Where did I leave off? I was in my last year of university and had just started using a new red, Revlon blow-dryer. I also would supplement my blow-drys with some big curls in a 1 1/2 inch curling iron. When I went to Space Camp in 2008 (a story for another post) my nickname was Barbie. I was finally getting the look that I wanted.
What was the difference you ask? Well, when using a round brush I dry my hair in sections. With a really hot blow-dryer each section of hair dries faster, and I was able to move on to the next piece with unsurpassed speed. I loved the blow-dry so much from that day, that I have used a picture from that party in all of my online profiles. I'm sure all of my friends are familiar with this picture.
I started sharing my story with anyone who would listen. I just couldn't get over how fast I was able to dry my hair. It's hard to believe that I once went to bed with soaking wet hair and would just hope for the best in the morning. Don't get me wrong, my blow-drys were still far from perfect, but I could get ready for work on the days I washed my hair in about an hour. This was life changing to someone who loves to sleep.
Enter January 2009. I was in Toronto visiting my friend Lindsay again in her new apartment. This is the very same Lindsay that originally told me that I needed to get a stronger blow-dryer four years earlier. Normally when I go away for a weekend, I arrange my hair washing during the week so that I do not need to do any blow-drying while I am out of town. I just pack my dry shampoo, and I know I can be ready in under 20 minutes. This particular weekend I wasn't properly organized and needed to complete a full Saturday hair washing (I also hadn't discovered dry shampoo yet). Lindsay graciously offered me the use of her blow-dryer and I proceeded to make her apartment into a sweat-box for the following 25 minutes. Remember how hot that apartment was, Linds? Wait, only 25 minutes? I had just shaved 10 minutes off of my previous best time with my Revlon!! How was this blow-dryer so good? Lindsay had done it again!
My friend Lauren also had a similar story when she would visit our friend Phyllis. Phyllis' blow-dryer just seemed to do a better job in less time then her own blow-dryer at home. Lauren told me that the wattage really made a big difference. This time I didn't mess around. I went to Sally Beauty supplies and picked up an IQ blow-dryer for $80. The price seemed steep at the time, but I knew what 18750W could do!
My IQ and I had three good years together until it blew out during a trip to Cuba. In its replacement I bought a light-weight Tool Science dryer also from Sally's. I have to say that I didn't realize how heavy my dryer was until I used this new one. Wow! What a difference on my weak, weak arms in the morning.
I'll finish this story with a funny little tale. This past January I was back in Toronto visiting Lindsay for another birthday celebration (10 birthdays together now!). I didn't even think to pack my blow-dryer since I knew she would have the best of the best. Well I sadly mistaken. Linds, I am sorry to throw you under the bus here, but the blow-dryer was terrible! It took me over an hour to dry my hair and we were starving for brunch by the time I was done. When we got together in August she was still using this same weak blow-dryer, and has promised me that she will buy a better one. I'm still waiting for that email and am hoping this post will remind you how good you used to have it.
There is no time like the present. If there is only one tip that you ever take from Amelia, please let this be the one!!! Don't get stuck under that hot hair for any longer than half an hour. Life is for living, not for blow-drying.
"Life is for living, not for blow-drying" is my new favourite quote!!!! This is amazing!! :)
ReplyDeleteI find if I do a messy dry (no brush) until my hair is about 80% dry and then blow dry in sections (3 on each side and 3 in the back), I can be done in 10-15 minutes not including straightening time. And you know my hair- it's one thick beast. Seriously, my main concern when I see my stylist is "for the love of all that is good, can you please thin out my hair?" I feel like we are hair sisters.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with the messy dry. My stylist told me that my hair "retains water" (much like my belly ha), and that I need to get most of it out before trying to smooth my hair.
ReplyDeleteIt's all about the long layers. Stayed turned for a tip from Lauren Conrad.