Hair Color

voraciousreader

alice...I have a tube of the VO-5 too. It comes in two types. Occasionally, I use the one for gray hair. Just a tiny drop when my hair is way, way, way too dry. Friends beware, it does have an odor....use it while my hair is wet.

I also use a detangler spray while my hair is wet because I don't want my hair to tear.

voraciousreader

alice...occasionally, I use the VO-5 too on wet hair when my hair is really dry. There are two types. I use the one for gray hair. BEWARE...it has an odor.

Also use a detangler spray.

ScatteredEnergy

I have had white hair because they are not gray lol since I was 11 years old. I let my hair go natural from 2015 to 2017 and I actually loved it. Yes, I know I "looked older" but that's because we have forgotten how a woman in her 30s is supposed to look. I stopped coloring again since I was diagnosed and I already told my fiance to get ready because I dont think I will color my hair again after this is over.

Ingerp

Alice VO-5 popped into my head just the other day! I’m almost 18 months PFC and my hair is still nowhere near what it used to be. My color lady recommended a deep conditioning next time I see her. Just last week I bought some leave-in conditioners/hair masque products that I’ll try to use regularly. My hair is definitely dry—never had that problem before. I did read that VO-5 has an odor but if you think it conditions the hair, I’ll definitely give it a try.

AliceBastable

Ingerp

The VO5 odor isn't too strong, and it fades pretty quickly. My hair's fine and kind of thin, so I have to use just a tiny bit or it looks flat and greasy.

Claire_in_Seattle

One of the benefits of the entire chemo experience is that I now have the professionals cut my hair....with fabulous results. That is, I have a real style which I just love. My hair is the same shade of Feria as it was prior to breast cancer, and I do the job myself. I am not trying for youthful, but I do try to look my best. Important, as I still need to look professional for much of my work.

Looking youthful is much more about how you carry yourself than hair, makeup or clothing anyway. I will say that this is another reason to get in some serious exercise. Right now, I am on a campaign to drop the 20 lb. that I don't need. I am about 25% there. I will say that I do notice a major difference in clothes.

I am not in this life going with hair that looks like "pelt of deceased rodent" when I don't need to. I also do shimmer shine and a good conditioner in addition to hair color. I normally don't leave the house without tinted moisturizer, eye liner and a bright lipstick. I am a high contrast lady (Winter), so I need the color.

I also enjoy good clothes which I track down on eBay or resale. I had hand-me-downs as a child, and I can now wear the best, so that is what I find. Just love the vintage cashmere cardigan with fur collar that I rocked yesterday. Not to mention toasty in the rain and chill.

Anyway, I am off with my freshly-coiffed hair to greet the world....and whittle down my endless work tasks. Happy weekend! - Claire

Ingerp

Alice--it's on my list for the next Amazon order!

Claire--I was an *early* eBay adopter. I get fabulous clothes at unbelievable prices. (It was great when the kids were younger and outgrowing things every six months.) I'm continuing with the deep conditioning on my hair--what is the "shimmer shine" you're referring to? (Sorry if you posted earlier!) I think we do what we can to feel comfortable in public. I mostly work from home now so there are many days I only go out to go to the gym. No make-up on those days, but definitely make-up when I'm planning to go anywhere else. (I'm pretty fair--invisible brows and lashes unless I put something on them. And I wear lipstick even to the gym. :-) )

Claire_in_Seattle

Hi Ingerp, I have to admit it: I have drunk the entire vat of Kool-Aid when it comes to hair care. So I am now a Kevin Murphy girl all the way. Shampoo, Conditioner, Untangle (which conditions beautifully prior to blowing dry), and Shimmer Shine which gives it a lovely gloss. I used the latter 2 products to restore the dry-ish fur collar of my new vintage cashmere sweater.

I will say that my hair is a lot more lustrous, and I am willing to pay for this. Plus, the scent is luxurious.

I want to feel fabulous for myself, not just comfortable in public. My après-ski is cashmere sweats, for instance. I wear good perfume for the same reason.

Putting Shimmer Shine on "pelt of deceased rodent" wouldn't have quite the same effect. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. - Claire

HolgaGirl

I love this discussion - how everyone approaches their 'look' based on what they want. Both my parents were gray by their mid-40s so I knew it was coming. I had super-straight generally medium brown hair with some natural blond and red highlights that my stylist treated with impermanent color for 10 years to cover the gray. But managing the increasing amount of gray roots was just a pain - i was spending ten minutes a day covering roots that would appear not even days after color. Finally the inconvenience and cost of it was just too much, so my stylist and I made a plan to convert.

She gave me a short cut then treated my hair to strip out as much of any remaining color without damaging the hair. Because of that, my hair was a weird color for most of year, but I got a cute cut that really suited me, and got it trimmed up every four weeks so even though the color was off, the cut was beautiful. The gray came in beautifully, and I got all sorts of compliments on it.

I'm now five months after my last chemo treatment, and my hair is grayer than it was, and the gray is more silvery. It's also curly, but I'm expecting it to straighten out. I keep it trimmed on the sides and back, and am letting it grow on top. I'll probably settle on some sort of gray pixie, maybe Judy Dench or new Jayne Fonda-like.

I love my gray hair, and I love it short. The generational break of who loves it and who doesn't has been surprising - women under 50 think it's great and ask me about it, men under 50 think it's cute, women over 50 are wary of it, and men over 50 think it's not feminine enough. Whatever.

Do whatever you want, and OWN IT!

Ingerp

Claire I will look into Kevin Murphy—never heard of it! I am super excited to be getting my first real haircut in like two years in a couple of weeks. I think that except for about an inch at the end, my hair is *finally* looking a little more like my pre-BC hair.

I used the VO5 and liked it but have been using a masque every day. I think that’s adding some moisture. No idea what my haircut will look like—this is a new person for me. She’s been doing my color since last summer but this will be my first haircut with her.

Claire_in_Seattle

Hi Ingerp,

Have a chat with your stylist about adding moisture. I think that the $$$$ that I spend now for Kevin Murphy are well spent. But there other options. I know that hair stylists are in the business of selling product, but they are also likely to recommend what really works with your hair. This means that you don't end up with a closer full of unused "misses" in hair products.

It's time for that "end hair" to go. I remember this being at around the 2 year mark. It was also when I started to feel that I was really moving into my new (and better!!!!) look.

At the ten year point, I am thrilled with how my hair looks most of the time. This does not include when immediate post ride or skiing. Talk about helmet and hat hair!

Finally, I will say that hair products that really work with your hair do make a difference. And guess what??? I'm worth it!!! - Claire

Picture of me immediately post Polar Plunge last Saturday and prior to haircut. Balloons recycled from my birthday celebration 2 weeks earlier.

Aviva92

I colored my hair twice in my life, once in my 20's to get highlights and again in my 40's to cover gray. I hated how unnatural it looked both times. I like my brown hair, hate the grays, but any sort of dye will not give me my natural brown hair back. It will always look fake to me. So for now, I'm living with the grays to keep the browns as they are. I had no idea there was also a possible breast cancer link to hair dye. Gives me that much more reason to embrace my grays. Plus, hair dying at a salon is expensive anyway, especially where I live.