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Back shot - the curls are in nice condition at the moment. The curls are looking well defined and although the length doesn't show, they are a good 10 inches now. If i pull them down to their full length, they are approaching the nipples, although still a few inches off. Since i have started deep conditioning my hair is less dry and frizzy. I have also minimised slicking my hair and combing it.
I find it 'breaks' the natural curl pattern, until i wet my hair again.
It will be nice when my hair is super long, then i can wear a loose ponytail, in a centre part, and the bangs will hold with ease. Don't need to worry about slicking back or anything.
ATM, i am wearing a ponytail most of the time, my hair is just unbearable and is very awkward lately. Another 10 inches should solve this problem :)
Some of the products i am using :
from left to right
"Garnier Fructis- fortifying cream conditioner - dry/damaged hair" - This is the conditioner i use for my weekly deep conditioning treatment. It is very effective stuff and has improved the dryness/split ends on my hair. I apply loads of it to each lock of hair, to the ends, and then comb it through, leave for 1 hr and rinse well. I only condition once a week, water wash only through the week. I find normal conditioning in the shower to not have much effect on my hair, thus i don't do it anymore.
"Pears - clarfying shampoo" - I bought this when i was having a heart attack over cones buildup, heheheh. I do use it occasionally to remove any buildup that my hair may accumulate from conditioning. This bottle should last me atleast 6 months as i rarely use it.
"Herbal/natural condition" - I went through a phase of no cones conditioning and bought this stuff. I find that , for my own hair type, i get much better results using the cones based Garnier Fructus conditioner. The cones help detangle my hair and repair split/dry ends. I am using this product as a leave in conditioner, which can be applied to the ends like oil, or when i slick my hair back.
"Sunsilk wonder curls shampoo" - The label "Wonder Curls" really grabbed my attention, as well as the low $2 price tag.
Although i don't find shampooing as near essentional as conditioning i still do it when needed, to keep my hair clean.
This is really good stuff because it adds definition and bulk to my curls and also boasts to "repair split ends and strengthen hair", a claim which i am not absoloutely sure of.
The "Schawarzkops - curl defining moose" - I rarely even use this stuff. I used it a few months ago and it does make the curls go into nice ringlets but it gives the hair a hard texture, doesn't provide a lasting wet look, and probably isn't something i would want to expose to my hair everyday because of the alchol and other harmful ingredients.
Oh , and my wide- toothed comb. Gotta love that thing. It's like my hair's best friend. I never brush my hair, and i only ever comb whilst my hair is wet or damp, after finger combing that is :)
Hey 80s,
Your hair is looking really great! I think this is the healthiest I've seen it looking. It's a good quality pic too.
My advice is to just bear with the awkwardness. I think Slash makes for a good hair model for you. I always liked his hair and really don't think he would look good with bangs. I encourage you to not cut yours!
Just imagine those curls with another 8-12 inches!
Jason
Yeah, no bangs. Just let it grow longer and the awkwardness will subdue. Bangs are high maintainence.
I can only imagine :)
I really like that shot of your hair. Even at this short length, with the shirt and your head angle and everything around you, there's just a sense of perfection, man. In short...it looks really good on ya. Long hair is definitely meant for you. Maybe we both knew that already, but the pic is a nice confirmation.
Besides the fact that your curls are looking very healthy at the moment, I'm just glad to see there wasn't any noticeable damage from the straightening iron, at least in this pic. Other than that, you may feel theres a bit of frizz/dryness in the back, but it's not much, and it's so improved from your old updates that it's not even an issue anymore. Your routines are really working out.
I look forward to seeing you in another 20 months. :P
Thanks alot. Well yeah, it's short in curly terms, but if i straightened it , it goes well past the shoulders :)
I'm beginning to get so desensitised about lengths of hair. If hair is less than mid-back im begging to call it short, hahaha. More length, more length. Yah, i do feel more complete with long hair, it is perfect for me :)
After straightening i just had a good shampoo and conditioning and my hair was back to normal curlyness. I used a ceramic straightener and haven't done it since. Everything in moderation is fine. Yeah, i am really striving to take good care of my hair now, to maximise my potential terminal length.
I made a decision, i want my locks for life, i am in love with them now, and want to keep growing it much longer :)
Actually 19 months of growth, although 20 is only next month, hehehehe. Wow, just imagine another 20 months. It will be almost mid-back curls. This is fun. Take care man.
Yeah man, your hair is definately looking good and healthy these days. Im very interested to see what it will look like in the upcoming months.
Thanks for the compliments. Might i just say that i was very impressed with your update photos. I will keep you posted(and everyone else) in the coming months. Cheers.
Hi 80's
Your hair is looking really fabulous! Bravo!!!!!! But of the "unbearable" part you speak of, sometimes I think growing-out ones hair consists of 2 Awkward Stages, the 2nd being the most frustrating of them all. Yes, the 1st is taxing to the majority of guys who either abandon the whole idea or get into the "needless trims" mode. However, when the hair is getting really long and you think you have almost made it..wham! Suddenly all seems to go bonkers. (At least this is what happened to myself.) And then out of the blue you wake up one day and the problems have vanished. I think the 2nd is the most taxing of the two. My theory of course.
Justin
ps: I had replied to your smoking comment below and nothing shows up. THANKS NORTON ANTI VIRUS FOR THIS. Norton is taxing me with frustrations like you wouldn't believe. ie: Just when you are doing something Norton starts-up with tons of crackles with it's "checks." It distrupts everything you are trying to do, (at least on my computor) and the computor hardly works until it simmers down again. Wonder if any other guys out there experience the same? Well, the message in essence said I agreed with your comments.
It must be your anti-virus or anti-firewall interferring. You can disable this in the start menu. Maybe it needs to be configured or set up properly. Dunno. Thanks for the compliments.
WOW!
I can tell from the improvement that you have been taking very well care of your hair. A just was looking at your older pics by clicking on your display picture and comparing them, and what i've noticed was that every month(especially this last month) your hair got has gotten much better and healthier than the last. At the rate you're improving, i think when you reach your goal length your hair will look exactly the way you want it. Since im not doing too well with my dammaged bangs and it looks aweful...im looking at your progress and it encourages me to not give up and keep growing :).
I know how hard it is to keep growing hair that is so hard to deal with and i really admire your courage and determination.
... "long and healthy looking hair is for those who deserve it"
...and you certainly deserve it because all this time you've never given up and you've done anything to keep it looking good.
-Oleg-
Thanks for the compliments mate.
I am obsessed with my hair, and a perfectionist, so naturally i would want to ensure my hair is in its optimum condition to maximise terminal length and grow healthy hair. The secret i found is to get moisture to the ends of the hair and keep your hair hydrated, that will prevent split ends, frizzyness and dryness. It has been a battle with my hair but i persisted and kept experimenting to find a hair care regime, based on emperical trial and error, to see what works best for me. Even something as small as having a too hot a shower can cause an imbalance in my hair and make it frizzy for days, as the oils are effectively stripped from the scalp. Fortunately, i learn from my mistakes and never do something wrong twice. The things i do for my hair is just becoming like a routine now, i get used to it. However, after i do my hair maintainence i leave it and don't fuss for the rest of the day. Just tie it up and away i go. Hang in there man, you will have long hair soon.
Looking great Jean!
It sounds like you've got a good hair care plan worked out.
All the best to you in reaching your long term goals.
- Oren
Thanks Oren.
Indeed, i do :)
Likewise!
Using all those different kinds of hair products...isn't that bad? And one more question please, these 'cones' you're talking about, like the ones in Garnier Fructis, so 'cones' are not bad for your hair?
Your curls got shinier by the way.
um...no. As i said, some of these products, i rarely use. My bread and butter is my GF condition, everything else is used complimentary. I think it is worse to use no products than too many.
And one more question please, these 'cones' you're talking about, like the ones in Garnier Fructis, so 'cones' are not bad for your hair?
In short, im tired.
cones = buildup = effectively 'starving' your hair of moisture...you get the point. There might be some good articles you could read up upon. If you RINSE THOROUGHLY you won't need to worry about anything.
I've got it, 80's. Get some sleep. :P
'Cones' are silicones - that is, (most) chemicals ending in "one." A well-known example is dimethicone. People use cones because they coat the hair and give it a very healthy, polished look.
The problem is this same coating, though - they don't come off unless you use shampoo/a strong clarifier, and if you leave them, they'll prevent anything else from entering your hair, with the result that your hair gets really dry and possibly split and the like. There are a couple haircare methods that shun cones altogether (often for people with curly hair. The shampoo used to rid the hair of the cones often causes problems, and it's easier to live without worrying about cone buildup) and others that encourage a few here and there. Most people think of cones as just a quick fix.
Wow, that was longer than I intended to write. Fun.
challenge to grow. Your hair is improving, with each passing month. Most of the frizz should go away with 4 to 6 inches of additional growth. Hang in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Absalom
Thanks Absalom. My hair is improving because each month, i am discovering better ways and methods of looking after my hair. I am very satisfied with its current state and my new regime is definitely a keeper. I have concluded that, out of all the conditioners i have used. GF is by far the most potent and effective for my hair type, great results.
The only problem i have now is the so called, 2nd awkward stage one may encounter when they believe they are out of the awkward stage. Length will definitely solve this issue. My hair just refuses to stay put behind my ears and the bangs annoy my face. A ponytail is what i have to keep doing everyday.
Question: How does extra length reduce frizz?
Gravity will increasingly pull down on your hair as it gets longer, and those shorter frizzy strands will tend to cling to the longer ones to some degree. The tendency to cling (which is most pronounced in curly hair) is the reason you can tie your hair in a ponytail, despite having hair only 10 inches long. It takes about 13 inches of hair to reach the low ponytail tie point from your front hairline. Probably only 60 percent of your hair even reaches the tie in your case, but yet, it stays in a ponytail reasonably well.
My beard hair is more curly than your head hair, and it clings together very well.
Absalom
Hey 80s Metal,
With the Pony tail, don't you find that all you hair slowly throughout the day falls out and then there is nothing left only after a short amount of time? I still haven't really gotten into the pony tail much yet and I am approaching 14 months. When did you start to use it more often? I know yoiu are a few months ahead of me. Also..I feel like I am at another awkward stage too..Just really want to be able to tuck my bangs behind my ears and they will stay put...that may be another year away tho I think.
Anyways..Cheers..
PS I shaved the moustache off after having it for about 2 months. Kinda out of boredom but I look my age again (23). Also, when I began growing out my hair I thought a year would be a good target for length. Now I realize that at least 2 years is my next goal cause I am not even close to feeling longhaired yet. I think when my bangs hit my shoulderswithout stretching I will feel longhaired. hopefully it comes soon
Not neccesarily.
If i tie a slicked back, tight pony it holds. I want extra inches so i can tie a loose poony without the dreaded slicking and it will be able to hold.
I still haven't really gotten into the pony tail much yet and I am approaching 14 months. When did you start to use it more often?
Maybe around 15 months or so growth.
I know yoiu are a few months ahead of me. Also..I feel like I am at another awkward stage too..Just really want to be able to tuck my bangs behind my ears and they will stay put...that may be another year away tho I think.
hang in there.
What a shame. The mustchase suited your curly hair and you seemed quite obsessive about it. Guess you got over the look :p
I can't wait till my bangs hit my shoulders, at curly length.
Looking great Jean.
IMO there is no need to 'hang in there' as your hair is looking fine right now.
The only thing time/more length will do, is to make your hair more manageable.
It will also keep changing your appearance, how it feels etc. as your hair grows (which is my favourite part of having long hair).
Just keep doing what you're doing, while at the same time, still learning and experimenting with what works best for you.
Show us all in Sydney how it's done baby!
Well, 80's Metall, it sure does look like your hair is doing great now. I know you are happy with it and just you wait, you, yourself, are going to have that fantastically long curly hair just like those pictures you posted the other day! It will not be long now.
Sounds like you have a good hair routine down, and you really will enjoy the time that you can just take all your hair and put it thru a hair tie just one time and it all will stay. It is one heck of a challenge to grow and have curly hair, but I know I wouldn't trade it any day, and imagine you wouldn't either.
Good Luck of course with it all!
Bragi
Hey 80's
nice collection there dude
i also use garnier fructis conditioner for dry/damaged hair (and i'm deep-conditioning as we speak) and the shampoo version
the curls are also coming along beautifully - the length and thickness is really defining them
hopefully the akward stage is coming to an end...in contrast it appears i have reached a crossroads in my akward stage, so glad to see that you're sticking it out
keep inspiring us with that beautiful hair
Ryan
