I’m hair obsessed. I’ve said it before. I’ll say it again:
My name is Carly Phillips and I am addicted to obsessing about (and often changing) my hair. I don’t think they have a support group for this problem so I’ve been left to muddle through on my own. For awhile, I’ve indulged this addiction with changing hair color often. As I’ve admitted both here and on my website, I’ve been red, blonde, dark brown, and other colors in between over the years. But one thing has been constant: I’ve always wanted silky straight hair. I think to a certain extent we all want what we don’t have. But I’ve never achieved it and so I really did think I’d accepted my thick, wavy, sometimes curly, often frizzy hair. Here’s the most recent picture of me from RWA National:
But alas, I really hadn’t come to any acceptance, something I realized when I could no longer blow dry my bangs straight (I also have cowlicks in addition to curl, frizz and kink). And then my local friends began talking about this “magic” fix that gets rid of frizz. BRAZILIAN KERATIN TREATMENT (BKT). They swore it cut down blowdrying time, made thick highlighted hair look silky smooth, and changed the texture and best of all, you can do it with coloring and highlighting. Unlike the Japanese straightening, which I never did because my understanding was that you can’t use it with highlights which I refuse to give up, and because I was afraid of flat hair. Yes, I wanted the best of both worlds, some body and straight hair. Greedy, aren’t I? :grin1:
So I turned to BKT * – You go to someone licensed, get the treatment, don’t wash your hair for four days (seriously!), can NOT get it wet including sweat or water, and then VOILA! You are supposed to use a sulfate free shampoo afterwards to keep the keratin in the hair. Other than that, you can blow dry, I flat iron a little to smooth out my layers, but I’m seriously finished in under ten minutes with the whole morning process.
I thought it would be fun to document the days of not washing, LOL.
Here are photos from day 1, 
(great) day 2, 
(greasy) day 3 
(greasier), I skipped the photo on greasiest, and now, when I am washing and blow drying it myself. 
And it wears off over a few months, and you can do it again! Now for those of you who have chemical issues, I understand. I don’t. I’ve been coloring for years, so that’s not the subject of today’s blog. 
Today’s blog is about me having straight hair. Down six pounds and counting. New eye glasses.
Writing. Feeling good. In between raising crazy kids. Gotta find me time and good stuff where I can! 
Today it’s all about the superficial, folks! 
And I’m proud of it!
I can’t tell you how easy it is to blow dry. I can skip a day. I’ve never been able to skip a day without looking freaky scary! I could not be happier!!! That said, everyone has to decide for themselves what’s right for them. I just know for me, this is great. For now. Hehe. You know me. It’s all about change eventually.
Now, I know people have questions because I did! I googled like crazy before and during the thinking about doing this and right after. So for more info on BKT for other crazy people like me, here is one article and the original BKT website I found interesting.
* I liked this article on BKT
*And here is the BKT Website
So I guess today is the today to talk about hair. Anything. Everything. Thoughts. Wishes. Or even .. what you think of mine!
Carly Phillips would like to take 100% credit for all her stories but the truth is, Carly’s strength is writing family, emotion, funky elderly people and animals. She couldn’t plot her way out of a paper bag, which is why she smartly found her plotmonkey pals early on in her writing career. Thanks to their support, Carly is now a NYT Bestselling author of 23 plus novels. Because writing doesn’t keep her busy enough, Carly is also a wife, a mother of one preteen and one teenage daughter, the primary care giver of her soft coated Wheaten terrier and an expert carpool mom.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Carly, your hair looks great curly or straight. But 4 days??? Well, I have super straight hair, so this is not an issue for me, but I could not go without washing it for 4 days. Well, unless I had time off from work and hid indoors LOL.
Like I said, I have straight, fine hair that I permed about a yr ago. I’ve always wanted long hair, so it was one way to give me volume. But my hair just hangs there. I have a square face, so it’s not a good look for me. I am planning on getting it cut next weekend, much shorter. But I haven’t found any styles I like. So I need some ideas for short or medium-length hair (again, straight and fine) for a square-shaped face. I’ve googled for pictures but I mostly get written advice, which helps but doesn’t give me an idea of what the style(s) should actually look like. Anyone have any advice?
I hope you have fun with the next style.
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NEW style, not next one. Duh!
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well i can honestly say that i have thin straight hair and i HATE it!!! it does nothing..i would kill to have your thicker curly hair..its so pretty… but it looks great straight too dont get me wrong.. like you say i think most of us want something other than what we have…i used to get the perms all the time, but now that im older , i got mine cut up above my shoulders with layers so i can curl the ends out.. so far its the only look i even semi like…
i havent had highlights in a while and im dying to get back in and get them done.. maybe now that im back to work for the school year and paychecks coming in again..Hubbys combat and separation pay will be starting in a couple months so that will mean a few extra bucks coming in too…
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Carly, I love your hair both straight and curly(love the new glasses too). My hair is very thick and has lots of body. I either have to make it look curly or blow dry it straight. I usually just put a little bit of mousse in it and go, but will take the time to blow dry it straight and then use the straightener too. It takes me over an hour to make my hair straight, so I only do it when I have the extra time.
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Love the new style Carly! It looks beautiful on you.
I have baby fine hair. When it gets long it looks like mop strings. So not pretty. I’ve decided it just needs to be short, so I had it cut again. And when it’s short it looks really good, feels thick and it’s so easy to take care of. I can deal.
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Stacy the best thing is to go to a store and buy hair style magazines. Even the celeb ones are good! They show all sorts of variety!
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Carly your hair looks beautiful. I am so jealous.
I have naturally curly hair that has been straigthed so much that it is now damaged. I also have to color it every three weeks, since I am completely gray and only 33. I filled out the form on the BTk website to find the closest salon that offers it. This sounds like it will be right up my alley.
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But Patty, the Keratin takes care of the damage! Mine was horribly damaged from the constant highlighting. Seriously!
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Carly, I have to admit, I like your hair both ways. But straight is a lovely change on you and you wear it well. I don’t know about going four days without washing though, you are a stronger woman than I am! LOL And I understand about the ever-changing hair color. I’ve been dying mine frequently for years, and I too, have been just about every color you can think of. There’s just something about having a new color that’s a real self-esteem booster. I just changed mine again recently to medium brown with highlights. But with me, I color my own hair. I’ve done it so much, I’m actually pretty good now! LOL I’ve put my hair through a lot though. I’ve gone through a perm, getting the perm out, and years of coloring my hair have been pretty rough on it, but I do the best to take care of it. I use the Pantene that’s made for colored hair, and it keeps my hair not only shiny, but healthy too. Your hair really is pretty that way, definitely a good look for you.
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Hi Carly hair looks great. I’ve been a hairstylist for 13 years when I met my husband I told him don’t get use to the color or the style it is bound to change. I’m a product obsessed person not that I over use but I love trying new every time I go to the beauty supply I come home with many shampoos and conditioners and everything in between.
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My hair is very much like yours, it sound like. I don’t have enough curl to be pretty, just wavy and frizzy and a pain! I’m glad you’ve found a system that you like and that you’re enjoying your new hair. I think it looks really nice both ways, but the only thing that matters is that you’re happy with it!
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Your hair looks lovely Carly. :flower4you:
i think you have found a great look for you.
Thank goodness I have been pretty lucky in the hair department.
I have thick, auburn hair with lots of body. Not curly just lots of body.
For highlights all I have to do is spend a little time outside in the sun and it is naturally streaked with blonde and red. Kinda cool.
I have never had to color but the day is coming soon. I have a few snowy white gray hairs starting to show up. I will be 45 this October. I knew tthat the color would have to come one day.
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Carly, when I saw you at national at the literacy signing and then right after the awards ceremony–didn’t mean to intrude on you guys. It seemed you were waiting for someone important.
Anyway, I thought you looked gorgeous. You’re so pretty, whether your hair is curly or straight. I don’t know why you obsess so much over your hair. I bet on your worst day you still look good.
I’ve started letting my hair dry naturally and not always blowing it out. I had no idea I could get that much wave out of my hair! It must be the way my stylist is cutting it. I too have my hair colored–low lights and high lights–which I will continue to do until I’m old and decrepit. I’ll be the only 90 year old around without one gray hair on her head! :giggle:
Have a great day all,
Cher :banana:
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First of all, just finished HEATED RUSH (loved it!) and started SLOW HANDS (Sean’s story…or was it the other way around? and am loving it!).
Carly…I love your hair both ways….when I started reading your blog, I thought, “I love her hair and would kill for it, why is she changing it?”, but I love it both ways…I totally need to get my hair highlighted (the grey is showing thru!). Augh…no time!
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Carly, your hair looks good either way. I’m glad you found something to help it be straight!
I was born a redhead, even though it is now mostly nondespcript gray, I still have good hair. I keep it very short, it is healthy has good body, no complaints! If I could afford it I might have started coloring years ago but it is just to expensive for my teeny budget! At least I have good hair. What works for me is a good shampoo & a light leave in conditioner, I don’t blow dry because it is so short it dries quickly even in the winter. Good subject for the day. I’m amazed that so many people color their hair now, it seems almost everyone does including most of my friends.
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I like the straighter style and it sounds as if you are enjoying the
“new you.” That’s what’s important, how you feel about you.
With hair, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. This time
I think you have a winner!
Pat Cochran
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Wow Carly your hair looks great with BKT.
I am in the process of letting my hair grow out from a very, very short buzz cut. I have my good days and my bad hair days. My new cut should have a little Veronia Lake look to it with it partialy cover one eye. But it’s the little tiny hairs that are driving me crazy. Oh why can’t we all have the perfect hair?
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I’ve always had straight hair, but I wish my hair were wavy like the model’s in those Pantene commercials.
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Am I the only woman in the world proud of my gray hair? Actually, it’s mostly silver and blond and finally, after years and years of “blonding” it’s all me. Mine is baby fine but I have scads of it to there’s a lot of weight to it. No body. No curl. No wave.
I love the new style, though the old looked great, too, Carly. Lucky lady!
Hrm…*tries an icon experiment* :)>-
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Hi Carly,
I have the opposite problem perfectly straight, fine, but large quantity. From the time I was 12 to 32 perms ~ twice yearly. Now, I just leave it straight. Now as I’ve gotten older my blond hair has gotten darker so I keep it highlighted more frequently.
I love your curly hair b/c I’m envious but all that counts is that you are happy with it. It does look good straight also. I don’t know if I could have made it 4 dyas without washing 2 for a perm use to kill me. I don’t go anywhere without shower & shampoo in the AM.
Thank you,
Susan B.
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Wow thanks for all the compliments, everyone!
I’m enjoying the change!
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I love your hair, Carly! And I’m jealous. I’ve been told I have great hair – and… I have to admit, I think it’s true. (In another conversation a few of us discussed whether or not it was arrogance that would lead someone to not caring) – because, I don’t do anything with my hair. It’s insanely thick, and has a mind of it’s own. Some is straight, some is wavy, and some is curly. It’s also crazy long. I generally go to a really nice salon, and have them chop off about 16-20″ (yes I donate my hair). Then, I don’t go back until it’s long enough to donate again. I tell them to leave my hair long enough so I can pull it back/up, and that’s what I do. I don’t style my hair – no product, no irons, curlers or straighteners, don’t dye it, scrunch it, mousse it, nothing. I think when I tell the stylist this it makes them want to cry but… eh. One day, however, I’m going to figure out what to do with my hair. Maybe.
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Your hair looks great!
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I’ve never heard of this treatment- I might recommend it for my BF. She has wavy, thick hair and all she ever does is wear a ponytail. We were just talking about each of us getting a new look. I just chopped mine into a really cool punk style- which fits my personality- the idea came from that Bravo show Work Out. I sort of got the old Jackie cut. I’m always changing color and right now mine is bright red. I might add some really dark lowlights in a few weeks.
Carly- I like the straight look but I don’t think I could not wash for 4 days, especially living in AZ where it is so dang hot and sweaty. I also really liked the curly look with the old glasses. I’ve always thought your look conveyed a really fun attitude.
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Honestly- you don’t look like YOU!!
Not that it isn’t a good look, but it is just sooo different.
My hair is very fine, but when kept short it has body (and it’s share of cowlicks- 6 at last count). I don’t color it, since there is so little gray and I don’t care anyway. I get out of the shower, towel it, maybe slap in a little gel and finger style it. Done in 5 minutes, usually less. Depends on if I have to fight the cat for the gel and mirror space.
My addiction is my mani and pedi- every other week for the mani and the pedi monthly. Gotta have them.
Yes, I am spoiled…
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Love the new look and the new glasses!!!
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Wow! Well I think you look good no matter how you wear your hair but this straight look is very great and you look very young with it like that.
It’s easy on the eyes!
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