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What are the First Steps to Retaining Length?

December 29th, 2010 at 3:21 pm.

I’ve been mulling this over for the past few weeks and I keep coming back to a different question alltogether. Why? Why decide to progressively grow hair to any particular length in the first place? I really do want to make sure my intentions are correct going into this, mostly because of the extra TLC I’d have to dish out to my hair each week. I’ve said here before that I was never one to really explore the issues of growing out natural hair, and it’s mostly because the main focus was always on figuring out how to care for it, what products worked best and how to ultimately feel comfortable as the girl with Fro-ish hair. But there is a lot to consider once you do make the decision to care for your hair in differing ways.

Will I have to do more protective styling? More deep conditioning? Practice better detangling methods? Should I re-vamp my entire hair regime?

My current hair regime is pretty solid, something I’m fairly proud of. It’s taken one hair fiasco after another to ultimately stop the crazy, and finally get serious about caring for my mop. Each week I map out my strategy and try to incorporate methods and products that will nurture my hair for the long run. Since my last hair cut earlier this year, the growth I’ve seen is normal. For me. Over the years I’ve grown used to my hair growth pattern, how often it grows…which seasons it grows fastest etc.

So…now. I’m not sure. I figure I’m bored with my hair? Nope…can’t be. Having too much fun lately enjoying Big Hair Don’t Care status for that even to be a concern. Yet I think what’s drawing me to this challenge is the fact that I’ve never committed to it before. I’ve always wanted healthy hair…craved the knowledge to rightfully care for it and subsequently enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Now, I hope is the fun part. Hope being the operative word. There’s a great Healthy Hair Challenge commencing over at The MopTop Maven & it really couldn’t have come at a better time. The purpose of the challenge is not only to help all in retaining length…but primarily focuses on hair health practices. Its never enough to want long hair….you have to instill the methods, time and commitment involved in achieving it. And of course…don’t give up. It is a challenge after all…

I’m up for the challenge. There will certainly be those who do not understand the crux of why women want longer natural hair, but in the end it’s not about others. My brother, god bless his unknowing soul was over the other day, and after peeking into my shower and pointing out my bottle of shampoo, began ranting and actually laughing in disbelief over my hair shenanigans. Apparently the name of the branded shampoo (Carol’s Daughter Curl Perfecting Shampoo) is code for crazy curly girl is obsessed with her hair…and yet he’s also a person who has his own personal drive to be good & better at his health. He takes amazing care of his body, works out regularly and stays away from sugary drinks.

Healthy hair for woman I’m noticing sets a strong example for how we choose to live our lives. Goal oriented (hopefully), always striving for something greater. At the very least…this is me know. I’m all for setting new goals in 2011 and retaining length during this healthy hair challenge run should be fun, I hope to learn a great deal…and in the end I sure do hope to succeed!

I’ll be tweaking my hair agenda in the coming days, mostly to include better conditioning practices and the use of several herbs I’ve had lying about. If anything, it should all be very interesting! If you’re also up for the challenge, chime in at The MopTop Maven’s site. Tons of advice, tips and Q&A’s to last until your personal goal is reached!

9 comments ( Reply )

GG
Dec 29, 2010 @ 4:01 pm

I’m doing MTM’s healthy hair challenge too! Comes at a great time for me as I decided in the fall that I want to grow my hair to waist length in 2011. My reason:
I’ve always had longish hair, even when I was relaxed. I’ve never been consistent with my routines or used discipline to reach a certain goal, however. My hair is pretty resilient, so everytime it would get damaged and break off, I’d cut it and it would grow back never really bypassing BSL. One day I was on KISS and **eliminating limiting thoughts** I decided that my hair COULD grow past BSL if I really wanted it to and took it seriously. I always thought that my kind of hair just wouldn’t grow any longer than that. I also realized that this could be a good exercise for me to practice goal-setting and discipline in general. I’m sure that making sacrifices and being diligent and seeing results will help me to do so in other areas of my life. I like your comparison to your brother and his fitness and health habits. My friends and fam sometimes have jokes because I take pictures of my hair, am obsessed with products, etc but they are still supportive and are the first ones to tell me how beautiful my hair is. We all have our “things” that we pay special attention to because it makes us feel good, you know, as we are really honoring ourselves by doing so.

Reply
- chai
  Dec 29, 2010 @ 9:53 pm
  
  yep, when I was relaxed length was not a huge issue. hair reached past shoulder length and I’d just keep it trimmed & clean. But with natural hair…totally different story. You have to muddle through a lot of excess even before you’re able to think of how long your hair will ultimately grow…I had to become dicipliend with washing/styling before even considering the thought of growing it out…which is maybe a good thing..? looking forward to your updates;-)
  
  Reply
sarah
Dec 29, 2010 @ 5:47 pm

i also saw the post on MTM and was intrigued, mostly because her blog has the most appetizing pictures and desciptions, but also because she is offering regimens for those who don’t use all-natural products or protective styling. but, my thing with growing long hair has always been “why??” as well! so you wanna grow your hair to waist length. cool. then what? when does it stop and what are your really trying to prove? i mean, i get it, i do. i’ve had long hair, but i’ve never been on that bandwagon… maybe until now.

another natural and i have very similar hair, except mine is a couple of inches longer. she was asking me very specific questions like how many inches was may hair, my exact techniques, and my shrinkage percentage and i could only offer the ‘Ye Shrug because i’ve never taken my hair that seriously. but, i also felt a little embarrassed. maybe i SHOULD keep up with that stuff if i call myself doling out information and encouragement to those coming up behind me. maybe i could benefit from discipline as well. i’ve never been really goal-oriented/driven, but it couldn’t hurt, right?

Reply
- chai
  Dec 29, 2010 @ 9:50 pm
  
  I say give it a go! you mentioned the word ‘discipline’ and that is so true. Whether it’s hair or any other goal oriented project we take on, we’re guaranteed to learn a lot…and the rewards are often sweeter!
  
  Reply
jb
Jan 04, 2011 @ 11:37 am

Hi Chai. I love your blog. Could you tell me exactly what the EO’s Moisture Rich Conditioner is?

Reply
- chai
  Jan 04, 2011 @ 11:50 am
  
  thank you! It’s specifically formulated for those with color treated hair, but I often find those types of conditioners work best for my hair because of the added moisture. It smooths my hair better than most of the rinse out conditioners I’ve tried in the past by reducing frizz once I unravel my twists in the morning. I have to use a semi-creamy leave in conditioner underneath, but only a bit. I find this conditioner at my local Vitamin World shop, but Whole Foods also carries it:
  
  http://www.eoproducts.com/Products/EO-Products-Rose-and-Chamomile—Protective-Conditioner-84-oz__636874090207New1.aspx
  
  What I love so far about this one is that it doesn’t leave buildup on the hair, and the moisture it leaves behind is amazing! I have thick, coarse hair and if I maintain a good nightly routine, my wash days last for a solid 7-8 days! Hope this helps;-)
  
  Reply
Chinye
Jan 04, 2011 @ 11:58 am

I too am beginning the year focusing on the caring of my ends to retain length, moreso than attempting to weave through the endless inundation of products to try, routines to consider, and accessories to splurge on. I straightened my hair over the holiday season and found that my hair is the longest it has been my entire life — something I achieved in only 2.5 years. Honestly, I was shocked, yet proud of myself for my natural hair has become an everyday part of my life. It has shown that for me, retaining length is a byproduct of healthy and sound hair practices so I’m all in!

Reply
- chai
  Jan 04, 2011 @ 1:39 pm
  
  yay! that’s what I’m hoping…that taking the health of my hair a step further, I’ll be able to see even better results by the end of this year…or hopefully in the next couple of weeks. Look forward to reading your progress;-)!
  
  Reply