I stumbled across this site quite some time ago and only recently decided to sign up.

I'm 44 (gulp) and I have mid-back length wavy brunette hair with a sprinkling of silver here and there. I started seriously growing it when I hit 40 after a lifetime of wearing super short crops. (Mom was a beautician, so I bore the brunt of her creative urges.)

Right now, I'm going through a love/hate phase where every other day I think of cutting it. I even bought one of those hairstyle magazines but haven't found a good style yet. I love the feeling of long hair, but man it gets in the way sometimes. Plus it's soooo heavy when it's wet. Ya know?

I'm mainly looking for good haircare products and simple updo styles. I'm hopelessly inept at braiding my own hair, so keep it simple please.

Many thanks to bikerbraid for the warm personal welcome.  *waves*

Welcome, 3aE!

I've got wavy hair, too!  My favorite haircare products are Ouidad.  They are specifically made for curly/wavy hair.  You can check out the whole line at www.ouidad.com.

Right now I'm wanting to change the shape of my hair and I can't find a good style in those magazines, either.

Be sure to check out our Show Off Your Locks thread for ideas for updos.

Ugg, just went to the Ouidad site and got a serious case of sticker shock. Is it really worth the price?

I've been using Pantene, but am not at all happy with the condition of my ends lately. I noticed both the poo and the conditioner have dimethicone, so I suspect that may be the problem. Time for a new brand. *sigh*

Thanks for all the welcomes!

BTW, my screen name is from a book I own. My muse tends to wake me at odd hours, so there you have it.

~3E

Welcome!

A word about hairstyles:

Long hair can be just as easy as a short hair. IMO, it's just more fun because all the variation you can make all by yourself.

Most longhair styles require a bit of practice, but once you have mastered a new style you know it forever. Besides, when you have accustomed to handling your hair, you will find that learning new styles gets easier and easier. You can also vary a couple of basic styles with different accessories.

In my experience, the key to keeping long hair feeling easy is to keep it contained so it's out of the way just like short hair. A segmented ponytail (make a ponytail and then place a couple of additional ties along the length so you make segments) is a very easy style that can also be worn for sleep. Another good beginner style is a simple bun -a cinnamon bun or a knot bun that you can vary. Braided styles are beautiful and wonderful, but they require a bit more practice. So you'll probably want to start with something a bit easier.

It is not necessary to spend a fortune to haircare products- many longhairs get great results with cheap drugstore brands. It just takes a bit experimenting.