Hair
My hair is well below my shoulders now. It’s amazing to me to see the pictures of Maddie’s birth and my hair wasn’t even to my chin. It’s grown so very quickly in this last year, but it’s different since I had Maddie. My hair is now super wavy and UNFORTUNATELY frizzy. Unless, of course, I separate it into five sections and blow dry it with a round brush. And really, do you think I want to spent 20 minutes of my morning devoted to blow drying my hair? If you do, then you are a total skimmer. Normally, I let my hair air-dry and then throw it back into a ponytail. While I approve of the easiness of this style, I disprove of the lack of style of this style. It’s so blah.
Friday, I went to Walgreen’s to comb the hair color aisle for inspiration. I thought maybe if I gave myself a bold new color, then I’d forget about how much I dislike my hair. Instead of a color, I found a product called “EasyStraight.” It’s at at-home chemical hair straightener. It was $29.99, so I dipped into my Christmas money and bought it. Once I got home, I decided to check out the online reviews. BIG MISTAKE. I was terrified to use it after that. After slowly making my way through about 20 reviews, I realized there was a HUGE disparity between the ratings. Either women rated it a 9 or 10 or a zero. I decided that this meant the product was good, but you had to follow the THE VERY COMPLICATED directions flawlessly. In my opinion, the women that rated it a zero either didn’t follow the directions, or their hair was too curly or coarse for the product.
I read the directions five times and even watched an instructional video on the company’s website, and then I felt confident enough to try it. I was reassured by the fact that none of the negative reviews I read stated that the person’s hair had fallen out. Their complaint was that the product didn’t work. I can live with losing $30 on a crappy product, not with losing my hair.
My hair turned out beautifully. There are still some sections underneath that have a wave, but that’s were my hair is curliest. If it bothers me that much, I’m sure I can round brush it and it’ll be fine. Right now, all I have to do is blow dry it an go. I’m thrilled! The only downside is that my haircut is no longer flattering at all. My hair is very layered because that’s what wavy hair needs. Straight hair? Not so much. So, I’m going to make myself a hair appointment and get it cut into a more flattering style. Problem is, I have no idea what that is! I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to give up length in order to ger rid of some of the layers. I guess I’m ok with that. I mean, it’s only hair and it will grow back. And I wanted to lose that damn ponytail anyway, right? Then why am I so scared?
I am always scared of styles that require that I, um, have to STYLE them. Bleh.
I am impressed with your bravery - I have been trying to talk myself into diving into coloring for a few months now. Those grey hairs near my temple? Not flattering.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
THAT I SO FUN! I demand photos!
I once straightened my hair with a home perm kit. I just combed the stuff through my hair rather than putting it onto rollers. Worked like a charm.
Oh, yes, we must have before and after shots. It sounds nice.
I’m always so funny about my hair. Since having a baby it’s in a ponytail most of the time. I’ve only had it cut a few times since then, and I always make sure I can still pull it into a ponytail. I’ve been thinking lately about cutting it shorter, but I don’t know if I’m brave enough. Do I really want to “do” my hair every day? Yikes.
I third the demand for photos!! Before and after! During, even! (I’m feeling very demandng today.)
I would love to straighten my hair permanently. Is your hair drier from the chemicals? Does it smell terrible? Did it take forever?
My hair is straight as an arrow, and very limp. I was always jealous of people with curly hair until I saw my roommate dealing with her curls every morning. I do have layers though, which actually help a little so that I don’t have to “style” it too much.
I agree, we’re going to need a picture here.
Also, I have not had a haircut in OVER A YEAR. Oh, my GOD my hair is horrifying. I am still wearing it in that crazy knot-the-ponytail thing like I was the last time I saw you. EVEN AT WORK. Ugg, I need a serious intervention.
I’ll post pictures later today, after I’ve showered and blow dried. I could only find a so-so before pic, since it’s usually in a ponytail. But I think it’ll give you a good enough idea of what I was dealing with prior to the straightening.
Artemisia - If you’re nervous about at-home hair color, try a semi-permanent that washes out in a few weeks. That’s what I use nowadays. If I had it like poison, I wash it with Prell and it strips out all the color. End of problem *brisk hand clap*
Swistle - I’ve heard of people using perm kits to straighten, but I’ve never been brave enough for that. This kit was unique in that once the straightening cream goes on, you don’t have to keep combing it, or flat iron it or anything. It straightens all on it’s own. And it smells EXACTLY like perm solution.
Daisy - That’s my predicament, too. I want to lose the ponytail for style purposes, but not for practical purposes.
Jenna - You’re out of luck on the “during” photos. I was too paranoid that I was going to eff it up to take a pic! And no, my hair feels silky smooth. The first 24 hours, it was coarse and I was nervous, but after waiting 48 hours to wash it, it feels better than it did before the process. Now it lays smooth and is so much softer and shinier. I can even tell a difference when I wash it. It doesn’t get all snarled while I shampoo and it doesn’t feel like straw before I condition.
Mimi - I have thick hair, so I’m going to need some layers, just not as many or as short as the ones I have. And curly/wavy hair sucks, unless you really know how to work with it. Which, I do not.
Tessie - I’ve only had mine cut three times in the last year, so I’m not too far ahead of you on that one. If I work up the courage to lop off the ponytail, maybe it will inspire you. Ok, I know it won’t but I’m trying to be optimistic.
Wow, I have ALWAYS wanted to try that and never been brave enough. I think you have inspired me!
You know, I have straight hair I it totally need layers or it is a shapeless mess. Your hairdresser could help you with ideas, you may just need it thinned out and re=texturized a bit to make it do what you want!