Fighting shrinkage is a full-time job with no benefits and rarely any vacations! I have been natural for almost a decade and this problem has got to be one of the biggest gripes, concerns, and nuisance from curlies, naturals, and coilies to date! We want some hang time, and although it is super cute, our hair loves our faces so much it wants to stay close to it. Sounds silly? No, not at all especially since there are numerous products on the market that claim to fight shrinkage or elongate our curls. This is a valid concern for many curlies. Here are tips and tricks that we use to elongate our tresses and here are a few that actually work.
Stretching
Banding- place sectioned hair in ponytails, scrunchies, or hair ties. I use this but with only one or two ponytails and allow to dry around 80% before shaking and fluffing. This gives me some serious hang time with minimal manipulation.
Bunning– this style will help to stretch your roots without disturbing the volume of the rest of the hair.
Braiding– create as many braids as you like with smaller braids giving less stretch but more definition and for more stretch and less definition use bigger braids.
Blow-dry– this technique is for the curly who has no qualms about applying heat (no judgment!”>. Considered a pretty simple technique as you simply direct the heat to the hair roots and work your way down while holding the hair to help stretch it.
Elongated Wash & Go
Can hair products actually elongate?
Now, there are those products that claim to help elongate the curls as well so here are a few but honestly it seems the trick is a product with little to no water and heavy or give a heavy hold to help weigh down the hair and help with elongation. Many just go the DIY route and try a smoothing mixture (much like the so-called coconut relaxer“> that does not relax the hair per se but seems to be a great moisturizing and smoothing treatment for your curls. Those heavier products with the absence of water along with the aid of one of the anti-shrinkage tips above can in fact elongate your curls, coils and waves. Here are a few products to try that are heavy enough to do the job if you incorporate them with one of the above methods.
Product claim: If scrunched into the hair it helps to give your hair definition, volume and bounce, and when smoothed into hair it can help stretch out the curls you have and add weight to hair to help elongate and define curls.
It is a gel and if applied heavily it should aid in elongating those curls in conjunction with one of the methods above.
Product claim: Give dry, shriveled up curls and twists a nice stretch with Aunt Jackie’s special blend of moisturizing conditioners, flaxseed, shea butter, and extra virgin olive oil. With nourishing Omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed has been widely used as a natural remedy for hair growth, anti-thinning, and overall scalp health.
They do not really state how this will elongate your tresses but it does seem heavy so it may be good to use in conjunction with one of the methods above.
Product claim: Eco Styler Olive Oil Styling Gel contains 100% pure olive oil for deep down conditioning while maintaining maximum hold.
I can attest to the hold this product has. If you slather it on it will elongate those curls like a champ! I still have to band my hair to get maximum shrinkage so I think it works just like the rest mentioned above that need a stretching technique added to them for significant elongation.
The bottom line is you must try a product and see how it works but it will take a little trial and error for the right product and the right anti-shrinkage technique to elongate your tresses.
If there’s one thing that 2024 gave, and to be clear, it gave many things, it was head-turning hair moments and drops that expanded the haircare industry. There were new innovations in hair tools and technology, big celebrity drops (cough Cécred and Fenty Hair), more products moving towards sustainability, and prioritizing hair health. When it came to haircuts, colors, and styles, the goal was main character energy.
There was a bigger move towards creating hair looks that weren’t only trendy but timeless. Celebrities and influencers continued to use major award shows, red-carpet moments, concerts, and album releases to debut fresh and innovative approaches to their styles that had everyone running to the salon.
Let’s look back at how 2024 became a standout year for outstanding looks that we all loved.
Platinum Blonde
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Platinum blonde was everyone in 2024. Whether it was Beyoncé ushering in a new era of Country with Cowboy Carter, Camila Cabello transforming from her signature dark tresses, or the pop princess Sabrina Carpenter, platinum blonde was a mainstay hair color this year.
Old Hollywood Bob
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Low maintenance looks like the Old Hollywood Bob was on the menu all year, and here’s why: it blends nostalgia and chicness. Ice Spice turned heads at the BET Awards when she went from her signature copper curls to channeling this stunning style. Sydney Sweeney, Zendaya, and Elsa Hosk are just some women who opted for this sleek, shiny, and voluminous trend.
Nostalgic Updos
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Updos have always been a pivotal hairstyle for any evening look, but we transition from sleek styles to more effortless styles that embrace volume. Most notable celebrities like Lori Harvey, Meg Thee Stallion, and Kim Kardashian channeled 90s icons like Pamela Anderson to create a “messy upo” that showcased texture and body.
Braided Topknots
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Braids never go out of style, but how we innovate them does. The topknot has always been a signature style that is easy and effortless, but braided topknots helped elevate the updo. Marsai Martin, Jennifer Lopez, and Issa Rae were just a few of the beauty mavens who sported this look in 2024.
Nothing Like Natural
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Calling all naturals. Ditching the wigs, weaves, and extensions and putting your natural coils, curls, and waves front and center were all apart of the healthy hair conversation in 2024. Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Simone Biles made headlines by giving fans a peek behind the scenes and letting us see their real textures.
Nara Smith Bob
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Nara Smith became a social media darling in 2024, but it wasn’t just for her signature voiceovers. The bob made a big comeback, and her one-length style is chic, effortless, and reflects the luxury glam that we all wish to channel.
Single Braid Ponytail
Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
If you’re a ponytail girlie, then you know dressing it up can help add dimension and personality to the classic style. The key to a single braid ponytail is ensuring your hair is slick in the front and then using extensions or weaves to really add length that you can wear to the front or back. Gabrielle Union, Zendaya, and Selena Gomez made this no-fuss hairstyle a fan favorite.
Bombshell Blowouts
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Sabrina Carpenter was the espresso on everyone’s lips in 2024, and it wasn’t just because of her catchy tunes. Her voluminous, blonde bombshell hairstyle quickly became the talk of the town, and many influencers and stylists shared their tips on how to style and maintain this Marilyn Monroe-esque look.
The Wet Look
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Who would have thought that making your hair appear wet (on purpose) would be so popular? The wet look. What’s great about this style is that it can be achieved with any hair texture, as seen by beauty queens like Coco Jones, Kim Kardashian, and Megan Fox. The secret to this style lies in a perfect combination of products like gel, glossing spray, and serum.
Pastel Hues
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There aren’t many times when we get new hair colors that make us do a double-take, but this was definitely a head-turner. Megan Fox set the internet ablaze by debuting a series of pastel hues in blue and pink that ignited new hairstyles for the festival season.
Voluminous High Ponytails
Photo by TheStewartofNY/GC Images
The higher the hair, the closer to…perfection. Sky-high ponytails are elegant, timeless, and give snatched a whole new definition. Keke Palmer, Taraji P. Henson, and Laverne Cox showed how versatile this hairstyle is, whether you’re storming the streets of NYC or slaying the red carpet.
Flipped Bob
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Sophistication was an integral part of how people approached their hair in 2024. The flipped bob was a short style that took over the summer due to its softer finish and upward flick reminiscent of 60s GOGO girls.
Powerful Pixies
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Pixie cuts have taken over the fall season. This style reflects sheer confidence and is perfect for putting your face front and center. Whether you’re aiming for old-time glamour like Audrey Hepburn or sexy sirens like Halle Berry, pixies are great for those wanting to go short.
Baby Bangs
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Baby bangs or micro bangs are often known for being super blunt, short, and can be worn across all textures. Zendaya turned heads with this style during Fashion Week, and we’ve seen even more celebrities like Oliva Rodrigo, Julia Fox, and Zoë Kravitz following suit.
Cloudy Curls
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Cloud curls have taken over the fall season since they are cut and are designed to complement your hair’s natural texture and movement. The “cloud” effect comes from embracing the halo effect or frizz that gives a youthful look. Yara Shahidi is the queen of cloud curls and is a great example of a celebrity who continually serves in this fanciful style.
Textured Updo
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Your natural texture is beautiful, and that’s why we saw more celebrities aiming to ditch the heat tools and creating updos with their curls, coils, and waves intact. A little mousse and hairspray went a long way for celebrities like Tyla, Jordyn Woods, and Anna Taylor Joy, who used their natural tresses to create jaw-dropping styles.
Which hairstyle took your breath away in 2024? What are you looking forward to in 2025? Let us know in the comments.
