The Long Hair Community

magpiedee · February 21st, 2003, 11:44 AM

Yay for hair!!
My hair has almost always been long or desperately wishing a cut away. When I was a wee thing, my mom would wash my waist-length hair in the sink at night as I lay on the kitchen counter and then blow it dry while I sat on the bathroom counter and fell asleep. When I was 13 I performed experiments in not bathing and was rewarded with a short boy's haircut that made my pudgy self look like a potato in a bad toupee. I plan on keeping a photo of myself in a bathing suit at that age in my wallet to gaze upon when I am tempted to skip a workout or cut my hair.

I began growing out in earnest at the age of 14 when I learned how to bathe for fun and friendship. By the time I was a junior in HighSchool, I had luscious hair to my waist. Of course, since I didn't know better, it was full of split ends, too dry and harshly shampooed and brushed, but I still loved it. I can remember washing it with the sweetest smelling conditioner before the boy I adored came over to my house so I could lay it out behind me to "dry"... on the table, right near his fingers...

I also remember cutting it to above my shoulders and dyeing it deep plum the day before graduation in protest of a friend who wasn't allowed to walk because her hair was too "unnaturally colored". Then, of course, I grew in earnest again. By junior year of college, it was to my waist again, but just as poorly cared for. It hasn't been above shoulders since then, but it has yo-yo'ed from shoulders to BSL to waist for years. This time, I want to see how long it will go.

I have written myself a hair manifesto to keep in my wallet to the effect of: I will not give in to temptation, PMS, trends in magazines, summer heat, winter dryness, boredom or chemical imbalances and cut my hair. I will enjoy it and love it and make it part of my life. I won't tell people with new haircuts that it looks better; I will tell people with long hair that they are marvelous creatures.

My mother has had hair to her waist or classic length for all my life, and she is the ideal of feminine beauty to me. I want to be like her! My hair wants to be long, I just need to leave it alone to do its duty.

I would like to enclose some pictures, but I don't know how. Drat!

Viva les cheveux longs!!!!

~magpieDee[/list][/list]

magpiedee · February 25th, 2003, 06:38 AM

Today I hollered for my husband and demanded that he worship my hair. I had taken it down from the night braid, combed and oiled it with monoi, and it was at its loveliest. He came in and was quite pleased with it, and suggested that we see how much it had grown since the 14th. Half an inch! A very fine morning was had by all. I guess the vitamins and oils really do work.

Yay!

~magpieDee

magpiedee · February 28th, 2003, 09:55 AM

I have met my archenemy, The Lefty Bun. After 10 years of identical right-hand bunning, I am now attempting to master the Lefty Bun. It is quite comical. I have to switch right to left to get the movements down. The first three L.B.'s have toppled. One even became a figure-eight bun, briefly, before collapsing. This ambidextrous hairdressing is a whole new challenge.

I hereby vow to conquer the LeftyBun!!!

~magpieDee
(vanquisher of LeftyBuns, destroyer of FigureEights!)

magpiedee · March 6th, 2003, 06:44 AM

This morning, with the use of 2 sets of Mei Fa's, I have created the mathematical impossibility... the Double Google Bun.

Yes, they say infinity is as high as you can go, but this is double infinity! Reminds me of the dreaded Triple Dog Dare.

Basically, it's two sideways figure eight buns, one on top of the other.
I feel like I am not only defying gravity, but mathematics itself.

Maybe one day I will figure out how to do a sin or cos bun... till, then, the double google and the sin theta (also known as Hairigami Sushi, heh heh) will have to do!

Also, as of Monday, hair growth is to 31.5.

Yay!
~magpieDee

magpiedee · March 6th, 2003, 07:27 AM

Here's the Hair!

To see the mane you've been reading about, go to www.PictureStage.com, and log in as a Guest using the following information:

Log-in ID: magpiedee
Guest Password: d

See such marvels as the Hairigami Gigantobun and the elusive Double Google. Or, try to see them, as not much shows up with very dark hair.

Cheers!
~magpieDee

magpiedee · April 23rd, 2003, 09:11 AM

Yes, it has been a long time. Not much has changed.
The hair is still dark brown, long and growing, but it is nearly to 33 inches, which is nice. The more the better.

I have not yet vanquished my foe, the lefty bun, but I have conquered the google bun. One google, one hairstick, one nice change from my regular round-bun routine. I have not seen my friend, the hairigamipotamus, in quite some time. I guess the magic wore off. Plus, hippos eat a lot, and I don't like my hair to smell of fish.

The hair manifesto is holding up.
I think I will make myself a promise to get the George Michael treatment when my hair reaches 36 inches. You are my witnesses! 36, here I come!

magpiedee · August 28th, 2003, 06:11 AM

Since my last entry, i've moved to Alabama, the hottest and most humid place I have ever known. My hair does not enjoy the humidity, but I have not given in to the temptation to cut the heavy, frizzy weight of my hair, by cracky! I had a 1/2 inch trim before starting a new job, but that has been the only unhealthy hair news of the past 4 months.

I am currently looking forward to a shipment of new hair products from Lush. Their UK line of hair stuff has just arrived at the Canada store, and the lineup is spectacular. I have ordered Retread intensive conditioner, American Cream conditioner and Happy for SAD shower gel. I am in love with their two shampoos that I currently use, Washday Greens and Featherweight Fruit bar. Solid shampoo is amazing-- it lasts a long time and is easy to use. If you haven't checked out Lush for organic cosmetics, go to www.lush.com and click on the appropriate country. I'm so glad to get away from cheap, fake smells!

On the bad news side, I have hit that age 25-26 hormone slump thing. My body has just realized that I am not 10 years old, and in utter despair has started dropping hair. This is excellent for my arms and legs and atrocious for my head. I've always had very thick hair, and it remains very thick, but I am losing more hair than ever and can't wait for it to even out and calm down. I am sick of the hairy brush. As a hairy little ape, though, I am loving the slow down of my gorilla legs and arms. It's all about balance, people.

I will post soon about the results of the new Lush products. I will be measuring my hair on September 1 and hoping for the 36 inch goal!!

magpiedee · January 3rd, 2004, 09:58 AM

It's only been about a million days since I last posted here. As obsessed as I am with my hair, I just find it hard to believe that it's interesting for anyone else to read about it! I'll report my hair news below and let the signature pic speak for itself.

Current length: 36 inches as measured yesterday. Just past waist.

Current goal: Classic, or "butt-crease" length, as I think of it.

Current shampoos: Aubrey Organics baby and kids shampoo (smells like amaretto... mmm.); Avalon Organics lemon verbena, Garnier Fructis; have just ordered AO Honeysuckle Rose from vitaminshoppe.com

Current conditioners: AO Island Spice (works well but smells like a dentist's office); Lush American Cream; Lush Retread; Avalon Lemon Verbena; Garnier Fructis Conditioner and extra special deep conditioner junk; have just ordered AO Honeysuckle Rose.

Current treatments: As ever, Aveda Beautifying Composition for oiling; fractionated coconut oil for deep oiling; Lush H'suen Wen Hua for the most wonderful spicy deep conditioner (current favorite); Phyto 9 (must get more of this); Sebastion Potion 9.

Favorite toys: new hairsticks (see sig) by Anne of LongHairJewels, my LHC Holiday Hair Stick Swap gift; all wood "Rustic" Mei Fa's; my boring old favorite steel hairstick; brand new scrunchies by LisaJaney.

Hair things I hate: Lush shampoos (delicious smell but sooooo drying); Tate Family Natural Miracle Conditioner (they didn't answer my first email, and my second was returned as spam); frizzies leftover from the worst winter shed i've ever had.

Hair things I want: An extra large, light-colored wood barrette by Graydog or BarretteBaron-- maple or osage orange, perhaps. I lost my older one by Morewoods, and i'm still upset. More turned wood hairsticks without all the bumps in the middle. A natural leave-in to keep my hair moist and happy during the winter.

Current rituals: Wash only on Monday morning and Thursday morning. Deep condition with oils or H'suen Wen Hua on Sunday nights. First day: wet bun with steel stick. Second day: more intricate bun, updo or half up half down do with pretty wood sticks in dampish hair. Third day: down, ponytail or braid. On horseback, low scrunchy ponytail, tightly braided with hair hose at the end and lots of leave-in up and down the braid. Beautifying Composition on 2nd and 3rd nights, especially on ends. No heat styling, no cutting, no trimming. Had a GM treatment for the first time in September and wasn't impressed-- but they couldn't find a single split end on me, so I suppose it was money well spent to teach myself that my hair is in such good condition, even GM can't make it look better.

That's all that comes to mind. I'm having fun growing it out. About 2 more inches, and i'll have my hair at the longest it's ever been, and my ends will be a heckuva lot healthier than they were at my previous zenith back in high school. Overall, i'm enjoying my hair more than ever!

magpiedee · January 3rd, 2004, 05:59 PM

Sig pic should be working now. Thanks, Anne!

magpiedee · January 5th, 2004, 03:37 PM

Finally, a pic of the length to add to the bun! Digital cameras are fabulous! I also received some supermetallic Giovannia Magnetic Conditioner from Anne today, so I can't wait to try it!

magpiedee · January 14th, 2004, 11:29 AM

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/viewtopic.php?p=109891#109891

I just want to keep that forever and know it's here.

It's so easy in the day-to-day to forget how nice and sweet and thoughtful people are, and how much a compliment can mean to someone, and i'm so thankful for the kind words and encouragement. LHC is such a wonderful gift.

magpiedee · February 13th, 2004, 11:15 AM

Into the great blue yonder...

In one week, my husband snagged a great job in my hometown, we both gave our two-weeks, and now i'm on that painful but exhiliarating search for a fabulous new job and a safe and comfortable new home. My tiny little home town *would* become the most high-income area in the state, wouldn't it? We're having a tough time finding a nice place to live, but my small and energetic job search has turned up some promising leads and kind words so far, although an outright offer would be even better.

If anyone in north Atlanta has a 2 bedroom townhome for lease and wants to hire a college-educated artist with great references and advertising and non-profit experience, please PM me, you guardian angel you! If anyone needs a mural or trompe l'oeil, that would work, too.

Oh, hair.
That.
My hair is long and wonderful, and I love it more every day. I wore it down today and was taken to lunch by my boss, so I suppose it does work wonders on the mannish mind. I have ordered 2 pair of hairsticks from VanaMiri, and I can't wait to receive them. Funny that when life gets stressful and goes from living to biding, I start retail therapy with hairsticks and beauty products. It's just more junk to move, really, but it makes me happy to get mail.

I only hope the new home will have a garden tub so that I can finally take long, leisurely Lush-y baths again. Wish wish wish...

It's a hopeful day.

magpiedee · April 3rd, 2004, 04:36 PM

Wow, i'm not very good at the journaling!

Hair: Same. Love it, it's long, still growing, no changes. I need to do the April measure-in, but DH is out of town on a conference. I also need to get some new pics for my sig! The Vanamiri hairsticks are amazing-- some of my favorites. The hand-turned natural wood is amazing, and I love the toppers. I've also got some more Lush H'suan Wen Hua, thank goodness. It's one of my favorite smells. So... measure and pics to come.

Job: I've got a second interview for a job that is kinda boring, but with great growth opportunities, and is a nasty commute, but excellent money. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I want a job close to home that combines graphics and admin, but I also want money to help us out of the moving pit. We'll see.

House: Love the new house, the neighborhood, the closeness to family. So happy to be home! Now, if I could just make some friends...

Pampering: It's what i'm best at, really. :mrgreen: Due to the lack of cash, I've been forced to resort to bartering for my pampering habits. I've put up offer to trade custom original paintings for Lush and BPAL, and i've quickly got several takers lined up. If everyone follows up, I should have all the Lush I need! I also received some BPAL swaps today, which I'm very excited to try. I love the swap and barter system-- rather than being stuck with something that doesn't work for you, you trade it for something that didn't work for someone else. As for my swapped BPAL, I already love Gingerbread Poppet, Lucy's Kiss and Bordello. I still have Jezebel, Bloodlust and Kitsune-Tzuki to try. How I love smells! Hmm... I wonder if anyone on this board wants to trade leave-ins for paintings? Phyto 9? Giovanni? Anybody? Heh heh.

Car: Battery is down, so i'm stuck here, when I had plans to see my bellydance instructor dance at a local Lebanese restaurant. Dangit. The first problem I've had out of this car in 5 years, and it had to be tonight while DH is in Chicago. Oh, well. Better now, safe at home, than on the way to Monday's job interview.

And I know I should talk more about my hair. I love to feel my braid against my waist while bellydancing. And I should hit my summer growth spurt soon. I can't wait for classic length!

So... in conclusion... pics and measure to come. Want painting? Trade ya!

magpiedee · April 4th, 2004, 12:16 PM

As promised: length = 38 inches.

And pic of hair down in the dapple light:

magpiedee · April 8th, 2004, 05:36 PM

Ah, but I am a happy girl!
We just moved + I have no job = we gots no $$$. But I still need my products! So I posted on the Lush and BPAL forums that I would trade custom, original artwork on 5x7 canvas board for products. It has worked fabulously! Here are some of the paintings:

Portrait of Boo.

Portraits of 3 cats, each shown with details regarding their personality: regal and military, overfed and British, haughty and princess-like.

Portrait of the devilish Oliver.

Representation of the BPAL scents "Jezebel" and "Chimera".

I can't wait for all my goodies to arrive in the mail! I love the barter system. Painting makes me so happy, plus I get to make other people very happy, plus I get the products I need without racking up credit card bills. Yay!

(Yes, it is too hair related. I have Arabian Bright and H'suan Wen Hua coming, plus many other tasty lush and BPAL things!)