Are your setbacks from relaxing? What type of protein are you using? I love Aubrey Organics GPB (very mild protein, been using it since 2000). What type of hair styles are you wearing?I'm taking prenatal vitamins, keeping it simple, trying to have a ceramide/moisture/protein balance, and limiting the use of protein to only after my relaxer. I recently had a setback in January prior to doing my relaxer on the 20th of that month and also had a setback the previous relaxer before that one. As a result, my stylist had to cut off a lot of length, putting me back at MBL. I went back to get a relaxer redone on February 8th because my hair didn't take and my hair grew back so quickly, now it's less than an inch to WL. I pretty much owe it to the prenatal vitamins and not doing anything else to mess up my hair aka not trying to load it with protein.I'm planning to follow this routine until I relax my hair in the next 3-4 months in which I expect GROWTH and a cleaner cut.
For those wanting long hair...
- Thread starter Allandra
- Start date
I never really got into finger combing (just didn't work well for me), so I just stick to my Jilbere Shower Comb. Moisturizing is important. I always moisturize my hair well before styling it for the week, and during the week, I just mist it with my water bottle. Every little bit helps.I've been protective styling (hiding my hair under wigs), eliminating heat, and doing more finger combing. It seems to be working so far. I just need to make sure I moisturize more often. Sometimes I get lazy.
I'm always trying something new because nothing I've tried has met with great success. Now I'm trying blow drying with a comb attachment every 2-3 weeks and wearing in braids or twists in the meantime. We'll see if this helps reduce tangling and knots, the combing out of which breaks my hair off.
You're doing all the good things to retain length. Keep us posted on your length updates.
SmilingElephant
Well-Known Member
This is my second time growing my hair really long, but first time as a natural head. I find that my hair thrives in wash n go's
As long as i wet my hair pretty much daily and put my leave in or moisturizer in it daily i'm good.
I would like to straighten my hair every 3-6 months...i have only flat ironed my hair once since going natural..which was a fail. I do occasionally blow out my hair. I ALWAYS use a heat protectant whenever i use heat.
I also make it a mission to thoroughly comb my hair out every 3 days in the shower....i use my Denman for heavy duty de-shedding every 2-4 weeks. I DC every single week for about 5-10 minutes while in the shower.
As long as i wet my hair pretty much daily and put my leave in or moisturizer in it daily i'm good.I would like to straighten my hair every 3-6 months...i have only flat ironed my hair once since going natural..which was a fail. I do occasionally blow out my hair. I ALWAYS use a heat protectant whenever i use heat.
I also make it a mission to thoroughly comb my hair out every 3 days in the shower....i use my Denman for heavy duty de-shedding every 2-4 weeks. I DC every single week for about 5-10 minutes while in the shower.
How many cornrows are you doing? How much of a difference have you noticed (with tangles and breakage) when you keep your cornrows in for one week vs three weeks? Are you using a moisturizing gel? A lot of people can get a good amount of growth in three weeks, so just be sure your hair isn't matting so you can avoid tangles and breakage.
tarheelgurl
Well-Known Member
I'm trying low manipulation and no heat. I haven't used any heat since November. I want to try braids under a wig but I'm afraid of what the people will say at work about it. (I work with some mean folks)
The problem I'm having is my ends becoming frizzy when I air dry. I try to twist them but that's only a little bit of help. I also hate that my hair gets hard when air dry. I'm trying one thing then another afte each wash. I may have to start washing more often.
Sigh....
The problem I'm having is my ends becoming frizzy when I air dry. I try to twist them but that's only a little bit of help. I also hate that my hair gets hard when air dry. I'm trying one thing then another afte each wash. I may have to start washing more often.
Sigh....
Are you aiming for waist length when straight or when curly? My method of deep conditioning (in the shower) is just smacking on a plastic cap while I'm in the shower (which doesn't take too long). Why did you cut your hair to CBL?
Keeping it simple is what I love.
The aloe on the scalp sounds soothing.What type of hair styles are you wearing?
You are definitely doing all the good stuff for your hair. Wow @ all of that hair in your avatar pic. It's lovely.
And I see it's working well for you. Your hair is beautiful.
jenaccess
New Member
My cousin recently cut 6 to 8 inches off my BSL hair and was suppose to only cut the very ends.
As of now I am on a mission to grow that hair back within a year.
No heat, moisturize and seal ends daily,DC weekly, Henna every 2 wks, protective style cornrows in a bun, take vitamins MSM, Biotin, Women Ultra Mega vitamin.
Cardio 5 -6 days wkly
As of now I am on a mission to grow that hair back within a year.
No heat, moisturize and seal ends daily,DC weekly, Henna every 2 wks, protective style cornrows in a bun, take vitamins MSM, Biotin, Women Ultra Mega vitamin.
Cardio 5 -6 days wkly
Hey Whimsy
Your hair is growing so fast.
How are you feeling? You look great.
What are you using on your hair prior to blow drying? I always air dry when I do my own hair. I'm not very good with blow drying my own hair.
That's a cute puff in your avatar pic. I hope you are enjoying being natural. I think it's a lot of fun. Keep up the good work.This is my second time growing my hair really long, but first time as a natural head. I find that my hair thrives in wash n go's
I would like to straighten my hair every 3-6 months...i have only flat ironed my hair once since going natural..which was a fail. I do occasionally blow out my hair. I ALWAYS use a heat protectant whenever i use heat.
I also make it a mission to thoroughly comb my hair out every 3 days in the shower....i use my Denman for heavy duty de-shedding every 2-4 weeks. I DC every single week for about 5-10 minutes while in the shower.
How often are you washing your hair? What shampoo and conditioner are you using? What moisturizer are you using? I really like nice heavy moisturizers (when I'm not wearing my hair straight) like the ones by Qhemet (keeps my ends frizz free). I also use a creamy leave in (which is also moisturizing).
Are you afraid of wearing a wig to work? I've never worn a wig, but a lot of ladies on the forum do. Maybe you can do a thread on it for some feed back.
It sounds like you're on a good mission. Keeps us posted on how this works for you.
MyAngelEyez~C~U
Well-Known Member
Allandra said:
Mostly wash n go's and puff styles (I'm style challenged). I wet my hair daily and co-wash w/ Tresemme Naturals almost daily. My hair seems to thrive on wash n go's (i use Ecostyler/hemp seed oil lately). I henna every 2-3 months for color and fortification. I've also recently added AOGPB conditioner every couple of weeks. I just got a steamer that I've used once, and I'm gonna try to steam once a week at least.
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tarheelgurl
Well-Known Member
I wash about once a week sometimes a little more than a week but less than two. I shampoo with CON detangling and am alternating between conditioners right now to try and find what works for both. I am using motions, QH cholesterol and Nexus deep moisture. So far the motions satisies both but not where I would like for it to be.
I also notice the the newgrowth has water beading on it while the relaxed ends are nicely saturated and glistening. What does that mean??
erplexedAs far as moisturizers go, I'm working on that too. I'm using a mix of humectress with coconut oil and some mizani stuff right now. I just put equal parts and stir.
Yes, I don't want to wear a wig to work. I acutally bought one a couple of weeks ago and there is another I would like but the people at work are so mean. I have been weave checked I don't know how many times. Oh well, maybe I will get the guts.
Low heat - every 2-3 months - was completely heat free from '04 until last summer
Low manipulation - generally I style my hair once a week and just tie it up at night. I also detangle only as needed and not necessarily every wash day.
Protective styling - most of my weekly styles are protective styles - buns. I rarely wear my hair out - mostly because it gets in the way, not because of retention.
Low manipulation - generally I style my hair once a week and just tie it up at night. I also detangle only as needed and not necessarily every wash day.
Protective styling - most of my weekly styles are protective styles - buns. I rarely wear my hair out - mostly because it gets in the way, not because of retention.
JerriBlank
Well-Known Member
MissDarcei
New Member
When i couldn't bun, i was doing twist out all the time and as soon as i could bun, that was my main style, the southern tease bun! this year because of the harsh winter i have been wearing a wig for work (only part time), but from tomorrow, bun, bun, bun!
jahzyira
New Member
Ive been applying A "mist" of ceramides(kerastase vita ciment), SAA's, and panthenol(powdered form) to my strands. Baggying with this mixture, ZERO heat, protective styling 283740514387510438% of the time, and stretching my relaxers 9+ months has me ALMOST reaching waistlength.
NaturalEnigma
Well-Known Member
I wash about once a week sometimes a little more than a week but less than two. I shampoo with CON detangling and am alternating between conditioners right now to try and find what works for both. I am using motions, QH cholesterol and Nexus deep moisture. So far the motions satisies both but not where I would like for it to be.
I also notice the the newgrowth has water beading on it while the relaxed ends are nicely saturated and glistening. What does that mean??
As far as moisturizers go, I'm working on that too. I'm using a mix of humectress with coconut oil and some mizani stuff right now. I just put equal parts and stir.
Yes, I don't want to wear a wig to work. I acutally bought one a couple of weeks ago and there is another I would like but the people at work are so mean. I have been weave checked I don't know how many times. Oh well, maybe I will get the guts.
When I was relaxed I used a leave in by Abba that had a very low ph and was meant to seal the cuticle. One time I applied it on my hair and went back in the shower, and I noticed beads of water all over my head. I think it means that your natural hair has low porosity and your relaxed hair is highly porous. When your natural hair gets wet the water molecules just sit on the hair, but when your relaxed hair gets wet it readily absorbs the water, this also means that your relaxed hair is more prone to being dry, because water can easily enter and leave the hair, whereas your natural hair is probably better at retaining moisture.
jhcprincess
Well-Known Member
Protective styling all day everyday; I wear wigs 90% of the time and moisturize my hair everyday. I wash and deep condition once per week. Under the wig, my hair is always stretched because it's braided up. That's pretty much it... in my experience, worrying about porosity, density, texture, etc. just leads to me buying a bunch of unnecessary products and over-manipulation of my hair to accommodate too many factors. Just keeping it simple is truly the best approach, and has led to a lot of growth and retention for me.
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