Out With the Old...

 

Hey, guys!  Happy 2021!  How’s everyone doing?  Hope everyone is doing and feeling fine.  Me?  Oh, I’m doing well.   Been kinda busy with work and stuff, shopping for groceries online, keeping track and organizing my personal stash of hand sanitizers at their assigned stations of use, washing and drying and washing again seven days’ worth of masks for daily wear, dressing up everyday only to stay behind closed doors quarantining for weeks on end...  You know.  The usual.

I’ve also been maintaining my locks and keeping on schedule with the care of my hair, which is a once a week thing.  And in the midst of all this normalcy, it just so happens that last week my old time blow dryer conked out on me.  Well, sort of.  I plugged it in, it didn’t come on.  I tried several times - no go.   I called myself being clever by switching outlets - no blow.  As a last resort, I sent up a feeble plea from my lips to God’s ear and went back to the original outlet to try again and... it finally came on.  I proceeded to dry my hair, but took the cue that the old clunker was living on borrowed time.  So, two days later, I up and bought a new one.  An Infiniti Pro by Conair.

The Conair Infiniti Pro is quite the upgrade from the basic dryer I have been using.  After tumbling down the rabbit hole of terms and technology that current blow dryers now boast, I decided on this iteration of Conair’s ceramic infused offerings based on its favorable Amazon reviews.  Not only does it use ceramic technology, which uses infrared heat to uniformly heat strands from the inside out and quickly dry hair with minimal damage, but it also relies on ionic technology to mitigate frizz and ensure a smooth and shiny result.

(Nozzle)

(Removable filter)

In addition to the standardized buttons that control the temperature as well as force of the blower, it also has a cool button and removable filter on the back which, with proper upkeep, can prolong the blow dryer’s motor and the overall life of the machine. 

The Infiniti Pro also comes with two attachments - a concentrator for smooth styling as well as a diffuser for textured looks - each attaching to the small nozzle towards the front of the blower. 

And so, as of the writing of this piece, I have yet to give it a whirl.   But wash day is swiftly approaching and I must say that I’m excited to try this out.  Again, it is a step up, after all.  In the world of Hanna Barbera, it is The Flinstones vs. The Jetsons... and I’m finally stepping up my game as far as my hair drying goes.   So we’ll see.  We’ll see how much better all this technological advancement turns out to be and whether it actually will make a difference - if I’ll SEE a difference.  I’ll definitely let you guys know and talk more about it on my YouTube channel.  But until then, I just wanted to give you guys a quick update on my recent upgrade.

So HAPPY NEW YEAR, guys... (and all that jazz)!  The new year is already leading to new things in my life and I am totally here for it!  #Letsgo

Getting My Studio Fix - MAC Studio Moisture Cream

Hey, guys!  It’s been a moment, but I’ve been on a reconnaissance mission of sorts to find a decent moisturizer for my face.  For those who are in the know, I had been relying on Ole Henriksen’s vitamin rich concoction for quite a spell... but it ran out and I wanted to try something new (you know me - wink, wink!).   So off I went (virtually) to find a decent substitute and decided to take a chance on an offering by MAC - their Studio Moisture Cream to be exact.  I’m halfway through the jar as we speak, which is not necessarily an accurate reflection of my enthusiasm for the product.  But let me explain...

Studio Moisture Cream is just one of the moisturizers in MAC’s well stocked, but highly underrated skincare line.  From lightweight to hydration heavy, the selection of face creams is pretty respectable for a company better known for its eyeshadows and blushes than skincare.  

I knew that I wanted something light enough for summer, but enriching enough for fall as well.  So after scanning the inventory and reading the accompanying reviews, I decided it would be SMC that I would take to the dance.

Arriving in an eggshell hued, logo embossed box, the 1.7 oz. jar itself is pretty straightforward in design - consisting of an opaque white with a contrasting black, rubberized lid.  But it’s what’s on the inside that really counts...

Off-white in color, the Studio Cream has a nice consistency - thick and stable, but not too dense feeling.  Almost pudding-like.  And it has a light, docile fragrance, so those sensitive to smells should not find this off putting at all.  It spreads nicely, too.  Again, it has a light feeling when applying to the face with no shine or greasy residue to speak of, which I found to be nice since my face does not like “heavy” at all.  My face did feel moisturized; however, it is noticeably lighter than my Ole and I feared that it perhaps wouldn’t be moisturizing enough as a result.  And so I tried it both day and night for several weeks to see how my skin would fare.

The first couple of weeks went OK.  I had no breakouts and my skin felt hydrated enough.  I thought, “Hey, I think I found my new moisturizer!”  But my excitement quickly waned as I started to experience a small, sporadic bump or two on each cheek.  Though benign, it still gave me pause and I figured I would have to go back to the drawing board.  And then they stopped.

Fast forward to now and all I can say is that I like it enough to finish it, but not sure if it is THE ONE.  I haven’t had any more breakouts as of recent and my skin does feel good, but... I’m not over the moon about it, you know?  I guess it’s doing its job, even though I have an occasional dry patch here and there after applying, but... *sigh* I dunno.  And it is this ambivalence that has fueled me to keep looking. 

So keep looking, I shall.  I already have my eye on the next contender and will be sure to give you guys the scoop once I get the full deets on whether my skin approves... or not!

MAC Studio Moisture Cream can be found at Nordstrom and MACcosmetics(.)com, and retails for $33/1.7 fl oz.

The New Normal

Hey, guys...

Last Monday, after being cooped up for two weeks straight, I woke up around 6:15am with full plans to get to the nearby grocery store by no later than 7.  I had ran out of ice-cream and needed to re-up because... priorities.

When I got to the store’s underground parking lot, I saw that the elevators to the main floor were blocked.  I followed the crudely printed signs that pointed to the stairs and proceeded up towards the street where I was met with a somewhat significant line of people at the entrance of the automated doors of the store.  I sighed then took my place at the back of the line.  Approximately six feet behind the last person at the back of the line.  Thankfully, the line looked a lot worse than it ended up being.  I didn’t count the exact amount of time, but sooner than I knew it, the whole lot of us were being ushered into the store one by one.

Inside, no crowd, but enough of a head count for so early in the morning.  Some donned face masks while others went bare.  I was part of the latter; however, I did take a produce bag and fashion it into a “glove”, so I could quickly navigate my cart to the aisles I needed and then quickly leave.

When I got home, I stripped down naked right at the front door and left my packages on the floor while I grabbed my bottle of rubbing alcohol from my bathroom as well as dish detergent.  I doused a paper towel with the concoction and proceeded to thoroughly wipe everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, down before putting it away.  Food, credit cards, keys... nothing went un-wiped.   When I was through with the wiping, I jumped in the shower and scrubbed.  After showering, I laundered everything I wore to the store, including the hat I wore to cover my hair.  Then and only then did I relax.

Two days ago, I fashioned a makeshift face mask out of an old scarf and two ponytail bands after seeing the quick and handy tutorial on Instagram.  Took me less than five minutes.  Very happy to have it.  Another piece of armor for the battle...

And now I’m just sitting here... all dolled up with nowhere to go.  But I’m so thankful that all my family and friends, including you guys, are here and accounted for.  So blessed to be here myself.  Hopeful that this tide will soon ebb.  Encouraged that it most certainly will.

Strange times we’re living in, huh?  But I guess this is our new normal.

Strange times indeed...

In Living Color...

Hey, guys!  Well, I’m not going to beat around the bush.  Going to get right down to the nitty gritty, the meat and potatoes, the... well, you get my drift.  I am starting a new adventure and I would love for you all to come along with me in my journey.  And to think that it all began with a simple request...

One of my dearest readers requested that I make a video talking about my relaxed hair.  Actually, she had asked before.  But I played it off, thinking, “I can’t do videos.  I don’t have time.  Who would watch anyway?”  And, “What would I say?”  Well, they say that persistence pays off and when she asked this last time, the idea began to marinate.  The ask sat differently with me this go ‘round and as my temerity grew in stature, I thought, “Maybe, just maybe, I could really do this.”

And so I recorded.  And edited.  And deleted.  And researched.  And edited some more.  And now here I am.   I am throwing my hat into the vast digital playground that is YouTube.  Yes, guys, I am posting my very first video on the Y to the T.

How do I feel, you ask?  Kinda naked, to be honest.  But like I said in my first vid, this should be fun.  I gotta have fun while doing this or else it’s not going to work.  And so that’s my goal: to have fun and enjoy while sharing IN LIVING COLOR!

So I’ll be posting my very first ever, EVER video tomorrow - this Tuesday, y’all!  Wonder how tall I am?  Tune in!  Wanna know if I sound like a man or not?  Watch and find out!

Finally, I’d love to give a huge shoutout to my reader who gave me the nudge (OK, multiple nudges!) to do this.  Thank you!  And thank you to each and everyone who has ever read my blog, subscribed and/or interacted with me on this platform.  I truly appreciate it and hope that you find this additional venture just as interesting.  And, yes, this YT thing will be in addition to and not in lieu of my blog.  At least for now.

So let’s do this, y’all!  The channel is Dolce’s Dial.  I repeat, the channel is Dolce’s Dial!  Or look me up by name, Dolce Dawn.  Tune in this Tuesday and get dialed in!  Be there or be square!  #Holla!

(Psst!  Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/We01zZU52W0)

Operation Restoration: Thickness

Hey, guys!  Just a quick update here - and it’s a good one!  My hair is definitely starting to look and feel like my hair of old.  I’m gaining length, my strands feel more “solid” and... it’s thicker, y’all!  Woo-hoo!

If you’ve been following my Restoration chronicles then you know that I’ve been working assiduously trying to bring my hair back from the brink of extinction.  I trimmed the ends religiously.  And it grew in length.  But lagged in numbers still.

And so I trimmed.  And it grew and got a little thicker... but, much to my dismay, still had yet to fully fill in as I had quite a noticeable gap of missing hair right smack in the middle.

On top of all that, I had breakage near my nape - which I knew was there, but I had avoided addressing for whatever irrational reason that had populated in my pretty little head.

And then it happened.  The heavens opened and God stretched out his powerful hand and gently pulled the rest of my struggling, missing strands down to reach the rest of my hair and voilá - thickness!

Okay, that’s not exactly what happened.  What had happened was... I finally had enough growth to where I felt I could duly address the incessant gap and made what I’m hoping will be the last big chop to my hair; I cut my hair all the way up to where the gap was and now my hair is thick throughout.

OMG, guys - I finally have thickness, y’all!  Did you hear me?  Man, listen...  Look at this ponytail!  Do you all see this?  Do you?!  No more see-throughs!  Not a thin, crazy strand in sight!   And now I truly have a clean slate on which to start my length building on.  I am so pumped, y’all...  I mean, I can’t even properly explain it.  But I feel good.

So there you have it.  I’m starting off the new year (happy belated, guys!) with a brand new attitude, a more streamlined vision for my life... and a new, FULLER head of hair to boot and I am juiced!  It’s taken almost a year for me to get back to this point, but I’m here.  Count it all joy!

The comeback kid is in the building, y’all!  And I can’t wait to see how much (and how fast) we can grow.  Who’s here for waist-length?  Alrighty then... LET’S GO!

Hair Love: Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray

Hey, guys!  I promise you that I was NOT on a hunt for another hair product - because I WASN’T!  Buuuut I got curious.  I had already had a full blown fawning session over their hair serum some moons ago, so I naturally became intrigued by some of the other offerings in the Moroccanoil lineup.  More specifically, their hairspray.  So when I happened upon it while perusing a site online, curiosity grabbed me by the collar, one thing led to another... yadda, yadda, yadda and now here we are.  The travel sized version is what I bought; however, I already know that the full-size can of their Luminous Hairspray is ultimately what I will end up with very soon.

Moroccanoil is well known for their argan oil-infused goods and their Luminous Hairspray is no exception.  Along with boasts of humidity resistance and frizz control, it provides a flexible hold while imparting a mirror-like shine.  It comes in two different holds: Medium and Strong.  I inadvertently bought the latter, but I’m glad for it as I already have a moderate hand when it comes to styling sprays and it ended up serving my recovering strands well. 

At first I thought that the argan oil in the spray would way my hair down and cause a problem, but I must say that I was pleasantly surprised and well rewarded for the gamble with full, bouncy curls that held well after styling as well as throughout the week.  It gave my locks a nice shine, too. 

Now I will say that although I absolutely LOVE the smell of the hair treatment serum, when it came down to the hairspray — not so much.  At least not during the initial application.  When it first comes out the can, it smells a bit off from the signature sweet fragrance that is signature to the brand.  Almost like it has turned or something.  But once it has settled, it’s fine and dissipates after day one or so.  So if you’re sensitive to smells then this (and perhaps the brand) may not be for you as the fragrance is very pervasive.  I, on the other hand, don’t mind it. 

As I mentioned earlier, I have their hair treatment serum, which is great.  But this Luminous Hairspray right here?  It is awesome! A staple in many salons, their Luminous Hairspray  - as well as many of their other products - have garnered quite the following.  And I’m slowly but surely starting to see why. 

Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray can be found at Sephora(.)com and Amazon(.)com, and retails for $10/2.3 oz. (mini-size) or $24/10 oz. (full-size).  

Rapunzel, Rapunzel...

Well, not quite... But I wanted to give an update on the status of my hair.  And it’s a good one.  My hair is steadily gaining density as well as length and I am pretty keyed up about it.

Per my last post, my hair was inching past shoulder length, struggling a little with the gap I had dead square in the middle.  Even with that, I was progressing.  But I was also getting a little impatient with the process.  Amassing volume was one thing while length was another.  And I was more than a tad frustrated with the lack of the latter.  So I decided to be more mindful of how much I was cutting and, instead, started to focus more on length.

Well, I must say that I have seen improvement, which makes me happy!  Do you see it, too?  My hair is dropping (i.e., my hair’s weight is shifting to the bottom) due to its growth.

(Before)

(Now)

You can see the difference in my curls; they’re now fuller, longer.

(Before)

(Now)

And the patch near my temple is filling in nicely as well...

There’s not too much more I can say that the pictures don’t already convey.  I’ve been sticking to my usual hair care regimen, but I should also tell you that I’ve been pulling (more like tugging) on sections of my hair to help its progress.  I know, I know - it sounds crazy!  It may be a placebo effect, but I’ve been “tugging” for years and I really think it aids in stimulating growth.  *SHRUGS*

Anywho, I like what I’m seeing.

I like how I’m feeling.

I’m starting to feel like my former self.

And that feels good.

good. Well, I must say that I have seen improvement, which makes me happyI’m seeing.  I feel like I’m returning to my former self.  I feel good.