Wow. We are two months to a brand new year and we will all be one more year older! I think with age people do come to appreciate life more. This year has been very enlightening in that way. And, I can proudly say I shall be entering my 30’s. Now, I can relate to why people say 30’s are very liberating. You appreciate yourself, your thinking changes and you become evolved more than ever!
Anyways, coming back to the post, I did not write about how my hair did last month because by the time I was settled and ready to click pics, it was almost mid-October. The whole of October just went off in the anticipation of Mr. P’s cousin’s wedding and the chronic fatigue becoming a part of life again. It is funny how one can just go on continuously ignoring their health and advising others to not do the same!!
All the travels I have been doing since August has been taking toll on my hair. I have avoided washing my hair except just one place. I think Delhi has hard water because my hair never does well over there! So, the first thing I always do after coming back from lots of travelling is, no not getting a hair spa (I am sure that would be quite lovely and quite expensive as well!), getting a hair spa at home. This has been my routine for the past couple of months, precisely June since it is when I started taking care of myself again! And, it really works for me!!
Hair Spa
Aah..it is nothing special. Just shampoo, rinse twice. No vinegar this time because it would ruin the hair color, if you have any! I have to make sure to wash my hair once every 3-4 days. No, I am not really that diligent. I do get lazy. But, not washing my hair for 4-5 days in a row makes my hair fall because of the dirt so I try not to do it.
After the hair wash, I apply a generous quantity of Schwarzkopf Color Freeze Hair Therapy hair mask. And, sit for anywhere between 15-30 minutes.
Now, I always have one question – How much quantity of conditioner and hair mask is enough? I asked my stylist the same and he actually said a 5 rupee coin sized dollop which I can easily say is not that generous. Then, he added we can add an extra of another half dollop and that would be perfect.
I did try to follow his advise in the beginning and then I started getting bored of the products. So, started scooping a bit more. On second thoughts, I realize now that I am wasting the product unnecessarily and they do not come cheap! So, in case you have the same doubt, you can try this method and see if it works for you.
Okay 15-30 min over, I wash off my hair and voila! My hair is glossy and shiny and soft and not dry. But, I have another doubt here again! I always wash myself after I get done with the hair as the shampoo and conditioner would wash off from the body. But, when I use soap or body wash or even face wash, the lather does get a bit into my hair especially ears down. Does that happen to you as well?
Obviously, the lather is not good for hair so I guess it does ruin the hair a bit. How do you avoid it? Do you tie up your hair after washing it? But, then, I would not do that as hair is weakest when it is wet and I do not like messing up with it and with chemically processed hair, never! Do let me know what do you do?
Hair Length
The interesting thing about hair coloring is that you can actually see the rate at which your hair grows. My hair grew by almost an inch and a half since July which was when I got the hair coloring done. It has been two months so I can now safely say that my hair actually grows at the correct rate. I used to think my hair growth was slow.
And, my hair is definitely longer because cysteine has made my hair wavy. It is time for another hair cut. I was thinking of getting hair cut for the wedding but being unwell I was not inclined to go to the parlour. So, lets see when I will make my next appointment for the hair cut.
Hair Fall and Volume
Okay, I did have a bit of hair fall in the month of August-September. Initially, I thought it was due to hair color but now I am having second thoughts about it. I faced hair fall in two conditions.
First. I always see huge amount of hair when I skip washing my hair for more than 3 days. Take the cue, if you are seeing hair fall, wash your hair more often. The scalp might just be getting dirty and chemically processed hair is weak so it will fall off.
Second. It might be just the seasonal fall. The rains and the weather always makes it so. And, travelling might have added a bit more to it.
Cysteine and Hair Color Review
Finally, after four months of wait, I think I am ready to review both the treatments now. I love cysteine. But, hair color is a big no!
It is great to have hair colored as the regular colors are boring but I can actually see how weak my hair has become. No, it is not the hair fall or breakage but I feel it has become delicate and I do not want to process it more even though I still love hair colors.
And, regarding cysteine, I think the effect stays till your new hair grows out. I can see a bit of frizz now and then but not too much. The cysteine protein is introduced to the existing hair length so they look perfect but once your new hair comes, it will be your original hair with its own characteristics. May be, it might look good with a lot of pampering et al. But, it would not be the same. But, spending on cysteine was worth it according to me, at least for special events like wedding. Btw, just in case you have forgotten, it comes to around 10k.
Another word of advise is please do not skimp on the salon. Getting a good service is more important than money otherwise you will ruin your hair. So, save for a few months and go to a good salon. Lakme near to my house was good. And, if you are going to Lakme, look out for company operated salons rather than franchises. They have better trained professionals.
Will I get cysteine done again? I am not sure. I want to wait till December and see how my hair turns out first and then I shall take a call. Cost is definitely an issue. And, I also want to see if my new hair behaves well with the existing pampering.
Hair Oiling and Other Treatments
Aah…I so miss my hair oiling sessions! Sometimes, I just feel like taking a bit of it and rubbing it off. I am sure it would not ruin the hair but I just do not want to take a chance. Anyways, after the hair cut due this month, I am thinking of starting on experimentation to grow my hair quickly so let us see how well it works.
Products Used
- Shampoo & Conditioner – deFabulous Reviver Shampoo + Conditioner + Schwarzkopf Color Freeze Shampoo
- Hair Mask – Schwarzkopf Color Freeze Hair Therapy
hi
swati
I’m manoj from Hyderabad plz help me Frnd Im suffering from hair fall. can onion juice help to control hairfall and can it really support hair for regrowth.
plz reply
Hi Swati!
Nice piece of blog.
I want a advice from you. I have dry & frenzy hair. I was looking to shop for some hair care products : http://www.shopclues.com/health-and-beauty/hair-care.html.
Which one will be suitable for my hair?
Also i would like to get my hair undergo permanent straightening therapy . Will it cause any harm? or I can go ahead. Also suggest some salons in New Delhi where i can get this treatment.
Loved reading your hair diary after a long time… How is the hair spa in Lakme salon? They have newly opened near my place. I went for a Youth Infinity Sculpting Facial and loved it. I am thinking of going for a hair spa also. Is it good there? Also, they have some additional boost treatment to the hair spa which I saw in their menu which comes in variants like Health Boost, Silk Boost, Shimmer Boost. Have you tried any of these?
Hey Archana. How are you doing?
Wow! But, I really find Lakmé expensive in terms of facials and everything else also 🙁 but since u recommend the youth sculpting, I shall go for it. I have not tried it or any other services you mention. But, they sound interesting, in fact, I have not seen the list of their services coz I spent most of my dough in cysteine and hair colour. Will check them out this time I go. Silk boost sounds interesting.
I got the Moroccan hair spa which I felt was ok, nothing special. Honestly, I found it waste of money but I have to go again this week or next coz I have already paid for it so will let you know what I really think of it this time after I get it done and I will ask about their other treatments as well. I think a good hair stylist is more important as well along with great services, right?
Yeah, I haven’t gone there before ‘coz I felt it was expensive. But I decided to go just once. And I felt the services were very good. In the Youth Infinity Sculpting Facial, they gave an additional massage for 10 minutes with some kind of massaging machine after applying the Youth Infinity Serum, apart from the regular massage they do with hands. They also gave a shoulder and neck massage for few minutes. Finally they applied a tightening mask which was not like a regular face mask. They first applied on some cream and on top of that put a cloth which they told was a ‘gauze’ and applied the mask on top of that. The results I felt was worth it and my face looked really ‘sculpted’ for a week… 🙂 I also got a pedicure and manicure and I feel the staff here are more dedicated and professional. But I didn’t like the head massage much as I had opted for a olive oil head massage, but the oil that they used very much smelled like the Dabur Vatika Olive Enriched Oil and not pure olive oil. And yes, as you say a good hair stylist is more important than the services. Some of them just want to finish it fast and pull your hair hard while detangling which causes more hairfall…
this is so interesting! i need to have a facial so I think i will go for it 🙂 yeah, there are whole lot of hair stylists and even the best ones are better only if they have time on their hands otherwise even they hurry up a lot!!!
Hello ma’am…., i need some advice..mera face heart shaped h jiske kaaran mere hair kaafi piche se uge h…jiski vajah se jb me pure hairs utha k bandhi hu to horrible dikhti hu…broad forehead h mera :'( i jzt wanted to knw ki kya koi aisa tareeka h jisse mere baal aage se b ug jaye..??? Plzz ma’am btaiye kch ho skta h??
Love ur blog..wish u would write more reviews.. 🙂
I keep a claw clip in shower n twist n clip hair loosely after putting conditioner and also after finishing bath. I have bit hard water so I rinse with filtered water as last step. My favourite mask is wella orange tub one for straightened hair. Haven’t found a better one yet.