APL? Is everything else downhill?

[cmw45]

I was noticing that once some of the ladies on this board got to APL, it seemed like their hair just took off? Is getting to APL the hardest part of the journey?

I mean, it could be, that this is true, because once you get to APL you can take advantage or protective styling like bunnging? But then, how is that any different from braids as an above the APL head?

 

[SerenityBreeze]

I can attest that getting from neck to Armpit or at least past shoulder was very challenging. I have learned that this period is the biggest hurdle to jump because your hair is constantly rubbing against collars, etc.

 

[gradygirl]

I can attest that getting from neck to Armpit or at least past shoulder was very challenging. I have learned that this period is the biggest hurdle to jump because your hair is constantly rubbing against collars, etc.

I agree!!! I stayed at shoulder length for years due to breakage and it was hard to get past it and I personally could not do it without keeping my hair up 95% of the time.

 

[LiberianGirl]

I totally agree...it seemed like it took forever to get to APL.

 

[SoAnxious12]

I would hate to sound bias, but maybe for relaxed heads it may be a little harder since when the hair is left down rubs against collars and such like the other ladies mentioned. As a natural, if you wear your hair out it probably isn't past the neck when shrunken. i dunno. For me it was less challengeing than getting to shoulder length.

 

[sexyaqr]

That is so true. I was thinking that is the longest my hair would be(stupid I know). But my hair was shoulder length after that horrible cut for years.

 

[Summer_Rain]

Great question. Usually when I see women walking around and they seem to have been at SL "since forever", I automatically think to myself "if you'd only practive protective styling/keep your hair off your collars - you'd grow some!"

I expect the journey to APL to be the most challenging

 

[cmw45]

Hmmm...I seems that I'm not the only one who feels this way...my natural hair, even in it's shrunken state, is a little looser in the back, and can rub against the top of my shirt collars and sweaters...so I've been thinking about keeping it in protective styles for like...forever hey, I'm in college and it's just easier. But I've been noticing that there are like hundreds of black women that I see on the street with shoulder length hair...and a lot of us think that that is long...so I'm like, could all these heads (with protective styles) be at APL or BSL...I think so.

 

[cmw45]

Hmmm...I seems that I'm not the only one who feels this way...my natural hair, even in it's shrunken state, is a little looser in the back, and can rub against the top of my shirt collars and sweaters...so I've been thinking about keeping it in protective styles for like...forever hey, I'm in college and it's just easier. But I've been noticing that there are like hundreds of black women that I see on the street with shoulder length hair...and a lot of us think that that is long...so I'm like, could all these heads (with protective styles) be at APL or BSL...I think so.

 

[Blu217]

Hadn't thought of this, but my hair did seem to grow more slowly during the shoulder-armpit stage. I didn't have any significant issues gaining length, but I have noticed since my hair is much longer now that it grows more rapidly. I don't protective style faithfully or anything at any stage of growth; didn't know about that practice pre-LHCF, when my hair was shorter.

 

[cmw45]

Hadn't thought of this, but my hair did seem to grow more slowly during the shoulder-armpit stage. I didn't have any significant issues gaining length, but I have noticed since my hair is much longer now that it grows more rapidly. I don't protective style faithfully or anything at any stage of growth; didn't know about that practice pre-LHCF, when my hair was shorter.

OT: Um...where have you been hiding. Your hair is gawgeous!

You're right you do have skills...that rollersit is really pretty...ummm...not to be a fotki stalker ...but do you have one?

On topic...this is refreshing to know...that one day I might not be watching and my hair will continue to grow. I think that is has definitely busted that idea that my stylist used to tell us about black people having a "standard length" around sholder length.

 

[Blu217]

OT reply: Lol--thank you! I got a new digital camera for Christmas so now I can share hair pics! I don't have a fotki, but perhaps soon...

 

[MzOptimistic]

I was noticing that once some of the ladies on this board got to APL, it seemed like their hair just took off? Is getting to APL the hardest part of the journey?

I mean, it could be, that this is true, because once you get to APL you can take advantage or protective styling like bunnging? But then, how is that any different from braids as an above the APL head?

I got from shoulder to APL in 6 months. As the ladies have stated you have to protect your hair once it starts to graze your shoulders. You have to keep your hair from coming into contact with any and everything. My best advice is to baggie your ends and don't worry about looking cute because in the end you'll going to be able to sport that beautiful long hair whenever you want. You have to stay persistent because this is something that you want/desire...oh and vitamins are helping me along the way too

* I wanted to add for the ones that wanna look cute too while growing your hair, there are pretty accessories that you can buy to jazz up your buns, I have found some really beautiful scrunchies, bun coverings, etc...so you can go from wearing a bun to work or at night on the town

 

[EMJazzy]

I can't wait for my hair to get to that "take off" growth stage because this creeping to APL is for the birds.

 

[envybeauty]

Most Black women I see walking around are at SL simply because their stylists cut their hair to that length. Everytime. It used to be me. When asking for a trim, they would always cut it at that level.

It took me going to a dominican salon to get past SL. There, they cut according to your hair length because they are used to cutting longer hair. Most Black stylists don't have long hair themselves so they are not accustomed to treating/growing longer hair..........

 

[ravenmerlita]

I really hope this is true. I just got to APL and thought that the difficult part would be getting from APL to BSL.

 

[VroniL2006]

Posted by nvybeauty - Most Black women I see walking around are at SL simply because their stylists cut their hair to that length. Everytime. It used to be me. When asking for a trim, they would always cut it at that level.

It took me going to a dominican salon to get past SL. There, they cut according to your hair length because they are used to cutting longer hair. Most Black stylists don't have long hair themselves so they are not accustomed to treating/growing longer hair..........

I agree with nvybeauty...I have had shoulder length hair ever since I started going to a beauty salon at 7 years old. Before then, I had long braids, way past shoulder length. In college, I got it really close to APL, until a ran into a beautician who decided to give me layers to "cut off damaged hair. Ever since then, I could not grow it out again and thats because I always get trims up to the SL level.

I also noticed that most of the beautician in my area, wear weaves. When you do see their real hair, its cut really short. I always thought it was because they do so much hair for work that they usually want something simple for their own hair. But you may be on to something nvybeauty...!

 

[pinkdot's blog]

I cant wait to get to sl. I should be there within the next six months. When I do reach that stage I'm just going to weave it up because I don't want my hair rubbing against anything. When I reach Apl I'm going to do the same. The key factor that got me from neck length to collar bone was protective styles so I think that's the way to go. And now that I think about it a lot of us do think sl is long. Since I was in high school a lot of my friends would tell me that they couldn't grow there hair past sl. And there hair really didn't grow past sl. But I think if anyone puts forth the time and effort we can grow our hair far beyond sl.

 

[sweetgal]

My hair has been at shoulder length for what seems like an eternity. It's really hard to get the hair to grow past this length. I really hope it does grow because trust me, I'm begining to feel very discourage . I almost abandon the dream of having APL or BSL hair. I almost made up my mind to stick with weaves but I cant abandon the dream.

However, this is 2007 and I'm going to make my dreams come true. I have seen some progress with growth aids though and tender loving care

 

[cmw45]

My hair has been at shoulder length for what seems like an eternity. It's really hard to get the hair to grow past this length. I really hope it does grow because trust me, I'm begining to feel very discourage . I almost abandon the dream of having APL or BSL hair. I almost made up my mind to stick with weaves but I cant abandon the dream.

However, this is 2007 and I'm going to make my dreams come true. I have seen some progress with growth aids though and tender loving care

Stick with it sweetie. There are a lot of great challenges out there: Hide Your Hair Till April Fools, 2007 Platinum Level Bootcamp, Weave It Up for 2007...I've found that getting on challenges like this helps to stick with my protective styles when I really want to play with my hair. HHG. HTH

 

[cmw45]

I got from shoulder to APL in 6 months. As the ladies have stated you have to protect your hair once it starts to graze your shoulders. You have to keep your hair from coming into contact with any and everything. My best advice is to baggie your ends and don't worry about looking cute because in the end you'll going to be able to sport that beautiful long hair whenever you want. You have to stay persistent because this is something that you want/desire...oh and vitamins are helping me along the way too

* I wanted to add for the ones that wanna look cute too while growing your hair, there are pretty accessories that you can buy to jazz up your buns, I have found some really beautiful scrunchies, bun coverings, etc...so you can go from wearing a bun to work or at night on the town

I keep trying to tell myself this...but then I'll be like, well my jacket is down so the material is polyester and won't bother my hair... I mean is rubbing against anything bad? Or is just natural fibers that suck moisture from your hair?

 

[sweetgal]

Thanks CMW45!

I really do want to stick with it!. I'm going to get my hair braided in cornrows again in the next couple of days. I hope I can make it to APL by September because that would be a great Birthday present! I have decided to stop streching my relaxer for long periods of time because it only seems to cause major breakage at the demecration (sp)line.

 

[mightyisis6874]

I can't wait for my hair to get to that "take off" growth stage because this creeping to APL is for the birds.

This is exactly how I'm feeling. I take pics for progress, etc., but I swear I'm not seeing it! This **** is truly creepin.

 

[HighlyFavored1]

I've never thought of this, but I guess it does make since that the journey to APL might be the most difficult. I sure hope that's true because BSL certainly seems very far away...Maybe it will seem easier since I finally have a solid regimen. Whereas my journey to APL was a lot more experimental.

 

[texasgrl]

I've never thought of this, but I guess it does make since that the journey to APL might be the most difficult. I sure hope that's true because BSL certainly seems very far away...Maybe it will seem easier since I finally have a solid regimen. Whereas my journey to APL was a lot more experimental.

She took the words right out of my mouth I think it will be down hill from here because I got my staple products that work for ME my vitamins, my MTG . I'm ready Midback here I come.

 

[Lavendar]

I really hope this is true. I just got to APL and thought that the difficult part would be getting from APL to BSL.

Me too, Raven. I often feel like I've come to the end of my journey at APL, especially since that was initially my goal. Since I've never been this length I feel like BSL is really just a "penny in the wishing well." Why can't I get over this??!!!erplexed

 

[MzOptimistic]

I keep trying to tell myself this...but then I'll be like, well my jacket is down so the material is polyester and won't bother my hair... I mean is rubbing against anything bad? Or is just natural fibers that suck moisture from your hair?

I was told from the best of the best ladies on this site, before I had hit apl to keep my hair up once I started grazing shoulder length. My hair snagged on sweaters and stuff. I think it has alot to do with the fabric and material of your clothes really. JMO

 

[prettypuff1]

I think it is like that... I am past Sl but i rollerset it and that usually keeps it above the shoulders. I only did protective styling for about a month but then i came to the conclusion that i can take care of my hair and move to APL and still look good doing it.

 

[Lavendar]

I think it is like that... I am past Sl but i rollerset it and that usually keeps it above the shoulders. I only did protective styling for about a month but then i came to the conclusion that i can take care of my hair and move to APL and still look good doing it.

I do think this is possible for some. However, I must admit I had to do protective styling for the better part of a year. I'm sure I didn't wear my hair down for 30 days in that year. It does pay off though cause it took me 11 mos to go from mid-to-low neck length to APL. Even more fun is every time I take my bun out in front of my DH, which is not that often, he is like , can I touch it??? Yes Baby, you can touch it.

 

[Lucia]

Def. getting passed shoulder length and top BSL was difficult, but you just have to bun it, braid it, moisterize and leave it alone. For some reason hair pauses at certain milestones, either b/c it's touching clothes or just taking a rest and thickening up/waiting for the shorter hairs to catch up.