Been away from LHCF for a bit. I came here last July to grow out my hair, which was a major challenge living overseas with bad water and other conditions. i participated in the 2 Inches in 4 Months challenge twice and was able to reach those goals, and then....i dunno what happened. i went from having enough to do a puff to using gel to do a small topknot and attaching a ponytail. it looked good and i thought it was a good protective style. then i noticed the breaking at the crown, and scalp issues at the base because my hair was wet with water and gel (my scalp doesn't like baggying). i didn't like the way my hair felt and i started noticing lits of ssks, split strands really bad splitends, like, even my splits had ssks. so, i went back to what i'm used to and what needed to be done--my twa--almost a year to the day I came to LHCF. normally a twa-er (by choice), cutting it off was like being set free. it's something i'm familiar with. no issues with split ends, my scalp is fine, minimal styling products--water, oil, and gel for super defined curls, leave-ins and oils for softer curls. the only thing that made me nervous was finding someone to cut my hair--in China. but i found someone. it took him over 1 1/2 hours to cut my hair, but he did it and did a great job--proof that hair is hair and its about the skills. he's not good at styling my hair--yet--he was confused as to why my curls were defined while wet but started to frizz as they dried, and his products won't work on my hair. there's also a bit of a language barrier. but i think we can work it out. he's serious about understanding my hair.
there is a part of me that really does want to grow out my hair. but once i get into the 6-10 inch range, i start having problems, and i don't know how to help my hair. so now that Mao's minnions ain't effin' with my internet access anymore, i'm back to see if i can figure it out. right now, my hair if the healthiest its been in a long time. i've overcome, hard water and other environmental factors. I bc'd July 15 and I am currently 3 inches on top and crown, 2 on sides and back, gaining 1/2 inch a month.
Thank you OP for starting this thread, and hello to some familiar heads of hair i remember!
1. BC date--July 15
2. Hair type/ describe your hair: fine strands, with fine to med/coarse texture. i spent almost a year trying to figure out my hair type. with multiple textures, i think 4a best describes my hair, although the curl in the front and nape are looser. when moisture is at a maximum, i have well defined ink pen-spring coils in the finer textures. the coarser parts need heavier products to clump. when i hve 2 inches or less, its easier to get the textures to look the same.
3. Reggie/Products: Aphogee or Shea Moisture shampoo. aphogee conditioner--when i do the 2 step. i recently fell in love with Herbal Essences Hello Hydration--amazing slip and hair feels soft. i use either aphogee leave-in, Giovanni direct leave-in and coconut or jojoba oil. also use the kimmaytube mix. its been extremely humid in Beijing this summer so I decided to give the S-Curl a try. it seems to work for me in humid conditions, keeping the Ecostyler (argan oil) from getting hard. at night, i rinse any product out of my hair, blot, apply a creamy leave in and seal with oil for teh night. in the morning, i spritz with water then style with gel and/or S curl. i cowash as needed and shampoo about every week and a half.
4. Goal(s): right now, even more than length is maintaining the health and styling for the various stages of growth. I can do twists and braids, and think if i start braid outs now, i can adapt better as it grows. i also want to color my hair. i desperatly miss having red hair, i just love the coloring on my. i've seen the work the stylist who cut my hair has done and may take a chance with him.
Edited to add:
5. Current pic or pic of BC
i have a hard time getting pics up. will try soon.
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anything in particular u are looking for help with? Any hair struggles other than developing a Reggie?
to you!
