The Not So Secret SECRET to Growing Long Coily Hair

As I write this post, my first thought is DAMN. Why did it take me 3 years to figure out my healthy hair regimen? I've logged lots of "experiment" time, and can finally say that I've got it. What do I got? A good regimen (products and technique) that works great for my coily hair. That's absolutely key to maintaining length while you grow.

TRANSITIONING HAIR 2010

MY HAIR REGIMEN 2012/2013

PRODUCTS: I KEEP IT REAL SIMPLE. I STAY AWAY FROM COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS. IF YOU'VE FOUND YOUR PRODUCTS AND THEY WORK FOR YOU, THEN IT'S REAL IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO STICK WITH IT. BUT, IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH DRY HAIR, PLEASE CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF CLEANSING.

LOVES WATER: Will rinse as needed whenever I want.

HATES SHAMPOO: Will cleanse with my tried and true Amla. I figured out to only use shampoo (or vinegar mix) when I need to get products off that the Amla can not remove (ie. silicons, synthetic plastics that coat the hair).

LOVES A DEEP CONDITIONING: 1x week, I deep condition with Mayo OR Bananas, mixed with honey, olive oil, and avocado. If I feel I don't need the protein, I will skip the mayo (it has eggs). Styling after deep conditioning treatments becomes easy. I am able to "part" and manipulate my hair without my ends ripping (y'all know that ripping sound that sometimes happens when we go to separate the hair into sections). If the hair is truly moisturized (and not already split or broken), the ends will separate without ripping. They will slide right apart.

LEAVE IN: Water. After that deep conditioning, I don't tend to need a leave in.

SEALER: Any oil on my vanity table (olive oil, avocado oil, hemp seed oil). I order oils from a company called old time soap co. They've got everything there (butters, etc). Plus, the customer service is phenomenal.

BIG CHOP DAY! OCTOBER 2010

 DETANGLING: Loves to be finger detangled with oil/conditioner combo during a pre-poo. This gets rid of all of the shed hairs and checks for knots. This is followed by a quick pass through of a seamless wide tooth comb, and then finally with my favorite ever Goody Gel Cushion Paddle Brush. I start from the ends and work my way slowly up to the roots while my hair is coated in oil/conditioner and under running water. MINIMAL BREAKAGE.

STYLING: My favorite style ever............2 strand twists (it's no secret LOL). I work out a lot, and the two strand twists let me wash and go without having to constantly detangle or worry about knotting. While wearing my favorite style ever, I do not use shampoo. I co wash (mostly with As I AM co-wash). I typically keep 2 Strand twists in for 3-4 weeks and take down is drama free. 

Otherwise, you can catch me in wash-n-go's on a hot Summer day. Low manipulation styling includes Wash n Go's, Braidouts, Twist Outs, Bunning, and more. What makes a good low manipulation styling is that the style is kept for at least 5-7 days without combing, brushing, or too much movement for breakage to occur. Do I do protective styling? Not on purpose LOL! (I do love me some buns :O)

• TRIMMING: Only as needed. I dust whenever I see anything odd (thinned out, stringy, see through, split). I do not rip out knots--I cut them out so that I can leave my ends intact and "clean" once the knot is gone. I don't get many split ends. I think it's because of the low manipulation styling, and the deep conditioning treatments.                                                   

• SCARVES, BONNETS, PILLOWCASES: Satin, silky type. Cotton takes all of my moisture off overnight. This is a must-have for me. It may be another reason why I don't have to re-apply leave-in conditioner during the week after my deep conditioning treatment.

• HEAT & I: I don't use heat often. I sometimes flat iron my hair (about 4x year). Not because I'm against it, but because I love to air dry my hair. My hair responds well when I air dry it. The water "sets" my hair, and my style lasts all week or more! Heated styles are a pain to babysit (gotta avoid water, can't sweat, stay away from steam, can't be free). That's my story on heat. Also, proceed with caution. Heat can be damaging. Constant heat will require more trimming of the ends also. 
• EXERCISE: Lots of cardio to stimulate the circulation and get things growing. Want to see my simple workout routine?                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
• So Long Story Short, my regimen is pretty simple. Pre Poo, Cleanse as Needed. Deep Condition. Use oils. Keep products natural and to a minimum to avoid build-up. Detangle based on your hair's needs. Use heat sparingly. Air Dry. Low Manipulation Styling. Trim as Needed.  Have Fun!                                                                                                                    

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MARCH 2012  4'' BELOW ARM PIT LENGTH

BUT OF ALL OF THESE TIPS, THERE'S ONE MAIN HABIT THAT I ATTRIBUTE LENGTH RETENTION TO.....