Hip Length Challenge 2010

[BostonMaria]

Hey ladies! Just checking in!
I think I'm WSL now or 1/2 inch there but I'm not going to do a length check till at least March. Right now I'm bunning it till June (lets hope I make it) with the hopes of retaining every darn inch of herrrrrrr.

Good luck! HHG

 

[BostonMaria]

I received these two notifications.......

1. 
   Yesterday 11:19 PM
   SmilingElephant
   
   I don't think this is a real person...or ARE you?
   
   You're not one of those "automated" tip giving posters right?

1. 01-18-2010 07:55 AM
   onejamifan
   
   I would love to see pictures of your hair!!!

so here is my public reply.....

Today 03:04 AM

1. Candy828
   
   SmilingElephant - Yes, I am a real person... not automated. I am just sharing things I know and information I have found. If the ladies on the board want me to stop posting, I can do that....
   
   onejamifan - I have not posted pics of my hair yet because I am still on vacation. I have taken pictures but will not be able to upload them until the first week of Feburary. I don't have my attachments for my camera with me.
   
   I believe if everyone shares there experiences of useful information they find, it helps all of us on this journey. People have helped me and that is why I can share it with you. Evey little thing we can learn and do to maximize our hair growth and reach our goals is what we are trying to do.... at least that is what I thought we were doing.....
   
   If I have offended anyone.... I am sorry..
   
   

Candy we have a real BOT here on the Forum. Its somebody who never talks but just posts random weird stuff from e-how. I think his/her name is Hopeful, something like that.

Oh and I'm not sure if those are PM's that you posted, but that's against forum rules to post PM's. I'd hate to see you banned for something so silly. I say keep posting away. I love the pictures you're showing us!

 

[Ivey14]

***Deleted***

 

[LadyPaniolo]

Your hair is so gorgeous BostonMaria... I can see you are at WL already, you will be at HL before you know it. Looking forward to your March pics!

As for myself, I plan on holding off on straightening till my birthday in June.

ETA: hey Ivey14... I think reducing your heat exposure to once every 2-3 months is a great plan. Anything to minimize damage. And don't drop out! It's not even February yet, you've got tons of time to get there!

 

[Candy828]

Candy we have a real BOT here on the Forum. Its somebody who never talks but just posts random weird stuff from e-how. I think his/her name is Hopeful, something like that.

Oh and I'm not sure if those are PM's that you posted, but that's against forum rules to post PM's. I'd hate to see you banned for something so silly. I say keep posting away. I love the pictures you're showing us!

BostonMaria, thanks for your support! I only want to share useful information.... Whenever I find a picture, I do my best to look and see if it's copywrite protected or if the website has posted a warning about using their information. In some cases, I am a member of sites so I get to use their information... Anyway, I do give credit to the person or site that I get information or pictures from... At best they should be thanking me for directing people their way...ha...ha.. and if I am ask to remove anything I posted, I will be more than happy to do so.... I am flexable..ha..ha!

Also, I think your hair is coming along nicely... You'll get there! So keep up the good work!

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

yall better quit dropping out of the challenge!!! lol

i cant wait for my length check!!! 14 more days and i'm flat ironing. i believe i'm right on schedule as i planned.

i anticipated mbl in feb, wl in may, hl nov'ish...

but on my last length check earlier this month showed me at darn near mbl so i would assume i could probably claim it by now... grant it its only 1 month early, but early is early lol

 

[Candy828]

ok ladies..... I will be in transit.... on my long way home so I will not be able to post. I will arrive home sometime on next Saturday, give me some days to re-coup, then I'll be back online and I will post my long awaited pics!
I'll miss you all!

 

[schipperchow1]

God I am getting so impatient! I feel like this process is taking forever and a day!

I know!! When I look at growth results of people like CelinaStarr who is TB 3 - 3 1/2 years after her last relaxer & all relaxed ends cut off, I am like what am I doing wrong

 

[schipperchow1]

Although I have joined the TBL challenge, I am going to continue to participate in this one, as I did join it first. I am not at full hip length, but I don't expect it will take the entire year. So, when the TBL challenge began, naturally I joined in.

There is a wealth of valuable information being shared in this thread. The atmosphere here is one for growing so let's make it happen ladies!

I am glad that you are still here!

^^ I'm a member of that challenge as well. I think it's perfectly ok to join both. Given my growth rate I fully expect to reach BOTH hip and tailbone this calendar year, and so I joined both. I don't think it's an either/or proposition.

Of course it is! I lurk there & dream & see you guys in there Believe me, if I thought I could reach TB by the end of this year, I would be right in on that challenge with you!

 

[schipperchow1]

Hey ladies! Just checking in!
I think I'm WSL now or 1/2 inch there but I'm not going to do a length check till at least March. Right now I'm bunning it till June (lets hope I make it) with the hopes of retaining every darn inch of herrrrrrr.

Good luck! HHG

You look WL to me I am WL stretched now too (or should I say my longest layers). Hopefully, by the March check-in, I will be past WL stretched & growing on down to HL

 

[schipperchow1]

I've contemplated dropping out of this challenge too only because I am not at full waist-length yet! I think by the end of this year I'll make my previous goal of blunt waist, but I dunno, we'll see.

I tried eliminating heat for good, even AFTER my mishap in December, but I just can't do it. I guess instead of monthly flat ironing, I'll do it every 2-3 months.

Don't drop out!!! I saw your thread about the heat damage. Don't beat yourself up about using heat. Just up your conditioning Rx. BTW: There will be no punishment meted out for not reaching HL, but there may be some for giving up to quickly on your goals! Enjoy your hair & the journey!

 

[LoveLongLocks]

:hugs: Thanks for the encouragement, I'm going to stick it out I mean we just started this challenge. I don't think I've had major growth Sept-Dec, just maintaining and thickening-usually spring, summer is growth spurt time for me looking @ my previous progress pics.

I'm going to bun mostly, ponytail, and wear it down sometimes maybe more depends. I'm oiling and massaging my scalp, moisturizing oiling length and ends nightly or every other night, cover nightly, try to co-wash 2x/week-wish I could co-wash daily but it's cold outside, DC weekly minimum.

I'm actually going to be trying out some new products simplifying my regime I almost have it completely simplified the way I want it product usage and routine wise. I'll have to update my reggie once I get it together.

I am glad that you decided to stay. Reading everyones post and looking at all the pics are very encouraging to me as well as others. We all are here to support - wether we make the goal or not. We'll all just continue to try together.

 

[schipperchow1]

Are any of you ladies doing the Aphogee 2-step protein treatment? I am thinking of doing a heavy protein treatment but have seen mixed reviews on this product. If not this product, what are you doing/using to get and/or maintain strand strength as you grow to HL?
TIA!

 

[mariofmagdal]

Are any of you ladies doing the Aphogee 2-step protein treatment? I am thinking of doing a heavy protein treatment but have seen mixed reviews on this product. If not this product, what are you doing/using to get and/or maintain strand strength as you grow to HL?
TIA!

I don't have anyone to help me with that particular treatment. I am afraid to do it alone. I use the 2 min reconstructor weekly and I am natural, I probably don't need a real heavy protein treatment.

 

[schipperchow1]

Do you use the 2-min reconstructor w/heat or just for the 2 mins? I have that too & think I only used it once...I want to use something pretty strong because I noticed an unusual amount of splits on my ends recently. Don't know if it's leftover from me wearing my hair out a lot last year or the cold temps.

 

[mariofmagdal]

Do you use the 2-min reconstructor w/heat or just for the 2 mins? I have that too & think I only used it once...I want to use something pretty strong because I noticed an unusual amount of splits on my ends recently. Don't know if it's leftover from me wearing my hair out a lot last year or the cold temps.

No, not with heat. I just do the 2min, I may slip a cap on but I don't go much over the stated time as I have heard it is not necessary.

 

[BostonMaria]

Did a week of bunning and I'm still alive LOL
Last week I took the rollers out of my hair and I love the way the curls just cascade down. I can get away with not using heat in the winter time. I think that this time of year is when my hair looks the prettiest. I love the spring though and I'm looking forward to it.

BTW ladies, anybody else here have a steamer? I've been using mine for about 3 weeks now and find that my hair is thriving. I'm not saying its growing faster, but it feels and looks healthier.

 

[mariofmagdal]

BostonMaria, I want to get a steamer, but I am so hair lazy, I don't want it to end up in a corner not being used. Glad you are getting good results.

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

Are any of you ladies doing the Aphogee 2-step protein treatment? I am thinking of doing a heavy protein treatment but have seen mixed reviews on this product. If not this product, what are you doing/using to get and/or maintain strand strength as you grow to HL?
TIA!

i used to. made no difference in my hair

 

[testimony777]

... If not this product, what are you doing/using to get and/or maintain strand strength as you grow to HL?
TIA!

I add an egg (or two) to my weekly deep conditioner (Aubry Organics GPB). I also do monthly henna treatments. I used to have a huge problem with fragile ends and splits. Adding these two things to my routine nipped that in the bud .

 

[Toy]

If not this product, what are you doing/using to get and/or maintain strand strength as you grow to HL?
TIA!

I use Joico Kpak Reconstructor to maintain strength in my hair.

 

[winnettag]

Are any of you ladies doing the Aphogee 2-step protein treatment? I am thinking of doing a heavy protein treatment but have seen mixed reviews on this product. If not this product, what are you doing/using to get and/or maintain strand strength as you grow to HL?
TIA!

Aphogee is too hardcore for me. I'm experimenting with cassia and henna right now for strength. And I'm close to trying out BKT to help with these darn SSK's.

BTW ladies, anybody else here have a steamer? I've been using mine for about 3 weeks now and find that my hair is thriving. I'm not saying its growing faster, but it feels and looks healthier.

I have a steamer but I can't say I've noticed a difference. I'll continue to use it though since it isn't harming anything.

 

[Lucia]

Aphogee is too hardcore for me. I'm experimenting with cassia and henna right now for strength. And I'm close to trying out BKT to help with these darn SSK's.



I have a steamer but I can't say I've noticed a difference. I'll continue to use it though since it isn't harming anything.

BKT won't stop those SSK, just moisture and S&D's when my hair is drier I get them more I noticed, so keeping the moisturizing up and not slacking has pretty much gotten rid of them.

 

[Lucia]

Are any of you ladies doing the Aphogee 2-step protein treatment? I am thinking of doing a heavy protein treatment but have seen mixed reviews on this product. If not this product, what are you doing/using to get and/or maintain strand strength as you grow to HL?
TIA!

I use Aphogee 2-step treatment follow it up with 2 minute keratin reconstructor every once in a while when I feel like my hair needs it, I don't do this often cause it's just tedious and makes wash day longer than it has to be, but I feel it works. Now to avoid having to do this I'm going back to putting an egg in my pre-poo treatments when I do them hth

 

[winnettag]

BKT won't stop those SSK, just moisture and S&D's when my hair is drier I get them more I noticed, so keeping the moisturizing up and not slacking has pretty much gotten rid of them.

Well, I definitely don't see them as much as I used to. I moisturize 1-2 times daily and castor oil helps to smooth the ends down, but I still have more SSK's than I'd like and feel like it's hindering my retention.
Also, I feel I'd lose less hair during wash, detangling and braiding sesions if it was more manageable.
I definitely don't want to have a setback though, so I'm going to do a patch test and evaluate it after about a month.

 

[Firstborn2]

BKT won't stop those SSK, just moisture and S&D's when my hair is drier I get them more I noticed, so keeping the moisturizing up and not slacking has pretty much gotten rid of them.

I'm not apart of this challenge, I lurk in this thread often, but I just wanted to co-sign off of what Lucia said. Once I started moisturizing my hair everyday the SSK went away.

I wasted 2yrs cutting my ends trying to rid myself of the SSK, they would alway come be, but in May last year I did another trim and decided to cowash everyday and notice that I didn't get any knots during the course of the summer. Once it started getting cold, I started sprayin my hair everyday with plain ole distilled water and seal with an oil. Still no knots. Ok, that's all I wanted to add, I'm out

 

[schipperchow1]

Did a week of bunning and I'm still alive LOL
Last week I took the rollers out of my hair and I love the way the curls just cascade down. I can get away with not using heat in the winter time. I think that this time of year is when my hair looks the prettiest. I love the spring though and I'm looking forward to it.

BTW ladies, anybody else here have a steamer? I've been using mine for about 3 weeks now and find that my hair is thriving. I'm not saying its growing faster, but it feels and looks healthier.

I saw your bun challenge. Glad to hear you survived the first week I don't have a steamer but I'm glad it's working for you. What conditioner(s) do you use when you steam?

 

[schipperchow1]

I add an egg (or two) to my weekly deep conditioner (Aubry Organics GPB). I also do monthly henna treatments. I used to have a huge problem with fragile ends and splits. Adding these two things to my routine nipped that in the bud .

Adding an egg to the aubrey's that's an interesting idea. :scratchch

 

[BostonMaria]

I saw your bun challenge. Glad to hear you survived the first week I don't have a steamer but I'm glad it's working for you. What conditioner(s) do you use when you steam?

Right now I'm alternating between 3 DC's - Aubrey Organics HR, a Dominican conditioner called Miel y Canela, and a DC that I made myself from scratch.

 

[Candy828]

Hello Ladies, I am still in transit but and I am at a library right now so I can post a message. First I have to give a big Shout-Out sisterly love to BostonMaria and SmilingElephant for their questions and inquiry. Because if they hadn't, I would not have obtain some important information concerning copy rights and free use of information. I picked up some friends along the way as well... So the article below is credited to BostonMaria and SmilingElephant. It was dedicated to us by Hair Boutique's owner/author Karen Marie Shelton and this is being posted with her permission. If you want to see a picture of her hair you'll have to click on the link because her picture is copyrighted by NBC, so I did not post her picture.

Karen Marie Shelton's
Secret Long Hair Growing Tips (Part 1)
http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip000748.htm
Karen Marie Shelton - Copyright - All Rights Reserved.
Original Publication Date: 01/28/10

Introduction

This article was specifically written for and dedicated to Candy82 and all the lovely people at The Long Hair Care Forum who are currently dedicated to growing their long tresses to full hip length.
I have been continuously dedicated to growing my own hair long since 1988.
Although I played with having long hair as far back as 1975, as I have confessed, I was addicted to coloring my hair platinum blonde with Nice n' Easy pale blonde which resulted in my hair stalling just below the middle of my back.
Finally in 1988 I got serious about growing long, healthy tresses. Which meant the agonizing first chop to remove 6" of damage, stepping away from the hot tools and learning to really take care of my hair.
Over the years my hair has settled to what might be defined as classic length or approximately 6-8" below my waist. When I wear it straight (it has natural waves and curls) it brushes the tops of my thighs.
No, I have never been able to grow it much past it's current point, but in all fairness I have not really made the commitment to do so and I do believe growing hair to mid- thighs, knees or calves does require a special diligence. I also believe some people are not genetically predisposed to grow their hair past a pre-determined length.
I do take exceptional (and fanatical) care of my hair and practice everything I preach from taking hair vitamins to only allowing my ends to be trimmed by long hair friendly Hollywood hairdresser Robert Hallowell who I see approximately two times a year.
In between visits with Robert who respects my long hair beliefs, I trim my own edges with a pair of professional scissors I purchased when I was in cosmetology school. My hair continues to grow but at a much slower rate which I attribute to my workaholic lifestyle which entails time spent on HairBoutique.com seven days a week, 15 hours a day.
I also have a long hair color expert, Rose Zuniga who pampers my hair with carefully applied highlights only three times a year. Rose is also a long hair expert and I trust her completely with my tresses.
General Long Hair Growing Methods

Whether you agree with my own holistic beliefs or not is up to you. I believe everyone has to find their own way, but it never hurts to consider other options.
Over the years I have discovered several alternative therapies which work for me helping my hair continue to grow and remain healthy despite my constant stress.
I follow all the standard hair growing techniques from drinking lots of water, taking hair vitamins (I developed HairTopia for my own original hair growth journey), making a point of getting 7-8 hours of nightly sleep and eating the best food plan I can.
The important thing to remember about growing your hair is that you have to give yourself permission to cut some slack. If you're too rigid you may get frustrated and stop pursuing your long hair goals.
I also keep the ends lightly oiled to prevent breakage, only cleanse my hair with Diluted Shampoo Only (DSO), or Conditioner Only (CO) or Water Only (WO). I use a boar bristle brush but only for careful detangling. I also use my fingers instead of a comb.
In addition I have experimented with just about every long hair growing tip known to the long hair world over the past twenty (20) years.
Holistic Hair Growing Tips

Listed below are some of the alternative techniques I have used to keep my hair lush, healthy, shiny and continuing to grow:
1. Acupuncture - A big fan of alternative medicine, I have been visiting a Chinese physican for many years. At various points he has popped a few needles into my scalp and face (painless I promise) to help amp up my scalp circulation.
Indeed, I notice a tingling for a period of time afterwards and my hair does seem to have a growth spurt.
2. Acupressure - A great alternative to acupunture treatments are acupressure massages which work on the same principles of stimulating the points of the scalp which will help the roots become strong healthy and energy infused.
The key point to remember with either acupuncture or acupressure is to be consistent. One treatment every six months won't do the trick. You need to have ongoing treatments but they will help.
A famous Hollywood actor who shall remain nameless grew back a lot of his thinning scalp with weekly acupuncture and acupressure treatments. If I told you who it was you would be shocked but his hairdresser working on his hair the entire time he was growing his hair back through holistic treatments.
3. Massage - A combination of full body massage and scalp massage will increase the overall circulation of the body amping up blood flow to the roots of the hair.
Whenever possible I either have a deep tissue massage or a Rolfing treatment which are both designed to keep the body balanced. When the body is balancing and working optimally, the hair and skin will respond in kind with healthy blood flow.
The results? Glowing skin and blood engorged hair roots. Not only does massage, rolfing or related body work keep our body healthy and minimize the impact of stress, it helps keep hair healthy, vibrant and growing.
4. Basil Oil Scalp Massage - In 1990 I lost a major amount of my hair due to extreme dieting. I was able to grow the hair back longer and stronger with bi-weekly Basil Oil hot oil scalp massages.
It is important to buy 100% authentic Basil Oil and mix it with a carrier oil. Do not ever use Basil oil undiluted. It can burn the scalp and cause pain as well as peeling.
I would apply organic Basil Oil diluted in organic jojoba oil to my scalp and do a acupressure or finger massage.
Note: Be sure to read all the warning notes against using Basil Oil including avoiding use when pregnant.
5. Reiki - Years ago I took several Reiki classes and was amazing at the impact of the energy on the scalp and roots when directing healing and cleansing Reiki to my scalp.
Any type of energy work from Reiki to polarity or similar can help keep the roots and scalp vibrant and full of life. A good book on Reiki or energy healing can get you started to experiment on your own scalp.