Long Hair


When I was in my teens and early 20s, I had long hair. I think the longest I grew it was down to my shoulder blades. It was glorious. And I was young and didn’t know better, so it was easy. :) But I cut it when I started law school, and that was that. Until COVID. Until the lockdowns. Until CourtCall became simply how you appear for court conferences and hearings, etc. Before my stylist was forced to close. What was shaggy just became long, and I like it. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to get away with it, but for the moment ...

This time around, I’m actually taking care of it. Here’s what I’ve found that works (with a few notes of what hasn’t):

  • Shampoo and conditioner. I switched to L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Sulfate Free (shampoo; conditioner) and love it. I probably wash my hair every 2 or 3 days (how often is often enough, varies - and then there’s “co-washing,” using conditioner only and skipping the shampoo...). I use a relatively small amount and apply it only to my scalp, massaging the products into the roots gently.
    • Shower cap, for days when I shower but don’t want to wash my hair. (Why do so many of these things have “for women” in the SKU title? Sigh.)
    • Cantu Microfiber Drying Cap. After blot-drying with a towel, I wrap my hair up in this. Helps it dry non-violently, and keeps it out of the way during non-hair morning rituals. Might make phone calls interesting. (Except I have a refurbished Bose SoundLink micro I couple to my phone for SiriusXM in the mornings. Great little shower speaker / hands free system.)
  • Dry shampoo. I love Batiste Dry Shampoo. Totally gets rid of any oiliness I might get after a couple of days of not washing. Also happens to be sulfate-free.
  • Marc Anthony Grow Long Biotin Leave In Conditioner Spray & Detangler. After finishing the rest of my morning routine (brushing teeth, shaving, whatever), I’ll pull off the wrap, loosely detangle with the oversized comb (below), and then spray this on.
  • Extra Large Wide Tooth Detangler Comb. Used before brushing, to access different sets of roots when blow drying, etc.
  • REVLON 1875W Turbo Fast Dry Hair Dryer. I got this one because it has a “warm” setting and because it was cheap. It works fine. Knowing then what I do now, I would have gotten one with a concentrator, like this one.
  • Revlon Ceramic Hair Flat Iron. I went with the absolute cheapest one I could find from a name brand I’d heard of (i.e., not Bcway, FURIDEN, BaBylissPRO, FXXOEE, SUPRENT, TSEKIDO, Terviiix, ...). $11 was worth trying this to see what it would do. I use the low heat setting and it does indeed transform my wavy hair into hair that hangs straight down. Looks more deliberate. I like it. I won’t do it all the time. But I will use it. I’m sure there are reasons why some hair straighteners cost $100+, but for me, this thing works just fine.
  • Conair Pro Hair Brush. Love this brush!
  • Satin Lined Sleep Cap. For sleeping. Keeps the hair from snagging on a cotton pillow case, getting tangled, etc. Protects it. Even if it is marketed as “for women.” Sigh. Probably more critical for different hair types, but it helps with my long wavy hair, too. (How to video.) Satin pillowcases could work instead, and might be worth trying in any case.
  • Misc. Bobby pins. Hair clips, for keeping things out of the way when getting ready, or around the house doing chores, etc. Scunci small rubber bands. (I need to try softer material Scuncis.)
  • Not so great: 
    • Cantu Shea Butter. This just wasn’t for me. (And I don’t mean that in an “expanded inclusivity backlash” kind of way.) It didn’t really help my scalp and I’m not a fan of the scent, at least of this SKU.
    • Garnier Fructis Invisible Dry Shampoo. Before I found Batiste, I stumbled on this, marked down at a local store. Meh. It doesn’t work nearly as well, and the scent is ... Like a clinical coconut, if that makes sense?

 

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