For the summer I have been rocking some long braided extensions. Now, I have two reason for doing this with my hair, well actually maybe three.
1. Wanted long hair
2. Wanted an easy hairstyle
3. Wanted to leave my actual hair alone.
Reason 3. has to be the main reason that I did this for the summer, which means it should probably be at the top of my list of reasons, but for some reason I think its more fitting at the bottom. For most of my college career, and slightly before that, I have been wanting to grow out my hair, but with relaxed and highlighted hair. This is a great struggle/challenge to do since I am damaging my hair with these processes. And for most people who have my hair type and wanted to grow out their hair, they would usually cut off all the relaxed hair and start a natural route. But, I didn't want to do this, main reason is that I believe my hair is more manageable relaxed than it is natural.
So given this info, during Freshman year, my hair had actually gotten to my collar bone and I was really excited about that, but before going into Sophomore year, I had this crazy idea to cut it short, which now sometimes I regret. I know I look great with a short bob almost pixie cut style, but I know it just became a setback for me. And with the short hair, it actually required more maintenance than when my hair was slightly longer. Jump forward two years and now I am going into my Senior Year and have gone back on the path of growing my hair out.
The length that I am striving to is a few inches below the collar bone. I don't really want to go any longer and I think its a very attainable goal with my hair type and what I do to my hair. So back to the braids, I decided to do them for the summer because it gives me the chance to stretch out my relaxer and eliminate all heat sources. I will have to admit, I really love having straight hair, and I would usually only straighten my hair every 1-2 weeks depending, but my hair was still growing slow.
In addition to having the braids, I have also been taking hair, nail, and skin supplements to help with hair growth, and drinking tons of water.
Since this isn't going to be a long term hairstyle, next month, probably mid August, I will be taking these braids out before I go home and then get a root touch up on just my relaxer and a slight trim since I haven't had one since March. I am going to lay off the bleach for a bit until my hair gets a bit longer and will probably have that be a once a year thing until I get to my desired length. I am going to have the relaxer be a twice a year thing. The trim, will hopefully be twice a year as well or once a year if I get my hair healthy enough to only need it that much.
In regards to straightening my hair, I will still continue to do that, but I am going to try to possibly blow dry it straight sometimes instead of flat ironing, and I will also try to include dry shampoo into my hair care to possibly stretch out my wash days.
Here a few photos to just show you what I am working with now and what I am hoping to get in August as well as my desired hair goal.
My hair last year
what my hair length will most likely be next month
The length that I want
The coloring that I would like
*Disclaimer: photos that are not of me where found off of Pinterest.
