My Hair **Picture included*

Thanks for the advice, both of you. I tend to just stay away from scissors all together, because usually when I get them in my hands (especially hair-cutting ones) I start with search and destroy, and then suddenly I am cutting bangs and stuff for myself..  (It's happened more than once.) But maybe I'll try it here again soon and see if I can get rid of some more split ends.

I still haven't found a really good leave-in-type treatment to help moisturize my hair.. but some day I will, I'm sure.

Hi Summer,

No apologies required.  Nobody's perfect, me most definitely included.

I believe your statement (re: some hairstylists' motivations) is true.  The contrasting opinions (closer to my sugg) may come from those who are more honest with their clients.  A major raison d'etre of this Forum is to share our expertise and fill in the gaps where the professionals are lacking in the knowledge necessary to help us achieve our goals.



Edited by DaveDecker

Also I forgot to add....I have naturally curly hair too and tend to have dry hair and frizziness.  I think that just goes along with having curly hair.  Your flyaways may just be frizziness.  I always have to put on a moisturizing or sleek/smooth leave in conditioner (an absolute must!!!!).  I don't use mouse or gel at all.  You just need regular trims and products for your hair type.  Before I damaged my hair I loved panteen pro-v moisturizing shampoo & conditioner w/ the leave in treatment....and then I started using and really loved Garnier Sleek/Smooth shamoo/conditioner/leave-in treatment.  Whenever I straightened it I used the skinny serum from Paul Mitchell...which is the clear frizz free glosses sold by many brands...made a huge difference!!!

But I damaged my hair w/chemicalls so now Im just working on repairing it with redken extreme products.  But I know the Redken All Soft and Redken Smooth Down line are awesome!!!  With my curly hair I need a good moisturizing shampoo/conditioner...a leave in conditioner...and a clear glossy frizz free syrum...But thats just my curly course hair...

I hope u find something that works great, your hair is so pretty already!!!!

~Lovebug~

Your hair is so pretty.  I personally love it straight but it is absolutely beautiful curly too.  I also have curly hair that I have always used a flat iron to straighten.  I recommend getting you hair cut 1/2 inch to 1 inch every 6-8 weeks.  This will insure all split and damaged ends are cut off so your hair can continue to grow and be healthy.

When you go to a salon research and ask the people you know who they go to and who they love.  Don't be shy and tell the stylist EXACTLY what you want...it is your hair!!!  If you only want 1/2 an inch trimmed off...make it clear before they start cutting your hair....and tell the stylist you are trying to grow it longer.

Since you have curly hair (like mine)...find a real good moisturizing shampoo and conditioner...I also like sleek smoothing shampoo & conditioner...helps with the course frizziness.  Do an at home leave in treatment at least once a week like Redkens All Soft Leave in Treatment or Redkens Smooth Down Butter Treatment.  Leave in treatments are Awesome!!!  Just don't chemically straighten your hair as I have learned...try to stay away from the chemicals if you can.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

My favorite is jojoba (straight, or with EO's added for fragrance) since jojoba most closely resembles natural sebum, and it works very well on my hair.  But as with all things, what works for one person might not work for another.  Some people love coconut or almond oils.  In part it depends on your hair's texture.  Try a health food store, if there's one in your area, and find out the range of choices they offer.

Lovebug3302004 wrote: Everyone keeps saying that my hair doesn't look damaged, but in that first picture, what do you call all the frizzy hairs? Aren't those damaged? I always thought that was sort of the definition of damaged. (Because I have lots of split ends.) I hadn't even realized that all three pictures I posted were in Black and White.. I just always take pictures in B/W, and so so I never notice things like that.. Well I just attempted to take some pictures of my hair in color, but I think the lighting in the bathroom/camera setting wasn't right, because my hair looks really red, but it isn't.. From tonight: (My cat likes to be in pictures with me.. I'm figuring that out now. )

Split ends are damage.  But they can be removed after a series of split-trimming sessions, and new ones minimized with TLC.  Beyond that, you can also use a slight bit of oil smoothed onto the lower portion of your hair.

Your cat just likes to be with you.

My hair's very close in type and length to yours, though mine's quite thin up top (due to male pattern baldness).  I've found a few different products that you could try to cut down on frizz.

One of my favorite new products is a spray-on hair polisher.  I found mine in the ethnic haircare area at Wal*Mart.  I think the brandname is Smooth N' Shine.  It adds shine to hair and cuts down on frizz, but it can look oily if you use too much.  The way I use it is to spray a tiny bit onto my palm, rub my hands together, then gently work my hands over damp hair to impart a bit of shine and to kill the frizz.  If necessary I'll repeat the process after the hair dries.

You can also use olive oil to keep the hair shiny and healthy.  Once again, it's using the product in tiny amounts that's important.

I'd also second the recommendation to look for a mousse that you can use at least on the tips to help define your curls.  I use a combination of Pantene Volumizing Mousse and Aussie Sprunch spray to define my curls and add volume.

The Burt's Bees Carrot Seed Oil Spray doesn't make my hair greasy - but you would have to try it for yourself to see if it works for you. I use it mainly as a between-wash way to wet my hair for braiding. It smells nice too.

Lovebug, i think it is so sweet that your cat follows you around! Anyway, your hair is a beautiful color. As for frizziness, I have the same problem and here is what I do: I sleep in a silk sleep bonnet (others use silk pillowcase). This reduces friction on your hair, and resulting damage. Also, I mostly wash my hair using conditioner only (CO), with no shampoo. This takes awhile for your hair and scalp to adjust to (about two weeks or so), but it is so good for your hair (however some hair doesn't like it so experiment). The other thing I do for frizziness is spray Burt's Bees Carrot Seed Oil Spray on my hair to dampen it and lightly oil it. It totally takes care of the frizz. Hope that helps. Glad you're on the board

Welcome love bug!  Your hair looks great, straight or curly.

Head ramming into your torso... it looks like kitty wants some 'ffection