If you watch the below video you might think that getting your 4b natural hair to waist length is kind of easy, I mean protective styling, drinking water, supplements*, deep conditioning*, moisturizing and cleansing all seems easy enough right?
Then why aren’t we all on #teamwaistlength then? Well it is that easy and then again it isn’t, we are all human and we have setbacks sometimes but the most important thing is having the regimen down and sticking to it no matter what, which is where may of us fail.
We will allow the lady in the video below to expand on her secrets to waist length hair in 3 years, but before we do that we have a few tricks up our sleeve too.
1. Focus – If you really want to get to waist length in 3 years then come up with a plan on paper or in your head, just make sure you know exactly how you plan to get there. Sometimes planning might mean a little math too, so calculate how many inches you grow in a year, and how many inches you will need to get to waist length on your body.
2. Make the plan realistic – This just means knowing how your hair performs and what it can do within 1 year with your very best regimen. If you retain one or two inches of hair in four months by protective styling then you know that protective styling will be a huge part of what you will be doing for the next three years.
3. Stay away from things that cause setbacks – Heat is a perfect example of something that you can do often or occasionally that can cause setbacks. With that said it doesn’t mean never use heat at all for the entire time you are focusing on getting to waist length but it does mean that if you know your hair does not do well with heat then avoid it. Its kind of like red velvet cupcakes, if you know you cant just have one then stay out of the bakery baby.
4. Don’t be afraid to start over – Yes you have a goal, yes nobody likes to start over but maintaining damaged hair is not quite the idea we had in mind and it shouldn’t be yours either. If you have to trim or chop what you are starting off with the just do it! The faster you do it the faster you can get on track to your goal.
Check out afrolengths’ take on the whole thing in the video below:
Raesha Williams says
I need help with mind
Chelsea Crouch says
its going to take me about five years simply bc im so tall -_-
Niqua Wright says
IKR tall people problems
Shariqua Mills says
cute
Stephanie Mzee says
and they all said AMEN!
Cerise St Taviere says
How do you thicken hair? My hair about this length, but it is thin.
Blessedfrom Above says
There are lots of ways to do that…I use vitamin pills…msm, biotin, hairfinity, hair-skin & nails..etc..I also use hair oils and shampoo & conditioner called F.A.S.T…
poupee says
Hi Blessedfrom Above,
You used biotin, msm, hair skin &nail while you are using the infinity?
Cerise St Taviere says
Thanks dear. 🙂
Tonette Laleta Shakur says
I love it. How can I get hair like hers
Pamela Cannady says
Still along time took 3 yrs
Marcella Clark says
I don’t believe it 🙂
Marj Desius says
you dont to believe something for it to be true
Stacey-Ann Honeyghan says
I couldn’t play the video
Gwendolyn Millbourne says
Please somebody tell me what is 4b hair? I hear it used alot but I have no idea! Give me knowledge. Thanks in advance!
Valery Ridore says
Curl pattern..4B – Coily Crimpy℠
Panama M America says
some ppl go by this method. i personally think its another way of good hair vs bad hair. just my opinion..
Kenesha LuvsKe'Myrie Gray says
Idk either, what is 4b?
Blessedfrom Above says
is kinky, or very tightly curled…
Serresa Rider says
How do I find out what my hair type is
Blessedfrom Above says
Thats my goal…100% natural!!!!!!!!!!!
Marcella Clark says
My option Marj Desius, now maybe I need to try it, and then I can have my own story to tell, I just cut off all my hair, I might just see if this can grow it back, just to see. Then I’ll tell my story.
Kimberly says
Congrat’s on cut your hair!! It will grow big out before you know it. I did my big chop 2years ago 4/16. My hair is almost armpit length. My first 2 years I was more focus on health now I am trying to get my hair back to my longest length with a relaxer which was bsl. Enjoy your natural journey.
Dev Lynne Disguise says
I’m still super new to the natural thing. I just wavy a simple, no fuss regimen that won’t take forever. That’s the hard part: finding what my hair really loves so that I know what to stick to.
Jas Nikkinac Nicole says
You can get waist length in less then a year. My hair grows fast. My hair has been natural since birth and it’s been past waist length for years.
Jamillah Davis says
everyone is not predisposed to having long hair and not everyone’s hair grows fast. DNA plays a larger role in things of that nature, than how often u get your ends trimmed and what products u use. Your hair grows fast, whereas another woman’s may not.
Suzette Smith says
@ Jamillah…Thank you for correcting her lack of knowledge!!
NubianPrize says
Jamillah is right on point ,esp about the DNA. How fast your hair grows & your hair’s terminal length ( the maximum length it can grow before the growth phase ends & it falls out ) are all genetically determined. If your growth rate is 6″ a year & your growth phase lasts 3 years, then you’ll have 18″ of hair if there’s no breakage. Waist length for most people. However, if your growth rate is only 4″ or 5″ a year..(and there’s a naturalista blogger who says that’ hers is about 4″ ) then you’ll have 12-15″ of hair in 3 years. A good length but may not be waist length. May have to go another year to get waist length, but if your growth phase only lasts 2 years then your maximum is 12″ if you grow 6″ a year and and 8″ – 10″ if you grow 4″-5″ a year. Some articles I’ve read say black people’s hair grows slower than Asian & Caucasian hair & other articles say not true. Who knows? We see lots of white girls with long hair but some of them have short cycles,too. I’ve known several who were not able to get longer than about shoulder length. All I can say is this: take care of your hair the very best you can; make a plan & see what happens. I don’t think any of us have ever seen our terminal length because of relaxers, breakage, & everything else our hair has endured.
Crystal Mcclain says
almost..but needs those ends trimmed..still a nice length though!!
See Jay says
If she completely straightened it will be waist length
Jamillah Davis says
Yep!
Gwendolyn Millbourne says
Thank you Valery Ridore! How do I learn my Hair type?
Sharon Goston says
Yes how do I learn my hair type
Kellee Johnson says
Ms Blessedfrom Above do u use all that stuff every day the different vitamins ?
Kenesha LuvsKe'Myrie Gray says
OK, if my daughter has soft spongy hair, and if you wet it, it tightly curls up, but if you blow dye it, it becomes thick and kinky, what kind of hair is that?
Jo Anna Harris says
A website called Black naps has a lot of information on how to type your hair & how best to care for it “naturally”. I’ve learned a lot off this website on how to care for my daughters hair, she has 4c hair.
Shay Loving Mines says
Ok
Brandi Wake says
If only it was that simple for everyone
Lenny Duartee says
How can I make the order?
Redy Mix says
mine grow like that, like one lady said it depends on your genes, trim ends, and how you care for it
Stephanie Bradley says
3 years is a long time
Jeffrey White says
I have seen it done in 45 minutes lol
CityTruck Prod says
Haha
Xhay Bear says
lol…so wrong
Kimberly says
lmbo
Cleopatra Jones Best says
why must people put limitations on things? Whether the rate of growth is fast or slow shouldn’t matter whether other family members never had hair longer than shoulder length shouldn’t matter. if you practice good hair habits and love your hair it will grow long. Me personally I dont believe in terminal length and all that bull crap. I believe in healthy hair practices and length retention.
NubianPrize says
I first heard of terminal length from a trichologist & a dermatologist so it is not bullcrap. I’ve also read articles about it . The best you can do is to take the best possible care of your hair & it will grow as long as your growth cycle lets it grow. It’s like a child growing up. They are programmed to grow to a certain height & then stop. It may or may not be their parents height, maybe shorter,maybe taller depending on ancestor’s gene influences, but they will eventually stop growing at a certain point. If they’re malnourished they may not grow to their full height. But if they get the very best care they will grow as tall as their genes will let them. Same goes for hair. if hair didn’t stop growing at a certain point there would be loads of people with hair dragging the ground if they didn’t cut it.
Gwendolyn Millbourne says
Thank you so very much! Now at least I have a clue! Knowledge is Power! You ladies are very patient & informative! Much appreciated!
Kita Mzz Karameel Keys says
she’s almost waist length mid back she needs a good trim you go girl!
Aliyah Morrison says
Her hair when straightened is waist length that’s what she means . With shrinkage it’s mid back .
Nicole Bryson says
A book called the science of black hair by Audrey Sivasothy is a must read for understanding and growing long healthy hair. Genes play a part but knowing how to retain what we grow is equally important.
Shekinah Dyer says
Y3s!!!
Andrea Simpson-Jones says
The information in this article is pedestrian and ridiculous! You can say those four little steps about ANYTHING!
Gracie Moore says
My hair is past my shoulders in two years with no perms in two years, so in weave term my hair is 10 1/2 in long but only thing its all growing from my head
Brittney Holland says
How long your hair will grow depends on your biological makeup. Everybody cannot grow hair this long. That’s a fact. It doesn’t matter what grease or oil you use.
Antasia Moi says
Girl U got to be mixed or u own a pharmacy
Aliyah Morrison says
No you just need to trim and take care of your hair almost all the woman in my family are natural with hair down their back and half of them are fully black not mixed . My grandma is fully black always had long hair ever since she was in her 20’s she use to sit on hair than she cut it to her back .
Deborah Adel'oni Gear says
Idk but keep dreaming…working on it…let’s see
Chervondra ChayButta Lenior says
Ummmm her hair is not at her waist ijs …
Hawk Tuff says
Go for it ,” TO THE FLOOR ” !!!!!
Hunnay Bee Mckella says
Biotin keeps the hair in the growing phase it’s can double ur growth rate
MEshell Green says
Beautiful
Juanita Harden says
My goal!!! #motivation
Dakota Robinson says
Not your hair who hair is that
Stacie Hart says
My Goal!!!
Tim Sapp says
I’m every where Chelsea 😛 lol plus my ex was black 🙂 lol
Chelsea Crouch says
trying to get that waist length hair to huh? lol
Tim Sapp says
Lol na I look smexier when it’s short 😛 lol
Chalonda Watkins says
Lol Tim Sapp
Mitra Smith-Garrison says
how do u know whats your hair type?
Joe D. Tinari says
I love a woman with natural hair!
Lauren Imsweetaspie Lucas says
Three years what was she doing I’m at a year n 9months my hair is down past my shoulders
Aliyah Morrison says
Um I’m 3c/4a my hair has been growing faster than expected only the first few months that I had setbacks then It started growing fast . I’m Two my years my goal with shrinkage is bra strap length and past bra strap length when straightened. Waist length is too much I’m fine with just bra strap even arm pit length is ok with me .
Aliyah Morrison says
Your hair grows faster also waist length is amazing for three years .
Joe D. Tinari says
The average growth for a woman’s hair is 1/2 inch a month.
Beverlon Ward says
Thats why I make sure I take mine on my 4 month now Yolanda Nelson
Lisa Williams-Adams says
Not everybody has hair that will grow that long..
Aliyah Morrison says
If you take care of it and your terminal length lasts for years you can .
Reachel Wilcoxson says
I wonder if it’s relaxed on the ends?
Latrice Bhatyah says
Almost there
Shellisa Williams says
What’s the rush?
Nimo Anne says
i don’t trim my natural hair..i wear protective hairstyles n care for it..no dissapointment so far..
works for me..
CityTruck Prod says
Just like my Lady’s hair . . .beautiful.
CityTruck Prod says
It will grow if you take care of it!
De'laysia Jordan says
This cute
D Andra Rachel Hyatt says
mine is there…but it depends….on your genes am mixed so my growth is a bit quick..
Aliyah Morrison says
No it doesn’t my grandma is fully black and has long natural hair . All the woman in my family have long hair except for my mom she wears her hair short .
lnedykstra says
I started growing out my shoulder length relaxed hair in January 2012 and now I am right at waist length. It is definitely possible, as I am living proof. I didn’t see it mentioned in the article, but genetics has a significant role in how fast once can obtain WL and beyond. My hair grows above the average growth rate of .5 inches per month (I grow about .6-.7 per month).
Aliyah Morrison says
Omg my hair is the same growth rate as yours ! Also how long is your hair with shrinkage I have only been natural for a year and I’m at 6 inches in the back 7 inches in the front and more than 7 inches on the sides .
lnedykstra says
Crap! I didn’t mean to put this huge picture there! I thought it was for my avi. 🙁
Shaunie says
Hi Inedykstra,
I am a black woman, and my hair growth rate is exactly the same as yours! do you get comments from people asking why does your hair grow so fast? I know I do! However I do notice that there are people who grow hair even faster than this! yes other Black women can grow it even faster than what we do 🙂 I don’t believe in the “Black hair grows sooo slow” idea. This is evident by people getting frequent relaxers and new growth showing through the braids. Black hair grows fast in my opinion but some people just have poor length retention.
Bliss says
I am tall and leggy with a weight at 5’9″. I have calculated that waist length hair to me would means growing my hair around 27″- 29″.
That’s 4 and a half to 5 years of hair growth for me.
Bliss says
Height not weight sorry !
Ingrid says
My hair grow rate is 4.7″-5″ a year so I know it won’t take 3 years to obtain waist lenght. Plus, I know my hair terminal lenght is more mid-back lenght. I really think that depends on genetic a lot.
Nicole says
Ok for all those talking about DNA i personally don’t believe in that simply becuse their are plenty of peole whose hair is nothing like their familys length wise. I believe that its all in how you do or dont take care of your hair. For instance my mom & sister have short hair whereas mine is long. I’m also relaxed.
Cassandra McNeil says
Buy a weave!
Jasmine Nodd says
Protective styling! That’s what I do, Im on year 2 and my hair is bra strap length
Chocolatedrop Gotyouthinkn Shivers says
BS
Missm Witdatshyt Rocker says
Protective styling and healthy hair care no harsh products or hair dos healthier foods vitamins and water
Jeaneen Alise says
Length is not guaranteed… Focus on health..
Teria Lovespizza Mack says
HOPE MINES GET THERE N 3 YEARS!!!!
Theresa Marie Bryant says
Waist length would be awesome but i can’t even ever remember my hair being past my shoulders so one goal at a time.
Clemer Holmes says
Lovely…..
Charmaine Taylor says
Maybe bra strap as i have gotten that length in 3 years of being natural but not waist (my hair grows the average half and inch a month), could be genetics resulting in faster. meh beautiful l hair though x
Debra Peniston-Lasseter says
what iam shooting for!!!
Kayla-rae Jerrell says
Just take good care of it my hair is almost there lol three more inches
Aliyah Morrison says
That’s good for three years my cousin has a friend that’s almost 5 years natural and she still stuck at shoulder length . My cousin is about 3 to 4 years and she is about bra strap length .
Denise says
I am having a hard time growing my hair for the past eight years it has maintained the same length and the breakage is at an all time high. Other than taking biotin 5000mcg and doing oil treatments what should I be doing? I have tried to stay away from heat applications but then I look like crap. It used to curl before but now my hair is so stubborn and stays acting up. Any advice?
Leah says
Well these are very great tips . I read this article and don’t have 4b or 4c hair and I don’t want to grow it to waist length but I’m glad I read this article. This advice will help me in my hair regime .
Sonya Rice says
Genetics plays a major role in hair growth abd fullness. let’s not kid ourselves, not everyone’s hair will grow to waist length in 3 years.
Dolores de Graaff says
Not possible waistlength becoz your hair is growing 10-12 cm every year!
Monica Thornton Anderson says
BRAIDS