Still Growing Out My Hair: Getting Through the In-between Stages

(My hair last year.)


I started growing my hair out last January. It was a super short pixie cut and it was fun while it lasted (for about 10 years). Since then, I've tried everything to make my hair grow faster. Two things really worked. The first are supplements from Phyto and the second was the Chinese Herbs line from Peter Lamas.

So now, one year later, my hair is only a few inches off of my shoulders. Not too bad for one year's time, including a few major haircuts along the way.

But now it's not long. It's not short. I can't really pull it into a ponytail. The bangs are in my eyes (again). It's at the dreaded middle length stage.

I keep telling myself that loads of people actually aim for this stage of in-between hair. Famous people, even. That knowledge does nothing to make me happier. So I decided to strike out of my pin-straight hair mold and go for something I haven't ever done as an adult.

Use a curling iron.


(Me at work on a day where my hair isn't making me crazy.)


I know, it's not a new idea at all. But I never have the confidence to step outside of what I do everyday and be different. Sure, I'll wear a bright lipstick or eye shadow that demands attention, but I haven't worn my hair in a different texture as an adult. I've even worn extensions, but it still looked like my hair, just longer. I've found wearing my hair curly makes almost everyone who knows me stare at me and feel the need to make a comment, good or bad. And maybe it's wanting to avoid THAT interaction that made me shy away from trying something different.

So how did it go?

Really well. First of all, my hair is holding curl really well, for a reason I can't explain. I used to want to have Heather Locklear hair when I was really little and would play with curlers and a curling iron for HOURS. No amount of Aqua Net could hold that curl in. Maybe my hair is changing, maybe it's the negative ion hoo-haa doo-dads in the curling irons, I don't know. But my curl is lasting all day, without a lot of product to hold it in place.

I tried three different methods and got three very different results.

Day One:

I diffused my hair with a DevaCurl DevaFuser. I love this diffuser. Not only does it let you get into the roots and dry your hair faster, it's really easy to work with. And faster drying means less heat damage! I didn't use any product in my hair when it was still damp, other than Phytomist, to keep it hydrated.I then used a clipless curling iron and took take large sections of my hair and wrapped them around the rod, making sure to leave the ends out, for a fresh look. To make the ends look slightly more polished, I used Davines N 10 Universal Polishing Coat on the ends and in places where I needed a little more control.



Overall, this method made my hair HUGE (I do have a lot of it, so I shouldn't be surprised.) I then lightly sprayed it with Rockaholic Flexible Hairspray from Tigi. Still huge, I threw a bedazzled headband (that always felt too girly for me before) and tamed my mane. The result was really soft and pretty! Time commitment: An extra 25 minutes.

Day Two:
I diffused my hair with the Deva Curl diffuser and used some Garnier Curl Shaping Gel on my wet hair. I then took smaller sections of my hair and tried to wrap them around the clipless curling iron more neatly. I tried to section out my hair and control the placement of the waves a little more. The curls stayed much tighter (thanks to the smaller sections and Garnier, I'm sure). I used some Tigi spray and a little Peter Lamas Chinese Herbs Revitalizing Conditioning Cream to weigh my hair down and make the waves stand apart a little more.

My hair was still way too big, so I went with another headband. I think I like this version even better. Time commitment: An extra 30 minutes.

Day Three:
I blew my hair dry normally and aimed to make it straight, using a bit of the Garnier spray to help hold the waves.
I then used a Gold N Hot Triple Barrel Curling Iron around my entire head. I sectioned my hair out into top, middle and bottom layers and tried to include some waving on each layer, all the way around my head.


After the waves set, I used my Oil Comb from Ricky's of NYC to add shine, settle the waves and keep it from becoming huge. I think I like this look best! It's a bit of old Hollywood, a bit of glam and a bit modern. Time commitment: An extra 10 minutes.


Do you have any tips for getting through the in-between stages of growing out your hair? Please do tell! I need all of the inspiration I can get!

I purchased everything mentioned with the exception of Phyto products and the Chinese Herbs Styling Cream.


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My First Time: My Own Hair Makeover

Partially inspired by hair extensions that were a bit too light and wanting to warm up my hair color for spring, I decided to chat with my stylist, Bethany at Balance the Salon. I wanted to figure out what would be involved with changing the color of my hair. I have always colored my hair at home and am the go-to girl for simple at-home hair color for my friends. Since I have to color my short hair every three weeks, I just can't afford salon color. But this was a big job and despite what I have accomplished in the past, changing my color was officially above my pay grade.

Last fall, I went from bright red a dark ash brown on my own at home. Anyone with any color know-how will tell you not to do that at home. Going from warm to cool colors, or vice-versa, runs the risk of getting green or gray hair. By the grace of the hair gods, my hair turned out a lovely color, but like every other beauty change I make, I grow tired of it within months. It's why clip-on hair extensions like these are perfect for me.

So I decided to ask my stylist what she thought of changing my color. While normally, she gives me tips on how not to screw up my home color, this time, she was really honest, cautioning me against doing it myself. (She kindly implied, "Don't even try it. It'll be hard for me to fix.") To safely take my color from a cool ash brown to a warm, chocolaty color, she would need to bleach out my entire head, add a new color and maybe some highlights. This process would take over 3 hours, but would leave me ready for summer. Deciding it was time for me to go from a haircolor-girl to a haircolor-woman, I booked the next available slot.



We started by bleaching out my whole head. Somehow, my hair lifted to a really pretty reddish brown with highlights. Go figure. While we were all secretly tempted to leave it there, Bethany decided to add an all over reddish brown hair color and some strategically placed highlights. I normally am not a fan on highlights that stem from the part. I think they look like tiger stripes, which is fine for some, but not my cup of tea. Bethany placed highlights under the top layer of my hair, so they peek out, depending on how my hair falls. Plus, as they grow out, I won't have the telltale roots.


Bethany finished my hair with some Davine's Defining Relaxing Fluid, which helped my hair fall really straight, giving it the ability to "swish" when I shake my head. It's made with Panthenol and Meadowfoam Oil and leaves your hair super shiny, protects it from heat styling and leaves it really straight. You gotta love that.


I am loving my new color, but what is surprising to me the most is all of the compliments I am getting about how long my hair looks now. More than a few people have actually stopped me and asked if my hair is all mine or if I added a few extensions. While I can assure you it is from the carefully placed highlights, the end result is hair that looks significantly longer than it did when I entered the salon.


If you want to warm up your hair for Spring or give your growing hair the illusion of being longer (and finally feel like you are actually getting somewhere with your hair growth!), have your stylist add similar highlights. Or if you're in Baltimore, call Bethany at Balance for yourself. (Just don't all call at once or I won't be able to get in again.)

Are you thinking of changing your look? Or doing something drastic to your haircolor? Tell me in the comments!

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Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement.
Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.