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

[faithVA]

Year in review/2026 intro

I'm still a bit under the weather but I did manage to wash, blow dry, and flat iron my hair got the end of year length check. Not much changed, probably because my health to a nose dive the last quarter of the year. My mini haircut in the fall didn't help either as my hair is growing back in its lopsided way (the left getting longer than the right)

I feel my hair looked the best in the summer (06/25) but I unfortunately don't know exactly what I was doing to get it to that point. That's why for 2026 I'm going to be much more diligent about writing my routine and products down this year. The only thing I know got sure that I stopped doing was pre-pooing with oil. Maybe I need to get back to that.

For 2026, I'm going to again shoot for full APL.. I'm taking out back old school with techniques and styling. Lately I've noticed my scalp responds better to cleansing with sulfates on my shampoo and deep conditioners with some mild silicone. I also am back to doing LOC due to the colder weather. My styles will be lots of buns and rolls/twists. Wigs really are doing a number on my hairline, so they're out for a while.



View attachment 507486

Hair is so interesting and yours definitely has its own personality. So from March to June, your left side grew out to match the right side. Then it grew past the right side. It looks like your right side decided to try to catch up.

Maybe that is just your growth pattern. Maybe you have a left, right growth pattern?

I know it doesn't look noticeable, but you definitely have some growth and retention. And your best growth is probably from Spring to Fall. Its possible your best days are before you.

 

[faithVA]

I may need to change my reset day to Saturday because my long walk day is Sunday. After the walk, my feet are too tired to stand up for a full wash day. I did it last week but I was suffering.

Instead, I took down my twist and moisturized with Camille Rose Braid Stpray and Mielle Hair Milk and then put it into 4 twists.

I will reset tomorrow.

 

[faithVA]

I reset today.
Shampooed with Madison Reed Shampoo
Shampooed with Coco & Eve Hydrating Shampoo
Conditioned with Coco & Eve Hydrating Conditioner
Used Coco & Eve Leave-In
Followed with Mane Choice Thermal something or other

I used the Tymo Blow Dryer to see if this is something I can do each wash day.
The back I did on low heat until I realized that I could try turning up the blower and blow drying on cool.
I spritzed my hair with water when I felt it drying out.

I was able to dry my hair in 15 minutes and then twist it up in 5 flat twist on each side.
I used Camille Rose Braid Spray and Mielle Twisting Souffle to twist my hair up.

I like the ease of it. I will have to see how this works out after the next 2 wash days. I think I definitely need to add additional creamy product to my ends.

 

[faithVA]

@Bette Davis Eyes , I finally bought the Geritol.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Did you get the pills or the liquid @faithVA

 

[faithVA]

Did you get the pills or the liquid @faithVA

I got the pills. I may try the liquid next time. But I think the pills are good for now. Its better than the nothing I was taking before (lol)

 

[VarieYvette]

FOR THOSE WHO WERE WITH US 2025
What was your 2025 Length Goal?: my 2025 goal was full APL

What worked for you in 2025? regular washes and deep conditioning, then sealing with a hair butter. My hair likes simplicity

Post your 2025 Starting Pic Here:



FOR ALL PARTICIPATING IN 2026 YEAR

What length are you now? I would say CBL at the moment

What is your 2026 length goal ? full APL/BSB

What's your plan/regimen to reach your goal? continue with weekly washes and DCs, relaxer touch ups twice a year, no braids with extensions

How can we support you in reaching your goal
I need to be cheered on, last year ended on a bad note, and I wasn't online much.

Post your 2026 Starting Pic Here:

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

The liquid works quicker but that taste. Lord NO!!! @faithVA

@VarieYvette Youre well past CBL in the back. Almost to APL

 

[i4ani]

FOR THOSE WHO WERE WITH US 2025
What was your 2025 Length Goal?: my 2025 goal was full APL

What worked for you in 2025? regular washes and deep conditioning, then sealing with a hair butter. My hair likes simplicity

Post your 2025 Starting Pic Here:

View attachment 507536

FOR ALL PARTICIPATING IN 2026 YEAR

What length are you now? I would say CBL at the moment

What is your 2026 length goal ? full APL/BSB

What's your plan/regimen to reach your goal? continue with weekly washes and DCs, relaxer touch ups twice a year, no braids with extensions

How can we support you in reaching your goal
I need to be cheered on, last year ended on a bad note, and I wasn't online much.

Post your 2026 Starting Pic Here:
View attachment 507534

Oooooooooo! You went from not even touching the neckline to line 4, and it's only been like 7 months! Are the lines on the shirt indicative of inches? If so, and if I'm not mistaken, it looks like you retained ~1 inch every month!

Also, I agree with @Bette Davis Eyes, you're 100% past CBL.

 

[faithVA]

Oooooooooo! You went from not even touching the neckline to line 4, and it's only been like 7 months! Are the lines on the shirt indicative of inches? If so, and if I'm not mistaken, it looks like you retained ~1 inch every month!

Also, I agree with @Bette Davis Eyes, you're 100% past CBL.

Thank you for pointing that out. You are right. That is fabulous progress @VarieYvette . That is also very inspiring.

Congratulations @VarieYvette I hope your 2026 is as fabulous as your 2025.