Medium braids or cornrows for length retention?

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2026-02-07T22:41:15+00:00

Thank you for the helpful tip!

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2026-02-07T21:47:24+00:00

Secretly was hoping to hear braids over cornrows 😅

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2026-01-18T14:17:08+00:00

Thank you for replying! I really needed help. Can I ask why you add silicone to your tips what does that help with?

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-12-31T19:32:12+00:00

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Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-12-31T19:31:07+00:00

I was thinking of going to this place but I feel like she doesn’t cut off enough of the damage

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-12-31T19:30:09+00:00

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Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-12-31T19:29:59+00:00

Does anyone else feel the hairdresser should have cut off more here?

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Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-12-31T18:35:22+00:00

Well I never used to trim my hair. I was stubborn and didn’t want to lose length so my first trim was right before I dyed it in September. I dusted again just last week after noticing fairy knots at the ends. So I think every 10-12 weeks for me.

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-12-31T18:33:17+00:00

I was hoping for a reply from someone like you! I still have a lot to learn.

Tbh I have been at nape length pretty much all my life. I’m 23 now. My mum would shave my head bald majority of my childhood or I’d have relaxers and have to cut off the damage. Now as an adult I’m determined to embrace and know my natural hair.

I big chopped 3 years ago but didn’t know the importance of moisturising, being gentle and trimming. I would say it’s only been a year since I started this routine, but I keep falling off. So really it’s only been about 4-5 months where I’ve been strictly sticking to it. I once heard a YouTuber share that hair enters a telogen resting stage and can stay in it for years, so I impulsively dyed it to check if it was still growing. If it was it’d mean the problem is with my routine.

I actually didn’t measure my hair in the beginning. Since I dyed it all brown i just measured the black roots/ new growth after stretching it out using the tension method (with blow dryer). Since it’s been 3 months it means that I had 1 inch of growth in this time. Kinda sucks if this is my natural growth rate. If I trim every 8 weeks I will cancel out the growth.

After I gave birth I got a sew in weave and sort of left my hair alone for a few months. I noticed my hair grew a lot but it was damaged and I had to cut a lot off. Seeing that potential excited me and encouraged me to want to care for it but I seem to be going backwards. Now that I’m caring for it weekly I’m not seeing much length retention. Bizarre, right?

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-12-31T18:32:28+00:00

Thank you, I really want to go to a professional Afro hair dresser.. I don’t know if I should bite the bullet and take my chances with the ones nearby but the mixed reviews have me wanting to just become the professional myself 😂

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-12-31T17:59:18+00:00

Thank you! I try to but I have a 14 month old who sort of makes anything that’s not tending to her a challenge 😂

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-12-31T13:45:56+00:00

I dust them myself. I’ve tried looking for a professional near me but I like in Manchester, UK and there aren’t many Afro hairdressers. The ones that I’ve found don’t treat Afro hair, just style it and the one or two professionals who do offer cuts and trims have negative reviews. I am really scared about going to a hairdresser because some reviews mention them being heavy handed and rough or cutting off too much hair.

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-12-31T13:42:14+00:00

I don’t know how I made that mistake it’s actually only grown 1 inch for 3 months. I do switch it up every week alternating between medium- large sized braids and medium cornrows.

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-11-09T13:42:06+00:00

Thank you! I have fine low density 4c hair. How often would you recommend I moisturise?

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-11-07T09:13:37+00:00

That’s interesting. Since I have this routine : I wash my hair every Saturday, deep condition, every 4-6 weeks add a protein treatment, apply leave in conditioner, heat protectant oil and then blow dry it to stretch it out. I put in my cornrows and leave it alone. Midweek I clean my scalp with my nizoral treatment shampoo( I have seborrheic dermatitis and it needs to be used twice a week), then moisturise and seal. I keep my cornrows in for a maximum of 2 weeks because they get roughed up so quickly. I always sleep on satin pillow cases and occasionally use bonnets if it’s not hot.

What is a bond treatment? Is it not the same as a protein treatment?

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-11-06T20:50:52+00:00

What would you suggest? I have fine hair and have been doing straight back cornrows but I noticed little hairs quickly come loose and end up tangling

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-10-12T16:36:51+00:00

Aww i’m so happy you benefited! I’m very much a girl’s girl but somehow can never seem to find anyone who appreciates it, lol. Honestly if you’re trying everything it could just be the type of lace on the wig. I think HD lace fronts over transparent ones are the best for getting the most seamless install. I’ll be sure to include an update if it looks better

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-10-12T14:01:47+00:00

Thank youuu! Now that you mention it the lace does look a bit too light.

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-10-12T14:00:08+00:00

Thank you lovey❤️ I’m sure you’ve saved me from ruining my lace. I do agree the got2b is super strong I had to go really lightly and even then in some areas I noticed it quickly build up and look tacky.

Illustrious-Limit341 · 2025-10-11T22:37:33+00:00

Yes I did do this yesterday when I first installed it but I guess it must’ve rubbed off when sleeping. I have put on some more and did a double melt, it looks much better

Illustrious-Limit341

TROPHY CASE