This is officially the longest my hair has ever been — almost butt length! It might not look like it when it’s curly, but I added a photo of it straightened at the bottom so you can see the full length. For years, my hair seemed stuck at shoulder or bra-strap length, no matter what I tried. It took more than a decade of trial, error, and patience to finally get here.
Today I’m sharing my real hair growth story — what helped, what didn’t, and what I finally learned about growing long, healthy hair.
The Big Chop (and My Accidental Start)
Over 10 years ago, one of my friends convinced me to do a big chop. I was hesitant at first, but I went for it and cut my hair down to shoulder length. That marked the beginning of my natural hair journey — even though I didn’t know it yet.
In those early years, I tried everything: homemade recipes, rice water, hair masks, no-heat styling, and even the inversion method. I was obsessed with hair growth hacks. And to my surprise, it actually worked — I grew my hair all the way down to waist length!
Then came the heartbreak: a haircut gone wrong. A miscommunication with my hairdresser cost me years of progress, and I was back near shoulder length again.
The Coffee Shampoo Era
After that setback, I started mixing coffee into my shampoo — my “bomba de café” phase. It became one of my favorite growth tricks! The caffeine stimulated my scalp, and I noticed stronger roots and faster growth. That became my little secret weapon for a while.
Micro-Trimming Mistakes ✂
For a few years, I got into the habit of micro-trimming — cutting tiny bits of my ends every few weeks. I thought I was “maintaining healthy ends,” but in reality, I was trimming away my progress faster than I could grow it.
On top of that, I was dyeing my hair regularly, which made it even harder to retain length. My hair stayed stuck around waist length for years, despite all my efforts.
The Turning Point: Simplifying Everything
Two years ago, I made a game-changing decision: I stopped dyeing my hair completely. I used Sun-In spray briefly to lighten it naturally, but overall I stripped my routine down to the basics.
I ditched the strict “curly girl method.” I realized sulfate-free shampoos didn’t make much difference for my hair. Now I just use whatever shampoo I have on hand, as long as I follow up with a good conditioner and hair mask.
My routine became beautifully simple: protective styling (usually a single braid), weekly wash days, conditioner + mask, and that’s it.
The Growth Challenge That Worked (and Didn’t)
Last summer (June to July), I tried a growth challenge using a deep conditioner I made with fenugreek and MSM powder. The results? My hair definitely grew faster!
The downside? The mixture I used to seal my ends left them really dry, so I stopped after the challenge ended. Still, it was worth it — it reminded me how much my hair responds to consistency.
My Hair Routine Now
Here’s what’s working for me now:
- Protective styling: I keep my hair in a braid most of the time
- Weekly wash day: Full wash once a week, but I restyle mid-week using a spray bottle with water, aloe vera gel, or conditioner
- Hair mask: Once a week
- Trims: Twice a year at the salon
- Straightening less often: Every couple of months to check length and ensure even trims
It’s honestly so freeing not to overthink it anymore.
What I Learned After 10+ Years
After all this time, I’ve realized the real secret to long hair isn’t magic oils or miracle products. It’s patience, consistency, and not overdoing it.
Healthy hair grows — you just have to give it time and treat it well.
Now, every time I see my hair almost touching my butt, I remember how long it took and how many lessons came with it. If your hair feels “stuck” right now, don’t worry. Keep going, be gentle, and trust the process.
My next trim is due in December, so please excuse my ends in the photo above!
How long did it take you to grow out your hair? I’d love to hear your story in the comments!
Products mentioned :
- Fenugreek Oil or Organic Fenugreek Seeds (no offer for the seeds at the moment, I will update)
- MSM Vegavero Powder
- Always perform a patch test before full application. Consult your doctor or a professional trichologist if you have a pre-existing scalp condition or are unsure about ingredients.
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