Help a newbie get it right this time!

[CurlyGirly327]

I've been lurking on LHCF for about a year now. I've been natural for the last 3+ years, and recently BC'ed to get rid of 5-6" of damaged, colored hair. So, since January 2007, I've been working on growing out my TWA but I've only gotten about 0.5" of growth! I recently started using Boundless Tresses and my hair's thickness and growth rate has definitely increased, which I'm pleased to see. But now I'm hella bored with having a TWA--even when I left my hair alone for a full year and had a good 6-7" of hair on my head, my hair shrinks up so much that it ALWAYS looks like a TWA! A couple of times I tried putting in twists, coils, and cornrows and they all looked good, but I still don't have the kind of styling versatility that I want. So, can anyone suggest things I can do to switch it up, get some versatility, or help my dang hair grow so I can do something with it???

I TIA! You ladies ROCK! I just wanna be the caboose on your gravy trains...

Curly

 

[NeeSee]

Welcome to the board.

 

[BrooklynSouth]

I've been lurking on LHCF for about a year now. I've been natural for the last 3+ years, and recently BC'ed to get rid of 5-6" of damaged, colored hair. So, since January 2007, I've been working on growing out my TWA but I've only gotten about 0.5" of growth! I recently started using Boundless Tresses and my hair's thickness and growth rate has definitely increased, which I'm pleased to see. But now I'm hella bored with having a TWA--even when I left my hair alone for a full year and had a good 6-7" of hair on my head, my hair shrinks up so much that it ALWAYS looks like a TWA! A couple of times I tried putting in twists, coils, and cornrows and they all looked good, but I still don't have the kind of styling versatility that I want. So............ I think I'm going to start relaxing again! In the past I liked the look of my hair and the styling options when I relaxed but I couldn't figure out how to care for my hair properly so I'd get frustrated and cut it off. However, since finding LHCF, I feel like I've gotten really good solid advice on how to care for relaxed hair. So, to help me prep for my hair-growing journey as a permie, can anyone give me tips on the following? (I'm going to run searches for this info too, but I'd appreciate any advice from folks who've been in my position--thanks!)

-Self-Relaxing Tips and Techniques (I don't trust stylists as far as I can throw 'em--that's why I'm going to become one! )
-Care and Maintenance Regimen
-Product Recommendations (esp. Dominican products and all-natural brands)
-Stretching between Touch-ups

TIA! You ladies ROCK! I just wanna be the caboose on your gravy trains...

Curly

Feeling like a serious Mama Hen today with my responses! Patience, patience patience. Boredom is part of the hair growing process as well as envy, anger and just wanting to leave this board alone and go back to raggedy hair practices; been there, done that.......here{hair} to stay!! Once you find and follow a routine of healthy hair care you'll settle down and appreciate the wonderful hair changes which will follow. I felt bad...believe it or not when I began to check the strain drain after pooing and found not one lost hair! I was afraid of the growth and change. I began to worry about "nothing". I worried about being a long haired woman, about other women being jealous of my growing hair. I was afraid that I'd not know how to care for my long hair. GET A GRIP I told myself and enjoy the change!! 1/2 an inch of growth for three months is slow according to expected growth pattern of 1/2 inch a month but patience once again is key..stick with it Curlygirl, as long as you follow strict routine, protein/moisture balance, eating balanced meals more often, beaucoup water intake, protecting your ends, gentle, loving care..things will improve...I guarantee it. Check the FOTKI of Sylver, Anky, Kinikakes and many others..you'll benefit.