Question for all BS and MBL Ladies!!!

[seraphim712]

Hi Ladies,

I've come to the point when my hair has made it to APL and now is a challenge to break into the BS - MBL stage; if feels like my hair has been APL for a couple of years now. My question to you all is, how long did it take for you to make it to BS/MBL from APL and what techniques did you have to apply in order to reach that goal? How did you maintain the ends to keep them from requiring a trim/ and is it necessary to get a trim at all? (the trimming is what's bothering me the most since I feel that it keeps me from obtaining my goal)

I realize that this question is reoccurring, so if there are previous threads that can help with answers, please post them here as well.

Thanks in Advance!

 

[cheryl26]

I was shoulder length around sep-oct of last year and was mbl in feb of this year. I didn't pay attention to when I was apl. I was trimming split ends when bored but it's so tedious so I just cut off 1/2 inch after every flat iron which I've done three times this year. I never trimmed my hair before that but now I've started putting it up in a high clip at night. During the day I still wear it out though. If you have fine hair and flat iron I'd say trim it, my ends looked terrible. O and at night I've started putting olive oil on my ends to see if it preserves them.

 

[seraphim712]

I was shoulder length around sep-oct of last year and was mbl in feb of this year. I didn't pay attention to when I was apl. I was trimming split ends when bored but it's so tedious so I just cut off 1/2 inch after every flat iron which I've done three times this year. I never trimmed my hair before that but now I've started putting it up in a high clip at night. During the day I still wear it out though. If you have fine hair and flat iron I'd say trim it, my ends looked terrible. O and at night I've started putting olive oil on my ends to see if it preserves them.

Thanks for your input.

I do flat iron, but I try to keep it to a minimum of three times a year; my biggest issue are the ends of my hair; I keep my hair in a bun or twists most of the time, but I think I need to start applying oil to the ends every night as well.

 

[lana]

I apply oil to the ends of my hair everyday and bun.

I think that and using Mane & Tail Conditioner (NOT MTG, but the actual conditioner bottle that you by for 3.99 at walmart or CVS/Rite Aid) as a prepoo and leave in has helped me retain length and get to BSL. I'm edging towards below BSL and then on to MBL...but that's the longest I want my hair EVER.

Turn the heat down, seal the ends, trim regularly - meaning whenever they look like they need to be trimmed and protective style. I do not comb and brush my hair, I finger comb. When I wear it down I roll it with flexi rod rollers. Works for me!

Oh and I texlax and stretch that. So I believe that's all helped me retain and grow!!!

Vitamin: Miracle 2000 at GNC for $29.99 - It's worth it!

 

[AlliCat]

Last year around this time I was grazing APL...then I made full brastrap in december...so it took about 7 months...I protective styled (halfwigs) like crazy during that time. Also upped my cowashes and DC sessions. Oh I also took biotin (inconsistently).

Congrats on making APL good luck with BSL & MBL

OH I almost forgot...I didn't trim my hair at all...my last trim was a blunt one to full SL and I haven't had one since then....my ends are still in good chape because I oil them all the time and keep my hair up

 

[LadyAmani]

It took me five months to get to bsb from apl, what got me there really was aphogee 2 min every week and Aphogee keratin and green tea mist three times a week i have to keep protein in my hair or it will tangle up badly.

 

[seraphim712]

It took me five months to get to bsb from apl, what got me there really was aphogee 2 min every week and Aphogee keratin and green tea mist three times a week i have to keep protein in my hair or it will tangle up badly.

My hair does this; I wonder if I need to increase my protein as my hair tangles badly as well; drinking water is another MUST DO for me as well...it's just so hard to.

However, I notice that it takes an average of 5-6 months to make it to bsl for most ladies who posted here. I will take a picture of my hair now and post it for viewing later on tonight.

 

[beans4reezy]

Bumping...I'm still stuck in APL pergatory too!

 

[EbonyCPrincess]

I claimed APL in June of last year and am still not at BSL...I'm anticipating I will get there in September which would be 15 months. Just to give you some perspective from someone who is taking a little longer. Right now I'm half wiggin' it for the final inches and I do not trim very often (about 2-3 times per year).

 

[Forever in Bloom]

I just made BSL this month - or last month - I'm not sure. I stay in protective styles, so I just stretched a section of hair in the back today

I made APL at the beginning of September 2010. So it took me about 7-8 months, but I did do a massive search and destroy back in March of this year which took off some length.

I pretty much rotate back and forth between mini twists and crochet braids. I never wear my hair down when it is in mini twists. They are always styled with the ends tucked away.

I no longer deep condition for hours on end each week. Prior to detangling, I apply coconut oil and go to sleep. I detangle the next morning with nothing but conditioner and my Denman (no Tangle Teezer anymore)

I only shampoo once a month, deep condition for 20-30 minutes with just a processing cap (I don't use a dryer or steamer anymore), and use ACV after rinsing it out.

I slap a leave-in on and braid hair in about 8 sections to stretch out hair without heat. I allow my hair to air dry and then start twisting the next day after applying a cream moisturizer (Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer), or if I am doing crochet braids I'll cornrow my hair.

Doing my hair this way and just leaving it alone for a month at a time has worked wonders. I'm in the HYH challenge, so I have been serious about keeping my hair hidden.

During the winter months, I swear my hair didn't grow. It really ticked me off. Then all of a sudden - BAM! I'm at BSL It took me forever to get to APL, and then a matter of months to make it to BSL. It can really drive you crazy

 

[Oasis]

for me BSL is actually the easiest length. i locked my hair in Feb '10 and i was APL. i took the locs out at the beginning of Sept '10 and my hair was BSL. i then cut it back to APL in Oct '10 and i'm BSL again.

 

[SuchaLady]

Im hovering at APL-ish now and its plucking my nerves. I think I can get there by the end of the year but I am thinking that I need to increase my protein. I just dont want to do a protein treatment and then have that not be the problem and cause another issue

 

[SmilingElephant]

I think I'm gonna use some if these tips. I'm going on 5 months post in June and my hair feels heavier in my wash n go's. Like.....my curls suh-wang both wet and dry.

I'm gonna start back oiling my ends everyday like I did when I was relaxed. And doing twists in the fall/winter.

I'm only doing length checks every 6 months so I'm at collar bone length last time I checked. So....we'll see in July when I do a blowout

 

[LaFemmeNaturelle]

Apl to BSL took around 5 months. Bsl to mbl took about 3-4. I was co-washing multiple times a week and protective styling probably 90% of the time. I got 1 trim in between the time (12 weeks after I reached full apl). I don't have fast growth or anything, I'm just able to retain all of my growth through low manipulation and protective styling...and bsl and mbl aren't that far apart for me.

 

[seraphim712]

Bumping thread

 

[beans4reezy]

Another bump

 

[CrissieD]

I cut my hair to SL 4/2010 and I'm BSL now. My hair is in a PS 80-90% of the time. I do need a trim now after which I will probably still be BSL since I am slightly past it now.

 

[Kurlee]

1.5 years. to get over humps, I protective styles with bunning and kinky sew-ins, trimming bi-annually

 

[lboogie2679]

bump.......

 

[bimtheduck]

My biggest mistake from apl tombl was avoiding trims. I went 2 yrs w/o a trim and that was not good. My thin, scraggily ends would make detangling a nightmare and caused a lot of breakage so that when I did get a trim in March i went from mbl back to bsl. I should have been getting sm trims every 6 months. I will defintely be keeping up w my trims now!

 

[seraphim712]

bump again!

 

[DarkandLovely]

It took me 4 months to go from APL to BARELY BSL--I mean only a few strands touching but I claimed it . I haven't straightened my hair (I'm texlaxed and airdry) but by a stretch length check I'm claiming full MBL ~1 yr later from APL. [by the way I'm 5'8--I think height in addition to growth rate plays a large role in how long it takes you to achieve certain lengths]

I decided not to trim and only dust which is hard for me b/c I love the blunt ends looks and unfortunately my hair grows in a W shaped but I was determined not to trim away all of my progress. I initially trimmed from APL to full shoulder (to get ride of overprocessed ends) then back to full APL...I haven't trimmed since. I plan my next 2-3 in trim when I reach WL.

I think what's helped me most (b/c mind you before I started APL was long to me and never thought I'd reach BSL let along MBL) but I believe protective styling, minimizing direct heat, low manipulation, moisturizing, baggying, and not trimming have helped me to retain my growth.

 

[divachyk]

Took me about 5 months from APL to BSL. Protective styling is my thing. Not being excessive with regi hauling and product trying. Keeping to a basic regi and being consistent.

 

[blackbarbietea]

OH GOD. TALK ABOUT APL PERGATORY!!! I WANT OUT!!!!

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