Healthy Hair Habits Of Women With Long Natural Hair

I’ve been natural since 2011 and have had long natural hair for over a decade. In that time I’ve come to understand a few basic, but not so common practices that have helped me to achieve long and healthy hair. 

In addition to my own results, I noticed that other women with long, healthy hair followed similar routines. This article will share the habits that women with healthy hair follow to help them retain their length and hair health.

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She’s a Low Manipulation Girly

Women with long healthy hair are not doing all the things with their hair. They are not constantly coloring or styling all the time either. Keep a few easy to repeat styles on deck to choose from throughout the week and save the more intricate styles for special occasions. 

Low manipulation styles are your friend. An example of this could be you in your wash and go from Monday to Thursday, a quick blowout on Friday night for a girls night out, and a low slick back bun for the rest of the weekend until wash day on Sunday. 

Whatever you decide, I suggest being intentional about your hairstyles for the week. Styling your hair on the fly every morning can lead to over manipulation and unnecessary damage. 

Her Routines Are Simple to Maintain Healthy Hair

There are no 30 step processes needed to complete her hair routine. She sticks to the basics and uses quality products to get the most out of her efforts. 

Simplicity will keep you from negotiating with yourself about whether or not you will care for your hair on your designated wash day. If your routine is easy and production free, there will be less resistance to doing it consistently. Consistency leads to overall healthier hair. 

She’s Responsible With Heat

This woman knows that she can use heat whenever she wants and she does so responsibly. Heat is used after her hair has been moisturized thoroughly with plenty of water getting into the strands.

An easy best practice is to use heat monthly and use other means to maintain your straight style if you choose to keep it that way for longer.

Bantu knots are a great heatless curl option. You can also wrap your hair at night after a silk press. When cared for properly, you can get up to 3 weeks out of your straightened style without needing to apply more heat. 

She Focuses on Scalp Care for Healthy Hair

Hair grows from the scalp so caring for it is of the highest importance. Scalp scrubs and clarifying shampoos are a must to remove built up product and oil. When all that gunk is left on the hair, your scalp can’t “breathe” and can become irritated, itchy and dry.

Aside from cleaning your scalp, make sure you aren’t leaving your hair in a wet state for too long. This can cause the hair to smell foul and be a breeding ground for fungal infections on the scalp. For example, if you need to have soaking wet hair to get the perfect sleek bun, make sure you release the hair at night to fully dry. 

She Knows Braids and Extensions Have an Expiration Date

A style is no longer protective when it’s been in for 6 months and your actual hair has not seen water. Women with long healthy hair know that their hair needs to be treated with water regularly. This cannot be done properly when the hair is bound up in extensions. 

Quick weaves are a good way to lessen the investment of a full sew in while giving you the flexibility to style your hair with extensions. Braided, twisted and loc’d extension styles should be removed after 2 months maximum. 

Healthy Hair, Made Easy

Overall, consistency with an easy to follow routine will lead you to healthy hair and your desired length over time. Simplicity is the key to making all of this easier to implement to ensure that you follow through.

Make this a luxury experience as it’s truly a privilege to be able to style your own natural curls. Invest in a few high quality products with intoxicating scents. Purchase items that have you giddy and excited to use them each wash day. 

Take it easy on the heat and find new ways to preserve straightened or barrel curled styles. If you have any additional healthy hair tips, leave a comment below. Be sure to let me know how you’ve retained your length or healthy hair along the way.