BSL 2013 Challenge

[Onhergrind09]

Hi All,
I've been MIA for the longest (graduating law school and studying for the bar), but since I relaxed yesterday after a 12 week stretch, I figured I'd check in and get everyone's input. So my hair is air dried, and I was going to flat iron it, but then I realized that was more effort than I wanted to put forth. So my question is am I BSL? I know I'm not the full BSL I want to be by the end of the year, but I think I've hit BSL, hairorexia is real guys, lol. When I stretch my hair out, the middle section reaches past the bottom of my bra strap. I have 2 pics one stretched, one not.

 

[koolkittychick]

Hi All,
I've been MIA for the longest (graduating law school and studying for the bar), but since I relaxed yesterday after a 12 week stretch, I figured I'd check in and get everyone's input. So my hair is air dried, and I was going to flat iron it, but then I realized that was more effort than I wanted to put forth. So my question is am I BSL? I know I'm not the full BSL I want to be by the end of the year, but I think I've hit BSL, hairorexia is real guys, lol. When I stretch my hair out, the middle section reaches past the bottom of my bra strap. I have 2 pics one stretched, one not.

I say claim it girl! Congrats on achieving BSL! And more importantly, congrats on graduating law school! I wish you much success on your bar exam.

 

[NikkiQ]

Uh oh yall....we got another BSL Samurai up in here!!! Congrats Onhergrind09

 

[Froreal3]

I'll be out of town for a while (going back home to NY), so I'm not sure how I'll be able to dc and all that good stuff. My hair is still in flat twists in front and a bun in the back. I have been wearing my hair out (the back anyway) more than usual this week. Although I haven't seen breakage or anything, I think I'm ready to have it be back in twists.

 

[Froreal3]

Onhergrind09 Congrats on graduating! That is huuuuge. Also congrats on making BSL!!

 

[KiWiStyle]

Hi All,
I've been MIA for the longest (graduating law school and studying for the bar), but since I relaxed yesterday after a 12 week stretch, I figured I'd check in and get everyone's input. So my hair is air dried, and I was going to flat iron it, but then I realized that was more effort than I wanted to put forth. So my question is am I BSL? I know I'm not the full BSL I want to be by the end of the year, but I think I've hit BSL, hairorexia is real guys, lol. When I stretch my hair out, the middle section reaches past the bottom of my bra strap. I have 2 pics one stretched, one not.

Congratulations on making BSL moreover, a huge congrats on graduating law school...you're on a roll lady!!!

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

 

[NikkiQ]

You know what ladies? We got one AMAZING group of women up in here. Doctors, lawyer, business owners, moms, wives, movers and shakers, students...I'm so absolutely enamored by you guys on a daily basis

 

[daae]

Wish my hair would stop flying

 

[Guinan]

Hi All,
I've been MIA for the longest (graduating law school and studying for the bar), but since I relaxed yesterday after a 12 week stretch, I figured I'd check in and get everyone's input. So my hair is air dried, and I was going to flat iron it, but then I realized that was more effort than I wanted to put forth. So my question is am I BSL? I know I'm not the full BSL I want to be by the end of the year, but I think I've hit BSL, hairorexia is real guys, lol. When I stretch my hair out, the middle section reaches past the bottom of my bra strap. I have 2 pics one stretched, one not.

You are def BSL!! Congrats!!! & congrats on graduating law school! thats an amazing accomplishment!!!

 

[Guinan]

currently DC. Im trying out a new conditioner, Griffen Remedy. I dont really like it, cause i just used it and half the bottle is already gone. Im not really heavy handed with products. I do like the smell of it though. Due to my pockets getting tight, Im thinking of using trader joe's tea tree conditioner as my co-rinse and deep conditioner.

HHJ

 

[keranikki]

shortdub78
KaramelDiva1978
NikkiQ

I tried so hard to wash this stuff out:'( After five washes, I just conditioned my hair really heavy and plaited it up in eight braids. I had a nice braid out this evening. I'm going to keep washing and conditioning until this stuff is gone. Next time I'll stick with what I know and use Silk Elements Smoothing System.

 

[keranikki]

keranikki Hopefully it all works out for you! What type of BKt did you use?

I used Ion Smooth Solutions from Sally's Beauty Supply. If you have multiple textures in your head (type 3/4), I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

Iluvsmuhgrass Which updo? LOL....thanks for the compliment tho!

In lieu of a length check for the end of this quarter, here's a pic of my latest 'do.



More pics in the everyday thread...http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=527413&page=160

This is it!! I saw it on your blog and fell in LOVE!! I must try this... but I need to know HOW

This would be a great one to wear to SO's celebration or our anniversary dinner.

 

[coolsista-paris]

I totally forgot about length check in june. Ill post thé récent pics (im in cornrows under wig and avoiding heat) :

This one is last week:




Sorry for it being wrong side(cell phone). This was taken end of may :




Im.avoiding heat and still trying to make my mind up ( texlaxing or not). I sooo feel like it.

 

[jprayze]

Went to the beach and the weekend was not kind to my roller set. I didn't even swim. Probably will try to put it in an updo if I can.

 

[Angel of the North]

Hi ladies great progress pics and updates, I can't wait to see more , I haven't been posting much lately so I have a lot to tell you

So today is wash day, I clarified, moisture poo and co-washed. I DC'd using nexxus humectress (old formula) mixed with safflower oil. I'm not that keen on safflower oil and I've noticed that when I mix it with my conditioners, I get no slip whatsoever. I'm pretty sure the humectress used to give me a good amount of slip so I'm thinking the culprit is the safflower oil. I'm going to use my Bee Mine luscious balance cream for the first time, it looks and smells great, I love the deja's hair milk so I'm expecting great things, I've gone for the island mango scent which I love, I couldn't really handle the coconut scent, it doesn't even smell like coconut . I'm using sunflower oil and olive butter to seal.

My update:
So I mentioned some time ago I was trying to simplify my regimen, this is going really well. I basically stripped it back to basics and then reincorporated steps and techniques back in, I no longer prepoo, there are only two more steps I want to put back in, a bi-weekly ACV rinse and a monthly HOT. I'm also getting through my stash, I only have six of the old rinse out/DC conditioners left. There are still a good few products I want try but I'm going to do this gradually.

I've been taking Priteva for a little over a month now and I think I'm seeing results, as I started taking them quite late in this stretch I don't think I can accurately measure the growth since starting them, I do believe that the priteva is having a good effect on my hair. I'm getting less shedding, my hair feels stronger and I do feel like my hair has grown. When I get my next touch up, I will be able to check if there is a different amount of regrowth during the full duration of my stretch and compare it to what I normally get without taking the priteva.

Now for the good news, I saved the best for last. I'm 15 and a half weeks post, I have about 1.5-2 inches of NG and I think I'm BSL (I can't believe I just typed that, it felt so good ). So before I washed my hair and while I had DC on, I did a pull test, I don't know if this bra is just higher than all my other ones or if my hair has really made it. I will post pics later, in the bra i'm wearing now and the bra I took my last LC pic in, that will give us something to compare it to. I'm home alone at the moment and I'm no good at taking self pics so you'll have to give me a little time. Just to be clear, I'm not planning on claiming it until the next LC, by then it should be fuller but I'm not going to lie I'm excited Sorry for the long post but I just had to share

 

[Guinan]

Angel of the North[/USER], 18649217]Hi ladies great progress pics and updates, I can't wait to see more , I haven't been posting much lately so I have a lot to tell you

Congrats on making bsl

I can totally relate about the reggie thing. I did the same thing with my Reggie. I just wish I wouldn't done that 6mths ago. I discovered the my hair works best with natural products, AVJ & ACV.

 

[NikkiQ]

Washed and DC'd the hair yesterday. Let it air dry in 6 braids overnight. Going to take them down tonight, blow dry them and band them to keep it as straight as possible until I flat iron on Tuesday or Wednesday. More than likely it'll be Wednesday. I hope I can claim BSB by the end of July and BSL by the end of September. Fingers crossed!

 

[Carmelella]

JUNE LENGTH CHECK


Below I believe is the beginning of the challenge.


Below is april 15 2013 in the Left column and 6/30/13 in the right column



Below the Red shirt is 1 yr ago, june/july 2012 and the other two pics are from yesterday. I've done several self trims in between so I'm satisfied with the retention.



Below june 30th 2013. I hope to be full BSL by october?

Just started henna in my regimen and I love it. Once I get to bsl I'll get a professional trim to even it out cuz obviously I'm cutting in crazy ways

View attachment 215293

 

[Carmelella]

A bigger one

 

[Curlywurly10]

Hello ladies!

I'm living on a ship at the moment and the Internet is rubbish so I haven't been able to keep up with this thread as much as I'd like. But I am still doing the challenge! Here is my June update. The first pic was taken two days ago, second pic was the last length check in March. Last time I was told my bra was too low so I have used a different one for this length check. My target for BSL is Sept. Congrats on all your progress ladies!

 

[JJamiah]

I am going for BSB, MBL and WL.. Which should be where I will hang out for a while...

Doesn't seem like my hair is growing (Hubby is reminding me I cut it.., Well I was swimming & needed those ends off) Anywho... I hope by the end of the year I am atleast BSB, and next year touching WL....

 

[newnyer]

Where is 'Ol Trusty?!! I need to take a moment to put up my laundry and straighten up this darn house because I can't find my length check bra anywhere. Lol..danm shame.

 

[ItsSunniDee]

Good Afternoon Ladies,

Just updating with my photos. I cut the biotin i was taking because i was frustrated with the skin issues, I also wasn't using my usual shampoo, but i've gone back to my Jason Naturals Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner and my hair and scalp is much happier. I think I may be able to claim APL now, but i'm not sure, i havent pressed my hair in a while due to not wanting to stress my new growth, still working on my alopecia resolution.

March


June

 

[KiWiStyle]

Good Afternoon Ladies,

Just updating with my photos. I cut the biotin i was taking because i was frustrated with the skin issues, I also wasn't using my usual shampoo, but i've gone back to my Jason Naturals Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner and my hair and scalp is much happier. I think I may be able to claim APL now, but i'm not sure, i havent pressed my hair in a while due to not wanting to stress my new growth, still working on my alopecia resolution.

March
http://s1209.photobucket.com/user/itssunnidee/media/march2013-haircheck_zps54303cec.jpg.html

June
http://s1209.photobucket.com/user/itssunnidee/media/JuneLength_zpsbdc22426.jpg.html

Well dang lady!!! Your hair grew leaps and bounds from March-June!! Keep doing what you're doing because its working!

Congrats on making APL for sure and closing in on BSL!!

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

 

[koolkittychick]

Posting my length check update. Thought I had had a set back two weeks ago when I tried to use a deep conditioner with shea butter in it (apparently, my hair DOES NOT like shea butter), but I was able to regroup and go into extreme hair babying mode to not lose any hair to dryness and breakage. Also thought I could try for a six-month stretch, but I heard so much popping of strands and saw so many SSKs while I detangled last night that I know it was time for a touch up at 13 weeks post.

I did my own touch up this morning using the last of my ORS lye in normal strength, and thanks to preparting and basing with a scalp protectant heated up to a semi-liquid state, I was able to do my whole head with no burns, but because I may have been overzealous with the scalp protectant, I ended up just as textlaxed as the previous two times I tried to self-relax. This would be great if I wanted to be textlaxed, but I prefer a straighter look.

So now I will attempt a 16-week stretch to October, then go back to my stylist and see if she can get a more uniform texture throughout my head. I will just have to reign her in if she wants to get scissor happy with my ends. Even though it's been 9 months since my last trim, my ends are looking pretty good since I hardly ever wear my hair down anyway. I don't care for the blunt look anyway, so I'm fine with them, and I will just tell her that I will hop out of the chair and walk out without paying, smock and all, if she comes at me with scissors during my appointment!

Anyway, here is my pic, taken today after I relaxed, neutralized, deep conditioned and towel-dried my hair. Please excuse the fat; I am working on that. I am so close to BSL I can taste it. Hopefully by the next length check I'll be there, but I should definitely be there by December. I'm heading into uncharted territory with my hair y'all, and it feels great! Many thanks to you ladies for your support and advice; I never would have made it this far without you.

 

[fifigirl]

Hi Ladies, I'm sorry won't be able to do a length check till mid August as I'm in braids and won't retouch and stretch my hair till then.
In the meantime, I Prepooed my hair yesterday with grapeseed oil, olive oil and castor oil heated and massaged into my hair and scalp. Then I washed my scalp with Castile soap, deep conditioned for 2 hours with a mixture of hair trigger, Giovanni deep moisture and silk dreams vanilla silk dreams. Rinsed off and then air dried my hair. Later used Giovanni leave in conditioner and infusium. My hair feels soft and moisturized although my braids are falling out.

 

[Angel of the North]

Okay I'm back, the good news is according to the bra I'm wearing today, I am scraping BSL, the bad news is that when compared to my official BSL bra, I still have about another 1-2 inches to go I'm not going to post the official LC bra pic, I will post that at the next LC.

I was feeling so good about my hair that I did a little dusting earlier this evening, I'm glad I did it even though I only dusted about 4 weeks ago, I just felt like I needed it. I'm planning on getting a TU at the end of July, I will be 19 and a half weeks post and I can't wait to see how much it would have grown by then,I will be getting a little trim but I'm sure I will be there by the August length check. I'm still feeling good about my hair, I can definitely see progress.

I've posted some shots of my NG as I know that it is responsible for a little shrinkage which is affecting the length, even when I pulled it down, I still didn't feel like I had stretched it as far as I could but I didn't want to be pulling too hard with all that NG and causing myself any breakage.

 

[Mjon912]

Just did my best braid out ever today... So proud of myself... I used Hawaiian Silky and Hot7Oil and did 3 braids last night going back and took it out this morning... It looks really pretty on my natural hair, my relaxed hair looks kind of thin so I tucked the ends under... This might be my new fave summer protective style












Angel of the North CONGRATS YOU LOOK BSL to me!!!

 

[deedoswell]

Congrats to all the June BSLs
Great progress to everyone.

Here is my end of June pic - below my sig pic. I took it last weekend (wash weekend). I mentioned before, I trimmed almost two inches off in May. I'm right back were I started from! I'm now hoping to meet BSL sometime in the fall.