6-Months Down!

Woot Woot!

Yesterday marked 6-months since I big chopped!

Time flies when you're having fun! I am writing this quick post to capture what has occured over the last 6 months in terms of growth! Previous posts go into detail about products, regimen, etc.

 

The picture on the left was my big chop twists and now I've almost doubled my length! (Turn up lol)

Excited to see what the next 6-months will hold.

Thanks for reading!

AR

Length Check with Pictures

Hey guys!

I am SO excited for this post because I shocked myself during my last length check.

I am a little over 4 months natural as of September 3rd. In this short amount of time I have seen my hair do some rather extraordinary things in terms of growth. When I first big chopped I could barely do two-strand twists without them unraveling and now I am knocking out twist-outs left and right.

I can style my hair much better now because it's getting long enough to the point that it doesn't look crazy :)

Pics...

       

So as you can see from previous posts my hair is doing great. But if you still don't see it how about side-by-side comparisons? :) This growth spurt spans from the beginning of August until a few days ago.

Everyone has been asking me "What are you doing!?" And honestly I haven't done much of anything. I currently wash my hair about once a week and just have it in twist and then wear a twist out. Then it's back to wash day, twist, twist out.

What's Next...
For the next 3 months I am going to participate in the Hairlista Castor Oil Challenge Part 10. I will be in the Extreme Group where I will be applying my castor oil mix every other day with a scalp massage. I am using the Home Health 100% Castor Oil mixed with Vitamin E oil. I purchased a 32oz bottle because it was cheaper than purchasing an 8oz bottle.

The Challenge is run from September 19th- December 19th.

I hope you all will join in! The link is above for more information.

Thanks for reading!
AR

Week 17 of 26 Week Stretch...

I just finished week 17 of my 6-month stretch!


Lots of new growth! I took a few snapshots to show the growth…

About 1" of new growth in a month!

17 weeks post relaxer!

The regimen that I have been using with these braids has been very minimal. 

I cowash the braids every 7-10 days. I use a spray bottle to moisturize my new growth. It contains an oil, water, and conditioner. I still use castor oil along my edges.

I typically wear the braids in ponytail but the style offers little to no manipulation within itself.

The only con that I have run into with these braids is the nape of hair has grown so much that I have had to take down an entire row so the fake hair doesn't cause damage to my real hair.

Overall I am pleased with the growth and the upkeep.

Random Length Check

A few days ago after a cowash I stretched my hair to see where it was. Keep in mind I am 22 weeks post relaxer and I still have 4 weeks left to go.

I am about 1-2 inches from Grazing BSL!! I will consider myself full BSL once my hair hits the bottom of my bra. This is a very exciting realization because I know that everything that I have done up until this point has been working. I have been retaining my length!

I then snapped a picture from last year fairly close to the start of my hair journey and was even more elated at the results that I am receiving...

So basically in a year I went from SL to BSL which is remarkable for me considering this is probably the longest my hair has ever been in my adult life :)

This just motivates me to keep pushing myself because even through all of the doubts about the whole point in washing, cowashing, deep conditioning, moisturizing and sealing my hair I know something is working and I am going to stick to it!

Most people blog and post videos when their hair is already long. I started from the bottom and I'm coming up so I appreciate everyone who is watching and reading along my journey :)

1 Year Hair Anniversary!

Today is marks one year that I have been on my hair journey!

Looking back over the year I have made such great progress and can't believe how far I've come.

I started my hair journey at neck length. After having my hair basically chopped off at the salon I knew it was time to take my hair into my own hands literally.

I found Hairlista, KISS, and YouTube! I spent countless hours researching ways to grow my hair on my own and learned so much from great women on the same journey to healthy hair growth.

I found a regimen that worked for me and what I found to work best for me overall from ALL the products, theories, and growth aides was CONSISTENCY! Being consistent with my regimen provided with me with the greatest results.

Since I am on a no heat challenge I didn't straighten my hair to see the actual results. This picture was taken February 2013. I have gained another inch since this picture. And I am about 2-3 inches away from BSL.

What I found to work:

• consistency
• protective styling
• low manipulation
• moisture

As I move forward into my hair journey I plan to keep my regimen very simple and continue to listen to my hair.

Cheating on My Hair: Long-Term Protective Styles

So I have been in these box braids for almost 4 weeks (Tuesday).

And what I have come to learn about long-term protective styles is the fact that I miss MY hair.

I miss the washing, deep conditioning, and all around TLC that I give my hair. With that I have decided to take the braids out and get back to the basics of MY hair.

I think wigs are the all around best option for me so I will do some research and get wig closet stocked so that I can add some versatility to my hair without any full time commitment.

I feel like I'm cheating on my hair with these braids lol.

If any of you are on a healthy hair journey you can relate to this love-hate relationship with long-term protective styles! :)

And with that I am....

12 weeks down...14 weeks to go!!! 

Box Braids/ Sew-In: Hair Care

These are a few tips that I found very useful for me in terms of prepping for a braid or sew-in installation as well as care for the duration of having a long term protective style.

1. Wait 2 weeks after you have received a chemical treatment before you install any braids or a sew-in. When you apply a chemical treatment you are weakening your hair strands and immediately doing an install will cause extreme breakage or hair loss.

2. Do a good protein treatment and moisturizing deep conditioning treatment 1-2 days before your install. This will put that protein and moisture balance into your hair strands prior to the installation.

3. NEVER BRAID BREAKING OR DAMAGED HAIR! Too many times people think the solution to damaged hair is hiding it under braids or a sew-in. This is a recipe for disaster when you take down your install. Correct any damage before putting braids or sew-ins into your hair by conditioning and trimming any dead ends.

4. Don't braid your hair too tightly. Braiding hair too tightly will cause hair loss along your edges and nape. Ensure that the braids are secure without excess pull.

5. Alternate between a protein and moisture spray. Again, keeping the protein and moisture balance is imperative even though your hair is hidden. Spritz your hair 4 days with a moisturizing spray and 1 day with a protein spray.

6. Lightly seal hair with an oil. This is the same as moisturizing and sealing your hair. Find an oil that will light enough not to create build up.

7. Oil scalp as needed...not daily. You don't want to create build up on your scalp because you won't be washing your hair as often since it is under braids.

8. Shampoo and condition every 7-10 days. Once a week is enough to shampoo/condition your hair. Any more than that will of course create frizz. If you choose to still deep condition it is recommended that you dilute the products with water to help with the process of rinsing all of the product out.

9. Cover hair with a satin bonnet. Treat your installs like you would treat your real hair. You wouldn't go to bed with a scarf so why would you go to bed without one since you have an install?

Hopefully these tips will help you to retain as much length as possible with your installs!

Week 4 of 26 Week Stretch

Hello All!

I am officially 1 month into my 6-Month Stretch!

I'm seeing some growth so far and I've been doing great.

I have been following a low manipulation routine to help keep my hands out of my hair. Washing once a week and moisturizing and sealing twice a week has been doing great things.

I have been wearing protective styles 99.9% of the time (braidouts as a bun, bun, granny plats, french braids)

I only comb my hair once a week on wash days and I'm deep conditioning with every wash.

I noticed less breakage and shedding with this regimen and I'm sure as the months go on I will change it to fit what my hair needs.

I am considering a long term protective style but that won't happen until I am 3 or 4 months post.

Basically I am keeping it simple for this stretch but I am keeping track of changes along the way.

4 weeks down...22 more to go!

Hair Care & College: A Healthy Balance

Hello Everyone!

I am currently inbetween classes and I just realized something about my hair.

I have not washed, cowashed, moisturized, sealed, applied a growth aid, or combed my hair in almost ONE week...sounds crazy right?

Well in all actuality for me it's not.

Last Saturday I washed my hair and on that Sunday I moisturized and sealed with extra virgin olive oil. I had my hair braided up in my usual granny plats and on Tuesday I wore a braidout.

During the week my schedule got rather hectic between work and class so somehow I managed to miss out on my usual hair routine but to my surprise I've been doing just fine.

I do wear a silk bonnet at night so I monitored my hair for any dryness or breakage. (NONE) and just bunned my braidout as protective style.

I've noticed that I have not been manipulating my hair as much which to me will serve as a wonderful thing at the end of this stretch.

I have found that maybe a once a week TLC session may be just what my hair needs and I pray that it continues to work out. So I will continue to rock this braidout/bun and do another wash on this coming Saturday and start the process all over again.

And a side note: EVOO is AMAZING! My hair still feels great after not applying any other oils or products to my hair.

I guess going back to the basics of my regimen are really turning out to be great.

Simply put...don't feel like you have to choose between your hair and school (or anything else for that matter). KEEP YOUR PRIORITIES IN LINE!

Make changes...try new things...and it will all come together in the end.

Product Review: Silk Elements Silken Child Leave-in Detangling Conditioner

Rating: 5 Stars

Pros: Smells REALLY good, inexpensive

Cons: The bottle is difficult to spray.

Will I repurchase: Definitely! Love the way my hair feels after a day!

I cowashed this morning using the V05 Moisturizing Conditioner. Today for my leave in I spritzed my hair with the Silk Elements Silken Child Leave-In Detangling Conditioner. It does smell really good and provided great slip for my detangling process. I air dried and monitored my hair throughout the day to see if it got hard. IT IS STILL SOFT!! I didn't even have to apply an oil at that point and was still in awe at how great my hair feels.

I am happy to say that I have FINALLY found my water based leave-in conditioner that is moisturizing! I would definitely recommend this product to anyone.

I paid $3.79 for a bottle at Sally's Beauty Supply.

Current Regimen

I am following a rather flexible regimen but I am making sure to incorporate all the things my hair needs

I've dumbed it down to the point that I am only messing with my hair when I absolutely have to.

Sunday: Wash Day
Tuesday: Co-wash Day

Deep condition on wash way
Light or Heavy Protein treatment on Co-wash day

Always air dry.

Apply my Liquid Gold Sulfur Based Growth Oil every other day and do a scalp massage.

Moisturize with my whipped shea butter and seal with coconut oil.

Only finger comb until wash days.

My Almost Setback -_-

Ok guys...

At some point I was experiencing severe breakage. There were long pieces and short pieces coming out of my hair whenever I barely touched it. I was so scared because it was almost like my hair was falling out! There were 1-4 strands every time! I didn't know what had caused it aside from the fact that I was actually taking time to moisturize and seal my hair on a more regular basis compared to the every 1-3 days that I used to do.

I was so frantic and got on Hairlista, YouTube, and Google looking for any information I could find about breakage and the more I looked and listened I assessed my hair. It was mushy and gummy so I knew exactly what was going on...MOISTURE OVERLOAD!

I immediately hopped in the shower and did a protein treatment and that helped my breakage almost instantaneously. For fear of more breakage, I wore my hair in plats with a beanie and gave my hair a serious break from manipulation. Once I finally took it down to allow my hair to breathe a little I had a BEAUTIFUL braid out!

I had an "almost" setback but I caught it in time before any real damage could be done! The lesson I learned was simply to listen to what my hair needs. And she and I have been really talking these days :)

Hairlista provides a great article about breakage and ways to pinpoint what is going on with your hair. Check it out!

http://www.hairlista.com/forum/topics/moisture-protein-balance

Hot Summer Days Tips and Tricks

I live in Bloomington, Indiana and the weather here has been nothing short of unbearable! Highs in the 100s DAILY!


What does this mean for my hair? Gross! I have had to wash twice a week instead of the original once a week that I had planned for my wig challenge. And now I think I may need to save the wig challenge for colder months because with this heat I can't take anything extra covering my head lol.


I'm upping the amount of times I moisturize and seal daily to twice a day sometimes three times depending on how my hair feels.


When I air dry I spray my Tresemme heat protectant over my hair and moisturize to make sure the sun won't make my hair dry. (Works wonders!)


Also another tip that I learned from one of my fellow Listas for pool days is applying a good amount of a cheapie conditioner to your hair BEFORE going swimming. I tried this and to my surprise my hair didn't have that stripped dry feeling that it usually does when I get out of a pool. I guess I'm too cool to get a swim cap lol (Honestly I may just buy one)



SUMMARY:


- Co-washing adds moisture to your hair and removes sweat from your scalp without completely stripping your hair of natural oils.
- Moisturizing and sealing multiple times a day may be necessary to retain moisture throughout the day.
- Applying a heat protectant over your hair before you go out can prevent dryness from the sun.
- Before going swimming coat your hair with a conditioner to avoid the stripped feeling from the chlorine.

Hope this helps someone!!

HHJ!

Co-Wash Day

I co-washed last night using the Tresemme Split Remedy and my Eden Body Works Peppermint  & Tea Tree Conditioner.

I air- dried with the Tresemme Split Remedy Leave-In Treatment and when my hair was 80-85% dry I applied coconut oil throughout my hair and  put it in a bun.

The Tresemme Split Remedy claims to reduce split ends up to 80% after 3 washes and since I do have split ends I want to do what I can to combat them and hopefully stop breakage. So I will be co-washing with this along with another conditioner of my choice once a week.

*Updated Regimen*

Monday

• Apply growth aid
• Moisturize and Seal

Tuesday

• Co-wash
• Tresemme Split Remedy 
• VO5 or Eden Body Works Peppermint and Tea Tree Conditioner
• Air Dry 85-90% 
• Tresemme Split Remedy Leave-In Treatment
• Apply Coconut oil to ends and hair shaft (*castor oil may be used on ends if needed)

Wednesday

• Apply growth aid

Thursday

• Apply growth aid
• Moisturize and seal

Friday

• Prepoo overnight with EVOO, PPO, CO

Saturday

• Wash with Eden Body Works Jojoba Monoi Shampoo
• Deep Condition for 30minutes-1hour
• Air dry 85-90%
• Tresemme Split Remedy Leave-In Treatment
• Apply growth aid
• Apply coconut oil to ends  (*castor oil may be used on ends as needed)

Sunday

• Apply growth aid

Daily

• Take vitamins
• Drink 1 liter of water
• Scalp massage

 

*Saturday will also be a protein treatment day. I will use the Organic Roots Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner or Roux Porosity Control 3 weeks out of the month as a light protein treatment and use Africa's Best Hair Mayonnaise, Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor, or MegaTek Conditioner as a hard protein treatment. 

Hair Care Forums

These are the sites that I am currently on with great tips and resources on hair care!


http://k-i-s-s.biz/


http://www.hairlista.com/


KISS charges a fee for sign-up which at the time that I joined was not the case but due to high traffic and site upkeep the owner had to start charging.


Hairlista is FREE! (Just joined today)


Both sites have wonderful woman from all over sharing their successes, failures, advice, experience, etc with each other with same goal in mind...HEALTHY LONG HAIR!


Hope to see you on there!