Hmmmm. Let's see. Where do I begin?
Top ten reasons, in no particular order, why I've been natural for a couple of years, but have never really retained length...Was it because...
1.) I braided my own hair into teeny-tiny braids (not twists) and kept them in there for MONTHS without shampooing or conditioning? DRY! DRY! DRY HAIR!! ....FUNKY hair with an itchy, flaky scalp. Now, I'm the deep conditioning, co-washing queen. Thanks Suave Humectant, Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose, Yogurt, Honey, Suave Tropical Coconut, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and/or ORS Hair Packs mixtures. Hurray for plastic heating caps. Excellent for deep, deep conditioning.
2.) When I did shampoo I used a shampoo full of sulfates or with a ph WAY, WAY too high for hair to be safe? DRY! DRY HAIR! DRY = BREAKAGE! BREAKAGE MEANS I GET NO LENGTH!! ARGGGHH!! ...I feel myself getting frustrated at the memory and I'm only on reason #2. Now, I mostly use baking soda and water (does this trick) or , if I do shampoo, which I'm slowly moving away from, I use natural shampoos/shampoo bars (aubrey organics, jasons, etc.)
3.) Took the teeny-tiny braids out...DRY! DRY! DRY! with a small-toothed, rat tailed comb? I was a walking endorsement for Rice Krispy Treats. Can anyone say, "Snap, Crackle, Pop"?
4.) In the early days, I hard pressed my hair (sizzzle, sizzle, snap, snap, Is that burnt hair smell coming from me?) with a nasty wax that gave my hair shine, but didn't allow any moisture to penetrate? HEAT = DAMAGE for me.
5.) Didn't moisturize daily? No S-Curl, no distilled water mixed w/ rosemary and lavendor oil (nice) , No Kids Organic Shea Butter Detangling Moisturizer, No Qhemet Biologics, (one of my favorites) no growafrohairlong leave-in conditioner (love it!)
6.) Wore my hair in teeny-tiny braids, which, over time, dissolved my edges like acid? Still recovering, thanks to scalp massages, Boundless Tresses, hair stimulator oils such as a mixture of peppermint, castor, tea tree, lavender, and coconut oil, and low manipulation (loose, loose braids, not tight, hair follicle-killing braids *sigh*)
7.)
Didn't use a detangler or sleep in a satin night cap? Rat's nest anyone? Good grief, what was I thinking????
8.) Didn't have patience with my hair?
See #2 and break out a bowl, a spoon, and a slice of toast
9.) Didn't take the time to actually find out what works and what does not work for my hair? Be it conditioners, moisturizers, etc.
10.) Expected my natural hair to do things that my relaxed hair did rather than workin' my thing and learning to love my hair as it is for what it is? My hair's not going to lie flat, but when deep conditioned, moisturized, detangled and loved on will blossom into a glorious, wild, soft, beautiful mass that my fingers just keep wanting to reach out and touch and that attracts strangers and family members alike.
I wish I had found LHCF A LOT sooner. But, better late than never.
I looked like a spotted leopard--black hair with rusty-brownish-orange lookin SPOTS ALL UP IN MY HEAD!! Then I went home and dyed it black an hour later it looked SO BAD 
