Those Who Go Over A Year Without Trimming Please Take Part

[Nonie]

Today I saw a beautiful head of hair belonging to @Charz which I think she said is recent, showing full ends on a head that hasn't been trimmed for over a year. I was impressed but it got me wondering how many others are like that.

It would be inspiring for those who don't want to drink the Kool Aid I've been selling--imploring folks to trim/dust regularly for better retention--if folks who haven't trimmed in over a year answered these questions:

1. Do you have coarse or fine strands?
2. When was the last time you trimmed?
3. How long was your hair after that trim or if you have never trimmed, how long was your hair a year or two ago?
4. How long is your hair now?
5. Please post two or more photos of your hair (preferably stretched or straightened) showing your hair's progress while on this regimen (Please date the before and after)
6. What regimen do you use to protect your ends and keep them in good shape? (I just added this so folks who had to come back, you didn't omit any questions; I'm the one who's at fault for not putting it in in the first place. I beg your pardon.)

I know some folks do S&D and while I don't believe in it, I really just want those who haven't used scissors on their hair for over a year to take part. Even if your ends are a little thin, perhaps it's not as bad as I think, which will be very enlightening.

My hair thins so much if I go just 4 months w/o dusting so I think I'd look like I had a rat's tail if I went a year. I'm curious to see how others do.

Thanks in advance for your participation.

 

[Kurlee]

subscribing. I trim every six months. But want to try once a year cutting.

 

[GreenEyedJen]

I'm so interested to see the pictures. I just got my hair trimmed/cut after eleven months, and that was only because I went to a professional to dye it. I really wanted to see my hair after a full year of no cutting, so I guess this thread will be the next best thing!

 

[BostonMaria]

Hey Nonie,

Here's my info:

# Do you have coarse or fine strands?
Coarse

# When was the last time you trimmed?
Completely trimmed every inch of my hair in 2007. I've done search and destroys since then. I did cut my ends last year (about 3 inches) but I didn't do a complete hair cut, just snipped the ends of my hair to achieve a blunt cut.

# How long was your hair after that trim or if you have never trimmed, how long was your hair a year or two ago?
In 2007 I did the BC and my transitioning hair was almost APL. I cut it down to neck length. 12 months later I was APL again.

# How long is your hair now?
Waist length

# Please post two or more photos of your hair (preferably stretched or straightened) showing your hair's progress while on this regimen (Please date the before and after)

First picture was taken 3 days ago (excuse the no make-up LOL) I rollerset with no heat. Second picture was taken in Dec. Third picture Jan 15th when I had my hair professionally blow dried.

I take care of my ends by keeping my hair in a bun at night. Any time I got tons of split ends was when I fell asleep with my hair loose.

ETA: When my hair was relaxed I hadto cut my hair every 6 months due to split ends. I think it was due to too much heat and no protective styling.

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

1) Do you have coarse or fine strands? i would say i have medium strands with low density hair
2) When was the last time you trimmed? dec something (i need to look at the pix)
3) How long was your hair after that trim or if you have never trimmed, how long was your hair a year or two ago? before the trim i was bsl after i was boarder line hl
4) How long is your hair now? i dunno lol about an inch away from crackin
5) Please post two or more photos of your hair (preferably stretched or straightened) showing your hair's progress while on this regimen (Please date the before and after)

10-29-09 when my trim turned into a cut and i joined a no trim challenge

12-7-10 before trim

12-7-10 after trim

i kept my hair in a bun pretty much 7days a wk and wore my hair down when ever i felt like it (which wasnt that often) and i only used heat for length checks


hope this was helpful


edit... my siggy is a flat ironed pic after the trim and there is a time stamp i think

 

[~~HoneyComb~~]

I hardly ever trim my hair, and I don't think I've ever trimmed my youngest DDs hair either.

My trims are usually BCs.

I'm always intrigued when others do the S&D method--that seems so tedious and time-consuming looking for strands of hair to cut.

I admit, I'm lazy with my hair and the only thing I'm good at is protective styling because it means I don't have to worry about doing my hair daily.

 

[BostonMaria]

Nonie , I mentioned in my post that last year (I believe it was Jan and then again in July) I cut my ends. Does this equal a trim in your eyes? Because to me a trim is when the hairdresser cuts all parts of your hair, not just the ends. Just asking in case I don't count. In any case my last cut was 8 months ago and I have no intentions of cutting again for at least another 2 years.

 

[Charz]

1. Do you have coarse or fine strands?

Medium

2. When was the last time you trimmed?

November of 2009. I will cut off SSK and Split ends if I see them. I plan on trimming to full MBL at the end of this year (if I make it )

3. How long was your hair after that trim or if you have never trimmed, how long was your hair a year or two ago?

I only trimmed like one inch off my twists, so I was still SL

4. How long is your hair now?

My lowest layer is touching BSL but I am full APL

5. Please post two or more photos of your hair (preferably stretched or straightened) showing your hair's progress while on this regimen (Please date the before and after)

Siggy is my hair now.

 

[ceecy29]

*PLEASE DON'T QUOTE PICS, THANKS!!!*


Do you have coarse or fine strands? Coarse
When was the last time you trimmed? The last time I put scissors to my head was when I big chopped in Jan 2008...so 3 years ago.
How long was your hair after that trim or if you have never trimmed, how long was your hair a year or two ago? I prolly had a TWA?
How long is your hair now? Approaching BSL.
Please post two or more photos of your hair (preferably stretched or straightened) showing your hair's progress while on this regimen (Please date the before and after)

I'm not at my computer now, but I have pics in my fotki.

It's not really intentional, I'm too scared to do trims myself cos I fear unevenness and I'm too scared to let anyone else do it.

 

[davisbr88]

Haven't seen any fine-stranded ladies yet...
*sigh*
Oh well...
Hopefully some will chime in! I have a sort of similar plan to Charz... I S&D 2-3 times a year when I straighten but don't plan to do a full out trim til I get to MBL in December to even out my bottom layer. My ends definitely aren't even, but they aren't split or knotted either, so I'll just hope for the best.

 

[Nonie]

Thanks to everyone who's participated so far and answered the questions. I'm sure your post will make a difference in someone's hair journey and give hope.

I hardly ever trim my hair, and I don't think I've ever trimmed my youngest DDs hair either.

My trims are usually BCs.

I'm always intrigued when others do the S&D method--that seems so tedious and time-consuming looking for strands of hair to cut.

I admit, I'm lazy with my hair and the only thing I'm good at is protective styling because it means I don't have to worry about doing my hair daily.

@~~HoneyComb~~ Ahem... I don't see you answering the questions Missy? What's up with that? Where da pics? Where de answers?

I've seen you BCs. I really would like this thread to be not just chat but actually an inspiration for those who'd like to follow suit...and answering the questions will help us see if we have hair like yours. So pretty please? And pics showing hair at the last trim/BC and hair now. I know you straightened recently so can we see those please?

@Nonie , I mentioned in my post that last year (I believe it was Jan and then again in July) I cut my ends. Does this equal a trim in your eyes? Because to me a trim is when the hairdresser cuts all parts of your hair, not just the ends. Just asking in case I don't count. In any case my last cut was 8 months ago and I have no intentions of cutting again for at least another 2 years.

@BostonMaria I appreciate you participating coz it does give people an idea of what they might try, but I really wanted folks who never used scissors at all. Folks talk of lead hairs but I don't think there's such a thing. I think those are just the strands that haven't broken off yet since I suspect hair grows at a more or less same rate so that you can have hairs about 6 months ahead of others just makes me go . But what do I know! So when you cut to even out, it's still a trim coz when a stylist trims hair she also shapes it so some parts may get deeper trims than others, and some may not even get cut at all. I really wanted to see those who come from Cathy Howse's school of no trims/scissors whatsoever. But I'm glad you took part because it helped keep the thread alive.

Do you have coarse or fine strands? Coarse
When was the last time you trimmed? The last time I put scissors to my head was when I big chopped in Jan 2008...so 3 years ago.
How long was your hair after that trim or if you have never trimmed, how long was your hair a year or two ago? I prolly had a TWA?
How long is your hair now? Approaching BSL.
Please post two or more photos of your hair (preferably stretched or straightened) showing your hair's progress while on this regimen (Please date the before and after)

I'm not at my computer now, but I have pics in my fotki.

It's not really intentional, I'm too scared to do trims myself cos I fear unevenness and I'm too scared to let anyone else do it.

@ceecy29 I look forward to you updating your post with images. Thank you for responding.

 

[Nonie]

subscribing. I trim every six months. But want to try once a year cutting.

Kurlee, please take a before pic and kindly give us an update after a year. You're one of my examples of regular trimmers having nice full ends and I clutch my pearls a little and poured a little S Curl at the thought that you are jumping ship. You'll be an awesome control of this so please keep track and let us know how it goes.

 

[~~HoneyComb~~]

Here you go .

My BC August 2008:

This pic (sorry a little fuzzy) was taken in October 2010. I don't trim my hair and don't really plan on it until I reach my goal WL. Since this pic I have retained a little more length, but I don't plan on straightening for a while.

My ends look decent, and since I don't wear my hair straight often, it doesn't bother me that the cut isn't blunt.

ETA:

Let me answer the questions:

1. Do you have coarse or fine strands? Fine
2. When was the last time you trimmed? BC'd 2 1/2 years ago
3. How long was your hair after that trim or if you have never trimmed, how long was your hair a year or two ago? 4" in Front--1" sides
4. How long is your hair now? MBL straightened
5. Please post two or more photos of your hair (preferably stretched or straightened) showing your hair's progress while on this regimen (Please date the before and after)

TWISTOUTS is what I wear over 95% of the time.

Also ETA:

@Nonie This is my hair this morning (I put on the same shirt as the above pic for effects). As you can see my hair has grown since Oct. 2010 to Feb 2011. I was just at the 3rd line on my shirt, now I am a little past the 4th line:

 

[SimJam]

I can only add pics of when I was relaxed since I dont have any straight pics of my natural hair.

I had just got a blunt cut in the first pic May 2008. The next time I put sissors to my hair was because I started getting a W shape on my ends (abt august 2009) and I decided that I wanted a blunt APL (last pic).

I BC'd shortly after that in Nov 2009.

I have coarse hair

ETA: I wore my hair in a loose messy bun or updo alomst every day. Used hawaiian silky 14 in 1 on the length of my hair and castor oil on my ends. abt 60% (of my hair) was texlaxed. Airdried 100% of the time 'cause I suck at roller setting- no direct heat.

Ive dusted 2 times in the 14 mnths Ive been natural (just by holding twists and snipping off ends that feel bushy/knotty)


May 2008 start of HJ

January 2009

abt August 2009

 

[bebezazueta]

Do you have coarse or fine strands?
Coarse

When was the last time you trimmed?
Stylist trimmed May 2010 (not quite a year yet)

How long was your hair after that trim or if you have never trimmed, how long was your hair a year or two ago?
I was full SL (see first pic in my siggy) it was right after my last trim. She took off about 1 inch at the nape and put in short layers everywhere else.

How long is your hair now?
I'm approaching BSL

Here's my latest pic from January 29, 2011. I have layers that are growing out and my ends are still good. My hair was flatironed in this pic. I don't plan on trimming until December this year only to even out the layers.

 

[Kurlee]

@Kurlee, please take a before pic and kindly give us an update after a year. You're one of my examples of regular trimmers having nice full ends and I clutch my pearls a little and poured a little S Curl at the thought that you are jumping ship. You'll be an awesome control of this so please keep track and let us know how it goes.

i won't be blowing out again till june, so when i do, i will take pics and then Tryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy to not trim until june 2012

 

[klb120475]

Great thread!

 

[Natural-K]

double post

 

[Natural-K]

The time between my last two trims qualify. I trimmed 3/15/09 and then again 5/27/10. I don't dust at all between trims.

1. Do you have coarse or fine strands? Medium

3/15/09 Trim

Pre-trim 5/27/10 (in the Supercuts bathroom). Not a good picture. It was my first time using the Maxiglide and it didn't turn out well because I was rushed to get to Supercuts before they closed.

5/27/10 Trim. Sorry about the photo quality :/

5/29/10 after I re-straightened my hair with the Chi

When I straighten my hair this May it will be a year since the last straightening and the last trim. Hopefully I will have better pictures to show the quality of my end pre and post trim.

 

[ellegantelle]

What are you ladies using as your regimen to help protect your ends? I'm interested in going longer between trims but I'm curious of what you ladies have done to help preserve your ends.

 

[Kurlee]

The time between my last two trims qualify. I trimmed 3/15/09 and then again 5/27/10. I don't dust at all between trims.

1. Do you have coarse or fine strands? Medium

3/15/09 Trim

Pre-trim 5/27/10 (in the Supercuts bathroom). Not a good picture. It was my first time using the Maxiglide and it didn't turn out well because I was rushed to get to Supercuts before they closed.

5/27/10 Trim. Sorry about the photo quality :/

5/29/10 after I re-straightened my hair with the Chi

When I straighten my hair this May it will be a year since the last straightening and the last trim. Hopefully I will have better pictures to show the quality of my end pre and post trim.

 

[Nonie]

@BostonMaria @Mz.MoMo5235 @Charz @ceecy29 @~~HoneyComb~~ @SimJam @bebezazueta @Natural-K

Sorry to drag you ladies back in here.

If you didn't mention it in your post, please go back and answer #6 on how you wear your hair. Thanks so much all. You've got beautiful heads of hair!


@viciousdreamr02 thanks for a better way to phrase my question. I was in the middle of typing this post when I saw your question so going to edit mine in the first post.

 

[davisbr88]

Natural-K Where did YOU come from and where have you been all my (LHCF) life?!?!?!
*Adding you to my list of stalking victims!*

 

[Natural-K]

6. How do you wear your hair most of the time?

I'd say 40% bun/clip, 30% WNGs, 20% twist-out/braid-out, 10% two strand twists.

 

[bebezazueta]

@BostonMaria @Mz.MoMo5235 @Charz @ceecy29 @~~HoneyComb~~ @SimJam @bebezazueta @Natural-K

Sorry to drag you ladies back in here.

If you didn't mention it in your post, please go back and answer #6 on how you wear your hair. Thanks so much all. You've got beautiful heads of hair!


@viciousdreamr02 thanks for a better way to phrase my question. I was in the middle of typing this post when I saw your question so going to edit mine in the first post.

Oops sorry lady.

I do not ps like everyone else because I want to enjoy my hair. I only flat ironed my hair twice in the last year because at first I was afraid of heat and now I'm just too lazy. I rotate between buns, bantu knot outs, rollersets and wet wraps. I wear my hair down, bouncy and flowy about 40% of the time. The remaining 60% I am in a ps. I do henna monthly and overnite DC religiously.

 

[ms.blue]

I'm going to be stalking this thread. I want to try not trimming my hair but dusting instead which I did yesterday w/o straighten out my hair. I'm amazed when some posters haven't trim their hair over a year and still maintain decent ends. I'm afraid that if I don't trim my ends then I'll pay for it by having to cut more thus losing any length that I retained.

 

[Natural-K]

What are you ladies using as your regimen to help protect your ends? I'm interested in going longer between trims but I'm curious of what you ladies have done to help preserve your ends.

I credit my retention to minimal heat and moisturizing/sealing. I don't specifically target my ends. I just make sure my hair is moisturized from root to end. I admit I do have some SSKs but they don't bother me much since I rarely wear my hair straight. I think doing twist-outs/braid-outs over WNGs would minimize them.

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

@BostonMaria @Mz.MoMo5235 @Charz @ceecy29 @~~HoneyComb~~ @SimJam @bebezazueta @Natural-K

Sorry to drag you ladies back in here.

If you didn't mention it in your post, please go back and answer #6 on how you wear your hair. Thanks so much all. You've got beautiful heads of hair!


@viciousdreamr02 thanks for a better way to phrase my question. I was in the middle of typing this post when I saw your question so going to edit mine in the first post.

Nonie

WHAT THE WHAT I DID NOT ANSWER!!!! ok, edit done lol

 

[Natural-K]

I'm going to be stalking this thread. I want to try not trimming my hair but dusting instead which I did yesterday w/o straighten out my hair. I'm amazed when some posters haven't trim their hair over a year and still maintain decent ends. I'm afraid that if I don't trim my ends then I'll pay for it by having to cut more thus losing any length that I retained.

I don't think you need to be afraid just pay attention your hair. Look at your ends and feel them. If they're damaged and split I would recommend dusting/trimming more often but if not, then let them be. And if you do have to, try and figure out what you need to do to prevent the damage in the future. Before LHCF, I regularly trimmed my hair because that's what I thought you had to do. Now I realize its on an as-needed basis.

 

[Nonie]

@Nonie

WHAT THE WHAT I DID NOT ANSWER!!!! ok, edit done lol

@Mz.MoMo5235 I'm sorry. It is I who added the question later. I better go type that on the post. It's *I* who was slacking. *shameface*

@bebezazueta You too. No apology necessary. I was the clumsy one who left out a very important question.