**2010 Braid Challenge**........sign-up here

[Jozze]

I'd already had my braids (box braids w/extensions) installed when I signed up for the challenge in December. I guess I got a jump start . I wish my camera was working so I could post pics. I dyed my hair before I installed my braids to chart my new growth. Well, ladies, I just took out my braids and I have a little more than an inch of new growth!! I'm so excited. My hair usually grows with braids, but with all of the information that I've gained from lurking and interacting, I see a vast improvement.

I'm going to let my hair breathe for a week or two before I get my micros back. I am soooo excited for this challenge!!

Very well done ashessehsa!
I hope this inspires some of the people who are already feeling like throwing in the towel. I am totally inspired because I just rebraided the top of my hair and I am seeing significant growth in those areas (maybe a 1/3 of an inch) after two weeks!

 

[julzinha]

I am in!!!!

I am getting my braids this week. Then I am moisturizing daily with a mix of infusium, african royale braid spray, and aphogee green tea. Then washing my scalp with giovanni tea tea after each time i use MTG.

 

[Anew]

Okay I got my braids done on Wednesday but I still haven't charged my camera batteries so until I get off my lazy behind, these camera pics will have to do. These are not micros, just small individuals. It took 9 hours, but they did an awesome job as I knew they would, lol..

Also, she said I have over an inch of new growth. I was telling her I wanted to make sure I had enough to grasp before the BC, so I'm excited about that. When I take these out I'll be good to chop!

 

[Spidergul]

I would like to join this...I got a braid updo Dec 13th because I was going on vacation and did not want to deal with my hair. I was going to take them down today but when I did I realized they don't look to bad down...so I thought I would leave them in as pony. Question: How long of a stretch do you ladies leave your braids in? I have extensions. I have washed and oil them nightly, but not deep conditioned.

 

[Jozze]

I would like to join this...I got a braid updo Dec 13th because I was going on vacation and did not want to deal with my hair. I was going to take them down today but when I did I realized they don't look to bad down...so I thought I would leave them in as pony. Question: How long of a stretch do you ladies leave your braids in? I have extensions. I have washed and oil them nightly, but not deep conditioned.

Hi Spidergul! Here's a link to the Braid Challenge details http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=412240
Most of us are keeping hair in Braids for 8 -12 weeks stretches for six to twelve months. It is advised to let the hair rest for a few weeks before re-braiding. Weekly DC-ing and daily moisturising is important as we are doing a form of the C&G method for growth. There's info about it here. HTH

 

[Anew]

Ladies tell me how you are washing with braids please?

Kind of shampoo
is it diluted
acv rinse?
do you massage the scalp
how often
etc....

ETA: what's your process for DCing..

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Arian]

Here are my picture contributions:

I am worried about my edges though. I sure hope they be there when I take my hair down because that would defeat the purpose of this challenge. I went to an African owned braiding establishment, and although they braid and twist beautifully, they tend to want EVERY single piece of hair in a braid...so I'm hoping that my edges don't suffer

 

[ycj1]

Here are my picture contributions:

I am worried about my edges though. I sure hope they be there when I take my hair down because that would defeat the purpose of this challenge. I went to an African owned braiding establishment, and although they braid and twist beautifully, they tend to want EVERY single piece of hair in a braid...so I'm hoping that my edges don't suffer

Dang girl, the africans can definitely braid, but h*** they don't leave any hair out at all, not even baby hair! But it's very neat and uniform.

 

[Maracujá]

Ladies tell me how you are washing with braids please?

Kind of shampoo
is it diluted
acv rinse?
do you massage the scalp
how often
etc....

ETA: what's your process for DCing..

Thanks a bunch!

I haven't washed my hair since getting my braids done, but I'm massaging almost daily with a mixture of jojoba oil and peppermint, rosemary and ylang ylang essential oils.

 

[ycj1]

I just wanted to let you ladies know that's in this braid challenge to be careful not to go too long without at least taking the time to freshen up yr braids. The reason why I m saying this is because if you spray to moisturize and tend to oil yr scalp more than 3 times a wk as I do, the hair will matte after 8 wks! I've learned this the hard way. It took me 4 hours to not only take my braids out but an add'l 2 hours to unmatte it. So pls be careful..... it was not a pleasant experience!

 

[LivingDol1]

hi ladies,

i haven't signed up for the challenge but i did just get braids today. sort of a quick decision made 2 days ago because i've been too busy to want to bother with my hair.

i got box braids w/ extensions installed. feels very weighty and well, a little tight. but i haven't had braids for a year and a half so i might just be being a baby about it. i'm not used to having so much hair.

i plan to take these out after 7 weeks... right after i get back from a long business trip. i'm not planning to get the edges redone (because she did them so tight...) but i will see how they look in 3-4 weeks and re-evaluate.

i will be lurking here for tips on how to keep my hair in good condition. when i used to wear braids all the time, i washed like every 2 weeks and moisturized or oiled my scalp when i remembered. got a lot of growth but my hair was dry and i had some split ends. now it's good, so i want to keep it that way.

oh and since my hair is braided up, i will be going to the gym more frequently.

HHG ladies.

 

[Arian]

Dang girl, the africans can definitely braid, but h*** they don't leave any hair out at all, not even baby hair! But it's very neat and uniform.

Thanks! But I probably won't rest well until they're out and I can see what my edges are doing!

 

[Arian]

Is it better to put plain oil on the scalp (jojoba, coconut) or use water and oil in a spray bottle to avoid buildup? Do you HAVE to use distilled water to dilute braid sprays and leave ins or can you use regular tap?

 

[jcdlox]

I just wanted to let you ladies know that's in this braid challenge to be careful not to go too long without at least taking the time to freshen up yr braids. The reason why I m saying this is because if you spray to moisturize and tend to oil yr scalp more than 3 times a wk as I do, the hair will matte after 8 wks! I've learned this the hard way. It took me 4 hours to not only take my braids out but an add'l 2 hours to unmatte it. So pls be careful..... it was not a pleasant experience!

So is this what is called build up? Why would your hair matte up if you are moisturizing it regularly?

 

[ycj1]

So is this what is called build up? Why would your hair matte up if you are moisturizing it regularly?

First I need to correct something I said regarding the matting issue. For me I noticed the heavy matting after one month. So I took them out. Washed, dc and put new braids in the next day.

Believe it or not I think what causes the matting is using the moisturizer and the oils. They both build up at the begining of the braid and sit there at the base. Which in fact makes the hair along with the build up of the moist. and the oils stick together.

IMO just speaking for myself, I cannot go 2 months with braids in. Unfortunately I have to take them out and redo them after a month. I better not think about leaving them in for two months or I will have to cut them out.

 

[lovelyone80]

I am washing my hair today. with sauve coconut shamppoo and a little baking soda. DC with Neutrogena Daily Deep,.

 

[purplepeace79]

Checking in
Took down my Senegalese twists after 3.5 weeks (couldnt take it anymore)
Poo'd with Renpure shampoo, Condished with Organix Tea Tree Mint, DCd with Hairveda Sitrinihla DC treatment, moisturized with Qhemet's Burdock root cream
Put in some two strands twists. I havent read through the posts but did we agree twists are ok?

 

[purplepeace79]

So is this what is called build up? Why would your hair matte up if you are moisturizing it regularly?

If you're not cleansing the product regularly, it will build up

 

[purplepeace79]

Ladies tell me how you are washing with braids please?

Kind of shampoo
is it diluted
acv rinse?
do you massage the scalp
how often
etc....

ETA: what's your process for DCing..

Thanks a bunch!

I dont dilute my poo. I use Renpure, which is free of most of the harsh chemicals. I poo and condish once a week. I moisturize with a cream 2 x a week and I spray with Juices and Berries every day.

I massage my scalp sporadically. My edges have been massaged maybe 1-2x a week with castor oil

I dont DC in braids, though I considered it. I never keep extensions in long enough for that.

 

[Marhia]

I use crown and glory method too. Started this in November and took out the braids in December. It was very easy to take out and I had no dreads or matting and my edges were fine. The only issue I have is saturating the braids in infusium 23 & braid spray everyday can get pretty expensive. I go through a bottle of braid spray in a few days so I have another mixture of spring water, giovanni direct leave in, bodyshop honey moisturiser and some vitamin e oil. I alternate this with the infusium 23 and braid spray mix. I also massage my scalp with a tiny amount of olive oil mixed with peppermint oil for about 5-10 mins a few times a week. I love the tingly sensation. I just put my braids back in after a 2 week rest and will be keeping this one for 2 months. HTH.

girl i know it is costly so most time i use the infusium and braid spray and i put in the conditioners that I don't really use anymore, and add some oils and water to it, and whala i have a spray for my braids.

on another note, I just washed, and DC my braids (yarn braids) today. I find putting my shampoo and conditioner in applicator bottles work wonders for me.

 

[Chemetria]

just checkin in I clarified with Suave daily clarifying shampoo co washed with V05 Moisture Milk strawberries & cream let it sit for a while and then deep conditioned with designers touch deep therapy mayonnaise and I getting my hair re braided in the morning

 

[Loves Harmony]

Checking in: still in my kinky twist. I wash and condition them today. Hopefully they can last for a few more weeks.

 

[manter26]

checking in... I wore natural box braids for 2 weeks. I'm putting in extensions now. This is my first time DC'ing in braid, but I love it. My hair was so soft when I took my braids out.

I'll see how I like DC's with synthetic hair in.

 

[Platinum]

Still in Senegalese Twists but will probably take them down within the next 2 weeks. I will probably do a henna treatment then braid it back up. I haven't decided if I want to get Senegalese Twists again or try another style.

 

[Jozze]

girl i know it is costly so most time i use the infusium and braid spray and i put in the conditioners that I don't really use anymore, and add some oils and water to it, and whala i have a spray for my braids.

on another note, I just washed, and DC my braids (yarn braids) today. I find putting my shampoo and conditioner in applicator bottles work wonders for me.

Marhia your yarn braids look beautiful! Do you think your yarn braids are holding up better than braids with extensions? I really need this info because I am thinking about trying yard braids instead.
It seems that so many of us are finding it difficult to keep our twist and braids in for a long period because of the co-washes and dcing. I've had mine in for less than four weeks and I know I won't make it the full eight weeks. Help!

 

[mocha.li]

I attempted to put kinky twist in my hair twice and finally the third time was a charm. I'm not sure how long I wll be able to keep them in. It was my first time doing it myself. I will try fo 3-4 weeks. I'll probably co wash and dc them in 2 weeks.

 

[jcdlox]

I attached a picture of my braids after 3 weeks. I haven't DC'd them yet, just washing 2x per week and condition. I will probably DC this week. I'm going to leave these in for another 3-4 weeks then rebraid.

The braids are kanekelon (sp?)

 

[nubiangoddess3]

Can I Join... I Going to be doing the Longhairdontcare methods..

Wearing Cornrows under a wig for 3-4 weeks.... till August...

 

[757diva]

Checking in. Tonight I finally finished my Amla tea and I mixed it with some coconut oil, peppermint oil and some leave in conditioner. I also shampooed, conditioner and sealed my micros because the length of it seemed a tat bit dry. I am really digging the way that amla tea mixture combination is feeling on mi scalp.

 

[TracyNicole]

I'm still in my kinky twists. I took my edges down to retwist last night and thankfully my hair underneath is still soft and moisturized. I've been using one of the oyin handmade spritz products on it and my hair really likes it.