Maintaining long hair?

shel90

shel90

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I would like tips or secrets on how to maintain healthy-looking hair that is long.

Let me give you a little background.

All of my life, I have always had short hair due to my hair being so fine and curling on the bottom which was hard for my mom to manage, or so she says. Also, it tends to get so dry getting split ends easily.

When I hit my teens, the style was feathered or big 80s hair so I did a lot of damage to my hair with hairspray and sun-in. As a result, it was so dry and so coarse so I couldnt get it to grow long without it looking raggedy.

Since ceasing the hairspray, it has become healthier and I have tried to grow it long but it wouldnt look right due to it not curling enough nor not being straight enough so it always ended up as a mess. Then, I would cut it short and continue the cycle. I used to be so jealous of my brother whose hair would grow into beautiful thick spiral curls. I would use hot rollers, curling irons, and whatever to get my curls to really curl spirally instead of going one way and then turning into another way leaving me with a "bed" hair look which I hated.

Well, for whatever reason which is very puzzling, in the past few years, as I got older, my curls have been curling beautifully...spiralling into perfect corkscrew shaped curls. So, I have been growing it long and now it is past my shoulders and still looking good *knock on wood*. I never expected that but finally I am getting the curls I have always wanted naturally.

The reason for this is that I have never had long hair in my life and I would like to experience it at least once before more gray hair kicks in. Yes, I have a few here and there but for some reason, my hair is just looking better. I thought it was usually the opposite.

Anyways, since I have never had long hair...any tips on keeping it healthy looking? Do you leave it down when you go to sleep or put it up to lessen the wear and tear or whatever you call it?

Thanks!
 
I've had long, short and in between. I was blessed with hair that doesn't take much to care for (God knew I'd be lazy in that area). When long (it's only to my earlobes right now...recently got it cut), I flip it up over the pillow when I sleep. That's more so I don't lay on it in a way that would make it hard for me to turn my head.
 
I've had long hair since childhood. When I say long, I MEAN LONG. It's been down to my rear before. I've never been someone who likes to mess with my hair; therefore, I've always just brushed my hair out daily. For washing, I wash with Head and Shoulders every other day. My hair is very thick and straight, and, has been since I was very young. As a toddler, my hair was short and curly, but I've never been able to keep a curl in recent memory. My hair just won't do it.

My hair is very healthy probably because I never put a lot of chemicals on it. I also wasn't into the BIG hair thing. I was the type of kid to do her own thing regardless of everyone else was doing! :lol:

Anyway, for me, the key has always been a low maintenance approach. The more chemicals and crap you put on your hair, the worst things will be. I also don't spend a ton of time in the sun.

I hope some of this helps, but I admit that I'm probably different from most people, so hopefully you'll get some other good input. :)
 
I have long grey hair. No hairspray, no perm or straightener, no color, no heat-rollers. I usually wear it in one braid in back, rebraid it every morning. No maintenance hair!! :wave:
 
MCB said:
I have long grey hair. No hairspray, no perm or straightener, no color, no heat-rollers. I usually wear it in one braid in back, rebraid it every morning. No maintenance hair!! :wave:
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If it works for you, that's awesome!

However for me, I dont want to braid my hair if it is long and grey. I like the current styles....when my hair turns all gray, I want to keep it short and chic. I am the kind of person who keeps up with current fashion trends although I am almost 40.

However, as long as it is still brown with natural blond highlights, I am going to try to see if I can grow it long with the curls the way they are now.
 
Oceanbreeze said:
I've had long hair since childhood. When I say long, I MEAN LONG. It's been down to my rear before. I've never been someone who likes to mess with my hair; therefore, I've always just brushed my hair out daily. For washing, I wash with Head and Shoulders every other day. My hair is very thick and straight, and, has been since I was very young. As a toddler, my hair was short and curly, but I've never been able to keep a curl in recent memory. My hair just won't do it.

My hair is very healthy probably because I never put a lot of chemicals on it. I also wasn't into the BIG hair thing. I was the type of kid to do her own thing regardless of everyone else was doing! :lol:

Anyway, for me, the key has always been a low maintenance approach. The more chemicals and crap you put on your hair, the worst things will be. I also don't spend a ton of time in the sun.

I hope some of this helps, but I admit that I'm probably different from most people, so hopefully you'll get some other good input. :)
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I have always wanted thick and straight hair. I think that is sooo beautiful when it is long and luscious!

Ok, less chemicals although I like to dye it with different chunky highlights..probaby not a good idea. LOL
 
If it works for you, that's awesome! .... I like the current styles..
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I set my own styles. :giggle: I guess it is the old hippie in me. :D
 
MCB said:
I set my own styles. :giggle: I guess it is the old hippie in me. :D
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Awww!!! That's so sweet.


I guess I still have the big '80s in me. Flashy hair, big earrings, and shiny jewelery which I still wear. LOL!
 
MCB said:
I set my own styles. :giggle: I guess it is the old hippie in me. :D
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I am the same way! I do not follow the trend in fashion! I had long fine hair when I was younger and I would made a lot braids in my hair after I washed it.I could get away with washing my every other day , I had to as it was hard to get water where I lived in Northern Ca.
 
For the past two months, I've been doing "no-poo" method where I just use baking soda and apple cider vinegar as my shampoo and conditioner (think: basic and acid). My hair looks much softer, healthier, and shiner!! :D :D

My curls also seems to be defined better after this no poo method, so I guess I'll keep this up! :D I'm also considering growing my hair longer (I'm at shoulder length now)
 
whatdidyousay! said:
some people put mayo on their hair to made shiny! I tried this once and it took forever to wash the mayo out of my hair! I can't remember if my hair look better!
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There's Something About Whatdidyousay
 
Mostly...My long hair direction to my hip between below my shoulder all my life... :D

Two or third times (< per year) with V07 and leave it for 20 minutes then raise it out good..

Everyone love my long hair! :aw:
 
sallylou said:
Natural organic products are expensive so I make my own. Here are some recipes if you want to try it:

Hair Product Recipes - Make Your Own Homemade Natural & Organic Hair Care Products

This site has a lot of information about long hair care and hair styles.
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Excellent site. I made up a potion for itchy ears a few weeks ago, it is just too strong. (They were VERY itchy :giggle:)

Made up another potion-- grape seed oil with a few drops of tea tree and quite a few of lavender. It will be good to spray on it before braiding. And probably for my ears, too. :ty:
 
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sheila022 said:
For the past two months, I've been doing "no-poo" method where I just use baking soda and apple cider vinegar as my shampoo and conditioner (think: basic and acid). My hair looks much softer, healthier, and shiner!! :D :D

My curls also seems to be defined better after this no poo method, so I guess I'll keep this up! :D I'm also considering growing my hair longer (I'm at shoulder length now)
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This sounds really interesting. Do you have a recipe for this? I used to have really pretty and long hair but I cut it to shoulder length at xmas because it was curling all funky and etc so I figured I would start over from there.
 
I will try that, Sheila. Hope it works! I have frizzy hair when the weather is dry but the curls are definitely a lot better than before. It is weird.
 
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