I have hair that is mostly a brown color but has highlights of about every other color mixed in - my natural hair color. I'm worried about trying some things I've read - mostly the ones involving using lemon - because I like the darker colors of my hair. Its also straight and semi-fine and loves to tangle. I tend to let my hair hang free.

 

My hair care tend to run along the lines of washing it regularly. I have found a shampoo and conditioner that leaves my hair soft and shiny. I don't own a hair dryer or any heat styling equiptment. I brush it out with a brush I picked up at a grocery store as well as a comb. I do also own a round brush.

 

Also I'm wondering about oils that I've been reading about online. What do they actually do for your hair? The idea of putting oil in my hair seems strange cause it seems to me that it would make your hair look really oily.

 

I can't think of anything else to add to this post except to thank anyone who takes the time to read this and/or respond to it.

 

What would you like advice on....ie..what are you looking to improve on or prevent?  Are you happy with your hair right now (besides wanting it longer).  I'd be happy to advise you if you can elaborate a little bit.

 

Oils are primarily used to moisturise your hair.  You can do a heavy oiling where your hair WILL look oily (like a pre-wash oiling) or you can use a little bit of oil as a leave-in.  I use jojoba oil after every wash as a leave-in and you can't tell I have oil in my hair at all......I use a tiny tiny bit.

 

Hope that helps you a little.  Spend some time reading through the http://www.hairboutique.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=39339 - thread at the start of this forum for articles of interest which may help you further.

 

Good luck!

 

Rini- I guess I'm looking on ways to prevent split-ends and keep my hair from getting really static full (hope that part makes sense). And thanx for pointing out the thread - I skimmed through it a little last night, I'll go and look over it more carefully. Sorry if I'm reasking questions that have been answered - I'll try to do better at looking for to see whats already been asked.

 

Maybe I'll give oils a shot then. They sound like they do your hair some good. Its jojoba oil that tends to be used?

 

I was reading about brushes and combs; do the cheapie plastic - i think - really tear up your hair? I guess it feels like i'm pulling out some hair when i brush.

 

 

 

And yes, the cheapie plastic hairbrushes are terrible for your hair.  Never use a brush to detangle your hair.  Gently finger comb and/or use a wide-tooth comb.  Optionally follow-up with a finer-toothed comb, and optionally use a good quality brush only after it's been throughly detangled with the comb(s).

 

I occasionally use jojoba oil, which for me works better than any other oils I've tried.  As Rini says, use sparingly... tiny amounts, after it's been washed.  I prefer to apply just as it's going from damp to fully dry.