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

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Rocky91 said:
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.
Click to expand...
So sorry but glad you have a positive outlook.
 
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. :lol: It is a horrible picture but :ohwell:



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.

20250629_181010.jpg
 
faithVA said:
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. :lol: It is a horrible picture but :ohwell:



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
Click to expand...
Love the volume :heart3:
 
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.

IMG_20250626_004803.jpg

April 30 vs June 23
 
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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.
 
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 :lol: 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.
 
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.
 
ScorpioLove said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
faithVA said:
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.
Click to expand...
Love bantu knots!:heart3:
 
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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 said:
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.
Click to expand...
@Etherbunnny, Welcome! We're about the same length, should be exciting to see what lengths we can reach by the new year :)
 
I've relegated any type of length checks to the end of each quarter. I'm pretty sure I'm retaining something but right now I can't tell whether I am making progress with my lower layers. And I really don't want to get obsessive about it. Instead of doing length checks, I've decided to measure progress in other ways, like being able to do 2 Bantu Knots in the back instead of the 4 I currently do. This makes more sense, because what I really ant is to be able to do certain styles with my hair.

I don't do much with my hair once I put it up for the week. I put on my cap at night and take it off in the morning. That is about it. But if I wear a barrette or banana clip to hold my twists, I may or may not take it out in the evening.

Last night I took out my barrette while sitting on the coach watching television. I was just playing around with the twist and thought, hmm, let me braid these all together. So I have 10 or so twists that I braided together and then was able to tuck the ends under. That is definitely progress because I know 6 months ago I could not do that. The braid is about 4 inches long.

I wouldn't wear it out or anything but it was nice to see that I can do that.

I don't know if I will make it this year but my 2 goals are
1. To be to just put in 2 strand twist and pull them all up into a bun. If I can get to even just the majority of the twist in a bun with leaving the front that would be a good milestone as well. But this would allow me the opportunity to rinse in twist.

2. Styling my flat twist all towards the back and then able to pull them together whether into a twist or braid or barrette and tuck them under.

Looking forward to what my hair achieves in the next 5 months.
 
Etherbunnny said:
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.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the challenge. We are glad to have you. We will support you in your journey and we can't wait to see your fabulous results.
 
faithVA said:
I've relegated any type of length checks to the end of each quarter. I'm pretty sure I'm retaining something but right now I can't tell whether I am making progress with my lower layers. And I really don't want to get obsessive about it. Instead of doing length checks, I've decided to measure progress in other ways, like being able to do 2 Bantu Knots in the back instead of the 4 I currently do. This makes more sense, because what I really ant is to be able to do certain styles with my hair.

I don't do much with my hair once I put it up for the week. I put on my cap at night and take it off in the morning. That is about it. But if I wear a barrette or banana clip to hold my twists, I may or may not take it out in the evening.

Last night I took out my barrette while sitting on the coach watching television. I was just playing around with the twist and thought, hmm, let me braid these all together. So I have 10 or so twists that I braided together and then was able to tuck the ends under. That is definitely progress because I know 6 months ago I could not do that. The braid is about 4 inches long.

I wouldn't wear it out or anything but it was nice to see that I can do that.

I don't know if I will make it this year but my 2 goals are
1. To be to just put in 2 strand twist and pull them all up into a bun. If I can get to even just the majority of the twist in a bun with leaving the front that would be a good milestone as well. But this would allow me the opportunity to rinse in twist.

2. Styling my flat twist all towards the back and then able to pull them together whether into a twist or braid or barrette and tuck them under.

Looking forward to what my hair achieves in the next 5 months.
Click to expand...
It’s awesome that you are able to see hair growth in other ways than through a length check. I think it helps from becoming discouraged, especially if you had a setback.
 
I’m currently still at CBL and my ends are still breaking off in little bits. I thought it was the Skala DCs that were adding too much protein to my hair, but it was my Aloe Hibiscus Rinse that is the culprit. I stopped using the DCs and used the rinse as a daily refresher.
I have now stopped using the rinse and I’m back to using diluted Infusium 23. My hair looks healthier with my new black hair, but I know I’m going to have to cut my hair at some point. For now I’m babying my ends and will keep my hair hidden in protective styles.
 
keranikki said:
It’s awesome that you are able to see hair growth in other ways than through a length check. I think it helps from becoming discouraged, especially if you had a setback.
Click to expand...
I agree. The back of my hair grows so slowly and not consistently month to month. Finding any other way keeps me motivated.
 
keranikki said:
I’m currently still at CBL and my ends are still breaking off in little bits. I thought it was the Skala DCs that were adding too much protein to my hair, but it was my Aloe Hibiscus Rinse that is the culprit. I stopped using the DCs and used the rinse as a daily refresher.
I have now stopped using the rinse and I’m back to using diluted Infusium 23. My hair looks healthier with my new black hair, but I know I’m going to have to cut my hair at some point. For now I’m babying my ends and will keep my hair hidden in protective styles.
Click to expand...
Glad you found the culprit. Was it the aloe?
 
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