Well we gotta figure this out! I didn't have long hair as a child either, but as soon as I became an adult (changed my hair practices) I have been able to obtain some length. Is it a Moisture, or Protein issue for you?
Nope my hair is never dry. I have fine 4C hair. I've read so many places that this is the hardest texture to get to grow. The fineness combined with 4C makes retention and growth pretty difficult. I did find a website that is dedicated to this texture so learning a lot more.
Heck yeah you are gonna make it! Just wait until your touch up! You will make it soon. I have so far to go. I'm going to need the rest of the year.
No breakage that I see. My hair grows. Definitely grows or else I wouldn't have so much natural hair. It's the length retention that isn't happening. I am one of those that believe in terminal length. Its prob against everything on this site but I do. No woman in my dads family has long hair and most are natural. My grandma wore wigs even when she was young. Her hair just never got past TWA. She told me her hair was that length since a child. None of the men can grow facial hair. My dad and uncles are all smooth faced and don't shave. I really think its genetic. My mom and her side are all bi racial with type 3 or 4A. You can put spit in their hair and it would be BSL they flat iron everyday and don't take care of it at all and it grows. I def have more of my dads genes. I'm his twin. I'm not giving up though. The length it is now is the longest its ever been in my entire life. I was called bald headed up to college. so at least I got to this point.
It's very likely when you relax, you will be at APL.
This is a really good tutorial. Last summer this was my go to style. I would go to the braiding salon to get them. they charge $40 and it lasts about two to three weeks. Im lazy so this tutorial is a lot of work for 2wks but it's a great idea
So to moisturize I make sure prior to installation to do the LOC method. I also incorporate oyin hair dew which is like THE best mosturizer for my hair. It lasts so long even when I take them down its still soft and moisturized. But I do spritz with Jane Carter leave in once each week so that also helps. One thing though I love water. I wore these last year for an island vacay and....no bueno. Do not get these soaked. They poofed up and since im mostly natural it just curled up too. I don't wash in between since they only last 2 weeks or so.
Yea the genetic thing is not something I see on here talked about but I personally think length is half genetics half healthy hair practices. I think when you combine my genetics with the hard to grow fine 4C hair texture, this is where my personal issue lies. I think with my fine hair my ends get so thin as it ages they become see through and break off. I will always have see through ends. I learned this after protective styling for months and having to always cut the ends. As im reading more about fine 4C hair I'm learning that it doesnt like to be bound for long periods of time so maybe what I thought was helping with the protective styling is not.
I don't do well with long protective styles either. I have fine hair, just a lot of it. And my hair is prone to SSKs.
Thanks for the advice. I rarely brush my hair but this was the first brush I grabbed. I usually either us a modified denman or my fingers. I'm going to try to protective styles for shorter periods. What do you recommend for straighter styles with no heat? Since I'm transitioning my hair is mostly natural so it's harder to get straight. Relaxed is so much easier but he only reason why I won't go back is because it just doesn't look good so thin. After about 3 days straight my hair starts looking like a cat licked it. LOL
What about roller setting?
I actually tried that for the first time since I transitioned right before the dominican blow out in the picture. I looked like Harriet Tubman. LOL....I don't know what I would do with it afterwards if I didn't get that blow out. My friend came over that day and she was like ummm.....what's going on here LOL I'm determined to not let this be a self fulfilled prophecy so I'm going to continue to do what I've been doing with some tweaks from what I've been learning about fine natural hair. Thank you ladies for all of your suggestions. It's a work in progress
Yes! Bunning. Using clips, satin scrunchies. Roller set to dry the hair stretched, then bun or pin it up. But take your hair down at night, moisturize, seal, and lightly put it up.
Good idea. I did bun before and that tucked my ends away. The only thing that worried me was having to redo everyday. I thought that may have been a lot of manipilation. Also I work in a corporate environment and since im transitioning I need to smooth my hair into the bun i cant just let it be bushy which would require brushing daily. I did really like the bunning though. Im going to put it back in rotation thanks for the suggestion
Wow 5 years? It's only been a little over a year for me. I do think going natural is really what gave me the length I have now. These are the things that help me get to the length I am now which is where I've never been in my entire life
Yes! You are just beginning! No terminal length going on here! You will be at BSL and beyond before you know it!
I trim like a mad woman! Lol but Nonie did not play when it came to getting rid of damaged ends. Damaged ends really suck the life out of your hair. It's like being stuck in a bad relationship! You can buy all of the flowers, candies, provide great sex, cook fabulous meals, read books, and go to counseling, but none of that will work! You just gotta let go and move on! Lol
. I blow dried until my twists were hard, and then rinsed. 
