Monday, February 22, 2016

My Hair Story (Embarrassing Pictures Included)



So today I thought I'd talk about something fun and light-hearted and even slightly embarrassing, and share with you guys the long, ever-changing story of my hair. Yep, my hair. I am by no means a beauty expert (which is the main reason that beauty posts around here are few and far between), and as far as makeup and skincare go, I've had pretty much the same routine for a good decade. But when it comes to hair, I'd covered all the bases - from hippie dreadlocks (true story) in my college years to bleach blonde to natural, from curly to wavy to stick strait, from bangs to no bangs back to bangs again, to my hair today (see above photo). I've admittedly never had short hair aside from the chin-length bowl cut I sported in the 80s (thanks mom!), but aside from that, I've been all over the place.

The current chapter in my hair story, about which I'll also share a little today, includes a newborn baby and toddler - which, although often overtaken by thrown-together topknots, also means a (very important!) need to feel like myself again appearance-wise. To achieve this, I've gotten a new cut (the bangs are back, man), and established a cleansing and styling routine that seem to be working in terms of keeping my hair in a happy, healthy place. But more on that in a minute.


As you can see from the collage of pics above, I've gone down quite a winding road of hair adventure. From super-hippie dreadlocks (I had them for five years) to long and straight and 100% natural, from cherry red emo streaks with side swept bangs to straightened and blonde with blunt bangs, from long and wavy and highlighted to dark and bed head messy, my hair has been around the block. There were actually about twenty more pictures showcasing my hair's intrepid journey but I had to stop myself before things got out of hand.

While we're all embarrassed to some degree by the ghost of hair styles past, I honestly think that, just like anything else, it's important to embrace the choices we've made and changes we've experienced with our hair - because ultimately, it's brought each of us to where we are today. I love looking back through old photos of my hair styles, unfortunate decisions and all, because it takes me back to who and/or where I was at each of those times.


And that brings me to my hair today. I'm genuinely happy with my hair cut, style, and condition right now, but I gotta tell you guys, it hasn't happened on its own. Although I don't want to admit that it could possibly be age-related, my grey roots are becoming more plentiful with time, which means monthly root dying (done by yours truly in my bathroom) - and dye means damage. Let's add to that the joy of postpartum hair effects (ahhh, sweet, sweet shedding), the dry air of wintertime, and the fact that the combination of a newborn baby and a two year old and a job don't leave much time for hair upkeep, and my hair has taken a beating. To remedy this, I got a brand new haircut recently that involved lopping off four inches and adding textured bangs after a couple of years growing them out, and I grabbed some of the new Dove Regenerative Nourishment Collection at Target and started using it religiously. Getting rid of damaged ends and even just changing up my 'do made a massive difference. And the shampoo, conditioner, and Serum in Oil from the Dove Regenerative Nourishment line have nourished my hair and gotten it to a place where it's healthy, renewed, and visibly damage-free, by replenishing nutrients and reinforcing my hair inside and out - essentially making it smooth and strong against breakage. I use the Serum in Oil both on my damp hair right out of the shower and when it's dry to give shine and prevent fly-aways. It also prevents split ends, which is a major bonus for me. I plan to keep up this routine of regular cuts and Dove Hair goodness as part of my busy (aka constant state of train wreck) mama self-care, and hopefully I'll continue to be in a good place for this chapter of my hair story. (If you're looking for a hair pick-me-up, I highly recommend getting a cut or even just a trim, and grabbing the NEW Dove Regenerative Nourishment Shampoo, Conditioner and Serum in Oil the next time you're at Target. Your hair will thank you!)


Okay, spill it guys. I know you can't post picture in the comments, but tell me about some of your past hairstyle and/or how your hair has changed over time. Or leave me a link to a picture. I want to know!

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Dove Hair, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #MyHairStory #DovePartner http://my-disclosur.es/OBsst

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13 comments:

  1. Love seeing the phases of your hair, so fun! Your cut now is my favorite, I'm a lob fan. ;) My hair has always been long too and once it was purple for a few months!

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  2. Oh my goodness, these photos are too cute! Despite the fact that you may not have always had perfect hair, you have always been adorable - which cannot be said for all of us ;) I love your mod look in the sixth snapshot - definitely not a look I generally associate with you but surprisingly, it really suited you! My hair has been largely the same for a long time, although I'm constantly trying to improve and refine it. I'm pretty dedicated to Kerastase hair products, because for me, there's nothing the French don't do better ;)
    xox,
    Cee

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  3. Our dreadlocked hippie days are some of the best memories of my life. ❤️

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  4. I honestly think your hair looks cute in all the stages but I like your cut best now. I had a pixie cut once, the idea sounded so great but it took forever to grow it out! Now I have shoulder length and I don't think I'll go much shorter again!

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  5. This is so funny because I was just thinking yesterday why I had bangs up until University?!! My mom just always cut my hair with bangs. But it is. not. a . good. look. for. me. I love being able to tuck my hair behind my ears :) Great post!

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  6. My mom ruined me when I was about 10 and cut all my hair off, like above my ears short! I've pretty much had the same hair cut since high school. I tried bangs once, but never again. I did go shorter this past summer, but I've been growing back out since May. Might get brave enough to cut it again this summer, but never too short!

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  7. I love your hair cut! So cute! I want bangs again. :-)

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  8. I've gone through some weird hair phases myself! When I was in college, I was Cruella DeVille for Halloween one year and instead of wearing a wig like a normal person, I bleached all of my hair platinum blonde and dyed half of it back to black. That was during my emo phase, so it actually worked out pretty well on a day-to-day basis. Hahaha.

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  9. I have had every style from pixie to massive curls. One things for sure - no bangs for me ;-)
    You've had some pretty hairstyles in the past. Love the pigtails :)

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  10. I'm not going to lie-- my hair has always looked pretty crappy because I have no clue how to style hair. My mom always went totally natural, so I never had anyone to teach me how to do anything in the hair and makeup department. Regardless, I went through this weird phase in high school where I got highlights, and it's pretty horrifying looking back on photos of that now. In college, I just straightened my hair every day because it was the only way that I even knew how to style my hair while it was so long. Now I have a cut that's just below chin length and it's cut well enough that I can just let it go and not have to style it, but if I want I can straighten it as well and it looks fine. Basically, my hair only looks good on the day I get it cut and styled at the salon...hahaha!

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  11. I hate my gray root. They have been multiplying like crazy, but I was very concerned about the harsh industrial chemicals in the box and salon color that not only destroy your hair but have been identified as carcinogenic to people who are exposed to them in salons as well as those who put it on their head. I tried the box stuff once a number of years back, and it irritated my scalp, leaving it pretty red. So I went with henna, my husband begrudgingly agreed to help me as he thought my silver strands looked fine. We mixed coconut oil and apple cider vinegar with the powder and my husband applied the mixture to my hair. The net result was great color, shine and my hair was silky soft. My husband was impressed with how great it looked. So he now does a full henna treatment for me every three months and root touch up every six weeks in between when he trims my hair as well. I I have cut back on using heating appliances and use oil on my hair after washing and I don't have the problem with dry ends like I did last winter as I am exposed to forced hot air heat at work, and it wrecks havoc on hair and skin.

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  12. Thank you so much for all of your comments everyone! I loved reading them and learning about your various hair styles. :)

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  13. Your hair is really pretty! One time (in middle school) I wanted to get my hair cut in a "bob" style. And, it turned out looking like a mullet. Not my finest decision, haha! #badhairformonths ;)

    Blessings,
    Edye // Gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com

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