new thread
Hi all:
I finally took some new pics of myself this morning. The first is my hair in its natural state: curly with a touch of jojoba oil.
The second is after using my brand-new CHI ceramic iron then applying a touch of jojoba oil.
This is after approx. 18 months of growth and three maintenance trims. When straight, the back of my hair barely touches my collar and the front goes just below my lips. Ultimate goal: all one length at mid-shoulderblades, which I should hit in about a year.
I can't say enough good things about my new ceramic iron, which has helped keep me sane on extremely humid North Carolina days (such as today) when my curly hair would normally be a total afro and not long enough to tuck behind my ears. But after straigtening, it's virtually frizz-free and long enough to stay tucked.
And jojoba oil...where to begin?! When I first started using a ceramic iron a couple of weeks ago, my hair would be straight but look rather dry for the first day. (I only wash every three days.) But after applying a wee bit of jojoba oil after straightening, my hair is extremely smooth and silky, and I swear the jojoba oil really intensified the color of my hair. For others with dry, frizzy hair, if you haven't tried jojoba oil yet, I highly recommend it. But be forewarned, it only takes a very, very small amount, such as a few drops; this stuff is quite thin and a little goes a long way.
Cheers,
Jeremy
wow! might i inquire as to how much the iron was? the results are amazing...i want to get one now after seeing the pics!
I found one on eBay (from seller e-salon) for $94.44 (with shipping). I researched ceramic irons before buying, and this one received consistently rave reviews.
Cheers,
JBC
i was looking around at some irons... what model/type is the one you have? and how hard is it to use? i've never used an iron or anything, so i'd be afraid of burning myself or damaging the hair... also, looking around on ebay, i noticed some sellers listing a FHI ceramic iron (that came up when i searched for CHI), that's a different brand i assume? thanks for the help!
I have the CHI classic/original (not turbo) 1", which is made by Farouk. It's extremely easy to use (and that's coming from someone who doesn't like to spend too much time on his hair). I start at the top, straightening a section 2"-3" wide each time. I move down one side, do the other, then move to the back. It's even easy to do the back without being able to see it. All-in-all it takes 10-15 minutes, which may seem like a long time to some...but again, I only do this every three days.
Good luck! And any more questions...feel free to ask.
Jeremy
How long does that result last?
The ends go a bit wavy after a day (which actually looks better than the stick-straight look pictured here), but I only wash my hair every three days, and even in extremely humid weather it stays pretty darn straight.
...and that doesn't cause damage to your hair at all?
From what I've read online, damage by ceramic irons is minimal. (Some people say they don't damage at all, but I'm skeptical of that.) I've only been using it for a couple of weeks and haven't seen any damage yet, and when I went in for a maintenance trim last week, my stylist didn't freak when I told him I was using a ceramic iron. I only straighten my hair every three days and wouldn't dream of doing so more often.
Cheers,
Jeremy
The results of using that straightening iron are tremendous! I heared those are pretty expensive, or I might be thinking of another product. I think straight hair looks awesome on you.
How much was that iron?
Thanks
$94.44 with shipping from eBay seller e-salon. And I forgot to add below that yes, it's a bit expensive, but totally worth it for the result. This ceramic iron will more than pay for itself by saving me constant headaches and fussing with my curly hair on humid days (which is most of the spring and summer here in NC). That and the jojoba oil (Desert Essence Organic Jojoba Oil from vitaminshoppe.com) are hands-down the two best hair-care purchases I've ever made.
And don't get me wrong; I hope to not have to straighten my hair forever. When it gets really long it should weight itself down enough even during humid weather that I won't have to straighten it on a regular basis.
Cheers,
JBC
Your hair looks really nice, I'm no hair expert but It looks really good. ~Peace~ Blonde
Hey Jeremy,
Your hair is really looking great. It like both photos. Keep it up.
ToddB
PS enjoy the Carolina weather, you could live in Ohio like me :)
tabrownmd@adelphia.net
Hey...Columbus here. More so Carolina for the beach, but I am very fond of Thunderstorms. So exciting.
I'm with you 100% on jojoba oil. I've been using it for just a few weeks, still experimenting with the amounts, when to apply, and frequency, but it is incredible.
FWIW, I like the curly look on you better. Great hair!
Thanks, Mary! I hope to go back to curly when it gets long enough to weight itself down better.
Cheers,
Jeremy
Wow Jeremy - I'm jealous that's so cool. I'm going to have to get myself one of those straightening irons - I'm getting sick to death of battling the flips myself.
Do you use any products beyond Jojoba Oil? Specifically anything to protect your hair from heat? Last time a friend used her ceramic straighteners on my hair it felt like my hair had been carbonised.
Hi Sorted:
At the same time I started using the ceramic iron I switched from Phyto products (which worked well but cost too much) to Jason Natural Cosmetics products (specifically the Damage Control Creme Shampoo and Conditioner). Those are the only products I use other than jojoba oil.
Did you blow dry your hair before using the ceramic iron last time? Perhaps that's why it felt so parched. I wash my hair every third evening, air dry overnight then iron in the morning. After ironing -- even before I put on the jojoba oil -- it doesn't feel terribly dry, but after the jojoba oil it's extremely soft. Maybe you could use a product such as CitreShine before ironing.
And for those who asked how long the ironing holds, I'll post a new photo on Wednesday, which will be two full days after ironing.
Cheers,
Jeremy
hey jeremy!
awesome hair man! i've been using a flat iron for about two years now and really really like it...mine is curly, just like yours, and the iron makes it SO much more manageable. i live in the south too, and the humidity can play such havoc with curly hair.
i use mine like you do...wash it about every three days, and even in the humidity, it remains relatively straight and manageable.
QUESTION about the johoba oil....you referred to a website in an earlier post...having not bought that oil before, can you get it at healthfood stores? or hair care places? or what? is it a HAIRCARE product? or is it an oil, that actually has other uses?
keep up the good work!
mjtoo
Hi mjtoo:
Glad to hear the iron's working well for you, too. Have you noticed any damage after two years?
Here's some info about jojoba oil I found on the web:
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Jojoba (pronounced ho-ho-ba) oil is a vegetable oil obtained from the crushed bean of the jojoba shrub (Simmondsia chinenis). The jojoba shrub is native to the Sonoran Desert of northwestern Mexico and neighboring regions in Arizona and southern California. It grows in dense stands throughout that region. The woody evergreen shrub may reach 15 ft (4.5 m) in height. Jojoba has flat gray-green leathery leaves and a deep root system that make it well adapted to desert heat and drought. It has a life span of 100-200 years, depending on environmental conditions.
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I've read in several places (including here) that jojoba oil is the closest thing in nature to the sebum (oil) our skin produces. Many people even recommend it for people with oily skin, as it's readily absorbed by the skin and somehow tricks our body into easing up on oil production. In addition, the chemical structure of jojoba oil is different from other oils. Instead of being an actual oil, it's really polyunsaturated liquid wax. But its consistency is very runny, and while it feels oily at first it spreads very easily (which is why I said before that a little goes a long, long way).
You should be able to find jojoba oil at any health food store. I ordered mine from vitaminshoppe.com.
Cheers,
Jeremy
jeremy,
i have not really noticed any real damage at all after two years...now, there have been times when *i* have damaged it by not using the iron properly, but that is my fault, not that of the flatirons. when used correctly, it simply produces great straight hair that is manageable, looks healthy, and feels GREAT.
i bought some jojoba oil last night...used it this morning. it was good! not sure if i used enough though...so i'll try again tomorrow.
THANKS for the info about the oil. appreciate that man!
have a great day,
mjtoo
Hi Jeremy i love your hair it looks fab, I was wondering how you got more than one image on a message ?? i dont know how to do it can you help me please ...
