So, what am I doing wrong?

[Amaya1617]

I'm new to this forum, and I've been trying to read as much of the preexisting topics as I can. It seems like every thread I read, I find something that I've been doing wrong. My mom isn't really into beauty and stuff and my sister has very short hair [versus my long hair] so I'm kind of out here on my own, with no one to teach me.

I figured it would be easier if I just told you what my hair care regiment is and then you can all tell me what it is I'm doing wrong and what to change.

I shower every day, at night. My hair takes a LONG time to dry so I have no other choice but to shower at night. I shampoo with Garnier Fructis Length and Strength shampoo. [My hair is long. It's about... mid-back-length?] Then I usually use Suave Naturals Fresh Mountain Strawberry Conditioner. Now I used to do this but have very recently [last few days] stopped. Usually, I would put the conditioner in my hair, then start to rinse it, and brush through it while still in the shower. Then I'd run my fingers through it and separate it a bit and start to put my hair up so I can go around my house without getting my shirt all wet.

I don't often curl my hair because I have so much of it and I have a very bad curler. However, I really like the look of curled hair, so I try to convince my hair to curl all the time. I don't straighten or blow-dry my hair either.

My hair is rather thick and kind of strawberry-blonde colored. I don't have bangs, but recently I've begun thinking about getting them. I'm also thinking about cutting my hair to about shoulder length, but I don't want to make any decisions until I'm absolutely sure.

So, what am I doing wrong, and do you guys have any advice for me?

Also: I'm going camping for the weekend in a few hours so I'll try to reply as much as I can before I have to go, but once I've left I'll be out until Sunday.

 

[MissManda]

What is your hair doing that your not liking or is wrong or not working for you? Everyone has different hair and different routines. What works great for me can be horrible for you. I say if your hair is working for you stick with what your doing. Otherwise I need more info as what I or we can do to help!

 

[magneticheart]

You're not doing anything 'wrong'. Like MissManda asked, what is happening with your hair that makes you dislike it?

Is it the way it's always looked or are you just unhappy with the products you're using?

 

[Amaya1617]

Well I'm kind of trying to get my hair to curl a little more. Usually it's very straight and flat, but gets frizzy and annoying if I don't do anything with it.

I was more trying to figure out if anything I was doing was inherently BAD. Like something that you just dont' do, as a general rule. I'm kind of clueless when it comes to stuff like this, so I wasn't really sure what to ask.

Also: I'm considering giving myself bangs, because I find that the part of my hair I can never style is my bangs [i grew them out years ago]. Can you guys recommend any certain style or length of bangs? I want them to be kind of sideswept, but keep in mind that I play soccer so they can't be too long that I wouldn't be able to keep them out of my eyes.

 

[Dragonfly]

I have thought about side swept bangs as well. But to be honest, I hate my hair in my eyes so I'll probably stay with the wide, full bangs I have now.

If you decide to get side swept bangs, I would strongly advise getting your hair cut professionally. The stylist will do it properly and will be able to give you some tips about how to maintain the look.

I agree with the other ladies with your routine. Sounds like you are a wash and wear person - if it works for you then that's fine.

I find that a little bit of serum can help keep the frizzies under control.

And you mentioned brushing your wet hair. That can be very damaging - much better to use a wide tooth comb.

 

[Amaya1617]

Okay. I'm trying to stop doing that because after reading some threads in here I've realized that brushing while wet and shampooing every day may have something to do with all of the shedding and breakage I'm getting.

 

[Killah Kitty]

I try to go as many days as I can before I need to wash my hair. I still wash myself

but I avoid washing my hair so I usually only wash it every 3 days or so. The natural oils are good for it, for me anyway, my hair is naturally dry.

Also, I comb the knots out of my hair in the shower while I have conditioner on my hair, because my hair is very curly. Just be gentle, use a wide-tooth comb, and work from the bottom of your hair to the top.

When I'm just lounging at home with wet hair I wear over-sized Tshirts, usually hand me downs from my BF or other guys in my family lol. That way I can leave my hair down and I don't get really wet from my hair. Just blot the excess water out of your hair with a towel and you should be fine? You can leave the towel across your back and shoulders if you want to as well, I also do this sometimes.

When I have a little extra time on my hands I love to use a hair mask. I condition regularly, take all my knots out, rinse the conditioner out, then apply the mask. I clip it up and put it all in a shower cap. I let sit in there and heat up while I shave my legs or something, then rinse it out for amazingly soft pretty hair

It takes a little extra time but my hair loves me for it lol.

P.S. If you are really just wash and wear, know that bangs will need styling, and if you get sideswept, let a professional do them, and make sure to leave them just long enough that you can clip them back out of your face, tell your hair dresser that.

 

[Amaya1617]

ah, okay, thanks. I think I'm probably going to get my hair cut to my shoulders and get some sideswept bangs. Long hair is nice but it's impossible to do anything with it quickly and with no bangs I can never just leave the house, I have to put my hair up in some elaborate way before I look good.

 

[magneticheart]

Like it's already been said I'd go to a professional if you're gunna get bangs.

I've re styled my own in the past and it hardly ever goes well

If you're having problems with hair breakage then I think a haircut would help to get rid of all the old hair at the bottom and make it look healthier. Hair treatments could improve your hair too

 

[Amaya1617]

What kind of hair treatments?

 

[Dragonfly]

I started using coconut oil about a year ago. I apply it to dry hair, wait about an hour, then shampoo and condition. I think my hair is in better condition, is softer and less frizzies. I get my coconut oil in a grocery store - ethnic food area.

It is solid at warm temperature - just need to warm up in microwave so it is applied as a liquid.

There are several threads that talk about coconut oil in the hair forum, if you need more info on the subject.

 

[Amaya1617]

Okay, thanks.