I know it's February but I wasn't thinking about BSL until around January because I was in "APL mode" all year long so didn't think to join a challenge. Hope you don't mind my joining in late. I'm just at around APL and although I don't think I'll get full BSL by the end of the year I'll get close enough. I typically measure my hair in inches retained and am hoping to retain about 4-5" inches this year which should put me round about "BSL" by August/September.
What is your goal date for BSL?
I'm giving myself until December but I expect to be very close by August/September. I'm aiming only for four more inches retained after I include the effect of trims and normal wear on hair.
What brings you to this challenge/what's your length story?
I had so much fun with the APL 2011 Challenge that I thought I'd join up on this one. My hair is already longer than it has ever been in my adult life and being in a challenge helps me stick to my goals by forcing me to be accountable.
Whats your current length?
APL or about 16-16.5" measured from the top of my crown, overall.
Relaxed/Natural/Texlaxed/Transitioning?
Texlaxed.
What's your reggie/What are you doing to make it to BSL?
I simplified my regimen one, to make it easy to follow and two, because I'm certifiably lazy.
- Daily I moisturize with Wave Nouveau Daily Moisturizing Lotion focusing mostly on my ends. I help hold that moisture in with either coconut oil or Ion Silk Drops. That's it, just once a day. I also sleep with a "satin" bonnet each night.
- Once a week or every 10-14 days depending on whether I'm wearing my hair air dried or blow dried and flat ironed respectively, I wash with a variety of cheapy conditioners, usually Suave or Herbal Essences, and will use a clarifying shampoo as needed. Sometimes I treat myself to pricier conditioners and have been liking Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Conditoner for the tingles it gives. I also use Hair One Cleansing Conditioner for Dry Hair as an old standby.
- Every two weeks or so and always after a relaxer I deep condition with Silk Elements MegaSilk. Love that stuff.
- I relax every 3-4 months with Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Creme Relaxer in Normal and after I rinse out my relaxer but before the neutralizing step I use Aphogee 2 Min Reconstructor a product that really helps to curtail breakage for me
- I detangle with Mane N Tail Detangler as needed and also use the product as a light moisture boost if my hair is feeling a bit dry but doesn't need the heavier lotion product.
- Finally, I tend to wear my hair in buns or a braided hairstyle to keep it protected and mainly use indirect heat like a blow dryer about 2-3 times a month. I'm not obsessive about avoiding heat because if done correctly I have no problems with it; using it just means more time in the bathroom and I like to be out the door not in my hair. When I use heat I like Silk Elements Heat Protector and sometimes I'll add Aphogee Green Tea and Keratin Restructurizer if my hair has been under some stress.
What do you plan to do once you make BSL?
Probably stand in the mirror giggling wildly to myself. After I spend about fifteen minutes doing that I'll probably just wear it down for a few days and obnoxiously flip it over my shoulder several times during conversation. Then I'll put it in pigtails, always wanted long pigtails...don't judge me. After that I'll focus on retaining another four inches which will bring me just above MBL. When I get there I'm stopping because that is more than enough hair for me.
I'm uploading my progress photos since they are already the correct size and I don't have time to resize just the "starting length" images. The image on the right in each picture is my starting length. These pictures are as of Jan/Feb of this year. The images on the left in each photo are of where I was in Jan/Feb of 2011. If you want to see them larger I also uploaded them on my profile.
Happy growing everyone!