Now Forming an Army of SUPER-LONG HAIR 4B (or mostly 4b) NATURALS!! Come on in!

[theNaturalWonders]

great thread!! subbing

 

[natieya]

Sign me up! I am APL when flat ironed. All natural, 4b (with small patch of 4a in the front). I need to update with pics. I'll see if I can do that soon.

 

[NappyNelle]

BUMP! How is everyone doing?

 

[bride91501]

I have been a bad, bad OP Thanks NappyNelly for bumping the thread girly.

I'm pretty much just coasting along with my reggie...desperately trying to reach my goal of grazing BSB by Dec 31. We'll see. I'm in hyper PS mode until then lol.

I've also decided to begin using stronger proteins in my regimen. I'm starting by mix an egg into my regular light PT. I think I'll do this once/month. Weekly, I'm going to start mixing a little Joico DC into my weekly moisturizing DC.

Anywho, enough about me lol. How is everyone else doing? Any reggie changes? Anyone meet their year end goals early? Any setbacks we can learn from?

 

[LovelyNaps26]

hey all. knowing that i retain length best in twists/updos i'm trying to wear my hair in twists and protective updos for a year or at least the next 6 months. I'm going to give myself 2-3 days "off" for a braid out max each month but NO heat. oh the twists will generally be medium sized (about 40 total) and i will do them when i wash every 2 weeks. i get bored but from experience this method equals guaranteed retention.

My reason: i'm trying to make MBL by Valentine's Day (longest layer) and full MBL by the summer.

 

[Zedster]

I've changed my regimen, since protective styling, steaming, and weekly washing was still leaving my hair with split ends and and middles…I talked to a classmate of mine who's got beautiful long hair and asked what she did. She said cowashes daily (or every other day, I forget) with basic drugstore conditioner. I'm going to try washing more regularly and hope that'll make a difference.

I'm still (and always have been) no longer than SL…would like to make it past my shoulders at least once in my life

 

[Maracujá]

I need to stop neglecting my hair like this or I will regret it in the end. Ugh.

 

[3CurlyQs]

I currently have my hair twisted up in extensions. I'm trying to keep on top of my moisturizing and oiling it every other day so when I take these out, my hair isn't as dry as it usually is.
I spray it with a watered down suave conditioner and oil it w/olive and coconut oil. Am I doing enough or too much? What do you all think? Should I use something else?
Sent from my T-Mobile G1 using T-Mobile G1

 

[bride91501]

Zedster -can you post some pics of your hair? What is your current regimen?

 

[bride91501]

I currently have my hair twisted up in extensions. I'm trying to keep on top of my moisturizing and oiling it every other day so when I take these out, my hair isn't as dry as it usually is.
I spray it with a watered down suave conditioner and oil it w/olive and coconut oil. Am I doing enough or too much? What do you all think? Should I use something else?
Sent from my T-Mobile G1 using T-Mobile G1

Hey @3CurlyQs - you definitely sound like you're on top of monitoring your hair to prevent it from drying out in the braids, so that's good. If you normally use watered-down suave condish as your moisturizer, I'd say you're probably ok to continue using it while you're braided up. Just be mindful of potential build-up while you're in the braids.

I'm not a big shampoo-er, but just to be safe, I'd probably do a clarifying condition wash once/week or every two weeks. Maybe you could use a non-SLS shampoo or a moisturizing shampoo of some kind if you prefer those.

I keep my hair braided up for 4 (sometimes 5) weeks at a time, and it's sometimes hard to monitor how effective my products are being on my hair since it's braided and tucked away. One thing I've started doing over the last couple of months is leaving a tiny patch of hair loose (like maybe 1/4" wide?), so I can use it to monitor my moisture and protein levels, as well as build-up. Maybe this could work for you too.

HTH

 

[lisajames96]

Hi Ladies,
My daughter wanted to show her hairstyle from yesterday. She did it herself using shea butter. There's already some product on her hair and this is an OLDDDD twistout . Don't mind those parts, she's olny 8. I let them do their hair sometimes so they will like their hair and not feel it is bad or a pain to deal with. take care.

ETA: She wanted yall to see one from the front and I don't have the sw to blur her face, but here goes.

 

[Honi]

I am really happy with my dominican conditioner find. I thought Aussie moist was the only condish that worked on her hair but Baba de Caracol has replaced it. Her hair is soooo soft after use and had a sheen after rinse out that I have never noticed. The results seem to be consistent so far *crosses fangas*.

I'mma need a vat of this stuff.

 

[temfash]

lisajames96 seems like you have a budding hairstylist on your hands LOL. Your daughter is adorable.

 

[SimJam]

thats a pretty nice syle !!!!
and I agree your daughter is quite cute I love that she's into showing off her hair styling skills

 

[yaya24]

I haven't posted in here in a looong time!

[Hair] life gets a little boring when you are in a long term PS.

This friday makes 8 weeks in my senegalese twists.

12 weeks will be here soon enough.

 

[BrandNew]

How did I miss this? I'm a 4B natural going on 3 years.

ETA a pic of my hair when I straightened earlier this year for the first time since I've been natural.

 

[nzeee]

aaaawwwwww!!!! lisajames96

your daughter is all kinds of adorbs and what lush hair she has glad she's getting some training now. i always hear people say once they started taking care of their own hair it went to hell and they lost their childhood length. i'm glad she's getting a little training in now so when she is fully in charge she won't be getting all crazy.

 

[nzeee]

hullo all!!! i haven't posted in here since... i started my HJ. mostly cuz i've been depressed about my hair and its non-growing ways. after reading so many stories of what i considered quick growth i was convinced everybody on the site just grew their hair really fast and all you needed was some good solid exposure to great info and good products .

BOY WAS I WRONG!! Between the constant search for my HG products (believe me... having MORE money does not help!!!. i spent sooooo much so much so much money on products on weaves i would remove after 2-3 weeks (i can admit now i just can't do weaves); on 100% human natural kinky wigs imported from china and seriously i feel like i tried almost everything (except 'the potion' and other growth aides).

but after these 14mths it's great to finally be able to say i'm actually really super duper happy w/ my hairs. they are happy w/ me too it seems. I don't totally understand all their ways yet but i'm APL at the nape which is the milestone i've been waiting for. it's not long enough for me to wear out yet but in another year i'll get there. i am always in a wig in public btw.

anyhoo, that's a lot of talk to say don't give up team B We'll alllll get there

 

[nzeee]

I have been a bad, bad OP Thanks NappyNelly for bumping the thread girly.

I'm pretty much just coasting along with my reggie...desperately trying to reach my goal of grazing BSB by Dec 31. We'll see. I'm in hyper PS mode until then lol.

I've also decided to begin using stronger proteins in my regimen. I'm starting by mix an egg into my regular light PT. I think I'll do this once/month. Weekly, I'm going to start mixing a little Joico DC into my weekly moisturizing DC.

Anywho, enough about me lol. How is everyone else doing? Any reggie changes? Anyone meet their year end goals early? Any setbacks we can learn from?

welcome back bride

i forgot about this thread for a minute as well.

here's a setback for you: mini twists. holy mother of joseph!! holy sh!t on a stick! i almost cried taking those buggers out and i only had them in for 2wks. regular co-wash + mini-twists + ocean is just not a good combo for me. don't know how anyone else can learn from that tho but it should be said... mini-twists are for e'rybody

 

[lisajames96]

@lisajames96 seems like you have a budding hairstylist on your hands LOL. Your daughter is adorable.

thats a pretty nice syle !!!!
and I agree your daughter is quite cute I love that she's into showing off her hair styling skills

aaaawwwwww!!!! @lisajames96

your daughter is all kinds of adorbs and what lush hair she has glad she's getting some training now. i always hear people say once they started taking care of their own hair it went to hell and they lost their childhood length. i'm glad she's getting a little training in now so when she is fully in charge she won't be getting all crazy.

Thanks everyone. My daughter was happy to read the replies. I have a 7 year old too with some type of 4b/4a hair. Now she has caught the photo bug. We'll see about getting some pics of her hair. I really hope they always appreciate their hair texture. I already struggle a little with them wanting it to "hang"(twistouts/braidouts)...but in order to grow it, I must keep it in PS most of the time.

 

[Zedster]

Zedster -can you post some pics of your hair? What is your current regimen?

bride91501:
I wish I read this before I washed my hair the other day…I would have taken pics before I twisted it up. (For some reason I don't get email notification when someone mentions me, so I have to remember to check the forum)

My regimen was previously: weekly henna or oil treatment (Nupur henna mix, left in for 6+ hours), wash, and seal with shea butter and/or castor, depending on what was within reach, twist it up into big sections, and cover it up. Like I said, I talked to the lady at my school with beautiful long hair and she said she frequently cowashes, so I think my hair might need more washing for growth. I've been covering my hair/low manipulation for about a year now, which I thought would help make it grow…

Now, I'm trying to (remember to) do an ACV rinse 2-3 times a week, and the GHE about 3 nights a week. I still use castor oil or shea butter, mostly on my ends and rub it around. Still twist it up and cover it. I wrap it up when I sleep, too.

All my life, my hair has never grown beyond SL, give or take an inch. There is a huge section smack in the middle of my head with a very weird texture—it's much more fragile, rough, and prone to tangling than the rest of my head. It's also about 50% shorter, so when I straighten it, it doesn't reach down to my shoulders. I also noticed that I have spilt ends and gaps/splits near the ends. erplexed

 

[melisandre]

Saw this picture on Tumblr, and thought it could serve as inspiration for us 'soldiers'. lol

I believe this is the original source of the picture.

Whoa! I'm over here:

 

[NappyNelle]

Still hoping to make the Army - Special Forces. (BSL)

Here is some more Type 4 hair inspiration from Larry.

I've asked for his regimen; if he responds today, I'll update this post with the information.

I'll be wearing an 'out' style next week, so I'll be able to update further with pictures. Unfortunately, my update won't be as impressive as his.

 

[chitowngal330]

subscribing

 

[Platinum]

I'm thinking about adding some color to my hair. I haven't decided which brand or exactly what color. I'm leaning toward honey blonde by Dark & Lovely or perhaps a light brown. This will be the first time I will add color since I become natural. I'm a little nervous about doing this because I don't want it too light. I've henna'd in the past but henna isn't going to give me the results I'm looking for.

Is anyone using hair dyes? If so, what color and brand are you using?


Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

 

[anon123]

Saw this picture on Tumblr, and thought it could serve as inspiration for us 'soldiers'. lol

I believe this is the original source of the picture.

I will be on this tomorrow! Thanks!

 

[BlkOnyx488]

Been Natural since Sept 2007.
First set of pics taken in 2010
Second set taken dec 2011

 

[Platinum]

I bought the hair color but I haven't used it yet. I'm afraid that it won't turn out the way I want it to. Anyway, I'm going to get serious about Ayurveda again and I'll probably start using MN again. I'm looking for serious growth and retention in 2012!

 

[QUEENJAMES231]

new to this thread! 10 months natural here are a few pics of my hair history.

first pic is relaxed to natural
2nd pic was right after bc wash n go
3rd pic was taken in Nov a puff of a twist out
4th pic is my first blowout in dec

 

[youwillrise]

ahhh i'm still trying to grow myself to "super long"

here's a picture from today (december 27, 2011)...just the back of my hair hits this part of my body...not the sides or the front...but oh, they'll get there, too...