Hi,

I just joined a couple of days ago and am SOOOO glad I found this site. I started growing my hair out maybe 5 years ago after I discovered the two secrets to long hair: avoid hairdressers* and don't shampoo every day!

My hair just touches the small of my back (waistline), is thin, straight, and very fine. My natural color is a medium brown, but the ends are red from sun damage (see my post in the hair coloring section). I'll be 51 this summer, so there's an increasing amount of grey in there, too!

I normally wear my hair in a high bun or ponytail, sometimes even in a top knot (think of "I Dream of Jeannie"). I use the no-damage elastics and scrunchies.

Because I wear it up and because it's gotten less oily as I've aged, I can get away with shampooing once a week or so. I use Nioxin cleanser and scalp treatment most of the time. I condition the tail often, just leaning over the sink and wetting it and applying the conditioner that way. If it gets really dry (for example, in the winter), I might do it twice a day until it improves. I use a cholesterol cream conditioner and alternate it with Clairol Naturals (I love the way it smells and feels).

I love having long hair not just because of the look and the wonderful feeling of long hair on my bare skin, but also because I am totally horrible when it comes to styling my hair. I never go the hang of blow-drying (not co-ordinated enough!) and more than once I've had to have my poor husband untangle a curler because I've somehow managed to get the thing impossibly stuck. Long hair works for me because it's wash and go!

I also love it because it's a great temperature controller: Too hot? Put it up. Cold? Take it down and wrap it around your shoulders and neck!

Well, I've run on long enough and I need to leave the house in a few minutes. Look forward to learning from you all!

MMM


*I'm sure there are very good ones, especially if they specialize in long hair, but I haven't found them yet, so for me it's been key to avoid them!