I actually got my hair cut

[brightlotusmoon]

I ran errands today near the closest shopping center, and noticed that the local hair salon was offering sales and discount packages. And I realized I wanted to take a risk. I wanted to cut my hair. Not much, just a few inches, so it would still hang below my shoulders. I hadn't had my hair cut by a stylist in a very long time. I've been burned in the past. Stylists hadn't really listened to what I wanted. But I liked this place. Also, it was hard to pass up a discount package that included shampoo, deep conditioner, cut, blow dry, eyebrow wax, and one hair styling product.
The stylist was very sweet and she immediately asked me what I wanted in detail. I told her I wanted my hair trimmed completely even, straight across, no layers. So she shampooed my hair and applied a deep conditioner, and while the conditioner was sinking in, another woman waxed my eyebrows. The waxer did so amazingly well that I kept exclaiming over my eyebrows and gave her a big tip. She was able to completely match them, even with the uneven growth of my left eyebrow.
Then it was time for the trim. My stylist took her time, chatted with me about small things, and told me what she was doing every snip or so. She used a shine spray from a brand called It's A 10, and after reading the ingredients, I decided to buy that product as part of my discount package. It contains hemp oil, noni oil, red tea, argan oil, babassu oil, silk, and flower extracts. I told my stylist that red tea -- rooibos -- helps hair grow faster. We had a talk about the wonders of shea butter.
She took extra care in the blow-drying. When she was done, my hair looked and felt like silk. She had cut just over four inches off. It is officially the shortest it's been since 2005, but it's still longer than shoulder-length, which satisfied and pleased me. It feels weird and funny and fascinating, to have hair that doesn't touch the small of my back.
I know, I know, life is hard, whine whine whine haircut, my hair is shorter woe.

It's going to rain again, probably tonight. My knees and hips are throbbing. I am surprised and impressed that I don't have a headache. I'm going to finish writing this scene in my book, then read a bit more of one of the many new books I need to finish reading.

Comments

[tokio.livejournal.com]

"I know, I know, life is hard, whine whine whine haircut, my hair is shorter woe."

LOL, it didn't sound like you were whining at all!

I absolutely didn't know that about rooibos tea!

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

I dunno, I kinda feel like I had to add that, it felt sort of like whining! ("OMG, internet, my hair is so short, life is so hard for me right now!")

I'm glad it didn't come across that way.

I learned some fascinating things about rooibos tea when I started drinking in in, hmm, 2003? Topically, it helps clear up skin problems and smooth aging skin. Internally, it can help with stomach problems, circulation, concentration, focus, memory... all sorts things. Oh, and that skin cream I sent you has green rooibos, which is slightly stronger than red rooibos and has the same benefits.

[saffronrose.livejournal.com]

Is there a scalp conditioner with rooibos?

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

There are several! Shampoos, too.
My favorite right now:
http://www.iherb.com/Hugo-Naturals-Red-Tea-Ylang-Ylang-Conditioner-16-oz-473-ml/17068?at=0

They have a shampoo, as well, but it's currently out of stock.
I also love this shampoo, and its matching conditioner:
http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Gate-Organics-Shampoo-Color-Protecting-Asian-Pear-Red-Tea-12-fl-oz-354-ml/18845?at=0

This is a very good shampoo. Highly priced, but it actually works.
http://www.africanredtea.com/rooibos-shampoo.html

[saffronrose.livejournal.com]

My hair is not dyed (just never has worked well for me), but the Nature's Gate shampoo & conditioner look good.

Only problem with the AfricanRedTea product is no ingredients statement, and I really have to know what's in something going on my scalp. Rosemary burns, alas, and tea tree oil & any melaluecas are too close to eucalyptus for me to tolerate.

Do you have a bottle of their shampoo or conditioner with a list of ingredients?

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's just marketing. Just because it says it's for colored hair doesn't meant you can't use it, ;)

Here you go:

African Red Tea Imports Rooibos Shampoo

This African Red Tea® shampoo is excellent for any type of hair and skin. It is gentle enough to be used as often as preferred. It works great on dry scalps, giving you a healthy scalp and hair. It leaves your hair softer and more manageable. It is made with only the purest and finest ingredients, and completely natural. You will feel the difference.

Ingredients:
Purified Water, Rooibos Red Tea, Nettle, Horsetail, Yarrow, Burdock, Nettle Extract, Chamomile Extract, Aloe Vera, Jojoba Oil, Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, Goat Milk, Silk Fiber, Rosemary, Lavender, Sandalwood Essential Oils.

[saffronrose.livejournal.com]

African Red Tea Imports Rooibos Shampoo
Ingredients: Purified Water, Rooibos Red Tea, Nettle, Horsetail, Yarrow,
Burdock, Nettle Extract, Chamomile Extract, Aloe Vera, Jojoba Oil,
Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, Goat Milk, Silk Fiber, Rosemary, Lavender,
Sandalwood Essential Oils.

It does have rosemary oil, but way down at the end, instead of in the first three ingredients. I'll see about giving it a try.

I always thought I had a dry scalp, but the dermatologist told me I actually had an oily one. I certainly have dry *hair* most of the time.

[saffronrose.livejournal.com]

I'm still trying to recover from 10? yrs ago when a half inch trim became a bob. Psoriasis kept my hair from growing longer, and allowed hair to fall out. I'm finally starting to see new growth--the shampoo medication finally took it down to a bare simmer. My hair is still quite thin.

My wonderful waxer went to West LA, drat it. I am now in the process of "interviewing" for a new waxer. The sticking point is whether my armpits burn, within a few hours of getting waxed (yeah, I know, wax is too hot). My lip and brows seldom present much challenge, and I rarely get anything else waxed these days.

It's due to rain here, too--but likely very lightly.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

Getting a good waxer is like finding a Holy Grail, I think. Especially for armpits! Do you moisturize or treat the skin after you go home from the waxer?

Hmm. Have you tried the vitamin Biotin for your hair? I know people claim that biotin doesn't actually make hair grow thicker or faster, but they've never tried the super-high therapeutic doses (over 5,000 mcg per day when most doses are only 300 mcg). Biotin can also help with skin problems, especially psoriasis. In fact, psoriasis can often mean a biotin deficiency.
This is what I take every now and then, and I notice a huge difference in my hair and skin:
http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Biotin-5-000-mcg-120-Capsules

[saffronrose.livejournal.com]

You know, I never thought about moisturizing my armpits after waxing. When waxed areas start burning, I use either a cortizone cream--sparingly--or something like A&D ointment to soothe the area. I need to use the words "hard wax for my underarms, only" next time I make an appointment.

I have not tried Biotin, and I will look into the higher dosages. I need to ask the pharma to let me read the prescription-strength Omega-3 fish oil, and then, if it looks useful, get my pdoc to prescribe it for me.