My Curly Hair Growth Journey: How I Finally Grew Long, Healthy Curls
Zara Inuwa
The founder of The Pure Curls House grew long, thick curls despite PCOS and Type 3B hair by creating her own ayurvedic oil and mask formulas, trimming every 3 to 6 months, eating more protein, and following a consistent weekly routine. This is that story, and the exact routine behind it.
I have always wanted long, thick curly hair. For years, my hair stayed at one length no matter what I tried. I have Type 3B curls, which can be difficult to manage and prone to breakage if not cared for carefully. On top of that, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is one of the more common causes of hair thinning and excessive shedding in women. Between the two, growing my curly hair growth journey past a certain length felt almost impossible.
I tried many different products available on the market. Some helped a little. Most did not help at all. I grew frustrated spending money on things that made promises they could not keep. That frustration became the beginning of something much bigger: I decided to start formulating my own hair products using natural and ancient ayurvedic ingredients to find what actually worked for hair growth, repair, and retention.
What came from that process became The Pure Curls House. This is the story of that journey, and the routine and products I created that finally gave me the long, healthy curls I had always wanted.
Why My Hair Would Not Grow: PCOS, Type 3B Hair, and Breakage
Understanding why my hair was not growing was the first step to fixing it. For me, there were three specific factors working against length retention.
PCOS and Hair Loss
Polycystic ovary syndrome affects hormone levels, and elevated androgens can shrink hair follicles, causing strands to become thinner, shed more frequently, and grow more slowly. For many women with PCOS, hair loss happens even when a good hair routine is in place, because the issue is systemic rather than purely topical. Managing my hair health had to include looking after my body from the inside as well as applying the right products externally. If you have PCOS and are experiencing hair thinning or shedding, the PCOS and hair loss guide covers the connection in detail and what you can do about it.
Type 3B Hair and Breakage
Type 3B curls have a tight corkscrew pattern where natural oils from the scalp struggle to travel down the length of the strand. This makes the mid-lengths and ends persistently dry and brittle, which means they break off faster than new growth can accumulate at the roots. My hair was growing, but it was breaking at the same rate. The result was hair that appeared stuck at the same length for years. Length retention, not growth speed, was the actual problem to solve.
The Wrong Products
Many mass-market products designed for hair growth contained ingredients I later realized were doing more harm than good. Sulfates that stripped the cuticle. Silicones that coated the strand and prevented moisture from entering. Products with synthetic fragrances that aggravated my sensitive scalp. Nothing was addressing the actual root causes of my breakage and shedding. I needed something completely different.
The Decision to Formulate My Own Products
Ayurvedic hair care has been practiced for thousands of years across South Asia. Ancient remedies using rosemary, mint, fenugreek seeds, marshmallow root, and other botanicals have documented histories of supporting scalp health, reducing shedding, and promoting hair growth. I began researching these ingredients deeply, testing different combinations, and tracking results over months.
Two formulas emerged from that process that produced real, visible results. One was an oil blend. The other was a hair mask treatment. Together, they became the foundation of the Curls N Lengths ayurvedic collection that eventually grew into The Pure Curls House range. My family and friends also started using them and reported the same results: noticeably less shedding, stronger strands, and real growth they had not achieved with anything else.
The Products That Changed My Curly Hair Growth Journey
Rosemary Ayurvedic Oil
Rosemary is one of the most well-studied botanicals for scalp health and hair growth. It supports circulation at the scalp, which means more nutrients reach the hair follicles that produce each strand. I applied the Rosemary Ayurvedic Oil two to three times per week, massaging it into the scalp for four to five minutes before distributing the excess through the lengths. The scalp massage was not optional. Physical stimulation of the scalp increases blood flow to the follicles, which directly supports growth. To understand the full science behind rosemary and curly hair, the rosemary oil for curly hair UK guide covers the research and application technique in detail.
Rosemary Ayurvedic Oil: applied 2 to 3 times per week with scalp massage, the core of the growth routine that became The Pure Curls House
Mint and Cocoa Ayurvedic Butter Treatment
The weekly mask treatment addressed the other side of the length retention problem. Breakage at the ends was happening because strands lacked the protein and moisture reinforcement needed to stay intact between wash days. The Mint and Cocoa Ayurvedic Butter Treatment provided deep conditioning with fenugreek seeds, which strengthens the hair shaft and helps reduce shedding, alongside cocoa butter and mint to nourish the cuticle and scalp. I applied it once per week, left it on for 30 to 45 minutes, then rinsed thoroughly before washing. Over time, the ends became noticeably stronger and the shedding I had been experiencing reduced significantly.
Mint and Cocoa Ayurvedic Butter Treatment: once-weekly deep conditioning mask that reduced breakage and shedding and became the second pillar of the growth routine
Superfood Hair and Scalp Elixir
Because PCOS affected my hair from the inside, I knew topical products alone would not be enough. The Superfood Hair and Scalp Elixir is packed with vital vitamins and minerals specifically formulated to support hair health from within. Adding internal support to my topical routine was the change that made a noticeable difference in shedding reduction and overall strand strength. Healthy hair grows from a healthy body, and this product supports both.
Superfood Hair and Scalp Elixir: internal nourishment with vitamins and minerals that supported hair health from within alongside the topical ayurvedic routine
The Full Curly Hair Growth Routine That Worked
Products alone do not produce results without consistency and the right supporting habits. Here is the complete routine I followed:
Oil Treatments: 2 to 3 Times Per Week
Apply the Rosemary Ayurvedic Oil or Mint Ayurvedic Oil to the scalp and lengths two to three times per week. Always follow with a firm scalp massage of at least four minutes. The massage is not optional. It activates blood circulation to the follicles and maximises the benefit of the oil. Use the Scalp Massager to increase pressure and coverage during this step. The scalp health guide explains exactly why consistent scalp massage makes a measurable difference to growth over time.
Weekly Hair Mask Treatment
Apply the Mint and Cocoa Ayurvedic Butter Treatment once per week. Apply to dry hair before washing, cover with a shower cap, and leave for 30 to 45 minutes. The heat trapped under the cap helps the ingredients penetrate the shaft. Rinse thoroughly, then shampoo and condition as normal. This step addresses protein and moisture needs that oils alone cannot cover, and over time reduces the breakage that prevents length accumulation.
Regular Trims: Every 3 to 6 Months
This is counterintuitive but critical. Trimming removes split ends before they travel up the shaft and cause further breakage. Hair with split ends breaks faster than new growth comes in at the roots. A regular trim every three to six months keeps the ends healthy and actually helps hair appear longer over time because fewer strands are breaking off. I noticed a significant difference in length retention after committing to regular trims.
Diet and Protein Intake
Hair follicles are made primarily from protein. If your diet is low in protein, your body prioritises protein for essential organ functions first and hair growth last. Increasing protein intake through food and supplements made a real difference to my growth rate and strand strength. Eggs, lentils, beans, and lean proteins all support healthy hair from within. Biotin, iron, zinc, and vitamin D are also commonly depleted in people experiencing hair thinning, particularly those with PCOS. The hair growth supplements guide covers which nutrients matter most for curly hair health.
Protein Treatments for Strand Strength
Alongside the weekly mask, incorporating a protein treatment into the routine at least once a month reinforces the internal structure of each strand. Curly hair is naturally more prone to protein loss through mechanical handling, washing, and drying, which leads to elasticity loss and breakage. The protein treatment for curly hair UK guide covers when and how to use protein treatments without overdoing them.
What Made the Difference: Consistency Over Everything
I want to be honest about something that most hair growth content does not say clearly enough: none of this happened quickly. Hair grows approximately half an inch per month on average. Even with an optimal routine, visible length takes time. What changed first was the shedding. Within six to eight weeks of consistent oil treatments and weekly masks, I noticed significantly less hair in the shower and in my hair ties. That was the signal that the routine was working. Length came later, steadily, as new growth was retained rather than broken off.
My family and friends started using the same products and reported the same progression: shedding decreased first, then strength improved, then length started to accumulate. The formulas worked. But they worked because they were used consistently and as part of a complete approach that included diet, scalp care, trimming, and the right products working together.
Common Mistakes That Slow Down a Curly Hair Growth Journey
Skipping Scalp Care
Hair grows from the scalp. If the scalp is congested with product buildup, inflammation, or poor circulation, growth slows down regardless of how good your styling products are. Scalp massage and the right scalp-specific oils are not a luxury in a hair growth routine. They are foundational.
Using Products With Sulfates and Silicones
Sulfate shampoos strip the cuticle and remove the natural oils that protect the strand between washes. Silicones coat the hair and prevent moisture and nutrients from penetrating, which means products applied afterward cannot do their job. For curly hair trying to grow, both ingredients work against length retention. Everything in The Pure Curls House range is sulfate-free and silicone-free for exactly this reason.
Avoiding Trims Out of Fear
Many people on a hair growth journey avoid trimming completely because they do not want to lose length. This is the opposite of what helps. Untrimmed split ends travel up the shaft and cause more breakage than the small amount removed by a regular trim. Trimming every three to six months is one of the most effective things you can do for long-term length retention.
Expecting Quick Results
Hair growth takes months to become visible. The most important metric in the early stages is not length, it is shedding. If your daily shedding reduces and your strands feel stronger, your routine is working. Length follows naturally from retained growth. Trust the process and track shedding, not inches, in the first three months.
Why Choose The Pure Curls House for Your Hair Growth Journey
Every product in The Pure Curls House range was created by someone who experienced the exact frustrations many of our customers face. The formulas were not developed in a laboratory by people who had never struggled with curl growth. They were developed through years of personal research, testing, and refinement by someone with Type 3B curls, PCOS, and a genuine need to find something that actually worked.
The range is entirely sulfate-free, silicone-free, and built around natural and ayurvedic ingredients that have been used for hair health for centuries. The products are potent and concentrated, meaning a little goes a long way. And they work together as a system: the oils, the mask, the supplements, and the styling products are all designed to complement each other across every step of the routine.
Explore the full Growth and Repair collection to see every product in the range, or take the curl quiz to find the right combination for your specific hair type. For a complete step-by-step approach to growing curly hair longer, the how to grow curly hair longer UK guide covers everything you need to know.
What Our Customers Say
The following review is from a verified customer on The Pure Curls House website.
“I cannot recommend this product enough! Hair has been very damaged from colouring & have tried so many products that haven't worked until this. Photo on the left was mid November on the right was start of this month. In less than two months there's a noticeable difference in the length and thickness and my hair feels so soft and healthy. Give this product 10/10 it's amazing xx”
Mint and Cocoa Ayurvedic Hair Mask/Butter
Frequently Asked Questions: Curly Hair Growth Journey
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to see results on a curly hair growth journey?
The first thing most people notice is a reduction in shedding, which typically happens within six to eight weeks of consistent oil treatments and weekly deep conditioning. Visible length takes longer because hair grows approximately half an inch per month. After three months of a consistent routine, most people see a meaningful improvement in strand strength and retention. Patience and consistency are the most important factors.
Can PCOS affect curly hair growth?
Yes. PCOS raises androgen levels, which can shrink hair follicles, cause excessive shedding, and slow hair growth. Managing hair health with PCOS requires both topical care and internal nutrition support. Using scalp-stimulating oils consistently alongside internal supplements that support hormonal hair health makes a meaningful difference. Many women with PCOS have successfully grown long, healthy hair by addressing both sides of the problem.
Why is my curly hair not growing past a certain length?
In most cases, the hair is growing but breaking off at the same rate at the ends. Length retention, not growth speed, is the real issue. The solution is to address breakage at the ends through regular deep conditioning, protein treatments, and trimming split ends every three to six months. Once breakage slows down, new growth at the roots accumulates and visible length increases.
How often should I apply hair oil for growth?
Two to three times per week is the recommended frequency for scalp oil application on a hair growth routine. Each application should include a scalp massage of at least four minutes to stimulate blood circulation at the follicles. Daily application is not necessary and can lead to product buildup that clogs the scalp rather than helping it. Consistency across weeks and months matters more than daily application.
Does diet affect curly hair growth?
Yes, significantly. Hair follicles are made primarily from protein, so insufficient protein intake directly slows growth and weakens strands. Iron deficiency, low vitamin D, and zinc deficiency are also common causes of hair thinning and slow growth. Eating a balanced diet with adequate protein and considering internal supplements to support hair health addresses growth from the inside, which topical products alone cannot do.
Should I trim my hair if I want it to grow longer?
Yes. Regular trims every three to six months remove split ends before they travel up the shaft and cause further breakage. Hair with untreated split ends breaks off faster than new growth comes in, keeping hair stuck at the same length. A small regular trim is one of the most effective strategies for long-term length retention on a hair growth journey.
My curly hair growth journey took time, consistency, and the right products working together. What I learned is that hair growth is not complicated, but it does require a complete approach: the right oils applied regularly with scalp massage, a deep conditioning mask once a week, internal nutrition support, regular trims, and patience. The Pure Curls House products were created from that exact process. They work because they were made to solve a real problem, by someone who had it. If you are on your own curly hair growth journey, you are in the right place. Start with the Growth and Repair collection or take the curl quiz to find your personalised product routine.
About The Pure Curls House
The Pure Curls House is a UK curly hair brand based in Bury, Greater Manchester, founded by someone with Type 3B curls and PCOS who could not find products that actually worked for growth and length retention. Every formula in the range is sulfate-free, silicone-free, and built around natural and ayurvedic ingredients proven over centuries of traditional use. The brand exists to help every curl type grow longer, healthier, and stronger.