I got my tongue pierced Saturday December 13th. Not that this is a groundbreaking, unique piercing, but it's an experience I think is worth documenting.
Day 1
After much stress to find a shop to do the piercing for me (my go to shop had a new guy that doesn't do tongue, and my second go to didn't have their guy there that day.) I headed downtown.
She dotted my tongue, I checked the spot, liked it, and sat down.
Funny enough, I hate needles, I can't look at the needles that I get pierced with, I always have to close my eyes. She clamped my tongue with the forceps, and that hurt. No really, it hurt. Obviously, everyone is different, but my tongue piercing was my most painful piercing (out of navel, bottom navel, and nostril), the pain made me cry, but kind of in the same way a nostril piercing makes you cry, all your face parts are connected. After some discomfort she screwed on the balls and I was ready to go.
Initially the bar felt way too long, actually it still feels like that. I can't wait to downsize to a shorter bar. It touches the bottom and the top of my mouth, as the piercer commented, I have a small mouth. My tongue was a little tingly, and less mobile than usual, but it wasn't really painful.
The biggest problem is that your tongue is kind of stuck in place, your tongue is a muscle that you just pierced so using the muscle will be a little more difficult. Also the bar kept me from being able to move my tongue out of my mouth. I couldn't get the long bar past my teeth to take a look at my new piercing but I tried.
I was told to use mouthwash "all the time" after eating anything, or drinking anything other than water with mouthwash, preferably alcohol free mouthwash. And that after three or four weeks I could change it. And to "practice" talking for a few minutes, but mostly rest my mouth.
The next few hours were uneventful, basically just me feeling my tongue get slowly more and more sore, and more and more swollen, by the evening (about three hours after the piercing) it was painful to talk. Ice cold water definitely helped, but it only relieved it temporarily.
Eating was a nightmare, I made the mistake of taking noodles (I was at a Christmas party) thinking that they were soft, so easy to eat. WRONG. The noodles wrapped and got stuck around the barbell, so I gave up and took to taking very small bites of cabbage, chewing them on the sides of my mouth, and looking up to make swallowing easier.
Later that night I had congee, by just placing it on my tongue and swallowing, and taking tiny bites of beef the same way as the cabbage. I also had snow pea leaves (see: cabbage).
I took two advil, brushed, mouthwashed and went to sleep.
Day 2
I was told by my friends that Day 2 is the worst, I woke up expecting the worst with an ice water filled tea tumbler (the ice was still solid by morning, I was impressed, just saying). I actually honestly felt nothing. A little dry mouth, probably from hanging my mouth open all night because of the long bar, but otherwise fine.
It only started to get painful when I got out of bed and started talking to my sister, so I took another two advil (actually one extra strength), and made lunch.
Mashed sweet potatoes, no matter how I ate, it hurt. That's all. I was swollen and sore. Not unbearable, but not particularly pleasant.
My company holiday party was that night, unsure if I'd be able to find anything to eat, I had a protein shake to keep myself full a little better, and before I left for the night, took another advil and packed a few in my bag (and a travel bottle of mouthwash of course).
By the time we were heading downtown to the party, I was feeling no pain and speaking normally (according to my co-workers). At the party, honestly, I was drinking. You're not supposed to drink with a fresh tongue piercing but... yeah. I was told that if you do, it'll burn and sting your piercing but I didn't feel it at all.
Dinner at the party, I ate everything, just slowly. I took small bites and chewed slowly, I was a little sore after, but otherwise fine. (Maybe it had something to do with the alcohol.)
By the end of the party I barely felt like I had a fresh piercing at all. The post party McDonalds was eaten slowly, but other wise fine.
Two advil, mouthwash and go to bed.
Day 3
Woke up with a screaming match with my boyfriend on the phone that left my tongue sore and dry for the whole day. (I blame him).
I was told by my sister that the third day was the worst, when she was the most swollen, the most sore, and had the weirdest speech.
I noticed more a lisp today than ever before. I had to go to work today, I avoided talking on the phone, and having long conversations with customers as much as possible. But I noticed a weird dry tongue feeling all day. I think this is from the overuse of mouthwash I've been going though. But after a quick google search, seems normal.
My tongue feels like the swelling is only on it's way down, and it just feels like I've got a canker sore on my tongue, so it gets a little sore after talking for a long time, but it hurts no more than a canker.
Hopefully the worst is over and I'm on my way to healing, but only time will tell.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Friday, September 12, 2014
Work Shoes
I work full time at a Toronto based shoe store called Capezio, so naturally, my shoe game needs to be on point every single day.
I'm always adding more shoes to my collection because I love shoes and I love shopping, but currently this is my fall/winter line up of work shoes.
If you want to see how I wear the shoes or what they look like on, check out my instagram, @alexisemilychin, for almost daily ootd's and selfies.
These were the one of the two first pairs of shoes I bought when I got the job. They have a secret 1" heel that I always appreciate, but are also my comfiest work shoes. These are my go to when I know I'm facing a busy day or stock.
I was instantly draw to how huge and weird these boots look, and despite purchasing them on a whim and mostly for laughs, they've actually become my favourite work shoes. The 3.5" heel puts me at almost a normal height, and the platform front makes it feel like theres barely a lift at all. After one painful shift, I broke them in and now I feel like I could run a marathon in them. They're my go to for being a great combination of crazy, comfortable, and easy to match with every outfit.
My inner punk will never die, and when I saw a 70 year old woman try these on and love them, I knew I needed them. The 2" platform is surprisingly easy to walk in because of the ridges cut all the way across the shoe. My favourite thing about these shoes is how soft and comfy they are, you can lace them up really tight and they flex with your feet like a sock.
These are super cute, and surprisingly comfortable. The soft leather upper stretches and flexes to fit your foot like a glove, and the chunky heel is really supportive and easy to walk in. They're my girly work shoes. Two things about these though, one, they have no sole! so you need to get shoe grips for the bottom, and two, beware of imitations, there are counterfeit and knock offs of these shoes everywhere that aren't as comfortable or sturdy. Be safe and buy from Capezio ;)
Real talk though, I bought these for a wedding. But the top zipper closure and plastic construction make them lightweight and supportive on your foot, making the 4" heel, really not a big deal. A best seller by me to brides (in the silver colour) and to bridesmaids.
These were a special fall present to myself, to feed my inner punk. They're just so freaking amazing. The top leather is pebbled and beautiful, and they're flannel lined so they're warm and cozy without fur or shearling. They have a side zipper (thank goodness) and a sturdy sole, so I'm excited to wear these into winter time because I think they'll be amazing for the season. They also look great with pants or dresses.
The opinions expressed in this blog are not influenced by nor are a reflection of Capezio Footwear, Davids Footwear, or Markio Designs. I was not compensated in anyway for my mentioning of the company in this post or anywhere on my blog.
My Favourite Basics
So, I've been told quite a few times in recent weeks that I should be a fashion blogger, so here we go!
My favourite is from Smart Set, because they're not too tight and not expensive. Also because I used to work there, so I have a million for work shirts.
I guess my first entry to the fashion blogging world should be a post about my favourite staple items, things I'll wear until they fall apart, and then will replace.
1) Favourite Basic T-Shirt
I love a basic ballerina style t-shirt. The scoop neck and longer sleeve length is universally flattering, and so much more feminine than your basic, basic t-shirt.
My favourite is from Smart Set, because they're not too tight and not expensive. Also because I used to work there, so I have a million for work shirts.
2) Favourite Cami
My clothing saviour in the summer is a bustier, full length or cropped. They're constructed thicker than your layering camisoles, so they can be worn alone, or under a cape/cardigan/jacket. They don't do too well under other tops, but that doesn't bug me.
These are both from Aritzia's Talula line, Haneda is the cropped, and Toshima is the full length. I have multiples of both in black, and they were basically the only thing I wore this summer with maxi skirts.
3) Favourite Work/Everywhere Jeans
Work jeans are different from going out jeans. Work jeans shouldn't be too tight or too skinny, but still flattering and easy to wear in many outfits. I like a high waisted skinny or slim leg, because high waist or mid rise pants offer more support and coverage for generally looking professional and because I'm usually moving around a lot at work.
These are the J.Crew Lookout High Rise, despite their "superskinny" label, they fit me more like a slim leg, which is great for work when I want to look a bit more professional. These are also a great option if you want one pair of skinny jeans that you can literally wear any where because they can easily be dressed up or down.
4) Favourite Legging Pant
I hate leggings. There, I said it. I own one pair of matte wet leggings from Guess that I've worn once, and a pair of yoga leggings that I thought were a good idea when I was 14. But legging-pant crossovers are great. These include any pants under the name of "pointe pants" "riding pants" and basically any skinny stretchy pants.
My favourite by far are the American Apparel Riding Pant. The only thing missing from making these perfect is the lack of pockets, but I'll live. They have a legging fit, with legging stretch, but have a thick elastic on the super high waist and a button-fly. That and the thick (also super warm) fabric smooth out your body and curves in a way that cotton leggings never will. They also have little pads sewn between the knees, one of my favourite details. But if you're currently wearing leggings in public, this is the perfect combination of comfortable like leggings, but appropriate as pants.
5) Favourite Cape/Cardigan
I love capes and long, drapey cardigans. They're great for layering in summer time over shorts and skirts, but also good in fall and winter layered over thicker tops for warmth.
My top cape is the American Apparel Jersey Shawl Cardigan, which is the cotton jersey version to the insanely popular Bouclé Shawl Cardigan, which I do actually have, but I find the jersey material easier to care for and more my style.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Eveyrthing You Need to Know: Semi-Permanent Hair Colour
Semi Permanent hair colour is a class of colour all on it's own that needs to be discussed and explained, even to so called "professional colour technicians".
Since my exposure to the professional world of hairstyling, it absolutely baffles me how so few professionals understand the world of semi permanent hair colour. In the constantly repeated words of my teachers, you don't have to use it, but you have to understand it.
A true semi-permanent hair colour can be characterized by any hair colour that requires no catalyst, peroxide or like chemicals. It colours hair by depositing colour that sits under the cuticle but above the cortex of the hair. No lift can be achieved with any kind of true semi-permanent hair colour. These colours will also wash out of the hair, generally in 4-6 weeks, but may be more or less depending on the hair, application, brand, and care. Popular examples of semi-permanent hair colours include Manic Panic, Raw, Colour Jams, Directions, and Special Effects. If you're not sure if your hair colour is semi-permanent or not, check the directions, if it involves mixing it with any kind of developer, it is not semi permanent.
Semi-permanent hair colour is also not to be confused with demi-permanent or colour rinses. These colours involve mixing the colour with very low concentrations of peroxide to achieve better colour deposit, and longer lasting colour than true semi permanent, but less so than true permanent colour.
Semi permanent hair colour is best applied on clean towel dried hair. Check the directions first, but most brands are made to be applied on towel dried hair. That's not to say that you wont get any results if you use it on dry hair, but I find that if it is applied on dry hair, you end up using more colour than necessary and more bleeding, always, and splotchy colour, usually. Wet or dry, the hair should be clean, in contrast to using permanent colour or bleach. Because this type of colour contains no ammonia and uses no peroxide, the less "barriers" (dirt, oil, styling products) present on the hair, the better colour result you will achieve.
As far as the hair colour, these products are usually used to achieve "fantasy" hair colours (blue, green, pink, purple) so yes, you do have to bleach your hair first. There is no product that exists that will take your naturally dark brown hair to bright blue in one application, or without bleaching. Stop asking, you have to bleach your hair, the end.
That being said, the only exception would be extra pale blonde hair, but I'm talking, "Nordic blonde" hair, or hair that is almost white-blonde. But I would still recommend using a low strength bleach first to increase the porosity of the hair, because using semi-permanent colour on hair that is not lightened (no matter now naturally light) can result in the colour looking muddy.
How long the colour stays on, is up to the manufacturer, I never leave semi-permanent colour on less than half an hour if I have the time. Also, due to the fact that these colours contain no ammonia or lightening agents, you can literally leave them in all day with no adverse effects. The longer you leave it in, the more deposit, and in my experience, the longer it lasts in your hair. So if you find that you're colouring your blue hair for 15 minutes every 2 weeks, try leaving it in longer and the colour may stick to your hair better.
I would also like to clarify that semi permanent colour DOES NOT damage the hair at all. These products are made to basically be conditioner with tons of colour in them. Therefore, colouring your hair with them once a week (ex. me) doesn't damage the hair any more than washing your hair that often. People you encounter with very damaged hair that is bright colours is most likely from them abusing bleach to lighten their hair, and not from the actual colour itself.
Since my exposure to the professional world of hairstyling, it absolutely baffles me how so few professionals understand the world of semi permanent hair colour. In the constantly repeated words of my teachers, you don't have to use it, but you have to understand it.
A true semi-permanent hair colour can be characterized by any hair colour that requires no catalyst, peroxide or like chemicals. It colours hair by depositing colour that sits under the cuticle but above the cortex of the hair. No lift can be achieved with any kind of true semi-permanent hair colour. These colours will also wash out of the hair, generally in 4-6 weeks, but may be more or less depending on the hair, application, brand, and care. Popular examples of semi-permanent hair colours include Manic Panic, Raw, Colour Jams, Directions, and Special Effects. If you're not sure if your hair colour is semi-permanent or not, check the directions, if it involves mixing it with any kind of developer, it is not semi permanent.
Semi-permanent hair colour is also not to be confused with demi-permanent or colour rinses. These colours involve mixing the colour with very low concentrations of peroxide to achieve better colour deposit, and longer lasting colour than true semi permanent, but less so than true permanent colour.
Semi permanent hair colour is best applied on clean towel dried hair. Check the directions first, but most brands are made to be applied on towel dried hair. That's not to say that you wont get any results if you use it on dry hair, but I find that if it is applied on dry hair, you end up using more colour than necessary and more bleeding, always, and splotchy colour, usually. Wet or dry, the hair should be clean, in contrast to using permanent colour or bleach. Because this type of colour contains no ammonia and uses no peroxide, the less "barriers" (dirt, oil, styling products) present on the hair, the better colour result you will achieve.
As far as the hair colour, these products are usually used to achieve "fantasy" hair colours (blue, green, pink, purple) so yes, you do have to bleach your hair first. There is no product that exists that will take your naturally dark brown hair to bright blue in one application, or without bleaching. Stop asking, you have to bleach your hair, the end.
That being said, the only exception would be extra pale blonde hair, but I'm talking, "Nordic blonde" hair, or hair that is almost white-blonde. But I would still recommend using a low strength bleach first to increase the porosity of the hair, because using semi-permanent colour on hair that is not lightened (no matter now naturally light) can result in the colour looking muddy.
How long the colour stays on, is up to the manufacturer, I never leave semi-permanent colour on less than half an hour if I have the time. Also, due to the fact that these colours contain no ammonia or lightening agents, you can literally leave them in all day with no adverse effects. The longer you leave it in, the more deposit, and in my experience, the longer it lasts in your hair. So if you find that you're colouring your blue hair for 15 minutes every 2 weeks, try leaving it in longer and the colour may stick to your hair better.
I would also like to clarify that semi permanent colour DOES NOT damage the hair at all. These products are made to basically be conditioner with tons of colour in them. Therefore, colouring your hair with them once a week (ex. me) doesn't damage the hair any more than washing your hair that often. People you encounter with very damaged hair that is bright colours is most likely from them abusing bleach to lighten their hair, and not from the actual colour itself.
Hair School: The Calm of the Storm
So the worst is over, I hope, of hair school, and now it's my time to share what hairstyling school has been like.
I'll be honest, with less than three months left of school, I'm just waiting for it to be over. In the case of my school, (and with a lot of hair schools) by this time, I'm expected to be able to take pretty much any client that comes my way, not to toot my on horn, but I'd say I'm up to take on about 90% of the clients that come in to my school.
The first two months of school were easy, Basic Cuts class, followed by Salon Cuts class, but really, by the time I left those classes, I still had no idea how to do a haircut. Pretty much all I learned in those classes was the technique behind cutting hair, how to hold your shears, how to hold the hair, etc. but that's not even half of cutting hair.
The next two made a basket case of us all, let alone that these two months my class was joined by some choice characters. Perms and basic sets. Perm class is as boring as it sound, practice wrapping and unwrapping a perm, and the chemistry behind perms and relaxers. I will say though, that with the hard work and dedication to practising that I put in to that class, I can wrap a perm with the best of them now. Basic Sets seemed to be the class with the most foreign of concepts to myself and the rest of the students, but honestly, when was the last time you or one of your friends hit up a salon to get a roller set or a head of skip waves? That's probably the class that my teachers lost me the most on, I could barely get myself out of bed in the morning if I knew that a roller set was what I would be facing that day.
January was my blessed month. Barbering. For anyone that's ever asked me about school, I probably would have told you how I walked into the school wanting to be a colour technician, and seven months later, I'm looking into barber shops. Despite how much I hate the school, my teachers, my classmates, I would stomach it all if I could spend all day with clippers in my hand. Clippers are totally, totally different from cutting hair with shears, and is a whole technique on its own, a technique that I picked up quickly and loved. Basically, I'm saying that guys who wants a nice fade, line up.
We've just been downhill from there, two months of colour class in a row. Applying colour really is not something we need to practice as much as we do, but I guess any practice is good practice? I think I checked out after the first day, this is the class where I can confidently say, I've learned the least. Not that there isn't a lot to learn in colour class, but that I just had a great co-op placement before starting school where I learned all I needed to learn. The most valuable thing I've learned all month is how to put in foil highlights, which is surprisingly way easier to do than I thought.
Throughout the length of my program, I've managed to keep a 90% average on my theory tests, and better than decent attendance. That's not to say that these are easy things to do judging by my classmates, but it's been one of the things I'd urge everyone to not forget if they plan on attending a hairstyling school, keep your theory sharp and attendance up, especially if you're in an hours based program, and double especially if your school charges for over time hours.
Overall, hair school has definitely had more downs than ups, between the issues I've had with my school director, teachers, and classmates, I'm just waiting for it to be over. I hate the place, I hope it gets shut down as soon as I get my diploma. My way of explaining it is that I love what I'm learning, and I love hairstyling, but I hate the school with every fibre of my being.
I'll be honest, with less than three months left of school, I'm just waiting for it to be over. In the case of my school, (and with a lot of hair schools) by this time, I'm expected to be able to take pretty much any client that comes my way, not to toot my on horn, but I'd say I'm up to take on about 90% of the clients that come in to my school.
The first two months of school were easy, Basic Cuts class, followed by Salon Cuts class, but really, by the time I left those classes, I still had no idea how to do a haircut. Pretty much all I learned in those classes was the technique behind cutting hair, how to hold your shears, how to hold the hair, etc. but that's not even half of cutting hair.
The next two made a basket case of us all, let alone that these two months my class was joined by some choice characters. Perms and basic sets. Perm class is as boring as it sound, practice wrapping and unwrapping a perm, and the chemistry behind perms and relaxers. I will say though, that with the hard work and dedication to practising that I put in to that class, I can wrap a perm with the best of them now. Basic Sets seemed to be the class with the most foreign of concepts to myself and the rest of the students, but honestly, when was the last time you or one of your friends hit up a salon to get a roller set or a head of skip waves? That's probably the class that my teachers lost me the most on, I could barely get myself out of bed in the morning if I knew that a roller set was what I would be facing that day.
January was my blessed month. Barbering. For anyone that's ever asked me about school, I probably would have told you how I walked into the school wanting to be a colour technician, and seven months later, I'm looking into barber shops. Despite how much I hate the school, my teachers, my classmates, I would stomach it all if I could spend all day with clippers in my hand. Clippers are totally, totally different from cutting hair with shears, and is a whole technique on its own, a technique that I picked up quickly and loved. Basically, I'm saying that guys who wants a nice fade, line up.
We've just been downhill from there, two months of colour class in a row. Applying colour really is not something we need to practice as much as we do, but I guess any practice is good practice? I think I checked out after the first day, this is the class where I can confidently say, I've learned the least. Not that there isn't a lot to learn in colour class, but that I just had a great co-op placement before starting school where I learned all I needed to learn. The most valuable thing I've learned all month is how to put in foil highlights, which is surprisingly way easier to do than I thought.
Throughout the length of my program, I've managed to keep a 90% average on my theory tests, and better than decent attendance. That's not to say that these are easy things to do judging by my classmates, but it's been one of the things I'd urge everyone to not forget if they plan on attending a hairstyling school, keep your theory sharp and attendance up, especially if you're in an hours based program, and double especially if your school charges for over time hours.
Overall, hair school has definitely had more downs than ups, between the issues I've had with my school director, teachers, and classmates, I'm just waiting for it to be over. I hate the place, I hope it gets shut down as soon as I get my diploma. My way of explaining it is that I love what I'm learning, and I love hairstyling, but I hate the school with every fibre of my being.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)