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Grow It Long 2025 Challenge!

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Happy Friday ladies ☆☆☆

I will post my update photos for this challenge at the end of April when I take down my cornrows.

I've scheduled my salon appointment for June 2nd. I'll be getting my 1st trim since shaving my head and re-starting my hair care journey.

My June appointment should be straight forward and I'll likely only go once a year for a treat and trim or 2xs a year at most if I feel lead to do so.. until my hair is at APL.

*Planning to dust at home (as needed) in between appointments and once my hair is long enough, do my own trims.

I'm still really surprised at what these salons are charging these days (I'll be paying $230 for my appointment before tip), but her reviews/skills are good, and her personality seems like one I'll like.

Back when I would go to salons periodicallywhile natural, max for something like this (with really good reviews) was $125 before tip. If it was a lesser known stylist, it would be around $85 before tip.

Here is her description for the appointment-

• A full consultation
• Scalp treatment and hair cleansing
• Intensive steam hydration treatment
• Blowout, trim (done on stretched hair), and textured styling
• A full hair regimen provided during the first appointment
• The emphasis is on natural hair care, hydration, and styling.

I'm planning on leaving with flat twists or straight back cornrows..
 
snoop said:
Hey ladies!

April 1st has rolled around and time for hair updates! Let's see some Q1 pics!

How has your hair been doing? Are you getting closer to your 2025 hair goals?

@GettingKinky
@HealthyHair2020
@faithVA
@VarieYvette
@Chicoro
@MzSwift
@pikkonoloidlee
@B_Phlyy
@newgrowth15
@Kells
@Meritamen
@Bette Davis Eyes
@CoiledOrchids
@25InchesStarting'25
@SmilingElephant
@yaya24
@GGsKin
@KidneyBean86
@Angel of the North
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The picture I posted was taken on the 31st, I will be using that as my Q1 pic as I have only just restarted my HH Journey. My hair was freshly washed, DC'd and trimmed so, I think it makes a good update pic.

I'm looking so forward to my first official update :giggle:
 
25InchesStarting'25 said:
View attachment 502730View attachment 502736View attachment 502732
The first LC the neck line is a little off from where I'm measuring now. I put the first pic where the neck line is consistent with where I'm measuring now

Seems like hair is growing and daily co washing/hydrating is beneficial for accelerated hair growth. Other things that are key in helping with hair growth for me is scalp massages with growth aids. Have been consistent with Flaxseed Growth Gel, +5 Weeks Infused Growth Oils/Pomade, Tee Tree/Peppermint/Rose Mary EOs, and daily massages

I'm debating if I should keep my nape out in KBs (Knotless Braids) or not, since I'm not sure if I'll get the same growth without daily Co Washing

Will continue to post LCs weekly in Summer Braid & Hydrate until weekend 5.24.25 for the 75 Day Challenge. Glad I'm doing it, it makes you stick to my regimen and see that all the effort does reap good benefits :)
Click to expand...
Wow! Look at all that growth! :clapping:
 
B_Phlyy said:
There was so much going on in my life this first quarter of 2025 so consistency was some times hard. But I did try to shampoo and deep condition at least once a week as well as clarifying twice per month. I was mostly in many mini braids with my own hair though I did add some extension hair this past month.


For the length check
Colored with the CHI Ion color line. I'm supposed to be using henna for hair coloring but I'm too impatient to wait for dye release. Shampooed with Pureology Sheer Volume shampoo and followed up with the Briogeo Honey Deep Conditioner. Pantene Miracle Repair leave-in (the smell took me back to my college dorm) and It's A 10 Heat Protectant spray.

Used my Dyson dryer with the comb attachment and blowdried straight. Waited until my hair completely cooled down then applied L'Anza Healing Oil Treatment Oil. Flat ironed with my 1" flat iron. I probably did 1/2 inch sections to get my hair as flat as possible.

I personally don't see as much change in length but I can tell my hair is fuller. In the initial pic (left side), I can see my thin areas trying to peak through at the crown. It's much more full in the after. And yes, I am going to clean up those end. They are not necessarily knotty right now but I can see them causing problems in the future if I don't fix them.

*also, I finally cleaned my mirror.
Click to expand...
Your hair is definitely longer and it appears that maybe your right side grows faster than you left. Great progress!
 
25InchesStarting'25 said:
View attachment 502730View attachment 502736View attachment 502732
The first LC the neck line is a little off from where I'm measuring now. I put the first pic where the neck line is consistent with where I'm measuring now

Seems like hair is growing and daily co washing/hydrating is beneficial for accelerated hair growth. Other things that are key in helping with hair growth for me is scalp massages with growth aids. Have been consistent with Flaxseed Growth Gel, +5 Weeks Infused Growth Oils/Pomade, Tee Tree/Peppermint/Rose Mary EOs, and daily massages

I'm debating if I should keep my nape out in KBs (Knotless Braids) or not, since I'm not sure if I'll get the same growth without daily Co Washing

Will continue to post LCs weekly in Summer Braid & Hydrate until weekend 5.24.25 for the 75 Day Challenge. Glad I'm doing it, it makes you stick to my regimen and see that all the effort does reap good benefits :)
Click to expand...
Great progress! Congratulations!
 
I made a new batch of clove water.
This time I also added fenugreek seeds and let them all sit and soak for 24 hours before draining and adding to a spray bottle, then mixing in EOs and some MSM powder.

Lets see how this goes.
 
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Finally, sharing starting pictures for the challenge. Sigh, still not BSL and not sure if I have made much progress. (My hair grows super slow) I have been stuck in purgatory for years trying to grow my hair to BSL, so at least my hair looks to be past APL at last. The pictures are from my hair flat ironed after some search and destroy on the ends.

I'm not actually sure what to do to retain length. My ends always have bubble splits and is too weak to detangle while wet in the shower. I haven't had any fun with my hair in a long while, plus, with stress from everything going on I have wanted to either relax it or shave it off. (It's me being impulsive. I don't want to actually do either option.)

Lately, I wash my hair once a week, blow dry it with the RevAir, and put it in some not so cute braids and keep it that way until I was it again the following weekend. I have been horrible at keeping up with moisturizing my hair during the week, so I know I need to be better about that. Maybe time to give the blow driers a break too. Thinking about having to finger detangle makes me weep because detangling my hair is the least fun thing in the world but it might be worth trying for a bit too.

All that to say, even though I haven't been the best at keeping up with a hair routine I am happy for each centimeter of progress I am making. I have never had hair this long before in my life so that's something to be cheery about.

Note: This might be BSL on some other ladies, but for me I'm considering the top of my bras trap (which does sit a bit lower on my body) to be BSL.
 

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Meritamen said:
Finally, sharing starting pictures for the challenge. Sigh, still not BSL and not sure if I have made much progress. (My hair grows super slow) I have been stuck in purgatory for years trying to grow my hair to BSL, so at least my hair looks to be past APL at last. The pictures are from my hair flat ironed after some search and destroy on the ends.

I'm not actually sure what to do to retain length. My ends always have bubble splits and is too weak to detangle while wet in the shower. I haven't had any fun with my hair in a long while, plus, with stress from everything going on I have wanted to either relax it or shave it off. (It's me being impulsive. I don't want to actually do either option.)

Lately, I wash my hair once a week, blow dry it with the RevAir, and put it in some not so cute braids and keep it that way until I was it again the following weekend. I have been horrible at keeping up with moisturizing my hair during the week, so I know I need to be better about that. Maybe time to give the blow driers a break too. Thinking about having to finger detangle makes me weep because detangling my hair is the least fun thing in the world but it might be worth trying for a bit too.

All that to say, even though I haven't been the best at keeping up with a hair routine I am happy for each centimeter of progress I am making. I have never had hair this long before in my life so that's something to be cheery about.

Note: This might be BSL on some other ladies, but for me I'm considering the top of my bras trap (which does sit a bit lower on my body) to be BSL.
Click to expand...
Your hair looks great and healthy. Congratulations on your growth so far, I'm looking forward to your updates.
 
@Meritamen

said, "I have never had hair this long before in my life so that's something to be cheery about."

Congratulations on arriving at the longest hair that you have ever had in your life! That is a HUGE MILESTONE!


giphy.gif
 
25InchesStarting'25 said:
Your hair looks great! Nice to meet another RevAir gal :)

How long have you been using your RevAir?

Have you ever done small to smedium Knotless Braids? It can give you a break for a month or so at a time from your hair

Have you tried bunning? That could be an easy way to moisturize your ends nightly or every other night
Click to expand...
Hello!!! :wave: I have had the old version of the RevAir for a few years now and really like it. It's my fave out of all the blow dryers I have - I have FHI and Pattern Beauty blow dryers too. I'm saving up for the newer version.

I've had smedium knotless braids before which I really liked. I might try that size or the medium size in the future if I can save up enough for it. I am having the hardest time parting my own hair so even doing two-strand twists on myself is not working out. I wish I could find a stylist who is willing to do smedium. two-strand twists with no added hair but I haven't been able to find that in my area. I even asked the braider I go to for the knotless braids and she turned me down. Sigh.

Bunning, I haven't tried mostly because I'm nervous my hair will mat. Well... I put my braids up in a bun but I haven't tried it on loose hair.
 
I'd like to make my own detangler to use before I wash my hair. I've been looking at recipes but most of them contain coconut oil, which my hair doesn’t like. It doesn't need to be creamy, I'm just wanting the slip to make detangling easier and keep my hair whete it belongs on my head.

I prefer cowashing my hair and clarifying once evey 4 - 6 weeks depending on how my hair is feeling or responding, so I'd prefer something that would rinse out easily. I'm thinking distilled water with vera juice/gel, conditioner mixed together. I don't like ingredients that act as proteins, my hair doesn’t like or require much protein, but it loves silk amino acids.

I was struggling to find the old DIY recipe thread, does anyone have any recipes or recommendations that might help me to create my perfect detangler? .
 
25InchesStarting'25 said:
I haven't tried this, but have always wanted to use these ingredients. Might try this when hair gets past BSL. These two ingredients are great for detangling from what I've read. HTH :)
Click to expand...

Thank you for this! I like that it's a simple recipe, I've got Marshmallow root and slippery elm powders in my Amazon basket (along with a lot of other stuff relating to hair),. I wanted to get them because as you said, they are known to provide a lot of slip. I would probably leave out most of the oils as I'm wanting to use it as a prepoo detangler and not a leave in. I might add a few drops of an essential oil or the vitamin e oil as a preservative though.
 
So I've just looked a little deeper at the marshmallow root and slippery elm.

Marshmallow Root Pros:
Detangling, provides slip
Moisturising
Soothes scalp, antibacterial and antioxidants inflammatory properties
Strengthens hair, contains amino acids
Promotes growth
Reduces frizz, dryness and breakage.
Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants

Slippery Elm Pros:
Improves elasticity
Moisture retention
Detangling properties
Increased shine
Reduced shedding
Contains amino acids and calcium

I don't think the so called cons would affect me as I've definitely used products with these ingredients in them before without any allergic reactions or skin irritations. I also won't be ingesting them, so I doubt it would have any contraindications with any meds I take.

These two ingredients offer everything I'm looking for.... I think I'll try them as I mentioned in my previous post as well as mixing with a conditioner too just to see which way works best for me. The two items would probably work well together with water and no other ingredients too.

I'm looking forward to making and trying this out. I think using a product with slip to detangle will definitely help with hair loss and length retention.
 
Angel of the North said:
So I've just looked a little deeper at the marshmallow root and slippery elm.

Marshmallow Root Pros:
Detangling, provides slip
Moisturising
Soothes scalp, antibacterial and antioxidants inflammatory properties
Strengthens hair, contains amino acids
Promotes growth
Reduces frizz, dryness and breakage.
Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants

Slippery Elm Pros:
Improves elasticity
Moisture retention
Detangling properties
Increased shine
Reduced shedding
Contains amino acids and calcium

I don't think the so called cons would affect me as I've definitely used products with these ingredients in them before without any allergic reactions or skin irritations. I also won't be ingesting them, so I doubt it would have any contraindications with any meds I take.

These two ingredients offer everything I'm looking for.... I think I'll try them as I mentioned in my previous post as well as mixing with a conditioner too just to see which way works best for me. The two items would probably work well together with water and no other ingredients too.

I'm looking forward to making and trying this out. I think using a product with slip to detangle will definitely help with hair loss and length retention.
Click to expand...
There’s also the shea moisture detangler that has both of those ingredients. It’s marketed towards kids but I used it a ton when I went through a long time without a proper wash (I.e coming out of a sew-in)
 
I decided to order some distilled water, marshmallow root and slippery elm powder, vitamin e oil and As I Am so much moisture last night. The main ingredients won't get here till either 17th or 18th, I shall wait impatiently......

I looked up some recipes for flaxseed gels and whipped butters. I'm going to order the flaxseeds next month, as I seriously need to exercise some discipline! My intentions are to try the new products I've recently purchased, then use up my stash.

I will probably start experimenting with making my own products during that period, I'm hoping to have perfected my recipes by the time I've used up my moisturisers and stylers. I intend to continue purchasing my poos and conditioners though.
 
Natural, Relaxed, Texlaxed: Natural

Current Length: APL

Goal Length: Waist length

Plan to reach goal length: I want to say I’ll wash my hair once a week but I’m currently in PS mode, so it’ll probably be more like every two weeks-once a month, drinking lots of water, scalp massage, regularly moisturising my hair. Regular trims. Consistency.

Regimen: Protective Style Mode for me means using added hair to braid or twist my hair away for long periods of time- usually more than 4 months. Redoing individual braids as required. I’ve previously used and enjoyed Ayurvedic ingredients, but currently mainly using shop-bought products. Staying up on my trims. My hair is prone to splits so I can’t go without trims for too long.

Protective Styles: Fairly low tension. Ends hidden away.

Staple Products: I also have a good few products I flit between, but I am currently enjoying the Hydro line by Amika.

Starting Pic: REQUIRED

I think I’ve been hanging out here since day 1 but I’ve not filled this out. Adding my pic, since I finally took my braids out today, after more than a year in PS.
IMG_1378.jpeg
 

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Wash day today....

I found an unopened bottle of Komaza vitamin reign at the back of my stash. It's probably about 8-9 years old, possibly older. It didn't look separated so I shook it up and sprayed it into my palm, it looked and smelt just as I remember it. I used this to detangle my hair, lost hardly no hair, the equivalent of maybe 5-6 strands. I wouldn't use it as a leave in but it's fine before shampoo.

I used sukin hydrating shampoo, followed with a cowash using Alberto Balsam raspberry kisses or whatever it's called these days.

I DC'd with As I Am Hydration Elation, last wash day was my first time using this, I was a lot stingier on first use than I would normally be. I want to test its mettle so to speak so used the minimal amount. Today, I went in heavy, to see if it made any difference, but still not the amount of slip I like. It definitely hydrates, but I need my DC's to give slip. The tub is so small, I've only used it twice and there's about a third of the tub left. I will mix oil into the rest of it but, I doubt I will repurchase.

I moisturised (LCO), in sections by wetting, using Cantu creamy hair lotion (my last bootle), and grapeseed oil. I applied avocado butter to the ends, I'm now Air drying in 6 plaits. This week, I will wear a bun.
 
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