How Often Do You Wash Your Hair?

The answer to this question will vary a lot from person to person. Variables like your hairstyle, your hair type (and in particular whether it tends towards the dry or the oily end of the spectrum), your daily activities, and your local climate all play a role. 

So there is no right or wrong answer, but I do believe it is helpful to establish a routine that suits your style, lifestyle and hair type. That way you’ll feel your best and have a healthy head of hair. After all, you know how it goes. Your fabulous outfit feels off when your hair isn’t right. 

I shampoo and condition my hair every morning. I may have dry facial skin, but I do have fine, oily hair that looks and feels best on the day it has been washed. And since my hairstyle is a prominent part of my look, it is important to me that bad hair days are kept to a minimum. 

Surprisingly, the high washing frequency has had a positive effect on the health of my hair. I have my hairstylist Teresa to thank for suggesting the right Redken shampoo and conditioner. I don’t have a dry scalp, nor has my hair been stripped of its natural oils. It feels clean and soft, and looks shiny. A big improvement over its condition when I was using the wrong products.

I have my hair trimmed every six weeks, which takes care of dry ends and prevents it from looking limp. 

Luckily, my short hair is easy and fast to style so I don’t feel like it’s an annoying hassle to deal with wet hair every day. Washing and styling long hair, on the other hand, is a much more laborious task. I was much less inclined to wash my hair daily when I wore it longer.

Over to you. How frequently do you wash your hair? Are you happy with your routine?

Team Start or Team End of Season Shopper

This week’s poll is about your seasonal shopping preference. Do you prefer to shop at the start or at the end of a retail season? Note that there are only two official retail seasons, Spring and Fall, each of which lasts about six months.  

I prefer to shop early in the season because that’s when I’m most excited about the new collections. Items look fresh and I want them right away. Most of my own seasonal refresh is done during the first half of the season because that’s when fashion buyers tend to stock stores with “cherries”.

Although prices are considerably reduced at the end of the season, pickings are slim and sizes are scarce. I’m also usually bored with what’s on offer at the end of the season. I’m already looking forward to the next season’s range. 

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Start or Team End of Season Shopper? For the purposes of this poll, mid-season shoppers fall into Team Start of the Season Shopper. Remember, no batting for both sides.

The Ongoing Fair Isle Sweater Trend

We see the distinctive Fair Isle pattern on knitwear every season, and over the decades it’s become quite the classic. It is particularly popular during ski season and over the Christmas period in the northern hemisphere because of its strong Wintery integrity. Fair Isles are often prominent on the “holiday sweaters” that come out for casual holiday get togethers with friends and family. 

Fair Isle knitwear can be chunky or fine gauge, and comes in a wide variety of colours and silhouettes. Sometimes the patterns cover the entire sweater, and sometimes only parts of it, like the yoke and hems. They are strictly casual pieces, but can be worn with dressier bottoms to create interesting juxtapositions. 

I am lukewarm on the Fair Isle sweater trend. I’m drawn to the neutral styles with a yoke and hem border every season (the cream oversized turtleneck sweater from the Gap tickles my fancy). But I haven’t felt fabulous in a Fair Isle since I was a teen back in the ‘80s. Perhaps that’s my challenge. I think of Fair Isle as a juvenile pattern.

Fair Isles can look slightly frumpy when worn without fashionable intention. I also find the stitching across the yoked styles uncomfortable when I reach out or raise my arms because there is no shoulder seam. But I’d definitely wear a fun neutral Fair Isle if I met the right one. They look cuddly and gorgeously Nordic. 

Over to you. What’s your take on Fair Isle sweaters?

Oversize Fair Isle Turtleneck SweaterLoft Slouchy Fair Isle SweaterBDG Scarf Attack Fair Isle Sweater

Joie Deedra SweaterBand of Outsiders Fair Isle Horses Sweater

Harley of Scotland Nor' Easterly SweaterHarley of Scotland Fair Isle Sweater

Treasure Bond Fair Isle Funnel Neck SweaterSaint Laurent Fair Isle Mohair Blend Sweater

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

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Fab Sale Finds: Unconventional Jeans

Interesting, unconventional jeans come in handy around the holidays, especially when they lean towards dressy. Combine them with a festive sweater or a plaid shirt and blazer, a dressy pair of shoes and some extra bling, and Bob’s your uncle. You’re dressed up for a relaxed setting. Here’s an assortment across various price points, and three bonus items at the end.

Unconventional jeans can also be a great way to amp up your stay at home style.

Make-Up and a Polished Appearance

The make-up industry is huge. There is an enormous variety of products to choose from and the assortments grow in breadth and depth each season. So I’m somewhat relieved that my make-up regime is very simple. I can happily walk past the make-up counter without feeling that I’m missing out. 

I do believe that make-up has its place, though. In fact, I would go so far as to say that a little make-up beyond your daily skin regimen is essential if you are going for a polished, professional look. It needn’t be overt — a few finishing touches that brighten your complexion and accentuate your facial features can be very effective. It’s amazing what a little eye and lip definition can do. 

I generally aim for a polished look and wear mascara, eyebrow pencil, tinted moisturizer and lippie almost every day. Not too much, but just enough shine to make me feel pulled together in my outfits.

What do you think is the most effective minimal make-up approach to create a polished appearance?