April Fool's Stretchers Check In

[Galleta]

I don't know if I'm going to make it. My new growth is turning into a funky matted mess and gets crunchy after being moisturized. Any good moisturizers besides s-curl and mango butter?

 

[MiWay]

I'm here. I am 22 weeks post!

My nape looks a H.A.M. It's broken off so badly that it wasn't worth saving those little strands hanging on to curls of new growth. So what I did was, I cut all the strings off my nape. Yes, there is only NG back there, so my nape is completely natural. Lucky for me, my hair is long enough that it covers my nape so nobody knows that I have 2 inches of new growth back there. Also, my right side looks a H.A.M. too. Worse than my nape. I'm definitely still in here no matter how rough it's getting. I have about 2.5 worth of newgrowth all around except for my right side and my nape.

Last week I flat ironed my hair for a length check and it's growing in a V shape and dusted. The tip of the "V" is actually at my top of my back. I have been using Mango Butter, but I don't think that's all that great of a product. It's moisturizing (and smells great!) but in the morning, my hair isn't moisturized at all. I was thinking tomorrow going to buy some Pink Lotion, the light formula. I still haven't found what works well for my hair or my two textures. I don't know if I should use grease, oil, "old fashion products" or these newer brand name products. It seems that when I find a product that is SOMEwhat moisturizing, it turns out to weigh my hair down, stink or gets greasy. Oh and by the way, CW don't work for me. I just don't know what to do....but I'm still in here.

I'm having the same problem with my nape. I recently started doing WGO/MTG massages, and that seems to help.

The Mango Butter doesn't seem to be working for me anymore either. I've been trying various things like NTM Silk Touch Leave In, KeraCare Essential Oils, and Jojoba Oil on my NG.

Last night I pre-cowashed with AO Honeysuckle Rose and Jojoba Oil. Then I used JASON Sea Kelp Conditioner and Giovanni Direct Leave-In, and my faith has been renewed. My hair was so soft and manageable afterwards. I also threw on some Salerm 21, and my WGO/MTG mixture (with KeraCare essential oils to mask the smell), put a scarf on it, and my hair was actually manageable in the morning. I know that's a lot of stuff, but this is the first time my hair has felt this good after co-washing. And my hair does not feel weighed down at all.

 

[BaBy_PhAt]

Salaam,

Still going strong over here, but I was having my doubts. My hair started doing it's own thing so I started mixing my conditioners Nexxus Humectress with the Suave Milk & Honey started sleeping in it so my hair would be real soft and thats paying off. I just keep reminding myself I'm going to wait until after I have my baby 04-19-06.



GOOD LUCK EVERYONE

 

[LuvLiLocks]

Ok I just braided my own hair in mini individuals to take me thru february. Now I have to focus on vitimin intake and nutrition so that I can get a nice growth spurt.

 

[metalkitty]

I think I'll join, I should be at 'comfortable' (unstretched) armpit length around June I think. I think I'll Surge once in the morning, MTG and CW at night. Then I'll get silky dreds in a week or so and wash every four to six days.

 

[Doremie13]

Salaam,

Still going strong over here, but I was having my doubts. My hair started doing it's own thing so I started mixing my conditioners Nexxus Humectress with the Suave Milk & Honey started sleeping in it so my hair would be real soft and thats paying off. I just keep reminding myself I'm going to wait until after I have my baby 04-19-06.



GOOD LUCK EVERYONE

Hi ladies. I'm a newbie and I've just been amazed with the information that is shared on this site.

My last relaxer was Nov 05 and I found this site last month when I was just about to chop off my hair in frustration. I moved to central NY in August (got married) and the water up here has been bad on my hair. Then the winter arrived and it's been even worse. But I've learned a lot from y'all and I've been taking better care of my hair in the past month since I've been "educated." In fact, this is the softest it's been since I got it done for the wedding!

I would like to join this challenge. We are planning to have a baby, so when I relax next will be determined by when I get pregnant and get through the first trimester. So far I haven't had any major problems with my hair going this long without a relaxer, but I may borrow BabyPhat's conditioner idea to make it through these next few months.

 

[maryj1584]

i think that I am out, my new growth is simply unbearable, i guess streatching is not for everyone

 

[blueabyss333]

I secretly joined in (again) but I hardly have any new growth since I just relaxed a month ago.

 

[Keen]

Right now I'm taking it one day at a time. I am sooo tempted.

I bought some relaxer .

 

[jaded_faerie]

Welcome Doremie13! 8 more weeks to go....

 

[KiSseS03]

I'm doing great! I'm four months post relaxer and am transitioning so April is just a milestone. I'll admit the detangling process is getting a little more difficult though!

 

[BaBy_PhAt]

Hi ladies. I'm a newbie and I've just been amazed with the information that is shared on this site.

My last relaxer was Nov 05 and I found this site last month when I was just about to chop off my hair in frustration. I moved to central NY in August (got married) and the water up here has been bad on my hair. Then the winter arrived and it's been even worse. But I've learned a lot from y'all and I've been taking better care of my hair in the past month since I've been "educated." In fact, this is the softest it's been since I got it done for the wedding!

I would like to join this challenge. We are planning to have a baby, so when I relax next will be determined by when I get pregnant and get through the first trimester. So far I haven't had any major problems with my hair going this long without a relaxer, but I may borrow BabyPhat's conditioner idea to make it through these next few months.

Salaam,

Welcome to the forum, that conditioning idea will work wonders for your hair trust me my hair loves it.

 

[sassy mamma]

Hi, I didn't officially join but I'm still hanging in even though I am sooooo tempted to relax...my new growth is so hard to manage. I usually but my hair into a loose bun. I am 12 weeks post relaxer.

 

[MissYocairis]

Tomorrow is my 9-week Stretch mark (2/14) and I am doing fine. Much better this stretch challenge (my second one) than the first time (Christmas stretch - 16wks). I have learned how to work my new growth so that it doesn't have me looking raggedy. (LOVE YOU MANGO BUTTER!)

I will confess though that, since my last touchup 9 wks ago, I have probably blowdried and flat ironed my hair five times. I am going to work on that. Not proud of it.

Been MTG'ing, bunning and co-washing frequently mostly.

 

[imani97]

I'm still in. My last relaxer was Dec. 3rd, so I am now 10 weeks post. Now that I have found Paul Mitchell Skinny Line and Caruso rollers, I think that I will be very successful without having to go to the Dominicans. I love being able to do my hair myself because it turns out exactly how I want it. If it doesn't, it's my fault. Anyway, I plan on texlaxing again in May or maybe even June. We'll see.

 

[MiWay]

Still going strong. I'm in week 18, and so far so good. But I must admit that I had a blowout over 2 weeks ago, and I haven't washed my hair since... I know, I know... I'm going to wash it tonight and pray that I can get it to act right. This might be a good time to try flexirods...

 

[MissYocairis]

I'm still in. My last relaxer was Dec. 3rd, so I am now 10 weeks post. Now that I have found Paul Mitchell Skinny Line and Caruso rollers, I think that I will be very successful without having to go to the Dominicans. I love being able to do my hair myself because it turns out exactly how I want it. If it doesn't, it's my fault. Anyway, I plan on texlaxing again in May or maybe even June. We'll see.

Hey, Imani. I am looking for some alternatives to buns. What are you doing with the PM Skinny line and Carusos? I have a set of Carusos and never use them. Are you airdrying and then rolling on Caruso's using PM or are you drying some other way? Help me out .

 

[imani97]

Hey, Imani. I am looking for some alternatives to buns. What are you doing with the PM Skinny line and Carusos? I have a set of Carusos and never use them. Are you airdrying and then rolling on Caruso's using PM or are you drying some other way? Help me out .

Hey Lady,

I'm still trying to figure out my new regimen, but here is what I've been doing so far. Washing and conditioning with the PM skinny line. Blow dry using the PM skinny line serum. Then I flat iron, apply a different hair serum, and then use the carusos. I maintain by pincurling and sleeping with a scarf on.

The problem that I am currently having is that my hair was extra soft before I used the carusos, now it isn't as soft. I may have left the rollers on the steamer too long. I just got them this weekend, so I'm still in experimentation phase. My hair is texlaxed, so I'm not too keen on airdrying. It would look a hot mess right now since I don't really know how to make it look decent yet. Long story short, take out your Carusos. They are wonderful and the curl really will last for days! HTH

 

[MissYocairis]

Long story short, take out your Carusos. They are wonderful and the curl really will last for days! HTH

Thanks Imani. I am going to have do some experimenting.

 

[Armyqt]

I'm still yet holding on!

I fell in love with Aubrey's. The Island Naturals conditioner is great. I can comb thru my 11 weeks post hair like it was only 4 - 5 weeks post.

I know that I can make it with Aubrey's.

MonaRae

I'm using Aubrey's alot lately too and it works just famously for taming the new growth. As a matter of fact I used the Island Naturals poo and CO last night. After washing my hair, I make two ponytails, apply jojoba oil and evoo and a little leave in and then bring my ponytails forward and clip them on either side of the hair.

I airdry my hair like this covered with a silk scarf. My hair airdries straight enough to be able to comb through with no breakage. My last relaxer was around October 29.

 

[natural_one]

i am still in..it wasnt until this week that it started getting hard to detangle.. I am 13 weeks post relaxer, i am kinda on the fence if i am going to cut it off and go natural or get a relaxer...either way i am not doing anything until april..

 

[Dlene]

I am on week 15 still considering whether or not I feel like getting a relaxer in May or not. I am still transitioning. I have my hair pressed right now and I will wash probably Thursday if I don't wash earlier and then it will be back up in a bun.

 

[Keen]

It's been 5 months since my last relaxer. This is the longest I have ever gone without relaxing. I'm redoing my braids this evening. I don't take all my braids down then redo them. I redo them one by one: I take one braid out, redo it... I find that I loose much less hair this way. I just can't wait to relax in May!

Stay committed ladies!

 

[nfynit_812]

Checking in :trampolin

13 weeks post relaxer...my hair is currently in flat twists...I plan to keep these flat twist in for another week, then wear cornrows (get it braided 2X in March) until the 2nd week of April! My new growth is almost a half inch long

 

[SocialWorker29]

Hope it's not too late too join. I plan on stretching til the end of April though, but I still wanted to be part of the challenge! If I go that far I will have stretched 16 weeks. I'm confident I can do it, cause sew-in's make stretching a breeze!

 

[lisajames96]

I'm still in. It's been a minute since i posted or came on the site. Hopefully I can get a couple of pics of my new growth tonight. I am 9 weeks post.
-lisa

 

[RootPunch]

Still in it. 4 and a half months post relaxer. I've been wearing a bun so long, I've been through hating it --> loathing it --> now lovin' it! Have no pics posted past Nov. Having technical difficulties with my camera's software program (and don't have time to mess with it right now).

Keep stretchin' everyone and happy Valentine's Day!

-RP

 

[shellzfoshizzle]

Checking in. I'm 25 weeks post. I have about 2-2.25 inches of new growth. I am not using any miracle products or taking any vitamins. I'm too lazy. I'm just letting it grow and do it's thing..

I realize that I look a hot mess when I went in the shoe store today. I've been wearing rollersets but even now they aren't looking their best. I think I am going to sport some braids until the end of summer to maintain growth. I have found that S-curl is my new love and I recommend it to any one who's new growth isn't soft to the touch. Before s-curl I had that crunchy dry stuff, but s-curl is da bomb. Try it.

Good luck and happy valentines day!

 

[Cien]

Hello ladies!

**waving**

May I join your stretch club?!! I'm a newbie/7 month lurker! I'm currently on week 8.

 

[hottopic]

I am about 7 weeks post relaxer.