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Hey
It´s been approximately 2 years since i have last been in a hairdresser. i have very thick curly shoulder length blonde hair (mid back when wet or streched out).
ive noticed over the past couple months that there have been increased tangles and lots of breakage and it has become very dry. it seems that if i go for more than a couple without conditioning my hair it seems to dreadlock together and ends up looking like a a big mess of tangles. there are also lots of split ends.
i have already decided to get a trim because of the damage (and also because im going away next week to travel south america for 6 1 year and i doubt ill get a haircut in a foreign non english speaking country).
im very worried though because its been so long since ive been to a hairdresser. im terrified theyre gonna make a mistake, cut too much off, or ill come out and it will look terrible. my hair is really difficult to manage coz its so thick and so curly, that cutting off just a small amount will mean a lot of length lost in reality, and will be very noticeable when my hair is wet. its tough because even though my hair is quite long in reality, it doesnt appear THAT long in reality. some days when i wake up its not even touching my shoulders.
im not sure what i should ask for. should i suggest they wet my hair first? ask that they only trim the ends which are split? i want the best for my hair in the long term and to fix the damage, so would it be better to just get an all over trim? approximately how much length should would need to be taken off to address split ends, tangles etc
my mum is harrassing me every day to cut it all off (instead of just a trim). im worried that even if i ask the hairdresser to just take a tiny bit off, she will cut much more than i want.
sorry that this has ended up being such a long rambling post lol. basically im not sure how to address the situation. i need to get a trim asap because im going away in a week. is it reasonable to ask a hairdresser to carefully look at my hair and only trim split and damaged ends? or ask for an all over trim? what do you guys reckon is the best way to address this?
thanks very much and happy growing! my long hair drives me crazy and i have considered cutting it all off before. but the good hair days and the feeling it gives me makes it all worth it and i know deep down i wanna keep it long.
Hey there =)
I've only had a trim once on my 33 months of growth, exactly at the 2 year mark =)
The first thing you have to do is to stay cool about it, and don't fret too much. Do not think that a trim will set you back on lenght, simply think of it as it will clean out the damage you can hae on your ends and give you a better shape to them.
Of course you have to be very carefull, and make sure you ask the hairdresser exactly what you want... EXACTLY. Show her in your hair how much you want trimmined, reinforce how many inches (or half, or third or quarter of inch) you want trimmined, then while she washes your hair just enjoy and tell her is she's not being gentle, then when you sit in the chair remember her again that you want very little trimmied, that you are gorwing your hair and only wanna get rid of some damage, you DON'T want layers, you want her to trim your hair with normal scissors (not thinning scissors, not razors, just NORMAL scissors).
Things should be fine by this. But most likely you need to decide if you want a V shaped hair, a U shaped hair or a straight hemline. The first trim I had left me in the course for a straight hemline, which is my goal.
I wish you sooo much good luck. The first trim can be scary at first, but the results do pay for the worry! I just loved my hair after that trim and I can't wait to trim my hair again this year.
Gooood luck =) Let us know how it went and if you are going to do it or not =)
Hi Adriano,
What Joao David just said is EXCELLENT advise! I also want to add a couple more comments, --- mostly about how and who to choose as a hair-stylist ahead-of-time...
If you can find the name of somebody who specializes in long hair, and/or a good reference from somebody you know whose hair you admire, you will not be so worried walking in the door of a hair salon. You can also ask for an appointment with the owner or manager of the salon, --- or at least ask for a hair stylist who is the most experienced. It's also best to go to a more high-end salon (definitely NOT to a chain-store type haircutting place, like "Supercuts"). It will cost you a lot more $$$; but, it will defintely be WORTH IT!!!
I found out about my hair stylist from a woman friend of mine who has gorgeus hip-length hair. I doubt you'll have to pay this much in your city, but my stylist charges $65 a pop (NOT including tip)!!!! But, hey, I used to go only once a year to see him, --- so really not that big of a deal, when you consider how infrequently I see a professional hair-stylist (which now has been over 3 years since my last visit, since I trim my own split ends now). Also, I believe in tipping generously (as long as the stylist did what you asked for).
If you have a lot of damage as you describe, it is good to ask for at least a full inch to be cut off. As a preventative measure in the future, though, try applying some beneficial oil to the ends. Kukui nut oil, Almond oil, Jojoba, or even Olive oil all help keep you hair ends moist and protected, and I've found can actually cut down on the number of split, broken, dry, or otherwise damaged ends.
My best to you, --- and as odd as it may sound to say this right now, try to relax and actually ENJOY the trim... When your under the care of a really reputable professional, it can feel like you're totally being pampered!!
- Ken in San Francisco
Hey, thanks very much Joao David and Urban Cowboy
I´m getting the trim in a few days and i feel much more comfortable now the whole process is a bit more clear.
Urban cowboy, i will definately get a whole inch chopped off, just to make sure all the damaged bits get taken away and to make the process worthwhile. im kind of looking forward to getting it trimmed now, especially with the tangles ive been getting lately. the hairdresser is in a professional salon and ill make sure im very clear with what i want.
and joao, i never thought of the whole U, V or straight thing. definately something to consider. are there any benefits to one over the other?? what do most guys generally do? im assuming straight but i dont really pay attention.
i dont think it would make a major difference to me in appearance since my hair is so curly and all over the place anyway.