Conference turris::womannotes-v2

    Shawn,
    
    The only way to straighten your hair to that it stays that way
    for a period of time is to also stop it growing! The part of
    the hair that one straightens or curls stays that way, but the
    hair growing in behind it will not have been affected by the
    process.
    
    Bonnie

    Its kinda like a reverse perm.
    
    K.C.

    My niece used to iron her hair and she had long, thick, naturally
    curly hair, but after ironing it, her hair looked long, silky and
    STRAIGHT!  
    
    I never saw how she did it, but it really sounded weird to me.
    
    Buy one of those new crimping irons but use the smooth plate.  That's
    what I would do.  
    
    -Dotti

    Yeah, perhaps to keep it from getting too bushy (PLEASE don't
    straighten it - all those icky chemicals and stuff) - maybe you
    could have it thinned or layered (ask about these options).  You
    can also blow-dry it so it's straighter - but it takes time and
    isn't too easy on the hair either.
    
    -Jody
    

    Straight hair is circular in cross-section; curly hair has an oval
    shape in cross section. So anything you do to make hair straight
    will only be temporary, until the treatment wears off and/or new
    hair grows in.
    
    Bruce  (Who, if you are interested, used to have curly hair on the top
    of his head, and still has curly hair on his chest.) 
    

    
    Stop reading the `Buffs file - that's probably causing your hair
    to curl....8^)
    
    TF

    
    
    Curly hair is hip!
    Curly hair is cool!
    
    
    Roberta
    President and sole member of the Curlyhead Defense League (CDL)
                                                
    

    Isn't it funny that people with naturally curly hair want to straighten
    it, and people with naturally straight hair (me included) want it
    to curl, curl, curl?
    
    K.C. who is due for a new perm.
    

    KC, nope, I don't find it funny at all.
    
    DougO (who just had his second perm last week and loves it)

    
    I have had my hair chemically relaxed for almost 30 years.  I has
    to be done about every 3 to 4 months, depending on how fast your
    hair grows. It has been quite successful for me 95% of the time.
    I am black and of mixed heritage, and when afros were in my hair
    wasn't kinky enough to wear an afro but not straight enough to be
    straight, so I started having it relaxed. I'm sure that method would
    work on your hair.

    
    Sorry Doug. Membership is only open to those of us with _naturally_
    curly hair.
                        
    Roberta

    
        RE: TF
    
            Small world!!  8^)
    
        RE: Relaxation
    
            Hey, that sounds good ... is it a store-bought chemical
            or is it done by hair dresser?
    
        RE: All
    
            Thanks for the replies!!
    
                                                       Shawn L.
    

    	I guess relaxing the hair varies quite a bit from person to
    person.  Many years ago, I tried straightening my hair....that
    didn't work.  Then a couple years ago, my hairdresser suggested
    relaxing it.  I figured it was worth a shot.  For 2 weeks I had
    straight hair!!  (As long as I was blowing it dry, that is.)  
    Then it just started curling up again (yeah, my hair grows pretty 
    fast).  For the price you pay, I found it just wasn't worth it.  
    Just gotta learn to live with the curls.... :-)


    	Amy  (a CDL member! :-) )

    Funny how people never can seem to believe that I *don't* have a
    perm!!

    Roberta,
    
    PPPPPTTTTTTTHHHHHHHFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
    
    K.C., the jelous, straight-haired, permed one.
    
    P.S.  I have one brother and one sister eligible, though.

    RE: relaxing
    
    I have always had mine done professionally, although there are over
    the counter relaxers in the stores.  Yes, there is some extra care
    when the hair is relaxed such as blow drying to keep it straight
    or using large rollers. It's not a wash and wear style. Also you
    must be willing to condition your hair at least once a week to keep
    it from drying out.

    
    I find it really funny when people get jealous of people with curly
    hair, because when I was a kid, I  HATED having curly hair. I was
    constantly bwing mistaken for a boy, up until puberty. But people
    would say to me "you're so lucky to have naturally curly hair."
    I didn't feel lucky. I felt different. Even my brother used to call
    me Brillo-head when I was a kid. This before I even knew what Brillo
    was!   
    
    Roberta

    
        RE: Hair relaxer
    
            How much does this stuff cost (and how big of a bottle)
            if u buy it in the stores?  How many times will it do
            the average head?
    
            If it'd straighten my hair, I'd be willing to condition
            and blow-dry!!
    
                                                       Shawn L.
    

    
    Shawn,
    
    I have found it in CVS, it's put out by Revlon and comes in a kit.
    I can't remember the name of it. Usually you find it where the black
    hair care products are.
    
    Good luck
    
    +pat+

    Shawn,
    
    I have naturally curly hair and always hated it when I was in high
    school.  Now I don't mind it.  Anyway, there was this stuff I used
    to use called "Curl Free".  I'm not sure that it's still made but
    there are all kinds of cosmetic supply stores that could tell you
    what you could use.  A few notes back someone mentioned ironing
    hair.  I used to do that too.  My mom used to "freak out" when she
    saw me doing it.  I don't recommend it.  Not only is it really
    difficult, but it also ruins your hair.
    People are always saying to me "I like your perm"....My answer is
    usually  "WHAT?!?!?  you think I'd do this on purpose???
    Marie
     

    Ah, the "joys" of curly hair...I wrapped it, use all kinds of chemicals
    (I can still *smell* Curl Free..yuk) and so forth. All in all, a waste
    of time because as soon as it rained or got humid, the hair did
    its own thing. I found the best answer is to find someone who *knows
    how* to cut curly hair ! (The times I walked out of a hair cutting
    place, after a bad cut, looking like little Orphan Annie are just
    too numerous to count !!). A good haircut has made a world of
    difference for me.
    
    You can keep it very short or if longer, layering and styling can do 
    wonders. Using things like mousse and sculpturing gels, and good hair 
    conditioners helps keep things under control as well.
    
    Joan G.
    (a CDL member since the day she had hair !)
                               
    

    I must confess, I was one who had my hair ironed....I had a natural
    wave and it wasn't "in" to have anything other than straight hair.
    My mother would turn the iron on very low, get a cotton dish towel,
    I'd kneel down by ironing board and gather my hair up on the board,
    my mother would comb it, cover it with the towel and iron away....
    
    I now have stick straight hair now and pay to have a perm when I
    want curls.  I don't think the ironing had anything to do with my
    having straight hair today, I think age took care of the wave (plus
    my hair is no longer to my waist).
    
    P.
    

    I also used to iron my hair in high school using pretty much the same
    procedure mentioned in .22 (except it was my cousin that did the
    ironing, as our mother's would have killed us had they known). My hair
    was very long (still is), and while it isn't truely naturally curly,
    it is very thick and has a *lot* of body. Ironing did help, but I had
    to do it every two days to keep up with it. One thing that I have noticed,
    though, is that the longer it gets, the more it gives the appearance of
    being straighter (i.e., more controlable). I think that the weight of the
    hair has somthing to do with it.
    
    Deb   

    I agree with .23.
    
    I used to have long hair past my waist, and it was very straight.
    When I got it cut to above the shoulderblades, it became slightly
    wavy.
    
    My hair is long again (although not past the waist, but getting
    there), but it is permed.
    
    My sister had straight hair until she bought an attachment to her
    blow dryer to blow cooler air in a circular motion, and now it is
    curly.  No perm!
    
    K.C.

    
    To have really nice looking curls I need a perm, even though my hair is 
    naturally curly.  The problem is, its only naturally curly in one spot-
    the back of my head
    
    At its present length my hair is pretty much straight becaue of the
    weight, except for the back - its wavy.  On the other hand, if I should
    decide to cut it 5 or 6 inches shorter, the back would curl up and the 
    sides would wave.  
    
    I can't have just curls or just straight hair.  I have to have both.
    
    - Beckie
    

    I also had very curly hair as a kid and hated it.  It was *not*
    in in the 60's to have curly hair (except for Bob Dylan) and I had
    mine straightened, and used Curl Free.  Over the years, my hair
    has gone from being naturally curly to being naturally wavy.  I
    don't know why.  It may have something to do with better haircuts,
    mousse, blow dryers, whatever.  As a little kid my hair was actually
    in tight curls all over my head.  I always wanted to have long,
    naturally straight blonde hair!  (I can't help it, I think it's
    beautiful.)  And, one of the great thrills of my life was when my
    daughter turned out to have long, straight blonde hair!  So, of
    course, last year she had a spiral perm!! And now her hair is turning
    light brown.  But, it still looks good.  It has been my observation
    through life that people with straight hair have control over how
    their hair looks and can fix it in many ways, while people with
    naturally wavy/curly hair have to accept the whim of fate.  I never
    know from one day to the next what it's going to look like!
    
    Lorna
    

    
    I agree, Lorna. It''s easier to go from naturally straight to curly
    hair, then to go from naturally curly to straight hair, and you
    can do more things with straight hair.
    
    Still, with a good cut, curly hair can be a good thing. A lot of
    hair stylists can't cut curly hair. They say it's easier to cut
    than straight hair, but it really needs to be cut in such a way
    that it's flattering to you. My mother can't believe I pay about
    $30 for a haircut (and I'm usually pretty frugal), but, then, _she_
    doesn't have curly hair (just wavy)!
    
    Anyway, at least curly hair is unusual. I have seen very few adults
    with hair as naturally curly as mine. Maybe by the time they become
    adults all that ironing and everything has straightened it out!
    :^)
    
    Roberta

    I had natural curly hair until my son was born.  Now it's straight
    and keeps growing in that way.  I still can't believe it!
    
    Anna
    

My wife, Anne, is looking for a hairdresser.  We live in Westford, but
distance is not the big issue here.

Anne has curly hair and intends to get it relaxed.  She would love to find
someone who really knows what they're doing.

We are talking about truly curly hair.  Her hair cannot be layered.  She knows
what relaxing her hair means.  She has had it done before, and was pleased
with the results.  It takes someone who KNOWS how to work with curly hair.
Anne is not interested in someone who is a genius with straight or wavy hair
and is willing to work on curly hair.

If she does not find someone soon, she may start flying back to California to
see her old hairdresser.  In light of this, cost isn't much of an issue.


Thanks,
Ed


PS I have read 407.* (among others).  How many thumbs up for Advantage?

    ED,

    Try House of Stafford/Styles by Stella on Marlboro St. in Hudson, MA.
    She is just down the road from the Hudson Facility... HLO1&2.  
    (508) 562-3166.  

    justme....jacqui

    
    Kristen's Hair Design
    10 Vinal Square
    No. Chelmsford, Ma
    508/251-7767
    
    I've been going to Kristen for a few years and she is great with curly
    hair...in fact, she has curly hair.  She also gives "how to do it
    yourself at home" advice.
    
    
    
    

I'm looking for a recommendation for a hair stylist who's good with long
thick hair.  I like it long and don't want it cut much, but I'd like
it more stylish and up to date.

Any ideas?

I'm willing to pay $$$ for a good flattering style.

--bonnie, tired of looking like the mother of three just 'cause she is . . .

    Bonnie,

    If you don't mind traveling to Marlboro, Mass, Randy Carpenter owner of New
    Horizons (481-3334) is wonderful with long and short hair, and comes
    highly recommended by many people...

    Gale

I'd rather not drive nearly that far . . . 

I'm a stick-in-the-mud New Hampshire type.

--bonnie

    --bonnie,
    
    Is Tyngsboro too far?  Cheryl of "Salon International" is great.  I have
    long, thick hair and she does a great job with me.  The salon is right
    across the road from Skate 3.
    
    -Dotti.

    Bonnie,
    
    	In Hudson, NH is Heritage Salon (603-595-1550).  Ask for Serena,
    tell her Sue Walton sent you.  She is a terrific stylist, and lots of
    fun to boot.  Also, the stylist there have private rooms, so you arent 
    sitting there staring at everyone else while they get thier hair done.
    
    Sue
    

    oh --bonnie...
    
    a descenting vote from a good friend who thinks that your long
    braid is one of the lovely parts of your presence.
    
    Bonnie

Bonnie, I don't want to get it CUT!!!  I love it long, too!  I just want
it styled or something so that I can wear it some way other than pulled
back in a clip!

--bonnie

    Hair sticks, Bonnie.  Decorative hair sticks.  (I mentioned them
    back in [early?] Version 1.
    
    						Ann B.

I remember you mentioning them, but I don't remember exactly what they are.
I looked all through v1 and found only one hair-stylist note --
I dunno where the rest of them went.  I did find Vivian's excellent advice
on choosing a good, ethical stylist (305.19), which should be required
reading for anyone thinking of getting a haircut.  

Would it be too much trouble to ask you to repeat yourself here?

--bonnie

    Bonnie,
    
    For New Hampshire..try Patti at Salon, Salon, Salon on Rt 111 in
    Windham...Have been going to her for 10 years..She really listens
    to what you want and discusses alternatives..then proceeds...I have
    had some stylists in the past that didn't do that...
    
    Chris
    

    I guess I'll add my two cents as well...
    
    I've been going to Beauty Mark for about a year.  Before that
    I used to travel into Boston to get my hair done.   Beauty Mark
    is located at 26 Railrod Square, Nashua (603) 880-8100.  Ask
    for Mark (he's the owner).  He knows his business, gives you 
    alternatives on how you can wear you hear, but he really listens
    and tries to take into consideration your lifestye, etc.
    
    Let us know who you finally decided to go with,
    
    

    Bonnie,
    
    I have dusted off my little booklet about Mei Fa Styx and brought
    it in to work.  The address is:
    
    			5108 MacArthur Blvd. NW
    			Washington, DC  20016
    
    If you write and enclose a SASE, you should get back a colorful
    brochure of available styles and order form.
    
    What you really need is the little booklet on what-you-do to use
    the hair sticks.  (You also need to be warned that holding your
    arms over your head for as long as is necessary to separate, twist,
    wind, and tuck your hair is exhausting at first.)  Perhaps if you
    include a large SASE with extra postage, and specifically ask for
    the booklet, you will get it.  If not, repeat with your first order.
    
    I've gotten most of my hair sticks from Elan Litt, and she laments
    that the person who runs Mei Fa is a real flake.  So, if you don't
    get any satisfaction trying to deal directly with Mei Fa, you might
    try dealing with:
    
    			Terra Incognita
    			Elan Jane Litt
    			629 East 8th St.
    			Brooklyn, NY 11218
    			718-851-6046
    
    Naturally, you may mention my name.
    
    							Ann B.

    Bonnie, note is a little late but I use Holly at Hairthuirum 
    at Harris Pond Plaza in Merrimack NH.  I have thick, curly, sometimes
    grey, sometimes brown, medium/long hair and Holly does a great job.
    Number is 603-886-1220.  If Holly is unavailable, Fern is also good.