So I just made 10 years natural but I've only really been on a consistent healthy hair for length for the past 3 years. I was a big bandwagon hopper and I'm a perpetual PJ so that's why I never made progress. But I think I'm on the right track now so I hope to reach some goals now.
Even though it took me 3 tries to transition, because I was natural until I was in my early teens (stopped relaxing when I was 20), I was not at all surprised by my hair type. At the time I did my BC, type 4 was only A or B, so I just went with B because most of my hair is that type. My individual strands are fine but I have a big head and high density. I do have a bald spot from scarring alopecia so that limits my styling options sometimes. I'm naturally high porosity but lately I can get it "normal" when my protein-moisture balance is on point. I'm about collar bone length now.
I'm hi-po, color-treated, and not afraid of my flat iron so me and protein are the betest of hair friends. I find using protein regularly helps with moisture and length retention. I usually use Aphogee 2 Minute Keratin but I plan to try to the Neutral Protein Filler soon. The Komaza one is good but I don't like waiting for shipments to arrive. I used to use the ORS Olive Oil paks but as my hair got healthier, they seemed to make my hair more hard and were harded to correct.
The LOC method has been a godsend for my hair. I used to do the age oil just moisturize and seal with oil and always had dry yet greasy hair. By adding that heavier C part, my hair stayed moisturized and elongated it some so I was able to do more protective styles. My approach to it is a slightly off trend. I usually pick 2 moisturizers and which ever one is the "lighter" one is what I use as the L and the heavier product is the C. Right now I'm using Shea Moisture JBCO Leave-in, Sunflower oil, and fininshing with Shea Moisture JBCO Loc and Braid Butter.
My protective style of choice is mini braids with wigs on top. I used to be very anti-wig because for a while, they all looked wiggy. But now that they have lace and you can make anything with enough bundles, I love them. I used to do corn rows under the wigs but I found that I would sometimes have random wet spots in the braids and I was scared of scalp issues. Mini braids allow my hair to be stretch while also having ready access to my scalp. Plus I can style them if I don't want to wear a wig.
I cowash most days of the week. I use regular conditoner like in the olden times. I don't condone co-washing conditioners. Judge me if you must. I shampoo and deep condition 1-2 times a week. I use whatever is on hand. Currently that's a lot of Shea Moisture products because I have some of the old ones that have expiration dates coming soon.
My main focus now is maintaing my hairs health because I find my natural hair needs to be healthy in order for me to gain length (this wasn't necessary when I was relaxed). Even though I'm still trailing products, I think a good portion of what I have has the potential to be a staple. Because I think that this is the final key to my hair really taking off. I'm consistent with my routine just need to get the products down.
I'll read other reviews to see what others think. It seems their hair care line can be really pricey .
I'm going to look into thickening my strands, although I'm not sure if that's possible.
