(newbie) I really want long hair....

Unpolished · 11-01-2009, 11:56 PM

Hi all,

I have been curly for so long I feel like, but I just joined this site, so I think I am finally on the right track to reaching my goal of curls that are shoulder length.. though I would LOVE bra strap length. I just have a couple of issues, my curls always shrink... so even when my hair is really long, I can't reap the benefits. OR... I am constantly reverting to bad habits and having hair breakage because sometimes I put a lot of stress on my hair through coloring or straightening.

Any suggestions for a newbie? Any articles to read? I have just began a new curly routine with co-washing and leave in CO, along with coconut oil sealants.

Does everyone take particular vitamins to grow hair? My hair always just reaches a plateau and then that is it.

My file attachment is of me with my natural black hair (I am blond now) and almost the longest it has been 04/2008.

Thanks for the help.

MissConstrued · 11-03-2009, 05:51 PM

From what I've read on here, every head of hair is different. Most people take vitamins to hair growth including MSM, Biotin, Fish oil, GNC hair and nails, etc.; the wrong dosage/mix of these can cause your hair to split a lot or your skin to break out. Protective and low maintenance styles 3-4 days a week work best for me. Shampooing once every 1-2 weeks and applying conditioner/leave-in with olive oil on the ends reduced my split-ends. Good luck!

MixedUpCurlyChick · 11-07-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unpolished

Hi all,

I have been curly for so long I feel like, but I just joined this site, so I think I am finally on the right track to reaching my goal of curls that are shoulder length.. though I would LOVE bra strap length. I just have a couple of issues, my curls always shrink... so even when my hair is really long, I can't reap the benefits. OR... I am constantly reverting to bad habits and having hair breakage because sometimes I put a lot of stress on my hair through coloring or straightening.

Any suggestions for a newbie? Any articles to read? I have just began a new curly routine with co-washing and leave in CO, along with coconut oil sealants.

Does everyone take particular vitamins to grow hair? My hair always just reaches a plateau and then that is it.

My file attachment is of me with my natural black hair (I am blond now) and almost the longest it has been 04/2008.

Thanks for the help.

Hey Unpolished,

I commented in another thread u posted so forgive me if I'm repeating myself lol. The only time my hair got to a certain length and broke off was when I was perming it and or coloring it blonde. Some people just don't retain length (ends just seem to break off). I thought that was me until I stopped perming. I haven't colored my hair in over a yr, but even then it wasn't blonde (bleach). I started out with hair about ear length (almost chin length straightened) when I went natural.

I was coloring but using black or reddish/brown color. I'm now almost two yrs natural and my hair is almost BSL straightened. I attribute the length to the lack of chemicals and the products I use. I think the fact that I don't use bleach is a HUGE part of it though. I do plan to be blonde again but not til I reach my hair goal. Just a thought b/c u said your hair seems to reach a plateau and then just stops.

I was taking Biotin my first yr of being natural but I honestly didn't notice a real difference so I stopped taking it. A lot of ladies swear by it though. It would be hard for me to tell b/c I wasn't actually measuring before or after. Anyway, u get the picture lol

HTH

SandraDgroovy · 11-15-2009, 04:29 AM

As for as reading, there are aspects of Curly Girl book that I do that has helped (CG 99% of the time, cowash). I always browse maneandchic.blogspot.com for her hair articles and reviews. For the most part, whatever works for her also works on mine and I couldn't have transitioned without her articles/methods.

I'm jealous of your blond curls. I have some blond highlights myself and always wanted to try an all over blond color. I agree with the poster regarding chemicals. The less chemical processes, the better growth and health of hair. I have been lucky to have rapid growth with very little split ends despite not wearing protective styles, but once I highlighted, lotsa of split ends! I cut them off doing the ''search and destroy'' method & used the Nexxus emergency treatment, that seems to have help repair it some.

As for vitamins, I have raved about GNC UltraNourish hair, but some say it doesn't work for them. My friend just takes biotin and she says it works.

curledlove · 11-16-2009, 10:28 PM

Welcome to NC unpolished, I'm rather new myself but don't worry you are on your way to healthy hair. I find that the more gently you treat your hair, the more growth you will have. When I co-wash I apply my products, (LI, vitamin E oil, and gel) plop, and let it be. Sometimes I sit under my hard hat dryer to let it dry because air drying can take forever. I also take One-a-day women's, NOURISH hair vitamins, 2mgs MSM, and 1mg biotin. I haven't been on them for long enough to notice any growth but I will keep you posted.