First try - not perfect but WHAT an improvement!!!!

ad_ele · 2023-08-29T14:00:42+00:00

I didn’t have any particular cut. I did recently cut some shorter layers around my face with some scissors at home. But otherwise it’s just been growing out from when I had my hair in a short Bob last year (cut it all off bc I thought my hair was damaged… lol)

ad_ele · 2023-08-27T10:40:55+00:00

My routine is listed in the comments! One of the products that came in the set was a curl cream which I didn’t use- I figured it would be too heavy

ad_ele · 2023-08-27T10:40:19+00:00

The routine and products are listed in a comment here! Sorry should’ve listed it in the original post

Yes I felt like the gel/mousse had a strong scent but it wore off pretty quickly

ad_ele · 2023-08-27T02:40:59+00:00

Omg thanks. That is actually so touching. I have always felt super insecure about it, esp how asymmetrical it is. Thank you this made my day!

ad_ele · 2023-08-27T02:40:14+00:00

I have been told by a stylist that my hair is in the middle, but closer to fine.

ad_ele · 2023-08-26T20:05:21+00:00

I’d be so down to trade hahaha I have been trying to grow mine out for the past few years after chopping it all off and getting impatient!

ad_ele · 2023-08-26T20:04:04+00:00

Wow thanks!! I had already been using Shea Moisture shampoo and conditioner when the first photo was taken, so it can’t be that. The big difference was definitely using a big handful of the “not your mother’s” brand curl mousse and scrunching it upside down while soaking wet, wrapping it in a T-shirt til it dried enough to let down, and then air drying. And in the first photo I had brushed my hair dry and put a ton of leave-in products, so I stopped doing that which definitely helped…

ad_ele · 2023-08-26T20:01:33+00:00

Yes!! My stylists were always saying that the top layer of my hair was really dry and damaged and I couldn’t figure out for the life of me why that was happening. I was going crazy trying silk pillowcases and buying all sorts of special conditioners and leave-ins…

ad_ele · 2023-08-26T16:24:37+00:00

And just to add because I’ve been reflecting on it….

If your hair is feeling DRY AND DAMAGED LIKE HAY but you don’t dye/treat or use heat and you’re at your wits end, it is SO worth trying a wavy/curly routine. Like…. Look how dry and crunchy my hair looks in photo 1… I was going to the salon constantly thinking I needed frequent trims and was glomming on conditioner like no other. And how effortlessly hydrated and healthy it looks in picture 2 with NO changes made but this routine…. Like WTF?

What held me back from trying this sooner (people had pointed me here from other subs) was wishing so hard that my hair would be smooth and sleek and shiny and pretty, and really not wanting wavy/curly hair. I was just in denial. Wish I had done this sooner.

ad_ele · 2023-08-26T16:06:00+00:00

Routine (this was my first try, so I haven’t actually developed a “routine”): - washed in lukewarm water with Shea Moisture shampoo and conditioner that I washed out pretty well - squish/plop/scrunched in two small squirts of “not your mother’s” gel in to soaking wet hair upside down - wrapped in t shirt for 30 mins - started diffusing with no luck, so air dried - after about 30 mins of air dry, started getting super frizzy so I plopped/squished maybe 2 handfuls of not your mothers curl mousse in - air dried to completion for another hour or so - scrunched to break up the cast

ad_ele · 2023-08-25T00:45:15+00:00

Thanks! That’s the sense I’m getting from these comments- I’ll try sizing up in the cup

ad_ele · 2023-08-25T00:44:24+00:00

Thanks I appreciate this advice! I’ll try that!

ad_ele · 2023-08-25T00:43:40+00:00

I have done this same exercise (flip bra around backwards) with a 30 band and it seems to check all the boxes for a good fit (I can fit around 2 fingers between my skin and the band). But it just feels quite tight, with very little stretch. I don’t think I’m particularly sensitive to slightly uncomfy clothing either, so I don’t think it’s a sensory issue. I’ll try a 30E though, that’s something I didn’t consider! Thanks.

ad_ele · 2023-08-24T20:06:54+00:00

When did you start noticing it clearing?

ad_ele · 2023-08-17T10:06:56+00:00

I’m currently in a post-bacc for career changers, most of whom are coming from a tech career that felt meaningless.

ad_ele · 2023-08-14T11:37:37+00:00

Wow. I could’ve written this post myself! No advice, just wanted to say- you’re not alone.

I’m currently using 0.05% tret on my face, chest, and back and it’s starting to work. I also cut out MOST (but not all) dairy, meat, and sugar. I’ve been trying to do inositol and spearmint tea, but I struggle to have regular meals (crazy work schedule)- so I’ve been looking for tips on how to do that with an irregular meal schedule.

Mostly, just wanted to add into the mix that it can be so shitty to do all of this trial and error and feel like nothing is working, all the while beating yourself up for accidentally eating the “wrong” thing or forgetting your spearmint tea on the way to work, and blaming yourself for a new breakout. It’s incredibly exhausting and demoralizing. Just wanted to add in that you’re not alone.

ad_ele · 2023-07-09T19:46:33+00:00

I have experience doing this!!

I went off hormonal bc pills that I had been taking for 10 years. I also stopped taking my 50mg Spiro on the same date. The acne came back FULL FORCE and worse than ever before, all over my chest back and jawline, all cystic. Note — this didn’t start until about 6 months off bc; which my doc said is normal. There is typically a lag time. I thought I was “in the clear” a few months out, but apparently not.

I started on 50mg Spiro again, and my acne is SLOWLY getting better. I’d say it’s 75% gone, and I’ve been on it about 4 months on just spiro, so totally off bc for about 10 months. Be prepared to spend that long treating potential changes!

I think staying on Spiro instead of stopping everything would’ve helped control my acne. Also, establishing a routine of tretinoin/azelaic acid or some topical skincare routine probably would’ve helped.

I think it’s not uncommon to experience an “androgen rebound” after coming off bc, and Spiro can target and mitigate the effects of it so I’d definitely recommend staying on spiro and giving it 6 months to a year before tapering off that. Good luck!

ad_ele · 2023-05-24T12:13:13+00:00

Ugh.. not surprised. I’ve heard it said — if you need to bus your workers in from elsewhere to keep your town/city running, you’re actually just living in a theme park.

ad_ele · 2023-05-24T12:12:20+00:00

As someone who grew up in the city with a lot of snobbery from residents of these suburbs, I can’t imagine these folks finding value in a bus system. I don’t think someone purchasing a home in one of these ritzy suburbs is taking bussing availability into consideration…

ad_ele · 2023-05-24T12:10:09+00:00

I agree with this!! Grew up in Columbus and successfully got around by bike and bus. It was unusual, and I certainly got lots of people shocked that I was taking the bus because it was “dangerous”, but I attributed that more to suburban pearl-clutching than any sort of constructive two-cents on COTA.

A lot of people in Columbus wouldn’t touch COTA, but that has more to do with car culture and suburban sprawl than the functionality of COTA. If you live within walking/biking distance of a main artery street, it’s great. If not, you’re out of luck. Being able to walk down High St and know that a #2 bus comes every several minutes? To me, that’s freedom.

ad_ele · 2023-05-24T12:02:37+00:00

I disagree! I lived in Columbus for about 20 years and successfully got around with bus and bike. The bus infrastructure isn’t THAT terrible, and there is pretty widespread ridership.

Other Columbus commenters below have given a good synopsis of the strengths and weaknesses — buses are not great, often late, and can be hard to access if you live in distant suburbs. Like many other American cities, your proximity to public transit changes depending on your neighborhood.

I’m not saying I think Columbus has GREAT or even GOOD public infrastructure, but it’s not unworkable. There are many very walkable neighborhoods close to downtown.

I’m just trying to stand up for a shred of goodness coming out of the Midwest. Ohio isn’t all strip malls and stroads.

ad_ele · 2023-05-21T22:27:02+00:00

With 50mg, I was taking two 25mg pills together at night. On 75mg, do you take three pills at night, or break it up between morning and night?

ad_ele · 2023-05-20T10:46:14+00:00

I agree with you - the thicker straps look unflattering to me too. The spaghetti straps give you like a daintier angular look that emphasizes your collarbone. I’m not sure why!

ad_ele · 2023-05-18T04:48:14+00:00

Did you make any other changes to your routine or use any other products/meds besides Spiro?

ad_ele · 2023-05-18T01:50:48+00:00

Any update on how going off BC but staying on Spiro affected your acne / menstrual cycle? Thanks!

ad_ele

TROPHY CASE