Friday, December 10, 2010

Friday Styles: A New Spin On Things

There aren't many things in life that I like as much now as I did when I was twelve. For instance, I no longer listen to the Backstreet Boys on repeat, I don't have a crush on any of my older brother's friends (unless you consider my husband his friend), I doubt I would watch TRL, Dawson's Creek or Party of Five, anymore, even if they were still on the air, and I've finally accepted that I am not someone who should have bangs. But if I had to hang out with my twelve-year-old self for an afternoon, I know exactly what we could do that we would both enjoy: a drug store shopping spree. Ever since I started getting an allowance, I have taken a tremendous, unexplainable pleasure in shopping at the pharmacy. I love the cosmetics aisle, I love the non-perishable food aisle (pretzel buckets!), I love the home-improvement section, the greeting cards and magazines, the school supplies... I could honestly spend hours browsing the aisles of the drug store. And, while I occasionally have rung up some whopper bills, I usually escape for under $30- try to have that much fun for $30 at the mall!  I couldn't even take my tweener alter-ego to see the Justin Bieber movie for that.
One of my favorite things about the drug store is how often to find something wonderful that you didn't know you needed, nay, didn't even know existed, until you spot it on the shelf. On a recent cold Sunday, I ducked into my local Duane Reade to pick up some necessity I had run out of, and found myself in that familiar happy place, wandering up the aisles checking out mustache trimmers and denture cream (neither of which I needed, thank you very much). I landed in the hair-care section, and that is when I discovered something that has become one of my favorite new products- the Goody Spin Pin, $5.99 for 2, from Amazon.com, or most major drug stores). I am (obviously) a sucker for anything that promises to make my life easier, and I was actually amazed at how well these things work (Goody claims they take the place of 20 bobby pins, and I believe it). All you do is form your hair into a knot or bun and twist the pins in, and miraculously they hold it. I have thick slippery hair that's cut in multiple layers and, if they work for me, they would work for anybody.  I feel like these are one of those things, like the Internet, or cell phones, or running water, that once you have, it would be hard to go back to your life before them. Which is why I would buy several sets for Preteen Lily.

Unfortunately, as miraculous as these things are, though, there isn't anything they can do about those terrible bangs.

16 comments:

April of Smidge Of This said...

I've been dying to try these - thanks for the great review! I think I may just have to dip into my local drugstore around lunchtime.

Deviled Megs said...

I have purchased so many of these and stash them EVERYwhere...my office desk drawer, my purses, my car. They are amazing and I preach the wonder of the goody spin pin to everyone I know.

Anonymous said...

You would look adorbs in bangs!

Preppy Southern Belle said...

I looove my spin pins! They are lovely. But a word of warning, hair must be a few inches below shoulder length to use; in my opinion! I was bummed after a haircut to a layered shoulder-length 'do, they no longer worked. :(

Chloe said...

I have been wanting to try them and no I totally am. Thanks lil!

Mister Sharaf said...

great

akprincess72 said...

I too love drugstores, however they are a close second to office supply stores! Fortunately my husband shares in this secret love. Last night after wandering a big-box office store for an hour I did comment to him that this was proof of our meant-to-be love. =)

(The spin pins look cool, but my hair is too short & I have no intention of growing it out!)

petitehermine said...

Ha! I'm a 20-something housewife too, though I can't seem to get used to it. How do you respond to people who ask you what you do? Do you ever feel any weird expectations from people you just met?

Ariana said...

Saw an ad for these on TV and was very intrigued - good to hear they do work!

Mia said...

Lily,
I LOVE to wonder around drugstores too...thought i was the only one:)As for the hairpins, they are amazing...i also got another type of goody hair accessory that looks like a horse shoe....which also works wonders:)

Jess @JessCantCook said...

I've been wanting to try these too! My hair is so straight most clips won't hold well. And I'm pretty boring when it comes to hairstyles so maybe this would jazz it up :P

Amy said...

Hi, I'm new here, but I've just read your posts on pharmacy shopping and hiccups and I had to comment because I feel like we're the same person (in a non stalker way, I swear). I get hiccups a lot, and my 3 month old does too now, and I love pharmacy shopping. My husband knows not to wait in the car when I'm "just running in to get one thing". I have to try these spin pins- thanks for sharing!

Lily said...

@April: Do it! There's no better way to spend a lunch hour, in my opinion. I used to know all the checkout girls at the CVS by my old office by name.
@Deviled Megs: Preach it, sister!
@Anonymous: You're sweet, but even my mom agrees that those bangs were B-A-D, and she always thinks I'm adorbs.
@Preppy: Booo! I guess that means I won't be cutting my hair. Ever again.
@Chloe: Now I know what to get you for your bday! Ha!
@Mister- thanks!
@akprincess: Lucky girl! My husband is wonderful in many many ways, but long, pointless, meandering shopping trips are not his thing. But that's ok with me because he'd probably look askance at the five shades of purple Wet N' Wild eyeshadow I want to buy.
@Ariana: try them!
@Mia- maybe I'll see you there someday :)
@Jess: I feel you- anything that helps me mix it up without spending an hour fussing is heaven-sent.
@Amy- so glad you found me (hic)!

Lily said...

@petite: I try not to worry too much about what other people think (otherwise, I probably wouldn't spill my guts on this blog), but of course it's hard when you feel judged. Honestly, as long as you are fulfilled with your daily life and you and your hubby are happy with the arrangement, you should be confidant and proud. As for answering questions- it helps to bring up your other activities in life (volunteering, travel, taking classes, working on the side, writing a blog...) so you can always segue from talking about what you DON'T do (work all day) to what you DO do. (Ha! I just said doodoo! Sorry.)

Jen said...

I have never seen these! And I wear my hair in a bun almost every day (because I tend to run out of time before I get around to blow-drying my hair). I will have to check them out!

Miss Madonna said...

I've been wondering for months if the spin pins actually work... I have very slippery hair as well, now I will definitely have to try them! Thanks :)