In 2006 I got serious about my natural hair growth. I grew my hair out to BSL but was stuck there for several years. I tried coloring my own hair and it left me with damage so I had to cut it out- I maintained my natural hair at BSL while I cut out the color because I did not want to do another chop. I wore my hair in twists most of the time.
Fat Twists 2007-08
Flat ironed hair 2007
Left– The fat twists shown above was one of the main natural hair styles I wore in 2007-2008.
Right– My straightened natural hair in 2007. It was BSL (bra strap length) and looked pretty healthy but the combo of color and heat left me with breakage.
Flat ironed 2008
This is my semi-straightened natural hair in January of 2008, it was flat ironed without blow drying first. As you can see it is about the same length it was in 2007. You can see the damage to my ends. Right after taking this picture I trimmed about 2 inches off.
By the end of 2008 the color was gone and I started inching toward waist length. I limited my heat use to 2-3x per year for length checks.
2009- Hair is healthy, free of color and heat damage. I was nearing waist length because my un-straightened hair was past BSL. I really started focusing on healthy hair instead of length. Fat twists pinned up in one way or another was my main natural hair style for 2009 & 2010. I wore my hair loose often on the weekends in twist outs and would put it back up again during the week. This helped prevent hair breakage and keep my ends moisturized.
Fat twists 2009-10
Twist out 2009
I decided to do a length check in the middle of 2010 and was excited to see that I had actually reach my original goal length of waist length (at my natural waist). Many times confuse hip length which is at the top of the pants with waist length. I don’t know if I can handle hip length hair!
Waist length hair 2010
Waist length Post Trim
Hair Updates and Current Goals
Well I recently cut my hair (as of February 2014). The center of my hair is waist length and the sides are midback. I am happy with the length and think I will maintain it. Here is a picture of my hair set with bantu knots after the trim.
Return to previous page on my hair journey
Bantu Knots 2014
So I know I mentioned to you all that I was seriously thinking about cutting my hair. I was just tired of the time it was taking me to style it at this length particularly with a new baby. Long hair of any texture takes time. This is something to really think about if you’re […]
Whenever the slightest thought of giving up on my natural hair journey crosses my mind I think of my daughters. Yes even after almost 15 years as a natural I sometimes think about giving it up, but my daughters keep me motivated. I want them to know that they are beautiful in all of their […]
So after about 5 years of having waist length hair I am seriously considering cutting my natural hair. I have 2 children and a busier lifestyle than I did when I first decided to grow my hair long. Yes I keep it simple but caring for long natural hair still takes time. Overall […]
Interested in advertising on Natural Hair Growth 101? Want Ms Lala to come and speak at your next event? We offer various forms of advertising. Contact us at info@naturalhairgrowth101.com for more information.
Over the years I have often considered letting go of my fro and locing my natural hair. However after much consideration and research I realized that locs require quite a bit of work and time to maintain just like loose hair. I have met women with natural hair who decide to loc to make hair […]
On Wednesday nights my guilty pleasure is Empire. Great acting, engaging story lines, and good music, but… another thing that keeps me coming back is Serayah. Serayah McNeil is the lovely singer and actress who plays Tiana on Empire. Not only is she talented, but her hair is just gorgeous and I think she is […]
If you’re trying to grow longer hair faster or prevent hair loss you may be considering hair vitamins or a supplement. While you should not rely on supplements to reach your goals, they can be beneficial to helping you reach your hair growth goal faster. One that I personally like is MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). Simply put […]
Now I will be the first person to tell you that ditching the excess heat was one of the best things I did to help grow my hair. However, heat is not “the devil” to be avoided at all costs. While heat is definitely not essential to hair growth, there are some benefits to using […]
Viola Davis looked absolutely lovely at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. With grace and style she accepted her award and addressed issues of diversity and beauty standards in Hollywood. In reference to her role in “How to Get Away with Murder”, Davis thanked her producers for believing a “mysterious woman could be a 49-year-old, dark-skinned, […]
Winter time is here and it is important to adjust your natural hair routine accordingly. In the summer time my hair just seems to flourish. My hair loves the warmth and humidity. I’m originally from Chicago and they don’t call it the Windy City for nothing, it can get really cold and can damage fragile strands. […]
Learn more about Ms Lala's natural hair:
Three Must Try Apps Before Visiting the Salon
Not sure what to do with your hair? We all experience it, ladies. Ready for a new hairstyle but scared how it will look on you? If you follow me on Facebook and Instagram then you know that I recently cut my hair and I’m loving it! Maybe you’re not quite ready to make that […]
Meet MsLala & Step up your hair game!
Have you been reading my site and still want more information? Meet me in person at the Fit Fro Expo hosted by Crown N Glory hair. At this event you will learn how to care for your hair, body, and spirit to live a healthy natural lifestyle. I am speaking on the topic of growing […]
Irresistible Me Diamond Flat Iron Product Review
The Irresistible Me Diamond Professional Styling Iron is by far the best flat iron I have used. The price is reasonable in comparison to other high end flat irons and it actually works. I flat ironed my hair in one pass and I did not have to blow dry my hair straight first which is […]
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