Create Your Regimen for the Grow-Out Challenge

I’ve initiated and participated in many a natural hair challenge over the years. I’ve bunned, baggied, deep treated 2x a week, hell, I even did nightly scalp massages. I learned that no two heads are the same, and identical regimens may not produce similar results for everybody. There is one thing, however, that yields stellar results much of the time… consistency! Yep, all you have to do is develop a routine and product combo that works for you, and stick to it. That is the cornerstone of our challenge. Be consistent!

With that said, later today or tomorrow, I’ll share my tweaked regimen for the Grow-Out Challenge. I’m kicking it off with a trim and I suggest y’all do the same! It’ll make detangling and styling easier, and also help you to maintain the length you gain.

Below, I compiled some sample regimens (from past Hair Idols”> that you can build on. Tweak them as you see fit—more frequent washing if you’re a gym curly, less washing if your hair doesn’t like the manipulation. For product recommendations, see here. Happy growin’!

Nik

Dry Bunnin’ – If Your Ends Knot Up When Wet Bunning

dry bun

Dry bun


  1. 1. Wash your hair biweekly with a low-sulfate or moisturizing shampoo
  2. 2. Rinse and apply an instant conditioner as you gently detangle (fingers first, then with a wide-toothed comb, modified Denman, or Tangle Teezer”>
  3. 3. Follow up with a moisturizing deep treatment with heat
  4. 4. Rinse thoroughly, and generously apply your leave-in conditioner
  5. 5. Place your hair in chunky twists or braids to stretch it out
  6. 6. Seal your ends with an oil (castor, shea butter, olive oil, etc.”>
  7. 7. Allow to dry overnight
  8. 8. Remove twists, and using a Goody Ouchless Scrunchy, place hair into a loose, secure bun (high, low, to the side, messy… do you!”>, being mindful of your edges.
  9. 9. At night, you can either (1″> remove the bun, moisturize and twist the hair, (2″> loosen the bun, apply pomade to edges and tie with a scarf, or (3″> remove the bun, moisturize, re-bun, apply pomade to your edges, and tie down with a scarf.

Wet Bunnin’

wet bun

Wet bun


  1. 1. Wash your hair weekly with a low sulfate, moisturizing shampoo or co-wash
  2. 2. Rinse and apply instant conditioner as you gently detangle (fingers first, then with a wide-toothed comb, modified Denman, or Tangle Teezer”>
  3. 3. Follow up with a moisturizing deep treatment with heat
  4. 4. Rinse, and generously apply a leave-in conditioner in a raking motion to encourage curl definition and clumpage
  5. 5. Seal your ends with an oil (castor, shea butter, olive oil, etc.”>
  6. 6. Pull hair into a high, loose yet secure bun using a Goody Ouchless Scrunchy, being careful not to stress your edges
  7. 7. Smooth your edges with product of choice and your fingers
  8. 8. Tie on a silk scarf for 10-30 minutes to help set your edges
  9. 9. At night, you can either (1″> remove the bun, moisturize and twist the hair, (2″> loosen the bun, apply pomade to edges and tie with a scarf, or (3″> remove the bun, moisturize, re-bun, apply pomade to your edges and tie down with a scarf.

**Whether wet or dry bunning, you can always take your hair down and execute a gorgeous dry twist or braid-out for a special occasion or when you grow bored.

**To smooth your edges sans brush and gel, click here.

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