Hi, from Arizona

**kidso** · July 22nd, 2015, 03:54 PM

Hi, I have a natural strawberry-blonde color. I went 25 years without a haircut and reached TB length. It never really grew past that length and I kept it there for about a decade before cutting it all off pixie short. I have since been growing it back for the last three years and am currently a bit below BSL. I think I will grow it back to TB length. I always wear it in a single braid down my back or in a loose bun at the back of my nape. I want to try some CO treatments to see how my hair likes it. I have never used anything other than shampoo and conditioner on my hair, so perhaps it will respond favorably in this dry desert heat. Current photo was taken today after unbraiding my hair before showering. I think I will follow the BSL to Waist Length forum and the Red Thread. I look forward to learning from your experiences!

**gossamer** · July 23rd, 2015, 05:16 AM

You have beautiful braid waves in your user pic! Welcome!

**kidso** · July 23rd, 2015, 07:33 AM

Gossamer, your hair is awe-inspiring! Thank you!

**neko_kawaii** · July 23rd, 2015, 07:45 AM

A word of caution for when it actually is a dry heat - not this morning! *drip, drip* - Leave in humectants such as aloe will dry your hair out instead of moisturizing it. I haven't had any issues adding honey and aloe to a SMT, but aloe as a leave in when the humidity dips to the low teens and single digits is not your friend.

Welcome!

**kidso** · July 23rd, 2015, 08:50 AM

Hi neko_kawaii and thanks for the advice. I have a noob question that I will throw out here. Can I view an overnight SMT treatment similarly to an overnight coconut oil treatment?

**neko_kawaii** · July 23rd, 2015, 08:54 AM

I use the two as complements to each other. I tend to do an overnight oil and when I want to wash it out apply a SMT (or just diluted conditioner) for 20 minutes (or longer). The oil comes right out without any hassle.