2025/2026 - Journey to SL/APL/BSL Challenge

[faithVA]

I have texlaxed my hair and I have realised I will not meet my APL goal by end of the year. I am still at collar bone length, so will be hanging around in the challenge for longer.

Im sorry you didn't meet your goal but you made great progress this year so I call that a success.

Looking forward to hanging out with you for another year.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Taking my hair down tonight and going to get it done on Saturday afternoon.

 

[faithVA]

Taking my hair down tonight and going to get it done on Saturday afternoon.

What are you getting done to it?

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Another crochet. Might have to move it to Sunday. My back is killing me @faithVA

 

[faithVA]

Another crochet. Might have to move it to Sunday. My back is killing me @faithVA

oh no. I hope it is something that you can just stretch out. I know there are all types of reason for back pain. I hope it is something as simple as you stretch out on the floor and it works itself out.

 

[faithVA]

I was wondering why my hair was so straight after just doing Bantu Knots. I took my twist down and I think it is due to the twisting cream. My hair is really fine and it doesn't hold its own well with butters or oils. This is a pro and a con. With just oils/butters I can get my hair as straight as if I blow dried it. But the con is that I can't use most twisting products and have a fluffy twist out.

I'm not sure if this Mielle Twisting Souffle just won't work for an out style or if I just used too much. Because I don't have much success with twisting creams, I ordered 2 sample sizes. Instead they sent me two full jars I will try using less this week and see if it fairs better. I can use it with my flat twist. I definitely can't use it for my two strands.

I also have Curly Dynasty. I'm going to try that when my hair gets a bit longer.

 

[faithVA]

I don't usually use creams. But I have used a cream for the last 3 wash days and today I see how creams build up on my hair.

When I use gels, they pretty much rinse off and I can just clarify once a quarter. But after just 3 uses of cream, I need to clarify. I'm not sure how I feel about that Not sure how my hair will do this week. I have a feeling I will need to take down my twist tomorrow or Monday and spray my hair with something and then put it back up.


I will clarify next wash day and then try the 4C Only products.

 

[Yvette 2.0]

Hello!

I will join. I'm ready to grow my hair back.

Hair back story:

I just got a major cut and got color for the the first time. I got the cut so that I could wear my hair curly (I was a straight-haired natural for years) and remove curl-pattern-loosened hair from all the straightening.​

The cut was so needed: My hair actually looks good in a wng now. I miss my hair, though.​

​

The color is awesome. It makes me enjoy wearing my curly hair like never before.​

​

Salon woes:

I'm getting weary of salons. I handle my hair much better. I need a stylist for color, even trimming, shaping. I can silk press my own hair, but they do a much better job. I feel that if goal is retention while wearing my hair curly, I need to avoid salons. The exception is Her Growing Hands Salon, but it's very expensive. That all said, I need to learn to trim my own hair. I just can't tell what I'm doing to the shaping when it's blown dry . . . and I can't tell what needs to be cut due to damage/thinning when it's curly. I'm concerned that while I dive in and learn how to trim, I'll take off too much and/or ruin the shape/cut. I will start very conservatively, then.​

Hair characteristics:

Length: Layers due to the cut (sad face). Longest strands are probably a little past APL, shorter strands are probably chin-Length.​

​

Type: 4b (I guess) with some loosening due to having been a straight-haired natural​

​

Density: mid to high​

​

Courseness: very fine​

Regimen:

- finger detangle in warm shower water,​

- shampoo,​

- fully detangle with (1) mask or deep conditioner or (2) regular conditioner,​

- squish to condish with leave-in​

- exit shower and apply foam or gel or a combo of the two​

- diffuse hair​

- wear hair sock overnight to preserve style​

​

I typically, wash and go every 3-5 days. The color is very new to me, and I'm noticing that my hair is not as moisturized. I'm thus doing my hair more frequently at every 3-5 days.​

​

Due to the color, I'm making changes in my regimen. I will not clarify until my hair "asks." I will use a moisturizing shampoo mainly. I have begun using a strengthening mask. I'll see how that all fares. I will be using salon-grade, highly moisturizing products once I find the ones that work for me.​

​

Favored products:

Alba Ramos's DermaE line: shampoo, deep treatment, conditioner, leave-in​

​

The Doux Crazy Sexy Curl foam, The Doux Chief Rocka mousse, Ecoslay Jello Shot gel, Innersense I Create Hold gel​

​

Alodia Length Retention Nourish Hair and Scalp Oil​

​

Ouai Hair & Body Mist​

​

I'll add a pic after my silk press this Saturday.​

Here is a picture of my silk press on today, December 6, 2025.

It's armpit length.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I couldn’t bring myself to a full wash day. I took the old crochet hair out and washed my hair in braids with shampoo three times and then conditioner. Braids look like they have only been in a week.

 

[faithVA]

Here is a picture of my silk press on today, December 6, 2025.

It's armpit length.

View attachment 507158

Your hair is beautiful. I think you are close to your next goal and can graze if not reach mbl in 2026.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

All crocheted back up.

 

[Yvette 2.0]

Your hair is beautiful. I think you are close to your next goal and can graze if not reach mbl in 2026.

Thanks so much, @faithVA. I hope so. I miss my hair! Lol

I need a plan. I like doing my hair all the time, and that's not conducive to retention.

What i really want to do is wear a twistout on stretched hair to see if I can retain length that way. I think I would like the look of an elongated twist out and would not miss the length I get to see from straightening my hair.

I need a twisting product that contains zero water, though. I was in looooooove with this amazing smelling balm by Jakeala on Etsy, but she closed shop. And my hair was greasy to the touch. I need to find a replacement. I'll keep looking.

 

[Napp]

Thanks so much, @faithVA. I hope so. I miss my hair! Lol

I need a plan. I like doing my hair all the time, and that's not conducive to retention.

What i really want to do is wear a twistout on stretched hair to see if I can retain length that way. I think I would like the look of an elongated twist out and would not miss the length I get to see from straightening my hair.

I need a twisting product that contains zero water, though. I was in looooooove with this amazing smelling balm by Jakeala on Etsy, but she closed shop. And my hair was greasy to the touch. I need to find a replacement. I'll keep looking.

Look into hair grease. I personally like Jamaican mango lime cactus gro. Smell good and not oily

 

[Napp]

I was wondering why my hair was so straight after just doing Bantu Knots. I took my twist down and I think it is due to the twisting cream. My hair is really fine and it doesn't hold its own well with butters or oils. This is a pro and a con. With just oils/butters I can get my hair as straight as if I blow dried it. But the con is that I can't use most twisting products and have a fluffy twist out.

I'm not sure if this Mielle Twisting Souffle just won't work for an out style or if I just used too much. Because I don't have much success with twisting creams, I ordered 2 sample sizes. Instead they sent me two full jars I will try using less this week and see if it fairs better. I can use it with my flat twist. I definitely can't use it for my two strands.

I also have Curly Dynasty. I'm going to try that when my hair gets a bit longer.

I did not like curl dynasty. Let us know how you like it

 

[faithVA]

I did not like curl dynasty. Let us know how you like it

I got the suggestion from someone on this board. They said it was their holy grail.

It is highly doubtful that I will be able to give a review of it or any cream styler. I have a feeling I'm going to have to use some type of mousse to not have my hair weighed down.

But having seen your hair, it isn't hard to imagine that it didn't work well.

But I keep trying

 

[Yvette 2.0]

@faithVA and @Napp,

I looooooved that Curl Dynasty twisting cream. I tried an old jar of it recently, and it was meh. Why would its performance change? I'm tempted to buy a fresh jar to test whether that was the problem. I used to get the prettiest, silkiest twistouts with it.

 

[VarieYvette]

Here is a picture of my silk press on today, December 6, 2025.

It's armpit length.

View attachment 507158

I love the shape of the hemline of your hair. So pretty

 

[Yvette 2.0]

I love the shape of the hemline of your hair. So pretty

Many thanks! It feels good to hear this from a fellow person who is into hair.

 

[faithVA]

My hair felt drier after my last wash day so I decided ti refresh sooner.

I clarified. Then I used the 4C only product line for the first time.

I think I like it so far. Im not sure about the deep conditioner but I also didn't use it with heat like instructed.

I put my hair in medium twist. I will let it dry tomorrow and then try a twist out Thursday.

I wish my twist were longer because I would just rock them

If the twist out works then this product will be a keeper because I've never worn a twist out.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Seasonal depression is kicking my tail. I only have the desire to spray my perimeter. I need a vacation immediately to somewhere warm. I now see why my grandparents had a condo in Florida during the winter months.

Technically these braids have been in since November 10th but a week with the new crochet installed. I plan on taking this style out Dec 28th. That will be a total of 7 weeks braided up.

 

[keranikki]

Seasonal depression is kicking my tail. I only have the desire to spray my perimeter. I need a vacation immediately to somewhere warm. I now see why my grandparents had a condo in Florida during the winter months.

Technically these braids have been in since November 10th but a week with the new crochet installed. I plan on taking this style out Dec 28th. That will be a total of 7 weeks braided up.

Sending light, hugs, and vitamin D. I hope you feel better soon!

 

[Yvette 2.0]

Seasonal depression is kicking my tail. I only have the desire to spray my perimeter. I need a vacation immediately to somewhere warm. I now see why my grandparents had a condo in Florida during the winter months.

Technically these braids have been in since November 10th but a week with the new crochet installed. I plan on taking this style out Dec 28th. That will be a total of 7 weeks braided up.

Hugs! Hope you get to go to someplace warm soon.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Thank you both. The youngest birthday is next month. We’re going to the Bahamas.


Eventually Im going to have to relocate to a warmer climate. I used to want to go to a humid climate. I’d have juicy hair all the time with the dew points.

It’s snowing in NJ at the moment.

 

[Yvette 2.0]

Thank you both. The youngest birthday is next month. We’re going to the Bahamas.


Eventually Im going to have to relocate to a warmer climate. I used to want to go to a humid climate. I’d have juicy hair all the time with the dew points.

It’s snowing in NJ at the moment.

Happy early birthday to him/her! Lol at the juicy hair comment.

Oooooooo. The Bahamas! Nice.
Enjoy!!!

 

[faithVA]

Thank you both. The youngest birthday is next month. We’re going to the Bahamas.


Eventually Im going to have to relocate to a warmer climate. I used to want to go to a humid climate. I’d have juicy hair all the time with the dew points.

It’s snowing in NJ at the moment.

Glad you are getting away. The shorter days in winter can be tough. The winter solstice is 12/21, so when you get back each day will get longer and longer so hopefully that helps.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Instagram with the memories. I usually get here and then do something drastic.

 

[keranikki]

Instagram with the memories. I usually get here and then do something drastic.

Just a reminder to not do anything drastic

 

[faithVA]

Instagram with the memories. I usually get here and then do something drastic.

Nice progress. You must report into us and get our permission before you do anything.

You shouldn't be thinking about anything besides vacation and birthdays.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

That’s the hard part @keranikki cause right now I’m thinking about sisterlocs

@faithVA that was a throwback picture. I think I’m close back to it but I’m not too sure. I’ll see the end of December

 

[faithVA]

That’s the hard part @keranikki cause right now I’m thinking about sisterlocs

@faithVA that was a throwback picture. I think I’m close back to it but I’m not too sure. I’ll see the end of December

oh! my mistake. I was quick browsing and missed that detail.

I hope you are there as well.