Wild, Curly Hair.

I have been on a hair growth journey. The picture above was taken around Christmastime; it's quite a bit longer now! My hair has always been short. 

In the past, I have attempted to grow it out, but all in vain. Not this time. :) 

My family is already telling me that it might be a good idea to get it thinned out...My Dad has made the comment, "It must be hot under there!" But I have decided that it's all a part of the journey. 

Growing my hair out has been a bit uncomfortable at times, for sure. You see, my hair is really thick and really curly. It responds to humidity by frizzing up, especially if I touch it a lot or if I haven't put enough product in it. 

I have only had the ends snipped once when they were beginning to split, and I had my Mom perform the procedure. :) 

Without any other hair cut taking place for the past few (or at least two) years, you can bet that my hair is sometimes shaped a little weird. If I were to pull on the end of a strand of hair, it would reach to about mid back; however, it bounces up to be about a 2-3 inches below my shoulders if I let the strand go. 

Lately, I have been trying this new hair routine. Steps:

1. I've been shampooing during every other shower, and conditioning during every shower.
2. I condition first and then put my hair into a bun. I then allow my hair to soak in the conditioner until I'm almost done showering. 
3. Before I finish up, I de-bun my hair and comb it with a wide-tooth comb. 
4. Next, I squeeze my hair to eliminate some of the water. I don't dry my hair with a towel. 
5. I apply Paul Mitchell's Sculpting Foam, Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioner, sometimes a curl cream, and lastly Ogx Argan Oil of Morocco Extra Penetrating Oil. 
6. I pin over my bangs which are growing out. (Yay!) 
7. I let it air dry. 
8. I then pineapple it and sleep on it. By the morning, I let my hair down, and it looks somewhat normal. :D
9. Side note: I also take a daily multivitamin and fish oil pills (when I remember to take them). 
10. Side note the second: I also try to get enough protein in my diet. I've read on some sites that eating enough protein will help your hair grow faster. 

Just a word of encouragement: Growing out hair will be a somewhat painful process! Just try to give yourself some grace, give it some time, and try your best to learn some stylish hairdos for each phase. I have been getting some great advice from the Hair Romance website here: http://www.hairromance.com. Whenever you feel like you want to have your hair cut, just remember why you first started growing it out and think of how amazing it will feel when it has finally grown to the length you want it to be! :) I really hope this helped my fellow thick-curly-haired peeps!