About
The Reluctant Stylista is a fashion and lifestyle blog written by Alex Lapa--a once tomboyish girl who suddenly discovered the joys and perks of dressing up. Original illustrations by Paolo Lazatin.
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We won!
The Reluctant Stylista is proud to be a finalist and winner for two categories at The Philippine Blog Awards 2010: Best Beauty and Fashion Blog and Best Blog Design. Thank you to all who rooted for us!
Twitter Updates
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Running on 2 hours of sleep over 48 hours x_X
posted 15 hours ago. -
Red bull and Toblerone. Sleep is for the weak!
posted 2 days ago. -
Room with a view part 2 http://t.co/6iwLQgPL
posted 2 days ago. -
Fishtail braid by @brent_sales http://t.co/ylVrdvzi
posted 2 days ago. -
Walang magawa sa dressing rm so instagram nalang. #xfactorph I look like a totoy. Carmi looks girlier than I http://t.co/3ABRDJM6
posted 2 days ago.
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Networks and Affiliates
I know I have pretty hair. This isn’t time for false modesty. My hair is naturally wavy-curly (and apparently quite shiny), with big, loose curls at the ends, the kind you manage after sweating over a curling iron. It’s always been pretty, even when the rest of me wasn’t. Though I have it colored every now and then, I don’t get salon treatments. But it’s been described as bombshell hair, Barbie hair, prom hair, doll hair, rockstar hair and all sorts of unreal comparisons. Hell, I’ve been joked with people wanting to get my hair as a wig if or when I drop dead (on separate occasions). At least I hope they are joking.
So it might come as a surprise to others when I said I wanted to shave it.
My brother’s wedding is over and done with–he didn’t have a punk for a maid-of-honor. I haven’t told anyone in the family yet what I did, but I want to surprise them when I come home this weekend. Unless of course, they’ll wind up here (90% chance) and check out the preview of my new ‘do.
Taken hours before I left for Macky’s place. The “Before” photo:
On twitter: “Goodbye Gryffindor hair! Hello Alice Dellal”
Frothing with excitement on Twitter!
I set up an appointment with Macky last weekend and decided on having my cut last night. Macky Angeles used to cut hair in B-side, but now she only takes appointments (until further notice, I guess?) either in Taft or her apartment in Anonas. Do you know that Sykes ad all over Ayala and sometimes along Edsa? I often pass by the one at the walkway between Greenbelt and Landmark. Anyway, that’s Macky, shaving off some brave soul’s hair.
Prior to my visit, I already sent her pegs. I wanted something like Alice Dellal’s. And I figure I still have so much hair that if I need to cover the shaved part, I can. Lion’s mane nga eh. Anwyay, it’s sort of a compromise, since originally I wanted something like Anya Ayoung-chee’s hair, but my friend Nayna (who was there to witness the whole thing) talked me out of it. Nayna, despite her own undercut, didn’t want me shaving my hair because we’ve had mutual hair envy since grade 3. I wanted to have straight, thin, soft hair like hers and she wanted curly-voluminous-instant-party hair like mine. (I remember asking her back then what she did to make her hair so soft and she said it was baby oil. I tried doing that I only ended up looking homeless).
Some pegs:
model Alice Dellal
(Okay, I’m kidding. I didn’t send a photo of Delirium to Macky. But I just realized, after 2+ years of planning to go as her on Halloween, I can actually pull it off now if I wanted to)!
I was giddy with excitement when we were about to start. But half the people in the room that night weren’t sold. I got asked if my curls were natural. Yes, they are. Was the shine natural? I didn’t even know I have shiny hair, so I suppose yes. (Thank you Bedhead TIGI)! “Sayang naman!” I was again told, but by now I was so stoked and completely unmoved from my decision that I didn’t even notice Macky already clipping a handful of my hair that was maybe about 7-8 inches long. I just saw Nayna cringing and turning away.
I kept standing up from my seat every now and then to check the progress in the mirror. The first time I did, I exclaimed “SHIT!” Everyone looked up in alarm, thinking I hated it. Just the opposite. I couldn’t believe how much I loved this new hair that I wish I had done it sooner! It’s so badass! <3 Even the other half that didn’t want me shaving my hair had to concede. My jawline, which I never liked because I think it’s too strong, looked way better with cropped hair. Which made me wonder what it would look like with everything else shaved off. Heh. I guess I’m at that point in my life where I feel so secure about who I am and how I look that I didn’t mind going through a drastic change. Even if it didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to, I just know I would still find a way to make it work.
It’s so weird, I thought I’d feel more emotional about losing quite a chunk of my hair. But I’m not. I was just thinking “Man, this must be so easy to shampoo!”
Before this, I practically never changed my hairstyle since I believed with my wavy-curly hair, I was limited to layers, some fringes every now and then. I tried going for a Halle Berry look back in 2002 but everyone else thought I was channeling Aiza Seguerra instead. I promise, this is no Aiza anymore! The above photos are just a preview. I’ll have to take more decent photos of the “After” look to show y’all.
Love it!!!!
Chopping off hair is such an exhilarating experience!
Can’t wait to see all the funky outfits you’ll come up with your new hairdo.
Me too! I’m excited about that. This hair is so badass.
Wow!!!!
Gwanda!!! Gwapo+ganda!!! Ayan!!! Dalawa na tayo, kaso ako, dalawang sides ang shaved off!!!
We gotta have a photo taken together!!! LOVE IT!!!
And ‘scuse me, what’s with this “It’s always been pretty, even when the rest of me wasn’t” comment? Mukha namang may taste si Papa Pao, ‘no? Ganda mo, seksi pa nga, eh. You guys gotte agree with me, yes???
I said “was”. So basically, I’m saying maganda ako NOW. HAHAHA
I. LOVE. IT. i knew i would even before you posted the photos!!! <3 this almost makes me want to get rid of the rest of my hair. ALMOST. hahaha.
high five for being brave!
Gela
boat ride through the sky
Hooray to us girls who chopped off tons of hair! Haha! (it’s kinda addicting, yeah) Thanks Gela
Glad you *love* it!
Oh WOW! You go , girl! I’m very impressed! *clap clap* Akin na lang sana your healthy curly mop! Yeah, coz mine’s perpetually dry it’s a real pisser.:(
Thanks Vicky!
I had problems din with drying hair, but I dunno…I guess TIGI Bedhead really works wonders! It should–the cost is staggering. xD Why don’t you try it? It’s like Kerastase except it smells like candy.
Thumbs up for this: “I guess I’m at that point in my life where I feel so secure about who I am and how I look that I didn’t mind going through a drastic change.”
I love girls who are comfy with themselves, and you are definitely one wonderful bella. Happy Holidays & post more photos!
Thanks Dang! So true. I know people might think it’s being kind of arrogant, that I fully believe I can pull off *anything*. But I’m just happy with myself and I think that will shine through any style I decide to adopt.
Ohh Alex, I love it!!!! I’ve seen people do this hairstyle and it doesn’t really suit them, but it’s perfect on you.
I’m so glad you like it! You were one of the few who actually encouraged me to go for the undercut last time, haha!
Asteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeg!
I can’t stop staring at the last photo. Nakaka-bakla ka! Pakshet.
Okay, fine. I may have overreacted. Astig pa rin, nevertheless.
omg i was telling myself that last night. it’s like i’m in love with myself it was getting creepy. ang pogi eh! xD
My gosh!! I like it! Not love… Naninibago pa ko. But I do like it on you! Bumagay! And yes bumagay din sha sa jawline mo! Hahaha! I’ve actually thought of shaving my hair before and up til recently. But I’m too scared to try! Baka magmukha akong itlog! Hahahah!
Good job, Leki! I can’t wait to see your new hair!
Glad you liked it! In time, you’ll love it din. HAHA!
sooooo asteeeeeeeg! I just cant leave here without commenting first! I soo want that too!
Go do it!
It’s gonna grow back anyway. Pasabog for New Year!
Hanep, Leki! Kaoko and I approve!
YAY, you guys like it!
Alex you’re so daring! I love it!!!!!
Looks good on you. Very edgy!
Thanks Tanya!
It definitely feels right.
Anong kaguluhan toh? Nasa hk ako gumagawa ka ng gulo sa pinas. Haha. Joke lang. Sabi ni cris bagay daw sayo kasi may leeg ka. – posted from hk airport
I wanna see!! Pauwi na ako!!
Pasalubong ha!
I’m going home tomorrow.
TIGI Bed Head says, thank you also for the mention <3
Haha promise, a more detailed review very very soon! Promiiiise!
I love it alex!!!!!
Thanks Hannah!
Alex you’re so brave! kaw na girl!
hearts,
Melai of Style and Soul
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Waaaah! Can’t believe you did it! I will never have the guts to do that! Patay ka kay Paolaz. Gusto niya girls with long silky hair! Haha! Pero bagay ah! Rock on!
Alam naman nya na gagawin ko yun eh!
)
As per my friend:
“Delirium? Where’s your dog Barnabas?”
How much did it cost? Planning to try this also, but isn’t it a bitch to grow out? I mean, it’s going to look so weird for a while.. haha
For me, because I have so much hair, it isn’t a problem. I can cover it up if I plan to grow it out. In fact, if I go without shaving my hair for over two weeks, people don’t see it anymore. But I think that only works for this cut, or a long mohawk, but if you have a LOT of hair to hide the shaved part if you’re growing it out.
Also, it costs P500. xD
i just love your hair! ive wanted for a year now and up to this day i haven’t had the guts to do it!haha
until that day comes but as of now how do i get a hold of that awesome hairt sylist?:)