Grow it Long 2023 Challenge!
- Thread starter snoop
- Start date
snoop
Well-Known Member
How come? I thought you had a solid routine in place...
Napp
In hair purgatory
I guess I was looking at my shrunken hair because when I stretch my hair out i can see that my hair grew
Napp
In hair purgatory
Not the best pics since I'm taking them in a different place now. But I'm making slow and steady progress, peep the shrinkage! I thought my hair would have grown more than this but it has only been 3 months. I'm hoping to reach the top of my camisole by June/July and hopefully Midback(the bottom of my fat roll lol) by the end of the year. This is the longest my hair has been in quite some time and im pleased. I just want thicker hair though. So I might grow to WL and then work on thickening the ends. My torso is long so WL is much farther than I thought. I'm definitely not reaching there this year.
snoop
Well-Known Member
It looks like you're making steady and visible progress. I hope that you don't take up the scissors. Your hair looks looks like it's thriving with your routine.
snoop
Well-Known Member
I was off for a bit, but I'm still here and still growing. How is everyone doing?
This is what my hair looked like after washing it last week. I put my twists into braids to stretch them.
I was originally planning on redoing them this weekend, but there is so much going on at home that I neither have the time nor the physical space to do my hair properly, so I'm planning on keeping them in until the end of the month. I've been wearing these twists for about 3 weeks now and I think with weekly washing, the shrinkage doesn't look too bad.
Two weeks ago I was in Houston. I didn't moisturize my hair for the week that I was there and I didn't need to. My hair felt sooo good, I couldn't stop touching it. It was so soft. Within an hour of getting back into my house in Toronto, my hair started feeling dry and crispy. In my mind, this solidified that I don't need to sweat it on whether my hair is "healthy" or not based on softness alone, because there is no way my hair got damaged in just one plane ride.
I fell off on eating very well and drinking my water, but I'm working on it.
This is what my hair looked like after washing it last week. I put my twists into braids to stretch them.
I was originally planning on redoing them this weekend, but there is so much going on at home that I neither have the time nor the physical space to do my hair properly, so I'm planning on keeping them in until the end of the month. I've been wearing these twists for about 3 weeks now and I think with weekly washing, the shrinkage doesn't look too bad.
Two weeks ago I was in Houston. I didn't moisturize my hair for the week that I was there and I didn't need to. My hair felt sooo good, I couldn't stop touching it. It was so soft. Within an hour of getting back into my house in Toronto, my hair started feeling dry and crispy. In my mind, this solidified that I don't need to sweat it on whether my hair is "healthy" or not based on softness alone, because there is no way my hair got damaged in just one plane ride.
I fell off on eating very well and drinking my water, but I'm working on it.
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Those twist braids look like thick ropes! It's nice when there is a change in one's life, such as a change in environment, to help solidify and clarify understanding about one's hair health and processes. Another piece of the hair care puzzle put in place. The realizations about afro-hair and our own individual heads of hair are never -ending it seems.
Togolese
Active Member
Your hair is totally beautiful and healthy too! I was off for some time too, but have kept up with the consistency and made a few trims here and there. What you're experiencing may be the weather and environment? I notice this extremely when I visit my mom a few kilometers away, she lives directly at the sea. My hair is usually more moist, feels softer and the products I use are almost too much, especially when it rains there, the humidity is too high. It sometimes becomes sticky. But as soon as we drive home, we moved close by a channel, my hair feels either too dry or just right with no stickiness. That made me realise I need to adjust how much products I use on my hair according to the weather. More humidity less humectants to have a balance.
snoop
Well-Known Member
Definitely weather and environment. It just got me thinking about when a stylist touches a person's hair and then makes a judgement call about the health how it isn't really a reliable. From the time spent in the airport to the dive home...I don't think I was home for 30 minutes when I noticed. I was really shocked with how quickly my hair changed and just how drastically.
Rephrased: I ususally expect my hair to feel softer almost immediately when I enter warmer environments, but I didn't expect it to feel the opposite with like speed.
What is your method for trimming your hair? Have you been spot trimming or doing the whole thing? Do you follow your hair's natural shape or are you trimming it into a style... I haven't seen your hair in a little while...
Togolese
Active Member
Here are pictures of today, not the best, but I just unravelled my stretched hair with the scrunchy banding method. The back isn't fluffed out well
I do a mixture of both, spot trimming when I see tangles, splits or knots. I mainly follow my natural hair in the back, so it grows in layers, but I keep the nape short and I even out the front a bit so I can wear bangs. @snoop So the longest sections in the back have almost reached apl with my tiny trims since January, so I'm very pleased. I plan to trim my hair again when I straighten it in 1-2 months, just to see if everything is alright. The past 2 years I've been straightening once a year.
Forgot to say, I usually trim curl by curl on dry hair, sometimes wet (allows me to see how much I cut because the strand is stretched). But the shrinkage is very tricky so I tend to cut more when needed away. One tiny cut could already be half and inch when I pull the trimmed section out, so it's not the best method for me, if I want to see faster length retention. Maybe I'll start a routine of blow dry trims every 4 months for better length retention.
I do a mixture of both, spot trimming when I see tangles, splits or knots. I mainly follow my natural hair in the back, so it grows in layers, but I keep the nape short and I even out the front a bit so I can wear bangs. @snoop So the longest sections in the back have almost reached apl with my tiny trims since January, so I'm very pleased. I plan to trim my hair again when I straighten it in 1-2 months, just to see if everything is alright. The past 2 years I've been straightening once a year.Forgot to say, I usually trim curl by curl on dry hair, sometimes wet (allows me to see how much I cut because the strand is stretched). But the shrinkage is very tricky so I tend to cut more when needed away. One tiny cut could already be half and inch when I pull the trimmed section out, so it's not the best method for me, if I want to see faster length retention. Maybe I'll start a routine of blow dry trims every 4 months for better length retention.
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snoop
Well-Known Member
Here are pictures of today, not the best, but I just unravelled my stretched hair with the scrunchy banding method. The back isn't fluffed out well
Forgot to say, I usually trim curl by curl on dry hair, sometimes wet (allows me to see how much I cut because the strand is stretched). But the shrinkage is very tricky so I tend to cut more when needed away. One tiny cut could already be half and inch when I pull the trimmed section out, so it's not the best method for me, if I want to see faster length retention. Maybe I'll start a routine of blow dry trims every 4 months for better length retention.
Thanks for sharing the photos! Your hair is getting long! I've started trimming curl by curl, too and I like it, but I do it in the shower so the water clumps and stretches my hair. It takes a bit long and uses a lot of water, but I think that I get an even more precise trim than when I trim in twists. In both cases, I'm sure that my hair isn't even because I haven't trimmed it straight. I can't wait to see the pics from when you straighten it! I'm sure a lot of people will be drooling!
apple_natural
Well-Known Member
I keep thinking that I need to find a new hairstyle, but I am forgetting that I wanted either twists or rollersets.
5/11 -
Applied henna mixed with fenugreek tea, green tea, conditioner, castor oil, and some of my whipped shea butter. I should have melted the shea butter, but it doesn't matter. I put the remaining henna on a straight wig that I have
I braided my fingercomber wig that I've never worn. I wanted a braid out look. I think I'll want to try it again with bigger braids.
I think I want some long clip ins... I could make clip-ins from the wefts of a curly wig that I never wear, but I think those would be shorter than I want
5/11 -
Applied henna mixed with fenugreek tea, green tea, conditioner, castor oil, and some of my whipped shea butter. I should have melted the shea butter, but it doesn't matter. I put the remaining henna on a straight wig that I have
I braided my fingercomber wig that I've never worn. I wanted a braid out look. I think I'll want to try it again with bigger braids.
I think I want some long clip ins... I could make clip-ins from the wefts of a curly wig that I never wear, but I think those would be shorter than I want
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Mapleoats
Well-Known Member
Still here! Keeping it simple with twists, twist outs and blow outs. I don't really have a set regimen, I was my hair when it needs washing and I can find the time. I style my hair in twists or a blow out and bun. If I want to wear my hair out I usually do a twist out the night before and dry it the next day with revair/supersonic as needed.
I'm experimenting with finger detangling and shampooing in larger sections. I don't get as great results when I do so, but I'm starting to accept that I don't need perfectly detangled and clean hair every wash day if I am washing every 3-5 days which sometimes I do now. I love that I am still learning about my hair and ways that I can care for it
I gave my hair a good trim in April which I think helped even out my ends. I will do another trim in June or July.
here's a pic of December 2022 vs april after the trim.
I'm experimenting with finger detangling and shampooing in larger sections. I don't get as great results when I do so, but I'm starting to accept that I don't need perfectly detangled and clean hair every wash day if I am washing every 3-5 days which sometimes I do now. I love that I am still learning about my hair and ways that I can care for it
I gave my hair a good trim in April which I think helped even out my ends. I will do another trim in June or July.
here's a pic of December 2022 vs april after the trim.
apple_natural
Well-Known Member
@Mapleoats you're my hair twin only I am way behind you now. How often do you blow your hair out? I just started blowing my hair out. I let it air dry for years
Mapleoats
Well-Known Member
I do a full blow out 1-2x monthly and I have been doing that around 1.5 years now. I do take breaks when I am protective styling. Before using the revair I was avid with the dyson airwrap brush but I think over time it caused mechanical damage which led to some breakage and thinning of my ends last year. The revair is much more gentle from that perspective and probably uses less heat so I prefer it now. Honestly I love using my blow dryers, and learning to use them to dry my hair for twist outs has been a game changer for me.
this twist out was dried/stretched with revair
apple_natural
Well-Known Member
Aww thank you for answering!
I want to try blow drying for a couple of months. I'll see what happens
Mapleoats
Well-Known Member
You'll be there in no time!
Mapleoats
Well-Known Member
I think I'm going to try Introducing clay rinsing into my regimen. I've done it in the past with good results but never kept up.
I was thinking about what things I can do to improve the condition of my hair, and what current gaps are in my regimen. One thing I've realized is that my hair is naturally frizzy, doesn't clump much without product and so it tends to be more fragility during the styling phase. I have a hunch that if I can get my hair to clump up more easily I'll see less breakage over all and be happier with the results of my styles.
I'm going to challenge myself to clay rinse a minimum of twice per month for the month of June, July, and August. I'll take a starting picture when I'm done washing my hair today and compare when I'm done this challenge if I've seen any notable reduction in the frizz of my hair. If the results are positive I'll keep it in my regimen, if not I'll scrap it.
I'm going to challenge myself to clay rinse a minimum of twice per month for the month of June, July, and August. I'll take a starting picture when I'm done washing my hair today and compare when I'm done this challenge if I've seen any notable reduction in the frizz of my hair. If the results are positive I'll keep it in my regimen, if not I'll scrap it.
edit to add starting pictures. This is wet hair straight out the shower and after at most 5 mins of air drying. My hair does not clump unless I load product into it. I'm not looking for perfect definition, but I think any improvement would help reduce tangling for me.
(2nd and 3rd photo are the same section, with product and without)
I was thinking about what things I can do to improve the condition of my hair, and what current gaps are in my regimen. One thing I've realized is that my hair is naturally frizzy, doesn't clump much without product and so it tends to be more fragility during the styling phase. I have a hunch that if I can get my hair to clump up more easily I'll see less breakage over all and be happier with the results of my styles.
I'm going to challenge myself to clay rinse a minimum of twice per month for the month of June, July, and August. I'll take a starting picture when I'm done washing my hair today and compare when I'm done this challenge if I've seen any notable reduction in the frizz of my hair. If the results are positive I'll keep it in my regimen, if not I'll scrap it.
I'm going to challenge myself to clay rinse a minimum of twice per month for the month of June, July, and August. I'll take a starting picture when I'm done washing my hair today and compare when I'm done this challenge if I've seen any notable reduction in the frizz of my hair. If the results are positive I'll keep it in my regimen, if not I'll scrap it.
edit to add starting pictures. This is wet hair straight out the shower and after at most 5 mins of air drying. My hair does not clump unless I load product into it. I'm not looking for perfect definition, but I think any improvement would help reduce tangling for me.
(2nd and 3rd photo are the same section, with product and without)
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Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
On the days that you clay rinse, will you also be using shampoo?
Mapleoats
Well-Known Member
Hmm. Good question.
I think I would have an initial rinse with a moisturizing shampoo and then follow up with the clay. I'm not really looking for the clay to cleanse my hair, just to reduzw frizz and encourage clumping
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
The reason why I asked is because I use clay for my cleansing. I found that shampoo was causing my hair to frizz. With the clay mixture that @snoop provided to me, the frizz has left. My hair is so smooth that I can use almost any gel to lay down my hair in my slick bun. Prior to using the clay when I was cleansing with shampoo, only a heavy duty formulated gel like Wet Line could lay my hair down. Shampoo left my hair frizzy and it caused my ends to be sticky like velcro. I no longer have a problem with ends sticking together either. Good luck with your clay rinse. Please keep us posted on your results!
snoop
Well-Known Member
I think that if you're not looking for the clay to cleanse your hair and that you may also use shampoo, I would exclude the charcoal from the recipe. It my over cleanse your hair.
Mapleoats
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the tip! I ordered some rhassoul and kaolin clay which came today.
When I was clay washing in the past I used to mix Rhassoul clay directly with water since the ph was supposedly 6-7.
A quick google search tells me the ph of kaolin clay is like 4-5 which is a good compliment to the Rhassoul ph.
I think I'll keep it simple to start and just try 2 parts Rhassoul to 1 part Kaolin clay mixed with water and like 1-2tbsp of ACV because my scalp likes it. Would love to hear your expert opinion on this mix
snoop
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the tip! I ordered some rhassoul and kaolin clay which came today.
When I was clay washing in the past I used to mix Rhassoul clay directly with water since the ph was supposedly 6-7.
A quick google search tells me the ph of kaolin clay is like 4-5 which is a good compliment to the Rhassoul ph.
I think I'll keep it simple to start and just try 2 parts Rhassoul to 1 part Kaolin clay mixed with water and like 1-2tbsp of ACV because my scalp likes it. Would love to hear your expert opinion on this mix
I haven't used other clays in a long time, but I think you'll do well with this mix. I am going to give you the heads up that kaolin clay waters down VERY easily so you may or may not have to play around with the quantity. Looking forward to hearing your results!
snoop
Well-Known Member
Update on my hair: I installed my current set of mini twists the weekend after Easter. I think that this is the longest that I've worn a set and I probably have to keep them in for another week or two. We're doing renos while simultaneously getting ready to list and so hair has been on the back burner. Partly because for a few weeks I couldn't even access my hair products and now because I don't have time.
The kiddos hair has been on pause for most of that time as well, but I discovered in doing their hair that wearing single braids (with their own hair) worked very well on their hair, even after weekly washes for a month. If I have issues taking down these twists, I think that I'm going to try medium sized single braids on my hair and see how it goes.
I feel like I'm gaining length and that my twists are the longest that they've ever been, but I'm not sure what a pull test will reveal. I'll try to post a picture tomorrow.
The kiddos hair has been on pause for most of that time as well, but I discovered in doing their hair that wearing single braids (with their own hair) worked very well on their hair, even after weekly washes for a month. If I have issues taking down these twists, I think that I'm going to try medium sized single braids on my hair and see how it goes.
I feel like I'm gaining length and that my twists are the longest that they've ever been, but I'm not sure what a pull test will reveal. I'll try to post a picture tomorrow.
Mapleoats
Well-Known Member
I started my challenge today (a little earlier than intended) because I plan to press my hair next week for a wedding and I don't want to deviate from my normal pressing regimen.
I forgot how lovely clay washing is!
My recipe:
1/6ish cup of kaolin clay
1/3 cup of Rhassoul clay
1ish cup of water
2tbsp ACV
The consistency was really nice, not too thin or too thick, and rinsed out so well with water. It was creamy and luxurious. I'm gonna credit that to the Kaolin because I don't remember Rhassoul clay behaving like that.
i only used about half so I popped the rest in the freezer.
I can see instant results. My hair was so easy to style and detangle, had less frizz and more elongation. it also felt like my hair held onto water better. Both photos were taken on wet hair straight out the shower.
Looking forward to continuing this challenge
I forgot how lovely clay washing is!
My recipe:
1/6ish cup of kaolin clay
1/3 cup of Rhassoul clay
1ish cup of water
2tbsp ACV
The consistency was really nice, not too thin or too thick, and rinsed out so well with water. It was creamy and luxurious. I'm gonna credit that to the Kaolin because I don't remember Rhassoul clay behaving like that.
i only used about half so I popped the rest in the freezer.
I can see instant results. My hair was so easy to style and detangle, had less frizz and more elongation. it also felt like my hair held onto water better. Both photos were taken on wet hair straight out the shower.
Looking forward to continuing this challenge
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