Apl Challenge 2017

[faithVA]

I subscribed to this thread but stopped getting notifications for some reason. I was like dag no one has posted in here for a very long time.

I'm so through with my hair. It doesn't seem to be growing anymore and transitioning sux monkey balls. Today Im pissed because I go to the Dominican salon to get a wash and set I haven't had anyone else wash my hair in almost 2 years.

1. My hair was in 4 sections. She tells me she can't wash my hair in sections. That should have been flag #1. My transitioning hair tangles when washed together. She says I do natural hair everyday trust me.

2. She puts in conditioner and takes the detangling comb through my hair from root to tip. I could hear the hair pulling so I tell her to stop. She sux her teeth and shows me the comb and says see no hair came out.

3. She sits me in her chair and I look in the mirror. No hair came out in the comb cuz there are like 5 huge knots in my hair I show her and she just pulls them out with her hand!!! I'm like wtf??? I should have gotten up right then and there.

4. She pulls out the blow dryer and I say wait you aren't going to roller set it? You just going to blow my natural hair bone straight while its wet? She actually said "what difference does it make? ok I will roll it but doesnt matter. I said that is way too much heat on wet hair. She says wow you are so picky about your hair.

5. While rolling it she shows me the straight ends and says your hair is already damaged. Look at the ends. It's straight from flat ironing. I'm like huh? I don't flat iron my hair. It's straight because that part of my hair is still relaxed!

I am making a note to never EVER come here again. Her hair looks chopped and screwed. Never let someone with horrible hair do your hair. I want to cry.

Sorry you had such a rough experience. Many of us have been there.

Do a protein treatment and a DC and pamper your hair some. Keep an eye on it and trim any splits as you come across it.

Hopefully it isn't as bad as it seems.

 

[LushLox]

So sorry @DST1913 a dreadful stylist from start to finish what a disgraceful attitude.

It hurts, but it's a learning experience and you'll recover.

Re the transitioning would it be better to do the big chop now do you think, maybe that'll help. Are you ready to do it?

 

[Evolving78]

So sorry @DST1913 a dreadful stylist from start to finish what a disgraceful attitude.

It hurts, but it's a learning experience and you'll recover.

Re the transitioning would it be better to do the big chop now do you think, maybe that'll help. Are you ready to do it?

Yeah it sounds like it’s time to do the big chop.

 

[LushLox]

What's your regimen? Shampoo once a week and use a RO. DC every other week (protein followed by moisture). I've been incorporating silicones into my reggie, alternating with my natural products depending on my hair's needs. I've been using Neutral Protein Fillers with Silicon mix and loving the results! Use Netwurks 21 regularly. Continue to take one tab of Viviscal daily.

I used to take these but I didn't take them long enough to see any results. I'm reviewing my supplements now though. I'm considering Viviscal but they're not cheap are they?

How long have you been using them for, are you still taking them and are they effective for you?

 

[B_Phlyy]

Okay, we're going to try this again. Sorry if the pics are big. I don't know how to resize.

This was Saturday afternoon. I did my normal shampoo and DC. Rollerset was with Lotta Body Wrap Me Foam. Small amount of "heat protectant" which was ORS Olive Oil Oil Sheen. Flat ironed 2 passes per section at 350F. I was scared to go any higher.

 

[GGsKin]

Okay, we're going to try this again. Sorry if the pics are big. I don't know how to resize.

This was Saturday afternoon. I did my normal shampoo and DC. Rollerset was with Lotta Body Wrap Me Foam. Small amount of "heat protectant" which was ORS Olive Oil Oil Sheen. Flat ironed 2 passes per section at 350F. I was scared to go any higher.

I can't see your pics

 

[B_Phlyy]

I can't see your pics

This is weird. I can see them on the desktop but not my phone. They're even showing in your quoted post.

I think this should work.

 

[GGsKin]

This is weird. I can see them on the desktop but not my phone. They're even showing in your quoted post.

I think this should work.

Thanks

 

[DST1913]

Thanks ladies I needed some time to feel better. It's definitely time to do the big chop I'm just not psychologically ready for it. I was going to get to my 2-year mark which will be in February and then chop. I don't know why it's so hard psychologically for me to do if I chopped it would be earlobe length which is way more than a TWA I'm going to make myself ready and February come hell or high water

 

[faithVA]

This is weird. I can see them on the desktop but not my phone. They're even showing in your quoted post.

I think this should work.

It's looking good

 

[faithVA]

Thanks ladies I needed some time to feel better. It's definitely time to do the big chop I'm just not psychologically ready for it. I was going to get to my 2-year mark which will be in February and then chop. I don't know why it's so hard psychologically for me to do if I chopped it would be earlobe length which is way more than a TWA I'm going to make myself ready and February come hell or high water

Try taking off an inch and then see how you feel.

 

[IronButterfly]

I used to take these but I didn't take them long enough to see any results. I'm reviewing my supplements now though. I'm considering Viviscal but they're not cheap are they?

How long have you been using them for, are you still taking them and are they effective for you?

Hi. Yes, I'm still taking Viviscal. I do believe this is my 2nd year. I took then straight for a year and saw a change in the texture of my hair (within 6 mos.) and increased density. I took a break for a few months (because they are pricey). I switched up with Mane Choice and (currently) 3-in-1 formula from iRestore. I stand by Viviscal. They are usually cheaper at Target, especially if you get the subscription. But I always check Amazon, too, because sometimes the prices will decrease. I've never paid (after tax) more than $35 for them. Not cheap, but doable and worth it for the results. Decreased shedding. Thicker (coarser) hair strands (if you don't mind coarse. I don't.) The hair isn't growing faster, but it is growing steady and splits and breakage are at all time low. I just jacked my hair up with some heat damage and had to trim back to shoulder, but I had reached APL while on Vivivscal and I haven't had that length since I was 7!
I also take Viviscal because of the female patterned baldness that runs in my family. So, for me, the cost is worth it.

 

[LushLox]

@IronButterfly thanks very much; I'll go back on them. A consistent theme seems to be that people experience thicker hair which I would be more than happy with.

 

[faithVA]

We only have about 10 weeks left ladies until the end of this challenge and the end of the year. This year really is flying by.

 

[LushLox]

Straightened my hair a bit yesterday, but I won’t be using any more heated stylers for the rest of the year. Sorry the pic is a bit dark.

 

[Evolving78]

Straightened my hair a bit yesterday, but I won’t be using any more heated stylers for the rest of the year. Sorry the pic is a bit dark.
View attachment 414433

Hair looks nice and full!

 

[LushLox]

Hair looks nice and full!

Thanks, it’s not as thick as I would like though. That is going to be my main goal,l for the coming year, to try and improve my density.

 

[Evolving78]

Thanks, it’s not as thick as I would like though. That is going to be my main goal,l for the coming year, to try and improve my density.

Your ends look good too! How are you going to work on improving your density?

 

[LushLox]

Your ends look good too! How are you going to work on improving your density?

Thanks. I’m going to trim a bit more often. I can really see the importance of trimming regularly, even if it’s just a teeny amount.

I’m going to start back on Viviscal and Biotin again, Biotin really does improve my thickness but I need to be consistent, and I’ve totally slacked off from taking it for the last six months.

I’m going to try and apply the HTN Follicle Mist that I have, at least a few times a week. I like it because it’s water based and won’t mess my hair up too much.

Increase blood circulation stimulation, more massage and exercise and if course regular cleansing.

Eat more cleanly.

I going to say that I’ll apply oils to my scalp more regularly. I’ve got the Mane Choice growth oil (that I barely use), but I’m going to try. I’ll just use it when I intend to bun the next day, which I should be doing more of anyway.

Happy to hear of any other suggestions if anyone can offer any more!!

 

[faithVA]

Straightened my hair a bit yesterday, but I won’t be using any more heated stylers for the rest of the year. Sorry the pic is a bit dark.
View attachment 414433

You are very very close, within 1 to 2 inches.

 

[Chicoro]

Straightened my hair a bit yesterday, but I won’t be using any more heated stylers for the rest of the year. Sorry the pic is a bit dark.
View attachment 414433

Silky and beautiful.

 

[Chicoro]

This is weird. I can see them on the desktop but not my phone. They're even showing in your quoted post.

I think this should work.

It looks like you have gained and retained quite a bit of length. The thickness and fullness are wonderful!

 

[DST1913]

So after my horrible experience at the Dominican Salon last week I decided to wash my hair yesterday and do a hard protein treatment. Just like I suspected all my curls are gone which would indicate heat damage. The thing is though I'm not upset about it. I actually like my hair like this. I don't think that it's damaged. It's not dry it's not brittle the curls are just really loosened. I was able to wash my hair and it didn't shrink up like a Florida Evans fro. It's kind of like it's stretched. My guess would be this is what women with heat trained hair is like. I did a bantu knot out and it came out absolutely perfect. Before they would come out good but would usually be puffy because of the natural hair and how tight the new growth was. Detangling was extremely easy because it wasn't a compacted fro. I'm going to continue with the protein treatments and taking care of my hair and babying it but I think it's really odd that I actually like this texture

 

[Evolving78]

So after my horrible experience at the Dominican Salon last week I decided to wash my hair yesterday and do a hard protein treatment. Just like I suspected all my curls are gone which would indicate heat damage. The thing is though I'm not upset about it. I actually like my hair like this. I don't think that it's damaged. It's not dry it's not brittle the curls are just really loosened. I was able to wash my hair and it didn't shrink up like a Florida Evans fro. It's kind of like it's stretched. My guess would be this is what women with heat trained hair is like. I did a bantu knot out and it came out absolutely perfect. Before they would come out good but would usually be puffy because of the natural hair and how tight the new growth was. Detangling was extremely easy because it wasn't a compacted fro. I'm going to continue with the protein treatments and taking care of my hair and babying it but I think it's really odd that I actually like this texture

Glad you are feeling better and it worked out to your advantage. Are you going to continue to heat train? You know that new growth will be back soon.

 

[Evolving78]

I want some more claw clips for my hair. I like the circular ones.

 

[DST1913]

Glad you are feeling better and it worked out to your advantage. Are you going to continue to heat train? You know that new growth will be back soon.

No I won't. My hair is very fine. I think if I hear trained I would be bald. Lol. I'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts thay new growth will be here before I know it.

 

[Bountiful7788]

I finally made it to armpit length!

 

[DST1913]

I finally made it to armpit length!

Congrats!

 

[LushLox]

I finally made it to armpit length!

Congratulations.

How long did it take you out of interest?

 

[DST1913]

Try taking off an inch and then see how you feel.

So I took your advice today and took an inch off and I didn't feel sad about it so that was good. My hair isn't as heat damaged as I thought it was. The curl is definitely not as defined but it does have some coil.

I wanted to do a test today because once I do fully go natural I want to try to do wash & gos on my 4C hair. I honestly don't think it's impossible. I purchased Camille Rose curl maker and As I Am Curling Jelly and tested it on two sections. Both made my curls pop, however I think the As I Am left it not as frizzy when it dried. I'm not sure if my whole entire head has curls with this same texture but hoping that it does. I'm going to cut off every last piece of relaxed hair in February. That would be my 1 year transition date.