SHOULDER LENGTH 2011 CHALLENGE!

[transitioning?]

Hello ladies--

I have a question. How are you guys protecting your ends? Are you guys protective styling? I ask because I'm having trouble finding my favorite protective style. Extensions are rough on my edges, wigs/weaves feel oppressive and I'm afraid my twists will be scalpy9sp?) and frizzy.

Any kind of advice would be helpful. Maybe I can make one of the above work for me if I tweak it.

 

[Imani]

^^^My hair is plaited up and tucked under a half wig 100% of the time.

My hair is on the finer side and I think my twists would look anorexic, so I prob won't try to wear them until my hair is longer. I have gotten really used to the laziness and low maintenance of my half wigs at this point. I use a kinky straight texture of hair and lightly blow dry my leave out hair to straighten it out. sometimes I wear it straight and flat iron both the leave out hair and the fake hair.

 

[faithVA]

I have my hair in a two-strand flat twists updo this week. I like my hair up, my face looks better. But what I am noticing today is that it has relieved me from the constant thinking of what length my hair is. I was going to take it down tonight and rock a twist out for the rest of the week, but with that new revelation I think I won't be doing that. My new plan of attack is to wear updos until I can't take it anymore and each week cleanse and put it back up. This will allow me to still work on my cleansing/moisturizing regimen at the same time having the benefits of putting in extensions.

Now I just have to find more updo styles so I can have some variety.

 

[Imani]

^^^Do you have pics of ur twisted updo's? I may try to do my very first set of twists this weekend. But I am seriously doubting I will like how they look down and will pin them up some type of way.

 

[transitioning?]

^^^My hair is plaited up and tucked under a half wig 100% of the time.

My hair is on the finer side and I think my twists would look anorexic, so I prob won't try to wear them until my hair is longer. I have gotten really used to the laziness and low maintenance of my half wigs at this point. I use a kinky straight texture of hair and lightly blow dry my leave out hair to straighten it out. sometimes I wear it straight and flat iron both the leave out hair and the fake hair.

I think that I may revist wigs once I find someone to beehive my hair cuz the frizz rows I put in were the worst. I swear they did more harm than good.

Aren't you afraid of heat damage and not protecting the hair that is left out?

 

[NikkiQ]

Just a few more days before I get my kinky twists and I'm SOOOOooooo excited!!! Gonna try to keep them in for at least 4 weeks, but I may miss my hair too much and take them out sooner lol

 

[Imani]

I think that I may revist wigs once I find someone to beehive my hair cuz the frizz rows I put in were the worst. I swear they did more harm than good.

Aren't you afraid of heat damage and not protecting the hair that is left out?

@transitioning? Kind of, but not really.

I flat ironed/blow dried my entire head weekly for the entire 1st year I transitioned without too much major damage so my hair can take heat to a certain extent. Also the front of my hair isn't really that fragile like some other sections of my hair.

The way I usually wear my hair (kinky straight), the front is held taunt and blow dried on cool, so I don't think its really doing much harm. Also, the ends are tucked under the wig and I slap on a head band.

As for the times when I wear it bone straight (flat ironed) I really don't do that too often (maybe once a month) so I don't think its really harming it much. Also, I like layering and bangs, so even if the retention were to be stunted I wouldn't be too upset about it.

 

[faithVA]

^^^Do you have pics of ur twisted updo's? I may try to do my very first set of twists this weekend. But I am seriously doubting I will like how they look down and will pin them up some type of way.

I am camera challenged For some reason I have the hardest time trying to figure out how to take a picture. Because my updo is flat to my head all you see is FACE. But I will work on it tonight and see what I can do. I'm 3 days in now so it is looking kinda fuzzy.

I think I am going to start a natural hair updo thread though if I can't find one.

 

[Imani]

Just a few more days before I get my kinky twists and I'm SOOOOooooo excited!!! Gonna try to keep them in for at least 4 weeks, but I may miss my hair too much and take them out sooner lol

NikkiQ 4 weeks will fly by! lol. I kept my kinky twists in for 5 weeks I think. I thought I would be anxious to take them out but I had actually really grown to like them. They looked better as they got older, I hated them at first.

 

[Imani]

I am camera challenged For some reason I have the hardest time trying to figure out how to take a picture. Because my updo is flat to my head all you see is FACE. But I will work on it tonight and see what I can do. I'm 3 days in now so it is looking kinda fuzzy.

I think I am going to start a natural hair updo thread though if I can't find one.

faithVA There's a thread i think BMP started called "show me your natural formal styles" (or maybe it was professional styles) and there were a lot of natural updo's in it.

 

[NikkiQ]

faithVA what do you use on your twists to keep them from fluffing up? That always seems to be my problem when I attempt to do them.

 

[NikkiQ]

@NikkiQ 4 weeks will fly by! lol. I kept my kinky twists in for 5 weeks I think. I thought I would be anxious to take them out but I had actually really grown to like them. They looked better as they got older, I hated them at first.

The only thing I'm worried about is I have an awards dinner to go to on the 15th for my fiance and it's pretty fancy schmancy. He's in the military so the higher ranked folks will be there. Not sure how the twists will look, but we'll see.

 

[faithVA]

Hello ladies--

I have a question. How are you guys protecting your ends? Are you guys protective styling? I ask because I'm having trouble finding my favorite protective style. Extensions are rough on my edges, wigs/weaves feel oppressive and I'm afraid my twists will be scalpy9sp?) and frizzy.

Any kind of advice would be helpful. Maybe I can make one of the above work for me if I tweak it.

Hey Transitioning - Just saw your post.

I have had similar experiences. Extensions are rough on my edges and the wigs/weaves felt like baseball caps. Couldn't wait to get them off.

I'm all natural so your styles may be a bit different since you are transitioning.

If you think your twists may look scalpy you may want to try

mini twists (make your twists smaller)
single strand twists or comb coils; smaller and give you more depth.
twisted updos
cornrows - not as harsh on your hair; you can add extensions
puff with 2 strand twists in the back (smooth front and twist the loose hair)
roller set into a bun
box braids
flat twists

Maybe the transitioners have other suggestions.

 

[faithVA]

@faithVA There's a thread i think BMP started called "show me your natural formal styles" (or maybe it was professional styles) and there were a lot of natural updo's in it.

Thanks, I remember that thread. Going to find it. See if I can find some short haired ladies in there. My hair won't be bun ready for a while.

 

[Janet']

Happy Hump Day SL Ladies!!!!

 

[gottabme247]

Transitioning?
Hello ladies--

I have a question. How are you guys protecting your ends? Are you guys protective styling? I ask because I'm having trouble finding my favorite protective style. Extensions are rough on my edges, wigs/weaves feel oppressive and I'm afraid my twists will be scalpy9sp?) and frizzy.
I didn't relax till yesterday(I was 16wks post) I didn't blowdry till after 13 weeks post..wore hair in a little french roll, phony bun, or wore a band wig..I also either used hawaiin silky or Scurl on ends and sealed with hot six oil. I dusted the ends a few times.
once a week dc.. used ors hair mayo on dry hair and left in for a few hours.

 

[ebsalita]

As promised - here is a pic - I have fluffy ends and it's already reverting from the flat ironing, but I've got to shoulder length

Yay!!!! Congrats ebsalita! As soon as I get the thickness I want I'll do the SL dance with you! Lol

I'm no expert yet but I've noticed when I seal with JBCO or coconut oil at night my ends are nice & soft.

Thank you, newnyer!

Hurry up and get there so we can do the SL jig together (that'll be you in the middle holding the balloon, lol)

I've just bought some aloe vera, some joico, some porosity control, if that doesn't work, the JBCO is next on the list.... determined to get my ends right - and I said I wouldn't turn all PJ

Good luck to all you ladies!



Sent from my MB200 using Long Hair Care Forum App

Congratulations!!! maybe you could try to prepoo with an oil of your choice, or you could mix a little with your dc and leave it on as long as possible before rinsing. I hope this helps! HHG!

Missjae09 - great tip - I've actually done this 3 x in the last week using Hot 6 oil. It helps with detangling and feels good and seems to make the length of my hair smoother but once my hair is dry, the ends are spiky feeling again I'll keep doing it and see if things improve - the extra oil isn't doing me any harm.

Your hair looks great!!!

Question: How did you get the front and back to be even? My front is about neck and my back is shoulder. Do you trim the back so that the front can catch up? TIA

transitioning? Thank you for your lovely comment - I haven't done anything except S&D - the front and back really aren't that even - I think the picture makes it look more even than it is. When it grows a little longer, I will begin to even it up by trimming the back. Not for now though - I'm not letting go of the new length

 

[ebsalita]

Here's my update pic..

Congratulations gottabeme247!!

What's your next goal?

 

[Meritamen]

I'm so happy for the SL graduates! Wow, that was fast. Hope to be joining you guys come summer.

I'm going to wash, condition, and deep condition today. Then I am going to cornrow my hair as usual to stretch it out. Tomorrow, after my dr.'s appointment I'm going to cornrow my hair as if doing a weave so that I can wear my wig. I decided that I'm probably going to wig it for the summer so hopefully I can keep my hair in cornrows for 2 to 4 weeks at a time.
I started to notice that I have breakage in the front area of my head where bangs would be so I have to baby that area now. I was so focused on keeping the nape area healthy (because it's a weak area for me) that I hadn't paid that much attention to the front so I'm going to work on that.
Oh, and my hair in the back now touches my shirt! *does a happy dance*

 

[transitioning?]

Hey Transitioning - Just saw your post.

I have had similar experiences. Extensions are rough on my edges and the wigs/weaves felt like baseball caps. Couldn't wait to get them off.

I'm all natural so your styles may be a bit different since you are transitioning.

If you think your twists may look scalpy you may want to try

mini twists (make your twists smaller)
single strand twists or comb coils; smaller and give you more depth.
twisted updos
cornrows - not as harsh on your hair; you can add extensions
puff with 2 strand twists in the back (smooth front and twist the loose hair)
roller set into a bun
box braids
flat twists

Maybe the transitioners have other suggestions.

faithVA Hey. I should definitely change my name since I did my big chop 7 months ago.

I'm going to see if I can enlist my mothers' help for my mini twist. For obvious reasons (she did my hair until I relaxed at 12) she is so much better with my natural hair than I am. It's funny becuase your pic in another thread ("nail your regi" I think) is motivating me to actually attempt twists.

Also I cannot wait to try a roller set even if it will only elongate my hair and not straighten it. I loved them when I was transitioning.

Can you explain what you mean by puff with twists in the back.

TIA

 

[transitioning?]

Transitioning?
Hello ladies--

I have a question. How are you guys protecting your ends? Are you guys protective styling? I ask because I'm having trouble finding my favorite protective style. Extensions are rough on my edges, wigs/weaves feel oppressive and I'm afraid my twists will be scalpy9sp?) and frizzy.
I didn't relax till yesterday(I was 16wks post) I didn't blowdry till after 13 weeks post..wore hair in a little french roll, phony bun, or wore a band wig..I also either used hawaiin silky or Scurl on ends and sealed with hot six oil. I dusted the ends a few times.
once a week dc.. used ors hair mayo on dry hair and left in for a few hours.

Hey-

How do you keep your phony pony on? I have a phony puff and it was difficult to work with. It wasn't the draw string kind tho. Idk if that had an effect.

 

[faithVA]

I'm going to see if I can enlist my mothers' help for my mini twist. For obvious reasons (she did my hair until I relaxed at 12) she is so much better with my natural hair than I am. It's funny becuase your pic in another thread ("nail your regi" I think) is motivating me to actually attempt twists.

Also I cannot wait to try a roller set even if it will only elongate my hair and not straighten it. I loved them when I was transitioning.

Can you explain what you mean by puff with twists in the back.

TIA

You will get better with time. The more you do it the better you will get and the faster you will get. I get bored with the same hair style so I play in my hair a lot. That is until it gets long then I get boring and put it up

A few post back someone else was talking about putting in twists. I say go for.

And there is a post on a youtube video on Rollersetting that just posted within the last week. She is natural and she did a rollerset. Her hair ended up both straight and elongated. So don't rule it out. It can be done.

Puff with twists - Take your natural hair and pull it back into a puff. Then grab sections of hair from the puff and put in two strand twists or single strand twists on only that section of hair. So the front will be smooth like in a pony tail and the hair within the puff will be twisted up so therefore protected. You can always start by putting your hair in really big twists that go toward the center of your head and then banding those into a ponytail/puff. Then take each twist down and put into smaller twist.

-- that sounds pretty interesting. I may actually try that myself.

 

[faithVA]

Transitioning?
Hello ladies--

I have a question. How are you guys protecting your ends? Are you guys protective styling? I ask because I'm having trouble finding my favorite protective style. Extensions are rough on my edges, wigs/weaves feel oppressive and I'm afraid my twists will be scalpy9sp?) and frizzy.
I didn't relax till yesterday(I was 16wks post) I didn't blowdry till after 13 weeks post..wore hair in a little french roll, phony bun, or wore a band wig..I also either used hawaiin silky or Scurl on ends and sealed with hot six oil. I dusted the ends a few times.
once a week dc.. used ors hair mayo on dry hair and left in for a few hours.

Where did you get your phony pony from? oh you said phony bun. Is that different than a phony pony?

 

[faithVA]

@faithVA what do you use on your twists to keep them from fluffing up? That always seems to be my problem when I attempt to do them.

Fluff up? Are they fluffing up while you are twisting them or after you have had them for a while? Is it your hair that is fluffing up or the extension hair? Ok you can tell I'm clueless

When the salon does them she doesn't put anything on them. When I do them, I put a leave in on my hair, because my ends are puffy so I want them to lay down. And as long as I am using the correct amount of extension hair to cover my natural hair it doesn't fluff - I think

After I wear them a week they do seem to puff a little but then if I rinse them in some water they seem to draw up a bit probably because my hair has shrunk.

I don't know if I answered your question.

 

[NikkiQ]

It fluffs up after I'm done twisting them. I think I need to add more holding product to my hair or twist them tighter maybe. IDK. The minute I'm done with a twist and move onto the next, the previous one is plumping up like a can of biscuits lol

 

[PeJae]

Hello Everyone!

I know it is late, but I would love to join. I'm 17 weeks post relaxer. I did a BC 3/17/2007...sooo excited! Pics included...

What is your current length?
Ear length

What is your goal date to make SL?
December 2011

Relaxed/natural/texlaxed/transitioning?
Fully natural

How do you plan on getting to SL? (ie. Protective styling, no heat, stretching relaxers, growth aids, etc)
No heat. Co wash 3-4x a week, DC weekly. Protective styling. Nioxin 2 tabs a day/multi-vit. Mega-tek mixture 2x a week.

Whats your long term length goal?
BSL

 

[AvaSpeaks]

What's going on ladies?

So I figured something out. My hair is growing and I am retaining. Funny thing is, I ain't doing to my hair! And I mean I have pretty much slacked off of everything

And this is what happened last year. Early in the year I had Neck length hair, next thing I noticed my hair was pushing SL!

Why is that? Why is it that if you do nothing to your hair, it grows and retains on it owns?

Has that happened to anybody and is there someone willing to get me back on track so I can get PAST SL.....

 

[Missjae09]

@ ebsalita are you applying the oil to wet or dry hair? If you are applying it to dry hair, try wetting your hair (to open your cuticles) then applying the oil, and putting a plastic cap on. Also are you ends in need of a "dusting" or a "trim"?

are you flat ironing your hair and then getting the crispy ends?? I've found that when flat ironing if i use the comb chase method that helps to keep my ends smooth as I'm flat ironing.

 

[Janet']

Missjae09, how's your update?

 

[Imani]

What's going on ladies?

So I figured something out. My hair is growing and I am retaining. Funny thing is, I ain't doing to my hair! And I mean I have pretty much slacked off of everything

And this is what happened last year. Early in the year I had Neck length hair, next thing I noticed my hair was pushing SL!

Why is that? Why is it that if you do nothing to your hair, it grows and retains on it owns?

Has that happened to anybody and is there someone willing to get me back on track so I can get PAST SL.....

AvaSpeaks

Ur hair is prob still striving off of the TLC u gave it in prior months. I made grazing SL back in summer 08 and at the time I had stopped coming to the boards, was flat ironing weekly, and wearing my hair out everyday. Many times I'd even sleep on cotton pillowcases or with it loose.

But in the months prior to that time, I had trimmed off all my bad ends, and had been protective styling and givng a lot of tlc to my hair. My hair was really nice that summer and the longest it had been in a while, but slowly but surely as fall/winter creeped up it begin to thin out/dry out again and I never made it past SL and was back at square one.