Do you ever look really unexpectedly great, then utterly unable to recreate it using exactly the same steps?

[largeprintagathachristie]

So, in a Travelodge, I got ready to go out to an event. Used a shampoo sample (a fancy one from Space NK I've had for so long I've moved house with it, and a sample conditioner Hair air dried as I'd forgotten to bring a hairdryer. Put make up on as usual.

Hair looked - so good! Had body, shine, the fringe sat right, everything. (Normally the bane of my life as I have fine thin hair.)

Face looked - so good!

But really the hair! I thought I'd found the holy grail. All I needed to do in future was repeat those exact same steps!!!

But nope. The next time I washed my hair I repeated those exact same steps. Results not the same at all. Hair back to usual limp, disappointing usual-ness.

Do you ever look really unexpectedly great, then utterly unable to recreate it using exactly the same steps?

YES to the hair thing. One random day of swishy, shiny, sitting perfectly but with some volume at the roots hair.

Might this be hormonal? I always have an amazing few days where I look good. Hair, skin, eyes, no bloat. When I realised it was linked to ovulating I relaxed. I can't make that happen!

Was the Travelodge far from your home? My hair definitely washes very differently depending on water hardness

Yes. The hair thing seems to happen the first time using a new shampoo, but it doesn't look as good after subsequent washes. Hair tends to also look good just before a hair appointment when I'd planned to chop it off!

Yep. It seems to have a lot to do with hormones, health and sleep quality. A complex cocktail that if it's working well is incredible, but if not cannot be remedied or replicated with any style or beauty products (sadly. My sleep and health are frequently both shit for various unfixable reasons. Sob)

@lurker101
Ah, yes, the Travelodge was far from home and I see that the area has soft water, compared to the hard water where I live, so that may well have a lot to do with it with the fleeting hair success

@dudsville
Skin and eyes were glowy and clear and thinking about it, hormones were probably around ovulation.

At least I had my one night of everything coming together because a friend from the same event tested positive for covid and now I have it and am isolating, feeling ill, with an awful complexion, red eyes, a face like a bag of spanners and unspeakable hair.

Face like a bag of spanners!!! I've never heard that. I love it, it describes exactly how I felt I looked this morning!

Very sorry to hear you are ill and miserable OP. I hope you feel better soon

Yes. But i often also look unexpectedly rubbish, and find I can recreate that easily. So hopefully it's a transferable skill.

My hair is curly so I can never get the same look twice. If it's 1c hotter or colder or the humidity is different or I use 1ml too much of gel... you get the idea
I basically apply products and pray

@lurker101

Was the Travelodge far from your home? My hair definitely washes very differently depending on water hardness

This.

What you need OP is a water softener fitted at home.

Get well soon

I get this

And I have realised it’s about lighting (and also hard/soft water!)

I also look about 10 yrs older in harsh January morning light compared to soft August evening light…

Sometimes I wonder what the real version of me is…

Ah, yes, the Travelodge was far from home and I see that the area has soft water,

You will have to upgrade and only wash your hair with bottled mineral water 😂

I look better if I drink wine as I get ready - although I could just have lower standards after a drink!

Get well soon.
I also have the hair thing and also lovely glowy skin for about 4 days of every month. My fertile period! I can't ever recreate it outside of this window though!

@NotMyCat

My hair is curly so I can never get the same look twice. If it's 1c hotter or colder or the humidity is different or I use 1ml too much of gel... you get the idea I basically apply products and pray

Same. My curly hair can look it's best air dried, but also its worst so if it's an event where I really care what I look like I airdry it but hours in advance so I can straighten it if it randomly goes to shit