Chicoro - Grow It: How to Grow Afro-Textured Hair to Maximum Lengths in the Shortest Time

Beautify Bit by BitGrow It! How to Grow Afro-Textured Hair to Maximum Lengths in the Shortest Time by Chicoro

Copyright 2009 by Chicoro

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means in any form, photocopied, recorded, electronic or otherwise without the written permission from the publisher except for brief quotations in a review.

ISBN 978-0-9820689-0-8

Library of Congress Control Number 2008908366

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Published by ChicoroGYA Publishing

Web site: BeautifyBitByBitGi.com

E-mail:

Photographs by Mark Oehler, www.mark-oehler.com

Hair Jewelry Designed by Chicoro and created by Candyce Lyman

Cover Design by BookCoverExpress.com

Interior Design & Typesetting by Jill Ronsley, SunEditWrite.com

Disclaimer

The reader should use their own judgment in utilizing the information in this book. The author and publisher are not professional hair care providers, beauticians, dermatologists, hairstylists or cosmetologists. The reader should seek advice from professionals as needed.

The authors advice and information are based upon years of experience in trying to find a way to attain healthy, thick, long Afro-textured hair. This experience includes research done through studying books, taking classes and working with her own hair and that of other people.

This book is for educational and entertainment purposes. The publisher and author shall have neither responsibility nor liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the advice or information contained herein.

To my precious, wonderful father, who always believed in my beauty, my gifts, and me. Even today, your advice, guidance and direction reverberate in my ears.
Daddy, you always said I could do it! I hope that you are proud. I miss you, but I know that no matter what, you will always be with me, as you promised.

A big hug and kiss to the four cornerstones who have anchored my life since the day I was born: Christine, Audrey, Janice and Virginia. Your quiet strength, wisdom, insight and support are nothing short of amazing.

To Memo, my favorite photographer and biggest supporter, I love you.

A giant thank-you to my muses, Caroline C. and Miles M. It was Caroline who ever so gently suggested that I write down on paper what I have been sharing with others for years. It was Miles who got me through those blocked walls with an ever-ready encouraging word and endless suggestions.

The focus of this book is on how to enhance the growth of your hair and how to capture and retain the growth that you have today. The information is not new, and it is not unbiased or objective. It is my slanted opinion, arising from my view of the hair world. I have based my opinion on research, observation and experience. I have placed my own stamp on this information, to help you Grow It!

This is the first book to focus solely upon growing healthy, longer, natural Afro-textured hair. Wow, thats a mouthful! This book will show you different methods of retaining the length of the hair that grows out of your head.

Certain techniques that are part of the Grow It Process, such as combing the hair with conditioner in it, may not be suitable for relaxed Afro-textured hair, since the strands of relaxed hair can be more fragile than those of natural hair due to the chemical straightening process. I used the entire process successfully while my hair was relaxed, but you will have to be the one to determine which techniques work for you.

This book is intended to be used by those who have relatively healthy hair with no medical hair issues or conditions. The Grow It Process can fit into any and every hair care regimen and routine, including yours. It is not dependent on any ingredient, product or product line. This process is a tool to help you reach your goals and avoid doing those things that get in the way of your goals.

Let your imagination run wild. Use this book to celebrate and support you on your hair-growing journey. Just start with what is on your head. Jump in! Release your preoccupation with perfection. Dont worry about doing things perfectly, ladies. There is no such thing as perfection. Take some risks with your hair, even if at the beginning your risky behavior happens only in front of your bathroom mirror with the door locked. Remember, at any stage you can go back to your usual way of doing things.

In the realm of growing Afro-textured hair, I think I have some tips for you. Come on, lets go! You can have healthier, longer hair. It just takes some faith, knowledge, and a little patience and persistence.

CHAPTER 1

yrone, the hair designer, was talking with my mother about me. You can see through her hair. Its thin and dry, he stated in an impatient, matter-of-fact tone. He was pulling and tugging my hair away from my head, looking at it with distaste. The cutting shears shimmered in his right hand, poised and ready to descend hungrily into my damaged hair. Feeling powerless, with a tearful nod I allowed him to plunge those gleaming, merciless shears into my hair, full force. Tyrone was the expert. He would do what was best for me. Right?

When I entered the shop, I had ponytails that hung to mid-back. After the cut, my hair was layered and it barely fell upon my shoulders. To make matters worse, as I was walking out, Tyrones fellow stylist looked directly at me and commented to the customer in her chair, Tyrone didnt have to cut all that childs hair like that.

The health of my hair went downhill from there, and my self-esteem seemed to plummet right along with it. The truth of the matter is that even before I set foot in the hair shop, poor care had damaged my hair. The state of my hair was not Tyrones fault. It was mine.

My experience that day set me on two pivotal journeys. The first journey was to learn how to become confident enough never to give my personal power away to anyone again. Id given my power away because I believed the stylist to be the expert. Id put the fate of my hair into his hands. In other words, I placed accountability and responsibility for myself on someone else, the stylist.