Hello, ladies and gentlemen with long, lovely hair. :) I wanted to formerly introduce myself and get all of my hair tales out in the open while I'm at it.

I use to have waist length hair and miss it oh so much. When I graduated highschool, it was naturally sunkissed blonde with darker roots, healthy, thick, and beautiful. Shortly after, I married and then became pregnant four months later. Immediately, I noticed a lot of hair loss, but according to my doctor, that was normal since my hormones were changing due to the pregnancy. I made the stupid mistake of getting my hair cut in long layers during that time as well - worst haircut of my life! I was so upset. Since my once beautiful hair was such a mess, I decided to dye it a brighter blonde to make the roots match. Big mistake. I haven't been able to stop. :(

Fast forward almost 10 years: My hair was never the same after the pregnancy. It thinned out and I went on dying binges. I've been bad.

I've been working for the company I'm at now for a year and there is a woman upstairs with knee length hair. I'd rave about it, but it's noticeable that she doesn't care for it properly, but still...I love the length and am quite envious. My husband cringes whenever I've cut my hair and constantly pleads for me to grow my tresses long again.

Currently, I'm letting my bangs grow out and they're finally to the point where I can tuck them behind my ears. I've taken a little better care of my hair over the past couple of years - minimal bleaching compared to before (3 streaks), but have put on brown dye and then switched to Manic Panic's Vampire Red for the past six months. Fortunately, the product is advertised as "all natural ingredients" and non-harsh and really hasn't seemed to damage my hair, but it's a pain to let it fade off, leaving my hair looking a bit dull. But then again, I'm use to having bright red hair now. *grin*

I'm wanting to get my hair waist length again or to the top of my bum so I don't sit on it and am really hoping that I haven't damaged it too much to start now. Right now, it's at my shoulderblades and naturally wavy. I was swayed to take better care of my hair after seeing the woman upstairs, but after I found this site and forum, I am determined. The advice I've read so far is encouraging and oh so helpful. Thank you.

p.s. I embrace my gray! I love it and wish there were more.

edit: I forgot to add that my 8 year old daughter has not had a haircut since she was born (besides regular trims). Her curly hair is gorgeous and when it's wet it ends at her lower back! She's so proud of it. :)

welcome southern belle! your hair soounds great. rapunzel and i both love gray hair! glad we arent alone. i will keep us with your posts

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Hi and welcome  :) :) I´m sure you´ll manage to grow your hair long again!  :)

Welcome and thanks for sharing your stories.