More Hair Prognosis: Perming

So, continuing on from my previous post. What can be done with flat, thin, hair?  Well, in the past, I've tried perming it to increase body and volume.  A precautionary word from the wise: if you have an big ole' round face, and flat, fine hair, wait until your hair is PAST THE SHOULDERS to perm because the curliness that ensues post perm will cut off 3 inches at least (preferably down to your boobs)! 

 I've had three perms in my life:

1. One in high school - Jersey Shore salon which ended up making me look like a poodle; never again.  You know when they tell you not to wash your hair for 2 days post perm in an attempt NOT to loosen your curls?  You WANT to loosen your curls here, trust me. 

The pictures are gruesome, I am sparing my readers the ghastly sight.  I wish I could burn the pictures off my memory. 

2. One in Korea where even the men get perms a la Kim Jong Il:   Even in the perm-nation, still way too curly on the first try:

Needed my friend's master stylist to loosen it a la curling iron curls... here I am after (getting a fish pedicure no less.. notice how I, a tourist, am the only person getting it.. ahem. Interesting experience= useless for cleaning feet)   

Loosened perm...success! 

3. A third from my only NYC go-to hairdresser, Chris at J Hair Salon which was not poofy at all.. in fact, sort of died in 2 months and gave barely-there waves.  Hm :( (not your fault, Chris! I was really threatening if I saw a hint of tight curls).  Sadly I have no pictures documenting this.

So, while perms gave me either too-crazy curls, or not-crazy-enough perms, each of them left me with damage (well not take 3). So as much as the id in me loves the IDEA of it, I've put this idea to rest.  Yes, perms DO help save us sufferers of flat hair time in terms of getting volume and body, but it does NOT help with overall styling time. You still need to fix it to straighten it to get that voluminous look....and you'll have to deal with the damage that comes with it.  Plus, if we are considering a guy's opinion (come on let's not lie), I think to think men prefer straight hair (at least my Jewish boyfriend has been vocal about no fro fo' me). 

So alas, I may consider some golden brown/light brown highlights (maybe the whole head if no bleaching is involved), but I'll report back and let you know if I do dye it (it'll be a first).  I know in my heart natural is a better way to go but ehh, my curiosity has always gotten the best of me.... 

TBD. 

Spring is in the Hair - How to Strengthen Your Locks for the Sunshine Season

It's spring-time.  If you're in NYC, you may be reveling in the fact that the weather report is a high of 77 degrees today (it is the second week of April, after all!), a much needed change from the drag of winter we've been experiencing for two months too long.   Ladies are busting our their pastel jeans (never into that trend), their flats, floral dresses, even an espadrille or two (not ready to show toes yet).  All rejoice! 

Every spring I usually itch for something new, especially when it comes to hair.  Everyone hibernates in the winter and drowns themselves in piles of clothing, so we have an excuse to look bad.  But the advent of spring-summer brings vacation time, beach-going, walks in the park... visibility to the world. 

I can kiss the dreadful dry, winter weather goodbye, which has never been good to my hair, and welcome kinder wind-less spring-summer weather that can help hydrate my hair.  A good time for me to flaunt my tresses (or lack of). 

Unfortunately, I know what hairstyle looks good of me but every spring I try to convince myself otherwise.  Unlike most Asian girls (like my sister), I somehow got stuck with coarse, yet fine/barely-there hair that falls flat if I'm not styling it every two seconds. I've even endured massive neck pain sleeping in my velco rollers overnight.... beauty costs! 

Sadly, the longer my hair grows, the finer it gets.  I used to get really freaked out because I used to shed all the time, and my hair would come out in clumps when I washed it, leading me to believe that I seriously had like.... an illness.  

Fortunately, there are some solutions I've tried that have helped holistically with hair strengthening (not growth).  I'm convinced there is nothing you can take that'll make your dread grow like weeds if Mother Natured hasn't bestowed that card on you.  Here's a helpful video I found from HuffPo on supplements for hair growth. 

I haven't taken Viviscal (it's really a bunch of B vitamins in one), but I have started taking Biotene for a month or so. No change, but I'll keep monitoring progress.  I've also purchased the Nioxin starting kit from Amazon (much cheaper than in the salon).  It's basically a solution that deep cleans your scalp to prevent dandruff build-up and other conditions that block the scalp and clouds room for the hair follicle to grow.  These "hair growth" treatments more so allow room for your hair to reach its full potential but like I said, it's not going to work wonders that's not in the cards for you.  On a positive note, I've noticed Nioxin has made my hair shed less.

TBD.  

Welcome to the Woman Cave.

Ahoy Cottage-Cheesers!  Thanks for visiting My Cottage Cheese and welcome to my first post! (Aside from the "About Me".... do check that out for my mission statement). 

This home post is all about the Woman Cave.  If you've read Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, (the ultimate, proven authority on the conflict between men and women) you would know that women don't dig caves.  They dig open fields... lots of space to talk, be out in the open!  Most men retreat to their alone time in the face of peril; we women can't help but share as if the more people who know, the more comfort we feel.  

This setup is very accurate between my boyfriend Mike and I.  My extroverted side just lets loose when we're together... even if I know he doesn't want to hear it, I can't help but hammer him with what's on my mind.   We were good friends before we were dating, so I treated him like another girlfriend (a sign I didn't grow up with boys, much). Before a romantic connection was established he heard it all.. about my monthly special friend "my P", my ingrown toenails, the blackheads on my nose, etc.  Admittedly, it is much wiser to put those filters in place when you are unknowingly in a courtship with someone (I was slow to catch on that one).   

I hope each and every one of you find someone who can revel in the imperfections that make you who you are to create the finished, glossy you but I've learned that ignorance is bliss for most of 'em... (I know I'm having a Sex in the City Miranda moment).  

And you should feel comfortable and able to be yourself around your guy but  there are just some things that you should just share- woman to woman.  Girlfriend to girlfriend.   REAL woman to REAL woman.  Cottage Cheeser to Cottage Cheeser- you get it. 

So,  I end this first post with an extension of my Mission Statement.  Love yourself, and on those days when you want to complain about yourself, tell another REAL woman and keep the men out of it.   Feel free to use me as a sounding board, and a provider of REAL tips and stories.  I'm listening. 

Welcome to the Woman Cave.