Update: I Learned My Lesson

[Ambitious1013]

During my last 12 week stretch, I wore my hair down more than up. As a result of enjoying my hair TOO much, my stylist had to cut my progress. It is truly my fault and I learned my lesson. My hair hasn't been this long in a VERY long time. I was so happy with my progress but my ends suffered from my enjoyment. This experience has inspired me to work harder especially for my APL goal.

I am going back to protective styles, no direct heat, and maybe another trim. Hopefully doing this and adding a few new products will get my hair back to where it was. My updates are in my fotki. Thank you so much for your support ladies!!

APL here I come!!!!!

 

[haubrics]

You can do it again...looked really nice in your second picture...Hopefully you didn't have to trim it "all" off...That is about the length mine is now, except mine is curly/wavy, too....Good luck...Definitely go back w/the protective styling and "no heat" if you can do it...

 

[HoneyDew]

You know when I hear stuff like this, it makes me realize I may have to stop enjoying my hair down as much soon.

Right now, the length (only if curled from a rollerset) is the perfect length for wearing down. But if my progress continues as it has been, I am not going to be able to get away with it this fall and winter.

I have gotten so used to it that it is going to be hard to wear my hair up all the time. I betta just enjoy it while I can I guess.

Love your hair BTW. Is that your natural color? Pretty.

 

[shunta]

Your hair still looks great, though.

So, were you just using a lot of direct heat this time, or do you think it was mainly from not using protective styles?
Im asking because I wear my hair down quite often, and when I do I just make sure my ends are moisturized very well. Im hoping my ends dont suffer, but so far so good.

 

[SvelteVelvet]

Yeah, this is something I had to start doing. Last weekend was my last time wearing it out for a while, I'm now 8 weeks post and the new growth is becoming something serious. All this week at work it has been up and off my back and I've just been moisturizing nightly and wearing a bonnet to bed. Tomorrow starts my 5 weeks of nothing but twistouts. I hope I can stand to stretch that much longer because I'm getting a new shipment of Dom products tomorrow with some new items and I can't wait to see how they work on my roller wraps but I'm gonna try as hard as I can to sacrifice it for a little while longer, it'll be worth it to save my progress, especially after making APL this month, I'm being extra careful now.

 

[Ambitious1013]

Thanks haubrics and HoneyDew!

HoneyDew - My stylist colors my hair now. My natural color is medium brown.

 

[Treasure2k6]

Thanks for sharing this. Good Thread

 

[Ambitious1013]

Your hair still looks great, though.

So, were you just using a lot of direct heat this time, or do you think it was mainly from not using protective styles?
Im asking because I wear my hair down quite often, and when I do I just make sure my ends are moisturized very well. Im hoping my ends dont suffer, but so far so good.

Thanks shunta! I used my flat iron more during this time. I RARELY used my flat iron before and this time I went crazy. I also didn't wear protective styles as much during this time. I kept my ends moisturized but it just wasn't enough I guess.

Keep up the good work with your hair! I am glad that you are doing well with wearing your hair down!

 

[divinefavor]

I still think your hair is beautiful!!!

Thank you for sharing this with us! I know for myself that with me slowly inching closer to my goals, I tend to want to wear my hair out more as well. Unfortunately, I also use the blowdryer a little too much at the end of a stretch. I just got a touch up on Friday night and my friend had to trim about an inch off. I had growth but my ends were a little jacked up. Also I have been wearing my hair down ever since my touch up on Friday. It doesn't help my hair any especially when I'm at work playing in it all day long. Starting tomorrow it will be up in a protective style until I wash it this weekend. Your post is definitely a wake up call.

 

[shelli4018]

Girl, I had just had to pop in and gawk at your amazing progress. Whatever you were doing is a keeper. Just get back on your regular regimen and you'll be OK.

 

[Catina72]

It looks so good, Ambitious!! Get back on the protective styling and keep growing that hair gurl!!

 

[Serenity_Peace]

Your hair is still amazingly beautiful. Congrats and keep it up!

 

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

What kinds of things were you doing? Heat every day? Not moisturizing? Your hair in your siggy looks really good. Was this before or after the trim?

 

[SoAnxious12]

Ambitious i luuuuuuuuuuuv ur progress from 05, to 07! It's amazing and I know if u can do all that then u have apl locked down for the latter part of 07

 

[hondahoney007]

Don't worry apl is right around the corner. Your hair still looks nice and healthy in the meantime.

 

[Miss.Que]

Your hair is so beautiful. I think you will definitely make APL by your two year hair anniversary. Your update this time was encouraging for me because you proved that we can wear our hair out and enjoy it and still get some progress. The progress may not be as fast as when we protective style but it is still progress. Now I will not be as paranoid when I reach my goal length when I wear my hair out more. Anyway congrats on your hair progress.

 

[Ambitious1013]

What kinds of things were you doing? Heat every day? Not moisturizing? Your hair in your siggy looks really good. Was this before or after the trim?

Thanks Bre Bre! I was wearing my down about 5-6 days out of the week. Usually it's the opposite, up 5-6 days and down once or twice. Towards the end of my stretch I used my flat iron about twice a week. I rarely used my flat iron before. I was still moisturizing. Looking back on it, I guess it wasn't enough. My hair in my siggy was after the trim.

Thank you so much ladies for your kind words!!!

 

[DivaRox]

Oh Ambitious-you had me so worried- I had to go check on "my" hair-LOL. It still looks wonderfully lush. I can understand how that hair had you flossin' a bit more than usual. You're back on track now so keep up the good work.

 

[Jas123]

During my last 12 week stretch, I wore my hair down more than up. As a result of enjoying my hair TOO much, my stylist had to cut my progress. It is truly my fault and I learned my lesson. My hair hasn't been this long in a VERY long time. I was so happy with my progress but my ends suffered from my enjoyment. This experience has inspired me to work harder especially for my APL goal.

I am going back to protective styles, no direct heat, and maybe another trim. Hopefully doing this and adding a few new products will get my hair back to where it was. My updates are in my fotki. Thank you so much for your support ladies!!

APL here I come!!!!!

Just curious, were you using alot of heat or were the ends of your hair brushing against your clothes..what exactly about wearing your hair down caused so much damaged that you had to get so much cut off? I plan to start wearing my hair around July 4 and I just want to be careful..I've made so much progress I'd hate to lose some of my progress

 

[nativequeen]

Your progress has been amazing.
I also thank you for sharing your experience, at least I can know ahead of time the consequences of wearing down so much.

 

[shynessqueen]

Your progress is still off the hook.

 

[Ambitious1013]

Just curious, were you using alot of heat or were the ends of your hair brushing against your clothes..what exactly about wearing your hair down caused so much damaged that you had to get so much cut off? I plan to start wearing my hair around July 4 and I just want to be careful..I've made so much progress I'd hate to lose some of my progress

I think it was a mixture of both. I was using a lot of heat from root to tip often. My hair was brushing against my clothes when my ends were not moisturized enough. I didn't add a lot of moisturizer because I didn't want to weigh my hair down. This whole situation has me like this because so many reasons go through my head. Hope this helps Jas123!

Thanks again ladies!!