If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

Everyone should have access to affordable hair color that will take them from blah to bold in the comfort of their bathroom. Sure, going to the salon is always going to be preferable but sometimes that’s just no time or budget. Enter Clairol Natural Instincts Bold, a no-ammonia hair coloring system for all hair textures.

Many folks with dark bases want bold color but don’t want to damage their hair by bleaching it first. Clairol’s new VitaBoost Color Amplifier promises to be the answer. “The VitaBoost Color Amplifier, our advanced color delivery system with no ammonia, guarantees a precise placement of bold color pigments deep inside the hair fiber,” says a Clairol R+D rep. “These bold color pigments are also designed to be water resistant, which ensures a bold result for up to eight weeks with better resistance to fading from washing hair.”

We’re talking bold hues Dragon Fuchsia, Copper Sunset, Achiote Auburn, Deep Burgundy Acai, Blue Black Colibri and Violet Passiflora on dark hair colors and kinky, coiled textures all without damage. The vegan formula contains argan oil, acai and guarana extracts to be gentle on strands. The included Moisture-Rich Mask helps too, by reducing tangles and smoothening the cuticle layer.

Ready for a new 2023 look? Shop the coolest shades, below. 

Clairol.

Natural Instincts Bold Permanent Hair Dye, R56 Achiote Auburn Hair Color

How pretty is this bright auburn color on curls?!

Clairol.

Natural Instincts Bold Permanent Hair Dye, F66 Dragon Fuchsia Hair Color

This vibrant purple-red is so pretty for summer.

Clairol.

Natural Instincts Bold Permanent Hair Dye, C64 Copper Sunset Hair Color

You don’t have to be a natural blonde or redhead to get trendy copper hair.

Clairol.

Natural Instincts Bold Permanent Hair Dye, BR36 Deep Burgundy Acai Hair Color

This deep burgundy gives a boost to any natural hair color.

Clairol.

Natural Instincts Bold Permanent Hair Dye, V26 Violet Passiflora Hair Color

Or go dark purple and surprise everyone with your new look.

Clairol.

Natural Instincts Bold Permanent Hair Dye, BL28 Blue Black Colibri Hair Color

Shiny blue-black hair without the damage? Yes, please!

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

Everyone should have access to affordable hair color that will take them from blah to bold in the comfort of their bathroom. Sure, going to the salon is always going to be preferable but sometimes that’s just no time or budget. Enter Clairol Natural Instincts Bold, a no-ammonia hair coloring system for all hair textures.

Many folks with dark bases want bold color but don’t want to damage their hair by bleaching it first. Clairol’s new VitaBoost Color Amplifier promises to be the answer. “The VitaBoost Color Amplifier, our advanced color delivery system with no ammonia, guarantees a precise placement of bold color pigments deep inside the hair fiber,” says a Clairol R+D rep. “These bold color pigments are also designed to be water resistant, which ensures a bold result for up to eight weeks with better resistance to fading from washing hair.”

We’re talking bold hues Dragon Fuchsia, Copper Sunset, Achiote Auburn, Deep Burgundy Acai, Blue Black Colibri and Violet Passiflora on dark hair colors and kinky, coiled textures all without damage. The vegan formula contains argan oil, acai and guarana extracts to be gentle on strands. The included Moisture-Rich Mask helps too, by reducing tangles and smoothening the cuticle layer.

Ready for a new 2023 look? Shop the coolest shades, below. 

Clairol.

Natural Instincts Bold Permanent Hair Dye, R56 Achiote Auburn Hair Color

How pretty is this bright auburn color on curls?!

Clairol.

Natural Instincts Bold Permanent Hair Dye, F66 Dragon Fuchsia Hair Color

This vibrant purple-red is so pretty for summer.

Clairol.

Natural Instincts Bold Permanent Hair Dye, C64 Copper Sunset Hair Color

You don’t have to be a natural blonde or redhead to get trendy copper hair.

Clairol.

Natural Instincts Bold Permanent Hair Dye, BR36 Deep Burgundy Acai Hair Color

This deep burgundy gives a boost to any natural hair color.

Clairol.

Natural Instincts Bold Permanent Hair Dye, V26 Violet Passiflora Hair Color

Or go dark purple and surprise everyone with your new look.

Clairol.

Natural Instincts Bold Permanent Hair Dye, BL28 Blue Black Colibri Hair Color

Shiny blue-black hair without the damage? Yes, please!

Personality tests are just plain fun for some of us! We like learning about what makes us tick. By design, these tests reveal character traits in a variety of settings. They are a means to identify one’s emotional makeup, motivators, preferences, and interests.

Many of us have taken personality tests for various reasons. Myers-Briggs, DiSC, and the Enneagram are popular type-based assessments, although considered the least scientific. Academics criticize them as stereotypical oversimplifications that are based on inborn or dominant traits from childhood.

The article Personality Tests suggests the Big Five Personality Test is a scientifically validated and reliable psychological model to validate personality. It considers five factors: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness as measured against the general population. It can provide insight into your own personality and help you better understand others.

I Confess, I Like the Enneagram!

While the Enneagram seems to land in the non-scientific category, it is the most insightful personality assessment I’ve taken to date. Scientific, mystical or under whatever category it may fall, I find it quite revealing. There are just some things that science cannot explain!

When I read my Enneagram results, I felt like I found the missing link in my personality. I gained a real understanding of the core beliefs driving my deepest motivations and fear. I also learned about my shadow side, not an easy pill to swallow, but useful in self-development.

You can learn more about the Enneagram by viewing The 9 Enneagram Personality Types Explained – Ian Cron. Also, you can access a free Enneagram test, as well as a free version of the other personality tests mentioned in this post, at Truity.com. There are also many other online sources that provide free versions of these personality tests.

I’m Retired, Why Do I Need to Take a Personality Test?

Research suggests certain personality traits may affect longevity and play a role in happy, healthy aging. This provides an incentive for all of us to reevaluate our personality traits. Armed with knowledge, we may choose to tweak our personalities in a way that is more beneficial to our health and wellbeing.

We could also use the results as a retirement planning tool. Based on the same, how might you structure your retirement in compliment with your preferences and interests? Your results could show you are not ready to retire. They might also guide you in finding the right fit for volunteer opportunities.

The Two Most Crucial Traits that Predict Successful Aging

As reported in Can Personality Traits Slow Down Cognitive Decline and Aging?, which is based on the work of Dr. Daniel Levitin, of the six most impactful factors of healthy aging, five are direct features of personality: conscientiousness, openness, sociability, curiosity, and resilience. The sixth is healthy practices.

Dr. Levitin suggests that those who are conscientious are reliable and dependable, and that these traits lead to proactive behavior in terms of healthy diet, getting yearly physicals, and saving money – all things associated with brain health and living a long life.

Further, openness is increasingly important as we age because we tend to want to not do new things and just do the things we’ve always done, which can cause a more rapid cognitive decline. This is an interesting article, and I encourage you to read in full, including proper citations and sources.

Sure, A Personality Test May Take a Bit of Time and Effort

There are several reasons to take a personality test as you age. It may take a bit of time and effort, but at the very least, your results may provide you with a broader understanding of yourself and how you interact with others!

Let’s Have a Conversation

Do you believe personality tests are useful in the aging process? If so, what are some ways you would make use of the results? Which personality test is your favorite and why?

Candiace Dillard’s Denim Bucket Hat and Top in Mexico

Real Housewives of Potomac Season 7 Episode 15 Fashion

Candiace Dillard looked fab in her denim bucket hat and bustier top in Tulum. I don’t blame her for taking so many pictures and selfies of herself in them. And I don’t blame you for leaving this post to make sure you add “shop denim hat and bustier top” to your bucket to-do list.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Gucci Bucket Hat

Click Here to See Her Alice + Olivia Top

Originally posted at: Candiace Dillard’s Denim Bucket Hat and Top

The simple answer to that question is yes. But have you ever wondered why it is recommended that you wash your clothes before wearing them for the first time?

Have you ever developed a rash a few days after wearing a brand-new clothing item? Has this been happening more frequently? As we get older, our skin tends to thin and become more sensitive. We may react more easily to irritants now more than ever.

There are a few reasons why washing your new garment before putting it in contact with your skin for an extended period of time is a good idea.

Why Wash Your New Clothes?

Excess Dyes

One of the most common reasons to wash your new item is because of the residual and extra dyes that are on the garments that can transfer to your skin and alleviate the chances of provoking allergic contact dermatitis.

This can cause a rash that can last for several days or even weeks. This skin reaction can happen out of the blue even if you have worn unwashed new clothing items in the past. Synthetic fabrics, like polyester and nylon, are fabrics that seem to harbor the most excess dyes.

Chemicals and Fabric Treatments

Chemicals used in producing fabrics and manufacturing garments can be irritating to the skin and even harmful to your health. The apparel industry doesn’t have the cleanest slate when it comes to health and environmental concerns. Fabric treatments and finishes, like anti-wrinkles for example, can irritate sensitive skin. The treatment applied fades over time with regular washes.

Not as New as You Think

Is your new garment really new? Chances are the item has been tried on in the store before you purchased it. It may have even been bought, worn, and returned. Also, many hands have touched your new clothing item before it made it to your closet; from the apparel workers to the shop employees.

People carry bacteria, fungi, and even insects on their bodies (yes, even you). Although chances are low, you may increase the risk of contracting an infection from a garment.

Insider Facts

I worked in the apparel industry for over 20 years and part of my job as a fashion designer was to have fit samples and approved samples delivered to my office before production. These are essentially the same garments that, after approval, are manufactured the same way the sample was and then shipped to the stores.

I have opened boxes of surprises a few times over the years. I once had a stowaway. A small iguana-type animal had hitched a ride all the way from China to Canada. This little guy didn’t make it, but he sure left behind his natural bodily matter on the samples. Other times, samples smelled of smoke or had other unpleasant odors.

Bottom Line, Wash Before Wearing

Now that I have probably scared the bejesus out of you, you know the main reasons for washing clothes before wearing them for the first time. Read the care label on the garment and wash according to the instructions and have peace of mind.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you always wash your new garments before wearing them? Did you know all these reasons why you should wash your new clothing items? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.