Quarterly Natural Hair Advancement | December 2016 And March 2017

My Hair Diary | My 2017 Goals For My Natural Hair Journey  

*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

Hair Archetype:Minimalist

Moisture and Protein: Balanced

Texture: Fine

Porosity: Low

Density: Low

Fine Natural Hair Growth

December Back Length: 11 inches
March Back Length: 11.5 inches

(+ 0.5 inch growth)

Fine Natural Hair Growth

December Back Length: 11 inches
March Back Length: 11.5 inches

(+ 0.5 inch growth)

Fine Natural Hair Growth

December Sides Length: 11 inches
March Sides Length: 12 inches

(+1 inch growth)

Fine Natural Hair Growth

December Sides Length: 11 inches
March Sides Length: 12 inches

(+1 inch growth)

Fine Natural Hair Growth

December Back Length: 11 inches
March Back Length: 12 inches

(+ 1 inch growth)

Fine Natural Hair Growth

December Top/Middle Length: 11 inches
March Top/Middle Length: 10.5 inches

(-0.5 inch growth)

December Hair Length: 0.5 inch from APL
March Hair Length: 3 inches from BSL

Total AVG. Length: 0.5 inch in 3 months

Length AVG Grown/Month: 0.2 inch/month 

Hair Feels...rough and dry

Shedding? LOTS

Breakage? LOTS

Shrinkage? High

Edges? Very fine and broken, missing hair

Trim? April 2, 2017

*Note - "December" = "October through December"
*Note - "March" = "January through March"

DECEMBER REGIMEN

Massaging - (4xs/weekly) - JBCO and Coffee Oil (Wash Day)
Clarifying Shampoo: Suave Naturals Daily Clarifying Shampoo 
Moisturizing Shampoo: Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture Sulfate-Free Shampoo
CoWash/Conditioner: Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture Hydrating Conditioner 

Protein - (weekly) Green Tea Rinse and ApHogee Intensive Two Minute Keratin Reconstructor 

Deep conditioning (weekly) - Shea Moisture Manuka Honey and Mafura Hair Masque
Hair Rinse - Rice Water Rinse
Leave-In - Carols Daughter Almond Milk Daily Damage Repair Leave-In Conditioner 

DIY Oils - Hair And Body Oil
All Oils/Juices - JBCO, EVOO, Sweet Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Lemongrass Essential, Peppermint Essential, Rosemary Essential, Lavender Essential, Aloe Vera Juice 

Stylers - Eco Styler Olive Oil Styling Gel, Shea Moisture Sacha Inchi Oil Omega-3-6-9 Rescue + Repair Curl Defining Smoothie, Shea Moisture Sacha Inchi Rescue + Repair Twist + Lock Gel 

Natural Hair Regimen

MARCH REGIMEN

Massaging and Detangle - JBCO 
Moisturizing Shampoo - Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture Sulfate-Free Shampoo
CoWash/Conditioner - Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture Hydrating Conditioner 

Protein - (weekly) ApHogee Intensive Two Minute Keratin Reconstructor 

Deep conditioning (weekly) - Carols Daughter Almond Milk Ultra-Nourishing Hair Mask
Hair Rinse - Rice Water Rinse
Leave-In - Carols Daughter Almond Milk Daily Damage Repair Leave-In Conditioner 

DIY Oil - Hair And Body Oil
Crème - Mango-Cocoa Butter Crème
All Oils/Juices - JBCO, EVOO, Sweet Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Lemongrass Essential, Peppermint Essential, Rosemary Essential, Lavender Essential, Aloe Vera Juice 

Stylers - Eco Styler Olive Oil Styling Gel, Shea Moisture Sacha Inchi Oil Omega-3-6-9 Rescue + Repair Curl Defining Smoothie, Shea Moisture Sacha Inchi Rescue + Repair Twist + Lock Gel

PRODUCTS TO TRY

Cantu Edge Stay Gel, Extra Hold

Camille Rose Aloe Whipped Butter Gel

African Black Soap

STYLES

Wash And Go For Fine, Natural Hair - Take 2 

Faux Tapered Cut Natural Hair Updo, Take 2 

Flexi Rod Natural Hair With ApHogee Style and Wrap Mousse 

Protective Style Series Vol 13.1 | FreeTress GoGo Curl Crochet Braids With Side Part
Protective Style Series Vol 13.2 | How To Care For FreeTress GoGo Curl Crochet Braids
Protective Style Series Vol 13.3 |The Journey Of FreeTress GoGo Curl Crochet Braids
Protective Style Series Vol 13.4 | FreeTress GoGo Curl Crochet Braids Review 

Protective Style Series Vol 14.1 | Single Loop Crochet Senegalese Twists

How To | 6 Protective Styles That Will Save You Hours of Styling Time

GOALS MET FROM JUNE

Quarterly Natural Hair Advancement | Comparing September And December 2016, my short term goals for next 3 months were: NO TOOLS, rice water rinse/ weekly, JBCO 3-5 times/weekly, use Aloe Vera Juice/Gel and Hair And Body Oil regularly, and retain 1.5 inch. I only gained 0.2 inches a month and did not reach my 1.5 inch goal. My JBCO/HHJ challenge didn't bring the hopes that I would have expected, and I didn't get to do a rice water rinse.

PERSONAL GOALS

My short term goals for next 3 months: weekly protective styles, JBCO 3-5 times/weekly, retain 1.5 inch, henna treatment.
-
My mid-term goals for July 2017: 3 henna treatments, have at least 1-3 YouTube Videos.
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My yearly goals for December 2017: maintain the same regimen and products usage, 5/2 weekly protective styles, attend 3-6 natural hair meetups/events/shows, and reach BSL (stretched)
-
My ultimate goal: 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