Shoulder | Armpit

**Proverbs31** · July 6th, 2020, 05:30 PM

I just recently (well, March of this year) chopped my hair from waist to between ear and shoulder length - because everything in between was dead and wouldn't do anything. I do quite miss having long hair, but I've decided that now (my hair is shoulder or a little past) I want to go about doing it the healthy way - no heat, and wearing my curls natural instead of trying to find new ways to flatten or 'perfectly' shape them. Any other curlies have tips for that?
Looking forward to reaching APL!

**ynne** · July 7th, 2020, 07:17 AM

Bat, even if your hair grew more slow than average, you'll definitely get there!

redfrau, thank you so much! :)

Proverbs31, hi! I can imagine all the straightening did a fair bit of damage, so growing it out all new and fresh must be exciting. c: I never treated my hair as curly and also only started with it +-a year and a half ago, when I was around chin length. Now it's around– well, the photo is right on the previous page!, and it's definitely been a learning, exploring journey. Do you have a new routine already, maybe something inspired by curly girl method (leave-in conditioner, only combing when hair is coated in conditioner in shower, no combing between washes, no towel drying, no heat, etc.)?

**Proverbs31** · July 7th, 2020, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by ynne

Proverbs31, hi! I can imagine all the straightening did a fair bit of damage, so growing it out all new and fresh must be exciting. c: I never treated my hair as curly and also only started with it +-a year and a half ago, when I was around chin length. Now it's around– well, the photo is right on the previous page!, and it's definitely been a learning, exploring journey. Do you have a new routine already, maybe something inspired by curly girl method (leave-in conditioner, only combing when hair is coated in conditioner in shower, no combing between washes, no towel drying, no heat, etc.)?

Hi! I do have some sort of routine that I'm definitely still trying to tweak as this is really only my first full week going curly. Basically, I'm trying to shampoo as infrequently as possible (trying for just once or twice a week) with a CG approved shampoo, and then using prayer hands to condition/detangle when it's wet...no combing between washes, using a microfiber towel to scrunch and 'dry' hair while it's wrapped up in that, then scrunch in a gel, let it dry, SOTC, and no heat. I'm probably still missing some parts of the method but hopefully as I continue with this it will get easier and maybe my hair will start to look less like a rat's nest on the second day ;p

**ynne** · July 7th, 2020, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by Proverbs31

Hi! I do have some sort of routine that I'm definitely still trying to tweak as this is really only my first full week going curly. Basically, I'm trying to shampoo as infrequently as possible (trying for just once or twice a week) with a CG approved shampoo, and then using prayer hands to condition/detangle when it's wet...no combing between washes, using a microfiber towel to scrunch and 'dry' hair while it's wrapped up in that, then scrunch in a gel, let it dry, SOTC, and no heat. I'm probably still missing some parts of the method but hopefully as I continue with this it will get easier and maybe my hair will start to look less like a rat's nest on the second day ;p

I still can't get guaranteed good results on second day either, but sometimes even third day looks passable! How do you sleep with it? I can't put it in a pineapple (and it leaves dents for me) so I just sort of put the hair above my head, above the pillow, so I wouldn't roll on it too much. I toss and turn a lot in my sleep, so it's not a perfect way, but it's never tangled when I wake up, at least. :) The photo was from second day, and I think it's still okay. Your routine sounds great; after this, I would introduce any change one at a time to really see what works, but I think you're on the right way and you really did your research. c: It is my understanding that the longer you do this & as you learn more about your hair, the results should indeed continue improving! And of course, once you grow out the damage, if that's what you're going for.

My routine is similar. I need to leave in some conditioner and I also oil my ends, as my hair has a tendency to dry out fast, this seems to slow that down. I use ACV rinse as the last wash because we have hard water, oh and my curls don't like plopping (also because of weird dents/angles, it just holds onto any shape I put it into way too well), so I just air-dry. And I sometimes detangle with a fine-toothed comb (after finger-detangling), to really smooth it down to reduce first day's flyaways; not sure if it makes any difference, though. :)

**Bat** · July 8th, 2020, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by ynne

Bat, even if your hair grew more slow than average, you'll definitely get there!

redfrau, thank you so much!

Proverbs31, hi! I can imagine all the straightening did a fair bit of damage, so growing it out all new and fresh must be exciting. c: I never treated my hair as curly and also only started with it +-a year and a half ago, when I was around chin length. Now it's around– well, the photo is right on the previous page!, and it's definitely been a learning, exploring journey. Do you have a new routine already, maybe something inspired by curly girl method (leave-in conditioner, only combing when hair is coated in conditioner in shower, no combing between washes, no towel drying, no heat, etc.)?

I've been able to grow my hair to apl before (sure I was 12 but I got there) so I atleast know terminal isn't before then!

**shaluwm_agape** · July 8th, 2020, 01:08 AM

I haven't been in this thread in ages but im cheering all you guys on!

**CuteCrow** · July 13th, 2020, 07:39 PM

Do any of you wear their hair mostly up to this length? I've been feeling lately that my hair is starting to receive mechanical damage from wearing it down all the time and I've been experimenting with different up-dos for daily wear but I haven't found anything that is both quick and doesn't look too bad on me.

**shaluwm_agape** · July 13th, 2020, 08:43 PM

When I was at this lens it was definitely a lot of peacock twists I wore snoods a lot and a lot of bun covers

**0xalis** · July 13th, 2020, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by Bat

feels like years before I'm going to reach shoulder! I'm still waiting for bottom of neck on my long side and that's like 3-4 inches away I should be officially in this thread by jan if all goes well

Me too buddy, I feel your pain! Sometimes I swear my hair shrunk.... Probably did, cause of the waves lol!

**NicoleLionne** · July 13th, 2020, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by CuteCrow

Do any of you wear their hair mostly up to this length? I've been feeling lately that my hair is starting to receive mechanical damage from wearing it down all the time and I've been experimenting with different up-dos for daily wear but I haven't found anything that is both quick and doesn't look too bad on me.

I do! I noticed that my ends didn't like being down all the time either. My hair is currently at my collar bone, but I started wearing it up even earlier. Pretty much from the moment my ends hit my shoulders. Double buns were a favourite when it was still very short. I would make two english braids on either side of my head and secure them with u-pins. Right now I mostly do single braided buns with either a scrunchie, hairfork or u-pins, a gibson tuck or double dutch braids. And with claw clips I can also make a very secure bun

. Hope that helps!