Grow It Long 2025 Challenge!

[VarieYvette]

I washed my hair last night because it was feeling dry, I think its the change in season that is affecting me. It's drier and cooler now, so my hair will definitely feel affected. But I should also let go of my thin ends in the front, as they have been knotting.

I shampooed first with a Tresemme shampoo, then second wash was with a hydrating shampoo. Deep conditioned with the Skala conditioner under a heating cap. Most value for money DC I have bought, I still haven't finished the 1 litre jar, even as I wash weekly, and I am heavy handed with conditioner. Rinsed out 90% (the DC can also be used as a leave in) and dried in a microfibre towel. Then I went in section by section, applying my leave in and butter, then vaseline before detangling, and threading up that section. I massaged in a peppermint hair growth oil, then tried to style the threading.



Picture of the threading before styling, and a mini hair pull picture.

 

[GettingKinky]

Ok. Here’s 2 weeks into the 75 day challenge. I’m not seeing much difference yet, but at most I could expect about 0.2 inches at this point.

 

[GettingKinky]

I’m a total Briogeo addict. I love this conditoner and these 2 deep conditioners. The conditioner has a lot of slip and is very easy to detangle with, and yet it doesn’t have any cones or parabens.

My current routine is to use the DDR mask once a month and the superfood DC every other week. I rarely get out and use my heat cap with them I just DC in the shower for ~10 minutes while I detangle my hair and wash myself.

I have the Cecred reconstructing mask so at some point I will see how it compares to the Briogeo mask.

 

[faithVA]

View attachment 502316View attachment 502318View attachment 502320
The first pic my shirt wasn't completely centered and is a smidge lower than today's pic
I put the second pic to show that there was a difference in the placement of the neckline
Today's pic should be easier with the placement of the neck line for consistent and accurate length checks

I do notice growth and will continue with daily co washing of my nape while the majority of hair is in braids

@VarieYvette and @GettingKinky hair is looking healthy and thick, keep it up!

@snoop and @faithVA - Friendly reminder for Bi-Weekly pics

I know I said I would participate but I'm going to opt out of this particular challenge so I can focus on all that I already have on my plate. My apologies. I knew I had too much going on already when I said yes.

 

[GettingKinky]

@snoop, @GettingKinky, @VarieYvette if you want to opt out as well, no worries!

If everyone chooses to opt out, I will continue posting in the Braid & Hydrate thread until weekend of May 24th, then once monthly until August in the Braid & Hydrate thread. Will post here on the designated months for Grow It Long Challenge

My hair is the shortest out of everyone and on a mission to grow my hair out as fast as possible, my ambition is motivating me to stick to this daily co washing regimen despite everything else I have on my plate. It's like lifting weights. It's seems extremely challenging in the beginning, then gets easier with time and practice

I can go either way. Aside from 2 weeks from now when I’ll be on vacation I can post weekly pictures. But if no one else wants to do it, I’m fine dropping it and sticking to just taking pictures when I do my blowout trims.

 

[snoop]

I'm not hard and fast with my picture taking. I prefer to take pictures when there's something I need to note. I don't think my hair changes so much in two weeks to warrant a picture unless I'm changing the sizes of my twists.

I'm still living in my mini twists so it may be another week or so before I take another pic of my hair unless I keep my twists in even longer.

 

[yaya24]

As the shortest gal in the group, I look up to you all! Working diligently to catch up

Your hair is definitely longer than mine

 

[snoop]

Something that I constantly forget, but remind myself after a month of wearing my twists is that I have to be careful when dealing with my roots. Since I don't have clean parts, it's easier to cause breakage at the roots while moisturizing, washing, massaging, styling, etc. This weekend will mark 2 months of having my twists in. If I can wait until the Easter weekend, that will be 1 week short of 3 months. I try to give myself event milestones for taking down my hair to keep me distracted.

 

[B_Phlyy]

Took out my knotless braids and deep a clarify wash and deep condition. I only had enough heat protectant for a blow dry so no flat ironing. And my greys are rearing their forsaken strands and must be banished.

My quarterly length check will probably be next week.

 

[Angel of the North]

I know I said I would participate but I'm going to opt out of this particular challenge so I can focus on all that I already have on my plate. My apologies. I knew I had too much going on already when I said yes.

It can be hard to keep up with multiple challenges, especially with all the things we have going on in life outside of our hair care. I'm going to miss you on this one.

 

[GettingKinky]

I did my moisture DC this morning. I’ve been consistent with DCing every 2 weeks for the last 2 months now.

 

[Angel of the North]

@Angel of the North, same here, I joined many challenges at once and it's too much to keep up with a busy schedule, had to drop quite a few and focus primarily on a few

I'm going to be posting my accountability weekly here until the end of Summer [ https://longhaircareforums.com/threads/spring-into-summer-braid-hydrate-2025-challenge.857192/ ]

Su - S-CW
M- S-CW
T - S-CW - Forgot to use Homemade Co Wash, Going to do away with Homemade Co Wash and use Store Bought all week
W - S-CW
R - S-CW
F - S-CW
S - W

This is what I plan to be posting weekly in the "Spring Into Summer Braid & Hydrate" challenge, if I'm able to update it weekly with ease. I didn't complete this for last week since it was taking to much time to back track, but should be filled out for next week in "Spring Into Summer...."
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How long have you been on your HC journey? Have you tried out many products/processes to get to this regimen?

 

[Angel of the North]

I unexpectedly cut my hair at the end of last year, and was on a desperate search on how to grow it back as fast as possible

I looked up product ingredients and their reviews before purchase. Also looked at people's HCJ and compared common variables of their success to help me decide what I wanted to do for my HCJ. Things that are new for me in hair care is RevAir, DIY Growth Oil/Pomade, and daily Co Washing. I like them all. I started HCJ Jan/Feb 2025. I've been fortunate to have all products work out well that I have purchased for the first time this year in Jan and haven't bought anything since then

Congratulations on starting your HCJ

I think documenting how your hair reacts to products/ingredients/processes is very useful. I kept a journal and it made it easy for me to figure out what worked, what didn't or anything that may have caused any setbacks.

Over the years I found many different combinations of products and ingredients that worked well for me, now that I am getting back to my HCJ, I will create a regimen that I know will be very simple but also effective.

I'm starting with a simple clarifying poo, DC and trim. I've ordered my hairs favourite oils (grapeseed and avocado) and favourite butters (mango and avocado). I have a few moisturisers, other than the S-Curl, I don't particularly love them, but they are easy to pick up off the shelf and I suppose they do their job.

I am a reformed PJI'm planning to try out some new moisturisers, hopefully, I can find THE one. That was the intention of moisturiser thread I stated in 2020, I was trying to get back into my HCJ, but fell off rather quickly due to health reasons. I need to keep things simple and achievable. I'm happy that thread got revived, I'm hoping to get some great recommendations

 

[Angel of the North]

Thank you! Likewise

My hair is really short so I feel like I'm in the Olympics right now to grow it as fast as possible I'll likely simplify it when a decent amount of hair is at APL or BSL

What type of moisturizer are you looking for? Leave-In or Deep Conditioner?

My hair loves Aloe Vera in hair products. My hair also does well with shea butter in hair products. Do you have issues with either of these ingredients? There were a number of people in this thread who mentioned that their hair could not tolerate these two ingredients. If you like these ingredients, I can make a recommendation

My hair likes both of these ingredients I'm hoping it won't be something I have to import

ETA: I'm looking for something creamy maybe, but light/not too thick for my fine strands. LCO works very well for my hair, so I guess I'm looking for the 'C'. I don't use moisturisers with cones or parabens etc.there are 2 or 3 conditioners I like that have cones, outside of them, I don't play with the "nasties ".

I want to try moisturisers from As I am, Shea Moisture and maybe Afrocenchix.

 

[Angel of the North]

I just saw you edit: As I Am is on the thinner side. Shea Moisture is creamy. As I Am is lightweight and hair feels moisturized at the same time. If you're looking for the "C" SheaMoisture might be better

I wanted to buy this in January but it was out of stock and still out of stock. The ingredients are great and seems to be creamy and not too heavy. The website says it coming back soon
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I like the concept of the lighter As I Am, the SheaMoisture that I'm thinking of is probably lighter than the one you posted as it's a milk and not a cream. I'm not sure what the exact consistency will be as I'm yet to try it. I would be willing to try something creamier, as long as it doesn't do what the Cantu does.

I've seen the Melanin products around, they look great! Unfortunately, I'm no longer willing to spend money on expensive hair products. I've made a conscious effort to find reasonably priced products that work for me. £30 ($38.82 according to the current exchange rate), is the most I am willing to spend on any single product, and I will usually stock up on the things I like when there are discounts/promotions.

On average the products I use are between £7- £15. I'm willing to buy the Miche products as I'm expecting great results and although I have to order the items online, the suppliers are UK based. The products I'm interested in are £23 and £27 both being below my maximum price cap.

ETA I've just looked a little more closely at that Melanin conditioner, I see it can be used 7 different ways.... I might have to look out for it on when it's on offer. I like the idea of having one multi purpose product, if it worked for me, I could probably justify purchasing it.

ETA: Space NK uk are selling it for £20, very reasonable, but it's out of stock, Ive put a notification alert on it for when it comes back in stock.a few other websites are selling but would have to import, pay ridiculous amount for shipping and taxes. Somewhere between the 3 I'm going to try, I'm hoping for some magic. Thanks for the recommendations

 

[faithVA]

It can be hard to keep up with multiple challenges, especially with all the things we have going on in life outside of our hair care. I'm going to miss you on this one.

I'm just opting out of the 75 day challenge but I'm still here for this one. I will be checking in at the end of April with my update.

 

[faithVA]

After putting in my flat twist, was able to braid all of my twist together and tuck them under into a little mini bun. That means I'm making a little progress because I can do it without using pins or a hair barrette. Hopefully by the end of the year they will be long enough to have a low bun or to wear without tucking them under at all and just letting them hang.

 

[yaya24]

We made it to the End of March .. Q1 is officially over
Looking forward to the next leg of our 2025 journey.

Tomorrow marks 3 weeks on this set of cornrows & I'll finally do a shampoo / quick condition.

I will post my 1st update at the end of April when I take down these cornrows.

 

[Angel of the North]

OMG, this is the first update and length check I've done in probably 8-10 years! Please be patient with me as this will be long (my posts generally are). Wash day ended up being today..... I forgot it was Mother's Day yesterday in the UK.

I sectioned my hair in 4, applied the As I Am curl clarity poo to the roots and left it in there for about 10-15 minutes to do its work. I then wet hair and worked it through the res of the hair and rinsed. I was happy with the results as my hair and scalp were both clean.

I was about to cowash, then remembered an errand I had to run, left the Alberto Balsam in my roots, pulled my hair into a ponytail, half bun. The errand took much longer than intended. When I finally got back, I completed the cowash and applied the As I Am Hydration Elation to hair, I parted in 4 because that tub was so small. The conditioner had good coverage, I wasn't overwhelmed by it as the slip was mediocre. I do feel it served the purpose of a moisturising DC though.

I parted my hair in two and used the bobble method to trim my hair. I cut from above the bands, so I took about 2 inches off. I updated my hair length to I think BSL without a length check when I resubscribed, I think it must have been longer because, when I did the length check, my hair is roughly MBL. I had a crop top on and not a proper bra, although I don't think it would make the biggest difference. I took zoomed into the photo to give a better view.

I applied Camille Rose curl love, curl maker and then gummy hair gel. I don't rate the Camille Rose products tbh. I like the consistency of the products, however the products do not hold the definition of my curls and I end up with frizz. The gummy gel gives awesome definition but drys very hard, one application can last days just by adding water.

Well that's all from me for now, I'm hoping to get a wash day in next Sunday. I'm surprised by how many products I still have in my stash (unused, semi used) and on checking, the efficacy still seems in tact.

 

[yaya24]

^ Your hair looks great!
Welcome back to the hair side of things.

 

[Angel of the North]

^ Your hair looks great!
Welcome back to the hair side of things.

Thank you

 

[snoop]

This is what I plan to be posting weekly in the "Spring Into Summer Braid & Hydrate" challenge, if I'm able to update it weekly with ease. I didn't complete this for last week since it was taking too much time to back track, but should be filled out for next week in "Spring Into Summer...."
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What is this app?

 

[snoop]

Hey ladies!

April 1st has rolled around and time for hair updates! Let's see some Q1 pics!

How has your hair been doing? Are you getting closer to your 2025 hair goals?

@GettingKinky
@HealthyHair2020
@faithVA
@VarieYvette
@Chicoro
@MzSwift
@pikkonoloidlee
@B_Phlyy
@newgrowth15
@Kells
@Meritamen
@Bette Davis Eyes
@CoiledOrchids
@25InchesStarting'25
@SmilingElephant
@yaya24
@GGsKin
@KidneyBean86
@Angel of the North

 

[snoop]

My Q1 update:

So, I try to wear my hair in a loose bun. The idea for me is to put less stress on my crown area.




I think I posted on Jan 31 that I'd finished installing these two-strand mini twists. They're still in. Don't mind the messy look below, because I took the above bun down and this was the result. I washed my hair yesterday and put it in this bun to stretch it while it dried, but the bun was still damp. You can see white stuff in my hair and that's the tallow that didn't sink into my strands, yet.

I'm getting close to my goal of having my two strand twists hang to APL. I set this goal for myself years ago, back when I thought that it was an impossible, but fun to try and achieve goal. Now, my twists are actually grazing WL when I stretch them. NO WAY. I can't remember what year I started on this site, but THANK YOU ALL for your help in getting here!!!





My goal is to nurse the shorter strands, which I think are from my crown area, to get past SL and maybe even APL.

 

[B_Phlyy]

I'm about to color my hair so my pics should be up later tonight or first thing in the morning.

 

[faithVA]

My Q1 update:

So, I try to wear my hair in a loose bun. The idea for me is to put less stress on my crown area.

View attachment 502626


I think I posted on Jan 31 that I'd finished installing these two-strand mini twists. They're still in. Don't mind the messy look below, because I took the above bun down and this was the result. I washed my hair yesterday and put it in this bun to stretch it while it dried, but the bun was still damp. You can see white stuff in my hair and that's the tallow that didn't sink into my strands, yet.

I'm getting close to my goal of having my two strand twists hang to APL. I set this goal for myself years ago, back when I thought that it was an impossible, but fun to try and achieve goal. Now, my twists are actually grazing WL when I stretch them. NO WAY. I can't remember what year I started on this site, but THANK YOU ALL for your help in getting here!!!


View attachment 502624


My goal is to nurse the shorter strands, which I think are from my crown area, to get past SL and maybe even APL.

Very nice. Sounds like you are easing your way into your goals.

 

[faithVA]

My updates won't be until the end if the month.

I will color, blow dry, trim and take pics. I have no idea at this point what progress I'm making.

 

[HealthyHair2020]

I'll also give a full update in a couple weeks but I got braids last month and have been enjoying them so much! Have been enjoying them so much and just gave them a wash. I will take them out in 2-3 weeks so I'll blowdry afterward and give a better update on length and health.

After having these braids in, I'm thinking to myself why did I stop doing my mini twists that used to last me for 3 weeks? I think with me exercising 4-5 times a week, I need something that can withstand that and I think that twists will come into play there. My braids are looking good a month in so I might just have the same stylist twist them for me.

 

[B_Phlyy]

There was so much going on in my life this first quarter of 2025 so consistency was some times hard. But I did try to shampoo and deep condition at least once a week as well as clarifying twice per month. I was mostly in many mini braids with my own hair though I did add some extension hair this past month.


For the length check
Colored with the CHI Ion color line. I'm supposed to be using henna for hair coloring but I'm too impatient to wait for dye release. Shampooed with Pureology Sheer Volume shampoo and followed up with the Briogeo Honey Deep Conditioner. Pantene Miracle Repair leave-in (the smell took me back to my college dorm) and It's A 10 Heat Protectant spray.

Used my Dyson dryer with the comb attachment and blowdried straight. Waited until my hair completely cooled down then applied L'Anza Healing Oil Treatment Oil. Flat ironed with my 1" flat iron. I probably did 1/2 inch sections to get my hair as flat as possible.

I personally don't see as much change in length but I can tell my hair is fuller. In the initial pic (left side), I can see my thin areas trying to peak through at the crown. It's much more full in the after. And yes, I am going to clean up those end. They are not necessarily knotty right now but I can see them causing problems in the future if I don't fix them.

*also, I finally cleaned my mirror.

 

[snoop]

@B_Phlyy I agree with your observations. Your hair has grown a little and it does look fuller! Gains!