01 May Hair Journey

(I apologize for the quality of some of these pictures)

Happy May!!!!

Last night after attending the Kinky Curly product launch it dawned on me that it had been a year since I really started growing my hair out.

Now, I never really claim to have “big chopped” because I have been “natural” my entire life and for me I considered it just getting a hair cut to change things up a bit. However, I did go through the growth process much like newly naturals do and I wanted to share my experiences as well as a few tips with you.

Growing my hair out is one of the most tedious tasks I have embarked on. This is my third time cutting and growing my hair and none of them have been easy. In fact, I feel like I had the hardest time this past chop. I found myself obsessing over growth. Constantly measuring my hair and tracking the growth of other naturals. For me, it became unhealthy, until one day I just learned to love my hair in whatever stage it was in.

Tips for going through the growth process:

• Don’t compare your hair growth with other people’s. We all have different genes, different climates, different lives. Our day to day jobs and stress levels all affect how your hair grows, and you don’t know everyone’s story..so stop comparing.
• Love your hair and yourself. I HATED my hair when it was in that “ugly” phase. Looking back at pictures now… I actually like it and I appreciated how effortless it was do to my hair (now it takes HOURS).
• There is NO ugly phase. Learn to love your hair. No matter the length there are so many great styles you can experiment with.
• Stop obsessing. Measuring your hair every week is not going to make it grow any faster. All it’s going to do is create disappointment, so put that measuring tape down. It will grow on its own time.

People ALWAYS ask me what I do to grow my hair so fast. My answer is always “I just live”. I live an overall healthy lifestyle that may not fit everyone’s life. But I believe that how I treat my entire body affects my hair as well. Now, there are hair care practices that I swear by also and I will list both lifestyle and hair tips below.

• Take your vitamins. A good multivitamin is great for your entire body. And, yes, it will help with hair growth.
• Workout. Again, a good fitness routine is good for your entire body but it will also help with the health if your hair.
• Silk at night. Now, I HATE bonnets and scarves at night. They just don’t work for me. As an alternative I have slept with a silk pillowcase for most of my life. This helps prevent breakage and allows my head freedom (from scarves) at night.
• DEEP CONDITION. My hair is fairly dry so I deep condition once a week. I mix Heavenly Scent’s Opulently Organic Conditioner with castor oil and let it stay on my hair for about an hour before rinsing it out.
• Scalp massages. I massage my scalp at least once a week with castor oil.
• Little to no heat. Just recently did I start using heat on my hair. I only straighten my hair about every 6 months, and blow drying is a VERY rare occurrence.
• Clip those unhealthy ends!! I am a stickler for trying to hold on to as much length as possible, so I HATE clipping my ends. Here’s a little secret: If you cut off all of the split ends your hair will be healthier and will retain more length.
• Protective style when you can. Days when I’m not going anywhere I try to keep my hair twisted or braided to give it a break from the elements.
• Find products that work for you and stick to them.

I hope this helps you all along your journey. Hang in there!!!! As a natural for 28 years I am STILL learning about my hair and I still get frustrated. Set a goal length and maintain healthy mane practices until you reach it. If you have any questions or just need encouragement feel free to reach out to me.