APL 2012 Challenge

[NikkiQ]

Okay ladies...let's do this!

I wanted to create a thread for us ladies striving to make it to APL next year and to have a great support group to help us reach this milestone.Enough with the chit chat. Let's get down to business.

*The Guidelines*

1. Join the challenge by clicking "thanks" on this post and I'll add you to the list.
2. The challenge will officially begin on December 31, 2011 and run til December 31,2012.
3. The challenge is open to join at any time. No cut off date!
4. Post pictures with updates, PS ideas, and and anything else hair related that you'd like to share.
5. STAY POSITIVE!! We're all on a HHJ so let's lift each other up and help out whenever we can.

**Update Dates**

March 31st
June 30th
September 30th
December 31st​

For challengers wanting to join, after thanking this post answer the following questions

~Current hair length
~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd
~APL goal month
~Current Reggie and styling choices
~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
~Post a beginning picture

Challengers
@blcbuty@
3jsmom
Afrobuttafly
afroette
afrofaithful (June)
AlwaysNatural
AmyRose92
AryaStarr258
AwesomelyNappy
AyannaDivine
bajandoc86 (September) :bouncegre
BBritdenise
BERlin
bettysmsboop
bibs (September)
blah54
Blairx0 (September)
BlkOnyx488
blueberryd
bones
BronxJazzy
bronzebomb
buddhas_mom (September)
caltron
caribeandiva
Carmelella (November)
Cendra
collegedoll
coolsista-paris (January)
Curlygirly9 (November)
diadall
Duchesse
Dyaspora
EasypeaZee
EbonyHairedPrincess
esi.adokowa (May)
felic1
Firstborn2
Fyne
GaiasDaughter24 (March)
Geminigirl
gennatay
gforceroy (October)
GIJane
GoodNewsHairJunkie
GreenApple
growbaby (May)
growingbrown (September)
Guyaneek
gvin89
hair_rehab
HakueixBeauty
HighAspirations
HoneyCoated
Hyacinthe
Iluvsmuhgrass
Imani (March even though she's in denial)
indarican
IndifinableJoli (March)
itsjusthair88
jaded_faerie
jayjaycurlz (June/July) :bouncegre
Jaysin
JazzyOleBabe
JJamiah
jprayze (June)
JustGROWwithIt
justicefighter1913
kandegirl
KaramelDiva1978 (October)
KaramelKutie803
kbragg
Keedah
Kerryann (September) :reddancer:
kittenz
Kiwi74
KiWiStyle
klsjackson
kristaa.10
KumakoXsd
kupenda
KurlyNinja
LadyRaider
lamaria211 (June)
lexxi
LilMissSunshine5 (June)

**more challengers in Post #4**

 

[Charla]

YAY!

~Current hair length
SL
~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd
Natural
~APL goal month
May
~Current Reggie and styling choices
Prepoo evco+castor, Wash routine 1x weekly (Cowash strands Tresemme, scalp wash Giovanni), DC, sulfur oil & scalp massage EOD, M&S Aussie Moist mix, seal with Crisco.
~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
I'll continue PS. Incorporate C&G under wigs and occassional braided styles.
~Post a beginning picture

 

[faithVA]

Way to go NikkiQ. Way to get it started. I am available to co-host if you need it. Or whatever they call that.

Current hair length............................... CBL in the back, NL sides/front
Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd............... Natural
APL goal month.................................... September 2012
Current Reggie and styling choices
.....Apply oil to scalp and heat cap 20 minutes; may prepoo with AVG/oil
.....Alternate between mudwash/cowash
.....DC under heat cap 30 min
.....LOC method; liquid, oil, cream/butter/unpetroleum jelly
.....Heat cap at least 10 minutes; then reapply LOC
.....Twist with gel
.....Henna every 6 to 8 weeks
.....Moisture and Seal daily with some glycerin product
.....All natural products (mud wash, AO/SM/NH conditioner/leave-in, oils, butters, AVG/AVJ)
.....In twist challenge until December. Then will reassess

What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
.....Worked all year to develop my regimen so will just stick to it.

Post a beginning picture.....

 

[NikkiQ]

**Continued Challengers List**
livinthevida (June)
longfroinghair
longhairdreaming (September) :bouncegre
lorenarose337
LoveArianna (October)
lovebug10
LovelyBwonderful (November)
Loving (July)
lovinglife2010
Lurkee (August)
Luvee1
LuvlyRain3 (June)
Lyric
MaintaintheSexy
Majestye
mamaore
mami2010
ManiiSweetheart (May)
Meemee6223
menina
MeowMix
Meritamen
miss stress (February)
Missdelicious1 (June)
Missjae09
MrsJaiDiva (September)
MrsMelodyV
mscece1 (November)
Msmchy
MsSonya
MyAngelEyez~C~U! (April)
NaturalfienD (June)
NewHairWOWeave
newnyer (March)
Niknak20
NitaChantell
NYDiva
Ogoma
Onhergrind09 (July)
PaigeJessica (April)
pelohello
Phaer
Philippians413 (December) :bouncegre
phillyrn
pink219
PittiPat
polished07
pookaloo83
Poutchi
princezzLeia
-PYT
QUEENJAMES231
Queensheba88
Rapunzel1309
RayRayFurious
RemyRem
Rocky91
sajjy (May)
Seamonster (September)
Shelew (April)
shortdub78 (June)
Sianna
silentdove13
SimJam
simplybeauty
simplyevanescent
SincerelyBeautiful
skraprchik
SkySurfer (July) :reddancer:
smwrigh3 (January)
sofash (June)
StephElise (I'm gonna say September even though she made APL WAY before then)
sydwrites (September)
tanyaj
texasQT
TheNDofUO
tiffers
tiffjust2002 (July)
tiredbeauty
TLC1020
transitioning? (February)
TriniJaNY
Trixie58
TruMe (March)
Willow00
xNichex
xu93texas
ynotbd1
Your Cheeziness (December)
YsanneBueno
zoeyy

 

[faithVA]

NikkiQ[/URL];14537937]@faithVA I would LOVE for you to co-host this challenge with me. I know we'll be able to team up and keep this challenge going no matter what!

It's a done deal. I don't think I've ever been so excited about a challenge .

umm I already posted the link in the SL challenge and tagged some folk. I was a little excited

We should probably post a link in the APL 2011 challenge for those that didn't make it and want to continue on.

I'm calming myself down now.

 

[bajandoc86]

I'm IN!!!!

~Current hair length
NL

~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd
100% Natural

~APL Goal month
I'm giving myself to Dec 2012

~Current Reggie and styling choices
Poo, Tea Rinse, Moisture DC 1x weekly
Mild Protein DC every other week
Moisturise with my own spray mix
Oil scalp with castor oil/neem oil/vitE oil/teatree oil mix
Seal ends with castor oil, and length with hempseed/avocado/grapeseed oil mix

My PS of choice is single braids with extensions worn for 6-8weeks at a time. Between installs I'll wear twists during the week, then twistouts on weekends.

~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
I've finally settled into a routine so for right now I'm not changing anything.

~Post a beginning picture
I am in the HYH challenge, so I'll post my starting pic near the end of Dec. Hopefully I'll be SL (or grazing) by then

I'm so excited for next yr it's crazy. I'll be trying to attain lengths never before seen on my head! YAY!

ETA: I was looking out for this thread from this morning. Like where is NikkiQ? Where she at?

 

[irsgirl]

I AM I.....

I am relaxed

Below SL

April 2012 is my goal month

My regiment is simple....

bun from November 1st to April 30th with NTM leave in.

wash every Saturday w/ Creme of Nature ultra moisturing shampoo,
deep condis with NTM and Organix coconut milk or Nexxus Humectress(for protein).

cowash on Wednesday with cheap light protein condis.

 

[iamtan]

~Current hair length
CBL
~Relaxed/Natural/Texlaxed/Loc'd
Natural
~APL goal month
April
~Current Reggie and styling choices
4 plait braid out/ half-wigs
~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
deep condition once a week
~Post a beginning picture

 

[chelleypie810]

~Current hair length: SL
~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd: relaxed
~APL goal month: Dec 2012--i need as much leeway as possible lol
~Current Reggie and styling choices- wash and set weekly.
~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL? nothing.
~Post a beginning picture

 

[NikkiQ]

bajandoc86 you sound like faithVA I would've started it earlier, but got swamped with stuff to do at work. I'm so tickled that people are actually excited about this challenge

 

[bludaydreamer]

~Current hair length: SL
~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd: Natural
~APL goal month: October 2012
~Current Reggie and styling choices:
co wash mid week
wash and dc once a week, kimmaytube leave-in
coconut oil with eucalyptus oil once-twice weekly
glycerine, SM curl enhancing smoothie, seal with castor oil daily
~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL? Crown and Glory (custom wigs and braids)
~Post a beginning picture:

 

[LuvlyRain3]

~Current hair length- full shoulder length

~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd- natural

~APL goal month- september 2012

~Current Reggie and styling choices- I'm in the process of revamping my regimen

~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
I guess I may have to start protective styling

~Post a beginning picture
I'll post this weekend when I flat iron

 

[Rossy2010]

YAY!!! @NikkiQ Im so very happy you started this thread. I have been waiting for it liiiiiiiiiiiiikkkkkkkkkkkkkeeee FOREVER

Current hair length - SL
~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd - Relaxed
~APL goal month - May 2012
~Current Reggie and styling choices -
prepoo and Shampoo once a week
DCing twice weekly- AOHRS mixed EVOO & JBCO
I use Apoghee 2 mins bi weekly
Alter EGO - (when needed)
Apoghee protein every 8- 12 weeks
I clarify once a week.
trim with every relaxer
GHE 5 times a week using grapeseed oil mixed with EVOO.

styling choices - Bunning and french braids under a wig
~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL? - I have learnt to leave my hair alone and not to expect a miracle (in terms of growth). I just have to listen to it.
~Post a beginning picture - I will do this at the end of the year.

 

[Evolving78]

~Current hair length past SL
~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd- Relaxed
~APL goal month Feb-March
~Current Reggie and styling choices wash/dc weekly, moisturize/seal daily roller set
~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL? roller setting my hair and when it gets longer maybe try bunning
~Post a beginning picture will be doing that tonight

 

[zoeyy]

Current hair length: SL
~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd: natural
~APL goal month: April 2012
~Current Reggie and styling choices: sew ins, sew ins and sew ins!!! pre poo with diff. oils, shampoo 1nce a week, DC 1nce a week, moisturize daily
~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL? Nothing... wanna make it further to BSL at least
~Post a beginning picture, will be adding a pic, when i take my weave out soon!

 

[miss stress]

I'm in Im at apl in the back but Sl in the crown so I want it to even out

 

[Meritamen]

Hey, @NikkiQ, thanks for the tag! I doubt I will make APL by December so I'm in.

~Current hair length
Full SL

~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd
Natural

~APL goal month
May 2012

~Current Reggie and styling choices
Basic regimen of low manipulation and protective styling. Cornrows under a wig, cornrows or braids into a phony pony puff, or braids-outs are my favorite styles.

~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
Will pretty much follow the same routine that I got me to SL.

~Post a beginning picture
Will post soon!

 

[Seamonster]

Depending upon how much hair I cut after my big reveal, I may have to mosey on from the APL challenge 2011 to this one. My crown is still only CL, I was hoping for APL by December 2011, we will see, if I make it I won't need this spot.

 

[TLC1020]

I been looking for this challenge

~Current hair length --- SL

~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd --- Relaxed

~APL goal month ---- December 2012

~Current Reggie and styling choices--- Bun 100%, shampoo and deep condition every other week and keeping it simple by leaving my hair alone.

~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL? Don't plan on doing anything different than what I alwasy do which is bunning 7 days a week, deep conditioning with heat and stretching my relaxers.

~Post a beginning picture---

 

[kittenz]

I'm in!!...again...

~Current hair length
Between SL and APL (I've done a few small trims). I believe I will BC before the start of this challenge so my offical starting length may change.

~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd
Transitioning (10 months in)

~APL goal month
December 2012

~Current Reggie and styling choices
I've been PSing for the last few months. Co/Wash 1-2 week, DC 1x week, dusting/trimming 1x month with the moon phases. Trying to use up all my products and find staples for my natural hair.

~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL? My biggest change will be ending my transitions and being natural for the first time. I'll have to find some new products and styles.

~Post a beginning picture
BC pics coming soon to a thread near you.

 

[lamaria211]

Yaay Im in

Current hair length SL
Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd i am all natural
APL goal month i would love to be apl by march!!
Current Reggie and styling choice
Wash and deep condition with all natural products once a week
Moisturize and seal twice a day


What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL? try and stick to my reggie

will post pic soon

 

[Phaer]

I am In like Melanin now if I can stop being lazy maybe I will actually make it.

~Current hair length

SL
~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd

Natural
~APL goal month
December
~Current Reggie and styling choices
Kinky twist, Steam with conditioner bi weekly, cowash biweekly, and grease scalp with JBCO and AV mix
~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
I I need to excersise more, and up my water intake, I also need to stop being lazy and actually put my mixture on my head at least every other day. I also have to be patient when it comes to detangling, I know I broke my hair the last time I washed. I MUST NOT ALLOW MY HAIR TO TANGLE... when I dont have my kinky twists in i tend to play with my hair too much and am bored with styles easily, so I will take out a style before I am ready to do another style and as a result my hair will matt togheter
~Post a beginning picture
I am in braids now- I will post when I take it out.

 

[Janet']

Yeah for APL 2012!!! This can be such a frustrating length...but there is truly strength in numbers...I wish all of you the best and I will definitely be cheering you on!!!

 

[Evallusion]

Current hair length
barely SL

Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd
Relaxed

APL goal month
Dec 2012

Current Reggie and styling choices\
Bunning, box braids, kinky twists, wigs...any PS is game. Still working on a regimen...


What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
Deep conditioning regularly and protective styling (as well as protecting my ends) as much as possible.

Post a beginning picture
I'll post one when the challenge begins

 

[NikkiQ]

All these challengers. I love it!!!!!

 

[AlwaysNatural]

I~Current hair length
Collar Bone Length
~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd
Natural
~APL goal month
Summer (June)
~Current Reggie and styling choices
Wash every 3 weeks, Steam & DC, Moisturize, Seal with Argan oil Daily
~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
Start using castor oil every 2 days. Trimming definitively more often. Maybe every 12 weeks? 1/8th of an inch...lol...after a 1 inch trim of course scheduled in January.

Protein treatment every 6 weeks

When the weather is warm again il revamp my regi

~Post a beginning picture


Edit: Okay I said all of that, late november, i'm changing my regimen to this:


Now that I understand my hair better.

(arm is raised with ipod taking picture so looks like the side is apl, its not)

Sides are "getting there" (mostly the right side) I want to be full apl. The back needs work. And I need a trim x_x ( awaiting split ender )

I will be protective styling FEVERENTLY (not that i haven't been).


Whilst in wigs:

Cornrowed hair
Wash cornrows with diluted shampoo and water in a applicator bottle.
Condition cornrows with diluted garlic conditioner in applicator bottle Evry/2wks

Moisturize, spritz ends with water and seal ends with reg. castor oil.
Cornrows will be in more than likely for 4-6 wks, realistically.

For scalp:
On the left side MT+CO mix in applicator bottle. Every, 3 days in the night.
(Once both sides look equal in thickness will apply to full head every 3 days)
Seal very lightly scalp with CMOV (castor mink oil, vegetable mix)

Fullhead Scalp: JBCO mixed with vegetable oil (unless i can find peppermint oil in stores), every 2 days in the morning.

---------


While In Weaves or Extension braided cornrows:

JCBO every 2 days. Castor Mink Oil & Vegetable mix on edges daily and on full scalp in night. Weave/extension braids only will be staying in for 3-4 wks. And will always be invisible part style (weaves).

No straightening except for trims. And heat may be used prior to hair being done by "foreign" hands, to save myself from breakage.

Protein treatment every 8 wks.
After my 3/4 inch trim scheduled in late January
I will be trimming 1/2" every 4 m/o as i will always be in protective styles.

Will Deep Condition and Steam with every wash with ORS Replenishing Deep Conditioner, EVERY MONTH.

Vitamins:

When i can get my hands on some MSM powder def will be taking 4000mcg a day.

And I "May", "May..." As I hate pills, take garlic pills of course unscented.

 

[hair_rehab]

~Current hair length
Longest layers in back are CBL, front is chin length and sides are neck length.

~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd
Natural

~APL goal month
I want to say Feb. but I'll play it safe and say June.

~Current Reggie and styling choices
Just started wearing half wig everyday but may rotate syle with mini twists
Shampoo 2x a month, DC every week, moisture and seal daily

~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
No trims if possible, JBCO & peppermint oil mix on scalp, drink more water, multivitamin & omega supplements daily, exercise

will post a pic at next flat iron

 

[SimJam]

~Current hair length
SL

~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd
Natural

~APL goal month
November 2012 - not really sure of my growth rate. but I think I have abt 3-4 inches to APL

~Current Reggie and styling choices
cleanse: Mud wash, HV shikakai bar
condition: Protein/ moisture DC with ever wash
spritz with aloe vera juice
add leave in
seal with mango butter, ends with AOHC or BRBC
Twists and twist outs

~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
no heat for 2012

~Post a beginning picture

December 24 2011

 

[HauteHippie]

Okay, I'm in!

~Current hair length
SL

~Relaxed/Natura/Texlaxed/Loc'd
Texlaxed

~APL Goal month
September

~Current Reggie and styling choices
DC when needed, co-wash every 3rd day or once a week if in a weave. Moisturize/seal hair a few times a week when out. May make a Megatek MN mix, but nor sure now. I did a protein treatment tonight for the first time in years. I dropped protein treatments early on as a natural. Now, I'll try to do a hard protein every 6-8 weeks.

~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
I'm good and lazy, so nothing.

~Post a beginning picture
I'm getting a sew in in the morning, but I'll post my starting pic in early January.


Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using T-Mobile G2

 

[collegeDoll]

YAY i was just lookin for the APL 2012 thread

~Current hair length
Full NL

~Relaxed/Natural/Texlaxed/Loc'd
Relaxed

~APL goal month
June '11

~Current Reggie and styling choices
Braided up under half wig,

*Shampoo Weekly (Friday)
- using either CON Argan Oil Shampoo or Queen Helene Garlic Shampoo
*Condition Weekly (Friday)
- using either Suave Humectant or ORS Replenishing Conditioner
*Co-Wash Weekly (Tuesday)
- using Mane N Tail Conditioner
*Oil Scalp Daily
- using MN/Castor Oil Mix
*Moisturize/Seal Daily
- using Carefree Curl and WGO
*Clarify Monthly
*Protein Treatment Monthly
____

*Re-do braids monthly
*GHE or Baggy ends nightly
*NO HEAT !!!
*Take vitamins nightly
*Intake 50g protein daily
*Drink nettle/horsetail tea daily
*Drink 64oz. of water daily
*Cardio 30 mins, 2x per week (weak, i know lol)

~What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to APL?
Stop choppin

~Post a beginning picture
Sig Pic