APL`13 Challenge

[pearlific1]

yaya24 Soooooo how was your hair after it dried?

 

[beautyintheyes]

im checking in i havent been on here in about a few weeks been so busy with school and that didnt go well but i was so busy i didnt notice my hair and low and behold im grazing apl but only if i pull it just down it looks like 2 inches away so untill it looks apl down no tension then im not claiming anything and i cant upload picture rightnow my phone is trippen but the next length check i might have a new one. i hae just been washing it when ever i want and pony tailing it i have to stop washing so much more hair is coming out

 

[BShamWow]

Welp I'm finally all settled in my new place. MOVING SUUUUUUUUCCCKS.
Relaxed my hair a couple of days ago and it seems fuller, but idk... I'm going to stick to not doing anything brand new or special to my hair for awhile. Just want to stick to my weekly wash ritual and keeping it moisturized.

 

[yaya24]

pearlific1

Its still texlaxed (what I wanted) minus the extra puffiness.

I say it was a win.- I was not going for bone straight, I just wanted a more uniform texture.

I am good until my September touch up, which I am very confident about doing.

 

[BShamWow]

Really think I need to start processing my relaxer longer. I'm not liking my poofy hair. This last relaxer, I did the half and half method and processed each section like 17 minutes. The time before that I processed each section 13 minutes and it was like not a drop of creamy crack had touched my hair. Before I started this journey, I would self relax my whole head and process my hair until God know's when and parts of my hair would still come out under processed smh... what am I doing wrong???

 

[BEAUTYU2U]

Sorry I've been MIA guys. My hair is gonna kick my arse soon. I've been sooo neglectful.

 

[ChannieBoo3]

Checking in ... Right now I'm really just focusing on moisturizing my ends and my NG... I currently have about two inches of NG and will be getting a relaxer on Sunday .. Any suggestions on good no-lye relaxers ?

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

Since I have NOTHING hair related to report but dont want to go back into lurk mode I will say...

OT: I'm a dog person, I've had dogs since I was 16, my parents were dog people, I went to India and literally brought back a dog (just some background). I got really depressed because I had to drop out of school this semester because financial aid is being a douche (can I say that here? lol) and got my self a freaking kitten!!!!

I dont know poop about cats AT ALL and I got a freaking kitten. So I've been spending the past week introducing the dogs to the cat and cat to the dogs and learning about cat behavior. Turns out minus the many o'scratches I now have (I assume they will become less with age as the major scratches happened either during an intro scare with the dogs or trying to jump on my lap while on the toilet lol) I just might be a cat person. And since I believe in forever homes (I dont give up on a pet, I make it work, there is no rehoming) this WILL work. Well I have a major break through today. I now have my eldest dog Saigon and Moshi the cat in the same freaking room no more than 2ft apart and there is calmness and silence I'm so geeked

It will take much longer for Nai and the cat to be together like this as he is the street dog from India and has a very high prey drive. I realize they may never be able to fully enjoy each others company but I've already have things in place for that. Dogs (both) are not allowed around Moshi unsupervised by me for at least the next 6mos. After that most likely only Saigon and Moshi will be able to hang out together in my room alone for short periods if needed.

I eventually want to have all 3 be able to hang out in the living room together. I have already put up several cat shelves so that Moshi can be above ground where dogs cant bother him if needed (he's too small to use them now)


OH WAIT!!! I do have something hair related!!! Because I've been farting around with the animals my hair is all kind of matted and tangled. I will have so much fun tomorrow detangling my hair lol

 

[BEAUTYU2U]

Haha. I enjoyed that story. I've always been a cat person. Cats are independent, like their space, but can be very affectionate during quiet, relaxing times. I hope all three get along.

Oh, and I finally washed my hair I haven't been very excited about my hair lately. I don't know why. I think once it got to a certain length I got comfortable.

 

[pearlific1]

Really think I need to start processing my relaxer longer. I'm not liking my poofy hair. This last relaxer, I did the half and half method and processed each section like 17 minutes. The time before that I processed each section 13 minutes and it was like not a drop of creamy crack had touched my hair. Before I started this journey, I would self relax my whole head and process my hair until God know's when and parts of my hair would still come out under processed smh... what am I doing wrong???

It could be a number of things:
1.Maybe your relaxer isn't strong enough for your hair type
2. Maybe you are pre basing too much
3. Maybe your smoothing time and technique should be modified according to your hair type

I have found that even though my hair is fine and is easily relaxed, if the smoothing and processing time aren't accurate, the stylist has just wasted my time because my hair will not process correctly.

I had been fully natural for a little over a year when I decided to relax again. I told the stylist not to over process my hair and I would be timing her Her smoothing technique sucked and while my hair looked straight, when the relaxer was rinsed out, it was anything but straight. I was so under processed that I still looked natural. Boo that.

 

[BShamWow]

It could be a number of things:
1.Maybe your relaxer isn't strong enough for your hair type
2. Maybe you are pre basing too much
3. Maybe your smoothing time and technique should be modified according to your hair type

I have found that even though my hair is fine and is easily relaxed, if the smoothing and processing time aren't accurate, the stylist has just wasted my time because my hair will not process correctly.

I had been fully natural for a little over a year when I decided to relax again. I told the stylist not to over process my hair and I would be timing her Her smoothing technique sucked and while my hair looked straight, when the relaxer was rinsed out, it was anything but straight. I was so under processed that I still looked natural. Boo that.

I'm going to modify my smoothing time and basing for the next relaxer. I definitely base more now to protect my scalp and length of my hair. Going to research other techniques.

 

[WhereItsAt]

I finally took my sew in down. I detangled and I might flat iron a few pieces for a length check. Supposed to be getting senegalese twists soon. My small fingertip sized bald spot from a bad sew in is starting to fill in. My left side is catching up with my right side finally.. My hair has gotten thicker. I won't relax my hair for right now. I'll just let it grow, keep it protected, and flat iron if I want straight hair.

 

[cynthiapierfax]

My recent length post weave (left) take out vs. previous take out. I took it after sweating a lil so it's a lil longer

 

[WhereItsAt]

Well I had to do a trim. I trimmed around half an inch. Took pictures but not sure if I will post them bc the length looks the same to me from June 8 even though my hair has grown.. My ng shrinks up quite a bit..

 

[NefertariBlu]

Does anyone else feel like this journey to apl has been a struggle? I swear it has been so frustrating. I have had a few set backs that have made this journey soooo long.

It all started with bad heat damage from the first year in started my hhj. 4 inches at the front of my hair to my crown suffered bad heat damage. I decided to grow it out, which took me two years. So January this year l decided to cut all the heat damaged hair off and start again. I cut off about 3-4 inches from the front and middle of my hair. Before I cut it, my the front passed my chin, when l cut it it came just below my eyes, on the bridge of my nose. I was soooo upset about it but l was glad that it was gone.

I had another set back which ruined my hair and ate about 2 inches. Long story short, if you swim in sea water with braid extensions make sure you wash them properly to get the salt water all out.

Its also frustrating to see that l am coming up to my 3 year anniversary of my hhj and ppl who started at the same time are so far a head of me length wise.

I am thankful for all the advice l have received here. Not only in this thread but l finally understand that my hair is fine and really likes protein. It has been a long journey and l am finally seeing progress with what my hair likes and needs.

Right now l am wearing braid extensions, will be until the end of August but l took a braid out just to check my progress and guess what? I think l made it.

I didn't realise l had since my hair shrinks up. Its taken a while for me to believe it. I keep looking at the pic and thinking l haven't

This is a true mile stone for me. My hair has never been this long. So now l am working on the front to make full apl,

So sorry for the long post ladies, you really don't know how hard l have been working to retain length. But now l know its growing.

 

[tapioca_pudding]

Did a trim last night, between 1/4 and 1/2 inch. I hated trimming the length lol but my ends look better and feel better. My hair is fine so I need to dust here and there. My bf trimmed my back and I think he took off a bit more than I wanted, but I'm not tripping over it. I still think I can make APL by December!

 

[Ann0804]

Just checking in:

I'm adding more shampoo sessions and fewer co wash sessions to my regimen this summer.

 

[yaya24]

Today I did my first black tea rinse. I did not notice anything spectacular in regards to less shedding. I will do one again on Friday, and try to incorporate them every wash (except on my protein DC day).

----------------------------------

I am probably going to be participating in the APL 2014 challenge.

I JUST realized we only have 4 months left in 2013.
With that being said, I will not be dusting for the rest of the year + no heat.

If I pray really hard and have faith (and stay on my regimen) I should be full APL by Feb 2014.. Happy Valentine's to me.


------------------------------------

I am happy my length check shirt came in.
I got it in the mail today. I should have purchased a medium.. just in case I get bigger before I make MBL. The small from http://www.blackhairinformation.com fits like an extra small. SUPER SNUG. Def won't be tossing it in the washer/dryer. It was 11.90 + free s&h last week..

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

Cant wait til I'm apl... Actually I just cant wait to be back in familiar territory really. From bald to apl is all brand new for me and I've just kind of being rolling with the punches as I go. Once I hit apl then bsb shouldnt be that far behind and then its easy street for me because I've been there before and know exactly what to expect. But this whole waiting game is killing me lol

 

[NefertariBlu]

Cant wait til I'm apl... Actually I just cant wait to be back in familiar territory really. From bald to apl is all brand new for me and I've just kind of being rolling with the punches as I go. Once I hit apl then bsb shouldnt be that far behind and then its easy street for me because I've been there before and know exactly what to expect. But this whole waiting game is killing me lol

Look at this show off flaunting her unicorn hair growth at me kmt

Good luck girl

 

[crimsonpeach]

Does anyone else feel like this journey to apl has been a struggle? I swear it has been so frustrating. I have had a few set backs that have made this journey soooo long.

So sorry for the long post ladies, you really don't know how hard l have been working to retain length. But now l know its growing.

I so identify with you! My current length (CBL in back/ CL in front and sides) is the longest my hair has ever been. Currently my edges are struggling. The hair there is so fragile. I'm trying to figure out a way to maintain growth and repair breakage there. I'm currently wearing twists but detangling is killing it. Still discovering what will work.

Congrats on your success!

 

[pearlific1]

Cant wait til I'm apl... Actually I just cant wait to be back in familiar territory really. From bald to apl is all brand new for me and I've just kind of being rolling with the punches as I go. Once I hit apl then bsb shouldnt be that far behind and then its easy street for me because I've been there before and know exactly what to expect. But this whole waiting game is killing me lol

ALL of this. APL is always a struggle for me because of the distance from SL. Once I hit APL, BSB is about 4-6 months away. That was my favorite length because I love long ponytails.

As yaya24 stated, I might also be in the APL 2014 challenge because I cannot quit trimming.

 

[NefertariBlu]

I so identify with you! My current length (CBL in back/ CL in front and sides) is the longest my hair has ever been. Currently my edges are struggling. The hair there is so fragile. I'm trying to figure out a way to maintain growth and repair breakage there. I'm currently wearing twists but detangling is killing it. Still discovering what will work.

Congrats on your success!

I was collar bone length for a while. I'm still trying to get over the hump in certain places which is just past collar bone too. I still have a long way to go. For me its just keeping things very simple. trying not to over complicate things and treating my hair very carefully is what is helping me.

I have issues with my edges too and I have just been using castor oil on them. Seems to be doing ok so far. I'm learning to be patient

 

[hairqueen7]

I'm back had to renew my subscription,my hair is doing well still live my wigs here is sum pics I'vs been doing to my hair over the last 2weeks.

 

[hairqueen7]

My hair is doing well here is a pic.of my hairstyles over the last 2 weeks

 

[hairqueen7]

My hair is doing well here is a pic.of my hairstyles over the last 2 weeks

Sorry will the double post

 

[Ann0804]

All my bun lovers. I found this video on a twisted side bun that's cute and easy. Looks like a good way to change up the plain old bun. I'll probably try it out next week. Here's the link.

http://youtu.be/-MBVkB2KxEk

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

All my bun lovers. I found this video on a twisted side bun that's cute and easy. Looks like a good way to change up the plain old bun. I'll probably try it out next week. Here's the link.

http://youtu.be/-MBVkB2KxEk

This is super cut but I think bobby pins are the debil!!! Plus I'm pretty sure I dont have enough hair for this lol

 

[Ann0804]

I've started washing my hair in two sections and this really does help keep my hair from becoming tangled.

Initially I though my hair would not get as clean, but I was wrong.

 

[yaya24]

Just finished DC and lightly blowing out my hair.


I am going back to the basics for the rest of the year.
Getting cornrows done by a friend tomorrow morning.
Wigs and cornrows will be my bff till January.

3-4 weeks per cornrow set.
Take down enjoy buns for a week.. then get some new cornrows.

Simplicity.