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.

Juri- That was helpful!  I guess it's a chance thing, so I might just get a pixie cut instead.  I really wanna keep my hair the way it is.  I'm hoping it'll grow out thick and wavy like it is usually.

Khrome-  Thank you for the welcome!  I've seen your pix and you have some fab hair jewellery!   As for my mum's hair, I think you may be right.  Blonde kids' hair gets darker as they age, this might be the case with my mum's.  I don't think it was Irish red but I'll ask in case.

Update- Today I bought Alchemy's Lavender shampoo and Avocado & Calendula conditoner.  So far, so good.  My hair always needs a rest after washing to know for sure though.  It has no nasties in it, so I'm pretty sure I'm going to stick with it or something cheaper but similiar like Organic Selections (they got a lemon myrtle and avocado one mmm...)

Toodles,
Tulip

Pixie cuts are cute, and I doubt you'd get any weird looks, so that might be a better choice. 

Sorry y'all, 'net's been on and off and on again.

Thanks Beesan and Angel! 

I have gone back to the Palmolives, the Alchemy just isn't working for me.  The smell got on my nerves after awhile, I prefer fruity smells to herby.  I like a decent amount of shampoo lather and cones.  Need cones!  Oh how my hair longed for them.   It is my mum's bottles though, so I'll have to get my own next shopping.  Thinking of trying Pantene or HE.  Pantene made my hair feel great and HE smells diviiiiiiiiine.

I haven't shaved.  Don't think I will after all...  I miss being able to tie my hair up.  It's driving me INSANE!!!!

I start school in a wk, so hopefully that'll keep me busy from constantly thinking about hair.

For a moment I just wanna dream.  I want my hair at least BSL with fairytale ends, natural colour/black/natural highlights.  I have quite a high forehead, but don't really want a fringe.  Of course as healthy as I can get it too!!

That's all for now,

Tulip

Aww welcome back, Tulip.

I have a lot of hair daydreams myself. Only in them, I really AM a princess. A fair Celtic princess in Midieval Ireland with LOOOOOOOONG, gorgeous, shiny reddish hair trailing behind me as I run through my dark castle, out into the pouring rain just in time to see my black knight on his black steed galloping up the path towards me as the lightning flickers and the thunder booms....
    We meet on the rocky, muddy path, our hearts racing with wild desire as he dismounts and wraps me in a warm embrace. My hair is soaking and my pallid skin is as cold as marble, but my lips burn for a kiss as he removes his heavy helmet to reveal........
    My boyfriend, flashing a goofy grin and saying, "Check this out! I brought home a new shower head...."

hahaha OK well I made that up.

If you do try HE, I hope that you have better luck with it than I have! It gives me chemical burn in the worst way!
    If your hair likes cones, as mine seems to, Pantene is an excellent choice. Just be sure to clarify once a week.

Hi!
I'm amazed that you did it.  Now it's all healthy from here on in!  Good for you!

WOW!   
Your photo brings back memories of my post-chemo- Sigourney Weaver look-a-like hair growing back days!