Hair Lessons -Successes & Failures -from 2013

[faithVA]

Successes:
1. Found a leave-in that works
2. Have a good wash regimen from shampoo to leave-in
3. My scalp is getting better
4. I can successfully use protein
5. I can do a good rollerset/curlformer set and it only takes 1 to 1.5 hours to dry
6. My flat twist are nice and thick. Can't wait until they are longer
7. My hair likes marshmallow root and burdock root
8. IngredientsToDieFor has products my hair likes
9. Despite my lack of retention this year I feel highly optimistic about 2014
10. My hair is thicker than before I big chopped
11. I finally have some staples
12. I'm enjoying a year of being a product junkie
13. I can do an overnight DC without my scalp burning.


Failures:
1. Not understanding that I need to S&D as well as dust. The split ends higher up are killing my hair
2. Can't figure out whether to LOC, LCO, LLC. None of them seem to work
3. I don't know how to moisturize and seal my hair
4. Between stress and hair ignorance I've only retained 2" this year
5. I am highly allergic to sulfur and biotin My red pimply face was sooo painful.
6. I broke a lot of croc clips I thought they were supposed to be super strong.
7. I can't seem to make myself do scalp massages or inversion
8. I bought a lot of wigs and refuse to wear any of them


That was fun. Thanks OP. I needed to get that off my chest.

 

[caliscurls]

Successes

• minimizing the number of products I use
• sealing with butters lightly instead of oil
• QOD MAX Organiq
• dry detangling with a coconut oil mixture weekly
• Hot Oil Treatments
• Protective Styling
• Deep conditioning with every wash
• Oiling scalp at least 2x a week
• Using plain water or rose water as a moisturizer
• Using KeraVada to reduce shedding and soften roots
  
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  8x Concentrated Amla Brahmi Fenugreek Bhringaraj Argan Oil Grapeseed Oil Coconut Oil Hibiscus Rosemary Ayurveda Mix
• Handmade/natural hair products (for the most part)

Failures

• Forgetting to dust and having to end up trimming 1 - 2 inches every 3 or 4 months
• Using cream moisturizers
• Glycerin
• High protein products

 

[candie19]

Successes:
1. Joining a forum. The support is worth it.
2. Putting pictures of the long, thick, and healthy hair I want on a vision board.
3. Taking pictures of my hair journey.
4. Paul Mitchell's "The Conditoner" is my love! And I will tell anyone that will listen.
5. protective styling
6. Indirect heat with "the conditioner" grows my hair effortlessly
7. Stretching my texlax to 12 weeks is the max for my hair.
8. Pre-poos!!!

Failure:
1. No Joico K-Pak in the winter time. Moisturizing conditioners only.
2. Hair weaves for protective styling is a no-no.
3. Glycerin and aloe Vera juice do nothing for my hair.
4. being around people who think they know hair and don't (that includes hairdressers)

 

[ElevatedEnergy]

Successes
1) Going another full year without relaxing. Cheers to 2 years post yummy natural new hair and still sexy and thick relaxed ends. Booyah....who said again that natural hair and relaxed hair couldnt co-exist?!
2) 5 months of letting my hair rest. 2 months in senegalese twists and 3 months in a bob sew-in this year was great for my hair and my sanity.
3) Roller setting when hair not in rest mode and visiting the salon for a press during the cooler months when I wanted to swang and thangs.
4) Passing BSL and getting darn near close to MBL.

Failures:
Praise dance to none.

My hair and I were on cruise control this year. Looking forward to 2014 where I can see myself getting 2 installs of senegalese twists and 2 bob sew-in installs. That's over 9 months of not fooling with my hair! I will be delivering a baby in May and dealing with a newborn so ya girl will need the hair break. Hopefully that hair break will push me right into waist length.