It's a Week Early, But... (pics)

[pastina]

The polychromatic enabler has been here for two years! :p

I've been coloring my hair at home for the past fifteen years or so. In that time, I've had pixies (which do not suit me, as much as I'd like them to!) and I've had hair to the middle of my back, cutting back whenever I had visible damage, which was often. I liked to change up my color as often as I could.

A few years back, I found www.hairdyeforum.com. My techniques improved immensely, and cutting back wasn't really something I *needed* to do anymore.

Which brings us to two years ago. My hair somewhere in the ballpark of BSL, half my natural ashy mid-brown, half grass green. I'd just finished the several month long, tedious process of getting my entire length to an even-toned blonde so I could return to all-over color. I had several comments on HDF about how long my hair had gotten, and someone mentioned LHC. I decided to check it out and see what other wisdom I could acquire. I didn't participate here much because I had a six month old, my sister was a month from her wedding (which I did most of the planning for!) and I was in the middle of a move.

Truth be told, since I came here from a forum about color, the first few pictures I can show you were more focused on my dye job than my length. I'll do my best to explain what you're looking at!

Without further ado, this one was taken a week after my join date:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/322a806d-ac99-4c61-8702-f0ee284ce435_zpspo1axfpm.jpg

This was my first all-over color in years, and I was pretty happy with it. This is a terrible picture, but the only one I have. It was a very ashy, subtle, pastel pinkish purple. My hair was still this way when we moved into our new home, so my driver's license photo looks like this!

Fast forward to January 2014. I'd just gotten a few inches taken off my length and I cut in bangs to mask my regrowth from my postpartum shed. This picture was taken at my son's first birthday party. I was around eight weeks pregnant with number two at the time.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/DSC_0193_zpsckgaqgnf.jpg

This next one was in April and is still not a proper length shot. I was past BSL in this one, and 20 weeks prego!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/11008068_10206539535745551_6121086174315979970_n_z ps7v7brf0d.jpg

The next one is the first length shot I posted on here, taken in August 2014, right after my younger one was born. Ya'll confirmed waist for me with this picture.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/imagejpg2_zpsa264aefa.jpg

This next one was December 2014. I had blown it straight-- the waves/slight curl you see in my other pictures is my natural texture. All it takes for me to get my hair like this is a blow dryer on cool setting, but I don't do it often.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/imagejpg1_zps891e7b28.jpg

Then my postpartum shed hit in full force. I lost a LOT of thickness. I went from almost 5" to just a hair over 4". This next one was taken in March, BCL when stretched, and about two weeks before I had four inches cut off/bangs cut back in. Once again, the fringe was to hide regrowth from postpartum loss. The pink running through my blue half are the "bangs" left over from the last chop I mentioned (pic with the bandana). When this picture was taken, all my hair was bun-able.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/FullSizeRender_zpssqbioqbk.jpg

This next picture was taken yesterday and makes me laugh bc it was purely taken for length, and you can't really see my color at all. Oh, how things have changed. Haha!! My ends are fairly heavily oiled here and are not as thin as they look. But yeah, they have thinned. Sigh.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpspk6nqllx.jpg

So, that's where I stand now, back to BCL, but with thinner hair. Thanks for reading, guys!

[slynr]

Pastina..your hair is so gorgeous. You've made a lot of progress in length and the color is mad pretty. Thank you for sharing!!

[Breanna]

Your hair always looks fantastic, congrats on two whole years! (And your two whole kids! Haha)
I think the pink and blue is my favorite :)

[Seventy7]

Thanks for sharing, pastina! I love seeing all your colors.

[pastina]

Thanks guys! The pink and blue (especially when it's more of a teal blue) is my favorite, too, but I needed a change!

[lapushka]

Your amazing thickness will be back, I think. It takes time after a big shed like that, but just hang in there. Nice colorful hair! :) If I were to do that to mine, I'd end up with a fried mess, I'll be honest here. :lol: Your hair looks gorgeous! :D

[neko_kawaii]

Yay, colors! So, if that current shot doesn't show the color well. . .(and it what I see is lovely). . .what color(s) is it?

[AspenSong]

Happy 2 years! Beautiful! I love the colors. <3 The pink and blue is my fave, but it's all honestly awesome.

[ghost]

Your hair is so pretty! Every color just looks so amazingly vivid *_* And even after a post-partum shed, your hair still looks like it's pretty dense/thick.

[meteor]

Drop-dead GORGEOUS!! :thudpile:

Pastina, you are rocking all my favorite colors! :crush: Those combinations of colors are to die for! :applause Thanks so much for sharing!

Happy Hairiversary, pastina! :cake: :flowers: :toast:

[pastina]

Yay, colors! So, if that current shot doesn't show the color well. . .(and it what I see is lovely). . .what color(s) is it?

The bright red you see at the right side is pretty spot on. It glows! But there are three other distinct colors in there, and this is the best picture I have of them: yellow, burgundy and orange.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/IMG_0998_zpsshpr7ydp.jpg

Pics of it bunned:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsmdwvvzgy.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsjjjdqqqm.jpg

[Quasiquixotic]

Your hair makes me so happy! :puppykisses: you bright firecracker you!

[neko_kawaii]

That first bunned picture! *swoon*

[Cattiva]

Happy 2 years! I absolutely love your hair and your boldness with colors! I've been debating for over a month now whether to put a few peak-a-boo purple streaks in my hair. >.> How on earth do you keep it so nice and healthy?

[pastina]

Daw, thanks guys! I should have an anniversary every day, it's great for my self-esteem! Hah!!

(eta-- I feel like I'm all, tell me more about my eyes... :flower: )

[stachelbeere]

pastina... I LOOOOVE your hair! I'm kind of super jealous of all the colours and possibilities you have going on and I wish I had the courage to do the same - the truth is that I'm currently rediscovering my natural hair colour and I really, really like it...
but when I was a kid and got this Barbie (https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2808/8840255266_ffe637b867_b.jpg) I've always wanted to have her hair :D Also, it looks sooo amazing when it's braided!

Anyway, just came here to congratulate you and I'm looking forward to seeing more amazing colour combos in the future :blossom:

[Robot Ninja]

Wow, gorgeous colors! The magenta and teal is my favorite; what brand/color is the teal?

[wilderwein]

And no, I didn't get tempted to dye my hair in unusual colors at all :whistle:....... hahaha [I love the one you have right now, reminds me the fire nation from avatar]
What other colors do you plan to color your hair with? Also what kind of hair dye do you use? :3
It looks perfect pastina! And no worries, if you didn't mentioned about the shed people wouldn't even notice.

[Caraid♫]

Pastina I always admire how skillful you must be at colouring whenever I see your hair because the colour and condition of your hair are always perfect! Happy 2 years! :D

[pastina]

Cattiva-- coconut oil, protein conditioner, and no overlapping bleach! I haven't lightened my entire length since before the first picture I posted was taken. I bleach bathe my roots when they get long enough to really bother me, but truthfully, that doesn't happen all too often!

Stachelbeere, I love the barbie! It's colorful indoctrination, and I am in full support of such things. :D

RobotNinja, the teal in that combo was my first time using Special FX in Sonic Green. I'm not going to lie, it was glorious, and the longest lasting teal I've ever used.

Wilderwein, I'm a SFX girl, in general, but I'll use other things (Raw or certain shades of Manic Panic) in a pinch. ...You should see my dye stash! :bigeyes:




...If anyone is debating going for color and has questions, I've been known to help people with the process via pm. Just sayin'. :)

[wilderwein]

Thank youu!!! If I'll ever -finally- decide to do it, I'll ask for your advice ^^ :flowers:

[meteor]

Happy 2 years! I absolutely love your hair and your boldness with colors! I've been debating for over a month now whether to put a few peak-a-boo purple streaks in my hair. >.> How on earth do you keep it so nice and healthy?

Yes, yes! Please share your routine with us! Pretty please! :pray:

[wilderwein]

double post

[missblueeyes]

I love how you're the walking proof that you can have colourful but healthy and long hair. :) I absolutely love it and I can't wait to see what you're going to do next! My favourite was the pink / blue one so far because that's the avatar I got to know you with on the forums. :)

[missrandie]

DAT HAIR!!!!

Your hair is fantastic and wild and wonderful!!!!

Does it make you smile every time you see it? Because I sure smile when I see your hair! My favorite of your avatars was one of your wild bun pictures. It reminded me of an intense flower :)

[DeadlyUnicorn]

Wow I love those colors. Gorgeous :inlove:

[Asrai]

Happy second hairiversary! Your hair is so incredibly gorgeous! As a fellow crazy hair, it's super inspirational to see someone with long, healthy hair in fabulous fantasy colours.

[cat11]

Yay, happy two years!! All the colors are lovely.. especially the purple one, I really like that!

[browneyedsusan]

WoW! Soooo pretty! Love the bright colors! :skittles:

[butterflybutton]

I'm in love with your hair! I've already been thinking of going back pastel, but you've tempted me so much more.

[Peabody]

Nice pics and love the different colors!!

[Aderyn]

Congrats! :cheese:

What beautiful and fun hair! The combinations of colors are all really great to see!

[Nadine <3]

I think my hair has a crush or yours. :crush:

[pastina]

Tee hee! :crush: Thank you, everyone!

[EdG]

Pics of it bunned:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsmdwvvzgy.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsjjjdqqqm.jpgThe Silver Swirl is in awe of your colors. :thud:
Ed

[vpatt]

Beautiful....I love your color!

[brickworld13]

LOVE ALL OF IT! My hair is still living vicariously through yours. :henny:

[flickm]

The polychromatic enabler has been here for two years! :p

I've been coloring my hair at home for the past fifteen years or so. In that time, I've had pixies (which do not suit me, as much as I'd like them to!) and I've had hair to the middle of my back, cutting back whenever I had visible damage, which was often. I liked to change up my color as often as I could.

A few years back, I found www.hairdyeforum.com. My techniques improved immensely, and cutting back wasn't really something I *needed* to do anymore.

Which brings us to two years ago. My hair somewhere in the ballpark of BSL, half my natural ashy mid-brown, half grass green. I'd just finished the several month long, tedious process of getting my entire length to an even-toned blonde so I could return to all-over color. I had several comments on HDF about how long my hair had gotten, and someone mentioned LHC. I decided to check it out and see what other wisdom I could acquire. I didn't participate here much because I had a six month old, my sister was a month from her wedding (which I did most of the planning for!) and I was in the middle of a move.

Truth be told, since I came here from a forum about color, the first few pictures I can show you were more focused on my dye job than my length. I'll do my best to explain what you're looking at!

Without further ado, this one was taken a week after my join date:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/322a806d-ac99-4c61-8702-f0ee284ce435_zpspo1axfpm.jpg

This was my first all-over color in years, and I was pretty happy with it. This is a terrible picture, but the only one I have. It was a very ashy, subtle, pastel pinkish purple. My hair was still this way when we moved into our new home, so my driver's license photo looks like this!

Fast forward to January 2014. I'd just gotten a few inches taken off my length and I cut in bangs to mask my regrowth from my postpartum shed. This picture was taken at my son's first birthday party. I was around eight weeks pregnant with number two at the time.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/DSC_0193_zpsckgaqgnf.jpg

This next one was in April and is still not a proper length shot. I was past BSL in this one, and 20 weeks prego!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/11008068_10206539535745551_6121086174315979970_n_z ps7v7brf0d.jpg

The next one is the first length shot I posted on here, taken in August 2014, right after my younger one was born. Ya'll confirmed waist for me with this picture.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/imagejpg2_zpsa264aefa.jpg

This next one was December 2014. I had blown it straight-- the waves/slight curl you see in my other pictures is my natural texture. All it takes for me to get my hair like this is a blow dryer on cool setting, but I don't do it often.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/imagejpg1_zps891e7b28.jpg

Then my postpartum shed hit in full force. I lost a LOT of thickness. I went from almost 5" to just a hair over 4". This next one was taken in March, BCL when stretched, and about two weeks before I had four inches cut off/bangs cut back in. Once again, the fringe was to hide regrowth from postpartum loss. The pink running through my blue half are the "bangs" left over from the last chop I mentioned (pic with the bandana). When this picture was taken, all my hair was bun-able.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/FullSizeRender_zpssqbioqbk.jpg

This next picture was taken yesterday and makes me laugh bc it was purely taken for length, and you can't really see my color at all. Oh, how things have changed. Haha!! My ends are fairly heavily oiled here and are not as thin as they look. But yeah, they have thinned. Sigh.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpspk6nqllx.jpg

So, that's where I stand now, back to BCL, but with thinner hair. Thanks for reading, guys!

But still stunning hair, and you are so beautiful!

[Upside Down]

Your hair is amazing. I really like this currwnt color combo, it is more subtle than the teal/pink and it looks like FIRE :crush:

Also, your hair grows insanely fast, judging by photos!!! I realize you were pregnant but you went so fast (20 weeks or less huh?) from past bsl to beyond waist.

I always wondered about something, when you had the teal and purpley pink combo, did it wash out over each other when you wet or wash your hair? I mean, does teal leak into the pink and vice versa and how do you deal with it?

Happy anniversary!

[goldenwitch]

Oh my gosh your August 2014/waist pink is my dream hair...is that a fresh pink dye or faded from your April/20 weeks preggo darker purpley pink? It's *so* pretty. :pegasus: All your shots look super luscious and thick, I wouldn't worry about your thickness, I think mine will still be thinner than yours at BCL and I don't even dye.

[pastina]

Thank you vpatt, brickworld, and flickm!

EdG- Thank the Silver Swirl for me!! lol! I can't wait for silvers of my own. ...Also, I sorta want my hair to have a trademark. :p

Upside Down- The colors did blend at the part *a little bit*. Less than I thought they would. But, I chose that combo with that in mind-- I knew that if they started bleeding together they would result in a pretty blue color. I'll be back in a bit with a picture to show what I mean.

Goldenwitch- That was a (very) faded out color! It was SFX Virgin Rose (seen fairly fresh in the April picture), faded for at least four months, after my extremely long roots were freshly bleach bathed. You could get a similar pink by using a diluted SFX Atomic Pink over a yellow-blonde base... But be warned! SFX pinks are pretty permanent-- they might fade, but they rarely are gone completely.

[pastina]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/imagejpg1_zps775b4b13.jpg

The bright blue line between the two colors under my bun-- that's where the purpley-pink and teal faded together. :)

[Lucy Elizabeth]

Wow!
I love the colour you have in the last pic, reminds me of Ariel haha!

Happy 2 years! :) :flower:

[Arctic]

Loving all the colours! Seeing your hair is always so refreshing! I have a soft spot for shock colours myself too :)

Congrats!!!

[Wusel]

I love every version of your multicolored hair.
As I wrote in the other thread, for this funny hair-craziness it's worth to bleach and if I wasn't a teacher I think I would take the risk.
It goes well with my stage-hobby but not with my job.
A teacher with multicolored hair unfortunately is a no-go in Germany.

[BrightEyes]

Your hair is beautiful! I love the colors :D

[Laurenji]

Congratulations! I love, love, love your hair - I would consider you one of my hair idols. I'm still waffling back and forth on what to do with my own hair - I love the all-over crazy color, but I'm not 100% certain that I want to take the plunge yet. I really appreciate all of your wonderful advice and I'm definitely going to check out that hair dye forum.

So yay! your hair is awesome, and you are a wonderful person.

[cathair]

Happy Hairiversary! :cake: You have gorgeous hair, it's always made me :thud: whatever colour it is :) Thanks also for posting the link to the hair dye forum, I think I am going to enjoy reading it :)

[kidari]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/imagejpg1_zps775b4b13.jpg

The bright blue line between the two colors under my bun-- that's where the purpley-pink and teal faded together. :)

Holy crap!!! :agape::thudpile: Your hair is amazing! I think it's a brilliant idea to choose different shades with the bleeding and blending kept in mind. Discovering color has been the best thing since discovering LHC for me. I wish there was a very active thread for long hairs who are addicted to color! I love all the colors but I think that purple and teal mix is my favorite, especially paired with that hair stick. Happy anniversary!

[LemonFizzy]

[QUOTE=pastina;3046451]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/imagejpg1_zps775b4b13.jpg

The bright blue line between the two colors under my bun-- that's where the purpley-pink and teal faded together. :)[/QUOTE

:thudpile: I'm in awe of the colors! I've dabbled with dip dye in cotton candy pink...but now want a teal patch in the back to swirl into a bun.

[velorutionista]

Happy hair-iversary! I always enjoy your bright colors (and occasionally consider divorcing henna for teal, but then realize that sounds like a lot of work and I probably lack the follow through to keep it up!) Your swirly bright colors in a bun are super awesome, though! :flower:

[Seeshami]

Magictechnicolorbuns happy anniversary!

[texangrrl]

Pastina, you are stunning and your hair is gorgeous!!! I love that you can pull off all those different colors!! Happy hairiversary to you!!

[pastina]

Thanks guys! <3

I've been considering going rainbow at the end of the summer, but I need to figure out the logistics first. I don't bleach old color out before applying a new one, so I need to work with what I have. It should be interesting!

[browneyedsusan]

Thanks guys! <3

I've been considering going rainbow at the end of the summer, but I need to figure out the logistics first. I don't bleach old color out before applying a new one, so I need to work with what I have. It should be interesting!

:popcorn:

share your pictures?

[missrandie]

Oooo this is gonna be good! Can't wait to see what you come up with :)

[meteor]

Thanks guys! <3

I've been considering going rainbow at the end of the summer, but I need to figure out the logistics first. I don't bleach old color out before applying a new one, so I need to work with what I have. It should be interesting!

Wow, rainbow hair sounds beyond amazing! :thud:
Pastina, what do you like to use to fade out color when you want to change it? :) Color B4/Color Oops or something like that? Or do you wait patiently and dye over older dyes where it can be done? :)
And what's your after-care routine? :)
Thank you! :flower:

[pastina]

Oh, I'll be sure to update with pictures if/when I do it!

I usually fade veeeery slowly by washing with hot water and clarifying shampoo-- head and shoulders if I'm being more aggressive with it. But after that, I typically work around what I have. For instance, if I have faded pink hair, I can easily go brighter pink, red (by adding orange), purple, or blue (by adding teal).

After I dye, I usually stretch washes. When I do need to shampoo, I use cool water, sulphate free shampoo, and only shampoo my roots. It'd be better if I could cowash, but thats never worked for me, unfortunately.

I like to switch up conditioners between my fav protein- joico kpak, and various super moisturizing ones (which I follow with coconut oil as a leave in).

[meteor]

^ Thanks so much for sharing, pastina! :flowers: Great stuff! :D

[lunasea]

Fabulous :thudpile: So wonderful!

[calmyogi]

I love your color combinations pastina!

[Halliday]

prettttty hair and i love your FTEs!

so is blow drying straight on cool damaging? i have always wanted to but my blow dryer doesnt have a cool setting only a warm one..

[Vanilla]

I've always loved your long, ever changing color hair. It's so fun :)

[Kome]

Awesome! Love your hair and the colors so much. :)

[pastina]

Thank you everyone!

Question for you guys-- what hair type would you say I am? I've been saying 2a, but I'm not sure.

This is obviously not a very recent picture (the little baby feet you see? He's now 11.5 months old. He was maybe 2 months old when this was taken.) But, this is one of few pictures I have where my hair hasn't been finger combed, so you can see my natural curl pattern. Once I pull my hair up or finger comb to detangle, most of my curl straightens out. And if I blow dry at all, it's straight.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/virgin4sale/imagejpg2_zpsbff72b68.jpg

[brickworld13]

You have a lot more wave than I would typically attribute to 2a. I would solidly say 2b for sure, but you may even be 2c. I'm not so good at distinguishing wave patterns.

[Aderyn]

At least a 2b because you have even, loose waves. Maybe 2b/2c, 2c if you have distinct spiral-curls at the very ends of you hair.. They are pretty even from root to tip, though, which I rarely see and it's so pretty! :crush:

Most hairtyping about the 2b/2c/3a mark is kind of iffy.. all the hairtyping photos I've seen are not consistent, imo.

[Robot Ninja]

So, quick question, what shampoo do you use?

[missrandie]

I can tell you what type those waves are: The type I've always admired and wanted!!!

On a more serious note, I would roll with 2b. Those are some gorgeous, fantastic, pretty waves!

[pastina]

Lol, really?! I wasn't expecting such a positive reaction to my wave pattern. I always end up smoothing them out! Maybe I should rock the curl more often!!

I switch up my shampoo pretty frequently, so I'm not going to be very helpful here. If I'm trying to fade my color, I'll reach for Head and Shoulders, and then I'll be able to go a good week or longer until my next wash. If I'm not actively fading, I'm not incredibly picky and tend to look for whatever is cheap, moisturizing, and sulphate free. But I'm not gunna lie, I don't always end up with one that meets all three conditions. :p

Lately I've been using Joico's Moisture Shampoo, because I found it on clearance for super cheap at the TJ Maxx near me, lol. I'm a big fan of Joico conditioners (though I only buy them if they're on sale!), so I wanted to give it a shot. It's good so far, in that my color hasn't budged at all and my scalp is not overly greasy or anything. Shrug!

[Aderyn]

Yes, you should rock the curl more often, and you should definitely post pics when you do!

For science, of course. :whistle:

[TwilightShadow]

I love all your colors, pastina! And you're great at enabling people to dye their hair crazy colors, lol. Right now, about 1/3 of my hair is a salmon orangey pink and the rest is cherry red. When it fades more, I want to try to dye it turquoise.

[Zebra Fish]

Always admire your colours. And manage to keep healthy hair with them.