Fixing Loose Ends

So I don't know how many of you have gotten a hair cut that you admit you wish you didn't have to get. I moved about a year and a half ago and the climate where I am currently is incredibly dry, where as I had come from a place with a lot of humidity. This coupled with a lack of change in seasons means that my hair is constantly exposed to direct sunlight in dry heat.
To make matters worse, I got a Chi around the time that I left which is the first dry styling heating product that I ever owned. I didn't have any heat sealant for my hair when I first got it, so I just used regular hair oil.

I hadn't been getting regular trims because many salons in this area charge the same amount for a full hair cut as they charge for a trim, but back home it is included in the price of the service.

Today I looked at a picture of myself back in 2005 and realized how much of my hair was gone.

2005 This is my hair at its full length. Poor posture might have added "length".

2008 My hair is slightly shorter, but not by much. Posture is better.

2009 My hair is about the same length, but I have poor posture.

2010 The necklace is in roughly the same place. Posture is slightly better, hair is noticeably shorter.

The solution: I went into a Great Clips for a trim and came out with hair that barely comes over my shoulders because there was that much damage. D: I have to admit that when I came out my hair around the ends felt much softer. I went to a beauty store and picked up a stronger strength conditioning shampoo than the one I had been using before. I've also decided to retire my Chi for about half a year which should be noticeable in my posts. I've been told that I have fast growing hair so hopefully it will take me less than a year to get my 5'' back even with regular trims.