I haven't read all the posts, but I think the chart is a tad in the box. If the hair grows 6 inches a year, then the first year should end at the nape (the longest layer), not the ear level like the picture shows. They are measuring only from the top of the head, so this chart appears to be in a box. I suppose they presume you will clip you ends to a blunt cut at the end of each year. If you're measuring from the nape (and going for the natural layered look rather than blunt), then it shouldn't take as long to reach waist length. If you want every hair on your head to get to waist (as in blunt cut) before you claim it, it will take much longer. It was helpful, nonetheless!