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

[B_Phlyy]

Took my mini braids out because I'm going through it with my health and I just don't have the bandwidth to care about hair right now.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I hope you feel better soon @B_Phlyy

 

[Napp]

This was taken last month but this is pretty much where im at right now. I need 2 inches cut but im going to hold on to my ends to see if i can get to BSL and then i will trim. the center of my hair thins out no matter how much i cut so im just going to see if i can grow it out vs keep cutting over and over.

I think im APL ish

this is where i started. My hair was so uneven because i'm still working on self trims

 

[Yvette 2.0]

Took my mini braids out because I'm going through it with my health and I just don't have the bandwidth to care about hair right now.

Wishing you improvement in your health soon!

 

[Yvette 2.0]

View attachment 507258

This was taken last month but this is pretty much where im at right now. I need 2 inches cut but im going to hold on to my ends to see if i can get to BSL and then i will trim. the center of my hair thins out no matter how much i cut so im just going to see if i can grow it out vs keep cutting over and over.

I think im APL ish

this is where i started. My hair was so uneven because i'm still working on self trims
View attachment 507260

I see the progress!!! Niiiiiiice!

I hope your hair stays healthy as you wait for your next trim!

 

[Napp]

I see the progress!!! Niiiiiiice!

I hope your hair stays healthy as you wait for your next trim!

Im glad I am able to see progress too! I cut my hair twice this year so I can just imagine it grew even more! I feel like I have the worlds longest back because my milestones seem so far away from each other lol

 

[faithVA]

Took my mini braids out because I'm going through it with my health and I just don't have the bandwidth to care about hair right now.

I hope you are feeling better soon. Hoping 2026 is a better year for you and you get pass this and leave it in the dust.

 

[faithVA]

View attachment 507258

This was taken last month but this is pretty much where im at right now. I need 2 inches cut but im going to hold on to my ends to see if i can get to BSL and then i will trim. the center of my hair thins out no matter how much i cut so im just going to see if i can grow it out vs keep cutting over and over.

I think im APL ish

this is where i started. My hair was so uneven because i'm still working on self trims
View attachment 507260

That is some great progress. And yes you are definitely APL, especially if this is from last month.

And I did notice that it evened out (lol).

How are you enjoying this new length?

 

[faithVA]

Im glad I am able to see progress too! I cut my hair twice this year so I can just imagine it grew even more! I feel like I have the worlds longest back because my milestones seem so far away from each other lol

But the plus side, is that when your hair reached MBL, it is going to be so long and magnificent.

 

[Napp]

That is some great progress. And yes you are definitely APL, especially if this is from last month.

And I did notice that it evened out (lol).

How are you enjoying this new length?

It doesn't feel much longer but i feel more comfortable wearing my hair out because it looks bigger and fuller.


I wanted a straight look for the holidays and it was time to touch up so i decided to put in a botox. I also used some Vitale pro products to help repair split ends. i didn't trim at all and my ends look good. I just wrapped it for a few hours after straightening so it can "settle".

Here is my official starting point until next year:





Hopefully I can reach BSL by then! I never had BSL as far as I can remember so i cam going to really stick to a routine this year

 

[Yvette 2.0]

It doesn't feel much longer but i feel more comfortable wearing my hair out because it looks bigger and fuller.


I wanted a straight look for the holidays and it was time to touch up so i decided to put in a botox. I also used some Vitale pro products to help repair split ends. i didn't trim at all and my ends look good. I just wrapped it for a few hours after straightening so it can "settle".

Here is my official starting point until next year:
View attachment 507286




Hopefully I can reach BSL by then! I never had BSL as far as I can remember so i cam going to really stick to a routine this year

@Napp, I'm so excited for you!

I believe BSL is within your reach and that if that's what you truly want, you will get there!

Wowser, regarding the split ends. That's huge. Cutting off split ends is the reason my length retention is slowed. So I find that amazing!

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I’ll say this. This time around trying to grow my
Hair with protective styles is the slowest my hair has ever grown. The secret to my fast growth has always been that I washngo frequently.


With keeping my hair braided up in crochet I don’t water it as frequently and thus slow growth.

It’s been interesting to see. Usually takes me a year to get past shoulder length.

 

[faithVA]

I did all of my prep work for my blow dry on next wash day. I'm glad I got it out of the way so next week should be quick.
1. Shampooed with TGIN to help remove the cream styler.
2. Shampooed with Coco & Eve Hydrating Shampoo
3. Used Aphoghee 2 min Reconstructor with a cap
4. Followed with K18 bond leave-in. After I use this up, I'm going to try the Coco & Eve bond treatment
5. Used the Coco & Eve Hydrating Conditioner
6. Followed that with the Olaplex Silkening Mask.
7. Used the Coco & Eve Leave-in
8. Used the Mielle Twisting Souffle and put my hair in 4 Bantu Knots

My hair won't be dry in the morning but I will figure out what to do with it tomorrow.

I think putting my hair into 2 flat twists is causing breakage in my crown so I will have to figure something out.

Next week I will be able to just shampoo, condition and blow dry without all of the extra steps.

 

[i4ani]

Hi all! Congratulations on your growth so far; I'm looking forward to seeing how we all fare in the coming months. I'm gonna join you all for the 2026 stretch of this challenge.

What length are you now?
Edit: I'm starting out at NL!

What is your 2026 length goal?
BSL!

What's your plan/regimen to reach your goal?
Wrt my physical haircare: washing every 2 to 3 days, deep conditioning each wash day, sealing with a grease/butter and plaits, bonnet on at home, headscarf when I go out.
Wrt lifestyle: multivitamins, prayer, exercise, hydration, cleaner diet, good sleeping habits.

How can we support you in reaching your goal?
Keeping the thread lively!

Post your 2026 Starting Pic Here:

 

[divachyk]

Took my mini braids out because I'm going through it with my health and I just don't have the bandwidth to care about hair right now.

Hope you are feeling much better.

 

[faithVA]

Hi all! Congratulations on your growth so far; I'm looking forward to seeing how we all fare in the coming months. I'm gonna join you all for the 2026 stretch of this challenge.

What length are you now?
Not sure--I've only been tracking length using the front of my hair. I would estimate that the back falls around the NL-SL area, but I'll update this.

What is your 2026 length goal?
BSL!

What's your plan/regimen to reach your goal?
Wrt my physical haircare: washing every 2 to 3 days, deep conditioning each wash day, sealing with a grease/butter and plaits, bonnet on at home, headscarf when I go out.
Wrt lifestyle: multivitamins, prayer, exercise, hydration, cleaner diet, good sleeping habits.

How can we support you in reaching your goal?
Keeping the thread lively!

Post your 2026 Starting Pic Here:
I'll update this on Dec 30, my last wash day of the year.

Welcome to the challenge. Looking forward to growing with you and hanging out with you in 2026.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I just realized I have to take my hair down. Lol.

I was gonna keep on trucking over here. I’ll be taking it down tomorrow and getting my hair back in another crochet install on the 30th.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Just finished taking my braids out.


Here’s my hair side by side with no heat after taking down my protective style. 24/25

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I can’t find my length check shirt. I’ll keep looking tonight and early morning.

Looks like maybe I’m an inch away from BSL. This blow drying and flat ironing is tedious.

 

[i4ani]

I can’t find my length check shirt. I’ll keep looking tonight and early morning.

Looks like maybe I’m an inch away from BSL. This blow drying and flat ironing is tedious.

It looks great, even before you blow dried it! Congrats! And its so full all the way down

 

[faithVA]

Just finished taking my braids out.


Here’s my hair side by side with no heat after taking down my protective style. 24/25

You can see the progress in these pictures.

 

[faithVA]

I can’t find my length check shirt. I’ll keep looking tonight and early morning.

Looks like maybe I’m an inch away from BSL. This blow drying and flat ironing is tedious.

Congratulations. You had some great progress this year. I know you can make BSL in 2026.

 

[faithVA]

The left is last December. My hair is flat ironed and I dont think it was long enough to pull for a length check.

The right is yesterday. My hair is blown dry but not flat ironed. If flat ironed I think it would have been close to the 1st line. But the right side is shorter.

The layers above are between nape and shoulder.

 

[i4ani]

The left is last December. My hair is flat ironed and I dont think it was long enough to pull for a length check.

The right is yesterday. My hair is blown dry but not flat ironed. If flat ironed I think it would have been close to the 1st line. But the right side is shorter.

The layers above are between nape and shoulder.

View attachment 507442View attachment 507444

I'm not super clear on the delineations for shorter lengths, but that's looking like it's shoulder length when fully pressed to me!

 

[faithVA]

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2026.

I believe it is going to be a great year. Wishing you peace and many blesses this year!

 

[faithVA]

I'm not super clear on the delineations for shorter lengths, but that's looking like it's shoulder length when fully pressed to me!

Thank you @i4ani . Yes the shorter lengths are harder.

 

[faithVA]

FOR THOSE WHO WERE WITH US 2025
What was your 2025 Length Goal?:

What worked for you in 2025?

Post your 2025 Starting Pic Here:


FOR ALL PARTICIPATING IN 2026 YEAR

What length are you now?

What is your 2026 length goal ?

What's your plan/regimen to reach your goal?

How can we support you in reaching your goal


Post your 2026 Starting Pic Here:



==================================================================
Please check in 1x a month to help keep the thread active.


Plan to post your reveal by 12/30/2026. You can post earlier if you reach your goal any time in between.

Post as many hair pics as you like because you know we love pics


Quarterly Picture Dates and Updates
March 2026
June 2026
Sept 2026
Dec 2026

 

[faithVA]

FOR THOSE WHO WERE WITH US 2025
What was your 2025 Length Goal?: SL

What worked for you in 2025?
--Finding a hydrating shampoo, conditioner and leave-in
--Resetting my hair weekly
--Doing search and destroys regularly
--Including a scalp oil before wash day

Post your 2025 Starting Pic Here:



FOR ALL PARTICIPATING IN 2026 YEAR

What length are you now? NL to SL depending on the layer

What is your 2026 length goal ? SL (shortest layers) and APL for longest layer

What's your plan/regimen to reach your goal?
--Reset 2 times a week when possible
--Use scalp oil 2x a week with a massage
--Use bond and protein treatment monthly
--Use hydrating products to increase hydration
--Flat twist on stretched hair with larger twist
--Stay consistent with trims.

How can we support you in reaching your goal
--Just hanging out with me and keep the thread active.


Post your 2026 Starting Pic Here:

Will update when I get to my phone





Quarterly Picture Dates and Updates
March 2026
June 2026
Sept 2026
Dec 2026

 

[faithVA]

My hair was the longest since being on the forum in December 2017. I hope to reach this length again before the end of June. I will take a comparable picture next wash day and then each month to track my progress.

 

[B_Phlyy]

Year in review/2026 intro

I'm still a bit under the weather but I did manage to wash, blow dry, and flat iron my hair got the end of year length check. Not much changed, probably because my health to a nose dive the last quarter of the year. My mini haircut in the fall didn't help either as my hair is growing back in its lopsided way (the left getting longer than the right)

I feel my hair looked the best in the summer (06/25) but I unfortunately don't know exactly what I was doing to get it to that point. That's why for 2026 I'm going to be much more diligent about writing my routine and products down this year. The only thing I know got sure that I stopped doing was pre-pooing with oil. Maybe I need to get back to that.

For 2026, I'm going to again shoot for full APL.. I'm taking out back old school with techniques and styling. Lately I've noticed my scalp responds better to cleansing with sulfates on my shampoo and deep conditioners with some mild silicone. I also am back to doing LOC due to the colder weather. My styles will be lots of buns and rolls/twists. Wigs really are doing a number on my hairline, so they're out for a while.