I have received soo many messages from ladies struggling to grow their hair out. Trying to figure out how to stop the breakage, speed up growth, thicken strands etc. Lots of people going natural in the quest for healthier hair, searching for healthier styling options etc so I thought it would be awesome to start a hair growth challenge. Embarking on a hair growth challenge tends to make you put in a little more effort into taking care of your hair and the results are often phenomenal. Here are some ladies who have benefitted from embarking on a healthy hair journey and putting in a conscious effort to get healthier hair:
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| Photo credits: www.healthyafrohair.com |
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| ChubbyYeti from the Blackhairmedia forum |
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| Yours truly |
I know being part of a hair growth challenge in 2011 really helped me achieve my hair goals. We can learn from and encourage each other on this journey.
So I came up with the following rules:
- The journey will begin on March 15th, 2013 and will end on March 15th, 2014
- The goal is to achieve at least 6 inches of growth in this period. (Hair grows at an average rate of 1/2 an inch every month, so for most people 6 inches in one year is achievable)
- There will be sub challenges during the course of the hair growth challenge (such as a castor oil challenge, protective styling challenge, heat free challenge etc). These challenges are aimed at improving your chances of meeting the main goal of 6 inches in one year
- You should take a picture of your hair before you start the journey. (optional but recommended)
- You should take pictures of your hair periodically during the course of the journey, preferably 3 months apart so that you can compare, monitor your progress and adjust your regimen accordingly
- You are not required to share your pictures with the group but if you have pictures that show progress, we will appreciate if you share them as a way to encourage others. You can share pictures in the following ways:
- Tweet with hashtag #lushstrands2013
- Post to instagram with hashtag lushstrands2013 or
- Post to the facebook group
The first task is to come up with your regimen. Then go out and get your products, get your vitamins, throw out your fine toothed comb, hide your flat iron and get ready... March 15th is right around the corner.
I have already come up with my regimen. Here are the products I will be using:
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| L'Oreal EverPure Sulphate free shampoo |
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| Extra virgin olive oil |
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| Castor oil (Cold pressed) |
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| Vo5 Moisture milks |
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| Macadamia deep repair masque |
My regimen is as follows:
- Co wash once a week with Vo5 conditioner
- Seal with Olive oil
- Massage castor oil into my hairline and nape to address breakage in those areas
- Wear a protective style (Bun, flat twists or wig)
- Shampoo wash with l'oreal sulphate free shampoo once a month
- Deep condition with macadamia nut repair masque once a month
What products will you be using? What is your regimen? If you are having difficulty finding the products that you want locally, please post in the facebook group. Someone may be able to help.
what if you have a weave at any point during this period or braids?
ReplyDeleteI'm natural,and recently got my har flat ironed is threre any help for growing my hair out while its flat ironed
DeleteOh, that is fine. In fact weaves, braids, buns and other protective styles are recommended during this period. You just need to make sure that underneath whatever style you are wearing, your hair is well moisturized. If you are currently wearing a protective style just wait till you take it down, then take a picture of your hair so that you will have a record of your starting point and you can monitor your progress as you go along.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi, I currently have my hair in braids but I would like to join the challenge. What do you suggest do a start for the challenge.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Xoxo Mimi
Braids are fine. Just make sure to keep your hair moisturized. You can get a good moisturizing spray or make your own using glycerin, water and olive oil and spray your hair with it daily. Take a picture when you remove the braids so that you can use that as your starting point to monitor your progress. Welcome to the challenge!
DeleteTotally in. No time to tweet and all but will using your same regimen but on my braids (and diff products) for the next 3 months.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are in girl! That's ok, you don't have to tweet your pics just take some periodically when you get a chance to so that you can monitor your progress and be sure the regimen is working for you. Welcome aboard!
Deletei am 101% IN OOOOO cos i actually will love to grow my hair like yours,thankfully i just retouched so am wearing my hair now but my main challenge is where to get this products in lagos(any ideas of a very good hair shop anyone???) cos i dont think i have seen the macedamia nut repair and VO5 before and most of this shops hardly store up imported stuffs(signs).
ReplyDeleteAnyone help please so i can buy all to start this challenge.
Hi Bunmi,
DeleteYou don't have to use these exact same products. Infact some of the products I am using may change in the course of the challenge depending on what my hair needs. You can use products that are available locally, just check the ingredients and you can also check online for reviews. I have just posted a guide on how to determine the products you need and how build your regimen. Here it is How to build your regimen I hope it helps!
Hi....please can you explain what co-washing means and the procedure.Tanx
ReplyDeleteHi, Co-washing is short for conditioner only washing. It means 'washing' your hair with a conditioner instead of a shampoo. It works because shampoos can be harsh and can cause dryness where as conditioners are moisturizing. The idea is to limit washing with shampoo as much as possible and wash with a conditioner instead. I only wash with shampoo once a month and even then, I dilute the shampoo with water to make it less drying before using it to wash my hair.
Deleteplease what is your facebook addy so i can add you please cos my hair must grow like yours o(smiles).i have just bot my jamaican castor oil as am not sure about the one i bot from the chemist even though i have started using it on my hair and daughter's.
ReplyDeleteHi Bee,
DeleteMy facebook page address is www.facebook.com/lushstrand. Just make sure to like the page so that you can get updates whenever there is a new post. The castor oil should be either jamaican black castor oil or the one used for pregnant women/constipation.
Thanks for stopping by :)
Sorry, there's a typo. It's http://www.facebook.com/lushstrands. Just click on like button to like the page.
DeleteHello dear am in ghana and some of the ingredients you are recommending are hard to come come by. so wat do u suggest i do since i have a very dry hair texture and its also heavy. please suggest a comment cream and oil for me. thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi Spinowhyte,
DeleteI am not sure what products are available there but if your hair is dry, look for products that claim to moisturize. Look for hydrating shampoos will little or no sulphates, you can even use regular black soap, it works well as a shampoo and is quite gentle. Any of the natural oils will work as a sealant: olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil... I have just posted a guide on how to pick products and build a regimen. You can read it here: how to build your regimen . Hopefully you will find this helpful.
please it seems all your regimen i can get some to buy her in ghana so please advice me on what to do because am really into this.and right am wearing my hair and had a relax just last two weeks.
ReplyDeleteI currently use castor oil, I just texlaxed my hair and will start co washing asap. however, I plan on putting a weave soon , what do u recommend i do for to maintain my hair during this period my hair is in the weave , I keep my weave for about a month, 50 quid to fix no be beans oh
ReplyDeleteLol. You just need to keep your hair moisturized. You can spray your cornrows with a water based leave in conditioner like infusion or just put some water in a spray bottle and spritz your hair with it at least once a week or more if possible.
DeleteHow bad are mineral oils for your hair? I have heard different views about using moisturizers with mineral oil in it. Some same it is a good sealent, while others say it dries out the hair even more. So now I'm really confused. I recently bought a moisturizer that contains mineral oil, but it also has elements of olive oil and coconut oil so I don't know whether to stop using it or not. What is your view?
ReplyDeleteMineral oil is not necessarily bad for your hair. Bad on the scalp because it can clog your pores, irritate your scalp and cause flakes. However, lots of people find that it works well as a sealant as it prevents moisture from leaving your hair. But note that it is a sealant not a moisturizer. You should use it after moisturizing your hair to seal in the moisture. Moisturizers should contain water and humectants, you can then seal with an oil of your preference to trap the moisture within your hair.
DeleteWow this is perfect. I've just started blogging about my upcoming hair journey. I'm already following you and I'll definitely keep up with the challenge. All the best!
ReplyDeletehttp://kejishairjourney.blogspot.co.nz
Thanks. Your hair is beautiful, I wish you the best on your journey.
Deletehow do i seal my hair because i dont understand sealing of hair. and de castor oil and olive old i got are all refined oil
ReplyDeleteYou seal your hair by moisturizing (with water or a water based leave in) then applying an oil to your hair to trap water within the cortex of your hair and prevent it from escaping quickly.
Deletehi.
ReplyDeleteHow do i use glycerine as a leave-in?
Can i add it to my conditioner if its absent or make mine?
How can i make a conditioner with glycerine & wat other ingredients do i need?
Tanx in advance.
Muah
Http://itsebunite.wordpress.com
Hey lushstrands im definitely up for the challenge such an encouragement and motivation!! So excited for this. Few questions before hand how wld I no what products to use for my hair? I have mostly all the products u use, what hair type do you have? Bcoz those may work for me. Where could I get wigs similar to what you wear? And I currently wear braids so would you recommend a trim throughout this challenge?
ReplyDeleteP.S Blessings to you for using your natural talent and sharing it with the world. Education is key! :)
Hui lush strands,thanx for giving us tips.please iv bn battlin with hair growth for a loong tym now n no results, at d moment I have tres somme shampoo n conditioner and jbco,tropic isles protein conditioner,due to d nature of my hair ,its rily scanty,I'm always fixn,I never leave my hair out,take out today,fix tmrw,evry 3 to 4wks but I aply jbco to d edges evryday,pls wt else do u recommend,my husband loves long hair!helpppppp,desperate gal
ReplyDeleteU only do a moisturising DC once per month? Can I ask why that is? Has that always been the case since the start of your HHJ?
ReplyDeleteThis post has made me note to go back to weekly co washing lol I haven't done one in 2 months. I usually use creme of nature Argan oil shampoo. Which is non drying and leAves my hair soft like a conditioner.
Are u in UK? I ask cos of the products u mentioned.
I would love to take part in the growth challenge but I space my relaxing and I'm on my 6th month I intend to relax in may. funny I just stocked on my hair products. I use profective
ReplyDeleteYay..my first ever challenge. I've kinda been on a HHJ for the last 2 years but haven't been strict with it plus it's been hard getting products in Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteHere's a list of the products I'll be using..
Shampoo(once a week, might reduce this though) - Elasta QP shampoo for relaxed hair
Conditioner(doubles as a DC, looking to replace) - Herbal essences Hello hydration conditioner
Protein conditioner - Affirm 5 in 1 reconstructor
Moisturizer/leave in conditioner - Herbal essences beautiful ends split ends protection cream, Aphogee keratin and green tea restructurizer
Sealant - Coconut oil(Good old idiagbon:) had to improvise when I moved to Nigeria)
Vitamins - Biotin 5000mcg
Still looking for a good deep conditioner..is Macadamia deep repair masque available in Nigeria? Might also try co-washing although I keep feeling my hair wouldn't be clean.
Please let me know if you've seen any of the products I use in Nigeria already running out.
Are we allowed to trim during the challenge?
Hi, your regimen sounds good. I don't think I've seen the macademia deep repair masque in nigeria but I've seen joico moisture recovery which is also a very good moisturizing deep conditioner here.
DeleteHi lushstrands,
ReplyDeleteI plan on starting mine first weekend in april. But will definitely join the hair challenge
OK! OK! I'm so in. I've had bad hair days all my life. I never really pay attention to my hair because I feel that it would still cut no matter what i do to it. So reading your story makes me think i can do it too. But my hair isnt even chin length,more like ear length. Lol. May God help me. Amen
ReplyDeleteI have this compulsion to always pull my hair(not like i dey craze,lol). Especially when i have braids on and when i'm studying. I've battled with it since medical school. That will be one of my challenges.
I also have a huge problem with dandruff. I have tried several dandruff shampoos but none of them seem to be working. Do you know any anti-dandruff regimen that works? Pls share.
I want to be a part of this challenge, but I just braided my hair today
ReplyDeleteAfrichic
If i have braids how can i deep condition each month. Should i take them down or is it possible to deep condition with the braid in?
ReplyDeleteI have just come across your blog but I just started my hair growth journey after some pretty traumatic hair loss! So I'm a bit behind the 8 ball but hey, I reckon I can catch up! It's on!
ReplyDeleteHello, I have been looking for a hair challenge that will force me to take care of my hair, unfortunately this one started on the 15th of march and today is the 18th of April. Am I too late to start? :/ and also if you don't mind, could you explain to me what co washing means? thank you! :)
ReplyDeletei am so glad i found this easy to follow procedure. I AM IN! starting 26th april....guess my next birthday present is my long tresses(April 2014). Thanks girl!
ReplyDeletehello i am a lil late but would love to join the challenge..i am currently rocking braids but am going to purchase products tommorow...also are you guys natural?
ReplyDeleteDo you know if chubbyyeti has a blog or instragram?
ReplyDeleteHello dis is my first visit, where can we get these essential oils like almond oil and coconut oil from in lagos? Thank u
ReplyDeleteYou can coconut oil from health plus at the palms. Olive oil is available in most supermarkets. Park and shop, shop rite etc. You can also try www.vanityoils.com.
DeleteRgds
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ReplyDeleteI would love to be in the journey as well. I know I'm a couple months late but better late than never right?
ReplyDeleteNowadays,Growth of hair is very challenging task if anyone is suffering from hair fall.I think by follow all these step which are given here once can increase his/her hair.
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the result are awesome. How much time it will take? what if we go for laser hair growth treatment is it better?
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ReplyDeletecan i join now pretty plsssss. im trying to grow my hair to bra strap length from armpit length after expriancing a major setback and i cld use all the help i cn get. does anyone know where i can buy biotin tablete in nigeria tnk
ReplyDeleteI have a friend that is 29 and slowly losing his hair. Right now it is long and he is afraid to cut it because it might show more that he is losing his hair. This is genetic and can not do much about it. Would you suggest him to cut it and start using hair loss treatments such as Rogaine? I don't know much about hair loss treatments and would love get an opinion or review about them from you.
ReplyDeleteI have already posted before that I have began my hair journey. Its exciting. I started on 26th August, 2013, with Vo5 shampoo and conditioner, Organics hair Mayonnaise, Extra virgin olive oil and Castor oil. Yet to get my wigs and my vitamins. Getting biotin vitamins in Port Harcourt is tres difficile. Any other suggestions for Vitamins?
ReplyDeleteGo natural my cause did and her hair is past armpit length no perms hot irons just use moisturizers and shea butter look on youtube going al natural I promise you will want to
DeleteWow, its awesome how their hair grow faster. I wish my hair grows faster too.
ReplyDeleteIndian Hair
Hey Luststrands,
ReplyDeleteI just ran into your site, I hope am not to late to join the challenge. Last month I woke up and chopped all my hair off. I am tired of relaxing my hair and I have decided to go natural; however, my husband can't wait for my hair to grow back.
My biggest problem at the moment is the UK weather, what is the best protective style considering I barely have any hair left lol.
Ugo
Pls,where did u get these hair products in Port Harcourt
ReplyDeleteHey Chisom,
DeleteI live in PH as well and it's so hard getting these products. I shop online at www.hairsage.com and they deliver within 2 days.
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ReplyDeleteI wanna go natural can I join I just wanna use shea butter and moisturizer no perms ill post a pic I wanna get my hair armpit length before my wedding april 16th 2014
ReplyDeletewhat about flat ironing once a week
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i am using mixture of olive oil and castor oil for hair but it not reduces my problem. it increases my hair loss. what to do?
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ReplyDeleteYou only washed your hair once a month?
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