My first LHC-anniversary! (with pics)

[dfotw]

A day or two late, but I wanted to celebrate one year of having found this wonderful place!

I came upon the 'old' LHC once upon a time, lo this many years ago, looking for good henna recipes. I found them, I tried them, and I forgot all about the site... I kept on growing my hair, although on the way I came across a great deal of drug-store hair-dyes, terrible conditioners, bi-monthly 'trims', endless useless 'frizz-free!' solutions and other monsters... until, again while looking for henna recipes, I re-discovered the 'new' LHC!

My hair was at 32 inches by then (after years upon years of trying to grow it out), coarse, dry and a frizz-ball that exploded as soon as I took it out from its braid / took it down from a cinnabun held with mini claw clips (the only updo I know how to do). Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but I couldn't wear it down or so anything with it...

Since the time I joined LHC, I've tried a million things: weekly SMTs, CO washes, Monistat, beer rinses, henna, cassia, protein treatments, cone-free shampoos, oil-shampoos, shampoo bars, ACV rinses, flax seed gel, castor oil, coconut oil, Nightblooming Panacea, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a million other things.

In the end, I've settled for CV shampoo bars twice a week (with an ACV rinse), and cone-free CO washes the rest of the week. I got myself a TangleTeezer, keep coconut oil and Panacea by my bed, and do henna and/or beer rinses every couple of months.

My hair has not only grown 7 inches (even though I micro-trim on occasion), but it's now soft! Manageable! It hold a curl pattern instead of exploding into frizz! I can wear it down! And I know a million updos to wear it up!

This is the difference:



And, my hair outside on a sunny day:



I've also become an avid hair-toy collector, to the point where I blushed taking these pics of my hair-toys (thumbs are clickable!). On the left, hair-toys I've bought; on the right, hair-toys I've made.



I just want to give a HUGE "Thank you!" to everyone here who has shared their knowledge, provided encouragement, answered my questions, enabled me (you know who you are! ), and just provided a supportive environment for me to continue to grow my hair!

And, cheese!

[Panth]

Wow. Exceedingly beautiful and great growth.

Congrats. ^_^

[dajanchen]

Congratulations dear dfotw to your LHC anniversary! I love your amazing locks and your gorgeous toys!

[CastaDiva]

Congratulations on your anniversary Your hair looks absolutely amazing

[MaryLA]

Love your curls!!

[Jenn of Pence]

Happy anniversary! You've made awesome progress, and it looks wonderful.

[freckles]

wow, that is some absoloutely stunning hair!

[catspank]

Oooooooh! I don't think I've ever seen your hair down - it's gorgeous!!!

I just realized my four year anniversary was last month, wow!

[pepperminttea]

Absolutely beautiful; happy LHCiversary.

[Rocket22]

Happy anniversary! Your hair is stunning!