Short Haired Ladies Support...Nape Length and Shorter!!

[back2relaxed]

Hey...congrats on a low manipulation regimen, I'm sure it will pay off!

A prepoo, is like a conditioning treatment that you do for moisture or strenthening before you wash your hair. So before you shampoo...you put on protein conditioner, moisturizing conditioner, oils, or whatever, cover your hair, and you can either do this w/heat or w/o...overnight or for however many minutes suit you. Today I used ORS Hair Mayonnaise and Amla Oil for my prepoo, I put it on dry hair...and then covered w/a plastic bag, and left it on for about 30 mins.

HTH!

Count me in too!!!
Right now my regimen is cornrows, bun with phony pony and more corn rows!
When I'm not corn rowing, I co-wash once a week and depending on the state of my hair do a deep conditioner. I'm not sure what a pre-poo is but I know I don't do that. What are the benefits of a pre-poo? I also use a growth potion I mixed up almost every night till further notice. I don't baggy as it does not agree with my hair but I tie it up in a silk/satin scarf which always without fail ends up somewhere on my bed the next morning!
I also take biotin, msm, a b complex supplement and drink lots of water and exercise almost every day. Oh, I also use castor oil for my scalp 3-4 times a week.
My goals? To have very healthy thick hair first and grow my hair as long as it will grow- but I'm liking bra strap length though

 

[Kawaii1]

Short hair checking in! I kind of have a regimen but it's based off my stretch that I am doing until december. I pre-poo once a week followed by a detangle and then a protein dc. After that I dc moisture, followed with sealing my ends and air dry. Low manipultion! I co-wash about 2-3 imes a week and seal my ends every night.
Products: Keracare dry and itchy conditioner/humecto, pantene pro-v for permed hair conditioner, dove ultimate moisture shampoo,creme of nature detangling shampoo, ors hair mayo, ors olive oil in jar,ors replenishing pack (it smells great, just like orange peels), profectiv hair creme/sunsilk hair creme, holloywood beauty castor oil with mink oil(melted in my pre poo).

I combine the pantene and hollywood beauty for my pre poo. It is wonderful! It makes me sing, I detangled so easy when I use this.

 

[localhost]

I also have short hair (nape length), and right now my regimen is to wash/condition 2x per week and flat iron with chi's silk infusion.

I work out a lot, so I definitely need to change some things. I know that my hair THRIVES when I don't use heat, and since I'm working out a lot, I need something that's going to be low maintenance and CUTE!!

*sigh*

I'm debating whether or not heat is ok to use for me, even once per week. My hair may look good and healthy in the short run, but over time, my ends look chewed up.

*sigh*

I guess I need to learn to rollerset with magnetic rollers. Might as well start now that my hair is still short .

 

[Imani]

Cool thread. My avatar is back in April when i got my hair chopped off

the goal is to have all of the back layers cover up my neck by end of 07, which is when i plan to post pics to see if i've made any progress.

right now, i'm wearing a phony pony during the week. It only took about 3 months after my cut to be have enough hair to put in a ponytail.
i wash once a week-usually a roller set, sometimes some heat, especially if i got a lot of new growth. realized my hair dries out when i wash more than that. Also gave up on baggying-don't think its for me.

Daily (or every other day) products---
**Qhemet Amla & Olive Heavy Cream-think i've found my staple moisturizer- wasn't feeling it at first but i think i was just using it with too much other products. now that i use it exclusively with just some oils, i like it more and more
**Kemi oyl
**Wild growth oil- my hair pretty much likes any oil
**Phtyo moisturizing styling balm-very small amount to slick down edges and flyways. i have layers, so some of my hair barely fits in my ponytail, so this helps that hair to stay laying down.
**MTG (yeah, the stinky stuff)-occasionally i put it on mytrouble spot in the back of my head

Good luck everyone!

 

[NaturaLei]

Another short haired lady checking in.

I have about 1.5 inches of natural, 4b hair, which is a lot considering I was bald 3 months ago. My goal is to have 6 inches of healthy hair, exactly 1 year from the date of my 2nd big chop.

Following, is style and routine information:

I am wearing wash n go’s now and later on, I will add twists and twist outs to the equation. Therefore, I will be detangling less but my routine will pretty much be the same. The products may change, but again, my routine will not.

Routine

Monday--Spritz hair with Leave-In and apply moisturizer, apply sealant, nightly scalp treatment

Tuesday--Co wash hair, detangle, towel dry, spray leave-in, apply moisturizer, apply sealant

Wednesday--Spritz hair with Leave-In and apply moisturizer, apply sealant, nightly scalp treatment

Thursday--Co wash hair, detangle, towel dry, spray leave-in, apply moisturizer, apply sealant

Friday--Spritz hair with Leave-In and apply moisturizer, apply sealant

Saturday--Shampoo and deep condition, detangle, towel dry, spray leave-in, apply moisturizer, apply sealant

Sunday--Spritz hair with Leave-In and apply moisturizer, apply sealant

Products

Shampoo--Carols Daughter’s Rosemary & Mint Herbal Shampoo with Sea Moss

Co-Wash Conditioner--V05 Champagne Kiss

Deep Conditioner--Shea Butter + Cheapie Conditioner + Sweet Almond Oil + EO’s

Leave-In Conditioner--Carol’s Daughter Tui Leave-In

Moisturizer--Qhemet Biologics Sidr Tree Butter Balm

Sealant--Vatika Oil

Scalp Treatment--Qhemet Biologics Herbs & Sulfur Medicinal Pomade mixed with EOs.

Personal Challenges and Goals that affect my routine
No cones & no sulfates
No heat
No more products
More Water
Low manipulation
Grow-out Challenge (3 inches by January 1st)
Keep it Simple
Do it Yourself Hairstyling
Eat More Fruits & Veggies
Protective Styling (at least 2 weeks per month)
Experimentation with hairstyles and homemade concoctions
Trim only when damage is noticeable (splits &/ tangled ends)

 

[sikora]

My goal for the end of the year is to be at shoulder length. My current regimen is:

Wash twice a week or every 3 days (depends on how tired I am on the designated "wash night"). This involves a pre-poo with Aubrey Organics GPB. Shampoo once with Creme of Nature (green label). I alternate protein and moisture deep conditionings and I also follow up my protein treatments with a moisture deep conditioner.

My protein deep conditioners are Jherri Redding's Natural Protein Conditioner and Aveda's Damage Remedy.

For my moisture deep conditioning, I use Nacidit's Olive Oil deep con. and I mix it with glycerine and Amla oil.

My leave in is Silicon Mix leave in.

I rollerset and airdry overnight.

I moisturize twice a day with Jane Carter's Hair Nourishing cream and I seal with castor oil. I sleep with my hair in a high ponytail. I moisturize the ponytail with Hairveda's baggie cream and place a baggie over that. Then I baggie my entire head with a plastic cap.

In the morning, I finger comb my hair into a loose bun secured with Good day hair pins.

 

[pazyamor]

Yay! A thread about people with short hair...right now, my hair is like a little below chin length, but I want it to be collar-bone length in about 6-8 months...is that to ambitious? LOL! Anyway, my regime (it's not elaborate or as well-thought out as ya'lls, but I've never had to worry about my hair before, so I'm really brand new at this):

1. once a week, I wash it with conditioning shampoo and condition it with a mix of Kemi Oyl and Profective deep conditioning. I always wash my hair out with cold water because it seals the folicles and conditioner in.
2. I use a mix of Kemi Oyl, conditioner and Jojoba oil as a "hot oil treatment/deep conditioning"...my hair comes out really soft.
3. I'm a switcher; one week I allow one round of heat one week, and then the next week I do a roller set.
4. Every day, I put a little oil on my ends and wrap my hair at night.
5. I get a relaxer every 12 weeks (I'm trying to stretch that a little further, can anybody help me with that?) and I get it dusted around that time too.

Well, that's it, if anybody thinks I can benefit from anything else, I am completely open to new ideas and after seeing these beautiful ladies results, I'm ready to get serious about mid-back length, which is my ultimate goal!

 

[Coffee]

Whew this forum is a wealth of information. I've been on the computer the past couple of days trying to read everthing. I was wearing a short natural until March of this year, I relaxed and since then my hair has put on loads of new growth. The only thing I was using at the time was Dr. Miracles Gro Oil. My routine is do DC every Saturday, then shampoo and wrap. Since I don't work outside of the home, I only use heat on Sunday for church. During the week I keep my hair wrapped in a silk scarf and also sleep in a silk scarf. I'm afraid I was a PJ before finding this site.

Blessings,
Coffee

 

[pepper1]

I understand the the frustration of the short hur! I'm just able to make a pony. When I'm curly I just use multiple pins to hold it down after applying one of my many products. Miss Jessie's Butter Cream is what I'm using now. I saturate and comb thru right after I rinse my conditioner out. Smooth with my hands then pin down everything in the back. I put a scarf on and sit under the dryer for 30 mins. Then leave the scarf on over night. In the AM me and my short hair are good to go. This last for 2-3 days when I wrap it up at night. The Butter Cream keeps the hair soft. The waves look great! Hope this helps. Be patient. Be vigilant. Be cool. I know it is tough . I never had short hair until I did the big chop! It really sucked, but now I'm seeing the benefits of this phase in my hair life. I know it's way past my bed time.

 

[SleepyJean]

Hey....no one here anymore????? Oh well...I guess it's just me.

 

[AvaSpeaks]

No I'm here! I'm a short haired girl.

My goal first is length retention. I get carzy growth but I never retain my hair past the neck. So I'm going to get back on my doctor-prescribed Iron pills and start the daily co-washes in January and see what happens in a month.

 

[wannabelong]

I'm here too. My hair is about two inches long on top and I'm tapered in the back. I'm was having a hard time trying to style my hair untill a few weeks ago when I purchased a 1/2 wig. That thing is a life saver for me right now.

 

[LongHairDreams]

Hello everyone. I did the bc back in Feb 07 and recently had to cut a couple of inches off in Nov because my afro was unevenerplexed. Right now, im co-washing 2x a week (mixture of amla and vo5 moisture conditioner), and shampoo the first of every month. I am doing an MN mixture: mn, sulfer 8. coconut oil, carrot oil, pepermint oil and amla oil. I apply this every other day. I started that Dec 6th (will post results in Jan).

 

[mochatrini]

Another short haired lady on the check-in.....I have tapered hair in the back and its about 3 inches on top. My goal is first and foremost to achieve overall healthy hair, to maintain a proper moisture/protein balance, to achieve shoulder length hair (by 12/08?????, but won't be hard on myself if I don't) and to maximize the fullness potential for my hair its fine and I know overall thickness is pretty much a genetics thing (correct me if I am wrong), but I have had shoulder length hair before that had "fullness" and bounce and I want to acquire that again!!!!

Currently I am using/doing:

• Aphogee 1x per month cause I need the strength
• ORS Olive Oil Replenishing Pak cause I have dryness issues
• Fish Oil, BioSil, Amino Acids, Multi-Vitamin, Iron (anemic) and Flax Seed Oil, Hair Herbal Supplement
• JBCO for Oil rinsing this really helped me the other day after I did my protein treatment which I followed with the ORS
• Essential Oils rosemary and sage with jojoba oil
• An all natural Shea Butter Spray for moisturizing
• Exercise and healthier food choices

It seemed like alot to me at first but I think I may have established a regimen that my hair seems to like, my dryness has dwindled down considerably, the breakage has subsided and if I can conquer these issues I know that I will be able to retain overall length. I am still learning and I hope that we can definately all support one another in order to maximize our hair's health as well as its growing potential !!!!!!! HAPPY HEALTHY HAIR GROWING!!!!!!

 

[SleepyJean]

My problem is my overprocessed ends. I've been getting major breakage from it I believe. I have 2.75 inches of healthy hair and 3 inches of overprocessed. I'm cutting the overprocessed in May(when schools out. I won't have to go through the embarassment, and my hair will be longer), but I'm so nervous and reluctant. I'm just happy I have my 2.75 inches of good hair, because I don't believe I've ever had this much healthy hair. I accomplished this with some serious stretching. I used to relax my hair religiously every 2 months, and I didn't even monitor how much ng I would get. It turns out my hair only grows .25 inches - .33 inches per month, which is extremely slow. The combination of one beautician overprocessing and another overlapping the little new growth I got damaged my hair. Now, I determine when to relax by my ng not time. When I examine my air dried hair I see the op (overprocessed. Maybe it will catch on. lol.) and healthy hair demarcation line. I will just continue to trim until then. Do you have any suggestions? I do protein treatments and dc every two weeks, and moisturize throughtout those weeks.

I'm sorry I wrote so much, but I had a lot to say.

 

[SleepyJean]

Another short haired lady on the check-in.....I have tapered hair in the back and its about 3 inches on top. My goal is first and foremost to achieve overall healthy hair, to maintain a proper moisture/protein balance, to achieve shoulder length hair (by 12/08?????, but won't be hard on myself if I don't) and to maximize the fullness potential for my hair its fine and I know overall thickness is pretty much a genetics thing (correct me if I am wrong), but I have had shoulder length hair before that had "fullness" and bounce and I want to acquire that again!!!!

Currently I am using/doing:

• Aphogee 1x per month cause I need the strength
• ORS Olive Oil Replenishing Pak cause I have dryness issues
• Fish Oil, BioSil, Amino Acids, Multi-Vitamin, Iron (anemic) and Flax Seed Oil, Hair Herbal Supplement
• JBCO for Oil rinsing this really helped me the other day after I did my protein treatment which I followed with the ORS
• Essential Oils rosemary and sage with jojoba oil
• An all natural Shea Butter Spray for moisturizing
• Exercise and healthier food choices

It seemed like alot to me at first but I think I may have established a regimen that my hair seems to like, my dryness has dwindled down considerably, the breakage has subsided and if I can conquer these issues I know that I will be able to retain overall length. I am still learning and I hope that we can definately all support one another in order to maximize our hair's health as well as its growing potential !!!!!!! HAPPY HEALTHY HAIR GROWING!!!!!!

How fast does your hair grow? What caused your breakage?

 

[SleepyJean]

No I'm here! I'm a short haired girl.

My goal first is length retention. I get carzy growth but I never retain my hair past the neck. So I'm going to get back on my doctor-prescribed Iron pills and start the daily co-washes in January and see what happens in a month.

Do you know why you couldn't retain? I think if you figure that your hair will definitely grow.

 

[AvaSpeaks]

Do you know why you couldn't retain? I think if you figure that your hair will definitely grow.

Yes and No. I think for the most part the reasons why I can't retain length is:

I'm anemic.

I am not persistent with any routine.

I want results way too fast and if I don't see them, I give up.

I have no patience.

I mean it's true. If I did half of the stuff in a persistent manner like most of the ladies here, then yes, maybe my hair would retain more visible length.

However, I also have to get back on my Iron pills because that is breaking and shedding my hair off when it gets to it's resting stage. If I could get the Iron flowing thru me again, then my hair wouldn't break off and shed like it does and then I could off course retain even more length and get me out of this neck length phase. No matter how much you take care of your hair and pop in vitamins, if you are Anemic, it's like a losing battle. You have to take the Iron.

So in short:

The Iron Pills will get me beyond Neck Length

Taking care of my hair will get me beyond my shoulders.

 

[Theo]

Yes and No. I think for the most part the reasons why I can't retain length is:

I'm anemic.

I am not persistent with any routine.

I want results way too fast and if I don't see them, I give up.

I have no patience.

Same boat as you, chica... only I didn't know that being anemic could have such an effect on your hair health. I should go pick up some iron pills then...

I should be shoulder length now, but I'm nappy headed and when I press my hair I like my ends BLUNT and STRAIGHT so I get scissor happy. I have cut off 2-3 inches at a time for the sake of pretty looking ends lol. I don't know what I was thinking... I'm so impulsive! I don't really have a regimen right now, I've been in braids for awhile, but I'm ready to take them out. Many because I'm tired of them and I would like to be able to wash and moisturize my hair more frequently.

Anyone know of any good protective styles for short natural hair?

 

[scarcity21]

bumpinggggggggggggggg

 

[apemay1969]

Thanks guys for letting me know that I'm not the only shorty with a desire to have longer hair. How many of you are having problems getting support with your family and friends? My mom says that I am destined to be a baldy forever. My husband just looks at me funny. I don't feel confidant that I can do this. I don't know why. I cut off 4 years of midback locs, two years ago. I had a ludacris fro for a minute and I decided to relax in October.

My hair stops where my neck curves into my shoulder (if that makes sense) and I have been mtg'ing, baggying, dc'ing with protein and dc alternates, moisturizing and sealing, not manipulating and keeping off he heat. Everything that I'm doing is the suggested way. Why am I so caught up in the belief that I can't have long hair because I'm not biracial or Indian?

Are there any other former bald headed girls out there? I didn't think that this would become a spiritually humbling experience.

 

[wannabelong]

Thanks guys for letting me know that I'm not the only shorty with a desire to have longer hair. How many of you are having problems getting support with your family and friends? My mom says that I am destined to be a baldy forever. My husband just looks at me funny. I don't feel confidant that I can do this. I don't know why. I cut off 4 years of midback locs, two years ago. I had a ludacris fro for a minute and I decided to relax in October.

My hair stops where my neck curves into my shoulder (if that makes sense) and I have been mtg'ing, baggying, dc'ing with protein and dc alternates, moisturizing and sealing, not manipulating and keeping off he heat. Everything that I'm doing is the suggested way. Why am I so caught up in the belief that I can't have long hair because I'm not biracial or Indian?

Are there any other former bald headed girls out there? I didn't think that this would become a spiritually humbling experience.

I've ben bald headed for about 10 years. I used to wear a boy cut. I now have about 2 inches on top and the back is tapered. Don't give into the negativity. You will reach your desired length, just stay determined and be patient (easier said than done).

 

[apemay1969]

...just stay determined and be patient (easier said than done).

Girl, I'm determined and obsessed to boot. Now about the patience...well, I'll be patient while I get some patience, let's put it that way.

I'm on my way. As we speak, I got my little three inch pony high on my head in a baggy. My teenage boys just look at it and shake their heads.

Thanks again for the support. I miss the length of my locs. I miss the wind blowing...ahhh.

 

[AvaSpeaks]

...just stay determined and be patient (easier said than done).

Girl, I'm determined and obsessed to boot. Now about the patience...well, I'll be patient while I get some patience, let's put it that way.

I'm on my way. As we speak, I got my little three inch pony high on my head in a baggy. My teenage boys just look at it and shake their heads.

Thanks again for the support. I miss the length of my locs. I miss the wind blowing...ahhh.

You know, it's funny how you mentioned the biracial girls or being Indian.

I used to think that the only way I would get waistlength hair is if I had locs! I mean that's really the only time I see most Black women with natural waistlength hair.

I think the thing is we have to remember, that our main goal (for right now) should be getting our hair past the neck line and further. THAT should be the main goal. Why? Because if we never really had our hair longer than that, then we really can't say how long our hair will grow...

We have to first get the hair past that length and then see what it does. I admit, I most likely will never have waistlength or MBL or even BSL length hair. I admit that, and I'm fine with that. But I know with all the growth that I get, I should be able to at least get SL or the top of SL.

I guess for everybody, it's their own personal journey. I mean of course, most of the women on this board I say probably want APL hair and beyond. But for me, if I could just get like maybe short SL, then I would be fine because that's the longest my hair would had even been in it's life.

So that's my rant ffrant:

 

[SleepyJean]

You know, it's funny how you mentioned the biracial girls or being Indian.

I used to think that the only way I would get waistlength hair is if I had locs! I mean that's really the only time I see most Black women with natural waistlength hair.

I think the thing is we have to remember, that our main goal (for right now) should be getting our hair past the neck line and further. THAT should be the main goal. Why? Because if we never really had our hair longer than that, then we really can't say how long our hair will grow...

We have to first get the hair past that length and then see what it does. I admit, I most likely will never have waistlength or MBL or even BSL length hair. I admit that, and I'm fine with that. But I know with all the growth that I get, I should be able to at least get SL or the top of SL.

I guess for everybody, it's their own personal journey. I mean of course, most of the women on this board I say probably want APL hair and beyond. But for me, if I could just get like maybe short SL, then I would be fine because that's the longest my hair would had even been in it's life.

So that's my rant. :rant:

ITA!!!! My siggy says that!

 

[AvaSpeaks]

Okay, ladies, let's name our problem areas. In other words, let's name the areas that break off the fastest or get the slowest growth. I'll start :attention:

I would say for me, right now. I am having major breakage issues right in the bottom part of my crown. The back of my hair is the longest it's ever been in my life! It reaches to the middle of my shoulders. And the sides, front and top crown are all growing out too, but the bottom crown, is breaking. That's my bane right there

What about you guys?

 

[hopeful]

@ Apemay1969 (((hugs))) you can do it. Just be patient, consistent and optimistic. My nape area never went past my neck for nearly 30 years and the minute it made it to the base of my neck it would break off. For the first time since I was a little girl it is touching my back. This makes my heart swell, I can't tell you what a relief it is to break a very frustrating cycle. Have faith, a year from now you will be shocked at your progress.

 

[AvaSpeaks]

@ Apemay1969 (((hugs))) you can do it. Just be patient, consistent and optimistic. My nape area never went past my neck for nearly 30 years and the minute it made it to the base of my neck it would break off. For the first time since I was a little girl it is touching my back. This makes my heart swell, I can't tell you what a relief it is to break a very frustrating cycle. Have faith, a year from now you will be shocked at your progress.

I'm 31 now. How did you finally retain it? Moisture? Protective styles? or consistent practices?

 

[SleepyJean]

Okay, ladies, let's name our problem areas. In other words, let's name the areas that break off the fastest or get the slowest growth. I'll start :attention:

I would say for me, right now. I am having major breakage issues right in the bottom part of my crown. The back of my hair is the longest it's ever been in my life! It reaches to the middle of my shoulders. And the sides, front and top crown are all growing out too, but the bottom crown, is breaking. That's my bane right there

What about you guys?

My nape never grows.

 

[Evolving78]

I'm reading some of the posts and I feel a lot of what you ladies are saying about your hair. I believe that everyone will be able to reach their goals this coming year. Just keep in mind that less is best. I cut all of my hair off down to a fade and now it is getting close to shoulder length when stretched. I only have a few more months to go. I don't do much to my hair and I think that has helped a lot.