How to (Really) Grow Your Hair Out
So since I mentioned in my last post that my hair had finally gotten long (cue the Hallelujah chorus ??) I thought I’d share my secret!
It’s been almost 4 years since I walked into the salon for a “change” and walked out with a head of hair that was jet black and 12-inches shorter.
Yeah.
And I bring it up all the time because it’s pretty much the ballsiest thing I’ve ever done. To be completely honest, this girl I followed on Instagram had a short-black bob and I thought it was SO cool, and I needed a change. But in the end, I had a heck of a time doing my hair each day and didn’t become Insta-famous so it was kind of a flop.
I loved my hair for approximately 2 weeks and then I wanted my long locks back. I did everything in my power to get my hair to grow, but most things only worked a little bit.
Egg yolk masks? Tried it.
Aloe vera? Some results.
Biotin? Waste of $8.
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So one day, when I’d been in college for about a week and felt like I was *much* older and wiser, I decided I was going to grow my hair out FOR REAL.
This meant: no heat, no dying, no intense sunlight to my scalpel region, and no more dramatic heat-of-the-moment hair chops.
I remember just a couple months later, the girls down the hall asked if I wanted to go hiking with them. Ecstatic for some new pictures for my Instagram feed and a break from my Economics textbook, I threw on leggings and a t-shirt and miraculously put up my hair into a messy bun.
A messy.
Bun.
And I didn’t need 1847828 bobby pins.
(Actually did a post on how I do my messy buns here! Heehee.)
It was a miracle! And all I did was leave my straightener and curler in a drawer for a couple months.
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Friends, you’ve probably searched high and low for recommendations if you’ve stumbled upon this blog post, but here’s how to grow your hair out:
Stay away from heat products and tools.
Wear a cap in the sun.
Invest in good shampoo and conditioner. (And don’t be afraid to treat yourself to a deep conditioner or hair mask.)
Eat veggies.
Drink water.
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It was around the second half of my freshman year of college where I started to feel like it was really gonna happen. I was really going to get my long hair back! Consequently, at the same time the clock struck January 1, 2015, I decided it was the year I was going to be a healthier me.
I said goodbye to Diet Coke forever, and said hello to, “I’ll just have water, thanks.”
I guzzled water like it was GOING OUT OF STYLE.
I mean nothing major, but I was seriously putting that cute new Target water bottle I got to WORK.
I also skipped the pizza section of the dining hall and went straight for the salad bar. I’d load up on greens and eat a sweet potato or grilled chicken breast. For dinners, I went to the only semi-healthy place on campus (some sandwich place that was kinda like a Subway only slightly less cool) and got a spinach wrap with EVERY VEGGIE IMAGINABLE.
My skin cleared up to the point where I only woke up 15 minutes before class because I didn’t need any make-up to cover spots. And you know what else?
My hair grew more.
I was doing messy buns. Ponytails. That half-up/half-down bun thing.
It was glorious.
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And my favorite hair care products that helped me along the way?
Well, in October of my sophomore year, I started partnering with Hask (MY FAVS) for the blog and I tried out their shampoo and conditioner. After one wash, I couldn’t stop running my fingers through my hair and taking selfies all over the apartment like a crazy person. It was so soft and shiny and smelled amazing, so naturally I felt like a fairy princess who also doubled as a high fashion model in Marie Claire.
*This isn’t sponsored, I just love the products and am totally loyal to them now!
Since that partnership with Hask, I’ve only ever used their shampoo and conditioner. I think the fact that it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals really helped my hair and has given it the nutrients it needs. I also use their deep conditioners every so often and spray the deep conditioning treatment if I feel like I need an extra boost.
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At first (I’m talking back in my freshman year of college) I was only able to part with my straightener and curler a few times a week. Now (junior year waddup) I probably put some kind of heat on my hair 3x a year. I know that’s not do-able for everyone, but hear me out – it works and it works FAST! I think the last time I curled my hair was my birthday on January 11th and the next time will probably be Cam’s graduation in May or maybe not till I take senior pictures or something!
So yeah. There’s the recipe.
Greens. Water. No Heat. No Dying. Just Love. And Hask. And More Greens.
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I’m trying to get into braids and being able to do them well, but it’s tricky! (A reader told me about Kaley Melissa on Youtube and I love her tutorials!) I told myself when I was growing my hair out, I wanted to get it to the point where I could do a crown braid, so that’s the motivation.
I do eventually want to switch up my hair again, but I’m waiting to grow it a liiiiiiitle more. But I’m thinking I’ll reward myself with balayage since my hairdresser (did an awesome post with her here!) said it isn’t very damaging and doesn’t have to be touched up very often!
What do you think? Have any dream hair inspo? Or hair care tips? Tell me below!
X,
Cristina
