View Full Version : do you evangelise about products in real life?
freckles
July 20th, 2011, 05:33 AM
Yesterday, I was in Boots buying some conditioner and I stopped at the hair accessories to browse and see if there was anything interesting. There was a woman, with nearly-shoulder-length salt-and-pepper hair holding a packet of spin pins and staring VERY intently at the packet. For a LONG time.
I had a spin pin in my bag, and for quite a while I considered pulling it out and asking if she wanted to see it. But, well, where I'm from that would be considered very weird. I know it's different in other places, but here on the whole you just don't talk to other people when out and about. It's distinctly odd. :lol: So while I wanted to help her, I decided to go back to my browsing.
But after a few minutes, she turned to me, and said "um ... excuse me?". I was pretty surprised, and wondered if she'd caught me looking at her. She said "do you know anything about these?". What are the chances?! Well ... I was a bit overexcited about the chance to be so exuberant about spin pins in real life. I told her how great they hold my hair, about how they're fairly new to the UK, I offered her the one from my bag to look at, and I gushed about how invisible they are in your hair. Truth be told, I probably frightened her a bit.
She said to me, "is one holding your hair up now?"
I was a little surprised because I had a fairly obvious acrylic stick holding up my messy cinna-bee-butt. But I know a lot of people I meet assume that the sticks in my hair are purely decorative and something else is doing the work, so I said, oh no, it's this ... and I pulled out the stick. My hair fell down of course, and the woman looked a bit disappointed. Oh, she says, your hair's long.
Truth be told -- I was a little let down by this! I had kind had a narcissistic hope that the reason she had asked me for help was because she was looking at my hair :o BUT -- I realised that my hair, up and out of the way, really IS all but invisible to the general public! She had obviously seen that my hair was NOT in my face, and had asked me for help on doing the same with hers, and now that she saw my hair down, was worried that anything that would keep my hair up would not be the same for hers. Anyway, we chatted a little more about the spin pins, and she explained she could JUST twist her hair into a bun. She showed me, and I gave her a couple of tips on forming the first loop of a cinnabun a bit tighter. I then, VERY forwardly for me, asked if I could try the spin pin in her hair. She actually seemed HAPPY, not scared about this, so I did. It sort of held, layers everywhere. I explained that she would definitely need to use two (I only had one on me) and that she would get a messier style than my hair because of the layers, but I said I thought they would hold. I was pretty proud of seemingly being the local expert on putting your hair up!
I put my hair back up with my stick and she seemed impressed at how easily I did it, so I decided to slip some long-hair evangelism in. I said that I couldn't do a bun to save my life at shorter lengths, but it seemed that the longer my hair got, the easier it was. She said she'd rather go to the dentist than the hairdresser, and I explained that I agree and that's why my hair's so long!
I really wanted to send her to LHC, but since she hadn't shown any interest in growing her hair, I thought it might seem a bit weird ... and it might take to long to explain that we really DO have a lot of shorties here and it's great for everybody. So I said goodbye and left.
I feel a bit embarrassed about the whole thing now, knowing that I really rambled on and seemed a bit over-the-top enthusiastic about 'ways to put your hair up'. But I've never had a total stranger approach me for hair advice before, and that bit really was a nice feeling!
So, after that rambly story ... has anyone else had a chance to share LHC knowledge with people that you don't know or barely know? Did you seem just as wacky as me when you got going? :lol:
Lippytoes
July 20th, 2011, 05:37 AM
Hee, that's a cute story! :)
pepperminttea
July 20th, 2011, 06:05 AM
Brilliant story; I hope she bought the spin pins, they're such handy things. :D Sounds like you made quite an impression!
I haven't yet had a chance to evangelise to anyone with long enough hair, but my short-haired family are forever intrigued with "How can you get a stick to hold up all your hair?" :laugh:
Madora
July 20th, 2011, 07:49 AM
No, apart from the folks here, I never knew anyone with long hair, or who showed any interest in growing it long.
jujube
July 20th, 2011, 07:53 AM
That's great. I love spin pins (wish my hair were longer though). I only evangelize to my BF, he has a flaky scalp (from harsh shampoo without conditioner) and I'm giving him tips. He only poured ACV on his head when all else failed, but hey he did.
Jing
July 20th, 2011, 07:55 AM
Awesome story. I wish people would interact randomly more often (says the incurable introvert). I haven't had the opportunity to evangelise to strangers, but I pointed a friend of mine in this direction. Don't know what became of that, actually.
Nae
July 20th, 2011, 08:00 AM
Well sorta, I had a co-worker once who had hair between APL and BSL and she was looking at her ends and saying how they are SO damaged and that she didn't want to go get it cut but what else could she do.
Well, if I had ever heard an opening that was it. So I said, "Let me see." She happily showed me her "miserable ends." I looked at them carefully and said, "I don't see any split ends at all, it actually looks like it is in really great shape. I think you should get a clarifying shampoo and then really put on a ton of moisture and your hair would be fine."
She was shocked. "Really?!" She said, trying to get a better look at her ends. "What kind of moisture?" So I talked to her about coconut oil and SMTs and AVG, and to my complete shock she went out and bought the coconut oil and the AVG that day.
Later she kept telling me how much better her hair felt and that her teenage son was using the AVG as his everyday hair gel lol.
Every once in a while she would ask me more hair questions and called me her "beauty expert." (Now that, I found hilarious. Me a beauty expert.....ha.)
tolly
July 20th, 2011, 08:01 AM
I don't. I have to bit my lips not to say anything to family and friends. I was a bit over enthusiastic when I started caring for my hair, but the buzz cut I got and growing only 4inches in the one year since, has not impressed anyone, no one listens because they think 'if you know so much how come your hair isn't long' I just keep my mouth shut.
i wish I could tell a friend that the tight cornrows on her 4year old will only give tractional allopecia, but you know people don't like to be told what to do with their children...sigh. Perhaps when I finally get some length...I know my hair is doing great but no one thinks 4inches in tiny twists is worth admiration.
I use a head scarf so only female friends and family see my hair, just the other day, my friend told me 'this your hair doesn't look good at all, do something with it' she meant get a relaxer!
vanillabones
July 20th, 2011, 08:10 AM
I get just as enthusiastic as you when I get going, only to family or DBF.. but nobody seems to care and they stop listening after a few seconds :D
ElusiveMuse
July 20th, 2011, 08:17 AM
Yes, I do!
Especially hair forks. Mostly because when people compliment me on them, they'll often remark that the up-do seems really complicated. It's usually just a nautilus bun so I'll take it down and show them how it works, and talk to them about how much better it is for your hair than rubber bands and bobby pins, etc.
I also evangelize about oiling and ACV rinses.
lingxi
July 20th, 2011, 08:18 AM
That's great. I love spin pins (wish my hair were longer though). I only evangelize to my BF, he has a flaky scalp (from harsh shampoo without conditioner) and I'm giving him tips. He only poured ACV on his head when all else failed, but hey he did.
freckles you sound like you sure enjoyed yourself though :) I only fuss over close friends and family, and they think I'm weird already.
ahaha jujube that sounds super cute!
tolly
July 20th, 2011, 08:29 AM
................
Henrietta
July 20th, 2011, 08:40 AM
Perfect story! In Poland talking to strangers is not something usual as well, so I'd feel exactly the same. I FEEL exactly the same when I see people in drugstore choosing evil products. But I stay quiet :D
I just took one try. One. At the beginning of the academic year, during a tea meeting, I was talking to few girls about cones, wide tooth cobs, boar bristle brushes... And they looked at me as if I was an alien. This reminded me that most of people just wash their hair with whatever shampoo is on sale at the moment, brush it, blowdry and go. So... really, I am an alien among them.
ooo
July 20th, 2011, 09:19 AM
That's a lovely story. Most of my friends are immune to LHC knowledge and other people don't approach me for tips.
elbow chic
July 20th, 2011, 10:35 AM
I geeked out about coconut oil last Thankgiving. They all looked at me like I had three heads, but at least they're family; they can't shun me for it.
faithsdaisy421
July 20th, 2011, 12:28 PM
I get just as enthusiastic as you when I get going, only to family or DBF.. but nobody seems to care and they stop listening after a few seconds :D
This is me. I just talk and talk... and suddenly realize that they don't care about what I am saying.
My mother, whom has the frizziest nastiest hair ever is a prime example. I wish she would let me "fix" her crazed frizz. I think I may have helped her some by letting her know not to put shampoo on the length and to condition from the ears down... but she could really benefit from some oiling. But, when I ramble about that she look at me like I am crazy. Sigh. :thud:
giuditta
July 20th, 2011, 12:33 PM
Can you evangelise me too please? What are spin pins and how do they work?
ratgirldjh
July 20th, 2011, 12:35 PM
This makes me laugh!
I actually find myself talking to women in the hair products aisles - and I've found that most of them are as eager to talk about hair as I am!!! And they are interested in feedback as well as giving feedback of their own!!!
djh
ratgirldjh
July 20th, 2011, 12:40 PM
This is me. I just talk and talk... and suddenly realize that they don't care about what I am saying.
My mother, whom has the frizziest nastiest hair ever is a prime example. I wish she would let me "fix" her crazed frizz. I think I may have helped her some by letting her know not to put shampoo on the length and to condition from the ears down... but she could really benefit from some oiling. But, when I ramble about that she look at me like I am crazy. Sigh. :thud:
My bf thinks I am crazy if I talk about hair care stuff - he just doesn't get it. Actually he prefers my hair shorter and is glad I cut it!!! Seems he wasn't too thrilled at me wearing my hair up in buns... he must have had a mean teacher with a bun when he was younger lol :D
My mom has waist length very thin and fine silver hair. I have given her a MP BBB and try and get her to stop using SLS since her hair is already thin and fine - and on my hair it makes my hair fall out and makes it even finer in texture and I know that is one of the reasons hers is so thin and straight (SLS makes my hair totally stick straight! and i actually have waves when I don't use it).
She listens to me and then just rips her BBB through her hair and ends up with big wads of hair in it... (i saw it like this :() and pins it in a VERY tight french twist with bobby pins onto the back of her head... :rolleyes: then she complains to me that her hair is thin and breaking off... and I tell her why and it just starts all over again... :o I'm beginning to think she should cut her hair shorter and start over... but she won't listen to me anyway although she tells me my hair is in such better condition than hers - and asks why...
Lishamatish
July 20th, 2011, 12:49 PM
Aww you are so sweet! You are so right about people over here being a lot less forward and chatty.
I wish I had met you when I was in Boots last, staring confuzzled at the hair section :)
RitaCeleste
July 20th, 2011, 12:54 PM
I am much more likely to talk to people in the isles, and not just the haircare ones. I did mention coconut oil and AOHR at the ethnic beauty supply I shop at, but the owner was out. The owner is Asian, she told me her daughter had tried the KeraCare and liked it. I've been really tempted to bring the owner a new bottle AOHR for her daughter to try in hopes that they would start carrying it. Is that evil or what??? I was always perfectly willing to ask for help in a store, but I find sales people rarely know much. I live in a rural area so I have to order Trader Joe's stuff and AOHR, there isn't a bottle within 100 miles I bet. I have learned so much, I'd love to share the information. I chase my youngest daughter around doing treatments on her long hair now. The rest of my family can go bald for all I care. If they want to treat me like the village idiot, I'll keep secrets and just let them suffer. After all, its more important for their self-esteem to believe I'm dumb than it is for them to have nice hair. That's always how it is, the people you'd like to help most never listen.
DoubleCrowned
July 20th, 2011, 12:56 PM
Just the other day, the subject of thin, fine hair came up, and my friend suggested that keeping it short would be smart for me because fine hair breaks. Thanks to LHC, I knew to say that cutting long, thin, fine hair just leaves you with short, thin, fine hair; and how much easier it is to make it behave when it is long. But defending long hair is about as far as I dare go at this point. Heaven forbid that anyone should learn that I wash my hair without using soap or shampoo. My mother and sister would absolutely gag.
McFearless
July 20th, 2011, 05:09 PM
Thats a cute story. Nothing to be embarassed about, I wish people were as nice as you in real life! I get a death glare after complimenting someone.
aaperez
July 20th, 2011, 05:21 PM
Cute story
archel
July 20th, 2011, 05:29 PM
Cute story! And I'm glad it's easy to get spin pins now. I had to order mine off Ebay from China years ago and they were called "scroos." Anybody remember those?
Lollipop
July 20th, 2011, 06:08 PM
I was in whole foods a few days ago and saw a woman looking at the henna. Now they don't have *real* henna, so I struck up a conversation. I probably spent like 10-20 min talking about henna and amla (because she mainly worried about grays), various mixes and such. I felt really excited and tried to give as much information as possible :cheese:. She said she will look into it and I typed the name of the website where I get my henna in her phone.
ange1ito
July 20th, 2011, 06:22 PM
I'm in UK but I don't see it as weird. I always viewed it as a form of kindness, if somebody who does'nt work at the store offers some help on an issue. I am often more trusting of the stranger than the store assistant...who might just be trying to sell X product. I have mentioned LHC to a couple of my colleagues who are trying to grow, one has started oiling now...lol.
l0nd0nbr1dg3
July 20th, 2011, 06:23 PM
im not sure i understand ..
but one night i was dreaming and talking in my sleep saying "i have to try that on my hair" so i guess i even dream about it lol
CariadA
July 20th, 2011, 06:24 PM
I don't talk to strangers usually, either.
But I have talked about products with my mother. She now CO washes and oils. ;)
I was staying with a good friend of mine recently. When I took a shower, I noticed she had Suave and V05 conditioners, no shampoo, and ACV in her shower. The next day she mentioned she wanted to grow her hair out to the same length as mine. I almost asked her if she is a member here, but I thought it might be weird to ask. I still might, though. Or a I may recommend it to her.
Amarante
July 21st, 2011, 01:05 AM
I did break down and tell someone about LHC, I just couldn't resist... >.>
At one of the mini-convenience stores on my campus there was a lady who was working the register who had a crown braid! A very-thick-rivals-Madora crown braid. :p I couldn't resist commenting on it, and telling her how much I enjoyed seeing other people wearing their hair in such beautiful updos. Finally after chatting for a few minutes about hair care, I got the courage to mention LHC, secretly wondering if she was possibly already a member. She wasn't, but expressed interest in checking it out. I haven't seen her since, and I don't know if she ever did stop by, but it certainly made my day! :)
freckles
July 21st, 2011, 05:13 AM
thanks everyone for your responses :) I *did* enjoy myself. This is far better than the time that an elderly woman asked me to help her find a nail varnish her daughter had asked for ... I know nothing about nail varnish but I felt mean saying no so I spent a good long while umming and ahhing and looking :p I think I'm a pushover!
Can you evangelise me too please? What are spin pins and how do they work?
spin pins are the Goody brand name for a certain kind of pin that is also sold by other companies under other names, hair scroos and the like ... it is a little spiral-shaped pin to hold up buns and other updos. There are a few threads about them, one of them is here: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=56730
I was in whole foods a few days ago and saw a woman looking at the henna. Now they don't have *real* henna, so I struck up a conversation. I probably spent like 10-20 min talking about henna and amla (because she mainly worried about grays), various mixes and such. I felt really excited and tried to give as much information as possible :cheese:. She said she will look into it and I typed the name of the website where I get my henna in her phone.
That is a great story! I hope the advice is very useful to her!
I'm in UK but I don't see it as weird. I always viewed it as a form of kindness, if somebody who does'nt work at the store offers some help on an issue. I am often more trusting of the stranger than the store assistant...who might just be trying to sell X product. I have mentioned LHC to a couple of my colleagues who are trying to grow, one has started oiling now...lol.
maybe blaming it on my culture is unfair and I'm just an introvert! haha. But really, I would be a little freaked out if someone randomly offered me help, I think, so I didn't dare talk to her first. But weirdly, I don't mind someone asking me for help!
I did break down and tell someone about LHC, I just couldn't resist... >.>
At one of the mini-convenience stores on my campus there was a lady who was working the register who had a crown braid! A very-thick-rivals-Madora crown braid. :p I couldn't resist commenting on it, and telling her how much I enjoyed seeing other people wearing their hair in such beautiful updos. Finally after chatting for a few minutes about hair care, I got the courage to mention LHC, secretly wondering if she was possibly already a member. She wasn't, but expressed interest in checking it out. I haven't seen her since, and I don't know if she ever did stop by, but it certainly made my day! :)
That's cool. I hope she shows up one day! :)
krissykins
July 21st, 2011, 07:36 AM
I don't really try to enable others unless they ask. My friend Lucy was complaining about how she needed two hair elastics to hold up her hair, so I showed her how to use my 60th Street Buffy fork. She wants to buy one now, but she's a little overwhelmed by all the choices on the website. :lol:
I also make my friends do DT's with the generic Biolage from Sally's whenever they complain about it being too dry.
punkcatknitter
July 21st, 2011, 03:19 PM
I love that story! I've been known to do stuff like that too, partially because for some reason people come up to me in stores and ask for help all the time. I must look approachable, haha.
I'll tell anyone who will listen about my hair. Most listen and are interested in what I tell them about ingredients and oiling and stuff, but I know they'll never change their routines. I love pulling out my hair stick and showing people how easy it is to put your hair up when it's long. Everyone in my family knows if they ask for hair help they'll get some kind of oil rubbed in it! My mom is my main disciple... she still uses SLS and cone products but they don't seem to be affecting her hair so I don't bother on that front... she has become a coconut oil freak! Every time someone mentions some kind of skin ailment (dry skin, weird rash, whatever) my mom and I look at each other and both say "coconut oil".
I think the only time I really got a negative reaction was when an old friend was telling me she was trying to stretch the time between salon visits because it cost her $150-200 each visit. (me being in total shock as she has brown hair and dyes it... a slightly different shade of brown? I couldn't even see her so called roots!) I just blinked at her for a minute and said I use a $4 packet of Indian herbs to dye mine. She looked at me kinda weird and said something about her aunt being a hair dresser and that she would never be 'allowed' to use a boxed dye. Eh, whatever. Her hair is dry and damaged. I'll keep the $200 bucks.
Spacescape
July 21st, 2011, 03:38 PM
Great story! I would love it if someone was available to share their personal experiences with a hair toy when I was in the store considering it :)
Now that I think about it, I don't think I really talk about hair that much at all unless I'm asked a specific question. I did however introduce one of my long-haired friends to hairsticks! Having someone to share hairstick finds with (at the time they seemed to be trendy and we could find lots of cheap ones in common retail shops) was great fun.
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