Saturday, October 17, 2009

All About the Hair

Okay, I can't really believe I'm writing this, but here goes.

(This is for you, J.J. and Lisa, and even you, Julie)

Disclaimer:


Now, if you're like me, and think my hair is hideous, you're not going to want to read any further.


Once upon a time, in a galaxy far far away {that's how my dad used to begin every story}, there was a little girl named Elizabeth. Elizabeth had a LOT of hair. Like, a lot. And her mom tried so hard to tame Elizabeth's unruly mane. She would put it in braids and pontytails. She would use gallons of Dippity-Do. But alas, Elizabeth's hair was just too thick, and too long. Eventually {when she was 8}, Elizabeth got her first major haircut. Over 12 inches was chopped off, and only then was her hair slightly easier to manage. As she grew older she came to embrace the hair that drove her crazy as a child. She realized that, while she often still longed for stick-straight, fine hair, too much hair was probably better than too little. And, in the end, Elizabeth and her hair, lived happily ever after.

Okay, so that's not quite the way it ends. But there is some truth to that story. A lot of truth, actually. I have very thick hair. Most people can't tell how much until they start working with it {like my poor, former, hair stylists. Poor things. They didn't know what hit them until they were about halfway through a weave!}. My hair also happens to be a bit coarse, and wavy. But not the all-over beautiful waves. Oh no. It's selectively wavy. As in, it chooses to do a wave thing in the oddest of places. I learned, at an early age, that management is key. I also learned a trick that most hair stylists will tell you. Do not wash your hair every day. Though my hair has changed a lot with each pregnancy, I still try to stick to the every other day washing as much as possible.

Rules of thumb:

*Do what works for you. I say, if you just have to wash your hair each day, do it. What works for one doesn't work for all.

*Know your hair limitations. For years my hubby begged me to get my hair cut short with layers. My hair just won't do that. If I were to cut my hair above my shoulders it would take on a triangular effect. My hair would be as wide as it was long, and that's just not the look I was goin' for.

*Change it up, but I don't recommend going too drastic. Of course, this is another ~ to each his own, rule. If you are a drastic, daring kinda gal, go for it. I, however, find that if I change it up too much, I regret it.

*You don't have to spend a ton of money on hair care {see below for more details}

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What cracks me up about y'all's comments regarding my 'do from the Pumpkin patch picture is that it happened to be my no-wash hair day. I may have run a brush through it one or two strokes, but that was the extent. Brush, brush, throw in a clip, and there ya have it. As for frugal hair care . . . I used to think that I had to have the most expensive wash and rinse. Well, that just doesn't always fit into the family budget, don'tchaknow. Now, I often use Suave's daily clarifying shampoo {I've heard that you always want to use a shampoo that you can see through. They are less likely to leave residue}. And you can get a bottle of that for less than $2! I am a conditioner kinda gal. I have to use it. I don't think I've ever gone without it, and I'm actually getting the chills just thinking about what might happen if I didn't use a conditioner after washing. I usually go with a deep conditioning conditioner, but I'm not all that picky.

Following those lines of frugality, I used to have my hair done at the salon on a regular basis. Once every 4 months I would have a weave and a trim/cut. I realize that that isn't all that often, only 3 times a year. BUT, I have a lot of hair. It often cost {at our small, local, country hair salon} upwards of $120. That is over $350 a year! This is what I've found . . . for about $20 I can have my mom come over and help me with my highlights {yes, this does involve a cap, but beggars can't be choosers}. That's a savings of $300/year. Also, I cut my own hair. Don't judge. I've found that not only am I saving money, but my mom and I do a pretty good job, AND I don't have to find a sitter or leave my baby ;)

So, that's that. My hair secrets. No real secret, huh? Let me just leave you with this {and it's taken me a long time to get here}, work with your hair, not against it. Embrace your hair positives. Everybody's got at least a few ;)

Happy Saturday! Here's to a good-hair weekend!

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10 comments :

Rhonda said...

Hey, I totally agree about the every other day and conditioner! Have you ever done an over the counter hair color with success? (Not the cap...just Wal-Mart color). After starting back to work and my hair dresser of 8 years quit...I am stuck with bad roots! We are on a tight budget now and was wondering if this could be done and look good? I've never been brave enough to try it, but I can't stand it any longer! What do you think. I'm hoping I don't show up to work Monday regretting it!

Foursons said...

OK, you'll have to explain to me why you would get a weave if you have thick hair. Doesn't that make it thicker?

I stopped coloring mine. I don't have gray and it looked so bad when it started to grow out and I couldn't afford to get it touched up. So I finally just stopped and have my natural mouse brown back. I shouldn't complain- with no gray and all. :)

He & Me + 3 said...

I color mine at home too. I hate paying and sitting and doing nothing in the salon. While the color is on my hair at home, I get so much done. I can't believe you cut it yourself. Wow you are good.

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Hi Liz!
Great hair advice! I also have coarse hair and mine is a little frizzy on its own. I go about every 3 days on washing it. I swear it is so dry that I don't think it would ever get oily! I only get my hair cut and weaved about 3-4 times a year too. I also regret it if I go for a drastic change.

Your hair is gorgeous!

XOXO
Jen

Jenny said...

I can't get into my bed unless I've taken a shower and my hair is completely clean and wet. If I take an early shower and my hair is almost dry, it's almost hard to sleep! LOL!

My sister and I do each others highlights, but we use foils. It's much easier than a cap!

Unknown said...

Wow! You cut your own hair? I am SO impressed!! I have naturally curly hair, so I have to wash every day, but I like the idea of the Suave shampoo, sounds good!

~Becca

Kristen said...

Dear goodness...I think we must be sisters. I also have the selectively curly, wavy, unruly, super-thick hair! I have a picture from grade school where half my hair was wavy and the other wasn't...way embarrassing! I'm getting it cut on Wednesday...don't know how yet. :)

Kelli said...

It's so funny because you never hear anyone say they love their hair. I finally cut all mine off after I had Caleb and I will not go back.

Anonymous said...

Liz, this cracked me up!!! I was LOL. It is so true about your hair, but as I always say; people would kill for that hair. Do you remember getting the "best hair" title in high school when you were on dance team? Well, you did!

onegirliegirl said...

Thanks for posting all your "secrets"! What a fun sport you are! Isn't it nice to know that gorgeous hair doesn't have to cost a fortune.

I color and cut my own hair, too...so no judging here ;) I cut all my kids hair and hubby's too. No, not a stylist, but I play one in my house :)

I use the same shampoo...funny! But I will actually wash with the kids shampoo every once in awhile so my hair doesn't get "used" to the same shampoo. At least that's what I've heard.

xoxo ~Lisa

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