Just read this entire thread! great input, Ladies!
What year did you start and what was your starting length? Jan 2007; chewed up neck length; bonelaxed
What's your current length? Grazing BSL
What major changes you went through during your journey (relaxed-> natural or natural -> bkt or relaxed, etc...)
Pregnancies ruined my hair...... 2007-2009, thinned my hair, made my edges fall out, loosened my texture (but thank God for the children! LOL......just jokes. I love 'em.)
Transition from bonelaxed to texlaxed ......2007-2008
Transitioning from texlaxed to natural---2011 to Current. I am 19 months post relaxer as of Feb 2013
Any major haircuts? 2007 about two to three inches of bonelaxed hair. Cut from collar bone to full shoulder
2010 cut off 3-4 inches of damaged thin ends. Cut from APL to collarbone
Setbacks?
Bonelaxing my hair for years caused me to have weak hair that wouldn't retain length.
Using a growth aide while in a weave caused matting, tangling Etc. This was my worst setback and it ruined 3 years of hard work on my hair.
Have you reached your goal? Nope. My ultimate goal is full waist length. But I want to grow to hip length and then cut it.
Fav products and techniques ----
Products
Hairveda conditioners- Strinillah, MoisturePro, Moisture 24/7, Red Tea and Acai Phyto Berry
and I also love her Busy Izzie moisturizer.
Aphogee two step treatment
Kinky Curly Knot Today
Modified kimmaytube leave in
Rosé water and glycerin spritz
Olive oil
Hot six oil
Almond oil
Silk amino acids
Elasta QP anti breakage serum
Honey
V05 clarifying conditioners
Chicoro's Aloe Vera hair gel
Techniques
Deep prepooing on dry hair at least twice a week with heat for 20 minutes or without for at least an hour or two
Making my own hair concoctions
Mixing silk aminos into my conditioners
Conditioner washing and minimal use of shampoo and sulfates
Using regular conditioners as leave in
Using more natural/organic products.
Minimizing use of heat and chemicals and hiding my hair has really changed my hair
Protective styling - wigs, weaves, buns
Sleeping in silk scarf