Chop Chop: Long Hair? Don’t Care

July 22, 2018
Fashion + Beauty

We frequently want what we don’t have, and for women, especially when it comes to hair.

Short? We want long.
Thin? We want thick.
Dark? We want light.
Straight? We want curly.

You get the point.

Unfortunately most decisions associated to hair changes aren’t easily reversible. Which is a BIG reason why my hair style has been remotely the same for the last 6 years! I often receive questions about my hair and how I’ve been able to maintain its’ length and health. So, in addition to sharing some of those tips – I will also touch on why I just recently decided to cut it all off :)

*If you are from Minneapolis, I visited Lauren (@lauren.saltsalon) at SALT Salon Minneapolis to help with this transformation!

BEFORE:

(image from a previous visit to Lauren!)

AFTER:

My Tips for Growing Long Hair:

Eliminate often use of high heat tools

Do your best not to apply double heat to your hair often (ex: shower, blow dry, & style in a row)
I very infrequently style my hair, and if I do, I rarely give it a double whammy. Meaning blow dry and style with heat tools back to back. Try to shower at night, so it is dry if/when it is styled. If you can’t venture from showering in the morning, try to occasionally let it air dry, toss it in a bun, or style it using a round brush and a blow dryer and avoid the use heat tools like a straightener or curling iron too.

Use repairative intervention when needed

Talk to your hairstylist about reparative oils or intensive hair creams if you have major damage, or want to prevent it. I use the Moroccan Oil Restorative hair mask on a weekly basis and use the Fekkai blowout serum before I blow dry to keep moisturized.

Start with a clean slate

If you have incredibly damaged hair it is only going to make it more difficult to grow it long. You will need to cut off the damaged hair and give it a real chance at growing long without breakage!

Consider less haircuts and coloring

Once you cut off all the “bad stuff”, I actually think getting less frequent haircuts encouraged longer growth – opposed to what I have heard which was to get trims often. Especially for blonds, avoid coloring it as much as possible. I know it’s hard if you have roots. but you can’t have bleach blonde hair AND have it be long and healthy.

About 4 years ago I switched from foils to a balayage, and my hair slowly looked healthier and more natural and it’s definitely still blond!

Start taking hair, skin, & nails vitamins (biotin)

Here is a highly rated brand on Amazon, but I have been taking the Nature’s Bounty Gummies for awhile, I always buy mine at Costco!

Use a Wet Brush

This is the only way that used to be able to brush through my hair when it was so long, it helps eliminate breakage! I have like 5 Wet Brushes and I intend on continuing to use them, even with shorter hair.

Find shampoo & conditioner that work for your hair – Test, test, test

This is one department where I am no master – I have yet to be loyal to a brand because I haven’t found one that works well with my hair. Typically, it makes it too greasy, or weighs it down.

I am currently using 3 kinds:

Nexxus Hydra Light Weightless Shampoo + Conditioner
Head and Shoulders Repair and Protect
KCProfessional Color Mask Toning Shampoo (I use this about once a week to help with brassiness)

BUT my hairdresser swears by Oribe products, and with the new cut I plan on investing in some higher end products since I won’t go through as much with each wash. Lauren suggested I buy Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo & Conditioner and mix it in with my current products – a little goes a long way!

Shop products mentioned below + dress here!

So, it’s long and healthy, why chop it off?

For starters, I quit asking people if I should. I have wanted a change for awhile but let the opinions of others hold me back! Of course, no one is going to say- yea cut it all off! But I understand, it will grow back.

Oh yea, and I know we’ve got some time before baby girl comes, but babies like to pull hair. Lol. Mom cut lets go! At least for a little while.

Lastly, even though I have had this hair style for awhile, hair doesn’t define beauty and it definitely doesn’t define who I am! Plus, it’s one way to give a child or woman hair that she’s always wanted!

I am loving the new look, and don’t regret cutting it one bit.

HAIRCUT INSPIRATIONS:

Want to donate your hair? Here’s what you need to know:

Your hair must be clean and dry.
Your hair can be layered, but the shortest length must meet their minimum length requirement.
When it comes time to cut the hair, use a rubber band then leave it in a pony-tail or braid.
You can tie your hair into at least four to six sections for a more generous donation.
Talk to your stylist before going in, Lauren was wonderful about cutting it right and paying attention to the length needed!
Most prefer non-dyed hair, but some accept treated hair.
Place hair in a ziplock bag and send in an outer envelope.
It takes 10 to 12 ponytails to create a wig.