2025/2026 - Journey to SL/APL/BSL Challenge

[25InchesStarting'25]

@Etherbunnny, going to be your relaxed sister soon ...is there anyone else who is relaxed?

Any tips or advice?

How often do you do retouches?

 

[Napp]

I am hoping I reach apl by the end of the year

 

[Nunu!]

@Etherbunnny, going to be your relaxed sister soon ...is there anyone else who is relaxed?

Any tips or advice?

How often do you do retouches?

Hi. I’m relaxed, 6 months in now and loving it. Learn your hair, “relax” your hair don’t have it bone straight. DC, moisture/protein balance, limit direct heat. Enjoy it! I’m retaining moisture and length…wish I went back to relaxers sooner. I did a touch up after 4.5 months, that was too long for my hair because I experienced a lot of shedding so I’m going to try for just 4 months this time.

What’s currently working for me (thank God!)…DC weekly, moisturize and seal every 3 days. Low manipulation styles. I trim whenever I get a relaxer. I trimmed 2 inches when I got the virgin relaxer and another inch at my touch up. Both trims were necessary for me because I hadn’t trimmed in a million years. I was at my collar bone after the first trim and approaching apl after the second trim.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Hi. I’m relaxed, 6 months in now and loving it. Learn your hair, “relax” your hair don’t have it bone straight. DC, moisture/protein balance, limit direct heat. Enjoy it! I’m retaining moisture and length…wish I went back to relaxers sooner. I did a touch up after 4.5 months, that was too long for my hair because I experienced a lot of shedding so I’m going to try for just 4 months this time.

What’s currently working for me (thank God!)…DC weekly, moisturize and seal every 3 days. Low manipulation styles. I trim whenever I get a relaxer. I trimmed 2 inches when I got the virgin relaxer and another inch at my touch up. Both trims were necessary for me because I hadn’t trimmed in a million years. I was at my collar bone after the first trim and approaching apl after the second trim.

Thank You for all the tips and glad you're loving it

Have you considered getting a RevAir? This is a big factor in my decision. It should prevent breakage between retouches. They will have a sale for the holidays if you decide to get one

Looking forward to reaching our HCJ goals, will update what is working along the way

 

[Nunu!]

Thank You for all the tips and glad you're loving it

Have you considered getting a RevAir? This is a big factor in my decision. It should prevent breakage between retouches. They will have a sale for the holidays if you decide to get one

Looking forward to reaching our HCJ goals, will update what is working along the way

Yes, I am actually considering getting a RevAir. I can’t see myself spending that much $ on a hair tool, but I am intrigued and may end up adding it to my Christmas list. I can already see myself being addicted to it. Excited for your updates

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Yes, I am actually considering getting a RevAir. I can’t see myself spending that much $ on a hair tool, but I am intrigued and may end up adding it to my Christmas list. I can already see myself being addicted to it. Excited for your updates

Retaining length makes it worth it

You might be addicted to it at first to perfect your straightening technique

 

[faithVA]

I am hoping I reach apl by the end of the year

I'm going to hope with you. Come on APL.

 

[faithVA]

I started working out on Friday. I got a lot of my todo list done but I didn't get to my hair. I will spritz it and twist it tonight and then cleanse tomorrow.

I was supposed to color this weekend and put in 2 strands. That will have to wait until next weekend.

 

[Rocky91]

Checking in after taking a few months away from the board!
After growing out some of the severe heat damage over the summer and fall, I got a tapered cut last week to get rid of most of the rest of it. I'm back to neck length at the back, but my hair is so much healthier and very cute, if I do say so myself.

i guess i might be on track for SL-APL next year.

simple routine right now is to shampoo, condition, and style in a twistout at least twice a week. i like my wash n go as well, but it's just not as durable as the twistout at this length and almost requires me to redo it every single day.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Past couple days
Cassia overnight
Moisture Shampoo
Flax Gel
Growth Oil

This morning
Have Tea Rinse brewing with fenugreek seed, rose petals, moringa powder, white rice, and rosemary

 

[CoiledOrchids]

hey! got my braids done last month.
been doing my castor oil challenge

will wash & condition this afternoon.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Taking my diy crochet down this evening. Wash day tomorrow.

 

[keranikki]

I cowashed and blowdried my hair last night. At some point this evening, I will cornrow my hair and where a wig.
I will be wigging from now on until early spring. I will refresh my cornrows weekly.
My winter regimen:
- Shampoo and DC monthly
- trim monthly
- Cowash weekly
- blow-dry weekly
- M&S every other day

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Today
PrePoo Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
Malibu Shampoo
Argan Oil and RevAir
Henna with Amla and Aloe Vera Powder
Leaving in overnight

I want to do Indigo tomorrow, but not looking forward to it, its messy. I might experiment applying it with conditioner

 

[B_Phlyy]

Just converted my cornrows into mini braids. Will be rocking these until Christmas Eve.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Mixed Indigo with conditioner, hopefully it'll still bind to henna...we'll see

 

[faithVA]

Checking in after taking a few months away from the board!
After growing out some of the severe heat damage over the summer and fall, I got a tapered cut last week to get rid of most of the rest of it. I'm back to neck length at the back, but my hair is so much healthier and very cute, if I do say so myself.

i guess i might be on track for SL-APL next year.

simple routine right now is to shampoo, condition, and style in a twistout at least twice a week. i like my wash n go as well, but it's just not as durable as the twistout at this length and almost requires me to redo it every single day.

What products are you using for your twist out? And how many twist do you install?

 

[faithVA]

This is wash day again and I'm not feeling coloring my hair It may have to wait until Thanksgiving weekend.

I'm going to cleanse and then apply Mielle Babusa/Mint Deep Conditioner. Then I'm going to walk for an hour or so. I will finish up after that.

I'm pretty much out of leave-in so I need to make a decision today of what I want to try next.

Supposedly I'm installing two strands today.

 

[faithVA]

I installed my 2 strands. Took me 2 hours as usual. I think I did them a little bigger this time. I will try to post pictures tomorrow.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I had a long wash day. Taking that crochet hair down was brutal. The thin line wrapped around my braids and wasn’t easy to get out.

My hair felt very dry upon taking down. I think the henna mix was very strengthening that I used a few weeks ago.

I Prepood with Negesbanda Chebe Prepoo. Then rinsed it out after 30 minutes or so and went straight to Bondbar Clarifying shampoo , then Olaplex Chelating treatment for 15 minutes , then rinsed and used Bondbar Shampoo for first cleanse and Natures Ego Moisturizing shampoo for second cleanse. Left Olaplex Rich nourishing mask on for 30 minutes. Rinsed and added As I Am Classic leave in. Let it dry some then used my revair. I’m going to rock a wig until I figure out my next style

 

[faithVA]

I had a long wash day. Taking that crochet hair down was brutal. The thin line wrapped around my braids and wasn’t easy to get out.

My hair felt very dry upon taking down. I think the henna mix was very strengthening that I used a few weeks ago.

I Prepood with Negesbanda Chebe Prepoo. Then rinsed it out after 30 minutes or so and went straight to Bondbar Clarifying shampoo , then Olaplex Chelating treatment for 15 minutes , then rinsed and used Bondbar Shampoo for first cleanse and Natures Ego Moisturizing shampoo for second cleanse. Left Olaplex Rich nourishing mask on for 30 minutes. Rinsed and added As I Am Classic leave in. Let it dry some then used my revair. I’m going to rock a wig until I figure out my next style

I didn't retain anything you said. I was looked at that big ol bun you have going on there.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I prefer the rich Olaplex mask to the fine one @faithVA my hair felt oober moisturized after rinsing out compared to the just okay with the fine.

I will continue to use both and alternate to use up.

I’m getting crochet braids reinstalled in a few minutes so I pulled it out some more just now. Looks a little smoother.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

The Indigo binded
Left it in overnight

The clip is making my hair shorter, but this is easier for LC since my hair is different lengths

Used flat iron to bind Henna

Next LC will be RevAir with flat iron only on roots

 

[Rocky91]

What products are you using for your twist out? And how many twist do you install?

I use only the Doux Mousse Def right now because I want it to last at least three days, even with my daily 2 mile run (I get pretty sweaty) right now.

I install as few twists as I can manage with my hair this short, which is about 5-6 per quadrant of my hair.

 

[Rocky91]

I think @Yvette 2.0 has mentioned this Youtuber on the board before, but my inspiration for this grow-out process is the OG Youtuber Pashtash, who almost exclusively wore twistouts. I think she has an above-average growth rate, but even still I'm really trying to copy some of her practices for length retention:
1) regular salon trims (on blowdried hair--no flat irons at the salon for me ever again!)
2) low manipulation w/ twistouts 1x a week. Honestly, I'm going to do 2x/week while my hair is super short.

It feels good to be back on track with my hair I was really down in the dumps about my heat damage for a while, and I'm so glad I just went ahead and cut it for a fresh start.

Here's an example of the kind of length Pashtash attained in 18 months. Man, I miss the old Youtube days.

 

[Yvette 2.0]

I think @Yvette 2.0 has mentioned this Youtuber on the board before, but my inspiration for this grow-out process is the OG Youtuber Pashtash, who almost exclusively wore twistouts. I think she has an above-average growth rate, but even still I'm really trying to copy some of her practices for length retention:
1) regular salon trims (on blowdried hair--no flat irons at the salon for me ever again!)
2) low manipulation w/ twistouts 1x a week. Honestly, I'm going to do 2x/week while my hair is super short.

It feels good to be back on track with my hair I was really down in the dumps about my heat damage for a while, and I'm so glad I just went ahead and cut it for a fresh start.

Here's an example of the kind of length Pashtash attained in 18 months. Man, I miss the old Youtube days.

@Rocky91 !!!
I have been trying to remember this YouTuber forever!!! Thank you soooooo much for the mention and for sharing. She's awesome, IMHO.

I'm glad you feel better about your hair. I can't wait to hear of your progress!

 

[faithVA]

The Indigo binded
Left it in overnight

The clip is making my hair shorter, but this is easier for LC since my hair is different lengths

Used flat iron to bind Henna

Next LC will be RevAir with flat iron only on roots
View attachment 506804
View attachment 506806

You are making great progress.

 

[faithVA]

I use only the Doux Mousse Def right now because I want it to last at least three days, even with my daily 2 mile run (I get pretty sweaty) right now.

I install as few twists as I can manage with my hair this short, which is about 5-6 per quadrant of my hair.

Nice! I'm still on the hunt for a twist out product. I do have a mousse in the cabinet. Maybe I give it a try in the Spring.

 

[faithVA]

I think @Yvette 2.0 has mentioned this Youtuber on the board before, but my inspiration for this grow-out process is the OG Youtuber Pashtash, who almost exclusively wore twistouts. I think she has an above-average growth rate, but even still I'm really trying to copy some of her practices for length retention:
1) regular salon trims (on blowdried hair--no flat irons at the salon for me ever again!)
2) low manipulation w/ twistouts 1x a week. Honestly, I'm going to do 2x/week while my hair is super short.

It feels good to be back on track with my hair I was really down in the dumps about my heat damage for a while, and I'm so glad I just went ahead and cut it for a fresh start.

Here's an example of the kind of length Pashtash attained in 18 months. Man, I miss the old Youtube days.

I will check her out.

I with you. No more flat irons at the salon. I'm also done with trims at the salon. It starts off fine but it is just a matter of time before they whack the back off again.

We have a Rinse Retreat here, which they just cleanse, blow dry. That is about all I'm going to do at a salon from here on out.