Pink Hair Don't Care

When I was in high school, the emo scene was in full swing and colorful hair made its first appearance on my radar. I wanted so badly to dye the tips of my hair hot pink, but because my hair was so dark I knew it wouldn't take without bleaching first, and I didn't want to mess with that. So I never got to partake in the trend.

Admit it: you, too, wanted to look like Avril Lavigne.

For awhile, it seemed colorful hair went out of style. But in recent years, we've seen it again. Once more I wished I could dye my hair pink or purple, but again, there was the whole bleaching issue and now also the professional-work-lady issue. (My school has a no-unnatural-hair-color policy.)

When I started seeing ads for Overtone I was intrigued but skeptical. Say it with me: I have dark hair. But when they came out with rose gold for brown hair, I couldn't resist. Temporary, non-damaging color that supposedly works without bleaching? What did I have to lose?

Here's my "before".

I did some research and checked hashtags for befores/afters, then placed my order. On Wednesday night, I took the plunge.

I didn't realize gloves would come with it, which was a nice surprise.

I feel like this is a company I can get behind because (spoiler) their product works and they're trying to be environmentally conscious. The included pamphlet is printed on recycle paper and reminds you that their jars and bottles are recyclable. The products are also vegan and cruelty free.

The conditioner is like a thick mousse and smells very minty.

The conditioner says to leave it in for 10-15 minutes, but all the reviews I read suggested 30-45 for dark hair. I set my timer for 45, but actually kept the conditioner in for about an hour. Application was messy. I used petroleum jelly on my neck, ears, and face to avoid stains, but the gloves they provide are flimsy and over-large. I may has well have been wearing produce bags on my hands. I'll definitely invest in a smaller pair from the pharmacy next time I color.

There's no need to be precise, which I appreciated.  The color found my natural highlights and blended itself pretty well without giving me that flat, all-over same-color look.

My hair took on a kind of stiff, gluey texture.

Rinsing was an experience. The color just kept running off with no apparent end in sight; because it's a temporary formula, I wondered if waiting for the water to run clear would mean I'd over-rinsed somehow. The instructions aren't very clear.

Still, I rinsed intensively for like 10 minutes in the shower. My hair towel still picked up some pink when I was done, but right out of the shower my hair had obviously picked up color so I managed not to wash it all out in one go.

Then I blew it dry.

I'd say the color is more reddish/purplish than pink right now, maybe because of how long I let it sit. I know that after a couple washes the color will begin to fade, and I'll definitely post updates on that if the color change is significant. Also, my hair did feel very soft after, as advertised!

Indoor lighting 

Direct sunlight

My final verdict is that this was a fun and good experience that finally fulfilled my dreams of coloring my hair! I didn't have to bleach, there was actual color payoff, and it'll wash out before I go back to work in August (probably)! Even if it doesn't, I don't think the color is so jarring that I couldn't get away with it during the school year.

I may order a sample size of one of their brown shades once this fades, because I like the idea of using this to enhance my natural color year-round.

ABK

Blog Facelift & Life Update

Over the last few weeks, I have been making little tweaks to Hit the Ground Running. I have missed writing here but also felt the look of the blog was getting old, so I thought a little facelift might put me in a writing mindset.

I updated my About Me page yesterday for the first time in maybe five years, simplified the banner, and cleaned up the widgets. I'm pretty happy with how streamlined it all looks now.

I thought I'd borrow Meg's "Currently" format for a bit of a life update today.

Current running situation: I'm finally starting to acclimate to summer humidity and temps. I've worked my way back up to four miles three times a week, and my eyes are on getting to five miles in the next couple weeks.

Current writing situation: Something about being not busy makes writing hard. But I think I've finally outlined the end of the novel I'm working on and if I work on it a little bit daily, this may be the first one I finish in years.

Currently reading: Starting in winter or early spring, I began reading Harry Potter to Matt. Despite years of cajoling, he never did read the books, but he agreed to let me read The Sorcerer's Stone to him. Once we finished that one, it just felt necessary to keep going! We're currently on Order of the Phoenix. He doesn't remember much from the movies (and the books are very different in some crucial ways), so it's been really fun to watch his reactions!

Current guilty pleasure: I actually went shopping for real clothes for the first time in years (I know!) right before our trip to St. Augustine, so I'd say that was a guilty pleasure...but buying stuff for my future nephew has definitely topped the charts. I just can't help it - I want to buy everything! (Steph is due in October.)

Current drink: I have become obsessed with hot tea! I don't know what it is...I mean, it's summer! But I don't drink coffee in summer so maybe it's been a bit of a replacement. I'm enjoying a few different flavors and I have at least two cups a day.

The three teas in my rotation right now.

Current triumph: I've been eating very healthfully over the last two months and have successfully lost the weight I wanted to lose. I'm very proud of myself for sticking to it. It's amazing the difference 5 pounds makes when you're short.

Current favorite TV show: Matt and I are nearly done with season three of Stranger Things. It's a relief to watch a show where every episode actually holds my interest and is so good after the disappointment of Game of Thrones season 8.

Current food: Oatmeal. I used to not find it filling or good but lately oatmeal with some salt and PB2 has been my jam.

Currently listening to: Emmit Fenn. His music is perfect to write to. Here's a playlist I'm enjoying.

Current excitement: My sister's wedding and baby shower are coming up at the end of the month! I finished writing my matron-of-honor speech yesterday and feel pretty good about it.

Currently needing: To get back to work on the house. We were making great progress on the yard but the rainy season has thrown a wrench in our progress.

Currently celebrating: Nine years of marriage! Matt's and my anniversary is July 10 and I'm not even sure how that's possible! We'll be celebrating with a trip to a local bird sanctuary and a staycation at a resort hotel.

ABK

Summer Running So Far

You would think, given the barely perceptible differences in Florida's seasons, that acclimating to summer running weather wouldn't be so difficult. You'd be wrong. In May, mornings and evenings are still comfortably in the 70s with reasonable humidity. Then June rolls around and suddenly it's in the 90s before sunrise and the humidity is firmly in the instant-sweat-inducing range all. day. long.

My two summer 5k races were humbling and a necessary reminder that Florida summer is brutal and that whole "14-days-to-acclimate" thing is very real.

The good news is that now, at the start of July, I think my body is finally getting it together.

The key has been consistency. I'm running every-other-day like clockwork, except for weekends; on days when my evening schedule looks weird, I've been good about going to the gym first thing in the morning so my run gets done. I'm hydrating a lot, which is easier to do at home than at work. And I've been very conscious of my eating habits, which has re-energized me something fierce.

Basically, I'm using summer break to get myself back in order and back on schedule, and it seems to be working.

I've been mostly running 2 or 2.5 miles when running outdoors, but I've been able to keep to my usual 3-4 miles at the gym quite easily. This tells me my struggles really are about the weather and not my basic level of fitness. 

I don't think I've used the gym this much since...ever.

On Monday I ran three on the golf course and felt better than I've felt in weeks. Wednesday I ran four in my favorite neighborhood and didn't want to die.

The best part of summer running has been jumping in the pool. I'm so glad it's finally back in usable shape!

I have to admit, for awhile there I was feeling pretty defeatist about running. I had forgotten how hard it is to breathe and move and just exist in this heat. I'm glad to see it turning around.

I don't have any desire to race this summer. I have my eye on a November half marathon relay Matt has agreed to run with me (more on that at a later date) but there really aren't any fall races I'm interested in yet, either. For now, my goal has really been to keep up this consistency and when a race piques my interest, I'll be ready to jump into training.

ABK