Re-introduction and Hair Crisis!

[Marchpane]

Sooo, I have come back to the wonderful LHC after a pretty long break away. Started university and all that, very exciting! When I first joined LHC my hair was around BSL, and it's now juuust hovering (while curly, not sure straight) close to waist length, my longtime goal!

But as school and stress and everything have taken over, my hair care has become less and less careful, and my hair itself has gotten pretty grungy. The curls get frizzy and fast, my only two hair styles are down long and in a ponytail, and mayyybe a bun, and the few braids I've attempted in the past months have failed spectacularly. The ends are blah, but I don't want to chop off all the growth and go back to BSL. The length is starting to annoy me (I know, terrible! How could it happen?! :cry:) But really it's hardly even waist length and it's getting caught in zippers, my coat, car doors(!!), etc.

And as I've become increasingly frustrated with my hair, allll around me at school are girls with perfect, shiny, fashionably styled hair. Short, long, curly, you name it, it all looks amazing! And here I am with frizzy, ugly, boring hair. You see my downward spiral here haha, I am at a hair crisis!! I've been toying with the idea of cutting it, and had the urge even just now to just chop it all off and go short. But I remembered the LHC rule to wait (a week was it?) before deciding to. And that reminded me of this wonderful supportive community, and I decided to come back and maybe give my hair a second chance lol. Plus you guys are awesome and I've missed this place!

So hello again to everyone, and hopefully things will work out style-wise and hair health-wise and I will be back on my way to nice hair, and out of this depressing hair-hate! And I'll stay away from the scissors! :wink:


ETA:
Here are some photos of my hair in its current state, if anyone is curious... *wince*

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/8099/img5495d.th.jpg (http://img706.imageshack.us/i/img5495d.jpg/) http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7752/img5496l.th.jpg (http://img228.imageshack.us/i/img5496l.jpg/) http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/6055/img5497q.th.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/i/img5497q.jpg/)

[MissManda]

I'm not a wurly-haired person and I can't give any good advice, but I just want to say that you and your hair are gorgeous! :flower: Your hair in your profile picture doesn't look in the least bit frizzy.

I hope you find a solution to your hair issue. :)

[Marchpane]

Well thanks haha, though those were taken some time ago while I was taking better care of it, and photographed in its best moments... hmm I should take a pic for now, for reference lol.
Ok got some, editing the first post now. ^^;

[jojo]

Welcome back! well the girls at Uni probably straighten their hair which is why it looks so shiny!

All you have is taken a few backwards steps but easily solved! you are doing something right else you wouldnt have got to waist yeah? I recommend CO washes to give your hair moisture and get the curl back, no heat and keep it up! an oiling or tow works wonders and even a SMT may be in order but your hair will soon be back to normal!

Check if you have any splits, is it a while since you trimmed? what is your routine at the moment? I wouldnt even think about cutting just yet just concentrate on getting your hair into good condition again, good luck! x

[Marchpane]

Hi Jojo, thanks for the tips! It has been a long time since I got a trim... I have split ends and I'm reluctant to cut off what took so long to grow, but I suppose it's necessary. I used to CWC but stopped even doing that, so I'll try that or CO again and maybe some oiling.

My routine now is shampoo scalp only, squeeze excess water out of hair, condition, rinse, and then that's it unless I want it to look somewhat nicer lol in which case I put some curl cream/mousse in, scrunch, wrap in one of those hair-towels, and that's that. It usually looks alright first day, but after that it gets crappy like this lol.

So I'll definitely try out some of those suggestions, thanks! What with the cold weather here it probably is drying out quite a lot, though I am also finding it's very flat at the roots and lacks volume... worst of both worlds lol.

[tinywife]

Oh my goodness Marchpane, you and your hair are stunning!!! I wouldn't be surprised if the straight-shiny-haired girls are envying YOU!
I do know how it feels to have an itch to do something different. Perhaps a trim would do it, or maybe a new henna color? Or maybe a fabulous new routine that makes you feel your hair is beautiful again?
I don't even think long hair is best on everyone, but I would actually personally be very sad if your hair got cut! :( It's just so beautiful!

[Tressie]

I can only see one picture, but it is gorgeous! The care advice already given is very good, especially CO and light oiling (ears down). I would suggest you search the threads for some new/exciting updos and maybe purchase a new hair toy?? This might give you a lift to get you over the hair blahs!

Also, look through the albums here and you won't want to cut! Did someone already say that it's the "two-week" rule, if I'm not mistaken? Welcome back!!

[jojo]

Hi Jojo, thanks for the tips! It has been a long time since I got a trim... I have split ends and I'm reluctant to cut off what took so long to grow, but I suppose it's necessary. I used to CWC but stopped even doing that, so I'll try that or CO again and maybe some oiling.

My routine now is shampoo scalp only, squeeze excess water out of hair, condition, rinse, and then that's it unless I want it to look somewhat nicer lol in which case I put some curl cream/mousse in, scrunch, wrap in one of those hair-towels, and that's that. It usually looks alright first day, but after that it gets crappy like this lol.

So I'll definitely try out some of those suggestions, thanks! What with the cold weather here it probably is drying out quite a lot, though I am also finding it's very flat at the roots and lacks volume... worst of both worlds lol.

Hi, Id totally cut out the shampoo and just CO, your curls will bounce even more. Try a S&D if you have the patience or maybe a dusting. Curls need moisture more than any other hair type, I am sat here with olive oil not tried it in a long time, my hair isnt curly but wavy and im finding coconut oil just isnt hitting the spot.

Have you tried damp bunning? thats pretty good for adding moisture, though your hair doesnt look dry at all. If you use cones CHI serum is an excellent product or if your coneless Tigi moisture maniac is such a good buy, a little expensive but worth every penny ebay sells it a lot cheaper.

[Demetrue]

Marchpane - I think your hair is beautiful. Please don't chop. You probably just need more moisture in the cold weather.

[Dragon]

Nice hair, I also agree with the co washing and light oiling. Please don't cut.

[Anywhere]

I'd also say CO, SMTs, oilings, and micro-trims to slowly snip off the damage.

[ericthegreat]

And as I've become increasingly frustrated with my hair, allll around me at school are girls with perfect, shiny, fashionably styled hair. Short, long, curly, you name it, it all looks amazing! And here I am with frizzy, ugly, boring hair. You see my downward spiral here haha, I am at a hair crisis!!

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/8099/img5495d.th.jpg (http://img706.imageshack.us/i/img5495d.jpg/) http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7752/img5496l.th.jpg (http://img228.imageshack.us/i/img5496l.jpg/) http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/6055/img5497q.th.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/i/img5497q.jpg/)

I'm staring at the same pictures you posted, and IMO your hair is the exact opposite of ugly and boring. Your haircolor is gorgeous, I love that shade of golden blonde. You also have have great looking waves. I definitely think you should take a look at the many curly threads here, they have great haircare tips that should help you better manage your natural texture. Definitely do NOT chop your hair off short, especially with your natural texture it will very likely turn out even worse that if you left it alone.

[Lostsoule77]

I would say def. don't cut. Those pictures you posted that are supposed to bed - they're not. Your hair looks so shiny and pretty there. I agree with all that pp have written. Do a s&d or small trim & start a better routine with more moisture. Also learning some new updo's (as prev. said) will help a lot as well. You should impose the 2 weeks rule and try all of this in the interim. Good luck and keep us updated.

[Deborah]

Your hair looks lovely. If I were you I'd not go for a big cut at all. Just trim off an inch or two, then wear it up in buns much more frequently. Doing this would help you avoid the hair in zippers and doors issue altogether, and would help you maintain the health of your hair.

Ponytails are pretty hard on one's hair. It would help if you skipped them. If you want your hair down but not loose, a braid is an easier on the hair choice. Since you have plenty of curl, your hair would probably actually stay in the braid neatly all day, unlike we straighties who fight to keep it IN the darn braid. Starting out a little damp helps keep the braid nicer all day too.

If you are interested in CO but don't want to spend so much time in the shower, I do mine in a quicker and (for me) better working way. I'll explain if you want me to.

In any case, good luck at school! Don't let your hair get you down, but don't chop it off either. It is beautiful. :)

[Kaeita]

I don't have any pearls of wisdom to add, just wanted to say I agree that your hair is gorgeous! Far from boring in both colour and texture, it's the type of hair I've dreamed of having.

[Marchpane]

Awww geez, you guys! Thanks for all the kind words. :flower: Between all the great ideas and compliments (unexpected! but appreciated lol) I feel much better about my hair. I'll be sure to try all these fantastic suggestions. Thank you all for the support! <3

[Toadstool]

I'm staring at the same pictures you posted, and IMO your hair is the exact opposite of ugly and boring. Your haircolor is gorgeous, I love that shade of golden blonde. You also have have great looking waves. I definitely think you should take a look at the many curly threads here, they have great haircare tips that should help you better manage your natural texture. Definitely do NOT chop your hair off short, especially with your natural texture it will very likely turn out even worse that if you left it alone.

Exactly what Eric said. Where is the bad photo??!! Your hair looks wonderful to me:cool: