🌸 Shoulder —> almost waist-length hair in a year✨
My tips. I’m speaking this from the perspective of kinky, coily natural hair. I’ve been stuck at the same length almost my entire life and accidentally stumbled upon this journey. I just made peace with it long ago, not realizing what was fully possible.
Also a lot of tips in here are there to minimize the effects shrinkage and the tangles that happen when hair is tightly coiled. However if you have straight, wavy or curly strands, a lot of these tips are universal. The tips with a ⭐️ are the ones that mainly apply to highly curly & coily hair textures.
-THESE ARE TIPS I’VE SPENT THE ENTIRE YEAR PLUS GATHERING. Honestly if you’re looking for hair tips that aren’t just “use x oil, wash hair regularly and use a silk pillowcase.” Then I have good news bc I’m using these same tips to get me to hip length hair.
There’s no magical secrets. Just consistency, being observant and loving what you have.
1. 🎀 Truly learn to love & respect your hair. What you focus on grows, what you nurture grows. Just like hair care practices all over the world, the people with very long, thick, healthy hair are the ones who view their hair as a source of pride, identity, and beauty. You can’t hate your hair into its longest healthiest version.
2. 🎀 Learn the unique characteristics of your hair. Density, porosity, strand thickness, curl pattern, etc. and create a routine that works with those traits. Not all products/routines will work for every head of hair. Use inspo from hair that looks and behaves like yours.
3. 🎀 Avoid or be very careful with the people you let do your hair. Some stylists might value styling and immediate aesthetic results over the long term effects of their practices. One mistake can set you back years.
4. 🎀 Stress can affect your hair follicles and the development of its natural processes. Strive to maintain a low-stress lifestyle to optimize your hair growth.
5. 🎀 Make sure to get those nutrients in. Optimize your hair growth by eating enough AND the right types of foods. Try supplements if you’re missing nutrients from your diet.
6. 🎀 Avoid dyes, relaxers, heat styling, and texturizers. These are ways to create dry, damaged hair that’s easily prone to breakage.
7. 🎀 Avoid a frequent reliance on wigs/weaves and extensions..including braiding extensions. These can cause tension on the scalp, drying on the strands, and neglect of the hair underneath the false hair.
8. 🎀 Only do your hair when you have the time & patience. Never do it in a bad mood. So be gentle, take your time.
9. 🎀 ⭐️Always Pre-poo before washing.
10. 🎀 ⭐️Keep hair in big loose braids when pre-pooing, shampooing, & conditioning. This prevents shrinkage, tangling, and easily distributes products through the hair.
11. 🎀 ⭐️Gentle detangle your hair with fingers and/or a wide tooth comb. Avoid highly precise detangling tools.
12. 🎀 ⭐️Keep your hair strands regularly stretched.
13. 🎀 Try DIY treatments. Sometimes hair care products can be costly, might have hidden ingredients, or might not live up to your standards. Using your own ingredients can be cheaper, offer more control of what you’re putting in your hair, and can elevate your hair care routine.
14. 🎀 Wear low tension, low manipulation protective style.
15. 🎀 ⭐️Keep the ends moisturized + sealed regularly, easier in twists over braids.
16. 🎀 Wrap your hair at night in a silk/satin headwrap (bonus: as well as a pillowcase).
17. 🎀 ⭐️Let the protective style marinate (3-5 weeks). Give it time to grow your desired inches without constantly bothering the strands.
18. 🎀 Keep your hands out of your hair during the month. Picking, pulling, over manipulating etc.
19. 🎀 Only use hair accessories that don’t snag and easily pull on the hair.
20. 🎀 Once every 6-8 weeks, try a protein mask. Especially at the ends to keep them strong and prevent further damage.
21. 🎀Getting rid of damaged ends should always be a priority. You can technically make it work but it will make it harder to retain length and have those full healthy and smooth strands you always want.
22. 🎀 Stick to your routine. It’s alright to experiment and try something new; however, trying several new products, supplements, or trendy fads every month can cause confusion in what really works, as well as unintentional setbacks.
23. 🎀 Be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day. With a solid routine, you will see results—maybe not in a week or two, but with progress pictures and measuring, you will see positive improvement and faster than you think at times.
Growing your hair from shoulder-length to waist-length is a journey that requires dedication and care. One crucial aspect is understanding your hair's unique characteristics, including density, porosity, and curl pattern. Tailoring your hair care routine to these traits can lead to significant improvements. Incorporating a variety of nutrient-rich foods and possibly supplements into your diet is essential for optimal hair growth. Consider avoiding harsh chemicals and heat treatments that can damage your hair. Regularly moisturizing the ends of your hair and minimizing manipulation can prevent breakage. Furthermore, protective styles can be beneficial; wear them for a few weeks to allow your hair to grow without interference. Lastly, remember that patience is key—results take time, but with commitment and the right strategies, you can achieve the long, healthy hair you've always desired.
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