SHOULDER LENGTH 2011 CHALLENGE!

[Retro]

I stretched for 9 weeks and finally got a touchup. Here's what we're working with. My hair dresser did a tiny trim too. So this picture is March. The ones below are Jan & Feb

 

[nik83]

^^^^Very nice progress!! You can see that your hair has gotten thicker, you must have a good reggie!

 

[Rossy2010]

@Retro, Very nice progress your hair is getting thicker. Good job HHJ

@NikkiQ, you will be SL before you know it. HHJ

I have decided to end my strech and will be relaxing my hair this weekend. i will not be able to post pics coz im in HYH challenge but i will keeo ya´ll posted.

 

[AvaSpeaks]

Ladies if you want faster hair growth or rentention, DRINK LOTS OF WATER

 

[Meritamen]

So I did a search and destroy mission today on one quarter of my hair and I am very pleased with the few split ends and SSKs that I found. I had to cut very few hairs.
I measured a few of them and it looks like on my left side that my hair is about 5 to 5 1/2 inches long. I'm at 10 months now so I guess that makes me an average grower which I'm happy with. The thing is I could have sworn my hair was growing much slower than that but it could just be that the back (which is what I usually measure) grows slower or is suffering from breakage. I swear my nape, all though thicker, is at the same length from when I big chopped back in mid-November.

 

[AvaSpeaks]

Great to see this thread bumped up

Okay ladies, who is gonna be at their first checkpoint this Spring? Summer?

Who think that it will take the whole year to get to SL?

 

[Meritamen]

Great to see this thread bumped up

Okay ladies, who is gonna be at their first checkpoint this Spring? Summer?

Who think that it will take the whole year to get to SL?

I think I might make SL or at least grazing by the end of the summer.

 

[ksly4ever]

I need all the remaining months to try and get to shoulder length. I feel that I set a high benchmark joining this challenge. But I joined to have something to work towards.

I currently have my hair in micro braids and I'm hoping when I take them out I will continue to see growth. If I don't make SL by the end of December I wont be mad as long as I have retained some length and it's healthy b/c my hair was seriously damaged before.

 

[ebsalita]

I've just changed the date of my next length check a little closer as I'm going to a party so I'm moving my braid takedown and blowout to coincide with this. I'm quite excited - can't wait to post progress pics...

I don't know when I will get to SL - I was bottom NL when I began and think I'm probably nearly CBL now. Maybe by July????

Working out and the MN definitely helped, though I have been ill for the last three weeks and didn't really have the energy for the gym and stopped the MN as I didn't think it'd be sensible as I've had a headcold for so long...

I've started the gym again and all is good, just got to get my diet healthier...

 

[Imani]

I'm straightening again at the end of next month. Even tho it will still probably just barely be right at SL I may just go ahead and claim it. After that I won't wear my hair straight again til the fall.

A lot of ladies had spring goal dates. So when the time comes, I will be calling people out for updates

 

[faithVA]

Okay ladies, who is gonna be at their first checkpoint this Spring? Summer?

Who think that it will take the whole year to get to SL?

I'm going to doa length check the first weekend in April. That will get it out of the way so I can stop thinking about it.

I think I should be full SL by the end of summer. I think! ok I hope

I really don't want to put heat on my hair to measure so not sure how I am going to check it. I may try a rollerset.

 

[nobreakage]

I'm having a major setback, Ladies... I should change my screen name from 'Nobreakage' to BreakageCity. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. UGH!!!!

I'm now 4 weeks post relaxer and I've for the most part stuck to my regi of washing and deep conditioning 1x per week, wearing my hair in protective styles (I wear a loose bun 6x/week and wear my hair down only 1x per week). I've been wrapping my hair at night, using a silk bonnet and scarf, and I only use heat 1x a week. My nape damage is getting off the charts now, and now the rest of my hair seems super dry, and it's just snapping off.

The only thing that I can think of that I've done differently is a light a protein treatment last week. I used an egg and olive oil for 20 minutes and then a deep condition with Cholererol Deep Conditioning treatment. My hair started just snapping off at the ends after that treatment, so later in the week I tried a co-wash and deep conditioning mixture with honey, Cholesterol and olive oi friend's suggestion)l. That's when the little new growth I had at my nape started getting even more choppy. I'm so discouraged....

I'm going to stick to the deep conditioning, and will avoid protein treatments for a while. If anyone can recommend a really good deep conditioner, I'm game for suggestions. I don't even want to do my April progress pictures I've got to keep it positive though - I'm hoping this is just a bump in the road and I'll be back on track soon.

 

[AvaSpeaks]

I need all the remaining months to try and get to shoulder length. I feel that I set a high benchmark joining this challenge. But I joined to have something to work towards.

I currently have my hair in micro braids and I'm hoping when I take them out I will continue to see growth. If I don't make SL by the end of December I wont be mad as long as I have retained some length and it's healthy b/c my hair was seriously damaged before.

Drink that water! I'm telling you, that is the KEY to hair retention. I am positive of that now.

 

[AvaSpeaks]

I'm having a major setback, Ladies... I should change my screen name from 'Nobreakage' to BreakageCity. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. UGH!!!!

I'm now 4 weeks post relaxer and I've for the most part stuck to my regi of washing and deep conditioning 1x per week, wearing my hair in protective styles (I wear a loose bun 6x/week and wear my hair down only 1x per week). I've been wrapping my hair at night, using a silk bonnet and scarf, and I only use heat 1x a week. My nape damage is getting off the charts now, and now the rest of my hair seems super dry, and it's just snapping off.

The only thing that I can think of that I've done differently is a light a protein treatment last week. I used an egg and olive oil for 20 minutes and then a deep condition with Cholererol Deep Conditioning treatment. My hair started just snapping off at the ends after that treatment, so later in the week I tried a co-wash and deep conditioning mixture with honey, Cholesterol and olive oi friend's suggestion)l. That's when the little new growth I had at my nape started getting even more choppy. I'm so discouraged....

I'm going to stick to the deep conditioning, and will avoid protein treatments for a while. If anyone can recommend a really good deep conditioner, I'm game for suggestions. I don't even want to do my April progress pictures I've got to keep it positive though - I'm hoping this is just a bump in the road and I'll be back on track soon.

Here are 6 things I would try for the rest of March thru the end of April

Lay off the heat once a week. Just until the end of March or thru mid-April.

Increase your water intake and start taking some kind of hair vitamin or supplement. I recommend GNC Ultranourishair in combo with GNC Biotin.

Also if you can, take an Iron supplement. This is for strength in your actual hair. Hair that is moisturized won't get dry. But hair that is strong won't break and snap!

Avoid the Protein Treatments for awhile.

Moisturize your ends daily and seal with either Coconut, Jojoba or Olive oil

BTW: I use ORS Hair Mayo for my deep conditioning treament

 

[ZeeontheGrow]

Great to see this thread bumped up

Okay ladies, who is gonna be at their first checkpoint this Spring? Summer?

Who think that it will take the whole year to get to SL?

My goal is SL by June... But I'm not so confident I'll make it. Actually had a bit of a set back. Thought my hair was loving all the protein, and prob missed all the warning signs until I realized I was getting an alarming amount of breakage a week ago. I've been trying to incorporate more moisture the past week by prepooing w olive oil, dc w/ a moisturizing con, and co washing mid week (in braids). I've been using Aubrey Organics HSR and starting to see some improvements. Also need a trim, which I'll have my sister attempt bc I'm terrified of salons (last "trim" cost me nearly two inches because my hair was "fuzzy", actually under-processed, at the ends) I hope I'm back on track in a few weeks, bc I plan on getting a sew in to help me stretch to June --- my next relaxer/length check. I'm hopeful that my back layers will be SL, but my sides should be ::fingers crossed:: CBL and my bangs chin length.

 

[ZeeontheGrow]

I'm going to stick to the deep conditioning, and will avoid protein treatments for a while. If anyone can recommend a really good deep conditioner, I'm game for suggestions.

I'm going through the same thing, and have been using Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose. My breakage has cut down a bit, but it's only been a week. Also, my hair breaks like crazy when combed wet, So when cowashing, I applied conditioner to my dry hair and braided. Left it in for a couple hours and then washed out while in braids. I then allowed my hair to air dry to 80%, took the braids down 1 by 1, applied moisturizing leave in and evco oil and rebraided. When I took out the braids in the morn, my hair was very soft and had a healthy shine. I just fingercombed into a bun and was good to go.

Don't be discouraged... We'll get to SL, setbacks and all!

 

[growinghealthyhair]

MY hair is actually growing SL in 2011 is looking good.

 

[NikkiQ]

Decided to do a little pull test on Sunday after a day of babying my hair. SL here I come!

 

[ksly4ever]

I'm having a major setback, Ladies... I should change my screen name from 'Nobreakage' to BreakageCity. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. UGH!!!!

I'm now 4 weeks post relaxer and I've for the most part stuck to my regi of washing and deep conditioning 1x per week, wearing my hair in protective styles (I wear a loose bun 6x/week and wear my hair down only 1x per week). I've been wrapping my hair at night, using a silk bonnet and scarf, and I only use heat 1x a week. My nape damage is getting off the charts now, and now the rest of my hair seems super dry, and it's just snapping off.

I'm sorry this has happened to you, the only thing that worked for me was to stop using heat on my hair. I went from constant breakage daily to no breakage at all.

 

[nobreakage]

AvaSpeaks... and I listen!!! Thank you so much for the advice - I'm definitly going to try it. Can't believe I set myself back so far... Reallly appreicate then help, and will update on my progress.

 

[nobreakage]

Thanks ksly4ever - Ya, I'm pretty bad with the heat. I also figured that since I was only using heat 1x per week that gave me permission to use the highest heat settings.... Dumb move on my part. Definitly stopping the heat for a while.

 

[TLC1020]

Hey ladies

I'm still wearing braids, I am currently 31 weeks post relaxer with 2 more weeks to go before I do my touch-up . Hopefully I see some real progress and retain much of my growth and working my way toward shoulder length.

 

[NikkiQ]

I started back on my sulfur growth serum last night to help boost my growth just a wee bit before my summer growth spurt. Every little bit of help I can get...I'll take it! lol

 

[nik83]

I don't think I have much of a difference in hair growth since last post, I was planning on doing my next length check on 09/05 when I straighten my hair again, exactly 6 mos from the first one.

I will be back on the sulfur serum (MSM powder mixed in Carol's Daughter: Lisa's Elixer) after I use the ORS scalp scrub that final came in the mail. After that I'm going to use my first wig which also just came in the mail.

How do you ladies style your hair under your wigs. I was thinking of doing the African threading I saw in another thread, and tutorial on youtube. It looks like a great way to stretch my hair while hiding it. What do you think?

 

[AvaSpeaks]

Everybody, stop pulling on the hair in the back of your hair to measure for SL. That hair is reaching to your shoulders faster simply because it's lower.

Ladies try this test. Pull you hair from the top of your head and the sides of your hair. See how long it is from the top and see how far it is from your shoulders.

THEN tell me how long you got till you get to SL. Okay ready set go!

 

[faithVA]

I went to Target and of course I couldn't leave without passing through the hair product aisles. I'm so proud of myself I made it through without buying anything. It was tempting. My target is finally catching up with the rest. We now have Taliaah Waajid, Kinky Curly, Shea Moisture and I saw this new product Twisted Sistah which was calling me. And then I saw spin pins. And i know I don't have enough hair to put a spin pin in. Kept on walking. And then I found the entire Giovanni line in another section.

So made it through with no hair products. But I did go buy me some reading glasses because I couldn't ready that crazy print on the back of that Twisted Sistah tube

But when I finished up my line of products I'm going to let myself play a little. But only one product at a time, this time around. But I do get to treat myself when I make it to SL. I think I will make a list.

 

[Sianna]

Ladies try this test. Pull you hair from the top of your head and the sides of your hair. See how long it is from the top and see how far it is from your shoulders.
THEN tell me how long you got till you get to SL.

Not to be rude or mean, but I personally have NO intentions of determining my arrival at SL in this way. *shrugs* When I BC'd I pretty much just cut it all even, so now all of my hairs are approximately the same length. By the time the hairs at the top of my head reach SL, my lower layers will probably be approaching APL.

I plan on claiming SL when my flat ironed hair comfortably touches my shoulders, even if it is just my nape layers. I'm sure some people will disagree with my claim, but for me SL will be a HUGE accomplishment and people can disagree all they want, it won't make a lick of difference to me!

 

[Imani]

^^^Absolutely agree. Everyone doesn't have or even desire to have blunt cut hair so I don't think u have to length check from the top of your head if you don't want to.

When I do length checks I pin up the top of my hair and don't even take it into consideration. When majority of the back of my hair is shoulder I WILL be claiming SL and that will be hopefully be April 30.

 

[AvaSpeaks]

To each his own, some people hair grows in layers, some grow longer up top, some grow longer in the back, whatever, it's all good

I will say that I am sorry for telling people to not measure their hair from their back. I didn't mean to sound bossy erplexed But it's just I want to make sure that we all have that true length of shoulder length hair, that's all.

I was looking at it this way; if you hair from your nape is about 6 inches and resting on your shoulders, then some of you will claim shoulder length. I get that.

But if you took that same 6in lock of hair and put it on the top of your head, would it reach your shoulders? Of course not. I think that's why I was saying to measure from the top or sides of your hair. But I do get why people want to measure the way they do so carry on

As long as we all get there.

 

[NikkiQ]

I did a little pull test today on my back 3c strands and my hair ALMOST touches my collar bone! I was so excited I showed the future DH when I got out the shower. Of course he laughed at me when I took a picture with my phone to share with friends