(Part 2) Best products from r/FancyFollicles

If I may comment on the 'never brush'....I get why we say this, but sometimes brushing gets a bad rap.

Brushing when you hair is wet is very bad, yes. We should never do this. We also don't want to over-brush. But there are some benefits to daily (non-excessive) brushing:

1. Brushing helps prevent oily root buildup by carrying that oil down the hair shaft. This is very important if you don't wash everyday.
   
   
2. Brushing keeps our scalp healthy and prevents scalp build up, helping to prevent flakes.
   
   
3. Brushing keeps hair looking more healthy and shiny and adds lovely volume.
   
   
4. It feels sooo gooooood and relaxing. And it feels inherently satisfying. Women for many generations before us brushed their hair and their locks were often very long and gorgeous. Brushing is a natural part of hair upkeep.
   
   HOWEVER you have to use a really high quality brush and you can't get obsessive with it. Once a day is good. If some hairs fall out under this method they were gonna fall out anyway...it's normal to lose some strands daily. It can't be avoided.
   
   I like the old granny style super soft bristle brushes, they don't snag at all and they go with my thinning hair. Here is one I like from amazon, note I am not part of any referral program
   
   A high quality one can can vary in price from 20 dollars up to (yikes) 150 and even higher. Anything from 20-50 bucks is good. Avoid Conair and most drugstore brands at all costs. They are the reason why we think brushing is bad. They suck! Stick to the brands your grandmother swore by. They knew what they were doing back then.
   
   edit: made a few edits, plus I want to say I'm really happy so many others are agreeing with me. Brushing is good if you do it right!

My pleasure :) always happy to help!

1. I'm not really sure about protein fillers. I've never had to use them and don't feel comfortable giving you any advice regarding that. I can, however, recommend Biosilk. It's an amazing product that has silk proteins. It helps restore the health of your hair and it also smooths it and makes it soft. Plus it smells fantastic, and that's always a plus! :)
   
   
2. I don't know if you need to use it regularly. Do you use it to smooth your hair out, or to nourish it/help it grow? I honestly would try using masks twice a week, as per my earlier suggestion. You CAN do a coconut oil mask. Usually it will leave your hair soft and nourished, but also a little greasy. Masks can be left in the hair anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight, while you're sleeping and rinsed in the morning. When you rinse, rinse with cool water. Same with conditioner. You should be rinsing conditioner from your hair with cool water. By the way, did you know that there are correct and incorrect ways to wash your hair? It's true. Massaging the scalp while you lather shampoo and conditioner in will stimulate the scalp and allow the correct nutrients/oils to flow and speed up your hair growth.
   
   
3. As far as I know, toner isn't too bad. Also, anything that's semi-permanent like Manic Panic shouldn't be super damaging either. Bleaching, however, is. All of your hair, with the exception of your roots, is dead. We condition and put products in our hair in order to keep it nourished and healthy, so it doesn't dry up and break off, considering that it's already dead. When you bleach your hair, you're literally burning it, making the follicle brittle and susceptible to more damage and breaking. What is the texture of your hair? For example, I have very thick hair with kind of a course/rough texture. The thinner your hair, the worse bleach is for it. The longer you can go without bleaching it, the better. And I advise doing several conditioning masks during the week after the day that you bleach it.
   
   As far as your hair appointment, make sure you find a stylist that you trust and that you're comfortable with. She will ask you questions about what you've done to it and where you're hoping to get. Ask her to recommend any products she thinks might help with and tell her any concerns you might have, but remember, she is the professional so whatever she says (even if it seems absurd or abnormal) will probably help.
   
   Oh, and also, as far as speeding up the growing process...have you ever considered getting clip-in extensions? They're really quite neat, and there are a couple of great companies out there. That way you don't have to be frustrated with wanting long hair while waiting for it to grow.

as far as i know, there are no permanent dyes for unnatural colors like green. i've gone as far as to consider dyeing my hair with indigo (a plant-based permanent blue/black dye) and then bleaching it, which i hear turns your hair a lighter greenish color, lol.

for mere mortal dyes, special effects, ion color brilliance, and pravana are some of the longer-lasting brands - special effects used to have "sonic green" which was THE perfect color imo but it's nowhere to be found online now. ion has a teal which is pretty similar to your green, actually. pravana has a green but it might be a little too warm for your taste. of course you could mix pravana's green with a dab of their blue, or something to get that perfect color.

ion and pravana will last much, much longer than directions, punky color, and manic panic (i've seen a video of someone who had ion's blue in their hair for a year and couldn't get it out with bleachings >_>). you'll have to weigh the pros and cons - you seem like you're fairly certain you want the color for a long time, though. (but keep in mind that you might get tired of the color before it fades, that jobs might require you to have "professional" hair, etc.)

green washes out fairly quickly (relative to other colors) but it's hard to get rid of completely, so you should remember that when you dye. if / when you get sick of it you'll have to dye over it or get some color remover or clarifying shampoo.

but anyway, before dyeing make sure you do a strand test with the dye first, to check if the color comes out okay on your hair. if it doesn't come out so nice you might have to bleach it (which you should go to the hairdresser for, unless you're prepared to spend a chunk of time researching how to properly bleach your hair... ;-;)

i think for your initial run you could dye over your natural hair, and see what you like and dislike about the color (how fast it fades, how the color looks, HOW MUCH IT GETS OVER EVERYTHING YOU LOVE AND CHERISH...) and then decide whether you should bleach or not. removing leftover color is probably easier on you and less damaging than bleaching your hair for a color that doesn't end up the way you want it.

if you do bleach, you can leave the dye on for longer than the instructions state (i slathered mine on and went to bed) and it'll end up more vibrant and deeper. if you mix green with black it probably won't turn out quite the way you want it and has the risk of going muddy (though a lot of semi-permanent blacks are just really, really dark greens so it might give you nice results - i would do a lot of research on the type of dye you used if you went that route).

if you go to a hairdresser and you specifically want alpine green, you can take the dye with you and ask if they'll use that. and plenty of people go to hairdressers for semi-permanent colors, don't worry. it can definitely lead to some gorgeous results but of course that varies depending on the hairdresser. i know i keep saying this but research is key!!

anyway (i swear i'm almost done), to keep your hair from fading very quickly: wash your hair in cold water; use sulfate-free shampoos, if possible; avoid styling your hair with heat; avoid too much sun exposure; and add a bit of dye to your conditioner to keep your color touched up! that's all, phew!

(AND here are two good resources for the dyeing process: x x)

I've been taking Hair, Skin, and Nails Extra Strength since the beginning of February and have seen drastic improvement in my skin, with some hair and nail improvements. I had acne-prone, oily skin with crazy dryness, too. (AKA dehydrated) Prior to starting biotin, I changed up my routine and saw a dermatologist, which helped a lot, but I think the Biotin is really keeping things on track.

My Routine is super basic. AM is just water and a gentle wipe with a washcloth, with a sunscreen and CeraVe PM lotion. PM, I follow the Oil Cleansing Method with mineral oil on my cheekbones, nose, and forehead, let it sit, and massage it off (and the rest of my face, too) gently at the end of my shower with a warm washcloth. Afterwards, I use St. Ives Exfoliating Pads, let dry, and follow with more CeraVe PM.

Biotin is working for me, and so is my skincare routine, but I'd really recommend checking out /r/SkincareAddiction for more comprehensive advice. Biotin does cause acne for some people, but so do new products, resting your hand on your chin, sleeping on one side of your face too much, and lots more. Check that sub out, and stick with it a little bit before you give up. Good luck!

edit: grammar
edit #2: This is relevant if you want to check your routine to be sure it's not a product you're using.

Well, if you have a hair dresser friend and a store like CosmoProf, you can have her pick some up for you at about half price you would find it elsewhere. I live in New England and CosmoProf is a store only licensed hair dressers can shop at for supplies. It's a pretty fabulous option!

Or, if you can't find one of those or the supplies at a salon near you, you can try online, which has pretty decent pricing. Here are some links:

http://www.amazon.com/Catwalk-Highness-Thickening-Crème-Ounce/dp/B002TYF8XE

I normally don't like gel, and I have thicccck hair but this stuff really is fab.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FOFI0W

And this. This is my Holy Grail hair product. It's so much more than just argan oil.... Every woman I've known who uses it swears by it. Probably at least 30 I know personally, haha. It smells fantastic. It will make your hair luscious and lustrous. If I only do one thing before heading out the door, it's use this. I add a quarter size (sometimes more but my hair drinks moisture, wouldn't recommend too much) smear to my hand, rub palms together, and scrunch through my hair. Tried to look for a picture of it in action but failed... If you ever only take one piece of advice from me, it's this.

I'm not affiliated with those products don't worry; I just really like 'em :)

I don't think you NEED hair advice at all though!!! You are so gorgeous, srsly. It just might be fun to try it out <3

Okay yes, your first bleach session you'll want to take as light as you can but don't keep it on for longer than an hour because at that point it stops lightening and starts just eating your hair. If you need a second session after that to get lighter, then rinse, shampoo, and either condition or use your protein mask. It sounds like you really need to use a protein treatment with keratin, and if you need more moisture get another mask for that. This one does both. I'd suggest allowing your hair about a week to rest before another round if it needs more lightening, and try not to do things that are damaging to it like heat styling. Also don't wash it for at least three days before you plan to bleach. I'm kind of an animal and will wash my hair every 5 days or so, lol.

 

If you want to go platinum you'll need to get a pale yellow stage, then after that you're going to tone. Depending on how much damage your hair has sustained by the time you get as light as you want, you may or may not need to let your hair rest before toning. I've seen that the Wella toners require developer, use a 10 vol. or less for that for less damage. There are some that don't need a developer like this one from Artic Fox, but that's more silver so it depends on the end result you're going for.

 

To combat brassyness, use a violet shampoo after bleaching and then as needed. Also these drops for the bleach came recommended to lower brassyness. I'm after a platinum so I want it to be cool toned blonde.

 

Also this article has a lot of good detailed info: https://bellatory.com/hair/How-to-bleach-hair

 

Its also worth noting for root touch-up that you allow enough time between sessions and don't overlap the bleach past your roots, and don't reapply it to the already lightened hair. To make sure you don't overlap you'll likely need to let it grow out for a bit. There was a video I watched a while back where a girl was detailing her experience, her hair let her get away with a lot before it finally started breaking down, and her issue was she got root touch-ups monthly and kept lightening the rest of it as well. I can't find the video anymore though.

 

Also I watched a few videos, here are a few. There's thousands like it so checking out several is good:

 

Here is someone doing the coconut oil method, it seemed like she still sustained plenty of damage but she didn't fry her hair. Also, not her whole head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkIWMHJM_Nk

 

Some videos on after bleach care:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER7SpaHCFr4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4n7nU0Zqa0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbhld3s-da8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPOmePa9QEE

 

Doing the DEED:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ictGU9Fdfio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGL0orAiyPM (but again 30 vol. not recommended but YMMV)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fgPqE7mXyc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_BJc7M0Ydw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=750BcdVQ7nQ (hers came out uneven since she applied it like a dye, root to tip. Heat from your scalp develops the bleach fast!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-wbpz1Hg7M (using 20 vol. with toner will lift the hair level a little and be more damaging)

 

Learning what not to do never hurts, lol:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoIQElEG9c8

 

I hope any of that helps, I know its a lot, I tend to really fall down a rabbit hole when researching something I'm interested in. The way I see it the more info you can arm yourself with the better!

Amazon is your best bet. Look for blue toner rinses or shampoos or conditioners. Here is one I found by searching that isn’t insanely expensive:


https://www.amazon.com/Joico-Color-Balance-Blue-Shampoo/dp/B00UTU1NLQ

For the blackness, that may ease a bit with a few shampoos.

Good luck, and bye I think it looks awesome anyway :)

Seriously, go 10 dollars over budget and get an HSI Flat Iron. I bought one recently, and my God it is amazing. By far the best flat iron I've ever used, and it's so freaking cheap.

Read some reviews if you don't believe me. But this will be your best hair decision yet. Promise.

I would suggest get a bottle of super cheap shampoo or even soap/detergent and wash your hair with it for several days in a row, it can probably fade your hair color. It's not good for your hair but not nearly as bad as other options. Even if it doesn't completely fade you will still have a easier time taking out the rest of the color.

If you need to use color remover, be very very very careful and constantly check the mirror (like every minute) to make sure you don't overdo it. Unfortunately it will damage your hair no matter what, so let it lighten your hair just enough to dye over, don't let it go platinum blonde. Also avoid getting it close to your scalp.

You might also want to buy a bottle of Protein Filler (check your local beauty salon supply stores). Overprocessing your hair will result in "holes" on the surface if your hair, so any color you put in will quickly wash away. Protein filler fills in the holes and your hair color won't fade as quickly.

This is my favorite that i've tried! http://www.amazon.com/Not-Your-Mothers-Refreshing-Shampoo/dp/B0057NE7NQ

I've also tried this brand and I liked it: http://www.amazon.com/Batiste-Dry-Shampoo-Original-5-05/dp/B000N5S0KE

there are so many different brands and they're usually not too expensive :) those two are my favorite though, because they seem to absorb the most oil and not leave your hair with a lighter look from the spray, and also give it volume!

http://www.amazon.com/Liggett-Old-Fashioned-Shampoo-Original-Formula/dp/B00016X68Q

My favorite! Has lots of great scents.

I use a product by Scruples to achieve my curly hair! It smells great, and it works better than other products I've tried.

I have very close to your natural color hair and I use
Schwarzkopf Professional Blond Me Premium Lift 9 - 15.8 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ZPHWMG/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_wpVVDbT6V81S4

With their 20vol developer with great success and little damage. I only have to leave it on my roots about 30 mins covered and I get probably 7 to 8 levels of lift. I won't use anything else now.

I just recently started wearing wigs regularly, so here's what I have to offer that I've learned recently.

First of all, you'll need a wig comb and cap, so be prepared to have one of those. I put my hair in pin curls under the cap, then put the cap on so that my hair doesn't look like a wild mess when I take the wig off.

Kanekalon is the best wig fiber, and it's not expensive. The one I'm wearing now is one I got on Amazon for less than $20, and everyone compliments me on it.

So things you should know:

• The hair on a wig is meant to be cut and tailored to your face, so there's more hair than you'll need and it'll look weird. It won't ever look like the pictures, so be prepared to style it a little.
  
  
• This shit tangles easily, so be really careful and have a wig comb handy.
  
  
• Don't use regular hairspray or products on it. This is a fiber, not hair, so don't use normal hair things, or treat it like hair at all.
  

I swear by Goldwell's Style Sign Sleek Perfection Thermal Spray to protect your hair when you style it. it is light weight and leaves my hair so shiny and soft!

https://www.amazon.com/Goldwell-Perfection-Trade-Salon-Supplies/dp/B01HQV5FWI/ref=pd_cp_194_2/131-3227356-4810766?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01HQV5FWI&pd_rd_r=ce32bd00-b21c-11e8-bcdb-932140fb8169&pd_rd_w=XRAKu&pd_rd_wg=ukFaN&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=ef4dc990-a9ca-4945-ae0b-f8d549198ed6&pf_rd_r=JTWPEPG9B3Q13BGTJCV1&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=JTWPEPG9B3Q13BGTJCV1

Thank you! It's here! :)

Thanks. Yes here is the link

https://www.amazon.com/Charmian-Womens-Steampunk-Gothic-XXX-Large/dp/B0176NT0QS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Charmian+Women%27s+Steampunk+Gothic+Heavy+Strong+Steel+Boned+Corset+with+Zipper&qid=1574374698&sr=8-1

The It's a 10 line of products is fantastic for dry, damaged hair. I use the shampoo, the hair mask, and the leave-in. I can't rave enough about how well it's rescued my hair!

I'm pretty sure this is her wig...
http://www.amazon.com/Vocaloid-Megurine-Curly-Cosplay-Model/dp/B005N3KQW6/ref=pd_sim_sbs_bt_1

I don't exactly know what kind of synthetic fiber it is.

Yea, I kind of figured heat = no go lol.

This is the wig I bought. Perhaps that might help with more info.

Unfortunately, I just make my own blue or violet conditioner. You could try this one https://www.amazon.com/Joico-Color-Balance-Blue-Shampoo/dp/B00UTU1NLQ
It seems to have good review. I would suggest you research a bit on google and compare reviews to see which fits you. Most of them will help you bring some ashiness, in other words, mute your color slightly to make it less brassy.

I ran across this at the drugstore and have been using it ever since. It's a nice refreshing scent. Have you tried using baby powder?

I use the HSI straightener from amazon. I really like it. Some people say its comparable to the Chi and it's cheaper!

This is the shampoo I use:

http://www.sallybeauty.com/color-protecting-shampoo/HAIRTRIT02,default,pd.html?cm_vc=SEARCH

And to keep it looking healthy (ie, not fried) I use this:

http://www.amazon.com/Its-10-Miracle-Product-4-Ounces/dp/B000TKH6G2

It's this one!

I had to give it a major trim in the back, it was way too long (I'm 5'2). But I put a bit of dry shampoo in it to dull the shine and it works perfect!

I was going to suggest a natural shampoo too - [this] (https://www.amazon.com/J-R-Liggett-Shampoo-Original-Formula/dp/B00016X68Q/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1494164301&sr=8-2&keywords=liggett) is the one I use

https://www.amazon.com/MelodySusie-Dark-Brown-Curly-Wig/dp/B008GR4L18/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1468849417&sr=8-1&keywords=wig

I have this one. People have thought it was my real hair and were surprised it was a wig.

I've seen protein filler on amazon. It's probably marked up a lot more than in America. I do know that Sally's doesn't sell any type of protein filler aside from protein treatments (which I think is different). The sales associate recommended me Aphogee two step protein treatment for bleaching/toning my hair b/c I was looking for protein filler too.