It was awhile ago when I first posted this thread and I have not been consistent with Shima's protective styles. I do love the powders/oils and I use the oil as a prepoo and the powders mixed with my conditioners and use it as a deep conditioner. The only reason why I did not stay focus with Shima's methods is because she uses alot of grease/oil on her hair and I just could not seem to get my hair moisturised the way I want. I once had so much oil on my hair that it started dripping and I did not like that. I'm not saying that her protective styles do not work, obviously she is doing something right because her hair is touching her "tush". Anyhow, the first one in my opinion that started the protective style craze was Wanakee. You can use any style you want but the ends have to be tucked in so that they are protected. I've decided to keep my hair in braids for about a year and hopefully I will achieve my hair length goals.