A hair journal. I'm terrible with keeping up with journals, but maybe this will help me - keep me from cutting it all of when the going (growing?) gets tough.

I decided maybe two months ago I was going to once again try to grow my hair out. It's in a bob right now, dyed a flaming red (which I love) and, unfortunately is suffering from the ill effects of blow frying and dyeing.

My first goal is BSL, which I guesstimated I would reach May 22, 2008. Talk about being specific! My second and ultimate goal is waist-length, which I was figuring would happen on or around May 2009 (I may revise this date).

I am going Saturday to a new salon recommended by a friend of mine for a conditioning treatment and an evaluation. From talking to the stylist and my friend, the stylist is very hair-goal friendly, and will work with you to achieve your goals.

Ditto what Angel Spun said.

I hope the woman turns out to be a great stylist! I've heard some horror stories about domineering stylists, so it's great that she'll help with your hair goals.

   I think fiery long manes are to die for!  I have seen several women on the internet with brightly dyed RED hair to their knees , and it looks awesome.  Have you seen the movie X-Men 3 (The Last Stand)?  One of the central characters has long dyed RED hair to her butt, and it looks soooh beautiful.  Forget the fact that her hair is probably all extensions!  I'm all for your plans to grow your red mane long.

Jim

Welcome! 
I remember it wasn't so long ago that I could just barely make a ponytail.  Now I'm making buns!  Ah, it's a grand feeling, though, pulling your hair into those first ponytails.  Congrats!   

OK, yuck. I think I've cured myself of going without a washing for the time being. Yesterday's hair was a DISASTER (as it usually is when I don't wash). I think I'm going to have to wait until it's longer (past my shoulders) before I try that again. This morning was CWC - Suave Milk and Honey, Eufora Hydrating Shampoo and Eufora Urgent Repair Conditioner. I also blow fried with the usual results. I am going to make a committment to STOP using the blow fryer, starting tomorrow. I'll have to get up earlier to allow for air drying/styling (read: light BB brushing), but hopefully, it'll be worth it. Tomorrow's the big day, anyway - the hair consult....

I remeasured and my guesstimate dates are right.

When your scalp is used to daily washing, it will produce more oils to compensate for the losses during the shampooing.  It takes time for the scalp to re-acclimate to less frequent shampooings, and the resulting less production of oil.

One  to try might be to just rinse the hair, but not shampoo it.  This will help eliminate some of the dirt and oils.  Another trick is to dilute your shampoo so that it is less harsh on the scalp.

Of course, it does take time.  You might start with weekends of not washing, to help your scalp adjust.

I used to be a daily washer, now I can go 7 days.  Even on biking days when I get home all hot and sweaty, a quick rinse in the shower is usually all I need to freshen my hair.

Good luck!

Thanks for letting us know how the visit went. It sounds like you're going to have a good stylist.

I was a bad girl today. Instead of following the regimen the stylist gave me, I did a CWC.

It turned out eh - so-so. There's still damage in my hair, so I can't expect terrific results. I used Suave Milk & Honey for first condition, and my hair felt silky and great. I then used Goth Rosary shampoo and conditioner. Still OK. Then I sprayed it with the fortifier the stylist gave me, and that's when I noticed it feeling more straw-like.

I'm not sure what the problem is - I haven't had a problem with the spray prior to this (OK, I haven't been using it that long). Sigh. Sometimes I feel like I'll never get my hair to look shiny and pretty. 

Ho-hum today. I didn't do anything special with my hair, although I've stopped using the Eufora products. My scalp was getting very itchy and sore. I've been using Goth Rosary shampoo and conditioner, and used Nexxus Aloe Rid (to get rid of any residuals left behind by the Eufora) and KeraPhix on Sunday. Much better. I think tomorrow morning, I'm going to start off with some Suave Milk & Honey, too and then my Goth Rosary stuff.

Of note, and nothing to do with my hair: I am in a desperate (I'm always desperate  ) fight to get sunless tanning lotion off my skin. I thought I would try again this year, with the same results - orange arms and legs and feet that look dirty. I loofahed with a cocoa-scented scrub, but I still look dirty and freckled with sunless tanning lotion. I threw all the bottles of the stuff away, too. I've decided I am a pale girl and I'm going to STAY that way (I have really, really pale skin). Besides, red hair looks better with pale skin anyway.

Hi, Maggie, nice to meet you too. I was born with reddish-brown hair and I've kept it somewhere between light red and reddish brown for about 7 years now, by coloring it. I'm starting to get greys (at 32  ) so I have to dye at least the roots.

Hey Eis,

I have just a few quick questions. You've been using the Goth Rosary washes for awhile and seem familiar with them. How is the lather on them, and how long do the fragrances last?

I've been thinking about buying some and wanted your opinion first.

Oh cool, thanx for the info! 

The site claims that the washes are low-lathering and I hate that, but I had a feeling somehow that they'd probably lather up just like any ordinary shampoo anyway. 

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lol Same here. I might order the sample pack just to get an idea of how everything really smells, though. I think Goth Rosary washes are definitely in my future. 

I must be a glutton for punishment. I'm trying CO again. Actually, I figured out that I was doing it wrong. The last time I tried it (I think before I joined here), I wet my hair, put some V05 Balsalm and Protein on, rinsed it out and went on with my day. Big mistake - by two o'clock I had the greasies - big time.

Today, I did this - wet my hair, used Suave Milk & Honey as a cleansing conditioner - working it into my hair and scalp like a shampoo. Then I rinsed and used Nexxus KeraPhix as the second conditioner, leaving it in while I did the rest of my shower and then rinsing. We'll see how this one goes.

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You can do it.  Just try to go one more day a week not using it.  After a week or two, add another day, and so on until you wonder why you have the thing to begin with!  (My blow dryer has not been used on hair for 15 years - but it works great for shrinking the plastic cork covers on the bottles of wine hubby makes!  )

Last night I was feeling experimental  and made a hair mask with mayo, honey and some essential oil. Slapped it on, wrapped the head in Saran Wrap and waited about two hours. Then I shampooed it out, conditioned and air-dried (yes!). My hair was voluminous, shiny and soft. Beautiful.

But this morning was the ultimate experiment. I CO'd (probably didn't need to since I did the mask last night, but I was nervous about going without for the day) with Suave Milk & Honey and Nexxus KeraPhix. Then I did the craziest thing I've ever done - I went to work, no blow-dry. I'd forgotten the lovely waves I had in my hair. I wasn't so sure this was a good idea when I first got to work (it looked a little off), but I just checked again and it looks nice. Wow. I might do it again tomorrow.

Bikerbraid, thanks for the encouragement to try it!

Yea!!  One more healthier day!

Today's a better day, but I must confess,  I blew my hair dry. It does look nicer, so maybe my one day off helped, even though I looked like I washed my hair in Crisco by last night.

On a much happier note - my Goth Rosary shampoo and conditioner arrived - scent: Crypt, which I like even more than Mayhem. I can't wait to do a CWC tomorrow morning. And maybe I'll be good and go without the blow-fry...

I have a secret...

V05 was 88 cents at my grocery store. I bought Champagne Kiss shampoo and conditioner. My hair has looked and felt fabulous for the last three days I've been using it. I am quietly excited - could it be that I can have beautiful hair with 88 cent shampoo and conditioner? Could it be?!

I go for another hair eval/slight trim on the 29th. Still considering cancelling, though. My hair seems longer - I have to remeasure, though.

Ugh, what a bad day. I am in a lot of pain (I have rheumatoid arthritis and humidity mixed with RA makes for sleepless nights and agonizing days) and had a hard time doing my hair. On the other hand, I'm having a fantastic hair day. My hair is soft, relatively straight (slight wave towards the bottom) and from the last measurement, definitely growing. I haven't updated in a while because growing from a bob into a long, flowing mane of fire takes a while  and there's not too much to report.

So, basically, I posted so I could whine. 

I started from a bob too!  Had the bob for like 10 years.  Ugh, going from shoulder to BSL was the hardest part for me because my hair is so thick that it made me look top heavy (like I had football player shoulders or something.)  So whine away!  We'll understand. 

Thanks everyone!

OK, I cancelled my appointment. Since my last appointment, my hair has grown a bit, and it's looking and feeling pretty healthy. I decided to continue to let it grow, rather than set myself back.

I haven't done a deep conditioning treatment recently,though. It's been very humid here, so my hair's been a bit oily and I haven't really felt the need.

Glad you stopped by and gave us an update.  Good to hear you are seeing good results with you hair.  Keep it up!