There’s something inspirational about seeing a natural rock a huge braidout or fro. Even more inspiring? If that natural started out with a big chop, and had to go through the grow out process. The following natural bloggers and vloggers started out with big chops or short, damaged hair, and had to learn how to retain length. Their journeys are a great resource for length retention tips.
KimmayTube
Kim Love of KimmayTube is the hands down queen of length retention. In her “YouTube Hair Journey” series of videos she shares how she endured 10 years of short, constantly breaking hair before changing her regimen. She now has backlength hair.
Glamazini
Roshini Cope, the author of Glamazini.com, has been blogging since 2002 and had hair at every length — from big chop fade to back length hair. On her site you can find styling tutorials for any length of hair.
Next Page
1 2
I would have to say Naptural85 & AfricanExport
Great list. I’m holding onto my length, so y’ll gonna have to add me soon! LOL In time, in time… :)
Good stuff, but a quick tip: when doing screen shots, press and hold ALT + Screen print button so that it only picks up the browser (or current program) and not your taskbar and other programs. That way you can happily do what you want on your computer without us knowing.
Totally OT but THANK YOU for this tip! I hate doing screenshots for precisely this reason!
Microsoft 7 also has a great clipping tool that accomplishes the same thing but this is quicker if all you want is the screen.
I love all of the above! I am especially inspired by those like Kimmytube (I know she is not the only one) because she did not “always” have long hair. Others I admire their hair but it is great when I see others like me who did not grow up with “long” hair. Many I see their journey and they had waist length as a child, relaxed and now natural (example being HairCrush from YouTube), again I still take their advice and tips but it is a bit different from someone like Kimmaytube, who learned how to retain their length.
+1
+2
Perhaps the list should have been organised by hair type/thickness. I am looking at this to get an idea of “personalities” who has 4cdf (thick stranded) hair like mine so that I can look them up and see what worked for them. Can anyone can point me in that direction?
Hey how cool! I agree with lots of the others suggested by others. I guess the irony that I may hack all my hair off later this year is not lost on me :). Thanks for including me in this list! :)
I don’t know if my picture will post but this awesome article makes me so excited for the future with the naptural hair…i never big chopped but pretty much just decided not to put harmful chemicals in my hair I’ve gotten endless compliments nd aspire many around me to do so also
wow. all of these are amazing. i’m hoping to get there some day. sniff. i think the most challenging length for most black women who are actively trying to grow their hair is somewhere between SL and BSL. from what i could tell, once you find the secret to getting past BSL you’re usually in the clear. after that you truly do encounter the mother of all obstacles- genetics.
Thanks so much ladies!!! I really appreciate everyone sharing names of useful bloggers and vloggers ! I have fine strands and thin hair too which actually really bums me out. Alot of times I feel like I don’t want to wear certain protective styles because my hair looks kind of thin. I guess I need to get back to henna’ing as a start.
Just to add to the convo, I’d like to mention to vloggers (youtube) who have fine hair who I find helpful -niafloda and blackhairchronicles
Thanks for the links, Charlene!
Weird, I don’t like KimmayTube’s hair now that it is long but I love Hair Crush. I think it’s because Hair Crush has her hair out and Kimmay keeps it on lock down. I don’t want hair that long but it’s great to see. Cipriana of UBB, her hair just scares me, I love Naptural85s gorgeous coils.
I’m sorry but I’m not sure WHY Glamazini is on the list… Her channel is okay and all; But her hair doesn’t strike me as particularly long or healthy. I would have expected her on the great stylers list before this one…
Just my opinion
youtuber “ardeller” so inspirational, didn’t have a twa, but she cut off 15 inches of relaxed hair.
My god, ppl! BGLH couldn’t include everybody on the list. Why get so bent out of shape because YOUR favorite wasn’t included? Start your own blog. Relax and have some tea. It’s not that serious. SMGDH at all this elementary school foolery.
Aside from all the extra opinions and bickering(LOL), thanks for sharing those extra names. I am a long term transitioner and I started with kimmaytube. She helped me out alot. I was about to pull all my hair out. There is nothing wrong with rocking a bald head if that’s your thing, i just don’t think you should do it out of frustration like i was. i woulda had patches. lol. Thanks
I love this site. Its very encouraging and has great tips for keeping your natural locks looking its best. I am a transitioning sista (23 months). I love the way my hair is growing out and people compliment me all the time. My husband has even come around and comments on how pretty I look all the time. I never really wear protective styles but after reading this blog I think I may try it. Thanks ladies for your inspiration!!!
I would have to say RenieceHairTV (YouTube). I can relate to her hair journey. My hair has never been pass my shoulders and I really didn’t think it ever could be till watching her video. Very inspirational!
Hello there, You’ve done an excellent job. I’ll definitely digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this web site. reseller web hosting | reseller web hosting |
Pingback: Inspiration: Sera25 aka Sera2544 « hairscapades
There is actually a big difference between someone who does a big chop and someone who transitions… When you transition, you get to hold on to all of your new natural length- you trim what you would eventually be cutting off anyway. When you do a big chop, whn you need a trim you are cutting the unprocessed hair….. It takes much longer to build up length when you have to do this…. Even if the transitioner cuts off ten inches of processed hair eventually, it is not the same as having totrim the unprocessed hair. Not hating, however…. Had i known, i would have transitioned- much easier to bun and much easier for length…
+1
I don’t think anyone mentioned Mahogany Curls. I have been following her for 2years on youtube. She is my hair twin and we bc around the same time. Her length and retention is amazing and her hair curl pattern is similar to mine and she is just all around gorgeous – check her out – mahoganycurls.com
I totally agree! Mahogany Curls does have great length retention – especially for someone who never wears protective styles. Her hair was boy-short a little over three years ago, I believe, and she’s gained a lot of ground. She’s also great because she doesn’t have to straighten her hair to show her length retention. Her hair is long (armpit length – NOT stretched) AND curly. I’d be very happy if my hair was that length and curly.