Waist Length Challenge 2015

[krissyhair]

Btw I just ordered my curlformers from amazon. I think I'm going to try them on my niece first when they get here and post before and after pics. Also adding peppermint oil to conditioner is like heaven in a bottle.

bdg0005 Does the peppermint oil cause you any itchiness or irritation? I can't use peppermint oil on my scalp for that exact problem. It goes past stimulating for me.

 

[krissyhair]

This is my official joining post. Thank you JJamiah for starting this challenge.

Ultimate Goal: The name of the challenge says it all. My goal is Waist Length

Regimen: K.I.S.S.

I will do all of these things as needed, not necessarily in the order listed.
Water rinse, shampoo, conditioner wash, oil, moisturize and seal, simple protective styles

How many inches do you have to go to get to WL: The measuring tape says 10 inches from my current length to the skinniest part of my natural waist.

Natural/Relaxed/Other: (OPTIONAL) doesn't matter to me, I love it all...
I have natural hair. My last relaxer was when I was 12 years old and I haven't looked back since.

Tips/Tricks: My trick this go around on the HHJ will be to water rinse and oil. I want to make the most of my natural scalp oils.

Issues or difficulties you're having: I have some mild breakage at the ends, small little c shaped ends break off for a few days at a time every few months.

I also have a lot of shedding. Being more gentle when I detangle might help with this.

 

[havilland]

@havilland I remember you from another forum (I had a different name though)

Glad to see a familiar face over here.

HI!

YEah....I'm here all the time now. The other forum was boring to me, though I miss some of the ladies alot!

 

[bdg0005]

bdg0005 Does the peppermint oil cause you any itchiness or irritation? I can't use peppermint oil on my scalp for that exact problem. It goes past stimulating for me.

No it didn't irritate my scalp at all. It was just soothing. But my skin isn't sensitive. I only put 3 drops in the mask. I also put it in my moms conditioner and mixed enough for one wash in a bowl with 2 drops. Maybe try using less.

 

[Sholapie]

I've been looking at some mn threads on here and other hair boards and i'm going to try it for a few months. I've also purchased some hair sticks to make protective styling more interesting, there are some really nice tutorials on yt.

 

[Duchess007]

Did a mud wash, ACV rinse, DC, cowash, oil rinse and AVJ rinse this weekend. Then slathered on leave-in and put in 16 Bantu knots.

Various stages of LI absorption:





Partially took them down so I had 16 "twists":






Pulled them into a bun:






Will probably wear it like this tomorrow too. And will wear a knot-out on Weds for my cowash.

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

 

[ImanAdero]

I need to practice Bantu knotting... Every time I try them my hair ends up being a knotted mess...

I might need to try a new technique.

 

[HoneyBadger]

I need to practice Bantu knotting... Every time I try them my hair ends up being a knotted mess...

I might need to try a new technique.

I was about to search for bantu knot outs because I love them so much

My ends dry really smooth and it's great for bunning BUT I can't figure out how to make it stay overnight. I have to do my knots in the morning because they come undone overnight.

 

[havilland]

i just measured. i trimmed this weekend about 2 inches....i am 11 inches from waist length.

 

[krissyhair]

i just measured. i trimmed this weekend about 2 inches....i am 11 inches from waist length.

We are in a similar spot.

 

[JosieLynn]

Duchess007 your bantu knots are drool-worthy!! Lovely!

 

[Meritamen]

I feel the same way about never cutting again, at least not any major cuts for a very looong time. I don't hear to many ppl saying that so it's nice to know I am not the only one. I have the "Ultimate goal" of waist length, but all in all, once I reach it I doubt I'll stop there.

I do 97% protective styling (lol). I bun like crazy and since I've recently reached BSL, I remember how much it took to get past it, so I am not taking any chances. Non-stop PS till BSL stage has passed (prob still even at MBL).

How often do you PS? What styles do you usually wear? Do you have kinky coils? I do in the very back and I am finally figuring out how to tame them.

For the past month or so I have used protective styles everyday expect on the weekends. I just wear my wig over conrows when I go out and take it off when I get home. On a few Fridays I wear my hair out in a braidout or twistout.
Now that it's getting cold I will probably just stay in a protective style. I really need to get past APL. I seem to be stuck or it could be because of the haircut that I feel this way. erplexed
I never want to see APL ever again. I will never cut my hair shorter than BSL. Getting to APL proved to be difficult and I don't want to relive it ever!

My hair is a very kinky coily 4b. I used heat about 3 times this year so it has loosened a bit (by hair needs high heat to straighten but unfortunately it also does not handle any direct well.) I am going to flat iron my hair one more time this year and that's a wrap until I need my next trim next year.

The never have a major cut thing is not something that is common on this board so I'm happy to have a buddy. Maybe we'll be in a Floor Length challenge some day. I know for sure I want to hit Classic Length. My hair would be huge!

 

[goingBack2black]

I'm getting a little frustrated with my hair. Lately, I just want to perm it but I don't want to have a 'hair relapse'

 

[lovemyhair247]

I wanna join!

Ultimate Goal: HL just so I can stunt on everyone who laughed at my natural hair in high school

Regimen: K.I.S.S. Regimen cowash, clarify, condition and coat
Really thinking of switching to all natural/organic/vegan products...hmm


How many inches do you have to go to get to WL: I have no idea to be honest, I'm currently in box braids. I believe I'm in APL territory though

Natural/Relaxed/Other: (OPTIONAL) doesn't matter to me, I love it all...
Natural hair. I transitioned for a year and BC'd in 10/1/2010

Tips/Tricks: wanna try the inversion method. I unknowingly used to do this when I was younger by hanging my head over the arm of my sofa and massage my head because "it felt cool" lololol maybe thats how I acheived BSL relaxed hair

Also all I need to finger detangle my hair is suave conditioner and water. my hair hasn't been a hassle since this discovery.

Issues or difficulties you're having: SSKs are the debilllll

I am severely challenged when it comes to styling my hair. I've been in buns and box braids for at least 3 years now

 

[blazingthru]

Ultimate Goal: My ultimate goal is hip length

Regimen: GHE every night, deep condition every two weeks. Protein treatment once a month. keep hair in protective style bun I take Royal Jelly, bee pollen, biotin. using only natural products on my hair.

How many inches do you have to go to get to WL: I haven't had a chance to measure but is atleast a mile away.

Natural/Relaxed/Other:Natural

Tips: No heat, protective style 24-7 unless special occasion, moisturize daily. seal with cold pressed oils, Almond Oil, jojoba oil, avocado, argan, and coconut oils. Also treating with peppermint oil and argan oil. might do mn from time to time. not sure yet.

Issues or difficulties you're having: GHE is very important to me so I don't mind doing it but the others I have to make myself take better care of my hair and my body. I have to set aside time each day to baby my hair.

 

[TheRealMe]

For the past month or so I have used protective styles everyday expect on the weekends. I just wear my wig over conrows when I go out and take it off when I get home. On a few Fridays I wear my hair out in a braidout or twistout.
Now that it's getting cold I will probably just stay in a protective style. I really need to get past APL. I seem to be stuck or it could be because of the haircut that I feel this way. erplexed
I never want to see APL ever again. I will never cut my hair shorter than BSL. Getting to APL proved to be difficult and I don't want to relive it ever!

My hair is a very kinky coily 4b. I used heat about 3 times this year so it has loosened a bit (by hair needs high heat to straighten but unfortunately it also does not handle any direct well.) I am going to flat iron my hair one more time this year and that's a wrap until I need my next trim next year.

The never have a major cut thing is not something that is common on this board so I'm happy to have a buddy. Maybe we'll be in a Floor Length challenge some day. I know for sure I want to hit Classic Length. My hair would be huge!

Protective styling works well for me, and I think a few months of it on a constant will make a difference for you. I also agree taking a break from heat is a good idea. It has done wonders for my hair. Sounds like you have a plan with your current routine.

My current mantra: "preserve my ends, save them for later". Try and keep as much as possible, and keep it healthy.

I think there are a lot benefits to "heat fasting", as I like to call it. My trims are light because I rarely use heat and rarely have brittle/split ends. In the back section, I use the tension method (light stretch) before braiding/bunning every now and then on low cool setting (never completely dry and never on the last 2-3" of hair~tames my coils in back).

I know we are going to reach our goals. We all just have to stay diligent, support each other.

Here's to reaching waist length 2015!!

 

[TheRealMe]

I'm getting a little frustrated with my hair. Lately, I just want to perm it but I don't want to have a 'hair relapse'

Maybe braid your hair away for a while and think about it over a period of time when you aren't frustrated? Acting on impulse is never a good idea. Do you want permanently straight hair? See if you feel this way later (a few weeks or a couple of months) and make the best choice for you. HTH.

 

[MsJamerican]

So last week I took out my boxed braids, did a henna treatment. This week I straightened. I had so many SSK's. My hair was breaking off because of them. I trimmed .5" - 1" in some areas and my hair is still breaking and some ends still feel rough. I completely forgot I get SSK bad and so easily. I need to incorporate heat into my regimen now so this wont happen again. They keep ruining my progress and at this rate I will never reach my goals. I used CHI Silk Infusions to straighten and the heat setting was on 370 degrees Fahrenheit (I washed and deep conditioned before hand). I didn't want it bone straight on purpose. I also didn't measure, so currently I am not sure how far I am from Waist Length...

 

[snoop]

Seeing as you are talking about protective styling and ends: I twist my own hair a lot. I can now get my hair into a pony tail after it's twisted, but the pony is about 2-3 inches long. Should I be trying to bun those ends to protect them too? (If you can picture what I'm trying to ask...)

 

[Froreal3]

Nothing new to report. I will probably check in weekly because although my products may change, my regimen and hair styles don't. I'm pretty boring. I may try crochet braids next month to switch it up.

 

[Celesti]

Nothing new to report. I will probably check in weekly because although my products may change, my regimen and hair styles don't. I'm pretty boring. I may try crochet braids next month to switch it up.

Same here, I've decided to stick with what's working. I tried in the last month to try some new things like curlformers, or new partings for my hair. But they've all fallen flat. So I'm going back to the monotonous styles lol. Though I've been trying new products too But I don't think my actual regimen will change. But you never know what the future holds. ^_^

 

[TheRealMe]

Seeing as you are talking about protective styling and ends: I twist my own hair a lot. I can now get my hair into a pony tail after it's twisted, but the pony is about 2-3 inches long. Should I be trying to bun those ends to protect them too? (If you can picture what I'm trying to ask...)

I would definitely say yes. I am currently doing a twist bun updo-type style and I always keep my ends tucked under/inside (sometimes I use bobby pens But ALWAYS GENTLE and making it easy to take sown for later detangling). Sometimes I wear a faux marley bun over it. I think tucking the ends away helps preserve them in many aspects. Everyone is different though.

 

[Sholapie]

I'm planning on doing a cassia treatment soon for shine and strength. I like the strength henna gave me a few years ago but I don't want the red tint

 

[keranikki]

Finally did a measurement to see how many inches to WL... a whopping 13"! It will take me 2 years and 4 months to reach my goal unless I get a major growth spurt! Sigh...

 

[Napp]

Please feel free to state your,

Ultimate Goal: TBL

Regimen: wash and deep condition with heat once a week. Hard protein once a month, smoothing treatments every 8-12 weeks. Buns with no holders, wash n goes and loose puffs for styles.

How many inches do you have to go to get to WL: 11 in (from the nape)

Natural/Relaxed/Other: natural w/bkt

Tips/Tricks: stick to one line of products

Issues or difficulties you're having: breakage at the center of my head.

I'm in it to win it this time around. Nothing is going to stop me from getting to my goals. I think I might even give up using heat for a while if I think it will help me reach my goal better.

 

[goingBack2black]

Maybe braid your hair away for a while and think about it over a period of time when you aren't frustrated? Acting on impulse is never a good idea. Do you want permanently straight hair? See if you feel this way later (a few weeks or a couple of months) and make the best choice for you. HTH.

Thanks for the encouragement. I don't want permanently straight hair but sometimes I feel like I could better maintain it if it were permed. I have been thinking about getting my hair braided but I hate the hours it takes and when they comb through my hair. I will probably feel differently in a few days though and just make time for some braids.

 

[angelhairtype4]

Any advise on what to do with my hair? I just completed my second Henna treatment , but I don't Know what to do with my hair. I have done braids and twists, I been wearing a twist out for the week . I just keep going blank. Its been really cool lately, I been thinking of setting my hair, but I want to do a protective style. Any suggestions anyone?

 

[krissyhair]

Is it possible to make it to waist length on auto pilot, or does growing hair to super long lengths take constant vigilance and extra attention?

I ask this because I don't use any heart, pretty much ever. I condition my hair, detangle it in a gentle way, cover it up at night and keep it clean.
That's all it should take right? Or will I start to see serious differences if I take a more attentive, active approach to haircare?

 

[ImanAdero]

Is it possible to make it to waist length on auto pilot, or does growing hair to super long lengths take constant vigilance and extra attention? I ask this because I don't use any heart, pretty much ever. I condition my hair, detangle it in a gentle way, cover it up at night and keep it clean. That's all it should take right? Or will I start to see serious differences if I take a more attentive, active approach to haircare?

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I do think you should pay ATTENTION more, but that doesn't mean add 45 new steps to your regimen. The older the ends get, the more care they'll need, but that doesn't mean you have to take a hyper vigilant approach to your hair.

 

[Froreal3]

krissyhair I think it depends on your hair's needs. I mean, some people need to be actively aware of their protein/moisture balance, take extra steps to combat dryness, strengthen strands with henna, tea rinse and dc with garlic dcers for shedding etc.

Others on the other hand can maintain healthy hair with simpler measures. If your hair responds well to what you're doing to it, then that's great! If it aint broke...