I am trying to grow my hair longer. How often should I get it cut? Any tips, hints & tricks to help me? Thanks 
Alana
Everyone's hair is different, and therefore requires different amounts of time between cuts. If you colour it frequently, particularly if you lighten it, and if you use heat tools (dry dryer, irons, curling tongs etc), on your hair regularly, it will need to be cut approximately every 6 weeks.
If you hair is in relatively good condition you just need to visit the hair dresser every 8-10 weeks, or use your own judgment, if it starts to feel dry, become difficult to brush or even look frayed on the ends, get to a hairdresser asap.
The best tips and tricks I have for people growing their hair is to take care of it from the inside out. Drink lots of water eat healthy nutrient and oil rich foods (such as fish nut fruit and protein) and even try a multi vitamin suited designed for hair. Make sure you iron levels are in check. If you heat style your hair use heat protector and try not to do it to often, use treatments frequently. Be gentle with it, don't rip through it with a brush or tie it in supper tight pony's. And strangely… massage you head, it increases circulation and stimulates the follicles.
I hope that helps! 
I have straight hair extensions down to my waist, while my natural hair is just past shoulder length and really curly. I usually have my natural hair plaited and pinned to my head with just the top parts free to cover the clips of mah extensions. I love the way you style your extensions and id really love some tips on how to style them in more interesting ways, I only ever wear them down and they\'re really long so sometimes I feel they look very unrealistic, but I paid too much for the, to cut them aha, sorry for the massive paragraph x
Holly
Half ups like this one,
are the best for blend your hair into extensions, low ponytails, (especially on the side work well, just wrap around the pony elastic some of your actual hair. Fish tail braids are fun too. Here are some links to a couple of videos that can help you out,
If you push all of your hair to the side, or all of it to the front it will blend much better as well. and curling it also makes it look a lot more realistic. And don't worry I have lots of tutorials of my own planned to show some fun ways to wear your hair.
I am not a programmer, but I can write code (in 3 different programming languages, eek!) so I loved your geek chic post! I also love Zooey Deschanel, she\'s just so cute.
On a different note… I roll out of bed each morning and my hair looks OK. That\'s because it\'s dead straight (and I\'m lucky). So my default hairstyle is the do-nothing hair-down look. But… it\'s kinda boring. So I was wondering if you can recommend some easy styles for straight hair? I find most simple relaxed looks don\'t work well for me because my hair looks too "neat"
Elenor
Braids, buns, and bbbb… damn I can't think of anything else that starts with a B… Half ups French rolls and twist and pin styles would work well it all depends on how much time you have… here are a few styles I like. If you try them and it looks to "neat" just tease your hair before you style it, to give it texture. i hope these photos give you some inspiration.
I have no salon loyalty. I have no regular hairdresser. I dance around from salon to salon depending on reviews I read what I need done. I've been everywhere from high end salons (Yorkville area in Toronto, Ontario which is a bit more of the upper class neighbourhood) to students still in training school.
Everywhere I go, the stylist tries to convince me that the products at their salon are the best ones to be using. I understand that to sell products is to make more money and, of course, people want the place they work at to be the best. I was just wondering, in your experience, how often it is that one should actually listen to what the stylists are telling you about the products. I usually use all-natural hair products and have even had one stylist tell me that I should never do that and to only use the ones sold in his salon.
To simplify this, I'd like to know what your opinion is on how a client can realistically judge whether or not the stylist has the client's best interests at heart or is just trying to make a sale.
Much appreciated!
–
Jen
(Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Jen, I love this question and I love you for asking it. The truth is if you came into my salon and asked for me I would do the exact same thing. It is part of my job as a stylist to not only let you know exactly what is going into your hair but also why, and how much. This is for many reasons, but mainly so you can do it yourself at home. If you can do your hair at home, and it feels amazing or is a lot simpler to style because you are using product that I have personally prescribed you based on what I've learnt about your hair, it makes me look like a better hairdresser. If a hairdresser does not tell you what they have used in your hair and does not explain how to use it and recommend it to you, they are not doing their job! That's the bottom line.
As for every salon telling you their products are the best, that has to do with experience. I would not be able to recommend anything that my salon does not stock because that is all I know, I only use the products we supply and I use them day in day out so I know what works and what doesn't. I can't recommend a cheaper brand from the supermarket, or an organic brand from the pharmacy, because I don't use it and I have no idea what it will do to your hair. Though someone telling you natural products are bad for your hair seems pretty unreasonable to me…
I honestly believe that my salon stocks the best products… but that is most likely because I know how to use them best, and not JUST because of the quality.
As for when a stylist is just trying to make a sale, like anything, you will have to use your judgment to determine that, I'm sure some people are just out there to make a quick buck, but there are just as many who are actually just trying to do their job properly.
