What has been your most successful way to style your natural hair while growing it out ?

[levette]

Please share what styling method you do consistently to retain length. How long did it take your hair to get to the desired length.

 

[oneastrocurlie]

Wash and gos. I don't have a desired length. I'm kinda growing it until I get to a length that's more than I want to deal with. I'm also getting trims/shape ups as needed. I've been growing out my taper (shaved sides and back) for 3 years.

 

[TamaraShaniece]

Keeping my ends protected to where there’s little to no manipulation. Ex: 2-strand twist in a French roll.

 

[HealthyHair2020]

2 strand twists and twist outs definitely.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

My scalp feels like it’s suffocating if I don’t do styles that require some air flow lol

 

[Colocha]

While growing my hair out, almost exclusively twists in an updo held without hair ties. This is how I got to my desired length.

I maintain my current length/grow a bit with consistent heat styling.

 

[long.hair.dont.care]

long term low manipulation styles (crochet for 3 months) helped me reach my milestone of BSL & MBL for the first time
last summer, i discovered that buns with braiding hair works for me as far as retention goes

 

[Lita]

Protective style with my natural hair & low maintenance.

Happy Hair Growing!

 

[levette]

so protective styling is key . I do love wearing it as a afro at home though. I havent wore an afro in public yet

 

[snoop]

Two strand twists then put them in a bun or french braids with the ends tucked. Lately, I've been African threading my twists and that is working out well.

 

[B_Phlyy]

Even though I'm not at my goal length, I find I am best able to retain length with my stretched (or non-shrunken) hair in a protective style.

In the winter, I do cornrows or mini braids under a wig. Spring, I heat style and put in a bun. In summer and fall, mini braids or braid extensions that I put in an updo or bun.

 

[TamaraShaniece]

Two strand twists in an updo.

 

[Chaosbutterfly]

Braids with extension hair work well for me.
I do them myself, switching between box braids, faux locs, and twists, and I redo them about every 4-6 weeks.
But moisture is really key with this method.

I'm not at my goal length because I spent too much time being lazy and chilling at APL.
Like moisturizing sporadically and not consistently tying up my hair at night, even though I know better lol.
Last year, I gave myself a good deep cut and switched to a routine closer to the crown and glory method, which has made a big difference.
I'm almost BSL now, and am hoping to hit my final goal of MBL with full, healthy ends in another year. Maybe two, depending.