I look forward to hearing your tails of your growing hair.

I guess I didn't look well enough in my last split end check or then in a couple of days something really weird has occurred...because I've spotted so many of them after that.

I've started a war against them, and have promised to myself that until situation shows some real improvement, I'll cut every day at least 30 split ends. I've been doing that for a few days now, and yesterday, it was still more like 50 before I gave up.  But it would be so great if I succeeded and would not have to go to trim for a while.
Besides split ends, my hair is in good condition to the ends so there's still hope. A little, anyway.

To trim 30 split ends doesn't take terribly time. I've done it every day.

Besides Split End War I have started Braiding project. My goal is to learn to make a crown braid to myself (I'm going to have my spouse to learn it too, but I have a doubt that I might be the one to learn it faster). As I have a short-haired history, the only braid I've mastered so far is the standard braid.  And I wear it only at night- it's way too short to look anything but pitiful. I've tried to French braid my hair a few times, but haven't succeeded.

So,today I've tried second time to make a crown braid. It went much better than the first time! I tried it after shower with damp hair, and managed to braid more than one quarter before the braid became too loose. 
   I ended my braiding session by managing to make myself a pretty, even Dutch Braid. It succeeded beautifully on the first try (in my whole life), so I'm very happy!

I think that once I master the crown braid, I won't ever have problems with any braid  . I haven't tried crown braid today, but I managed to do classic braid (two Dutch braids, lifted to a bun at the back of my head). It looks very cool and very complicated. Makes my hair look longer too. 

Starting the Braiding Project was very good idea. Trying to practice Crown I've almost accidentally managed to find many pretty ways to do my hair just in a couple of days. I guess, that once you set your mind to what you are learning, you also learn faster.

Galadriel, I don't know if you have tried this yet but it has made my crown braids look much better.  When you divide your hair into your 4 quadrants, start at the section over your left ear (or right if your left handed).  Mine still aren't good enough to leave the house in, but at least they resemble a crown braid now.

I'm still unhappy with my hair. More than 50 splits trimmed today.  

Besides that, I've done everything I can to make my hair become more tolerable: I vinegar rinsed it and gave it a nice hair mask that has always made it feel better.

While washing my hair, I realized that I don't have to do that every other day anymore. I remember, when I had shorter hair and it looked awfully dirty if I had for some reason keep it unwashed for two days. Not anymore! I think I might be able to keep it even three days unwashed...but then I think I should start applying rosewater to avoid the unwashed smell. Anyway, I think it is a good change, as my hair somehow has started to feel better with it.

Now, if I only could get rid of all those splits...

Oh no it wasn't. Splits are still there in great numbers. Today I cut more than 50. Do they multiply during night or are there just thousands of them? Again, I'm a bit depressed. But stubborn.

I bought some rosewater yesterday. I plan to use it against unwashed smell, but the label also said that it's good against dryness (of skin, but I bet that same goes for hair). I pray that it's so, because my hair tells me that it's not very happy about rabid cooling of weather (it's winter now, decents amount of snow and everything).  I believe it behaves just because I've been extra nice to it lately.

Today, it's second day after washing my hair. It should be dirty, but it's not. Actually, it feels perfectly ok. I'll see the situation at night when I take down my bun- if the hair doesn't still look very dirty, I'm going to do something really radical- wait for tomorrow before washing.  Wouldn't that be strange.

See www.dreamweaverbraiding.com . Crown braid is a braid that goes around your head looking like a crown. Very beautiful and very difficult to master- at least on yourself.

I will certainly continue practicing it- right when all my hair time isn't spent in trimming splits.

I received an email that told that my hairstick order has been shipped. Now starts bouncing! I'm so excited. Of course, I just had to peek to boutique site and there's a lovely pair of hairsticks. I hope (against all odds) that nobody else likes them and they will still be there when I have the chance to shop next time.

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I'm going to have to do that tomorrow.  We went out yesterday, and are again tonight (truly bizarre for us!), and although it is great to catch up w/ friends I had forgotten how awful the cigarette smell in my hair/clothes gets.  Hopefully leaving it up helps some.

As I revealed secrets of my style in other thread, I thought to share with you my LL shopping list- things that I should get as fast as I can spare money for them.

I already have one pair of pink GossamerStix and two pairs of BridalStix and one pair of silvery SpiralStix are on their way. So I still need...

One more pair of white hairsticks. Because neither of my BridalStix is all-white. *nodnod*

Two pairs of brown sticks with some simple crystals. I wear brown nearly every day, so these are a big necessity.

One pair of black sticks, perhaps in SterlingStix style. Or with some gorgeous lampwork beads. Black I don't wear daily...that's why I need just one pair. For now.

One pair of DecoStix. Just because they are so gorgeous.

One pair of green sticks. In any style. Because I like green.

One pair of FuturiStix. The style is too cool.

One pair of violet sticks. Violet is a good color too.

That's my plan for the starters. *wonders how long it will take to collect all this*  But as you can see, I absolutely need these.

Thanks for encouragement!  I think you're right...I have this nagging feeling that everything I need was not included in the list  . But I guess I recognize the missing ones when I see them.

And then to the big news. I received my new hairsticks! I was mentally prepared that they wouldn't come before next week, and was so surprised to find that they had arrived. The shipping was even faster than last time! 

   I put one pair aside, to wait for Christmas Eve. Then I opened the two wrappings. And stared. Touched the sticks to make sure that they were real. And then stared some more. I had tried to imagine, what they would look like, but when I actually saw them, I realized that I had managed to underestimate them both.
   Silvery SpiralSticks just slip into my hair, and suddenly I have a securely attached bun. Nothing short of miraculous with my slippery hair. Their color matches with everything and anything and the beads with silver foil inside look just amazing. I guess that these are going to be my most used hairsticks!
   BridalSticks are even more beautiful, so beautiful that they really don't match with everything I wear. But they match with my plentiful white shirts, so they aren't going to gather dust either. Opaque white aurora borealis crystals are among the most beautiful crystals imaginable...a still photo doesn't do them justice at all. If you imagine freshly fallen snow shaped into a crystal you'll get some idea of what I'm talking about. Perfect winter hair ornaments!

Getting pictures might take some time since I haven't yet got a digicam of my own. I always plan to buy it, but my budget is a limited student budget and when I have money to spare, there's always something more urgent to buy...like hairsticks 

I have still trimmed split hairs daily by dozens. But I really feel that the situation is improving: it's harder to find new splits than before, and many of them are hairs splitted from high, so they are harder to notice.

Otherwise, my hair looks and feels really good, and I don't ever remember it being this soft except right after hot oil treatment at hair salon. I've got rid of static- I just started using more rosewater. Or then my hair has just got accustomed to winter.

I had to move my stylist appointment until next week. Positive thing is, that now I get some extra time to deal with splits hair by hair, and the less she finds them, the less she wants to cut. 

yes those spiralstix certainly were a great invention ... they are on my list for sure!!!
do you have a special strategie in putting your bun net without a ponytail holder. i bought one as well but my bun always feels too loose after having struggled to put the thingie!!   

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I know that feeling!  This trick works pretty well (I have friends who smoke and hanging around campus is enough to get my hair smelling of it... yuck)  I mix a spray bottle with water and my favorite essential oil... spritz it on my hair, and the ciggy smell is gone...

Just thought I'd share!

Can't wait to hear of your sticks when they arrive, styg!

The problem with my French Twists is not the length- I've been trying to make it for a while now. But my hair is just too slippery for the style, I just can't make it last (half a liter of hairspray would probably help, but I don't think it's worth it). So these days, I'm more concentrated to braids and buns. I hope that as my hair grows, I'll be able to do something new.

I'm back from hair salon. And am very confused about what should I do with my hairstylist. Should I dump her or something?

Oil treatment was nice. And she cut less than half an inch off- just the driest ends. But. In addition to pampering and care, I received vigorous brushing with metal bristle brush. That really hurt!  And when she finished my hair, she made a hairdo that needed back combing  I just watched horrified when my lovely hair turned to something that might have suited for a troll. Then she finished it with heavy layer of hairspray. The result was beautiful but I couldn't feel really happy because I just kept thinking how my poor hairs would react to such rough treatment. 

Sure. It was a beautiful hairdo. But untangling the hair from those gigantic, glued curls that were essentially tangles back at home was definitely _not_ nice. And I'm afraid that with her powerful combing and brushing she actually damaged my hair.

I'm afraid to go to her again. And it's really sad because she's been my stylist for over ten years.  But I've had so much trouble with breaking hairs that I don't want anything but gentlest treatment to my locks.

*sigh*

There is a simple solution to that.

Seeing as how she cuts your hair the way you want (which believe me, is very hard to find in a stylist), next time you go in for a trim, just ask her to do ONLY a trim. No style, please...just leave it wet. You could use the excuse that you want to braid your hair when you get home or something.

Of course, if she's brushing hard WHILE cutting your hair, then you've got a slight problem.

Good stylists are so hard to come by these days. I understand you're dilemma, especially since you've been with her for so long. Is she that rough with you every time you've gone?

I had to spend two hours in trimming most of the damaged hairs.  After that I washed my hair and vinegar rinsed it to get rid of all the styling goos. Vinegar rinsing actually hurt! I guess my scalp has small wounds in it...not surprising, really.  Finally I oiled it with jojoba and sprayed rosewater.

Now the crisis is resolved, and my hair is again beautiful and feels good. As long as I'm not thinking all those broken hairs I had to cut.

My new phobia is doing well. No more hair destructing professionals for me. From now on, it's going to be just me and my hair minio...I mean my spouse, wide-toothed combs and lots of nice light oils.

I have been doing Christmas cleaning...actually for a while now.  But anyway, I got this idea of listing my favourite hair toys. I actually have A LOT of hair toys- where have they all come from?
  This list includes only a small fraction of my hair toy collection, just my current favorites. I don't count non-ornate hairpins or ordinary ponytail holders as toys, so they're not included either.

1. LL hairsticks. I've got 3 pairs now, and don't ask me to name my favorite. I love them all, a lot and equally. Can't wait to get to open the one I've spared for Christmas!
2. Other favourite hairsticks: a silvery hairstick with pink and amethyst rhinestones. Another metal hairsticks with faux pearls- this one looks like a magic wand. A long, black hairstick with drizzly, silvery finish and three rhinestones. Not very pretty but matches with one of my favourite sweaters.
3. Ponytail holders and scrunchies. I have found some interesting ponytail holders with beads that I can use with a braid. My newest purchase are two soft crunchies I use in rare occassions at home when I wear a ponytail. I also have a few ornate, beaded scrunchies. Sometimes I make a bun and put such an ornate scrunchie around it. I haven't actually had that style for a while. Maybe I should now that I remembered it...
4. Hair fork. The only hair fork I have is a long, wooden hair fork. It doesn't hold my hair, but sticked through a bun it looks very nice.
5.A small metallic comb with gray and clear rhinestones. It looks like a real hair-killer, but it isn't. This is a long-time favourite.

And then...non-favourite top 5

1. Cheap, plastic hairsticks I bought some weeks ago. I don't know why I don't like them...I just don't.
2. Hair clips and big claw clips. Even biggest claw clips are unable to hold my thick, slippery hair neatly. Same goes with big hair clips that are still very fashionable and available in beautiful designs. I haven't bought new ones since I found that they just don't work. I have some tiny claw clips that I sometimes put in a row on a bun- it looks quite nice.
3. Hair slips. I have few beautiful slips, but I haven't quite figured, how to make them to stay straight and to hold the hair at the same time.
4.Ornamental hair pins. I've tons of these and I've used to decorate my bun with them. They've experienced inflation after I ordered my first LL sticks.
5. French twist comb. It doesn't work and it's design is such that it can't be used to make any other style. Total waste of 2,5 euros.

Now my hair is again clean, oiled and rosewatered and it feels soooo great. ^^
I found lovely chenille thread scrunchies from a local store, and just had to buy some. They feel lovely, and I'm wondering, is there really no way to wear them outside home (ponytails are not my thing). Probably not, but I like them anyway.
 
I still have some damaged hairs and have trimmed them. I have made up my mind that I'll keep a break from growing length once I reach BSL in order to gain thickness. After some time there- let it grow long.

It's funny, that my hair is even now considered "long" by many people. I think it's still short. I don't think that even BSL hair is "long", more like "halfway there".

I found new hairsticks from internet. Maiden's Treasures hairsticks are made of wood (natural color) and looked  very pretty, so I placed an order...I know I know, I'm a hairstick junkie.  But, the only thing I've been missing in Rapunzel's collections have been natural color wooden sticks with some nice beads. So I just couldn't resist when I suddenly found such sticks. Good thing is, that natural wood is always some shade of brown, so I don't need to buy SO many of them.

I found a measuring tape lying innocently on my combing table (yes...I have a small table/cupboard in hall where I've gathered all my hair stuff). I didn't measure length, just around my ponytail. It was 9 cm (3.5 in) this time, so it has improved one cm (½ inch) since last measurement. Now my only problem is, that I've had to trim lot of hairs from high, so my hair is far from being one-length. Must do something about that sometime.

Are you hair buns crocheted?

Yep, I meant bun nets. 

I'll have to look for some, I would like something that would make my buns stay neater longer.

Not so long until I get to open the last little tissue package from my last LL shipment 

My hairstick addiction is doing well: I'm waiting for my Maiden's Treasures sticks to arrive, and I already dream of ordering new SpiralSticks.  I guess it's only lucky for me, that none of those on display right now have that must-get look... the one pair I have, seems to have ended up to be my most often worn pair of hairsticks just like I predicted. My mom saw them on the other day, and I showed her, how quickly and comfortably I can put my hair up using them. After seeing that, she said that she wants to grow her hair long too, and I think she really meant that!

We're having winter storm right now and I'm not sure, whether it's raining or snowing. I hope the latter- I don't want to lose the little snow we have. I want a proper, WHITE Christmas.

It seems that I've entered in some sort of shedding season.  ???

I have shed very little hair per day (maybe 20 hairs a day...it has seemed very little) since I started to take good care of it. During past week or so, things have changed. I feel I shed so much now-at least 40 hairs per day, if not even more (haven't counted...) It's still in limits of normal, I suppose, so I'm not exactly worrying.
   This is actually the first time I'm aware of the pace of my shedding/non-shedding.  It just feels...strange.

My prettiest present this Christmas was a new pair of LL sticks. They're so beautiful! I wonder, will I ever get enough hairsticks and whether I will still be able to keep each pair as precious and beloved as I now do.
I haven't ever been attached to material things, or cared much about jewelry. LL Hairsticks just have sneaked some way into my heart, and as I in general prefer simple style, I've found them a wonderful way to express my love for beauty and art in my style.

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Galadriel, have you tried a braided bun fixed with hairsticks?  Your hair's likely long enough that you could do that now.  Just braid all your hair in a standard english braid and then (sans twisting the hair) put your hair up in a bun like you usually do.  Affix with hairsticks and voila! 

It's a style that will grow with you, as well.  When I first started making the style, I had just enough braided hair to make a bun, but as it's gotten longer I can sorta... spread out the braided bun so it's like a horizontal figure 8 braided bun against the nape of my neck.  All it takes is a pony holder, a pair of hairsticks, and two mini-clips (for some of my flyaways)

Instant hairdo!

Well, hang in there, Galadriel!  I'm sure your hair will catch up with you.  I think you'll enjoy it when you can manage it, though; I love wearing my hair at the nape of my neck because I don't get the 'hair stuck in the high ponytail' hurts.  Does your hair ever do that?  It gets used to being up and when you let it down, your scalp tingles and hurts from being stuck in a high position.. ow!

Well, even if your having trouble with the buns, I'm sure your hair is absolutely gorgeous!  And with all those lovely LL hairsticks to adorn your tresses....

Excellent resolutions!
SF

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I agree that most people don't want to talk about hair, but I seem to find a lot that do.  Usually when someone compliments me on a new style, or the times I leave my hair down, I find people that always wanted long hair and then want to know how I take care of it.

I forgot to note, that I tried VO5 hot oil about a week ago...not impressive. My hair felt just the same as after an ordinary hairwash. I have still XZ cone free deep conditioner waiting for test use. I'm kinda happy with my Wella hair mask, but still I'd like to find some nice deep conditioner- I don't think hair mask is quite the same, as it's used weekly and in spite of using it regularly, occassional oil treatment at hairstylist has worked wonders with my hair. But something has to replace that. I promised not to buy any cheap hair toys this year. I guess I can start buying different deep conditions instead. 

Ran to buy those yarns then...and now I'm actually wearing a self-made, pretty scrunchie. And I'm already planning making a variety decorated with glass pearls.

Ponytail hasn't ever been my favourite, but now I tried a high ponytail and surprise, surprise! It looks good and is also quite comfortable. I can't wear it right after washing, but on second day after (like today) it lasts better.

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*giggles*  I'm the same way, Galadriel!  I just look at the pics with all the sold stickers and I think.. "ahhh, to have a large spendable income!!!!!!"

*runs off to admire her pair of stix*

ha! sometimes i try to figure how much money i've saved in my life by not going to hairdressers (my mother has cut my hair all through childhood, in my teens, until i finalyy wanted a "real haircut" in university. but finally i only went about 6 times to a hairdresser. at (reduced) student tarif.

my parents were actually too cheap to put me to the hairdressers. my mother comes from a big family where the daugthers were taking care of everyones hair cuts.

I've been on a diet for a week now. I have made a resolution not to weigh myself until next weekend. I have eaten in a very disciplined manner for the whole week. It's not easy, as I normally don't pay much attention to what I eat. First days were really pain, but now I'm less hungry and think that I might manage to stay on a diet for a while. Would do me much good...

Anyway, I mentioned this, because I finally went to a health food store, and bought some hair vitamins. The product I'm eating contains vitamin C, acerola cherry, silica and biotin and it's supposed to enhance hair growth. I hope so!
 
Speaking of hair growth, I have grown myself a sort of natural bangs: near my hairline there's lots of new hair that's too short to go into my ponytails. I've tried to comb it back and make it stay there with hairspray, but it's really a battle I lose every day. So I tried this style where I just let those hairs hang down framing my face. I look so young and soft with this and am not sure if I really like it, but the hair stays there well.

I haven't still managed to order a new pair of hairsticks from LL. Now I visited again at MT hairstick page and am really tempted to order something nice from there- they have a sale now. I've actually visited in quite a few company's hairstick pages during past few days, but the only ones that have sticks to my taste are LL and MT. Oh well, things would go too complicated anyway if I ordered hairsticks from every online store on the globe.

I've just proved that I'm not only gathering hair toys. I can give them away. Last night I went through my hair toy collection and selected 25 toys to give away.

Among these  were:

* All my ficcare-type clips. They haven't never worked in my hair and never will. Besides, everyone wears their hair in such clips. So they're superboring compared to my unique new hairsticks.

*French twist comb. I can face it. I'll never be able to make french twists with my slippery hair.

*Several cheap hairsticks that I've never liked but bought because they were the only ones I could find.

*My biggest claw clip. My hair is too thick to fit into it neatly. I spared some claw clips that were a bit smaller. I don't know if I can ever wear them, but they were so pretty that I couldn't part with them yet.

*A headband with glitter. Shees...WHEN have I bought this?

Plus other small stuff. I'm sure some poor child will have the time of her life playing with these. And my combing table looks a little more orderly.

It's again three days from hairwash and I'm going to wash this evening. I guess I can officially start trying to wash my hair only every four days.

It's been a month since I told of my favourite hair toys, and I noticed that that list has gone through some big changes. Time to update!

MY FAVOURITE HAIR TOYS

1. LL hairsticks. Well, this part isn't probably going to change.
2. MT hairsticks.
3. Scrunchies, real soft ones to put my hair into a ponytail after washing, and my pretty homemade ones for holding it.
4. My leather hair slide. I've worn it only once...yet. But if I wanted a simple look, I'd use this.

These are only hairtoys I've worn lately. My non-favourite list has shrunken to nearly nonexistence after my donation.

My haircare routine is still the same and I don't feel any need to change something that works so well.

Styles I'm able to make have increased a bit:
-cinnamon bun
-Chinese bun (new!)
-Braids: Dutch, French and Classic
-high ponytail (new! worn only at home so far)
-Hair Slide bun (new!)
-Figure 8 lookalike bun (new! I haven't worn this after I found a way to make it)

Last night I did some spencil sketching to my box. It's going to be AMAZING...once I finish it in distant future.

Yes I did.  It's such a great site!

I tried to do it some time ago, and the result was rather messy with short hairs sticking out. This time I put bun net over everything -hair stick included, and result was very nice. And will get even nicer when my hair grows.

Speaking of bridal buns...I'm getting married next winter (hope so, there's so much big things happening in my and my spouses' lives that we haven't set any dates yet, but next winter is where we're aiming at). My resolution not to set my foot in a hair salon concerns especially occassions where my hair needs to be done- I won't trust a stylist to make me an updo as gently as I want it done. My hair will be around BSL then I think, so I need to find something amazing that I can do by myself. Luckily, there's still plenty of time for me to learn and my hair to grow.

I'm also planning to custom order Rapunzel a pretty trio of wedding hairsticks...two stix and a matching GeishaStix should make the simplest bun stunning.

*dreams*

EDIT: I did it! I did it! *bounces* I ordered a pair of LL hairsticks! Misty Mauve DecoStix, if you're interested to know. I declare them as my official birthday present. I'm going to be in SO bad a bankrupt next month- but so happy at the same time. I finally get my longed violet stix and DecoStix- all in the same pair. I managed to peek into the page even before Rapunzel had put it up to what's new section and RAN to fetch my Visa. The designs were so beautiful that I could immediately tell that their availability is counted in hours at best. *continues bouncing*

BrunnetteTexan, if you look a bit back this journal, you'll find the source of my stylist traumas. As the stylist I used was really considered among the best this country can offer- former president's wife's "court stylist" etc. I'm not risking my hair again, as it is fragile even in good care.
   I browsed Longhairloom and there are some really nice styles. Dreamweaver braiding has also very nice styles- a braided style would be something different and very nice. As long as I can proceed with the idea of a custom hairstick trio I'm open to suggestions .

Nightowl's right, Galadriel...

when I opened the pair I got for Christmas, I was absolutely shocked and... wowed by how beautiful Susan's stix are...

By the way, CONGRATS!!!  (ahhh mayrige!) *feels sappy*

Thanks, everyone! I still feel happy...that pair was love at first sight and I didn't waste a minute in ordering it. I'm trying not to imagine how they will look like in RL. My past experiences show that I'll be happily shock-surprised in any case. Often, when I'm doing my bun, I still stop for a moment before inserting a LL stick into my hair and just admire for a little moment its beauty. *happy sigh*

Just for joy of making lists...I've bought recently so many hairsticks, that I need to update my hairstick shopping list.

1. A pair of black hairsticks. I still think that any decent collection must include one pair of black sticks that can be worn almost everywhere.

2. A pair of spring green sticks. Perhaps with a touch of white, but all-green sticks will do too, as long as the shade matches with my hair color.

3. A pair of all-white, simple sticks.

4. A pair of FuturiStix. They are SO StarWars, reminding me of gorgeous hairdos of the movies. I just have to wear them when I go to see next SW movie.

5. At least two pairs of SpiralStix. They work so well in my hair.

6. Some lovely SpecialEdition sticks.

7. A pair of SwingStix.

I probably should also order a simple wooden Quattro stick or two- my only simple sticks at the moment are cheap plastic and I just can't bring to myself to wear them any more, except when I'm in a situation where I feel that my sticks wouldn't be entirely safe.

^^ I'm having "I love my hair"-day. Oil&sauna increased its shine and softness and both looks and feels great. I don't know if it's winter, but its color has become very interesting. There is a definite, dark undertone that makes me think of mice and linen, but it is streaked with bright blonde streaks- and the end result is just lovely.

I was today at wedding fair, gathering tons of brochures. I'm starting to have some ideas of what kind of wedding I'd like to have. And of one thing I'm now absolutely sure: no visit to hairstylist. There were quite a few girls dressed as brides (most of them didn't look like professional models), and one thing in common was that their pretty hairdos were made of dull, very dry-looking hair. I'm sure my hair will look a hundred times better even in my everyday updo- cinnamon bun with stix. If I put a little effor to styling if gently for wedding by myself, the success should be guaranteed.

Now, I'm off to wedding styles forum to start my own wedding hair thread 

Lalalalalalaa! *does a little happy dance*

I don't know, what's the best way for waking up in a dark and cold winter day, but I can tell you, that a courier ringing my doorbell with a shipment of hairsticks is definitely in  top 5! In other words, I received my MT hairsticks. Again, little packages hid inside some absolutely lovely hairsticks. I'm enameling them right now and expect to be able to wear the first pair when I leave to uni.

Last night I trimmed again splits. As usual, there was quite a lot of them, and if only I have time this evening, I think I should continue with that.

I also tried a crown braid again, this time I started it from higher up than I've used to, and that finally did the trick. The end result was a bit messy, but otherwise it looked quite good French crown. The messy look is partly result of this maddening, wispy new growth that I have in my neck and forehead- right in places where it's visible and annoying. Hope this problem solves as my hair grows a bit. In any case, I think I don't need much practice before I can say that I can master the style.

Today has been another good hair day.

Nothing unusual has really happened- I've just enjoyed having such a nice hair that can be put to a pretty chinese bun and decorated with most beautiful hairsticks available. ^^ I feel happy today, in peace with the world, myself and my hair. 

I'm waiting for our sauna to warm .Today my hair has been clearly dirty, which has meant that I have been able to create a perfect, neat Dutch braid and have been able to wear it for the whole day.

I think that I've been quite successful in my battle agains winter dryness.

Today's list: Things I've done to my hair in order to prevent winter damage

1. I've tried to prolong the interval between washes. Right now I have to wash it ever four days. Very good, since when I started this journal I had to was it every other day.

2. I've tried to protect it from cold: I haven't stepped outside my home without covering my hair well.

3. Moisturizing: When I've made a bun in the morning, I've first misted my hair (especially ends) with rose water so, that the bun has been just a trifle damp.

4. Extra oiling: in addition to my normal dry oiling after washing, I've added just a drop of jojoba oil to ends nearly every day.

5. I've tried to cut down my use of hairspray. Actually, I remember using it only once this week. For some reason, aloe vera gel has started to work and on most days this week, it really has been enough.

Plus of course my normal routine: CWC wash, jojoba oiling after wash, french braid for night and a bun for day, no brushing, vinegar rinse every now and then, rose water misting, been looking for new ways to condition. And a few split end search& destroy missions.
That oil treatment in sauna was really good. I don't think I need it today, but I think I'll try my new amlika leave in-conditioner.

It isn't really as complicated as it looks here. Or then I just enjoy pampering hair.  Anyway, it looks very healthy and shiny all the way to the ends and the only thing I don't like about it is that it's still so short.

i think that silicone is water soluble (copolyol = multiple alcohol groups = dissolves in water)

yes, can't help to go drool either ... i was so not going to buy anything anymore until my birthday in may 

My hair looks a bit dirty, but nothing really alarming. I'll wash it tonight or maybe even tomorrow. It would then be 6 days, which would mean that I'm starting to be REAL close to my hairwashing goal.

Hair growing is so much more interesting with all these test and minor goals.

Hair growing has also helped me with my diet. I've always hated being on a diet because I can't take my thoughts away from food and the fact that I'm hungry. Thinking philosophy didn't help- it's too complicated, I guess- but obsessing with my hair did. I think of food much less now that I can concentrate in everything related with my hair. Weird, but it works.

i use (very diluted) vinegar too every time i wash (just dip in my length a few seconds and it's all washed he he)

Cleaned my combing table again. Again, to put some resemblance of order there, I went through my hairtoys and put majority of them to the cupboard. I don't think it's such a long time since doing it...but then, I haven't really worn any hair toys except hairsticks and beaded ponytail holders for a while -now that my hairstick collection has grown a little and I have some choice, I wear them exclusively unless my hair is so dirty that it needs to be put in a Dutch braid.

I had a good hair dream last night (first too, I don't remember having dreamed of my hair ever before). I dreamed that I was taking February's monthly measurement, and that though I measured several times, I always got 70 cm as my result...that would be 15 cm:s (6 in?) of hair growth in a month. lol

My journal welcomes intruders, offering them comfy cyberarmchairs and some cybercake 

I found the ticker after lurking a bit in longhaircommunity- several people there had such. It's really easy to make @tickerfactory. And the one I have keeps the virtue of patience well in my mind. 

Yes, I confess. I lurk in longhaircommunity and occassionally in longhairloom. Why haven't I registered there, you ask? Silly as it sounds, these boards have become my hair's home and though I'm sure there are great people out there...I feel best when I can keep my opinions in one place. Saves a bit time too, I hope. Besides, here are all LL stick addicts who make me feel so normal and cozy. 

My hair is certainly moody- I had to wash it again, only three days since last time. I couldn't help it as it both looked and felt like a grease pit. Why does it stay clean for five days and only three after next wash? ??? I even wondered, did my amlika leave-in have something to do with that marvelous result and applied it again. Now it's just waiting...

Quote:


i'd never bought it though. paraffinium ... you'd better put nothing at all then.

although ... now i think of it, i used to use this biphase leave in of schwarzkopff that was full of it too. 
but now i'd stick to natural oils only.

I had to wash my hair AGAIN! I really don't know why it has become so dirty so fast for the past few times, but it just has. I didn't vinegar rinse it this time- just shampooed and tried XZ leave in conditioner that I've been meaning to try for some time now. It seems to be ok, though I didn't notice any great changes. Maybe my hair is already in top condition   . At least it looks like it. ^^ Anyway, it wanted its jojoba oil badly.

I let it air dry without putting it up as I usually do, and now I have a hair typing problem: I thought I was 1b, but my hair dried totally straight- so I have to think if I'm really 1a after all.

For some reason, I'm totally bored of cinnabuns- the feeling just came suddenly. I'm trying to see, if there's any other hairstyle that could last in freshly washed super slippery hair. Yesterday's French tuck was just what I was looking for, but I don't think it's an option for clean hair.

Thanks, novusfemina I hadn't thought of that. I'll trust the photo and let 1b stand for now.

I've been trimming splits again. That seems to be a never-ending mission. I don't have time or patience for doing big S&D missions where I go through all of my hair so little trimming more often suits me better.

New styling idea: I found a way to wrap a bandanna scarf around my bun, as a bun cover (that makes the bun also look bigger, very good for my self esteem). Looks nice and above all- different from a regular cinnabun.

It's beginning of February, so time to list my haircare routine again:

Wash & condition: CWC with Body Shop olive oil shampoo &  honey conditioner. Body Shop Amlika leave in-conditioner. XZ deep conditioner.

Oiling: Jojoba oil for oiling dry hair, with Rosemary EO for deep conditioning, haven't made up my mind about Yves Rocher's so-called monoi oil

Styling: Rose water for moisturizing and as styling aid, Aloe Vera gel. I've managed to rid myself of the hairspray except in most demanding circumstances.

Combing: My good old plastic comb for wet combing, Body Shop's wooden comb otherwise. It's really great!

Styles: Cinnabun, French braid (for night), Dutch braid, French tuck, Chinese bun, high ponytail sometimes at home.  Today's Cinnabun with a scarf is promising. Other styles are rather experiments, that I haven't worn more than once or twice.

Toys: LL&MT hairsticks, chenille scrunchies for high ponytails, cheap plastic hairstick for wet bunning

I'm still contemplating of satin pillowcases- everybody seems to find them beneficial, but I don't quite like the idea on sleeping on something slippery. Still searching for substitutes...

Another scarf bun day. I really like this style- it's so comfortable. I posted the instructions to boards, just in case someone is interested.

My hair behaves normally for a change: I washed it on Wednesday, and this is fourth day since- a hairwashing day. Just like it should be.

Now I've caught flu. Spouse had it until now (this is the first day he's at work) and after nursing him,  I got it. I guess there's symmetry somewhere. 

Hair is doing well. I've been dusting it a bit, though there aren't so many splits. Yesterday I wore my newest pair of hairsticks- with a cinnabun. They were so pretty that I didn't feel bored at all. Today I'm ill and back with a scarf bun. I'm really happy that I came up with this style, it's so handy.

I can't wait my hair to grow, but then, there's this problem with thinning ends. My ends are thin, and I still feel that the smart course of action would be to stop in BSL for a few months and trim 1 cm monthly. But that would mean longer wait until longer lengths...  I really have to think about this well before I actually reach BSL.

Now I've lost my voice entirely.   This is just great. Otherwise, I'd had said that I feel a trifle better today.

I washed my hair last night...I know, in my condition it might have been better to leave unwashed, but it was dirty and just added to my feeling miserable. I tried to keep it short, so just a CWC,  leave-in and oiling, and of course a wet bun. Now at least my hair is in top condition, inside its scarf bun.

To cheer myself up, I'm planning of completing my hairstick order, now that I have time to dwell in catalog. After this, I might slow down a bit- I'm not growing my hairstick collection just for the joy of collecting but because I love each and every pair I own. I already have several pairs I've worn just once or twice, and after my newest additions...maybe I should just spend some quality time with my existing collection. Unless something totally irresistible shows up.  

EDIT: The two pairs for which I've been drooling for a while were still unsold (miracles DO happen, apparently), so I stopped teasing my luck and ordered them. The shipment will be here just in time before my engagement anniversary and a romantic dinner we've planned to celebrate the excellent idea of getting engaged... I'm sure that my mental wellbeing must soon start to reflect in my physical condition.

I'm almost back to normal again.

My hair seems to have enjoyed its time under scarfs: it's super soft and lovely.

It seems that wearing scarf buns for so many days in succession did the trick: I'm perfectly happy with wearing a cinnabun with hairsticks again.

I must admit it- I'm a bit depressed over my hair's growth. It's so slow (even if I don't think of the fact that there's no progress at all since December)! It's still over 10 cm (about 4-5 in) to BSL. A year! 

Well, of course I've known this, but now it somehow hit me with new force. I try to be rational and remind myself, that the length between shoulderline and BSL is the longest distance between two body curves except classic- knee lenght distance where most don't ever go. And my next goal, waist will be less.

But I'm still frustrated. So frustrated.

On the happier side, I shopped new clothes yesterday. Mostly from a catalog- there's this Swedish company that makes beautiful clothes that don't follow mainstream fashion (I don't follow it either, I have my own style and sometimes finding clothes that look like "mine" is difficult). But this company has always something interesting, in spite of fashions.
www.gudrunsjoden.com if you're interested.
For the first time in a long, long, long time I ordered a colored jacket and pants that I mean to wear at work (if they don't prove too disturbing). Ok, I realize that dark blue isn't exactly "colorful" for most people, but for me it is. Now all I need is a pair of blue hairsticks that I can wear with my new outfit...

I think what you are describing is what we used to call 'banana clips'.  They never held in my fine hair, but I did like how they looked.

Banana clip? What a fun name for a fun toy . This one I have has to be placed well in order to hold- it curves, and if the curve doesn't fit the shape of head the do becomes too loose. Otherwise it is fairly secure in my hair.

Styg...as always, your hair sounds absolutely gorgeous.

Yesterday I gave my hair a "full treatment": wash, ACV, deep conditioner + normal leave-in conditioner + jojoba.

Now my hair feels super soft and shiny (and super slippery too...but I'm expecting it to be perfect tomorrow).

But split ends are STILL bothering me. I spent yesterday over an hour trimming them, and continued today, and I have got just a few parts of my hair checked. There seem to be so much of them. I have no idea of what causes them...I think that I'm really treating my hair gently. Really annoying. 

My previous LL order has been shipped- three pairs of hairsticks are on their way home again.  But even that wasn't enough...I just needed to order Romantic Interlude BridalStix. The design was too interesting. Funny, I've thought that I'm lampwork bead gal, but lately I've ordered mainly hairsticks with crystals. Gorgeous crystals that have looked just perfect in gorgeous designs... *happy, dreamy sigh*

And big news for the last: We finally got the digicam! I'm trying to get some pictures of my hair soon.

Weehee! I'm a Diamond NOW!

My hair is finally dirty enough to make a lasting Chinese bun, and that's what I'm wearing.

I ordered hairsticks AGAIN...I've admired for long hairsticks with twisted ribbon lampwork beads, and my waiting finally paid off, I'm sure that Zircon d'Or sticks will suit perfectly with those blue clothes I mentioned a while ago. I'm so happy of Euro/Dollar conversion rate and wish that situation stays the same until I become really rich.