November's Results II (Photos)

As promised, here is my progress!!  :)

November's Results

Photos to follow (next post)

...or perhaps I'll just amend this one.


Soooo... I couldn't wait until the end of the month.

This is the first month that I've managed to keep up my regimen (less 2-3 days thus far).

Last night I detangled, DC'd, and spent the entire night flat ironing.  I like what I am seeing! :)

My hair is definitely stronger, longer, softer and GROWING.

My intention is waist length hair and I am determined to monitor my growth without constantly measuring (if I do, I'll drive myself bonkers!).

Sure, I'll continue to take photos but I'm really going to try to stop flat ironing my entire head.  Instead, I'll do what I did last month -- just the back area.

I'm also not going to do what I did this month, which was to fold 21 days in just to see how well I've been doing.  I'll wait the full month from this point forward.

Other observations:

• I have to get back on my protein kick.  I've noticed that I've stopped doing my monthly (or was it weekly?) light protein reconstructor.  This is an important step for me that I have to put back into rotation.

• I need to get rid of my excess products (I'm not using them but just having them around seems like an absolute waste being that I've already identified my holy grail products).  I've finally figured out what my staples are and will stick to them.  Though I've got to tell you, Black Friday is calling me.  It be callin'!  I have not been on the natural hair products bandwagon and I'm itching to find out about what everyone has been talking about.  I know I shouldn't because I honestly don't need anything else.  On the other hand, we all really should support independent black businesses.   I'm really proud of the ladies that have used the excellent platforms that exist  to launch independent (successful!) ventures.

• As it stands, something that has really been working for me is saturating my hair with deep conditioner and coconut oil, then baggying.  That way, I seal in the moisture and I do not need to moisturize and seal daily.    Thus, less manipulation.

• I still need to apply my sulfur daily which I have been absolute horrible at executing.  The problem is that when my hair is super moisturized by implementing the method above, once I apply my sulfur, I am not inclined to reapply for the week due to the baggying.  Needless to say, this is a big no-no.  I need to start applying it, if not daily, then every other day.

• I need to start deep conditioning WITH HEAT every single week, not just every now and then.  It really does make a big difference.  I've fooled myself into thinking that because I baggy almost all the time, it's "like deep conditioning" so I don't need to sit under the dryer every weekend.  *cue Charlie Murphy* WRONG!  WRONG! I really need to put DCing into my Friday or my Saturday rotation every single week.  No excuses.

My hair regimen is really low maintenance, so the things I really do need to put time towards shouldn't be seen as burdensome.  I need to stop being lazy.  Period.

Here are the things that I need to do with my hair ROUTINELY:

• Continue using deep condition to moisturize once a week (lasts the entire week)
• Seal with coconut oil and baggy
• Apply castor oil on edges DAILY
• Apply sulfur on scalp DAILY
• Wash and DC weekly WITH HEAT
• Apply protein reconstructor monthly
• Keep my nape (i.e. the kitchen) cornrowed for the month (undo and redo as necessary, be it every month or every 2 months)
• NEW:  Go back to keeping my edges cornrowed.  It is naturally thin (hereditary) and I am hoping that it will catch up to the rest.  I will try this again for the month of December.  If I notice that I lose hair doing this (I believe I noticed this in the past), then I will discontinue.

That's it really.  I am going to keep my hands out of my hair and stop doing whole head checks.  No more flat ironing (except the very back for length check) until next year.  I have some big plans for next year (non-hair related) so I don't want to put a time frame on it.  I suppose I should though...

Ok, I won't do a full flat iron until next next March 2014.

I'm still hoping for as much growth as possible.  I'll return with photos, I'll be sure to take some today.  I just wanted to log on since I had a few free moments.

HHG!

November: 7 DAY Inversion Method!! 4C

Ok, so I couldn't help myself.

I wanted to see how much growth I'd gotten from inverting for the past 7 days (i.e. from the 2nd to the 8th).  It turns out, in 7 days I've gotten 0.5 inches.

I'm not sure how to feel...

Should I feel bummed that I didn't get the full inch?
Should I feel grateful for 1/2 an inch in a week??

I choose the latter!  Darn right, I'm filled with gratitude!  It can only go up from there.  I'm not going to allow myself to wonder "if" I can hit that milestone of 2.5 inches in a month again.  Instead, I'm going to focus on getting it done.  If I get over an inch a month that is still awesome, knowing my historical growing patterns.  I'm really grateful for all I've learned and what I keep achieving on a daily basis.

It's probably best that I stop anxiously checking on my progress and just let it rideeee.  If I do, things can only look up.  So...nix on the monthly checks.  It's not necessary.  I'll probably just flat iron (lightly..I'm doing really well on avoiding heat, and my hair thanks me!) in December (probably late Dec, not sure) to see how close I am to bra strap and then work my rump off to get to waist length before the end of 2014. The goal, though, is to get there by September.

HHG!

October's Results

Sweet October...

Ahhhh, so....

October was a fail in terms of keeping up with my vitamin regimen.  Of the 31 days, I only managed to take my vitamins 8 times.  *shame faced*  Below is the proof.

I knew I'd have a hard time being consistent but COME ON!!  8 days!?!  Gee whiz...

I'm really glad I decided to keep this blog because it is forcing me to take a good, long look at my actions (or lack thereof).  Despite the fact that I've done horribly this month, I'm proud of the growth obtained.  Below are a couple recent shots.  

Please note that my nape, a problem area, was originally only 1/4 of an inch long.  With new protective styling practices, namely braiding the nape 24/7 and keeping it well moisturized, it has grown tremendously and is now approximately 6 inches long.  

The area right above my nape was flat ironed and is therefore significantly longer.  This accounts for the photo below where it appears that the ends are thin when, in reality, its simply that the area right above is longer and lays atop the shorter nape, causing an overlap.  Next time I take a photo I'll have to remember to braid up the nape like I did before :)  

Take a gander:

 Now, what have I been doing?  As of today, I've switched up a couple of things.  I've implemented the inversion method (1 week out of the month), garlic tablets for my insane shedding, more water and....

Protein!!!  I know how awesome protein is in the quest for long, strong, healthy hair so here's what I'll be  having every morning for the month of November:

To spice it up,  I sprinkle granola on top and keep it moving :)

Just for fun, here's a side by side of how my hair has been doing so far:

Now, on to my outrageous goal for the month of November!  I hope to recreate my 2.5 inch mega growth mojo that I experienced before!!  Can it be done?  We'll see!!

September's results

The Good, The Bad, The Inconsistent...

Judging by the title, you know what's up...

Sadly, I have not been consistent.  At.all...

I started out doing well and had even inserted a week of inversion.  It's just the follow up that threw me for a loop.  

Enough feeling sorry for myself, lets look at the stats:

For the month of September:

I logged 11 out of 30 days, according to the Don't Break the Chain app.  

During those days, I stuck with a really strict reggie of vites, minerals, water galore, protein, DC, moisturizing, sealing, etc.

I'll tell you this, getting on the wagon in the beginning was pretty cumbersome.  As time progressed, it became easier and easier.  The trick is to pack your vites in a container (for work) as I am on an am, mid day, and pm reggie.  I then set the reminder on my phone and abide by the rules each day.

I fell off the wagon with a hard THUMP because I started traveling towards the end of the month and got really lazy when I returned.  I'd even planned on keeping up with it while I was away, neatly packing every vitamin container (which remained untouched the entire trip).

Dude, I have REALLY got to work on becoming more disciplined.

On to the good news!  Despite all that, I still managed to gain a little over an inch (maybe an inch and an eighth, or an inch and a quarter - estimating roughly based on new growth).

You know what - strike that (not sure how to do strike throughs on blogger).
Strike that estimate, as all I did was stretch the hair based on my braids using my finger to measure.  I do not believe this to be accurate, especially given that I was only diligent 11 puny days out of the month.  I'm sure that was just the loosening of my braids.  This blog is for accountability and if its not been done with a tape measure, it is not counted as valid.

Excellent growth is my intention, and it is a strong one.

I can only imagine the kind of growth I'll get if I really stuck to my guns.

So new game plan = old game plan :::  only with more consistency.

I'll update on how I do in October at the beginning of November.

HHG!

Resources: Lunar Hair Chart & Lunar Calendar

By the light of the moon...

Growing up, we were always told that your hair would grow stronger and longer if you cut it when a full moon was in sight.  Turns out, it's not just an old wives tale -- it has a name, the Morrocco Method!  

Anthony Morrocco, a master hair Shaman, has a whole site dedicated to teaching about growing long hair using the Lunar Hair Chart.  It's actually very informational, it gives you specific days based on what it is that you want to achieve.  For instance, do you want to:

• Lengthen
• Strengthen
• Thicken
• Do Rootwork or 
• Beautify

There's a day for everything!  Here's a little more about each, since the footwork and beautification category may not be as clear:

Lengthen: Cut or trim your hair on the days provided for lengthening to shock and excite your hair growth patterns, causing your hair to grow two to three times faster and therefore lengthening your hair.

Thicken: The dates provided for thickening promote the activation of new growth cycles in ones bulb and hair follicles.

Strengthen: Cutting or trimming one's hair on the dates provided for strengthening enables the roots, follicles, and bulbs to increase and strengthen one's growth patterns, thus producing stronger and more resilient hair to help avoid premature fall out! 

Root Work: These dates work directly with the roots to shock the entire growth cycle, effectively aiding your hair and scalp in all aspects of hair growth and scalp improvement.

Beautifying: These dates are used to improve the texture and sheen of one's hair. Beautifying also works to enhance and refine the waviness of one's hair.

Every lunar hair cutting date provided on our Lunar Chart is equivalent to 8-16 acupuncture treatments. See the table below to see the equivalent acupuncture benefits for various dates on the lunar chart.

Of course, based on the sole topic of this blog, my interest lies in lengthening.  Though only a handful of days remain in 2013, here's the calendar for growing long, beautiful hair but trimming accordingly:

Best Days for Beneficial Haircutting in 2013:

September 22-23 — Fall Equinox — are the best dates to cut for fall.

It just so happens that September is a great month to cut for growth!  As for the rest of the year:

October 19-20-21 Full Moon 

November 30

December 4-5-6

Resources: Hair Length Chart

Where are you now?

Hair Length Chart

How many inches is Waist Length?

How many inches does it take to reach waist length?

That, my friend, is the question of the hour!

10 inches, my current length, is slightly below shoulder for me - not quite arm pit length.  Here's a current snap:

Now, what will waist length look like based on my height?  Here are my stats:

Brastrap (BSL):  14 inches
Waist length (WL):  23 inches
Tailbone (whoa!):  25 inches    ~~ dare I dream!

So, let's see, I'm 4 inches from my first milestone and 13 inches from my ultimate goal.

To add fireworks to the pot, a girl is trying' to get there in 1 year!!


Let's roll the beautiful bean footage:

Expected Timeline:

1 inch per month (the safe bet)

September 2013:  10"

October 2013:  11"

November 2013:  12"

December 2013:  13"

January 2014:  14" ------------------Brastrap in January 2014

February:  15"

March:  16"

April:  17"

May:  18"

June:  19"

July:  20"

August:  21"

September 2014:  23"-----------------Waist length in September 2014

(Note:  Notice the jump in the last month.  This 1 inch jump should happen in any month, as long as it happens because I need to hit 13 inches in those 12 months!)

2.5 inches per month (the wishing, hoping & praying bet!)

September 2013:  10"

October 2013:  12.5"

November 2013:  15"----------------Brastrap in November 2013 (whaaaa???)

December 2013:  17.5"

January 2014:  20"

February:  22.5"

March:  25"----------------------------Full Waist Length/Tailbone in March 2014

April:  27.5"

May:  30"

June:  32.5"

 

My goal:  stick to the plan.  Concentrate on the final outcome.  All day, e'r day.

If it's also your goal, join me.  See you at the finish line!

4c, yes.we.can!

Plan of Action: WL in 1 Year

Can it be done?

Why yes, I believe it can!

Ok, so knowing that I cannot break 1/2 an inch a month in growth, how do I expect to get 1 inch a month each and every month (with an extra inch somewhere in between!) to get to waist length in exactly one year?

Well, let me tell you a little story of how I managed to get 2.5 inches in one month right after my big chop.  That's right, 2 and a 1/2 inches in one month, 24 days to be precise!

I kept really precise logs after cutting my hair in September and measured like a mad woman.  Every inch, every half an inch, every quarter of an inch MATTERED.

After my big chop, my hair was approximately 4.5 inches long (a little shorter in some areas, namely the middle, as it takes the longest to grow, which may explain why my hair grew in a W shape at the back as a relaxed head).  By October, I was at 5 inches and not doing anything much to my hair in terms of care, I was just kind of getting used to it.  So let's go over the figures:

September:  4.5 inches
October:  5 inches

Here's where things got interesting.  On October 22, 2012 my hair was 5 inches.  I got vigilant and started taking my supplements in a timely manner and caring for my hair on a more frequent basis.  I also popped into my favorite sites to find out what was hot in the streets, lol, because I like to keep abreast of the latest bandwagons just in case I felt like hitching a ride (lol!!).  So in late October, I put together a regimen and stuck to it for a month...and it paid off.

I went from 5 inches on 10/22 to 7.5 inches on 11/15.  That's 2.5 inches of growth in 1 month!!!!  I was  in utter disbelief.  I'd never even hit the 1 inch mark!  Yet there I was more than doubling it!  I tried to tell myself that it was just a growth spurt that's often spoken about (that I had yet to experience until that point).  Perhaps just a fluke.  Whatever it was, I loved it!  However, it took a lot.  A lot of supplements, a lot of dedication and a lot of time -- and as I've said in previous posts, I'm pretty lazy and lack dedication.  

But what this has shown me is that it IS possible.  And if I go back to do what I had been doing in that month, the length will come.  Waist length will come.  And it will come in 1 year (or less if that 2.5 inches was not just a fluke!).  With that said, let's run the numbers:

October 22nd:  5 inches

November 15th:  7.5 inches

Time elapsed:  24 days

Growth achieved:  2.5 inches.

Crazy!!!!!

By following that same regimen verbatim (minus a couple supplements that I no longer have in my stash and won't be repurchasing due to sheer laziness, I know..I know..), here's what I expect:

Expected Timeline:

1 inch per month (the safe bet)

September 2013:  10"
October 2013:  11"
November 2013:  12"
December 2013:  13"
January 2014:  14"
February:  15"
March:  16"
April:  17"
May:  18"
June:  19"
July:  20"
August:  21"
September 2014:  23"
(Note:  Notice the jump in the last month.  This 1 inch jump should happen in any month, as long as it happens because I need to hit 13 inches in those 12 months!)

2.5 inches per month (the wishing, hoping & praying bet!)

September 2013:  10"

October 2013:  12.5"

November 2013:  15"

December 2013:  17.5"

January 2014:  20"

February:  22.5"

March:  25"

April:  27.5"

May:  30"

June:  32.5"

Ok, ok...I gotta stop counting here because this seems crazzzzy.  Let's just say if this timeline works I'll hit waist length in way less than a year and I'd be dancing in the streets, lol!  

The blog is being put up publicly for accountability.  I'm contemplating checking in every month or every three months to update my stats and photos.  I think it would be best to do it monthly just so I can have a better flow of pictorials, but I'm also aware that by doing so I'm manipulating my hair more frequently which is a no-no in my 4c handbook :/  

I think I'll play it by ear and do what comes naturally.

If I find that I can't contain myself, I'll pop in monthly.  If I find that I'm becoming way more disciplined in my approach to hair, then 3 month check-ins it is!  Either way, I will check in.  This is my pledge.

See you at the finish line!!

The 4c's HandBook

The 4c's HandBook

...or 4c bible if you will.

4c hair needs more moisture that all other hair types.  
Solution:  Keep hair moist on a daily basis.  A thick creamy leave in, a moisturizing spray, conditioner, all of the above...take your pick.  Just remember to seal with an oil to keep your hair moisturized throughout the day.

4c hair is prone to tangling.
We may not have much curl definition but we do, indeed, have very tight spirals that seem to love each other and never want to let go!  Those who've spent hours detangling know exactly what I'm talking about.  Our very, very tight spirals tend to wrap around each other with each.  In fact, as the moisture dissipates from the hair (say, after a wash), the hair starts to intertwine and tangle again, making it very necessary to re-mist.
Solution:  When washing - plait in sections (4 or more depending on length) and apply shampoo and conditioner gently from root to tip.  No not tug.  Do not use intense rubbing motions.  Simply apply down the shaft of each braid (remain in a downward motion) and keep it moving.  Pay close attention to the scalp by using the tips of the fingers to massage the scalp only.  Do not massage each braid, else you will feel the wrath of the 4c tangle *shiver*
Solution 2:  After shampooing and conditioning, detangle hair one section at a time with a spray bottle close by.  As soon as the hair becomes dry, tangles are not far.  Keep hair moisturized and supple to prevent tangles.  Make sure to re-braid each section after detangling.
Solution 3:  Simply keep hair braided at all times (for those who are fans of protective styling).

4c hair is prone to breakage
Enough said.  Keep it moisturized and protected.

4c hair needs special tools
Hard to believe isn't it?  Well it's true!  Something that has changes my hair in a major way is using the right tools.  What tools are those, you may ask?  Why seamless combs, of course!  Seamless comb usage has resulted in way, way less hair loss when combing.  Also, many of us were taught to use combs that are guaranteed to get through the knots and the naps, kinks, and coils.  WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.  We suffer so much hair loss by doing that.  So much!  Throw away the combs of yesterday and jump on the seamless comb train.

4c hair needs a moisture -protein balance too!
Our hair is thought of as being very strong and resilient.  And it is!  But we still have to take care of it and make sure that it has the proper balance of moisture and protein.
Solution:  Develop a regimen that works for you.  I've experimented with switching daily, weekly, and monthly between the two, using protein shampoos and conditioners, protein sprays, moisturizing sprays, and the list goes on and on.  See what works well for your hair.  When you do find something that works, still with it!

Operation 13 inches in 12 months!!

The challenge:  Grow 13 inches in 12 months!

Now, after running the numbers, this could easily be a YIKES moment.

The head starts spinning, wondering "how the heck am I gonna pull this off?  I can barely hit an inch a month without jumping through hoops!"

Well, I say, why not jump through hoops?

Why not give it all you can to get to your goal?

After all, it's only one year of your life!

People have always said what a difference a year makes...I say...what a difference some waist length hair makes!! (lol)

So let's mull over the facts, then launch into the game plan.


Facts:

I can barely hit an inch a month.  I'm not sure what my natural growth speed is, but I'm guessing somewhere between .25 to .4 inches a month...that's right, not even  1/2 an inch a month :(

Bear in mind, this is without supplements and without paying much attention to my hair at all.  If I start to manipulate it at all, then I retain even less!  My hair hates to be bothered, I've discovered.

My 4c hair hates manipulation.  Good to know.

Next, my hair is thirsty.  Very thirsty.  It likes to be moist at all times.  As soon as the air hits it it becomes dry and "trashy," like the protective covering of a corn husk.  How do I bypass this?  With the greenhouse method, also known as baggying.

My hair has absolutely no curl pattern in its natural state.  When dry, it is very similar to a cotton ball.  I love and appreciate it in all its curl-lessness.  (lol)

Aside:  when I get used to this, I will add photos, right now I just need to get these thoughts out of my head and unto paper...erm, blogger.

Next fact - I'm a tad lazy, so being consistent is going to be a challenge.

I shed like crazy!  Relaxed, natural, doesn't matter.  Shedding is my thing it seems.    I'll have to incorporate something in my game plan to address this.  I have not yet done so.  In the past I bought garlic pills but the scent was a turnoff and, moreover, the my lack of discipline kicked in -- I didn't even last 2 days :(

My 4c hair is strong but fragile.  Makes sense?  Not to me either.  Lemme 'splain....
So each individual strand is... you know what, I don't think I can put it into words, you'll just have to take my word for it.  Or maybe one day, if I'm not too shy, I'll make a video outlining my angst..

I've never had what we call in our community "edges."  Apparently it's hereditary and something passed down from my mother, who has very fine kinky edges.  I have very thin, sparse edges and always have.  I was looking at a photo from grade school (you remember those annual school shots!) from about perhaps the 3rd grade and my edges were exactly the same as they are today, fine and nappy.

Which brings me to another point, I have fine hair.  Now this, my friends, was an epiphany of epic proportion.  I have long been under the misguided notion that 4c kinky nappy hair was STRONG and PLENTY.  Well, turns out that mine, while extra nappy, is also fine.  Puzzling at first but not at all surprising.  Our hair exists in all shapes, sizes, types and variations.

My nape, the nappiest area on my head, is very short, dry and difficult to grow.  In fact, it is the shortest area on my entire head (if we take the edges out of the equation).  Thus, my nape requires extra special attention.  Solution:  keep it braided up and moisturized.  Translation:  the nape should never see the light of day.

In summary, for many years, I did not know how to handle my hair given the aforementioned facts.  It is easy to jump from bandwagon to bandwagon, but 4c's must remember that our hair is different and sometimes complex.  What works for a 4a or a 3c may not necessarily work for a 4c.

In my next entry, I'll detail what has worked for me as a 4c.



 

My 4c Hair Goals

My goal is to get to WL in the span of one year.

Ambitious?  Yes.  Plausible?  I sure think so!

Since I have a slight (ok, ok, MAJOR) problem with being discipline.  I've challenged myself to keep focused by creating a blog to jot down my every move.  Should I tweak my regimen in ANY way, I must run like a mad woman to the blog (or, yanno, update from my phone) and lay it out for posterity.

In my next post, I will tell you what I've done since BC to now and how I plan to switch things up a bit.  I think I've learned enough to proactively avoid mishaps and setbacks if I simply become more aware and concentrate on the biggest thing that manages to keep me back:  CONSISTENCY.

So...


Here are my current stats:

Texture/Type:  4c, Natural.

Initial Big Chop Date:  September 3, 2012.

I am now at approximately 10 inches stretched following a trim.

Hair Goal:  WL

Start Date:  September 13, 2013.  (Current length:  10 inches)

Hair Goal Date:  September 13, 2014 (Waist Length on me:  23 inches)
--if I'm super ambitous, tailbone is 25"


Lets do the math, that leaves me with 13 inches.  The challenge:  Grow 13 inches in 12 months!

TBC - To be continued...

A 4c Intro

I will use this blog to track my progress towards my hair goals.

For 4c's, 4b's, 4a's .... heck, Type 3's, 2's and 1's!, hair is a serious matter.

Hair obsessed since birth, I've always lacked the discipline necessary to get and keep me at long lengths.  My major problem has been consistency.  Next, uneven growth - so even though I may hit APL on the sides, the middle refused to catch up.  This is known as the W-Effect.

Well.  I big chopped last September, September 3, 2012 to be precise.

4c hair is hair like no other.  It goes without saying.


The thing is, we've been brainwashed into thinking that it is the most difficult hair to manage.  In actuality, I've found it to be so easy!  The key -- moisture!!

4c hair tends to be very thirsty.  So why deprive her?  Find a moisturizer, or set of moisturizers, and make sure to massage them in from tip to root EACH AND EVERY DAY.  Yep, everyday.

In my next entry I am going to set forth my hair goals.  HHG - Happy Hair Growing!!!