APL`13 Challenge

[CoiledByNature]

This MTG is really oily and BBQ smelling. It's messy to apply and very much so a hassle. Im not gonna complain just yet because if the reviews are true I should be way past APL by dec 13' but damn I hope it's not for nothing. Applying this mess and smelling like food everyday takes commitment!

 

[waffigrl]

Joining this challenge!!! I think I should be able to make it this year and not trim....

Current hair length
7-7.5 inches in the front; 4-5 inches on the sides and back
(I got it cut into a tapered shape
Relaxed/Natural/Texlaxed/Transitioning
I iz Natchal !!!
Goal Month
Assuming that APL on me is about 12 inches in the back, I'm giving myself till the December 2013
Current Reggie and styling choices
Currently doing a U-Part wig regimen with cornrows underneath and weekly washing and detangling and recornrowing (is that a word? lol). I've been using the Mercy sulfur cream and hennaing monthly. And I've been retaining length pretty well!
What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
Less out styles
No extensions directly on my hair (including sew-ins!)
Post a beginning picture
...I don't know how...if I figure it out I'll post

 

[aishasoleil]

lol! I feel u! No sense in hesitating if it's here. How long did you use it before? Did you get visible results?
I'm lookin for a new multi vit with more iron so I can take two horse pills daily instead of 4. I almost killed myself one night chokin on a pill! lol my SO was lookin at me like is it worth all that!

I used it for about 3-4 month the last time. While the instructions say to give it around 6 months to see results, I noticed a difference in my hair and nails after 3. It wasn't a crazy drastic change, but I was getting a consistent rate of 1" per month and I had much less breakage. I don't get a lot of breakage anyway, but I am always trying to reduce it. Also, without supplements my rate varies from .5" -1". Viviscal just helps me reach my max potential.

Oh, and Viviscal is great because the pills are small and easy to swallow... unlike my regular multi. LOLOLOLOL! I'm actually thinking of looking for a good liquid or chewable multi.

 

[aishasoleil]

I just started taking hairfinity, which I've read really good things about And they're so easy to swallow.

I've heard good things about it as well. I'm not sure why I have yet to try it. Maybe I will at some point!

 

[aishasoleil]

This MTG is really oily and BBQ smelling. It's messy to apply and very much so a hassle. Im not gonna complain just yet because if the reviews are true I should be way past APL by dec 13' but damn I hope it's not for nothing. Applying this mess and smelling like food everyday takes commitment!

BBQ?!!?! Hahaha! That stuff must be really good, though if ladies are willing to smell like any food other than baked sweets or fruit. *runs off to do some research*

 

[CoiledByNature]

BBQ?!!?! Hahaha! That stuff must be really good, though if ladies are willing to smell like any food other than baked sweets or fruit. *runs off to do some research*

Lol I sure hope so!!!

 

[BEAUTYU2U]

Sorry to have been MIA lately, guys. Just started a new job! My hair is good. I've been using JBCO for HOTs and sealing a lot lately. My hair feels soft and moisturized despite this cold weather. HHG!

 

[LovLeeLaDee]

I just started taking hairfinity, which I've read really good things about And they're so easy to swallow.

Are you taking a multivitamin too? Or is the hairfinity full of vitamins?

 

[LovLeeLaDee]

This MTG is really oily and BBQ smelling. It's messy to apply and very much so a hassle. Im not gonna complain just yet because if the reviews are true I should be way past APL by dec 13' but damn I hope it's not for nothing. Applying this mess and smelling like food everyday takes commitment!

I agree! Ok ladies, these growth aids must really be somethin cuz these smells are ridiculous! lol I gotta say MegaTek smells like coconut, if u like em it smells good but if u don't it's horrible!
CharnellG Is the MTG watery?

Maybe you can add some EO to mask the smell. I order from a place online that sells oils and I love em, pricing and shipping are excellent!

 

[LovLeeLaDee]

Welcome waffigrl! It's good to see more and more henna heads joining! It's on and poppin for 2013!

 

[LovLeeLaDee]

I used it for about 3-4 month the last time. While the instructions say to give it around 6 months to see results, I noticed a difference in my hair and nails after 3. It wasn't a crazy drastic change, but I was getting a consistent rate of 1" per month and I had much less breakage. I don't get a lot of breakage anyway, but I am always trying to reduce it. Also, without supplements my rate varies from .5" -1". Viviscal just helps me reach my max potential.

Oh, and Viviscal is great because the pills are small and easy to swallow... unlike my regular multi. LOLOLOLOL! I'm actually thinking of looking for a good liquid or chewable multi.

aishasoleil is the iron percentage high, like close to 100% daily value? I need to have an iron supplement so I'm lookin to combine some things.

 

[4changeisgood2]

Okay, as promised here is a starting pic. Just took this yesterday. My hair is in wet twists filled with conditioner. I didn't have time to blow dry so I just did a wet pull to see my progress. (It was late yall and I wanted to go to bed.) As mentioned before, my sig pic further below is from July. Yeah! I can see some progress.

Hmmm, when I compare the sig pic from July and last nights wet pull... even though I see progress, I can't help but think that the shorter blow dried pic seems so much sexier. Or is it just me? Oh well. I'll have to wait till Dec for my next blow dried pic opportunity, I'm already back in my sew in.

 

[LovLeeLaDee]

Sorry to have been MIA lately, guys. Just started a new job! My hair is good. I've been using JBCO for HOTs and sealing a lot lately. My hair feels soft and moisturized despite this cold weather. HHG!

I'm nightowlin' tonight. Missed you, been wondering where you were! Congrats on your new job! Hope all is well. Where you at? I live in AZ, I hate this heat in the summer when it's hell but at this time I love it. It's not too hot and cool at night. It's good for my hair too, it stays moisturized.

 

[LovLeeLaDee]

Okay, as promised here is a starting pic. Just took this yesterday. My hair is in wet twists filled with conditioner. I didn't have time to blow dry so I just did a wet pull to see my progress. (It was late yall and I wanted to go to bed.) As mentioned before, my sig pic further below is from July. Yeah! I can see some progress.

Hmmm, when I compare the sig pic from July and last nights wet pull... even though I see progress, I can't help but think that the shorter blow dried pic seems so much sexier. Or is it just me? Oh well. I'll have to wait till Dec for my next blow dried pic opportunity, I'm already back in my sew in.

Your siggy is sexy! Celies are sexy too dammit! lol I'm in em all the time! Embrace it! lol I would love to see a pic of your weave! I need to get into that. It looks like your hair has grown about an inch, seems like your end point is actually lower so good growing!

 

[CoiledByNature]

I agree! Ok ladies, these growth aids must really be somethin cuz these smells are ridiculous! lol I gotta say MegaTek smells like coconut, if u like em it smells good but if u don't it's horrible!
CharnellG Is the MTG watery?

Maybe you can add some EO to mask the smell. I order from a place online that sells oils and I love em, pricing and shipping are excellent!

Not so much watery it's more on the oily side but very drippy.. Ive been thinking about adding EOs but I've read best results when applied straight.

 

[CoiledByNature]

So I finally straighten my hair today after about 4 or 5 months of not straightening it. I have to say I'm a little disappointed.... It's VERY thin and seems a little broken ... The ends are really frizzy and I can't tell if they're split. I didn't use any oil or grease when straightening it so maybe thats why.. I really hope this MTG and hair vits do what they say...*feeling pretty discouraged*

 

[LovLeeLaDee]

So I finally straighten my hair today after about 4 or 5 months of not straightening it. I have to say I'm a little disappointed.... It's VERY thin and seems a little broken ... The ends are really frizzy and I can't tell if they're split. I didn't use any oil or grease when straightening it so maybe thats why.. I really hope this MTG and hair vits do what they say...*feeling pretty discouraged*

First, cheer up, look at your hair it looks healthy overall and that shine is blingin! Progress doesn't always need to be measured, if your hair is healthier than before thats progress! Do you have fine strands? I do and my hair looks thick when natural, but when I straighten it's much thinner looking.

What temp did you use? I noticed my ends get frizzy if I flat iron on a temp lower than 350 degrees. You need to use some heat protectant tho. Also, did you use the comb chase method? That also helps smooth the hair while straightening.

If you have splits, search & destroy, get rid of em before they get worse.

Do you have any before pics? From when you first started your journey. That always gives me a boost of encouragement when I'm feelin stuck.

You're doing great, just keep it up and put your hair away, outta sight outta mind.

 

[CoiledByNature]

First, cheer up, look at your hair it looks healthy overall and that shine is blingin! Progress doesn't always need to be measured, if your hair is healthier than before thats progress! Do you have fine strands? I do and my hair looks thick when natural, but when I straighten it's much thinner looking.

What temp did you use? I noticed my ends get frizzy if I flat iron on a temp lower than 350 degrees. You need to use some heat protectant tho. Also, did you use the comb chase method? That also helps smooth the hair while straightening.

If you have splits, search & destroy, get rid of em before they get worse.

Do you have any before pics? From when you first started your journey. That always gives me a boost of encouragement when I'm feelin stuck.

You're doing great, just keep it up and put your hair away, outta sight outta mind.

Uhm let's see... When My hair is VERY thick when natural but after I straighten it it's super thin.. I use my CHI flat iron, there's no hear setting but it gets pretty hot. Oh and the comb chase method method??? Do tell ! I do have some before pics and my hair was A LOT shorter than it is now.

 

[CoiledByNature]

Here I go again typing while drunk lol ^^^ sorry

 

[LovLeeLaDee]

Uhm let's see... When My hair is VERY thick when natural but after I straighten it it's super thin.. I use my CHI flat iron, there's no hear setting but it gets pretty hot. Oh and the comb chase method method??? Do tell ! I do have some before pics and my hair was A LOT shorter than it is now.

Lol@typing drunk! How I comb chase is like this: I just comb through the small section I'm about to straighten, then I hold the length of my hair and bump my roots. Then I place my comb into the hair like I'm about to comb it, then start my flat iron pass while following the comb down the hair.

I hope this makes sense. If not you can google it and watch a video. It makes a huge difference, believe me!

 

[aishasoleil]

LovLeeLaDee: I don't think so about the iron % in Viviscal. As far as I can tell from the ingredient list, there isn't any iron added. I even read the ingredients to my husband (a pharmacist) to make sure and he confirmed it for me. Lol!

 

[aishasoleil]

CharnellG: Your hair is really pretty! Don't be discouraged. Oh, and you need to share what you've been drinking when you're doing your drunk typing...

 

[arj2680]

This is my first post on LHCF. Umm for some reason I am a little nervous....lol! I would love to join this challenge.

Current hair length-
S/L

Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Transitioning
Transitioning

Goal Month
December

Current Reggie and styling choices
I keep my hair in a protective style most of the time. My protective styles are mainly braids, sew-in, and crochet braids. My reggie is simple since my hair is only out, at the most 2 days out of the month. I DC, wash, moisturize, and then oil. While in protective style I moisturize and oil twice a week.

What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
I think I will keep everything the same, it seems to be working...for now

Post a beginning picture
Will post Dec. 31st.

 

[equestrian]

Current hair length
Shoulder Length

Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Transitioning
Relaxed

Goal Month
By the end of the year next year

Current Reggie and styling choices

Washing and conditioning with regular mane n' tail twice a week, using ORS carrot oil as a leave in. moisturize scalp and hair with coconut and castor oil 4 days a week. And twirling something besides my ends. That ones a work in progress, lol
That's it for now I'll build on it more as I go along.

Pics in the siggy.

 

[CoiledByNature]

Can anyone tell me what henna is?!

 

[BEAUTYU2U]

I'm nightowlin' tonight. Missed you, been wondering where you were! Congrats on your new job! Hope all is well. Where you at? I live in AZ, I hate this heat in the summer when it's hell but at this time I love it. It's not too hot and cool at night. It's good for my hair too, it stays moisturized.

Thanks. I'm in Illinois. Lots of wind and rain. Then suddenly a day like summer (lol) but those are getting less and less. I love mild weather like you described.

 

[aishasoleil]

Can anyone tell me what henna is?!

In a nutshell, henna is a plant that is ground into a powder and has many uses. The most well-known use is for beautiful body art/temporary tattoos. In the hair world, it is used as a treatment and natural way of coloring the hair. I usually results in red shades/tints unless it is used with indigo (another plant-based powder) which will then yield a darker color.

I was an avid henna user at one time, but it is very messy and time consuming. Plus, it didn't do anything miraculous for my hair. The color was nice (it gave my very dark hair a pretty red tint), but it wasn't worth the effort.

However, there are tons of ladies on here and other forums who swear by henna. A quick search will probably bring up several threads about it. Come to think of it, I believe there is a henna support thread. I'll see if I can find it.

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=335111&highlight=henna

 

[LovLeeLaDee]

LovLeeLaDee: I don't think so about the iron % in Viviscal. As far as I can tell from the ingredient list, there isn't any iron added. I even read the ingredients to my husband (a pharmacist) to make sure and he confirmed it for me. Lol!

Thank you & your hubby for checking that out for me! The price tag is a lil steep for me right now, so maybe next year. I will just look forward to seeing your results!

 

[LovLeeLaDee]

Thanks. I'm in Illinois. Lots of wind and rain. Then suddenly a day like summer (lol) but those are getting less and less. I love mild weather like you described.

Oooh I feel for you! It's only going to get worse with winter right? Do you have to change your regimen during the winter due to the weather?

 

[BEAUTYU2U]

Oooh I feel for you! It's only going to get worse with winter right? Do you have to change your regimen during the winter due to the weather?

Oh, absolutely! (lol) But I'm a native so it's normal to me. I met a guy from California last week and he was soooo not feeling it. And yes I'm changing my regimen slightly. I usually DC more often in the winter. This time I've discovered JBCO and I'm using it for HOTs and heavy sealing.