2025/2026 - Journey to SL/APL/BSL Challenge

[faithVA]

Sally's has buy 3 get 1 free for certain items. They actually had Kinky Curly gel. I've had a hard time finding it close to me online so I bought 4 of them. This should last me for a couple of years.

Once it comes I will throw out the gels I threw together to use up. Not going to waste my time.

Now I need a deal on TGIN leave-in because I'm almost out. I may have to buy one full price and wait for the deal.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Don’t let Bey steal your edges!!! @Rocky91 lolol

 

[Rocky91]

Don’t let Bey steal your edges!!! @Rocky91 lolol

Honestly, she deserves every follicle it was an amazing concert and I’m not even the super fan that I used to be, but her professionalism and artistry is unmatched.

And thank you kindly @faithVA!!

 

[Rocky91]

I’m “locked in” with haircare as the teens would say, so I’m back to making sure that I DC under the dryer. I’m rotating a few sets right now and they’re all soooo fabulous I have to rave about them. I also realize they’re mostly Black-owned or at least Black-founded.

- MoKnowsHair shampoo and elasticity treatment: lovely mix of protein and moisture, probably my favorite right now!
- Design Essentials almond and avocado shampoo and DC: soooo much slip
- old school Keracare shampoo and Humecto: still works nicely
- old school Nairobi shampoo and humecta-sil: honestly better than Keracare! But harder to find, so I get why it wasn’t as popular.
- old school Africa’s best shampoo and mayo: still a lovely cheap mild protein
- old school Mizani moisturefuse shampoo and moisture treatment: rinses out so nicely

I’m putting my PJ tendencies away for the summer now because I’ve been on a bit of a rampage and even with a 2x weekly DC, it’s going to take me a while to finish this little stash. I didn’t buy these all at once, but I think the itch has been satisfied for now, and I’m going to really try not to buy any more products for the rest of the year.

 

[faithVA]

Tonight after cleansing and adding gel I pulled my hair back into a ponytail. I realized that even if the back of my hair was able to reach into a bun, my temples have thinned out so much that I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it

Next time I try i will leave some of the front out and do 2 strands in the front and see how that works.

 

[keranikki]

Tonight after cleansing and adding gel I pulled my hair back into a ponytail. I realized that even if the back of my hair was able to reach into a bun, my temples have thinned out so much that I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it

Next time I try i will leave some of the front out and do 2 strands in the front and see how that works.

I understand. My temples are suffering as well, but I always had a thin hairline. It’s from my Dad’s side, le sigh.
Is their enough hair to do some cute sideburns/edges that will not make you feel childish? Like a swoop?

 

[faithVA]

I understand. My temples are suffering as well, but I always had a thin hairline. It’s from my Dad’s side, le sigh.
Is their enough hair to do some cute sideburns/edges that will not make you feel childish? Like a swoop?

I appreciate your encouragement.

I looked through some old pictures and maybe it isn't as bad as it seemed. Not sure yet.

My hair was really wet and slicked down so it looked really thin. But once it started to dry it looked a little better.

My temples have been thin for a while but I've worked around it for years.

A swoop would be nice. I'm not quite there yet. But maybe by the time the back is truly ready the front will be long enough as well.

 

[VarieYvette]

Tonight after cleansing and adding gel I pulled my hair back into a ponytail. I realized that even if the back of my hair was able to reach into a bun, my temples have thinned out so much that I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it

Next time I try i will leave some of the front out and do 2 strands in the front and see how that works.

Gel always makes hair thinner somehow, I can't explain why. Oooh I want to try that (2 strands in front, and bun in the back)

 

[B_Phlyy]

Took my mini braids out a few days ago. I didn't wash because I'm a little under now. So the stretched hair is in a bun closed with a puff cuff. Hopefully I feel better tomorrow and can wash and blow dry.

 

[faithVA]

I wanted to wash my hair tonight but man does it feel cold. brrrr. I think I will just spritz it and add some more gel and twist it back up.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I took down my latest 4 week protective style last night. Wash day was the standard. Henna , shampoo , condition and deep treatment followed by my leave in and then blow out with my revair.

I have been slipping on steaming the henna in which I did this time. The color transfer is very vibrant compared to when I just keep it on for 20-30 minutes.

I was using oil daily for the last 4 weeks so I did one wash clarifying. Getting my hair braided back up later on this afternoon.

 

[faithVA]

I took down my latest 4 week protective style last night. Wash day was the standard. Henna , shampoo , condition and deep treatment followed by my leave in and then blow out with my revair.

I have been slipping on steaming the henna in which I did this time. The color transfer is very vibrant compared to when I just keep it on for 20-30 minutes.

I was using oil daily for the last 4 weeks so I did one wash clarifying. Getting my hair braided back up later on this afternoon.

Those knots are looking super juicy

 

[faithVA]

Many years ago I bought a length check shirt. It wasn't that good because I think the first line started at APL which is crazy

This morning I drew additional lines up to the shoulders so I can startcusing it for my progress pics.

I plan to at least blow dry for June. That will get me a good starting picture.

 

[faithVA]

I installed 2 strands the first time in a couple of months.

I tried a different combo this time. Instead of leave in I sprayed my hair with Camille Rose hair and braid spray and then used the KCCC to twist. Will see how this works.

My twists are definitely longer but I think until I make them bigger I won't see my length. I think now I'm doing 8 to 10 twists per row. When I can pull my twist up I will try a set with maybe 6 twists per row to see how that looks.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Happy Monday and New Month everyone!

Two more months until Length Checks in August

Happy Growing

 

[Rocky91]

I was going through old pics and I found some pics that illustrate why APL has been so elusive. The first one was when I was heavy into wash and goes back in 2021 and I wanted to check whether or not they would derail my progress. Then I got highlights in early 2022 and had it cut back to SL, just for kicks. Then I found a photo from later in 2022 where I cut it into a chin length bob on blowdried hair.

Now why did I do this? The hair was pretty healthy, about as healthy as it can be with high lift color, anyways. I think I was desiring like a really blunt look on my curly styles, as demonstrated by this twistout.

To make a long story short, I’ve had this pattern of cutting off my hair as soon as I begin to approach APL. I’m going to really resist that pattern this time around and commit to this long term goal. I AM the problem standing in my own way lol. Sorry for the long post, but I had to just chronicle this (extremely obvious lol) epiphany somewhere.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

@Rocky91 I used to do the same thing when I got to shoulder length. I had to ask God that if He wanted me to keep the hairs on my head He was gonna have to help cause He knows what I like to do (pretend this is a scissors emoji). So that's how I started doing the mini braids lol