2 inches in 4 months (2012 Winter session)

[nisemac]

regimen update/changes:

styling--after the previous challenge, i put the wigs aside and was wearing my hair in a puff during the day, and retwisting at night. not good for me--just to dry here. but i don't know if i can go back to the wigs--the last ones i ordered weren't good. the first Ama wig was wonderful but the others seem...off. i then tried the afro curl wigs, which were a wonderful match to my hair, but within a week they matted up horribly. so i've put my hair in mini twists(will edit this with a pic later).

--trying to keep my ends from getting brittle and fight the dry air and hard water has been a challenge. i planned to start making the Kimmaytube leave in once my supplies arrive. in the interim, i mixed the Shea Moisture DT with some aloe vera gel, and "I don't know nuthin' 'bout no pH and stuff" but my hair loves the combination--especially the ends. my ends are totally smooth, my hair feels so good from root to tip. i think i was doing this before: leave in, moisturize, cornrow with shea butter and then i would 'seal' with aloe. and my hair felt great...dont' know why i changed it up.

so this is my regimen for now:

wash, condition/detangle, leave in, shea moisture/aloe mixture, style. my change is making my DC something i can just leave in. that way, i can minimize my exposure to the hard water. i plan to try a suave naturals clarifying conditioner to move from washing to cowashing. mist with water/leave in mixture and shea moisture elixir a.m. and p.m.

i think i'ma hafta drop out of the Wig Challenge and see if I can join the twist challenge.

 

[Dee Raven]

Hey everyone. Welcome to all the newcomers. I hope I have everyone down on the challenger list. If your name is not there can you pm me. Thanks.

Well, I haven't done anything exciting so far. Just cowashed, detangled and bunned. I'm really loving buns right now, so it is the perfect timing. My hair needs a serious rest. I haven't used any shampoo for over a month, and I think this weekend, I'm going to have to break it out. I might try some baking soda mixed in. We'll see.

Well happy Friday ladies.

 

[song_of_serenity]

I hate this wig. I miss my hair. It's been two weeks, will deep condition, wear my hair in a bun for the weekend and back to wigness on Monday.

 

[Royalq]

Ive been moisturizing my hair in about 20 braids. Applying MN/ WGHO mixture to scalp when i can.

 

[ChristmasCarol]

DC'd with Redken Smooth Down Butter Treat and blew it out lightly with Crisco (siggy). Trying new buns the next 5 days.

 

[youwillrise]

Today I will DC and do a new protective style in the shower afterward.

 

[cordei]

I would like to join!!! this is like the 5th or 6th challenge im going for this year!

My hair has been shedding for the past 5months so im on a journey to fix it.

I last relaxed my hair in sept 2002, in jan 2003 my hair started falling out in clumps every time i washed it. I have no idea why so in May when there was nothing left i BC. Started growing my hair with ORS uplifting shampoo, hair mayo and carrot oil. Kept my hair braided. In less than a year my hair had grown 6inches. Since then i couldnt tell you what i done but my hair grew.
Fast forward to may 2011 my hair was and inch from APL and now CBL cz of the shedding.

My hair will be kept in weaves and braids throughout this challenge with 3-5 off days between styles.
I have a range of conditioners and oils atm im using: Motions CPR, Alter ego, Queene Helene cholestoral, Mizani moisturfuse. JBCO, Cocasta, vatika frosting, hawaiian silky, argan, kemi oil

 

[AmyRose92]

The last thread looked really promising so I'll join! I hope to get some really good results.

1. Starting pic (highly recommended)
(Attached below)

2. Regimen 1. Detangle and prepoo with Suave Naturals conditioner
2. Wash x1 week in 12 twists with SheaMoisture Moisture Retention Shampoo
3. Deep condition with Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque mixed with ORS Replenishing Conditioner
4. Moisturize as needed with shea butter mix (SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner, aloe vera juice, castor oil)
5. Seal ends with jojoba oil
6. Two strand twist underneath satin cap/wig cap under wig

OR

Blow dry on cool/low heat and bun (still experimenting with this)
​

3. Long and/or short term goals

Short term: Reach APL in June (2" of growth + 8" currently = 10")
Long term: BSL in December 2012/January 2013; HL length in 2014

4. Healthy hair journey history

Been natural for 21 months after transitioning for about a year. Made a lot of mistakes the first year and half getting to know my hair and now I'm at the stage where I feel like I can make progress because I know my hair better. I've never had hair past my neck/shoulders and I always thought that I just didn't have the gene to grow long hair, but now I know that that's completely false! I'm definitely ready to make this HHJ work
​

 

[Dee Raven]

Welcome Cordei and AmyRose92! HHG

So this weekend I sliced my thumb open cutting in the WRONG direction. So I was really hesitant to wash my hair this week, even my scalp likes to be washed weekly. I finally risked last night, and instead of using my denman, I stuck with a wide tooth comb and it worked surprisingly well. I have really dense, fine hair so I usually like the denman because it gets out all the shed hair. But I used the comb and just actively pulled and finger combed my hair to get most of the shed hair and it got most of it out. So I think when I need a quick detangle, this is going to be my new method. Otherwise, I'm back to a simple bun and loving it.

 

[ecornett]

1. Starting pic (highly recommended)
2. Regimen
3. Long and/or short term goals

4. Healthy hair journey history

i dont have a camera but im starting with very layered hair, im apl,cbl, and nl

reggie: wash, deep condition 1x a week. style in twist out or braidout, but my goal is to start rollersetting

my long term goal is mbl but my short term is full apl by 2013

i just start my hhj last year, but im learning alot actually
​

 

[faithVA]

Not doing much too my hair. I have it in box braids this week, pulled back into a bunny tail. I have been consistently oiling my scalp with coffee infused castor oil. That's it.

Need to make sure I post my starting pic by this weekend.

 

[Aggie]

Still hanging in here. I have been very diligent with taking my vitamins, had a much needed hair cut to start all over again, keeping my hair moisturized, and massaging in my sulfur scalp mix 2-3 times a week.

 

[nisemac]

i've got a LONG weekend coming up--Chinese New Year. Everything shuts down around 3pm today thru Jan 25. so i plan to have a spa weekend of deep conditioning, mani/pedi, and massage and relaxation! \o/

i was able to keep my mini twists in for 1 1/2 weeks. i've worn a braid out puff yesterday and today, rebraiding and moisturizing with the aloe/Shea Moisture DT mix at night. this has helped with the dry brittle ends. i've already noticed that my ends feel much softer and seem to be retaining some moisture. i'm thinking of dusting the ends too...more ssks than i'm used to.

deciding whether to mini twists again (got lots of compliments on), a combo of cornrowing the front then mini twists for the back or trying bantu knots.

but my main focus will be moisture...its so dry here, i had to throw out my dwarf orange tree--the fruit dried up, like raisins.

 

[gvin89]

Me and my hair taking it easy..constantly oiling my scalp and moisturizing the hair, and babying my ends. Keeping It Simple....

 

[ChristmasCarol]

Not doing much too my hair. I have it in box braids this week, pulled back into a bunny tail. I have been consistently oiling my scalp with coffee infused castor oil. That's it.

Need to make sure I post my starting pic by this weekend.

faithVA

That sounds yummy! Unfortunately, although I'm a coffee-holic, my hair hates the stuff.

I've been wearing my hair straight and bunning every day, so I haven't been doing much - just oiling the ends with grape seed.

 

[isawstars]

I've learned that I don't do well with long challenges but I think I can handle this one! Fortunately I already trimmed my hair 2 weeks ago. I am washing my hair tonight... I will post pics and update then I am excited to join and do my best to update regularly.

 

[AmyRose92]

I've decided to not risk the weekly blowouts on cool/low heat and just go back to twisting my hair and keeping them underneath wigs. I really want to at least graze APL in four months so I'll be babying my hair for real. Plus, wigs are so low-maintenance, which I really need right now with school and everything.

 

[Aggie]

I have decided on wearing my hair cornrows with braids extension hair for a month at a time. Between each month I will do a proper deep conditioning treatment and start all over again. I need to be full shoulder length or touching APL (again) by the end of this year.

 

[isawstars]

I didnt shampoo my hair as planned. Just co washed with the last small bit of my silk elements conditioner.

 

[isawstars]

After my absolute laziness and not wanting to deal with my hair, I am finally DCing. I put AOHR on dry hair with a cap on. After an hour I will add coconut oil and let it sit for another hour before rinsing it out.

I'm switching up the rest of my regi by using hair one's dry scalp instead of a poo bar. And adding aphogee 2 min back into my rotation. Maybe another conditioner depending on how my hair feels and then twists

 

[Aggie]

Update:

I have my sulfur/jbco mix on my scalp and over that is Chicoro's moisture-drenched prepoo which I will be keeping on my hair for about 1-2 hours. I will follow up with a mild shampoo - possibly KeraCare Hydrating and Detangling shampoo.

Then I will pour some Black tea/caffeine powder rinse over my hair and scalp, massage for a few minutes and on top of that I will add a deep protien treatment (KeraCare Restorative Mask) for 20 minutes. I will deep moisture condition with KeraCare Creme Humecto.

I want to also do the LOC (liquid, oil,cream) method for moisturizing and sealing. After that, I will GHE baggy overnight with this so my hair should be super happy in the morning

 

[Dee Raven]

I'm washing today. And then bunning. Boring....

 

[Lucille]

Count me in!!!

My starting pic/hair story is in my siggy.

My hair regimen at the moment is deep condition/protein treament once a week, and protective styling all week.

 

[faithVA]

Just trying to stick to my regimen and now keeping my hair twisted. I see a little growth going on. I can get all of my twists back into a banana clip. It's not easy but I can do it . So by the end of this challenge I should have a much nicer banana clip bun.

 

[nisemac]

did a trim, per my last check in, and have been really consistent with moisturizing every evening--sprizting with water and sealing with coconut oil. haven't changed my routine much and my hair (and ends) feel MUCH softer. plan to do my first length check this weekend, just to see if i'm still on track.

but i'm having styling issues and feeling a bit discouraged. i tried cornrowing the front, with mini twists in the back. it looked like a grown woman trying to be 4 years old. not enough hair, and my twists just don't hang. i've tried pinning, clipping them down when i do them but they still curl up--all over. and around the 5th day, i'm having to redo them as the finer parts start to come loose or turn into one coil--i get asked if i'm loc-ing.

i'm still in the awkward stage so maybe its just growing pains?

 

[gvin89]

Learning more about moisture retention...hair seems to be happy. Just keeping it simple.

I'm to the point where I can manage and care for my hair without frustration. I am still style-challenged, but do not mind at least trying something new. I've mastered flat twists and 2-strand twists. Next is learning how to cornrow my own hair.

Product selection is critical...my hair thrives more from natural products than synthetic.

 

[ReignLocks]

Learning more about moisture retention...hair seems to be happy. Just keeping it simple.

Do tell????

 

[isawstars]

Today is supposed to be my wash day but I am sick... and feel so weak. Ugh Maybe I'll do an overnight DC or something because my hair is dry and tangled but I don't have the energy to do anything with it.

On another note, I am thinking about getting a partial sew in. Something with natural like or wavy or 3A so I can just do twist outs with my hair that is out to help blend. We'll see though... hmm.

 

[gvin89]

Do tell????

I was having issues with moisture balance/retention. I couldn't keep my hair moisturized for anything. Finally learned a method that works for me...spritzing and layering products. I think it's call LOC (liquid-oil-cream) although I seal with oil last.

Frequency is another thing for me...I have to moisturize at least every other day if not daily. And of course product trial & error.

I don't do much now...wash every other week, DC weekly, moisturize and seal often. I usually wear 2-twists or flat twist updos...my hair thrives best when I do less to it.

 

[Royalq]

so between the beginning of december and mid janurary i got an inch. The 4% MN i used at the beginning of Janurary gave me 1/2 an inch in 2 weeks. So i just got some more and will continue to use it to get many inches this year.