Hair makes a woman: Taking care of my mane comes naturally

Long hair, short hair, blonde hair, red hair.
A woman's hair is usually her most prized possession. Clothing, purses, shoes and jewelry are all nice and dandy, but woman are "stuck" with the hair they have, so to speak. This is why we women spend so much time and money on it — if our hair is all out of sorts, the whole outfit is ruined.
I've always tried to experiment with my hair but not to the extreme. The first time I cut 11 inches off my head, I was 12 years old and could not take the wavy, straggliness of it.
Once in high school, the experimentation began. I got some blonde highlights, going more and more blonde as years went on. I also decided to grow it out again.
By the time I was 18 and graduating high school, it was very long and almost blonde — my mistake in telling a different hairdresser than my own to add a few more (I never trust anyone except my own hairdresser).
With a new life awaiting me at Penn State and my boyfriend breaking up with me, I chopped another 11 inches off and dyed it chocolate brown. I was ready to be a sophisticated woman.
Jump to four years later — my hair is now longer than before and pretty much back to its original color: light brown.
I have taken very good care of my hair, and I receive compliments from friends, strangers and hairdressers who love to play with my hair. Despite the massive damage I did in high school between semiformals, proms and the fact I was a cheerleader, my hair is as gorgeous as ever (not to toot my own horn). I used to put curlers in it almost every night for a game or competition, and not just sponge curlers. I have used hot curlers and even small perm curlers to get the desired effect. I also used a massive amount of straightening gel to make sure it was never wavy (this was before the straightener became popular.)
I will say I have had a lackadaisical attitude about my hairdo after high school graduation, but I probably still do damage to it every once in awhile. My routine is usually to wash every other day, sometimes every third if I didn't break a sweat and my hair doesn't look like a greaseball. I use a clarifying shampoo once a week or so, and it doesn't have to be the expensive kind. If I can, I don't even use a conditioner on that day. I try to air-dry my hair as much as possible, but with winter it is hard. I don't blow dry right after towel-drying, unless necessary, letting my hair dry 50 percent of the way on its own. Once in a blue moon, I deep condition, even though the longer my hair is getting, the more moisturizer for it I need.
I do use some product, such as a controlling mousse and a straightening creme, but not always, as to give my hair a chance to breath. I also sometimes pull it up with clips instead of hair ties, which can break the hair.
Also, the longer my hair gets, the more knots seem to produce, so I brush it at least twice a day, especially before bed. That is what bothers me the most about long hair — the knots.
There has only been one time where I had a single split-end, and I almost freaked. Split-ends are not your friend. This can be solved with regular trims. You can go a longer time between with short hair, but the longer your hair, the more frequently you should go, about every four to six weeks. This is because your hair looks a mess and straggly. Even if it isn't your expensive hairdresser, stop by a quick $12 cut place and get an inch off (but trust me, they don't know how to treat your hair the way your hairdresser does.)
As for me, I think it's time for another leap of faith. I plan to cut my hair above my shoulders. I have begun my research for the perfect do, and hopefully in the next few months, I will upload a photo of my experience.
Never be afraid to experiment, because hair does grow back. But take care of your hair, since it's your most important fashion piece.

— Bethany