Grow It Long 2025 Challenge!

[pikkonoloidlee]

Your hair ends look thick, full and even and gorgeous.

Do you have split ends? Is that why you are trimming? Or, do you prefer perfectly blunt ends? Or, are there other reasons for why you are planning to trim?

To be transparent, although I trim my hair more often in a year now, I am “trim adverse”.

The idea of trimming creates anxiety for me, so because of my own personal issues I’m questioning the trim now.

The questioning is coming from a place of fear ( me having done it wrong- others having cut too much of my hair). The questioning is not coming from a place of criticism or judgement of you and your choice.

I would say it's for two main reasons. I do have some split ends from some experiments I did early last year that I've been slowly trimming off. Currently I am trying to keep the condition of my hair in a good enough state that I can get the compromised hair off over time without too much issue.

The other part is that I am trying to keep the nape in check a bit. It can grow out much faster than other areas but that can leave it vulnerable to damage so I try to keep it somewhat close to the rest. Most of my hair isn't blunt but that section is since it gets a little but cut off periodically so it does give that appearance.

I don't mind the trims because I'm doing them so I get to decide how much and where things get cut off.

 

[MzSwift]

No, I use the RC Roche Ornament hair clips from Amazon. My hair never snags with them...so far.

TYSM for sharing this!
I've been wanting to try more loose hair styles (I keep my hair braided 95% of the time) bc DH has been expressing that he misses seeing my hair. I miss it too.

 

[Chicoro]

I would say it's for two main reasons. I do have some split ends from some experiments I did early last year that I've been slowly trimming off. Currently I am trying to keep the condition of my hair in a good enough state that I can get the compromised hair off over time without too much issue.

The other part is that I am trying to keep the nape in check a bit. It can grow out much faster than other areas but that can leave it vulnerable to damage so I try to keep it somewhat close to the rest. Most of my hair isn't blunt but that section is since it gets a little but cut off periodically so it does give that appearance.

I don't mind the trims because I'm doing them so I get to decide how much and where things get cut off.

Thank you for taking the time to clarify and explain to me in detail. I appreciate it.

 

[GettingKinky]

I’ve been pretty good about using my deep conditioner every other week. I don’t always use my heat cap, but I always let it sit for at least 10 minutes.

I think I’m doing a good job of making sure my hair stays moisturized, but I could probably be a little more gentle and patient with my detangling.

 

[MzSwift]

How long have you been doing braids 95% of the time? What is your main style of braids that you do? How long do you keep them in for at a time?

I'm trying to wait until my hair grows a few inches more before wearing braids. I still don't know how long I want to keep braids in. 4 weeks or 8 weeks

My hair is typically in mini/micro braids, no extension hair. And I keep them in anywhere from 4 weeks to MONTHS at a time.
I treat them like loose hair rinse, wash, DC and Ayurveda in them. I typically wear them down, in a bun or in a ponytail. I refresh them one-by-one every 4-6 weeks.

These past two years, I've also been incorporating simple straight back cornrows when the weather is really cold and I keep them covered with scarves or curly wigs.

I've worn the minis with as little as 3 inches natural hair. They can pinned up in the front or over to one side OR worn with a dressy headband for a decent style.

 

[SmilingElephant]

Today I shampooed/conditioned with L'Oreal Dream Lengths

I also DC with the Dream Lengths mask

Then I followed up with the Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum and my Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Super Wet Gel

I let it air dry for a few hours before putting my hair up in a clip.


SN: I made some liver, onions, pepper, and rice it was my first time making it. I miss how my mom made it, though. It still came out really good!

 

[VarieYvette]

I have been keeping p with my weekly shampoo, DC, LOC, airdry and low manipulation style so far and it seems to be paying off. I did very high ponytail yesterday and my nape hair which was the shortest section after trimming all the straight ends stayed put. I am so excited about this little bit of progress.

 

[yaya24]

Good afternoon ladies! I would love to join you all on this years growth journey.

I cut off my microlocs and shaved my head bald September 2023.... and shaved it again Nov 2023. Started doing cornrows and wigs April 2024.

I'm ready for the growth & length retention goals that use to keep me excited.

-------

Give me the DETAILS:

Natural, Relaxed, Texlaxed: Natural
Current Length: 4.5 -5 inches all around
Goal Length: 10 inches all around
Plan to reach goal length: Jan 2026

Regimen:
• shampoo & condition every 3 weeks.
• Steam with every wash
• Only blowdry before new cornrows (revair/ chi blowdryer every 10-12 weeks)
• Moisturize & seal 3-4xs a week
• Oil scalp -daily the 1st week after a wash.. then "as needed" leading up to next wash (usually 2-3xs a wk).

•Protective Styles: cornrows/ flat twists/ 2 strand twists under wigs . I want to get knotless braids in June 2025.

Staple Products:

• Shampoo: Head and Shoulders Clinical strength blue bottle with green writing (wards off any scalp issues).. shampoo for length of hair- ogx shampoos *until I run out. These shampoos were so good to my microlocs..and so far so good with my loose natural hair. I do eventually want to try Beyonces cecred shampoo in the future when Im out of my current shampoo stash.

Staple LCO-
• Liquid: Rose water to mist hair
• Cream: Scurl moisturizer (experimenting with others)
• Oils: Castor oil to seal .. MCT+ jojoba oil mixed with various EO for scalp

Staple Conditioners-
• Protein DC: TBD .. ordered Komaza Protein
• Moisture DC:TBD.. ordered NaturelleGrow protein free

Starting photo- (my twists are all this length when I gently tug at them) Loose hair 4.5-5 inches in all areas.



Better starting pics (for future ref)



*Adding my cut from 11.11.23. Started from the bottom lol

 

[B_Phlyy]

Work is wearing me out but I'm keeping up with my hair. I've found it easier to just wash daily as a part of my shower. I am coming up on about a week off so I may refresh my braids soon.

 

[yaya24]

I did LCO last night on my twists before bed. The last time I did this was on Sunday.

Current PM LCO schedule -SUN/TUES/THURS

Woke up today with soft balanced hair.

 

[SmilingElephant]

I just misted my hair today with water, and put it in a bun with a satin scrunchie. I also used my Wild Growth hair oil. I wasn't in the mood to wash but I will tomorrow

In other news, I went through some old threads and found this pic. This is my goal to reach Hip Length again...but thicker. (Edit: this pic is from 2016)

 

[newgrowth15]

@yaya24, congratulations on such amazing growth in less than a year and a half.

 

[SmilingElephant]

@yaya24, congratulations on such amazing growth in less than a year and a half.

Thank you...but this was my hair back in 2016. I thought I wrote that but the website messed me up

 

[snoop]

This weekend will mark 4 weeks since I put in my mini twists. It seems longer....

The last two days I've been wearing my twists in a top knot. No pins. No elastics. I'm feeling good! The only thing is that my hair has to be wet to accomplish it, otherwise the shrinkage takes over.

 

[yaya24]

@yaya24, congratulations on such amazing growth in less than a year and a half.

Thanks ♡
I'm excited to see where I'm at at the 2 year mark in November. Wishfully in unicorn land, I would have 12 inches of hair..but realistically I'll be happy with whatever healthy gains I retain.

 

[SmilingElephant]

@yaya24, congratulations on such amazing growth in less than a year and a half.

I need to go to bed. I read this wrong and thought it was directed at me

Yes, congratulations @yaya24

 

[yaya24]

Yes, congratulations @yaya24

Thank you soo much!!

 

[SmilingElephant]

Thank you soo much!!

You're welcome

 

[SmilingElephant]

Nice growth! You'll get back there before you know it

I do not know my average hair growth; It would be nice to be able to claim 0.75 inches per month like you!

How long did it take from your hair cut to get to shoulder length? I'm trying to see what I should aim for by the end of summer

I wanna say it took me around 6 months to reach SL. I know I made it to APL in about a year.

From the last time I grew my hair out, from what I can remember, once I reached APL...each milestone after that took me around 6 months to reach at the most. That's with trims.

 

[newgrowth15]

I need to go to bed. I read this wrong and thought it was directed at me

Yes, congratulations @yaya24

No worries @SmilingElephant. You have amazingly fast hair growth as well.

 

[GettingKinky]

I was half asleep when I cowashed my hair this morning. I forgot to detangle before I rinsed out the conditioner so I had to detangle with my Cecred leave-in. It is not slippy enough to be good for detangling. :-(

 

[SmilingElephant]

My mood has been kinda low these past couple of days. Along with grief, I also have Bipolar and other mental neurodiversities and it's a struggle to keep up with my regimen. I also just lost my job Tuesday and am putting the energy I have left into job hunting.

I'll see if I get in here this evening and do my hair. I just don't feel like it

 

[SmilingElephant]

I did it!

I did my routine! Today I used:

Mixed Chicks Clarifying Shampoo (double cleansed)
Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner
Mixed Chicks Leave In
Vatika Hibiscus Oil

I put my hair up in a wet bun with a satin scrunchie.

 

[SmilingElephant]

So I don't regularly get to see the back of my head; therefore, I didn't know my bun was actually this big! I was thinking it would look small in the scrunchie, but I've been mistaken!

 

[Chicoro]

My mood has been kinda low these past couple of days. Along with grief, I also have Bipolar and other mental neurodiversities and it's a struggle to keep up with my regimen. I also just lost my job Tuesday and am putting the energy I have left into job hunting.

I'll see if I get in here this evening and do my hair. I just don't feel like it

Sending you hugs of support. Sending you supporting hugs.

 

[snoop]

@SmilingElephant I'm sorry that you're going through all of this.

 

[SmilingElephant]

Sending you hugs of support. Sending you supporting hugs.

Thank you

 

[SmilingElephant]

@SmilingElephant I'm sorry that you're going through all of this.

Thank you...it's definitely a lot but I'm determined to overcome it. Everyone, including my therapist, is telling me to rest. But that's so hard for me to do...and then I end up feeling burned out.

 

[faithVA]

My mood has been kinda low these past couple of days. Along with grief, I also have Bipolar and other mental neurodiversities and it's a struggle to keep up with my regimen. I also just lost my job Tuesday and am putting the energy I have left into job hunting.

I'll see if I get in here this evening and do my hair. I just don't feel like it

Sorry you are going through so much. I saw you said it's hard for you to rest. Maybe throughout the day you can say a little affirmation like I deserve to be good to myself or I deserve to care for myself. And just let your own words sink in over time.

 

[SmilingElephant]

Sorry you are going through so much. I saw you said it's hard for you to rest. Maybe throughout the day you can say a little affirmation like I deserve to be good to myself or I deserve to care for myself. And just let your own words sink in over time.

I will start doing that thank you for that