Apl\bsb 2019 Challenge

[ckisland]

I haven't updated in awhile!

So my little attempt at wearing twist n'curls or whatever failed . I've been back to wash n'gos while being intentional with the products I use, and not letting my hair stay completely shrunken. I'm tracking my breakage and keeping an eye on ssks, and I feel like everything's looking pretty good.

I did a random length check the other day. Here's a comparison. Sorry about the bad lighting. The second pic is when I straightened my hair after cutting it to SL. I didn't realize that I did that 1.5 months ago. I thought that I wasn't retaining length for some reason


04/17/19



03/10/19



01/03/19

 

[ms.tatiana]

Just clipped the last straight ends at the top of my head. Growing out this taper cut is annoying cause I don’t really have good hairstyles

 

[SunkissedLife]

Just clipped the last straight ends at the top of my head. Growing out this taper cut is annoying cause I don’t really have good hairstyles

View attachment 445751

Congrats !!! && good luck with your newly all natural hair. And don’t worry with all the good tips and techniques you’ve picked up on here you’ll grow out that taper cut sooner than later and prob be itching to cut again lol

Also Shea butter is your friend

 

[SunkissedLife]

I was super lazy wash day earlier this week and definitely noticed the difference. Hair was screaming for moisture so I washed today with random shampoo (still on the hunt for a staple that doesn’t dry my hair out and has good ingredients) and currently sitting under the dryer deep conditioning. Remind me to never skip deep conditioning again lol

After I rinse I’m going back to old faithful - KCKT - gonna seal and scalp massage with Ayurvedic oil and two strand twist

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Looking at some pictures I took this past December. The bottom of my APL is not that far from where BSL would be on me.

Looking at the bra/s I was using , the top of the bra is darn near MBL.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

This past Sunday started week 6 for me.

Ive already made an appointment for May 11 to get my next protective style. That means I'd have to take these kinky twists out sometime next week in order to wash and keep my hair stretched for the next style. I think I'm going for a crochet.

Even though I like the access to my scalp, I just like my crochet styles better.

 

[SunkissedLife]

Washed this past Tuesday:

shampoo - Alikay Naturals Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo - amazing, loved, the nozzle allowed me to apply directly to my scalp and it was a cooling sensation on my scalp which felt lovely and omg the suds, it was wonderful. my hair felt clean, a little dry but to be expected with shampoo and not completely stripped

Deep Condition with heat 30 min - Alikay Naturals Honey and Sage - staple, but the jar doesn't last long, which is why I reach for Obia Naturals more often

Leave In - Kinky Curly Knot Today - you will forever be my forever staple, after applying to damp hair I noticed spraying with AVJ/H2O made my hair super shiny! and the product distributed better and tangles melted, after combing loose two strand twist

Whipped up Shea Butter + EVOO + EVCO - mix a little oily, used it to seal and make 11 juicy flat twists - 5 in the back, 3 on each side of the front, 1 in the front center (because I like a side part lol)

Spritz the ends with rose water and Shea butter to re twisted the ends for extra moisture and definition. I will rock a twist out for the weekend as I’m traveling to Nashville and do not intend to touch my hair again until Maybe wash next Tuesday/Wed when I return

plan to self trim on May 10th - trying lunar cutting and this should be a good day as it is a waxing moon and the moon will be in Cancer/Leo which promotes faster/thicker growth for curly hair

 

[ms.tatiana]

Congrats !!! && good luck with your newly all natural hair. And don’t worry with all the good tips and techniques you’ve picked up on here you’ll grow out that taper cut sooner than later and prob be itching to cut again lol

Also Shea butter is your friend

so glad you mentioned Shea butter. I brought some at the local beauty supply and its yellow, its the African Shea Butter is that good?

 

[Aggie]

Applied some Castor Argan Growth Scalp Drops on my scalp tonight and sprayed some CFCG Moisturizer Spray on my hair for a little moisture. Hair and scalp are happy tonight .

 

[keranikki]

Happy Birthday @faithVA

 

[B_Phlyy]

Here's my April update. I colored my hair last week and did a rollerset to straighten my hair a bit. I did do a light flat iron but I didn't do the roots. I took about 1/4 inch all around because I was getting a lot of tangles.

 

[faithVA]

Here is my April check in!

The top right is from Jan. The bottom right is from the beginning of this month.

I added the left picture because it doesn't seem as long when my SO pulls my nape. So my length checks seem inconsistent.

Regardless, I should be able to make APL this year lol

I also have crochet locks currently. I went to another stylist than my usual since she was affordable. She claimed I needed a trim really bad, but I JUST got one in January. She got pissy when I said naw lol. If I need a trim I will get one from my usual stylist. I don't trust everyone with my hair.
A month ago I was told my hair was fine and that I take good care of it so I was skeptical to say the least.

Thanks for checking in and congratulations on your progress.

Your SO is altering the length by using that second hand which is why there is such a difference.

 

[faithVA]

Happy Birthday @faithVA

Thank you @keranikki

 

[faithVA]

Here's my April update. I colored my hair last week and did a rollerset to straighten my hair a bit. I did do a light flat iron but I didn't do the roots. I took about 1/4 inch all around because I was getting a lot of tangles.

Thanks for updating. It looks nice and full.

 

[faithVA]

I haven't updated in awhile!

So my little attempt at wearing twist n'curls or whatever failed . I've been back to wash n'gos while being intentional with the products I use, and not letting my hair stay completely shrunken. I'm tracking my breakage and keeping an eye on ssks, and I feel like everything's looking pretty good.

I did a random length check the other day. Here's a comparison. Sorry about the bad lighting. The second pic is when I straightened my hair after cutting it to SL. I didn't realize that I did that 1.5 months ago. I thought that I wasn't retaining length for some reason

View attachment 445729
04/17/19

View attachment 445731

03/10/19

View attachment 445727

01/03/19

Thanks for updating. Great progress

 

[faithVA]

I'm just getting back from vacation so I will do an update in the next few days. I don't think I am retaining and my ends have not been happy so I'm not expecting much. But I know I need to dust my ends so maybe that will help for the next update.

I've shampooed and used the Aphogee treatment. I deep conditioned with TGIN and sat under the dryer for 30 minutes. I will keep the condition in overnight and maybe longer. I probably won't blow dry and dust until Sunday.

 

[gforceroy]

Thanks for checking in and congratulations on your progress.

Your SO is altering the length by using that second hand which is why there is such a difference.

Yeah, that is what I was thinking!
But then I was second guessing wondering if he was right and I was doing it wrong

 

[faithVA]

Yeah, that is what I was thinking!
But then I was second guessing wondering if he was right and I was doing it wrong

No it's not you. If you look at the picture his hand on top pulls your hair out and across his hand versus straight down and you lose the length with that detour. Next time tell him to use 1 hand and grab your hair with 2 fingers at the very tip of your hair.

 

[Aggie]

Currently have some herbs steeping on the stove for my herbal tea rinse. In it I have:

Rosemary
Lemongrass
HOPS
Black Tea (for hair growth stimulation from the caffeine)

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Currently have some herbs steeping on the stove for my herbal tea rinse. In it I have:

Rosemary
Lemongrass
HOPS
Black Tea (for hair growth stimulation from the caffeine)

What kind of hops @Aggie

 

[Aggie]

What kind of hops @Aggie

The same Hops used to make beer. I get the Hop buds from Bulk Apocathery.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I just remembered I have a short patch of hair in the front of my head, lol....


Well, the plan is to prepoo with Bekura Beauty Moon orchid Milk in Oil Hair Serum, followed by a henna with red raj from Henna Sooq ( gotta put some amla, brahmi and fenugreek in there), then cowash that out with Stunna Babez Cowash.

Thats all I have planned in my head right now. My Qhemets should be here on Thursday so I might moisturize and let it air dry.


not sure when all this is going to take place as I have half a head of kinky twists in.

 

[faithVA]

I won't be posting any update pics. I did treat my hair and dust over the weekend. I blow dried it but not straight enough to do a length check. If it grew at all it was a max of 1/2 inch anyway.

I'm going to keep working on my hair and maybe I will have some progress by August. Hopefully with the dusting, protein treatment, every other day rinsing and coating my ends with something I can get out of this slump.

I shampooed tonight, put in aphogee protein and now sitting under the dryer. I will rinse in a few, DC with heat with TGIN. I don't think I will skip the rinse out conditioner and use the TGIN leave-in and see how that works. If that works OK I will buy a new bottle and switch back to using a leave-in after conditioner rinsing.

 

[faithVA]

Everybody good in here? Nothing going on over here.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Everybody good in here? Nothing going on over here.

I’m just a holding on. Playing in rice water.

I put six braids in last night and my hair is still damp. At work with it wrapped up. @faithVA

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I wish my hair wasn’t so textured when it comes time to wash and detangle it. No matter how gentle I am or what Detangling aid I use, I lose a lot of hair detangling on wash day.

I probably would retain length much better relaxed. I love how my hair looks and feels as a natural though.

It’s kind of pointless to protective style for 6-8 weeks and lose most of my progress.

It might be beneficial to style weekly and have a better handle on it.

I just don’t know what styles I can wear weekly with a hat at work that’s doesn’t have me looking unprofessional.

 

[BrownSkinPoppin]

Been protective styling by wearing my hair in a high bun for the past three weeks.

 

[Evallusion]

I'm still around. I've been in box braids for a month. I plan to keep them in for another month. I'll wear my hair loose for a week and then get them redone before baby makes her debut. She's not due until June 21st so my hair plans should be set unless she decides to be a Diva and come early. I figure getting it re-braided by June 10th should be a safe bet. I'll try and post a pic when I take these down. Been a bit scatter brained lately.

Also, I've been using a homemade mix of 2oz Argan Oil, 2oz Jojoba Oil, 2oz Amla Oil and 2oz Castor Oil. It is BOMB!!! So light and absorbent. And my new growth is super soft!

 

[Aggie]

Tonight my own diy Fenugreek oil on scalp and Lustrasilk Curl Max Moisturizer and shea butter on the ends of my hair.

 

[gforceroy]

I got a sew in this past weekend with my usual stylist. She confirmed that I didn't need the trim/cut from the other stylist I went to. She just suggested a dusting. THANK GOODNESS I didn't do it with the other stylist haha.

The current plan is to get sewins from now until December for max length retention. Every few weeks I will go in and get my hair and weave washed as well.
In December I will get a silk press for my final length check.

My hair is doing good still. I wanted to also bring up how I learned that I was vitamin D deficient. It was affecting my hair growth severely. I have been taking supplements for that and I believe that is the main reason my hair is doing a LOT better this year compared to the last. My edges/nape are almost back in full and my hair is thicker (I am still low to medium density naturally). If anyone is having the issues I had with my hair last year: really thin ends (I trimmed INCHES), thinner edges and nape etc maybe you should get blood testing done at the doctor (iron, vit- D, thyroid, etc).