The evolution of my hair (lots of pics)

[lmfbs]

I post a lot of hair pics on twitter, and get asked a lot about how I keep my hair so healthy. Obviously, my answer is don't use heat, moisturize and baby it. Lots of people still seem to think I'm 'lucky' because I have pretty hair. Luck has nothing to do with it - I got smarter and starting looking after my hair.

Today I'm sick off work so I went through my photos and posted a bunch on twitter showing the evolution of my hair over the last 2 years, starting from almost exactly 2 years ago to the day.

I though you guys might be interested, so here's the evolution of my hair over the last 2 years. Obviously, a lot of these pics weren't about showing off my hair necessarily, so excuse bad shots and me looking silly. Sorry about the sizing on some of them - but honestly, I sort of want you to revel in how smooth my hair is now compared to how it used to be.


**Part 1 of 3 - 2010 - Nov 2011 **

Two years ago, I got blonde highlights and got my hair dyed nine shades varying from platinum to blue black.

https://p.twimg.com/AzqaBVtCMAAWetG.jpg
https://p.twimg.com/AzqaJHQCQAE82O0.jpg:large

About 6 months after that, I got it dyed the darkest red based black my hairdresser had, but it wouldn't stick in my hair. I got it dyed every 4 weeks back to that black, or it would wash out and show the bleached bits. I had to straighten it to get it to look like this. I actually really loved that cut and if I went short again, I'd probably get that feathered cut back.

This pic is after 2 or 3 washes. You can see it's already lightened significantly from black.
https://p.twimg.com/AzqaXVlCUAACzqq.jpg:large

This pic was the day before I went to the salon to get dyed again. My hair was so fried that's how it looked if I didn't straighten it. My hair fell out in chunks from not only dye damage, but I was swimming 5+ times a week and ripped a brush through it, then often straightened before it was totally dry.

https://p.twimg.com/AzqajR9CYAAIbmu.jpg

In November last year, I got my hair cut to about 2-3inches above BLS (slightly longer than in the photo of the dark straight hair). I swore off dying and heat styling, and wore my hair like this, all the time.

See?
http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp88/laurenmariesmith/IMG_0845.jpg
In the pic below, I was about to shoot a gun for the first time!
http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp88/laurenmariesmith/IMG_0850.jpg

[lmfbs]

** Part 2 of 3 - December 2011 to Feb 2012 **

In Dec I found both the LHC and CGF. I started following the CG method and stopped using shampoo.

These pics are from December. If it looks crunchy, that's because it is. I could literally snap bits off.
http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp88/laurenmariesmith/IMG_0301.jpg
http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp88/laurenmariesmith/IMG_0920.jpg

In January, I hennaed my hair with Lush Coco Rouge.

This was my hair right before I hennaed. You can see it's very frizzy and rough looking. It was a disaster to control, and very, very dry.
http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp88/laurenmariesmith/IMG_1078.jpg

The day after henna. It was in much better condition, but sadly, didn't last.
http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp88/laurenmariesmith/IMG_1111.jpg
http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp88/laurenmariesmith/IMG_1115.jpg

The henna washed out of my hair about 2-3 weeks later. It left my hair dryer and even more difficult to control. It was growing fast at this point, and at least it wasn't breaking off as much like it used to.
http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp88/laurenmariesmith/IMG_1104.jpg

Honestly, the breakage was probably the worst part. I would brush my hair over the sink, and it was full of hundreds and hundreds of broken strands, some over 10 inches long.

This was in Feb. I finally discovered S&D and started DTs. This photo is right before my first S&D session. You can see how rough my hair is here.
http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp88/laurenmariesmith/IMG_1233.jpg

[lmfbs]

** Part 3 of 3 - current **

These next few pics are my hair over the last 2-3 weeks. My hair is now past waist length - about an inch to hip when it's wet! I've used my straighter twice since December, and sold it last week. I haven't blowdryed since December when I went no-poo.

I have trimmed once in that time - I took off about an inch. I S&D very heavily, but now in a S&D session, I might find 5-10 damaged hairs in 1/2hr. I do DTs once a week and am still CO.
Pre-henna
https://p.twimg.com/Ayi8o8lCMAA7iHc.jpg:large

Post-henna
https://distilleryimage9.s3.amazonaws.com/cbb0c622d71211e19f481231380fd1fd_7.jpg
http://distilleryimage5.instagram.com/4607155ed63a11e192a022000a1d0114_7.jpg
https://distilleryimage2.s3.amazonaws.com/ee8ccd66db8c11e1920522000a1cdf49_7.jpg
https://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/ebd4dfd8d71211e1b57c22000a1d038e_7.jpg
https://distilleryimage11.s3.amazonaws.com/c8b97d26d5f311e19c03123138190f14_7.jpg


The biggest change for me is I don't have bad hair days anymore. I'm not tempted to shave it all off in dispair - if one hairstyle isn't working, I now have a bunch of others I can try out that will work. I also have next to no breakage. I used to see hundreds of hairs in the sink, but now, if I find any more than 2, I'm surprised.

Thanks LHC for everything you've taught me so far. Honestly, looking back, I can't believe how far I've come in such a short time.

[Hollyfire3]

This is truly amazing! The progress, your current hair, all of it is amazing and a true testiment to your hard work and devotion! Keep it up! And, I LOVE your hair so much!

[LoveAngelBeauty]

I love seeing the progression :) Nice job

[Zesty]

Wow, what a difference in such a short amount of time! It looks great. :)

[~honeyflower~]

The comparision between the 1st to the 3rd is truely beyond words! The last session is inspiring, I admit I was the one in awe.
Just looking at your pictures, I wish I could of took mine and compare them and see what results I gotten.
Way to go!

[Allychan]

absolutely sensational. My two years is coming up in january. Here's hoping i can have results like yours.

[aisha.christine]

This was so phenomenal to read and see. Your hair is very beautiful; it absolutely goes to show that your hard work and dedication paid off.
:)

[bettylibertine]

Wow! What a change! Your hair looks fantastic :D :flower:

[spirals]

Wow. Simply amazing. You went from (I'm sorry) synthetic-looking hair to blinding shine and health.

[BambooBeauty]

wow!! Your hair is so beautiful!

[MaryMarx]

That's crazy, like another head!
Thanks for sharing, it was very inspiring to watch. :)

[meishkamooshka]

Beautiful, beautiful hair dear! And what a great progression! :thumbsup: :cheer:

[Silken]

Wow that's truly amazing. Gorgeous.

[joflakes]

Wow, that really is a huge difference! Well done. I hope my hair can look like yours someday!

[MasCat]

This is really good. The shine, the thickness, I'm impressed :)

[palaeoqueen]

What an amazing change!

[dreamcatcher_]

Wow! Your hair is absolutely beautiful! Such amazing progress :) !

[lmfbs]

Thanks everyone for the comments! I someone for the first time in a few months, and they fawned over my hair. I guess I didn't really get it until I could compare the difference with photos myself. Definitely recommend taking lots of photos yourself on your journeys!

[KittyBird]

What a difference! It's very inspirational to see how much your hair has changed :)

[xnibn]

your hair is really lovely , difference between first pic and last is amazing, just need to ask since I have the same hair type how often to you deep condition?

[pocketfulla]

Wow :o I thought my hair progress was impressive but it's nothing compared to your's :(

[lmfbs]

your hair is really lovely , difference between first pic and last is amazing, just need to ask since I have the same hair type how often to you deep condition?

I do DTs about once a week or once every 2 weeks, but every time I get in the pool I oil it heavily and soak in conditioner, so they're sort of like mini DTs. I swim 4-5 times a week, so I guess that's quite significant!

[MintChocChip]

Your hair progress is amazing! Well done! :)

[Of the Fae]

Thick and beautiful hair!! I like seeing that your hair turned from straight and treated to healthy wavy!

[Madora]

Your hair is vibrant proof that plenty of patience and tlc pays off, big time! Congrats!

[anikadear]

This is awesome! Great job!! It was like a little cinematic hair adventure looking through the pics. I love the shine and you can tell how smooth it is just by the pic!!!

[lapushka]

Such a huge difference, esp. with the henna, in such a short amount of time! Congrats! :)

[lmfbs]

Such a huge difference, esp. with the henna, in such a short amount of time! Congrats! :)

Oh man, henna made such a HUGE difference. I love the colour, but the conditioning effect it's had is amazing. I mean, it was pretty nice before henna, much smoother, but the henna made all the difference to the ends.

Thanks everyone for the kind comments - hopefully it gives some of you some hope in what you can do for your hair!

[Shepherdess]

All I can say is wow at your progress! !! Your hair is super gorgeous now! ! ! :thud:

[rena]

Your journey is truly inspirtational :bowtome:. I am very, very happy for you!

[Arakazi]

Has defiantly inspired me! My hair has been feeling so dry and damaged lately. I really need to sort it out. And I am going to henna my hair tonight actually so hopefully that helps. May my hair journey begin!!

[lmfbs]

Has defiantly inspired me! My hair has been feeling so dry and damaged lately. I really need to sort it out. And I am going to henna my hair tonight actually so hopefully that helps. May my hair journey begin!!

I added a bit of conditioner and honey to my henna, and also oiled by hair really heavily prior to henna. I credit that for a lot of the change - it was like a 5 hour hot oil treatment!

[Arakazi]

I added a bit of conditioner and honey to my henna, and also oiled by hair really heavily prior to henna. I credit that for a lot of the change - it was like a 5 hour hot oil treatment!
Sounds good. I may have to give that a go. I will put oil in before hand but have already mixed up the henna. waiting waiting. waiting... :P

[lmfbs]

Sounds good. I may have to give that a go. I will put oil in before hand but have already mixed up the henna. waiting waiting. waiting... :P

If you haven't put it in your hair, you can just squirt it in and mix it up after dye release.

[Arakazi]

Awesome! Thanks for the advise :flower:

[Bambi]

Wow!!!!! Your hair is ultra gorgeous!!!! Thank you for the inspiration!

[Alvrodul]

Incredible progress! What an inspiration! :flower:

[Aredhel77]

That's a really impressive transformation - well done!

[Sarahlabyrinth]

Totally amazing! You could be on a TV ad for LHC - before and after! If it was to be advertised of course! Incredible hair!

[Lunadriael]

The difference in your hair is amazing, you must feel really pleased. It's so shiny now in comparison to before. Just want to say congrats. ^-^

[louzen]

:thud: Wow, the improvement is simply amazing! Your hair looks like it's gained a lot of thickness also. Would you attribute that to simply CO washing or just looking after your hair in general?

Thanks for sharing your pictures! :)

[newbeginning]

Your hard work really paid off. Your hair looks great.

[Dandelion6]

Thank you for sharing your journey. Your hair is gorgeous and shiny. I also love the various remnants of color woven throughout, especially as seen in the last set of pics.

[blondie9912]

Your hair progress has been AMAZING!

[nobeltonya]

Awesome! Great progress! :disco:

[Micayla47]

WOW! JUST WOW! thanks for sharing your hair journey. very inspiring.

[rock007junkie]

That's a great change. The hair is looking great. Keep up the good work!

[sloth]

That is GORGEOUS. Especially the progress from February until now. Definitely inspiration for taking better care of my hair!

[ilandree]

Your hair is beautiful! Congratulations on a job well done. It is amazing to see the difference between the 1st set of photos and the last. Great inspiration for everyone.

[jacqueline101]

Your hair is nice.

[lmfbs]

:thud: Wow, the improvement is simply amazing! Your hair looks like it's gained a lot of thickness also. Would you attribute that to simply CO washing or just looking after your hair in general?

Thanks for sharing your pictures! :)

My hair has always been thick (before bleaching it that first time it would have been well into the iii category, probably around 11-12cm , though I never measured it!) but so much was breaking off it thinned out down to 7cm when I first measured when I joined. Now it's up to 9.5cm, and I have lots of baby hairs coming through so I would love to see it above 10cm again.

I think the biggest thing really is not ripping it all out! I used to brush my hair roughly, and would use a brush to detangle. I'd brush my hair wet, with no conditioner or anything. Frankly, I'm amazed I had any hair left at all!!!


Thank you for sharing your journey. Your hair is gorgeous and shiny. I also love the various remnants of color woven throughout, especially as seen in the last set of pics.

I love the colours too. It's a nice reminder of where it came from. Up close, you can see the strands that were bleached are more fragile than the rest, and they tend to tangle and split more, so I have to take extra care with those bits.

I love the highlights so much I'm actually considering honey lightening in some streaks as these ones grow out, but I haven't quite figured out how I can lighten the same bits again and again to get the colour I want!


Your hair is nice.

Thanks so much to you (and everyone else of course!!!) for all your kind words. I'm so glad to have had such an improvement in a short time, and it makes me wonder how much more curly my hair will get when the damage grows out - I had beautiful 3a/b ringlets until I started dying my hair - now I guess I just wait to find out if I lost them in puberty, or if they're hiding under the damage!

[CurlyCurves]

Oh wow!

Love!

[MaryO]

Wow, that's amazing! Glacial shine!

[teal]

Very inspirational, indeed! Makes me want to henna my hair again! :D

[spookyghost]

Just amazing! Your hair today with you bent over and your hair is just flowing down-Wow. I hope mine looks like yours one day!

[lmfbs]

Thanks everyone! My hair is now alllllmost brusing hip when wet. I lose quite a bit in shrinkage though, sometimes it's just on waist if it's being particularly curly.

[whiteisle]

Hi! Your hair is just amazing! I recently discovered that I have the exact same hairtype as you so I'm gathering ideas on how to handle it and treat it. (I use to think I had 1c hair so I'm having to relearn everything now to take advantage of my waves and underside ringlets.)

Could you tell me what DT you do once a week...what ingredients or products and how long? I think I need to add that into my routine.

And congrats on your progress! It's just lovely!:)

[BrightEyes]

Wow, what a difference!!! Your hair looks amazing. Your shiny waves and curls are just beautiful.

[Golden]

Your hair is gorgeous! :shocked: What a difference !
It gives me hope that someday, my hair will be as beautiful as yours :flower:

[Maelyssa]

Such beautiful curls and tremendous shine...I'm loving it! I use the same Tresemme for me and my girls (they have very similar hair to your own) and we're all loving the results.

[chou]

Wow, your hair has changed so much! And your thickness, omg. Your half up braid in the last picture is just ridiculously thick! Lovely.

[lmfbs]

Thank you everyone for your kind comments :) I love that on this forum we can see the difference. I ask my bf, he says "it's longer". Sigh :p


Hi! Your hair is just amazing! I recently discovered that I have the exact same hairtype as you so I'm gathering ideas on how to handle it and treat it. (I use to think I had 1c hair so I'm having to relearn everything now to take advantage of my waves and underside ringlets.)

Could you tell me what DT you do once a week...what ingredients or products and how long? I think I need to add that into my routine.

And congrats on your progress! It's just lovely!:)

As for DTs, my hair LOVES coconut oil. I often mix coconut and EVOO, or even coconut and conditioner does wonders.

Catnip is another thing that works really well in my hair - maybe it will help yours too?

[MORE]

That's amazing! Your hair looks so healthy and pretty. Good job, you're an inspiration!

[twoLs118]

OMG your hair looks amazing now!! Love seeing the stages of your hair! It looks beautiful & you should be really proud of yourself!!!! :applause:applause

[beautifulending]

Wow,what a big change in your hair. It looks great. :P