2017 Shoulder Length Challenge

[faithVA]

Did you do them on wet hair?

I'm going to do my hair today if I can ever get off the couch. Here's the plan. Joico MR shampoo, Nexxus Emergencee conditioner (ran out of Joico MR conditioner), Nexxus Emergencee Treatment, Joico MR balm under dryer for about 20 minutes, rinse then style. I'm contemplating stretching in 2 braids and then doing my bantus on dry hair so they aren't so tight and shrunken when I take them down. I just don't want to do my hair over 2 days.

I also need a trip to the beauty supply store. I'm desperate for some clarifying shampoo and moroccan oil.

Yes. I do them on wet hair because they look malnutritioned if I do them on stretched hair. And they also look pretty scalpey. Maybe when it is longer they will look better on stretched hair. Even if I do them on stretched hair over time they just shrink up so why bother.

 

[faithVA]

@faithVA I'm envying your bangs! Do you have your hair professionally cut, the shape is nice?!

It's funny when people like things you hate I hate my bangs because they just seem to stick up in the air.

To answer your question no I haven't had my hair professionally cut. This is just the way it is growing in.

 

[jennifer30]

Hoping to rock these twists for two weeks. I will see if I can keep them moisturized.

View attachment 383969

I was looking over the thread and i must say i really like these on you.. i can do two strand twists but they are short...i need a couple more inches to get them how i want them..i think they are a great protectiive style...how long does it last for you faith?

 

[faithVA]

I was looking over the thread and i must say i really like these on you.. i can do two strand twists but they are short...i need a couple more inches to get them how i want them..i think they are a great protectiive style...how long does it last for you faith?

Thank you.

If you look at the beginning of the 2016 thread you will see my twist were short as well. But with patience they get a little longer each quarter.

My hair doesn't hold styles very well. I'm hoping these last two weeks but we shall see. I wouldn't do more than 2 weeks because my scalp needs to be cleaned consistently. I may try rinsing in twist but that hasn't worked for my hair in the past. There are ladies that can wash in twist but that isn't me Would love to though

 

[jennifer30]

Thank you.

If you look at the beginning of the 2016 thread you will see my twist were short as well. But with patience they get a little longer each quarter.

My hair doesn't hold styles very well. I'm hoping these last two weeks but we shall see. I wouldn't do more than 2 weeks because my scalp needs to be cleaned consistently. I may try rinsing in twist but that hasn't worked for my hair in the past. There are ladies that can wash in twist but that isn't me Would love to though

Ok ..well i like them ..the twists itself looks good..they look pretty on you

 

[LdyKamz]

All the protein from this wash has obviously plumped my strands. My hair is visibly fuller. Let's see how it looks when I take my knots down.

 

[LdyKamz]

I think next week I'll do a perm rod set. Haven't done one in a long time. I think tomorrow I'll finally hit the beauty suply store and pick up some more rods and some other things.

 

[lindseyerinc]

I can't wait to purchase my olaplex. I feel like keeping my hair in twists and doing treatments will be the key to my 2017 retention. I want lush hair in my graduation pics.

 

[Miss617]

My mother redid my braids today (and asked me why I didn't wash my hair ). I'm going to keep these in until probably next Monday, wash, and then either have her braid it again or do twists.

 

[KiWiStyle]

I cleanse and DC every five days now and today I'm noticing more defined curls with my styling products on. This is major progress! My ends curl which indictates I'm just about done cutting off the damage and my hair is more hydrated in general! I still get a big fluffy afro after I wash and DC and I'm perfectly fine with that as long as my finished style is defined.

I plan to celebrate our April 1st length check by doing a wng!

 

[faithVA]

My twists are actually staying moisturized. They have never felt this good. I'm not sure whether to moisturize them tonight or to leave well enough alone.

 

[Evolving78]

Wash day is complete. I decided to just finish my airdrying with the blow dryer on medium heat, cool. I applied some DE daily Moisturizing lotion and some jojoba oil to seal. Got my hair in a bun. I got my scarf on because the heat is turned up in my home.

 

[KiWiStyle]

Wash day is complete. I decided to just finish my airdrying with the blow dryer on medium heat, cool. I applied some DE daily Moisturizing lotion and some jojoba oil to seal. Got my hair in a bun. I got my scarf on because the heat is turned up in my home.

I have been really trying to make a conscious effort to keep my scarf on because my family like the heat running all day.

 

[LdyKamz]

Hair completely and totally ruined from the rain today. A frizzy fro in front with defined curls in the back. No idea what to do now.

Went to the beauty supply store and I saw the design essentials spray you were talking about @shortdub78 The silk essentials serum was still there too though. I bought some design essentials botanical oils, some paul mitchell shampoo two clarifying shampoo and...drum roll please...my babyliss nano pro flat iron!!! Excited! Then after I checked out I saw the morroconoil behind the register. Bought it anyway but told them they need to put it on the shelf because I would have bought more than 1 if I saw it and skipped the botanical oils. Smh

 

[beingofserenity]

I put my hair in twists and am thinking about leaving them in for 7-14 days. Maybe because it's winter, but I'm hating the feel of wet hair lately.

I got my 4c wig and I love it but not sure how to style it

My friend really wants me to move to Maryland lol so I am including the location in my job/internship search.

 

[Evolving78]

Hair completely and totally ruined from the rain today. A frizzy fro in front with defined curls in the back. No idea what to do now.

Went to the beauty supply store and I saw the design essentials spray you were talking about @shortdub78 The silk essentials serum was still there too though. I bought some design essentials botanical oils, some paul mitchell shampoo two clarifying shampoo and...drum roll please...my babyliss nano pro flat iron!!! Excited! Then after I checked out I saw the morroconoil behind the register. Bought it anyway but told them they need to put it on the shelf because I would have bought more than 1 if I saw it and skipped the botanical oils. Smh

Wow! Sounds like you had fun! lol I'm glad that stuff is still on the shelf! They did me dirty out here! Lol

 

[Evolving78]

I put my hair in twists and am thinking about leaving them in for 7-14 days. Maybe because it's winter, but I'm hating the feel of wet hair lately.

I got my 4c wig and I love it but not sure how to style it

My friend really wants me to move to Maryland lol so I am including the location in my job/internship search.

I'm considering moving to AZ. Working on getting my ducks in a row! I need a change, different scenery!

 

[beingofserenity]

I'm considering moving to AZ. Working on getting my ducks in a row! I need a change, different scenery!

Arizona is beautiful! I've always wanted to visit.

 

[KiWiStyle]

I'm considering moving to AZ. Working on getting my ducks in a row! I need a change, different scenery!

Anywhere warmer than Chicago would be nice.

 

[Evolving78]

Anywhere warmer than Chicago would be nice.

I can't do this cold anymore. My body can't handle it. I'm like a reptile! Cold blooded. I'm freezing right now and I have the heat turned on high. I literally can't move from the space I'm sitting in, until I warm up. I'm wearing layers! And no, I'm not anemic. I have another condition.

 

[Evolving78]

That's why I really gotta get my Moisture balance in check! AZ is dry heat! lol I would wear satin scarfs all year long! Lol

 

[KiWiStyle]

I can't do this cold anymore. My body can't handle it. I'm like a reptile! Cold blooded. I'm freezing right now and I have the heat turned on high. I literally can't move from the space I'm sitting in, until I warm up. I'm wearing layers! And no, I'm not anemic. I have another condition.

This weather is so disrespectful I had to cuss it out! I'm with you, it's hard to warm up once you've been out in it and I drive, lol. I just came home and took a hot shower just to warm up. We have the fire place on too,

 

[Miss617]

Finally washed my hair today and I am overdue for a deep condition. Just from taking out my two braids and then washing and detangling I lost so much hair. Sigh. I need to figure out an actual regimen and stat. I don't like my twists either but I don't feel like trying to redo them right now, it already took me longer than usual to get these done.

 

[Evolving78]

This weather is so disrespectful I had to cuss it out! I'm with you, it's hard to warm up once you've been out in it and I drive, lol. I just came home and took a hot shower just to warm up. We have the fire place on too,

So yeah today....lol well it's gonna be a heatwave tomorrow! 21 degrees! Lol

 

[Evolving78]

My hair doesn't feel dry and crispy! lol I have been keeping a hair journal, so I can keep track of what I'm doing. I will wash my hair tomorrow. I'm gonna try to part my hair in sections and use the shower head, so I don't have to jump in and out.

 

[KiWiStyle]

So yeah today....lol well it's gonna be a heatwave tomorrow! 21 degrees! Lol

Ooh, just in time for the weekend, lol!

 

[faithVA]

I'm glad to be off work. I'm watching American Gangster and re twisting the twist that are frizzy. That's probably most of them. But it's looking better already.

 

[Miss617]

My hair doesn't feel dry and crispy! lol I have been keeping a hair journal, so I can keep track of what I'm doing. I will wash my hair tomorrow. I'm gonna try to part my hair in sections and use the shower head, so I don't have to jump in and out.

I always say I'm going to keep a hair journal, even had an app for it. Still haven't done it. I was so mad when I washed my hair because I was out of my Honey Treasures Repairing Conditioner AND my Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner. Smh.

 

[LdyKamz]

I wasn't feeling well today so I stayed home from work. Didn't help that it was freezing and snowing. I stayed in bed all day and then worried my hair would get matted under my bonnet. I worried more about my hair than about the several emails from work I kept getting.

I also keep a hair journal. Nothing special. I just write down what I do on wash days and a little star if it came out great. Then wheneve I get the urge to do it again I check the journal to see how it came out and what products I used. It has proved most helpful.

This week is moisture week so I'll finally clarify. Use up it's a 10 miracle leave in dc and then set on perm rods. Not sure what styler to use yet. I need hold but don't want to use gel..

 

[SAPNK]

Hello! New here and this will be my first post. Is it too late to join?
Wow, I just saw that I joined in 2013, so I guess I'm not that new, lol, but I've only been lurking.

What length are you now?
I'm not sure what category I fall into right now. I'll include some pictures and maybe you all can tell me. I think my hair is only 6-7 inches in most areas, and possibly 8 at the crown.

Natural/Relaxed/Transitioning?
Natural 4b/c

What's your plan to reach SL?
I am going to keep my hair in box braids for 6-8 weeks then let it rest for 2. I'll try to do this consistently over the course of the year. I've had problems with itching in the past so I'm going to do the ACV soak on the hair before I use it.

What's your regimen?
Before braiding:
Wash/Deep condition
Twists to stretch and reduce blow drying time
Blow dry

Once my hair is braided:
Spritz it with water every day
Use castor oil on my edges every other night or every 3 nights
oil 1-2x per week. I'll also use the Mane and Tail braid spray I have.
I probably won't wash my scalp until it's been three weeks.

Two weeks between braids:
I have no idea.

How will you celebrate/reward yourself when you reach SL?
I may go to the salon and get it straightened so I can see my length, and I'll also share pictures.

Anything else you want to share?
I'm not sure of what to do with my hair anymore as I've been stuck at this same length for years. It's very difficult to do styles at this length, so no buns (with my own hair), and twists look awful on me. What's worse is that I can do other people's hair fairly well, but not my own. This is one of the reasons I'm going the braid route. I can look nice without having to do much (besides spending a bunch of money). I just have to protect my edges and prevent itching.