Hello to all the lovely ladies and gents out there  :) , I'm Laura from Canada. I thought I'd make a proper introduction, so here's my stats:

Length: Currently, I'm trying to grow out layered hair; the shortest bit being about 11 inches, and the longest being between the lengths of 16 and 20 inches (it varies when it's wet and dry). I also have sideswept bangs that have grown out to my chin, but I am making an appointment to get them cut to the length they were originally: at my nose.

Colour: Dirty Blonde which intensifies with the sun and has many different tones. I'm growing out my hilights, some of which have turned white from being in the sun. I also have three purple streaks in diffrent places that have faded to a yucky red colour.

Texture: It's Naturally curly, a fact that I have finally been able to accept and appreciate. However, like most curly heads, it gives me trouble once in awhile. It'll spring into ringlets when it is cut shorter, but since it is growing out, it has a messy wave look to it. The shorter layers curl up more easily, but they weigh the longer layers down, resulting in this weird, uneven look. I got the layered cut back when I used to straighten my hair, and although the style worked great with my hair when it was at shoulder length and straight, it's not cooperating with my natural texture anymore.  :(

Products: "The Blonde" Solid Shampoo (which I use to keep my natural colour looking bright) and "Jungle" solid conditioner, both from my favorite store "Lush". I alternate between these and "Mill Creek Botanicals" Organic Jojoba Conditioner and Shampoo. For a leave in, I use a Giovanni Spritzer and Jojoba Oil on the ends and places that need extra care. I'm always switching products and remain on the lookout for something that could be better for me. I'm a diehard vegetarian (and vegan-in-training) so I prefer to use natural and organic hair stuff that is cruelty free, which has made my hair the most happy.  ;D

Accesories: I love my soft scrunchies, and I've switched all my pony O's to the "Ouchless" brand from Goody. I love all the colours they come in! I also have a pretty boring pair of hairsticks from Claire's and a single, more ornate one from the same store, but they just don't compare to the gorgeous ones they have for sale in the Boutique. Since it's summer again, I'm trying my best to warm up to the idea of keeping my hair up and covered, but having my trusty Tilley hat should make it a little easier. Also, I'm trying to find myself a nice headscarf to protect my hair from the elements, but still look pretty and be comfortable.

* I'm at my Nannie's place at the moment, so I don't have a picture. But as soon as I get one, I'll come straight back here to give you an idea of what my mane looks like.

You still with me? Wow, good job on making it to the end.  ;) I found this place when I was looking for tips on how to grow my hair out, and I came upon the Guide, the Boutique, and this salon, and am I ever glad I did. I found a big group of kindred spirits.  :D After looking in from the outside for a while, I noticed the long list of members, many of which have never made a single post! So I hope I'll be able to keep this up and do my best to pop in once in a while when I can. You all seem like a great bunch of people who have alot of knowledge to share, and I'm glad I joined.  :)
Love,
Lollie  

Hello Laura (Lollie) :)

That is a great introduction and I am looking forward to the picture you plan to share 8-)

Jerry

Ah, we have another recovering trendy in our midst.

Welcome aboard, Lollie. Nice to meet you.  ;)

Welcome Lollie! Nice to meet you :)

Welcome to longlocks, Lollie!  I hope your growing journey is pleasant and successful.  I recommend finding a salon that has someone trained in the Curly Girl haircutting method if you plan on wearing your natural texture!!!  www.devachan.com is a good place to start!

Good luck!

Thanks for the replies everyone! As promised, I have returned with some pictures of my flaxen locks. I washed my hair the night before these pictures were taken, and after letting my hair air dry for a bit, I pulled it into a bun secured witha scrunchie and slept on that. By this mornig, it was still slightly damp, so I just fluffed it up a little with my finges and flatted out the bump from the scrunchie as much as I could. :D  I hope this works...


http://i28.tinypic.com/200p8wp.jpg

I'm really happy with the way this one turned out because it shows the effect any sort of light has on my hair when it seems to reflect off of it. However, I find it to be a little decieveing because to me, it appears at though my hair is long enough to hit my waist, even though it really isn't...just yet.  :P

So, for this next one, I grabbed a satin sash from my kimono and tied it around my waist to give you an accurate idea of how long it is at the moment and what my present goal length is. I also use this sash to tie up my wet hair sometimes before I go to sleep.

http://i29.tinypic.com/2eyjp8x.jpg

The last one I have was taken to give you an idea of what one of the faded purple streaks looks like.

http://i32.tinypic.com/mvpyyd.jpg

Sakina, I checked out the link to the site you gave me, but it appears to be a webpage for some sort of recording studio.  :-?

Goodness grapejuice! Those pictures turned out huge! :o Sorry about that.

Sorry about that, Lollie!!!  Try this one: www.devachansalon.com.

Your hair looks great!  Beautiful color and waves and length!!!

Thanks for sharing.  As for the pic size, it happens to most of us when we first start posting them.  Bikerbraid should be able to help you and resize them.

I like the color of your hair 8-)

I would rather see large pictures than really small pictures but I am just happy you are willing to share pictures at all ;)

Jerry

Here are some smaller versions of your pictures.  I must say - I love the color and the waves!  Thanks for sharing (and a belated welcome!!!)

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1266/4428415/9834791/324233049.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1266/4428415/9834791/324233054.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1266/4428415/9834791/324233062.jpg

Welcome!  You're hair is lovely!

What pretty hair you have! :)

Thank you everyone, I love getting compliments!  ;D

OMG, and you used to flatten those gorgeous waves?? Shame! The form and the color are just lovely.  :)

Pretty!  Lovely color,too!

At risk of sounding like an echo- pretty color!
As another curlyhead, welcome to longlocks.  I hope you embrace your naturally beautiful hair.  There are too many curlyheads in this world that straighten.
I wish my hair was as long as yours...

welcome and lovely waves!

I really like your hair Callisto, there's a girl at my school who has very similar hair. All those tiny little curls. Whenever I see her, I want to touch her hair because it looks so awesome :D. What's more, I've never seen her straighten it either  ;) . I think your hair is very beautiful and shiny, you should be quite proud pf yourself. As for the length, you'll get there, I know it.  :) At any rate, it looks amazing just as it is now.