The Short of It & The Long of It

There was a time, not too long ago, when I washed my hair every. single. day. There was also a time, not too long ago, when I hardly, if ever, used conditioner while washing my hair. Basically, I'd thought that shampooing was of the higher, & more prevalent importance, in so that, if I'd happen to run out of "on-hand" conditioner, then I'd forego it until I'd bother to remember while out-n-about, that I, in fact, needed to pick-up another bottle.

Then there were the brands which I'd curtail to...As most any young girl would, I grew to know, trust, & rely upon the same brands as my mother did. Mom relied on the cheap brands. Discount shampoo & conditioner. Foregoing conditioner was always an easy option. We ran out at the house? We'll water it down until we get a relevant coupon & get another bottle when they run a sale. That was our style; that's what I knew.

As a child, the "hairdresser" Mom & I would use didn't discuss these things with us; I was too young to really understand what I was missing out on & moved on before it was really possible to find out why. Though I simply don't think that particular hairdresser was ever of the mind to discuss these important points with Mom & I during our appointments.

Since those products weren't of the best quality, my skin wasn't too thrilled with them. Eventually I changed them up a bit; although, it turns out that I switched over to this product which, in the right circle, is considered to be worse. Ouch. (Just because the product contains almond oil, doesn't mean that it's a good option to use in your hair.)

So there I was with yet another change. Though I'm learning about conditioning too & I now use products such as these. I'm learning about not washing my hair so frequently. (I've also purchased these to help keep me covered while I'm generally showering on those "in between" days.) And that even washing, with water only, isn't the best way to go on the in-between days. So much to learn. 😊

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In my day I've had hair so short I could rub my hands all through it in complete irritation & look up & no one would know what I'd just done; it was so short it didn't, it couldn't move. I've also had my hair so long that I was trying to figure out how to manipulate it out of my way, other than braiding it or simply pulling it into a ponytail. Once during high school I even tried taking an elastic headband & flipping my hair up from the bottom underneath of the band in order to try something different while also keeping it out of my way (& also while trying to be nonchalant). The look lasted just a short portion of a school day; it was too awkward.

I've grown my hair to donate it a few times; I've also grown my hair because I simply felt like growing it. That's actually where my hair is now: Long, because I feel like having it rather lengthy; I'm enjoying it.

For the majority of my adolescent years & probably for at least a decade post college graduation, my hair was cut to a standard just-above-my-shoulders length. With my thick hair I found it easiest to use this length as a personal balancing act. When my hair had been "layered" before, that's when I'd been disappointed to the extent of tears because my hair wasn't being layered appropriately. I'd had so much trouble translating to any stylist about keeping my hair long, while also layering it.

I could see many others out-n-about with satisfying styles they'd rightfully wear proud, yet I'd struggle because my "mop" of a hairstyle would remain all. one. length. Or, otherwise be trimmed up too much in the layering attempts. I roll my eyes as I type this because I'd never win; it became such an ongoing battle.

All the while this was happening was also the timing of when I'd been using the wrong hair products, which were these hair products, or not enough of them; my innocence certainly wasn't helping my situation.

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Though people do change. I used to be one of the ones who thought it didn't make sense to visit a hairdresser, a trained stylist. Now I've begun to figure out how to eliminate frizz, add softness, & even though I've "heavy hair", be able to wear a hat for a period of time without attaining "hat head", or even pull my hair up & not have my hairband leave a lasting impression. I understand that taking the time while showering to, after shampooing, use a good amount of a good quality conditioner from the roots, through to the tips of my hair, & then allowing that good quality conditioner to work on each lock of hair while I bath the rest of me, is very important too.

I'm one of the ones now who realizes a traditional, given standard isn't necessarily the best norm. As much as a gal can look stunning wearing an appropriate short style, sometimes a guy who wears his locks longer is a really great thing; & sometimes it's the guys who know a thing or two about properly taking care of their locks. Also sometimes facial hair is the best for a guy; it really depends on who the guy is. (And, if it's "Noshavember"! 😂 What's that all about? Click here.)

The long of it might be my hair length. 😜😍😂. The short of it might be that people changing isn't all that bad; in fact, it's sometimes just plain grand. It's important to embrace things outside the socially stereotypical norms. 😊 The short of it might also be how great it can be that we all do change; that we're able to gain appreciation for things [read: styles] which we'd otherwise simply not consider as appropriate & that we can be thankful that these options exist (as well as that each of us who looks great in a particular style comes to know it & embrace it in so that others can enjoy them looking "simply their best": simply stunning!). I know I've come a very long way & appreciate a guy with longer locks (& facial hair) now in a way in which I'd never realized the stereotypes of my younger years had shielded me.



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