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

[faithVA]

They have human hair options if you're concerned with synthetic

I believe it's what is done when the hair is braided/twisted and how hair is maintained while in braids/twists

Braided my hair with no product at the roots
I braid my own hair and it's not tight at all (if you have to go to someone else see their reviews)

I took out braids at my nape and hair was really soft
I Hydrate my hair often with water rinses and aloe spray
Use ACV mix to keep scalp cleansed and had no dandruff or build up

I like longer braids/twists to keep hair off shoulders, keeps ends protected

Briads/Twists really help get over the NL - SL hump. Seen so many people show that they achieved greater lengths with braids/twists

Even when my hair is longer ill use extentions as added protection for my ends

Hope these tips help if your ever decide to try extentions

It is probably better to err on the side of caution. When she said fine hair that reminded me of how little it takes to cut through my strands. Its best for me to just leave it alone. My hair is fine and gray, super coily and color treated. It doesn't take much to make her unhappy. I need to just stay in my lane.

 

[Rocky91]

Congrats on your growth!
Don't let the "ends snobs" steal your joy!
We have setbacks now and then, and that's okay as long as we adjust to make improvements
It's awesome you know exactly what to get you back on track!

So many people don't make it to their goal length in a reasonable time or never because they are worried what people will think about them not having full ends and chop off all their progress!

I think its best to keep your ends to your goal length so you can see your length retention as motivation, then start trimming once your hair is past your goal

I know you didn't say you want to cut your ends, didn't want you to get any ideas, your hair looks great! Keep up the good progress

Thank you for the words of encouragement @25InchesStarting'25! I agree with you that seeing the length retained is motivating, so yes, I don't plan on doing any kind of dramatic chops anytime soon.

 

[Rocky91]

It sounds like not only good progress was made but some great insights were gathered.

I was thinking about using synthetic hair for twist but hearing about your experience I think I will leave it alone and just wait until my hair is longer to do regular twists. Thanks for that update.

From April to June, your progress is definitely noticeable. I really think you are going to have a great year

Thank you @faithVA! Yes, I really appreciate how willing she is to listen to me yap about my hair woes and troubleshoot with me I'm saying it in a lighthearted way, but I've definitely had my fair share of stylists who weren't trying to talk through things with me at all.

 

[faithVA]

Thank you @faithVA! Yes, I really appreciate how willing she is to listen to me yap about my hair woes and troubleshoot with me I'm saying it in a lighthearted way, but I've definitely had my fair share of stylists who weren't trying to talk through things with me at all.

I know so many of us can relate to the experience with these so called stylists. I am glad you found a good one.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Yesterday I made some flaxseed gel

When I was doing the 75 day challenge I used it almost daily

I want to do another LC at the nape to see if there is a difference adding the Flax Gel. Will make the next batch with Rose Mary, why I didn't do LC this week. I plan to do it next week

 

[Rocky91]

Long post incoming. Welp, a disappointing update: that last silk press ended up giving me irreparable heat damage. Honestly, I knew letting any stylist use titanium irons on my hair was Russian roulette from past experience, but I figured it was infrequent enough. That was incorrect lol and I ended up with bone straight pieces that I couldn’t style around. Twistouts, braidouts, and wash and goes looked crazy even after 3 elasticity treatments, so I went ahead and got a hair cut. Started it myself on wet hair to see the damage clearly, then got it cleaned up.

Reasoning: My goal priorities are long natural hair that I can style easily, not long hair with bone straight pieces that I can’t really style around. And honestly, I would hate to reach APL with 4 inches of bone straight hair that would drive me crazy. So I’m okay with the decision. I’m basically back to where I was at the start of the year around CBL, 6 months of progress down the drain, but the lesson is learned: nobody else is touching my hair with a flat iron. I’ve never given myself severe heat damage with my at home ceramic irons, so I’m done with playing this game with stylists who really do mean well, but perhaps don’t fully understand that I prioritize having kinky hair way more than a temporary bone straight style.

Game plan moving forward: getting all my trims on blown out hair. Continue avoiding heat even beyond my summer challenge.

 

[keranikki]

Long post incoming. Welp, a disappointing update: that last silk press ended up giving me irreparable heat damage. Honestly, I knew letting any stylist use titanium irons on my hair was Russian roulette from past experience, but I figured it was infrequent enough. That was incorrect lol and I ended up with bone straight pieces that I couldn’t style around. Twistouts, braidouts, and wash and goes looked crazy even after 3 elasticity treatments, so I went ahead and got a hair cut. Started it myself on wet hair to see the damage clearly, then got it cleaned up.

Reasoning: My goal priorities are long natural hair that I can style easily, not long hair with bone straight pieces that I can’t really style around. And honestly, I would hate to reach APL with 4 inches of bone straight hair that would drive me crazy. So I’m okay with the decision. I’m basically back to where I was at the start of the year around CBL, 6 months of progress down the drain, but the lesson is learned: nobody else is touching my hair with a flat iron. I’ve never given myself severe heat damage with my at home ceramic irons, so I’m done with playing this game with stylists who really do mean well, but perhaps don’t fully understand that I prioritize having kinky hair way more than a temporary bone straight style.

Game plan moving forward: getting all my trims on blown out hair. Continue avoiding heat even beyond my summer challenge.

I understand and it’s great that you already have a game plan.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Long post incoming. Welp, a disappointing update: that last silk press ended up giving me irreparable heat damage. Honestly, I knew letting any stylist use titanium irons on my hair was Russian roulette from past experience, but I figured it was infrequent enough. That was incorrect lol and I ended up with bone straight pieces that I couldn’t style around. Twistouts, braidouts, and wash and goes looked crazy even after 3 elasticity treatments, so I went ahead and got a hair cut. Started it myself on wet hair to see the damage clearly, then got it cleaned up.

Reasoning: My goal priorities are long natural hair that I can style easily, not long hair with bone straight pieces that I can’t really style around. And honestly, I would hate to reach APL with 4 inches of bone straight hair that would drive me crazy. So I’m okay with the decision. I’m basically back to where I was at the start of the year around CBL, 6 months of progress down the drain, but the lesson is learned: nobody else is touching my hair with a flat iron. I’ve never given myself severe heat damage with my at home ceramic irons, so I’m done with playing this game with stylists who really do mean well, but perhaps don’t fully understand that I prioritize having kinky hair way more than a temporary bone straight style.

Game plan moving forward: getting all my trims on blown out hair. Continue avoiding heat even beyond my summer challenge.

Hugs!, know it can be super disappointing to lose 6 months progress, so glad you're moving forward with optimism and a plan. Now you have thicker ends and have all the data you need to get to your goal with less setbacks

 

[faithVA]

Long post incoming. Welp, a disappointing update: that last silk press ended up giving me irreparable heat damage. Honestly, I knew letting any stylist use titanium irons on my hair was Russian roulette from past experience, but I figured it was infrequent enough. That was incorrect lol and I ended up with bone straight pieces that I couldn’t style around. Twistouts, braidouts, and wash and goes looked crazy even after 3 elasticity treatments, so I went ahead and got a hair cut. Started it myself on wet hair to see the damage clearly, then got it cleaned up.

Reasoning: My goal priorities are long natural hair that I can style easily, not long hair with bone straight pieces that I can’t really style around. And honestly, I would hate to reach APL with 4 inches of bone straight hair that would drive me crazy. So I’m okay with the decision. I’m basically back to where I was at the start of the year around CBL, 6 months of progress down the drain, but the lesson is learned: nobody else is touching my hair with a flat iron. I’ve never given myself severe heat damage with my at home ceramic irons, so I’m done with playing this game with stylists who really do mean well, but perhaps don’t fully understand that I prioritize having kinky hair way more than a temporary bone straight style.

Game plan moving forward: getting all my trims on blown out hair. Continue avoiding heat even beyond my summer challenge.

So sorry but glad you have a positive outlook.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

I have a lot of work to do and haven't finished my llain flax gel yet

Will do LC during next holiday weekend and should make new batch of flax gel with Rose Mary

 

[faithVA]

Since I decided to trim every 3 months, I decided this weekend was the best time so I could have my holiday free.
I kept it simple. I cleansed twice. Then I tried Chi Color Conditioner to see if I could extend my permanent color application. Not sure if it will work on my hair but will try it a few times. I put my hair into Bantus and let the water work into my strand for 30 minutes. I put in the leave-in.

I used some Mane Choice products before I used the Rev-Air to dry my hair. Then I applied more leave-in and hair milk and dried it some more.
I used my SplitEnder and maybe took off 1/2"

This day was about improving my ends and not really a length check. I did blow dry but I didn't bother trying to get it any straighter.

Since March, I don't think my nape has grown very much. Most of my growth I believe is my crown and middle layers growing down to my nape. I think this is my growth pattern. September will tell.

I was tired by the time I finished trimming and didn't really feel like being bothered with pictures. It is a horrible picture but



My nape comes down to the 1st line or to the bottom of my finger. APL is at line 4. So I need 3 inches to reach APL.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Since I decided to trim every 3 months, I decided this weekend was the best time so I could have my holiday free.
I kept it simple. I cleansed twice. Then I tried Chi Color Conditioner to see if I could extend my permanent color application. Not sure if it will work on my hair but will try it a few times. I put my hair into Bantus and let the water work into my strand for 30 minutes. I put in the leave-in.

I used some Mane Choice products before I used the Rev-Air to dry my hair. Then I applied more leave-in and hair milk and dried it some more.
I used my SplitEnder and maybe took off 1/2"

This day was about improving my ends and not really a length check. I did blow dry but I didn't bother trying to get it any straighter.

Since March, I don't think my nape has grown very much. Most of my growth I believe is my crown and middle layers growing down to my nape. I think this is my growth pattern. September will tell.

I was tired by the time I finished trimming and didn't really feel like being bothered with pictures. It is a horrible picture but



My nape comes down to the 1st line or to the bottom of my finger. APL is at line 4. So I need 3 inches to reach APL.

View attachment 505204

Love the volume

 

[faithVA]

Love the volume

Thank you. Yeah she is fluffy.

 

[B_Phlyy]

I'll eventually post a link to my update with my dermatologist visit in June my hair did not do the greatest this spring. My hair is healthy but not as healthy as it could have been if I'd stayed consistent. But that's neither here nor there.

I'm slightly closer to the mirror in the June picture but not by that much. As you can see, my right side stayed the same length but my left caught up and went past. My thickness improved all around but I am definitely going to need a cut this year. My longest bits are about 2 inches from APL. However, since I know I'm a slow grower and will have to chop some of this off, I'm still aiming for full APL at the end of the year.

For summer, I put in a set of mini braids. I don't like them but I'm going up keep them as is for a few weeks to avoid over manipulating my hair. Not going to go hog wild, but there will be multiple hair relates purchases on Prime day. I have a few hair snood bundles in my cart. Not sure if I'll be able to improve my thickness/density but I've got a good grasp on how to retain my length and those will help.

For this length check, I dyed my hair 'Natural Black ' with the CHI Ion color system. Used It's A 10 H2O heat protectant spray and blow dried with my Dyson. I used some HealthySexyHair serum then flat ironed at 390°F with my flat iron I got from Sally's forever ago.



April 30 vs June 23

 

[CoiledOrchids]

getting my braids done july 25th. Still currently doing my castor oil challenge. I plan using this along with protective styling with braids until I reach BSL.

I've returned back to my simple regimen these days. I'm running low on braid spray so that will be the next thing I buy. Until then, I'll use up what I have.

about to go on academic leave from my job so I need to save up all the coins I can. I'm doing no spend july so I want to stick to it.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Taking my 5 week protective style down later.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Modest growth, going to keep my nape out, miss feeling my hair while Co Washing and want to use Ayurvedic on it to help with added growth

Debating whether I should do weekly length check until August 31st

 

[CoiledOrchids]

taking my hair down next weekend.
I'll do a full wash day and steam my hair when I dc

 

[Rocky91]

I'm going back to a tried-and-true protective style for me tomorrow: sew-in weaves. I had success with using them in the past, and since I use hair that blends pretty easily, I don't have to use heat on my own hair for them to look nice. I will probably do 2 back-to-back installs, then take a break, and go back again. That might bring me to the end of the year and we'll see where I am then.

This will give me some hair to style, protect my hair to retain length, and protect my lil hurt feelings just kidding, i've accepted it, but I am motivated to get that hair grown back asap. I will use the same weave regimen that I've always used: shampoo and condition at least 1x a week, using applicator bottles to get to my scalp.

 

[ScorpioLove]

For those who air dry sometimes, how long does your hair take to dry?

I haven’t been doing much to my hair, I am quite frankly too tired to do much of anything. I did a quick pull test though and my hair does seem to be growing/ showing some retention (too preggo to fit in my length check shirt). The really short parts that were missing from sewin damage/ damaged hair follicles are like 6 inches now though so I feel like my hair looks thinner at the ends since it’s so much thicker at the top. Doesn’t help that I’m 9 months post relaxer. It might even out once post partum hit but my density at the roots is so different than what I’m used to.

 

[faithVA]

For those who air dry sometimes, how long does your hair take to dry?

I haven’t been doing much to my hair, I am quite frankly too tired to do much of anything. I did a quick pull test though and my hair does seem to be growing/ showing some retention (too preggo to fit in my length check shirt). The really short parts that were missing from sewin damage/ damaged hair follicles are like 6 inches now though so I feel like my hair looks thinner at the ends since it’s so much thicker at the top. Doesn’t help that I’m 9 months post relaxer. It might even out once post partum hit but my density at the roots is so different than what I’m used to.

It depends on what products I use and whether I dry in regular twist or style my hair.

If I just use leave in and air dry with medium twist it probably takes 8 hours.

If I add gel and put it in Bantu Knots or flat twist its probably 12 to 18 hours.

I usually finish my hair by 8 and wear a microfiber cap for a while. My hair isn't dry by the morning but its dry by the time I get off work.

Congrats on your pregnancy.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Taking down KBs this weekend, will deep condition and do Ayurvedic treatments and braid large KBs, plan to redo them every 2 to 3 weeks to make doing Ayurvedic treatments in braids easier

 

[faithVA]

Regular reset today. I'm going to stick to length checks ever 3 months. In between I'm going to monitor my progress by observing my bantu knots in the back.

Now I put in 4 bantu knots in the back. I could do 2 but its a stretch. I'm going to observe the point when I can easily do 2 instead of 4. I hope I can do so before the end of September.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Regular reset today. I'm going to stick to length checks ever 3 months. In between I'm going to monitor my progress by observing my bantu knots in the back.

Now I put in 4 bantu knots in the back. I could do 2 but its a stretch. I'm going to observe the point when I can easily do 2 instead of 4. I hope I can do so before the end of September.

Love bantu knots!

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Finally got a Henna Tx today!
I haven't done one since end of March or April
I have so much Ayurvedic Tx sitting collecting dust

I'm going to challenge myself to use up at least half of my stock by the end of August

 

[CoiledOrchids]

doing a steam treatment on saturday. My hair has been so dry so I wanna make sure its well taken care of before I get my next set of braids. I will only keep the next set in for 8 weeks. By the time I remove them, it'll be time for a fresh trim.

my stylist is moving the location of her shop at the end of the summer. I like her. She's the only person here who does a silk press for $60.

 

[faithVA]

Love bantu knots!

I love how easy they are. When I get some more length want to see if I can pull off a Bantu Knot Out

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

I have large KBs now (16), takes so much less time to braid! This is how I will braid my hair routinely

Since they are larger, I will not do water rinses to keep them neat. This shouldn't hinder progress since I'll being doing more Ayurvedic treatments and taking them down every 1 to 3 weeks

Will moisten them with Aloe Spray for moisture between washes

 

[Etherbunnny]

What length are you now?

-about neck length

What is your length goal for 2025 ?

- shoulder length

What's your plan/regimen to reach your goal?

-Get back to the regimen I used when i grew my hair out to APL back in highschool.
-wash 2x a week:
Wednesday: -moisture d/c with Joico K pack overnight
-moisturize and seal
Sunday: -moisture shampoo
- protein d/c with Aphogee 2 minute reconstructor
- moisture d/c loreal expertise extraordinary oil
-moisturize and seal
-moisturize and seal atleast 3-4 times a week as I will be gluing down my humain hair wig for 2 days at a time max due to dance classes.
-utilize wild growth oil when i moisturize and seal or after shampooing and conditioning
-will be wigging it for the whole year as hair is really short in the nape and can't bun the way I did when i first grew my hair out to APL.


How will you celebrate/reward yourself when you reach your goal?

- a new designer purse or dyson airwrap tool to use on my human hair wigs.

How can we support you in reaching your goal?

- support when it comes to hairstyles and products to maximize hair growth and health. Also just by everyone posting their updates, that's great motivation for me to get back to a healthy hair routine.

*I will post a length picture next month after I relax. Don't have updated length pictures yet and don't want to use heat on my hair at the moment due to growing out damage.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

What length are you now?

-about neck length

What is your length goal for 2025 ?

- shoulder length

What's your plan/regimen to reach your goal?

-Get back to the regimen I used when i grew my hair out to APL back in highschool.
-wash 2x a week:
Wednesday: -moisture d/c with Joico K pack overnight
-moisturize and seal
Sunday: -moisture shampoo
- protein d/c with Aphogee 2 minute reconstructor
- moisture d/c loreal expertise extraordinary oil
-moisturize and seal
-moisturize and seal atleast 3-4 times a week as I will be gluing down my humain hair wig for 2 days at a time max due to dance classes.
-utilize wild growth oil when i moisturize and seal or after shampooing and conditioning
-will be wigging it for the whole year as hair is really short in the nape and can't bun the way I did when i first grew my hair out to APL.


How will you celebrate/reward yourself when you reach your goal?

- a new designer purse or dyson airwrap tool to use on my human hair wigs.

How can we support you in reaching your goal?

- support when it comes to hairstyles and products to maximize hair growth and health. Also just by everyone posting their updates, that's great motivation for me to get back to a healthy hair routine.

*I will post a length picture next month after I relax. Don't have updated length pictures yet and don't want to use heat on my hair at the moment due to growing out damage.

@Etherbunnny, Welcome! We're about the same length, should be exciting to see what lengths we can reach by the new year