Hello everyone!  Looks like I was gone from here for so long that I became an "Ex-member", LOL!  I'd like to say hi again, it will be good to catch up those I've talked with before and to meet the ones who came after I became an ex-member.

So I have hair to my lower back, just to the top of the hips.  It's still rather damaged on the length from a couple times using chemical dyes about 4 years ago, but that is gradually getting better.  I still dye my hair now, but I use a henna paste that I mix up myself to get a nice lovely deep auburn color on top of the natural medium brown.

Currently I am no-cone, shampoo and condish around twice a week, with an oiling at least after the shampoo and sometimes before I braid it for sleep when I remember to.  In a month or two I am going to transition to shampoo bars, and plan on trying Chagrin Valley's (love Ida's stuff, in fact it was a post on this forum that got me started buying from her a couple of years ago) and maybe Prairieland Herbs (found them on the Long Hair Community forums).  I also use an ACV rinse every once in a while when it feels like my hair is getting particularily clumpy.

Welcome back,RenChick!  Good to hear from you!
I've also used Prairieland Herbs shampoo bars.  Good ones to use.  Chagrin Valley and Ida are ones I'm partial to also.
Let us know how you like the bars from each place.  The ladies are both places are very helpful! :)

Welcome back, RenChick. :)

I don't know much about shampoo bars but good luck.

Welcome back.  Does Renchick mean you are a Rennie?  I hope so, I am, too, and spend weekends at Bristol Renaissance Faire in Wisconsin.  If you are, what is your home faire?

I'd love to see a pic of your hennaed hair!!!

I recently did my first year acting in the Arizona Renaissance Festival.  So, I'd also like to know if you're a Rennie!

Thanks for the welcomes, ladies!

Curlgirl, I'll be sure to post the results for each one I try.  I have used Ida's on and off in the past, especially traveling, but I've always followed it by conditioner.  This time, I'm going to try to follow the poo bar, ACV rinse and oiling only routine and see how my hair likes it.

Melusine and Sakina, I am actually not a Rennie, even though I would love to!  I have yet to go to my first RenFaire, but am hoping to this year.  RenChick is a nickname a friend gave me, as the feminine of Renaissance Man.  I have a lot of widely varied interests and skills, so he thought it was appropriate.  I have adopted it as my own!  :)

Sakina, when I get back from traveling and have hennaed my hair again, I will post a couple pics for you to see.

RenChick,
I also always follow the poo bar with ACV,conditioner and oiling!  I just tried Suaves Humectant shampoo and conditioner followed by John Feida's Frizz Ease smoothing creme.  Worked well also for the french braid I was doing. :)

RenChick wrote on May 23^rd, 2010 at 10:36pm:

Sakina, when I get back from traveling and have hennaed my hair again, I will post a couple pics for you to see.

Great!  Thanks.  Where are you traveling?

Sakina,  I was on a military deployment, so I can only say in the Middle East, since this is a public forum.  But...I am back, and am currently sitting with my hair all wrapped up and henna in it, so I'll be able to take some photos of it this week to post!  This is the first time I have tried to apply it myself (a friend usually does it for me, but she's away), so let's see how it turns out.  :D

RenChick, I'm glad you've returned safely.  I'm looking forward to seeing how your henna turns out.  My hubby helps me apply cassia to my hair-I cannot imaging doing it myself!  How long do you leave your henna in?