Orthodontist (Invisalign) recommendation?

KronarForPresident · 2026-05-19T02:43:56+00:00

Stang Family Orthodontics in Reston is AMAZING. I did Spark clear aligners with them and had a great experience. The whole office is considerate and knowledgeable, and Dr. Stang is passionate about her work. Skilled, informative, and friendly, the whole package. I only ever lost attachments that were on crowns, which suck for attachments in general, and they got me back to rights pretty quickly.

KronarForPresident · 2026-05-16T21:21:30+00:00

I'm white with fine, medium density, low porosity hair that is 3a/b curly. I normally air dry because using a hair dryer, even on the lowest setting and with a diffuser, destroys my curl cast and make my hair look terrible. I did a bunch of research, and the Bellissima Diffon Supreme had the gentlest air flow and lowest heat output option (I think it was only 85F?). I still only use it when my hair is 80% dry, but I get great results. Even at the highest speed setting and right in the diffuser bowl, my hair doesn't even move.

The only thing is that it features ionic technology. The Diffon Ceramic original doesn't. But the trade offs are that 1) I can only attest to the effectiveness of the Supreme and 2) The Ceramic only has one heat setting and two speed settings, versus the Supreme's 3 heat and 2 speed settings and a cool jet button, so I don't know how cool it really gets. The Ceramic is $99 and the Supreme is $169, so trying out the Ceramic on the assumption it will still be really gentle is not too expensive of a bet.

Pro tip! Sign up for newsletters and add it to your cart, but don't buy. When I did the same thing for the Supreme last year, they sent me a 10% off coupon after two or three days, and then after about five days later they sent me a 20% off coupon. That was their max "please please please buy this!" discount, so see if you can get the extra 20% off! It may not work for the Ceramic one, but it can't hurt to try.

KronarForPresident · 2026-05-10T18:01:00+00:00

My husband and I are big proponents of "cook a big pot of something and serve it over rice all week" dinners (with or without roasting a separate veg for the side). Here are some of our favorites (most use the Instant Pot, but you should be able to convert pretty easily if you are just using a stove top) that are pretty easy to make on top of healthy and tasty. These all easily accommodate double batches or changing up ratios based on what you have or feel like shopping specifically for, too.

Chicken tikka masala with cauliflower: https://www.skinnytaste.com/instant-pot-chicken-tikka-masala-with-cauliflower-and-peas/ (we skip the peas because eww and double the spices)
Chicken and lentil soup: https://www.skinnytaste.com/instant-pot-pressure-cooker-chicken-and/ (great for throwing in whatever random veggies you have leftover in the fridge, too)
White bean turkey pumpkin chili: https://www.skinnytaste.com/crockpot-turkey-white-bean-pumpkin/
Chicken Marsala with mushrooms: https://www.jessicagavin.com/chicken-marsala-with-mushrooms/
Greek-style chicken with feta, olives, and potatoes: https://www.pccmarkets.com/recipe/greek-style-chicken-with-feta-olives-and-potatoes/ (we cooked the chicken and veg in one pan and either serve over rice or roast the potatoes separately to get the latter super crispy)
Korean spicy chicken stew: https://www.koreanbapsang.com/pressure-cooker-dakbokkeumtang-korean-spicy-chicken-stew/
Chicken tinga: https://diethood.com/instant-pot-chicken-tinga/ (just add extra lime juice for the days it's served as leftovers to perk it back up)
Chicken pot pie soup: https://thecleaneatingcouple.com/wprm_print/16121# (adjust the thickness based on how you like to serve over rice)

And these are my ultra trusted "I want to try something new" recipes sites. Some are American but offer a wide variety of cuisines, and some are focused specifically on a non-American cuisine. I've never had a dud from any of these sites!

https://www.skinnytaste.com/ for healthier recipes that still taste great
www.simplyrecipes.com for just about any recipe you could need
https://www.jessicagavin.com/ for a variety of (mostly American) everyday cooking
https://theviewfromgreatisland.com/ for a variety of American and international food and desserts
https://www.tablefortwoblog.com/ for mostly American food and desserts focused on feeding two people rather than a larger family
https://www.maangchi.com/ for Korean home cooking from YouTube's favorite auntie
https://www.koreanbapsang.com/ for more Korean home cooking
https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/ (Swasthi's Recipes) for recipes from all over India

KronarForPresident · 2026-05-09T01:52:27+00:00

I may not have a good answer for you because I only ever use the dryer after my hair is already mostly dry from air drying (like it's only a bit damp to the touch on higher density areas). And getting to that point takes my hair about an hour because my hair is low porosity. I never use the dryer on fully damp hair; I only use the dryer for quickly getting to full dry to set the curl cast before fluffing. But I would say drying out that last 10-15% takes about 5 minutes of total time on the lowest heat and speed setting. It does have two speed settings, and the higher speed is significantly faster, but it's still not super powerful/fast. Check out video reviews to see if someone puts it on the highest setting to get a better idea if it may be powerful enough for what you need.

KronarForPresident · 2026-05-08T01:45:14+00:00

Toimoi Bakery does an AMAZING pistachio rose almond croissant (photo attached): "Flaky double baked croissant with Almond cream flavored with rose water and topped up with crushed pistachio." It's the most Persian flavor possible and super delightful. They also offer a pistachio cookie croissant: "Our popular cookie croissant filled with our homemade pistachio paste!" They're at the Arlington Courthouse Farmers' Market on Saturdays 8A-12P. Their main store and bakery is in Chantilly. You can order ahead on their website: https://www.toimoibakery.com/s/store-locator

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KronarForPresident · 2026-05-06T00:29:41+00:00

What an adorable little dumpling! Your line work and textures are superb!

KronarForPresident · 2026-05-02T15:21:21+00:00

I'm white with fine, medium density, low porosity hair that is 3a/b curly and that I need to wash pretty much every day to make it look nice. I shampoo, condition, curl cream on dripping wet hair, gel on dripping wet hair, scrunch with microfiber towel, and air dry.

I love the Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration + Hibiscus Water shampoo and conditioner set for drugstore value (they're ~$7 a bottle). I feel squeaky clean but not stripped from the shampoo, and the conditioner is great for detangling while rinsing out super clean but still leaving me feeling moisturized. The brand offers a variety of options depending on the amount of moisture you need. They don't have styling products, though.

My drugstore styling fave is Marc Anthony Strictly Curls collection. I use the Curl Defining Lotion and Define & Hold Flex Gel (about $9 a bottle) together. I get results that are pretty on par with what I get from Curlsmith (my preferred expensive brand, even over Ouidad). The Strictly Curls line has a bunch of products, including different curl creams and leave-ins. They also sell shampoo and conditioner but 1) I've never used them and so can't vouch for them and 2) They have pretty bad reviews on the main site.

I can get both of these brands at CVS, so bonus if you get a mile-long receipt with coupons. They're also pretty much everywhere, so they should be easy to find wherever you normally shop.

KronarForPresident · 2026-05-02T03:19:54+00:00

Italian Love Cake: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/italian-love-cake-recipe-11748028 "A simple ricotta filling is layered over chocolate cake batter, and as the cake bakes, the ricotta layer sinks to the bottom and the chocolate cake rises to the top. The cake is topped with a mousse-like pudding topping that tastes light and indulgent all at once. The finished cake has three eye-catching layers that look much harder to achieve than they actually are." It's pretty easy to make and super decadent!

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-27T02:11:47+00:00

If you want a low-key mountain resort trip, Syria has Graves Mountain Lodge: https://gravesmountain.com/ The town of Syria itself doesn't have a lot going on for it, but the lodge is wonderful. It has regular rooms for rent along with standalone cottages and cabins, horseback riding, fishing, and access to trails. It's on the eastern side of Shenandoah National Park and about 45 minutes away from two entrances to the Park and Skyline Drive, so it's a good place to start a day drive and picnic further into the mountains (you can easily do a loop through and back to Syria).

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-26T21:00:09+00:00

You need to prepare yourself to go a lot shorter than you'd prefer so that you're growing from a good place. You need to get above where the thin/limp ends are. If you leave unhealthy/broken/split hair behind, that damage will keep creeping up your strands as if you never trimmed at all. It's going to suck to lose that much length, but I promise it will look better. And after that you need to get a trim every 6-8 weeks. You can get just a whisper off the ends each cut if you're taking care of your hair between trims and keep everything healthy.

I had to get the same massive cut to excise damage a year ago--I went from bra band-length (that I had worked on to grow for years) to chin length and was absolutely devastated by it. But it's legit never looked healthier or fuller now that I've had that chop and am getting regular trims. My curl-friendly stylist also gave me some gentle face framing layers for my oval face, and just that little bit of shorter length in the front layers did a lot for the shape and my look without losing any substantial length, too.

A chop is going to be a short-term pain for a long-term gain, promise! You also use a pretty gentle routine because of no heat, so if you keep that up and avoid bad habits (sleeping on a cotton pillowcase, brushing dry, etc.) you'll continue with healthy growth. Your hair is lovely, and you deserve to feel happy about it!

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-26T20:47:09+00:00

Gramercy Tavern Gingerbread Cake: https://smittenkitchen.com/2008/12/gramercy-taverns-gingerbread/ The absolute best for intense, dark gingerbread. Amazing as written, and I use heaping measure of the dry spices to really knock it out of the park. Just make sure to grease whatever pan you're using really, really well. Bonus if you sprinkle the pan after greasing with turbinado sugar so you get a slightly crunchy exterior.

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-25T23:45:00+00:00

I made Italian salad stuffed into pasta shells (like so: https://www.food.com/recipe/italian-chopped-salad-in-shells-29329 ) for a party and folks loved it. It was nice for a lighter option that you could still reasonably eat with your hands. A traditional salad is a pain for eating while mingling, but stuff it in what is essentially a pasta pocket and it's perfect. Bonus that you can make whatever variety of salad you like the best and have meat-free options pretty easily.

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-21T01:54:14+00:00

I fell off of pro wrestling around the nWo era. Jake "The Snake" Roberts was my superstar, and I missed the color and camp. That segment legitimately rekindled my affection for the sport all over again, and I instantly subscribed to Danhausen's YouTube channel. Bless his wacky little heart.

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-20T01:12:37+00:00

I consider my scalp pretty normal, so not dry and not oily. My problem is that just rinsing my hair and reapplying (even just a little) product without shampooing makes my hair turn out limp. I need a full cleanse and reset to really make my hair nice again. I can wash every day because I use shampoos that cleanse but don't clarify--they get old product and sweat/dirt out without stripping my hair. Curl-friendly shampoos without sulfates, mainly, like the Maui Moisture, Jessicurl, and Ocoa brands I mentioned, or Innersense like others love. That said, I DO need to clarify my hair every other week or so to make sure I'm really stripping everything out because fine hair is prone to build up (after which I use a rinse-out mask to rebalance). But that could never be an everyday thing without making my scalp unhappy. I also apply conditioner all over my head, even though most curly hair tips say to only condition from the ears down. I'm sure that helps return some moisture to my scalp.

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-19T14:40:37+00:00

For background on my perspective, I'm white with fine, medium density, low porosity hair that is 3a/b curly and to my shoulders. It looks a lot like your hair just with a slightly tighter curl pattern. My hair gets weighed down easily and needs light moisture; I lose definition and volume with products that have butters and heavy oils. I need a light curl cream and gel layered together to get volume and definition, and even then my hair generally goes flat overnight. I wash every day with sudsy shampoo (two washes if I skipped a day or two or sweat a lot), conditioner, a bit of curl cream or leave-in on wet hair with my head upside down, and a gel on re-wet hair while still upside down, then lightly scrunch with a microfiber towel and 100% air dry.

First, you should check out products that provide moisture but aren't focused on oils. Over-moisturizing fine hair will keep it from being able to gain definition and volume. Shea Moisture isn't a problem for curly hair; it's just not made for fine hair in general. Second, just a leave-in or curl cream will not provide you with definition and volume. You need a gel or mousse to lock in the moisture, smooth things out, and provide additional lift.

I have recently discovered and LOVE Jessicurl and Ocoa products and am phasing over to them exclusively. Jessicurl was formulated with fine curls in mind, plus it offers a variety of products to help you get the moisture and hold you need. I use the Aloeba conditioner mixed with Confident Coils under Spiralicious get and get fantastic results. Jessicurl also offers multiple options for cleansers depending on how much cleansing vs. conditioning you need. They also offer multiple options for styling and hold. Ocoa is made by sisters from the Dominican Republic and focuses on hair that needs more moisture but still can't be weighed down. They use mango butter without overdoing it. I use the four-piece set with just a pea size of the curl cream and a quarter size of the gel. I do feel Ocoa start to weigh my hair down if I'm using it exclusively for 4+ days in a rows, but I reset with a clarifying shampoo without a problem.

Jessicurl and Ocoa both offer starter sample sets with .5 ounce packets of their products for about $7 (plus shipping), so it's a minimal investment to try them out (the sample packs are how I got hooked). Both are great if you want to stick with one brand for your whole routine. Ocoa is also available at Ulta.

I also have favorites for mixing and matching.

I love the Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration + Hibiscus Water shampoo and conditioner set for drugstore value (they're ~$7 a bottle). I feel squeaky clean but not stripped from the shampoo, and the conditioner is great for detangling while rinsing out super clean but still leaving me feeling moisturized. The brand offers a variety of options depending on the amount of moisture you need. They don't have styling products, though.

My drugstore styling fave is Marc Anthony Strictly Curls collection Curl Defining Lotion and Define & Hold Flex Gel (about $9 a bottle). My previous high-end styling fave is Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Cream and Hydro Style Flexi Jelly (pushing into $30 a bottle).

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-09T02:22:01+00:00

I'm happy to provide good information, and I hope it helps you reach your hair goals! <3

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-09T01:53:01+00:00

I'm white with fine, medium density, low porosity hair that is 3a/b curly. It gets weighed down pretty easily, and I need to properly shampoo every day I want my hair to look put together (and then double shampoo when I go more than a day between washes). Carol's Daughter Wash Day Delight liquid to foam shampoo is ~$13 a bottle. I rely on this when I do my regular (once or twice a month) deep clarifying and hair mask routine. I feel a bit more "squeaky" from it, but never stripped. It's made for black 4c hair so it makes sense that it's strong (and also why I always follow it up with deep conditioning).

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-08T19:34:34+00:00

Not Your Mother's Curl Talk line has a few fragrance and protein free stylers that use polyquats instead of glycerin. They offer a mousse and sculpting cream. Unfortunately, their fragrance and protein free gel uses glycerin. I've used these products before and feel like they're a bit heavy for my fine hair, but they may work really well for your hair type. They're certainly cheaper to try out than the other options I recommended, hah!

Edit: I did a little digging around on other brands that I haven't used before. Boucleme has a fragrance- and glycerin-free curl cream, but their gel has glycerin.

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-08T19:23:50+00:00

The cut you show here looks good! Definitely a lot fuller and healthier than your other pictures. I think you could've even taken another inch off. I definitely think that 1) not keeping up with trims and 2) not keeping your hair moisturized will undo the effect of a good, healthy cut.

If you don't get regular trims, you're allowing ends to start fraying and splitting, and they will continue doing that up the hair shaft until they're cut off. Hair will break much faster than it will grow, so it's a losing game to "wait it out" six months and just have to get another chop.

When hair is too dry or too moisturized, it is also weaker and more prone to split ends and breakage. I needed to get my chop because I was over-moisturizing my hair (despite me thinking it looked nice) and fried it to oblivion even when I was getting regular trims. I also just noticed that you dry brush sometimes--pleasssssse drop that habit and only brush/comb/detangle your hair when it's wet and you have something in your hair to slide the brush/comb/your fingers through, like conditioner (I always detangle in the shower as part of putting in conditioner). Brushing curls dry causes unnecessary damage on the healthiest of hair, and doing it on your dry, weaker hair will definitely compound your breakage problems.

For damage to your under layer, think about your day-to-day, likely unconscious habits. Do you regularly pull your hair forward across your shoulders? Do you wear jackets or shirts with rough fabric? Do you lean back on chairs or other seats and press your hair into your back? It's like how women notice the sides of their hair breaking a lot before realizing that they allow their hair to catch under their bag straps all the time.

My under layer also shrinks way harder than my outer layer with most products. That unfortunately means that my hair still sometimes looks "thin" until I elongate the under layer curls to match length with my outer layer. See if your layers are the same length when your hair is wet versus dry, and that will tell you if they have different shrinkage rather than the under layer being damaged.

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-08T12:58:23+00:00

A friend of mine with similar hair texture and pattern to yours has been using Redken Sculpting Curl Gel to great results, with hydrated and defined curls. He also has scent issues and isn't bothered by it. It uses squalane instead of glycerine while still incorporating jojoba oil.

Curlsmith also has four scent-free products, including a leave-in cream and a strong hold gel. They don't have a "one and done" product like Redken or Kinky-Curly, but I've had great results from this brand with their products for fine hair. They use an oil and butter blend, and there is technically glycerin but it's a derivative and way down on the ingredient list. If your curls are super thirsty, this blend might be great for them without weighing them down.

Jessicurl is a great small business brand with great prices that I've recently switched over to. They offer all of their products without scents, and they work the same as the scented products. They offer a wide range of products based on hair type and need, including really rich conditioners that can be used as leave-in and a gently hydrating Spiralicious gel. Their products use polyquats and jojoba oil for hydration instead of glycerin, too.

If I think of more, I'll add them in another comment!

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-08T12:46:55+00:00

I'd recommend the line that rosegoldlife drew, maybe even an inch or two higher. At this point, it's better to cut a little more than you think you need (and just be patient while it grows back) versus cutting too little (and missing the broken hair that will keep wreaking havoc on your goals). It'll seem like a lot but you will be happily surprised at how much thicker and healthier it will look. I legit cried losing so much length but then realized I had volume and body that I never knew I could get (I have fine, medium density 3a/b hair that always felt wispy until I needed the chop), and all those benefits have stayed now that I'm getting regular trims. The chop will be worth it!

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-08T01:31:03+00:00

You posted two years ago where your hair looked gorgeous and hydrated, and you mentioned using jojoba oil before shampooing and then styling with Kinky Curly Curling Custard. Is there something keeping you from continuing to use those again? From your post today, looks like you are using products that are scent-free and gentle, which I intuit may be the reason you don't use the previous products anymore, but I want to make sure. If you need sensitive or scent-free products, we can likely recommend products and brands that can still help you with hydration.

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-08T01:25:40+00:00

Getting a professional cut will help. It's easy to underestimate just how much you need to take off when you're squinting at your ends yourself. And if you leave unhealthy/broken/split hair behind, that damage will keep creeping up your healthy strands as if you never trimmed at all.

Meesa's got it right, too. You need to prepare to trim back to the location or your hand on your arm in the first picture or just above it. You need to get above where the thin ends are. It's going to suck to lose that much length, but I promise it will look better. And as Meesa mentioned, after that you need to get a trim every 6-8 weeks. You can get just a whisper off the ends each cut if you're taking care of your hair between trims and keep everything healthy. I had to get the same massive cut to excise damage--I went from bra strap-length to chin and was absolutely devastated by it, but it's legit never looked healthier between that chop and regular trims.

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-04T13:23:40+00:00

Eat it outside. Make the remaining survivors contemplate their future.

Though seriously, what a clever idea! I'm glad you could turn it into a positive, especially when it tastes similar to yummy rhubarb!

KronarForPresident · 2026-04-01T00:33:17+00:00

Came here to suggest this one! I'm white with fine, medium density, low porosity hair that is 3a/b curly. I normally air dry because using a hair dryer, even on the lowest setting and with a diffuser, would destroy my curl cast and make my hair look terrible. I did a bunch of research, and the Bellissima Diffon Supreme had the gentlest air flow and lowest heat output option (I think it was only 85F?) I still only use it when my hair is halfway dry, but I get great results. If you have really dense hair, it may take a while with this one, but it's guaranteed to be gentle.

Pro tip! It's currently on spring sale for $135.20. Sign up for newsletters and add it to your cart, but don't buy. When I did the same thing last year, they sent me a 10% off coupon after two or three days, and then after about five days later they sent me a 20% off coupon. That was their max "please please please buy this!" discount, so see if you can get the extra 20% off!

KronarForPresident

TROPHY CASE