When I first decided to embrace my natural curls, , I thought the path to healthy, beautiful hair would be straightforward. Inspired by the Curly Girl Handbook, I dove into learning about curly hair care. In fact, I even created a presentation about it for my public speaking class in college, eager to share what I had learned. However, as time went on, I became increasingly impatient with my hair’s lack of growth. I realized I hadn’t committed to the healthy habits outlined in the book. Instead, I found myself experimenting with every hair growth method I came across.

Learning from Mistakes

For years, I experimented and made mistakes, trying different products and techniques in search of the perfect curly hair routine. It wasn’t until this past year that I truly understood the extent of the damage to my hair. More importantly, I realized what I needed to do to fix it and how to prevent further damage.

Understanding My Curls

When I first embraced my natural curls, I had trouble understanding my hair’s behavior. For instance, my curls looked beautiful when wet, but I struggled to maintain that shape when my hair fully dried. Over time, I learned how to nurture my curls to keep them bouncy and defined. My hair texture gradually improved, and I noticed it became more resilient. Eventually, I achieved more volume, something I had always longed for.

My Hair Journey: From Straightening to Natural Curls

Growing up, my mom, a hairstylist, straightened my hair regularly, and I never experienced heat damage or breakage. However, in high school, I began feeling dissatisfied with my straight hair’s lack of thickness and volume. When I went natural in college, I continued straightening and using extensions to achieve the look I wanted. Although there were times my hair showed signs of healing, my curiosity about new treatments often led to setbacks.

A Commitment to Healthy Hair

In February of last year, I made a significant change: I did a semi-big chop and committed to focusing on my hair’s health above all else. I trimmed away messy ends, eliminated color-treated hair, and established a consistent hair care regimen. I knew that weekly deep conditioning was necessary, and I committed to monthly protein treatments. Shampooing was limited to every 1–2 weeks, while co-washing was done every three days when needed. Hot oil treatments and pre-pooing became non-negotiable. This consistency, paired with regular henna treatments, led to thicker, healthier hair. It now grows in areas where it hadn’t before.

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Hair

This year, my goal is to continue growing my hair while maintaining its health. Regular trims are essential for keeping my hair in optimal condition. Additionally, heating cap treatments during deep conditioning sessions have worked wonders. To track my progress, I document my hair journey using apps like Hair Journal (Android, IOS). Apps like Appfrolution (Android, IOS) also help me stay on track.

One important reminder: Before purchasing any new product, ask yourself if your hair truly needs it. Consider if you’re simply being lured by marketing promises. Healthy hair is far more rewarding than simply having long hair that’s prone to damage.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Hair Health

Ultimately, I’ve learned that focusing hair health over length is the key to achieving the curls I’ve always dreamed of. Healthy, well-maintained hair looks better, feels better, and grows stronger over time. What’s your take on this? Do you choose hair health over length? Share your thoughts in the comments below!