Longing 4 Length Protective Hairstyle Challenge Official Entry

So, here’s my official entry for the L4L Protective Hairstyle Challenge. This will be the last time that my hair will be worn down until April 2013 (Lord, please be with me) so take a good look. I think I can claim full shoulder length now, so this is my starting length. My ends aren’t where I want them to be, but I wasn’t able to get to the salon for a trim in time, so I’m stuck with this as the starting point. Like I mentioned in my previous post, I’m super excited to get on this challenge, but I'm also super anxious at the same time. After all, I’ve never really actively tried to do something this intense. The rules for the competition are as follows:

§  A protective style for purposes of this challenge is defined as any style in which your ends are not exposed or touching your clothing.  Buns, updos, french braids, french rolls, etc all count.

§  You may only wear your hair down for 7 days throughout the entire three months total!  Whether you choose to do one week, a couple of weekends or not at all – you only have a 7 day allowance.

§  Only one direct heat pass but try not to use it at all!

§  Protective styles means your ends must be hidden, so half up/half down ‘dos don’t count!

§  Must deep condition your hair at least two times per month.

§  You are not excluded from using fake hair – wigs, weaves, extensions, crochet braids, etc.

Yeah…that seems a bit daunting, but I’m confident in myself, so I know I will succeed. My game plan is to work with a lot of sew-ins and buns. I know for a fact that the sew in will take up a big chunk of the time, since I know I can keep them in for up to six weeks at a time. I’ll start out with those since my hair will be easier to blend as opposed to later on in my stretch when jungle new growth comes back. So, before I start rambling, I’ll post my progress pics and get this show on the road. Wish me the best!!

New Year, New Challenge

So, for the New Year I thought I'd do something exciting to get my hair journey started on the right foot. I stumbled across a hair challenge posted by Eboni on Longing for Length called the Protective Styling Challenge, and I just had to get in on it. After all, one of my goals for this year is to thicken up my hair while making it to BSL, so I feel this challenge will be perfect for me. Also, since I'll have to do continuous checkups with her blog, I know it will help to keep me on track and give me the push that I might not otherwise have. This will be the first time that I'm doing anything like this for such a long period of time (the Challenge runs from January 7 to April 15th) so it's a little daunting for me, but I'm confident that I'll be able to get through it. Part of the challenge will include me doing monthly updates, which I’m guessing will have to include pictures, so I’m a little happy for that. Before I begin the challenge, I’m going to flat iron my hair for an official length check, and after that, I only have ONE heat pass until the challenge ends…gasp! Like I said, I know it’s going to be really difficult, but 2013 is the year for stepping up, taking risks, and going where hair has never gone before!!! *ahem* But hopefully, this entire process yields some great results because Lord knows….things are going to get very hairy. Pun intended. I’ll be submitting my official entry on Sunday the 6^th, and from there on in, I’ll be in the game. Wish me blessings!!

Happy Hair Days!!!