I've wanted to do this for quite awhile, and as I sit here with my olive oil, honey, egg and coffee deep conditioner I decided it was time. 

At last measure my hair is 33 inches long, with some shorter layers @ 26 inches and some wispy bangs past my chin. 

I wash/condition 2-3 times a week.  I currently use sally's brand placenta and protein shampoo.  I put a small amount in shampoo bottle and mix with water.  I swear I'm never going to get through that bottle.  I use biolage conditioner, which is really heavy and I plan on changing it soon. 

I deep condition about twice a month right now.  I haven't noticed anything from adding coffee yet, but I'm still hoping.  My length is quite blond and my roots are growing in a dark blond/light brown. 

Let's see what else; I use jojoba oil daily on my length, use a plastic wide tooth comb, and brush occasionally w/ a boar bristle brush. 

My goal is classic length, and from there as long as it will go.  )

When a conditioner seems "too heavy", you could try diluting it before applying to your hair and see if that helps.

I am really considering dyeing the length of my hair to match my 6-8 inches of dark roots that have grown in.  I hate the idea of causing more damage but at the same time I don't want to spend the next 20 years growing this out.  I've even considered chopping it all off and seeing how wonderfully healthy I could grow a new head of hair but I know that I would regret that and be horribly unhappy. 

Its so depressing to look at pictures of me from just a few years ago because I actually was a blonde.   ???

And I still smell like coffee.  I will never use it again.

Consider a level 2 hair color, which does not lighten. This will be less damaging to your hair than a level 3, and since you've previously lightened, should take fairly well.

But if you have the money, I'd suggest getting it done professionally, by someone with experience fixing color problems.

Hi,
If you do your color yourself or have it done and can talk your stylist into listening to you, you might try color with only a 5% developer or 10% max.  (20% is usual strength.)
This will only deposit color and not lift or lighten your hair, will cause much less damage and can be repeated periodically if needed.
You can purchase 10% developer at Sally's and mix it half and half with distilled water to make 5% or even mix one part 10% developer, one part color and one part conditioner, though this is less permanent than without the conditioner.
I'm a licensed cosmetologist since 1987 and when I worked in the salon corrective color was my absolute favorite thing to do.
Hope this helps some

I did a vinegar rinse last week and the coffee smell is finally gone.  Thank goodness! 

I'm in San Francisco for the next week and a half.  Quite a difference from oh so dry Denver.  My partner insisted that I would need the blowdryer, but I really doubt it.  I washed this morning before we left so I should be able to get at least 2 and possibly 4 days before I wash again.  And I can just leave it in a single braid and even if it takes all day and night to dry it won't be a big deal. 

I had really wanted to try rag curls for my birthday which will be next week but I didn't bring any fabric with me.  I may stop at the store and pick some up though.  If I like the rag curls, I'll probably rsvp to my company christmas party and wear my hair in curls.  Assuming I find a dress too.

I did my first 5 stranded french braid tonight and it doesn't look terrible!  I'm so freakin' excited.  I had hoped to take braiding classes while I was out here, but since that didn't work out I've just been playing w/ my hair.  Last night I finally figured out the figure 8 bun too and wore my hair like that during the day. 

My hair feels so soft after washing.  After I put in my conditioner, I wrapped my hair in a towel while I finished my shower, then rinsed it out with cooler water. 

Last night I was complaining about my braided buns, but today I took a picture of mine (I put it up like that when I ran down to get breakfast), and it didn't look too bad. 

Can someone tell me how to put up pictures on this site?

I'm a bit slow, but I think I finally figured out how to post pictures.   Thanks for the instructions bikerbraid.  I really need to figure out why all my pictures end up so blurry. 

Here's my braided bun--blurry which might be why I like it. 


First attempt at figure a figure 8 bun.


First 5 strand french braid