I have run out of fingers to count on regarding how many people I know who want to go cheap. Yes, I can understand that we all have certain limitations regarding our budget/income. This is merely to remind people that you get what you pay for. So the gal with hair challenges still buys the cheap product from the corner drug store, and continues to complain about her hair. Again….choices. I am sure you are tired of hearing this but I’m trying to drive the point home.
For a few years now, after several layoffs, I have had no income….other than a bit from contract jobs. That means I have to be conservative with my spending, but I don’t have to let myself go altogether. After all, I still have to exist in this world and interact with others. I pay to have a professional stylist color my hair. Why? Because I do NOT look good with my natural hair color (it’s been turning white since age 30) and I do NOT want to look like I came out of a do-it-yourself bottle (i.e. flat, single color, one dimensional). Because of having colored hair, I cannot use cheap shampoo and conditioner that will strip the color out of my hair. So I use shampoos and conditioners designed for color-treated hair, which costs me about $27 bottle (2016 prices). Is it worth it? To me, absolutely.
Here’s another revelation. What a difference a brush makes! I had been unhappy with my hair, thinking the texture had changed with age and it just wasn’t doing everything it used to do. I knew I needed new brushes because the ones I had (inexpensive brand from a discount department store) were super old and some of the tips were bent. So I went to Ulta Beauty and just stood in the hair brush aisle as my eyes glazed over with the many choices. I finally called a sales gal over to help me. She explained the differences and how my hair would react. I chose the Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Thermal Hairbrush So after swimming one day, I washed my hair, used my usual styling product Aveda Volumizing Tonic (love it…..does not leave your hair stiff or dirty-feeling), and used my new round brushes to blow it dry. AMAZING. My hair had more volume, was smoother and shinier, and no bent/frizzed ends. I admit I was somewhat skeptical, but the results were stunning. Important point to keep in mind: your individual hair texture, etc. I have fine, super straight hair and if I did nothing to my hair, it would suck to my head like wet toilet paper. So I need to help it out, and make it last in between washes. When you are looking at brushes, you need to keep your type of hair in mind. Same goes for styling product. Sometimes you have to go through some mistakes in selecting products before you get to the perfect one…..and at that point, it will be worth it!
Water Quality
One of the variables that can destroy your hair is water hardness. I first learned about this when I lived in Texas. City water comes up through limestone layers. There are so many minerals in that water that it wreaks havoc on your hair and your dishes/glassware…and your skin. I have the same problem with water in Northern California. It all depends on their water source.
So to combat this huge issue in both places, I bought a portable water softener that installs in your shower. What a lifesaver!!! I researched a few of them and this is the best one that I found: https://watersticks.com/
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My mother always said that a woman’s hair is her crowning glory, and she was right.
Speaking of hair, here is one of my bugaboos: older ladies with long hair. Very few women “our age” can pull it off. Maybe if you have full, lush, vibrant hair that has a good cut…..but those gals are few and far between (but I know of one!). Just to clarify, this paragraph is for women who care about their appearance; not for those who don’t or are bound by their husband’s/boyfriend’s desire for them to keep their hair long, even though it’s not flattering. Oh, and my hair stylist agrees!
Aging Hair…..such a drag. It took me a few years to understand why my hair wasn’t the same as it used to be. With aging comes diminished texture, shine, and manageability. So be prepared to keep changing the products you use.