Friday Feature Fun!

Yay! I got another interviewee! This is my dear friend and "other mother", if you will, and she has graciously accepted my persistent nagging and begging requests to interview her hair. 

Here you go! 

Current length: 35 inches

Are you currently growing your length or maintaining?: Growing

If growing, how long have you been growing your hair?: I would guess about six years.

As a fellow hairaholic I find it very interesting to hear what exactly about hair it is that others find fascinating. What started your interest/obsession with hair?: I have had long hair most of my life. For some reason, I just don't like the look of short hair on most people. I think long hair is more beautiful and certainly more versatile.

As with any hobby, there is always something that irks us just a little bit. What are some of your frustrations/pet peeves as a person with a hair hobby, be your hair long or short? (i.e. nasty comments, getting stuck in doors, hard to take care of, styling, etc.etc.): I am tired of the notion that older women shouldn't have long hair. It seems to be a mid-west thing - but I could be wrong. People seem to think when you hit forty, you are supposed to cut your hair, perm it, and dye it blue. Otherwise, you are considered an "old hippy." I think it's ridiculous.

If money, damage, social stigma, etc. where not a factor, what is the one thing you would love to to try out?: A professional hot oil treatment.

What do you love about your hair: That I can do so many things with it.

What do you hate about your hair: The ends are dry. That seems to be an ongoing battle.

What’s something you like to do as a “treat” to your hair?: Conditioning treatments - the kind you leave for a couple of hours.

What are your favorite products?/What are you currently using?: Coconut oil, coconut oil, coconut oil!

What’s your hair care routine? (In a nutshell; I know most of us have pretty extensive hair care regimes): It's about as basic as can be: I wash it two or three times a week. I only wash the scalp. I don't wash the long part of my hair. Then I condition. When it dries, I put some coconut oil in the long part. Once a week I condition with coconut for a couple of hours before I wash it.

Many of us have one thing that we will never, ever do to our hair no matter what (i.e., bleach, curl, straighten, color) what is that one thing for you?: I have two things. I will never color it again. I have done so many times in the past. It's too damaging. Now that my hair is beginning to turn gray, I will let it happen naturally. I will also never be likely to put layers in it again. I regret that I did that a few months ago. If I could turn back time...

If you have a favorite hairstyle, what is it?: My most common hairstyle is parted on the side with combs. My favorite hairstyle is a loose French braid or in some kind of an updo. I think it's less intrusive than all the hair.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received regarding taking care of hair?: Coconut oil, coconut oil, coconut oil! Thanks, Eli!

Friday Feature Fun!

Our next reader is *trumpet music* MY MOMMY!!! My mommy is my bestest friend, besides hubby, and she has been my hair inspiration for a long, long time. Here is her interview:

Name: Diane 

Hair character/type: My hair is wispy and thin, but each individual hair is coarse, so it gives volume. (1b/M/ii)

Natural hair color: Chestnut brown (I have to admit, that I actually said this, because my mom always reminds me of the girl in the song "Star of the County Down"

Starting length (if growing): I've always had long hair as a child, but there was a period when I was 17/18 that I had it layered and around armpit length

Current length:  Tailbone length

Are you currently growing your length or maintaining?  If growing, how long have you been growing your hair?  If maintaining, what is it about your current length that makes you happy?: I am actually trying to grow my hair a little bit longer after having allowed a hairdresser to go at my hair with scissors I realized the folly of this and because, having been a long hair for so long, anything that is less than being able to sit on is TOO SHORT!

As a fellow hairaholic I find it very interesting to hear what exactly about hair it is that others find fascinating.  What started your interest/obsession with hair?: Growing up in the 80s, everything was all about the shag and the short hair. You were different having long hair, and there was a time in the 80s when I had long hair (18-19), and I ended up getting it cut and I immediately thought, even though it's easy to take care of, "a part of me is missing". I've always had long hair, and reading being raised on books like Little House on the Prairie and the like, women had long hair. I'm not very feminine, and so my long hair is my one feminine thing. My female-ness comes out in my hair.


As with any hobby, there is always something that irks us just a little bit. What are some of your frustrations/pet peeves as a person with a hair hobby, be your hair long or short? (i.e. nasty comments, getting stuck in doors, hard to take care of, styling, etc.etc.): My pet peeve is twofold: 1) the people with the short hair coming up and telling me that my hair would look better or trimmed or that I would look better with short hair. It's all I can do to stop from saying to them in return, "if you kept your mouth shut you wouldn't sound so stupid." If it's trendy or not, long hair is me I don't care if it's not a fad. This goes for the same with people with long hair who feel entitled to tell you what to do with your hair because their hair acts or looks differently. 2) The people who tell me to donate it. I say to them, "I feel it would be better to teach kids to be confident no matter how they look than to force them to adapt to how everyone else thinks they should look."

If money, damage, social stigma, etc. where not a factor, what is the one thing you would love to try out?: I'd shave my head. This is of course, only if it were reversible the next day. Or to try something funky and weird, but I would want my hair back the next day.

What do you love about your hair: Something I'm really liking about it right now, is the color and the way it frames my face.

What do you hate about your hair: I'm having a hard time adjusting to the different textures as my hair is getting older. Once it's all white I think it'll be okay. This is also changing the way I can style it.

What’s something you like to do as a “treat” to your hair?: Coconut oil with a capful of tea tree oil mixed in. I don't really treat it though, so much as I just don't use bad chemicals on it. And I don't wash it a lot.

What are your favorite products?/What are you currently using?: My favorite products is focus 21 Sea Plasma, but it's a product I haven't used in a while. They have since changed the formula. Currently, I'm using Suave Almond and Shea Butter

What’s your hair care routine? (In a nutshell; I know most of us have pretty extensive hair care regimes): Wash every few days and only wash the roots. Condition everything. Comb it wet, if it's really cold outside I'll blow dry just enough to get the drippies out, but usually air dry.

Many of us have one thing that we will never, ever do to our hair no matter what (i.e., bleach, curl, straighten, color) what is that one thing for you?: Dye it. I permed it once when I was 18 and I looked like a lion, but the damage I see from dyeing keeps me from that. I would never perm again.

If you have a favorite hairstyle, what is it?: My favorite style is probably an off-center part and wearing it down, but my most practical style is a bun or a pony tail.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received regarding taking care of hair?: A long long time ago, when I was young and I had long hair and I was about ten. My mom thought my hair looked fine because I was brushing the top layer everyday, but then she realized later that the underside of the hair wasn't getting brush. It took a road trip from Northern Idaho to Mexico and a bottle on conditioner with a wide tooth comb to get that hair untangled. It's amazing she didn't cut it off. After that, my mom talked to someone about dealing with the tangles and the lady said, "start at the bottom, work your way up" That has stuck with me ever since.

Any additional comments: I think it's cool that long hair is coming back. People are starting to stick with it; people are starting to show commitment to it, and it's cool to see them doing their own thing instead of falling prey to the trends. It's especially cool to me that the younger generation is starting to do it.

Friday Feature Fun!

Time for our Friday Feature!

Stephanie is awesome, I have never had the pleasure of meeting her in person, but I've looked on her site at her styles, and her general attitude has always been fun and pleasant and whenever I've bugged her about a hairstyle I'm curious about, she has always been kind and taken time out of her busy schedule to talk with me.  Also, I'm insanely jealous of her hair.  Enjoy! 


Name: Stephanie

Hair character/type: 2c or 3a/M/iii (note: loose curls, medium thickness strands, and a ton of it)

Natural hair color: Same as it is now, kind of indeterminate.  Brownish blonde?

Starting length (if growing): About 22” way back in the day

Current length:  58”

Are you currently growing your length or maintaining?  If growing, how long have you been growing your hair?  If maintaining, what is it about your current length that makes you happy?:  I started growing my hair out about 11 years ago, but for four years during college I mostly just maintained it.  My hair is definitely still growing (albeit slowly), but I’m not actively trying to grow it out anymore.  I’m considering cutting 10 inches or so off in a few months since it’s getting a bit much to manage, and classic length was my favorite.  I enjoy being able to do really extreme styles with this length, but classic was best for certain updos and was less annoying to wear down.

As a fellow hairaholic I find it very interesting to hear what exactly about hair it is that others find fascinating.  What started your interest/obsession with hair?: When I was 13, I saw Star Wars for the first time and was fascinated by Leia’s hair.  I thought, “Hey, I can do that.”  I think long hair is beautiful, I love how it feels, and I enjoy being able to do different things with it.  I also enjoy having long hair for one of the same reasons that I enjoy archery; both make me feel a little bit like a time-traveller, participating in something that is thousands of years old.  Long hair has a timeless, classic quality to it, andI enjoy history (particularly medieval times) very much.  Having long hair gives me a sense of kinship with another age.

As with any hobby, there is always something that irks us just a little bit. What are some of your frustrations/pet peeves as a person with a hair hobby, be your hair long or short? (i.e. nasty comments, getting stuck in doors, hard to take care of, styling, etc.etc.):  Long hair does get in the way if it’s down, there just isn't a way around it.  I’ve caught it on other people, doors, seat belts, you name it.  Probably the most irksome thing, though, is that people tend to treat long hair like public property.  I don’t mind if someone wants to talk about it, or even if they ask nicely if they can touch it, but I do NOT enjoy it when strangers walk up and just start playing with my hair.  I like my personal space!

If money, damage, social stigma, etc. where not a factor, what is the one thing you would love to to try out?:  I haven’t had straight hair since I was 12, so that would be nice to try, and it would be fun to dye it just for a day.  In general, though, I’m pretty content with my current state.

What do you love about your hair: Pretty much everything!  I like that it’s very thick and curly.

What do you hate about your hair:  I don’t really hate anything about it, but I guess it would be nice if the color made up its mind on whether it’s brown or blonde.

What’s something you like to do as a “treat” to your hair?: Can’t say that I really do anything special for it.

What are your favorite products?/What are you currently using?:  I use whatever shampoo and conditioner are on sale, for the most part.  I do like Naturelle Hypo-Allergenic Styling Gel (http://www.sallybeauty.com/allergenic-gel/SBS-623476,default,pd.html); several of my friends have severe allergies, so I make sure to use this if I’m going to be spending time with them.  Money is always an issue for me, so I don’t buy any expensive products.

What’s your hair care routine? (In a nutshell; I know most of us have pretty extensive hair care regimes): Mine is very simple.  I wash it every other night (sometimes every third night) with whatever’s in the shower.  I do use a LOT of conditioner.  Since my hair is so curly, I only detangle it in the shower, using a wide-toothed bone comb (http://hairsense.com/bone_combs.php), which is actually made out of resin despite the name.  The combs don’t have the rough seam that plastic combs do, so it doesn’t catch or tear the hair.  I let my hair dry overnight by draping off the end of the bed.

Many of us have one thing that we will never, ever do to our hair no matter what (i.e., bleach, curl, straighten, color) what is that one thing for you?: All of the above, honestly.  I’m a big fan of benign neglect: if I leave my hair alone, it behaves itself.

If you have a favorite hairstyle, what is it?:  Hard to choose, since I do so many!  I love braids of all kinds.  My go-to style for when I don’t want to spend time on my hair is a single braid, and it’ll hold up to just about anything.  I love experimenting with movie hairstyles, though I haven’t had the time for anything too elaborate lately.                                                                                                                         

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received regarding taking care of hair?:  Don’t mess with it!  People feel like they have to be constantly altering their hair’s curl/straightness, color, style, etc., and all of that causes damage.  

Links to your blog/youtube/website: My website (pretty much never updated anymore, sadly) is: http://imaginary-styles.iwarp.com, and my blog (not hair-related) is: http://quoththegirl.wordpress.com.

Thank you again, Stephanie for your time and for sharing a little bit about yourself!  More to come on awesome people later! 

First Friday Feature Fun! #1

Alrighty, here it is: Feature Friday! Our first reader is miss Sarah, I hope you enjoy! 

Name: Sarah (ibraidhair.wordpress.com)

Hair character/type: natural curly, medium/coarse texture, medium-thick, dry, prone to split

Natural hair color: dark brown with reddish highlights

Starting length (if growing): hmmm.... It hasn't been above my shoulders since I was a toddler.  When I started growing with purpose, it was 28" I believe (a couple inches above my waist).

                                                                                                 

Current length:  about 40"

Are you currently growing your length or maintaining?  If growing, how long have you been growing your hair?  If maintaining, what is it about your current length that makes you happy?: Kind of both. My hair is so prone to breakage that I have to work pretty hard just to maintain this length. If I gain a little in the process, I'm happy.  I've always liked hip-length hair on other women and thought it was the most attractive length.

As a fellow hairaholic I find it very interesting to hear what exactly about hair it is that others find fascinating.  What started your interest/obsession with hair?: My parents both wanted my hair long when I was growing up (my mom has long hair also). My favorite dolls were always the ones with hair I could style. It's been a life-long thing for me. I became obsessed with my own hair when I was 20 years old. I was desperate for new styling ideas and began searching the internet. I came across a website dedicated to long-haired women, with a forum full of amazing people (some with floor-length hair!) who had a wealth of knowledge. I haven't been the same since. :)

As with any hobby, there is always something that irks us just a little bit. What are some of your frustrations/pet peeves as a person with a hair hobby, be your hair long or short? (i.e. nasty comments, getting stuck in doors, hard to take care of, styling, etc.etc.): Because I have a hair hobby, I get asked a lot of questions from people wanting advice on hair care, styling, etc. It really irritates me when people ask my advice over and over and over, and never actually do anything I recommend.

If money, damage, social stigma, etc. where not a factor, what is the one thing you would love to to try out?: Coloring my hair bright fiery red.

What do you love about your hair: the color, the length, and the curls... I really just have learned to love my hair the way it is.

What do you hate about your hair: I have a love/hate relationship with my curls. I really do love my curls and I would be devastated if they suddenly started going away! But at the same time, I can't help getting frustrated because it makes it so much harder to style my hair and keep it healthy. Also, it makes my hair very unpredictable.

What’s something you like to do as a “treat” to your hair?: deep conditioning treatment with avocado

What are your favorite products?: My favorite is probably raw shea butter, it's super conditioning for my extremely dry ends. (and I don't have to worry about anyone changing the formulation! lol)

What are you currently using?: Yes to Carrots Shampoo, Yes to Cucumbers Conditioner, Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel, TRESemme Curl Locking Spray, Giovani Styling Gel, raw shea butter

What’s your hair care routine? (In a nutshell; I know most of us have pretty extensive hair care regimes): 
My basic routine is this:
-I shampoo about once a week with sulfate-free shampoo, then follow with silicone-free conditioner. I CO wash every time I take a shower.
-I clip my hair up and leave conditioner in during the whole shower, then detangle with a wide tooth comb as I rinse it out at the end of the shower.
-I scrunch raw shea butter into the ends, then "plop" with a t-shirt for 15 minutes or so, then air dry.
-When my hair is mostly dry, I smooth on aloe vera gel (or styling gel) and scrunch with the t-shirt. Sometimes I spray a light coat of hairspray on after it's dry.
-To refresh my curls, I use a little lime juice in water and spray my hair to dampen it and smooth out the frizz, then apply more aloe gel.

Many of us have one thing that we will never, ever do to our hair no matter what (i.e., bleach, curl, straighten, color) what is that one thing for you?: bleach

If you have a favorite hairstyle, what is it?: It would probably be a low side bun.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received regarding taking care of hair?: Throw away the brush.