I should have posted this for you ladies weeks ago! I had it in my drafts but never clicked the publish button! ::sigh::

As you read this…pretend it’s new years day. LOL
The excitement of the new year and fresh start is palpable. We are all ready to start 2013 with new resolutions, goals, and plans to be better than ever. This is wonderful, but I wonder how many of us have taken any time out to take stock of 2012? In my coaching practice I have my clients “close out” the year by looking back at how far they’ve come, how they’ve grown, and what they have learned and can do better in the upcoming year.

As natural hair enthusiasts and hair-oriented women, I say we must do the same year overview as it relates to our hair. We are quick to set goals saying “Oh I want to get to APL, BSL etc..” and I feel we should be just as quick to look back at what we’ve accomplished hair-wise as well.

Consider asking yourself a few of the questions below:

• Overall, how did I feel about my hair this year?
• What did I learn about my hair this year?
• What did I find that worked well for me?
• What did I find or try that I will never try again?
• What techniques or tweaks to my regimen did I enjoy?
• How did I feel about my hair in January, versus July, and December?
• How has my hair grown this year?
• How do I relate to my hair now versus earlier in the year?
• How have my hair goals changed from 2012 to 2013?
• What were my goals for 2012? Did I reach them?

Questions like these get you clear on your progress from the prior year, and set you up for success in the year to come.

Here’s hoping you had a successful 2012 and reach your hair goals this year!

Happy New Year

It’s the beginning of the year and a fresh start, so naturally, we’re thinking about our goals and resolutions for the year. Below is a piece I wrote about how to set successful goals for your hair. (previously posted at curlynikki)

———————————-

As a wellness and lifestyle coach I work with motivated women daily to set and achieve goals for their life. Setting an ultimate goal along with long and short term goals plus daily “to-do” items will get you from where you are now, to where you want to be. As it relates to your hair, setting goals will get you from your current length and health status to your dream hair in measurable chunks.

To set hair goals to get you to your desired hair you must:

• Decide on what your final goal is
• Create a plan to get there
• Set mini goals from your plan
• Take daily action

Decide on Your Goal
This is basically asking yourself “What do I want and by when do I want it?” Whether it’s hair down to your butt, or even ends, or a fully transitioned head of natural hair, you have to write down what the end goal looks like and when it will be. My current goal is healthy, shiny hip length hair when straightened by December 31, 2013. What is yours?

Create Your Plan
This is your regimen on a long term scale. What will you do to reach the goal? Monthly trims? Weekly deep conditioning? What will make your dream become reality? Think about this and be sure to write it down. When your goal and plan is committed to paper, you are more apt to succeed.

Set Mini Goals
This is when we look at our plan and see where we can record smaller successes. My goal may be hip length hair, but if I’m starting at neck length then there are many milestones such as arm pit length, bra strap length, and waist length for me to hit before I reach my ultimate goal. How can you break down your ultimate goal into smaller milestones?

Take Daily Action
This is the key to your success. All the planning, goal setting, and recording won’t matter if you don’t take action! Daily action is required for you to reach any goal, hair-related or otherwise. Whether it be moisturizing your ends, wearing your scarf to bed, or remembering to take your multivitamin, be sure to make it a daily activity.

Set yourself up for hair health success! If you create your plan and do what you need to do each day, there’s no way you won’t reach your hair goals! Get started today and you’ll be celebrating your goal’s fulfillment sooner than you think!

I often get emails asking how long it takes me to do the various hairstyles I post on my longnaturalhair.info blog, or how long it takes to detangle or straighten with the maxiglide. When I give my response, the person will either respond back asking how I manage to keep my styling times so low, or will say something that hints at disbelief of my answer.

I’m sick of this image of natural hair being this long, drawn out, arduous task that must be dealt with each day/week. I see youtube videos and blog posts of women who seem proud to say it takes them 9 hours to detangle, and 4 hours to wash their hair. It’s like a badge of honor, yet I also see videos of women who complain about it.

C’mon ladies!! Your hair does not have to be an all day event unless you want it to be. (Unless you’re henna-ing…that takes time!) Your hair is only as time consuming as you choose to make it.You can have a regimen and styling session that allows for you to get done in a reasonable amount of time and then go about the rest of your life.

A few ways to shorten your natural hair styling time:

• Part hair in less sections when washing/conditioning versus having a million small sections to deal with. You’ll still avoid major tangles.
• Keep sectioned hair in twists or buns versus clipped loosely. This helps to avoid additional tangles as well.
• Remove a few steps. No need to finger detangle, then use a wide tooth comb, then use a smaller tooth comb. Take out the step that serves your hair the least.
• Alter your upkeep. If you’re wearing a twistout, there’s no need to retwist your hair each night, you can use the pineapple technique (gathering hair loosely atop your head) instead.
• Choose styles that need less daily upkeep like twists or braids or styles that last up to a week

These are just a few ideas and of course the way you shorten your hairstyling time will vary from woman to woman. I urge you to consider ways that will work with your regimen and current styles that will reduce the time spent on your hair. Our hair is beautiful and does require some work to remain healthy, but it should not take over your entire weekend unless that’s your preferred way of spending your days.

How much time do you spend on your hair?

I first wrote/published this post on CurlyNikki.

I’m honestly surprised at how often I am asked this question by future-naturals. I love being asked for advice and helping when I can, but this question is so personal it’s really hardly my place to say. In the past I have answered this question with something evasive yet friendly…but now that feels like too much of a cop out. In my first go round as a natural, I did a big chop after a 6 month transition taking me from below bra-strap length up to a little afro. In my second (and final) conversion back to natural, I did a long transition of almost 2 years.

While it’s true, only YOU can determine whether you should transition or do a big chop, there are some important things to consider when making your decision.

How do you usually wear your hair?

If you’re constantly keeping your natural hair braided up under wigs or weaves, or you wear braided extensions for the majority of the time, then you could easily transition this way or do a big chop (depending on your natural hair length) and be fine either way.

If you wear your hair out mostly, straightened or in various other styles without added hair, or without hiding your hair regularly, then you have a big decision to make.

How much energy are you willing to put into your hair?

If you enjoy washing, detangling, deep conditioning, applying treatments, moisturizing, braiding, twisting, and otherwise styling your hair and are patient enough to delicately handle both textures as you grow your relaxed hair ends out, then I’d say go for the transition.

If you are impatient, and hair-lazy, or not confident in your styling skills, then I’d say hide your hair for your transition or do a big chop.

Do you have length issues?

This one is a no brainer. If you are not ready to deal with short hair, go for a long transition. If you’re excited for a new look and short length, BC!

How patient are you?

If you’re anxious to (re)discover your natural texture and type, then by all means BC. If you can wait, and are happy with your relaxed ends weighing down your hair pattern while it grows out, then transition to fully natural.

Other questions to ask yourself before you pick up the scissors are:

Do I know enough about hair care to make a big change? – If the answer is no, then read and research before doing anything drastic.

Do I want to go natural for ME? – If the answer is no, think hard on it, journal your feelings, list the pros and cons for you, and reconsider your motives.

Do I have a backup plan? – Even if you’re 100% gung ho, and you do a big chop, you may be in for a shock. Do you have a backup plan in place? Wigs, scarves, a hair braider you can trust? etc.. Be sure to know what your plan B is before you big chop.

These are just a few of the relevant questions that come to mind when determining whether or not a BC or transition is right for you. Only you can determine what’s right for your lifestyle and your temperament. I know people say “it’s only hair” but this is a big decision and should not be encountered lightly.

Best of luck on your journey!

The general consensus from women seems to be that ladies with long hair have some secrets they’re holding on to.  There must be some mystical combination of tools, products or techniques they use in order to get hair that grows past your shoulder blades.  As of today (August 2010) my hair is just slightly past my waist and I’m still growing.

When speaking to women, “what’s your secret?” is a popular question.  My usual response is “I take good care of my hair.” I realize now that “taking good care of” something means different things to every individual.  What I consider routine in my hair care practices, may be foreign or unintuitive to others.

Coming to that realization compelled me to share some of the key features in my healthy hair growth journey.

With that said, here are my 3 “secrets”:

Moisturize, Protect, and Low Manipulation

Moisturize and “seal”
African American hair textures are notoriously dry.  My hair is no exception so keeping my hair well moisturized helps it remain pliable and elastic.  Moisturized hair is less prone to breaking and snapping.  It behaves better and is easier to style. 


Moisturizing my hair comes in different levels.

The first level is during washes.  I will wash my hair with either conditioner, or a moisturizing shampoo.  I will then deep condition with a moisturizing conditioner.  After rinsing out the conditioner I will apply a moisturizer to every strand in small sections ensuring that each strand gets moisturized.  Lastly I follow with coconut oil to “seal” in the moisturizer I applied before I style my hair.

On a daily or every-other-day basis (depending on what your hair needs) I will moisturize to ensure my hair never gets dried out or crunchy/crispy.
I deep condition weekly, and at times every other week.  But I’ve noticed my hair responds best when deep conditioned every week.
You will learn how often your hair needs moisture by noticing how it feels and seeing how it responds to your touch


Protect Your Ends
Your “youngest” hair is growing directly at your scalp.  This is your “new growth” as it’s often referred to.  Which means the hair at the ends of each strand is the “oldest.”  The ends of your hair “make or break” your length.  This bit of hair is the most delicate because it has been through so much.  It has received the bulk of the damage simply by hanging around for as long as it has! 

To protect your ends you must first ensure that you have no split ends.  If you do, trim your ends to just above the splits.  Then you must keep the ends very well moisturized.  Try to alternate wearing your hair out and loose with wearing it in updos that “hide” the ends of your hair, keeping them protected from the elements, and from brushing against your collar, shoulders or back.  If your hair is too short for an updo, keeping them moisturized is enough.

At night, protect your ends by wearing a satin scarf or bonnet and sleeping on a satin pillowcase.  This will protect your ends (and the entire length of your hair) from snagging/pulling/snapping on harsher fabrics. 


Low Manipulation
Do you twirl your hair around your fingers?  Stop!
Do you let the ends of your hair brush against your collar or clothing every single day? Stop!
Do you comb and brush and flatiron and curl your hair daily? Stop!

Do you get the picture? Good!

Low manipulation is key for retaining growth and getting long healthy hair.  If you normally style your hair, and use heating tools daily, you will notice and incredible difference in your hair by cutting back.  Instead, opt for styles that will last you a week, such as twists or twistouts,  braidouts, buns, or flatirons/rollersets that don’t need heat touch ups each day.  Try to comb and brush your hair only on wash days if you can.  Use your hands to smooth areas and keep your hands out of your hair during the day. 

So there you have it!  The “Secret’s” Out!  
Try these three techniques and you will notice your hair retaining length like never before.