25¾/+/¾
To Try
Well I did try a roller set last month but it didn't turn out well - too pouffy. I'm just not good at it. I should attempt a braid out but really don't have the patience or skill.

I have being doing a few more experiments with buns and enjoying that. I did a Madeleine cinnamon bun. It didn't come out the same bc I didn't have a braided scrunchie but it was a nice look. I got several compliments on it.

Progress
Hubby measured and it looked 26 to him but I think it was just a wee bit off. He said well it is definitely more than ½. So I figured on ¾. its so hard to measure as a curly bc I tend to be a perfectionist and I know my measuring is not perfect. But I think it best to continue so I can chart average growth.

Nutrition
I ran out of Biotin the 3rd wk of Feb. And only had a few FSO so I took that only occ. I kept up with the MSM every night and did well on the enzymes abt the first 3 wks. I really must get more Biotin. I'm not comfortable w/o it and wonder if I might have gained an entire inch.

The first half of this month was quite difficult. But I felt very good by the 3rd wk. I've been sleeping a LOT this last wk. Discomfort as of yesterday but it is managed.

Styles
LHC has something called the style of the week that I wanna rmbr to check out for ideas.

I'm thinking of trying a modified version of a Neil updo. Perhaps part hair from ear to ear, bun the back half and take the front and make some type of roll, double roll or twists.

A braided bun would be nice if I can pull it off.

For a change up I've taken to parting my hair on the side rather than always combed back or centred. I like it. Such a small change made such a difference in my restlessness.

Product/Regimen
Longhairs. Wash/cond daily. I did a deep honeybee trtmt the end of the month. And it seemed to suddenly just click and my hair and texture behaved great this wk. I finished my first rotation of all 'poos so it was funny having it come together that way.

I plan to continue to deep treat once a wk perhaps starting overnite. And to oil treat perhaps on weekends, both days.

I positively love the curl cream! This is something I think I will use a lot. And if I ever wear my hair down this is the perfect styling aid.

Vitamins
MSM-1500 this is really the only one I kept up all month. Enzymes most of the month. I did Biotin-5 mg and FSO-500 only half the month.

Growth
I still have a long way to go esp since I'm so curly the appearance will still be diff from the measurement. But I'm happy with the progress. It seems to be steady.

Expenses
I ordered finishing prod this month - $50. and the last of the month I ordered more scalp oil. I don't want to be spare with it so I ordered more so I never feel like oh no its almost all gone I better only use a little. That was $30. I must replenish my vitamin supply. It would only cost $20, Biotin, FSO, Silica.

Targeting
I'm at bra strap length. But still have a little bit left to get to bra Clasp length but not much. Dry curls just shy of collarbone.





Balleryna*~
May 2001-Present
*~Ears~BSL~Waist*(2004 Goal: BCL?)*~
~*2c3bcFiii/Springs, Rings & Coils/Fine+thick~*
*~Chestnut Brown w/Auburn to Golden Highlights*~

*My Journal~:* Fairy Tales~ My Story

Daily Care: (See Details)
Morn~: Scalp oil/massage; Shampoo/Cond.; Leave-ins
Night~: Overnight Cond. or Oil; Braid
Tools~: BBBs/Horn combs; Hairsticks/Velvet; Goody plastic pins
Current Product Line~: LML

Vitamins:
Supplements~: Biotin-5 mg, FSO-500, MSM-1500, Enzymes
Meals~: certified Kosher, wheat-free, Organic, & Ensure

Vitamins/Overall Progress Chart
Nov.: MSM, Biotin, Silica. Serious tangle and matting problem. First began new prod./daily washing.
~ I really discovered how much I love washing my hair. It’s a great way to start the day.

Dec.: HF37, MSM powder, Silica. Tangles all better. Massage and No-Measure/Journal Challenges.
~ Massage is the first part of my morning routine and the horn combs are great. I’ve also been trying to spend more time on my journaling. Sometimes I’ve done well and sometimes not. But it’s a great focus.

Jan. Goal: enzymes, PF, Biotin, FSO, EPO, MSM, Silica. Brush/horn comb routine. Doc. measure-ins and notes. (Note new meds: FS-15 mg.)
~ Well I didn’t actually take all those vitamins in Jan. But I did keep up the Biotin, FSO, and MSM. I ran low on Silica and didn’t take them as often. The Enzymes were difficult to remember b/c I kept them refrigerated. I did plan to start charting growth as well as targeting. Since curls have shrinkage I thot that I would keep a little separate focus for my long-term appearance goal.

Feb. Plan: HF37, PF, PD, Biotin, FSO, EPO, MSM, Silica. +½"? I don't wanna set too high.
~ I didn’t go back to the HF37 nor did I get the Garden of Life stuff either. I stuck with the MSM all month. I had run out of Silica and was very low on FSO so I was sparing with it. I ran out of Biotin completely around the middle of the month. The good news is I stuck with MSM every night as well as the Enzymes at least once a day. The best news of all is that I surpassed my goal of ½. I got a whole inch btw. Jan-Feb. and a ¾ btw. Feb.-Mar. so that’s better than I expected. I feel a need to get back to the Biotin tho’.

March Plan: I really think I would do well to get more Biotin, FSO, and Silica. The Biotin most especially as I feel rather lost without it. I have considered getting HF37 this month so I can begin that in April but I’m not sure if it’s feasible yet. I caught up with an MSM deal on a swap board so I won’t run out of that. The Biotin, FSO, and Silica should be about $20-25. The HF37 is $50/mo. and I’m still not sure if I can take on that expense. I think the key with HF37 is to be consistent and if I can’t do it every month I wonder if I should even start. But that’s something to consider.

Growth
As for charting I have made real progress this year. I got an inch a month to start with. Tho this month I only got ¾ and wondered if it’s b/c I ran out of Biotin mid-month in February, I really wasn’t expecting such a growth spurt and ¾ is still above the typical average so I’m content with that.

Jan. – 24” (BS)
Feb. – 25”
Mar. – 25¾”
I achieved an 1” a mo. and then ¾” this month. A good way to start the year I think.

I'm trying to do a few different things with buns and updos this month. I've been checking out the Styling Station and might be able to modify a few of those things. But I can't do a lot of elaborate things b/c, tho' my hair is getting longer, due to currrlz I'm a little limited. I still don't use heat to straighten, just a brush. It's pretty straight when I start out but by the time it's on its way up it's obviously shrunk.

Fox had great advice for me that I didn’t think of: A ROLLER! Thanks Fox!:
"(1) When your hair is damp,and you smooth it onto a roller will it stay less curly that way? The reason I ask is that you might be able to do a version of the floral bun if you put your hair up into a pony tail, then dampened the length. Once the length was damp, if your hair will smooth over a roller, you could section your hair into 4 or 5 (or less) sections, then roll your hair over the roller, slide the roller out, then pin in place. You do that one on the top, one on each side, and one on the bottom, then one in the center (sort of sitting on the others curled rolls). (2) If that doesn't work, then why not try decorating your buns rather than trying to make them "more." Bun decoration can really change the look of a bun. Besides the obvious hairsticks and Ficcare clips, why not try a little barrette, placed dead center of your bun. It's not for hold, but rather, just grab a tiny bit of hair and let it be the "center jewel" of your bun. You can also braid in a scarf, which will change the look, or wrap ribbons around a bun and let them dangle down. (3) One other idea is to do a sort of messy bun, wrapping and pinning your hair in place, but not tucking those ends under. Let them hang off to the side, then spread them out."

This did really help inspire me. So I thought that I would try a variation of a Neil updo. The hair is parted ear to ear. The back half is bunned or maybe a braided bun. And the front half is kind of in a double braided twist. I'm not much of a braider! Not even a simple one. But sometimes I can sweet talk hubby into it when he's helping me to brush or whatever and I can possibly pull it off just for a change.

I did enjoy the cameo buns, a Madeleine style and will visit her site a few more times for more inspirations.

I think braiding (or twisting in) a ribbon and then putting up is a great idea too.

Then Avri posted a few ideas she had done with a topsy tail!!! I don't have one and my hair isn't nearly long enuf to pull off the looks she has but it's interesting to ponder a topsy tail and what I might be able to do with it... so I'll put that on the list as well.

Just a few daily thots for here etc. As I experiment with styles and continue to tweak/perfect my daily regimen.



Balleryna*~
May 2001-Present
*~Ears~BSL~Waist*(2004 Goal: BCL?)*~
~*2c3bcFiii/Springs, Rings & Coils/Fine+thick~*
*~Chestnut Brown w/Auburn to Golden Highlights*~

*My Journal~:* Fairy Tales~ My Story

Daily Care: (See Details)
Morn~: Scalp oil/massage; Shampoo/Cond.; Leave-ins
Night~: Overnight Cond. or Oil; Braid
Tools~: BBBs/Horn combs; Hairsticks; Velvet; Goody plastic pins
Current Product Line~: LML

Vitamins:
Supplements~: Biotin-5 mg, FSO-500, MSM-1500, Enzymes
Meals~: certified Kosher, wheat-free, Organic, & Ensure

I did more of a cream rinse after wash and my hair was sooo very soft that I had flyaways.

I just did a dab of Clean Gel and wore a headband.

For bun styling I used a fake-arre and left the ends messy.

After wash and leave-in, I smoothed with curl cream and left it wavy.

It stayed smooth all day. No flyaways.

I got compliments on this simple ponytail that I thot was too bushy.

I washed this morning, the last day of rotation on the Protein shampoo. I again applied the cond then got outta the shower so it could sit a while. I combed thru then rinsed a lot.

My hair looked a little more bushy than usual. But maybe I left the towel on a little too long. Water is my friend. My hair draws up the moisture really fast. I need to rmbr. to just basically blot the drips and that's it.

I used the Oil-Free cond. as a leave in and then ponytailed loosely.

I got a blob of Curl Cream and ran through as if making a ponytail and there were my ringlets that had disappeared! I ponytailed but tucked the ends in then I later felt it was pulling strands so I loosened the ponytail. I have a florally decorated fake-arre with me that I may put up later on when I get to a mirror.

I used the Superclear shampoo today. It felt very nice and clean and airy. I conditioned with the Oil Free again letting it sit a min. and rinsing in the sink. I concentrated on rinsing well. I used it as a leave-in too.

Then I ponytailed my hair and got a blob or 2 of Curl Cream. I scrunched it in this time to make curls. Then I smoothed it gently with my Kinderbaby as I rebunned. I got just a dab of Clean Gel and applied to my hairline edges. Then I rubbed my hands together to gather the excess and smoothed back to the bun. The waves are a little stronger today but at the same time lay smooth and shiny.

And Hooray! I received in the mail a new bottle of scalp oil! I want to really concentrate on my scalp massage in the mornings.

This morning I got up a little earlier and watched a favorite show while I concentrated on my oil and massage. I thot I would start giving that a lot of attn this month.

I got only a few drops of oil really but went over the scalp several times massaging it in. I used my horn comb again. Then I went over it even a third time in the top crown area that tends to bother me now and then. My scalp felt very very warm and nice. I used chillout.

I washed with Superclear again. And conditioned with Oil Free. My hair didn't wrap around each other or anything as I washed. It stayed very loose and hung well. I rinsed the cond. well in the sink.

I parted my hair from ear to ear and made 2 bee butts. I didn't even need any styling aid or creme. It was very smooth and nice. I wore a headband with hearts and stars. I fastened my back bee-butt with a fuchsia claw clip and I loosed the front and let it hang to the side somewhat. Kind of a young hairstyle. But it's Friday!

It was rather a rough weekend but my hair was just great.

I washed with the Superclear. Then I did the Protein Treatment (a hot oil trt). I covered it with a wet towel then a warm towel outta the dryer and put a plastic bag over the whole thing. I left it on for 25 min.

My hair was wayyy curly from the oil. A little wrapped around each other. Not tangly as in what I used to have but took a little more time to comb it out gently.

Results: My hair was sooo shiny! I used curl cream and my hair was so smooth too. It looked like it was gel'd but it wasn't hard crunchy or stiff.

I washed with the Yin&Yang softening shampoo. And then I did the hot oil treatment for a 2nd day. I applied the hot oil then got outta the shower and got dressed etc. So this time I only left it on for about 10 min. or so.

It rinsed very nicely. I tried using the horn comb this time to smooth.

I had read that some curly-haireds like to use this oil trtmt as a leave in for its weight. So I thot I would try it just once. My curls did hang nicely but I never wear my hair down anyway.

After arranging with horn comb, I got a small blob of Clean Gel and smoothed the strands with a horn comb. I think I still like my curl cream best but am glad I tried it.

I used the Yin Yang softn. shampoo again. I really like this smell and its soft lather. I used my favorite cond. - Trees Stimulating Cond. I applied and then got outta the shower so it could sit a bit.

After I got to the sink I re-slathered on a little more cond. My hair really curled up again. I think I made the mistake of piling my hair a bit to keep it from dripping. But it rinsed out well and it combed out nicely.

I was in kind of a hurry today so I parted on the side and ponytailed. My hair is always so smooth with this cond. My edges wanted a little neatening tho' so I ran back in to re-wet and smoothed with curl cream and it was perfect.

I used the YinYang shampoo again followed by Trees Stim. Cond.

My hair was very soft afterward. I used the Lilith Rinse as a leave-in. I have tried this now and then lately and it often seemed to make my hair too soft and fluffy. But this time it was very very soft and silky nice. It stayed perfect all day long.

It was smooth but not as slick as most leave-ins. So I just barely brushed then ponytailed using a bit of Curl Cream to neaten.

It was a great hair day. I couldn't keep my hands off my hair it felt so smooth. I almost couldn't believe it was mine. lol

Had a very very very rough night tho'.

It was a terrible night last night but I got up early to get a good start.

I shampooed with Hairgasm Cool. This is one of my favorite smells. I followed with Trees Stimulating Cond. This time I applied it in the shower as well as rinsing in the shower. And it did very well.

Immediately after rinsing the cond., I divided my hair from ear to ear and put in ponytails, tucking the ends inside. I put a towel around my neck to catch drips. The ponytails kept my hair smooth.

I applied the #10-B as a leave-in to one at a time. I put the #10-B in my hand, rubbed together and used one hand to apply to the ends and then used the other hand and applied to edges and somewhat in middle. Then I rubbed my hands together, re-ponytailed, then did the other ponytail.

It looked great. I double-bunned, one behind the other. Then I re-bunned with a blob of curl cream in my hands. I fastened with Fox balleryna hairsticks.

I'm happy with my style today. I've been trying to switch up and do a few new things. I'm really excited about Fox's new changes to the site.

I wanted to deep treat today. So last night I coated my ends and edges with Honeybee Long Treatment. (cute name eh').

This morning I shampoo'd with Hairgasm Cool. I coated my hair with the Honeybee starting at the ends. Then I got outta the shower so it could sit a while. The room was nice and steamy and I had an idea. I turned the hot water back on and let the room get steamier as I started to begin dressing. I turned the water off and enjoyed the steam.

Then I rinsed my Honeybee and followed with Trees Stimulating Cond. I combed that thru loving the feeling of my texture. This is my favorite smell of cond. I parted from ear to ear and put in 2 ponytails then blotted any drips.

I took my ponytails down one at a time and got some Bliss Tips Ends Oil and applied to my wet tips then rubbed my hands together and reponytailed, one behind the other. The oil really felt great and my hair was smooth so I didn't even need any styling aid.

I put the top ponytail in a bun. And the bottom ponytail I pulled up into an upside down French twist. I fastened each with Long Hair Jewels hairsticks, white bone with pink rose beads.

I did a 2nd day of deep treat today. I used the steam feature of showering to let my hair get a sort of steam treatment while the cond. sat on my hair.

My hair looked great right away and I didn't feel like I needed to do anything to it. So I sprayed with Magic Spray (a conditioning waters).

For styling - I ponytailed one behind the other. Only this time I put the front ponytail off to one side and bunned that. And then the back ponytail I French twist'd again. I fastened the side ponytail with a Fox hairstick - the twisted glass one. And the back twist I used a fake-arre. I smoothed the edges with literally a half dab of Curl Cream.

For some reason my hair didn't wanna stay up today! Not sure what I did so different other than the side ponytail in front. Maybe I didn't part as evenly as I thot and the front was too heavy? Not sure. But it was a good day just the same.

I was going to switch 'poos today. So I started last night by coating with 10-B cond. My hair was a little damp. I made 2 ponytails and got a dab of 10-B and rubbed my hands together. Using one hand I made a wet wick of the ends of my hair. Then I took the other hand and used that for the edges and worn areas of my hair. I rubbed my hands together again to gather the excess and smoothed as if making a ponytail. Then I repeated with the other ponytail.

In the morning I shampooed switching to Herb Medic Shampoo this time. I noticed my hair hung down nice and straight the whole time. My hair always goes straight when it's wet but it was noticeable enough for me to mention it so I wanted to make note of it.

After shower I did a basic cond. of 10-B and then I parted on the side and ponytailed. I was a little fuzzy head today somehow so I went back in and brushed maybe twice and it stayed down. But I did a little half dab of curl cream just b/c I like it so much.

It turned out to be a rough night last night. I fell asleep but woke in the middle of the night and somehow wandered to the bathroom and put a little cond. on my edges. Still and all my hair was a MESS when I woke this morning! lol It looked like I'd been in a fight.

I noticed it took a bit for me to actually get a lather as a I shampoo'd. It hung perfectly nice tho' while I was washing so I guess my fighting in my sleep hadn't done any real damage. lol

After I 10-B cond. and rinsed, I did a little more as a leave-in. I parted on the side and ponytailed. I was surprised again that it looked just fine. I did use a pinch of Styling Gel to my edges, mostly for shine.

This was last session with Herb Medic Superclear shampoo. I conditioned with Trees Stimulating Cond. and rinsed well in the shower. Then I got outta the shower and slathered a little more again and combed thru and rinsed and rinsed and rinsed. My scalp felt so clean and tingly. It still feels nice and tingly now.

I ponytailed afterward for control while I gathered my things. Then I used the Trees Stim. as a leave-in. This is a little treat that I do now and then. It works almost like using a mousse b/c it's so creamy almost foamy. I smoothed my ponytail back with it. I made the ponytail all the way in the back this time, at the base of my neck.

After my hair was dry I got a pinch of Bliss Butter and warmed between my fingers and smoothed my edges. Then I put my ponytail up with a fake-arre with bronze and rose colored florals.

Today I switched shampoos. I washed with Lavatea Softn. As usual the first time I lathered my curls grabbed the shampoo. And then my hair hung nice and straight the whole time.

I cond'd in the shower with Trees Stimulating. Then as I was rinsing I parted on the side and then from ear to ear. I rinsed well. Then I made 2 ponytails one in front going to the side and the other in back. I tucked the ends safely inside. I blotted only briefly and barely with a towel. I just laid it over my head and then put it around my neck.

I took down the ponytails and used a little 10-B as a leave-in, immed. making 2 buns. I brushed very gently after it dried, just the edges, then I re-bunned. It looked just fine. I really didn't need any other prod. tho' I did smooth a little Clean Gel at my hairline.

I did a hairstyle similar to Thinkie's style yesterday - a double bun only I had the one in front gong to one side. I fastened each bun with Fox hairsticks - balleryna sticks.

Today I shampoo'd with Lavatea Softn. I left the 5th lather on a little longer than usual b/c the phone rang! I rinsed very very thoroughly.

I rmbred how soft my hair was last week after the Lilith Rinse so I did that today. I did the Lilith Rinse in the sink after I washed. I repeated this b/c I wanted to be thorough. I immediately ponytail'd after that, using the towel only to blot drips.

Then I also used the Lilith Rinse as a leave-in. My hair was very flouffy and soft. This would prob be excellent to use if I ever roller set or blow dry.

I used several little blobs of Curl Cream today. I actually wanted my hair curly so I scrunched it in all over. Then I smoothed the curls back into a bun at the nape of my neck. It really looks very neat, an office look.

This is my last session with the Lavatea shampoo. I washed in the sink b/c I wanted to hot oil treat today in the steam. I rinsed carefully and turned on the steam shower.

I applied the Protein Oil Trtmt. I combed that thru and then fastened up with a claw clip. I enjoyed the steam for a bit and then I showered. I finally rinsed well. Immediately after rinsing I got a few drops of Bliss Tips Ends Oil on my fingertips and applied that to my soaking wet ends. I smoothed that in again from hairline to tips then squeezed out any excess water (there really wasn't any, the oil having seal in the moisture from the water.) I put the towel around my neck and then styled.

My hair was so shiny. I again parted on the side and bunned at the nape of my neck. I got a lotta compliments on that yesterday. I did use a little Curl Cream to smooth my edges and then a dab of Clean Gel to neaten my hairline.

I washed this morning with Superclear Shampoo. I got a nice lather going and I felt very clean. Then I did a second day of the Protein Oil Treatment. I applied while still in the shower then got out and turned on the steam. I combed thru and waited a bit then I rinsed well.

After I rinsed I immediately ponytailed then I put the towel on top of my head for just a few seconds to blot. I took down the ponytail and then applied 10-B as a leave-in, immediately re-ponytailing after that.

I got dressed then I used a brush just to neaten and then bunned at nape. It was fine even w/o any finishing products. (I was running a little behind this morning). I think that the ponytailing prob. gave me lotsa control.

This is a deep condition day.

I washed with the Superclear shampoo in the sink so I could use the steam shower for deep cond. I turned on the steam then applied the Honeybee Intensive Treatment and then bagged and got in the shower. I finished shower covering bagged head with a warm towel. The cond. stayed on a total of 20 min. I rinsed in the sink and then cond. again with Stimulating Conditioner, combing thru gently.

I ponytailed immediately after that. I got some Bliss Butter melting into my fingertips and took down the ponytail to pinch the butter into my ends and edges. I bunned at nape.

I noticed as I was washing that my hair seems thicker, like there's more of it. But I don't esp. seem to see that my hair is getting so much longer this month. So I wonder if this is a thickening month perhaps, filling in.

This is my 2nd day doing a deep condition.

I conditioned my hair overnite. And then washed this morning with Superclear. I washed in the sink again. I turned on the steam but applied the cond. in the shower this time. I showered then rinsed. Then I applied the Stimulating cond. And rinsed that carefully.

I ponytailed afterward. And applied a leave-in and ponytailed again. I noticed my hair is rather pouffy today. lol It's okay tho'. I bunned at nape and headbanded. I can't really call it a bad hair day, tho it's not quite like I planned. It's very flouffy soft tho'.