By the time tip is added in, I pay about $120 for cut and style. But I go to the most senior stylist at a salon that specializes in curly hair. I don't trust anyone else with my hair. With hair like mine a great cut is the difference between amazing and hot mess. She does a dry cut first, then a wash and dry under one of those hood dryers. Finished up by a fine tune cut and style. It takes a lot longer than a regular 'wet' cut and blow dry, like 2 hours for the whole process.

The first time I highlighted my hair I was startled every time I looked in the mirror because it was so different. Now I like the lighter effect and get it done twice a year. Give it some time before you change it. The second highlight job was too chunky...too young for me. I've since changed stylists and go with a very natural look. Pictures you when can! Lori

"I was just upset that bm took a fun day that me and the girls shared and turned it into something that middle sd felt bad about. Its not fair to any of us." Mom2emall - You just hit the nail on the head. It's not about hair color; it's about YOU having a great time with HER daughters and she has to ruin it in some way. Remember the story about my accidentally seeing FSD's text to BM? Well, the day before, I had taken her and DS to an amusement park. It was the PERFECT day! No lines and even a concert (we didn't know anything about) by a VERY popular hip-hop artist that was clean and fun and ended up being free. FSD said "This is the best day of my life". I was so excited that I could be there with her hand help her have that experience! So she told BM about it that night after we got home. The next day was when she texted BM that she wasn't having any fun with me. So, I put 2 and 2 together and figured out that BM was jealous that I got to give FSD the "best day" of her life. What is she so mad about? I gave her 1 good day and she gives her her EVERY day. Yesterday, I took FSD to the amusement park. We had a great time, although not exactly like the other time. As we were leaving, FSD says "Oh I have to call my mom because she told me to". BM just wants to break up any good time we may be having. BTW, Deborah_ps is correct when she said "Done professionally hair can be colored/highlighted time and again without ill effects and in fact can enhance naturally dry hair." My hair is fine and often gets dull, dry and flat. My hair stylist puts a Redken glaze on it to give it some shine and moisture. Also, the color adds volume because it expands the hair strand causing fine hair (such as mine) to be fuller. This was all told to me by my hair stylist that I've been going to for several years. My hair has never looked better! I used to do highlights, but my hair is too fine to handle the bleaching. BUT, the great thing about hair is that it does grow back. ESPECIALLY on a 12 year old. Any damage that might be done by a little bleach is only temporary and will grow out. The only concern I would have with her coloring her hair would be if she looked too grown-up for her age. But you, being an adult and a mother and the mother that lives with her, are qualified to make that decision. You were very responsible in asking her dad and making sure that it looked natural. Good job!

Sorry, I didn't mean regular bar soap, it was J.R. Liggett Original Shampoo bar. I began using it a few weeks before I had my hair done. When I noticed the dullness I started using my regular shampoo again. Not sure if the bar shampoo was the culprit or not. Tuesday, my hair is a mixture of dark and light blonde. Definitely blonde. Mayflowers, I used the ACV rinse only once. I went back to using a tiny bit of conditioner. Luk, I'd appreciate that! Oly, I thought toners were to reduce brass and yellow in hair, mine's neither. What's strange is, when I washed my hair yesterday and took the towel off my head, I could see very bright streaks, just like the first day. I was excited. When it dried they just blended in and aren't that noticeable. I have no explanation. lol I looked in the other bathroom mirror with better lighting and my hair isn't as bad as I probably made it sound. I want it brighter the way it used to be. Does the purple shampoo wash out if I don't like it? Purple tones down color, so I don't see how it can help unless I had some brassiness in my hair. I'll look online to see if I can find one that may help.