7/2015 **Our current live challenge has ended. If you’re signed up to our email list, you’ll automatically be notified of the next challenge. In the meantime, take the automated version. Enter your email in the box below.  Here is my hair bio from the very first LN challenge. To see my previous updates click here and here🙂 

Hello Gorgeous!

Our first Healthy Hair Growth Challenge started this week (YAY!) and it inspired me to update my regime.

In order to really track new hair growth, what’s working and what’s not, it’s great to have a starting point.

To participate in the challenge, each naturalista completes a hair bio and includes a current photo of where her luscious locs are. This way we’ll really be able to see all the progress that’s taken place during the challenge.

My current hair bio is below and if you haven’t had a chance to enter the 90-Day Challenge – bring your beautiful hair on over and join us!  

To enter:

1. Complete a hair bio
2. Upload a photo of your current hair length
3. Update your hair progress at least once a month

What To Include In Your Hair Bio 

• Current Hair Length + Hair Type or Texture
• Hair Growth Goal
• Current regime
• Current products you’re using
• What do you plan on doing/changing to reach your goal?
• Are you taking any hair vitamins/supplements?
• Upload a beginning photo
• Optional: Where can we find you (Twitter, Instagram, etc.)?

In putting my own bio together, I discovered 1 simple change that’s had a BIG difference in the extra inch and 1/2 inches I’m picking up each month.   The answer is under “What I Plan On Doing” to reach my goal. Once you’ve read it, tell me…would you consider adding this to your regime?

My Current Length/Texture or Type

My current hair length is APL and I have very thick, kinky, curly, wavy and coily hair.

Hair Growth Goal

APL at the crown and lower back to butt length all over…something like this beautiful goddess:

Current Regime

My hair is in twists right now (my go-to style) so my current regime is spritzing with Oyin’s Frank Juice (2 days a week) & Jane Carter’s Revitalizing Conditioner (2 days a week).

This keeps my hair strong and well moisturized while in a protective style. I apply coconut oil once a week and as needed for conditioning shine.  I cleanse my scalp once every 2 weeks (and whenever it gets itchy) with an acv rinse.

Current Products I’m Using

For Cleansing & Moisturizing | apple cider vinegar rinses, homemade bentonite clay wash, As I Am’s Cleansing Pudding, Oyin Handmade’s Frank Juice, Jane Carter’s Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner, organic coconut oil, and essential oils

For Styling | Oyin Handmade’s Burnt Sugar Pomade and Hair Dew; Homemade Coconut Shea Butter; Homemade Flaxseed Gel 

What Do I Plan On Doing To Reach My Goal 

I plan on doing more scalp massages, at least 3x a week. I’m also adding the step of using flaxseed gel while styling. I really like the curl definition and hair growth it gives me. I can tell a difference when I don’t use it. 

My One Biggest Change That’s Led To Maximum Hair Growth…

I eat more raw foods and drink green smoothies! A nice switch from my juicing habit:) Raw foods are usually not cooked at all, or if they are cooked – the temperature doesn’t go above 118 degrees fahrenheit.

Examples of Raw Foods Include:

• cultured vegetables
• seeds | ex. chia seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds
• nuts
• ocean vegetables | seaweed – arame, dulse, agar, kelp, nori (often in sushi), wakame, kombu
• raw milk | hemp seed, almond, coconut
• raw chocolate | cacao
• sprouts
• and many other superfoods you’re already eating or using on your hair!

I’m using them a lot more because my son (4 y/o) eats a gluten-free, sugar-free, casein-free diet, which means the entire family does too!

I also teach classes on good mood foods, living cures, and sensory diets (for children living with autism, ADHD, and developmental delays).  A wonderful side effect I’m noticing, is A LOT more hair growth and clearer skin.

Since this is the only real change I’ve made in the last few months, I hope to add at least 1 raw food a day (an amazing salad counts too) every day during the challenge…pray for me!   

Interested in adding delicious raw food recipes to your meals, check out these resources to get started:

Raw Basics by Jenny Ross

Uncooking 101

Crazy Sexy Juices & Succulent Smoothies by Kris Carr

Are You Taking Any Hair Vitamins/Supplements

Yes! I’m taking Biotin (5,000 mcg) specifically for hair growth, but I also take Magnesium (250 mg), Vit-Min 75+ (a multivitamin with extra B-Vitamins and minerals) & Vitality SuperGreen (2 scoops a day).

Recipes With Flaxseed

Since using homemade flaxseed gel is one of the things I hope to increase during this challenge, here are 2 of my FAVORITE Lavishly Natural recipes. Do you have any special ingredients you like to add in your gel?

Flaxseed Chia Seed Gel 

Flaxseed Leave-In Conditioner

What To Do Next…

1. Write your own hair bio and start tracking your hair health & growth

2. In the comments, let me know if you would consider adding raw foods to your meals for more hair growth

3. Make a fresh mix of flaxseed gel. Flaxseeds are inexpensive and the gel is super easy to make…just add water! 

4. If you haven’t already – Start the 90-Day Challenge!