long hair care help please!

[divergrrl]

So I normally have medium long hair...about 2 inches below my shoulders. It does grow pretty fast, but I always wind up cutting it before it hits my bra strap in back. Well, I''ve been letting it grow (not getting so much cut off at each hair appt--I go every 12 weeks for a cut & color to the same stylist, whom I love) and I really like how it looks, but I do notice that its not as *easy* as my shorter length was.

Of course, my husband is thrilled with the longer locks and has asked me to grow it longer.

So how do I keep it healthy? What are your favorite shampoos/conditioners?

My hair is fine, but I have a lot of it. It''s healthy, but I did have a baby in Sept, so a lot fell out a few months ago & I have that funny regrowth now, about 2.5 inches, that sticks out all over (hella sexy I tell ya)...

My salon is high end, they use Goldwell color and Bumble & Bumble, Kerastase and She Uemura products. For the last 2 years I''ve been using Bumble & Bumble Thickening shampoo & conditioner (to give my hair volume) and B&B Brilliantine finishing creme...(light creme...). I don''t use any other product in my hair. I also hit it with a flat iron every other day to smooth my light waves.

Any advice to avoid the split ends I''m starting to find & to combat flatness? I have long layers as well....

Thanks!

 

[galeteia]

Did you catch my Condition, Wash, Condition advice in the recent Hair Care thread? I''ve got hair down to my tush and that''s how I keep it nice.

 

[divergrrl]

no i didn''t! Where is your thread? I did a search under long hair, maybe why I missed it! Congrats on the co-habbing! Finally!

 

[galeteia]

I was going to post a link but then I saw you managed to find it

Other tips I''ll give you is brush lightly from the bottom up when you brush your hair if you don''t already (I feel kinda silly saying that, as I assume most people with longish hair do this automatically, but just in case) where you brush the bottom, say, two inches of your hair so it''s smooth and tangle free, then go up two inches and work the tangles there down, etc. I swear all women instinctively do this and I''m a goof for mentioning it. Anyway.

Use a hairstick or two to wind up your hair instead of a clasp or elastic, as it will distribute the weight of your hair evenly across your scalp and not put too much strain on a small set of hair shafts. Put up/braid your hair before you get busy with your guy. (Yes, I just said that.

) ''Bed'' head is just asking for all kinds of chafing and tangling of the hair strands. I''ve also heard that sleeping on a smoother pillowcase can help if you''re a restless sleeper.

Now and then, pamper your hair by putting in some sort of fancy natural deep conditioning treatment, and wrap it up in a plastic bag (I use grocery bags) like you would a towel, or I put the bag over my hair and tie the handles across my forehead so as to get a good seal that won''t dry out the contents, and then kinda wrap the bag at the base of my neck where all the hair is into a kind of loose bun and stick an elastic around to hold it. I leave it like that for hours. Obviously, this is a stay-at-home kind of situation.

If I think of more tips, I''ll add them.

 

[divergrrl]

Ya know, I know to brush from the bottom up, but do I? Ummmm...no. I''ll start..thanks for the reminder!

Ok, I have hair sticks, but what about when I work out? I run/kickbox/yoga and usually need to pull my hair back pretty tight to keep it out of my face and off my body (I get pretty sweaty) and with kickboxing & running, I can''t have it falling out....so what do I put it up with then? I usually just use an "ouchless" wide rubber band. If I''m at home where no one will see me & want to put my hair up, I use a big floppy scrunchy and stick it in a loose bun. but it rarely holds.

thanks!

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

My hair is down just past my waist and has been for years, so I have learned a few things.

The flat iron is going to increase split ends and make your hair more flat, so avoid doing it when you can.

UV rays from the sun are bad for your hair and weaken it as well as fade the color. Don''t sunbathe (you shouldn''t anyway) and consider wearing a hat when you are going to be in the sun for a long time which is better for your skin too.

Never brush your hair when it is wet. Hair is naturally elastic, but when it is wet, it is weighted down and can''t strech so brushing/combing does a lot more damage.

Cold water. The hair shaft is covered by tiny scales on the outside of your hair which protect it. Heat makes them raise off the hair and cold seals them to the shaft. This protects color, strengthens the hair and makes it shinnier. Try not to take really hot showers and at the end of the shower, rinse your hair in cold water. I just do it breifly unless I have a big event in which case I really rinse it cold so it is uber shiny.

Omega 3 pills. Mine are fish oil although there is a veggie option. This is the best stuff I ever did for my skin or my hair. I used to have to shower twice a day because of the oiliness and as long as I take the fish pills, I can skip a day if I need to. It also cleared my acne and helps my joints, and my mom swears it prevents migraines; truely great stuff.

 

[lovewhitediamonds]

my hair is pretty long and thick and I LOVE these products:

PHYTO

I also try to let it air dry in the summer so not to use the blow dryer too much

 

[brgirl]

Date: 6/10/2008 7:23:04 PM
Author: brazen_irish_hussy
My hair is down just past my waist and has been for years, so I have learned a few things.

The flat iron is going to increase split ends and make your hair more flat, so avoid doing it when you can.

UV rays from the sun are bad for your hair and weaken it as well as fade the color. Don''t sunbathe (you shouldn''t anyway) and consider wearing a hat when you are going to be in the sun for a long time which is better for your skin too.

Never brush your hair when it is wet. Hair is naturally elastic, but when it is wet, it is weighted down and can''t strech so brushing/combing does a lot more damage.

Cold water. The hair shaft is covered by tiny scales on the outside of your hair which protect it. Heat makes them raise off the hair and cold seals them to the shaft. This protects color, strengthens the hair and makes it shinnier. Try not to take really hot showers and at the end of the shower, rinse your hair in cold water. I just do it breifly unless I have a big event in which case I really rinse it cold so it is uber shiny.

Omega 3 pills. Mine are fish oil although there is a veggie option. This is the best stuff I ever did for my skin or my hair. I used to have to shower twice a day because of the oiliness and as long as I take the fish pills, I can skip a day if I need to. It also cleared my acne and helps my joints, and my mom swears it prevents migraines; truely great stuff.

Fish oil made your hair less oily? I would have never thought that! I have the same problem, though - HAVE to wash my hair everyday. Do you think it is specifically the fish oil or the Omega 3s that helped? I was putting flax seed in my oatmeal everyday, and the package touts its Omega-3s everywhere...I have the no-taste fish oil capsules, but I took one and it got stuck in my throat!!! It was so gross, I said I wasn''t going to take anymore.

 

[Lorelei]

Also avoid brushing it, brushing was a method of cleaning the hair years ago, in days where people used to shampoo weekly or less. So just carefully comb when necessary with a wide tooth comb and never ever brush hair when wet. I never comb my hair unless I have just washed it, I shampoo and have started using the condition, shampoo and condition routine. I then often wear it in a knot to keep it tidy and my hair is in excellent condition, is down the middle of my back, plus I am a single process blonde.

 

[pavelover]

I have read both hair threads- I am one of those ppl who does not know how to take care of hair very well- or if I do, it doesn''t work? I saw a commerical for the product(infomercial) Wen- Does anyone know about it or use it? The infommercial was convincing but I am a bit gullible.lol.

 

[Delster]

Date: 6/11/2008 11:09:24 AM
Author: brgirl

Fish oil made your hair less oily? I would have never thought that! I have the same problem, though - HAVE to wash my hair everyday. Do you think it is specifically the fish oil or the Omega 3s that helped? I was putting flax seed in my oatmeal everyday, and the package touts its Omega-3s everywhere...I have the no-taste fish oil capsules, but I took one and it got stuck in my throat!!! It was so gross, I said I wasn't going to take anymore.

I saw a healthy lifestyle programme on TV a while ago and they were talking about Omega 3 and how so many foods now are advertised as containing it. Apparently the research that demonstrates the benefits of Omega 3 is really in favour of getting it from fish oils. You get some benefit from plant oils, but nowhere near as much as from the fish oils. They were saying that a lot of the products touting vegatable oil products as being Omega 3 rich are really overstating the benefits. I don't know how true it is as I haven't read the research myself and it's just my recollection of the TV show. But maybe the fish oil really would help even more than the flax seeds? Actually, I ought to try them out for myself...

 

[divergrrl]

You know, I need Omega 3''s...I''ll take some and see what happens. The health benefits are endless, so what the heck?

I can''t avoid flat-ironing my hair. My hair falls in this weird place...*almost* straight, but with a touch of wave that turns into frizz. So I can do a "blow out" and get it 90% straight, but there is always a section here or there that just kinks back up. I only wash my hair 2 to 3 times a week, so I only have to flat iron it as often and...I only do the kinky spots..not my whole head. My iron has multiple heat settings (its a nice one) so I will try a lower heat. But I really like the sleek look.

I do like velcro rollers and those get out the frizz with no heat.

so anyone have any suggestions for what to do with it during workouts other than a rubber band? It needs to be secure!

But I''m going to try the condition/wash/condition trick...the wide tooth comb while wet, and see if I can lay off the heat tools, but I did just buy a heat protector spray, so we''ll see how that works.

 

[pennquaker09]

I definitely second washing your hair in cold water and the condition, wash, condition method. That works extremely well, actually in my case too well. My hair is very curly and very thick, so I have to use a lot of product.

Normally, I use Biolage Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner. However, since my move, I went to an Aveda salon and I ended up buying some of their shampoo and conditioner. I''ve been told that it''s good to change your products every now and then, so I''m going to see how the Aveda works.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/11/2008 1:29:02 PM
Author: divergrrl
You know, I need Omega 3's...I'll take some and see what happens. The health benefits are endless, so what the heck?

I can't avoid flat-ironing my hair. My hair falls in this weird place...*almost* straight, but with a touch of wave that turns into frizz. So I can do a 'blow out' and get it 90% straight, but there is always a section here or there that just kinks back up. I only wash my hair 2 to 3 times a week, so I only have to flat iron it as often and...I only do the kinky spots..not my whole head. My iron has multiple heat settings (its a nice one) so I will try a lower heat. But I really like the sleek look.

I do like velcro rollers and those get out the frizz with no heat.

so anyone have any suggestions for what to do with it during workouts other than a rubber band? It needs to be secure!

But I'm going to try the condition/wash/condition trick...the wide tooth comb while wet, and see if I can lay off the heat tools, but I did just buy a heat protector spray, so we'll see how that works.

Almost forgot - good old Frizzease can help, I use that on the ends of my hair only when damp after shampooing, and it is great before styling as it helps to protect the hair.

Try a thick scrunchie for the workouts.

 

[pennquaker09]

Date: 6/11/2008 1:29:02 PM
Author: divergrrl
You know, I need Omega 3''s...I''ll take some and see what happens. The health benefits are endless, so what the heck?


I can''t avoid flat-ironing my hair. My hair falls in this weird place...*almost* straight, but with a touch of wave that turns into frizz. So I can do a ''blow out'' and get it 90% straight, but there is always a section here or there that just kinks back up. I only wash my hair 2 to 3 times a week, so I only have to flat iron it as often and...I only do the kinky spots..not my whole head. My iron has multiple heat settings (its a nice one) so I will try a lower heat. But I really like the sleek look.


I do like velcro rollers and those get out the frizz with no heat.


so anyone have any suggestions for what to do with it during workouts other than a rubber band? It needs to be secure!


But I''m going to try the condition/wash/condition trick...the wide tooth comb while wet, and see if I can lay off the heat tools, but I did just buy a heat protector spray, so we''ll see how that works.

You might want to try using either the Redken Smooth or Matrix Sleek Look lines. I use the sleek look iron smoother when I iron my hair.

 

[ephemery1]

Date: 6/11/2008 4:25:28 PM
Author: pennquaker09
I definitely second washing your hair in cold water and the condition, wash, condition method. That works extremely well, actually in my case too well. My hair is very curly and very thick, so I have to use a lot of product.

Normally, I use Biolage Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner. However, since my move, I went to an Aveda salon and I ended up buying some of their shampoo and conditioner. I''ve been told that it''s good to change your products every now and then, so I''m going to see how the Aveda works.

I use Biolage too for my long hair... mostly cause I LOVE the smell. Color Care Shampoo and Ultra Conditioning Balm. My hair is fine, but I have a LOT of it (my hairstylists usually schedule me for double the normal time, and like to call people over to marvel at it, ha) ...so it stays healthy and grows long pretty easily. But I do try not to wash it too often (3-4x/week at most) and let it air-dry when possible (though that doesn''t look NEARLY as nice as blow-drying).

The best way I know to avoid split ends is just to get it trimmed frequently, but it sounds like you do that already. Keep us posted if you try the condition/wash/condition technique... sounds like we have similar hair types, so I''ll be interested to hear how it works for you!

 

[sunkist]

Date: 6/11/2008 1:29:02 PM
Author: divergrrl

so anyone have any suggestions for what to do with it during workouts other than a rubber band? It needs to be secure!

Diver, how does a french braid work in your hair? or even just a braid at the nape of your neck, maybe a headband to keep the front hairs from falling in your face. I like to french braid my hair when I'm diving and I tuck the end under and wrap a scruchy around it to keep it secure. Not the most glamorous look, but it works. Instead of using a rubber band, even the ouchless kind, I've heard of these things called "trash ties". I've never used one or seem them in person, but go to trashties.com and you can see what they are about. It's just another way to hold your hair.