I am of an experimental nature. This isn’t wise, so I suggest you do as I say and not what I do. Because what I say is this: variety might be the spice of life but sticking with what you know means you get to have your cake and eat it.
I am the proud possessor of bonkers hair. Like the rest of me it is badly behaved. The only thing that keeps it under control is a certain combination of shampoo, conditioner and mousse. So you would think that standing in the hair aisle at Boots I’d throw said products in my basket and be done with the entire matter wouldn’t you? Sensible hair guaranteed. Bad hair mornings banished. Well yeah, but you keep forgetting that I am Alison and I am stupid.
What actually happens is this: I stand in front of the shampoo aisle and I go well yes there’s the shampoo that makes me look passable, and feel a teeny bit glorious, and when all is said and done prevents me landing at the school gates looking like Crystal Tips, but hey look at this: a famous hairdresser made this one so that means that it will make me look like I’ve stepped out of Hollywood or maybe erm, Heat, and this one is organic, and oh my this has got added essence of chemical 9784B and everyone knows what that does to your locks. I mean clearly I need it. My life won’t be the same without 9784B but oh heck this one hasn’t got it but it is on two for one and being one of the nouveau poor maybe organic this and 9784B wotsit that are luxuries I can’t afford and you’ve got to cut back somewhere and hell I’m not remotely vain (ahem) so maybe my hair is the place to start so I’ll get the two for one budget stuff and maybe the organic one for special occasions. And then I slurp to the counter with my compromises and my special occasion stuff. Then worry that I’m doing myself a disservice and go back and swap the organic stuff for the paint stripper that is the chemically enhanced super duper fortified with vitamins and seaweed delight with added 9784B and go home safe in the knowledge that none of it will work.
See the thing is this: I know exactly what is good for me and make it a policy to avoid it with my life. I mean why have nice hair when you can fuzzy flat hair instead? Why eat a nice salad when you could have tuna melt on delicious white floury bread and give yourself a stomach ache from hell? Go on! Buy the soap powder that makes you itch! Wink at the barman when your lovely boyfriend nips to the loo! Force your feet into heels guaranteed to give you a lifetime of pain! Do it… buy the dubious lavender oil with no brand name because you will save yourself a whole pound that could be spent on a mars bar ice cream. Order an Indian when you felt like Chinese for the sake of expanding your horizons! Find yourself seduced by blatant advertising. Buy a job lot of the toothpaste that makes you feel sick because your friend says it makes her teeth sparkle! Abandon your instincts, flirt with danger, play with fire and for what Miss May? Pray tell… for what?
Tis a terrible thing is this business of self-sabotage. Happiness is an elusive state of affairs and when you are a self sabotager you go out of your way to shove it a bit further out of reach because there might be something a teeny bit more scrumptious around the corner. Something cheaper, something that worked last year and who knows might work again, something that comes with the promise of unbelievable riches, well behaved hair, sparkly clean towels and two for one orgasms. Something, you know, a bit better…
Even though you know without a doubt that it is all fluff and smooth tongued nonsense. That added 9784B in any area of your life is merely the stuff of ad men’s dreams and you already know what works for you. That life is too short to gamble away a good thing for the sake of a cheap thrill, too precious to pick an argument because you feel suspiciously content or spend three weeks walking around with bad hair because you bought the stuff and you are going to damn well use it…
Find what works and stick to it like glue. Become it’s biggest fan. Buy the company if you must. But for heavens sake stop compromising. Stop making life sooooo hard. Other people exist to do that for you.
Now go have a nice day.
The Brocante Round-Up! 
The Brocante Round-Up! 
The Autumn House 
Notes From Isolation
Yep – I do the same thing. Red, curly, unruly hair but I'm certain that other product must be better… until, of course, it isn't! Back to the same old boring frizz controler! Blessings.. Polly
Yep – I do the same thing. Red, curly, unruly hair but I'm certain that other product must be better… until, of course, it isn't! Back to the same old boring frizz controler! Blessings.. Polly
Ahhhh now I have to say I have found it…..and it is Be Curly by Aveda…I love it…I use the shampoo, conditioner and the stuff in a tube…a control of somekind..sorry…it’s upstairs…It works wonderfully. And one thing about shampoo is you need to change occasionally, have another brand always, not just one.
Ahhhh now I have to say I have found it…..and it is Be Curly by Aveda…I love it…I use the shampoo, conditioner and the stuff in a tube…a control of somekind..sorry…it’s upstairs…It works wonderfully. And one thing about shampoo is you need to change occasionally, have another brand always, not just one.
I am totally in your company. However, I have to say (as any truly addicted adventurer would), it is still worth trying things when you HAVEN'T found the world's best version of it and sometimes even when you have…occasionally you do discover something wonderful. There are a few miracle products out there.
I agree, if you buy cheapo stuff that’s what you get. You pay for quality 🙂
I agree, if you buy cheapo stuff that’s what you get. You pay for quality 🙂
I know exactly how you feel, I do that too! I always feel I have to try something new, to not be boring (heaven forbid) and stick to the old stuff that actually works. Why do we do that?
I know exactly how you feel, I do that too! I always feel I have to try something new, to not be boring (heaven forbid) and stick to the old stuff that actually works. Why do we do that?
Oh my goodness, it’s not just me then?!I am, as we speak, sitting with stubbly legs covered in hives – and all because I tried to convince myself (again) that I just MIGHT not be allergic to this brand new, oh so natural ingredient filled gradual build self tanning product.
Trouble is, I have tried to convince myself about 20 times before that I won’t be allergic to THIS one, and ended up with sore itchy hives all over my legs, rendering them un-shavable for DAYS. Why oh why??? Do I forget that pasty and white is infinitely still more attractive than pasty, white, red, scabby and blotchy??!!
No. I suspect you and I share a perpetual quest for unatainable perfection that leads us to refuse to ‘settle’. That and a low boredom threshold! It is the same perversity that makes me squeeze a spot that was perfectly unobtrusive just before a night out. Or to try a super-duper derma-brasion product before a special occasion. Raving bonkers.
I have to go pack now for my four day trip to France, and must hope the weather is crap, as I can only wear tights and jeans…..
Oh my goodness, it’s not just me then?!
I am, as we speak, sitting with stubbly legs covered in hives – and all because I tried to convince myself (again) that I just MIGHT not be allergic to this brand new, oh so natural ingredient filled gradual build self tanning product.
Trouble is, I have tried to convince myself about 20 times before that I won’t be allergic to THIS one, and ended up with sore itchy hives all over my legs, rendering them un-shavable for DAYS. Why oh why??? Do I forget that pasty and white is infinitely still more attractive than pasty, white, red, scabby and blotchy??!!
No. I suspect you and I share a perpetual quest for unatainable perfection that leads us to refuse to ‘settle’. That and a low boredom threshold! It is the same perversity that makes me squeeze a spot that was perfectly unobtrusive just before a night out. Or to try a super-duper derma-brasion product before a special occasion. Raving bonkers.
I have to go pack now for my four day trip to France, and must hope the weather is crap, as I can only wear tights and jeans…..
I am totally in your company. However, I have to say (as any truly addicted adventurer would), it is still worth trying things when you HAVEN'T found the world's best version of it and sometimes even when you have…occasionally you do discover something wonderful. There are a few miracle products out there.
Wow. Some days you are just too profound. Will try.
Wow. Some days you are just too profound. Will try.
“Find what works and stick to it like glue. Become it’s biggest fan. Buy the company if you must.”Make the bastards give you six months notice before they discontinue your Holy Grail product!
“Find what works and stick to it like glue. Become it’s biggest fan. Buy the company if you must.”
Make the bastards give you six months notice before they discontinue your Holy Grail product!
“Find what works and stick to it like glue. Become it’s biggest fan. Buy the company if you must.”Make the bastards give you six months notice before they discontinue your Holy Grail product!
“Find what works and stick to it like glue. Become it’s biggest fan. Buy the company if you must.”
Make the bastards give you six months notice before they discontinue your Holy Grail product!
You're not stupid – you're one of us! LOL
You're not stupid – you're one of us! LOL