Here's the begining of my journey.  It's New Years Eve - what an appropriate time to start, allthough it is unintentional.  I measured my hair and I hope it's accurate - 20" right now.  I'm hoping for 4" more by my wedding in July and 6" by next January.

Some of the changes I am currently trying to make:
washing my hair less often - every other day to start
airdrying as much as possible
conditioning/oiling my hair to keep it in good condition

Well of all the new things I've been trying with my hair, oiling with jojoba oil and the microfibre towel are my faves and air drying and washing only every other day are my least favorite.  Yesterday I kept fiddling with my unwashed hair - a losse pony tail, a hair band, a loose braid - I can't wait for my scalp's oil production to go down.

On a positive note, I found a great deep way to fit in a deep moisturizing treatment.  I don't like the idea of putting stuff in my hair at night.  I don't like to get oil on my pillow and I can't stand the idea of a shower cap or towel around my head at night.  Plus it kills all romantic possibilities. So, instead I put lots of jojoba oil (and a little rosemary EO) into my hair before heading to the gym.  Sure my hair looked greasy, but who cares, it's the gym.  Then I just wash it out after my workout.  I figure my increased body heat might enhance the treatment too.

Still have alot of questions about good hair care.  I've got alot to learn.  Also, I hope all this care pays off.  My sister has similar hair as mine (she's 19) except hers is a little longer than BSL.  She doesn't treat her hair this special - she washes and blowdries every day has highlight done every couple months and uses drugstore hair products.  Her hair is in gorgeous condition.  Maybe damage will show up as her hair gets longer?  Maybe some people have geneticially resilient hair?  I hope this is a good sign that my hair will look gorgeous when it is really long, especially because I'm taking good care of my hair.

Yesterday I airdried my hair and actually liked it!  I used little soft rollers (no velcro, no spikes) on my damp hair and had curly hair for an hour and pretty waves the rest of the day.  Those curls at my temples which drive me crazy when I airdry regularly blended in when my hair was curlier/wavier.

Today's another tough no-wash day.  I have a tucked under loose french braid today with a thin black hairband.  It seems to hide the greasy roots ok and looks cute and modern at the same time!  I'll definitely do this again.

Still trying to find a dry shampoo/hair powder to try to help inbetween washings. 

I had a weird dream last night of laying naked and very pregnant with very long hair.   Strange, I know.  Especially because I'v never been pregnant and don't intend to be for several years.  It was a very peaceful dream though.

I've been noticing other women with long hair recently.  I think it is just beautiful.  I can't wait for my hair to be long enough that it is impressive.

Last night I went swimming at the pool and I was a little worried about my hair.  I have a bathing cap, but I find it damaging on my hair - I know because when I take it off there are many hairs inside.  I just let my hair free, but oiled well before with jojoba oil.  After I was finished swimming, I went and rinsed out my hair and put in a generous amount of conditioner.  Then I went bck out and enjoyed the hot tub and sauna while the conditioner was in my hair.  I havn't noticed any extra friziness because of the chlorine yet, so I think it helped!

I'm not feeling like my hair is very long today and I over oiled it last night after the pool (good for my hair, bad for my hair's appearance.  I'm also worried that when my hair gets longer, past damage is going to become more obvious.  My hair is in good condition now (my stylist said it's very healthy), but I know that I have colored, blowdried, straightened and curled my hair without thought for years.  even though I'm being so careful now, I'm worried that after all my hard work, I'll need to cut last 15" or so when my hair gets very long.

Hopefully things will look up tomorrow.

fell to the temptation to blowdry today, because I'm going to a party tonight.  I only used the coldest setting, though, and I oiled beforehand.

There was alot of sun coming through the window this morning and it emphasized all these short little hairs sticking out.  I hope that's not a sign that I have bad hair damage.  I never thought my hair was damaged until I came on this site.  I thought my hair looked pretty healthy, but now when I think back to all the blowdrying and coloring and just not being gentle with my hair, I'm worried that my bottom 15" are ruined and that I'll end up having to cut them off and then it will take forever to reach my goal length.

Aloe vera gel is my favorite "hair tamer".  I regularly use it on my braids to help contain the fly-aways.

Congratulations, Amanda and hang in there!!  It is the toughest just starting out.  It will get better-remember that "relaspses" can happen from life in general-hormones, stress, weather etc so keep up the good work!!!

Well last night I blowdried my hair because I was going out with some friends.  It had been three days since I shampooed it, though, and I airdried it most of the way and the blowdried on warm just to finish it off.  I got back that smooth sleek look that I've been missing since I stop blowdrying my hair.  I think it's ok to blowdry once and a while for a special occasion.  Once per week vs once per day is an improvement anyways.