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

[SmilingElephant]

 

[Napp]

I think my genetics are meant for shorter hair. I can grow my hair so easy to SL but have not reached longer lengths without a relaxers

 

[faithVA]

I think my genetics are meant for shorter hair. I can grow my hair so easy to SL but have not reached longer lengths without a relaxers

If you can reach longer lengths with a relaxer, it sounds more like you are achieving the growth but not the retention.

Now, it is just a matter of paying attention when you reach SL what your hair wants and needs for retention. Its time to ask the hard questions to see if you can find the culprit.

 

[faithVA]

Sprayed my hair heavily with water, added some gel, smoothed out and detangled my hair in sections and put it into 5 Bantu Knots.

The majority of it I put into small flat twists towards the crown. I left a front piece out and put in two strand twists.

I need to come up with 5 different styles to rotate.

 

[keranikki]

I took out my twist extensions this past weekend, due to slippage, and washed my hair. Removing the twists and combining those parts into bigger braids aided the detangling and washing process. During the removal process, I realized that the hair along the perimeter behind my ears was very dry and had a lot of shed hair, compared to the rest of my hair which was moisturized. It seems that my hair/braid spray is not reaching that area. My goal is to pay extra attention during this next install.

I found a protein conditioner, Skala, that worked well, in that my hair wasn’t overly strong and stiff. I have to make note that I did layer it with APB Cholesterol.

I will start the next install of twist extensions tonight. I will keep them in for the whole summer (4 week rotation, 1 week break).

 

[keranikki]

I just finished installing twist extensions in my nape (1st section). While parting each section and prepping hair, I realized that I had the tiniest of single strand knots within each part I created. I’m trying to determine what caused it. I have three theories: 1) I didn’t trim enough during my last microtrim; 2) mechanical damage from twist install and maintenance; or 3) I caused my ends to knot by point cutting my ends because it was trending in my Instagram feed. I’m leaning toward #3. For know, I will just S&D within each part. So far, I have not had to trim a lot, maybe 1/8” at most and that’s being generous. All of the knots I have encountered have been at the very ends of the hair. They are so tiny, but I don’t like the feel of them.

 

[Rocky91]

@Beautified16 your hair is so gorgeous! I love those blunt, thick ends. Honestly, you look past SL to me and well on your way to APL.

 

[Rocky91]

There's a meme going around on fitness IG with people showing wonderful before/after fat loss images + the caption of "Unfortunately, I have to admit that a calorie deficit and 10k steps a day does work." It tickles me so much because it is in my nature to do this very thing: resist taking the most obvious, straightforward path to a goal.

Well, unfortunately, I think I have to admit that mostly wearing buns and keeping my hands out of my hair does work. I blowdried last night and omg, my ends look great and I feel like my hair is longer than it was during my April length check already. I didn't take any pics to confirm because watched pots don't boil. But hopefully I will see a nice surprise during my June silk press/trim.

 

[Beautified16]

@Beautified16 your hair is so gorgeous! I love those blunt, thick ends. Honestly, you look past SL to me and well on your way to APL.

Thanks so much Once I get past APL I can't keep my ends thick. That is another goal of mine. I love high buns but I have given them up for now

 

[Rocky91]

I've been doing the same thing as @MzSwift and poring through the archives of this board and the online hair world overall because there is such a wealth of information. Here are a few links I've enjoyed about using bunning as a tool for retention at this particular length.

- Former member zzirvingj grew out her natural hair using mostly buns, going from SL to BSL in 14 months. Here's a thread with comparison pics from TWA to around MBL. Here's a description of her regimen, and here's a picture of her bun.
- Val (Hairlicious) on YouTube has been an inspiration for many years. Here's a blogpost describing how she went from SL to APL in 7 months using buns as her primary style.

Also, here's my bun today, a simple ends tucked under bun with no filler. I'm particularly pleased with it--it looks nice, if I do say so myself. This is on hair that was shampooed, DC'ed and stretched on Sunday. My easy stretching method is to put in big twists with some foam, sit under my dryer, then brush it out when dry--it ends up looking almost like a blowout and results in buns that look more full. I know it looks tight, but that's just the gel and a scarf.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

I've been doing the same thing as @MzSwift and poring through the archives of this board and the online hair world overall because there is such a wealth of information. Here are a few links I've enjoyed about using bunning as a tool for retention at this particular length.

- Former member zzirvingj grew out her natural hair using mostly buns, going from SL to BSL in 14 months. Here's a thread with comparison pics from TWA to around MBL. Here's a description of her regimen, and here's a picture of her bun.
- Val (Hairlicious) on YouTube has been an inspiration for many years. Here's a blogpost describing how she went from SL to APL in 7 months using buns as her primary style.

Also, here's my bun today, a simple ends tucked under bun with no filler. I'm particularly pleased with it--it looks nice, if I do say so myself. This is on hair that was shampooed, DC'ed and stretched on Sunday. My easy stretching method is to put in big twists with some foam, sit under my dryer, then brush it out when dry--it ends up looking almost like a blowout and results in buns that look more full. I know it looks tight, but that's just the gel and a scarf.

I love digging around in the archives. Thanks for posting this.

 

[VarieYvette]

I've been doing the same thing as @MzSwift and poring through the archives of this board and the online hair world overall because there is such a wealth of information. Here are a few links I've enjoyed about using bunning as a tool for retention at this particular length.

- Former member zzirvingj grew out her natural hair using mostly buns, going from SL to BSL in 14 months. Here's a thread with comparison pics from TWA to around MBL. Here's a description of her regimen, and here's a picture of her bun.
- Val (Hairlicious) on YouTube has been an inspiration for many years. Here's a blogpost describing how she went from SL to APL in 7 months using buns as her primary style.

Also, here's my bun today, a simple ends tucked under bun with no filler. I'm particularly pleased with it--it looks nice, if I do say so myself. This is on hair that was shampooed, DC'ed and stretched on Sunday. My easy stretching method is to put in big twists with some foam, sit under my dryer, then brush it out when dry--it ends up looking almost like a blowout and results in buns that look more full. I know it looks tight, but that's just the gel and a scarf.

My routine is similar to both, so fingers crossed I will get to APL by my goal date. I need to get back into bunning though, but my edges are looking at me like "girl, wtf"

 

[B_Phlyy]

My follow up derm appointment is on June 6. I'm not going to completely straighten but I may do a roller set. I'm whoso getting my hair trimmed as well.

 

[Rocky91]

I love digging around in the archives. Thanks for posting this.

Me too! I wish more of the picture links weren't broken in the old threads, but there's still sooooo much great info. Please tag me if you dig up anything good.

 

[Rocky91]

My routine is similar to both, so fingers crossed I will get to APL by my goal date. I need to get back into bunning though, but my edges are looking at me like "girl, wtf"

Awesome! And I can understand being concerned about the edges. I rely heavily on a lot of gel and a scarf to keep my edges smooth so I'm not using tension to get my desired sleek look.

Or you could also do other bun/updo styles that don't require any tension. Here are a few that I'll probably be trying over the next few weeks.

2 flat twists or 2 braids

updo on a twistout

this seems to also be a twistout updo with a braid in the front and a "Southern Tease" style bun (throwback! anyone remember that?) in the back

2 flat twists into a bun (i love the hair jewelry, i'm going to copy this!)

I'll definitely come back and post pics as I try these styles. I was going to actually do a flexirod set for the weekend just for fun, but it's 90 degrees today sooo..... i might very well stay in a bun or updo.

 

[B_Phlyy]

My follow up derm appointment is on June 6. I'm not going to completely straighten but I may do a roller set. I'm getting my hair trimmed as well.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

Me too! I wish more of the picture links weren't broken in the old threads, but there's still sooooo much great info. Please tag me if you dig up anything good.

Girl, I would be tagging you from here to eternity if I did that

 

[faithVA]

Reset yesterday and just using up some product.

Trying to get away from parting down the middle so much. Doing multiple twist towards the crown. Will see if this helps with the thinning at the crown.

 

[Rocky91]

Reset yesterday and just using up some product.

Trying to get away from parting down the middle so much. Doing multiple twist towards the crown. Will see if this helps with the thinning at the crown.

View attachment 504100

You are the flat twisting queen! This looks lovely. I can’t imagine getting my hands to coordinate this well on myself.

I tried to flat twist my son’s hair the other day. Between my lack of skills and him doing toddler things, I had to give it up and let him rock his little fro

 

[faithVA]

Reset yesterday and just using up some product.

Trying to get away from parting down the middle so much. Doing multiple twist towards the crown. Will see if this helps with the thinning at the crown.

View attachment 504100

I will gratefully accept that title. I am grateful to have enough hair and enough length to flat twist. And at the same time looking forward to APL where I can do some updos.

Let him rock his fro as long as he can. His is the age of freedom.

 

[Rocky91]

I love my bun today. I did an excessively tight bun yesterday for the Bey concert, which was kinda silly since I just plopped my cowboy hat on top anyways

So today I’m letting my edges have a break—I am only willing to let Beyoncé snatch my edges, no one else Two loose flat twists into a southern tease style bun held up by a hair comb. There’s pretty much no tension at all.

 

[faithVA]

I love my bun today. I did an excessively tight bun yesterday for the Bey concert, which was kinda silly since I just plopped my cowboy hat on top anyways

So today I’m letting my edges have a break—I am only willing to let Beyoncé snatch my edges, no one else Two loose flat twists into a southern tease style bun held up by a hair comb. There’s pretty much no tension at all.
View attachment 504232
View attachment 504230

That's a beautiful bun

 

[faithVA]

Sally's has buy 3 get 1 free for certain items. They actually had Kinky Curly gel. I've had a hard time finding it close to me online so I bought 4 of them. This should last me for a couple of years.

Once it comes I will throw out the gels I threw together to use up. Not going to waste my time.

Now I need a deal on TGIN leave-in because I'm almost out. I may have to buy one full price and wait for the deal.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Don’t let Bey steal your edges!!! @Rocky91 lolol

 

[Rocky91]

Don’t let Bey steal your edges!!! @Rocky91 lolol

Honestly, she deserves every follicle it was an amazing concert and I’m not even the super fan that I used to be, but her professionalism and artistry is unmatched.

And thank you kindly @faithVA!!

 

[Rocky91]

I’m “locked in” with haircare as the teens would say, so I’m back to making sure that I DC under the dryer. I’m rotating a few sets right now and they’re all soooo fabulous I have to rave about them. I also realize they’re mostly Black-owned or at least Black-founded.

- MoKnowsHair shampoo and elasticity treatment: lovely mix of protein and moisture, probably my favorite right now!
- Design Essentials almond and avocado shampoo and DC: soooo much slip
- old school Keracare shampoo and Humecto: still works nicely
- old school Nairobi shampoo and humecta-sil: honestly better than Keracare! But harder to find, so I get why it wasn’t as popular.
- old school Africa’s best shampoo and mayo: still a lovely cheap mild protein
- old school Mizani moisturefuse shampoo and moisture treatment: rinses out so nicely

I’m putting my PJ tendencies away for the summer now because I’ve been on a bit of a rampage and even with a 2x weekly DC, it’s going to take me a while to finish this little stash. I didn’t buy these all at once, but I think the itch has been satisfied for now, and I’m going to really try not to buy any more products for the rest of the year.

 

[faithVA]

Tonight after cleansing and adding gel I pulled my hair back into a ponytail. I realized that even if the back of my hair was able to reach into a bun, my temples have thinned out so much that I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it

Next time I try i will leave some of the front out and do 2 strands in the front and see how that works.

 

[keranikki]

Tonight after cleansing and adding gel I pulled my hair back into a ponytail. I realized that even if the back of my hair was able to reach into a bun, my temples have thinned out so much that I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it

Next time I try i will leave some of the front out and do 2 strands in the front and see how that works.

I understand. My temples are suffering as well, but I always had a thin hairline. It’s from my Dad’s side, le sigh.
Is their enough hair to do some cute sideburns/edges that will not make you feel childish? Like a swoop?

 

[faithVA]

I understand. My temples are suffering as well, but I always had a thin hairline. It’s from my Dad’s side, le sigh.
Is their enough hair to do some cute sideburns/edges that will not make you feel childish? Like a swoop?

I appreciate your encouragement.

I looked through some old pictures and maybe it isn't as bad as it seemed. Not sure yet.

My hair was really wet and slicked down so it looked really thin. But once it started to dry it looked a little better.

My temples have been thin for a while but I've worked around it for years.

A swoop would be nice. I'm not quite there yet. But maybe by the time the back is truly ready the front will be long enough as well.

 

[VarieYvette]

Tonight after cleansing and adding gel I pulled my hair back into a ponytail. I realized that even if the back of my hair was able to reach into a bun, my temples have thinned out so much that I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it

Next time I try i will leave some of the front out and do 2 strands in the front and see how that works.

Gel always makes hair thinner somehow, I can't explain why. Oooh I want to try that (2 strands in front, and bun in the back)