2020 was a rough year—and while my hair was the least of my worries, social distancing and salon shut-downs definitely took a toll on my bleached locks. The last time I got a minimal trim was back in March of 2021, and while I was able to curb the temptation to trim my own split ends, I did end up abusing the bleach to engage in some DIY money piece highlights (they didn’t turn out that bad, BTW). Anyway, as any bottle blonde knows, lightening your strands causes major damage, and oftentimes, irreparable breakage—well hell there, accidental chemical bangs. Fortunately, I was able to get an exclusive sneak peek at a brand new damage-erasing hair care collection to put it to the test. If your compromised strands are in major need of some emergency TLC, read ahead for my Matrix Unbreak My Blonde Review.

Available now, the premium Unbreak My Blonde is a three-part system that includes shampoo, conditioner, and non-greasy leave-in treatment, each formulated to repair and revive the locks of those with lightened, bleached, and chemically treated hair. Sure, there are plenty of bond builders (protein rich formulas containing keratin and the like) and deep conditioners to help undo damage, but Unbreak My Blonde’s formulas are infused with citric acid, which reinforces the structural bonds that are often compromised by hair dye, bleach, and texturizing chemicals.

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Courtesy of Matrix.

Matrix Unbreak My Blonde System

The Unbreak My Blonde Collection has also been tested via the brand’s NEW Hair Diversity Matrix, a scorecard system created in collaboration with internal L’Oréal.

In a nutshell, this system ensures all Matrix products and education materials are developed to address the needs of all hair types and concerns. This means the inclusive problem-solving products will work on all hair types and textures—not just mine (and yes, it will repair damage on not only blondes, but all hair colors).

TBH, the last few months I’ve been battling some truly intense knots and tangles—frankly, they were just as bad as the ones I faced as a kid (embarrassingly enough). Naturally, I reached for an adult detangler, a wet brush, and a comb every time I got out of the shower to try to tame the disaster that was my hair, but it became clear that I was going to need something a bit stronger to get the job done. Enter: Matrix’s new Unbreak My Blonde lineup.

I’ve now been using the three-part system for about six weeks (for reference, I only wash my hair about once or twice a week), and it’s been an absolute game-changer. I haven’t gotten a much-needed hair cut since last year, but using these products even once a week has given my limp locks more bounce, amended the majority of my split ends, and, most importantly, have made unruly knots a thing of the past.

In recent years, there have been a number of studies about the relationship between purpose and aging. A Sense of Purpose Promotes Healthy Aging is one example. Research suggests that living with a sense of purpose not only adds quality of life but years as well. It also is associated with less risk of Alzheimer’s.

But what is ‘purpose’? What is it like to not have a sense of purpose in your life? How do you find purpose? There are many ways to describe the impact of living life without purpose – languid, meaningless, without soul, etc. No wonder it is so important!

When you look at various definitions, purpose is really about having a driving force in life or sense of meaning. So, you could say that purpose is what gets you out of bed in the morning. Or, from a quote in Jennifer Louden’s book Why Bother, “Meaning arises from loving life…” What can you create so that you love your life even more?

Purpose Is in the Present

Notice that purpose is present tense. Loving life is present tense. So, our purpose is NOT what we have contributed in the past or who we have been. Those experiences have only served to bring us to who we are today. One of the gifts of life is that we can renew ourselves as we choose.

An internet search offers lists of things mature people can do to create meaning, such as joining groups or taking up hobbies. There are ample great ideas, and it is more personal than that.

My question for you is, what matters to you, right now? There is no right answer; there is your answer. For one person, it may be helping the hungry or homeless, for someone else it may be touching the world through art. Perhaps what matters relates to nature, social good, family well-being, education, or spreading laughter. The person who feels the vitality and love of life is you; it is your choice.

Time to Light Your Fire

The point is, where is your spark? How can you feed that flame? Happily, at our age we are wiser than we have ever been. Right? So, listen to that wisdom; listen to yourself. Then create a life you love.

Here are some steps you can take to amplify the sense of purpose in your life.

• Have a conversation with the wise woman that you are. You might even hold a little ceremony to honor her presence. Have tea together!
• Brainstorm alone or with a friend. Go crazy; nothing is out of bounds. Hopefully, you will have a good laugh at some of the ideas, and then find a nugget or two that is worth some exploration.
• Explore. Try on different ideas. You don’t need to commit until you are ready. Think of it as taking some outfits into the dressing room to see if you like them.
• Trust that once you tune into something that brings you energy and aligns with your values, you will suddenly see opportunity. You will.
• Take one action toward what you are drawn to, no matter how small. This creates even more energy and commitment. Do this every day.
• Talk back. You probably will hear yourself think things like, “I’m too old,” “It will be hard,” or “I don’t know how.” Good! That means you are challenging yourself. You are just right, it might be easy, and you can learn how. Growth is invigorating.

I’d love to hear about your relationship with your purpose. Perhaps you are like me, using the freedom of this age to contribute from a deep place of purpose. Perhaps you are where I was several years ago, knowing there was something more and puzzled about how to move forward. Thank heavens for the little voice that says there is more. Do you hear that voice?

What is your purpose? Have you been in such a place where you did not have a sense of purpose in your life? How do you find purpose? Where do you look for it?