Are you beginner, intermediate, or advanced?

[sareca]

I've been doing a lot of different types of dance lately and there's always this concept of beginner, intermediate, and advanced dancers. Your body composition and the length of time you've been dancing has little to do with your level. I've known full figured women that quickly excelled to advanced dancers. I've also known women, that looked like ballet dancers, that are still awkward and clumsy even after 5 years.

The same is true here. Your hair length or the length of time (or number of posts) might not be an indication of your level. Some women show up here knowing little but still have BSL. By the same token, there are women with shortish hair, only been here a few months, but know what they're doing.

My hair is still APL, but I'd say I'm advanced. I rarely have hair issues anymore and when I do I typically know exactly what to do. I haven't had a setback in years.

How about you? When it comes to caring for your hair would you say you are beginner, intermediate, or advanced? And why?

 

[araceli2418]

Hmmm, this might be a hard one for me. I've been a member for 2 years but was more of a lurking member.

I just got serious and made a commitment to my hair this past August. So I guess in that sense I'm a beginner. On the other hand, I've learned such an incredible amount of information that I feel any question I could possibly have I've already gotten the answer to. So perhaps in that sense I'm intermediate. I'm guessing I'll be advanced when I finally have the length I want combined with all the knowledge.

Sorry for the confusion. I'm feeling a little confused myself.

 

[foxieroxienyc]

Although December makes a full year of me being on this forum, I feel like I've graduated to advanced when it comes to taking care of my relaxed strands. I'm a big reader and researcher. When I first embarked on this hair care journey I've spent hours gathering information and learning almost everything I can (and I'm still learning). I got down to a regimen right away, and have strayed here and there to try something new, but I'm now back to the basics I started with. I know exactly what works for my hair, and what doesn't and I'm not afraid to go against the grain. I haven't had any major set backs, and although I'm not APL or beyond just yet, my hair has this healthy brilliance and glow that I've NEVER had before. And it's stronger and fuller than I can ever remember. I'm up on ingredients and what the significance of certain ones are so when I see them on a bottle I can sorta tell if it will benefit or not. I think I've got this hair game down to a science, lol. And it works for me at least...

 

[Ediese]

I would consider myself intermediate because I feel that I still have A LOT to learn. I'm still having problems keeping my hair moisturized, and free of knots and tangles.

 

[naturalgurl]

Interesting thread! I consider myself to be advanced when it comes to MY hair but intermediate to give advice. It'll be a year in January since being knowledgable and a year in March or April being a member here.

 

[BostonMaria]

This is a hard one. I've been natural for a year now and on the hair boards (not this one) for almost 2 years. I would say Advanced but still learning. As my hair grows it changes so I'm always searching for something new.

 

[justsimply]

I would say I'm at an intermediate level, only because I've started the natural journey over. I haven't had my hair "loose" natural and long yet, so I don't know what issues, if any, lie ahead (knots, detangling, etc).

But I'm really comfortable in handling my hair and I'm confident enough in my skills that going natural with short hair doesn't phase me. I think more about how I'm going to wear my hair than the length or health of my hair now. I know that length will come and as for resolving any unforseen issues, I'm a believer in the the philosphy that I don't have to know answer, I just need to be able to get to someone who does.

 

[**SaSSy**]

I'm currently at the intermediate level because I finally got to a point in my regime that's working!!! For about the first 6 months I was on PJ alert, and protein overload, now that I've been bunning, and finally seeing growth (Collar bone in front, and touching APL in back) I'm finally got the inch to show off my hair, but I can't stop everything now because it will all break off and I still want to get to my goal of either BSL, or MBL by July 2009.

 

[Ballerina_Bun]

Wow, I don't even know if I can answer this one ... lol. I can't wait to read how other people respond though

 

[KizzieNapps]

I'm definitely a beginner but I think I'm getting close to intermediate. I've been doing a lot of research on my own and have been on this board faithfully for about a year now. I've learned a lot and I can finally say that I can take care of my own hair. But I have LOTS and LOTS to learn especially since I just BC'd

 

[Cichelle]

When it comes to caring for my hair, I'm advanced. But please don't ask me to care for anyone else's hair.

 

[Nola Darling]

I still have so much to learn. I know about moisture but I still need to know how to keep protein in my hair without it being too stiff.

I also need to figure out how to flat iron without all the damage.

 

[Nightingale]

I'm advanced when it comes to my hair. But I wouldn't claim to be an expert on dealing with other's hair.

 

[JustKiya]

I still think I'm intermediate when it comes to my hair, because I play it very safe. At the point at which I feel comfortable to start including direct heat in my reggie, I'll bump myself up to advanced.
That might never happen though, and I'm cool with that.

 

[Evazhair]

Advanced with mine. I'm at a point where I know what to do, so all I have to do is be consistent. I can't know anyone's hair better than mine.

 

[turnergirl]

I am most certainly advanced. I can do just about anything to my hair myself and still have my hair 2 years down the road. I have not been to a stylist in years but I trim and now relax my hair on my own. There are somethings I have had to get advice about but that has only been when I have encountered issues I have never had before or when I wanted a new perspective.

For the most part I can take care of my hair without any problems.

 

[Son26]

I consider myself intermediate. If I mastered how to self-relax I would be advanced.

 

[Toy]

I feel im advanced with my hair and still learning .

 

[Anancy]

I think i have just made intermediate level only because i now understand what works for my hair, i understand what i should and shouldn't be doing to my hair and i know what to look for in my hair products.

I have a regime that's working for me and my hair is doing well, i am also able to offer some advice to my sister and mum and sometimes to others on the board.

I've got a long way to go before im advanced because i've got a lot to learn still.

 

[hillytmj]

I would say intermediate. I've been following healthy haircare practices for three years now, but still haven't reached my dream length. I don't feel too bad about that now because I've only been proactive about reaching my length goal for one year now, and I have had some progress.

 

[araceli2418]

You know, this thread has really got me thinking. So many ladies have basically said they know for THEIR hair but maybe not for others.

Before LHCF, when it came to hair, I was, well, dumb . It makes me think about stylists. How can any stylists really feel secure in doing anyone's hair when we're all so different. They can recommend products all day long but, as is clearly seen throughout LHCF, what works for one does not work for another. Personally, I'd be terrified to do someone else's hair even though I feel pretty secure in knowing what to do with mine whether it's basic care or if any problems should arise thanks to LHCF, of course.

Sorry, didn't mean to ramble. It was just a thought.

 

[Evolving78]

for the nappy game, I'm at an intermediate level. i know how to take care of my hair and now i'm working on parting and braiding. i can braid, but i want my parts to look neating and not take so long to do it.

 

[msa]

I'd say I'm an intermediate. I've had my hair all my life and I only figured out how to take care of it when I found the board. So now I have my regi down and I'm good to go.

The reason I say I'm not advanced is that I can't cornrow/flat twist nor can I part neatly. So once I learn how to do all the styles I want to do, I'll consider myself advanced.

 

[thaidreams]

I'd have to say beginner. I thought I knew something until I joined this board. It has really opened my eyes!

 

[barbiesocialite]

this thread def needs a poll

 

[gabulldawg]

I would consider myself intermediate. I think I know alot more than I did when I first joined LHCF, but I wouldn't consider myself advanced, or an expert yet. I think once I figure out how to erradicate all of the issues that I am currently dealing with (shedding/breakage, uneven processing, length) will feel more advanced. Cute thread!

 

[sareca]

Ok so it sounds like, from the responses so far, that:

Beginner still struggle with their reggie. Hair and hair things still take up a lot of their time, money, energy. Trying something new might spell disaster or be what bumps them to the next length. It's all very up in the air.

Intermediates know what works. They have a solid reggie that gets results. They occasionally experiment but not too much. Setbacks are still a very real fear.

Advanced have had a solid reggie for a while They have no fear of setbacks and feel free to take chances but just don't bother. Hair and haircare rarely occupy their thoughts.


That sound about right? Feel free to edit...

 

[BeautifulFlower]

I'm an intermediate moving to advanced.

I'm locking in the products that I know work for me, I'm very knowledgable about hair and how to care for it inside and outside, not hoping on bandwagons, stay pretty consistent in what I do to my hair and can give advice to anyone who asks.

I just learn how to properly maintain my protein-moisture balance. I am less then an inch from BSL and I started at SL. Im a happy camper.

 

[sareca]

this thread def needs a poll

Shoot! You're right.

 

[anon123]

I'm definitely a beginner. Strangely, I somehow feel like I know less know that I've been on the forum. You know, how for some people (me included), the older you get, the less it seems you know. When you were a kid you knew everything. eta: I know most of the standard answers given to hair problems, the different variations, etc. After all, I have been reading 3 different hair boards for a year now. The problem is, none of the things I've learned seem to actually be true for my hair.

But in the speciality of styling, I'm intermediate at least.