My husband cut my hair off in October 2012. From about 6 months until now,(15 months) it has been at what I refer to as the awkward stage. It is no longer short enough to simply wash and go, yet it is not quite long enough to pull back into a decent pony tail, without short loose ends showing. If your hair is frustrating you at this point, there are some styling tips that will help.
If you truly desire that pony tail, it can be managed. After shampooing your hair, apply protein styling gel and brush it up from all sides. Secure your pony tail holder, and the short ends will not be noticed. If you find you have to pull your hair tightly to get the pony tail, do not wear it for long periods of time. This will stress your locks and may cause breakage.
You may also gel your hair, and secure it with a head band. This will show off your new growth, without having to pull and tug your hair into place for the pony tail. Another option is to wear two Afro puffs. Part hair down the middle, and put each section in a pony tail that is lined up with your ears. This will be less stressful, than wearing one.
Wearing your hair natural, as is, would be the best option until you see if it is going to grow any longer. It can be exciting however to desire new styles because you have waited so long for your hair to grow. During this mid length phase, I found my hair was not growing evenly. I notice that when I part it int he middle, with bangs over each eye, and allow the rest of my hair to fall where it may, the shorter sections are not as noticeable.
Some times after shampooing, I allow my hair to dry and become an Afro. At times, I tie it up with a scarf, to keep it from looking so plain. I also use curl activator, hair gel, hair lotions, and oil oil, separately and sometimes together.
Luster's Pink Lotion is pretty good, for softening my hair. I have also received similar results with Pink lotion from Dollar Tree and Dollar General. SCurl activator is great for moisturizing and giving hair more pronounced curls, with bounce. And it does not give your hair that drippy look that came along with curly perms in the 1980's and 1990's.
This next suggestion may not appeal to everyone, but it works for me. I have used Smart Balancecooking oil on my hair and scalp with wonderful results. It is a blend of canola, olive and soybean oils, plus it has Omega 3 fatty acids.
These products give my hair different textures. It has looked like a jheri curl, wave style, and naturally curly, depending on the products used. Applying gel, and plating my hair in 6 or 8 plaits gives it a more crinkled curl look once it dries.
The main thing is to enjoy your new length. Have fun styling it and be unique. There are so many options today to choose from, that your hair need not look the same every day. Please keep in mind, that the length, and flexibility of your hair will be determined by your personal hair texture. Do not be disappointed if you cannot get it to look like someone else's mane.
Another option is to use a texturizer or texture softener, to slightly relax and elongate your natural curl kinks just enough to give you a little leeway with what you can do. Once you add chemicals, your hair is no longer natural virgin hair, but neither has it been relaxed bone straight. Your goal is to do what works best for you, in terms of maintenance free, or low maintenance styles. And is not necessarily completely about how long you stay 100% natural. The choice is yours.
Sleeping in a scarf or satin cap at night will help your hair continue to grow, by preventing breakage. Wearing a thermal or plastic cap after conditioning will ensure the ends are moisturized. This will prevent ends from, splitting. Keep your ends trimmed, and conditioned, and you should be good to go.
Please remember that these are suggestions, and not guarantees. Do not compare your results with others. I have had several women comment that they cut their hair long before me, yet mine is now longer. The hair texture we each were were born us a major factor in hair length. Hair type growing from the root cannot be changed, but you can achieve the best results possible for you.
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