Grow It Long 2020 Challenge

[GettingKinky]

Here’s my March update. I’m getting better at diffusing my hair so my shrinkage isn’t as bad as it was in December. I had a haircut in Feb so I don’t think my hair is that much longer than when I started

 

[ms.tatiana]

I wanna join, just in time for the April 1st post!

Natural, Relaxed, Texlaxed: Natural

Current Length: Pass armpit length

Goal Length: Mid back length

Plan to reach goal length: Protective style & LOC method

Regimen: Wash & DC weekly

Protective Styles: Crochet braids, wigs, & weaves

Staple Products: I use everything

Starting Pic:

 

[keranikki]

Here’s my March update. I’m getting better at diffusing my hair so my shrinkage isn’t as bad as it was in December. I had a haircut in Feb so I don’t think my hair is that much longer than when I started View attachment 457385

Your looks thicker, as if all of your strands are even with each other.

 

[Kiaray8]

April check in:
I think my growth rate is roughly 0.5 inch/just over per month all over. I’m going compare the photos I use today from now on as the ones I took in January aren’t really good for comparison. I was going to trim but I think I will just keep going on with the challenge and trim at the end of the year I’m not having any issues with my hair so I don’t see the need to continuously trim.

Things I will be changing for the next few months:
- Going to do more medium twists or buns with my hair as I have work/uni work to do while on quarantine so I don't see the point of doing WnGs for home.
- I skipped using rinse out conditioner and detangling the last few months before DC and now realise I need to include that again. I also purchased the wet detangler tangle teezer which is making things easier for me.

Front: 10 inches to 12 inches, Middle - 11 to 13 inches, Back - 9 inches to 11. All photos will be my comparison from now and just a recent WnG.

 

[apple_natural]

Spring Check IN!!

1. NaturalShe94
2. syrk
3. apple_natural
4. PlanetCybertron
5. GettingKinky
6. pinkchocolatedaisy
7. BeautifulRoots
8. ckisland
9. Nightingale
10. Mapleoats
11. Bun Mistress
12. Kiaray8
13. CurliDiva
14. Rhealthyhair
15. faithVA
16. Napturallypretty1908
17. Victorian
18. keranikki
19. nyeredzi
20. guyaneseyankee
21. alanaturelle
22. BlackRinse
23. long.hair.dont.care
24. water_n_oil
25. metro_qt
26. mayoo
27. periwinklepeach
28. HappyAtLast
29. SmilingElephant
30. TamaraShaniece
31. ms.tatiana
32. snoop
33. Prettymetty
34. curly.123

and our Honeypot. Welcome storm777007!

 

[CurliDiva]

My photos don't show growth easily, so I'm going to measure my length!

April Measurements:

Left:
Side 4.25" / middle 4.50" / nape 4.25"
Top:
Front 4.25" / middle 4.25" / nape 4"
Right:
Side 5.25" / middle 5" / nape 4"

Observations:

I started with a twa too short to braid, now I can braid/twist with ease. I just pulled natural, unstretched hair along ruler, so the above measurements are estimates.

• My hair need hard core protein (Aphogee 2 step) on a regular basis. I suffered breakage because I avoided separate protein treatments. My deep conditioning was not enough.

• No co-washing. My hair responds better to real shampoo and deep conditioning.

• I need to do better with protective styling. I like to touch my hair and will undo and re-braid just for kicks.

• I need to start up my scalp massages and inversion again.

 

[Kiaray8]

My photos don't show growth easily, so I'm going to measure my length!

April Measurements:

Left:
Side 4.25" / middle 4.50" / nape 4.25"
Top:
Front 4.25" / middle 4.25" / nape 4"
Right:
Side 5.25" / middle 5" / nape 4"

Observations:

I started with a twa too short to braid, now I can braid/twist with ease. I just pulled natural, unstretched hair along ruler, so the above measurements are estimates.

• My hair need hard core protein (Aphogee 2 step) on a regular basis. I suffered breakage because I avoided separate protein treatments. My deep conditioning was not enough.

• No co-washing. My hair responds better to real shampoo and deep conditioning.

• I need to do better with protective styling. I like to touch my hair and will undo and re-braid just for kicks.

• I need to start up my scalp messages and inversion again.

What do you use to do scalp massages?

 

[yamilee21]

@guyaneseyankee It’s only 3 months, so the growth wouldn’t be drastically visible, but I do see some growth, especially where the lengths were shorter or uneven before.

 

[CurliDiva]

What do you use to do scalp massages?

Hi @Kiaray8.
I made a blend of grapeseed, castor, aragan and coconut oils.

 

[Mapleoats]

I haven’t seen much growth, overall my measurements are pretty much the same except the sides are 1 inch longer . Not really surprised, as I’ve been focusing on trying different things and learning my hair.


This will be my pic for future comparisons, hair is stretched from a rollerset.

Gonna keep it simple for the rest of the year, no more experiments. I know what works for my hair now. Twists majority of the time, occasional twist out or rollerset when I wanna get fancy. Trim every three months or so. I’ve learned how to finger detangle as well so I’ll be doing that mostly now.

Stay safe everyone, happy hair growing!!

 

[guyaneseyankee]

@guyaneseyankee It’s only 3 months, so the growth wouldn’t be drastically visible, but I do see some growth, especially where the lengths were shorter or uneven before.

IKR I want hair down to my butt in 3 months. LOL

The following day, I used a different flat iron. My trusty Sally GVP which works better at straightening that the Duvolle I used in the pics.
Growth is more visible to me but I didn't bother post pics.

HHG

 

[snoop]

Checking in. I happened to take a photo in mini twists, by wasn't actually trying to measure. I can't tell if it's the exact same spot, but if it is, there looks like some growth since the new year. (Comparing the far left picture with the right one.)

 

[metro_qt]

Checking in, but I guess I need to take pics at some point.

My sides are now at armpit length.
Which means my back layers are at MBL, I'll have to double check and confirm tomorrow

 

[apple_natural]

I intend on blowing all my hair out, but since i did a clay mask and its all cute and curly, i can't bring myself to straighten it. i need to in order to trim and get a good photo, though.

i did straighten one section behind my left ear. it was 9 inch in December. it is 10.5 inches now. it was a bit past that, but I trimmed it. now it is definitely 10.5

 

[GettingKinky]

@Kiaray8 your wash n go (or is it a twist out) is sooooo cute.

 

[BlackRinse]

April update:

I cant find my original post, I straightened half of my head yesterday. I will do the other half eventually today. I'm in the process of fermenting some ayurvedic oil I think the addition of fenugreek will help. Castor oil has definitely increased the thickness of my hair.

Im going to do a search and destroy and when this covid mess is over get my hair professionally trimmed.

I will now be oiling my hair 2x daily.

 

[water_n_oil]

I haven't taken any pics but in Jan I was just shy of WL and now I'm WL stretched without a doubt. The front is slightly past APL stretched. I've just been doing wngs or two braids.

 

[SmilingElephant]

Oh snap! My most recent pic (which is also currently my profile pic. My nape is currently Midback length and my crown/longest point is right at WL

I bought a new bottle of lavender jbco and mixed some in my bottle of DooGro oil and have been massaging that in my scalp every other day.

I cowash twice a week still, Bunning at least 5 days a week. Shampooing and Deep Conditioning weekly.

I just tried the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Masque (I guess that's the name?) But it was exactly what I needed in a deep conditioner! My hair was mosturized but still felt strengthened. Today my hair still feels hydrated and healthy That line and the JBCO line are my favorites from Shea Moisture.

My hair was about BSL 3-6 months ago, before I started back actively growing it back out. I think the bunning has really helped the most

 

[Kiaray8]

@Kiaray8 your wash n go (or is it a twist out) is sooooo cute.

Thank you it’s a wash and go. I think that was day eight hair I usually try stretch them for a week or just over.

 

[GettingKinky]

Thank you it’s a wash and go. I think that was day eight hair I usually try stretch them for a week or just over.

That is amazing day 8 hair!! What do you use to keep the frizz away? How do you refresh it?

 

[Kiaray8]

That is amazing day 8 hair!! What do you use to keep the frizz away? How do you refresh it?

Thank you! For the frizz I just noticed with me continuously deep conditioning with moisturising deep conditioners every week my hair doesn’t get as frizzy and my curl pattern shows through all the time now. I’ve removed protein DCs from my routine as it just makes my hair frizz more and I think my hair is protein sensitive.

For that wash and go I prepoo’d with African pride coconut and aloe prepoo then used Giovanni smooth as silk shampoo twice then deep conditioned with Eden body works jojoba monoi DC. I oil rinse with vatika oil. I just used ice curls by aunt jackies to do my WnG on soaking wet hair. I didn’t use a leave in for that WnG.

To refresh I usually spritz any leave in conditioner spray. & when I notice my curls have dropped a few days after I’ve washed it I coat my strands with a small amount of Shea butter per section. Oh and I don’t blow my hair I air dry so I think that might contribute to it being moisturised throughout the days.

 

[SmilingElephant]

Thank you! For the frizz I just noticed with me continuously deep conditioning with moisturising deep conditioners every week my hair doesn’t get as frizzy and my curl pattern shows through all the time now. I’ve removed protein DCs from my routine as it just makes my hair frizz more and I think my hair is protein sensitive.

For that wash and go I prepoo’d with African pride coconut and aloe prepoo then used Giovanni smooth as silk shampoo twice then deep conditioned with Eden body works jojoba monoi DC. I oil rinse with vatika oil. I just used ice curls by aunt jackies to do my WnG on soaking wet hair. I didn’t use a leave in for that WnG.

To refresh I usually spritz any leave in conditioner spray. & when I notice my curls have dropped a few days after I’ve washed it I coat my strands with a small amount of Shea butter per section. Oh and I don’t blow my hair I air dry so I think that might contribute to it being moisturised throughout the days.

How do you like the Aunt Jackie's Ice Curls? I've been eyeballing the crap out of it but scared to try it lol

 

[Kiaray8]

How do you like the Aunt Jackie's Ice Curls? I've been eyeballing the crap out of it but scared to try it lol

I loved it definitely in my list now for cheap gels (reminds me of aloe Vera gel in terms of good definition not as natural but definitely cheaper). Really defined the curls and my curl definition stayed through the 8 days. It did have slight flakes although I didn’t use a leave in I did use a oily DC before so that could be the reason. As it isn’t that pricy I would definitely say try it!

 

[apple_natural]

4/7- blow out and I tried to flat iron it. It was not cooperating. It was a big poof. I did trim the ends though. I think they look pretty good.

I'm putting photos in my media. I think it's pretty short and I have one little point that is actually arm pit length. The rest is shoulder length but I'm going to just keep trying to grow it. Maybe when it's professionally straightened, I'll see more length. Idk. Otherwise I hope to be bsl by this time next year

 

[SmilingElephant]

I loved it definitely in my list now for cheap gels (reminds me of aloe Vera gel in terms of good definition not as natural but definitely cheaper). Really defined the curls and my curl definition stayed through the 8 days. It did have slight flakes although I didn’t use a leave in I did use a oily DC before so that could be the reason. As it isn’t that pricy I would definitely say try it!

I will definitely be trying it after I finish my huge jar of Green Xtreme Wetline gel that I have come to really like! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Prettymetty]

Natural, Relaxed, Texlaxed: Natural 4b, low density, mixed fine and coarse strands

Current Length: Bsl/Mbl

Goal Length: Waist length

Plan to reach goal length: I plan to trim every 3-4 months instead of every 2 months. I’ll also be using a stimulating oil on wash days to increase circulation.

Regimen: I am a straight hair natural. I wash every 4 days when time permits. I usually dc after every wash. Sometimes I do an extended prepoo instead of a dc and a quickie conditioner after I wash. I blow dry after each wash. Although I may start doing wash n God. I’ve been natural long enough it’s time I learn. My lack of curl pattern has discouraged me, but I’ve noticed that as I apply my keratin treatments the product defines my coils and it’s beautiful. I just need to find a product to do the same thing.

Protective Styles: Buns, up dos, occasionally wigs, braids (rarely)

Staple Products: Ion Keratin Shampoo, Keracare Humecto, Chi Silk Infusion, Sabino Moisture Block, Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship, Kerastase Therapiste pre shampoo, evoo, coconut oil

Starting Pic: above. I’ll post a pic of the back next wash day

 

[storm777007]

Hi,
Is it too late to join?

 

[storm777007]

What do you use to do scalp massages?

This is a great one...it feels sooo good.

 

[snoop]

This is a great one...it feels sooo good.

Which brand is this?

 

[NaturalShe94]

Running late on my check in! But here it is lol.
Decided to wear the same fit especially since my starting pic was on straight hair. Definitely got some length! Grazing BCL again but not fully there as of yet. Im excited!