SmilingElephant's Hip-Tailbone Challenge 2026

[Napp]

@Napp @ScorpioLove I'm curious as to what your hair types are? Texture, curl, etc. if you don't mind me asking

I have spongy 4a hair but now I am texturized to like a 3c. My hair was natural when I tried Redken products

 

[Angel of the North]

Wash day today.... (Copied and pasted to the 3 challenges, apologies if you see this post multiple times).

I found an unopened bottle of Komaza vitamin reign at the back of my stash. It's probably about 8-9 years old, possibly older. It didn't look separated so I shook it up and sprayed it into my palm, it looked and smelt just as I remember it. I used this to detangle my hair, lost hardly no hair, the equivalent of maybe 5-6 strands. I wouldn't use it as a leave in but it's fine before shampoo.

I used sukin hydrating shampoo, followed with a cowash using Alberto Balsam raspberry kisses or whatever it's called these days.

I DC'd with As I Am Hydration Elation, last wash day was my first time using this, I was a lot stingier on first use than I would normally be. I want to test its mettle so to speak so used the minimal amount. Today, I went in heavy, to see if it made any difference, but still not the amount of slip I like. It definitely hydrates, but I need my DC's to give slip. The tub is so small, I've only used it twice and there's about a third of the tub left. I will mix oil into the rest of it but, I doubt I will repurchase.

I moisturised (LCO), in sections by wetting, using Cantu creamy hair lotion (my last bootle), and grapeseed oil. I applied avocado butter to the ends, I'm now Air drying in 6 plaits. This week, I will wear a bun.

 

[SmilingElephant]

I just bought and received my big tub of Miss Key 10 en 1 Súper Conditioner. I've been using this stuff off and on for over 10+ years and it always gets me right!

It's a Dominican treatment.

I plan on doing my wash day today if I get the energy.

 

[Angel of the North]

I don't know how I missed the first 2 ingredients! I don't have these or Babassu Oil, but all the other natural ingredients minus the gums/chems. I looked up the ingredients again to make my own version, but won't be able to make this for awhile
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I have so many ingredients, when I run out of most things, I will have to replenish with Marshmallow Root, Slippery Elm. Not sure about Babassu Oil, but might to make an exact copy. If I don't, likely to replace with Argan Oil

I've used products with babassu oil in them but not the oil in its neat form. I'm not a fan of castor oil, but it's usually okay mixed in conditioner, I would probably just substitute that with avocado oil.

I have a long way to go to build a decent DIY ingredient stash, I'm trying to buy a few things a month, hoping that I will have all I need to start making my own products.

I haven't used the indulge yet but I may try it for the wash before my braid install. If I like it, I will definitely want to try recreating it.

ETA: The products I used that contained Babassu oil were always really good.

 

[Angel of the North]

Thread Question: What's the Most Expensive Brand or Product You've Ever Bought? Would You Buy It Again?

Another couple of brands I've used that was on the pricey side that I'd completely forgotten about, were phyto organics and the L'Oreal professional line before they made their prices more reasonable.

 

[Angel of the North]

You should join Summer Braid & Hydrate Challenge since you're getting braids! Good idea to build your stash, you'll be happy you did
[ https://longhaircareforums.com/threads/spring-into-summer-braid-hydrate-2025-challenge.857192/ ]

I'm only going to be in braids for 4 -5 weeks, I'm mainly only braiding to be able to not have to worry about my hair or take multiple products with me while I'm on my holiday.

I got myself a little box, I'm filling it with my DIY stash, it feels satisfying watching it fill up I may have to come to you for some ingredient advice.

 

[Angel of the North]

I hope you have a wonderful holiday! I'm a newbie at DIY, will help as best I can

Thank you You may be a newbie at the DIY, I've not even started yet, so you are more than qualified to share some tips and experiences with ingredients. I look forward to it.

 

[SmilingElephant]

I'm looking forward to these DIY products. I would love to one day be able to create my own liter bottle of conditioner

I use a LLLLLLLOOOOTTTTT of conditioner!

 

[SmilingElephant]

Do y'all know I just been sitting here and still ain't did my wash day?

I need some motivation

 

[SmilingElephant]

Finally did it!

I shampooed and conditioned/detangled with TIGI Bed Head Honey & Oatmeal

Deep Conditioned with the Miss Key 10 en 1 while I showered...had my hair feeling like butta

Styled my curls with Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Super Wet gel

 

[SmilingElephant]

Not the best angle, but this is my ponytail today

After I did my regimen last night, I air-dried and stuffed my hair into my long bonnet and went to sleep.

All I did was spray water in it this morning to revive the curls and slicked it back in a ponytail/puff/thingy.

 

[Angel of the North]

Do y'all know I just been sitting here and still ain't did my wash day?

I need some motivation

That's one for the confession thread

Come on girl, you've got this!

Think about the feeling of getting that conditioner in there, the feeling of freshly washed and moisturised hair....

Once you've done it, it extends the time till you need to do it again.....

Your hair will thank you.....

I was in the same position until yesterday, I got a sense of satisfaction once I'd completed wash day. Another step in the roght direction, I am meetimg my hair regimen goals and that makes me feel like I've achieved something. Albeit it's still baby steps for me at this point.

I hope this post can give you a gentle nudge into the bathroom

 

[Angel of the North]

Finally did it!

I shampooed and conditioned/detangled with TIGI Bed Head Honey & Oatmeal

Deep Conditioned with the Miss Key 10 en 1 while I showered...had my hair feeling like butta

Styled my curls with Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Super Wet gel

I was late with my reply At least you've done it now

 

[Napp]

Finally did it!

I shampooed and conditioned/detangled with TIGI Bed Head Honey & Oatmeal

Deep Conditioned with the Miss Key 10 en 1 while I showered...had my hair feeling like butta

Styled my curls with Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Super Wet gel

I want to join but I’m still ballheaded

 

[Angel of the North]

I want to join but I’m still ballheaded

Unless you want to keep your hair short, I don't see why you can't aim for HL...... It's unlikely you will get to that in such a short period of time, I'm not sure I will either, but I'm going to give it a good go and hope for the best

 

[SmilingElephant]

I want to join but I’m still ballheaded

Lawd hammercy!

How ballheaded IS YOU?

 

[snoop]

Thread Question: What's the Most Expensive Brand or Product You've Ever Bought? Would You Buy It Again?

For me it was broccoli seed oil. I used to swear by it, but the last time I bought it it cost me either $50+ or $70+ for 473ml. I just checked and the same size, from the same company is now $92.

I have about 1/4 of the bottle sitting under my sink. It says it was best before 2021, but I've kept it in the dark and I'm sure it's fine. I'll try to use it all up this year if it hasn't gone bad and be done with it.

 

[JuiceMobsta]

I haven't been on here in years but I guess I'll post. I'm going to try to work on overall density, but my hair is kind of fine and wispy, especially the nape hair. My hair can be stretched to around the hip to tailbone length but I will probably incorporate some trims in the near future . I usually have my hair in Ms. Celie plaits that are twisted on the ends, and my hair stays mostly covered. Goal is to shampoo 1-2x month, incorporate some protein, moisturize, plait it back up and call it a day. I also finger comb. In the pics my hair was a little oily and the roots were more dry and frizzy. I'll probably wash it tomorrow, or one of these days...

 

[SmilingElephant]

I haven't been on here in years but I guess I'll post. I'm going to try to work on overall density, but my hair is kind of fine and wispy, especially the nape hair. My hair can be stretched to around the hip to tailbone length but I will probably incorporate some trims in the near future . I usually have my hair in Ms. Celie plaits that are twisted on the ends, and my hair stays mostly covered. Goal is to shampoo 1-2x month, incorporate some protein, moisturize, plait it back up and call it a day. I also finger comb. In the pics my hair was a little oily and the roots were more dry and frizzy. I'll probably wash it tomorrow, or one of these days...


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Welcome to the challenge!


And also...

 

[faithVA]

I haven't been on here in years but I guess I'll post. I'm going to try to work on overall density, but my hair is kind of fine and wispy, especially the nape hair. My hair can be stretched to around the hip to tailbone length but I will probably incorporate some trims in the near future . I usually have my hair in Ms. Celie plaits that are twisted on the ends, and my hair stays mostly covered. Goal is to shampoo 1-2x month, incorporate some protein, moisturize, plait it back up and call it a day. I also finger comb. In the pics my hair was a little oily and the roots were more dry and frizzy. I'll probably wash it tomorrow, or one of these days...


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Oh my goodness. Would love to see your braids when you take a pic.

 

[JoyBloom]

Thread Question: What's the Most Expensive Brand or Product You've Ever Bought? Would You Buy It Again?

My guilty pleasure were salon products. MorrocanOil in particular was my favorite go-to line for bouncy and silky roller sets. I really love the smell so I still buy their body products here and there as my budget allows. Hmmmmmm, I don’t know if I would repurchase their hair products again but hey…never say never. lol

 

[MzSwift]

@JuiceMobsta



You're already there!! Hair goals!

Yay! So happy to know I'm on the right track with the braid and leave it alone.

 

[snoop]

What do you use it for? Why do you like it so much?

I used it for sealing my hair. It was my go-to before the price got so high. Before that last purchase it was about $20 a bottle then it was temporarily discontinued. When it came back it came back at that price point and I splurged one last time. There's no way I'd pay for that now.

Broccoli seed oil mimics silicone. At the time I found it to be the most softening oil for my hair. Now I'm using deodorized beef tallow and that is the biznazz. It leaves my cottony 4c hair feeling silky smooth.

 

[JuiceMobsta]

Wonderful pics! How long did it take you to get to this length? How do you cover your hair?

@25InchesStarting'25 Thanks! I'm not sure how long it took, my hair was somewhere around APL-BSL in the middle of 2020. I stopped wearing my hair out at work around that time which drastically cut down on manipulation. I feel like I've been able to stretch some of my hair down to my waist/hip for maybe the last two or so years. I wear a scrub cap at work. I was just looking back and found a few pics that I took since then.

This was my hair in January 2021, not sure if it was blow dried or not:



This was my freshly washed hair in September 2021:



This was my hair in February 2024:

 

[SmilingElephant]

Took me a nice, hot relaxing shower tonight and co-washed with Tressemme Bouncy Curls conditioner.

Styled with Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Super Wet gel.

Air-dried and stuffed my hair in my long bonnet.

I ordered some leave in conditioners from Novex. I got the My Curls Intense and the Movie Star leave ins. I LOVE the Movie Star leave in! They sell it in a bottle now, I wonder if it's the same as the one in the tub...I really hope so.

They should be here tomorrow. I ordered them from Amazon. I love Novex products.

 

[SmilingElephant]

My curls feel SO SOFT right now! I've been feeling them all day!

Still waiting on my order


HURRY UP SO I CAN PLAY HAIR!!!

 

[SmilingElephant]

So I co washed my hair today and I applied the Novex Movie Star leave in. NO GEL!!!

This is my hair right now

 

[SmilingElephant]

I haven't been on here in years but I guess I'll post. I'm going to try to work on overall density, but my hair is kind of fine and wispy, especially the nape hair. My hair can be stretched to around the hip to tailbone length but I will probably incorporate some trims in the near future . I usually have my hair in Ms. Celie plaits that are twisted on the ends, and my hair stays mostly covered. Goal is to shampoo 1-2x month, incorporate some protein, moisturize, plait it back up and call it a day. I also finger comb. In the pics my hair was a little oily and the roots were more dry and frizzy. I'll probably wash it tomorrow, or one of these days...


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I know you want to thicken and even your hair up...but do you plan to grow your hair longer? Your hair is truly my goal!

 

[JuiceMobsta]

I know you want to thicken and even your hair up...but do you plan to grow your hair longer? Your hair is truly my goal!

Aww, thank you! I did join the classic thread so maybe I can try for that length. How about you?

 

[SmilingElephant]

Aww, thank you! I did join the classic thread so maybe I can try for that length. How about you?

I think I'm gonna stay here. TBL is my ultimate goal...I don't know if I wanna be longer than that. I imagine it would be too much to care for.

How often do you have to replenish conditioner and other hair products?