In the middle of all the daily chaos—homeschooling, running errands, taking care of everything else on my list—I used to find myself frustrated with how little attention I could give my natural hair. It felt like I was doing all the right things but still seeing breakage instead of the growth I wanted. But this year, I decided: I’m focused on length retention. My routine might be simpler these days, but with a few new techniques and a couple of key adjustments (hello, heat styling!), I’m finally seeing progress.
Here’s what’s working for me, and how these practical tweaks can help anyone balancing hair care with a packed schedule.
Streamline Your Routine
When you’re a busy mom, the goal isn’t just hair care—it’s efficient hair care. For me, that means picking products that serve multiple purposes, so I’m spending less time in the bathroom and more time with my family. Sulfate-free shampoos that cleanse without stripping? Check. Deep conditioners that double as leave-ins? Absolutely. I’ve also learned to add a lightweight leave-in or hair oil to keep moisture in my hair all day. Fewer steps, fewer products—and my hair is still happy!
Embrace Protective Styles—But With a Twist
Protective styling has been a lifesaver, especially when time is tight. But I used to run into the issue of losing track of my ends, which eventually led to more breakage than growth. Now, I’m experimenting with a bit of heat styling to simplify my protective styles and keep my ends tucked in securely. With heat, I can stretch my curls without over-manipulating, making it easier to braid, twist, or even tuck into a low bun. I make sure to prep with a good heat protectant, of course, and my hair is thriving.
Silk and Satin Essentials: Small Steps with Big Benefits
If you’re anything like me, you know how easy it is to skip the little steps when life gets busy. But trading out my cotton pillowcases for satin or silk has been a game-changer. Not only do these smooth fabrics cut down on frizz, but they’re also gentle on my hair, which has been crucial for retaining length. I’m also trying to stick with satin scrunchies and headbands because they reduce friction and don’t pull on my hair. These small changes have honestly made a huge difference, helping me protect my hair without putting in any extra time.
Gentle Detangling (aka Avoiding the Rush)
I used to get so impatient with detangling that I’d speed through it, which only led to more breakage and frustration. Now, I detangle only when my hair is damp, using lots of conditioner to create that slip. I work from the ends up with a wide-tooth comb, and I take my time to avoid pulling or breaking hair. It might seem small, but gentle detangling has been huge for preserving my length.
Using Heat for Length Retention
Okay, this one was a game-changer. I used to be terrified of using heat on my natural hair, worried that it would cause damage. But done right, I’m realizing it can actually be a great tool for length retention. By carefully heat-stretching my hair, I can avoid the usual tangling and breakage that comes from shrinkage and make protective styles last longer. It’s all about moderation and the right prep: I always use a heat protectant, don’t go above a safe temperature, and limit how often I reach for the heat. So far, this approach has helped me manage my hair without sacrificing its health, and I’m finally starting to see length that stays!
Conclusion
It’s taken me some time to find a hair routine that actually fits my busy life and works toward my goal of length retention. But with a few simple adjustments, like streamlining my routine, embracing protective styles, using silk and satin, and (finally!) not being afraid to use heat, I’m finally making progress. And honestly, nothing feels better than knowing my hair is healthy and on track—even on the busiest days.
For anyone else who’s juggling it all, I’m right there with you. Here’s to keeping our hair goals in sight, one practical step at a time.
Sandy Esprit 
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