BSL/MBL 2014 Challenge

[jayjaycurlz]

Okay, here is my starting pic. I hope to be MBL by the end of the year. My regimen is simple - daily M+S using LOC method, pre-poo, wash (or cowash) and DC every two weeks. I will PS in twists or buns. If I straighten my hair, I'll wait 3 weeks to wash.

 

[blondemane]

Deep conditioning now. Trying to set a goal of a regular wash day (Maybe tuesdays?) and trying to wash and DC once a week to restore the moisture levels in my hair. Its my goal to rock some pinned up twists and twist out styles until it gets a little warmer to protect my ends.

 

[Shalay11]

Starting point after taking down 6 week crochets.... Only measured one section 11 inches ... My plan is to put in a full sew in for 4 months :-0.

Yep I've prepooed with coconut oil, clarified , used aphogee protein treatment and deep condtioned with heat... I shampooed That out with shea moisture retention and condtioned with vo5.. Added kimmytube leave in... I actually very lightly flat iron hair and twisted with shea butter mix I made...

Will be back to show sew in I get on Friday

 

[ImanAdero]

Trimming a half inch to an inch off all around today. Won't trim again until May hopefully.

Also gonna put my hair in marley twists.

 

[Guinan]

12inches of snow yesterday. I swear it seems like every time I straighten my hair, it either rains or snows.

 

[jennwantslonghurr]

Well I'm about 3 weeks post and I have tons of new growth which is not normal for me. Usually, at this point my hair is still pretty straightish with hardly any growth after relaxing.

My problem is my growth isn't evenly disbursed. Most of the ng is about .5 in but I have some patches that are about 1.25 in. Wth? Can anyone explain this or is it more common and I just never knew. Also, is there anything to make my hair growth at an even rate?

I have some pictures but they aren't great and I use a mild relaxer although my strands are thicker so there is texture throughout. It doesn't help that I air dried but here it is. Hopefully you can see it.











By the way: I switched vitamins, I'm exercising and eating less processed foods drinking more water. I massage my scalp with grapeseed oil every night.

 

[ImanAdero]

Finished my twists last night. I'm not sure if I like it this time... I tried the invisible knot method and I actually like the braided roots better. I also don't really like the kind if hair I used... It's pretty rough and doesn't look soft like other people's/the last time I had them.

I also feel like 2 pieces is too much hair! I should've don't just one piece for each part...

Anyway do... Here's what it looks like. I still need to dip the ends in hot water/curl the ends.

 

[NGraceO]

Finished my twists last night. I'm not sure if I like it this time... I tried the invisible knot method and I actually like the braided roots better. I also don't really like the kind if hair I used... It's pretty rough and doesn't look soft like other people's/the last time I had them. I also feel like 2 pieces is too much hair! I should've don't just one piece for each part... Anyway do... Here's what it looks like. I still need to dip the ends in hot water/curl the ends.

You are just beautiful!!!! The hairstyle is flattering on you!

NGraceO

 

[jennwantslonghurr]

My problem is my growth isn't evenly disbursed. Most of the ng is about .5 in but I have some patches that are about 1.25 in. Wth? Can anyone explain this or is it more common and I just never knew. Also, is there anything to make my hair grow at a more even rate?

I Googled it and it seems normal for some people. Most people's hair grow uneven and some may not notice. Hair cuts will obviously even the hair up. The concern arises mostly during a touch up. Crazy growth is better than no growth.

-Will no longer strive for even hair until I'm closer to my goal.
My goodies came from the pomade shop. Gonna try them out later today.

 

[Onhergrind09]

I did a moisturizing DC yesterday. I will do a protein DC on Sunday.

 

[krikit96]

Okay, so I'm soooooooooooo super late! Sorry!!!!
Soooo here we go:

~Current hair length: Between APL & BSB
~Relaxed/Natural: Natural, with about 1'' of my relaxed ends in certain places...not all over tho
~Goal month: I'll give me at least 6 mos. to be BSL (is that realistic even?)
~Current reggie and styling choices: I've decided to do the whole M&S thing with the water/glycerin spray, then leave in and then coconut oil (I'm interested in the curly girl method too) I'm also doing my protective styling for the next 6 months... I braid my hair and wig it for 2 weeks, then I wash and rebraid again.
~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to BSL/MBL?: I thnk I will try to stretch my washes a little longer, or at least not manipulate my hair by braiding more often than monthly... just no manipulation is the new thing.
~Post a beginning picture: It's late, I'll be back...

 

[jprayze]

My roller set has stayed in very well this time. Probably bec I had snow days and didn't go anywhere, so I kept it pinned up. I'm planning to get another one Saf. I will do a DC and tea rinse on Friday. It will probably be protein-- ORS hair mayo.

 

[RegaLady]

Now in a twisted bun.

I bought Curlformers which I will wear when the weather breaks. For now my hair is protected.

 

[naturalagain2]

Been rocking my wig since Monday. I moisturized my hair with my spray mix and oiled my scalp with my growth oil on Tuesday and plan to do it again tonight. I love this Tammy wig. It looks like a braid out. I plan on wearing my wig until this Wednesday then I'll wash again and maybe do a perm rod set.

 

[skyslady]

Finished my twists last night. I'm not sure if I like it this time... I tried the invisible knot method and I actually like the braided roots better. I also don't really like the kind if hair I used... It's pretty rough and doesn't look soft like other people's/the last time I had them.

I also feel like 2 pieces is too much hair! I should've don't just one piece for each part...

Anyway do... Here's what it looks like. I still need to dip the ends in hot water/curl the ends.

I think you did a great job! They are beautiful.

 

[ckisland]

Well I'm about 3 weeks post and I have tons of new growth which is not normal for me. Usually, at this point my hair is still pretty straightish with hardly any growth after relaxing.

My problem is my growth isn't evenly disbursed. Most of the ng is about .5 in but I have some patches that are about 1.25 in. Wth? Can anyone explain this or is it more common and I just never knew. Also, is there anything to make my hair growth at an even rate?

I have some pictures but they aren't great and I use a mild relaxer although my strands are thicker so there is texture throughout. It doesn't help that I air dried but here it is. Hopefully you can see it.


By the way: I switched vitamins, I'm exercising and eating less processed foods drinking more water. I massage my scalp with grapeseed oil every night.

My guess would be that you underprocessed in areas. If I part my hair, it looks like I have 2 inches of new growth and more in other areas. I don't, my roots are super underprocessed in those areas, although the length of most of my hair is straight. Are you using anything medicated? Are you doing Inversion or using sulfur? That's the only times I've heard of anyone getting super crazy growth like that. Diet just doesn't effect hair growth to that extreme.
But if that's all new growth and you end up with 2.5 inches in the next 6 weeks, that's awesome!!! Imma also need a step by step detailed reggie !!

I've been bunning all week. Classes have been kicking my butt this week, so being able to just roll in and out of bed without having to touch my hair has been soooo nice.

 

[Prettymetty]

Im trying to lose baby weight as well as grow my hair. I think eating more protein will help me accomplish both! I had a protein shake for breakfast, egg bacon turkey sand for brunch and im having tuna quesadillas for dinner. The last time I increased my protein I got a growth spurt

 

[jennwantslonghurr]

ckisland At 3 months post if I have 3 textures ng, underprocessed and relaxed length I will smooth the relaxer to include the under processed area. Thank you for mentioning I will take it into consideration.

This tu came out very well actually. So well that my hair is tolerating coconut oil a bit! I use what I call the 'paint brush method' to apply relaxer to make sure I get all up in there over and under. And I smoothed down 4 inches since I was in such a deep stretch 8 months. Also, I stopped taking biotin since my strands are naturally thick and it processed much smoother. I also flatiron my hair before I relax because I'm low porosity.
However, in some areas I am underprocessed but it is in the middle of my strands and I will be doing a corrective Saturday. It looks like a tangly ball mid way down. Those areas are harder brittle dry crunchy and breaking so I'm extra gentle. I think I posted that as well.

So then I thought maybe my hair just grows sporadically because I really did measure 4 inches down so not to overlap. Yet I should have smoothed down maybe 5 obviously in the underprocessed area.

At 2 weeks post I could feel the little prickly waves coming in. I think I posted it in this thread. I was like wow super happy. Usually my ng is initially slow coming in after relaxer and I average .5/month. Im pretty sure it's new growth because my natural hair is wiry which is the main reason I relax. I have been relaxing with mizani for year and half beginning of my journey.

New things I tried since January:
-I was thinking I may be putting too much pressure in those areas when I massage I have a little messager brush thing.
-I also brush my scalp with a boar bristle brush to disburse my natural sebum to avoid dandruff and soothe itchy scalp. I only started doing that after cowashing failed me.
-Then I use grapseed oil it straight left a tingly sensation in my scalp every night.
-I switched from hairfinity to mega food fresh farm tablets 3x day. Take about 4 fish oil pills a day for weight loss(fish, flax, borage). Iron and vitamin d for deficiencies. Multivitamin from Raw Meal protein shake includes probiotics and enzymes for digestion I have digestive issues
-Exercise 6x week for weight loss
-I literally would go without water for days now I'm training myself to tolerate it I drink about 75oz now maybe 24 with fruit infused.
*I just used a scalp grease sample from the pomade shop last night... Oooh love it.
If it is a growth spurt I am beyond greatful. I was really just concerned with the few random areas. I thought everyone hair grows around an even pace until I googled it. My mom just explained how her front grows way faster then her back. Never notice until she got a blunt cut and now trims on schedule she been natural but only straightens every other month. Oh and my son has 4b/c coarse hair and random stands are straight and stand up much longer than the majority of his hair I noticed recently because he wants to grow braids but I have no idea how to maintain his hair... aloe vera seems to help him.
Sorry for the rambling.

 

[Guinan]

I started back taking biotin. Today will make the fourth day. Yeah me!

 

[KaramelDiva1978]

I've been on my hair grind pretty strong here lately and so far so good! Diet has gotten better, moisture and sealing is good, and lots and lots of protective styling. This crazy weather has my wig on delay with FedEx. Lol Otherwise, my ayurvedic regimen is working out well. Here's to rocking great hair growth by summer!

By the way, I'm thinking of trying the Inversion method to boost my growth. Anyone else on the inversion method?

 

[TheRealMe]

Just a quick update. I've been so busy, but I removed my braids last week after wearing them (and re-braiding them once) for a bit more than two months. Just bought a bonnet attachment for my blowdryer and now I'm sitting at my computer for the next 30-45 mins deep conditioning. No faux bun needed this time around; real bun . I'm planning on doing a lot of heated deep conditioning treatments this year.

 

[Angel of the North]

I've been PS in a single braid with my ends tucked under the bobble and I have been sleeping with a bonnet, my moisture levels have improved and my ends are doing better, since washday, I have re-braided twice and have not actually combed my hair other than brushing the sides back this has been a great low/no manipulation week for me.

I have started using leave in sprays again and purchased nexxus phyto organics luxxtress, I'll see how I get on with it over a period of time, it does contain dimethicone which is probably my least favourite ingredient ever but it's quite low down the list, I will work with it until I can locate a moisturising leave in that has very little protein in it (preferably none) and doesn't contain dimethicone and mineral oil. I am looking forward to seeing my retention when I do my next length check in March, I am focusing on retention this year, I want to making WL for 2015.

 

[Ms_CoCo37]

Morning Ladies,

I've been a little MIA because my hair was straight and I was bored with it. I couldn't use my yummy oils and creams because my hair is very fine when it's straight.

Last week, I attempted to clarify with ACV, DC with my mayo, honey and egg mixture, mud wash and oil rinse while feeling under the weather. Suffice it to say, I wound up not rinsing all of the mud wash out and I flat out refused to wet my head again after letting it air dry. So I put it in 2-strand twists and kept it moving.

I guess I'll take them down and wash again...today...maybe... T_T

 

[jennwantslonghurr]

angelofthenorth I know what you saying about protein in leave ins/moisturizers. My hair is so picky. I recently ordered from annabelle's prefect blends. She is making my samples without silk amino acids So I will see how that goes in a little while. Still searching... I hope to have it together before April.

 

[Guinan]

Still wearing my hair straight. My scalp is starting to get a little itchy. I plan on wearing my hair straight one more week. I can't wait to try out this Wen six thirteen. It smells soooooo good. It says that I can use it as a Shampoo, DC and a leave-in. I hope my hair likes it.

I keep playing in my hair and combing my hair. I'm starting to get a little breakage from the constant combing. I think I will wear a ponytail next week. I also need to M&S my hair.

Any weekend hair plans?

 

[ImanAdero]

I'm kind if over my hair already -____-

I gotta keep it in for at LEAST another 2-3 weeks though.

Then I REALLY want to weave it up... But I just can't seem to bring myself to pay $300 for some hair, then PAY someone to install it!

Plus I know if I get a weave I'll get tired of it within a month...

Oh protective styling... -___-

 

[jprayze]

Got another roller see this week. I like this little routine. My hair and scalp feels really good. Next week she said she would do a Bantu knot out. I sorta tried it before but I never finished, so I'm excited.

 

[KiWiStyle]

I'm feeling myself today! I got my hair texlaxed yesterday and now I'm all in the camera with my second day hair!


ETA: stupid pic is flipping by itself, ugh! Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

 

[Froreal3]

^^ Very nice! KiWiStyle You're very pretty.

 

[RegaLady]

First set of twists down, washed, DCd, and put another set of twists in. I hope to wear these until around Valentine's Day. I am so close to MBL. So close... Great news, shedding has ceased!