I am trying to put my new hair care info together so I can make one of my endless lists -- in this case, a list of items I need to get as my hair grows longer.  So here is what I've gotten so far from all you wonderful LongLocks:

*detangling comb - wide tooth, very smooth (wood preferable)
*good conditioner ("good" relative to my hair)
*oil (not sure where to look for these, health food stores?)
*apple cider vinegar
*aloe vera gel (again, not sure what/where to look for this)


now for "basic" hair toys:

*bun net
*pins  (anything special I should look for with these or are standard bobby pins or hairpins suitable for fine hair that is just starting to be long enough to put up)
*scrunchies and/or metal-free elastics
*hair clips - butterfly clips?
*and of course, hairsticks

Okay, what things do you consider essential to your hair's health and style?

You've put together a good list.

To try to answer a couple of your questions:

oil:  I've purchased my jojoba oil at health food stores and at vitaminshoppe.com.  There are many places that carry carrier oils.

aloe vera gel:  I've found mine at Target and Ulta stores.

hair pins:  I like heavy pins that are smooth.  Goody makes some nice, hair friendly hair pins.  

elastics:  Goody and scunci both make nice covered elastics that don't have metal on them.

Good Luck!

Bikerbraid's right, the health food store is the place to find your oils...

As for conditioner, every person works differently.  I'd suggest trying to find both a conditioner for regular or CO washings, and another, heavier conditioner for deep treatments.  Without being forced to buy a bottle of every conditioner on the market, a good choice is to go to the beauty supply store.  They have TONS of different conditioners and products in mini one-time use packages.  For a bit of nothing, you can try out a whole slew of products.  

It's a process of trial and error, but you'll find something you just can't live without.   :)

Good luck!

Aloe Vera gel is also sold at health food stores.

I recommend also rose water. It has helped me with scalp itch, it moisturizes the hair and smells wonderful.

If your hair is fine and slippery, you'll find use for many different types of pins. Both plastic and metal pins have their use, just be sure that the pins are finished well so that they don't scratch your scalp.

Thin, "invisible looking" bun nets (except maybe self-made ones) don't last long, be prepared to buy more than one of them. Luckily, they are cheap.

Great list!  Here's what I use:
Shampoo and Conditioner: Avalon Organic Botanicals Therapeutic Lavender (for all hair types-from healthfood store)
And for Deep conditioning:
Silk Elements Luxury Moisturizing Conditioner and
Beyond the Zone Last Call Hair Masque (both from Sally's beauty supply, and you can buy them in single serve packs :))
If you will be french braiding your hair, I recommend a long-tailed comb with wide teeth.  I got one about a month ago and cannot believe I lived without one before!!!
I also oil my hair on occasion and leave that in overnight.  I wrap my hair in a bandana and put a towel on my pillow.  My hair's not too long yet, just past the tops of my shoulders.
I also take supplements specifically for hair and skin in addition to other vitamin and minerals.  I rotate the brand every two months, because the body adjusts to the formula and stops absorbing as well.
Currently I am taking:Banyan Botanicals Healthy Hair (this is an Ayurvedic herb blend, check out www.banyanbotanicals.com), Nature's Way Kelp, and Solaray Skin Blend SP-4 (healthfood store).

Thanks for all the great advice.  I'm slowly expanding my list and my supplies/tools.  Trying not to go too fast on the toys, can't use many of them yet and it's too frustrating.  Practicing my braids and buns but they're not ready for prime time :P

If you can put your hair to a ponytail, you'll be probably able to do simple bun. Once you've accomplished that, you can start decorating it with pretty hair sticks. Even before, there are some nice (and cheap!) decorated bobby pins available that can be used to ornate hair.

I'm a hair toy addict  ::) and my addiction began when my hair was just barely long enough to put up. If you use your imagination a bit, you'll find that you can have use many nice hair toys even in shorter hair. They're really great, as style selection is limited while hair is shorter. *waits anxiously reaching BSL*

wrote on Jan 8^th, 2005 at 12:48pm:

I'm a hair toy addict  ::) and my addiction began when my hair was just barely long enough to put up.

I'm also coping with that addiction! :)
I have a fetish for hair "things", clips and barettes and bands and sticks mostly.  (and scunchies and grips and alligator clips) Today I bought some beautiful glittery "Pelican bill" clips which I can't wait to try out.!

Oh boy, Oh boy.  Plotting, plotting.....next trip to the hair toy store..... :D

another addict in the making ;)

Instead of a wooden detangling comb, you might want to get a cellulose acetate one.. that way you can use it in the shower to distribute conditioner. a la one of those wide toothed seamless rake combs from Mason Pearson or Kent.

Here's a list of what I actually use: (as opposed to stuff I own but DON'T use! LOL ;D

good shampoo, good conditioner
rainwater
ACV for rinses/SOAKS! ;D
coconut oil or jojoba oil
cellulose acetate seamless comb
*wooden comb (I hardly use my wooden ones from Ric anymore, but will try to use them more or otherwise sell them)

1 medium claw for buns
1 pair corkscrew hair sticks
masses of cloth scrunchies
*Scunci chignon pins sanded smooth with automotive sandpaper
satin pillowcase

That's a good list too Anais.  For me, the simpler the better.

I love Last Call Hair Mask from Sally's.  My hair was pretty fried from coloring and it looked much better after just one application.  I now put it on once a week, Saturday or Sunday and I have noticed a great improvement in the condition of my hair.  

How short was your hair before it got to your shoulders, and how long did it take to grow???

I heard to take  horsetail, and biotin





wrote on Dec 29^th, 2004 at 3:21pm:

Great list!  Here's what I use: Shampoo and Conditioner: Avalon Organic Botanicals Therapeutic Lavender (for all hair types-from healthfood store) And for Deep conditioning: Silk Elements Luxury Moisturizing Conditioner and Beyond the Zone Last Call Hair Masque (both from Sally's beauty supply, and you can buy them in single serve packs :)) If you will be french braiding your hair, I recommend a long-tailed comb with wide teeth.  I got one about a month ago and cannot believe I lived without one before!!! I also oil my hair on occasion and leave that in overnight.  I wrap my hair in a bandana and put a towel on my pillow.  My hair's not too long yet, just past the tops of my shoulders. I also take supplements specifically for hair and skin in addition to other vitamin and minerals.  I rotate the brand every two months, because the body adjusts to the formula and stops absorbing as well. Currently I am taking:Banyan Botanicals Healthy Hair (this is an Ayurvedic herb blend, check out www.banyanbotanicals.com), Nature's Way Kelp, and Solaray Skin Blend SP-4 (healthfood store).

Welcome, drlmull.  My hair journey has been a rough one over the last 5 years (the last 2 and 1/2 have had improvement because of my current hairstylist :)) so I'm guessing that my hair was only an inch or two below my skull.  I had bangs at the time too-they're now almost 2 inches below my chin.  The main problem was that the person who cut my hair before I found my current nearly cut a hole over my right ear.  So we took a looooooooooong time to get that to grow out with the rest of my hair.
I'm gonna guess then that it's taken approx. 2.5 years for my hair to become (at its length) 18.5 inches, which is a bit below the tops of my shoulders.  I have a long neck :)
Horsetail and Biotin are great supplements, and if that's what's available in your area, give them a try.  Everyone's body responds differently to these things so its a lot of trial and error.  Luckily you found this board-there's lot of knowledgeable lovelies on it.  Good Luck!