On Fasting And How It Changed My Eating Habits

   I was requested to share a bit more about the fast that I did. The original idea was my husband's -- he wanted to fix his messed-up digestion bacteria. I have fasted before, but this was a bit different -- it was a detox fast that aimed at cleaning out the digestive system and repopulate it with good bacteria; as well as restore the correct pH level in the body. An over-stressed digestive system is the cause of many problems and diseases, even in other parts of the body -- including skin problems.
    Fasting has been a part of most cultures, and it is recommended in traditional medicine of many cultures, for example Ayurveda. Fasting gives the body a break from digestion (which takes up a lot of time and energy) and allows it to detox and clean itself.
    The fast is much more than just not eating -- actually even during the days of "total" fasting we were still drinking a glass of carrot juice in the morning and a glass of beetroot juice in the afternoon, plus vegetable broth for lunch. Then there were several things that helped to cleanse and detox the digestive systems: like eating flax seeds and clay, enemas as well as chlorella and milk thistle supplements, and a herbal fasting tea. Then there were aids that established healthy bacteria, like drinking Sauerkraut juice and Bread Drink (Brottrunk). The full program lasted two weeks, with three days of preparation, one week of proper fasting, and then again three days of ending.
    The fast we did was based on the book Vitalität Pur Durch Heilfasten by René Gräber. The book is a pretty good guide, although it does have some small inconsistencies as to the exact program. It explains in detail not only what you have to do, but explains the why in detail and gives a lot of tips on healthy eating in general.
     If you are interested in fasting, I insist you find a good book or a good program, and follow it to a T (read reviews online to find a good one). Don't try to randomly fast for longer periods without guidance and information. If you have heard that fasting isn't safe, its because some people do it without guidance, and do dangerous things like smoking during a fast. Obviously if you have a medical condition, do your research -- fasting can help in many health problems but can be dangerous in others.

     How did we manage to do it? It is not easy to not eat, but most the problem lies in the head. I realised how "comfortable" I have become: I dislike hunger, heat, cold, exertion... I haven't roughed it out since years. When you fast, the hunger goes away after the first 3-4 days, but the first few days can be a bit tough if you are used to immediately eating whenever you feel hungry. There were days where we felt cold and didn't want to move, and then there were days filled with energy and euphoria. At the end of the fast I felt very light and energetic!

   So now you probably want to know the effects I experienced: no, I didn't lose weight. Maybe a kilo, but that's all. I did lose fat and the bloating went away, and was told that I looked very toned. I did gain a bit in breast size due to the milk thistle supplement, about which I will write in another post. My and my husband's digestion improved greatly, and the pH level went from acidic (off the charts acidic in his case) to slightly alkaline.
    Then there are the psychological effects of fasting. The hard part of the fasting was in my head: I couldn't (mentally) tolerate hunger. Only during the fast I realised that I had been eating almost all of the time, always grabbing a snack here and a snack there. I wasn't used to being hungry. Worse, my brain interpreted the state of completed digestion as hunger. And I was addicted to the feeling of being very, very full. Also, I tended to wolf down food very fast, a habit I picked up when my daughter was just a baby and would always start yelling for attention at meal times. When breaking the fast we had to chew pieces of apple very very slowly and mindfully.
    The fast helped me break these habits. Since the fast, I have been much more mindful of what, when and how I eat. I don't eat between meals, and if I do it is one, deliberate snack instead of a constant nibbling. I feel the emptiness of my stomach between meals (especially when I eat easily digestible meals) and realise that it's perfectly normal and fine, it doesn't mean that I will die if I don't eat AT ONCE. I notice when I'm full and (usually) don't keep on eating just because the food is delicious / there is still something left on my plate. This effect of the fast is something I am really happy about. 

Posted by Eternal*Voyageur
at Friday, May 17, 2013

Why And How You Should Care For Your Scalp + DIY Scalp Treatments

    If you want healthy hair, try taking care of your scalp. After all, that is where the hair grows, and a healthy scalp equals healthy hair.

  I have already mentioned a couple of things you can do for your scalp, like matching your shampoo to your scalp and not your hair, scalp scrubs, massage and upside-down positions. Today I want to talk about scalp treatments. These are products, oils or DIY mixtures that are applied and massaged into the skin of the head.

Scalp treaments help to:

Minimise hair fall
Quicken hair growth
Stimulate growth of new hair, which increases the overall volume
Strengthen hair
Treat oiliness
Moisturise a dry scalp
Treat dandruff and itchiness

How to use scalp treatments:

   It's a bit hard to apply anything just to the scalp with the fingers, although you can try it. The best way is either to use a spray bottle (you can decant your product into one) or a bottle with a very small opening or even a dropper, ball of cotton or a big syringe. A brush that is meant for dyeing hair roots works with thicker treatments. Apply the product all over the scalp and gently massage in.
    Scalp treatments need to be applied regularly for them to work. Most should be used every day for a month (then take a break or switch to another treatment, as the scalp get accustomed). Most should be applied on washed and towel-dried hair; however the oily / messy / smelly ones should be applied only before washing the hair: apply them before every wash and leave on for at least an hour.

   You can make your own hair treatments or buy them. Do remember that if you are using an alcohol-based rub-in, your hair might need extra moisture; and it might not be suited to sensitive scalps.

Recommended scalp treatments

    There is so much you can try rubbing onto your scalp! I would like to share some suggestions with you. Most of them are DIY, as I haven't tried much store-bought scalp treatments. Of course nobody can predict whether something will work for you or not, as everyone's skin and hair is different. So have fun trying things out!

Birch Water
    Birch water lifts the hair at the roots and keeps the roots fresh and non-greasy longer. However it contains alcohol so it is not meant for people with sensitive scalps. I have used the one from Isana (Rossmann) and it gave me lots of baby hair.

Herbal Tinctures
    A tincture is prepared just like a tea: just pour boiling water (2-3 glasses over 1 tsp of the herb). Fenugreek is amazing against hair fall and for hair growth. Horsetail strengthens the hair and stimulates growth. Chamomile is great for blonde hair, it enhances the colour and is anti-dandruff and adds volume. Calendula makes the hair redder, is anti-dandruff, moisturising and soothing.
Salvia is against oiliness while rosemary add shine and helps with dandruff. You can use fresh herbs or buy dried ones meant for teas. Herbs can often be a bit drying, so if you have a dry scalp try herbal oils.

Herbal oils
   You can take a herb and pour warm oil over it. Store in a dark and dry place for two weeks, sieve and use. It will have the properties of the herb + the properties of the oil you use.

Oils
    Oils make great scalp treatments, especially for dry, itchy scalp. The effects will of course depend on the type of oil you used: Burdock oil is great against dandruff and hair fall. Sesame stimulates growth and helps with dryness. You can also add essential oils: a drop of tea tree oil is great against dandruff while rosemary is for oily scalps. However do read up on the essential oil you plan to use and do a patch test first.

Conditioners
    If your scalp is dry, you should try applying conditioners on it. leaving them on for a while and then washing them off. However, note that products that worked well on your hair might not work for your scalp. And vice-versa -- so if you don't like what a conditioner does to your hair you can test it out as a scalp treatment.

Other:
   The black radish mask is great for oily hair and dandruff. For hair fall, try black cabbage, onion, garlic or cardamine. Diluted lemon juice or cider vinegar are great for oily scalps. Nettle juice promotes hair growth. Natural yoghurt and flax seed gel help against dryness and both are great for very sensitive scalps.


    Do you condition your scalp? Do let me know what your favourite products are.

Sources: Anwen, BlondHairCare

Posted by Eternal*Voyageur
at Thursday, May 16, 2013

Empty Space In The Cup Aka The Orange In A Glass Effect

     When the center or bottom part of the bra cup is empty or has wrinkles, most women wrongly assume that the cup size is too big. However, the real reason for this is an incompatible shape: the bra cup is deep and narrow, made for a breast shape with more projection; while the breast broad and has less projection. This problem is usually experienced by women whose breasts are firm and refuse to be poured into an incompatible shape

   This has been compared to an orange is a glass: the glass is clearly not too big for the orange (the orange cannot even fit into the glass), but it is the wrong shape. The orange is a breast with a wide root and the glass is the bra cup that is deep and narrow.

Symptoms of "orange in a glass":

* Empty space or wrinkling at the center of each cup (where the nipples normally are) or* empty space or wrinkling on the sides of the cup (example), or on the bottom (but make sure you are not wearing your bra too low). Sometimes the bra even folds over (example).
* At the same time the breasts are spilling out from the top or the sides, clearly showing that the cup is too small.

Reasons and solutions for "orange in a glass"

* The underwire is too narrow and the cups too deep. Many Freya bras are like that. Try grabbing both ends of one unwerwire and pulling apart (while wearing the bra) -- if now the breasts fit into the cups without any empty space, this means you need wider underwires (in the same bra size).
* The cup is definitely not too big. It might even be too small. The sign of a too big cup is empty space at the top, not side or bottom.
* Your breasts have a broad base (which means you need wider underwires, or possibly shallow with a broad base 
* Sometimes "orange in a cup" happens for the opposite reason: the cups are too wide and shallow. This is often the fault of too flexible underwires because the band pulls them wide open, which in turn makes the cups too shallow. This creates too much space on the sides (in the underarm area). In this case you need to choose less flexible underwires.

     Here is another blogger's post explaining the phenomenon. Is "orange in a glass" a problem for you? With which bras does it happen?

Posted by Eternal*Voyageur
at Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Eyeshadow Basics: The Tools. Primer, Eyeshadow and Brushes

This is the first part of a short series on eyeshadow. We'll talk about eyeshadow primer, brushes and eyeshadow.

   One thing I learned is that the less you know about makeup, the harder it is to work with crappy materials and tools. I spent my teenage years wondering why the applicators that come with eyeshadow and later very crappy brushes left blobs and streaks on my eyes -- and once I got my first nice brushes everything was so much easier! It's like switching from broken crayons to felt tip pens in preschool.
    So if you want to learn to use eyeshadow, you need a couple of well-chosen tools. While I recommend a few brands, your local cosmetic review sites / forums will help you  find the best value-for-money products available where you live.

Eyeshadow primer: 

   Seriously, get a good primer. A smooth surface will make it easier for you to paint your eyes and blend the colours together, it will make the colours look better and it will make the shadow stay put all day. It is better to have a great primer and crappy shadow than the other way around. I recommend primers from Urban Decay, Zoeva and Rival de Loop.

Eyeshadow

   If you are just starting out, you don't need anything expensive since you don't know what works for you. Sure, you can splurge for the amazing MAC shadows if you can afford them, but for most of us a small palette from the drugstore is usually fine. One with several browns and beiges is a good start.
    I am very dedicated to neutrals so I got the Zoeva neutral palette, but you don't need to get such a huge thing, just a couple of shades are enough.

Brushes

    The brushes or applicators that come in eyeshadow sets are useless. Chuck them into a garbage bin. Get yourself a couple of proper eyeshadow brushes, they will make the work much easier for you. Don't think that just because you are buying a pricier brush it will be good -- some are really crappy. Here is a trick: move the brush over your hand -- if the hairs go inwards, it has a good quality, if outward it's crap (this works especially for powder and blush brushes). I recommend MAC, Eco Tools, Lumiere minerals, Everyday Minerals, E.L.F., Hakuro, Studio Tools, Maestro. HM and Essence brushes are also surprisingly ok. In a pinch you can also buy good painting brushes from artist supplies stores.
   Which brushes? A set (like the ones from Eco Tools) are fun, but if you want to pick up your brushes individually, I recommend getting these:
A round flat small stiff brush, to apply colour on the lid (above, right) -- it gives an even and intensive look. The tip can be used to line the top or bottom lashes or to highlight under the brows.
A soft blending brush, to blend, obviously. (above, center).
     These two are the basics, which you should absolutely get.
A small domed brush (above, left) can be used instead of the two above as it is ok for both applying colour and light blending. It is also great for applying colour on the crease.

Here are all my eyeshadow brushes, all from Lumiere mineral cosmetics except the one on the right:

   Apart from the three I just described, I own the double brush that has a crease brush on one end (I used it a lot in the beginning as it makes painting the crease very easy), and the lining brush on the other (for drawing on a line with an eyeshadow). Double brushes are cheaper than buying two separate brushes, but annoyingly they cannot be stored upright.
   The last one is a thin, stiff brush but I don't use it a lot. This is the only one that
I'd like to own a short stiff brush is nice to have for blending eyeliner. Over time you will discover what you like, so don't buy too many in the beginning.

   Next time I will be walking you through very basic eyeshadow application and look.

Posted by Eternal*Voyageur
at Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Sew Your Own Custom Bra Tutorial -- The Materials

This is the second part of the Sew Your Own Custom Bra Tutorial from the lovely Amber!

   Today's post will cover the materials that will actually go into the bra itself! (Note: Unless noted, all of the supplies came from a premade, custom dyed kit)

   So the first question is this: "Where do I even start to find bra supplies?" Thankfully, a list has already been generously compiled together! Dixie of Dixie DIY has compiled a comprehensive list of where to buy supplies. And it's not just limited to residents of the US! She shares links for Canada, the UK, parts of the EU and even one located in Australia! Be aware that this list may not be 100% up to date; I know Dangelz (located in the Netherlands) are closing down shop, and currently have their items discounted, and Elingera (Germany) are closing down shop as well.

   And of course, don't forget your local stores; you may be surprised to find that you may have a local shop that has these supplies. Some of the bigger box stores will most likely carry the fabrics you'll need, but certain findings such as wires and whatnot may be more difficult to find. Simply do a bit of online research to find out what's available to you locally.

   When buying a bra making supplies; you can go down two routes. You can buy a premade kit, or you can take the time and purchase all of the pieces separately. Either way is fine of course! I will of course cover the materials and talk a bit about them.

(A) Outer Fabric: This fabric is not limited to solid fabric; you can of course use a pattern fabric of your liking! Ideally though, you'll want to purchase a fabric that has stretch and elasticity to it. The material I have here is a satin one way stretch spandex. I've seen and heard of bras being made from a multi stretch fabric. Ideally, if you're going to go this route, you may have to purchase some type of one way stabilizing fabric to give additional support; more on this later. In addition, you may also want to avoid using jersey knit as your primary fabric as well; I'm not 100% sure, but I think it's due to the elastic memory of the knit and it's inability to be supportive enough especially in the band. I do think it still has practical uses in bra making; particularly if you have sensitive skin, and would like the feel of soft jersey knit against your skin while you have a pretty satin outer layer of the bra. The fabric I have here is shiny on the 'right' side of the fabric; the other side is not shiny at all so it will be very easy to know what is the right side and what is the wrong side!

(B) Powermesh: Almost all bras have a layer of powermesh in them. It's pretty self explanatory. It's a mesh fabric that has a multi way stretch to it. There are several weights of powermesh; I recommend a heavier weight powermesh; after all the heavier it is, the more supportive it will be.

(C) If you are wanting to do create something dainty and possibly sexy, you can use lace; both rigid and stretch! If going this route, I would advise to try and also buy a sheer lightweight fabric to back the lace in for extra support and durability; without it if you have heavier breasts, the cups are not going to be supportive whatsoever; I made a bra with just stretch lace in the cups, and it's completely unsupportive. Alternatively, you can just sew the lace over your stretch fabric; this would be a fun way to get a pretty two tone effect! Or you can use the lace for the top part of the cup; whatever suits your fancy! Here I have stretch lace.

Elastics: You'll need elastic for the bottom of the band, and then for the top part of the band and around the arm-line and top part of the band (these are commonly referred to as plush elastics) and possibly elastic for the neckline part of your bra.

(D) The elastic for the band should in my opinion should be at least 3/8" (1 cm). The wider the elastic, the better up to a point; it really does depend on comfort level and availability. I think if you were planning on making a longline bra, elastic that's about 3/4" (2cm) may work very well; since wider elastics tend to be more comfortable than thinner ones when it's required to be extremely firm. When selecting elastic for your bra band, look for one that has a soft fuzzy side; this is the side of the elastic you'll want to go against your skin. Also, you'll find that bra elastics will have loops or other decorative edges; this is called Picot Edge. This has a two-fold benefit. One it adds a bit of decorative element to the bra, and it also helps you properly place your elastic when sewing; you'll eventually want this pointing to the outside edge of your bra when finished.

(E) The elastic for the top part of the band/arm line ideally should be smaller than the elastic for the band. The thinner the elastic is the more overall stretch it has to it, and therefore allows more movement which in my opinion is important especially when it's in the arm line. This elastic can sometimes have a picot edge, and just like the band elastic, look for a fuzzy side.

(Not shown) The last elastic that can potentially be used for the neckline area is called lastin. It's a clear, durable elastic that comes in widths from 1/8 inch (3mm) to 3/4 inch (18mm). I've got a bra that uses it, and I've seen it being used in swimwear, knit shirts, and even in modern cloth diapers! I've got one bra that utilizes lastin in the neckline; the bra has a lacy construction, and it gives the neckline both stretch and shape; the benefit of it is that it does not show through the lace. For bra making, I'd recommend using something between 1/8" to 1/4" (6mm) if you plan on exclusively using it for the neckline of your bra. You can easily find it on ebay as well as etsy in larger quantities in yards or possible meters.

(F) Strap elastic: You can go two ways with the straps; pre-made straps where all you have to do is sew them onto the bra, or you can buy a length of strap elastic and the extra bits. If you have larger/heavier breasts, you may find that a wider strap will be more comfortable than a narrower one; I prefer straps that are 1/2" (13mm) wide. If you are wanting to purchase pre-made straps, and you have a metal/nickel sensitivity, be sure to check the content of the hardware on the straps so you don't accidentally buy something that you will react to. If the content is not listed, contact the seller.

(G) If you are planning to make your straps, make sure the size of the ring and sliders are close in size to the straps as possible. Too large sliders, and the sliders will not stay put. Too small; well the elastic isn't going to lay flat and possibly won't even feed through properly. The rings can be bigger than the straps but this can potentially be uncomfortable.

(H) If you want to make a convertible bra, you'll want to purchase these hooks; I will of course be covering how to construct  the straps and bra to utilize the hooks. I pulled these out of an old bra which is why they don't match the rest of my materials.

(I) Eye and Hook tape: This can come with 1, 2, 3 or more rows of eye and hooks, and typically has 3 columns of eyes. I find that optimal width is 2 for a basic banded bra, but of course, it's all about comfort and stability. It can also be purchased increments such as feet, yards or meters, depending on your source. I would definitely avoid the one column eye tape; I think this is more commonly used with corset making.

(J) Wire channeling: This can come in two different materials; synthetic (typically nylon) and wool. If you have a sensitivity to wool and are unsure of the fiber content of the wire channeling, feel free to contact the seller and ask. It's typically fuzzy to ensure comfort.

(K) Plastic boning: I almost forgot about this! Boning is wonderful in bras, especially if you have issues with the band wanting to roll on itself. This will hopefully prevent this from happening, but also it gives additional support and structure for the cups. You can typically buy it by the yard where it also comes with fabric channeling; the boning I have here was taken out of an old bra. You may also be able to buy it in pre-cut lengths similar to what I have, but I'm not sure.

And last but not least, underwires.

   This is probably going to be the TRICKIEST purchase of making your bra. More often than not, we're limited to specific brands because they typically use a very specific style of wire, and every company out there will sell a specific type of wire; the hardest part will be figuring out who will have the kind of wire to fit your breasts. Luckily, there are some sellers who have wire width charts available for download so you can print the charts and determine if the wires will work with your shape or not! Also when printing, be sure to double check the print guide against a ruler to make sure you printed it properly; otherwise you're going to be surprised when your order arrives.

Sellers that provide printable wire charts:

Bra-Makers Supply (located in Canada) If you look at the sidebar, you'll see a section that says "Information to Download". You'll see a variety of links. The second one "Underwire Must-Know Information" covers the different kind of wires they sell; and at the very end of the PDF file, they have an illustration that compares the variety of wires they sell against each other. The links below the must know information are the charts of the different styles of wires they provide. Be sure to print at 100%; each chart will have their own instructions on determining if you printed it at the right scale or not. 

Elingera (located in Germany)If you go to the product page, at the bottom of the product details they have links to pdf files of the wire width charts. Be sure to print at 100%. 

Sewing Chest (locted in the UK) They have a pretty comprehensive list of information regarding wire purchasing. I would start by visiting this page and click the last link; this will show a comparison of the different styles of wires they offer and how they compare with each other. The print guide is a 1" square and is present on all of the PDF files. Be aware these wires are made by Marks & Spencer's.

  If you plan on buying supplies from other sellers, feel free to contact them and see if they can provide information or any type of printable chart to help you determine the size and style of wires you need. It's also important not to get caught up in the wire size, but rather what's going to fit you! The wire size is not always going to be consistent with your actual bra size.

  If you can't seem to find wires that are perfect for your needs; for example, the wires are the perfect width and shape, but the wires are too tall, you are not doomed to ill fitting wires! There is a way to clip and retip the wires; I will be covering how to do this and the stuff you need when I start discussing specific alterations.

Posted by Eternal*Voyageur
at Monday, May 06, 2013

Weekend Reads 05-05-2013

      Hi everyone, how did your week go? I had a great one, which included amazing theater rehearsals, a barefoot dance party, climbing a tree and also seeing the Biggest Rabbit Ever.  

     My weekly challenge didn't go terribly well. I have problems tolerating the empty stomach feeling, and always want to reach out for something to snack on. I really need to be aware of this otherwise I'll fall back to my pre-fasting habit of munching on something almost all of the time.

    For this week, I will not chew or pick on my nails. Anyone has any tips? I struggle with this a lot, and even if I manage to leave my nails alone for some weeks, I start again when I'm nervous.

Here are the lovely links for this weekend:

* Style: A Crash Course In The Golden Ratio explains 1/3 and 2/3 proportions in outfits.

* Skin care: This blog has so much interesting stuff on skin care!

* Bras: Ever wondered what to do with old bras? There are many ways to donate or recycle them.

* Body: How To Maintain The Perfect Sleeping Schedule

* Life: How to be on time

* Psyche: Healing original sin

* I don't know whether I have shared this before, but this never fails to make me smile. (Anyone know who that is?)

* Film of the week: if you haven't yet, go watch Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. If you are in the mood for something darker, Brick is a delightful mix of teen flick and film noir.

Posted by Eternal*Voyageur
at Sunday, May 05, 2013

Readers Bra Metamorphosis 38DD to 38GG

     The Bra Metamorphosis is a series of posts that show photos of women before and after finding out their correct bra size. If you'd like to share your before and afters and inspire women to re-measure themselves, do contact me!

   Hello everyone, today's metamorphosis is a very interesting one. We know that the typical mistake when fitting bras is a too big band and a too small cup -- in this case the band "masks" the smallness of the cups. However, sometimes women wear correct bands and cups that are too small -- in this case several cup sizes. 

 

Note: All sizes are US.

     "I live in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. I've been professionally fitted once before, when I was pregnant about four years ago. After those two bras (I think they were a 36F?) wore out, and after I shed my nursing bras about a year later, I took the cheap way out and got the largest thing Target had, a 38DD. (This is the size in my before pictures). I went through several rounds of these cheap, easily worn-out, too small bras.
    After reading your site today, I did the bend-over-and-dangle measurement on myself. My ribcage measured 38". That was not a surprise. My "dangle" measured at 51" That is an increase of 13", or according to some sources, a M cup. There is NO way I was going to be an M cup. M!"

(Actually the inch = cup size method would make her an I cup, because you need to cound the double-letter cups as well! -- Eternal*Voyageur)

    "So I went and got fitted again tonight. A lovely young lady at Nordstrom measured my ribcage at 38. Again, no surprise there. She didn't measure the bust, but she just looked at me and then brought back a G and a GG. She had me swoop and scoop into the 38G. Just a bit of spillage, so I scooped and swooped into the 38GG. A perfect fit! That little spot between the wires in front sat firmly against my ribcage. This has always been the most problematic spot for me. It has ALWAYS pushed away from me, leaving my boobies to squish together. I have a permanent rash mark there from year after year of hot summers with them smooshed together, my skin unable to breathe. The dark spot in After#2 is not gaping or shadow, it is the rash mark left from years of bad bras. You can kind of see it in the Before#1, too. I tried on a few other styles in a 38GG, but a few of them still did the pushy-outy-center thingy, so those were a no go. She said my boobies are a little bit closer together than most that she has seen.
I bought two Elomi "full cup with side support" in a 38GG. They are perfect. Thank you so much!!"

"The dark spot is not gaping or shadow, it is the rash mark left from years of bad bras." 

And now a side-by-side:

   Such a big difference, don't you think? Any comments or questions for A? I'd love to see S. in a balcony cut or a half-cup, I think they would look great on her. The full-cups have a bit of empty space at the top because of the bottom-heavy shape of the breasts, so a slightly lower-cut style would be more flattering.
   I'd like to give a big thanks to A for sharing her metamorphosis with us. If you'd like to share yours, I'd love to have you! The "contact" button is on the top of the page, can't wait to hear from you!

Posted by Eternal*Voyageur
at Friday, May 03, 2013

Experimenting With Henna Based Natural Hair Colour

   So ladies, I'm not a brunette anymore. I've made a tentative step into redhead world by dyeing my hair a deep mahogany  I'm really happy with the results as well as the conditioning effects of the henna and I want to tell you all about it.

   My first grey hair appeared when I was around 25, and they have been multiplying ever since. Now, the annoying thing about greys is not the colour, but the fact that they are coarser and the baby ones tend to stick straight out, drawing attention to themselves. It was my hairdresser who suggested henna, since he felt that chemical dyes would dry my hair out. I didn't buy pure henna because I didn't want a bright red and didn't want to potter around with adding stuff to making it darker, so chose natural hair dyes instead. These are mixes of henna and natural ingredients like walnut shells, indigo etc which change the Henna's original red. The colour palette isn't that big, but you can get a couple of nice shades of brown and red, and of course colourless Cassia for blondes. I got a box of dye from various brands from a clothes swap site, and the first one I tried was a French brand simply called Henne Color Paris.

The colour:

     The wonderful thing about henna-based dyes is that the colour doesn't come out flat like that of conventional dyes. Different hairs take on the henna colour in the different way, this gives texture as well as an illusion of fullness to your mane. My hairdresser exclaimed: "Cool! you have natural highlights!" and it really does look like highlights and lowlights a hairdresser would need hours to achieve.
      The colour I got was pretty much what was shown on the box. The white hair got coloured too, and now they are a wonderful translucent red that glints in the sun. Thumbs up all the way!
      I want to mention that a while back I had used a brown natural hair dye which was not far off from my a natural colour -- this gave a very subtle and pretty effect by adding a nice tone to hair. This is especially nice if you are a brunette and feel that your hair colour is lifeless.

Volume and conditioning:

       Henna coats the hair from outside, so it adds volume -- I have lots of volume and it is really easy to get lasting volume at the roots if I just clip up my hair when drying it. Henna also decreases hair porousity. This made my hair less frizzy, glossier and it is able to hold on to moisture longer. This is not a subjective opinion -- my hairdresser also noted that henna improved my hair. I also imagine that the added layer of henna gives protection to the hair strands. My waves have loosened up a bit, but I don't mind because the days when I was desperately trying to achieve curls are gone. I used to help my mother by dyeing her hair, she used chemical dyes and I have seen how they damage the hair. With henna you are actually doing something nice for your hair!

The application:

   This is the "dark" side of natural hair dyes -- the application is rather messy. I used Logona Color Plus Colorations Vorbehandlung to really cleanse my hair and strip it of any build-up. If you have access to Bentonite clay, you could also try washing your hair with that. I seriously recommend being serious about this step -- if you are going all the bother with natural dye, this step will make the colour more true and longer-lasting. Wear old clothes and apply a heavy cream around your hairline and on the ears. Wear gloves! (I didn't and had people asking me why I smoke so much).
    I prepared the colour according to the instructions (mixed with hot water). If your hair is longer than your shoulders, you will most probably need two boxes of dye. The best way to apply henna is to do the hairline, then divide the hair into 4-6 sections. Start applying at the roots, and then work the henna into the hair. If your hair is thick or curly, really work it into the hair. This is not so easy since the texture is like mud, only less slippery. Cover your head with cling film and then a towel. I blasted my hair with a hair dryer every now and then, because henna works best at higher temperatures. I kept it on for 3-4 hours because I wanted to get an intense colour.
   Then wash your hair out. This is a long and messy process. I used the Logona Color Conditioner at the end, which is really nice. Hennaed hair can feel a bit dry and coarse if you don't condition it properly. Dry your hair with an old towel. Now, you will probably need to scrub your bathtub.
    Let your hair dry, and admire the gloss, volume and colour in the mirror!

Sorry for the tangles, the wind was wild!

The bottom line:

     I really recommend Henna based colour if you don't mind the messy application, especially if you have very porous hair, or if you'd like more volume. Hair usually thins and gets dry, thin and brittle as we age, so avoiding chemical dyes is a great way to keep it healthy.

    I will be continuing with natural hair dyes, and I want to try out other brands. The advantage of Henne Color Paris is the really bright colour, the disadvantage is that it comes off a little bit every time I wash my hair. I have colours from Logona and Sante lined up, I wonder how they will work for me. Also, I'm still getting the hang of what my Hennaed hair likes!

    Have any of you tried natural hair colours? Any brand that you'd recommend?

Posted by Eternal*Voyageur
at Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Bra Review: Braologie Posture-Contour Bra (The Lacie) and Posture-Contour Mini-Vest

   

   Today I'd like to introduce you to a bra by a new lingerie with an unusual concept: Braologie. Braologie creates bras and posture lingerie that address specific problems: posture, migrated tissue as well as fluctuating sizes. I have been testing the Braologie Posture-Contour Bra (The Lacie) and the Posture-Contour Mini-Vest and would like to tell you about them.
     Interestingly, Braologie is involved in helping the client pick her size. You send them your measurement as well as photos of you in a bra, and they send a custom-made bra for you. The bra is unlabeled  In my case they got the size right, but in case when the don't I have heard that they have a good return policy and an awesome customer service.
   The bra came with a detailed instruction of how to put it on properly and how to scoop in that migrated tissue.
    What I also loved was that they ask for photos of the client wearing the bras and reevaluate the fit and give post-fitting advice. Nice!

My breast type: currently my measurements are 68/80cm My breasts are tear-shaped (bottom-heavy) and rather wide-spaced; and broader at the root (I prefer wider underwires).

Posture-Contour Bra (The Lacie)

28-42, A-JJ and retails for $42.99 USD

 Aesthetics: 3/5

    Function precedes form in the Braologie Posture-Contour Bra. It is not bad looking as far as nude bras go, but it does look very heavy and built-up. Not exactly something that I'd wear on a date, ya know. I slightly regret not getting the Mix instead of the beige. The bra can be worn under snug tops, the only thing that shows through slightly is the boning on the sides. The lace is not of an expensive kind, but the bra is well-made and I expect it to age well.
    However, what the bra lacks in looks it makes up by the shape is gives to the breasts: lifted and rounded. It also gives an amazing cleavage! The high side wings with double boning smooth out any rolls if you have issues with that kind of thing.

   The gore is not as high as it looks, and I can wear the bra under all but the lowest-cut V-necks. However the sides are high, so it doesn't work under sleeveless stuff. The bra is available in black, beige and a black-beige mix.

Wearing the Posture-Contour Bra.

Fit: 5/5

     The cups are lined / thinly padded, with built-in pockets for removable pads, very similar to those in some Ewa Michalak bras. I love this feature because you can control how much cleavage you want, or minimise asymmetry. The cups have a half-cup shape and are shallower at the bottom, which lifts the breasts. This means there is no gaping on the top even though the cups are much more built-up than what I normally wear.
    Underwires and side wings go quite high up in the under-arm area, and this makes the bra perfect if you want to get rid of migrate breast tissue (aka armpit rolls). However they could be too high up for a petite or someone with high-set breasts.
    The underwires have a medium width, and are not very firm. The straps are comfortable, and rather broad. They are placed very far apart, which could be an issue for women with narrow shoulders. The center gore does lie flat for me.
    Now the band. The band is firm, stable and extra wide. It has three four-hook columns and comes with an extender with three more rows of hooks. I am wearing my bra on the biggest hook of the extender and it is quite snug but not uncomfortably so. I think that the bra will last a long time because I can get rid of the extender as the band stretches out.
    The Braologie Posture-Contour Bra is comfortable, nothing pokes or pinches. It is very supportive!

Comfort: 4/5

   The Braologie Posture-Contour Bra is pretty comfortable, I have not had issues with underwires pinching. The fabric is comfortable, and the bra feels very supportive. The insides are lined with cotton which makes it very comfortable to wear. However, the bra might be a bit much for hot summer days.

Summary:

   I highly recommend the Braologie Posture-Contour Bra for those of you struggling with armpit fat! This bra is the best thing yet for migrated breast tissue. I would not recommend it to petites and owners of high-set breasts, as this bra goes up really high in the underarm area.

Braologie Posture-Contour Bra (The Lacie) Stats:

Band unstretched: 56cm

Band stretched to the maximum: 71cm

Underwire length: 21cm

Underwire width: 13,5cm

(These measurements have been taken after appx. 7 wears :)

More reviews on (blogs, bratabase) 

Bratabase, FussyBusty

Posture-Contour Mini-Vest   

    This buts-free vest is meant to be worn on top of a bra. It pulls the shoulders back, smooths, and it lifts and presses the boobs together to give an extra cleavage.

    The Posture-Contour Mini-Vest is easy to put on, funnily I wore it back-to-front on my first try. It closes in the front and has three columns of hooks. It really does lift the breasts and pushes them from outside in, giving a spectacular cleavage valley. 

     The high sides and back are great to smooth out rolls, and I can see it's huge potential as a shapewear piece below tight or slinky tops or dresses. Especially the boning gives it advantage over conventional shapewear.

   I have not felt any discomfort when wearing the piece. It is snug, but in a nice way.

       The vest can theoretically be worn with any bra, but it didn't work for me with unlined cups like the Tango II, as the vest divided the cups into two. It did work with lined / padded cups like the Curvy Kate Tease Me.

   The straps are adjustable and widely-placed. Again, this piece might not be suitable for anyone whose boobs are very high up, as the vest goes very high under the armpits.

   I didn't notice dramatic changes in my posture, but the vest did remind me to keep my shoulders low and back. There are two pieces of boning on each side, which keep the sides smooth and push the breasts up and in, and the effect looks really good!

Wearing the Posture-Contour Bra and Mini-Vest.

    Anyone else has tried Braologie products? How did you like them? Would you be interested

The items reviewed were kindly provided by Braologie. The opinions are 100% mine.

Posted by Eternal*Voyageur
at Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Weekend Reads 27-04-2013

      Hi everyone, how did your week go? I have had a lovely one, full of spontaneous picnic dinners in my garden.
          My challenge didn't go too well, I worked on my paper for only three days. It's definitely not ready yet! For this week's challenge I will stop snacking between meals. It's a bad habit that is coming back!

   Here are the lovely links for today:

* Style: Finding the Right Neckline for Your Big Necklace

* Photography: 7 ways to look better in photos.

* More style: Wardrobe Oxygen interviews lovely stylish ladies in her a true fashionista series. Also, here is her definition of a true fashionista.

* Laugh: Messing with an English major

* Bras: That Bra Does Not Fit Her is a lovely new bra-fitting tumblr

* DIY: Did you know that you can stretch your jeans?

* Home: How To Track Down Elusive "Where Can I Get That?" Products

* Fun: 5 Everyday Things That Never Stop Being Awesome.

Posted by Eternal*Voyageur
at Sunday, April 28, 2013