Well, I was feeling a bit bad about my hair lately. I'm kind of in the same situation as Heather posted a while ago. Since this past month my hair has been really frizzy ( I guess because of the humid summer we have) and I am at that lenght where it doesn't look good on me if I let it down but my choice of updo is very limited because my hair isn't that long and I have some layers in it. So, I decided to wait until the end of october before making a drastic cut. Maybe it's just the summer and that lenght that's making me hate my hair!
So, today I was surfing the web about haircare and made some decisions. First I'll go back to henna to colour my hair. But I will put henna on virgin hair, which means I'll have to dye my hair close to my natural colour. Secondly, I will try new shampoos(I'm currently using AO honeysuckle rose). I'm thinking of trying Dr. Bronner's magic soap and giving shampoo bar another chance. As my hair has also been feeling sticky, I checked for hard water in my region and I wiil do acv more regularly, in fact after every wash( which is 2 times a week).And to make my hair more enjoyable at this lenght, I'm thinking of investing in good hair toys that will add some fun in my hairstyle.
Wow! that was a long post!! Just felt I needed to share my new decisions with supportive people. My mom, who is my usual confidante is really anti-long hair, in fact, she even said to me the other day, as I had my hair down to let it dry, that it was really ugly!!
July 2008
November 2008
May 2009
2c/N/iii
Routine(still experimenting):
Wash 2 or 3x a week using cwc method
Shampoo: Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle rose
ACV with honey before conditioner
Deep conditioning once a week with food
Comb hair after shampoo and use BBB once in a while
Oiling with coconut oil
that as your hair gets longer you will get some big beautiful waves happening. I don't like the way my hair used to look at your length either. I think it's an awkward stage for a lot of wavies - and probably the wavier you are the more awkward it is.
Don't let your Mom's comments get to you. I know it hurts but we all have our own taste and long hair obviously isn't hers. Just look around her house or wardrobe and you'll probably find things that she loves but which you would never have bought in a million years. That's her taste. Same with hair. We're influenced by so many things - particularly the popular media - that we often don't even realise why we hold so strongly to some prejudices.
Your hair looks lovely by the way.
Progress from June 2006 - October 2008
2a/M/ii
Mid-Dark brown with natural red and silver highights; fringe/bangs.
Starting length 25"/62.5cm
Current length 35"/89cm
Goal 36"/90cm
Current routine: (Trying to keep it as simple as possible): WC on the weekend following medium oiling; scalp washes every second day; oiling 2-3 nights per week; mid-week conditioning with honey and ACV in water; S&D when I think of it; and dusting every 8-12 weeks.
Shampoo: Organic Instincts diluted with herbal tea (rosemary and chamomile).
Conditioners: A'Kin Protein or Moisturising Conditioner mixed with honey (1 tablespoon of each).
Oils: Favourite is almond oil. Occasionally will use a blend of coconut, almond, olive in the ratio 2:1:1 in summer or as a deep oiling treatment.
Other: ACV infused with herbs (depending upon availability I use a selection of lavender, rosemary, cinnamon, sage, and thyme); BBB; wooden comb; Mason Pearson comb; pure aloe vera gel for smoothing flyaways and fixing hair in place.
'Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfailing beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.' 1 Peter 3:3-4
I must say that I think your hair looks beautiful! I would love to have such lovely waves!
But I do understand the awkwardness, I had my hair cut to pixie length a while back (though my stylist kind of butchered it, which didn't help things) and I have found as I have grown my hair out that there are all of these awkward phases of hair growth. Like that phase when it is long enough to get in your way, but too short to put behind your ears. Or when you get weird, untamable flips at a certain length that were never there before. And I think everyone has certain lengths that they dislike. I would definitely give your hair a chance and see what it does, you may hate it at this length, in this season, but ADORE it three inches longer next spring.
And definitely do not base your decisions on what your mother or anyone else says. Not everyone likes long hair and that is fine, they can have that preference. But there are plenty of people out there that love long hair. And you have to remember that the hair is on your head, not anyone else's.
I personally think that your plan sounds great and your hair looks beautiful. I can't wait to see what your hair looks like as it gets longer, I bet you will have some AMAZING waves!!
1bCiii
26/29.5/First Goal: 30 Second Goal: 40
Natural Brunette, with natural touches of blonde and strawberry.
I think your hair is BEAUTIFUL! Like the others have said, only cut for yourself.
1BFii
Hair: All natural dark brown and silver.
Washing: Twice a week, scalp wash, with letting shampoo run through length. Condition from ears on down. Cold as I can stand it final rinse.
Shampoo/Conditioner: I have switched to organic. Aubrey's Honeysuckle Rose Shampoo and Conditioner. Nature's Gate Organics Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner.
Comb, never brush.
Kind Regards,
lacemitts
This message has been edited by lacemitts on Jul 3, 2009 10:19 PM
There seems to be a few stages in growing out hair that some ladies seem to have real trouble with. Nothing seems to work great... but if you hang in there, then you'll have hair you love at a longer length. The only way to get there is to grow through that awkward stage. I don't think your hair looks awkward at all though! I think it's lovely!
Make sure to strand test your henna over your dyed color. Dyed hair isn't virgin hair (which means it's never been chemically altered), even if it ends up being the color your virgin hair would be. So you want to make sure the henna doesn't have any reaction to your particular hair dye. If it's ok, then having henna over it, will probably insure that your length and new roots that come in, once henna will be a pretty good match.
With the Dr. Bronner's, you may end up with residue on your hair, so make sure you use a really good ACV rinse followed by conditioner. Hopefully that will help.
"Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they become actions. Understand your actions, for they become habits. Study your habits, they will become your character. Develop your character for it becomes your destiny." -John MacArthur
"Love makes you beautiful" - quote from my nephew at age 7
Products Used:
Ida's Shampoo Bars
Aubrey Organics S&C
Nature's Gate Conditioners
Vinegar/herbal rinses
Oils: Jojoba, Sweet Almond, Virgin Oil de Coco Creme, Monoi, Castor, Meadowfoam Seed & essential oils
Shea Butter (from which I make my own leave-in)
MP Popular Mix Brush and Pure BB brush
Wood and Horn combs
Vitamins/Minerals/Herbal supplements
I can also understand about bad stages in hair length. Mine was at just above BSL. Limited in updos and yet looked terrible down. But since I have got past that my hair seems less frizzy and I can do a huge variety of updos. I am sure that you will like your hair better once your hair gets longer.
As far as frizz and humidity, I have found that doing an ACV every "wash" day really helps. Also, I have given up on using poo. I just CO now or use baking soda in my CO. Poo for me is so drying. A lot of curlies just CO because of the "stripping" poo's do to the hair. You may want to give this a try. You'll find the frizzies will be much calmer even in humid weather.
Hope things work out for you during this difficult hair phase.
Leah
Age: 45
3bFii
23.5/27/Waist-goal reached: 9/1/08
23.5/29/Hips (new goal)
CO only every 3 day. Baking Soda washes with Sauve Coconut conditioner about once a week.
Hebal tea rinses 3 times a week: chamomile, thyme, rosemary, sage and ACV.
Jojba & EVOO with lavendar EO daily.
Deep oil treatments using cocount oil the night before wash day. Honey rinses.
Sleep with scrunchies down length of pony tail or up in a high bun or braid.
"Happiness depends on ourselves." -Aristotle
"There are times when only a dog will do for a friend: when you're beaten, sick and blue, and the world's all wrong; for he won't care. If you break and cry, or grouch and swear; for he'll let you know as he licks your hands that he's downright sorry and understands." -Don Blanding (1894-1957)
for all the good words!! It really did help me. For Fox: when I said I would dye my hair close to my natural color, it's to grow out my coloured hair and then when it's completely virgin I will use henna.
July 2008
November 2008
May 2009
2c/N/iii
Routine(still experimenting):
Wash 2 or 3x a week using cwc method
Shampoo: Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle rose
ACV with honey before conditioner
Deep conditioning once a week with food
Comb hair after shampoo and use BBB once in a while
Oiling with coconut oil
I have been at the length you are at and it just takes patience.
Finding products that work and wearing updos really helped me get past the stage.
You really do have beautiful hair and the longer it gets the easier it will be to handle.
Angel Hugs and Love
Betty
20 1/2 - BS - 30
June 27th - 2" off
2c3aM/Cii/iii
Natural Blond
Golden Highlights
Bangs, Long Layers