2022 - SL/APL Challenge
- Thread starter faithVA
- Start date
faithVA
Well-Known Member
Great progress. I remember when you joined last year's challenge. Your hair looks great.
Napp
In hair purgatory
I straightened my hair. Here are my progress pics from September 2021 to February 2022. I barley retained anything over 6 months. I'm so disappointed in my hairs progress but I'm slowly inching to APL. I am going to hold off cutting my hair until the majority of my hair reaches APL. Right now my top layers reach SL. Hopefully in the next 6 months I can reach APL in my longest layers.
I'm back to wigging it. I just want to hide it away and wear wigs again. I switched my braiding pattern from vertical cornrows to horizontal cornrows to see if that makes a difference. This way all of my hair will be braided, even the short hairs around my hair line. I will also be moisturizing less often because my hair was very mushy after taking out my braids when I moisturized daily. I plan on using Joico liquid reconstructor to balance out the moisture from the S-Curl as well. I will also be oiling my scalp with The Mane Choice Growth oil in the evenings to see if that helps my growth and retention. When that is done I will be using an ayurvedic growth oil. I also will leave in my braids for 4 weeks or less. 6 weeks is too long for my hair.
I'm back to wigging it. I just want to hide it away and wear wigs again. I switched my braiding pattern from vertical cornrows to horizontal cornrows to see if that makes a difference. This way all of my hair will be braided, even the short hairs around my hair line. I will also be moisturizing less often because my hair was very mushy after taking out my braids when I moisturized daily. I plan on using Joico liquid reconstructor to balance out the moisture from the S-Curl as well. I will also be oiling my scalp with The Mane Choice Growth oil in the evenings to see if that helps my growth and retention. When that is done I will be using an ayurvedic growth oil. I also will leave in my braids for 4 weeks or less. 6 weeks is too long for my hair.
faithVA
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure you are correct about this. If the first picture is September, then the most it has been is 4.5 months. And in 4 months, the average is 2". There is clearly a 2" difference between the right picture and the left picture.
I think maybe being tired of your hair is distorting your perspective a bit. Take a deep breath and look at it again. I really think if you look at what you have done in 4 months, you will be able to see that you retained nicely.
faithVA
Well-Known Member
I reset yesterday and wearing a wash and go the early part of this week. I will reset again on Wednesday or Thursday and put in twist again.
When the weather gets warm and I start cycling mid-week as well as the weekend, I will go back to 2 strand twists so I'm only doing my hair 1x a week. And I will save the curly sets to weeks where my riding gets rained out.
When the weather gets warm and I start cycling mid-week as well as the weekend, I will go back to 2 strand twists so I'm only doing my hair 1x a week. And I will save the curly sets to weeks where my riding gets rained out.
B_Phlyy
Pineapple Eating Unicorn
I'm convinced that the reason I had such great retention in the last quarter of 2021 to get to SL was because I switched to horizontal cornrows. Mine were braided into a French roll pattern. I left the entire pattern in for about 7 weeks but I redid the the cornrows every 3-4 weeks to avoid matting. I did have to be extra diligent with moisturizing and sealing my nape because the wigs can dry it out. But being able to keep all of my hair under the wig was a game changer.
B_Phlyy
Pineapple Eating Unicorn
I ended up taking my mini braids out the other day. The shrinkage was just too much and I couldn't get all the ends to stay in a bun. Plus the cold winter air seemed to be drying them out. They were snagging on everything.
Doing a prepoo, shampoo, and DC tonight. Maybe I'll try a damp bun when I wake up in the morning.
Doing a prepoo, shampoo, and DC tonight. Maybe I'll try a damp bun when I wake up in the morning.
Napp
In hair purgatory
I just got my hair professionally braided like this. I hope I can retain better with this braid pattern
faithVA
Well-Known Member
I'm still resetting my hair 2x a week. Sunday, is my primary day where I do the full shampoo, condition and curly set. Somewhere, between Wednesday and Friday, I do my 2nd reset which is lighter because it doesn't have to last as long. But I do it to give my hair much needed water. Giving my hair a full dose of water during the week, improves my curly set on Sunday.
Today, I did my mid-week curly set. I started with a mudwash because I didn't want the harshness of shampoo but I felt like I needed something more than a water rinse. I conditioned, layered my gels and now just air drying my curly set.
Since January, I can tell I have more growth, volume and I'm getting better at setting my curls.
Today, I did my mid-week curly set. I started with a mudwash because I didn't want the harshness of shampoo but I felt like I needed something more than a water rinse. I conditioned, layered my gels and now just air drying my curly set.
Since January, I can tell I have more growth, volume and I'm getting better at setting my curls.
faithVA
Well-Known Member
Over the years, I've noticed my hair grows in a strange pattern. It did this when I was relaxed and it definitely has done it while natural.
My bang area grows first and grows the fastest. But when it reaches between my lips and my chin the growth slows down so much it looks like it has stopped.
My nape initially seems to struggle and then it takes off and then it will hit collarbone length and just sit there. So my bang and nape just hang out there for a while.
Then my sides and crown they grow at some varying rate but it seems really slow. They take their time. My sides slow up until eventually my grown catches up with it.
Then my crown to the back of my hair starts growing until it catches up to my nape. My sides grow but a little slower than the back and the grown.
Eventually the back will take over and start pushing down, the sides join in. I'm not sure about that bang. I think I have always cut it in the past.
I'm just watching it do what it does now
My bang area grows first and grows the fastest. But when it reaches between my lips and my chin the growth slows down so much it looks like it has stopped.
My nape initially seems to struggle and then it takes off and then it will hit collarbone length and just sit there. So my bang and nape just hang out there for a while.
Then my sides and crown they grow at some varying rate but it seems really slow. They take their time. My sides slow up until eventually my grown catches up with it.
Then my crown to the back of my hair starts growing until it catches up to my nape. My sides grow but a little slower than the back and the grown.
Eventually the back will take over and start pushing down, the sides join in. I'm not sure about that bang. I think I have always cut it in the past.
I'm just watching it do what it does now
Napp
In hair purgatory
I have been on autopilot with my hair. M&S 3x a week and slap a wig on it lol. I also have been oiling my scalp and using scalp drops alternating days. I have a very low key regimen and it keeps me from obsessing about my hair.My apologies for letting this thread slip. I think I slipped into a routine and haven't been thinking a lot about my hair. But I plan to do better in March
One thing I don't like is that my braider didn't add hair to my nape anchor braid and it's getting loose and fuzzy compared to the rest of my hair. I'm annoyed that's she did that.
sweetiep
Well-Known Member
Watching you ladies from the sidelines. I’m just getting back on the board from being off a little while. I can’t even keep track anymore, maybe a year. I’m SL and just started trying out wigs for about a week now. I was doing sew ins for about a year and didn’t like all the manipulation for the hair left out on top. Keeping up with you ladies reggies and tips though.
faithVA
Well-Known Member
Since I'm still working from home I'm not doing much with my hair. Last Tuesday, I went to my curly stylist and got a hydrate and define. I wore that for 4 or 5 days. I'm trying out the K18 protein treatment so on Sunday, I shampooed, applied K18 and put in flat twist. Tonight, I shampooed, used K18, sprayed my hair with Uncle Funky's leave-in spray and put in a few twist. I'm not planning on leaving the house so I should be fine.
For now, I'm going to stick to twist and just do a curly set at the end of the month for update photos.
For now, I'm going to stick to twist and just do a curly set at the end of the month for update photos.
faithVA
Well-Known Member
I rode 45 miles today because I lose my mind By the time I came home, shower, cooked and ate, I definitely was not feeling doing my hair. I just rinsed my hair in the shower and threw in a deep conditioner. Hopefully, I will feel like doing my hair tomorrow. If I do it will just be a shampoo and another K18 treatment and back into twist.
By the time I came home, shower, cooked and ate, I definitely was not feeling doing my hair. I just rinsed my hair in the shower and threw in a deep conditioner. Hopefully, I will feel like doing my hair tomorrow. If I do it will just be a shampoo and another K18 treatment and back into twist.
faithVA
Well-Known Member
Shampooed and applied K18. Letting that sit for 4 minutes or so. Then I will apply a leave-in and put in some flat twist.
I'm definitely seeing some retention. The back section at the crown is the only section that is yet to reach my nape. All of my hair may not be SL by the end of the year but it will all at least be between nape length and SL. That will give me more styling options. And maybe I won't be so hair lazy
I'm definitely seeing some retention. The back section at the crown is the only section that is yet to reach my nape. All of my hair may not be SL by the end of the year but it will all at least be between nape length and SL. That will give me more styling options. And maybe I won't be so hair lazy
faithVA
Well-Known Member
Happy April ladies. April is our first length check update. However, you want to do your length check works. Take a picture to track your progress. Please share your January and April photos so we can cheer you on and enjoy your progress.
Looking forward seeing all of your updates.
Looking forward seeing all of your updates.
Napp
In hair purgatory
I took out my braids after 6 weeks. I stretched some strands and they are just scraping APL. I also had alot of breakage taking down these braids so I'm not sure if I really gained length or lost some.
I decided to start keratin treating my hair again. Will post a picture of my hair when I put one in hopefully this week. Then it will be wash n go season for me.
I decided to start keratin treating my hair again. Will post a picture of my hair when I put one in hopefully this week. Then it will be wash n go season for me.
ckisland
Well-Known Member
It's the anniversary of my last big chop!! I big chopped the beginning of April 2020!
Current lengths
Front: 10.5 in
crown: 12 in
l. ear: 11.5 in
r. ear: 11.0 in
l. nape: 10.5 in
r. nape: 10.0 in
These side by sides are from April 2021 to today (April 2022). The last 2 are of my big chop and my wash n'go today.
Current lengths
Front: 10.5 in
crown: 12 in
l. ear: 11.5 in
r. ear: 11.0 in
l. nape: 10.5 in
r. nape: 10.0 in
These side by sides are from April 2021 to today (April 2022). The last 2 are of my big chop and my wash n'go today.
Last edited:
faithVA
Well-Known Member
Congratulations. You are having some fabulous growth and retention.
faithVA
Well-Known Member
I finally colored my hair (sheesh). I waited so late, now I need to postponed my next color until June instead of May with my cut.
I threw some gel in it and diffused it dry just to do something quick and easy. I will do a curly set tomorrow morning before work for an event we have this week.
I'm definitely retaining something because my puff is coming along. If my hair keeps going at this rate, I may be able to do a bun on stretched hair. We shall see.
I will do my update any weekend I get it together to do my hair. I'm just going to do a curly set comparison. Don't feel like blow drying at this point.
I threw some gel in it and diffused it dry just to do something quick and easy. I will do a curly set tomorrow morning before work for an event we have this week.
I'm definitely retaining something because my puff is coming along. If my hair keeps going at this rate, I may be able to do a bun on stretched hair. We shall see.
I will do my update any weekend I get it together to do my hair. I'm just going to do a curly set comparison. Don't feel like blow drying at this point.
faithVA
Well-Known Member
It looks really good and healthy. Healthy is the best base to get you to your goals.
Sunday, should be a down day so I plan to do a curly set and capture pictures.Similar threads
