6yrs Natural 4b!

[Sweetyb]

This summer makes me officially 6 years wearing my natural texture (who hoo ), and I can't say it has been an easy journey either . I have gone through many battles with my hair, and my hair has rebelled against me many times . I learn something new every week about my hair that helps me that much more in caring for it. I've also said many times on these boards that I'm thinking about, or even planning, on relaxing it. And I honestly wanted to at times, but then I learn what my hair needs from me, or I try something new and then I love my hair all over again .

It's hard growing out this hair, or naturally curly hair period. My hair litterally is like a big thing of cottony fluff; instead of combing through my ends to detangle them like some do, I have to use a brush in a "plucking" motion on my ends to stretch out and detangle the hair. Hopefully some of you can visualize this, lol. I have never met anyone with my type of hair at my kind of length. Anyway, I'm still going through some thangs with my hair, but I try to do new things and stick with products that work to keep things going with my healthy hair and long hair challenge. My battle 2 weeks ago was that my hair wouldn't budge. It was stiff and didn't want to move, detangle, nothing. I learned that I was being lazy and was not washing my hair in the 4 braids that I should be. I was washing the hair all at once and pushing it back into an afro pony. Well, all the hair within the pony was matting, because curly hair curls up even more as it dries. Not only that, but my ends were shot. It was as if my ends had hooks on the ends of them and just decided to latch onto eachother to get me mad . Instead of threatening to relax, all I really needed to do was set aside some time to sit down with my hair and do it the right way! My hair really thanked me and looked cute all last week.

If any of you ladies are having problems with your hair, just keep trying and don't give up, unless you really want to. What is the vision you have for your hair and why? Whatever it is, write it down because forgetting your goal is what can throw you off when you're in a situation, or a battle, with your hair. Remember your goal, and care for your hair. Your hair will thank you. Use the "search" function on this site like crazy because there is atleast one lady who has had your problem in the past and posted about it. Anyway, I'll just upload a few pics of my hair last weekend after a blowdry and trim (cause I never have time to update my site) if it is of any use to anyone (hair is not styled; I'm using a lab computer, and pics were take with a phone, so I hope these pic are actually clear!).

Good luck to all in the journey of growing long & healthy hair ​

ps. If your hair is similar to mine in my pics, and you're in the L.A. area, we really need to get together!

 

[Height]

Thanks for posting. What products do you use to keep you hair moist?

 

[Sweetyb]

No prob I'm constantly switching to something else and trying to find something better, because moisture has always been a big issue with my hair. I have to say that my shampoo and conditioner combo have to be moisturizing in order for my hair to want to consider actin' right. I've been using Pantene's Hydrating Curls line for atleast a year now and I love it. I also used a Kendra sample once and from the little I used I'd like to buy the real thing.

For a while now, I found that 911 creme leave-in is pretty good with adding non-greasy, non-stinky, moisture to my hair. Even though I've had it for a while, I've recently found that it works best if I apply it to freshly washed/conditioned hair, when it's a little moist, not damp with water--prolly 15/20 min after rinsing. I rub a quarter-size on each of 4 sections. I follow with the same amount of oil on each section, and then I seal with some serum (using Neutrogena Tripple Moisture), which adds slip to each of my strands, therefore resulting in less tangles ! Sorry, got a little excited with that one... Rubbing moisturizers in dry hair makes my hair feel sticky and icky after a while, even making it too thick and harder to comb/style. Adding my moisture after washing has kept my hair soft and moisturized for an entire week. I just add oil/serum daily to the hair and/or ends.

Prior to 911, I tried Nasabb shea butter. It thickened my already-thich hair way too much; made it too stiff. I melted some with olive oil and that worked a lot better. I'm still experimenting with a lot of products though.

 

[nadi1010]

SweetyB,
Ohmylord, your hair looks exactly like mine!!! And not only that, but we have the same Birthday!!!!(I was born in 1981, but October 10!) Is your hair fine too? Cause my hair is super kinky, soft, and fine. My hair is much shorter than yours...I put a post asking for help, becuase my hair was really damaged before when I was straightening it, so for a year I've been growing it natural and in the last couple of months I've been wearing individual braids. I would LOVE for my hair to grow out like yours! I would also love to correspond with you, because I went to your site and it was awesome, and I could really use your advice! Congrats on the hair growth, I am so excited to see someone with hair as wooly as mine!!!

 

[darkflame213]

Thanks for posting! I've been through all of the things talked about and then some. Its been a hard four years, but I've learned to be creative and a little daring.

 

[Country gal]

WOW! Six years is a long time. Thanks for sharing your story. I think your hair looks beautiful. I can't wait till I am six years natural.

 

[jainygirl]

Your hair looks gorgeous!! It's totally unique . Congrats on your anniversary. -- jainygirl

 

[kristina]

Congrats on your anniversary! Your hair looks fabulous.

 

[Angelicus]

OMGoodness I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!! You are an inspiration for us all-- natural and relaxed! WOW!

 

[Maestradiva77]

Congrats Sweetyb on 6 years!! Yayyyy!!!!

 

[Netta1]

WOW, six years I can't wait. Congrats!

 

[Babyray]

Congrats, That's quite an achivement.

 

[lsubabiedee]

Congrats!!!!

 

[BLESSED1]

Gorgeous, looks healthy and shiney! Thanks for having those pony puff instructions on your journal, nice and detailed. I just started wearing my real hair in a puff to work, before I'd have my phony afro puff but I'm more confident w/ my real puff now

 

[alexei]

Congrats on 6 years natural! How long is your hair in inches and where on on your body does it fall when stretched?

 

[Sweetyb]

SweetyB,
Ohmylord, your hair looks exactly like mine!!! And not only that, but we have the same Birthday!!!!(I was born in 1981, but October 10!) Is your hair fine too? Cause my hair is super kinky, soft, and fine. My hair is much shorter than yours...I put a post asking for help, becuase my hair was really damaged before when I was straightening it, so for a year I've been growing it natural and in the last couple of months I've been wearing individual braids. I would LOVE for my hair to grow out like yours! I would also love to correspond with you, because I went to your site and it was awesome, and I could really use your advice! Congrats on the hair growth, I am so excited to see someone with hair as wooly as mine!!!

Hey Nadi, Yes, my hair is fine! So fine I have to be very careful when it comes to heat, 'cause it done burned out my hair twice during my natural journey (thus the somewhat short hair). I wish I could see your hair but it sure does sound like mine I can look for your post to see how I can help. Keep wearing the braids until your ready to give your hair another try. But don't neglect your hair underneath the braids! Check out growafrohairlong.com for some advice on maintaining braids if you need to. Thanks so much for the complements!

 

[Sweetyb]

Wow, you ladies just really made me smile tonight. With so much drama happening in my life, it just occurred to me that I've been on my natural journey for 6 years. And even at that it didn't seem significant enough until you ladies replied. I guess God really does bless you when you least expect it.

Blessed1, I'm glad you found the instructions useful--work that pony puff !

Alexei, I haven't though of measuring my hair and I think I should. I believe my hair runs past my shoulders to maybe collar bone length when stretched.

Thank you Jainygirl, Kristina, Anky, Netta1, Babyray, Lsubabiedee, Blessed1, and Alexei. I'm sure many of you helped me on these boards over the years. Maestradiva77, you have been one of my inspirations--ever since you recommended Pantene Hydrating curls, I've been loyal to it. It's good stuff! Thanks for your wonderful complements ladies.

 

[Mahalialee4]

Just wanted to encourage you not to give up. Regardless of your texture, be it abc, there is always some personal challenge involved. Mine just defies me sometimes and sometimes i say why bother and then I just keep on going. It seems like I change my regime as often as 2x in one week, when it really ticks me off! Sometimes it gets on my last nerve and I know I have a goal in mine but the shrinkage is in my face, you know what I mean. Sometimes it looks like all of my thickness has disappeared and it wants to just curl up next to my head and stay there and then other times I am like wow, man it is so thick and it sure is growing...my hair plays me, I swear....and it is not just a textured based thing either. Curly hair has a mind and a will of its own and you either get with its program or it will mess you up big time....talking challenge to "what..." the hair says!! The longer it gets the more it shrinks!!!! but I AM CATCHING ON...So just keep on doing what you need to do and you will get a pay off in the end. Bonjour

 

[Sweetyb]

Mahalialee4, don't you know it! I feel you when it comes to changing up your style more than once in 1 week. I'm trying to learn how to wear bangs with natural hair now. When I came out of the gym today, my nicely swept-to-the-side, still-hangin-on-to-a-press bangs turned into its own fluffy fro. I didn't have any styling tools, no hair clips and I was thinkin' "ooh lord"... I had to think on my feet in the changeroom and put those bangs in a long cornrow/braid down the side of my face and went on my way, lol. Now I know to put it in a braid b/4 I work out .

I have to say though, the longer the hair gets, the more FUN you can have with it. I can do so much with this length that I couldn't do b/4. But at the same time, you get too lazy to do things like individual twists--I'll have to go to the salon for that now. I really can't wait for... dare I say... bra strap length . Thank you for the encouragement.