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

[25InchesStarting'25]

How do you use this in your regimen?

I use it like regular gel
After I wash, cowash, rinse my KBs - I use it to lay down my hair, tying it down with a scarf

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Unfortunately, I do not know how to install KBs. I have watched videos, but can’t seem to get the hang of it. I may be overthinking the process.

I have very fine hair, so big braids are too heavy for me. Mini-braids were the best, but they’re time-consuming. Le sigh.

I’m slowly introducing Ayurveda into my regimen, due to the drying effects it has on my hair. Clove, hibiscus, and rosemary dry my hair out horribly. I purchased premade products, from a now closed vendor, that I had previous success with. So far, so good.

Don't give up, once you get the hang of it, it will be rewarding

I will post the most helpful vid I've seen as soon as I get a chance

You control the amount of hair that is added when you do it yourself, therefore, it doesn't matter the density of your hair, it works for everyone

Ayurvedic glosses (adding conditioners and/or honey/glycerin/thick canned coconut milk) is an easy fix to combat dryness. If you're doing henna for strengthing tx you can DC with conditioner after application. HTH!

 

[Etherbunnny]

Finally was able to get some length check starting photos after my most recent relaxer last week. I didn't bother straightening it as I didn't want to feel even more disappointed over the state of my hair at the moment. The nape and bottom area are pretty much shaved off and starting from fresh. The longest parts of my hair is at the crown. I also have some red/brown colour I'm planning to dye black by the end of the year. Hopefully when my nape fills in ill get back thickness and get to shoulder length.

 

[faithVA]

Finally was able to get some length check starting photos after my most recent relaxer last week. I didn't bother straightening it as I didn't want to feel even more disappointed over the state of my hair at the moment. The nape and bottom area are pretty much shaved off and starting from fresh. The longest parts of my hair is at the crown. I also have some red/brown colour I'm planning to dye black by the end of the year. Hopefully when my nape fills in ill get back thickness and get to shoulder length.
View attachment 506108View attachment 506112

Glad you are able to get some starting pictures and you are ready to get to your next goal. I think skipping the heat for now is a good choice. Get your hair back to the condition you want and you can do the heat later. It is more important to get the hair to a healthy state then to get it to a specific length. The length will come in time.

I went back and read your starting post. I see that you are using Aphogee. However, since you relax and color, you may want to consider adding a bond treatment to your monthly regimen. Both color and relaxers break the bonds in the hair and weaken the hair over time.

There are plenty on the market now in the past several years. I don't have a recommendation since hair is so different in response. I use K18 because I can tell the difference. I know someone in this thread uses the Bond Bar brand. I have also used Pronexa which you can get on Amazon. And Olaplex has one.

Wishing you great success in the remaining 4 months.

 

[Etherbunnny]

Glad you are able to get some starting pictures and you are ready to get to your next goal. I think skipping the heat for now is a good choice. Get your hair back to the condition you want and you can do the heat later. It is more important to get the hair to a healthy state then to get it to a specific length. The length will come in time.

I went back and read your starting post. I see that you are using Aphogee. However, since you relax and color, you may want to consider adding a bond treatment to your monthly regimen. Both color and relaxers break the bonds in the hair and weaken the hair over time.

There are plenty on the market now in the past several years. I don't have a recommendation since hair is so different in response. I use K18 because I can tell the difference. I know someone in this thread uses the Bond Bar brand. I have also used Pronexa which you can get on Amazon. And Olaplex has one.

Wishing you great success in the remaining 4 months.

Thank you so much for the helpful information. I will definitely look into a bond builder and start incorporating it asap. I usually shop at Sephora so i will look into both the K18 one and the Olaplex.

 

[faithVA]

I decided to do some treatments today because I have been to relaxed since June.

I shampooed twice, first with TGIN and then with the Prose.
I purchased the Unbrush a couple of weeks ago and used it today. It does move through the hair easily but it doesn't remove enough shed hair for me to use it alone. I'm still trying to figure out how to achieve removal in less time and fewer attempts if that is even possible.

I used the Aphogee 2 minute and put on a plastic cap for a few minutes. Then I rinsed.
Then I used the K18 and let it sit for 5ish minutes.

I hopped back in the shower and conditioned. Still trying to use up the random conditioners I have.
Followed up with my Prose leave-in.
Put in a large amount of KCCC and water and put my hair in 4 Bantu Knots. This is where I am now.

I will probably put it in flat twists after dinner.

Overall my hair is in better shape than at the beginning of the year. My ends are slowly getting better. My search and destroys are finding less ends to clip. But it may be next Spring before I am out of the woods.

When I pull my hair it doesn't look like it is any longer. However, I was able to put my hair in a small bun in the back and run some errands. And I'm able to easily do 4 Bantu Knots instead of 6. The hair at the top of my head is waaaaay longer than the back, which I can tell by my Bantu Knots. Hopefully, my back is just trying to catch up with the rest.

Maybe the remaining 4 months will show some length changes. Overall, I'm happy with the progress because each quarter I can do a bit more.

At the end of September, I will repeat the treatments, blow dry, trim my ends and take an update picture.

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Finally was able to get some length check starting photos after my most recent relaxer last week. I didn't bother straightening it as I didn't want to feel even more disappointed over the state of my hair at the moment. The nape and bottom area are pretty much shaved off and starting from fresh. The longest parts of my hair is at the crown. I also have some red/brown colour I'm planning to dye black by the end of the year. Hopefully when my nape fills in ill get back thickness and get to shoulder length.
View attachment 506108View attachment 506112

Thanks for sharing and dont worry! We'll support you to your goal

Since you're relaxed, you shouldn't worry about straightening your hair, you can do it like this every time (wet or air dryed, being consistent with one of them to know accurate progress), this is one of the pros of being relaxed

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

I decided to do some treatments today because I have been to relaxed since June.

I shampooed twice, first with TGIN and then with the Prose.
I purchased the Unbrush a couple of weeks ago and used it today. It does move through the hair easily but it doesn't remove enough shed hair for me to use it alone. I'm still trying to figure out how to achieve removal in less time and fewer attempts if that is even possible.

I used the Aphogee 2 minute and put on a plastic cap for a few minutes. Then I rinsed.
Then I used the K18 and let it sit for 5ish minutes.

I hopped back in the shower and conditioned. Still trying to use up the random conditioners I have.
Followed up with my Prose leave-in.
Put in a large amount of KCCC and water and put my hair in 4 Bantu Knots. This is where I am now.

I will probably put it in flat twists after dinner.

Overall my hair is in better shape than at the beginning of the year. My ends are slowly getting better. My search and destroys are finding less ends to clip. But it may be next Spring before I am out of the woods.

When I pull my hair it doesn't look like it is any longer. However, I was able to put my hair in a small bun in the back and run some errands. And I'm able to easily do 4 Bantu Knots instead of 6. The hair at the top of my head is waaaaay longer than the back, which I can tell by my Bantu Knots. Hopefully, my back is just trying to catch up with the rest.

Maybe the remaining 4 months will show some length changes. Overall, I'm happy with the progress because each quarter I can do a bit more.

At the end of September, I will repeat the treatments, blow dry, trim my ends and take an update picture.

Nice work! Love the TLC you took for yourself

I was supposed to do LC this weekend but it was a very busy Holiday weekend

Please call my out if I don't post this weekend

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Jumbo Knotless Braids
She uses "grease" like products at the roots not "style jam" which cause issues/breakage for many people
I don't use any product on roots, only aloe and Vaseline on ends to protect and retain moisture

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

Detailed KB video with 3 way mirror and smaller size KBs

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

@SimJam, @VarieYvette, @B_Phlyy - The summer challenge is officially over, going to continue Braid and Hydrate journey here, join us if you like

 

[B_Phlyy]

@SimJam, @VarieYvette, @B_Phlyy - The summer challenge is officially over, going to continue Braid and Hydrate journey here, join us if you like

I'll accept the end of challenge, but not the end of summer. Kinda not related, but I had to get that off my chest lol.

 

[keranikki]

@25InchesStarting'25
Thank you for videos! I will check them out!

 

[faithVA]

Nice work! Love the TLC you took for yourself

I was supposed to do LC this weekend but it was a very busy Holiday weekend

Please call my out if I don't post this weekend

(lol) I probably won't. I will be reminding every soon that September is the 3rd check-in for this challenge. I will probably start that this upcoming weekend, so maybe for you that line up.

There are only 3 more full weeks in this month :sigh: