When I think of local women who exude feminity, Dairdre Scriven is one of the ladies who comes to mind. In the hair salon she spends time understanding your whole being and helps you translate where you are physically, emotionally, and spiritually into a hairstyle that reflects the best in you. In her artwork and music, she pushes boundaries looking at life without limits. Dairdre refers to her hair, music, and art as beautyofmyland. You can learn more about her by visiting dairdrescriven.com.

This weekend is Comfest in Columbus, OH, and many people will be descending on Goodale Park. Be sure to check out beautyofmyland “RAW” on Friday, June 25, 2010 at 1:00pm on the ART stage in Goodale Park. If you’re on Facebook check out the invite by CLICKING HERE.

Its raw. like what poetry is supposed to be… the ups and down of moments in life…. with Dairdre Scriven voice. along with Blaine Dillinger guitar/noise and Michael A. Cundiff hand drum/noise makers!!

this what beautyofmyland means to me….

it’s not so bad knowing i am who i say i am.
the flair and quirk it lifts those around me,
but consists of a fraction of the person i am within.
with my head held high i continue to be the way i choose to be…
although it hurts my heart so…. and sometimes it makes me cry.
though, in the end i will know the path my feet trod,
the mountains i’ve climbed,
the soft paths my bare toes floated upon.
the beauty of my land.
perseverance through life towards that principal goal.
through knowledge used in wisdom, with faith, intent and endurance….
endurance.

please come i have a lot more to share!

beautyofmyland
Dairdre Scriven

BEFORE

photo credit: Dairdre Scriven

photo credit: Dairdre Scriven

DURING

Dairdre blended several colors on the Davines color palette to match the caramel tone that we decided to do in the front patch that’s highlighted.  After applying the color, she used MOMO Moisturizing Shampoo followed by MOMO Moisturizing Conditioner from Davines.  I also tried out their Nourishing Vegetarian Miracle Conditioner for the deep conditioning treatment.

Unlike Aveda, the Davines products are virtually fragrance free.  Once the conditioning treatment was rinsed out, my hair felt very soft and manageable.  I would say the products are comparable in effectiveness to the Aveda line, based on this first trial, but I still prefer the sensory aspect I get from Aveda product fragrances, particularly the Brilliant product line.  Price point, based on online research, is about the same.  All of the products can be purchased for about $20 and up.  At this time, Dairdre is only taking orders for products upon request, but she will eventually have them readily for purchase in the salon.

If you’ve followed my posts, I was never a person who was into eyebrow waxing before Dairdre, however, I have never received so many compliments on my eyebrows from discerning eyes (meaning friends and professional contacts who pay attention to these details).  I want to share this with you, in case you are also looking for someone who does a great job with eyebrow waxing.  I was in DC the weekend following this appointment and received several compliments and have received numerous compliments in the past about Dairdre’s skills with attaining the “perfect” eyebrow.

When styling my hair, Dairdre used a little of the MOMO Moisturizing Conditioner as a leave-in followed by No. 1 Finest Oil Non Oil also by Davines for style, hold and shine.  Again, if you know me, I call Aveda Brilliant humectant pomade my “hair crack” so it will be tough for me to change over to anything else.  The consistency of the No. 1 Finest Oil was similar to Aveda’s Confixor Liquid Gel.  I’m not a fan of Confixor so I also wasn’t a fan of the No. 1 Finest Oil either.  In the case of No. 1 Finest Oil, it preserved the curl pattern, but it had a little stiffness when dry that I do not like.

AFTER

This is me walking out of the salon.

photo credit: Dairdre Scriven

REFERENCE (Davines logo and photos of products used)

Dairdre Scriven

Beauty of My Land (dairdrescriven.com) is the new site for all things Dairdre Scriven!

Dairdre is now working at a Vinyl Hair Salon on 962 S. Front Street in the German Village neighborhood of Columbus, OH.  Please contact her for appointments, services, and pricing at (614) 517-7919.  You may also connect with her on Facebook under the name “Dairdre Scriven” (www.facebook.com/dairdre.scriven).

Affrodite’s Natural Hair Blog formerly on www.dairdreatphia.com has been moved to this site (dairdrescriven.com).  Please update your bookmarks and feed.

Beauty of My Land will also incorporate Dairdre’s other talents including her Artwork and Music.

More news and updates coming soon!

Us ladies get bored from time to time or just have those moments when it feels right to make a big change.  That’s how I was feeling today when I visited Dairdre for my hair appointment.  I have been rocking the blond highlights for a while and just wanted to do something completely different.  Prior to the day of my appointment, Dairdre called to verify the services that I wanted to have done, something  I really appreciate because it ultimately benefits both of us in terms of alotting the appropriate amount of time for appointments.  On the day of my appointment, Dairdre really helped me through visualizing the change that I wanted to make.  Her consultation time included talking to me about how I was feeling emotionally/mentally as well as thumbing through magazines to look at different colors.  I knew that I wanted to change to something simpler, no highlights but more of a patch of color.  That’s about where my ability to visualize ends and I trust in Dairdre to help fill in the rest.

As an artist as well, Dairdre is good with helping me visualize alternatives that I may not have considered.  We chose 2 colors, basically black with a red/brown splash of color in the very front.  It’s funny because I used to just like highlights and not the patch of color, and Dairdre remembered that, but I assured her that I was ready to go in that direction.  I also clarified that the color in the front did not have to be perfectly formed.  She detailed the service on services form which also included an eyebrow wax.  Then, together we negotiated the exact area for the color and Dairdre went back to mix.

So here are the before photos that I took at the salon.

BEFORE

It was the photo taken of the very top of my head below that helped me realize how badly I needed to clean up the color anyway.  I’m not sure how clear it shows up in the photo, but I had at least 4 colors mixed in my hair over time and one of those colors had an orange hue.

Below was taken at home before I left.  From this view, you can see that all of the highlights were strictly on the front and topy of my hair and the very back was mostly a single color.  This is close to the color we chose to do all over (very close to my natural hair color).

AFTER

Dairdre did her magic along with the help of another stylist who finished applying the all around dark color.  She didn’t use what she referred to as a filler (I liken it to applying paint primer so you get an even application of new color), and that decision was kind of experimental.  She said by not applying any filler, the previously highlighted areas would show a slightly ligher tone giving depth and visual interest.

Here’s a photo taken the same day when I got home.

Here are photos taken a few days later, in the morning, and without any product applied.

IMPRESSIONS

I was really happy with the change.  I had a vague vision and relied on Dairdre to do the rest so there was not a particular expectation I had in mind.  The all around color turned out jet black which was darker than I expected but I liked the drama in contrast to all of the blond highlights that I had before.  Initially, as you can see in the photo taken right after I left the salon, the front color didn’t seem dramatically contrasting enough, but as I have washed it, the color has become a lot lighter and actually a lot less red.  I’m always getting on black people for putting red in their hair, but I kind of like the notion of having that highlight more red than the chocolate tone it has today.  That’s something I might play with the next time I color.

One thing that I wasn’t expecting was my shedding of color.  I hadn’t experienced that before.  The morning after my appointment, when applying conditioner, I looked at the shower curtain and could see gray drops of water from the hair color shedding.  Also, for next couple of weeks, the hair color was bleeding on things like my pillows.  In hindsight, I wish I knew to expect that so it didn’t alarm me (I wasn’t worried, though) and so I could make sure to be diligent about tying all of my hair up at night in a silk cap so I wouldn’t get hair dye on pillows.  I had been traveling right after and sleeping on white pilllows so it just concerned me as to whether the color that leaked on the pillows would come out in the wash.

I’m super happy with the shape of my hair right now.  The other day, I ran across the last photo I took before visiting Dairdre.  My hair was long but it had absolutely no shapre or style to it.  I’m having fun with this length when I can really rock an afro or apply more product and tone it down a bit.

I did not cut my hair this round and I don’t want to cut it any time soon.  It’s only because I want to grow my hair out and it grows so slowly that I have always found that cutting it too frequently yields the reverse (my hair ends up shorter).  Dairdre and I went back and forth about this for a while, and I’m sure we will continute to do so, but I’m sticking to my guns this time with hair trims/cuts.  I have challenged her, in a way, to continue caring for my hair while letting it grow, something that none of my previous hairstylists have seemed to do.  I don’t care about the ends because you can’t see them when I wear my hair natural, plus I’ve read that trimming split ends and such doesn’t really affect hair health as much as it does the look.  Again, I get it, if I were wearing my hair in straight styles and wanted it to look full and sharp, but that’s not the case.

We’ll just have to let that play out in future blog posts.  Even though I detailed some of my reservations here, I have genuinely happy with my look.

Cost:  I don’t think I remember off-hand.  Maybe $125 plus $15 for the eyebrow wax.  The color cost is an approximation.

JUST FOR KICKS

Here’s a quick reminder of my before/after at my very first appointment with Dairdre.  Looking at the before photo in particular, you can really see Dairdre’s ability to get color and cut just right.

having fun with my stylist Dairdre before having my hair done

Between this post and the last one, I did clean up the blond highlights around the crown of my head and the outside edges.  I don’t think I remembered to take after photos so I didn’t end up making a blog post.

Today’s visit to spruce things back up on my head.  A lot of time out in the sun made a lot of my hair very light and the roots have been growing for months.  I really didn’t want to cut my hair because it grows so slowly and I’m trying to get some length, but I was flexible enough if it was minimal and helped create some shape.

As always, I sat down with my hairdresser Dairdre and did the consultation.  I had showered and conditioned my hair the night before and pulled it in a small ponytail, something I haven’t been able to do in a long time, so it still had some curl but was kind of frizzed out from me pulling my hair back while it was wet.  In any case you can see from the before pictures that my hair is not like I would wear it normally, but you can at least tell what was going on with the color.  Whoo!  My hair needed some color TLC today.

BEFORE

my hair before, pic #1

my hair before, pic #2

The conversations are much easier now that I have been going to Dairdre for probably 2 years now, and I’m used to the whole color thing.  I’ve still wanted to get the front of my hair to grow out enough so I could wear it longer in front and stacked in the back.  It’s getting much closer now to getting it the way I want, but of course Dairdre suggested at least a trim.  I agreed to it, just to clean up the ends and get some shape back in certain areas.  Today’s plan was to color the roots like an auburn color and then keep the blond highlights throughout.  She pulled the auburn through in certain areas so that the blond went back to being more of a highlight/accent color.

My free treatment of choice:  mini facial (as always)

Other service:  wax eyebrows $15

Total price for cut, 2 colors (base plus 5 foils), and eyebrows:  $190

No need to deep condition this round.  I keep an array of conditioners at home from Aveda that I rotate through on my own time, including the deep conditioning treatment.

AFTER

after hair color, cut, eyebrow wax, pic #1

after hair color, cut, eyebrow wax, pic #2

We went shorter in the back and didn’t trim much around the sides and front.

Eyebrow wax was the regular deal.  I pretty much go there once a month and tidy up.

Overall: Super pleased with the look!  It’s all smiles today.    I stopped by the grocery store on my way home and received a compliment which is always makes us ladies smile and feel noticed.

I also noticed a recycle bin has been placed in the salon. I smiled at Dairdre when I saw it.  As I questioned in an earlier blog post, I felt that an Aveda salon should have things like recycling bins prominently displayed and have an option for clients to drop off their old bottles when they come in for a visit.  What I’d really like to see is them offer a small discount if you bring you empty hair product bottles (at least shampoo and conditioner) back to be refilled as opposed to buying a totally new one. Perhaps I’ll share that suggestion with the staff when I send them the link to this post (or they’ll read it).

Thanks to Lori Guth Moffet who took the before, during, and after photos while I was in the salon…and the great girl talk.

Also, check out the May 21, 2009 edition of “Alive!” (Columbus Alive free newspaper) where you’ll Dairdre featured in a fashion article. Girlfriend got style!

before photo

...and after!

I haven’t found a product line yet or skin care program that I’m completely convinced works for me, so I decided to add Aveda Outer Peace product line’s Acne Relief Pads to see how they work.  It’s been about 4 days, and my complexion is clearing up a bit, but not to the extent that I would expect.  However, I’m not consistently using any other products to clean/treat my face at the moment.  I  do find that these work during the warmer months when my skin feels more clammy/moist to the touch.  It helps to reduce that build up of oil that ultimately leads to acne.

So far, I’d say it’s ok, but I may inquire about a skin care regimen from Aveda at my next appointment.

Non-Aveda products I have used are:  Mary Kay’s Timewise product line (the microderm abrasion set, 3-in-1 cleanser), Wexner acnescript, Aveeno acne foaming wash, Aveeno acne bar, Biore clear pore pads, and just plain old rubbing alcohol. I’m sure there are more if I really think about it.

My concerns also include having sensitive skin so I need a skin care regiment that will not irritate my pores and cause a breakout.

Stay tuned for more…

After the gentleman went away, I asked her about her ability to sign.  She said she learned it a while ago and that it has come in handy for hearing impaired clients who know they can go to a salon where someone can communicate with them.  Dairdre also explained how difficult it is to use sign when describing hair treatments and styles because there are no specific words for things like highlight my hair.

So, if you’re hearing impaired or know someone who is and they live in the Columbus, OH area, send them over to Dairdre Scriven stylist at Vinyl Hair Salon, 962 S. Front St., Columbus, OH.

I nearly canceled this appointment with my day being extremely hectic, but I’m glad I kept it.  It’s so important to make time specifically to pamper yourself and I felt 100 times better by the end of the appointment.

BEFORE PHOTOS

can you see how exhausted i look??

AFTER PHOTOS

APPOINTMENT SUMMARY

Pulled up the blog post from my last appointment and shared it Dairdre.  I think this helped us facilitate a discussion on what I wanted to have done.  Total cost for my highlights $85 plus $15 for eyebrow wax.

This was I believe the second time during the processing that I sat under the Climazon heating dryer unit to help color lift through orange stage quicker.  Funny little contraption, and I’m glad I remembered to ask what it was this time around.  No trim needed.

I’m super pleased after this appointment.  My hair is exactly the way I wanted it.  I again went with the mini-facial as my free spa treatment service.  The hot towel seemed to melt all my stresses away!

Dairdre suggested that I switch conditioners over to Aveda Color Conserve Strengthening Treatment (click HERE to read more on the Aveda website) instead of continuing with Aveda Brilliant.  The Color Conserve conditioner has protein in it which is good for strengthening the hair follicle.  I’ve been using it and am happy with this conditioner as well, although it generally makes my hair feel more dry to the touch.  I do recall Dairdre mentioning that this would not be a good primary conditioner over the winter months because of the drying affect it has on hair as opposed to strictly a moisturizing conditioner like Aveda Brilliant.  Over time, I’ll probably alternate between the 2, although I just like the smell of Brilliant conditioner.

Unfortunately, Aveda Daily Light Guard (SPF 15) sunscreen also irritated my skin.  I stubbornly keep trying different products hoping to find something that doesn’t cause an allergic reaction (skin tingles and burns followed by fine bumps that crust over and become oily/scaly over days, also skin becomes even more sensitive to the sun during this time- perhaps because of the skin breakdown, there are also some small patches on face- usually around nose area- where top layer of skin seems to “burn” away leaving those areas particularly painful during the first few days).  I surrender for the moment and will resort to staying out of the sun and wearing hats/sunglasses when I can.  Since I barely used it, I left a message with Dairdre about returning it and hopefully I can get a full refund.  Perhaps, I could’ve tried a little from the tester bottle if I planned ahead.

*NOTE* I did learn that we don’t need anything more than SPF 15 to apply to your skin because the amount of chemicals added and the resulting protection at SPF 30 is essentially not worth the result.  As soon as I get some more “official” info about this, I will update this post.  The suggestion is to use SPF 15 and just apply more often when in higher intensity sunlight.

I don’t have an official before picture because it was a beautiful day and I had been working in my garden up until our appointment time.  I was actually running a bit late having lost track of time outside.  Dairdre was very thankful of my woolly mess that I came in with (normally I try to do something, but I was in a hurry), but I knew she could deal with it.

I scrolled through some old photos and showed her one from December where I felt I had the cut and color just where I wanted it and shared that I felt my hair was cut too short during the last appointment.  During the consultation, Dairdre recommended blowing out my hair and trimming it with clippers.  One, it would not take off as much hair as her scissors cut.  Two, it would give her a chance to see the shape of my hair and use the clippers to clean up the shape with my hair mostly straight (not bone straight, just blown out).  That was new for me because I never had someone offer to do that before, but it made sense.  She had an assistant observing her today (forgot his name) who seemed really nice, but really everyone is nice when I walk in which I love.  There’s was lots of buzz about Gallery Hop going on later that afternoon.  I was excited to attend as well, having bumped into some friends on the walk up to Phia (I love that I can walk to my salon).

BEFORE PICTURES

These were actually taken on vacation a few days before, but you can see what my style was going into the salon.

DURING PHOTOS (after color, during blowout & trim)

front view, before trim

back view, before trim

angle view, after trim

AFTER PHOTOS

Coming Soon!  I need to find them on my camera or just take a couple of new ones.  I’ll make sure I show where I like and don’t like the highlights.

I took a trip a few days after I got my hair done, so I’ll use these as my after photos since I didn’t take any at the salon.  Looking at it from a profile view is helpful to me because I don’t look at my hair from that angle.  Now, I know that I want more highlights in the back of my head as well.  You can see in the first photo what I mean about wanting some highlights for when I pull my hair back.  I’ve already talked to Dairdre about it and am making an appointment to add some more highlights soon.

wanting more highlights when pulling hair back and in back

another image but with hair not pulled back

Once the trim was completed, Dairdre re-wet my hair and applied the Confixor (could do without, but wasn’t worth fussing over) followed by what I have referred to as my “hair crack” the Brilliant humectant pomade.  I don’t know, it just does wonders for bringing curl definition back to my hair, moisturizing, and not feeling greasy.  I love it and go through bottles frequently.

Again, I did the mini facial.  The hot towel felt heavenly on my face especially after spending all day working in the yard.  I’ve got to figure out what they do.  Maybe it’s putting the damp washcloth in the microwave.  Whatever it is feels really good and brings the tension down.

We did not deep condition this time around (wasn’t really necessary).  We agreed to do that every other time going forward.

SUMMARY

Trim = Ok (Loved the concept, but I ended up having to cut several pieces on my own over the week where the hair feel uneven.  I kind of noticed after leaving the salon and I’m sure Dairdre will tell me that I should’ve come back for her to fix, but it was no big deal).

Introducing trim via clippers = Great (I liked this concept and would go for it again periodically.  I love that Dairdre always has something new to try out when I come.)

Color = Ok (I like my hair with more highlights and actually like the blond/lighter streaks.  That hasn’t always been the case because we had gone muted- more brown tones through the Fall and Winter.  I’m just ready for some more pop in the highlights.  Again, I didn’t communicate it, but we talked about it tonight- several weeks later- as I’m planning to go back for more.  The main issue was when I pull my hair back I don’t have any streaks, just dark at the roots.)

Mini Facial= Great (that never fails me, and it adds to the much neglected self pampering that I need)