2011 APL Challenge

[tasha5951]

Can someone explain the baggy thing? I don't think I get it...is it just the regular plastic caps???

 

[lettieg27]

Thats the way I do my baggie with a plain ol shower cap, and I either spray with my moisturizer or just put the baggie on plain hair. It really helps me especially since I live in a really dry climate at the moment. When I go outside my skin instantly feels dry b/c of the harsh weather, so I no my hair is taking a beating when I leave it out.

 

[diadall]

I think I will post photos on a quarterly basis. I am mostly SL with some back pieces reaching CBL. I think I am about 2 inches from APL but that is when I really stretch. When I flat iron my own hair its about 3 inches.

I am starting to enjoy my natural hair now that I can do more with it (bun, pony tail and pin up.) I hope to wear it all natural by summer.

 

[tashboog]

Update: So today was wash day and of course I've been having issues with breakage and shedding. I did the Chicoro prepoo (I don't think my hair likes it), washed with diluted JBCO shampoo, applied Green tea to scalp, DC with Lustrasilk Olive Oil with egg protein Mayo, and Roux PC Corrector and Conditioner as my final rinse. Although I am still getting breakage, my hair is turning around and it isn't as much as it was last week. I'm pretty sure that I'm lacking protein in my routine. I did do the Aphogee 2 step last week so I did a light protein dc today and I think that really did slow down my breakage. Also, I've been collecting my shed hairs since May of last year so I decided to examine my shed hairs, and its just a little more shed hair than during the summer months. So I'm not too concern with my shed hairs anymore cause its pretty much normal. I also think that applying green tea to my scalp helped. I'm also using Pura body natural products for my leave in and sealing products. I like them a lot cause my hair is finally air drying soft. I also started back twisting my hair and curling it with 8 flexi rods. When I first started my HHJ, I use to wear my hair like this all the time and I never had any knots or major tangles. So I'm going back to what worked for me in the past. The back of my hair is now past my collarbone when I do a stretch test ! I'm planning on rollersetting and silk wrapping my hair in May to do a length check that will be 1 yr on my HHJ.

 

[OhTall1]

Checking in. Washed today with TJ Tea Tree Tingle shampoo and HE HH conditioner. I'm trying to perfect my flexi rod set -- the last attempt was a disaster. I used my Cantu shea butter leave in, my ceramide oils and a little Elasta QP design foam with the purple rods and sat under the dryer for 2 hours. My flexi rod set wasn't an epic failure, but it's still not quite ready for public viewing. I had some frizzing because some of my hair was still damp when I took out the rods, and I had a few spots in the back that looked like they weren't curled at all. Next time, I'll keep the rods in longer to make sure that my hair is completely dry.

 

[Lanea87]

Can someone explain the baggy thing? I don't think I get it...is it just the regular plastic caps???

I do the samething as lettieg27. I pull my hair in a ponytail (instead of the full head baggy), apply moisturizer, oil, and my shower cap (just to the pony). Ohhh also b4 putting on my baggy I pull my pony on a large purple roller and stick it to my head by using bobby pins to hold it, that way in the morning my pony looks nice, sleek, and has a little body from the roller.

 

[Lanea87]

Checking in. Washed today with TJ Tea Tree Tingle shampoo and HE HH conditioner. I'm trying to perfect my flexi rod set -- the last attempt was a disaster. I used my Cantu shea butter leave in, my ceramide oils and a little Elasta QP design foam with the purple rods and sat under the dryer for 2 hours. My flexi rod set wasn't an epic failure, but it's still not quite ready for public viewing. I had some frizzing because some of my hair was still damp when I took out the rods, and I had a few spots in the back that looked like they weren't curled at all. Next time, I'll keep the rods in longer to make sure that my hair is completely dry.

Are you able to do it like after work so that your able to sit under the dryer and maybe sleep in them and remove in the morning to assure that it will be completely dry.

 

[Lanea87]

sj10460, thanks for mentioning baggying in your post above my earlier one cause you put the idea that I lost back into my head. And let me tell you, my pony felt so good today. So thank you for putting it on my mind LOL

 

[justicefighter1913]

back in braids!!! This definitely makes applying my sulfur mixture easier!!!

 

[Wanderland]

Natural at bottom of neck length.
Reggie: Cowashing usually daily but would like second and third day hair. Following CG. Wearing wng's. Plan to straighten every 3 months for length checks.
Plan to make APL by ...June??? Plan to retain all growth.

 

[lettieg27]

Hey ladies, i just took my hair out of the braids I wear under my wig to do a good wash and I pulled my hair to see where it was. The nape seems to be 3'' away from apl and I think the middle of my nape is apl. I believe the regime Im doin right now is really benefiting my hair. I know its still early in the challenge but when do you ladies think you'll make apl and are you seeing any progress?

 

[Lanea87]

^^^I am hoping to be APL nxt month, if not the latest is May, I am just saying those months bc thats when I plan to relaxer.

 

[mami2010]

I want in!

I am currently neck length, relaxed.

My regimen:
-Co Wash every other day with VO5 moisture milks or lustrasilk shea butter with mango
-Detangle Ahpogee balancing moisturizer
-DC 2x per week ORS replenishing pak
-Shampoo 1x per with aphogee deep moisture shampoo
-Clarify Shampoo 1x per month with ORS Aloe shampoo
-Leave in Conditioner Cantu shea butter
-Moisturize and Seal w/ Coconut Oil, Olive Oil twice a day regimen
- Air dry, no heat
-Drawstring ponytails as protective styles or lace fronts

Other challenges:

Co-wash Challenge

 

[sj10460]

Checking in, yesterday I forgot to co wash (well, I didn't forget I just didn't feel like it) and today I am suppose to do a protein treatement, but I don't feel like it. I really wish I could use my hooded dryer, it would be so much easier to want to wash my hair, but since I am challenging myself to no heat for 6months, I would like to make it. Since I've been using my MTG i have tons of new growth and my bald spot in the back in filling up nicely. Now I need some hair there. I really want to see how much hair I've retained, because I know its growing; my twist and braids are longer....sigh, I guess I'll go shower and do the protein treatment....I started eating two cloves of garlic daily and I have notice less shedding, now if I can combat this breakage I'll be great. My edges are looking the best they've been in years, thanks to the MTG...I've kept up with my vits so far and I think come feb.1. I'm going to start taking biotin

 

[RegaLady]

Checking in! I am still in my sew in and I love it! I hope to take it out around the end of March. I plan to wash sometime next week as so to cut down on manipulation.

 

[OhTall1]

Are you able to do it like after work so that your able to sit under the dryer and maybe sleep in them and remove in the morning to assure that it will be completely dry.

That's what I usually do with my regular roller sets, but since I used a lot of flexirods I thought my hair would dry quicker.

Is anyone using this MoeGro growth recipe?

 

[13StepsAhead]

*Checking in* I'm still braided under my lace wig. I co-washed my hair this evening after I came from the gym. I applied my sulfur mix, moisturized, sealed and rebraided my hair.

 

[diadall]

I am still cowashing everyday. It was 61 degrees today. I plan on flat ironing next Monday or Tuesday for presentations at work.

 

[Evolving78]

washed my hair with Trader Joe Nourish Spa shampoo, and it made my hair draw up so fast. it felt like it clarified my hair. i usually use Eluence, but i'm starting to run low and that and wanted to save the rest for my children.

i am dc'ing my hair right now. i might just leave it in until tomorrow. i broke down and got the Tangle Teaser for my kids, but i might try it out to see what the hype is about. i was so scared of the Denman for years, but when i finally tried it, i liked it. i haven't had any problems with it so far.

 

[Bulletproof]

I cut my hair to shoulder because of boredom. Now I am smh because my twistouts are not hanging the way I would like them to.

 

[glamazon386]

Going into week 3 with my sew in. Nothing more to add...

 

[faithVA]

I wore a twist out for nearly two weeks and got sick so did nothing to it for 4 days straight. Yesterday had to do something to get ready to go back to work. I still dont' have a regimen so still trying different things. I didn't want to use shampoo because it strips my hair so much. But I tried starting with the conditioner and it wasn't working so well to get the kinky kurly out. So I shampooed once with some Pantene Moisturizing shampoo, followed with a detangling conditioner. I then deep conditioned under the steam cap for 30 minutes and then let it sit an additional 30 minutes. I rinsed and followed up with EO Chamomile and Honey conditioner. I wanted to dry with my shamwow towel but it was in the dryer. Let my hair air dry for about an hour, then added aloe vera gel, followed with the Paul Mitchell leave-in knock off I got from Dollar Tree. I then parted my hair in small sections and applied the Paul Mitchell leave-in and CDs loc butter and put in two strand twists.

My twists came out pretty well, tight, less frizz, rope light with little hang. I think this combination may allow me to wash my twists in braids and to have my twists last for two weeks.

I am debating on whether I will put in kinky twists in February to help me get to SL. I can have them done in the salon (they last longer) or do them myselfs (cheaper, faster).

 

[orangepeel]

checking in.

I think I am going to color my hair. erplexed We are going to a wedding reception next month and I wanted to do something different and fun. I'm still not in my braids , I'm waiting for after the reception since I am going to a place where they will poo-poo the braids.

I've been dc 2x per week and moisturizing and sealing. I started doing it 2x per day but I'm switching down to one since I think I over moisturized.

 

[Shananyganz]

Hi ladies!!

I'll join! Let me start by answering the questions.

1. ABOUT MY HAIR

I am presently a good 2...maybe 3 inches from APL (that is keeping in mind that I have to trim my ends again...when? I dunno...)

I am natural and my style of choice right now...right now is anything that will protect my hair. I just came out of a weave, now I am phony bunning with some old hair used for my twists and next I'll be in some individual braids (I think).

2. REGIMEN (this is weekly, unless otherwise specified)

* Pre-poo with heated Aussie conditioner and some kind of oil (coconut, olive, almond, etc) I TRY to do this overnight each time.
* Shampoo with Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Shampoo (as needed). If I've used heavy products or have crazy build up, I will shamppo with Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo
* Condition with Trader Joes's Nourish Spa Conditioner and detangle at this step
* Deep Condition with ORS Replinish Packs (using a heating cap and leave in for at least an hour)
* I use a shea butter mix as a leave in or one of Komaza leave-ins and air dry in braids


*** I have been poking around the sulfur challenge thread and I want to possibly incorporate Sulfur 8 into my mix...maybe use that 3x's a week. Since my ends are put away, I have been sealing with Vaseline and I can totally notice a difference. May not work for some, but it has been working for me thus far. Additionally, I have increased my daily water intake and plan on starting my vitamins again (I take a daily along with MSM and Biotin).

I TRY to keep my regimen simple (well..what IIII feel is simple) and listen to what my hair needs, but I am still learning, so the above is always a work in progress. As my hair has gotten longer, I have to wash in sections now...yay growth!!

3. OTHER CHALLENGES

I'm not in any other challenges. Low-key...I am unofficially hiding my hair until June 2011, because it is my two year BC anniversary and June is when I EXPECT TO BE APL. Which, btw will be the LONGEST my hair has been.

The attached pic is a blowout at 17 months post...I think beginning of Dec. I have more..I think..but no true length shots. Maybe this challenge will motivate me to get on the good foot with that

 

[Channie]

Peace y'all

2. I just renewed my subscription again cause I neglected my hair throughout 2010. I'm a natural, slightly past SL, but my ends and edges are terrible. So I'll be doctoring in the process, but the goal is hit a healthy APL.

My regimen will apply when my hair is loose (W-N-Gs), but protective styling is a must this year. I'll probably go back & forth between braids, twists, & the occasional sew-in. Ponies & puffs are how I got into this mess.

Regimen:
Pre poo (weekly) (Alma Oil)
Wash (weekly) (Aussie Cleanse & Mend)
DC (weekly) (Aussie Moist & Shea Butter)
Cowash (whenever I see fit) (Aussie 3 Min Miracle)
Leave in Spray (Aussie Hair Insurance Leave in)
Seal (daily) Coconut Oil
ApHogee Protein treatment every 6 weeks
I've had this bottle of BT for a while so I think I'ma finally use it.

3. The pictures I've uploaded don't show my true length, but I'll post beginning pics soon.

4. I'm joining the bootcamp challenge, it's always done me well.

 

[Evolving78]

i tried that Kinky Curly Custard today and all it did was make my hair clump and coil up more. i was trying to stretch out my coils. i like Ecostyler better. i didn't use a lot of product and my hair was still crunchy like any other gel. i used the Knot Today under it.

 

[GreenD]

Hey ladies, I thought I'd check in. I'm currently in box braids which will be my style of choice pretty much for the year. I cowash once a week (but may be cutting back on that), deep condish and clarify once a month, and re-braid once a month. Oh and I spritz twice a day.

I think I'll straighten my hair again in March, as I should be APL by then. Happy hair growing!!

 

[PookaMendoza]

So I finally got my pic . I have the worst V on earth . I would love some blunt straight ends but I'm blessed because for once its well moisturized every day . Thank the Lord .

But I'm pin curling every night and so far so good . I been living by my Care Free Curl & Hot Six Oil . Nothing in the world works like it for my hair .

Sent from my PC36100 using Long Hair Care Forum App

 

[Lanea87]

I cowashed today using HE HH, I am almost done with that bottle.

 

[KappaChino]

Hope I'm not too late!

Length - Chin, relaxed
Regimen - Still working on products and a routine. Right now prepoo, wash and DC 1xweek.
No other challenges at the moment (I think)
Usually wear a wig for protective styling.

Sent from my HTC evo using Long Hair Care Forum App