Beauty Q&A: Hair Inspiration, Dancewear, and Big Boots

You have seen my hair — super-long, thick, medium-course Latina hair. I got it semi-layered by a super pro six months ago, but the problem is that every time I go to a stylist I’m like “give me something interesting” and they’re like “But I am in love with your luxurious hair, you just need to keep it long and flowing.” And then they do what they want. I know, major life probs, but I am extremely hair lazy and it often just ends up in a messy bun. I AM SO BORED. So, without getting cool chick bangs, do you have any thoughts on extremely low maintenance cuts that are interesting/not typical/possibly even experimental? I like the concept of an asymmetrical bob but I want to keep it long, at least past medium-length, so I can do your drunk Anthropologie beehive sometimes. Is this even possible? Even if you have a good recommendation for a hairdo-picture website that doesn’t show JC Penney-style, my-mom-in-’88 styles, that would be so awesome.

Hey, pal! I have seen your hair and it is all that and then some. I think you should just keep it long and flowing. Just kidding! My first thought, which doesn’t quite satisfy your “I want to keep it long and no bangs” thing, is for you to try one of those half short/half long haircuts. The halves I’m talking about are the top half and the underneath half. If you choose to make the top half short you could have a cool bob with a beautiful long braid draped over your shoulder. Or, consider the reverse: a long flowy hairstyle that reveals a short crop when you throw it all in a bun on top of your head. I know it is sounding a bit Coco Rosie, but as long as you don’t get baby bangs or shave anything, you should be safe. And whichever half you decide to make short, you’ll still have plenty of length to create a serious up-do.

Another idea that is not about cutting your hair is to dye your part a very fun bright color. This is a classic Vidal Sassoon look and it’s very low-risk: If you don’t like it, there’s only a small amount of hair to dye back. Wear with your hair parted in one direction and you hardly see any color at all; part it on the side with the color and you’ve suddenly got a shock of red, deep purple or white.

Nose around on UKHairdressers.com and something will inspire you for sure.The most important thing to remember, though, is that hair grows back. It grows back just like magic! So have some fun.

I need help with finding a good natural (and preferrably animal-friendly!) shampoo and conditioner. I’ve found some natural shampoos I like (Beauty Without Cruelty is decent) but the conditioners are always thin and leave my long, fine but abundant hair super tangled by the end of the day. This is troublesome because I try to wear my hair wavy with some light texturizing product but then if it’s tangled and I try to brush it the style is ruined. I feel like if I had a nice conditioner that made my hair a little more silky, I’d be able to keep my mitts off. Help!

Have you tried MOP products? I like that they’re named after a rap group. I wish! No, MOP stands for Modern Organic Products, and they’re also animal friendly and all that jazz. This is one of those brands you’ll occasionally find on sale at the drugstore and you’re all, “Wait, I thought this was only supposed to be sold in salons? But it’s 50% off. I’m going in,” and you buy it anyway. What I’m saying is, keep your eyes peeled for this stuff. I’ve only had my hair washed and conditioned with their Mixed Greens line at the salon, but the conditioner left my hair all slippery in a good way. They offer a number of lines, though, for different hair types. If you need a little extra help with tangles, they make a detangler too. For styling, the defining cream gets you lovely, air-dried, wavy hair that no puppies had to pay for. (In my imagination all animal testing is done on adorable little puppies. Sad face.)

When Anne Hathaway made the rounds promoting Batman, she talked about “the hump” that you have to get over in order to stop being weak and become one of those people that just loves to exercise. This summer I challenged myself to get over that hump and have been practicing rigorous yoga and Pilates in the park a few times a week. I love it! However, I just am not happy with the exercise clothes that are out there. Yoga pants typically have those fold over waist bands and wide legs that remind me of maternity pants and/or a college campus. Other stretchy pants have strange circle panels sewn into the thighs, as if your muscles would burst through were the not allowed this extra give. I don’t need the hardcore, sweat wicking, shiny stuff that is offered by Nike, Reebok and Adidas. I don’t like the whole lululemon trend either. Instead, I want something cute and low-key and feminine. I have seen sports bras with skinny straps and floral prints I like very much. I don’t need a lot of support in the chest area. Can you help me put together a fashionable Nike-free work out wardrobe?

Dancewear! Dancewear. Have you tried shopping for dancewear? Like ballerina stuff? The basic elements are the same as workout gear: camisoles, leggings, etc., but with prettier aesthetic touches because dancers are supposed be all vain or something? I don’t know. But I do know that If you’re looking for pretty straps, ruched leggings, Black Swan-style warm ups, and cute patterns, you must get you some dancewear. And while you’re at it, pick me up one pair of these please thanks bye.

I am not a particularly girly girl, but I’m trying to start dressing a bit more like a person who cares about her appearance. Part of this battle is that I really want somewhat-cute-yet-functional (and I live in Vermont, so functional means functional) brown leather boot that I can wear with tight jeans or skirts. The obstacle: I have big feet. Most size 11s don’t fit me, and I’ve found that the few that do also expect me to have giant ankles and lower legs… which kills any cute factor that the boot may have originally had. In searching for size 12 boots online, most of my hits are seemingly designed for drag queens. Can you please help me find normal cute girl boots?

Go immediately to Endless.com! This site is easier to search and nicer looking than Zappos and you can search by size and they have great sales and the selection is seriously endless, as the name states. I found about 800 styles of boots available in your size. So which ones should you go for? I think the problem you might be having is less a size issue and more a question of style: Is there a cute and “functional” boot out there? And the answer is… not really. You have to decide whether you’re wiling to tolerate a little heel or some other flourish — over the knee, perhaps? Shiny buckles? — that a boot needs in order to not look like you’re about to go hiking or about to go be a dude. Close your eyes and picture someone else in this boot/skirt/skinny jeans scenario you want in your future. Are they wearing something like these, which conveniently lace up to overcome your tightness-around-the-ankle problem, or were they wearing these? My guess is the first pair. Here are some other good options. Keep in mind that though boots can be expensive, a good quality pair will last you for years. Cheap boots? I’ve been lucky to get through a season. No matter what, be sure you waterproof them the minute you decide to keep them.

Now, if none of the styles I suggested are quite right and you’re still struggling to put your finger on that dream pair, you’ve still got roughly 795 styles to sift through. Chances are, your boots are in there. Goodnight, and good luck.

Previously: Streaky Polish, Cardigan Season, and Drinks for a Lady.

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