Welcome lilchosencutie /images/graemlins/grin.gif
I'm glad that you have chose us (this hair care family) to assist you with your hair journey.
</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
But I'm wondering where do I start? I want long and PRETTY hair.
[/ QUOTE ]
Most members here might agree that this would be a very basic starting outline: M O P:
Moisturize, Oil, & Protect
MOISTURIZE
This pertains to washing (whether with shampoo or conditioner washes), deep conditioning, daily sprinkling with water/oil/leave-in mix, using a hair steamer, using a cream conditioner, etc.
OIL
Pre-shampoo/hot oil treatments, ends oiling, hair oiling, deep ends oiling using baggie method, adding oil after conditioning & before setting...this helps to "lock in" the moisture.
PROTECT
Wearing silk/satin bonnets to bed, seamless combs, limit combing/brushing when possible, avoid mineral oil/petroletum/alcohol based products, (some members avoid SLS...sodium laureth sulfate as well), protective/moisturizing styles (buns, french rolls, braid outs, twists outs), avoid heat (blow dryers, curling/crimping irons, etc), dry with roller sets or let air dry, line winter hats with satin/silk scarfs, handle hair very carefully when wet, try to finger comb when wet, etc.
Sorry for the rambled thoughts...I just typed ideas as they came to mind. Also, keep in mind that you not only have to find products that works best for you, but you also have to determine the frequency of usage as well. I'm sure that I left out alot of other healthy tips (I can't think straight /images/graemlins/shocked.gif)
Hopefully, other members will fill the voids that I left.
Once again, this is just a "basic" outline to answer your question. Hopefully, something that I typed here will be of some benefit for you as you develop your own regime.
God Bless,
Peachtree