Quarterly Natural Hair Advancement | Comparing September And December 2014



Image Credit: Zizibella Beauty Consultant

I am definitely coming into my own with my natural hair!



THIS IS A LONG ENTRY*

I decided to let you experience one of the things I do in my Hair Diary! Although I record my triumphs, failures, double failures, and awesome product reviews, I also do something called the "Quarterly Natural Hair Advancement (QNHA)." This entry reflects on the last 3 months comparing with the previous QNHA while giving a summary in one whole journal entry.

There are a lot of comparisons with lengths, regimens, goals, habits, and hair styles. I also include pictures to show that I have either improved or that I need to improve in a specific area. I started this back in June 2013 and I do the QNHA at the end of the months: March, June, September, and December. Yes, I am very intricate with my Hair Diary...but this helps me perfect my current regimen, helps me with future styling options, reminds me of my hair goals, and just fun to do!!!

Natural Hair Length Check

TESTS AND GROWTH

Hair Type: 4a/Coily

Hair Archetype: Minimalist Kitchenista

Moisture and Protein: Balanced

Porosity: Low
Density: Low
Texture: Fine

Natural Hair Length Check

Sept. Front Length: 7.5 in
Dec. Front Length: 9 in
(+1.5 inch growth)


Sept. Back Length: 14 in

Dec. Back Length:  15 in
(+1 inch growth)



Sept. Sides Length: 14 in

Dec. Sides Length: 15 in
(+1 inch growth)

Natural Hair Length Check

Sept. Hair Length: .5 inch shy of APL
Sept. Hair Length: just about there - ALMOST!

Total AVG. Length:  1.2 inches in 3 months

Length AVG Grown/Month: .4 inch/month

 

Shedding? -- lots (postpartum and braids)
Breakage? -- probably
Shrinkage? -- high
Trim? -- October 2014 - .5 inch

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*Note - "September" = "July through September"
*Note - "December" = " October through December"

SEPTEMBER REGIMEN

Prepoo/HOT OT - 1/week, JBCO , massage 10 min, plastic cap 30 min or overnight

Regular Shampoo - 1/week, Shea Moisture Curl and Shine (salmon label)

Clarify shampoo  - 1/month, Suave Clarifying

PT wash - 1/month, ApHogee 2 Minute Reconstructor

DC - Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp and Tamanu Grow and Strengthen Treatment Masque

Refreshing Mist - (1/2 water, 1/2 aloe Vera juice, 1 tsp. JBCO, 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin, and 5 drops of lavender essential oil)

L -Shea Moisture Smoothie (salmon label)

O - JBCO

C - Unrefined Shea butter (ends when needed)

Styler - Eco styler Krystal

(No more co-washing)
-
DECEMBER REGIMEN

Prepoo/HOT OT - 1/week, JBCO , massage 10 min, plastic cap 30 min or overnight
Regular Shampoo - 1/week, Shea Moisture Curl and Shine (salmon label)
Clarify shampoo  - 1/month, Rhassoul clay powder cleanser
PT wash - 1/month, protein packs (Cream of Nature, ORS, Palmer's, etc.)
DC - Camille Rose Algae Renew
Refreshing Mist - 1/4 cup flaxseed gel, 1:3 aloe vera juice to water, 3 drops peppermint essential oil, 3 drops lavender essential oil, 3 drops rosehip seed oil
L - Alikay Naturals Lemongrass, Oyin Juices and Berries
Oils - JBCO, jojoba, Sweet Almond Oil, rosehip seed, lavender essential, peppermint essential
C - Shea butter mixture
Styler - flaxseed gel

NEW PRODUCTS IM TRYING

Curls-R-Us Curl Definer 
Kandy Kurls Shea Butter And Argan Oil Deep Conditioning Hair Masque 
Naturalista Cosmetics Juicy Leave-In Conditioner 

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STYLES TRIED (December): 




Twist Out with Pomegranate Punk

Twist Out with Sock Bun



Sock Bun With Hump



Sock Bun With Hump




Mini Twists For Fine Natural Hair



High Afro Puff
Faux Hawk Fro
Bunny Puff

Perm Rod Set 1 (Gold)
Perm Rod Set 2 (Red)
Dud Perm Rod Set

Flexi Rod on Flat Ironed Set
Plastic Roller on Flat Ironed Set
Professionally Flat Ironed Set

Senegalese Twists

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GOALS MET FROM SEPTEMBER

From Quarterly Natural Hair Advancement - Comparing June and September, my goals for 3 months were  to massage my scalp with castor oil 4xs/weekly, deep condition once a week, NO BUYING OTHER PRODUCTS, and finger detangling.

I massaged castor oil (mixed with other oils) at least 4xs/weekly, because I love the feeling of the oil on my scalp and in my  hair. I did notice softer hair and less tangles in my naps. I will continue doing this for the next 3 months.

I deep conditioned once a week, even with my Senegalese twists. It has become part of my regimen for so long, that I feel like I must do this process. It also gets the moisture back in my hair that my moisturizing mist or leave in conditioner cannot do.

Well, I didn't buy other products per se...I did subscribe to CurlKit. I just wanted to try something new and to review on. I am planning on giving these products up and may cancel my subscription in January.

I did lots of finger detangling! If I felt the need to use my wide tooth comb or Denman brush, then I did. But I kept with the finger detangling.


Did I reach APL since I set that goal last year??? Well...



Natural Hair Length Check

Natural Hair Length Check

Natural Hair Length Check

...I'M ALMOST THERE. LIKE RIGHT-RIGHT ALMOST THERE. YAY FOR PROGRESS!!

PERSONAL GOALS

My short term goals are for next 3 months: to massage my scalp with castor oil 4xs/weekly, deep condition once a week, clarify wash 1/month, co wash every week.

-

My mid-term goals for December 2015 are: to maintain healthy hair, do more roller set styles, no extensions until Summer 2015, create more hair products, reach BSL

-

My ultimate goal is: to reach waist length!

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SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER HEALTHY AND UNHEALTHY HABITS

September healthy habits:

Drinking 8 cups of water/daily

Eating healthy! Spinach salads and green smoothies all the way!!!

Exercising 4 days/week 

JBCO edges 4xs/week

Wrap hair at night ALWAYS!
DC/week
Sticking to my regimen
Keep hair in protective for at least a week
Detangling hair before styling
Use leave in while hair is sopping wet
Air drying being the priority

---
December healthy habits
Exercising 4 days/week 
Eating healthy!

Wrap hair at night ALWAYS!
DC/week

Revamping regimen for hair needsJBCO edges 4xs/week

Keep hair in protective for at least a week

Detangling hair before styling

September unhealthy habits:

CANT THINK OF ANY!
---
December unhealthy habits:
NOPE! NONE! NILCH!!

Natural hair says: you may think this is intricate, complex, and just too much...but this keeps me on track for my hair goals and habits. Try it for yourself after your three month mark. You may really love this method! To start a simple entry in your hair diary, check out It Works - Keeping A Hair Diary.

Always Desire Your Natural,

Christina J

If you want more like this article, check out

Quarterly Natural Hair Advancement - Comparing June and September

My Fall Castor Oil Challenge Journey - 1 1/4 Inch in 3 1/2 Months!