BSL 2012 Challenge!!!

[livinthevida]

Ladies!

Sharing this post via the APL 2012 Challenge!
We just had our APL Length Check September 30, 2012!

First I want to say CONGRATULATIONS to all the amazing ladies who have made APL and BSL if I missed it

Here are my updated photos:
1. first photo is how I now section my hair into 8 two-strands twists with 4 on each side. I started with 2 then up to 6 earlier this year. As I continue to use Organic Coconut Oil (OCO) and R&B Hair Moisturizer my hair is thickening from top to ends!
2. that's me doing a pull strand test with one arm! A little more practice and I can be a gymnast
3. here's a close up shot of my hair see how the ends are growing thicker now! LOVE IT!

Let's do this ladies! APL and BSL and BEYOOOOOOOOND!!!!

 

[livinthevida]

Sorry folks, meant to update earlier @livinthevida @felic1

I guess I don't have a strict regimen.

I shampoo with Elasta's creme conditioning shampoo. I condition with a few conditioners: Redken Clear Moisture, suave the shea butter formula, sometimes whatever is in the shower. I finger detangle in the shower while conditioner is in.

I probably wash about every other week.

After I wash, I wrap my hair in a tshirt to dry, finger detangle again as I prepare to do fat twists or fat braids.

I spray my hair with a braid spray/leave in. Usually StaSoFro, but I just bought the Jane Carter Solution leave in spray to try something new...

Then I end it off by sealing with either coconut oil or shea butter.

I know I don't deep condition enough, partially out of laziness and partially just because my hair takes so long to do, it's just daunting to have to get out the shower, then wash it out, etc... Just takes too long!

I currently do NOT use any garlic products, but I thought about buying Alter Ego the other day... i just can't bring myself to pay $40 for a dang on conditioner...

So yeah, that's it. I'm putting my hair away soon though because I'm tired of dealing with it... I'm just over it and in order to avoid doing something drastic (serious color change or cut), I'm going to get some fat extension twists...

Thanks for any feedback yall can give!

@ImanAdero thanks for the details! & Sorreeee on posting this late reply. Traveling often in work and am finally heading out to visit family thanks to a long 3-day WEEKEND!!!!

When I was younger my mom used Queen Helene Garlic Shampoo and Conditioner. My mom has very fine and very straight hair unlike my very curly hair! The scent was a bit strong for me yet it worked. My mom still has great hair and continues to use Queen Helene.

I did a quick search here in our LHCF threads and found this one by @JuicesN'Berries via 2008! This seems like a really easy homemade recipe to try:

1. Blend 10-12 cloves of garlic with vegetable oil
2. Blend until smooth and creamy
3. Microwave 30 seconds
4. Pour into applicator bottle
5. Apply to roots
6. Apply ORS Conditioner down length of hair
7. Massage into scalp and hair let sit for 15 minutes
8. Rinse hair

Read her results on the link above! I hope this helps

 

[Seamonster]

^ Hum, that garlic oil sounds tasty. I might put a little salt and pepper in that, a little vinegar yummy.

 

[livinthevida]

^ Hum, that garlic oil sounds tasty. I might put a little salt and pepper in that, a little vinegar yummy.

LOL! Seamonster!

 

[livinthevida]

I think I made BSL but I'll let you guys be the judge. The front is past APL, the back is past the top of my lowest fitting bra strap. Let me know what you think.

Congratulations BrookeLynn! Hard for me to see where BSL is here yet if its right where your hair meets that shirt you are there!

 

[livinthevida]

So I guess my hair is growing, however not quick enough to my liking. Oh these strands of mine. I thought I'd be at least BSB by now, but maybe by the end of the year. I'd have to keep my hair completely wigged up or hidden to reach BSL I think. And that just ain't gonna happen. I like my hair being down and out.

Beautiful hair @kandiekj100! You are very close!

 

[ManiiSweetheart]

Hey ladies !
Okay for this weekend I'm currently prepooing and following with
Shampoo
protein treatment (gelatin, mane n tail, warm water)
DC overnight
Rinse
m&s with aussie insurance and safflower oil
And bun

Have a wonderful week ladies !

 

[Evolving78]

livinthevida
BrookeLynn

you both look BSL to me! congrats! i am just focusing on BSB for now. i know i will make that by the end of the year. my bra strap is so far away!

 

[RegaLady]

I treated myself to a blowdry, flat iron and dust today. I think I like my length, just need 3 more inches for my ideal. I will try to keep the straight look for about two weeks, wearing a bun most of the time. 2 more months...

 

[BrookeLynn]

Thanks ladies! I think my hair grows into a U or a V because the front is just APL and the back is BSL. I can't wait to see what it looks like next month when I straighten during the holidays.

 

[growbaby]

Hello ladies,
Quick update... I got my relaxer TU (thank baby Jesus) couldn't make it to 21 weeks so 19 was good enough. I'm unsure if I'm gonna make BSB/BSL by the end of the year because I need a trim. Well I don't need a trim, I S&D all my splits but I want 1 because I think I'm becoming obsessed with blunt (beautiful) ends. So if I cut the unevenness it looks like it may take me an inch shorter. Nothing is set in stone yet because i wont see my mom, who trims my hair for me, until thanksgiving, and my backup hair trimmer, my bf, has a broken thumb. Maybe it's a sign I don't need a trim... Sigh. Here's a pic from yesterday, what do u ladies think?




ETA: no idea why there is more than 1 picture lol

 

[livinthevida]

@livinthevida
@BrookeLynn

you both look BSL to me! congrats! i am just focusing on BSB for now. i know i will make that by the end of the year. my bra strap is so far away!

Thank Youuuuuu @shortdub78!

I was just saying over in the APL 2012 Challenge I think I am getting closer!

Likely in our next BSL length check coming up in a few weeks - October 31, 2012! - I will have help taking new pictures!

 

[livinthevida]

Hello ladies,
Quick update... I got my relaxer TU (thank baby Jesus) couldn't make it to 21 weeks so 19 was good enough. I'm unsure if I'm gonna make BSB/BSL by the end of the year because I need a trim. Well I don't need a trim, I S&D all my splits but I want 1 because I think I'm becoming obsessed with blunt (beautiful) ends. So if I cut the unevenness it looks like it may take me an inch shorter. Nothing is set in stone yet because i wont see my mom, who trims my hair for me, until thanksgiving, and my backup hair trimmer, my bf, has a broken thumb. Maybe it's a sign I don't need a trim... Sigh. Here's a pic from yesterday, what do u ladies think?


View attachment 171597

ETA: no idea why there is more than 1 picture lol

Beautiful hair @growbaby! I think you are definitely full APL here and very close to BSB/BSL too! Hard to tell where is BSB/BSL for you in the pictha?

 

[growbaby]

Beautiful hair @growbaby! I think you are definitely full APL here and very close to BSB/BSL too! Hard to tell where is BSB/BSL for you in the pictha?

Thank you so much, we can always count on u for ur positivity .. N ur right I shoulda took the pic with a bra on but I couldn't find my bra that I normally wear for length checks.

 

[SincerelyBeautiful]

Absolutely can't wait till the BSL 2013 challenge starts!!! I'm ready to get there already lol. I know, i know...I must be patient but GOODNESS I'm so anxious to whip my hair back and forth!!!

Sent from my iPad using LHCF

 

[glamazon386]

Got a sew in installed today. I couldn't take dealing with my hair loose right now. Too much trouble trying to comb it with my shoulder jacked up. Hoping this will last me at least until December. Possibly until the end of the year. 12 weeks will put me at NYE. I'll do my length check then. Should be BSL by then.

 

[KaramelDiva1978]

I thought it was just me, I'm so ready to hit BSL already!!! I'm MBL hungry right now!! Been feeding that desire with length check Youtube videos and wishing and dreaming. I don't know if I will hit BSL by year end, but I should be pretty close. I can't wait to relax in 3 1/2 weeks, trying to hold out until 11 weeks. That will be a first for me, but its so easy just protective styling via french braiding and calling it a day. Perfect hairstyle for working out too! Your pics and motivation really are helping me along.

Let's keep growing girls!

 

[Skiggle]

Got some Marley Twists extension put in on Sunday. LOL, my friend who was doing my hair was like "you have enough hair, shame". Told her to shush, coz I'm paying her to do my hair not give advice, lol

 

[SincerelyBeautiful]

Just tried baggying for the first time and my hair and ends were super moisturized. I used HE Touchably Smooth leave in and sealed with EVCO and baggied my whole head overnite. Do any of you use the baggy method? What do you use and how often do you baggy??

Sent from my iPad using LHCF

 

[KhandiB]

I dont think Im gonna make it, I think Imma miss it by like a hair no pun intended

ETA : I have about 1-2 more relaxers this year too, and im not doing anything special to speed up growth

 

[livinthevida]

I thought it was just me, I'm so ready to hit BSL already!!! I'm MBL hungry right now!! Been feeding that desire with length check Youtube videos and wishing and dreaming. I don't know if I will hit BSL by year end, but I should be pretty close. I can't wait to relax in 3 1/2 weeks, trying to hold out until 11 weeks. That will be a first for me, but its so easy just protective styling via french braiding and calling it a day. Perfect hairstyle for working out too! Your pics and motivation really are helping me along.

Let's keep growing girls!

@KaramelDiva1978 I feel the same way! After reaching APL and being very close to BSL this year I am wanting to leap into MBL and then onto my goal length of Waist Length!

Got some Marley Twists extension put in on Sunday. LOL, my friend who was doing my hair was like "you have enough hair, shame". Told her to shush, coz I'm paying her to do my hair not give advice, lol

Beautiful hair @Skiggle!

Just tried baggying for the first time and my hair and ends were super moisturized. I used HE Touchably Smooth leave in and sealed with EVCO and baggied my whole head overnite. Do any of you use the baggy method? What do you use and how often do you baggy??

Sent from my iPad using LHCF

@SincerelyBeautiful I exercise in the morning with my Evolve Conditioning Cap, shower, roller dry, and out the door I go! Unsure if this might qualify as a baggy method yet I enjoy using my own body heat to let the Organic Coconut Oil (OCO) work through my scalp and hair. My exercises are up to 1 hour long weekdays

I dont think Im gonna make it, I think Imma miss it by like a hair no pun intended
ETA : I have about 1-2 more relaxers this year too, and im not doing anything special to speed up growth

LOL @KhandiB! My goal length is Waist Length hair yet I would LOVE to have my rollerset hair fall naturally at APL in 2013!

 

[SincerelyBeautiful]

livinthevida....that sounds like a part of baggying to me my dear do you use EVCO by itself or do you use a leave in??

Sent from my iPad using LHCF

 

[livinthevida]

livinthevida....that sounds like a part of baggying to me my dear do you use EVCO by itself or do you use a leave in??

Sent from my iPad using LHCF

SincerelyBeautiful now that its Winter here in the Northeast I've returned to only using OCO daily after I workout its a quick shower and hair rinse. Yet I can still smell the OCO throughout the day even though my hair feels very clean!

 

[newnyer]

I don't think I'll make it this year. I'm not even sure if I'm BSB and I still need a trim so I'm positive I'll lose a little length this month. I know my regimen has been off these last 4 months, so can't blame anybody but myself if I don't make it this round. Trying to refrain from pull testing everytime I let me hair out of its bun because I'm about to break my neck trying to pull it down to my bra strap. Lol! I don't know...I'll keep on trucking though. Hey- this time last year I was just amazed I had APL in my sights...so I guess that's something, right?
ETA: ok, I cowashed last night and checked it out for myself. I do see SOME progress towards BSL (ignore the thin density-it IS thin, but looks a lot more sparse when wet), but I can tell my growth rate slowed down considerably since last year. I'm going in for a trim soon, too.

 

[newnyer]

Had trouble attaching to same post...

 

[djkforeal]

Hi Ladies,
I just wanted to come in and let everyone know that I am still in the game, but just have fallen off posting in this thread. I am so glad that I committed myself to another year of trying to make it to BSL because I was in the BSL challenge last year, but this year I will officially graduate from this BSL class! LOL!
When I am washing my hair in the shower I can feel how far my hair goes down my back and I know I am at BSL or even a little past it, but I know only pictures will do that statement justice so I am going to attempt to straighten it and let it hang for the next length check update at the end of the month.
I have really been liking the Aussie Moist 3 minute deep conditioner, it really does a good job getting all the tangles and knots out of my hair after it's been braided up for weeks at a time under my lace wigs. So, right now I can say that the main growth tool that has helped me is protective styling, low manipulation and hiding my hair with wigs. I know that wigs are not for everyone, but U-part wigs are becoming the next big thing so that may be an option for you. I just don't like manipulating one part of my hair everyday or leaving any hair out so that it can be manipulated. I have noticed that people have stared at my hair a lot over the years to see if it was real or not and I have heard a few jokes from co-workers about wigs and people wearing wigs in my presence, but please I am not thinking about what they are saying, I know I see results doing this and I really like lace wigs, you can make them look so realistic, and not them beauty supply wigs with the hard lace...I hate those things.
Sorry this was such a long post, but I am sharing some of thoughts with my fellow BSL'ers.

 

[RegaLady]

Had trouble attaching to same post...

You have two months so anything is possible. If you protective style, you can grow and retain almost an inch.

I flatironed and trimmed my hair last week and I still see some splits which kinda suck, so I have been dusting and will continue to dust if I see more. No more trims for me until I make a bit passed BSL. I'm not too concerned because my ultimate goal is MBL, but I will reach there faster if I PS so back to M&S and bunning. Now my hair feels protected again!

 

[Mjon912]

Hey ladies...I haven't been on here in a while but I had a set back...I did it to myself...I went on a cruise in aug and didn't think my hair care through, i didn't bring anything but a comb, blow dryer and flat iron and to top it off I couldn't even use my blow dryer on the ship so I was sitting in my room trying to fan my hair dry and then I flat ironed it wet TWICE!!! smh...it could have been a lot worse but my hair is thinner, though only I seem to notice and I had some bad breakage in the middle...my avi pic is a recent pic where you can see the damage in the middle...I've been slowly cutting since I got back so I doubt I'll be making BSL this year.
But I've decided to do my own 6 week ps challenge...I'm applying my MN mix as often as I can, about 3-4 times a week, pre pooing over night with oils and honey and washing every week, then air drying, doing search and destroys, moisturizing and sealing and doing braid outs up in a banana clip every day...my last relaxer was in the middle of aug so I plan to ps like this until the end of nov and then get a touch up...maybe my longest layers will make BSL by the years end, idk but we shall see... Good luck ladies on your hair journey, I hope we all get to BSL by New Years!!!

 

[livinthevida]

Ladies I updated my HHJ just last week! Posting my new regimen shared over at the APL 2012 Challenge too:

I last updated my hair regimen August 2, 2012 now that it is officially Fall here in the Northeast and October is COLD! Time to update my reggie. The R&B Moisturizer had the most delicious scent next to the Organic Coconut Oil (OCO) combine this with heat from a hair dryer and it smells yummy. Dries evenly too and only a little is needed similar to OCO. There is still plenty left yet its time to return to only OCO as winter begins. Since I started my HHJ I've found OCO is excellent all year round!

I also found there's no need to do deep conditioning treatments every week. Since September I wanted to try this twice a month and it works just as well compared to doing a weekly treatment.

Here is my updated hair regimen beginning October 8, 2012:

Daily (Monday - Thursday)
1. massage OCO onto scalp from ears to ends
2. wear Evolve Conditioning Cap as I workout in the AM
3. warm rinse hair
4. gently squeeze excess water
5. roller set hair with Mesh Rollers
6. sit under Hair Dryer (my hair completely dries in 35 minutes!)
7. lose rollers and out the door I go!

Daily (Friday - Saturday)
1. split hair into two halves
2. set hair in 8 two-strand twist (originally started with 2, then 6, now 8!)
3. let hair naturally air dry
4. undo twists
5. aok to shake hair like a rocker

Monthly (every other Sunday)
1. divide hair into 8 sections (started with 4, now 8!)
2. apply Macadamia Oil Deep Repair Mask to each section from crown to ends
3. wear Evolve Conditioning Cap and leave Mask in hair for at least 20 minutes (slather it on pretty good! )
4. warm rinse and let hair naturally air dry
5. set hair into 8 two-strand twist (started with 2, then 6, now 8!)

 

[livinthevida]

Hi Ladies,
I just wanted to come in and let everyone know that I am still in the game, but just have fallen off posting in this thread. I am so glad that I committed myself to another year of trying to make it to BSL because I was in the BSL challenge last year, but this year I will officially graduate from this BSL class! LOL!
When I am washing my hair in the shower I can feel how far my hair goes down my back and I know I am at BSL or even a little past it, but I know only pictures will do that statement justice so I am going to attempt to straighten it and let it hang for the next length check update at the end of the month.
I have really been liking the Aussie Moist 3 minute deep conditioner, it really does a good job getting all the tangles and knots out of my hair after it's been braided up for weeks at a time under my lace wigs. So, right now I can say that the main growth tool that has helped me is protective styling, low manipulation and hiding my hair with wigs. I know that wigs are not for everyone, but U-part wigs are becoming the next big thing so that may be an option for you. I just don't like manipulating one part of my hair everyday or leaving any hair out so that it can be manipulated. I have noticed that people have stared at my hair a lot over the years to see if it was real or not and I have heard a few jokes from co-workers about wigs and people wearing wigs in my presence, but please I am not thinking about what they are saying, I know I see results doing this and I really like lace wigs, you can make them look so realistic, and not them beauty supply wigs with the hard lace...I hate those things.
Sorry this was such a long post, but I am sharing some of thoughts with my fellow BSL'ers.

@djkforeal I know exactly that GREAT moment when you can feel the length of your hair down your back! It was the FIRST SIGN to me that my hair was growing to new lengths Plus I definitely say always do what is best for you. If you like the look of a great wig with style rock it! As long as you are truly happy that is the only thing that matters :wink2:

Hey ladies...I haven't been on here in a while but I had a set back...I did it to myself...I went on a cruise in aug and didn't think my hair care through, i didn't bring anything but a comb, blow dryer and flat iron and to top it off I couldn't even use my blow dryer on the ship so I was sitting in my room trying to fan my hair dry and then I flat ironed it wet TWICE!!! smh...it could have been a lot worse but my hair is thinner, though only I seem to notice and I had some bad breakage in the middle...my avi pic is a recent pic where you can see the damage in the middle...I've been slowly cutting since I got back so I doubt I'll be making BSL this year.
But I've decided to do my own 6 week ps challenge...I'm applying my MN mix as often as I can, about 3-4 times a week, pre pooing over night with oils and honey and washing every week, then air drying, doing search and destroys, moisturizing and sealing and doing braid outs up in a banana clip every day...my last relaxer was in the middle of aug so I plan to ps like this until the end of nov and then get a touch up...maybe my longest layers will make BSL by the years end, idk but we shall see... Good luck ladies on your hair journey, I hope we all get to BSL by New Years!!!

Nice challenge @Mjon912! I can see you having success in your very own personal challenge! Let us know how it goes too