Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013
Hello ladies and I hope everyone is doing well. This is my usual check in but I have to say, I'm done, giving up at least for awhile. I just can't deal with it anymore. Let me explain.
I recently gave myself a touchup and saw the new growth which appeared to be around 2", but when I relaxed my hair the end of March, did a length check last Tuesday, I saw NO retention at all from my last relaxer which was the end of December. I was soooo disappointed and discouraged and decided to throw in the towel. I didn't oil my scalp, moisturize and seal, I did nothing to my hair for at least 4 days.
I have a special event tonight and I had been planning to style my hair a special way. So I washed yesterday with my rhassoul clay/butter treatment and after spraying on heat protector, I blew dry my hair and did a roller set using ORS wrap lotion. The style I'm hoping to achieve can be done with a dry roller set. It was a challenge because I haven't done a roller set for awhile. I styled my hair this morning the special way which looks OK. The back didn't come out right which is why it doesn't look so good in back, but it still is what I wanted to achieve. When I get home from my event, I will wash, condition and moisturize and seal, put in plaits and will leave my hair alone.
I have been on this hair journey for too long and I have problems with length retention. Obviously it's something I'm doing, but I don't know what. I'm just so frustrated because I work so hard and we all know that what motivates us to continue if we see results. I'm looking for length and don't see any. I was thinking perhaps if I'm babying my hair too much. My hair stays moist with leave ins, creams, oils, etc. but it's moist all the time. Perhaps this is the problem.
I decided to get a weave and wanted Reniece to do it but she is soooo booked. So I contacted this braiding gallery that has done my hair in the past. I asked them if they do weaves and they said yes. Upon talking with the owner I remembered they also do this process called interlocking which looks like a weave. It's not tree braids, it's different. Well she told me in her opinion she prefers interlocking instead of weaving. Your hair is cornrolled in circular fashion and the human hair is braided onto the cornroll, interlocking it in place. I will only be washing, deep conditioning, moisturizing and sealing my hair while interlocked every 2 weeks. No more oiling my scalp, no more massaging my scalp, no more eating healthy, just eating healthy foods because I want to. The only things I will continue to do is taking my hair supplement, eating my oatmeal with wheat germ and brewers yeast, GHE, and laying on my slant board. I will be doing this for at least the next year and we will see what it brings.
All the effort in protecting the hair wearing buns, braids etc. and getting nothing is what has discouraged me. I walked around for least 4 days discouraged. I'm tired of wearing my hair in protective styles, buns, braids. I remember years ago when I had braids, I did nothing to my hair and it grew like a weed. I'm hoping I will have some kind of success with this method of low manipulation. I didn't think I would ever say it but right now, I'm giving up!
I will check in periodically, but it won't be my usual check ins every week. I will still like to continue with this challenge because you ladies were so supportive and encouraging and it was nice having some help in trying to meet my hair goals. I'm planning on getting my interlocking in another 2-3 weeks. I will share the experience.
but I'm trying to get to waist length as soon as I can and trying to learn what's hindering me now.
) I'm gonna need you ladies to help hold me accountable for the scissors, for right now I'm keeping them out of sight. My ends are FINE. My ends are FINE. (It's like my new mantra or something.... 
That is not a good sign.
