Maximizing MY Hair Growth

We all know that the "average" healthy person grows about .5 inches of hair monthly. 

I honestly don't feel like I have been receiving that average growth, especially in the front of my hair. So I decided to enter a challenge. I just joined a "2 inches in 4 months" challenge and wanted to share what I plan on doing to achieve those 2 inches. 

I have various posts on ways to maximizing your growth potential, but lately I haven't been incorporating all these steps myself. It's time that I practice what I preach.

Here's my plan: 

1.) Exercise at LEAST 4x weekly- I am doing this more for health benefits because I have been slacking(majorly!). My goal is to lose at least 5 lbs by December and maintain a healthy active lifestyle for years to come. But I am also hoping to receive accelerated hair growth as well. I know my hair won't go from growing .5 inches to 1 inch a month, but any growth is appreciated. 

2.) Apply my Sulfur Mix to my Scalp 3 weekly-  This is kind of self explanatory. So far, I have been keeping up with my applications. I have done a post on this recently. So, if your interested in my mix, check it out. http://www.6footlonghair.com/2011/11/my-sulfur-oil-mix.html

3.) Increase my Protein Intake- I obviously need protein to fuel my work-outs, but consuming an adequate amount of protein helps stabilize or even increase hair-growth. They say adults should consume at least 30 grams of Protein daily, but I would like to up that to 50-60 grams. I will be incorporating these foods.

4.) Maintain my Vitamin Regimen with the addition of Biotin(again!)- I have been consistently taking MSM and my Multi-Vitamin daily which I am very proud of. But I decided to add Biotin back to my regimen. I am also taking B-Complex to assist in absorbing the Biotin. B-Complex is great for giving you energy and increasing  metabolism, so it helps in more ways than one. 

Transition Update: 40 Weeks Post Relaxer

Hey Everyone! I know I have been gone for a (little) while, so I wanted to drop in and let you know I didn't forget about my blog. 

For this post, I decided to give you all a brief update on my transition. I can't believe I am already 40 weeks post relaxer and in 12 more weeks,I will be one year post! How exciting is that?

My regimen and styling hasn't changed. 

If  I am feeling ambitious, I do medium sized twists which typically lasts 2 weeks

And when my twists get messy, I throw on a scarf

If I'm feeling lazy, I do "chunky" twists which typically last only a week

Twists at 38.5 weeks post relaxer 

Going on a vacation. Hoping to come back refreshed and ready to blog(in a rut).

Talk to you all soon!

My Hair Trimming Tools

We all know that trimming/dusting is an important step in maintaining healthy hair. There is no set time period in which one should trim/dust, but going long periods without doing so can lead to problems down the line. I have done a few posts on trimming/dusting, so if you would like to read more about that, check them out. 

Tips to Avoid A Big Trim

To Trim or Not to Trim

On to my hair trimming tools...

Tweezerman LTD Shears

I purchased a new pair of  shears a little while back which I love. 

They are from Tweezerman and do a great job at trimming my ends.  I would still have blunt ends a month or more after using these, so I know they work well. 

I only use them for my hair and I keep them in the package at all times. 

I purchased these at Walgreens for $20.00

Split-Ender 

As a birthday gift for myself, I purchased the Splitender. The main purpose of this tool is to cut 1/8" to 1/4" of your hair which are the very tips. This will either cut off the split ends or hair that is not split although you won't tell the difference because 1/8-1/4" isn't a lot. 

Happy Friday!!!

Hope everyone has a SAFE and fun weekend. 

Because I have nothing helpful or insightful to say..I wanted to share a throwback pic that I found at my Grandmothers house when I went to visit this Easter. 

Battle of the Gels

When it comes to gels, I have tried/used A LOT! 

I still haven't found that perfect non-alcohol gel, but I do have some favs. 

Keep reading for my assessment on some I have tried. 

How I use gel: 

Lightly dampen hair, add gel, smooth down with fingers or soft boar bristle brush, tie with scarf for 10-30 minutes.
I also only use the gel to the slick down the very front of my hair. 

 Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel- This is one of the healthiest options I have found. Not only is Aloe Vera great for hair growth, it is moisturizing as well. This gel doesn't give my hair a strong hold, but my hair also doesn't revert quickly after using this.
This is my favorite gel to use because it doesn't cause build-up or make my hair hard although I wish it were a little more strong.

Eco Styler Olive Oil Styling Gel- This used to be my favorite Gel. It gives great hold, made my hair shiny and has good ingredients. BUT the build-up it caused/causes is crazy. When using this, I had to make sure to clarify or give my hair a good wash often. It's also best not to use combined with many products. I have used the clear version Eco Styler as well and it wasn't as moisturizing and left my hair kind of hard.

ORS Edge Control- This is more of a wax than a gel. It does a pretty good job holding down the front of my hair for like an hour! I tried using this without water first and my hair still reverted pretty quickly. This also leaves a very waxy build-up in MY hair. Like.. if I were to scrape my hair with my nail, I would have this product all underneath it.  I have read it works well for a lot of people, but for me..it was somewhat a bust.

Fantasia IC Styling Gel- This gel worked great for me. I don't know why I strayed. It's first ingredient, I believe, is Aloe Vera. It was very moisturizing, left my hair shiny, no build-up, flakes, good hold, no hardness. Now, why did I stop using this again? It didn't give GREAT hold and I was looking for that perfect gel that I did not find. I still recommend this product to many people.

Lusters Renutrients Slick Stick- This wouldn't be classified as a gel, but I used it to slick down my edges. I don't even know where to start with this. It literally felt like  I was using a glue stick on my hair. Left the same color and coating. It also feels like wax, BUT it had my edges LAID! I still prefer not to use this because I don't like the look of white, waxy hair.

*I paid less than $6.00 for all of these and used them when I was between 1-20 weeks post relaxer. I currently use Aloe Vera Gel and sometimes the clear Eco-Styler Gel when I need that extra hold and plan on  washing the next day 

*All images found on google images

So, Ladies...what is your favorite gel or holding product?