Quarterly Natural Hair Advancement | December 2015 And March 2016

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*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!

TESTS AND GROWTH

Hair Type: 4a/Coily

Moisture and Protein: Balanced

Hair Archetype: Minimalist Kitchenista

Texture: Fine

Porosity: Low

Density: Low

Fine Natural Hair Growth
December Front Length: 6.5 inches
March Front Length: 8 inches
(+1.5 inch growth)

Fine Natural Hair Growth
December Back Length: 9 inches

March Back Length: 6 inches

(-3 inch growth)

*1 inch growth, trimmed for uneven length

Fine Natural Hair Growth

December Sides Length: 8 inches

March Sides Length: 7 inches

(-1 inch growth)

*1 inch growth, trimmed for uneven length

Fine Natural Hair Growth

December Middle/Top Length: 8 inches

March Middle/TopLength: 9 inches

(+1 inch growth)

Total AVG. Length:  1.1 inch in 3 months

Length AVG Grown/Month:  0.4 inch/month

Shedding? normal

Trim? search and destroy/dust straggly ends

Breakage? rare

Shrinkage? Ear Length

*Note - "June" = "October through December"

*Note - "March" = "January through March

DECEMBER REGIMEN

Hot oil treatment - (weekly) Coconut oil, 30 minutes with heat

Pre-poo/detangle - Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner

Clarify - (when needed) Herbal Essences Wild Naturals Rejuvenating Shampoo 

Co wash - (weekly) Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner 

Protein - (bi-weekly) ApHogee Intensive Two Minute Keratin Reconstructor OR (bi-weekly) Green Tea OR (every 6 months) Henna

Deep conditioning (weekly) - Shea Moisture Organic Yucca and Plantain Anti-Breakage Masque 

Leave In - Shea Moisture Smoothie

Oils - Coffee Infused Oil, Olive Oil

Crème - Shea Butter Crème

Styler - Alikay Naturals Crème Brulee  

Rarely used products: Flaxseed Gel, Coconut Milk, Green Tea, Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse,  and Henna

MARCH REGIMEN

Massaging - (4xs/weekly) Coffee Oil 

Pre-poo/detangle - Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner

Clarify - (when needed) ALAFFIA Authentic African Black Soap-Lavender Ylang Ylang 

Co wash - (weekly) Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner 

Protein - (weekly) Green Tea Rinse

Deep conditioning (weekly) - Shea Moisture Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque (with EVOO, sometimes)
Mist/Spray - ApHogee Pro-Vitamin Leave-In Conditioner

Leave In - Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream
Oil - Hair And Body Oil
Other Oils - JBCO, EVOO, Sweet Almond Oil, EVCO, Lemongrass Essential, Peppermint Essential, Rosemary Essential, Lavender Essential

Crème - Shea Butter Crème 

Styler - Curls Blueberry Bliss Twist-N-Shout Cream, Flaxseed Gel, CURLS Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste, ApHogee Style and Wrap Mousse
Vitamins - One A Day
Rarely used products - Coconut Milk, , Alikay Naturals Crème Brulee, ApHogee Intensive Two Minute Keratin Reconstructor, and Henna, Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

NEW PRODUCTS IM TRYING

Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner

Shea Moisture Sacha Inchi Rescue + Repair Twist + Lock Gel

Shea Moisture Sacha Inchi Oil Omega-3-6-9 Rescue + Repair Curl Defining Smoothie

Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Shampoo

Henna Gloss With Coconut Milk

Rice Water Rinse 

FEW CHANGES TO REGIMEN

Massaging With Coffee Oil
I will do this weekly as my scalp treatment before detangling and washing my hair. I have been experiencing a bit of dry scalp during the cold months and have found that my coffee oil gives my scalp and hair health balance. I will continue to massage my scalp with a light, natural oil (sweet almond with castor oil) a few times a week.

New Leave-In, Moisturizer, And Stylers
I have found that Cantu Leave In, HB oil, and ApHogee Leave-In are the perfect combination for moisturizing and sealing my hair. Add CURLS Blueberry Bliss Cream and I'm set for styling. Not much is need to care for my hair. The other stylers are for roller sets and fun styles. 

STYLES

How To | Corkscrew Perm Rod Set On Natural Hair

Bantu Knot Out On Fine Natural Hair

Xena: The Chunky Flat Twist Updo 

Flat Twist And Curl On Short, Natural Hair 

Styling Natural Hair With Beanies and Hats

Natural Hair Pomp And Halo

How To | Wash And Go Tutorial
Wash N Go With Curls Blueberry Bliss Control Jelly

How To | Twist Out With Dry, Stretched Hair Tutorial  

How To | Enhance Natural Hair With Afro Drawstring Ponytail

Faux Tapered Crochet Braids 

Crochet Senegalese Twists Mohawk 

GOALS MET FROM DECEMBER 2015

From Quarterly Natural Hair Advancement | September And December 2015 my goals were to finger detangling, protein treatments bi-weekly, always oil ends, no 'out' styles longer than 2 days,  'search and destroy' dusting, and massage scalp 3 times weekly for 2-5 minutes. I have exceeded my goals!

PERSONAL GOALS

My short term goals for next 3 months: short/long term protective styles, hot oil treatments, finger detangle, and massage scalp with oil 4x/weekly

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My mid-term goals for July 2016 are: to maintain healthy hair (let's do this!!) and 'search and destroy' dusting, when needed (will do!!).

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My yearly goals for December 2016 are: NO BUYING NEW PRODUCTS (no more product junkie!), short/long term protective styles (to retain length!), and reach BSL (with health comes length!).

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My ultimate goal is: to reach waist length and HUGE volume by December 2018!

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. Check out an entry from my Hair Diary to get a few ideas to start your own.

Always Desire Your Natural,

Christina J