Oct052009
Conspicuous Consumption Entry
Filed under stuff by Kim at 3:01 pm on Oct 05 2009
My hair stylist Bree has been telling me for months about Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo & Conditioner and I was like “sha, whatever” for just about as long. But since the product I really want to use, DevaCurl, is like $298,475.23 a bottle and this stuff is only $7 I decided to give it a try. The shampoo has no sulfates and the conditioner has no silicones, so if you are trying to avoid those, these products qualify. But what really won me over is the OMG WAKE UP tingle and scent of mint and chamomile! It’s very… stimulating. And doesn’t give me tummyaches like coffee.
Weekend before last I made a snap decision to go to Maryland Renfaire. I’ve been going for nigh on 16 years now and I think I saw more shows this time than in the whole previous 15 years combined. I only consumed one type of meat on a stake, but my partner in meat consumption wasn’t present. I wandered to every jewelry shop one by one, guided by my compatriots who actually pay attention to where things are, declaring all the bracelets in the joint too girly. Until finally we made it to The Crafty Celts where I purchased in 30 seconds flat this perfect torc-style bracelet. I love it and I want to wear it every day forever.
It’s been a banner week for people recognizing that particular tattoo, too, from the merch guy at the Porcupine Tree concert who was all steeped in amazement at my Genesis fandom to a total stranger at the Renfaire walking up and saying “Is that from Wind & Wuthering?” and it is a universal truth that anyone who does recognize it a) underestimates my age and b) comments openly about a young person even knowing that album. I don’t mind any of this, because I am always delighted to meet other Genesis fans, and am also fine with my age being underestimated.
This weekend after class I went to the mall. Jack and I had just reviewed our budgets and noted a need to slash same budgets in the areas of food and bullshit. So I exercised my willpower by going to the mall and not buying anything. Well, I replaced my empty bottle of MV3. (Side note: MAC does recycling of containers!) (Also: They currently have a black lipstick in their lineup that I would have died for a decade ago. But my black lipstick wearing days are over.) But there were four other dumb-shit non-necessities things I did not buy! Baby steps.
1 Alisonon 05 Oct 2009 at 3:21 pm
I am a hardcore devotee of Devacurl One Condition and Angell. It is just the best thing for my coarse, superdry, curlywavy hair. I abandoned too many lousier (and cheaper) models before I finally accepted that I’d found the Holy Grail. However, YMMV of course.
If you feel like trying iDeva, I recommend ordering from CosmeticMagic.com — the discounts are big, you can usually wangle free shipping, and the products are quality. They have other brands too.
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Kim Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
My favorite Deva product is the “Low Poo”. Since my hair is wavy and not entirely curly, I do get oily if I go conditioner-only so I prefer something really really gentle every other day. But I just can’t get past the price tag.
Though I should note that if I did the math, and compared the price dollar per oz, it might be closer than I think.
Thanks for the tip about Cosmetic Magic! It really is a bit cheaper there, assuming wangling of free shipping. And I love the word wangle.
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2 CSueon 05 Oct 2009 at 4:12 pm
Wind & Wuthering is the only Genesis album I have (heh), but it’s a goodie. Show me your tat sometime!
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Kim Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Glad to! It IS a goodie!!
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3 orkidon 05 Oct 2009 at 4:40 pm
this whole entry charmed me. i like to think it has everything to do with your tone and nothing to do with the consumption factor, but who knows?
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Kim Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Thank you!! This means a lot to me.
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4 CaptainBootson 05 Oct 2009 at 5:01 pm
I knew that bracelet as soon as I saw it.
I have the torc version .. er, somewhere.
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Kim Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Given my newfound stinginess, I won’t be adding a matching torc, that’s for sure!
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Kim Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Also: good to hear from you! I’ve been seeing all these viking metal and folk metal bands, and you’re to thank, which is a good thing!
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5 Amyon 05 Oct 2009 at 6:08 pm
And I want to ask, where do you get your hair done? I’m wondering if your stylist could be someone I used to know.
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Kim Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Bree is at Rain salon in VA. And given the entire smallness of the world, she probably is someone you used to know.
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6 Mariaon 05 Oct 2009 at 7:16 pm
I have a black phoenix alchemy lab perfume oil that’s vanilla-based (“the antikythera mechanism”), if you’d like to smell/try it. It’s a tad ‘masculine’ for me most days but it’s not all like “rar, I’m aftershave!” I do like me some vanilla.
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Kim Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
It’s funny because I normally hate vanilla scents. But this one, I just love. It must have some kind of lowest common denominator thing going on because it’s always out of stock and it seems to be their most popular scent.
I have kind of given up on BPAL. I use the products far too slowly so they break down and smell weird, or they don’t have the same sticking power that actual perfume has.
I even tried making my own perfumes with their oils and perfumers’ alcohol and I still had so much I couldn’t use them before they went bad. :-/
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7 Rachelon 05 Oct 2009 at 7:51 pm
I think I need to try this shampoo & conditioner.
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Kim Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
I was surprised to find I really like them!
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8 Genieon 05 Oct 2009 at 8:58 pm
The Crafty Celts people are awesome, both in their products and for just being good folk. Glad you like the bracelet!
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Kim Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
A shameful secret: I ordered a brass bracelet as well for those times when I’m not feeling like wearing silver! Didn’t know you knew the folks but it makes sense! 😀
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9 Kimon 05 Oct 2009 at 9:05 pm
I’m just going to point out that I’m sad that no one has argued with me about my black lipstick wearing days being over.
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10 Jeanneon 05 Oct 2009 at 9:24 pm
And because the world is very small, I know the Crafty Celts folks too! Love their creations.
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