how i fixed my hair up

hiya,
i totally damaged my hair by bleaching the heck out of it for a year, and then dying it back to brown (all at the hairdressers). I'm naturally dark brown, but have been pink, platinum, etc etc etc. I have spent a LOT of money on my own brown-hair-hate. Now i'm over that, and accepting my natural beauty :)

Here is what i now do to put it back in better condition. Just thought i'd share this with everyone who has stuffed their hair (like me) coz it took me a LONG time and a lot of research:

1. do conditioner washes. this means, use a cheap watery conditioner in place of shampoo. "lather" it up and use it just like shampoo, then wash it off and use a proper conditioner

2. use ''reconstructive'' conditioners in the shower after you do the conditioner wash as above. Leave the reconstructers on for about 5 mins.

3. use deep treatments. U can buy these at the chemist. Deep conditioning protein packs. Get out of the shower, and put them on your towel dry hair and wrap it in saran wrap/cling wrap (the plastic stuff) and sit somewhere warm and hang out. Leave on for 1/2 an hour then wash off. Do this every fortnight. If you do it while you are cleaning your place, it's a good way to pass time and heat up your head :)

4. stop using a hairdryer. wash your hair in the evenings and let it air dry. You can twirl the ends etc, or use old fashioned bobby pins to do pin curls if you like it not straight.

5. only wash your hair once a week, and use gentle cloth covered elastics to tie it back. Throw out all the clips you have which catch or snap off your hair.

6. only use a natural bristle brush, on dry hair. Never brush unless it's totally dry. Only use a comb when it's wet. You can also get a satin pillow cover if you like, as it snags less than cotton.

7. don''t put any more colouring chemicals on your head! work on the condition of it and let nature take care of the colour.

8. have regular little trims to snip off the ends at the hairdresser. you can go to quite cheap "just cuts" type places for a quick trim. You can also get students to cut it as that's cheaper (they're usually supervsied!)

9. i use a leave in spray on conditioner every day as a the styling tool. This is the only styling thing i use. spray on leave in conditioners are lighter than creams. If you find one you like, that''s all you need (i used to use serums etc, but don''t need it now). Dont' use anything like hairspray. It's too drying.

Spend your money on good conditioners and not crappy looking fake colour. Invest in property instead!!!!

You are beautiful the way you were made. If you are unhappy, change other stuff in your life instead!