Hi guys and gals!  I know I'm only new here, but I really wanna get in the swing of this journal thing.  It's not something I've ever done and going through others' it looks quite fun.  Uh oh, I'm sounding like Dr. Seuss.  He he  Anyways, on with the show!

I'm 17, live in Australia and want waist length hair.  My hair type is (hope I got this right) 2a m-c iii dark brown.  So far it's a few inches long and red with highlights. (Which I'm hating)  Hair does grow quite fast I guess, haven't had many problems there in the past.  I'm planning on shaving my head to begin with (eeek!).  It's a drastic move for me since EVERYONE'S begging me not to, so hopefully you guys understand one's longing for virgin hair and support me.  It's starting to feel like wanting super long hair makes you an outsider!  Hey at least I know everyone here's on the same page.

I've worked it out to take around 5 yrs from a bald head.  Looks like I'll be around for awhile yet!

I'll let you know when I do the big shave which should be in a week or so.

Shampoo and conditioner I'm using at the moment are Palmolive Naturals Hair Repair.  Using both every 3 nights.  It smells nice (my sister even went out and bought some based solely on the smell) and makes my hair feel okay.  I think it might be working on my damaged hair due to it's need for protein (keratin) and my natural hair will suffer protein overload once it grows back, so I think I'll have to change once I shave.

Shampoo- Water, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Acrylates Copolymer, Dimethicone, Cocamide DEA, Sodium Cumene Sulfonate, Polyquaternium 7, Perfume, Behenyl Alcohol, Glycol Distearate, Disodium Phosphate, Polyquaternium 6, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polyquaternium 10, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Formaldehyde, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Macadamia Ternifolia, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone.

Conditioner- Water, Cetyl Alchohol, Dimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Perfume, Sodium Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, DMDM Hydantoin, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Citric Acid, Macadamia Ternifolia, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone.

I see they both have cones (which I have an inkling work for my hair), Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate is harsh I think and the rest looks kinda bad actually.  Could someone help me out?  I don't wanna keep using it if it's doing more damage than good.  If anyone has any suggestions for my hair type/concerns I'd really appreciate that too.

Ta ta for now!

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Thanks a bunch!  I'm reading through it right now.  I'm glad you'll be reading my journal and I really hope others will too.  I started it because I know it would make it harder to stuff up.  I don't wanna let you guys down!

I think I'll add a little more today (can you tell I'm excited much?)

My hair idol is Catherine Zeta Jones as Elena from The Legend of Zorro.  Antonio is pretty hot, eh?   I know it's extensions, but I thought her hair looked just stunning in the movie.  When she was walking around the markets (for those who have seen it) I was in total awe watching the highlights shimmer in the sunlight.  That's how I dream my hair will end up!

Getting a buzz cut is made that little bit easier knowing the beautiful Natalie Portman has done it AND kinda liking it!  I think it makes her look cute although she thinks it makes her look tough.   I've done some drastic things with my hair in the past (short and pink, purple, blonde- you name it!)

A friend of mine in particular is always trying to get in the way of my plans.  First she tried to get in between my b/f and I and then she's always messing with my hair saying it's 'boring' when I just grow it.  Grrr!!   I have to stay strong though from now on.  Even worse, she's a hairdresser and always willing to "do" my hair for free.  Free just ain't worth it when you leave in TEARS!!!!!!

Phew, just had to get that out.

I'm thinking of using henna at some point.  I'm thinking of starting at shoulder-length so that the colour will build up by waist.  Black, perhaps?

Another thing is I want to change my diet for the better, start getting more nutritious food into me (ignore the pork chops I'm eating right now).   This will also help along my hair!   I'm going to look into some hair, skin & nail vitamins.  My skin and nails also need the boost.   Fake nails really did some damage.

So here's my 'to-do' list-

• Shave head
• Find new shampoo
• Improve diet
• Buy hair, skin & nail vitamins

Can't wait to check these off!

Thanks for reading,
Tulip

Goodluck on shaving your head! i have to agree with juri, im probobly not as brave. but i think if you are cute it doesnt matter with what kind of hair  you have ......if any.  i also long for virgin hair . good way to start it. i support you!

Hey tulip

Of coarse we'll support you. I agree with the others you're brave...i would never be able to do that, i don't even have the guts to cut 5 inches off .

I wouldn't advise you to use the shampoo you are using now, too many harsh ingredients do you have a Whole Foods Market near you, or any other health food store? you may want to try something more natural.

Anyway, i look forward to reading your journal
Good Luck !

Thanks gals!  You've all been so kind and I really appreciate the support! I think I'll be getting some weird looks.

I've been given some really good advice here! 

Juri- I looked up about the black henna and now I understand the henna then indigo thing.  There is no "black henna" as such.  Thanks for informing me about that, I could've really screwed up there.

Bee- I live near a health food store and I think they sell some natural hair products like Alchemy.  I was also looking into some stuff online like Kiss My Face, MOP and Ida's shampoo soaps!  I'm definately gonna switch to something more natural.  I've been reading sooo much on these boards and I just can't believe the amount I didn't know!!  I checked out the Ingredient Dictionary and have picked up on so many "good" and "not-so-good" ingredients.  Very helpful! (Thanks to Anais)

Pan- Maybe you're right.   I really should do things for myself and not feel guilty or ashamed for it.

Once again, thank you all.  This is gonna be a looong journey and I'm glad it doesn't have to be a lonely one after all!

Can someone please explain scritching to me?  Also, what kind of combs am I gonna need.

Cheers!

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Don't pay attention to any weird looks you may get. As some say on another forum, you're not there to decorate that person's world.

I hope I didn't confuse (or scare) you too much about the black henna thing. I wasn't sure if you wanted to use "black henna" or just black hair dye. At any rate, I don't want you to get a bad reaction to "black henna" like in the pictures on Henna For Hair's PPD page, so I thought I'd mention the henna-and-then-indigo option.

Hi Tulip, It looks like you're doing a lot of exploring and exploring is such a rush. I just wanted to drop you a note before it's too late: the best hair advice I ever got was "Try things one at a time" and boy is it ever true! For example, I wish I'd experimented with finding a good wash method before finding an oil routine.

That's great that you have initial checklist of objectives. 

Anais  

Hmm, to me it sounds a bit unusual that your mom's hair color changed that much. Since hair is dead, I'm not sure how shaving it off would affect it that much, so it might have happened regardless of the head shaving. Anyway, while I haven't ever shaved my head, my dad did that a couple of times and neither his hair color or texture changed when it grew back.

ETA: I just read Sasha's journal and she wrote that her hair was straight  before she shaved it, and then it became wavy post-shave. So.....I'll say this: there's a chance your hair texture may change, but then again, it might not. Ugh, I don't think that helped at all. Sorry about that.