The Real Reason Your Type 4 Hair Is Stuck At Shoulder Length
Its the first month of the year, and many of us have already put our plans in motion to achieve the goals we've set for ourselves in 2026. And for many of us, healthier hair is on the horizon! We've committed to weekly deep conditioners, bi-monthly protein treatments and a strict 6-8 week trim schedule! All for the sake of healthier, fuller, longer hair.
But let's pause and get real for a second. For many of us, this is not our first attempt at growing a head full of long and healthy hair. In fact, a lot of us have been on hair growth journies for the last 1, 5, even 10 years (that's a decade, babe)! So what's going to make this time any different? Well...
The good news: Your hair does grow! Unless you're battling alopecia or some other medical condition, your hair is absolutely growing! In fact, it's growing at a rate of about .5" per month; that's 6" per year! Okay, Rapunzel!
The bad news: You aren't taking the necessary steps to make sure that growth is staying strong enough to stick around. Womp, womp!
Visible hair growth on kinky, coily and curly hair textures is not an accident. It takes science-backed strategy. While straight and wavy textured hair allows the natural oils from the scalp to easily travel down the hair shaft for nourishment and strength, textured hair does not have that luxury. Every twist, turn and twirl each of your individual strands take not only prevents your scalp's naturally moisturizing and strengthening oils from traveling the length of your hair, but they also create a weak point at which your hair can easily snap if it's not receiving said moisture and strength.
Quite the conundrum, but not all is lost! The Nancy's Kitchen Product's Miracle Leave-In is formulated with simple, recognizable yet strategic ingredients that ensure your hair doesn't miss out on a thing so you can finally break past shoulder length! Check out this breakdown of it's active ingredients below:
Fenugreek Seeds: Rich in iron, zinc, antioxidants, and lecithin, Fenugreek strengthens and fortifies those otherwise weak points I mentioned earlier to ensure your strands do not snap during styling and other manipulation. Fenugreek is also known to add shine, reduce frizz, and it can even help prevent premature graying!
Rice Water: Made famous by the Yao Women in the Huangluo Village of China known for their long and healthy hair, Rice Water has become the golden child of hair care and length retention strategies. It's loaded in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants (like inositol), and amino acids that improve the elasticity of breakage prone type 4 hair. Hello? It's your inches calling!
Glycerin: Time after time, users of the Miracle Leave-In mention how long the look and feel of moisture lasts in their hair after just one use. Glycerin is the reason why. It is a literal moisture magnet (humectant) that it works with the environment to continuously draw moisture out of the air and into your hair -- right where we want it -- and without any additional effort on your part! It's the gift that keeps on giving!
Avocado Oil: Due to it's ability to penetrate the hair shaft, rather than sit on top like some other, heavier oils, Avocado oil is known to be deeply moisturizing. This is especially good news for type 4 hair textures as moisture and hydration are #1 causes of breakage and length retention issues. Once penetrated and absorbed into the hair's inner structure, Avocado oil is able to deliver it's rich content of fatty acids, vitamins (A, B, E), and antioxidants. All of which help to repair the cuticle, reduce frizz, prevent breakage, and can even act as a natural heat protectant. (*Note: The Miracle Leave-In does not claim to be a sufficient heat protectant on it's own. Dedicated heat protected should still be sured before all heat tool usage -- including blow dryers.)
Aloe Vera Juice: Don't tell the others, but this one actually might be my favorite! Not only does Aloe Vera Juice work to condition and strengthen the hair, but it has two other really cool features that the other ingredients do not. 1. Aloe Vera Juice acts as UV protection, shielding the hair from the sun's harsh rays that can cause the hair to become dry, brittle, and -- you guess it, break off! and 2. Aloe Vera works with the science of your hair by naturally balancing it's pH. Because Aloe Vera Juice is naturally slightly acidic (pH ~4.5-5.5), it counteracts alkaline shampoos which encourages the hair cuticle to close, reducing the look of frizz and traps in the moisture we so desperately need! Hallelujah!
So it's really no wonder why the Miracle Leave-In is a cult fave and a must have for anyone looking to be strategic about their hair growth goals this year. You can grab your bottle now from Nancy's Kitchen Products and take 10% off your first order with discount code NKP10.
Happy Growing! :)