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Trisha

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Trisha's Tresses
Feb 25^th, 2005 at 3:24pm

...Actually, since I'm just beginning my hair journey, I guess the title of my journal should be "Trisha's Tresses or the Lack Thereof"...currently my hair is only 3.5 inches on top but the sides are much shorter, probably only about 1.5 inches.

I think the first thing I should do is figure out whyI want long hair. The other night when I announced to my dh (dear hubby) that I was going to regrow my hair, he asked, "Why?" Not that he cares, mind you. He's always loved long hair but wants me to be happy with whatever style I choose. Anyway, when he asked, "Why?" I couldn't answer him. I just shrugged my shoulders and mumbled, "I don't know--I just do." But there has to be a definite reason, right? I mean, as my hair continues to grow, more and more folks are going to ask me about it and I simply can't keep shrugging and mumbling!! Maybe there's some deep down need or want that I should uncover? So I think this weekend I'll sit me down someplace quiet and ponder. If and when I figure it out I'll share it here. I also realize, after reading a lot of other's posts, that I should set a length goal as far as how long I want my "tresses" to be.

Here's my current routine and product line: I wash and condition every morning using Mane n' Tail products (love 'em) and also use TRESemme Mega Hold gel. However this is going to change. What I'd like to do is get my hair used to being cleansed only a few times a week. I realize that by shampooing every day I'm probably stripping my hair of all that good natural oil that my body produces--even though my hair looks and feels healthy and shiny.

So this morning I took my usual morning shower but broke habit and did NOT wash/condition--I just got my hair wet so I could comb it into place (and kill the bed head!) To my surprise, my hair looks really decent! I kind of imagine my hair sighing contendedly and saying, "Ahhh, a vacation--thank you!" Cheesy

And after discovering that a lot of people cleanse their hair with conditioner, I'd like to give that a whirl too. I'm also going to give up the TRESemme gel and go back to using Aloe Vera gel--at least until my hair gets to a length where I don't need styling products at all.

*sigh* This is going to be a long drawn out affair, isn't it? I turned 43 on January 1 of this year. Am I too old to start this journey? I think not. But maybe I'm fooling myself. I hope I'm strong enough to stay the course.

More later...

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Trisha

Stardust

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Posts: 2318
Missouri
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Re: Trisha's Tresses
Reply #1 - Feb 28^th, 2005 at 2:03pm

Thanks to eKatherine and BikerBraid (at least i think it was those two) I have a new improved hair measurement--7 inches. I would normally be due for a trim right about now. So the new "what the heck do i do with it?" growth period will begin soon. I'm sure it'll be aggravating for a while but at least it means I'll get to buy some new hair accessories!!

I sat down over the weekend and came up with some reasons why I want long hair. I wasn't sure if I could list even one but ended up with ten! Here they are:

1. saves money (each cut/trim = $20, not to mention the gel/mousse/etc to make it look decent),

2. variety (with long hair the number of styles will be limited only by my imagination),

3. sexy (he says he doesn't care but i know hubby still prefers long hair),

4. unique (not everyone has the patience to grow long hair),

5. warmer in winter (winters can get pretty cold here),

6. hair accessories!!

7. easier to take care of,

8. won't have to waste time in styling salons (which i hate with a passion--i never feel like i fit in),

9. I can be a "good hair" ambassador Grin

,

10. because really long hair is just so damn cool!!! 8)

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Trisha

Stardust

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Missouri
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Re: Goals
Reply #2 - Feb 28^th, 2005 at 2:11pm

I also came up with some goals and a projected growth chart. I have three goals for length. My initial goal will be BSL, my secondary goal will be waist length and my ultimate goal will be classic. I think. I can't really decide on an ultimate length. I mean classic would be great. But, unless that's my terminal length, I think I'm just going to let it grow as long as it will.

If I figured correctly, then around October of next year I should reach my first goal. My hair has always grown pretty quickly and the cancer/chemo from 2003 doesn't seem to have affected that.

Later,

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« Last Edit: Apr 12^th, 2005 at 2:46pm by Trisha »

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Trisha

Stardust

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Posts: 2318
Missouri
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friday, 4 march 2005
Reply #3 - Mar 4^th, 2005 at 2:29pm

I hadn't planned on telling a lot of people of my decision to grow long hair. Not that I want it to be a secret either. I was just going to do it and let the length speak for itself. But just yesterday I had two people, coworkers, ask me about it. "Have you decided to keep your hair short?", asked the first, and "Did you do something different to your hair?" asked the second. So I admitted that I was going to let it grow. But I didn't say that I want it looonnng. In fact I've only told one person how long I intend to let it grow. Again, not keeping it a secret but...I don't know. I guess I just don't want to deal with the flack I know will come ("aren't you a little old for long hair??"). And I'm probably a little scared that, deep down, I know I might not be able to accomplish this task. Because that's what this is, a task. It's a long term goal that I have to decide on, plan for and be ever mindful of.

Umm, let's see...oh, I started using aloe vera for styling gel. I don't know why
I stopped using it before. I love that stuff. Still using the Mane n'Tail shampoo + conditioner every day, although I watered down the shampoo. I could probably do that to the conditioner as well. I need to find and purchase a good boar bristle brush--may have to do that over the internet since I doubt that good ol' Wal Mart has such a thing! *lol* And I guess I can start buying hair toys when I find good ones. You can never have enough of those, right?!

Later,

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Trisha Stardust Offline Posts: 2318 Missouri Gender:	Wally World Reply #4 - Mar 7^th, 2005 at 6:13pm By golly, I was wrong. Wal Mart, I apologize. You DO have 100% boar bristle brushes in stock--and for a very reasonable price, too. So now I have a good brush, and I have good shampoo and conditioner. Now I just have to be patient.
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Trisha

Stardust

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Missouri
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Re: Trisha's Tresses
Reply #5 - Mar 14^th, 2005 at 2:54pm

Over the weekend I did a lot of thinking, remembering back to when I was a tyke (a loong time ago!) and how some various things related to my hair. I suddenly realized that my mom, God rest her, was hair challenged. We lived on a farm so (a) she didn't have a lot of time to mess with my sister's or my hair and (b) she just didn't have a lot of hair savvy. Not her fault, mind you. It all comes down to genetics, I think. Some folks have the "hair styling" gene and some don't. Most of my family, on both sides, DON'T. *sigh* I remembered that during every school year my hair would grow out and then in May, at the end of the school year, Mom would have it cut off. "Easier and cooler for summer," she would say. This continued until I was about 10 years old. That summer she gave me a choice and I chose to not get it cut. Then came the motherly warning..."All right, but YOU'LL have to take care of it." Up to that point my mom had been doing the washing/conditioning/drying of my hair. I guess she figured 10 was old enough to hand over the hair reins. And for a 10 year old I guess I did a decent job because I don't recall Mom having to jump my case too often.

I let it grow for 4 years and it reached down to a little past my waist. Then when I was 14 I decided to get it chopped off. Lord knows why...I was probably led astray by a misguided magazine article, who knows. If I could time travel, I'd go back to 1976 and kick my 14 year old butt.

But, you know, it's okay. Because I've learned a lot of hair knowledge over the past 20 years. So now I can finally put it all to good use as I grow out my hair to its terminal length. Yes, I've pretty much decided to let my hair decide how long it wants to grow.

Later,

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Trisha

Stardust

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Missouri
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Re: ramblings
Reply #6 - Mar 16^th, 2005 at 6:45pm

Yesterday afternoon I dropped off hubby at physical therapy and took myself to Wally World to buy some yarn. Whilst there I ambled over to the hair accessories aisle. I found tons of stuff I'd like to have but talked myself out of buying even one thing. Even if I bought something I wouldn't be able to wear it for another 3-6 months. However, I could start buying stuff *now* and then when my hair is, like, shoulder length, I'd already have a nice little HAC (hair accessory collection)!! Well, I take that back--I *did* buy one accessory. I was headed towards the checkouts when I spotted a collection of bandanas. They were so pretty and colourful that I had to stop and look. They were only 94 cents so I bought a perky light blue one with a sort of wavy pattern to it. I can't wait to wear it. Heck, I may even wear it to work!

I'm still using the same routine of shampooing and conditioning every morning. Well, 6 days out of 7 anyway. Using aloe for style control and a BBB. I noticed that the Mane N' Tail s+c both have a "cone" but it's pretty far down on the ingredient list. My hair doesn't seem to mind the cones but I may try using a cleansing shampoo once a month or so. I'm about halfway through the bottles and haven't decided on whether I'll continue with MnT or not. I may switch to Jason products because I've had good luck with that line in the past.

Spring is fast approaching and that means more sunshine. I'm seriously considering buying a big floppy hat to wear while walking from the parking lot at work to my office building. It's a 7 minute walk and the hat would protect my hair from the sun, not to mention my very fair skinned face! If I buy a plain one, I could decorate the hat anyway I choose. Hmmm...I feel another trip to Wally World coming on!

Later,

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Trisha

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Re: 3/28/05
Reply #7 - Mar 28^th, 2005 at 3:36pm

I'm down to the dregs of my Mane N' Tail shampoo and conditioner so after work today I'm heading for my local health food store to buy some Jason s+c. It's the only place I've found the Jason line of products and I've heard some pretty good things about them. The Mane N' Tail has 'cones and I'd like to get away from those ingredients. To be truthful, I don't know if my hair likes 'cones or not but I need to find out, and there's only one way to do that--go 'coneless. I would assume that 'cones build up on one's hair so it may take a while to see a difference in my hair. Right now my hair looks healthy and shiny. But after brushing, it's almost difficult to get my fingers through my hair. Now, is that from the BBB or the 'cones?? I don't know. I'm hoping it's the 'cones 'cause I'm kinda liking the brush. And I would still like to get away from washing/condtioning every day. But I'll work on that. I don't think I'm going to measure the length every month because I'm afraid of disappointment. I'd rather do it, oh say every 4-6 months and see bigger results. It *is* getting longer very quickly...a few people have noticed and commented about it. I just have to be patient. Later...

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Trisha

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Re: New Products
Reply #8 - Mar 29^th, 2005 at 1:39pm

I did indeed go to the health food store yesterday after work. I had pretty much decided on buying Jason products mainly because, the last time I looked, I remembered it being one of only a couple of brands that the store carried. But, holy smokes, now the store has, like, 4 or 5 different brands of "healthier" shampoo/conditioner! I spotted a brand called Nature's Gate and had seen that brand mentioned on the board so I picked their chamomille s/c (it was also less expensive than Jason's!). I used it this morning and, while I realize that I can't make a good judgement from only a single use, I like it. My hair was squeaky clean--I mean that literally. It's been a while since my hair squeaked in the shower.

So far, so good. Even with this no-cones product, I know that I need to incorporate into my routine a vinegar rinse and a deep conditioning treatment. One thing at a time, though...one thing at a time. Later,

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Trisha

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April already!
Reply #9 - Apr 12^th, 2005 at 3:12pm

Man, I can't believe it's April already. I mean, geez, wasn't it just January yesterday?? Here's my most recent report:

My hair is growing nicely although it's still too short to do anything with (i.e. ponytails, updos, etc.). I figure it'll be at least another...oh, I don't know--6-8 months before I'm able to wear combs or clips. But I don't mind waiting. And honestly, I haven't been obsessing over my hair lately--or anyone elses hair either.

I had to give up the 100% BBB. I just didn't like what it did to my hair. I think I described that little problem in a previous entry. I found a combination brush with 2 different types, and two different heights, of bristles, part BB and part nylon. It works much better and I'm happier with the results.

I'm still using Nature's Gate chamomille shampoo and conditioner and, so far, am quite pleased with the way it makes my hair look and feel. I'm using aloe gel for styling. Also still washing/conditioning every morning, which worries me a bit. I mean, I don't want to dry out my hair with overcleansing. But if I don't wash/cond every day it looks like crap. Since I look terrible in them, I cannot wear scarfs or hats to cover my icky hair. So I'm not sure what I'll do about that. Maybe when I finally get some major growth in my length, the situation will improve.

I'm just taking one day at a time because, after all, what other choice do I have?!? Later,

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bikerbraid

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Bike Paths of the Midwest
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Re: Trisha's Tresses
Reply #10 - Apr 12^th, 2005 at 3:48pm

Trisha;
Just wanted to give you a bit of encouragement. Hang in there, your hair will grow. Don't worry about the frequency of washing just yet. As you hair gets longer, you will be able to extend the time between washings but probably not until your hair hits about your shoulders. Just be gentle with your hair and you will have beautiful long locks when the time comes. Cheesy

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bikerbraid
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Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.&&Life may not

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Trisha

Stardust

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Missouri
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4/19/05
Reply #11 - Apr 19^th, 2005 at 1:45pm

Thanks BB!

I've been using the Nature's Gate products for, what? about 3 weeks now. And I'll tell you, I'm about ready to switch. My hair is clean and feels soft. But it just doesn't look good. Is that because of the no-cones s+c? Or simply because it's at an in-between stage of growing out? Maybe my hair likes cones?? I guess there's only one way to find out.

I like the new hair brush with the combination bristles. And...and!! Today I have a few tiny clips in my bangs to keep them from falling into my eyes. !!! It's growing, it's growing! *does a happy dance around the room* This is so cool. I mean, this is the first time in my life that I've made a conscious decision to grow out my hair AND to do everything in my power to ensure that my hair is healthy. It's sort of like planting a garden, isn't it?! You plow the ground in preparation of planting...you choose your seeds...you wait for just the right moment...the seeds go into the ground...and then some months later you harvest the produce from all of your hard work.

Very cool!

Later,

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bikerbraid Shooting Star Offline Life is short, Break the rules Posts: 6569 Bike Paths of the Midwest Gender:	Re: Trisha's Tresses Reply #12 - Apr 19^th, 2005 at 2:56pm Interesting analogy about the garden. I guess I would think of my hair as more like a lodge pole pine forest. It requires care, feeding and only occasional harvesting to produce wonderful, tall pines.
Back to top	bikerbraid Global Salon Moderator LongLocks HairSticks Boutique http://www.longlocks.com Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.&&Life may not IP Logged

Trisha

Stardust

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Posts: 2318
Missouri
Gender: female

4/26/05
Reply #13 - Apr 26^th, 2005 at 5:17pm

I discovered that my hair luuvs cones so I had to stop using the Nature's Gate s+c. Initially it was doing a good job, or so I thought. But after being coneless for 3 weeks my hair looked like crap. It turned dull and lifeless and was feeling dry. I wish you could have seen it. Actually, wait, I'm glad you *couldn't* see it! Until I could get to a store to buy different s+c, I used my daughter's TreSemme products. Viola'! Right after the first use I saw improvement. So from now on I'll take an order of cones, please. Wink

Over the weekend I bought Suave green apple s+c and my hair is back to happy. I've also started using the ACV clarifying rinse once a week, on Saturdays (that way I only offend dh with the smell). As far as length goes, yesterday I noticed that my bangs are now touching the ear pieces of my eye glasses. Grin

Patience, grasshopper...patience.

Shampoo: Suave
Conditioner: Suave
Styling Product: Aloe Gel
Clarifying: ACV rinses weekly
No perms, no dyes, no heat appliances (virgin hair)

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ellasongbird Sapphire Offline Posts: 135 Gender:	Re: Trisha's Tresses Reply #14 - Apr 26^th, 2005 at 6:21pm Hey, it seems like we're in a similar stage of growing out hair...I chopped all mine off in August and I'm trying to deal with all the funkiness of layers growing out. Hang in there! YAY for long-hair rookies! Ella
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