Length retention Fall 2010 - Winter 2011

Throughout the cold seasons I try to do as much as I can to retain length. Since I dislike cold weather so much this is the best time of the year to keep my hair up and protected. When its cold I need to be able to throw on hats and coats without worrying about my hair.

I started here:

Line 3

And now I am here:

Line 6.5

 From line 3 - line 6.5, not bad; each line is 1 inch from the previous line. I am really close to 7 and may be at that line but I did not flat iron my hair until it was bone straight. I got results very similar to the previous winter so it looks like I may have discovered a length retention routine that works for me. My secret? Keep it simple. Complicated regimens and numerous treatments may yield good results also, but why put yourself (and wallet) through that stress if you don't need to. To see the steps I followed each week click here: Fall 2010 -W inter 2011 Regimen

There are a few things I would have changed about the regimen:

1. I would have started the scalp moisturizing and massages earlier in the winter, maybe around mid-December.

2. I liked the yarn braids but because it was my first experience with them they were not as great for my length retention as I would have like for them to be - my ends were dry when I removed the braids. I should have focused a lot more attention to moisturizing the portion of the braids that held the ends of my hair.

3. I think I would have benefited from an additional henna treatment. I am noticing that at this point of my healthy hair journey I am moving away from following a strict regimen and trying to do what my hair tells me.

Now that Spring is here (although it's still cold out) it's time to enjoy this length. My goal this Spring/Summer is to actually wear my hair out more. I find myself getting stuck in a protective styling routine because they enable me to only worry about my hair once a week.


BTW, last night I found some fabric paint in my craft room so next time the lines/numbers on my shirt will be a lot easier to see in pics;)

Wash Day

Sunday night - I needed a wash bad! This was after a moisturized and super sealed bun and then a braid out done on dirty hair. My strands were feeling quite icky. I even pulled out the shampoo for this one.

The steps I followed were:
1. Shampooed once with Dudu-Osun Natural Shampoo
2. Did a Black Tea Rinse with Coconut Oil Formula Deep Conditioning Protein Pack (review coming)
3. Rinsed thoroughly and then applied a leave-in conditioner
4. Style: Two Strand twists done with Shea Butter

Clean Hair

Fall/Winter - Week 14

Sunday
Shampooed with Giovanni SAS, Deep Conditioned with Giovanni SAS, and pulled into a bun. For this bun I separated the ponytail into two sections and two strand twisted each section. I then pinned those sections around each other for a quick but "not the regular" bun.

Monday
At night I tied on my head scarf and in the morning I just have to remove it and go about my day.

Tuesday
On Tuesday night I took the bun down and I was going to co-wash but I ended up falling asleep before I go to that point. So I put on my satin scarf and called it a night.

Wednesday
That morning I co-washed with Suave Naturals Aloe Vera and Ginseng, Applied leave - in conditioner, attempted to seal with sheamoisture and put my hair back into the bun. That afternoon my hair was completely dry and my scalp was getting itchy so I went and purchased a bottle of HE Hello Hydration and co-washed my hair again - this time with a creamier conditioner. I could immediately tell a difference.

Thursday
Remove the scarf and go - so easy I love it!

Friday
Friday morning was a repeat of Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday morning. I removed my head scarf and went about my day.
However, that night I decided to play around with some Curlformers. See more about this here: I'm late but...Curlformers!

Saturday
I was going to wash and style but I like the outcome of the Curlformers so much that I didn't do anything to my hair. I plan to pull apart the curls for my Sunday style.

Bun

I will admit, I am not doing the best job of repeating the same regimen I followed last winter so if I don't get the same result as far length retention is concerned - I know why.