SmilingElephant's Hip-Tailbone Challenge 2026

[faithVA]

Ehhhh, I don’t know man. In your February pic, your hair was straightened versus curly. I don’t think you are getting a full assessment doing a pull test on curly hair. Also, I can’t tell if your hair is in a thickening phase due to the two different textures. All I’m saying is don’t place yourself in purgatory.

I agree with this. Your hair could be in a thickening phase where a good portion of your hair is catching up to our longest strands. Checking only against the longest strands doesn't give a complete picture. In another 60 days this picture could be completely different.

Stay encouraged!

 

[faithVA]

I didn't get as much growth as I expected around this time...but I have to factor in that I've been under a ton of stress for the past few months which probably slowed my growth down.

I'm gonna go back to putting grease on my ends along with doing my best to minimize my stress.

I'm so disappointed

 

[Angel of the North]

I didn't get as much growth as I expected around this time...but I have to factor in that I've been under a ton of stress for the past few months which probably slowed my growth down.

I'm gonna go back to putting grease on my ends along with doing my best to minimize my stress.

I'm so disappointed

Please don't feel disappointed. Although you may not have achieved your desired goal, you've actually done something amazing.... You've managed to retain what you had as well as some growth/density.

We compared a couple of your pics last week, (or the week before?), I think that's amazing with everything you have going on. Stress can cause extreme shedding and alopecia, don't be so hard on yourself, you're doing great.

 

[SmilingElephant]

I'm still here y'all!

I was in the hospital Saturday. I was dehydrated and dealing with severe anxiety. I also found out I have a fibroid. I was just feeling weak and so weird. So much going on with my health lately.

Haven't touched my hair in almost a week still trying to rest and recover.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

@SmilingElephant Thank God you're okay! I pray you feel better soon!

 

[faithVA]

I'm still here y'all!

I was in the hospital Saturday. I was dehydrated and dealing with severe anxiety. I also found out I have a fibroid. I was just feeling weak and so weird. So much going on with my health lately.

Haven't touched my hair in almost a week still trying to rest and recover.

Hope you are feeling better. Take care of yourself. You can turn this around.

 

[keranikki]

I'm still here y'all!

I was in the hospital Saturday. I was dehydrated and dealing with severe anxiety. I also found out I have a fibroid. I was just feeling weak and so weird. So much going on with my health lately.

Haven't touched my hair in almost a week still trying to rest and recover.

Get well soon! Remember to give yourself grace!

 

[SmilingElephant]

Thanks everyone for your support

I managed to shampoo and condition my hair today. I didn't deep condition...and I only put leave in in my hair today, nothing fancy whatsoever...I just wanted clean, easy hair.

 

[MzSwift]

Keep on taking it easy @SmilingElephant - you've got this!

You just started a new business venture after leaving a job. That's a HUGE stressor on top of the grief you've been working through.
You've set the goal in this thread so that it is attainable for you. You're on track to make it to HL by the end of next year!

 

[MzSwift]

I'm 3 weeks in these mini braids and I plant to just refresh them one-by-one.
I won't have a good check in pic but will post one before the end of the month, whenever I refresh.
I've been cutting down on the baggying and scalp aids so I don't have as much NG as I usually have at 3 weeks.
Summer isn't really my growth spurt season anyway, I usually get them in early spring (Mar/Apr) and in the fall (Oct/Nov).
I'm just rolling with these minis for easy hair until I relax in Oct.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

I'm 3 weeks in these mini braids and I plant to just refresh them one-by-one.
I won't have a good check in pic but will post one before the end of the month, whenever I refresh.
I've been cutting down on the baggying and scalp aids so I don't have as much NG as I usually have at 3 weeks.
Summer isn't really my growth spurt season anyway, I usually get them in early spring (Mar/Apr) and in the fall (Oct/Nov).
I'm just rolling with these minis for easy hair until I relax in Oct.

I think I just might refresh the front. Everybody else is gonna have to go with God

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Looks like I made it for June Check in

Not much growth since I fell off accelerated growth regimen. Plan to get back on it starting tomorrow

 

[Angel of the North]

Today I decided to try out my first official WAG...... Yesterday was wash day, once I'd finished cleansing and DCing, I used As I Am So Much Moisture followed by some grapeseed oil to seal and then air dried.

For my WAG, I used Miche gel to foam mousse, I wasn't sure if I was using enough product (they're always saying you only need a little). I wasn't feeling the result, so I followed up with the tropical oasis gel.

Everything looked okay while my hair was wet, after I diffused, I noticed that most of the back was frizzy. I just wet those bits again and applied more gel, I didn't follow up with water as the recommend, and left those bits to air dry.

I would say this was a success, I'm currently stretching my hair in 4 sections, using silk bands. I will get up a bit earlier tomorrow to give myself time to revive before I set off to work.

I've dropped some pics, for you to see how it turned out

Pic 1: Dry hair

Pic 2 & 3: Wet left and right sides

Pic 4 & 5: Dry left and right sides

Pic 6: Dry back of hair.

 

[SmilingElephant]

Today I decided to try out my first official WAG...... Yesterday was wash day, once I'd finished cleansing and DCing, I used As I Am So Much Moisture followed by some grapeseed oil to seal and then air dried.

For my WAG, I used Miche gel to foam mousse, I wasn't sure if I was using enough product (they're always saying you only need a little). I wasn't feeling the result, so I followed up with the tropical oasis gel.

Everything looked okay while my hair was wet, after I diffused, I noticed that most of the back was frizzy. I just wet those bits again and applied more gel, I didn't follow up with water as the recommend, and left those bits to air dry.

I would say this was a success, I'm currently stretching my hair in 4 sections, using silk bands. I will get up a bit earlier tomorrow to give myself time to revive before I set off to work.

I've dropped some pics, for you to see how it turned out

Pic 1: Dry hair

Pic 2 & 3: Wet left and right sides

Pic 4 & 5: Dry left and right sides

Pic 6: Dry back of hair.

Looks like it came out great!

 

[SmilingElephant]

My hair was SO dirty yesterday! It's getting harder for me to remember the last time I washed my hair due to stress and illness.

But anyway...I double cleanse with the Mixed Chicks clarifying shampoo. Deep conditioned and detangled with the matching conditioner and used the matching leave in in top of my L'Oreal serum (forgot the name of it) and my Super Wet gel.

It smells so clean! I love the smell of Mixed Chicks products.

 

[Angel of the North]

Looks like it came out great!

Thank you, I was very happy with the results, the next time I do a WAG, I'm going to apply the Skala Mais Cachos as a leave-in

Regarding trying to remember your last wash day, I put anything that's important in my calendar, whether it's dates I completed stuff, appointments, basically anything I may forget or may need to refer back to. I even have to set alarms for my meds, I would forget to take them otherwise.

 

[Platinum]

Ooh! Can I join? I’ve been on this site for many years and I’ve always been envious of the ladies with super long hair. Locing my hair was the best thing that I could have done for myself (in terms of hair growth). But I’ve had some setbacks: stress and depression lead to neglect at times. A challenge like this would help me with accountability. My goal for the year would be to”Full tailbone length” or even classic length.

I don’t have a recent pic now because my hair is in a style but I’ll post one after my next wash day.



I have about 3 or 4 locs that were much longer than the others and they were already TBL.

 

[SmilingElephant]

Ooh! Can I join? I’ve been on this site for many years and I’ve always been envious of the ladies with super long hair. Locing my hair was the best thing that I could have done for myself (in terms of hair growth). But I’ve had some setbacks: stress and depression lead to neglect at times. A challenge like this would help me with accountability. My goal for the year would be to”Full tailbone length” or even classic length.

I don’t have a recent pic now because my hair is in a style but I’ll post one after my next wash day.

View attachment 504980

I have about 3 or 4 locs that were much longer than the others and they were already TBL.

WELCOME to the challenge! Loving the locs!

 

[SmilingElephant]

So today I just rewet my hair while I was showering and put more Mixed Chicks Leave In and Super Wet Gel and the Frizz Serum in my hair.

I just got done crying my eyes out so I'm not gonna show my face....I really miss my Mom

 

[Angel of the North]

So today I just rewet my hair while I was showering and put more Mixed Chicks Leave In and Super Wet Gel and the Frizz Serum in my hair.

I just got done crying my eyes out so I'm not gonna show my face....I really miss my Mom


View attachment 505018

Nice job with the hair, sending you a big

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

@SmilingElephant

 

[Platinum]

 

[MzSwift]

Another ((BIG HUG)) @SmilingElephant


@Angel of the North

Your hair is so pretty!!

 

[SmilingElephant]

Thank y'all been a rough year.

I just discovered some sudden dandruff on my hair like just now. I don't usually have dandruff, but my head has been itchy lately and seems to get dirty faster than usual.

 

[SmilingElephant]

I did some investigating

I'm guessing it's from the gel I've been using...it's only flaky in one spot...front and center where I usually part my hair.

Hmmm...now I gotta find a gel replacement... again!

 

[SmilingElephant]

So today I used the LUS Brands line and the more I use it, the more I really like it. There's definitely a learning curve to it. Here is how my hair looks right now:



My shrinkage is so crazy!

 

[Angel of the North]

Another ((BIG HUG)) @SmilingElephant


@Angel of the North

Your hair is so pretty!!

Thank you

 

[Angel of the North]

My shrinkage is so crazy!

You are not alone.... Mine is just as crazy, I can't wait to grow a APL/MBL WAG

 

[SmilingElephant]

You are not alone.... Mine is just as crazy, I can't wait to grow a APL/MBL WAG

I think I'd have to be Classic Length for that!

 

[SmilingElephant]

So, I bought the Ampro Olive Oil Gel. I remember using it years ago, but they changed the formula (WHY IS EVERYBODY CHANGING THE FORMULA!!! STOP IT!!! )

Like Eco Styler... it's lacking hold -____-

I also ordered some dry shampoo...I know Batiste changed their formula (I'm okay with this one, it was necessary) a few years ago for the days I don't wash my hair. I bought the "fresh" scent one...I like that scent, I've bought it before.

I just need something to get me through the Summer and is depression/Bipolar friendly.