Shoulder | Armpit

**ooo** · February 3rd, 2011, 10:22 AM

Is anyone up for a challenge? What about a reversed braid?

**Braidy** · February 3rd, 2011, 10:47 AM

You mean like a dutch braid? I'm afraid my middle layer (shoulder) won't allow it...

**vanillabones** · February 3rd, 2011, 11:12 AM

Hi yay I'd like to join this thread =) I'm new to LHC I've been lurking here for hair tips recently,
I'm trying to get to APL by summer/fall.

My hair story...

I've been growing out my short around ears very layered hair since about early August was the last time I maintained the cut. and it was dyed dark brown. From there I went bleach white blonde and wanted to start growing @_@ stupid stupid stupid. I knew it was damaging but I wanted to go blonde once so I can't regret it. (Luckily I never lost any hair) From there I got fusion extensions to APL. I took those out after 4 months and could have gone bald. Thin strands of my hair were stuck to huge chunks of the fusions and I picked them out with a lice pick for hours upon hours. I'll never do anything like that again.

Then I bought a light brown/dark dark blonde box kit and tried dying my hair

it turned green.

I went to my favorite stylist to get it dyed back to my natural color (light brown) with demi permanents and am trying to grow. Amazingly I have not lost any hair throughout all this and my stylist says I'm lucky I am not bald - ahh!! I haven't been my natural color since I was 13.

From reading on here I guess I should be cutting it back to how short I began with to get rid of the damage. However my stylist said I have no split ends just my cuticles are blown out from all the damage. I have the Aveda Damage Repair shampoo and conditioning re constructor which is mentioned on this site as a favorite - to me it's just alright. My hair prefers protein treatments.

I can't see my hair in front of me to dust the ends myself and I'm worried if I desperately need to or not

I'm paranoid my hair will unravel all the way up to the roots and break. My hair has grown all down my neck to nearly shoulder length now even though it doesnt look like it to me since my hair is so thin it doesnt seem to count unless it's super long or super short. I've never had super long hair - longest it ever got was a little past APL when I was very young.

Okay my drama story is done and for the first time I want to have natural, healthy, long hair so I'd love any advice while I grow with you all! I have some pictures I will post after my shower today of 'befores', 'my scary journey', and 'now'

**ooo** · February 3rd, 2011, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Braidy

You mean like a dutch braid? I'm afraid my middle layer (shoulder) won't allow it...

no, dutch braids aren't a challenge any more.
This is what I mean by a reverse.

**HairFaerie** · February 3rd, 2011, 11:37 AM

I went from pixie to shoulder in about 5 months.
I'm at shoulder now and it feels like it's at a standstill. I haven't taken a pic yet for February, maybe later today. Maybe I will see proof that it's actually growing!
I'm at that awkward stage where it's too long to do cute styles and too short to do updos. AGH! I am hoping for APL by the end of this summer. That would be nice.

**ooo** · February 3rd, 2011, 12:04 PM

welcome vanillabones

Originally Posted by vanillabones

From reading on here I guess I should be cutting it back to how short I began with to get rid of the damage.

No need for that! Short hair can usually take a lot more than longer one. It's early enough to start S&Ding, once the hair is long enough for that.

**Saila_** · February 3rd, 2011, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by ooo

no, dutch braids aren't a challenge any more.
This is what I mean by a reverse.

Curse my layers...

**vanillabones** · February 3rd, 2011, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by ooo

welcome vanillabones

No need for that! Short hair can usually take a lot more than longer one. It's early enough to start S&Ding, once the hair is long enough for that.

S&Ding sounds good

I have hair cutting scissors is there any way to sharpen them?

**Braidy** · February 3rd, 2011, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by ooo

no, dutch braids aren't a challenge any more.
This is what I mean by a reverse.

Ok, like REALLY reversed! mhm... maybe if I try with only my bottom layer... let's braid!

ETA: Welcome vanillabones! I also don't think you have to cut back everything. If you just S&D and trim every few months, the damage will all get cut out without you having to start from scratch with the growing

**ooo** · February 3rd, 2011, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by vanillabones

S&Ding sounds good

I have hair cutting scissors is there any way to sharpen them?

Over here, there are special shops for that. Also shops that make keys sharpen scissors. Some hair dressers advice to rather buy new scissors, because the special grinding can't be sharpened in the same way its supposed to be any more.

Originally Posted by Braidy

Ok, like REALLY reversed! mhm... maybe if I try with only my bottom layer... let's braid!

I'll try it too.