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

[faithVA]

I hope to be part of this army by the end of this year.

 

[Prettymetty]

I hope not either. Did you use demi or permanent color? If so do a hard protein treatment soon to fill in the gaps in your cuticles. Keep your protein regimen on point.

I used permanent this time. I plan on using protein once a week. Every other week I will follow with a moisturizing dc.

 

[faithVA]

I used permanent this time. I plan on using protein once a week. Every other week I will follow with a moisturizing dc.

Well make sure the first one is a hard protein. Protein conditioners are fine in-between colors but not sufficient right after a color (IMO). What I have found is without the hard protein or reconstructed the hair looks nice but after about 3 or 4 months the ends are too porous and the hair just splits at the ends resulting in no retention.

 

[Aggie]

My first day of inversion for March complete for 5 minutes tonight.

 

[Prettymetty]

Well make sure the first one is a hard protein. Protein conditioners are fine in-between colors but not sufficient right after a color (IMO). What I have found is without the hard protein or reconstructed the hair looks nice but after about 3 or 4 months the ends are too porous and the hair just splits at the ends resulting in no retention.

Will Aphogee 2 minute be ok or do I need to use something like Nexxus Emergencee?

 

[blackeyes31626]

I need to clip my ends.

I was thinking about getting some SM color but now I am afraid...again. *sigh*

 

[faithVA]

Will Aphogee 2 minute be ok or do I need to use something like Nexxus Emergencee?

I don't know much about Nexxus Emergencee, but I would choose that over the Aphogee 2 minute. The Aphogee two step is their hard protein. The 2 minute wouldn't be enough.

 

[ElevatedEnergy]

@Prettymetty I agree with @faithVA Protein should be done before the color.

The week before I color jet black, I like to clarify and do a protein treatment with Colorful Neutral Protein Filler. It is specifically formulated for coloring services. The instructions on the back:

Equalizes hair porosity for even color absorption and development.
Repairs previously damaged protein bonds.
Protects hair against new chemical damage
Seals color within the cortex
Adds body, volume and a lustrous sheen.

************************************

When I do the actual coloring service the following week, I add the color to dry hair. (Roots only...although if I see that the color has faded some, I will go a little bit further down towards the mid shafts but I only do that maybe once a year). I always coat the last 8 or so inches in conditioner and serum (Chi silk keratin) the day before too.

 

[C@ssandr@]

Umm, I'm not sure where to post this since I don't hang out in the hair section like I used to (but I lurk in this thread)...

Sunday I got my first set of crocheted twists. I asked my stylist how long my hair is and she told me it's at my bra strap. It took a minute to hit me. I then remembered that was my initial goal when I first joined the forum over 7 years ago! However I was relaxed the first couple years here. Now I'm completely natural .

No, there are no pics because I totally wasn't expecting to be where I am lengthwise. I stopped focusing on hair after I reached shoulder length

Anyway, I plan to update with pics and stuff when I go back for my dusting in a few months.

Thanks guys!

 

[CenteredGirl]

Hello lovely ladies,

Been awhile but reporting all good things in my hair department. My hair took a turn for the worse (dry, breaking) despite my water treatments. You may not know this about me but I've been growing in the Lord for about 2 years now and last Friday, I was inspired by Him to look at Dephne's video on how she grew her 4 c hair to waist length. I had watched that video countless times, but for the first time, I noticed that her first step was to PRAY. Girls, when I got home from work, I got down on my KNEES and prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ to give me long hair as He promised in Scripture:

Next day, I couldn't believe my hair. I got in the shower and it slid through my fingers - WITHOUT product! I am amazed at the change. It's a MIRACLE. By the way, Dephne also uses a leave in called Giovanni Direct. I'm done with the product junkie world, but I searched for it everywhere and couldn't find it locally. So I ordered it. Here's another miracle: It came the NEXT DAY and I did NOT PAY shipping. Isn't the Lord awesome.

I wish you all GLORIOUS, FABULOUS hair. You are all beautiful and outstanding sisters.

 

[Anaisin]

I've seen her channel and she's a weirdo, nice hair though

 

[CenteredGirl]

I've seen her channel and she's a weirdo, nice hair though

She's different, but I like her. Her hair detangling video makes my mouth water, her hair is EXACTLY like mine! There is hope!

 

[Aggie]

I just completed 7 days of inversions for the month of March

 

[Aggie]

Hello lovely ladies,

Been awhile but reporting all good things in my hair department. My hair took a turn for the worse (dry, breaking) despite my water treatments. You may not know this about me but I've been growing in the Lord for about 2 years now and last Friday, I was inspired by Him to look at Dephne's video on how she grew her 4 c hair to waist length. I had watched that video countless times, but for the first time, I noticed that her first step was to PRAY. Girls, when I got home from work, I got down on my KNEES and prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ to give me long hair as He promised in Scripture:

Next day, I couldn't believe my hair. I got in the shower and it slid through my fingers - WITHOUT product! I am amazed at the change. It's a MIRACLE. By the way, Dephne also uses a leave in called Giovanni Direct. I'm done with the product junkie world, but I searched for it everywhere and couldn't find it locally. So I ordered it. Here's another miracle: It came the NEXT DAY and I did NOT PAY shipping. Isn't the Lord awesome.

I wish you all GLORIOUS, FABULOUS hair. You are all beautiful and outstanding sisters.

Very inspiring @CenteredGirl. Thank you for sharing. I believe that putting even our smallest concerns before Christ is so important to Him because He is concerned with what concerns us as His children. Praise His Name always!

ETA: Just checked out Dephne's channel and subscribed right away. I like her already.

 

[CenteredGirl]

Very inspiring @CenteredGirl. Thank you for sharing. I believe that putting even our smallest concerns before Christ is so important to Him because He is concerned with what concerns us as His children. Praise His Name always!

ETA: Just checked out Dephne's channel and subscribed right away. I like her already.

@Aggie - you made my week. I'm smiling!

 

[CenteredGirl]

View attachment 346837 View attachment 346841 View attachment 346843

I cut my hair in May 2015 and went from BSL to SL, it was a rather hard decision to make but I had to as I was dealing with a setback (for the 1000th time, sigh) that I am only now starting to conquer thanks to a personal braiding challenge I entered (will post pics later on). Right now I'm getting back to the basics of things: reading Audrey Sivasothy's book and really understanding what I am doing with my hair. Good thing is: I do not feel alone in this. I went natural in november 2006 and many of the ladies that went natural at that particular time, are going through a similar journey.

I don't just want to have long hair but I also want to enjoy it and try out different styles, so that's basically what I'm working on right now. I hope I can carve out some time in January-February 20016 to get it braided again (always with human hair) and then keep it braided for another three months. I always experience the most growth that way.

Them pics are serious hair porn @Maracujá. I'm salivating with envy.

 

[Prettymetty]

Spring is here. That means it'll be super humid (my hair loves the moisture). I'm hoping for a growth spurt from all the extra outdoor activities and heat.

I have a mini update. I exclusively finger detangled last wash day. When I tell you I had zero breakage. Not one strand. I had about 50ish shed strands with the bulb and that's low considering that was a weeks worth of shed hair. I keep my hair in braids under a wig. I'll try finger detangling again next week. Super long and thick hair is within reach now. My regimen is solid and I have figured out a way to get out tangles without losing a ton of hair in the process.

 

[Prettymetty]

My coils are tiny... here is a closeup of a shed strand from my hairline. I have about 20 bends per inch. It's no wonder combs were damaging my hair.

 

[Maracujá]

@Prettymetty: mine are tiny too, given your remark about the comb, do you suggest not using one? I currently use a very wide tooth comb.

 

[Fine 4s]

Yeah, that's my hair too @Prettymetty

 

[CenteredGirl]

Wow Pretty,

You are my hair twin!

 

[charmtreese]

@Prettymetty , that's how my hair is as well....I normally finger detangle as well. When I need to have a more thorough detangling session I will finger detangle then follow up with the Wet Comb.

 

[Prettymetty]

@Prettymetty: mine are tiny too, given your remark about the comb, do you suggest not using one? I currently use a very wide tooth comb.

I was using a wide tooth comb, but it wasn't getting all the shed strands. Then I started using a rat tail (medium size) and it removed the shed strands and took some healthy strands along too (breakage).

Try finger detangling for a day and see if it works better. I have to warn you it takes longer...

 

[blackeyes31626]

lol my hair looks like that too but it's coarser
I finger detangle too and it has def. helped me retain length.

 

[Aggie]

Day 5 of my inversions complete tonight, no massage.

 

[Aggie]

Day 6 of this month's inversion is complete with 3 minute massage tonight. I am very tired and heading to bed in a few.

 

[Aggie]

Day 7 of my inversion was completed last night. I'm good until next month.

 

[ajargon02]

I need to clip my ends.

I was thinking about getting some SM color but now I am afraid...again. *sigh*

I used the sm in auburn. I used heat for 40min with a plastic cap on to make sure the color took, and I LOVE IT! Now my hair was a bit dry feeling after the color, but I did 2 wks of moisturizing dc and it bounced back. Take the plunge girl!

 

[Prettymetty]

I used the sm in auburn. I used heat for 40min with a plastic cap on to make sure the color took, and I LOVE IT! Now my hair was a bit dry feeling after the color, but I did 2 wks of moisturizing dc and it bounced back. Take the plunge girl!

Is that your current color in your avatar?

 

[niknakmac]

Im getting some seneglese twists installed before my vacation. They should last me a good two months. After that a nice trim and some color. I am ready.