Symbolic of life, hair bolts from our heads. Like the earth, it can be harvested, but it will rise again. We can change its color and texture when the mood strikes us, but in time it will return to its original form.
Diane Ackerman
Today I decided to do a post not related to clothes, but something highly related to my style... my hair! My hair is fairly long, but it wasn't always and it took about three years to get it to how it is now. So I would like to share my journey from short, dry, and brittle hair to long and healthy locks. Hopefully it will be helpful to anyone trying to grow out their hair.
I used to dye my hair a dark mahogany brown (see picture below). It was a tough colour to keep up with though; my roots were always coming in and they looked gray! I don't know why I got tired of always dying my hair, it probably had something to do with how much effort it took (I can be pretty lazy), and how I wasn't completely happy with how the dye jobs turned out, or even the amount of money I was spending.... So I decided to dye my hair back to its original colour, or at least as close to as possible. I ended up (very foolishly) bleaching my hair four times and dying it an absurd seven times. Needless to say, it was DEAD. It felt like hay!
And that is when I got my sister to cut my hair off. I put my hair into a ponytail and snip! I cut it really short- above the shoulder. I've never wanted short hair, I've always had fairly long hair, so having it this short was difficult for me. I did not own it and now that I think back on it, I really should have! The picture below shows me back to blonde and with my hair much, much shorter.
Side view. See how short it is! The layers started very high.
So here I was with my blonde hair back and the desire to have Rapunzel locks. I knew growing my hair out involved more than the type of shampoo and conditioner I used though. And this is where I would like to share my tips!
Part A) Leave it be!
The first thing you'll need is patience. This one is obvious because hair grows like grass! But good things come to those who wait (as they say).
The second thing I would suggest is not using styling tools on your hair. After the monstrous dying job I did on my hair I let the poor thing be. I only straightened it for special outings or what not.
Hair slowly, but surely, growing out.
Part 2) What's in your body?
I knew that to have long hair it was important that it be healthy, or else no matter how long it was it wouldn't look pretty! I started thinking about what I was putting into my body and whether or not it was beneficial for my hair. I was told to take Salmon Oil or Fish Oil supplements, to make sure I was getting enough protein, as well as eating my fruits and veggies. My biggest advice: take the supplements! They helped almost instantaneously and the longer your hair is the stronger it needs to be!
Part 3) TLC on the Outside
Before my goal of Rapunzel locks I didn't pay too much attention to the products I was using (I used Pantene, Herbal Essence, etc). By this time in my life however I began switching my beauty products to ones that were considerate of the environment and organic. I use Alba Bontanica Shampoo and Conditioner (Gardenia scent). It's not too pricey which is nice, and it works really well! I noticed right away the difference when washing and conditioning my hair.
The amount of times that hair is washed is important as well,
for shampoo strips the hair of its essential oils. I wash my hair
every four days. I used to wash my hair every other day, which
just made it dryer. The first little while when I was skipping
washing days (not the shower altogether however! hah) my hair
was greasy. This is when the ponytail (or any updo) or a hat is
your best friend! Soon enough your hair will only be greasy on the
fourth day, not the second or third.
A leave-in-conditioner is a must for dry, bleached hair.
I also tend to have dry skin and hair naturally so the extra moisturizers are always welcome! I have no preference on this one, they all seem to work well! My hair is rather fine and I get fly-aways, so I use a hair oil on my hair. You can apply it when it's either dry or wet, and it you only need the smallest amount. I prefer Organix Coconut hair oil; your hair smells like coconut the entire day!
Every so often I would do a hair mask, full of nourishing goodness for my locks! I prefer natural ingredients, every item available at your local grocery store. These are the ones I
stick to:
- Avocado and egg whites. Requires one avocado and two egg whites, mix together, apply to hair for 15-20 minutes, wash out thoroughly. I've been using this one for a while, ever since I read it in Seventeen magazine years ago.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This is honestly nature's way of curing dry skin! Drench your hair in this, leave on for at least 15 minutes and wash it out. A few shampoo applications may be necessary since olive oil is really really greasy. I always tend to stay away from my roots (about three to four inches away). Olive oil can be applied to any dry areas of the body, elbows, knees, feet, hands, etc. It works wonderfully well!
I noticed the biggest difference in regards to the healthiness of my hair when I ceased dying it. I began dying my hair around thirteen or fourteen. I had various shades of blondes, browns, reddish-browns, almost black, I dyed the underneath red, and then black. It was no wonder my hair wasn't co-operating when I wanted it to, it was stressed! Once I stopped dying it my hair seemed to finally decide to co-operate with me when I wanted it to do things. It stayed pin straight when I straightened it, it stayed in ringlets when I curled it. It was a wondrous change!
There are some other tips I heard or read and followed and still do. I find they are simple yet helpful tips for daily life. For example, I read that giving your head a massage helps get the blood flowing around your hair follicles. Does it work? I have no clue, but who is about to turn down a message?! Another, I've heard this plenty of times: not to brush your hair when wet and to use wider-toothed combs for the least damage. Also, try to refrain from wearing hats for they restrict the hair from breathing. This one is hard! I could wear hats every day. And, wearing your hair up pulls on the roots and apparently can lead to a receding hairline. This is fine by me, I rarely wear my hair up.
Part C) The End Result
And this is my hair years after much dedication and hard work! I only cut my hair about twice a year. When I was dying it I was cutting it every three months. There is less of a need to cut it now since it was mostly getting damaged through the dying process.
Phew, I never knew I would have so much to talk about in regards to my hair! I have reached the hair goal I set for myself, but I would like to continue to grow it longer. If anyone has tips for growing out hair that I haven't talked about, please share! I hope that this post was helpful ladies!
Happy Friday!
xo, The Rag Trade
