Hi Longlocks!

Well I've been hanging around here for a little while and have finally registered!  I just want to say what a fab site this is - I've learnt so much from all of you already  

About my hair - well I used to bleach, blow fry and straighten my hair to within an inch of its life!  I even wore clip-in extensions for about 6 months.  So you can imagine, my hair was not happy at all and it started snapping off and becoming really, really thin and damaged.  My hair is naturally very fine and thin anyway so it just looked a complete mess! So, I chucked all of that nonsense in and am glad to report to you all that I haven't dyed my hair, straightened it or blow fried it in 18 months!

I went to a hairdressers 18 months ago, told her to cut it to chin length (to cut out the worst of the bleach) and have been caring for my hair ever since.

Unfortunately I've had a bad experience with hairdressers - they've always criticised my hair and made me feel like I could never have long hair - therefore for most of my life I have never had hair past my shoulders until now!!

I use Aubrey organics shampoo & conditioner to wash my hair twice a week, vinegar rinse once a week and try to oil the ends of my hair though I need to experiment with some more oils I think.  I sleep on a satin pillow which has really helped.

So my goal is firstly to get my hair in tip-top condition.  My hair is a couple of inches past my shoulders but there is still some of the old bleach in it (probably the bottom 5 inches or so).  I cut an inch off my hair last week as I need to gradually level it out at the bottom.  Unforutnately, when I was messing up my hair, I also had a hairdresser put layers in it, and I am still growing these out!!  

I would love to get to BSL although I am aware of how fine and thin my hair is naturally so I'll just have to see how far I can get it!

My natural hair colour is dark blonde/light brown and it is naturally slightly wavy - I always let it dry naturally which doesn't take too long!

That's about it for now.  Looking forward to meeting you all and learning more from you!  

Welcome, JL!  It sounds like you're on the right track for getting your hair healthy again.
I think patience is the hardest part for growing out layers and slowly cutting off damaged ends.

I'm sorry the hairdressers you've encountered showered you with their unsupportive opinions.  Its your hair, grow it as long as you like!!

I've experimented with a lot of different oils and the one that I'm still crazy about is Camellia.  Its not cheap, but when you use only one or two drops a day, it does last for months.  It doesn't weigh my hair down or make it look greasy.

Welcome to you, JL  .

Debr

Hello JL

Jerry