Ar(gan)e You Using Argan Oil?

Find this spray here

Get your shine on.

Hi Polished ladies! It's no secret to those who know me that I LOVE my hair. Like, L-O-V-E, cupid shot his arrow, kind of love. Let me back up...

Once upon a time, an 18 year old high-school senior named Courtney cut her long, blonde (Laguna Beach highlights were in, okay), hair in an attempt to make a change before going away to college. In true Polished fashion, she collected her research and determined that an inverted bob (think Posh Spice circa 2007), would be the most fashionable choice. She loved her new hair cut for about 2 weeks. One day, she realized that her styling options were now SO limited. And with her naturally wavy and thick hair cut this way, gone were the days when she could rock the "beach wave" look. She got real sick of her straight iron after a while and decided it was time to do the hardest thing EVER...grow it out.

AH! Growing your hair out it THE WORST. The awkward stages, split ends, uneven growth, spur of the moment cuts because it is such as awkward length and the ever so dreaded "just a trim" that turns into 3 inches. Wah. 

My journey to "grow it out" took about 3 years. Why? Because I tried to do it without killing my hair. Hair health is important to growth and to styling and I decided to suck it up and make it a priority. Why bother with long hair if it is dry and brittle? I had regular "trims," used heat products and stopped highlighting it for about 2 years (I got a little bored and dyed it burgundy during the process, oops). 

While doing this I became a little obsessed with finding products that would contribute to the overall health of my hair. I spent so much time growing it, I wanted to protect it. I like using products, but not too many. I don't like the feeling of too much product in my hair, yuck. I love to use CHI Silk Therapy. I swear by putting it on damp hair before drying. Like any product, it stopped being as effective after repeated use (like, for years, haha). So, my best friend Tiff gave me this oil spray she got but didn't want (thanks, Tiffy!). We were both hesitant to use the spray because of it's "oil" namesake. To both of us, that screamed "greasy hair by the end of the day." I wash my hair every 3-5 days (also for health), so greasing it up unnecessarily and causing the need to wash more frequently was not on my agenda. But I did a little research on One and Only Argan Oil Spray Treatment and decided to give it a try.

I am SO GLAD that I did. I have been spraying this on damp hair (do not spray the roots) and have seen a huge improvement in the shine of my hair. So much so that I have been wearing it straight a lot more! And in all honesty it does not leave my hair feeling oily or greasy...which is a huge positive in my book.

I would suggest that everyone give it a try and don't let the "oil" term freak you out!

What shine/health products are you obsessing over?

XOXO-Courtney

P.S. As for my story above, Courtney and her newly grown hair are living happily ever after.

Instagram: Courtney_m_b & KelseyMKipp

Dust It

I am totally OBSESSED with big hair. Now, I don't mean a bit of volume, I mean 80's Sarah Jessica Parker means (insert any Housewives Reality Star here). In all honesty, the higher your hair, the closer to God!

Well, in my attempt to add some serious volume to my hair, I started trying tons of new products. My sister (the best hair stylist in Florida--I always joke visiting her is my most expensive hair cut ever) introduced me to 'Dust It', it's like tease in a bottle. Now, I have tried several kinds without finding much of a difference, they are relatively the same {at least to me}. I have tried Volumis, Big and Sexy Hair, and Osis--they all work well. 

Here she is!

Just like teasing, section of the same areas on your head and sprinkle a bit in on your roots. The powder is light white flakes, which makes it easy to hold upside down and tap a few times with your finger rather than shake the bottle.  

I prefer to rub it in with my palm, but that photo looked awful (haha) so, here I am just using my finger tips in a small circular motion.

This is WITHOUT any teasing!

// Earrings Old Navy (only sold in stores) // Tshirt here for $8 // Lips MAC Up the Amp // Nails Essie I'm Strong //

I would be lying if I said it replaced  my teasing routine, but it is a fantastic way to add even more volume. Personally, I can't use any dust it product daily because the texture becomes, well, kind of like a dry oil. It's hard to describe, but once you try it you will instantly know. Since, I try to go several days without washing my hair, I only add the dust it on my last few days of wearing my hair down. 

PS--I must apologize for my sad faces :( I promise I am much happier than I appear. However, you may have read in earlier posts, I recently got braces and I just CANNOT stand to show off my, now, metal mouth to the camera... in time friends!

Thanks for stopping by,

Kelsey 

PS For more daily hair tips, tricks, and style, follow us on 

Instagram @KelseyMKipp and @Courtney_M_B

Curls--Done Right

OMG--How is it that thing, you know... life, gets in the way of my Fashion Passion!? Well, my apologies for the delay in the post, but I am feeling under the weather (ugh, this Buffalo weather is taking its toll!). Thankfully, I did accomplish a complete basement overhaul this weekend!

There are A LOT of pictures in this post, perhaps I should be thinking about a video tutorial!? Anyways, this post was before my new haircut, but the curling technique is the same, from the top!

To begin, I section my hair off and ALWAYS use a hot spray. Nothing touches my naked hair. Here, I have Kenra Hot Spray, but have been using KMS Heat Spray. Kenra has a bit of a more heavy texture and takes a bit longer to dry. Just be sure you are using something!

Be sure you hold the curling iron VERTICALLY! When done, pull down. Leave the curl alone until it cools. So, finish curling your whole head before you style.

I always start my curl from the TOP! Start with your curling iron at the root, and slowly twist the rod until your hair is all heated. TIP: it helps to hold one hand at the top for easy control.

Can you see this curl? I try to leave the ends of my hair out of the curl. This way my curls (when brushed out) look like natural waves. 

Just to prove my point--here is the "traditional way" of curling hair. People start at the bottom (including the ends-NO NO) and curl up! 

Look at the difference between these two curls!!! On MY left, you can see the curls is solid from root to tip. The other curl is heavy and really only flips a curl at the tail! Makes a difference, right!?

As I mentioned, I like to leave my curls reminiscent of Shirley Temple herself, at least until they cool. Don't touch, just yet. 

OK... ready for the style.

I use the same teasing brush Courtney mentions in her Tease Me post. I like this one because it is a bit wider. You won't find me without one!

Here I have teased from the bag, added a bit of hairspray, just look at my volume!

...and a little bit on the sides. 

Beauty in the works... now, it's time to blend.

My final product. The teasing element takes a bit of my curl away, but I am OK with that! I need the volume and it helps to make it look effortless! 

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know how this works for you!

Much Love,

--Kelsey

Follow us on Instagram @KelseyMKipp and @Courtney_m_B

Get Your Hair Did

This week I tried a new product, Daily 10 leave in conditioner. It promises to produce silky hair--and it DELIVERS! Since I was sporting a sleek look, I quickly noticed how damaged the ends of my hair were. I mean damaged-like could split each hair strand in two! Ugh--let's just say I avoided human contact and mirrors for the rest of day and drove straight to the hair dresser's. 

Needless to say, three inches {and a new color} later.... here is my new look! I am still shocked at the difference 3 inches makes, my hair feels so short. However, I love this healthy locks look. Now this blunt cut gives my hair a thick healthy look, check out the ends of my hair--thick, right!? Fingers crossed that healthy hair will allow for a quick growth :) 

In the meantime, I tried a new hair technique with faux rollers. Be sure to use a hot spray--I typically use Kenra Hot Spray (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE) but my hair dresser gave me a tester for KMS, which I like too. Grab some duck bill clips and a straightening iron.

We are going to start with a mohawk--starting top middle area and working all the way to the nape of the neck. Then, we will focus on the sides.

After you have sprayed the hot spray, run the straightener through a section of your hair.

I use my finger to curl the hair around in a large barrel (hence the faux roller). Use a duck bill clip to hold it in place. You can buy duck bill clips at Target!

Now that the mohawk is complete, pin up the sides. The big barrel helps promote volume--just the way I love my hair, HUGE.

Typically, when my hair is all pinned up, I will do my makeup or rush around finishing something up--just give your hair enough time to cool. Then, unclip it all and shake it out. Add some tease and hairspray and voila! 

I am new to hair color. Less than a year ago, I was a hair color virgin! AHHH! I used to believe that hair coloring was created to truly change your hair color; Since I am a natural brunette, I didn't see the need to color my hair brown. Now, proven wrong, I love the shine and life a fresh color gives my hair, face, and {hate to admit} my ego! haha-so true, right!? 

A fresh cut and color is just so Polished!

Thanks for stopping by! Much Love,

--Kelsey 

Follow us on Instagram @KelseyMKipp and @Courtney_m_B

Blow it Out

Hello bloggers! 

In my last hair post, Taming Your Mane, I talked about healthy hair-avoiding a daily wash. So, when that time of month week rears it's greasy roots, I know it's time for a wash. This is my routine when I wash and blow dry my hair. One (of the many) reasons I try not to wash my hair daily is because of heat damage. Now, the blow dryer is just something I couldn't give up! Can you say volume? By reducing the use of the blow dryer to 1-2 weeks, it's more manageable. 

Clean hair is "naked". There are no products or dirt protecting the hair. Therefore, before I turn up the heat, I like to protect it using a heat protector. Before the blow dry, I like to spray a bit of the TRESemme heat protector.  

Let's make the blow dryer work for us--with a root booster! {I am not a robot buyer--meaning, when a product I use runs out, I like to take the opportunity to try something different. Instead of buying the same products over and over again, I like to see what else is out there.} Here, I am using Big and Sexy Root Boost--I have also tried, and loved, Aquage. To apply, I part my hair several times around the crown and spray on the foam. Don't forget the back, top and bottom.

Now, use your fingertips and rub it all in. 

Remember, my hair has natural curls. When wet, I need to keep brushing it out to prevent the curls.

Now, that the hair is protected and we are using product to enhance the look-blow it out!

I start with my head upside down. My trusty paddle brush helps prevent the curls and manage the hair.

When my hair is ALMOST dry, I swap the paddle brush for a round brush (the bigger the better-isn't that always the case!?). Typically, I blow it out in sections by clipping the top of my hair up and move from the bottom/back to the front facial area. 

When blow drying remember: tension, tension, tension. By using the brushes, rather than fingers, it creates a smooth blow out that helps minimize frizz and fly-aways. For my curls, it's a must. Also, be mindful of the direction of the blow dryer. Here, you can see I angled it downward (in the direction of hair growth and the stroke of the brush) because I am finishing the blow out. Use the power of the blow dryer to your advantage!

Here are my go-to products. 

Instead of the root boost, I often throw in the 24-hour body moose. Just spray a dollop in your hand and rub into your scalp with your fingertips. I like to experiment with different products, that's how I know what works best for MY hair!

Here is my final product (after my curling iron and teasing brush made their debut).

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know what you think :)

--Kelsey

For more fashion and beauty love follow us on Instagram @KelseyMKipp and @Courtney_m_B