How to Grow Hair Longer: My Not So Little Secret

Grow Longer Hair Today


My not so little secret to achieving my latest hair goal: reaching waist length natural hair. 

how-to-grow-hair-longer

The pictures above showcase my hair journey from my initial big chop to the growth I have experienced from following a flexible hair regimen. For the first time since 2011, I am focused on length retention. After reaching mid-back length in 2011, I cut my hair!


Seeing that I have been natural for so long (since 2005!!!), I would account half of the first few years as simply trial and error with more focus on the latter. 

My 2014 - 2015 Hair Goal is... to reach almost WAIST LENGTH!!! First I want to say, just having the audacity to even make this my goal is scary (but I've  almost reached it before)!!!! But I am ready for the challenge. I'm ready for waist length hair because my hair shrinks to about 70-80% of its length when straightened. 

My Not So Little Secret

I plan on getting there with the help of protective styles, which does miracles for the health of my hair. Without protective styling, I would never have been able to achieve the length retention that I achieved.

Protective styles give your hair the opportunity to be left alone, with minimal manipulation. My hair is very fine, and i find it extremely prone to breakage. Protective styling will be difficult, but I have my eye on the prize. I will challenge myself to do protective styles for 6months, and I will do a monthly check in of my progress.

Inspiration  Photos - Although my texture is much curlier, as it grows it also loosens

grow-longer-hair
My Hair Goal When Curly {Source} 
grow-longer-hair
With proper protective styles I hope to retain this length in about 18 months.

Current Hair Regimen 

The basics of my hair regimen can be found here.

Wash Routine
  • I typically wash with Giovanni shampoo ( Tea Tree | 50 50 Balance ). I suggest using the best natural shampoo you can find for the best results.
  • Oil rinse my hair with shampoo - Olive Oil
  • Apply  Giovanni Conditioner and Detangle with wide tooth comb
  • Create about 6 braids ( 3 on each side) and apply shower cap for deep conditioning - 2 hours with shower cap alone (My hair is currently in Twists)
  • Rinse out ALL conditioner and apply leave-in
  • Create Protective Style 
    • Box Braids
    • 2 Strand twists
    • MAYBE roller sets
    • Fake it till you make it - Sew in!
Daily Regimen
  • Take a multivitamin every morning - These gummies are a treat, I'm excited to have my dose daily
  • Take one biotin vitamin nightly with a full glass of water 
  • Drink your weight in ounces - your body will thank you!
Weekly Regimen