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View Full Version : 4 Year Anniversary (with pics!)



patienceneeded
January 3rd, 2015, 02:59 PM
It's hard to believe it's been 4 years since I joined LHC. My anniversary date was actually December 18, so I'm a bit late in noticing my anniversary and making a thread to celebrate. When I joined I had hair that was barely past my shoulders and suffered damage from years of chemical dying, not to mention flat-ironing often. My hair felt very much like straw. Needless to say, I have learned A LOT since joining. I spent most of my first two years here dealing with the old damage, and trimming often to get rid it. My hair split like crazy and it felt like I made very little progress for a long time. I finally did a "big chop" of 4 inches in August of 2013, which got rid of the last of the dye and heat damage. That chop took me from waist to slightly above BSL, but it was worth it. Since that chop I have a hard time finding split ends, my hair just doesn't split anymore. I have also gone to a yearly trimming plan (the big cut in August 2014, and then a 1/2" trim in August 2014). I will trim my hair again 1/2" in August 2015.

I dyed my hair back to my natural color and then swore off dye and let my hair grow, silvers and all. However, I got tired of my natural color, it was washing me out, so I started henna-ing in August 2014. I have been using Nightblooming's Kitsune henna and am currently just maintaining my roots.

I experimented with all sorts of washing (CO, CWC, WO, no cones/no sulfates) and eventually settled on WCC, with no-cones in the first conditioner and cones in the second conditioner. I have been using Herbal Essences (various formulas) for 2 years now. I have not used a flat iron since joining. I have not used heat (blow dryer on medium) more than a handful of times in the last 4 years. I air dry 99% of the time. I use a small amount of leave-in conditioner (Giovanni's Direct Leave-in) and a coney serum. I wash every 3-4 days. I use a wide-tooth comb, and my Denman brush (once dry).

My hair is up in a bun or braided most days, although I love the feel of it when loose. I'd like to wear it loose more often, but it gets hot and end up in my way. My students would prefer me to wear it down more often, although many of them like to see what I've worn IN my hair on any given day.

My hair recently reached Hip length, and is the longest it has ever been. I have no idea how long I want to grow my hair, all I know is that it is not long enough yet.

And now, PICS!
This is my hair in April 2010, I joined LHC in December and was barely shoulder by then.
http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s394/Kirsten_MacDicken/18662_1224750496365_2635785_n_zps27a807ef.jpg (http://s1049.photobucket.com/user/Kirsten_MacDicken/media/18662_1224750496365_2635785_n_zps27a807ef.jpg.html )


This pic was from the summer of 2011 (I think)
http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s394/Kirsten_MacDicken/232323232-fp53987-nu3262-343-6-WSNRCG3682553--432-nu0mrj_zpsa47dd008.jpg (http://s1049.photobucket.com/user/Kirsten_MacDicken/media/232323232-fp53987-nu3262-343-6-WSNRCG3682553--432-nu0mrj_zpsa47dd008.jpg.html)

I'm almost waist in this pic (2013?)
http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s394/Kirsten_MacDicken/232323232-fp5435-nu3262-343-6-WSNRCG3876393432-nu0mrj_zps62571058.jpg (http://s1049.photobucket.com/user/Kirsten_MacDicken/media/232323232-fp5435-nu3262-343-6-WSNRCG3876393432-nu0mrj_zps62571058.jpg.html)


(Hand on hips) My hair in the spring of 2013. The big chop in August 2013 got rid of all the pink hair, plus a little more. It also got rid of all the damage.
http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s394/Kirsten_MacDicken/003_zpscaa0f4a1.jpg (http://s1049.photobucket.com/user/Kirsten_MacDicken/media/003_zpscaa0f4a1.jpg.html)

July 2014, weeks prior to my first Henna.
http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s394/Kirsten_MacDicken/022_zps053ee26b.jpg (http://s1049.photobucket.com/user/Kirsten_MacDicken/media/022_zps053ee26b.jpg.html)

Today's length pic. Hand on Hips.
http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s394/Kirsten_MacDicken/97370f34-04c3-48fa-8e98-4af6ae2f67ee_zpsd0f6688a.jpg (http://s1049.photobucket.com/user/Kirsten_MacDicken/media/97370f34-04c3-48fa-8e98-4af6ae2f67ee_zpsd0f6688a.jpg.html)

Thanks for looking!

gthlvrmx
January 3rd, 2015, 03:00 PM
Wow that is amazing growth! Lovely!

Red'N'Curly
January 3rd, 2015, 03:10 PM
Beautiful. You looked really cute with the bob too. But the long waves are to die for!

Aurum
January 3rd, 2015, 03:12 PM
Congrats on your anniversary! You've come a long way, and now you have gorgeous, healthy hair to show for it. Hope you keep growing and I can't wait to see your hair at longer lengths. :toast:

Sarahlabyrinth
January 3rd, 2015, 03:30 PM
Such lovely hair, thick and wavy! Beautiful! Happy growing further!

CremeTron
January 3rd, 2015, 04:04 PM
Astounding progress. Congratulations!

gnome82
January 3rd, 2015, 04:23 PM
Congratulations, lovely hair, great growth!!

Flowerness
January 3rd, 2015, 05:46 PM
You are lovely, and your hair is beautiful! Versatile, too. Straight, curly, wavy, it looks nice in all those pics. The photo with the pink hair- looks really soft. Congrats on all that growth it really is beautiful. Do you have a special celebratory hair dt or style planned?

Oh, and uh... I have to add that your pics have totally helped my hair growth. I'd look at them, squint, and turn my head and picture what my hair would look like at that length. Now I'm aiming for hip! So thank you for having inspirational hair!

Now, for the important question: (feel free to ignore me) is that hot cocoa in the mug? Looks yummy!

Hotrox
January 3rd, 2015, 06:35 PM
Now, for the important question: (feel free to ignore me) is that hot cocoa in the mug? Looks yummy!

This made me laugh, I also thought I'd rather enjoy whatever it was in that massive mug!!

patienceended your hair looks beautiful and such amazing progress in 4 years, I hope you enjoy it and continue on..... :)

patienceneeded
January 3rd, 2015, 06:44 PM
Now, for the important question: (feel free to ignore me) is that hot cocoa in the mug? Looks yummy!

It was a Caramel Mocha. Wonderful coffee house in my neighborhood.

Thank you everyone for the compliments! I rather like my hair now. Didn't like it much for years, especially when I was wearing it short. Looking forward to lots more hair and longer lengths!

Ambrielle
January 3rd, 2015, 06:44 PM
congrats! what an inspiring post patienceneeded , i love reading through stories like these :)

your hair looks beautiful, soft and healthy (and i can't stop staring at that coffee (hot chocolate??) in the second photo, looks so yummy! :D)

Johannah
January 4th, 2015, 09:13 AM
Great progress! Congrats!

patienceneeded
January 5th, 2015, 02:54 PM
Thank you everyone!

Crumpet
January 5th, 2015, 04:08 PM
Gorgeous hair and I adore your waves. I love both your natural color and your henna.

Belle Paix
January 5th, 2015, 04:10 PM
Oh wow, beautiful progress!!!