Hair growing

Speaking of showers, I'm feeling guilty when I run the water for so long.  I've been trying to do one treatment (i.e., fading or reconstructing or hot oil) before I get into the shower, but then I usually need to wash it out and do a second treatment, like a moisturiser, and let it stand for a while.  So that can be up to 20 minutes, if not more!

My hair's now a length that doesn't do too well upside-down in the kitchen sink anymore, primarily because it's difficult to put it back into place to dry.  I liked Katie's idea and am starting to do it - to try to get my hair into it's "drying position" before getting out of the shower to avoid too much messing it around to get it into place whilst it's still wet.

CherryEmbers, you deserve a treat of a trip to the hairdresser if that's what will make you feel best at Christmas!  If you're serious about growing it out, tell them that, and hopefully they'll do a good job.  My first trip back to a hairdresser in London after years of not going, she asked what style I wanted, and as I needed loads of ends cut off, I told her to please make it "look as long as possible".  And I admit she did a good job that time!

My hair growth between 19th Feb 2012 and 16th Dec 2013.
The short side used to be cut right round my ear so it took so long to just even that out but I'm very happy with my growth just need to keep going (I want bra strap length). I have a very short hair-attention span though and did love it short so the support on here is lovely. My hair hasn't even been this long since I was maybe 11, just a range of bob-ish lengths so it feels so bizarre.
I tied it up in a high pony the other day and managed to freak myself out thinking something was tickling the top of my back because I'm so unused to having that much hair!  *puzz*

That is impressive growth vias, and I really love your periwinkle colour.

Thanks, I'm still working on it though I love all the long bright hair on here and am so jealous. 🙂 The colour is a happy accident from now faded directions violet that had a weird very light mint green underneath

I use a treatment that has "Lawsonia, Inermis (Henna) Extract" in it, it's about halfway down the list of ingredients. I wonder if it is able to still act as an antifungal with the other ingredients in with it...

@Katie,  I found out that the benefits of henna are indeed attatched to the dye release. That would mean it needs to be activated in order for you to get the benefits of it like stregnthening, conditioning, thickening and its anti microbial properties as well. The henna in commercial products is likely processed to the point where it is "dead" or parts of the plant are used that do not contain any benefits. There are shampoo bars that contain henna so in that form there may be more of a benefit,  but whatever benefit that is will be miniscule especially when compared to a full stregnth application of activated henna.

I finally got a pic of my hair since the big chop! It was taken around sunset, so it looks much more orangey than it actually was due to the light. It was a lovely lilac/lavender IRL.

Oh my, a unicorn!! Hehe, so excited to finally see your hair, it is so so so gorgeous! It is the length and color I want!! So jealous.

Well I did my roots yesterday and now it looks dreadful lol! Yellowy roots and a lot of mint green, I will be dyeing it later tonight. I have really enjoyed having the lilac tones. I had it turquoise in the summer and didn't feel comfortable with it, paler colours are more subtle and easier to wear IMO. If only my roots would cooperate!!!!

Wicked pixie your hair is stunning!  *loveeyes*

Wow Wicked Pixie, that is AFTER the big chop? I am so jealous! It's absolutely gorgeous!

Same here, I'm jealous too!

WickedPixie, your hair is absolutely stunning, and really a beautiful colour in the photo!

*edit: I though you said you picked up the white instead of the acv

Yeah no, I picked up the cheapo vinegar for 15p or something.  I'll get the white or apple cider next time.  But if bleaching roots also keeps the scalp clean, I'll be doing that regularly I would imagine, so probably same effect!

Oh, showers take me forever. I don't even start doing anything either for at least the first 5 minutes lol

Yep, I'm still waking up in the first 5 minutes. 😀

Bleaching and vinegar have very different effects on hair and scalp. Vinegar should be used to help counter balance the damaging effects of bleach.

Right, doesn't vinegar help close up the cuticle after bleaching?  I suppose the 'effect' I meant was that they both clean up the scalp and kill off anything preventing growth.

@Wicked Pixie your hair is incredible, seriously. It is perfect! Sorry your roots didn't work out well, but I'm excited to see how it goes with dying them!

Well I did the colour last night, but it didn't go smoothly due to tripping over a puppy and having to go to the emergency vets. (Second time i have had to rush to the vets with dye and a carrier bag on my head!) It is sort of bluey grey now, Im not sure if I like it or not, but the roots have covered OK. I might wash it with some pink in my conditioner to purple it up again, I think I underestimated how much the pale green would pull it towards blue.