Ever since I chopped my mid back length locks, about three to four years ago, I struggled with trying to grow it back. No matter what I did, my hair never seemed to grow and the ends continued to be dryer and more brittle as the days went by. Finally, out of frustration, and a willingness to do anything for my hair to be healthy, again, I decided to go heatless all summer long.
Not a single heat tool (no, not even a blow dryer!) has touched my hair for three weeks.
Unfortunately, I don't have a "Before" picture, but I do have a current one of my hair, now. My hair is somewhat blonder than what it looks like in the photo and is about 16 inches long. My goal is 24 inches!
Now to get to the actual hair routine! :-)
The next several steps are what I have been doing for my hair recently to get it to grow quicker and to help promote healthy, shiny tresses.
1. I brush my hair for 5-10 minutes each night, upside down and right side up, with my Earth Therapeutics Natural Bristle Brush. This helps distribute the natural oils all throughout my hair and makes it silky and smooth!
2. I stay hydrated by drinking lots and lots of ice cold water! I drink about 2-4 of these tumblers a day, and sometimes will drink extra cups in between (one full tumbler equals 3-4 cups!). "Water hydrates the body and helps to regulate the circulatory system, which feeds the hair follicle, which then stimulates hair growth. If your hair roots are deficient in adequate water levels your tresses will eventually become dry, brittle and may stop growing." (Quote from stylecraze.com)
3. Once a week, I do a hair mask with coconut oil. I will either saturate my hair with it, twist it up into a towel, and let it soak in for 45 minutes before taking a shower, or I will just leave it in overnight and take a shower in the morning. I usually shampoo my hair twice to get all of the oil out of my hair.Coconut oil helps add moisture and aids with the entire health and growth of your hair! You can even wait a little longer for a trim if you use a coconut oil hair mask, weekly, because it helps with split ends!
4. I only wash my hair two times a week! I know it sounds gross, but it isn't necessary to wash your hair every single day. In fact, it's damaging to your locks and blocks your scalp from distributing the natural oils it needs to give shine and elasticity to your hair. If your hair starts feeling limp or oily in between washes, just add some dry shampoo to your scalp and brush it through! It works like magic! My personal favorite dry shampoo is the Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo. Right now though, I'm saving my big bottle to take to camp in July, so I'm currently using the Pantene Blowout Extend Dry Shampoo. I got it as a sample attached to a shampoo and conditioner pack. It works great, though it doesn't smell as nice as the Not Your Mother's and is a lot smaller (obviously, since it is a sample!).
5. I use no heat, whatsoever. No blow dryer, no flat iron, no curling wand. *sobs* Believe or not, I'm actually getting used to not using styling tools. It takes a lot less time to get ready, now, also. I do miss my straightened hair every once in awhile, though! :,( My hair became extremely damaged over the past few years thanks to my constant use of heat without using a heat protectant. I cannot stress how important a heat protectant is for your hair! Just use it.
Now, on to my actual "hair routine" or how I typically style it!
I always take a shower in the evening, since it takes so long to air dry and I don't have time for that in the mornings. After I get out of the shower I comb through my hair, gently, with my fingers, to prevent breakage, because, Ladies, your hair is the most fragile when it's wet!
Next, I squeeze excess water out of my hair with a towel and pat the ends, then I twist it up into a towel for a few extra minutes.
After I take my hair down, and I see that it is still rather wet, I flip my hair upside down and back up, really quickly, for about a minute or so. Ya, I know it sounds weird, but it works!
Once my hair is just a little damp, I add in some of my Garnier Fructis Style 24 Hour Anti Frizz Cream to my ends. This helps combat frizz and dryness, all day long.
Sometimes if I want my hair to dry a little straighter than my natural texture I will comb in a teensy bit of the Loreal Smooth Intense Extreme Straight Cream.
Now that all the creams are applied, I sit back and chill, until my hair is almost fully dried.
Next, I spray in one of my beach waves spray (or both!) and lightly scrunch my hair.
I'm loving the Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturing Salt Spray and the Fructis Style Beach Chic Texturing Spray.
They both enhance my natural wavy texture and give me that messy beach look.
I usually let the sprays soak through a bit, before I tightly french braid my hair and secure it with an elastic.
When I wake up the next morning, I have instant loose, shiny waves!
I style my hair like this, practically every day. Works like a charm.
I realize this post was a little long for my first one, but I hope you enjoyed it and maybe will do some of the tips I listed or buy some of the products I use!
I'm planning on beginning a YouTube channel soon, so I can post hair tutorial videos and maybe even fashion hauls and a morning/night routine later on!
Have an amazing day!
Savannah <3
