So...My Hair Isn'T Growing?? | 4C Hair Growth Journey

Linda: From MY personal experience I don’t think hair should be in braids or any hairstyle for seven months, I think that maybe could do more harm than good, protective hairstyles should be there for maximum 3 months. Not discrediting anything you’re saying/ your experience just speaking on my own experience ♥️

UsulPrincess: Danielle, just keep in mind, that hair length isn’t a competition. You’ve had to overcome hair loss, and that’s no easy feat. I feel like the natural community can be toxic because texture and length consumes us.

Saki Zaky: I stopped caring about my hair looking long a long time ago. I care about my hair being healthy. I think its cool that our hair can be waist length and shrink above our shoulders. ‍♀️

MizTripleATV: I definitely get annoyed with shrinkage too. I’m sure we all do. I’ve been contemplating blow drying and flat ironing my hair just so I can enjoy my length. My hair is longer than it’s ever been but you can’t tell!

Bats: "I want my hair to look as long as it is" really struck me.. there's no shame in just, wanting your hair to reflect the effort that you put into growing it. Of course the *obsession* of it all is an issue but there's literally nothing wrong with just the simple desire

Zaneta Penny: I just realized the real issue black women need to address isn't our length obsession, every race of women obsesses about length, but our need for our length to present like it does for other races of women. Our need for our hair to look long in the way it does for others, i.e., hanging down our backs.

Chloe Yorke: I don’t think I have an unhealthy attachment to length (I’ve cut my hair all the way off like 3 times) but I’ve learned to accept that I feel the most myself when my hair is long. It fits my style, my personality and I feel the most feminine with it long. I find that in the natural hair community we get shamed for wanting long hair because that image is associated with straight hair, but therein lies the problem. Just because we like our hair long doesn’t mean we want to imitate another person’s texture. We like what we like ‍♀️

Rachel Chanel: After all this time, “EEIIIGGHHTTYYYY PERRRRRRCEEEENNNTT” still makes me giggle. Seriously though, hair length is such a frustrating thing sometimes. I’ve been natural since about 2010, and have JUST NOW found a routine and products that work, and are getting me out of that mid-length that I’ve been stuck at for the longest, even when I had relaxed hair!

PMW: I’m at a place where I’m more into shape than length. My hair has been long but I didn’t like how it looked in a fro because it was such a random looking blob. I cut it into a heart shape and fell. in. LOVE. I cut it even more to be an even cuter heart and I honestly dislike growth that messes with my heart. She is my prize now. And I’m so thankful because it’s such an attainable look. Whether she’s shrunken all the way, in a failed twist out, in a successful twist out, or stretched, she’s still in a heart and looks fabulous! My style is never “ruined” in my eyes because the shape stays no matter what.

NateXD: Went from cutting my hair every few weeks to slightly growing it out/dyeing it repeatedly to damage control to where I am now. Spent the last 2ish yrs focusing on length retention. I personally love seeing my hair as long as possible. It's a long game tho. Shrinkage can be annoying but I like to remind myself that it's a sign of health. The bounce back is something I prayed for when I had bleach fried ends and my hair was falling out.

Asia Edwards: One thing that I heard/read that helped me be more comfortable with my long hair never looking long is “type 4 hair grows up and out towards the sun like a plant” so I started visualizing my hair growing “bigger” instead of “longer”.

Jermaine Au Natural: It sounds like there is still some acceptance needed because it’s just what our hair does. Shrinkage is not exclusive to the flawed and limited numbers/letters system and ALL people with curly-kinky healthy hair can have significant shrinkage depending on how you do it. You have options of seeing the length, heat stretching(RevAir), regular blowouts or becoming a straight natural, people do it all the time but as long as you wear fluff nugget in her natural state there will always be shrinkage. I hope you get to a better less frustrating place with your hair. P.S.Sam is THE CUTEST! Cocker Spaniels are my favorite and future dog.

OnJanae Davison: I just want to say that I really appreciate your authenticity, your black girl nerd magic and how you've been embracing your natural hair with the ups and downs. It inspires me and my own journey and I hope that you keep thriving. I always come back to your videos. I feel like if I met you back in school we would have been the best of friends. About hair length, I always feel like I set myself back with my hair because I either over manipulated or I neglected to the point where all of the groups I had needs to be cut off. I had about four or six inches taken off after quarantine because I literally never trimmed my hair and was not moisturizing at all. A year before covid I ended up cutting off four inches of my already short hair because I had so much breakage from not putting on a bonnet and sleeping on one side and letting it mat every night. I saw that I made some progress after my last haircut but that was over a year ago and I'm still where I was back then. Now I'm experimenting with protective styles now but I really just want my hair to be big. I love to see taking out a protective style and my hair is massive. If I could put it in a protective style and it still looks wide as all get out that would make me so happy.

Vtmb2 coming sometime: Hair needs time. Waist length hair is approximately 7 years old. It’s a long process. What do you do to make it long? Don’t touch it too much, meaning just leave it be in it’s natural state, keep it healthy and wait. That’s about it.

Billie: For me, I’m not to worry about length but more density. I have naturally low density hair and I HATE how you can see my scalp but I have to accept my bald headedness at this point

Jade: I used to have the goal for my hair to be waist length curly (and my hair does shrink more than 50%, and shrunk more as it got longer), but once my hair got to waist length straight, I was honestly bored and didn't care that much and ended up cutting a bunch off. Shrinkage is just a part of having curly or kinky hair. It's such an inherent part of it that if you do wear your hair natural, the only thing you can do is accept that. I feel like part of the obsession with hair length comes from this desire to show other people that you're doing something right, but ultimately, you just need to believe that for yourself. It's not something that other people or even your hair can validate for you, imo. I've personally just accepted that my hair will never even be MBL curly because I don't ever really want to take care of that much hair.

)hemaa Naé: Can we get a StarPuppy embraces shrinkage series? I have fine, textured, natural, medium length 4c (a little 4b in some areas) hair and I often leave it in its shrunken state, loose and I wear however it naturally dries as my style. Throughout the week I let it "mat" up, and to "fluff" it out when i wake up in the morning, I just stick my fingers inside my fro, and stretch outwards, not going all way through the ends. Then I might pat the ends a bit or move some pieces around a little to get the desired shape, and add a flower pin, or some kind of hair accessory. At the end of the week I "detangle" in the shower/bath and do the same thing all over again. I've found that with my hair, letting the water do all the work is key, and detangling doesn't take nearly as long as you think it would. I don't use shampoo, conditioner, oils, creams, or gels in my hair regimen, just water. I also only finger detangle. My hair isn't brittle, it isn't locking, it doesn't smell, it isn't dry, and its the longest it's ever been since I've been natural, or even when I was relaxed. Is it the cutest hairstyle? Maybe not to some people, but my confidence says otherwise, so that's how I rock it. I don't mind or care about my hair looking short to people, or "nappy", or dry, I know my hair is flourishing because I know where we started at. I've been natural 8 years now and within the last 6-7 months I've been accepting and loving my hair more than I ever have. But I'm seeing a lot of frustration in the 4c community, and the hair isn't the problem, it's the mindset. As a 4c hair type especially, I think we need to start really working with our hair, instead of trying to make it work for us. I say if 4c hair wants to shrink, let it shrink. If the curls want to be all on top of each other and coiled all over, let it do that. I think when we start setting our 4c hair to 4c standards, and not 4b, 4a, 3c etc standards, a lot of the frustration and "un-manageability" surrounding 4c hair will go away. Then we can start really having fun with our hair and being creative. 4c hair is quite beautiful in its shrunken state, and I don't think letting it shrink is going to damage your hair as long as you know how to properly detangle.

amoryll36: ‍♀️But your hair has grown and looks longer! The only way for you to have it "look" longer as you it it is to wear it stretched, relax your hair or heat train your hair. All perfectly safe if done properly. You are beautiful and the choice you make won't change that.♥️♥️

Sunny 247: I love that my shrinkage is a sign of healthy hair (my primary goal after so many years of perming) But I too wish that it didn’t look like I constantly trim my hair after every wash and go . Also, I love that you include the actual Star Puppy in your videos ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Tuncs Alive369: As my pooftah gets longer in length, it actually just looks thicker/denser when it's in a afro. I don't mind it because it looks soooo healthy, and it actually moves now when I wiggle my hair, and the shrinkage for the night isn't very noticeable it makes me so excited, my hair has never been this long. But my goal is for my afro to sit comfortably on my shoulders... however, for that to happen, my hair probably has to be close to waist length I've got a fair bit to go, since it only just passes my color bone. Saying that, I find it really weird that the longer my hair gets the easier it is to wash/style etc. I spend less time messing with it. Who woulda thought

Andria: I used to feel like this, but now I don’t really need to show length anymore. I still want long hair, but I don’t need anyone else to see it. And honestly thinking about it like that helped me to not hate my shrinkage anymore. I just felt like I couldn’t really love my hair if I hated shrinkage.

Titania: I have decided to embrace my shrinkage. My hair is bra strap length but currently it is sitting on my shoulders. That's where it wants to be so meh :)

NAIKOchan17: We have become obsessive about length. On the one hand, we want what we want and that's okay. On the other, the want has consumed so much of us that we kind of lock ourselves in a prison because of it. It seems like so many of us are/were so determined to have long hair that we stopped ourselves from actually having fun with our hair and enjoying it fully at every stage. Then we created all of these rules that we had to follow in order to get to the goal which overcomplicated the whole experience. I think for a lot of people those rules were unsustainable, which is why everyone is burnt out and tired or dissatisfied with their hair. I'm glad I am on the other side of that now. My routine is simple and quick enough that it's not tiring and therefore I can be consistent with it, giving me better results. I have realistic expectations for what my hair can and can't do, so I'm no longer fighting with it. I love shrinkage now because it gives volume and expansion. No longer feel the need to see my hair growing down. It grows out, so ofcourse it's not going to rest down past my shoulders if it becomes that long when stretched. Shrinkage is required for you hair to curl. If you don't have shrinkage, you won't have a curl. I hope anyone who is struggling with this can also make it to the other side, and start to just have fun and live.

vallendior: I was actually obsessed with density. I wanted my hair to be really voluminous and I didn’t care much at all about length. But upon realizing that my hair will never be high density in addition to being fine and high porosity which makes it even more prone to dryness, breakage, and single strand knots, I simply accepted my hair as it is. So then I decided to focus on length. It had stagnated at armpit length. But now I’m approaching bra strap length which I intend to hit by the end of the year. However, now I’m apprehensive about trimming it which was never an issue b4. So I think it’s a bit of an unhealthy mindset cuz I never hesitated to dust or trim my ends regularly which is important for me. But I have noticed that ppl have been length obsessed for along time. I guess now, I’m becoming one of them and I have mixed feelings abt it. Thanks for the dope ass content. Much love Danielle! xx

Kiersten H: I've always had a complex relationship with length, especially as I have just reached waist length, but you can't tell because of shrinkage I thought that if I reached waist length hair everyone would know and I would feel magically different about my hair. But I still feel how my hair did when it was shoulder length, and with shrinkage my hair is barely past my shoulders anyway . So lately I've been trying to prioritize health over length and embrace my shrinkage and many curl types. Good luck to you on your journey as well!

Doe Lala: I was feeling down lately cause my hair has been hating all my hair products and it started falling out and thinning. I had to trim a bit of my length and people kept pointing it out. Thank you for cheering me up

Whitney Dahlin: ‼️ it's incredibly frustrating but incredibly normal for personal insecurities or struggles you thought you'd gotten over months or even years ago to suddenly come back stronger than ever out of nowhere and smack you in the face. Don't be too hard on yourself it's just part of being human! Sometimes there doesn't even seem to be a trigger or a reason for these insecurities to come back. They just seem to come crawling out from under your mental bed like smeagol but instead of being obsessed with the ring it's obsessed with your hair or your weight or your nose or any number of things. I think it's just part of being human and I think as long as we're alive we will have insecurities that nip at our heels like hungry wolves. I really think it has a lot to do with the subconscious and all of us growing up in the age of technology where these insecurities are planted deep since we were kids or teens. I've been in weekly therapy for three years and some days I get so discouraged because I feel like I haven't made any progress and that I'm not any stronger or better than I was 3 years ago. And some days I feel like I've come a long way and I've accomplished a lot. Unfortunately I think we all have insecurities or other personal struggles that will haunt us to the grave. It's not just you! ❤️

jahlia mone’t: Hey Danielle I’ve been watching your channel for years! I understand the struggles of not seeing hair growth . Have you even thought about getting microlocs? It’s a style that gives 100% length retention.

aleialaw: I think this is one of the biggest most common "struggles" with natural hair. The yay/boo of oh my hair shrinks so it's healthy and doing what it's supposed to do, but I want to enjoy my length and see the visual representation of growth progress. Have you ever thought of wearing your hair straight in the winter months?

Monaya Desirée: I used to be overly concerned about hair length but that was until I shaved my hair bald in December 2020. Severe heat damage got me there & I knew I didn’t want to transition between textures so it all got chopped off. As my hair is growing now, I’m currently at your length when it’s not stretched in my wash & go state. I have been more worried about health over length.

Nadira Fant: For me and my 4c hair, I stay keeping my hair in twists and bantu knotting the ends to keep them from snagging. No weaves or sewins. Just my regular degular hair in twists. This style works for me and I've had twists or plaits in my hair since I was a girl. Every two weeks I take my twists out to wash my hair and retwist as normal. My hair is now past my bra strap but it shrinks back up to the nape of my neck almost immediately. For me, retaining length is nice, but it's not my goal. My goal is to make taking care of my hair and my wash days take as less time and little effort as possible lol

Nnedi Nebula's Universe: I absolutely adore you and your channel. I appreciate you sharing your and Fluff Nugget’s hair journey. I think something a lot of “4a-c” type naturals don’t realize is that our hair is sooooo fragile. It took me having locs for 4 year that wouldn’t budge past my shoulders after getting it there after two. I couldn’t help but notice how rough you were being with your already stressed hair. I can understand your frustration I did the same to my hair for years and it only translates to instant breakage. I had to start treating my hair as gently as I would want someone I’m paying to, even more so. That along with becoming aware of nutritional deficiencies in my diet. If we’re not getting enough nutrients for our body’s daily process, it won’t have enough energy to grow something extraneous like hair or nails properly. Finding what works for your hair is definitely a big part of it. Could you cover making your own Ethiopian hair butter? I started using it and after shampooing it out, my 4b/c loc curls are defined without need for extra product and my hair is soft and moisturized. I just shampooed it out and honestly didn’t need conditioner. I saw your Chebe video and think if you mixed the Chebe powder and a little bit your favorite oils into the butter you might have a good starting point for short term protective styles. Thank you again for sharing your process with us Danielle! You’re a talented, witty, and gorgeous person regardless, but I’m excited for this to be a “remember when” for you !

Holla At The KI D: Fluff Nugget is truly beautiful today I’m not looking back and we don’t know the future. So lets just bask in her glory right now. Don’t compare her. Appreciate her. I had mid back length stretch hair before I started losing mine to a mystery illness that is now uncovered. I am now completely bald since 2016 and wear beautiful wigs. What I learned? Though I absolutely miss my hair. I’m no less loved without it. ( my husband kisses my bald head in passing and some days I got to protect my behind from random grabs especially in a sun dress, lol!) And afro kinky wigs are fun and my current favorites. Though I have adjusted well and embraced my reality I don’t wish it on anybody else. So CHERISH fluff nugget. You are genuinely blessed.

Everybody Turns: It's growing. Stop worrying so much Your hair looks good Lady

Maria Elizabeth: Honestly I am now on a proper self care journey. I’ve noticed my hair deffo grows but it’s like it almost shrinks more even though its growing , it’s crazy. I’m learning to just embrace it and love it. I’m also really trying not to neglect my hair even if I get busy. Shrinkage is apparently a sign of health so I’m really trying to let my hair be my hair. Waist length doesn’t show on everybody apparently

Dawn Desu: I'm obsessed with length, as well. On myself. I can careless about anyone else's length, unless I'm trying to get help. I want my afro blocking everything.

Katterrena: I think that length looks great but curlies need to remember that shrinkage is part of our hair length. Straight haired people get to measure their hair from roots to tips, we don’t. We have to measure our length in how long it appears when it is in a wash and go. It means that our hair needs to grow twice as much (or more) before we start to get what we want for length. My hair when it is soaking wet and brushed out goes nearly to my waist. When it is dry it is only just past my shoulders. And my hair is super damaged so my shrinkage is no where near as intense as yours. But still I only get to count my hair as waist length when I am judging how much product to put in my hair. Because at all other times, my hair is shoulder length.

Loe: I always find that with my hair that when it hits a length stall I need to change tactics. I haven’t found that protective styles do as much as getting regular trims. Long term protective styles I find doesn’t do as much for me. Plus the healthiness of my hair when it’s trimmed improves from root to end

Brandy Chanell: I agree... I've seen a change in my hair in the last few years and not for the good. Ah I miss the days when my hair looked amazing in twist outs. Trying to find my way back there too! We got this !

Virginia Montaldo: Something you might want to consider is henna. It especially helps with high porosity as it permanently patches the hair shaft and makes it thicker and heavier (it might elongate curls in some). This is my 3rd time doing henna on my hair (I started at the beginning of the summer) and it's starting to behave differently, in a good way (I have very high porosity hair naturally). It retains a lot more moisture on its own, it looks glossier and oily-er (...in a good way lol). Don't overdo it because it's powerful.

Bcubed2011: Honestly, I never really saw my length or truly was able to retain it until I got microlocs. My 4C hair thrives in locs the way it never would loose. It would always knot and tangle. Just trying to detangle it would damage it. I know locs aren’t for everyone but I have truly never been happier. I also don’t feel so self conscious about my hair anymore

Danielle Vaughn: I was tripping about my hair length a bit ago. I mean, I did two big chops awhile ago. It's super healthy and that's most important....but still....i want it to get longer faster. Not quite sure why. It's at my shoulders and sometimes I can't handle the thought of "wash day" because she's so thick. B***h, what you gonna do with more length? I aggravate myself.

LaLa Willy: Danielle, you can achieve whatever you’d like with your hair, but it would take going to a natural hair care professional. Not everyone can consistently DIY. My hair is exactly like yours and I accept the shrinkage, but whenever I want to show the length I go to a “true” professional and voila!

Kayla Anne: Omgggg never been this early. That notification bell!! Lol I too have been really beating myself up because I recently did a goood trim and my shrinkage is also crazy and I never realized how much I felt validated by keeping track of my growth. I just did some box braids on myself and am already debating keeping them in till November It’s an issue I don’t have an answer for, but at least I know it’s an issue…right? Thanks for always being open and making it make sense! Such a fan❤

Abbey Saint: I noticed my hair does grow and pretty fast actually. It’s just, when it hits a certain length it just pauses and it just means I need to change my tactics. I’m a super lazy natural though. I am actually planning on cutting my hair AGAIN Friday into a bob but that’s also because my ends are trash but I’m always bored of my hair. Just switch it up every so often. I do stress a lot and I’ve been working on that and trimming my ends consistently. We’ll see what happens. I’ll join this journey with you. I did notice that keeping my hair in braids or twist in the recommended timeframe actually grows my hair rather than keeping them in for like 2+ months.

TheTRUTHhurts: Length doesn’t matter at all!!!! Just embrace your natural hair how it is … it’s a flex naturally ‍♀️ it’s very unique and one of a kind … please embrace it

UsulPrincess: I have seborrheic dermatitis, and my growth slows down when I don’t use castor oil/aloe, stop taking probiotics, or leaving braids in longer than 3 weeks. I lost 3 inches six months ago from getting back-to-back braids with no trimming in between. I miss what little progress that was.

Lovely Sunshine: I used to be obsessed with length when I was watching a lot of hair channels. These days I think hair health and fullness is so much more important. I stopped fussing and obsessing over my hair and it is flourishing because my hands aren't always in it. I'd say to not compare yourself too much to other folks. Everyone's hair is different ~ Just do what's best for you. I think most of your subscribers are here because we love your personality and humor. :)

natasha rules: I tested my hair this year. I dyed a section of my hair and measured it this January, it was 7 inches. At nine months I measured again, the dyed section was 8 inches, but the undergrowth (the new natural colored hairs growing beneath) was 3 whole inches . That means in 9 months I grew 3 inches but only retained one, that's 33% retention. I'm so effing mad cause I actually fid back to back protective styling and routine. I wish it was longer. I feel robbed and sad. But I'm happy to know it has the ability to grow now all I need it to find a length retention routine. It's tiring

TA Riley: I absolutely love your channel! I’ve been obsessed with length and used to compare my growth with everyone who experienced tailbone 4c hair seemingly overnight. After years of ups and downs I am so much more comfortable with my hair. It’s now health first, growth in time.

Nuni Nuninu: I have 4C hair. I have been wanting to grow it long for over 30 years. Trying and wanting are too different things I have learned. I have learned a lot from this generations deep dives into hair care. I have learned that I have to tend to my hair daily. I used to wear braids in the 90s and not really take care of it and it would definitely grow but it would break off as I would gently take it down. Protecting it is one thing, fortifying it with conditioners, greases and such is of the utmost importance. If you aren't already, consider following Mrs. Mississippi, IndigenousStrandz, and GreenBeauty. Honestly all you need is aloe vera juice, no water unless it is distilled. Use a small amount of leave-in conditioner that has some form of silicone in it. Do not try to use the leave-in as a moisturizer or styler. Leave-in has a lot of emulsifiers in it that can actually cause hair breakage (see GreenBeauty to explain). Then apply a thin coat of Blue Magic or just good old Vaseline to the entire length of the hair. The same to the scalp (see Mrs. Mississippi). Also your hair may be breaking off at the same rate that is grows, thus the same length. Just remember, your hair is ALWAYS growing, it just isn't retaining length. I'm sure you already know about the different stages of hair growth, you want to maximize the growth face. Also check out EfikZara.

Kiya E: Girl….. atp your hair is growing. Prolly not the way you want it to, but over the years as I’ve watched your vids it has been growing. ✋

Shalawn Dudley: I have mad, crazy shrinkage. My tight afro turns into mid back length when straightened. It's very magical to witness. Lol! But I like the versatility of my hair. But I totally feel what you're saying tho..

Ileana Santamaria: How I feel about hair length? It's an omnipresent evil (comparison of features across different groups), and it's ingrained in us from the time we learn to say "Disney princess", unless we're raised by parents in a bubble and actively shielded from the concept of length. If the shoe were on the other foot and Africans had conquered and colonized Europeans, Rapunzel blinded would be bemoaning their flat, shrunken, stringy hair, but that parallel universe is not ours, alas.

Michaela Lowe: I’ve been natural for over 8 years and tbh, I thought my hair would be longer by now. I’ve started over twice, I’ve tried so many methods and routines. I try to trim regularly and keep my ends in check. I don’t use too many products, I used to be a product junkie. If I could wear dookie braids and not care, I would and my hair would probably be longer. I’m still trying to find protective styles that are both pretty and protective but without added hair. It’s frustrating. I’ve accepted my texture, 4c. I accept the shrinkage, and I accept my fine hair. Can it just be long at least?

Michelle Rodgers: If you decide to keep on this journey, one revision i recommend is to make sure you go to a professional stylist, get it stretched and trimmed like 3-4 times a year. Getting professional trims and finding protective styles that grow my hair totally changed my hairs performance. Eventually ur hair will get to a length and density where ur hair will look long in your protective styles.

theL33Tm4ster: shrinkage is annoying af. yes I know it means my hair is healthy, but it also means that i have to put in the time to detangle, moisturize and style waist length hair only to end up with shoulder length hair. sorry but that's a no from me

Savvi Vixen: I can understand the wish to visually *see* the progress you've made without having to stretch (etc.), but ultimately, that not how hair like ours works. What we *can* see, is the sheen, the volume, how hearty our hair has grown, things like that. I've learned to be okay with accepting what my hair wants to show me off the bat, and I've been more content on my journey for that. Best wishes on yours, too. Starpuppy.... ☆Awaaaaaaaaay!!!!☆

olo chile: Such a conundrum to be in when you want to do styles that express the true length of our hair, But also wanna be a "lazy natural" Unfortunately, being a lazy natural requires full on acceptance of shrinkage, But being a natural that puts effort in making sure you can length thru blowouts, twists braids etc. Is work I'm in a weird place right now with my hair, so the transparency in your latest videos have been so comforting And I commend you because other natural hair girlies can be really harsh and lack compassion: "ACCEPT YOUR HAIR!!! 4C IS BEAUTIFUL!!!" it's like... No shit that doesn't happen overnight tho for everyone, especially when you consider external factors that pile on the difficulty level Anyways, idk what the point in my comment is other than to share my lil 4c thoughts and say thank you -signed, a fellow "EIGHTYYYYYY.... PERCENTTTTTT!!!!"

Kiera Carey: Im ngl you capture and summarize my feelings about my natural hair to an almost uncanny degree. Your last several videos concerning your mood and feelings on natural hair like feeling and seeing ppl react differently to yourself with longer hair or feeling frustrated with hair growth have been an exact mirror. I feel like in my tireless effort to show the beauty and style of my 4c hair I may have caused it more harm than good. I can look back years and barely see the difference. Lately I've been wearing braids, locs, and wigs to see if the only thing I haven't tried is leaving it alone. Although I'm not at the 7 month mark I've decided that I'll keep my hair in protective style for the rest of the year and see if it helps. Anyway I feel you and hope you keep making content on this topic.

New World Lord: Girl I felt this.. I've realized to get my 4c, fine hair to go past mid back takes A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL OF CARE I DONT THINK I HAVE, it took me over 10yrs to even get HERE.. sooooooo it's trial and error patience wich I don't have anymore..

Tara Patrice: I am not going to lie, when the pandemic hit and we were stuck at home. I was obsessed with hair length at one point the moment I became natural. I felt like I was doing something wrong but 2-3 years later my hair is halfway to my bra strap (which is my goal)

Christina Toney: I truly believe that you have the most Beautiful Skin tone thus far!! Blessings to you!!

NaturallyMe: Yes the obsession with length is something. I was there when I first went natural. Now 5 years in, I couldn’t care less, frfr. It’s good, it’s healthy, it’s a good length for me and if it continues to grow, cool. If not, cool. To say, “heath over length” is the thing we “should” believe. But do we really feel and believe that way down deep in in the bone marrow? I can say with super sincerity that I live it and I believe it. I just got a professional trim and I was low key upset that she only took 1/2 inch off. It took a while to get here, but I’m here now.

Sereens: I honestly think it looks longer, healthier and thicker than it did 3yrs ago! Keep going, fluff nugget is gorgeous

Cyrene Pierre: It can sometimes wound me when I haven't seen someone for some time and they say, "you cut your hair didn't you?" I'm like no I didn't it just shrunk more than normal. It's alive and well, but it has its own personality that can be disrespectful to my own wishes, and only with patience from God, do I persevere.

Grow With Glo: I’ve been watching your channel for years. I’ve big chopped 2/3 times since. I’ve been so upset since November 2021 I got a press to get a trim after my most recent chop (bald shave) I haven’t cut the heat damage the girl gave me still. I start to miss my length constantly until I look back at progress pictures and I’m like oh wait my hair is actually getting back long. I told myself I wasn’t going to big chop again unless it was absolutely necessary. I’m thinking about quitting weave for good. I’ve been wearing weave since middle school and I’ve graduated college already, so for the past 12 ish years maybe. I know I can’t let anyone else do my hair they’re so rough with it.

Stacie Greene: My opinion is to appreciate the growth , appreciate the thickness, appreciate the texture. I may sound crazy but your hair is listening . Speak nothing but positivity amongst your tresses . Negative thought process, equals negative results . I noticed my favorite gurus to watch appreciated and loved their hair at all lengths , now their hair is flourishing.

Kenya: After a protective style being in for 7 months. The take down process is very important. Taking your time and being gentle will help prevent breakage and helps retain that length.

boutux: For the last 2 years or so my hair has been somewhere between midback and waist length. It just never quite gets to waist length. I trim about 3 times a year maybe 4. I basically trim when my ends start misbehaving. My hair is very coily and shrinks a lot. If I don't stretch it, my wash and go is around chin length. Stretched I can get it to my shoulders. Granted, I don't only stretch for length but also to avoid knots and tangles. I think I would be happy with my length if I could get my unstretched wash& go to my shoulders...how long would my hair have to be for that to happen?

Ami: I think that instead of focusing on length try to focus on having healthy hair . There is nothing wrong with shrinkage . Its an issue when you start to obsessed over your hair constantly that isnt good I dont understand those who always worry about length . Focus on healthy hair first Length comes later

Fine Natural Hair ROCKS: Oh wow! I saw your video title and IMMEDIATELY I had to click in! It truly feels like my hair has been the same length forever as well! Ah well... the journey must continue!

lillypop2: I’ve personally given up the long hair part of my journey because it was just adding on stress in an area I didn’t need it. I had accidentally cut some of my hair during a style and had a whole breakdown about it and realized it not conducive to my quality of life. Now I just want it to be healthy and I trim my hair quite liberally cuz it grows back and as long as it’s doing it’s healthy thing idc anymore lol. And with Covid all of our hair went through it, my hair was more dense pre pandemic than post with a whole two year difference. It just is what it is.

ablackguy123456789: sometimes I get disappointed that my recent hair growth isn't more noticeable but that's shrinkage for you. my stylist gives me helpful tips so i know i'm on the right track. the breakage is minimal as well.

Mariah Morgan: Mini braids (on your own hair, no extensions)!!!!! It helps so much, especially with the re-structure of your hair and tons of grow ! Biotin hair vitamins work and those teddy bear gummies that’s blue, at ultra helps And drinking lots of water. Keep the mini braids in for 3 months ! When you see new grow, take the braid down and re braid it until your 3 month mark and you’ll see a difference!

Georgina Asante: Honestly same i just really want long natural hair and I want other people to see I have long natural hair. I think all lengths look pretty but for me I want LENGTTHHH!! I just trimmed my ends an inch yesterday but it makes a visual difference and now I want that inch back

Moyin: Tbh I find it kind of... weird when people paint wanting length as an "eurocentric beauty standard". Even in pre-colonial Africa long hair was revered as something beautiful, and calling it eurocentric erases our history. But what I find even more annoying is when people say "people with natural hair shouldn't aspire for *long* hair, we should aspire for *big, voluminous* hair" or things like "our hair grows up, not down"‍♀. Literally just taking the problem and repeating it with a different obsession lol. As someone with fine hair that isn't very voluminous or big, trying to change the focus to volume and thickness... is still quite problematic; it is still a goal not achievable for everyone, and no amount of supplements or hair hacks can change your genetics. What I want personally for the natural hair community is for everyone to be able to wear their *real* hair in a way they feel beautiful and confident in, and at the same time to spend less than 2-3 hours a week on it(unless they are spending more time *by choice*). And not in a specific style either, saying things like "we should all wear afros" isn't as pro-black as you think it is.

K. Rachel: Shrinkage is pretty cool. My hair are at my butt if stretched but i never do.

Genise Dever: I'm over length..all I want is healthy hair. Going in for a cut down to the thickness part of my shrunken hair. I'm so ready.

Michelle Rivera: I desperately want “classic” length hair. Right now, when it’s completely straight it’s close to butt crack length but alas when it’s dry and curly it’s somewhere just past bra strap.

Linda Roberson: Its Genetics, your hair is beautiful. You want length, blow it out, straighten it. Until then, brush and apply blue magic hair grease sparingly , Conditioner, and water. Plat or tuck it every night.

Maya: I had a mishap with a hairdresser about 7 years ago, I was younggg and told her to cut my knots and split ends (because I thought that was a trim, and this was the first time going without my mom), and she just chopped it all (rude but, ok), into a non-style, short thing. After that I had a huge insecurity with getting my length back, which was suffering since my mom stopped doing my hair in high school. I think I've finally come to a point in the past 2/3 years where there's a length that I like, and I will chop it to keep it here and I'm so proud to be here. This aside, I have 4b hair, and also about 70/80% shrinkage so I do sometimes find myself fighting with the perception of my un-stretched hair, especially since I get serious stress dandruff and this thing needs to be washed when I'm in these modes (so I can't control the stretching or even drying of the hair as easily), but I live in an almost 100% white area (American in Europe), and without the aunties around I find that I get nothing but compliments, hair undone, halfway done, or perfected. So this has given me a lot of space to kind of be mindful that at least in the area where I operate, I need to prioritize the health of my scalp/stress levels first and there's no one (here at least) judging me abt what's on my head. I walk out with a scarf because my hair is drying and as long as I'm not going to the airport I've had people be like oooo nice. Huge braids as well (which are too short on too kinky of hair to hang in any way). So you're not alone! I think the natural hair community isn't dead, but just re-morphing again into the self acceptance as it was aimed to be in the beginning!

Sussex Sandra: Must admit for me, my hair is healthiest and happy when i wear crotchet braids for 3, no washing just hydrating and oiling scalp. Then i take down braids, wash & deep condition and keep hair natural for a few weeks, then back in braids and repeat. But then i go and do something stupid like silk press which results usually in some form of heat damage. So then it treatments weekly then braids & natural cycle. My problem is, i get bored quickly. ‍♀️

TaylorNikii: For some reason I act as if my hair doesn’t grow. Then when I notice length I’ll sabotage myself by using products that create breakage. When I was younger I use to have an obsession with long hair. I wanted my hair to be straight and long. When I got a relaxer I was so happy but my hair was always breaking, and when I went natural I started taking care of my own hair my hair flourished until I dyed it and then eventually it got hydral fatigue. Now, I’m at this point of experimenting I’m not giving my hair all of my attention anymore. For me my biggest insecurity is admitting that I don’t like using black products anymore because they create more breakage. Now I use non black hair products like OGX hair creams and garnier because my breakage is minimum. And I’m not bald. ‍♀️ like im tired of fighting with my hair. I want length but I have to know what to give up without judgement of myself.

Kim Lewars: I want enough hair to put in a comfortable high bun without a struggle lol. That’s it. That’s all. Literally only to make my life easier.

Allison H: Your hair has grown and is the thickest I've seen in all your videos. I'm a part of the 80% shrinkage crew. It can be frustrating at times.

Jasmine S: Breakage is my downfall. We have to baby and protect our 4c strands with soft manipulation day after day.

RubyLovesRocket: Now, I can't comment on the social/cultural aspects, but I think a lot of things that we all as humans get caught up on is a bit of the old "the grass is always greener on the other side"...we want what we don't have, or what we think we can't have. Straight-haired people getting perms, curly-haired people getting relaxed or a blowout. We see the thing that is different from what we have as unique/interesting/exotic/etc and try to reach for it....either feeling great pride & satisfaction when we achieve it...or feeling like a defeated failure when we don't. If people go into it with the right motives, and a health dose of self-awareness, I think it is fine. But too many people search for accomplishment & validation in the wrong places, thinking that getting that thing (whatever it is) will make them happy, only to have an anticlimactic ending...or get caught up in another journey towards another goal. My hair is, at its curliest, probably a 3B. I would LOVE your shrinkage, because my curls get weighed down and stretched out as my hair gets longer. I got my hair cut into a somewhere-between-my-chin-and-my-shoulders bob in June 2020 and it is now touching the top of my bum crack (which is wear it was on the day of my salon visit). I have the hair (length) that a lot of people crave, But what do I do with it? Ponytails or Buns. I am utterly inept at styling my hair. I can't do braids or updos or anything. But every time I reach the "I hate this!" stage, I get people saying "NooOOoo! Don't cut it, it's so pretty!"

jôn: I've wearing normal twists for 2 months now, in the first month my hair grew a noticeable amount, now, at the end of the second, it's slowing down, I'm gonna take them off and wear it out again.

Alaiyah the Muslimah 🌙: Miss you! And yes girl, I want it to look as long as it is but I'm over it now. Lol got locs and calling it a day. Well a lifetime. So yea. Can't wait to see what you do next.

Your Mom: I’ve been obsessed with hair length forever. Went natural in 2011 because I saw aevin dugas. I’m not even full bra strap but this is the longest my hair has ever been. I still feel baldheaded

Anah: I want longer hair and I'm working on it. Some people feel they look better with longer hair, and want it and nothing is wrong with that. After much research, I'm now a blow dried natural (always low-medium) because i refuse to deal with shrinkage every single day. Wash day, fine, but i dont want to deal with the frustration of tangles every time i touch my hair. I also want to see my length, for myself because my goal is longer hair, through healthier practices. I just make sure i take very good care of it - handle gently, keep my scalp clean, and deep condition with good products

Travel Girl: My 4c hair in 10 years retained maybe 12 inches!!! Then I got cancer, went bald, didn't die..yay!, then that 1st year, it grew 6 whole inches and it had grown back as 3c texture (chemo curls!). So easy to manage omg, no breakage. Then it mysteriously fell out started shedding and I had to cut it back to 1 inch and start over. Now it's grown back now 3-4 inches in 6 months and it's now kinda 4a texture. Still much easier to manage and retain length than my previous 4c.

TarynMichelleHairJourney: Honestly i think most people are being too hard on themselves about length. If you are past shoulder length, congratulations, your hair is long. And i don't think most people actually want the long hair they say they want. Longer hair than that means more detangling, more product (more money), less versatility with styling depending on what you want, and it's just overall a bigger commitment (hence why a lot of people don't get there, and that's okay). Plus the things you might wanna do with your hair once you get to that length at that point may seem so foreign that you might not want to do it anymore (straightening is so damaging, let's just not). i am extremely satisfied with my length. nipple length with 3 years of growth, 2 of those natural. i am on a good track to reach tailbone length in a few years, not because my hair grows fast, but because i have the willpower (some may call it laziness) to not do too much to my hair, but also take care of it when it needs love. i'm taking a break from protective styles for the rest of the year because my edges are thinning, but other than that we are thriving!

imreadii: I’m so over this hair thing. I have fine, thin density hair plus Alopecia. My styling is limited unless I wear wigs & weaves. Over it!

CJ: I’m so tired of my natural hair. I’ve learned my hair does best when natural but blown out or mostly stretched. Unfortunately it’s been mostly a tangled mess since summer. I’ve all but given up. Just ugh.

LemonDrop: Don't they say that your hair grows when it's in a protective style but breaks off when you start being natural again? You can't be a lazy natural. I hope you take good care of it.

Jeyy Rrrr: Have you tried reading "The Science of Black Hair"? It is an amazing book filled with knowledge and tools on how the hair works, healthy hair care routines, why we have a hard time retaining length, and so much more. I suggest you read it. It helped me.

Heather Stuebe: I'm new here, but I just want to say you are beautiful and your hair is beautiful, but your skin is so radiant it's mesmerizing.

Ania Dawson: I will say this, my natural hair journey and length are not really friends. See i was a good solid protective style person for 2 years and my hair thrived. Then one person messed up my hair completely. Im talking about thinning and breakage. So after growing out the destruction, length was no longer important because what is the point of long natural hair and its not full. So 4 months later, got my hair cut to chin length. Best decision i made 4 years ago. Now with my hair growing back (definitely back to old length) and healthy, length doesn't matter because health over length is best. Im too lazy to deal with my hair daily so protective styles help to not pay attention to length