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2011 APL Challenge

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So, I haven't been as active in this thread as I should have been, but you ladies are inspiring me :)

My 1 year nappiversary is in 6 weeks, and I was really hoping to be grazing APL by then, but now I'm doubtful :( It was a huge stretch anyway, but I'm gonna try to remain optimistic. I guess I just coasted from EL to NL to SL without even thinking about it....I never realized how much of a blessing that was. APL is the first hair goal that's testing my will and patience:ohwell:

Ok, pity party over :) I'll be taking out my cornrows Easter weekend (next weekend), so I'll do a length check and post comparison pics then.

No need to feel sorry for yourself - you're doing a great job and you yourself are an inspiration! Good luck, hope you make APL. :grin:
 
bride91501,

I feel you and have learned that patience is everything. As long as my hair is healthy and growing I will wait on APL and be so happy when it comes. I hit SL last March and still am not APL; however I see progress because now, I am below SL heading towards APL. Our hair goes through its growing, resting and shedding phases so we have to take it into account that our hair grows at different rates. Once I learned to appreciate my hair growth rate (as slow as it may seem compared to others) I then could gladly rejoice at every millimeter of growth that I gained and retained. I also stopped comparing my growth rate to others and just concentrated on my growth and retention. You will get there, but we need a whole lot of patience. This I have learned.
 
Cross-posted in apl 2011 and bsl 2011.

I had a serious trim today. I got the ends cut into a really blunt, crisp cut.

I really like it, and now I'm finally feeling comfortable about claiming full shoulder length.
Next stop apl!

Hhj ladies. :)

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i cant wait to to take length check pics the end of the month. even with my setback my hair is still growing. i know i am going to make my goal. i am using Ovation in my little bald spot, hoping it will start to fill in by the end of next month. the stuff really works, but i just like to use it for a protein conditioner once i a blue moon. plus i am not consistent with using growth aids.
 
drive by update:
The other night I finally took out my twists (done with my own hair), I washed and conditioned but when everything was said and done it was late and I did not want to go to bed with wet hair. So I pulled out my hair conditioner and blow dried on low so I could at least not drench my pillow. The next day, I got curious :look: and decided just to do a quick pass on some of my hair. I think I am grazing APL! BUT, I have no plans on really finding out until the end of the year. It gave me such a boost knowing I am doing something right. :yep:
 
@orangepeel - LOL @ driveby update

Congrats in any event! And I applaud your patience- there's no way I could wait 8 months to confirm I made APL :nono: :)
I live in a place where the humidity makes flat ironing a losing battle on natural hair. So I need to wait to at least November/December when there is no humidity. Trust me, it is hard being this patient. After I did my passes, I ran to my dh. I was like a little kid at Christmas. :lachen:
 
I wanna join this challenge unofficially . I'm on my phone right now at work so when im home ill show length pics.I'm about full nl/sl right now and will be hopefully apl come Dec. I've been in twists for about a month come the 24, I'm trying to stay in them til June but i really wanna take these down. My regi is very simple for now i just apply my sulfur mix at night and moisturize mix in the morning. Also im natural ,and I have type 4a hair.
 
Hey ladies! I'm horrible at challenges but I wanted stop by and give my support. I'm SL and hope to be APL by 12/31/11. I'm on the journey with you in spirit and I thank you for this thread.

Sent from my HTC Glacier using Long Hair Care Forum App
 
So I'm back to wiggin' it... At least until it gets too hot. I just ordered my first remy full lace wig which should be arriving this week. I don't know how to cornrow as of yet so my hair is flat twisted under my wigs.

I also ordered some JBCO and Megatek which I plan to use 3-4 times a week. I'm really hoping to be more disciplined about PS'ing until December. I've noticed my hair does sooo much better when I just leave it alone... Hopefully, I'll make APL by December 31.
 
I'm not sure if I joined this challenge or not!! I've been very frustrated with my hair lately and I really, really want to give up. I need to develop some patience but it's been really hard trying to get this moisture/protein balance together. Right now I'm assuming I have protein overload because my hair snaps when I comb it. I've been working on upping my moisture but it's still dry and snaps constantly.

And recommendations on a super moisturizing deep conditioner?

Oh, and here's my raggedy hair in November 2010. (Sorry, I'm in a bad mood and very frustrated:sad:)
 

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PDub, don't give up!!!! Why don't you try adding coconut oil and EVOO to one of your fav conditioners to make it a moisturizing deep conditioner. I promise, hang in this thread and you'll find some inspiration!!!


Happy Friday Divas!!!!!
 
I'm not sure if I joined this challenge or not!! I've been very frustrated with my hair lately and I really, really want to give up. I need to develop some patience but it's been really hard trying to get this moisture/protein balance together. Right now I'm assuming I have protein overload because my hair snaps when I comb it. I've been working on upping my moisture but it's still dry and snaps constantly.

And recommendations on a super moisturizing deep conditioner?

Oh, and here's my raggedy hair in November 2010. (Sorry, I'm in a bad mood and very frustrated:sad:)

I use the following method:
Chicoro's pre-poo (aloe Vera gel + 1-2 tbsp of oil of your choice) then slather on warm coconut oil. Let set at least 15 mins or more.

Poo, roux PC, protein

Joico intense moisture hydrator (k-Pak)

That works for me. I let the pre-poo set for at 1 hour and min 30 mins for Joico.
 
Thanks Janet' and mzteaze for the information! I'm in a slightly better mood regarding my hair today! I think I'm frustrated because I'm super anxious to get to full APL length. And my hair grows very, very slowly. I'm texlaxed and I use heat only when I relax (no earlier than 12 weeks; longest stretch was 6 months but never again!). I bun EVERY.SINGLE.DAY so I don't know what the problem is. I take a multivitamin and I eat very clean. I could exercise a bit more but far from a couch potato!!

Should I look into some kind of growth aid or just be patient? I started my HHJ in February 2009 at (healthy) neck length. It's been two years of pristine hair care and I'm still not APL!!!

On Tuesday I deep conditioned with heat using Nexxus Humectress mixed with honey and my hair seems to be doing much better. I also added color, Clariol Beautiful Collections (Jet Black) and for whatever reason, it seems to hold moisture better. Still some snapping going on but not as much.

Thanks again ladies for the encouragement. I really appreciate it!!!:grin:
 
Hate to say it, but patience is needed. My hair naturally seems to get 1/2" a month which is the average. If anything, try attacking it from a holistic way - you will help your body AND hair.

green smoothies, upping your intake of fruits and veggies, and getting regular exercise - all good stuff.
 
hey just checking in with some progress pics! I just did a length check (w/o heat) to figure out how much my hair grows a month which is 1/2 in a month. I'm happy with that and I'm more confident I'll reach my goal! I trimmed less than 1/2 in off in march and I really want that to be my last trim of the year...

pic 1. 02/11 pic 2. my protective style pic 3. 04/11 pic
 

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Super excited about my length check next week! I should finally be SL! Then I'm avoiding heat for the rest of the spring/summer. I am short, so I'm hoping to be APL by Thanksgiving:grin: sigh. So far, but yet so close:lol:
 
MiniRant....

:/ Sometimes I just don't understand my hair. It's growing, but I'm no closer to APL than I was in January. I think my nape stopped growing (where I measure distance to APL from). The rest is growing as it should. But I'm a bit sad for my stubborn nape. Can't wait for warm weather.

I've been in braids and haven't been experiencing any major breakage. I even did a 2-step protein treatment before my current braid set. :'( But I feel like it's growing backwards. Any ladies ever feel like that?
 
.Wanji. I'm not APL but I just recently felt that way...I hadn't straightened since New Years Eve 2011, so when I did straighten 3 weeks ago, I was hoping for full MBL definitely...:nono: :nono: :nono: Well, my hair had other plans...I was exactly in the same spot (save some hair on the sides that caught up to the back :cry: :cry:) I was mad, disappointed, hurt...but then I had to realize that although I hadn't retained as much as I wanted to, I also hadn't LOST any length...So, for you, you aren't exactly going backwards, you just aren't running forward- you are taking a pleasant walk towards APL- but believe that you will get there...You will!!!! And so will I :yep: :yep:
 
Janet' Thanks girl. I want to believe that those of us who take 4EVER to get to APL will blaze through to the other milestones. :giggle: We can do it!!! :)

Happy Growing...I'm going to go celebrate...well, nothing in particular but celebrating I will!!

*cheers*
 
Janet' Thanks girl. I want to believe that those of us who take 4EVER to get to APL will blaze through to the other milestones. :giggle: We can do it!!! :)

Happy Growing...I'm going to go celebrate...well, nothing in particular but celebrating I will!!

*cheers*

.Wanji. Cheers to you *as I sip on my Ciroc Berry and Cranberry Juice* :yep: :yep: Hey, I'm at least 21, lol!!!!
 
i feel like APL is soooo far away...and my hair is so uneven, it ranges from 7-10 inches all over...i need like 3-4 more inches in the back which could be 6-7 months away (hopefully much sooner w/ nioxin)...which would still put me at APL by the end of the year, but i want it now!!!:crybaby::cry4::cry3::crying3::cry2::cry:
 
Hey All,

Just wanted to give an update. I got my hair trimmed yesterday and just flat ironed it for Easter. After this, the next time I'll flat iron is the in two weeks and after that I'm going to try to get through the whole summer without flat ironing. Here are my updated pics. My I've trimmed about an inch so it doesn't look too much longer but my hair is definitely fuller and healthier. It looks like I have about 3 inches until APL so I'm hoping to be there by the end of the year. The good news is that I don't think BSL is too far from APL for me so that shouldn't take as long *fingers crossed*. I'm nearing the 1 year mark for my transition. So far it's gone pretty well. I'm at the point where I have to keep my hair stretched to avoid single strand knots so now I'm looking for styles that work well with that. I'm thinking of getting kinky twists with hair added for the summer. Anyone have experience with those? Do they put as much stress on your hair as braids with extensions?

*the pics in pink are from yesterday and the 2nd in each set is from January.
 

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good growing Tasha5951! i am not doing too good today. my hair is growing fine, i guess, but i am getting bored with it and my hands are in it too much. i can't wear hats or wraps at my new job, so now i have to think of something else. i might just rock a wig, but it is going to be too hot for that.

i was thinking about relaxing today, but i know i will regret it. since if i do something like that, i will be at the salon every week. i don't like dealing with relaxed hair on my own. i do too much to it. my twists that i have in now look a hot mess.

i will be APL by Aug. i did a length check and some calculations. i will i could just rock my wng puff, or shrunken fro, but the knots are getting crazy! i love to cowash my hair and let it do it's thing. i feel trapped by my hair right now.
 
good growing Tasha5951! i am not doing too good today. my hair is growing fine, i guess, but i am getting bored with it and my hands are in it too much. i can't wear hats or wraps at my new job, so now i have to think of something else. i might just rock a wig, but it is going to be too hot for that.

i was thinking about relaxing today, but i know i will regret it. since if i do something like that, i will be at the salon every week. i don't like dealing with relaxed hair on my own. i do too much to it. my twists that i have in now look a hot mess.

i will be APL by Aug. i did a length check and some calculations. i will i could just rock my wng puff, or shrunken fro, but the knots are getting crazy! i love to cowash my hair and let it do it's thing. i feel trapped by my hair right now.

I plan to rock my half wig all summer. I don't think it will be too hot for it. My half wig is homemade just with hair sewn on a mesh cap so its very light.
 
For the first in long while, I can definately taste APL, definately making APL this year (fingers crossed). I think have 1-2inches, depending on the area. The front wont make APL for a while due to the way my hair was cut.
 
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