In November, I got a trim that felt like a full-on haircut after having at least three inches cut off. The cut was absolutely necessary especially after a color job earlier this fall that left my hair slightly damaged and significantly drier. But just because I needed it, doesn’t mean I loved the fact that my curls went from hitting at my waist to suddenly becoming boob-length. Having and maintaining long hair takes effort—especially when you have curly hair.
But if you’re ready to rock long and luscious spirals after a recent cut, trust me when I say, it is possible. I got my cut done sometime in mid-November and my hair has grown back significantly—and we’re only in January. One more inch and I’ll be back to the length I was at before the haircut, only this time my ends are healthier and my hair is softer. Here are a few tips I used to preserve my long, curly hair post-chop.
1. Prioritize your scalp health
Most curly girls tend to focus on keeping their ends hydrated, but maintaining a healthy scalp is just as important if you’re trying to achieve long, healthy strands. Once a week I do a hot oil treatment where I heat up a bottle of my favorite hair oil blend in a bowl of hot water before applying directly to my roots. I then massage my scalp using a scalp massager brush for a few minutes in a circular motion and leave the oil on for about an hour before rinsing out.
2. Re-think your cleansing routine
While co-washing can help in between washes, it’s important to cleanse your scalp with a gentle shampoo that lathers. Once a week I wash my curls with my custom Prose Shampoo which helps to wash away any excess dirt, oil, or product buildup on my scalp that can clog hair follicles and get in the way of my hair-growth process. The shampoo deeply cleans my hair without stripping my scalp of its natural oils.
3. Deep condition
If there’s one thing I don’t budge on—it’s my weekly deep conditioning treatments. Since my haircut I’ve been using the Prose Pre-Shampoo Mask on my mid-lengths and ends at least once a week. I apply the mask on damp hair and leave it on for at least an hour before rinsing out and shampooing. It not only adds moisture to my hair but it also strengthens it significantly.
4. Eat a balanced diet
While I tend to eat a mostly pescatarian/vegetarian diet, I still make sure it’s as balanced as possible, meaning it’s filled with plenty of protein (don’t forget hair is made up of this), iron, and zinc. Think lean meats if you eat meat, or veggies that are loaded with protein (like beans or lentils), leafy greens, eggs, and nuts.
5. Do a strengthening treatment
Once a month I try to do a protein treatment followed by a deep conditioner to help strengthen my strands, repair damage, and bring back hair elasticity. I also got an in-salon B3 treatment in December that works similar to a protein treatment, in that it helps to rebuild the protein bonds in your hair. It strengthened my hair and left my curls bouncier and more defined than ever.
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