I originally joined LHCF in 2002, I believe. Can you believe that TODAY I'm rejoining after being off the site for about 8 years ? (Except for lurking around once every three years or so.)
I'm using the same name I used then, so many of those old post of mine from "back in da' day" are still around. It's so funny to still be able to read stuff I wrote 10 years ago! Boy, like they say, be careful what you put on the internet cause it never dies....
"What did you think about LHCF when you first joined?"
Anyway, when I first joined, I thought the site was wonderful. It was a tight community of women mostly black and some Latinas who loved taking care of their hair natural or relaxed and preferred natural hair over fake hair. I was selected way back in 2002 or 2003 as a Feature of the Month, I believe it was for the month of November.
Some ladies were using weaves and extensions in those days who were members, but as I recall, they were doing that just to protect and extend the growth of their real hair.
We talked about natural products, OTC products and boy, we had regimens, upon regimens. LOL We went thru Hennalucent, MSM, Dominican products, Mizani, dusting, bagging, protective styles, herbal relaxers and home-made concoctions stages to name just a few of the things that we incorporated in our routines back then. And we took toooons of vitamins. I remember everyone breaking out cause of the Biotin. LOL
Today I saw the profile pic of one of my old LHCF friends from back in the day and she is at tailbone length!!!! Amazing!!! I'm so happy for her. Wondering if any of the old gals are still around..Tracey? LondonDiva? Adrienne?
"Did you think having long hair was attainable or did you think LHCF members were crazy and/or mixed (good hair)?"
No, I never thought long hair was not attainable. Before the whole weave, fake hair craze plenty of blk women had long hair natural and relaxed. The only thing that prevents a black women from having long, healthy hair is when she doesn't take care of it. Period. My Mom had taught me to take care of my hair from an early age, so I never had trouble growing mine.
"What were some of the failed attempts to grow long hair?"
Once I got my personal routine down after joining and following LHCF, I grew the strongest, healthiest and shiniest hair of my life. Until I had some life stresses that caused me to shed hair and eventually have to cut it shorter. I think what worked best for me was drinking lots of water, vitamin intake, protein shakes, frequent castor oil/cholesterol/blackstrap molasses deep treatments, moderate protein conditioning, biotin shampoos and conditioners, and only once a week heat (under hood dryer).
"When was retention discovered?"
Dusting my ends myself, avoiding scissor-happy hairdressers and always applying jojoba oil to my ends after every wash, kept me from losing length and from split ends.
"Are you relaxed, terlaxed, natural or a heat trained natural?"
I am currently growing out a mild relaxer. My hair is short (see photo). About three inches are natural at this point. I plan to grow it out without a BC.
"Did you start your journey when you joined? If not, when?"
I started before, but my journey to attempt hair PAST my brastrap started after I joined the site.
Was Waist Length your original goal? No just a little past bra-strap. I got to bra-strap.
What is your current length? Above shoulder-length due to several cuts. Now, I want to grow it back out.
What was the board like compared to today? I'm excited to see. I'm an older, but newbie. This is my first day back in years.