new thread
Hi Guys
I'm finding myself in a bit of predicament, a recent post by Jersey MetalHead and a reply from Katherine, made me think about sharing it.
Like Jersey Metal Head I'm finding a lot of Damaged ends, splits and broken ends so I know I need a trim. My hair has really suffered with the constant Washing/Conditioning/Detangling Over the hot summer months; Its not been trimmed in 9 months (a record) and I've been a bit run down lately and not really eating so well, so I suspect that hasn't helped either.
So I planned to change the products I was using so they would more suit my routine, (which can involve showering twice or three times a day,) eat better and also getting a trim to a) even up the length a little and b) to get rid of the damaged ends.
Only problem is the only stylist I trust to cut my hair (by trust I mean: Understands what a centimetre really is,) has just lost her job cos the Salon where she worked closed down, she's waiting for her Paperwork to come through so she can start a new job, but with the Red Tape in Spain, this could be months, especially when it comes to foreign workers with crappy bosses.
I certainly don't think it would be good for my hair to wait "months" until I get it trimmed, but equally having gotten this far I really don't want anyone else cutting it.
I'm trying to do more to look after my hair: I've gotten hold of an Ionic Hair Brush which although is a little on the large side, seems to detangle much more smoothly and with much less breakage than my comb. I've ordered gentler shampoo's and conditioners, cos my hair is now Limb and dull thanks too many Silcones in my Current Conditioner.
But I guess I'm looking for suggestions to anything else I can do to reduce damage and maintain the status quo with my hair until and of course after, I get it trimmed.
Sorted
Can you not locate the stylist and have her do your hair at her house? Or your house? Who says she has to be in a salon to cut hair?
After that, take care of it. Believe me, all of us at times are less than gentle and even downright abusive to our hair. That includes me.
Find her. Have her trim those beautiful locks. Then take care of them. It's really not a big deal!
Tried to pursuade her, but she thinks that it would hurt her chances of getting another job if her employer heard she had "mobile" clients.
Technically it would also be illegal without the right paperwork, but I dunno who she thinks will grass her up to the authorities???
Okay, so cutting a future client's hair would hurt her chances? That doesn't make sense to me. If she were cutting hair, these people would become clientele for whatever salon employed her.
The laws must be completely different there. Over on this side of the pond, you can pretty much cut anyone's hair anywhere you choose. In fact, you only need a license if you work in a salon. Even then, I'm not sure whether a license is mandatory or not. I would think it is.
Doesn't seem right. If I owned a salon, I'd rather hire someone with a client base already than someone without.
Good luck, man. Hope you can get what you need. If you see another longhair, try to get a reference.
Tell you what I wouldn't! I'll never hire a web designer who is currently looking after clients freelance, cos there is no way he/she will turn over her clients as part of taking a job with me, they'd want to look after them separately, which means they'd be moonlighting or taking calls whilst they are at work. Neither of which suits me as an employer... plus if you have an established business outside of the workplace, then if you decide to leave you're more inclined to try and steal clients when you go. Trust me... never hire someone who has an agenda which could make them your competitor!
Well thanks man, she actually said to call her back in a couple of weeks by then she seemed confident that she'd know what she was doing work-wise.
In the world of haircuts and salons, people see the stylist, not the salon they work in. For example, when I lived in Kansas City there was only one person I trusted with my hair. When he moved to another salon, I moved with him.
I would think we're all like that. I don't care where my hair is cut, I care who cuts it.
In the world of salons, I'd fully expect my employee to bring his/ her clientele and if they left, to take that clientele with them. Someone with a client base already will immediately bring business into your salon. Someone without would have to rely on walk ins. One is guaranteed money, the other isn't.
That's my take on it anyway. I'm sure it would be different in other types of businesses. But when it comes to trusting someone with my hair, I trust the individual stylist, not the location of the salon itself.
Hope she is able to take care of your hair needs soon. If it's only going to be a couple of weeks, wait. Take it from me. I once was in a hurry to have some damaged ends trimmed and ended up getting my hair massacred. I was so pi$$ed off that I refused to pay! Never again will I make that mistake.
Report back to us when you get "cleaned up"!
Hi Sorted,
Well first of all, whatever you do, do not try and blowdry your hair too much or at all - let it dry naturally. Ofcourse in your weather temp. it shouldn't be a problem.
Btw, I've found this on the web, it might help you with your current problem: http://www.nexxus.com/hair/index.phtml?type=2
Have you thought about using natural products for your hair, like herbal ones? I found them to be good, especially when you've got what you've described here about your hair's current status.
Thee Longhaired Gal
You know I am starting to have some hair problems myself with breakage and getting greasy really quickly after washing and I have yet to trim my hair. I really think I need some new products or at least a deep conditioner or a clarifier.
doing the trim yourself? If all you want to take is to take half an inch off, I would think that could be something you do yourself, especially because your hair is long enough to see without using a mirror...
Nope... I can't cut out a coupon from a box of cornflakes without going askew... wouldn't trust myself ;-)
Why do you shampoo so often?
Water does not hurt your hair, so it's ok to rinse as often as you wish, or use a shower cap sometimes. But shampoo does strip the hair. Don't you use expensive products? My feeling is that the more expensive the product, the more buildup you get.
I've said before that I never use shampoo, and wash my hair with conditioner only. I never pay more than $1 a bottle. Some of the cheapest products are the best, but each line has numerous products which are not created equal. At that price you can afford to experiment. I've had success with White Rain extra body, Suave Daily Clarifying and numerous (but not all) VO5 products, but I don't know what's available where you live.
I live in a very hot climate, I work in AirConditioned Office, so as soon as I leave - I feel the heat... I then walk home, up a very steep hill in 30+ degrees heat. I also play football 2 days a week. If I don't wash my hair after playing football my hair stinks, and in the height of the summer I could only go every 2 days between washes cos I sweated that much with the hot temperatures.
Rinsing, never seemed to get rid of the sweaty feeling. Besides even when I rinse, unless I use conditioner I simply can't detangle my hair.
Sorted
Sorted,
I think this is the kind of situation where a conditioner-only wash would work. Since you are washing so often, it sounds like you will only be going 8 or 10 hours between showering, and all that shampoo can't be good for your hair.
When I am faced with a schedule which means I'll have two closely spaced showers (work at job, then surfing for example), one of the showers will be conditioner-only, just to reduce the amount of shampooing.
You may want to give it a try. I mean, it it doesn't work, you'll be washing it again soon anyway.
The key is picking the right conditioner (lightweight, marketed towards "limp" or "fine" hair), using a few handfuls of the stuff and rinsing really really really well.
Good luck
Does your hair look more damaged when seen from up-close? I ask because based on the few photos you've shown here recently, I think your hair looks pretty darn nice. If so, trimming it seems unnecessary.
Do yourself and this stylist a favor, wait until she lands
at her no location. It will save you alot of aggravation in
the end.
Where you found a stylist you're comfortable with stick with
her. They are too rare.
Have you tried a clarifying shampoo to get rid of the silicon buildup? I know that sometimes changing shampoo doesn't seem to do anything, while other times it makes your hair shine like a halo... I don't get it.
Your hair always looks great though, man, so don't worry too much. Like anything else you probably notice any dullness more yourself. I'm sure before long it'll be back to its usual self :)
wolfeyes
There were a few suggestions to try a clarifier and maybe some new products, which as it happens I had on order and they arrived yesterday night.
So I did a clarifying wash, before settling with the new poo & conditioner I'd brought on Ste's recommendation.
MOP C-System Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner.
Sulfate FREE and from what I can see Cone Free too! Uses a lot of natural ingredients, particularly fruit extracts, though quite how much these extracts have to do with the cleaning & cleansing power of the product as opposed to the Marketing benefits they offer I'm not quite sure...
Though I must admit I'm impressed! My hair actually feels alive again... but I'll post a proper review later, when I've had a days wear out of my hair. :-)
Sorted
I'm going to purchase Mop C system for my birthday, which is very soon, and could you tell me, does the shampoo create a lather? If it is sulphate free, how does it lather?
I personally think you should hold off on the trim for a while. A good shampoo and conditioner CAN improve the ends, believe it or not. Just hold off. Your hair will be fine, just keep it clean enough and eat quality food. And if you can getting your hands on a multivitamine can help also.
Ivix
Hi Ivix... whilst I'm yet to find a conditioner that can mend a split end, they can help re-enforce the hair folicles and make them more resistant to further damage, to this end I have just purchased new shampoo's and conditioners which are Sulfate & Silicone free so they should be a lot gentler on my hair without dulling it down.
I'd agree with your suggestion about a multivitimin, might help build me up a bit. Hair is mostly amino acids / proteins right?
Sorted
Hair is mostyly protein and amino acid, yes. The vitiamine I take, when I remember to take it, has lots of good stuff:
Vitamines A, B6, B12, C, D, E
Thiamine
Riboflavin
Potassium - also affects hair quality
Iron
and so on. Taking a multivitamine can also give you the energy to make it through your day (smiles and winks at Sorted).
Ivix
So... Basically the equivilant of a bowel of Cornflakes with Milk and a Banana!
Is she accessible? Is there any way you can contact her? See if she'll either come to your residence or you go to hers for a trim. If you can speak to her but can't actually meet up then ask her who she would recommend.
---
Splat
What I've discovered is that by cutting down on the shampoo use (and by this, I mean shampooing only once every 4-10 days at the most) BUT using a liberal dose of conditioner every day, switching back and forth between three different conditioners, I've achieved "damage control" such that I can go longer between getting my hair tips clipped. (Trust me, not shampooing every day is not as nasty as it sounds. The conditioner still helps remove the dirt and it helps control the "frizzies.")
The three conditioners I'm currently on are a Suave cocoanut conditioner, a Melaleuca moisturizing conditioner, and Mane and Tail conditioner meant for equestrian use but popular with many long hairs as well (at least around here.) I just sort of rotate through them. By not shampooing every day I've cut WAY down on the amount of hair I seem to lose to the drain every day, and it's been much easier to comb and brush out my hair after the shower.
One final thought, regarding your stylist. If she's willing to come over and trim your hair in secret, then only the two of you have to know, and hopefully she'll still get a salon position, and then you can follow her to that salon and all will be right with the world. (If she's not comfortable with that, all I can suggest is the conditioner method of "damage control" until she finds a position.)
