Saturday Night Touch-Up

Wow, we were blessed with a most perfect autumn day today! I could live with days like this all year around. The sun was shining and it was mild and beautiful out. If only the sun didn't set so early these days.

Melissa, you were right. It's gorgeous here, and I'll bet that it is for Lulu too, also in the Golden Horseshoe as I am.

Thanks for your tips about the photographs too, Melissa. It always seems that the weather does not cooperate when I want to take an outdoor photo. Usually when I want to take a hair photo, it's windy, foggy, rainy or all of the above, while being sunny and calm every other day. I try to take my photos in the same place in the house all the time, but clearly it's not working for me. I'll have to find a new location, perhaps.

At the old LHC (properly known as the Archived LHC), when we had photo journals, one of my friends, Xandergrammy, used to give my hair colour a "name of the day", like Honey Caramel, Sunlit Toffee, or something equally yummy sounding. Even then my hair showed as a different colour every day. That was almost 4 years ago now.

By the way, I have actually started to actually reply to comments in the comments section, like a normal person, so if you leave a comment, you may find that for once I've addressed it.

Anyway, after the sun set this evening, I decided to touch up my roots. I changed it up a little by trying a different colour, so I applied it after marinating for a lengthy time in coconut oil. I still haven't rinsed it, but I will be momentarily. I doubt that anyone will notice a change in colour, but I will. I think that it was time to try something new. Eventually, the rest of my hair will gradually change as it grabs the new colour.

I wrote about  the movie "The Brothers Bloom" in my film blog today. It's a movie that just came out on DVD this year, and I enjoyed it a lot.

Well, it's late, and I need to go and rinse my hair and then I'm going to relax, have an apple and read.

I hope everyone is enjoying as lovely a weekend as I have been.

'Til tomorrow, my friends. Much love to all, and extra hugs to anyone who is feeling confused today.
xo

Nothing Works For Everyone

Wouldn't it be nice if hair care tips that worked like magic for some people worked for everyone? It's just not the case though. It's such a matter of trial and error when it comes to hair. 

Even people with the exact same hair type can often have radically different results with various products, methods and treatments.

I remember when I first joined The Long Hair Community, I was overwhelmed with all of the products and methods that seemed to work like magic for some people. Someone with the same or similar hair type would rave about a product, and so I would run out and buy it and it just didn't do anything for me. Sometimes another recommended product would work like a charm.

I've come to the conclusion that every head of hair is as unique as a snowflake, and there really is no one thing that works for everyone.

If that wasn't bad enough, I've also realized that what works for me in the middle of winter does not work as well in the summer.  The change of seasons can often mean a couple of weeks of unhappy hair until I adjust my routine.

It can really be frustrating to look for that shampoo, conditioner, deep treatment or hair tool that will give the results one wants. I've finally settled happily into a routine, but not before trying many products and methods that just didn't work.

I still can't say that I've found the holy grail of hair products, but I am getting much better at knowing what will and won't work for my hair. I no longer seem to be spending money on products that don't work. My routine has become very minimal. 

If you're reading this and you're new to the long hair journey, just remember to try only one new thing at a time, and see how that works.

Don't try to change your routine too drastically with several different products, deep treatments or methods all at once, or you'll never find out just what is or isn't working.  Yes, it requires some patience, but you'll figure it out. You may also save yourself some money.

Above all, remember that growing long hair is a very, very long term project and you have time to figure these things out. As I've said before, it's a journey, not a race.

As for me, I still have that migraine that I mentioned yesterday. We did get the thunderstorms and there are more on the way.

Even though thunderstorms induce migraines for me, I do love them. There is something magical and so beautiful about hearing the tinkling of the rain, seeing lightning and hearing thunder and feeling safe and sound in one's home.

Luluj, if you live in the Niagara Region, then I imagine you live somewhere less than an hour from where I live.  I hope you did get that rain.  AutumnLeaves, I hope you get some rain too. It sounds awfully hot where you are. It's very hot and humid here as well. I'm hoping that the thunderstorms that we are getting today and over the weekend wash away some of that humidity as they nourish the earth.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful and happy weekend.

Love to all. 'Til tomorrow.

Coconut Milk Soak

Now that the weather is getting humid, even I, with my usually flat hair find that my hair poufs out a bit, and my new growth surrounds my head like a halo.


For me, this is the perfect time for a coconut milk soak. There are few deep treatments any easier than this one, but it does do a lot for my hair. It’s moisturizing, oil replenishing, and leaves me with very smooth and shiny hair.

This is a treatment that I learned from Stephanie, at The Long Hair Community.

I buy regular full-fat coconut milk from the grocery store. Some people use half-fat, but my hair can take full-fat at this point, especially as I still have chemical damage on the ends. Full-fat really gives the most benefit.

I don’t like getting too much on my scalp. I like to focus on the length of my hair. I would suggest that for people with a dry scalp, you may want to use a full head treatment.

After opening the can of coconut milk, I find that the fat has separated from the milk, so I pour it all in a bowl and whisk it all together.  Then I put the bowl in a sink and dip the length of my hair in the coconut milk.  I gently work the coconut milk into my hair until it is saturated. 

Usually at that point, I gently bun my hair and cover it with a plastic bag, and then cover that with an old towel.

I like to leave it on for an hour or so.  It can be a bit drippy, so I like to have another old towel to put over my shoulders, just in case.

If I am in the mood for a long bath, I will pour any remaining coconut milk in the bath, which makes a very nice moisturizing body soak and naturally, the dripping doesn’t matter.

After I’ve had my hour’s soak, I wash my hair with my usual conditioner only method. Of course if you are a shampoo and conditioner person, by all means, shampoo your hair first. Make sure to use a lot of conditioner though, because conditioner removes the excess oil better than shampoo does.

It’s one of those treatments that is especially good during the change of seasons, when in winter the heat goes on in your home or at work, or in summer when the air conditioning is starting up everywhere, but it’s hot and humid or even hot and dry outdoors.  It always seems for me at least that there is an adjustment period for my hair during these times.

This treatment is so simple, but it really is a treat for the hair. If you give it a try, let me know how you like it.

Love to all!

The Long Hair Community

When you're learning a new way of caring for your hair, and you want to grow it, it's nice to be around like-minded people to give you support, education and encouragement, no matter what your final goal may be. It can really be difficult to find someone to share your enthusiasm about long hair with in the real world.

That is part of why I like The Long Hair Community so much.  There are other forums about long hair, but TLHC is one of the largest.  Also, it has many members who have been there for years, and you'll find many people there who have a lot of knowledge and wisdom and are very generous with sharing it.  There is a vast wealth of information to be found there on an everyday basis, and a veritable goldmine in searching past threads. 

Also, you will absolutely be able to find someone with a hair type that matches yours, who has long, healthy hair.  I have found that to be particularly inspiring. While I admire every head of hair at TLHC, it really is helpful to see someone with the same hair type who has been through the journey that I am going through.

There are a lot of varied opinions there on just about everything, and I think that's a very good thing, as not all of us have the same goals and not all hair care tips work for everyone.

TLHC is also more than just a forum about long hair.  If you become a member, you can become part of a real community that discusses everything from pets to hobbies to health to personal issues; you name it.  Members can have their own blogs there and photo galleries as well, after they've made a sufficient number of quality posts.

It doesn't take long before you'll find that you'll find people whose opinions on some subject you'll relate to, and so many people have made some real friendships there.  I have met some of the best people there; people whom I truly count as friends,

For anyone who is feeling the need for support in your quest for better hair care, whatever your goal length is, I highly recommend not just frequenting, but actually joining The Long Hair Community.  Even if you think you're shy and may not post much, as I initially thought about myself when I joined, you may be surprised at just how easy it is to get involved and become a part of the community.

There is something there for everybody.  Give it a try. As many of us have said, "I came to TLHC for the hair; I stayed for the friendships."  Here is the link to The Long Hair Community.

The Silicone Debate

A lot of people don't realize that most hair products contain silicones.  There is a lot of debate as to whether using silicone-containing products is good for the hair or not.

There are benefits to silicones and there are drawbacks.  Having an informed opinion, and knowing how to care for your hair if you use silicones is very important.

Silicones do provide a lot of slip to hair, and prevent tangles very well.  They can provide shine, smoothness and they seal in moisture.  They can also help hide chemical damage and split ends.

The downside is that they also seal moisture out, and they do create buildup.  Eventually, this can lead to dull hair and potential breakage.

So if you feel that silicone products are beneficial for you, here are some tips on how to prevent problems down the line.

1.  Clarify hair.  I wrote an entry on April 9, 2010 that explains how to clarify your hair.

2.  Do a deep moisture treatment with a non-silicone based moisturizing conditioner.  I described a good moisturizing treatment in that same April 9, 2010 entry.

3.  When that is rinsed out, use the silicone-based conditioner of your choice.  There are also many smoothing and shining serums that contain silicones as well.

4.  Periodically, repeat the clarifying and deep moisture treatment process.  This will prevent the hair from damaging buildup, dullness and dryness that can occur with regular silicone usage.


I myself was on a regimen of non-silicone based products for about 2 years.  After dying my hair from dark brown back to blonde, I incurred damage that still remains in the last several inches of my hair.  It will be some time before it's all trimmed out. So I do use silicones now, and will likely until the damage is gone.

Most hair products these days have a full list of ingredients on the bottle.  Here is a comprehensive list, compiled by Nightshade from the Long Hair Community, of most of the most common silicones that are found in hair products.

There is no right or wrong when it comes to silicones.  It's all about what works for you and your hair, and knowing how to care for your hair if you use them.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Earth Day!

Off-Topic Tuesday

Well, it's Tuesday, and I am taking a day off from thinking about hair.  I'm going to show a couple of photos of The Best Dog In The World, my dog Barclay.

The first photo is of Barclay enjoying himself out on the front lawn in the dew one night.  The second photo is sort of hair related, as he is photographed in typical Long Hair Community hair photo pose.

Tomorrow, I'll be discussing how I first learned to style long hair without heat appliances.  I was 45 before I knew how to even use a hair stick.

Hope you enjoy the doggy pics.

My Mission

When I was approaching my 45th birthday in the summer of 2006, I made a decision to grow my hair as long as it would grow. Why? Well lots of reasons. First of all, I'd always wanted long hair, but all my life I'd been told that my fine hair was "thin" and wouldn't look good long. I was inspired by some of the older women who were sporting long hair and I decided that I was going to do my own thing and just see how long I could grow it. I wanted to have the hair that I always wanted, and I decided that the social conventions of women having shoulder length hair or shorter after the age of 40 was irrelevant to me. I had a notion of me as an old lady with very long hair which my grandchildren would ask to see take down out of a bun or braid. I also had a sense of the growth of hair as being a measurable way to somehow chart the growth of wisdom that I hope to gain with maturity. Some reasons might seem silly, but they're all very meaningful to me.

In trying to learn not only how to care for my hair, but also to learn how to style it, without blow-driers or curling irons, I joined a long hair forum, The Long Hair Community. I began learning how I had been previously abusing my hair with heat styling products, using ultra light blonde shades of hair dye that were far too harsh on my hair, and not even brushing and combing my hair properly.

I came into my long hair quest with fairly damaged hair, but I vowed to change all of that, and I was doing pretty well with it. However, there were a few things I goofed up on.

First of all, about a year into my journey with my hair closing in on waist length, I had the--ahem--bright idea to dye my hair medium brown. It was almost immediately that I knew I had made a mistake. My predominantly white natural roots popped out almost immediately after colouring. This made it necessary to colour far more often than I had been with a medium blonde shade. Oops. So it wasn't long before the previous damage became more apparent than ever. So I chopped off 5 inches. Back to square one.

My hair was actually looking great at this point, because the hair that had been previously damaged by "ultra light" blonde hair colouring was just about gone. However, now I was stuck with this brown shade that in some places was almost black. While I enjoyed being a brunette for a change, it really was far too dark for my colouring. I hung in with it until March of '08.

Now, how does one safely go from dyed dark brown to blonde without damaging one's hair. Well, the short answer is it really can't be done. So I bleached out (ouch) the brown, and started colouring with medium blonde again. But the damage! I couldn't live with it. So another 5 inches cut off. And there was still plenty of damage. Another 3 inches off. Still more damage. I just maintained my length until January of this year 2010, when most of the damage was cut out and I decided to start growing again. By February, the length of my hair was back to where it was when I first decided to grow it. Back to square one yet again.

It's now April of 2010, and my hair, when measured from the hairline on my forehead to the tip of my ends is 24 inches, as pictured above. My current goal is to reach BSL length, which means "Bra Strap Length". I hope to be there before the end of this year. By summer of 2011, I'm hoping that my hair will be at waist length.

I'm on my way again. I'm still dying my hair, but in my low-maintenance medium blonde shade. Now I have the knowledge of hair care, and I've learned my lesson about trying wacky colour experiments (I promise). I've learned lots of protective hairstyles, which are featured in my hairstyle/haircare website. This time, I'm going to do it!