Tag Archives: hair growth

INSPIRATION, NATURAL HAIR, STRAIGHTENED NATURAL HAIR

Hair Restoration Update!

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Hey luvs,

Since May I’ve been working hard to restore my hair from the color damage I got as a result of over coloring my hair. If you missed that post you can check it out here. I ended up cutting off the damaged ends and starting my hair restoration process back in May. I’ve been using a lot of products meant specifically for restoring damaged hair and have also been taking some hair vitamins. In a recent video I recaped my progress and provide details on the different products I’m attributing my hair growth and restoration so far to. Here is a look at my progress in pictures over the past several months.
May – starting point



July


October

I’m really happy with my progress! If you’re interested in hearing about exactly what I’ve been using on my hair, click here to watch my hair restoration update video.

XOXO,

~TJ

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NATURAL HAIR

Flat Ironed Natural Hair – A Look Back

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I was going through some old pics and could’t help but feel extremely proud of my natural hair journey.  For the past 3 1/2 years I have embraced my natural hair texture and it has truly paid off.  My hair is more healthy than it has ever been and the growth has been incredible!  

Here’s a look back over the past 3 years at the various times during my journey that I’ve flat ironed my hair to see my growth progression. 

10 Months Post Big Chop

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1 Year Post Big Chop

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1.5 Years Post Big Chop

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2 Years Post Big Chop

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2.5 Years Post Big Chop

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3 Years Post Big Chop (After my first professional trim and color treatment)

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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR

Think I’m done combing my hair…ever

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At one of the Natural Hair Small Group meetings I help lead for my church, the conversation of using or not using a comb came up. Some believed that combing natural hair can contribute significantly to breakage, even with a wide tooth comb. I had previously never thought twice about combing my natural hair. I would typically comb it as I co-washed in the shower or immediately after as I applied my leave-in conditioner. Frankly, not combing my hair seemed pretty crazy to me.

After that meeting I decided to try out this not combing my hair nonsense. Turns out, I love it! Since chucking up the deuces to my wide tooth comb I’ve noticed a few things. 1. My curl pattern is more defined without applying any product to it. 2. My everyday texture is incredible and 3. I seem to have retained more length than usual.

Instead of using a comb, now I just use my fingers. Finger combing, what a brilliant concept. I’m still able to detangle my hair effectively without losing the benefits of not using a comb. So, outside of using a rat tail comb for precision parting for various styles, I think I’m pretty much done combing my natural hair…ever.

BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR

My natural hair growth challenge regimen

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While I thoroughly enjoyed the versatility, after just a week I decided to chuck up the deuces to my straight hair. I am now happy to say the curls are back and I am back to my growth challenge regimen.  Speaking of my regimen, I’ve gotten some questions as to what my regimen has been since I started the growth challenge.  So, here’s a look at what I’ve been doing to promote hair growth during this 6 month challenge.

  • Co-wash with Tresemme Flawless Curls 2x/week

  • Use the LOC method to seal my ends with water, olive oil and the Cantu Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment at least 3x/week

  • Deep condition and baggy with Creme of Nature Intensive Conditioning Treatment with Moroccan Aragan Oil 1x/week

  • Wear protective styles at least 3 to 4x/week
  • Protect my hair at night with a silk scarf or bonnet
  • Use Bioinfusion Olive Oil Shine Serum to help protect my hair when it’s out and not in a protective style

  • Take multivitamins every day
  • Drink at least 8 cups of water every day
  • Exercise 2 to 3x/week

That’s pretty much it!  I try to stay as consistent as possible. Although I’ve fallen short on a couple of these items I’m really proud of my dedication and progress.  Looking forward to the next 4 1/2 months of awesome hair growth! Stay tuned for updates!

Click here to check out my original blog entry about my growth challenge.

BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR

Growth Challenge Update

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It’s been a little over a month since I decided to go hard with a 6 month growth challenge.  Since then I’ve been pretty consistent with the rules I set in place for myself.  Lots of protective styling, H2O, vitamins, etc. and so far it definitely seems to be paying off.

The weather here in Florida has been in the low 70s, perfect for straight hair.  And so, I couldn’t help myself.  I tried a new product from the Cantu line (stay tuned for a review) and decided to straighten my hair.  I was extremely happy with the results.  Although there was heat application, I took care of my hair during the process and my straight hair has offered me some incredible motivation to continue the challenge.  Check out the comparison from when I first started the challenge to now. My hair is noticeably longer and more healthy after only 1 month!   I’m definitely feeling encouraged!

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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR, SELF LOVE

Feeling Myself

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So, my growth challenge has got me really feeling myself!  Feeling incredibly encouraged and excited about my potential to reach my waist length goal, not necessarily within 6 months but perhaps in 12.  It’s amazing to me how one small initiative like a hair growth challenge can inspire you and build up your confidence.

I’ve been taking my all natural vitamins twice a day, playing with protective styles and trying to be more active. The big challenge this week has been drinking more water. Gotta find a way to get it in!

I did get a few new products that I’m really excited to try:  Cantu Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment, Bioinfusion Curl Cream, Motions Define My Curls Creme, and Motions  Hydrate My Curls Hair Pudding. Super excited about trying these products!

Check out my YouTube video below to find out more about my growth challenge as well as these products and how I plan to use them.

Well…one thing is for sure, my self-love is definitely on overtime!  I suppose the natural Be You Beauty thing to do to maintain  such a healthy level of confidence like this would be to find more positive, healthy initiatives to take on.  Who knows…this could be the beginning of something Be-You-tiful!

BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR, SELF LOVE

Challenge!

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I seem to be in the beginnings of my usual seasonal go to of FALLing for straight hair.  Although I typically embrace my curly hair throughout the year I do enjoy spending some time wearing my straight hair when fall comes around since this is one of the few times of year that the Florida weather permits it.  After recently straightening my hair to trim my ends I thought it might be a great idea to start a 6 month growth challenge.  My 3 year natural hair anniversary is on April 3rd and I’m really curious to see what kind of hair growth I can achieve from now to then.

I’ve been researching various growth challenges that others have done to get an idea of some solid parameters I might be interested in.  I found a great 2-Year Waist Length Healthy Hair Challenge on Facebook with some rules that appealed to me and since this is my natural hair length goal I thought it was perfect.  What I love most about this challenge is that it includes so many other healthy elements that I could totally stand to make habits out of.   With that being said, there are also some parameters  here that will serve as extreme challenges  for me, all which I’ve notated below.  So,  I’ve decided to do my very best to adhere to these rules for the next 6 months.  I’ll do monthly updates on my progress.  Here’s a look at my starting point. I’m right around bra strap length.  Wish me luck!

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  • Wash/Cleanse your hair 1x per week
  • Always Deep Condition after every Wash & Hot Oil treatment followed by a Leave In Conditioner
  • Blot hair with a t-shirt & Air dry the hair 99% of the time
  • No heat (blow drying, flat iron, curling iron, etc.) until you’ve been in the challenge for at least 2 months, after that you’re allowed only one (1) Heat pass per month (Going to be tough since I love straight hair during the fall but, gonna do my best!)
  • Remain FAITHFUL to Moisturizing & Sealing your ends at least 3x a week to prevent breakage & split ends
  • Wear protective or low manipulation styles 3-5x a week (I LOVE trying new things with my hair so this will be tough!)
  • Take a hair growth aide or multivitamin if you choose to benefit the health & growth of your hair & body (Discuss this with your physician to see if this is appropriate for you & your health)
  • ALWAYS protect your hair at night with a silk/satin scarf and/or bonnet. Sleeping with a satin pillowcase will be beneficial as well.
  • Eat a healthy diet, eliminating fast food and as many processed foods as possible (I totally need to do this anyway! Will do my best HOWEVER Thanksgiving and Christmas are off limits! lol!)
  • Exercise at least 2-3x a week, whether it’s walking, running, jogging, aerobics, etc. Do something that will get your heart pumping & get your blood flow circulating. (Yep! Totally need to do this more consistently too!)
  • Drink PLENTY of water (Another one!)
  • Keep your hands OUT of your hair when you’re not styling or massaging it (Challenge!)
  • Every day, look in the mirror at yourself & say a positive affirmation about yourself to motivate yourself. (Critical for embracing my Be You Beauty!)
  • Take a picture of your hair before starting this challenge. At the end of every other month, take a picture and do a length check to track how your hair is coming along. Post a picture to the Wall whenever you are making progress for your encouragement and others encouragement & inspiration as well.
  • Periodically post how much growth you’ve had.

Anyone want to join me??!!  What would be your goal for a 6 month growth challenge?