2023 - SL/APL Challenge

[faithVA]

My daily bun is back. I looked through some of my old hair journey notes and one thing was clear - I got my hair past BSL because of daily bunning. I got a lil happy wearing my hair out because after 5 years of recovery I finally have some!

I've had my fun. Now it's time to really get serious. Not just bunning 1-2 days a week. A. Bun. Everyday. Small price to pay to get my hair back. I should really see the progress when we do our year end pics!

Here I am today...and everyday for a long while.
View attachment 488893

And it is a beautiful, full bun. Congratulations!

 

[B_Phlyy]

My daily bun is back. I looked through some of my old hair journey notes and one thing was clear - I got my hair past BSL because of daily bunning. I got a lil happy wearing my hair out because after 5 years of recovery I finally have some!

I've had my fun. Now it's time to really get serious. Not just bunning 1-2 days a week. A. Bun. Everyday. Small price to pay to get my hair back. I should really see the progress when we do our year end pics!

I'm with you. Even though I can't find the pictures, the first time I got to full SL was when I was following the Cathy Howse method and bunning every day. If I didn't bun, I wore a wig. I only wore my hair down for progress pics every 2-3 months. And even then, my hair was out, it was only for 2 days.

Seriously, keeping the ends moisturized and tucked away is the surefire way to length retention.

 

[faithVA]

If I ever get to bun length, there will be a steady flow of buns because I'm so hair lazy. It will definitely be an upgrade from my current look.

 

[sunnieb]

I'm with you. Even though I can't find the pictures, the first time I got to full SL was when I was following the Cathy Howse method and bunning every day. If I didn't bun, I wore a wig. I only wore my hair down for progress pics every 2-3 months. And even then, my hair was out, it was only for 2 days.

Seriously, keeping the ends moisturized and tucked away is the surefire way to length retention.

Wow! I remember Cathy Howse! Talk about a blast from the past!

Yep, buns are where is at when it comes to retention. Even on my WFH days, I'm in my daily bun. I used to do a twist/tuck at home, but that still allowed easy access to let my hair down to 'just run errands' or 'grab lunch'. Then it ended up being down the whole day because I'd get back, start working, and next thing I knew it's nighttime. However, once my daily bun is pinned and secured with a net, I don't touch it until time for a wash or bedtime.

I will give myself a pass for certain work events when I know I'll have my picture taken. There's a pic of me speaking at an event and I look bald because of the pic angle. Never again! Lol!

Even hanging out with family and friends will be in a bun. They're used to it from years ago when I did it.

 

[faithVA]

Happy Monday!

It is length check month for those who want to do a length check-in.

I have to admit I completely forgot. Since I just got my hair cut in March, I will wait and provide an update in May. I doubt that I have much progress in that short period of time.

 

[faithVA]

I took my 2 strands out yesterday. It was nice to have that 2 week break. I was supposed to put them back in today, but I procrastinated. Decide to just shampoo, condition and put in flat twist. I put in a leave-in and put in big chunky twists. I will put my hair into 2 flat twists tomorrow before work.

My hair color should be here this weekend, so I will color. I will go back into 2 strand the following weekend.

 

[GettingKinky]

Here’s my May update. This picture is 4 days after I got it trimmed.

 

[faithVA]

Here’s my May update. This picture is 4 days after I got it trimmed.
View attachment 489147

Excellent. I can definitely see the progress.

 

[faithVA]

I colored my hair last night and for a few minutes I was tempted to try a wng. But that idea passed quickly because it was late and I air dry

Maybe towards the holiday, I will try a wng or I will take a day off to try it.

 

[B_Phlyy]

Currently taking down my mini twists. As much as I love this style, I can't wear it for more than 3 weeks, otherwise my hair will begin to loc. That is where I am at now. I'll probably do bunning for the next 3 weeks and then do passion twists extensions for my vacation.

 

[B_Phlyy]

Hair has been really dry lately. I think it is my conditioner. It's Shea Moisture but I used it before with no problems. Could be the age or my hair has just prefers better products now. Going to clarify and do a honey treatment to see if that helps.

 

[faithVA]

I went on vacation and just wore my hair in 2 flat twists. And I thought maybe I would do something different when I got home but flat twist are just so fast and easy. I'm thinking maybe over the holiday I will try a curly set. Maybe!

 

[faithVA]

I really should have shampooed and reset over the weekend. With the warmer weather my hair definitely needs some extra love. Maybe, I will get to it tomorrow.

Hair has been really dry lately. I think it is my conditioner. It's Shea Moisture but I used it before with no problems. Could be the age or my hair has just prefers better products now. Going to clarify and do a honey treatment to see if that helps.

Did clarifying help?

 

[B_Phlyy]

@faithVA It did. It also confirmed it was the Shea Moisture product that is drying my hair. The product isn't bad, I just need something that is not a heavy as it is.

The Shea Moisture product in question is the Curl Enhancing Smoothie. It works great as a sealing cream in the winter but now that it is warmer, I need something more lightweight.

 

[faithVA]

@faithVA It did. It also confirmed it was the Shea Moisture product that is drying my hair. The product isn't bad, I just need something that is not a heavy as it is.

The Shea Moisture product in question is the Curl Enhancing Smoothie. It works great as a sealing cream in the winter but now that it is warmer, I need something more lightweight.

Cool. Glad you identified the culprit. I was never able to use the Smoothie and I tried because so many people loved it. But my hair prefers water based and thin products.

 

[faithVA]

I've been saying I'm going to do my hair for 4 days and was supposed to do it last night and did not. This morning I just rinsed and applied conditioner, rinsed and then just twisted my hair under running water with no product. I will do my hair this weekend. It is a good time to try a curly set but I don't know if I'm feeling it.

 

[Tangles]

OK, so I said my next length check pics would be better, but they're not . I grew .5 to 1 inch in some places. The one pic in the length check t-shirt shocked me. I can now keep track of that area with more accuracy; My DD was home to take that one. Overall, I'm happy with the way my hair is progressing, but I noticed that I'm super aggressive with my hair. When I was handling my hair after washing/conditioning, I wasn't very patient. I had nowhere to go so I wasn't in a rush. . I have got to do better.

 

[faithVA]

OK, so I said my next length check pics would be better, but they're not . I grew .5 to 1 inch in some places. The one pic in the length check t-shirt shocked me. I can now keep track of that area with more accuracy; My DD was home to take that one. Overall, I'm happy with the way my hair is progressing, but I noticed that I'm super aggressive with my hair. When I was handling my hair after washing/conditioning, I wasn't very patient. I had nowhere to go so I wasn't in a rush. . I have got to do better.

Go easy on yourself. The pictures are for you in the long run.

But do be easy with your hair and yourself. It will all work out.

 

[faithVA]

I shampooed and conditioned today. I guess it isn't too bad since it is just under a week from the last time my hair got some water on it. I added leave-in and put the flat twist back in. I think I've done enough weeks with back to back flat twist, so I'm definitely going to try to do 2 strands in the next couple of week.

I tried to see if I saw any length retention today, but I spend so little time on my hair I really couldn't tell you

 

[B_Phlyy]

Forgot to come in here for an update but I installed a set of passion twists on May 29. So far I have washed them once after swimming on vacation. Will probably wash them again tomorrow. Now that I am back home, I can do my daily braid/moisture spritzing.

Plan is to keep these in for a month and then take them down for my June/July picture update.

 

[sunnieb]

Bunning is serving me and my hair well. I keep my hands out of it and my ends stay protected and moisturized.

I'll be early with my next update because of my relaxer cycle. Think I'll relax 4th of July weekend.

Nice to see everyone's progress! We're almost at the half-year mark!

 

[B_Phlyy]

Due to some unfortunate events, my weekend plans have been opened so I'll probably take my hair down this weekend and do an early length check. I'm seriously contemplating doing a 6 month non-stop protective style challenge.

 

[faithVA]

I'm doing the same ole thing. I shampoo, condition, put some gel in and then put in 2 twists. Each time I say I will do something different, I don't.

 

[sunnieb]

Due to some unfortunate events, my weekend plans have been opened so I'll probably take my hair down this weekend and do an early length check. I'm seriously contemplating doing a 6 month non-stop protective style challenge.

Do it!

I'm already bunning through the end of December. Really helps to get up in the morning and already know what I'm doing with my hair.

No fuss, no muss. And there's only good things that can happen for your hair when you tuck it away for a while.

 

[faithVA]

Finally got around to a wng. My length is coming along

 

[faithVA]

Was looking through some pictures and realized, it has been about 3 years since my first curly cut. It has been a long period of growing my hair out. My hair hasn't quite reached the point it was before it all broke off, but it should be close by the end of the year.

The majority of my hair should be grazing SL by the end of the year with the remaining being NL.

Maybe 2024 is the year I finally break through SL and start approaching APL.

I have my maintenance cut at the end of July and will post update pictures then.

 

[GettingKinky]

@faithVA I’m so happy that you are making steady progress.

And 3 years?!?! Where does the time go?

 

[sunnieb]

Looking beautiful @faithVA! 3 years goes by fast! It seems like it takes forever to get past SL, but once you do, the length milestones can appear to happen faster.

At least that's what I'm hoping! My setback was in late 2017, and here it is 2023 and I'm still not APL yet. I know a lot had to happen as my hair recovered, but man I just want to get to APL by this year!

I'll be 16 weeks post on Monday. Don't think I'm ready to relax yet. I'll play it by ear, but won't go past 18 weeks.

 

[faithVA]

@faithVA I’m so happy that you are making steady progress.

And 3 years?!?! Where does the time go?

Thank you. So am I. I have my fingers crossed. I usually get to SL and then I have a catastrophe.

Three years has gone by quickly. And I'm pretty sure the rest of the year is going to fly by. I have something to look forward to.

 

[faithVA]

Looking beautiful @faithVA! 3 years goes by fast! It seems like it takes forever to get past SL, but once you do, the length milestones can appear to happen faster.

At least that's what I'm hoping! My setback was in late 2017, and here it is 2023 and I'm still not APL yet. I know a lot had to happen as my hair recovered, but man I just want to get to APL by this year!

I'll be 16 weeks post on Monday. Don't think I'm ready to relax yet. I'll play it by ear, but won't go past 18 weeks.

Thank you. It does take forever to get to SL. And since I've never been past that I will take your word for the rest

I hope you reach APL this year and everything goes smoothly.