Tag Archives: natural hair 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

So Twisted

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I absolutely love the bun life. I have a different bun for every day of the week.  But this week, I decided to do small twists as my primary protective style.

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These twists took me about 4 hours to do.  I twisted on co-washed and conditioned hair (Tresemme Flawless Curls and Cantu leave-in).  Typically when I do these twists I prefer to use a locking creme like Carol’s Daughter Loc Butter along with my Eco Styler gel.  It just so happens that I was out of both of these fabulous products but was still committed to getting the twists done before the week began. I ended up only using Cantu’s Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment, a product I am heavily relying on during my growth challenge.  Consequently, because I didn’t use anything to really lock these twists in, I don’t expect them to last very long at all.  I’ll be really happy to make it to Friday.  Personally, I think that four hours of twisting for 4-5 days of not having to really do anything to my hair is a pretty great trade-off, but that’s just me!

I am moisturizing and sealing my ends at least every other day, if not every day with Bioinfusion Olive Oil Shine Serum and the Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment, Cantu’s Creamy Hair Lotion or Motions Hydrate My Curls Hair Pudding.

That’s about it!  Still protective styling and treating my hair for maximum growth! Off to drink two cups of water and take my vitamins. Let me know if you’d like to see a tutorial on these twists.  Be you beauties!

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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR

Protective style for what!?

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I hadn’t heard the term protective styling until I decided to do the big chop 2 ½ years ago.  Even after I took that huge step I was still clueless as to what protective styling was or the purpose it served to growing my natural hair.  I have worn a lot of protective styles while on my natural hair journey but not particularly for the sake of protecting my hair.  Historically, it has more so been about achieving a particular style or look.  If a style that I wanted to achieve happened to require twists or braids or another common protective tactic, I did it! Little did I know that in doing so I had been encouraging hair growth. 

Well, as I’ve taken the step of committing to my 6 month growth challenge I am being reintroduced to protective styling but looking at it in a way that I never have before. Part of the parameters of my challenge includes wearing protective styles at least 3 times a week.  In the past couple of weeks I had been finding myself a bit challenged trying to find something new to do with my hair but still adhere to the parameters within the growth challenge. So, to encourage myself so that I didn’t completely fall off the bandwagon, I researched the importance of protective styling so that I can continuously remind myself why it’s so important, especially during a growth challenge. 

  • Low Maintenance: Natural hair retains length better when it’s left alone.  Styles that do not require a lot of manipulation like consistent combing, twisting etc. will allow hair to grow faster.
  • Keeps Hair Soft: Protective styles tend to soak up the natural oils and moisture within your hair which allows it to remain soft.  I do notice a major difference in my hair at night when I’ve worn it out vs. when I’ve worn it in a bun all day.
  • Prevents Breakage: Hair that is often worn out has a tendency to break off because of loose ends that catch on to various fabrics from things like car seats and pillowcases. Wearing protective styles helps to prevent breakage so that hair will retain growth.

 So, whenever I wake up in the morning and have that “Protective style for what!?” attitude I can quickly come back with these powerful reasons. 

 #GrowthChallengeGrind

 

BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR

Helping my hair grow with H2O

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Last week I was sort of a slacker on my water intake so this weekend I’ve been on a serious H2O flow.  Generally speaking I think most people, including myself understand the importance of water and why it’s so important to drink a sufficient amount on a daily basis.  I don’t know about you but even given that understanding I still don’t always drink enough.  I’m fortunate that I actually enjoy the taste of water.  For me, the problem is that the day gets away from me before I’ve realized that I’ve hardly drank any.   Totally unacceptable!  Well, my hair challenge has given me another reason to remind myself of why water is so important, specifically for my natural hair growth.

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  • Our bodies are made up of about 60% water and we need it to maintain overall health.
  • One quarter of our hair strand’s weight is made up of water.
  • Water is the main source of energy for hair cells.
  • Water intake helps hydrates the body and helps to regulate the circulatory system. This feeds the hair follicle, and stimulates hair growth.
  • Drink 8 to 10 cups of water a day to stay hydrate.
  • Applying water to the hair is a big key to mitigating hair damage when it’s handled.  It makes hair softer and more elastic.

At the end of the day the thing to remember is that you need to be hydrated inside and out to keep your hair healthy.  I definitely plan to continue my H2O flow throughout this hair challenge and beyond.  Guess that’s  it for now.  Off to have a glass of water before I shut it down for the night.  Be You Beauties!

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!