My hair in October 2013.
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It's about time I updated my information on my haircare routine!
I have to say it's rather similar to what I did in 2012, but there are some changes there!
First major change has been in my attitude. I stopped being so obsessively perfectionist about my hair and am now fine with a certain amount of damage. I've accepted the simple fact that it's unavoidable - mechanical damage from washing, brushing, etc. that is. I wear it down much more than before and if it gets caught in a zipper, well, I won't have a mental breakdown over it ;).
My hair has reached the BCL length - in other words - 'butt-crack length', haha. It feels super long. In fact, it feels too long and no amount of pampering prevents it from tangling up something horrible - sometimes it's a whole tangle metropolis on my head. That is the reason I'm getting a haircut ... today. I still haven't decided if I want to spent the 500 SEK (about 50 USD) on it or if I should just do it myself. Like so: http://feyeselftrim.livejournal.com I could buy my daughter a whole mini library of books for that price instead!
But let's get back to updating my haircare routine:
Washing
I still use heavily diluted shampoo (I have a small plastic cup that I squeeze some shampoo into and then fill the rest of it with water) to wash my hair about once a week. I've been using a Jonson's Baby Shampoo (SLS free) or my new After Oil shampoo from Kerala Ayurveda that is also SLS free.
I do have to clarify from time to time as my hair is insanely prone to build-up and to that end, I use the most SLS-packed shampoo I could find (imagine the cheapest store brand) - I never apply the shampoo on my scalp though, only on my length and ends, undiluted. I also do WO (water only) washes between shampoo washes, but not all of the time anymore, it really depends on my mood these days.
Conditioning
I condition only after shampoo washes with my old beloved purple L'Oreal Elvital Collagen Volume.
As per usual, I only apply conditioner onto my length and ends, never anywhere near my scalp. The Tresemme Naturals Silicone-free conditioner that I bought nearly a liter of ended up producing way too much build up on my hair, so I had to quit using it.
Deep Oiling
As it is getting insanely cold again, I've had to start oiling a bit more often. I usually mix cold-pressed castor and argan oils, massage it into my scalp and rub a little of it into my length (not always, and not the ends because of build up) and then leave it on overnight.
Treatments
Since I ran out of the avocado gel, I stopped doing the SMT treatments and instead just add a little honey to a thicker conditioner (I still have some Tresemme Naturals conditioner left) and leave in on for 30 minutes or so, but I haven't done that one in forever now. Maybe I should do that today.
Detangling
I used to detangle only totally dry hair before, but I've realized that as my hair is getting longer, the less is that possible. Now I have to detangle while conditioning my hair after washing it. Sometimes the tangles are so persistent, that I have to use a leave-in conditioner that I spray directly on the tangles and then pull the strands apart using fingers. I am super lazy when it comes to detangling, so sometimes I let the tangles grow and sit for a while before I make myself take care of them. I seriously despise detangling, it's the worst thing about having long hair. It is so goshdarn annoying!
Hairstyling
I'm still wearing my hair mostly up held up with hairsticks or a hair fork, but I can be seen more often than before with just a simple pony tail or a plait - I've simply accepted that damage will occur and it's ok for it to occur. I know I sound like a psycho to a 'normal' person, but go on and spend some time on the Long Hair Community forums and you will surely understand. I have to say I love the forums and all the ladies I've met on there.
The LHC community is definitely to be thanked for the fact I have such long healthy head of hair right now. I would recommend to anyone that is wishing to grow their hair in the most natural way to go and seek help and inspiration there. It is more than helpful.
Hairtoys
I still have my Elymwold stick and Jeterfork fork (three pronged), plus I have two beautiful Ketylo sticks (matching), one small ebony Barreis fork (four prong, but tiny) and a two-prong dymonwood fork, whose maker I can't recall right now. By the by, I've bought all of my 'toys' on etsy because etsy rocks. Simple as that.
Coloring
I still dye my hair with a mixture of henna and cassia obovata, namely 33% henna and 66% cassia. It works well and gives me the color I like - not too dark or over-saturated, which makes me look washed out, but warm and sparkly - just enough orange/amber to liven it up and make my hair less porous. My favorite henna is still Jamila, but I have tried others with good results. My favorite henna shop is still Hennaboy. When I lived in the USA, I used to get my certified organic and pure henna from Mehandi. You always need to be sure the henna you use is pure and there are no heavy metals or other chemical nasties in it. It's extremely important not just for your hair, but your overall health.
