Hairy Situation

I’m currently growing my hair out, which is possibly the hardest task I’ve ever undertaken. Since birth, my hair has always played a major role in my life. That role has always been that of the villain. Each stage of my life seems to be marked by my hairstyles—or lack thereof.

As a child, I had really blonde, curly hair. My hair furled itself into curly, springy ringlets that bounced as I ran through the yard as a toddler. When it came time for kindergarten, brightly colored plastic barrettes were the only thing that could tame my thick and still curly, sometimes tangled mane. The smell of Johnson & Johnson No More Tangles still sets fear into my heart. Upon my first trip to the hairdresser, my mother presented me and my crazy hair and asked, “Can you do something with this?” I wore those barrettes for a long, long time.

In the fourth grade, I decided it would be fashion-forward to have short hair. That is quite possibly the worst decision I’ve made to date. I’ll never forget looking up at the salon mirror and holding back my tears; I looked horrible. My mother would shove my head under the faucet each morning in a feeble attempt to request behavior from my “devil-may-care” hair. My bad choice eventually grew out to chin length, creating a fabulous triangle shape with pointy sides. Hello, frizz!

In the history of my hair, my crowning glory as the Queen of Bad Hair Choices truly came to fruition in high school. I grew my frizzy mane out and hadn’t the slightest clue how to blow dry, condition and straighten it. It took hours to dry completely. It was, as they say, a hot mess. I also cut my own bangs, generously applied hairspray for a crunchy affect and separated them into three sections on either side. The overall look was big frizz with two claws on my forehead---if I didn’t have the photographic proof, I myself might not believe it was possible. After that horrendous decision, I went back to what was once another bad choice; short hair.

This time, it wasn’t an afro. It was flattering and easy for a year or two before I again became tired of the shortness. I ventured into chin-length territory, using my trusty curling iron to flip out the ends a la Farrah Fawcett.

These days, I’m using my freckles as goals for hair length (I knew they were good for something) and practicing the great art of patience on a daily basis. I’ve surpassed the awkward “in-between” stage and have evolved to another oddity—having hair that is exactly the same length as your shoulders and is closely infringing on the collarbone. Most days, I just give in to the fact that my hair wants to flip out on either side and won’t give into my ever-weakening will. I have the next freckle mile marker on my chest all picked out; everyone needs something to shoot for, right?

Truly the best part about growing out one’s hair is the incredible cost savings. At least that’s what my coupon-loving husband would tell you. As a shorthaired girl, haircuts at least every other month were a must. As someone who is attempting to grow our their hair, I’ve evolved to visiting my hairstylist just four times a year for trims, touchups and the latest gossip. All this has been made possible by another major life-altering choice: going au natural with my hair color. While being a blonde was great, I felt it was time to move on from the color I’ve forced my hair to be since the 7th grade. Sure, my roots still grow out, but I don’t look like I’m lost in the 80’s when they do. Today, I’m a light brown with lighter brown and darker blonde highlights and when things start to grow out, it takes a sharp eye to notice.

Along the way, I’ve realized an incredibly important lesson: if you’re going to fight your hair to do something that isn’t natural, you’d better be fully prepared. Preparation, unfortunately, means that I have to invest in non-drugstore, quality products. After running the gamut from cheap drugstore finds to luxe salon-only items, the latter wins. They just work better and when you’ve got hair like mine, it becomes worth the investment.

When it comes to shampoo and conditioner, anything on sale made for color protected or frizzy hair will do; I can’t say I’m all that picky. When it comes to finishing products, however, I can’t live without my upper-crust stand-bys:

My weekly deep conditioning treatment:
Oscar Blandi Trattamento Di Jasmine Smoothing Hair Treatment

For a weekly deep conditioning treat, my hair LOVES this stuff. It deep conditions, softens and smoothes like nobody’s business. I apply it in the shower after I shampoo and leave it in as long as possible, then wash it out when I’m finished. It really does wonders when left on for an extended amount of time with a hot towel on your head, too. I take any opportunity to put a damp towel in the microwave and pretend I’m at the spa. Rumor has it Kelly Ripa is a fan—just look at her hair!

What I apply to wet hair before blow-drying:
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum

My hairdresser got me hooked on this stuff back when I had shorter hair. It gives my hair great shine and some great protection from the blow-dryer and straighter, as I use both every day. I apply this to my damp hair, let the hair air dry for a bit and then blow it dry.

What I apply after blow-drying:
Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream

This stuff is a desert oasis for my hair. Made with pure olive oil, this stuff provides some serious moisture reinforcement. All you need is a pea sized amount (any more and your hair gets a bit greasy, what with the olive oil component) and the frizzies just melt away. I rub it over my ends after I finish blow drying and I wake up with better behaved hair. It’s pricey, but you use so little that a big tube lasts a long time.

The truth of the matter is, when it comes to my hair nothing is ever as it seems. I’m still fending off the day where I decide I’ve had enough of being patient and decide a shorter ‘do is just “me.” In the meantime, I’m still shooting for that freckle-sized goal on my chest. Grow, baby grow.