Conference turris::womannotes-v1

    Seems a reasonable topic t'me.
    
    					=maggie
    					(long, spiderweb-fine hair
    					 that collapses with exhaustion
    					 moments after drying)

I agree -- looks aren't supposed to matter but they do.  So, here's
my suggestion:  Have you ever tried a gel?  It's a clear lotion-type
substance that you put on your hair when it's wet which gets somewhat
stiff when it dries.  The amount of stiffness depends on how much you
use.  I have used Paul Mitchell brand, which my friend the hairdresser
gave me.  I do not remember it as being heavily scented.  You can get
it only at haircutting establishments.  My friend tells me that it is the
best of that type of product because it does not have stuff that will make
your hair dry.

    Can I use my electric rollers after I use a gel? I have to get
    a set into it somehow? thankyou

My 14-year old fashion consultant daughter advises: 

Yes, you can use electric rollers with a gel. 

You may prefer to use a mousse, another body-enhancer which comes in an
aerosol can and expands when released; "you're supposed to spread this foam
on your hair" (sic).  A mousse is better for "poofing the hair"; the gel is
better for "slicking it back". Electric rollers also work with the mousse. 
Betsy finds mousses (meese?) similar in performance, but recommends
Aqua-Wave as least fragrant. 

On a slight detour, remember that a good haircut can help you manage your
hairdo, not vice versa.  Since hair typically grows 0.5 inches per month,
you may want to get it cut every four to six weeks.  (Yeah, I know, but
weeks seven and eight are rather droopy.) 

    My mother is one such an allergic.  Hairsprays, flowers, perfume,
    even deoderant can put her to bed with a 3-day migraine.  I wouldn't
    have believed it had I not spent those same 3 days with her, holding
    her as she cried from the pain and the frustration.  The medication
    that would relieve the headaches also induces allergic reactions
    and I once watched the blood vessels in her hands pop from the
    medication she was taking.  
    
    Those gels and mouses are also heavily scented, but not so you adn
    I would notice I'm afraid.  Someone who is allergic would truly
    notice it, so your best bet is to avoid a commercial product that
    advertises "non-scented".... however, my mom located a beauty supply
    house that does have hairspray that even she can use.  It is
    (naturally) little more expensive but she uses it with no reactions
    whatsoever....  I will call her and find out the product's name
    and where the supply house is located.
    
    My empathies to both you and your husband.  I understand your
    frustrations and know fully how difficult it is for you.  I was
    lucky that I inherited only a few of Mom's allergies.... hayfever,
    MSG, and bad plays give me headaches.....  Cheap perfume sends me
    thru the roof...!  
    
    I'll finish this note after I talk with Mom.  It'll give her some
    comfort knowing she's not alone.  All the doctors think this is
    all due to emotion.... bunch of quacks.... none of 'em have run
    a single test and as a result of her constantly being laughed at
    I can't get her to  competent allergist....
    
    Bugsy

    You might try Clinique hair spray.  It's relatively expensive, but
    it's advertised (all Clinique products are) as being hypo-allergenic
    and completely free of scent.  It comes in a plastic pump bottle.
    
    

    I am also allergic to scent, and have found that I can use the Clinique
    hair spray.  If you can use their make-up (which is the only thing
    I have found that doesn't give me hives), then you can probably
    use the hair spray.

    Thankyou all for your replies. I will try and find a source of
    Clinique near me or see if my drug store will order it for me.
    Bonnie

    Most first-rate department stores carry it, Bonnie.  I haven't seen
    any drugstores that do, tho; it tends to be a bit higher priced
    (as I think was mentioned) than drugstores like. 
    
    					=maggie

    Thankyou maggie - unfortunately I don't live near any firstrate
    department stores. The nearest is Fitchburg and that's a trip
    even from work. My drug store is pretty good about ordering 
    odd things for us that aren't carried locally.
    Bonnie

    
    I also have severe allergies to many cosmetics.  Clinique products
    are excellent!  I tried Almay products, which are obtainable at
    most drugs stores, and claim to be scent-free and hypoallergenic,
    but they gave me hives.  Jordan Marsh carries Clinique and will
    do mail-order with a JM credit card.  They are very quick with 
    delivery as well.
    
    Rita
    
    

	    Then there's always the Annie Lennox approach . . .
			 .-----.
			/  o o  \
			\ \___/ /
			 `-----'
			 <_Jym_> (Whose Hair is Fine)

        Personally, I've always been fond of long straight hair. It can
        be kind of chore to take care off (I know, mine was waist-length
        from 1969 until last month, and probably will be again in a
        couple of years), but I find it quite attractive. You can also
        put it up in a number of interesting ways using no chemicals--
        just a couple of sticks. 
        
        JimB.

re .12{
        thanks, but I think I'll pass on that one .

        I received a bit of mail that indicated that I was a bit too
        cryptic with my comment that one could put up one's hair with
        "just a couple of sticks" in 50.13. The brevity of the comment
        was caused in part by my inability to remember what the fool
        things are called, as I don't use them myself. They're properly
        called something like "mei fa" sticks, and have become quite
        popular in my social circle of late. 
        
        Basically, they are two tapered sticks, usually wooden, topped
        with beads, sculptured metal or semi-precious stones. They are
        used to hold the hair up in various styles, like french braids,
        chignons, two strand braids, twists, rolls, knots or pony-tails,
        etc. 
        
        The booklet my wife has on them also claims that they can be
        used to set your hair "naturally", but the success you have with
        this depends, I believe, on the amount of body your hair has. If
        I wanted to, I suspect they'd work well on me if I put my hair
        up wet. For Ann Broomhead who has baby fine, straight, lank
        hair, I doubt they would work. (Do they, Ann?)
        
        They can be used to a very glamorous effect by some, but on
        others they look a little dated either to the '60s or the 1800s.
        It depends both upon the style you use and what your hair and
        face look like. 
        
        With a serious allergy problem, it might be worth exploring this
        sort of thing as it can really work with no chemicals at all,
        but of course it can take a year or two to get the proper length
        of hair, learn the use of the sticks, and find a style. 

	JimB.

    Well, the claim is that your hair doesn't have to be all *that*
    long.  The short kind of sticks (Mei Fa is correct) are
    supposed to work with hair that's only (I'm relying on a vague
    memory here) three-and-a-half inches long.  I can see that as
    just barely working for my hairstyle.
    
    Finding the right hairstyle was trivial for me.  I had decided
    that long, straight hair was going to look pretty silly when
    I was sixty, so I had resolved to "do something" with it --
    after the worldcon was over.  At the worldcon, I was going
    through the Hucksters' Room when this woman I vaguely knew (I
    don't really live in a daze, honest.) asked me to come over to
    her table so she could do my hair.  I smiled and said no.  Then
    she said, ~Oh, please.  I'm kinky for hair.~  Well, that was a
    good enough reason.  She did my hair up in a side roll, and it
    looked great.
    
    I bought a pair with blue beads.  At first it was hard putting
    my hair up, because my arms would get tired as I held them over
    my head.  (People who set their hair should have that problem
    licked.)  It didn't always work because at first I wasn't quite
    sure of where in the twist of hair I should stab, and because
    I twisted my hair too much (!).  Now it takes me two minutes in
    the morning, and I'm set for the entire day.
    
    And it *holds*.  My hair is fine and slippery, but they stay put
    (when I put them in even semi-right).
    
    							Ann B.

    To Jim Burrows:
    
    Jim, I knew you in the Mill... well, "knew you" is stretching it
    as all we did was share being in the same area on 5-5... and my
    husband works a few offices over from you...
    
    You cut your hair and shaved off you beard, and all of us who recognize
    you on sight are wondering why!?  The first rumor (again, by those
    of us who haven't been introduced) was that you were interviewing
    or something...
    
    I'm not trying to be nosey, just trying to satisfy a curiousity
    why you'd cut your hair after all these years and years....!
    
    And since you brought it up I thought I'd take advantage of the
    situation!
    
    Bugsy

        There are two reasons that I cut my hair and shaved the beard.
        The first is that I participated in a "murder mystery" week-end
        where I was cast in the role of a 1939 cop. The second is that
        it was a good hack. I actually got someone in ZK so startled he
        walked into a wall!
        
        My hair hasn't been this short since high school (half my life
        ago), and it was startling to everybody. People treat hair
        length as tremendously important, at least for a man. It really
        hasn't been for me. I wore my hair long because it was more
        convenient, and because I dislike barbers, not in order to make
        a point, and because attractive women have always liked it long,
        and I like attractive women. Everybody treated it as so
        important. To me it never was. Other people treating it as
        important has always annoyed me. I refuse to be bullied into
        cutting my hair, but if it's my own decision, it doesn't matter
        that much. 
        
        I've shaved of the beard several times in the last few years.
        The first time was a year and a half ago, when I got myself cast
        as an Ann Broomhead look-alike at a convention (don't ask), and
        noticed she had no beard. The second time was for the last
        mystery week-end. The third was was for this mystery week-end.
        The fourth was for my sister's wedding this week-end. (A
        one-month beard looks terrible on me.) I hate shaving and won't
        do it without a reason, so it'll be back. 
        
        Similarly, after spending the last half of my life avoiding
        barbers, I expect that my hair will get pretty long over the
        next couple of years (especially if enough young ladies run
        their fingers through my hair and mourn its passing). I'm
        pushing for a 17th century setting for the mystery game 18
        months from now, and will be in the market for a good hair
        stylist for that. With luck, that will result in an interesting
        cut. 
        
        JimB.