Well, I had my brief moment of introspection this morning, and now it’s back to frivolity as usual here on The Blob.
I know I promised no more hair talk. But it just would not be right not to share with you my newfound haircare information.
Did you know, for instance, that there is such a thing as a deep conditioner? I’ve always made use of regular conditioner when I wash my hair. But I never knew I was supposed to be doing something called deep conditioning. Evidently this is a heavy cream that you apply and usually leave in your hair for several hours or even overnight. You should do this every week or two, depending on the health of your hair.
I did not know this.
And then. There is something else called a restructuring treatment. Did you know about this?
Now this is not the same thing, evidently, as a deep conditioning treatment. The deep conditioning improves hair structure. The restructuring treatment can actually repair the hair.
Who knew!? You can actually repair hair! Did you know this?
Of course you did. Evidently I’m the last person on the face of the earth to learn about such miraculous beauty treatments.
And wait. There’s more!
When your hair starts to get weighed down by all the goop you’re putting on it, there is something called a clarifying shampoo that should get rid of all the residue and buildup left from all your newfound hair products. This should be used about once a month.
I’ve also discovered the existence of a thermal hair protector. This you should use before you style your hair with any heat appliance, such as a hair dryer or curling iron.
Aren’t I just brimming with helpful information this afternoon?
And why, you might ask, am I all of the sudden so interested in haircare? Well, I’ve always had pretty healthy hair. I haven’t had a permanent since 1989, and I’ve only used color once or twice. So basically I’ve had healthy hair that I haven’t had to think too much about.
But now I’m 35. And evidently, not only does your waistline begin to helplessly expand when you turn 35, but your once vibrant, sleek, and healthy hair suddenly turns dry and fuzzy. For no apparent reason. Or possibly due to the overuse of certain heated hair appliances.
Joy.
After several people mentioned that it looks like I’ve fried my hair, I began searching for answers. Is it diet? Is it my beloved ceramic flat iron? Is it age?
And most importantly, what can I do about it???
With the help of some good friends, we have identified my hair issues and I have been properly educated about all sorts of lovely treatments with which to repair my stressed-out hair.
I started by applying olive oil the other night and sleeping with it in my hair. Greasy pillow, anyone? The next day it looked and felt much nicer. But today it’s back to it’s original frizzy state, although it still doesn’t feel as dry as it did before.
I’m about to try the restructuring treatment next. I also purchased new shampoo and conditioner that I’m hoping will help, as well as a thermal hair protector. AND I’ve been laying off my ceramic styling iron, as instructed by, well, anyone who has been forced to listen to my sob story about my freaked-out hair. Instead, I’m getting to know my big round brush a little bit better.
Does anyone else find the big round brush intimidating? I’m such an idiot when I get a big round brush in my hand. There should be college courses offered on proper technique. I’d attend.
So there. All you ever wanted to know about haircare. And then some.
lol, I used to get that big brush stuck in my hair so often, that I switched to a flat oval shaped brush!
Are all those treatments like the old VO5 hot oil treatments? My hair is fried too. I though pregnancy ruined your hair? Is that not right?
Vinegar does wonders for your hair too.. At least it did mine….
Hmmm… pregnancy was good to my hair. Well, until afterwards when it all fell out. That’s a lot of stuff to put on one head. Let me know if it works. Your hair looked pretty shiny and lovely, to me, though. 🙂
That is a lot of hair info. Let me know how it all works. 🙂 Hopefully you will have lovely, shiny locks again.
I am a product queen. I actually am a licensed cosmetologist, so I learned about this stuff way back when. Here are a couple of my recommendations. Jojoba oil is really nice for a treatment as well. You could clarify your hair first, and then put on a deep conditioner, a shower cap, and then perhaps a hot towel. It’s the heat that really helps the stuff penetrate.
As for actual products, I’ve tried numerous products. Joico products are usually the best for reconstruction and the like.
I will say this though. Last year I got tired of seeing my scalp being so red. It was red due to the harsh chemicals in shampoos, even the professional ones. I went on a hunt for better-for-you products. After lots of experimentation and frustration, I will say this. I LOVE Burts Bees products!! (for an everyday shampoo and conditioner. You still need to deep condition once a week or so.)
But see, first I tried this Grapefruit shampoo that Burts Bees makes. Then I noticed my hair is feeling a bit dry (due to the perm I got back in May) so I decided to try their Moisture shampoo and conditioner line, Raspberry something or other. My hair feels glorious!
Of course all hair is different and people get different results. But sometimes these professional salon products can be just as damaging as grocery store bought shampoos and conditioners. Believe me, I really have tried a BUNCH out there.
Good luck!
Me and the big round brush?
Ugly. Not good at all. Picture a brush hanging from one’s head in a snarl of hair.
No bueno at all.
i am awful with a round brush!!!
I LOVE Dove’s Intense Treatment Conditioner
blessings,
karla
A thought – my hair did that when I turned 24, and I too thought i had fried it with my curling iron/flat iron (I tried to flat iron it one day when it was not quite dry…). Turns out, no. It was turning curly.
Let it air dry one day, if you can stand it, and see what it does. Mine went cute curly for about two years (I wish I could post my most recent driver’s license photo…) and has just recently gone back straight. It was basically all hormones, but I went through all the same attempting to treat it that you did – deep conditioning, restructuring, yada yada. Nothing helped, and my hair felt gross. Then I let it air dry one day, and voila! Curly hair!
Just a thought – it could be hormones.
You are not the last person, because this is all news to me as well. Interesting information – I need to check in to some of this stuff, because my hair could use some help too!
But I actually love my big round brush – couldn’t imagine life without it!!!
DCR,
I was with you right up until:
“I’ve only used color once or twice.”
We are the same age and I have been coloring my gray hair for almost ten years now!
After that sentence I wanted to make myself a chocolate martini! 😉
PS.
I cannot help it… I just had to point this out to you. You NEED to smell this stuff sometime. It smells exactly like oatmeal cookies. It is the most delicious conditioner I have ever smelled. (and they have a lotion in the smell too!)
I hope this link won’t mess up any HTML for you.
http://www.goddess-within.com/ticaoahotrco.html