2016 Milestone Challenge...(not A Length Challenge. No Length Goals)

[Prettymetty]

I wanted to blowdry today after my dc, but I got a new wig. I'll be wigging it for at least the next month. I may straighten my hair for my anniversary, but that may be a waste of money since it's the week before Spring Break. I'm sure we will take the kids to the waterpark or beach that week.

 

[faithVA]

Roller set attempt #1: Fail

What happened or didn't happen?

 

[KinksAndInk]

What happened or didn't happen?

My roots got pretty straight but the length of my hair was a puffy mess. It looked like a bad blow out. I was being lazy and tried the ponytail method. I think I made the ponytails too large and I probably should've used smaller rollers. I'll try a different method next week.

 

[faithVA]

My roots got pretty straight but the length of my hair was a puffy mess. It looked like a bad blow out. I was being lazy and tried the ponytail method. I think I made the ponytails too large and I probably should've used smaller rollers. I'll try a different method next week.

Ok I understand. Nothing wrong with the ponytail method. Sounds like you are on the right track and just need to make smaller ponytails.

 

[KinksAndInk]

Ok I understand. Nothing wrong with the ponytail method. Sounds like you are on the right track and just need to make smaller ponytails.

I'll probably try it again later down the line. I'm hoping roller sets and keeping my hair stretched for the year will help cut down my SSKs and split ends. It's going to be hard because I have a summertime daily wash n go addiction lol.

 

[LdyKamz]

I'm practicing 3 milestones this weekend. I'm going to try the magnetic rollerset, I'm going to try the flat ironing and I'm going to see if can do a decent trim myself after I straighten. I'm not really due for a trim for another 2 weeks. Do you think it could hurt just to go for it and get it over with now?

I'm also going to try a protein treatment too since my hair has been shedding. I'll just deep condition with the good stuff this time so the protein doesn't hurt my straightening process too much.

 

[faithVA]

I'm practicing 3 milestones this weekend. I'm going to try the magnetic rollerset, I'm going to try the flat ironing and I'm going to see if can do a decent trim myself after I straighten. I'm not really due for a trim for another 2 weeks. Do you think it could hurt just to go for it and get it over with now?

I'm also going to try a protein treatment too since my hair has been shedding. I'll just deep condition with the good stuff this time so the protein doesn't hurt my straightening process too much.

If you aren't going to straighten again in 2 weeks go ahead and trim now. You may find after you straighten you don't need a trim.

 

[faithVA]

I'm working on my "preserve a rollerset" milestone tonight.

I bought ION Humidity Defying serum and put that on each section before installing curlformers. I'm under the dryer now. I will let my hair cool and take out the curlformers and install flexi rods. If this works I will be able to do curlformer sets more often at night and just take the flexi rods out in the morning.

 

[faithVA]

I'm moving right along on my milestones. I've been able to maintain my curlformer sets with flexi rods. Now I just need to find the right moisturizer.

This is my flexirod 2 days after

 

[LdyKamz]

I'm tired of doing my hair. I think it's time to get serious about a stylist. As far as my milestones:

-I abandoned the hard protein every month and only do as needed because my hair responds accordingly to one treatment. Every month would be too much.

- My perm rod sets are easy and I got the time down to about 25 minutes but had to 86 those for a while since they were causing weak spots on my hair.

- My magnetic rollerset is as good as it's going to get I think and it's tiring.

- My flat iron routine is perfect and I notice as long as my hair has decent ends it will always come out the same.

-The only thing left is the trimming which I have to stay on top of so I'll still be posting in here with you guys but I'm going to let the stylist take care of trimming and everything else. I need a hair break. As long as it looks good and is growing and healthy I'm happy.

 

[Guinan]

I plan on trying my hand again at flexi rods after I finish frying up these puff puffs, lol.. I have been watching and then re-watching napurals85, how to cheat a flexi rod set, and I think I'm ready. I currently have my hair in twists. I plan on combing out the twists and then install the flexi rods. I also think that I'm going to sleep in them. If they turn out ok I def post pics.

 

[Guinan]

I want to change my goals so that it will correlate with the other challenge that I joined

1st Quarter
1. Master a flexi rod set
2. Stop cutting my hair except for trims or S&D
3. Stop ripping out knots
4. Protective style 3x's a week
5. Find a hair color that suits my complexion and personality
6. Massage my scalp 2x's a week
7. One heat pass for length check only
8. No in-between length checks (This is going to be REALLY hard)

2nd Quarter
1. STOP playing in my hair
2. keep with a hair regimen for at least a month
3. Protective style 4x's a week
4. Massage my scalp 3x's a week
5. No in-between length checks

3rd Quarter
1. Massage my scalp 4x's a week
2. One heat pass for length check only

I've been doing pretty good at doing most of my goals. Except for the LC. That is soooo hard for me to break. The PS has been really easy to stick to; surprisingly. I really thought that I was going to have a hard time at PS. But ever since I discovered combing out my twists looks and feels like a blowout, I've been wearing mostly buns.

As far as the hair color, I have it narrowed down to what color blonde I want. Since I'm going to the Beyoncé concert in June; I decided to officially get my hair colored in May at a salon.

I'm really hoping that I can master flexi rods by June, cause I really want to wear a flexirod set for the concert.

 

[Guinan]

I just finished installing my flexirods. Took me about an hr. I think next time I need to moisturize with some shea butter and then gel; because my hair felt alittle dry.

Fingers crossed that it turns out well. My backup will be a bun.

 

[LdyKamz]

Ladies, I cannot figure out how to wear my hair. I cowashed 2 days in a row and my hair feels dry and the wash n go was good yesterday but today not so much. I think I'm ready to try the MHM method and add clay to my regimen. Especially since I don't want to do anything to my hair but wash n go. Question though do you think straightening every few months has to stop with this method? I'm going to copy this post ans put it in the SL and 2 inches in 4 challenge too.

 

[Shay72]

1st Quarter
Get Sunday regimen down to 1 hour--DONE
Do LOC method on wet and dry hair--WORKING ON IT
Do LOC method 2x a day even if I don't leave the house--WORKING ON IT
Journal everything I do with my hair--WORKING ON IT
Do hair regimen 2x/week, no excuses--DONE

2nd Quarter
Decide on a detangling method--DONE
Decide what product I will use to detangle--DONE
Fully detangle during Sunday regimen
Find a way to incorporate silk amino acids into my regimen--DONE
Find a way to incorporate hydrolyzed wheat protein into my regimen--DONE
Find a way to incorporate my teas into my regimen--DONE

Revised Goals List
1st Quarter
Do LOC method on wet and dry hair
Do LOC method 2x a day even if I don't leave the house
Journal everything I do with my hair

2nd Quarter
Fully detangle during Sunday regimen
Use hydracap at least 1x/ week
Incorporate ceramides into my regimen
Incorporate ayurveda into my regimen

Details

• Detangling method-3 comb method. Start with large tooth comb, move to medium tooth comb, finish with fine tooth comb
• Detangling product-I will use aloe vera juice and/or gel recipe
• Incorporate silk amino acids and hydrolyzed wheat protein into my regimen-They are in their own spray bottles. I alternate using them on my dry hair as the "L" in the LOC method
• Incorporate teas into my regimen-last step in shower part of regimen

 

[KiWiStyle]

My 2nd qtr goal was to do flat twists, I'm happy to report that after a few weeks of practice, I can now flat twist my hair! Even after a major haircut! I can now scratch that off my list and now on to focusing on hydrating my body by increasing my water intake, I need to get that loss growth/retention back.

 

[Guinan]

My flexi rod set came out ok. Not at all like naptural85, but I think it has to do with my twisting technique. That seems to be where I am having difficulty mastering. I'm going to keep at it though and re-watch her video again. I wore my hair down for most of the day, but I just pinned it up to protect my ends. It got a little frizzy b/c of the humidity today, so think next time I'm going to add a heat protectant or more shea butter to my hair. I also think I need to do the full MHM in order to reduce some of this frizz

 

[faithVA]

My flexi rod set came out ok. Not at all like naptural85, but I think it has to do with my twisting technique. That seems to be where I am having difficulty mastering. I'm going to keep at it though and re-watch her video again. I wore my hair down for most of the day, but I just pinned it up to protect my ends. It got a little frizzy b/c of the humidity today, so think next time I'm going to add a heat protectant or more shea butter to my hair. I also think I need to do the full MHM in order to reduce some of this frizz

You have a plan so it should go better next time.

 

[Guinan]

I flexi rod my bangs yesterday and it came out great. I have the bang area out and I put the back of my hair in a ponytail (pics in the "everyday hair" thread. The next time I "touch-up" my hair with the flexi-rods, I'm going to try utuber journeytowaistlength technique. I don't know why, but I just cannot figure out napural85's technique. And both utubers have the same results, but one technique is easier. My curls come out like a barrel curl. I want my curl to be a loose spiral.

 

[MileHighDiva]

I'm in, my two goals for the challenge are the following:

1. Go back to finger detangling with EVCO drenched fingers, before using the wide tooth comb. I need to rebuild the habit. I think I've lost density due to impatient detangling.
2. Attempt a winter of protective styling.
3. Do at least six (6) sets over 2016. I bought all of the roller setting stuff and I've only done three sets, two of which were curlformer sets. Roller setting is hard.

@faithVA , thx for this unique challange!

1. On track, finger detangling gently, before using any tools.
2.Hair has only been down a few times for social occasions.
3.I'm under the dryer with set 3/6.

 

[KinksAndInk]

I'm in.

Goals:
1. Perfect halo twist using braiding hair (1st quarter)
2. Protective style at least 2 weeks a month (2nd quarter)
3. Do more roller sets and less wash and go's (3rd quarter)
4. Get middle section of hair to the same state of health as the rest of my hair (4th quarter)
5. Dust ends once per quarter
6. Attempt a new style at least once per quarter

I plan on giving my ends a good dusting Friday. I'll work on my halo twist next week sometime.

 

[caliscurls]

Update:

1. Continue wearing loose twists until at least June of Q2. This has been the best protective style choice for me so far.
   • Still going strong! They really help me to have a low maintenance natural hair life and plenty of easy style options.
2. Q2: Be able to re-do my twists in 6 hours or less (entire head) without sacrificing quality/care
   • Beginning to think this may not be feasible especially as my hair gets longer. It only takes less time if I
     • • Retwist weekly (which actually isn't too bad if I split it across 2-3 days) or
       • Use a Denman brush but I think it may have caused some damage the last few times I used it so it's in time out
3. Learn 1 new style per quarter
   • Have been wearing my hair like this only French braided down the middle for the top. The back is down when freshly twisted (usually a weekend) and in a bun during the week. The top I pretty much leave alone unless taking down to moisturize seal. Nothing fancy but it's better than my usual 24/7 bun

​

 

[faithVA]

February is almost over. We have 1 month to make progress on our milestones. I hope you ladies are making great progress. Can't wait to hear the updates.

 

[LdyKamz]

At the end of the month I will have a new list of 2nd quarter goals. I want to have enough hair back in the nape and crown to do a tiny braid around my head. Moire for protection but I think it will be a cute style as well. I want to also try new styles. And I want to not wear a band around my head at all for the entire quarter. I think that is what is causing the crown damage - I always have something around my head. When I do the recap post on my original milestones I will add these and any others I come up with.

 

[Shay72]

1st Quarter
Do LOC method on wet and dry hair-DONE
Do LOC method 2x a day even if I don't leave the house-working on it
Journal everything I do with my hair-working on it

2nd Quarter
Fully detangle during Sunday regimen
Use hydracap at least 1x/ week
Incorporate ceramides into my regimen-purchased sunflower oil
Incorporate ayurveda into my regimen-purchased cassia and hibiscus

 

[AgeinATL]

Overall Milestones:
Reduce SSKs/breakage.
Get my curlformer installation to 1 1/2 hours.

1st Quarter:
Master 1 new style/try a rod set. Will probably start with a flexirod set.
Figure out how to wear my full lace wig.

2nd Quarter:
Trim one inch all over. No more than that.
Master another new style. Probably a perm rod set.

3rd Quarter:
Try a rollerset. I like to rollerset before flat ironing so since I want to straighten my hair in the 4th quarter, I might as well spend the 3rd perfecting my rollerset.

4th Quarter:
Successfully straighten my own hair.

So I have purchased some perm rods and a gel-like styler to get started on mastering a perm rod set before the end of 1st quarter!

 

[LdyKamz]

I'm in. Is it ok to add goals to this post as I think of them? Here are the few I have so far:

1. Incorporate a hard protein treatment in my regimen once a month. - I abandoned the hard protein every month and only do as needed because my hair responds accordingly to one treatment. Every month would be too much. I will probably end up doing it every 3 months when I trim.

2. Maintain styles for a week at a time and don't make wash day come early because I can't figure out how to do my hair. This includes straight hair. I have to especially figure out how to maintain an out style until wash day on flat ironed hair. - Going to work on this again but I'm switching it to a least 3-4 days since I have to do my routine and dc at least 2x a week.

3. Perfect a magnetic rollerset. So basically do it in 45 minutes tops and have it come out smooth. - My magnetic rollerset is as good as it's going to get I think and it's tiring. I might try this again for the 3rd or 4th quarter to see if I can get a little better.

4. Perfect flat iron routine. It's pretty good right now but I have to work on getting those ends smoother. - My flat iron routine is perfect and I notice as long as my hair has decent ends it will always come out the same

5. Stay on a regular trimming schedule. I'm aiming for every 3-4 months. I've never done this so I hope to make this a regular routine. - I'll be doing this at the end of the month. Light dusting at the very least. I will continue in the 2nd quarter.

See quoted post for 1st quarter update. Initially those were goals for 2nd and 3rd quarter but I made adjustments after figuring some things out. I added new 2nd quarter goals and I'm going to get started on those.

Second quarter goals:

• Maintain styles at least 3-4 days a week so I'm manipulating my hair less. Only styling 2x a week max.
• DC at least 2x a week to get my moisture levels back up
• Stay on a regular trimming schedule. I'm aiming for every 3-4 months. This one was good last quarter so I have to make sure I keep it up.
• Main goal is to get nape and entire crown area into a braid around the perimeter of my head.
• Try one new style a week. Since I'm styling 2x a week after dcing I can practice that style at least twice during the week. I'll be stalking the board and youtube for ideas for my length.
• Go the entire quarter without wearing a headband or some sort of band around my head. This might be the cause of my crown issues so I have to stop cold turkey.
• Get thicker hair - not exactly sure how to do this or how to measure how much thickness I've gained but a milestone nonetheless

 

[faithVA]

At the end of the month I will have a new list of 2nd quarter goals. I want to have enough hair back in the nape and crown to do a tiny braid around my head. Moire for protection but I think it will be a cute style as well. I want to also try new styles. And I want to not wear a band around my head at all for the entire quarter. I think that is what is causing the crown damage - I always have something around my head. When I do the recap post on my original milestones I will add these and any others I come up with.

I'm looking forward to all of the progress reports.

 

[faithVA]

So I have purchased some perm rods and a gel-like styler to get started on mastering a perm rod set before the end of 1st quarter!

Can't wait to see it.

 

[Prettymetty]

It's already March. I'll do an update and trim later this month.