My hair is officially longer than it’s ever been in my life, so I thought I’d share this photo with you.
As far as trimming goes, I dust my ends every 3-4 months (snip about a quarter of an inch).
While I’ll admit, I’ve slacked off on my deep conditioning routine, I always use massive amounts of conditioner when I shampoo my hair.
It starts with my pre-poo routine (explained here) and then I use ample amounts during and after shampooing to help detangle. This prevents a lot of breakage because my hair stays detangled and moisturized at all times.
I’ve also found that the cheap conditioners like Suave Naturals or VO5 works just fine — especially ones that say “moisturizing.” I only splurge on my leave-in conditioners.
Speaking of those, I follow up every shampoo with a leave in afterwards (either Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Conditioning Milk or Oyin’s Honey Hemp).
I hope this inspires those of you who are still transitioning to hang in there and naturals as well.
For a moment there I thought it took 10 months for your hair to grow that long after a big chop. So hair length check is actually for more than 10 months. Never the less, nice pictures.
The pic was taken 10 months since I cut my last bit of relaxed hair off, which was 10 months prior to the pic. But I transitioned almost fully without having to cut my hair. So it is 10 months after my chop, but 2+ years since I started transitioning and going natural. Yes, that is a bit confusing the way I worded it. 🙂 I should have also mentioned I transitioned for 18 months.
I use Herbal Essence’s Hello Hydration conditioner (in a pretty blue bottle, available at pretty much any retailer) for pre-poo and I love it. Sometimes I will switch it up & use it as a deep conditioner (along with another one – I have thirsty hair!). I’ll have to try the ones that you suggested as well. Thanks! 🙂
Hi lisa
I am a big fan of your site…I am even one of your subscribers on youtube. First and foremost, congrats on your length check! I was one of the ones that did the big chop and have been going strong for 10 months up until now. The curls and definition in my hair at the top are fine but the back of my head is straight with no curls and I don’t know why please help me!?!
Hi Jasmine
Parts of my head have different textures too and this is very normal. Although I will say that with time, my curls seemed to start forming in places I didn’t have them when I first went all natural. So just be patient and keep conditioning your hair. Do you use heat? That could alter the pattern too.
CORRECTION: LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW LOOKS BY GOIN NATURAL. LOVE THIS SITE.
I AM 7 MONTHS POST RELAXERS, AND DECIDED TO GO NATURAL WHEN I NOTICED I STOP PERMING MY HAIR, SO AIMING FOR 18 MITHS CONSIDERING MY HAIR WAS IN A SHORT BOB BEFORE TRANSITIONING NATURAL. LOOKING FOR TO THE NEW LOOKS.
I loveeee this website! Your site was one of the first sites I found when I started to transition and I continue to check it, especially after you completed your transtion. I am 17 months into my transition and thinking about cutting off the remaining relaxed ends which are still holding on. LOL.
Thanks for the advice you have showed us all! Your hair looks AMAZING, Kudos to your record length!
Thank you!! 17 months! You’re almost where I was when I chopped. *chants* “Do it, Do it!”
I Lisa im from Portugal and im 6 months transition w/o BC ! I want to know if you still using ORS replenish conditioner as a DC and if you get build up ? Because it has Dimethicone, and i want to be free from cones but here in Portugal we havent option for african hair texture products without silicones. Thank you and Tnk you for your work on this blog!
I do still use it but don’t have a build up problem because I rinse with water/vinegar to get all the excess product. My hair doesn’t respond negatively to cones like some people.
Ok, I think that I got carried away and left out a few words in my post! I meant to say * and the length is amazing! And I also meant to say * growing all of that extremely healthy hair.. It’s close to my bedtime! I just really appreciate you sharing your journey! This is my 15th week post relaxer and good Lordy! I have regrown hair in areas that I hve alway experienced nothing but major breakage! You inspire me so much! I cannot thank you enough!
Lisa your hair looks amazingly healthy and the length! I love your site! You keep me grounded in my decision to transition long term and in line with my quest for healthy hair! Thank you and congrats on growing all of the extremely healthy hair!
Thanks Senecea!
OMG! WOW, Lisa! That is definitely inspiring. Congrats on achieving such a long length of beautiful, natural hair!
You were one of the first blogs I followed when I became natural. Thanks for the inspiration. Your hair is beautiful and you growth is amazing!
**your growth**
That’s beautiful!