I don't recognize myself!

Thank you for your information, links and tips. Ironically, I just bought coconut oil and ordered plastic hair covers to allow for deep conditioning. My hairdresser recommended Redkin products. She does not sell any products at all so I tend to believe she very much feels the products are good. I used Pantene for years but I won't go back. Just before my appointment, I bought and tried Nexxus Keraphix and it works great for me. A little more expensive than Pantene but not as expensive as the Redkin. I think I will try Redkin products next to see what is best for me.

I agree TOTALLY with the coconut oil -

I apply and bru**** through my hair before I swim, then afterwards wash and condition using a sulfate -free shampoo ( because I get Keratin straightening/stregthenoing treatment once every six months or so ( which really helps control the frizz and breakage also )

A few years ago I made the HUGE mistake of sailing during the three days the keratin stays on ( after blow-dry and ironing ) before you can shampoo it off ...( you're supposed to stay TOTALLY out of the sun during this time ) - and my hair literally broke off two inches from the roots at the crown ! OMG what a disaster !

So I had no choice but to get a layered cut and take about a foot of hair off .

I HATED IT !!!! I looked like a poodle and like you, could barely recognize myself .

Heres the good part- you can always get more highlights and go blonder . The dark base tone will give you dimension ( as a natural pale blond I get lowlights !) .

I wish you'd post a pic because I'd love to help guide you color-wise and there is at least one other regular poster here who is a professional hairdresser ....

Sounds like she gave a LOB-or long bob, which is pretty styleable and versatile hairstyle . Try blowing it out with big round bru****he color will definitely come out lighter and maybe very beautiful ...

Also if your hair is thinning due to the surgery , 100 strokes a night ( or at least fifty ) with a boar bristle brush ( SALLY hair supply has them for about 12-20 bux) will REALLY stimulate your baby hairs to grow and give ( anyone ) much healthier, thicker, shinier hair .

You'll be surprised how fast and dramatically it works - it was the Victorian ladies' beauty secret .

Also don't forget to try hair accessories like headbands and barrettes to experiment with your new look .

((())) Hugs

Having your hair break off 2 inches from the root would almost break me! What is the Keratin straightening and strengthening like? Is it expensive? I am asking because having had straight hair all my life, it now suddenly wants to be somewhat wavy.

Yes, I think what she gave me was a long bob. She told me to buy the round hairbrush and the jumbo felt rollers by Conair or similar.

I was just at Sally's but didn't know about the boar bristle brush. I am going to go tomorrow and pick one up if they have them in stock.

I will take your advice and experiences to heart and will definitely be going back to get blonder highlights. I trust the hairdresser and her recommendations but still it's a shock.

I am not brave enough to share photos of me online. Maybe one day?

Hugs back!

Having a complete change to your look like that can be very upsetting. It takes time to get over the shock. I have been in a similar situation before and am happy with the changes now.

I am starting to like somethings about having shorter hair but still getting over the shock of it all.

I was a professional hairstylist for over 20 years. I would never do something that drastic to a client. You can easily cut off more hair, but it takes a long time to grow hair back. I always advice that people make those changes in stages.

I would wait six to eight weeks before adding more highlights. Chemicals take their toll on the hair. The dark brown will also fade and the highlights might become more noticeable to you. I have had my hair every length. From long enough to sit on to so short it was almost a shaved head look.

In the last ten years, I have gone from very light blonde back to my natural dark brown hair color with a lot of highlights. The first time I had it dyed to brown was too much of a shock and I lightened it to a reddish color for a while. A very old fashioned treatment that should make it look lighter is Queen Helene Cholesterol Hair Cream. This should cost about $3 at a beauty supply or online.

Put it on before shampooing, cover with a plastic cap and then use a blow dryer to get it very warm and let it sit at least 30 minutes before shampooing it out. We used to do that when we colored hair and the color was too dark.

Also consider some clip on hair extensions to wear while you are waiting for the hair to grow back. The good thing is that the hair does grow back. Even a few weeks is going to help.

my hair stylist won't do drastic changes, either. I'd been wearing my hair shoulder-length for YEARS, and told her once that I wanted to go short. She suggested we go chin-length first, and then later if I still wanted to go short, that would be fine. I ended up really liking it chin-length and it's been there ever since. She said with my body and head size, face shape, etc, if she had to pick the perfect length for me, it'd be chin length. So I'll probably just stay here!

How fun!!! I can't wait for this feeling!

I have been in a similar situation myself. It does take some getting used to but in the end, everything will be OK.