SmilingElephant's Hip-Tailbone Challenge 2026

[Angel of the North]

I have the same reaction with Camille Rose Curls Maker...it leaves my hair frizzy.

What is Gummy Gel?

It's quite thick, I sometimes use it to slick my hair back, literally no fly away hairs, creates waves with maximum hold. It can dry hard so I like to put S-Curl underneath it or over it. A little goes a long way, I opened that jar today after scooping the last of the former tub into a travel pot. I think I bought the last one in 2019.....

ETA: They have different strengths, I have one that is creamier and white in colour but the hold and definition are not the same. I thi think there's another one that I haven't tried yet but I know exactly what I'm getting with this one. It works well for curl definition on short hair too.

 

[snoop]

I've been regularly drinking bamboo leaf tea again, but I'm not sure if I'll see any difference in my hair or not. When I used to drink it a long time ago, I didn't notice faster hair growth. When I stopped drinking it and my nails grew out, I could see the line marking where my nails were starting to get thinner. I also noticed the same thing in my strands where my strand became thin again.

I'm also starting to get into the swing of regular massages. I'm not sure if they do anything for growth, but it gives me a reason to play around in my hair.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

I've been regularly drinking bamboo leaf tea again, but I'm not sure if I'll see any difference in my hair or not. When I used to drink it a long time ago, I didn't notice faster hair growth. When I stopped drinking it and my nails grew out, I could see the line marking where my nails were starting to get thinner. I also noticed the same thing in my strands where my strand became thin again.

I'm also starting to get into the swing of regular massages. I'm not sure if they do anything for growth, but it gives me a reason to play around in my hair.

Thanks for sharing! That is a very interesting observation

 

[SmilingElephant]

I haven't washed my hair since I think Friday or Saturday. I'll do it in the morning. I've been so busy and exhausted with my new job I have just been wearing a top knot bun.

 

[SmilingElephant]

So I Co-Washed my hair this morning and styled it in my signature curly ponytail.

I could be trippin, but it really seems like my hair has gotten longer

Like, the ponytail looks longer.

Still not length checking

 

[SmilingElephant]

So I did a mini, quick length check because I was so curious and my longest strand is scraping WL

Of course, I didn't take a picture

Still waiting on June

 

[snoop]

I'm counting down the days until June so that r can see those pictures! Congrats!

 

[Angel of the North]

So I Co-Washed my hair this morning and styled it in my signature curly ponytail.

I could be trippin, but it really seems like my hair has gotten longer

Like, the ponytail looks longer.

Still not length checking

That's my go to style when the weather warms up, which it has started to over this last week. I've got some Camille Rose products I want to use up before I attempt my first full head wash and go....

 

[SmilingElephant]

That's my go to style when the weather warms up, which it has started to over this last week. I've got some Camille Rose products I want to use up before I attempt my first full head wash and go....

Well its getting hot here in Florida (and humid) so it's the perfect time right now for frequent co washes.

I bought some more conditioner...I just got some Tressemme Bouncy Curls until I get paid. I really wanna try Alaffia Everyday Shea conditioner

Anything that comes in a BIG bottle is what I gravitate to. I can't do the little 8 oz 12 oz bottles...got me messed up!

 

[faithVA]

I'm here for the pictures

 

[Napp]

I'm here for the pictures

Me too!

 

[Napp]

Well its getting hot here in Florida (and humid) so it's the perfect time right now for frequent co washes.

I bought some more conditioner...I just got some Tressemme Bouncy Curls until I get paid. I really wanna try Alaffia Everyday Shea conditioner

Anything that comes in a BIG bottle is what I gravitate to. I can't do the little 8 oz 12 oz bottles...got me messed up!

Most of my staples comes in liter size. I wouldn’t have it any other way

 

[SmilingElephant]

I'm here for the pictures

We gettin there!

Im purposely not taking pics until length check time because I want to be shocked by how much my hair has grown. I've barely taken any hair pics since February.

I wanna be like "D*mn! My hair long!"

 

[faithVA]

We gettin there!

Im purposely not taking pics until length check time because I want to be shocked by how much my hair has grown. I've barely taken any hair pics since February.

I wanna be like "D*mn! My hair long!"

I understand that. It can be more enjoyable seeing a big change versus small incremental changes.

 

[Angel of the North]

Me too!

Me three..... I love progress pics, hair style pics, I'm here for all of it

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

That's my go to style when the weather warms up, which it has started to over this last week. I've got some Camille Rose products I want to use up before I attempt my first full head wash and go....

What products of her do you have and like?

I've only purchased her Black Castor Oil & Chebe Shampoo and really like it as a moisturizing shampoo

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Well its getting hot here in Florida (and humid) so it's the perfect time right now for frequent co washes.

I bought some more conditioner...I just got some Tressemme Bouncy Curls until I get paid. I really wanna try Alaffia Everyday Shea conditioner

Anything that comes in a BIG bottle is what I gravitate to. I can't do the little 8 oz 12 oz bottles...got me messed up!

No wonder your hair grows fast! Florida's humidity is the highest in the US, which is the best for skin and hair

I agree with always using large bottles

 

[SmilingElephant]

So I shampooed and Deep Conditioned my hair today.

I used:
L'Oreal Hyaluron Plump Shampoo
Eva NYC deep conditioner

Then I styled with:

a Brazilian curl cream (forgot the name of it)
Super Wet Hair Gel

I think it's getting thicker

 

[Angel of the North]

What products of her do you have and like?

I've only purchased her Black Castor Oil & Chebe Shampoo and really like it as a moisturizing shampoo

TBH, her products are not for me. I have the curl love, curl maker and the fresh curl. I like their consistencies and their scents, but the products don't really do it for me.

I cannot wait to try the Miche products. I had high hopes for the Camille Rose products, but I was very disappointed with the results tbh.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

TBH, her products are not for me. I have the curl love, curl maker and the fresh curl. I like their consistencies and their scents, but the products don't really do it for me.

I cannot wait to try the Miche products. I had high hopes for the Camille Rose products, but I was very disappointed with the results tbh.

I only bought the Black Castor Oil & Chebe Shampoo and like it. It could be a staple if I don't make my own DIY moisturizing shampoo

I haven't tried any of the products you listed. Sorry they didn't work out for you

I looked at the Miche Indulge Moisturizing Deep Conditioner and love the ingredients I have all the ingredients at home to make it, but it's nice to know there's a place to get it in emergency when you're out of ingredients

Thanks for the recommendation and hope you love it when you try it

 

[Angel of the North]

I only bought the Black Castor Oil & Chebe Shampoo and like it. It could be a staple if I don't make my own DIY moisturizing shampoo

I haven't tried any of the products you listed. Sorry they didn't work out for you

I looked at the Miche Indulge Moisturizing Deep Conditioner and love the ingredients I have all the ingredients at home to make it, but it's nice to know there's a place to get it in emergency when you're out of ingredients

Thanks for the recommendation and hope you love it when you try it

I love that you make your own products That is one of my biggest goals. Ingredients are so easy to obtain these days.

I was going to wash today, however,, the products I ordered will arrive tomorrow. I missed my oil and butter delivery by 7 minutes because I decided to take myself to work yesterday, even though I'm on annual leave till Tuesday but forgot. I clocked in 3 minutes before the start of my shift, within 8 minutes, I was back in my car driving myself back home.

I want to mix some avocado oil with the As I Am Hydration Elation DC, although I liked it for moisture, ther was not much slip. Mixing oil in with conditioners that lack slip has usually helped.

I love that I could potentially create my own version of the hydrate DC. I'm looking forward to trying it out, but I'm also looking forward to potentially creating my own version.

 

[Angel of the North]

So I shampooed and Deep Conditioned my hair today.

I used:
L'Oreal Hyaluron Plump Shampoo
Eva NYC deep conditioner

Then I styled with:

a Brazilian curl cream (forgot the name of it)
Super Wet Hair Gel

I think it's getting thicker

View attachment 502762


View attachment 502764

Looking good

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

I love that you make your own products That is one of my biggest goals. Ingredients are so easy to obtain these days.

I was going to wash today, however,, the products I ordered will arrive tomorrow. I missed my oil and butter delivery by 7 minutes because I decided to take myself to work yesterday, even though I'm on annual leave till Tuesday but forgot. I clocked in 3 minutes before the start of my shift, within 8 minutes, I was back in my car driving myself back home.

I want to mix some avocado oil with the As I Am Hydration Elation DC, although I liked it for moisture, ther was not much slip. Mixing oil in with conditioners that lack slip has usually helped.

I love that I could potentially create my own version of the hydrate DC. I'm looking forward to trying it out, but I'm also looking forward to potentially creating my own version.

I started recently. It might seem intimidating, but it's actually easy and saves a lot of money. My Hair Growth Oils are going to last months and they are getting more potent as they infuse in mason jars

I notice a lot of women with the best hair growth and thickness make their own hair care products. I also noticed women with extreme growth infuse their hair oils for longer than 5 weeks

 

[SmilingElephant]

Looking good

Thank you

 

[Angel of the North]

I started recently. It might seem intimidating, but it's actually easy and saves a lot of money. My Hair Growth Oils are going to last months and they are getting more potent as they infuse in mason jars

I notice a lot of women with the best hair growth and thickness make their own hair care products. I also noticed women with extreme growth infuse their hair oils for longer than 5 weeks

I've just looked up some of the ingredients in the indulge DC, they seem very accessible. I got halfway through and thought I would not have a clue about the correct measurements of each ingredients needed to duplicate the product. If you do get around to recreating it, please share your recipe.

 

[SmilingElephant]

Has anyone ever tried the Redken All Soft Mega Curls or the Aveda Be Curly lines?

If so, did you find them to be moisturizing?

(I swear this is my favorite emoji on here!)

 

[Napp]

Did not care for Redken all soft curls

 

[SmilingElephant]

Did not care for Redken all soft curls

But why? I have them on my Amazon wish list

 

[MzSwift]

I'm in!!

Starting length: BSB

But I just installed some mini twists so I won't have my starting pic until either the end of March or first week of April bc:

Regi-
Bound hair 95% of the time
Rock mini twists/braids, refreshing every 4-6 weeks
OR
Rock straight back cornrows, refreshing every 1-2 weeks
M&S daily and cover with mens satin skull cap under a bandana or satin scarf
Apply homemade scalp tonic + MT 3-4x a week
GHE 3x a week
Wash and DC monthly (working my way to biweekly)
Shower wash with homemade Ayurvedic cleanser and condish at will.

Texlax every 6-9 months
Blow dry 1-2x a year
Maybe flat iron once a year.

Heavy sealing ends and keeping them tucked away is my goal this year.
Hoping to hit WL early 2026 and then HL or close to it at the end of 2026.
My end goal is WHIP length so I'll be happy with anything close to HL. lol

I'll come back and update this post with my starting pic!

Starting pic, as promised. Taken yesterday, 7-Apr-25.
I'm MBL and my hair is at my bottom rib bone.
I tied my hoodie around my "waist" to give me an idea of how far I have until WL so my torso looks extra short. lol

 

[JoyBloom]

I kept a bang/ my hairline out of the loc’ing process. I have a pretty weak hairline buttttt this doubles as a way to let me play in my loose hair when I feel a lil froggy. I’ve been wearing two braids and playing with headbands since my last update.