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Your long hair in 2004

Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: Long Hair Happenings
Forum Name: Long Hair Support
Forum Description: Growing it long takes commitment and support.
URL: /forum_posts.php?TID=854
Printed Date: Jan 27, 2025 at 5:16am

Topic: Your long hair in 2004

Posted By: DaveDecker
Subject: Your long hair in 2004
Date Posted: Dec 16, 2003 at 8:05pm

Hi everyone!

Now that the year 2004 is nearly upon us... I wonder: what are your plans and goals for your long hair in the year 2004?

Do you plan to grow your hair longer (and if so, how much), cut it shorter (and if so, how much), or keep it the same length?

Do you have other goals, such as "improve your haircare routine" or "use better products" or "learn how to do new hairstyles" or ...?

I imagine everybody (at least everybody on this board) has ideas on how they want their hair to be in the coming year...

TIA for sharing your thoughts.

-------------

Replies: 51

Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: Dec 16, 2003 at 8:05pm

Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: Dec 24, 2003 at 3:15am

Hi Dave,

My ends need some work. I dust them religiously but for some reason whether it is the cold dry winter weather or some other reason, my ends just feel gnarly. Know what I mean? So definitely for 2004 I am going to focus on my ends.

Karen !$ Shab` dbe ,%4 b` , 8bp - )%! )-% !$ -,$`r /2

Posted By: hairalways
Date Posted: Dec 24, 2003 at 6:55am

My goal is to try and take the BEST care of my hair so that I can avoid having to go to the stylist. I go to a GREAT Salon here in Tampa, but I seem to lose a lot of my hard work when I go in for trims (not the stylists fault) I am at 20"in the back with Courtney Cox layers all over and my goal is to let this great style grow 6 inches - It will be hard!!

P.S. I am going to Tennessee next week....any tips on protecting my hair from the elements there?

Peace and love to all this holiday season!

jacqui

Posted By: Beatnik Guy
Date Posted: Dec 24, 2003 at 9:17am

! @ $%$ 0$$ B(E(

How long is yours now, Karen? :o)

I'm hoping for some extra length in 2004...that speeded up a little in 2003. There are some recent photos here :

Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: Dec 24, 2003 at 11:09am

Hi Chris,

So good to see you here. How wonderful.

My hair has not really grown much in the past 6 months. Maybe because I have been pulling so much out lately. LOL. Only kidding.

Seriously, it is still about 5 inches below my waist where it has been for over 1 year. The ends are feeling yucky even though I have been "dusting" them.

I need to get a new hairstylist. My current stylist is not really long hair sympathetic although she doesn't push me too hard about a major trim, she does mention it from time to time and that makes me nervous.

I know that a lot of my current hair growth issues are related to my lifestyle (not enough exercise, too little sleep, not enough of a lot of things. :-)

I am going to do better in 2004 on my hair.

Thanks for the link. More later.
Karen !$ Shab` dbe ,%4 b` , 8bp - )%! )-% !$ -,$`r /2

Posted By: DakotaDiva
Date Posted: Dec 24, 2003 at 12:44pm

My hair is long right now mid-back.
The thing with me is, whenever i have long hair like now, i really have the urge to cut it short again, and whever i cut my hair short i want to grow it long again. i have been doing this for maybe 10 or 15 years ever since i was in high school.
last week i made an appointment to get most of my hair cut off in a short crop but i chickened out, i cancelled the appointment.
For now i am wearing it long. by the end of 2004, who knows how my hair will be. it could be growing long towards my waist or cut in a short crop.
Time will tell I guess.

Posted By: dianefromcanada
Date Posted: Dec 24, 2003 at 4:58pm

I have plans to let it grow longer. I finally did make the decision of dying it to my natural colour and it looks great. It feels very soft. I was starting to turn white.$!!, B`gla`d`d

Posted By: alicia_kendra
Date Posted: Dec 25, 2003 at 2:48pm

<"p , "4@ %d `e

I hope your current stylist isn't the one that wanted to cut your hair because of tangles!0!, B`& ad 0 !,0"p '.4 b .%,-% !(-%,$% 0"B !2

Posted By: Laine1998
Date Posted: Dec 25, 2003 at 6:04pm

I plan on letting my hair grow out more this year. The only thing that I do is highlight it (Now just the roots get a touch up) and it is doing fairly well.

My main problem is split ends on the underneath in the back. I don't know why, i don't even wear my hair much in a pony tail. Most of the time its twisted up in a bun and secured with a pony tail holder. Nothing too rough or anything.

I have recently bought some different redken products that I'm going to play around with and see how they work. Mostly from the all-soft line.

I'm still trying to decide if I should cut my bangs, or let them grow. That is my main issue and I think about it daily!

Happy holidays everyone, and the best to you all in the new year!

Posted By: Tap Dancer
Date Posted: Dec 26, 2003 at 7:26am

I've been letting my hair grow since right after I got it cut back in September. My hair is now about 2 inches below my shoulders with layers starting at my mouth. I'm going to let it grow until it gets to the middle of my back and I'm going to keep some long layers for movement.

I've already been working on being more gentle with my hair: I'm sleeping on a satin pillowcase and using a comb only.

I want my hair to look better this year than it ever has.

@`d` $%`! ,0(bp "4 b` ."---!, %-!-,(),`` $4

Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: Dec 28, 2003 at 12:10pm

Hi Karen,

I know what you mean. Sometimes when I do a "search & destroy" split-ends mission, I trim some strands more than is necessary for the split because the last inch or two of the strand is clearly "crispy." And... you definitely need to find a new stylist. You (of all people, hair care consumer advocate!) should not have to tolerate her BS.

Hi Jacqui,

How is "losing a lot of your hard work" consistent with a "great" salon? I don't get it. I guess they're great in all regards except they trim off more than you request? hmm... surely there must be another area salon or stylist that will be better yet (b-mail me if you're interested, I can make a recommendation). BTW, 20" measured from the crown, or from the forehead hairline? Just curious...

Hi Chris,

Your hair is definitely growing, still. Your mane is amazing.

Hi Dakota Diva,

Interesting phenomenon you describe... "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence" scenario. What can we here in the long hair community say or do to convince you that the grass is greener on the long side of the fence?

Hi Laine,

The section of your hair that splits the most is the part which is subject to the most friction as you move and the hair shifts around. That section of my hair is also stressed out.

Alicia, Diane, Tap Dancer, and everyone,

Thanks for your replies!

Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: Dec 28, 2003 at 5:17pm

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your response. I agree, for 2004 a new hairstylist is in order for me. I am hoping to get Ken Paves to have a go at my strands and maybe Rita Hazen for new colors. If I can get to LA or NYC that will be my goal. :-)

Best wishes & thanks for your great job on this board.

Karen !$ Shab` dbe ,%4 b` , 8bp - )%! )-% !$ -,$`r /2

Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: Dec 28, 2003 at 5:56pm

! @ $%$ 0$$ B(D(
Hi Karen,

You know, if Ken Paves starts working on your hair, that means that you will have become a celebrity... right?

Re: the boards, you are welcome. But thanks are not necessary. I enjoy talking about the subject.

Posted By: Ally
Date Posted: Dec 29, 2003 at 8:08am

Hey, I'm posting this from England where I'm visiting my boyfriend. :)

My fine hair is very tangle-prone, so these are my resolutions for 2004:

1) Never shampoo without thoroughly detangling first.

2) Never sleep on hair that is wet or that has not been put up or loosely braided.

3) Significantly reduce the frequency of highlights, the use of heat styling appliances, and the application of products like mousse that help cause tangles.

The hard water in England is not helping with the knots! (Anyone here from the U.K. and have advice?)

Posted By: IowaBiker
Date Posted: Dec 29, 2003 at 9:43am

For 2004:

My hair has just started growing again after a 1 year "break". It's currently 3" from my waist. I'm still letting it grow as long as it can, with only very small trims every 4 months. Once a month. I will spend several hours going through strand-by-strand with fingernail clippers trimming the splits myself.

I'm trying to stay away from the blow dryer as much as possible, but its hard to go to the office with wet hair. I only use the "warm" setting anyway.

And finally for 2004, I will learn how to braid my hair myself without having to rely on my wife to do it.

Good luck to everyone else with your endeavors for 2004!

Posted By: WUVIE
Date Posted: Dec 29, 2003 at 12:33pm

Hello all!

Good to see the boards are still up, I''ve
missed posting here!

As for my hair, I continue to cut a little here,
cut a little there while inching ever so closer
to having all one length. Hubby recently
cut the length back to my knees, so I think
this is where I''ll trim back to each time while
my bangs catch up.

Not much to go! Karen Marie

(Aka ACCOLADY, but system would not
recognize me...LOL)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

! % Iabad$"$ - BB 0 ">, , -% ,%$%0 r %

Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: Dec 29, 2003 at 12:55pm

Hi Karen Marie,

I was literally just on your site - Stressless Tresses - and it looks so great. You do such a good job there. Thank you.

For all of you folks that have not been to see Karen Marie at her site...it is one of my favs...

http://www.wuvie.net/STRESSLESS_tresses.htm - http://www.wuvie.net/STRESSLESS_tresses.htm

Good to see you here. I always enjoy your posts.

Happy New Year
Karen Marie Shelton
!$ Shab` dbe ,%4 b` , 8bp - )%! )-% !$ -,$`r /2

Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: Dec 29, 2003 at 1:03pm

Hi again Karen Marie,

I forget this little teaser......

HairBoutique.com has already made final contract arrangements with three new "big name" hair care/accessory companies to carry their lines. So there will be lots more hair care and accessory (aka hair toys) to see in 2004. Whoopeeee. :-)

One of the big names is due at the warehouse today or tomorrow. So hopefully it will be in the Marketplace this week. I have been working on getting this next line for 2 years. Yes, 2 years. :-) Persistence pays eh?

The 2nd line is hair toys and there are hundreds in the line. They will be here in 2-3 weeks. I went nuts picking the first set to put in the store.

Finally, HB Hair Jewels will be unveiling 5 new toys that are my personal designs in 2004. One is made with unusual shaped hair combs but it has so many crystals it is eye blinding. I guess I should sell matching sunglasses. LOL Those will be here in the next 3 months or less. They are in the final design stages.

And of course we are always adding new France Luxe, EVITA PERONI, Good Hair Days, Smoothies, Intuition, HairLoops, Karina blah blah blah.

So Karen Marie...you inspire me to keep adding more. Thank you so much.

Hugs from one Karen Marie to another. :-)

!$ Shab` dbe ,%4 b` , 8bp - )%! )-% !$ -,$`r /2

Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: Dec 29, 2003 at 7:46pm

Hi Ally,

I experience hard water where I live. Here's what I do: after the final rinse (shower), I squeeze the excess water out of my hair, then pour about 1/4 gallon of distilled water over my hair (so it all gets soaked in it), then let it sit and drain/drip for maybe 30 seconds. Then, squeeze the excess water out... this helps remove some of the excess minerals that make the tap water hard.

Karen S,

Funny you should mention having just visited Karen Marie's site... I too just went there yesterday for the first time in many months. BTW, how can Karen Marie get her "Accolady" login restarted?

Karen Marie,

You have incredible hair.

I can only wish that mine looked half as good. Nice to see you here!

Iowa Biker and all,

Thanks for your replies! This topic has been fun.

Posted By: krzysztof
Date Posted: Dec 29, 2003 at 8:09pm

wow!!! I love Karen Maries hair its so long and healthy looking, right now my hair is nearly down to my lower back. I want to grow it down to about knee length long way to go!
and I was determined not to cut my hair short so i joined the long hair magazines long hair project ^_^. I hope I can stick to it lol

Posted By: grenwich
Date Posted: Dec 30, 2003 at 4:26pm

KarenMarie does have fabulous hair!!!

My hair goals for 2004.
Continued growth - with the eventual goal of midthigh for now, but we'll see. I want to find terminal, I'm just afraid it's probably midthigh.
Thicker ends. I think this is just a dream....
To learn to love my greys. I haven't coloured in a year now, so my greys are very evident - I fight the occasional battle - just get the color and cover them! take 10 years off. Ahhhh self acceptance.

Gren< , BAaha4`r$ %$6$`b $ (`b .$ !,$ !,!!!)! ( 2 %(

Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: Dec 30, 2003 at 5:42pm

4#t ( ` @``
Hi Krzysztof... what is the long hair magazine's long hair project? I'm curious...

Posted By: krzysztof
Date Posted: Dec 30, 2003 at 7:47pm

[/QUOTE]
Hi Krzysztof... what is the long hair magazine's long hair project? I'm curious...

[/QUOTE]

The long hair magazine site has a section called long hair project, its for women who want to grow long hair. What we do is send a picture of how long our hair is and why we want long hair, then every few months we send in more pictures of how long the hair has grown.

Posted By: Aeryn
Date Posted: Dec 31, 2003 at 10:49am

Hi, I am new to this board. *waves* Right now I got shoulder length hair, already about 1/2 inch past shoulders which isn't much! My ultimate goal is waist length or near butt hair. I used to have hair that is long to my hips when I was younger. But for 2004 I hope to grow at least 6 to 8 inches of hair from this current length. Also, to take really good care of my hair using lots of shine and conditioners to infuse it with strength.

Posted By: Laine1998
Date Posted: Jan 1, 2004 at 1:54pm

Talking about letting my hair grow, here is a picture of my hair. Its 31" long (from the front). It was taken with my new digital camera that I got for christmas..Yippie!!!

edited to add..lets see if this works!

Posted By: HunnyBunny
Date Posted: Jan 1, 2004 at 3:18pm

for 2004 I'm planning to grow my hair really long. After a bad hair cut where my stylist cut off 4 more inches then I wanted to be cut off, I'm left with hair just above my shoulders, I was devastated. I'm definitley growing my hair really long this year and not going to that stylist ever again.!!$ Cad* T`p` , $b ' 0 0 ," ,%,%$(( ! 0"2 ).

Posted By: Kateyez37
Date Posted: Jan 1, 2004 at 10:45pm

My hair is growing, but I'm still having a problem with getting it to a length I want without having to cut off the split ends, and thus, the length.

I've noticed a definite increase in thickness and had planned on trying to grow it a couple of inches past the middle of my back, but now I'm thinking of just keeping it at 3-5 inches past my shoulders.

I'm also thinking about a color change. Maybe a very light ash blonde in front (highlights) with a honey blonde on the sides/back. I've grown my bangs out to my chin now, and am going to keep growing those out until they are to my shoulders.

I'd love to have the beautiful hair of the people here - all of you have really fabulous hair and I LOVE looking at all of the pictures!

Kris :)

Posted By: Hal
Date Posted: Jan 2, 2004 at 7:56am

<"p $% @ 0% `` $

I think that color would look fabulous on you! Haveyou ever been that blonde before?

Posted By: papillon_purple
Date Posted: Jan 2, 2004 at 7:49pm

I'm aiming to grow my hair to waistlength. My goal is to continue my haircare regime, and be especially careful of the ends.

Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: Jan 3, 2004 at 12:37pm

Hi Krzysztof,

Thanks for pointing that out. I would have never known what the long hair magazine project was. Very cool.

I wish you well attaining your length, but one look at the photo of your healthy, thick hair confirms that you will absolutely be able to grow it as long as you wish.

Hello, Aeryn, and welcome to the board! Your hair plans for this year sound excellent.

Laine -- I am blown away. Your hair is gorgeous!

Hey HunnyBunny! (heh, cute name)... I feel badly for your suffering inflicted by the hair butcher. I am sure your hair will once again be as long as you want it to be.

Howdy Kateyez! (Is that a proper way to greet a Texan?) It isn't easy to have really long, thick -- and lightened -- hair. It might come down to what you want most -- longer hair (past the middle of your back) or lighter hair. Might. What is your natural color? I'm guessing it's a darker shade of brown, and I'm sure it would be flattering to you. Of course, so is your current color (as shown in the pic). IMO you can't "go wrong" no matter what you choose.

Greetings, papillon purple! I'm guessing that you will reach your length goal at the end of next year... you're well on your way and by the end of this year will be 50% closer than you are now.

great!

Thank you all for your replies. I wish you all the best with your hair goals in 2004!

Posted By: HunnyBunny
Date Posted: Jan 3, 2004 at 9:10pm

DaveDecker, Thnx for your support :) And Yeah he really is a hair butcher!!$ Cad* T`p` , $b ' 0 0 ," ,%,%$(( ! 0"2 ).

Posted By: Laine1998
Date Posted: Jan 3, 2004 at 11:41pm

Dave,
Thanks. I'm trying hard to grow it out. I also try to use minimal hair drying on it. just kinda last minute to get the few waves out. I'm going to let it keep growing too. We'll see how long it gets!

Posted By: Kateyez37
Date Posted: Jan 4, 2004 at 7:12pm

Hi, Hal and thanks! Yes, I've actually been a lighter blonde most of my life (just the past few years I've kept it at a lighter brown/dark blonde color). I don't think the pictures really represent the way my hair looks in r/l. It's a dark blonde, but gets very blonde in the sun.

Hi Dave :) Actually, my natural color is a light brown, and (like I said above) gets blonde after a couple of times in the sun. My eyelashes and eyebrows have always been dark for some reason, but my hair has been lighter, but more of a mousy color. I agree that it's hard to have a really light (bleach) color on your hair and have it ultra long as well. Something is usually compromised in the process, and my hair doesn't get to a very light blonde unless it's bleached or I've been in the sun.

Thanks again. :)

Kris

Posted By: papillon_purple
Date Posted: Jan 4, 2004 at 9:35pm

Thanks Dave!

You're right, my hair will be even more on it's way to the length I want it. I just hope it will actually grow that long, I'm not sure what the terminal length is (yet).

Posted By: Laine1998
Date Posted: Jan 4, 2004 at 11:59pm

Hi Amanda,
wow your hair has really grown! My hair doesn't normally look that nice, I had blow dryed it for a few min, otherwise I have a few waves in the back.
Nice to see you around, and thanks for the compliment!

Posted By: enfys
Date Posted: Jan 5, 2004 at 9:38am

Haven't we all got some great resolutions then?

Hope everyone has what they want for Christmas 2004!

I've decided to stop trimming, my layers weren't growing anyway for some reason, so I'll ignore 'em.

I'll let it grow for my sixteenth in July, and by the time I start college in September I'll be at my goal of about 8cm longer than now, possibly past it and almost definately inspired to grow it longer!

I'll also condition more, and tie up my ends more often, so more buns and plaits for me.

$- P cn`dp0% 00BB .(4`p /.%%%,-)! !!%,!,`" !,

Posted By: Erinlynn
Date Posted: Jan 7, 2004 at 6:22am

Karen Marie-- How in the world does you hair end up so super curly looking like that!!! My hair never holds the curl like that...its holds waves a bit better but I cant seem to get the top part of my hair to not be weighed down so much that the curls fall out of the top. It certainly doesnt help that Im now in Florida where the humidity takes all curl out!

Anywasy you have lovely lovely hair and are quite beautiful too.

My goals this year are to lose more weight and keep excercizeing. how is this hair related? Well I will feel better about having long hair if my body is well enough fit. In Karens site it speaks about how we must be long hair ambassadors and look our best. The typical vision people seem to have about a long hair girl is that they look frumpy. As long as I am heavy I feel frumpy and having very long hair (or very short hair) really can add to a frumpy look. So if I loose the weight the hair will feel better on me.

Okay for the hair itself I wont be doing much cutting (as usual) much to my mothers dismay. My hair will just grow as it pleases untill i need a trim.

Posted By: leon
Date Posted: Jan 7, 2004 at 9:46am

Dave,
My 2004 hair goal is finally do what I want to do with my hair rather than being influenced by friends and family. Like most guys I get lots of pressure from people whenever I let my hair start to get long. There is real pressure in our society to conform to the norms of guys having short hair. I have always wanted to grow my hair long. Last year I let the back get long enough to put in a ponytail. I really loved how it felt and wanted to keep growing it but I let the pressure get to me and then cut it.
My hair is thick and wavy and I would love to see how it looks and feels to have it grow down to at least to mid back. I know that would take much longer than 2004 however my hair seems to grow close to an inch per month.

Posted By: Kintaro
Date Posted: Jan 15, 2004 at 2:54am

No slouching on seats, especially the toilet seats. And I can go on until 2005 without worrying about the hybridness of what originated from the head and from what originates down there. o_O

Now : 6cm below nipples.
12 months from now : Belt length.

Please note that it is a variable length thing and it has been a bit over 3 years now from nothing,

Planning a visit to Louise Marie's hopefully for before Anime North 2004 (mid-may)

BTW, is color evil for long hair or is it just a major fear because many stylists fark up ? I was thinking of grey :P (! A al` eb (% $b` /6(bb !.$ ,-$! -- % ( Bp $

Posted By: Viktoria
Date Posted: Jan 21, 2004 at 10:47am

Just came back from holidays and it % C`e adu a - , `b 4(` /.%% -$ ,%$! 8bp ,(

Posted By: Miss Daisy
Date Posted: Jan 23, 2004 at 10:39pm

I would love to just start the growing process. I am not sure at what length my hair will grow, but my long-term goal is waist length. I would like to learn how to style hair that is shoulder length or below because I am use to flippy layers, etc. I would also like to be "kinder" to my hair.. aka less blowdrying, curling, etc ;)

Posted By: Jenna
Date Posted: Jan 24, 2004 at 3:45pm

Gray would be interesting Kintaro, but you might want to be careful so it doesn't make you look pre-maturely gray. If you have black hair, I think a deep navy blue shade would be cool...maybe highlights in that color. True black hair often has blue undertones. It would be fun to see a picture of your hair.

Posted By: Kintaro
Date Posted: Jan 25, 2004 at 12:35am

I'm actually going to get to borrow my friend's digicam tomorrow for arcade purposes, and for random stuff. My head will be part of that list :P

Not just for the hair, but how much I can look different from innocence to insanity XD (! A al` eb (% $b` /6(bb !.$ ,-$! -- % ( Bp $

Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: Jan 25, 2004 at 6:34pm

Hey Victoria, great new picture! Of course you're a "long haired" person.

Hi Miss Daisy! I would suggest browsing the HB photo gallery for styling ideas. I will add that even "no style" long loose hair looks great, so no matter what your look will be good.

It'll be interesting to see your contrasting looks, Kintaro.

Posted By: krzysztof
Date Posted: Jan 31, 2004 at 7:25pm

hey everyone here is how long my hair is now

http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~longhair/longing/krzysztof/04/krzysztof.html - http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~longhair/longing/krzysztof/04/krzysztof.html

Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: Feb 1, 2004 at 3:30pm

Hey krzysztof, you've got great hair!

Posted By: Anne-Loes
Date Posted: Feb 5, 2004 at 3:49pm

Sorry for my late reaction. I want to keep asl long as possible my waist-lenght hair and keep it in perfect condition.

,% @ieb

Posted By: uzma
Date Posted: Feb 10, 2004 at 3:18pm

Hey Dave

Thought I would come out of the woodwork now

and answer your question.

Goals for 2004:

1. Let it grow

(paid-up member of the No-cut Club)

2. Don't use commercial products, use clay-wash and oils only

3. Wear my hair with pride....I feel like a longhair at last (its BSL..I know coz it gets caught in my bra-strap if I'm not careful....YAY!)

), R '. `p %

Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: Feb 10, 2004 at 7:08pm

( ``$,%0 ($! ab d$
Hey Uzi, that club goes by another name, right?

Posted By: uzma
Date Posted: Feb 11, 2004 at 8:25am

Yes, indeed.....The Loving Order of Uncut Ends is its' formal designation.

And you, my dear Dave, are granted an Honorary Fellowship of the Order...for being an inspiration and exemplar of our ideals!

), R '. `p %

Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: Feb 11, 2004 at 8:24pm

Uzi,

I am honored by your generous praise.

Even though I occasionally trim the ends they do appear uncut. Maybe I should amend that to "rarely." Last trim was in August 2002 - I'm due. (I hope you don't feel my confession undermines your fraternity's aims; I do sympathize and support those who may choose the path).

Posted By: Elissa
Date Posted: Feb 12, 2004 at 7:03am

Hi Dave, great post.

WARNING: LONG response here.

I've taken quite the minimalist approach over the last year since my last salon visit in March of '03.

I gave myself a very "involved" trim about a month ago with very good, sharp sewing scizzors, angling my sides from the cheekbone downward, taking off about two or three inches therefrom because I really needed a shaping. Then I took about 1/2 inch from my bottom in the back and my second long layer, which lies about an inch from the bottom, extending to the sides (if that makes sense). By doing that I was able to return my hair to pretty much perfect health and renewed shape and volume. I was VERY proud of myself and it was still very long. It's about two inches below bsl now.

I think I will continue doing these trims at home a few times a year for as long as I want to keep this style. The face-framing layers are really great, they give me a "modern" feel while still keeping my hair long. I don't have to touch the bottom unless it feels dry. Cutting your own hair is so convenient, you do it when needed and it's FREE!

I plan to keep my hair at this length, I really don't have the desire to go longer at this point, nor shorter. I am quite happy with my hair these days.

I must admit, sometimes I do envy these just-above-shoulder length, flippy styles that I've been seeing, but my dear husband reminded me that I don't have that kind of hair (and he's not even a "hair guy", bless him). My hair is wavy and on the cusp of medium-to-coarse textured, and that style would require straightening balm and daily blow drying. My porous hair would be destroyed in a week. So I think keeping my sides nicely layered and angled will keep "modernization envy" at bay.

Over the last year +, I've been trying to get away from the "almost black" cool dark brown color I'd been using, in an attempt to get back to my much warmer chocolatey-with-red tones natural color. I have a LOT of grey now. I've been very patient, and coloring only at the roots for over a year with a mixture of colors that I've created to do this, using Redken Fusion once every two or three months (4NN with 1/3 of 3GR) with Natural Instincts touch ups in between (medium brown mixed with Medium Auburn Brown), all roots only. The results have been worth my patience: I now have about 8 inches of hair from the roots downward of the more natural looking warm brown. It blends in decently with the darker bottom half, particularly since this "older" hair has faded a bit with age and has turned warmer on its own. I don't hear people calling my hair "black" anymore. I will definitely continue this project throughout 2004. The best part of this is that when I wear my hair up, you only see the new color. I am so happy with the results of this plan I've been working on for over a year. I'm living proof that patience pays when it comes to long term hair plans.

Regarding products, I've also kept things fairly minimalist lately. I'm shampooing twice a week or so with Aveda or Redken, and mixing that up with Loreal Color Vive occasionally. I haven't been doing any deep conditioning or hot oil treatments, but would like to do one soon just for a boost. If I go an extra day without washing, once in a blue moon I'll use my husband's Suave for a good clarifying shampoo. I'm still using my same Loreal Studio Anti-Frizz gel (very water, very light) with a light touch, only as needed. When my hair begins to air dry, I just add it wherever the frizz is forming.

So nothing new for me in 2004, just a continuation of what's been working for me in 2003. I'm 5.5 months pregnant now, and have not noticed my hair changing at all as it does for some women, although perhaps drinking half of my body weight in water on a daily basis is helping on some level. It does seem pretty darn healthy (my skin hasn't been so lucky).

Perhaps after the baby is born in late June, I may reconsider my hair length. On the other hand, it takes me all of ten seconds to wrap my hair up in scrunchies or clamps and then it's out of the way. Perhaps that is the best way to go. I already have a hair plan in place for labor--up and tight with twenty million small clips and extras nearby to keep it away, so I don't pull it the heck out! Probably more info than the men on this board need to hear!

Whew! That was long, but fun to write.

Elissa

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