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

[faithVA]

I'm almost out of leave-in, so it is time to find a new one. My hair is fine and easily weighed down, so I'm planning to try a leave-in spray versus a regular cream to see how that does. In the past I would not have considered a spray but after using the Prose leave-in, I've been thinking that my leave-ins have been too heavy. I think it is worth a try and if it doesn't work out I can always use the spray for a refresher.

I ordered the Miche Lavish Leave-In. I will be here Friday so I will try it out next wash day.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

This leave in spray surprised me when I tried it. My hair was really moisturized. @faithVA I just don’t like how bottle slip out of my hands with the sprays.

Lemongrass Leave In Conditioner

Transform dry, brittle hair with Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave-In Conditioner — lightweight, moisturizing spray that detangles, strengthens, and adds shine.

alikaynaturals.com

 

[B_Phlyy]

My ends still look even but they feel gummy. I don't even remember the last time I did a protein treatment. So the last few days, I've been using a keratin leave in. The full on treatment will probably be Sunday after the gym.

 

[faithVA]

This leave in spray surprised me when I tried it. My hair was really moisturized. @faithVA I just don’t like how bottle slip out of my hands with the sprays.

Lemongrass Leave In Conditioner

Transform dry, brittle hair with Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave-In Conditioner — lightweight, moisturizing spray that detangles, strengthens, and adds shine.

alikaynaturals.com

Thank you for the recommendation. I will keep it in mind.

 

[keranikki]

This leave in spray surprised me when I tried it. My hair was really moisturized. @faithVA I just don’t like how bottle slip out of my hands with the sprays.

Lemongrass Leave In Conditioner

Transform dry, brittle hair with Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave-In Conditioner — lightweight, moisturizing spray that detangles, strengthens, and adds shine.

alikaynaturals.com

I used to love this conditioner! I forgot why I stopped using it…I don’t think it played well with my other products. I may revisit this product.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

If she made this in a lotion version in a flip top bottle I’d be all over it. I have bad time gripping bottles. @keranikki

 

[Rocky91]

I’m really enjoying the ease of my hair right now, and I just reflected on why that is. I’ve inadvertently focused on styling techniques that attempt to fight shrinkage the past few years—stretching my wash and goes, stretching my twistouts, flexirod sets.

Now that my hair is short, I don’t feel any compulsion to try and stretch it. It’s just gonna be short no matter what, so why bother? I unravel my twists, pick it out, and go. The sweat from my workouts doesn’t bother me because I don’t care if it shrinks. I need to keep that same mindset even as it grows. It’s freeing.

 

[Napp]

I think I need a few more inches to get to full apl . It’s barely touching after my trim. BSL seems like a dream

 

[Yvette 2.0]

Thank you for the recommendation. I will keep it in mind.

@faithVA and @Bette Davis Eyes,

Could you transfer this liquid spray-in in to a spray bottle that's easier to grip?

 

[CoiledOrchids]

still doing my castor oil challenge.

will be washing my braids this afternoon.

loving the rosewater spray! I'm still keeping it simple with my protective styles.

Braids last longer than my bun so I'm sticking with the braids. Going back to my no heat routine has been good for me.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

@Yvette 2.0 I probably could but I’d still use too much because it’s a spray consistency. I was shocked that it moisturized so well but I would love it if it was a lotion/serum type.

It’s the only liquid spray leave in that worked for my loose hair.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

still doing my castor oil challenge.

will be washing my braids this afternoon.

loving the rosewater spray! I'm still keeping it simple with my protective styles.

Braids last longer than my bun so I'm sticking with the braids. Going back to my no heat routine has been good for me.

Glad you're still enjoying braids! I'll probably be back in KBs in Spring

 

[faithVA]

I had ordered the Miche leave-in spray but after I ordered then they gave me this ridiculously long delivery time, so I canceled that. I will just look around during the holiday weekend and do some research. In the meantime I will just combine the spray I have with the hair milk I'm trying to use up.

I took out my twist Thursday and wore a twistout yesterday and today. I rinsed today so I can color my hair tomorow.

Not sure if I'm going back into 2 strands or into flat twists. Whatever I do I'm going to try to get it done early in the day so I can enjoy the rest of my Sunday.

 

[faithVA]

Less than 45 days until the end of the year. Time is moving so fast.

I finally colored my hair. I won't be doing it again before the end of the year so my end of year pictures will be featuring some gray

Since I plan to just blow dry and trim for the pictures, it won't be that big a deal. I will do the whole color to flat iron when I think I'm at APL.

Last night I rinsed and detangled and put my hair into 6 Bantu Knots to be ready to color today.
I colored today. Since I'm out of leave-in, I used the Camille Rose braid conditioner with the Mielle hair milk. I definitely won't repurchase the hair milk. I'm not sure about the Camille Rose. I may try a few things that are sprays.

I had ordered the Mielle leave-in spray but it was going to take more than a month to get her. But I'm glad I canceled. Since I don't like the hair milk, maybe that was a sign that I don't like that brand at all.

I put my hair in 6 Bantu Knots. I will make them smaller later today so they can dry.

Tomorrow I will apply something, not sure what, before I put in my flat twist.

I think I will leave the two strands for Thanksgiving weekend.

 

[Napp]

I am going to try moisturizing and sealing twice daily. My ends are fresh and I want to keep as much length till my next trim. I bought some products specifically are to keep split ends at bay and I will use them daily while protective styling as much as possible. I am getting past apl by 2026 gosh darn it

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

I am going to try moisturizing and sealing twice daily. My ends are fresh and I want to keep as much length till my next trim. I bought some products specifically are to keep split ends at bay and I will use them daily while protective styling as much as possible. I am getting past apl by 2026 gosh darn it

Yes you can!

I'm loving cold pressed argan oil for moisturizing and castor oil to protect ends