Long Hair Mamas tribe

[brightonwoman]

Is there a long-haired mamas tribe? Is there interest in having one?
Please tell me there are other people who are as obsessive with their long hair as I am?

[angelpie545]

Me, me me!!! : I love my long hair! I have my daughter's hair long too-except for my older daughter-I let her layer it last year. Other than that, Nope, not snipping it! I used to have waist-length hair once upon a blue moon, and I am trying to get it to grow that long again, but alas I am older now and my hair doesn't have quite the veracity that it had when I was a teenager.

[brightonwoman]

how long is it angelpie?

I was raised in a home where "a womans hair is her glory" as per the new testament. My dad believed that girls should have long hair so we did...mine was around waist length throughout my growing up years. The thing was that neither mom nor any of us sisters really knew anything about how to care for long hair. We trimmed the split ends and washed/conditioned it, but nothing special... I always had a LOT of split ends, but didn't know how to prevent them. A few years ago I started learning/reading about how to care for my hair better, and step one was to cut off ALL the split ends, which meant cutting up to my shoulder blades (which felt so terribly short!) and i've been growing it out ever since. Now I only use combs--no brushes--and that has made a huge difference for me. I also started using henna about a year and a half ago, and that has made my hair SO happy! I have found literally 5 split ends in the last 18 months because of it! (My DS got me new henna for christmas--I was totally out and figured it was a want not a need and money is tight so I didn't get more--but I just did henna last night and now my hair is soo soft again!)
I don't have any daughters (yet!) but I would let their hair grow when they were little, and then as they got older I'd certainly respect their wishes for cuts/layers if they wanted them (but they have to take care of it if they get some high-maintenance cut, )
Measured from my forehead/hairline over my head and down to the end, my hair is 31", which is solidly past my waist, though not quite to my hips. My goal right now is to reach terminal length--I just want to know what it is! Then my ideal length to maintain is about 36" (tailbone length) if I can... It's never been this long before, so I'm really excited to see what it can do now that I know how to actually care for it!

[mommabear207]

i've always had long hair. i had it to my wrists but cut it years ago (or rather let dh cut it years ago and it ended up much shorter than planed lol) now its back to my the top of my hips. i grew it long orginally just because i hated going to get it cut and would rather play but now i love long hair and hope dd (to be born in Feb) will too!
I've been considering letting it grow a bit longer and then cutting the minimum for "locks of love" again but i'd also like to see how long it could grow.
my ends do get dry! once a year or so i trim the ends which helps for a brief while. i'll have to look into henna. what color hair do you all have. i'm a dark brunette. I use to have light brown hair with natural highlights from the sun but i don't get to spend my days swimming all day anymore.

[brightonwoman]

My hair is auburn/brown. I definitely have natural red tones, but it's solidly 'brown' in it's natural state. My blond DS calls it black, but that's quite a stretch I've got pics on my blog but I can't post that link here cuz my blog also has a link to my etsy store so sharing the blog link is advertising as per the UA...(figured that out the hard way, oops!) but if you want to see them I'm happy to PM ya.

I am told that henna comes in a variety of colors...I can go look up and see if I can find the website that has dozens of before/after pics of henna heads, so you can get a better idea of what your hair might do. It varies with body chemistry though, so just because your 'before' hair color matches someone elses, yuou can't know what your hair will do until you actually dye it--which can be unnerving since henna is permenant. A lot of people just take some little hair trimmings and dye them first to get an idea of what their hair will do before doing their whole head. I was pretty cautious the first time--used a smaller amount and didn't leave it on for very long. Now I still use the same amount but leave it on twice as long. Like I said I just did a batch yesterday, and as soon as I can get some good 'after' pictures I'm going to post the process on my blog.

I have a bone to pick with locks of love...donate if you want to cut anyway, but if you like your long hair, well, LoL is grossly mis-represented. They sell a lot of the hair (like well over half) and the number of wigs they turn out in a year is miniscule compared to the number of donations they get. I've worked in theatrical costuming, and i've made hairpieces--I know the time and work that goes into a good, handmade, human-hair wig, and they are extrememly expensive. i understand that...but I think that LoL needs to be more open about their business practices is all. They don't have non-profit status because they consistently violate the rules for it and that sort of thing.
ok, / LoL rant.

[mommabear207]

i am interested as to how my hair might turn out w/ henna. it actually sounds a lot like yours brightonwoman. most photos it looks black but its definitly brown- well i like saying brunette it sounds so much nicer besides blonds are called blond not yellow...(whats another name for black?) also is there any concerns with pregnancy or nursing and henna compounds?
as for 'LoL' i was surprised at how many donantions it takes to make one wig but i figured might as well do something with it and i know how much i would miss my hair if i were in their shoes. i didn't know they sold it too... that doesn't seem right. are there any other groups that take hair donantions?

[brightonwoman]

Originally Posted by mommabear207

i am interested as to how my hair might turn out w/ henna. it actually sounds a lot like yours brightonwoman. most photos it looks black but its definitly brown- well i like saying brunette it sounds so much nicer besides blonds are called blond not yellow...(whats another name for black?) also is there any concerns with pregnancy or nursing and henna compounds?

This site has the pictures of henna--I'll also be posting my before/after pictures (plus info on the process) on my blog in a few days.

as for 'LoL' i was surprised at how many donantions it takes to make one wig but i figured might as well do something with it and i know how much i would miss my hair if i were in their shoes. i didn't know they sold it too... that doesn't seem right. are there any other groups that take hair donantions?

It's expensive to make the wigs, so they sell hair to pay for that I think. Still, it bothers me that they seem to try to keep it under wraps...and that a lot of the hair is going to hollywood starlets for extensions or things like that.
I don't think LoL is evil, just that they mis-represent themselves.
I do have a list of other places to donate all listed up on my blog. I'm not supposed to post my blog link here cuz I've got my etsy shop linked from it so it's advertising if I just put it out there...but I'm allowed to PM the link to you if you ask me for it

[Kidzaplenty]

:

[Leisha]

Oooh, I have long hair and am moderately obsessive about it (meaning I have too many hairsticks and stuff and a bunch of conditioners, oils, hair masks etc )
(Lately, though, I have been definitely neglecting my hair!! It's just not easy to find time for hair-pampering now that my dd is around )

It's about tailbone length now. I always have it up in a bun, though.
With me, it's not for religious reasons, but I think long hair is just very "me".


(Any LHC members here?? : )

Edit: I am going through a MAJOR (post-partum) shed at the moment, by the way! I hope my hair doesn't get too thin!

[brightonwoman]

Originally Posted by Leisha

(Any LHC members here?? : )

me :

I am not growing my hair for religious reasons either, although I do feel like it's sortof spiritual in that I feel in touch with nature and my inner potential, you know?

[mommabear207]

i wear mine usually in a bun or pony tail.i love wearing it lose but then i feel like its getting in the way or tangles. i hear jojoba oil is the closest to natural hair oil but i can't find it around here anyone know what the next best oil to use would be?
is LHC referring to the international long hair club? i was going to post a link as it has a bunch of great info- if it doesn't here's the link.....
http://www.longhair.org/main.htm

[maplesugar]

I have quite long hair. It is almost to my butt. In regards to oils, I have had fabulous results with coconut oil. It has really made my split ends improve.

[columbusmomma]

May I join in?? I would love to get some good advice here! I love my long hair and couldn't imagine cutting it! Weird, I actually had a dream last night where it was short. I woke up in a panic! I just can't picture myself with it short. It's been short twice in my life. Once when I was a kid, and once in highschool when I wanted a bob like everyone else! DD's hair is growing long and I don't plan to cut it either! Looking forward to chatting with you all!

[ecoteat]

Hi! I have long hair too. It's to my elbows and is thick and blond with a tiny bit of wave. I love my long hair--it's been like this since high school (it was long when I was little, too, but I tried a few other styles as a kid). I think my mass of hair balances out my whole shape and I don't think any other style would look as good on me. I didn't even realize it was a little wavy until I stopped using shampoo! I switched to a no-poo routine this summer and I LOVE not having to wash my hair every day anymore and how thick and full my hair is. It's always been really thick, but it isn't weighed down so much anymore. It is a lot dryer in the winter, of course; any suggestions for adding moisture in a way that is compatible with no-pooing?

[Kidzaplenty]

Can you even go "no shampooing" if you have excessivly oily hair? If I do not wash my hair in two or three days I end up with a stinky (oily smelling), slicked back looking hair. It looks like I have poured oil in my hair and rubbed it in.

Right now my hair is barely bra lenghth and for me that is short. However, I have the massive fall out after I have a baby (when Baby is 3 months lasting to 6 months), and my hair was shedding so much that I chopped off about a foot because of the thinness and scraggly look of it.

I can't wait until I have my thick long hair back. I really do miss it.

Is the LHC a "real" club or just a "mindset club"? Really curious. I love long hair and think it is beautiful when cared for (and when it does not fall out every couple of years; as mine has done for the last 11 years).

[Arduinna]

I used to be a member at long hair lovers. I learned some great stuff there but I've gotten lax. I trimmed my hair due to split ends to about midback. Coloring and summers in the pool have taken a toll on my long hair so I've never been able to get it past my waist. I always end up trimming. I quit coloring about a year ago and it's been in much better shape. I do wish I could get it longer but I want it to look good otherwise it isn't worth it to me.

[PaulaJoAnne]

My hair is three feet in length. Most people do not even know this, as I cover most of the time, as per 1 Corinthians 11.
I wear a tichel style, (take a peek on the Christmas day post on our blog) though for many years wore a hanging style Mennonite veil and for a short time a cap.
I still wear the veil or cap on really cold days, so I can wear my wool bonnet.
I had an Old German Baptist Brethren one custom made for me.
I will be wearing it for Tuesdays milk run-its 25 below:::

My hair is on the thinner side, and I have always struggled to keep it from breaking. I guess I should stop using the brush as well )

I recently swore off shampoo, and now just wash it with conditioner.
I still have a flakey scalp, but it is no longer itchy, and the grease levels have dropped off.
I think its still flakey due to the cold temps. Summer will be telling.
I did try no poo, and vingegar rinses, but all that did was create more problems.

To the age old question, "how do you sleep with that long hair?"
Easy, I put it in a bun on top of my head!
Or a long braid, but that is problematic, as it wraps around my neck, or dh lays on it.
Paula

[Mama~Love]

I'll join! My hair is getting pretty long - I have a post here about, you can see pics here: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...066&highlight= .

I really just realized how special it is to have long hair, and am still learning how to care for it properly.

[mommabear207]

Hi All! I'm glad to see this tribe taking off. So sad when they peter out and die

[QUOTE=Kidzaplenty;12880555]Can you even go "no shampooing" if you have excessivly oily hair? If I do not wash my hair in two or three days I end up with a stinky (oily smelling), slicked back looking hair. It looks like I have poured oil in my hair and rubbed it in. [QUOTE]

my hair does this too -although the length stays clean/dried out ends. otherwise i'd love to try "no shampooing".i find my hair does better on a wash every 3 days schedule and sometimes i condition the ends between then.

Is the LHC a "real" club or just a "mindset club"? Really curious. I love long hair and think it is beautiful when cared for (and when it does not fall out every couple of years; as mine has done for the last 11 years).

heres the link to the LHC (not the international one i previously posted):
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/index.php
its a forum. some great info there amongest the threads. i also like the international site as they have great tips you don't have to read tons of posts to get.


i finally learned what combs vs brushes are really for and now i usually use a comb and only use the brush to smooth and help spread oil to the length. this has helped a ton. i also gave in and purchased a Mason Pearson detangle comb and mixed bristle brush. I found them for like 1/2 the original price on ebay but as it has to be airmailed Im still waiting for it. I hear rave reviews so I am anxiously waiting.

as for sleeping i've always just laid it out above my head.occassionally in a pony tail but any kind of bump kills my neck. once in a great while i do a braid but it seems to be more effort than its worth and feels like one huge lump.

[brightonwoman]

Originally Posted by ecoteat

any suggestions for adding moisture in a way that is compatible with no-pooing?

oiling is a popular option...I haven't done it, but basically take an oil (coconut oil is popular, as are jojoba and even olive), and put some of it in your hair--particularly on the ends. Then let it sit a while and soak in. You know those fancy hot oil treatments you can get from salons, or at the drugstore? Same idea...only much cheaper

Originally Posted by Kidzaplenty

Can you even go "no shampooing" if you have excessivly oily hair? If I do not wash my hair in two or three days I end up with a stinky (oily smelling), slicked back looking hair. It looks like I have poured oil in my hair and rubbed it in.

no-poo isn't not washing, it's using baking soda...I have found it does a really deep clean actually...with that said, it's not the best choice for everyone. I do it occasionally (ok, I've done it twice, ) but it stripped my hair so much that I don't want to do it often. I know two people who've told me that they ruined their hair doing it. So while it works great for some folks, it's not for everyone...
For me, one of the best ways I found to reduce oil was to wash less often. Every time you wash, you are stripping off all the natural oils...the thing is, when you strip them off, your body says "oh dear, the oil is gone, we need more" and so produces more to catch up...so the more often you wash, the more oil you'll produce. I slowly started going an extra day between washes, then when my hair/scalp adjusted to that, I went a day longer...I currently go about 7-8 days between washes, and my hair looks as good at the end as it did at the beginning--I can just feel it getting oily at the top.

Originally Posted by Kidzaplenty

Is the LHC a "real" club or just a "mindset club"? Really curious. I love long hair and think it is beautiful when cared for (and when it does not fall out every couple of years; as mine has done for the last 11 years).

Long Hair Community is an online forum, basically like this one I have poked around there a bit, and there's some good info...but honestly the reason I started a tribe here was because a lot of longhairs take a more mainstream approach to body/hair care, and I was hoping to find crunchy longhairs.

Originally Posted by PaulaJoAnne

My hair is three feet in length. Most people do not even know this, as I cover most of the time, as per 1 Corinthians 11.
...
My hair is on the thinner side, and I have always struggled to keep it from breaking. I guess I should stop using the brush as well )
...
To the age old question, "how do you sleep with that long hair?"

Oh I'm so jealous--3 feet!!
My hair is fairly thin too, although it's curly, so it generally looks bigger than it really is... I've felt the desire to cover, but when I talked with my DH about it he did not like the idea at all...I feel like it's a beautiful symbol of submission and respect, but if the one I'm submitting to doesn't want me to cover, and I cover anyway, well, that kinda defeats the whole point so I don't cover. I do aim for modest hairstyles though--buns and twisted updos most of the time, with a few braids thrown in for variety.
I braid at night--although yes, I've wakened up a few times with it around my neck. Braiding pulls up some of the length, so DH lays on it less when it's braided than when I used to leave it loose. I think the braiding helps a lot with the breakage issues I had before too. Hair health is made up of a ton of little things