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

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keranikki said:
Unfortunately, I do not know how to install KBs. I have watched videos, but can’t seem to get the hang of it. I may be overthinking the process.

I have very fine hair, so big braids are too heavy for me. Mini-braids were the best, but they’re time-consuming. Le sigh.

I’m slowly introducing Ayurveda into my regimen, due to the drying effects it has on my hair. Clove, hibiscus, and rosemary dry my hair out horribly. I purchased premade products, from a now closed vendor, that I had previous success with. So far, so good.
Click to expand...
Don't give up, once you get the hang of it, it will be rewarding :)

I will post the most helpful vid I've seen as soon as I get a chance

You control the amount of hair that is added when you do it yourself, therefore, it doesn't matter the density of your hair, it works for everyone :)

Ayurvedic glosses (adding conditioners and/or honey/glycerin/thick canned coconut milk) is an easy fix to combat dryness. If you're doing henna for strengthing tx you can DC with conditioner after application. HTH! :)
 
Finally was able to get some length check starting photos after my most recent relaxer last week. I didn't bother straightening it as I didn't want to feel even more disappointed over the state of my hair at the moment. The nape and bottom area are pretty much shaved off and starting from fresh. The longest parts of my hair is at the crown. I also have some red/brown colour I'm planning to dye black by the end of the year. Hopefully when my nape fills in ill get back thickness and get to shoulder length.
20250822_103406.jpg20250822_103618_001.jpg
 
Etherbunnny said:
Finally was able to get some length check starting photos after my most recent relaxer last week. I didn't bother straightening it as I didn't want to feel even more disappointed over the state of my hair at the moment. The nape and bottom area are pretty much shaved off and starting from fresh. The longest parts of my hair is at the crown. I also have some red/brown colour I'm planning to dye black by the end of the year. Hopefully when my nape fills in ill get back thickness and get to shoulder length.
View attachment 506108View attachment 506112
Click to expand...
Glad you are able to get some starting pictures and you are ready to get to your next goal. I think skipping the heat for now is a good choice. Get your hair back to the condition you want and you can do the heat later. It is more important to get the hair to a healthy state then to get it to a specific length. The length will come in time.

I went back and read your starting post. I see that you are using Aphogee. However, since you relax and color, you may want to consider adding a bond treatment to your monthly regimen. Both color and relaxers break the bonds in the hair and weaken the hair over time.

There are plenty on the market now in the past several years. I don't have a recommendation since hair is so different in response. I use K18 because I can tell the difference. I know someone in this thread uses the Bond Bar brand. I have also used Pronexa which you can get on Amazon. And Olaplex has one.

Wishing you great success in the remaining 4 months.
 
faithVA said:
Glad you are able to get some starting pictures and you are ready to get to your next goal. I think skipping the heat for now is a good choice. Get your hair back to the condition you want and you can do the heat later. It is more important to get the hair to a healthy state then to get it to a specific length. The length will come in time.

I went back and read your starting post. I see that you are using Aphogee. However, since you relax and color, you may want to consider adding a bond treatment to your monthly regimen. Both color and relaxers break the bonds in the hair and weaken the hair over time.

There are plenty on the market now in the past several years. I don't have a recommendation since hair is so different in response. I use K18 because I can tell the difference. I know someone in this thread uses the Bond Bar brand. I have also used Pronexa which you can get on Amazon. And Olaplex has one.

Wishing you great success in the remaining 4 months.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for the helpful information. I will definitely look into a bond builder and start incorporating it asap. I usually shop at Sephora so i will look into both the K18 one and the Olaplex.
 
I decided to do some treatments today because I have been to relaxed since June.

I shampooed twice, first with TGIN and then with the Prose.
I purchased the Unbrush a couple of weeks ago and used it today. It does move through the hair easily but it doesn't remove enough shed hair for me to use it alone. I'm still trying to figure out how to achieve removal in less time and fewer attempts if that is even possible.

I used the Aphogee 2 minute and put on a plastic cap for a few minutes. Then I rinsed.
Then I used the K18 and let it sit for 5ish minutes.

I hopped back in the shower and conditioned. Still trying to use up the random conditioners I have.
Followed up with my Prose leave-in.
Put in a large amount of KCCC and water and put my hair in 4 Bantu Knots. This is where I am now.

I will probably put it in flat twists after dinner.

Overall my hair is in better shape than at the beginning of the year. My ends are slowly getting better. My search and destroys are finding less ends to clip. But it may be next Spring before I am out of the woods.

When I pull my hair it doesn't look like it is any longer. However, I was able to put my hair in a small bun in the back and run some errands. And I'm able to easily do 4 Bantu Knots instead of 6. The hair at the top of my head is waaaaay longer than the back, which I can tell by my Bantu Knots. Hopefully, my back is just trying to catch up with the rest.

Maybe the remaining 4 months will show some length changes. Overall, I'm happy with the progress because each quarter I can do a bit more.

At the end of September, I will repeat the treatments, blow dry, trim my ends and take an update picture.
 
Etherbunnny said:
Finally was able to get some length check starting photos after my most recent relaxer last week. I didn't bother straightening it as I didn't want to feel even more disappointed over the state of my hair at the moment. The nape and bottom area are pretty much shaved off and starting from fresh. The longest parts of my hair is at the crown. I also have some red/brown colour I'm planning to dye black by the end of the year. Hopefully when my nape fills in ill get back thickness and get to shoulder length.
View attachment 506108View attachment 506112
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing and dont worry! We'll support you to your goal :)

Since you're relaxed, you shouldn't worry about straightening your hair, you can do it like this every time (wet or air dryed, being consistent with one of them to know accurate progress), this is one of the pros of being relaxed :)
 
faithVA said:
I decided to do some treatments today because I have been to relaxed since June.

I shampooed twice, first with TGIN and then with the Prose.
I purchased the Unbrush a couple of weeks ago and used it today. It does move through the hair easily but it doesn't remove enough shed hair for me to use it alone. I'm still trying to figure out how to achieve removal in less time and fewer attempts if that is even possible.

I used the Aphogee 2 minute and put on a plastic cap for a few minutes. Then I rinsed.
Then I used the K18 and let it sit for 5ish minutes.

I hopped back in the shower and conditioned. Still trying to use up the random conditioners I have.
Followed up with my Prose leave-in.
Put in a large amount of KCCC and water and put my hair in 4 Bantu Knots. This is where I am now.

I will probably put it in flat twists after dinner.

Overall my hair is in better shape than at the beginning of the year. My ends are slowly getting better. My search and destroys are finding less ends to clip. But it may be next Spring before I am out of the woods.

When I pull my hair it doesn't look like it is any longer. However, I was able to put my hair in a small bun in the back and run some errands. And I'm able to easily do 4 Bantu Knots instead of 6. The hair at the top of my head is waaaaay longer than the back, which I can tell by my Bantu Knots. Hopefully, my back is just trying to catch up with the rest.

Maybe the remaining 4 months will show some length changes. Overall, I'm happy with the progress because each quarter I can do a bit more.

At the end of September, I will repeat the treatments, blow dry, trim my ends and take an update picture.
Click to expand...
Nice work! Love the TLC you took for yourself :)

I was supposed to do LC this weekend but it was a very busy Holiday weekend

Please call my out if I don't post this weekend :laugh:
 
Jumbo Knotless Braids
She uses "grease" like products at the roots not "style jam" which cause issues/breakage for many people
I don't use any product on roots, only aloe and Vaseline on ends to protect and retain moisture

 
25InchesStarting'25 said:
Nice work! Love the TLC you took for yourself :)

I was supposed to do LC this weekend but it was a very busy Holiday weekend

Please call my out if I don't post this weekend :laugh:
Click to expand...
(lol) I probably won't. I will be reminding every soon that September is the 3rd check-in for this challenge. I will probably start that this upcoming weekend, so maybe for you that line up.

There are only 3 more full weeks in this month :sigh:
 
I bought a new hair oil from The Ayurveda Experience which is supposed to help aging scalps. Its a pre shampoo treatment. I hate massaging but it calls for massaging 2 to 5 minutes. And it suggests using it 2x to 3x times a week.

Its very light and has a light scent, which I like.

I did my first application this evening. I will do my weekly cleanse tomorrow. If I can, I will do a midweek application and cleanse.

I will give it 60 days which is about how long it takes for me to see noticeable results. I don’t know what results im expecting though...mostly a healthier scalp and less thinning or a reversal if that's possible.
 
Bette Davis Eyes said:
I’ve been using this for around 6 weeks now. I like it

shescentit.com

Apple Nectar & Rosemary Soothing Scalp Jelly Balm

This product is a rich blend of botanical extracts that help soothe the scalp, promote hair growth, relieve itching and maintain a healthy scalp. This lightweight formula also hydrates to reduce scalp dryness for a refreshed feel. SIZE: 4.5 fl oz
shescentit.com shescentit.com


@faithVA
Click to expand...
I checked it out and it sounds nice. What differences have you noticed in 6 week?
 
faithVA said:
Can't wait to see your end of year pictures.

I don't usually do challenges from SL to BSL. I totally forgot that this went through BSL :lol: Thanks for the reminder.
Click to expand...
I'm glad it goes through 2026 :wiggle:

I'll likely have to do an actual haircut at the end of this month but I still think I can make full APL this year. Now that I really know how to keep my hair stretched and hydrated frequently, I feel more comfortable doing protective styles for longer.
 
I know if I want full BSL I’ll have to be protective styling until 2027. My left side has to catch up with the right side and I’m not cutting it to even it out. I did a dusting today and in December I’ll do a slight trim. My bangs are touching the top of my chest but again on the left side it’s only touching while on the right side it’s resting on the top of my chest.

I’ll still be in the challenge 2026 as protective styling really works for my work life balance.
 
I used the ayurvedic oil yesterday and massaged it in. I know I did 2 minutes. I doubt I made it to 5 :lol: But then I didn't know what to do with my hair because I didn't feel like washing it. So, I mixed so Hair Milk with a glycerin spray and smoothed it on and then put a barrette around it to keep it tucked away for sleep. This morning I did some kind of crazy looking almost bun. The good news is, I can almost do a full bun on stretched hair. Right now I'm always concerned I'm pulling it to tight, so it usually looks pretty messy.

I decided to shampoo tonight. I'm going to try to do the oil scalp massage on Wednesday and Sunday and then wash on Thursday and Monday.

My scalp was sooo glad to have water. I knew it liked water every 4 days but I don't think I realized how dry it felt. With my shower, I think I was done with the whole thing, including styling in an hour, which isn't too bad. I put my hair in 8 flat twist towards my crown.

I'm going to try do to twice a week but I'm not going to put any extra pressure on myself. Will see how it goes and do my best.
 
Have Henna sitting until I'm ready to apply, it looks dark because I put coffee in

Going to clarify wash with Malibu C Wellness

Apply and leave Henna overnight

Tomorrow I should finally do an LC :)
Henna 91325.jpg
 
I purchased Olaplex Moisture Mask for fine hair. I checked out the reviews online and then looked at some of the pictures. I figured it was worth a try. I also got a free sample of the Bond Smoother which I will try when I blow dry my hair.

CVS sends me a 40% coupon pretty much a week after I use the last one. So I purchased some Tweezerman scissors which were $32, then I got 40% off, plus $4.28 off from some other coupon. Then I got 10% back from Rakuten. I did pay $5 for shipping because I wasn't willing to drive the distance to pick them up. But a $20 pair of quality hair scissors is worth it for me.

I have scissors by the Mane Choice but I'm not sure I have kept them as well as I should. I think I can send the Tweezerman scissors back to have them resharpened. I tried to resharpen scissors myself and ruined them. So won't do that again.

I think I am ready for my end of September progress pics once every thing arrives.
 
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