1 YEAR HAIR-VERSARY !!!!

I reached 1 year on my hair journey in June and I am so excited to see that I have not only met my first long term hair length goal of BSL ( bra strap length ) but I have much healthier hair over all. My hair is longer than it has ever been my entire life and healthier than I could have ever imagined! My hair holds heat well now, does not frizz with humidity or even when I spritz water on my flat ironed hair...it's silky easy to manage and has great movement too.  I took a heat pass for my Bday celebration and to conduct a thorough length check.  I have used heat about 3 times since my journey has stared. I have been diligent with my regimen and bunning. This no heat diet along with daily moisturizing and frequent washing is what I can attribute my success to through out this process.  I have learned so much and hopefully I have helped others learn through sharing my personal experiences.  I am amazed at how much length I was able to  retain over he course of one year. It may be a little hard to see the number lines on my LC shirt, but I started a little above the #1 mark line and I am currently grazing the #8 line!

I guess I should set new goals at this point...so full MBL (mid back length) *which for me is officially dream hair length* is what I hope to reach by May 2012.  I am amazed at how much length I was able to  retain over he course of one year. It may be a little hard to see the number lines on my LC shirt, but I started a little above the #1 mark line and I am currently grazing the #8 line!

June 2010                         December 2011                   June 2011

Three Months Post Length Check

I am now 3 months post relaxer and I soooo ready to get my PhytoRelaxer next week. Not because my roots are hard to manage but because I am excited to see the new length!

My new growth has been very manageable this go round as I am consistent with my regimen. I CANNOT believe I am close to bra strap length already!!! Did not expect to get close until May/June. So reaching my June 30th 2011 goal of BSL is pretty much in the bag...YES!!! :)  I had no idea I was getting so close and retaining so much length until I did a mini length check last night. Posted are pics of my luscious new growth and latest LC. 

New Growth 3 months Post Relaxer

Nape Damage Update

For may people the nape area ( hair line and area at the neck) is very sensitive and most prone to breakage.  Before the start of my HHJ, I wore three sew-in weaves back to back which not only caused my hair to thin and break off all over, but it completely left my right nape area broken off about 2 inches from the scalp! With proper care and keeping a close eye on this area of damage,  I can finally get this area into a pony tail along with the rest of my hair.  Here are pics of the growth progress.

June 2010

January 2011

Regimen Updated

Below is my updated Regimen with a list of products I alternate for each step. Really as long as you are putting moisture into the hair daily, sealing with an oil to lock that moisture in, and keeping your scalp clean, you can use what ever products work best for their hair (But please avoid mineral oils,  and petroleum based products as they can suffocate the hair and scalp, lock out moisture and inhibit hair growth). You can use an wide range of products to alternate, or you can choose a minimal amount of products. They key is doing what works best for your hair. If you don't have time to cleanse often, you may not want to apply too many oils and other products as often to avoid build up.  On the other hand if you clean your hair two or three times a weeks because you have a naturally oily scalp, then extra conditioning and keeping oils on those ends is key to avoiding breakage. I have also posted more before and after shots of my 6 month hair journey update. Stay consistant in your regimen and you WILL see results! Happy growing :)

- Wash with a natural Shampoo one a week (Sunday): Bee Mine Ayurvedic Bar or Shea Moisture's Coconut & Hibiscus. 

- Co Wash Once a week (Wed) with a moisturizing conditioner: Suave Professionals Shea & Almond Conditioner, Herbal Essences Hello Hydration, or Bee Mine Bee Lovely Moisturizing Conditioner  

-Deep Condition 2x a week (Wed & Sun after my co wash or shampoo): Spiral Solutions Deeply Decadent Conditioning treatment, Shea Moisture's Deep Conditioning mask, Darcy's Botanicals Deep Conditioning Mask

- Light/ Medium Protein Treatments done as needed, or once a month minimum: Aphogee 2 minute reconstructor ( NOT the 2 step hard protein treatment), Coppola's Keratin Deep Conditioning treatment, or Spiral Solutions Repairing Protein treatment. 

- Leave Ins: Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing Leave In conditioner ( Spritz 2x a day to keep moisture on my strands.

- I use a light protein leave in spray (Spiral Solutions Strength & shine or Aphogee Green Tea & Keratin Leave In...applied after my shampoos once a week

- Seal hair nightly with natural oils to lock in moisture from conditioners: Carol's Daughter Hair Balm (my new Fav), Extra Virgin Coconut oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Carol's Daughter's Lisa's Hair Elixer or Jamaician Black Castor Oil.

- Clarify once a month to remove build up: Bee Mine Purity Bar, Giovanni 50:50 Hydrating Clarifying Shampoo.

- I air dry 99% of the time and wear my hair in a bun or a phony pony.  I will be on a no heat diet and wear protective styles until i have reached Bra strap length. 

- Trim/ Dust about 1/4 inch after every relaxer.  I don't require a lot of trimming because I have worn a protective bun or phony pony for everyday of my journey.  I have used heat only once the past 6 months and this has allowed me to retain so much length and have very little breakage.

More Update Pics 6 months of Progress

June 2010

December 2010  (sorry, I did not comb out hair before this shot)

June 2010

December 2010

Six Month Hair Journey Update

JUNE 2010

DECEMBER 2010

I cannot believe how much time has passed since I started my HHJ.  I started in May/June 2010 and here we are in December. I have crossed the six month marker and now its time to witness the RESULTS!  I am sure many of you will start your journey and doubt that you are really getting the results you need to reach your hair length goals.  This why I encourage you to track your journey with photographs!  You can see and compare your progress, and the effectiveness of your regimen. Use your progress photos as a guide, motivation, and diary for your HHJ. If you dont see the proof in your photos, its possible you need to revisit the components of your regimen, and look at what products you are using.  It is so important to listen to your hair and give it what it needs. For the past month or so, I began to experience some breakage. In my head I was convinced I was using enough moisture, but the winter weather was telling my hair otherwise, so I tweaked a few things, and now the breakage is at bay.  At one point I began to skip my second deep conditioning treatment some weeks, skip sealing and only spritz moisture on to my hair and these small changes, produced negative results (breakage).  So I back tracked figured out what I was doing differently and went back to what worked best for my hair. The diligence of following my regimen is paying off! I am officially Armpit length :) Next stop...Bra strap length by my B-day June 30, 2011