start with. AND, don't worry if it doesn't turn out perfect. It's about having fun. And usually, people will smile and tell you it's great anyway. Because they love you.

Let me know if you have any cool tips to add. Or recipes..... I'd love to hear 'em.

No Heat Curl

This is absolutely the most exciting thing I will share with you for awhile I am sure. I found this idea on a FABULOUS blog called THE PAPER MAMA and besides sharing this amazing thing with you....I also found out she's a fellow Oregonian! So we are both suffering through the July RAIN.

So what is this fabulous thing I want to share you ask? Well none other than the...

 

Isn't this just the simplest way to get gorgeous hair that you've EVER seen? And people....seriously understand that I have the STICK STRAIGHTEST hair in the universe! And this method WORKED for me. Plus (and this is a HUGE plus) it was crazy easy to do and comfy to sleep in!

So want to see the best walk through on how to achieve it yourself? Watch the cutie on the video below. No, I have no idea who she is but she is a much better "in-front-of-a-camera-speaker" than myself and therefore for now......watch her. One day I may vlog for you. One day.




**EDITED: 11/8/2011
The original video for this method is no longer here because the author changed it to private and began charging to watch. So now instead the video above is from The Paper Mama because she rules and did a rad video for everyone for free!



Try the No-Heat Curl. And let me know what you think. I promise you'll love it! And be sure to stop by The Paper Mama also and send her some love. She's pretty great.