Anyone start with SL hair and now at or near BSL?

[FAMUDva]

I need INSPIRATION! I'm mostly 4a (so I've been told), and have only been a 1-2 inches past where I am currently in my adult life. I'm losing hope! I have been on LHCF since Nov 2005 and already had very healthy hair before joining. Even now, the health is fine, but when will I see real growth. I've tried not to be drawn in by the PJism and it's worked pretty good so far.

I feel the BIGGEST mistake I made was starting a 10 mon transition (ended it in May of this year). I say that because the transition seemed to do more harm than help. I went back to the creamy crack in the form of texulax in May and had MAJOR shedding up until a couple of weeks ago. But because my hair looked straggily, the stylist "trimmed" 1.5- 2" of hair after the texurizer/relaxer. Right now my regimine is pretty simple and I hope to keep it that way, but I'd love some inspiration and tips from ladies who started at shoulder length or shorter and saw progress to near BSL within a 1- 1.5 years.

TIA!

Where I am Currently:

 

[FAMUDva]

BTW, Here's what I currently do:

MTG- 2-3X a week or when I think about it at night.

Wash- 1X a week or as needed if more than once a week, Clarify when I feel I need it.
DC- 1X a week, tried ConWash and HATED it! I can't deal with too much manipulation of wet hair.

Products- now Motions moisterizing shampoo/ conditioner, but have TRIED many since first starting LHCF. Wasn't impressed with trying every product mentioned, so I stopped. Mosterize with a blended oil and Humectress.

Relaxing- Every 10-12 weeks now that I'm back to it. Not straight, but more texulaxed. Last one was Aug. 8th

Trim- Never again! I now let my mom dust my ends for me since I trust her. Last dusting about 2 weeks ago.

Other stuff I can think of:
I comb my hair as little as possible during the week, relying on finger combing and brushing to minimize manipulation.
I wrap my hair with silk scarf or bonnet at night.
I RARELY use direct heat: usually when i go to the salon, which is 1X a month or less and sometimes when I flat iron myself with cermaic iron.

 

[FAMUDva]

Bumping for responses... I'm guessing no one wants to help this sista out.

 

[krissyprissy]

I started with SL hair when I joined this board. At first the growth was slow but once I discovered protective styling and end retention my hair took off. I dont wrap anymore,I just gave up the brush a week ago, and mainly wear my hair up 90% of the time. So, for me its wasnt the products but the right technique. I hope to be at BSL by Dec 31.

 

[FAMUDva]

Good luck girl! It looks like you will be there! I was just sitting here thinking I'm gonna have to give up wearing my hair down straight for a while to acheive what I wanna do.

Maybe I'll try flexirod sets and roller sets along with my buns/pony tails. How oh how do you save your ends when doing the donut bun? I personally don't wear weaves or phony ponies, so any advice there would be great! I use the sock method to create my bun and sometimes I wear a ponytail, but I'm guessing that's not helping much.

It's 3+ months until the end of the year and I hope I can get at LEAST 1.5" growth by then. I'll try some of the tips you've mentioned.

THANKS!

 

[goldensensation]

I think that sistaslick did and she is below BSL.

 

[determined_to_grow]

Hey Famudva
My hair is no way near BsL but that is my goal. Anyway, I think you should try the protective styling I am really going to try it and see what happens.

 

[FAMUDva]

I think that sistaslick did and she is below BSL.

Thanks!

 

[MzOptimistic]

The protective styles really work

 

[FAMUDva]

Hey Famudva
My hair is no way near BsL but that is my goal. Anyway, I think you should try the protective styling I am really going to try it and see what happens.

Girl, I'm gonna try it with you. I just hope roller sets count as protective styling since I get tired of buns/ ponytails .

 

[Naijaqueen]

maryj1584 (girl u know had to call u out) did, when she joined the site last may she was about shoulder length, and right now is basically BSL Her fotki is in her sig.

 

[CreoleBelle]

I cut my hair to SL Sept. 2005 and now it's a little longer than the pic in my avatar. I'm on my way to BSL yay!!!

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

I started w/nape length hair and I'm about 2-3 inches from BSL, I'm hoping to be there by 12/06, (God Willing).

 

[simplycee]

I feel your pain. Don't give up. I started off with hair a little longer than sl and I'm at bsl now. Its taken me 2 years but that is because for the longest time I was my own shs (scissor happy stylist) and would cut off my progress in an attempt to have even (blunt cut) hair. When I stopped doing that I saw progress.

I will agree that protective styling while boring most certainly will help you retain your ends. I did it for one year and retain almost all the growth I got. Cutting back on the direct heat will also help. I'm back to rollersets myself as my hair no longer likes air drying. I don't see them as a protective style unless you put it up as an updo.

I saw your regimen and it looks pretty good but you didn't mention what you use to moisturize and how often you do it.

 

[FAMUDva]

maryj1584 (girl u know had to call u out) did, when she joined the site last may she was about shoulder length, and right now is basically BSL Her fotki is in her sig.

Gracias!

 

[FAMUDva]

I feel your pain. Don't give up. I started off with hair a little longer than sl and I'm at bsl now. Its taken me 2 years but that is because for the longest time I was my own shs (scissor happy stylist) and would cut off my progress in an attempt to have even (blunt cut) hair. When I stopped doing that I saw progress.

I will agree that protective styling while boring most certainly will help you retain your ends. I did it for one year and retain almost all the growth I got. Cutting back on the direct heat will also help. I'm back to rollersets myself as my hair no longer likes air drying. I don't see them as a protective style unless you put it up as an updo.
I saw your regimen and it looks pretty good but you didn't mention what you use to moisturize and how often you do it.

Thanks for the comments girl! I had been using Mango Butter, but now I use a creme hairdress by motions on my ends. I oil my scalp with this mixture that is similar to hot six oil. Do you have any suggestions for a great mositerizer? I've also been playing with bagging my ends at night. Haven't been consistant with that, but now that I'm going to be committed to wearing it up during the fall/winter, I'll be more apt to baggy it at night.

ETA: The other question, so wearing curly roller sets and flexi rod sets are not protective? I thought they would be since I typically don't comb/brush for the whole week of my sets. I usually put a bonnet on at night and when I wake in the morning just finger pull them out. I had always thought this was protective. hmmm. Maybe I do have to rethink my hair logic. Thanks again!

 

[Mitre]

I started with sl hair march 2005 my hair is now 1 inch to the top of my bra. My hair type is 4A. In addition to this I recently trim off 2-3 inches due to hard water, heat and underprocess hair. I have decided to relax my hair 90% instead of 75% because I cannot deal with the different textures.

 

[bajanplums1]

My hair was at chin length 1.5 years ago . I have reached shoulder but feel I hover there, the growth I get is just slowly inching past the shoulders. My plan is to be arm pit by next summer, then I'll work on bra strap.


My approach is
* to remain heat free
* relax every 3 months
* vitamins
* continue to use the moisturizing products that have worked so well thus far

We can all do it, it takes patience, committment, and discipline.

 

[FAMUDva]

I started with sl hair march 2005 my hair is now 1 inch to the top of my bra. My hair type is 4A. In addition to this I recently trim off 2-3 inches due to hard water, heat and underprocess hair. I have decided to relax my hair 90% instead of 75% because I cannot deal with the different textures.

Wow, your hair looks great! It gives me hope!

I think I'm probably about 90% tex. When I came out of my 10 mon transition, I let the lady at the dominican salon do a kiddie perm and she straightened it too straight. NOw I'm back with my traditional stylist and she did a Elastica QP sensitive scalp about a month ago and as she says it, she just "smoothed my NG" slightly. I seems to be growing, but after a visit to the salon on Thursday where she flat ironed my roots, my hair doesn't seem to have any new progress. I know it's only been about a month, but I'm like dang!

 

[imani97]

Thanks for the comments girl! I had been using Mango Butter, but now I use a creme hairdress by motions on my ends. I oil my scalp with this mixture that is similar to hot six oil. Do you have any suggestions for a great mositerizer? I've also been playing with bagging my ends at night. Haven't been consistant with that, but now that I'm going to be committed to wearing it up during the fall/winter, I'll be more apt to baggy it at night.

ETA: The other question, so wearing curly roller sets and flexi rod sets are not protective? I thought they would be since I typically don't comb/brush for the whole week of my sets. I usually put a bonnet on at night and when I wake in the morning just finger pull them out. I had always thought this was protective. hmmm. Maybe I do have to rethink my hair logic. Thanks again!

Rollersets aren't protective b/c your ends are still exposed. You can look at my fotki to see if I fit the description. I would have been closer to BSL or even at it if I hadn't allowed my stylist to cut my hair into a blunt cut. I only wore protective styles for a few months and that's what got me past the SL hurdle. Your ends may be getting chewed up from your hair rubbing against your clothes. Once you get past a certain length, I think that it's easier to maintain your ends while wearing your hair down. You may also need to keep looking for a good moisturizer if the one you are using isn't working well. Also check out Sylver and Anky's albums. HTH

 

[FAMUDva]

Rollersets aren't protective b/c your ends are still exposed. You can look at my fotki to see if I fit the description. I would have been closer to BSL or even at it if I hadn't allowed my stylist to cut my hair into a blunt cut. I only wore protective styles for a few months and that's what got me past the SL hurdle. Your ends may be getting chewed up from your hair rubbing against your clothes. Once you get past a certain length, I think that it's easier to maintain your ends while wearing your hair down. You may also need to keep looking for a good moisturizer if the one you are using isn't working well. Also check out Sylver and Anky's albums. HTH

Thanks so much! Girl, of course your progress fits my description! I guess I was so specific because I've been in aww of all the ladies that have BSL-WL hair and when I've looked at their albums it seemed that they've had somewhat long hair for a good portion of their adult lives. Great inspiration and gorgous hair none the less, but I was starting to feel like, dang, maybe a chick like me (who hasn't had hair longer than 3" past shoulder length as an adult), can't acheive this!

At any rate, thanks for the inspiration from EVERYONE! I will resign myself to the REAL protective styling until the end of the year and see where it gets me. I think you're right about my ends rubbing up against my clothes. I'm going to read the boards for a little longer then head up to the BSS to get some leave in and moisterizer to start today

 

[remnant]

I need INSPIRATION! I'm mostly 4a (so I've been told), and have only been a 1-2 inches past where I am currently in my adult life. I'm losing hope! I have been on LHCF since Nov 2005 and already had very healthy hair before joining. Even now, the health is fine, but when will I see real growth. I've tried not to be drawn in by the PJism and it's worked pretty good so far.

I feel the BIGGEST mistake I made was starting a 10 mon transition (ended it in May of this year). I say that because the transition seemed to do more harm than help. I went back to the creamy crack in the form of texulax in May and had MAJOR shedding up until a couple of weeks ago. But because my hair looked straggily, the stylist "trimmed" 1.5- 2" of hair after the texurizer/relaxer. Right now my regimine is pretty simple and I hope to keep it that way, but I'd love some inspiration and tips from ladies who started at shoulder length or shorter and saw progress to near BSL within a 1- 1.5 years.

TIA!

Where I am Currently:

Like the others ladies said it is possible be encourage, you'll reach your goal, IMHO protective styles and moisturising are the keys for you
I'm natural 4a/b but i hope this pics will encourage you as well.
first pic 2 november 2005
second pic 2 september 2006

 

[simplycee]

Do you have any suggestions for a great mositerizer?

The best daily moisturizer I have found to date is Qhemets Biologics Sidr Butter. Its $10 for a 4 oz jar but it works for my hair, especially my ends.

I like wearing flexi sets when I don't want tocomb my hair but I don't consider it a protective style because my ends are exposed and rubbing against my clothes. Protective styling has helped a couple ladies get past sl.

The baggy method worked good for me too.

 

[deltagyrl]

Hey girl!

I think we have the same bsl goal. I'm hanging in there with you and hopefully we'll be there sooner than later.

I recently found a bun in someone's journal that I liked so I may give that a try.

I relax & trim every three months, no heat in between salon visits and roller set when the new growth gets outta control. I recently gave birth and still take my prenatals along with biotin. I try to drink lots of water as well.

I'm not a fan of mixing products or spending big $$$ so I use NTM shampoo, daily conditioner & leave in, mask & serum- they are my (very affordable) staples. I also use diluted lottabody for roller sets, MNT detangler and mango butter (love this) moisturizer. So far this really works for me as my hair is very healthy. I just want it to grow, baby, grow!

HTH!!

 

[myco]

Maybe as a compromise, you can pin your rollersets and flexirod sets up into a quick updo. Kind of pin the back up with a couple of pins a pull a few tendrils out for a cute look. That will keep your ends off your clothes and keep them from being tugged on. It's not as protective as a bun, but it will break up the monotony.

 

[FAMUDva]

Hey girl!

I think we have the same bsl goal. I'm hanging in there with you and hopefully we'll be there sooner than later.

I recently found a bun in someone's journal that I liked so I may give that a try.

I relax & trim every three months, no heat in between salon visits and roller set when the new growth gets outta control. I recently gave birth and still take my prenatals along with biotin. I try to drink lots of water as well.

I'm not a fan of mixing products or spending big $$$ so I use NTM shampoo, daily conditioner & leave in, mask & serum- they are my (very affordable) staples. I also use diluted lottabody for roller sets, MNT detangler and mango butter (love this) moisturizer. So far this really works for me as my hair is very healthy. I just want it to grow, baby, grow!

HTH!!

Thanks Girl! I am in this for the long haul! You guys are so much inspiration and are helping me to see it can be done!

Maybe as a compromise, you can pin your rollersets and flexirod sets up into a quick updo. Kind of pin the back up with a couple of pins a pull a few tendrils out for a cute look. That will keep your ends off your clothes and keep them from being tugged on. It's not as protective as a bun, but it will break up the monotony.

Great idea! I will however make the FULL committment to real protective styling through the end of the year. I'll be bunning and figuring out ways to do that until December 31st. There will be at least one time in between now and then that I'll have to get a touch up, but I'll have her do a flexirod set for the touch up and I'll try your suggestion then. But other than that I'm gonna fully committ.

It shouldn't be so hard... Losing 45lbs should have been more difficult than me wearing a bun all the time! So if I could do that, then I CAN and WILL do this .

You ladies are GREAT! And thanks for all the albums with great inspiration and ideas!

 

[krissyprissy]

How oh how do you save your ends when doing the donut bun?

I use either Surge Ultra Max or Profective Healthy Ends on the ends before buning or french roll.

 

[FAMUDva]

Ok Ladies, you've all inspired me! And rather quickly I might add! Below is my first true protective style that will get me beyond SL . I just went in the bathroom and dug up an old hair accessory that I bought years ago and didn't have enough hair to use it.

And thanks Sistaslick for the idea about the Chinese bun (your fotki). I did that one just before I used this accessory. My DBF liked the chinese bun, but he thought it will look even better when I have more hair. His favorite bun to date is the donut, which had been the only one I knew how to do before viewing your albums.

Thanks!

 

[shunta]

Ok Ladies, you've all inspired me! And rather quickly I might add! Below is my first true protective style that will get me beyond SL . I just went in the bathroom and dug up an old hair accessory that I bought years ago and didn't have enough hair to use it.

And thanks Sistaslick for the idea about the Chinese bun (your fotki). I did that one just before I used this accessory. My DBF liked the chinese bun, but he thought it will look even better when I have more hair. His favorite bun to date is the donut, which had been the only one I knew how to do before viewing your albums.

Thanks!

So cute, I love this!!!

 

[FAMUDva]

So cute, I love this!!!

THANKS! That makes me feel so much better about the journey I'm about to embark upon.