Raemarthe's 2 Year Hairiversary- One week early ~ PICS

[raemarthe]

My 2 year Hairiversary is next week, but I think I will be too busy then so here it is in advance!

My hair journey began shortly after I got the great idea of dying my hair at home with a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. This happened in May 2014, and by July 2014 my hair started having insane breakage, which led me to online researching, which led me to LHC.

Here is a picture around the time I noticed my curls disappearing, and breakage all over the front of my shirts everyday.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4341/36279725156_ba6ee4a593.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XgV5jG)

My curls were totally gone which made me super sad.



I started ultra deep conditioning and I was trimming a little every couple of weeks. The top part of my hair was improving but the bottom of my hair was just so dead. The worst of my damage was (and still is) on the bottom of my hair and the back of it because that is where I concentrated my bleach.


Anyway here are my dead ends. They made me super sad.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4291/36279409496_274d5f56cf.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XgTsuh)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/XgTsuh) by sophie Thionville (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141638331@N02/), on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4360/35515149813_514b538553.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/W7mqHc)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/W7mqHc) by sophie Thionville (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141638331@N02/), on Flickr

I finally got up the nerve to big chop my hair 3-4 inches in November 2014. Made a huge improvement in my ends, but my struggle was not over.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4435/35487211704_0b7e4ea0ca.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/W4TeFE)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/W4TeFE) by sophie Thionville (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141638331@N02/), on Flickr
My hair was about 22inches there, and it was about 25 before the trim.

Length check from Feb 2015. My hair always has less curls in the back, but I can't believe how fried my hair looked here. Yeesh :doh:
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4295/36187494541_63949c3ebe.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/X8LnnF)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/X8LnnF) by sophie Thionville (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141638331@N02/), on Flickr


Here it is in March 2015, the ends were getting thicker which made me happy after dealing with such straight thin ends before.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4425/35487211714_60308fd2fa.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/W4TeFQ)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/W4TeFQ) by sophie Thionville (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141638331@N02/), on Flickr

[raemarthe]

Here is September 2015, definitely longer, a bit less fried however my curl pattern is still lacking.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4361/36155348952_24e637f70d.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/X5VBBo)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/X5VBBo) by sophie Thionville (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141638331@N02/), on Flickr



Here is the final pic I used in My one year hairiversary. My hair always looks better from the front.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4386/35487205004_93bc33e998.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/W4TcG9)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/W4TcG9) by sophie Thionville (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141638331@N02/), on Flickr


Here is a picture from August, this is definitely what my hair is looking like these days. So thankful for how strong my curl pattern is now, and how it changed so drastically since last year.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4365/36155343482_65093d39f2.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/X5VzZ5)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/X5VzZ5) by sophie Thionville (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141638331@N02/), on Flickr

All of these photos are from this week. So happy with how nicely my ends are curling, compared to how straight and dead they were just two years ago!
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4404/36279719296_e050a8670c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XgV3zE)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/XgV3zE) by sophie Thionville (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141638331@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4315/36323447835_eb8fcfb253.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XkMaxZ)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/XkMaxZ) by sophie Thionville (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141638331@N02/), on Flickr




I took this last night for the seasonal growth thread, my hair is a bit wonky in this photo. It wasn't completely dry, so in reality it is a bit thicker. It measures 27inches dry and 29inchs wet. One inch away from waist wet! My goal has been waist dry for several years so I'm hoping to meet that goal next year. Who knows I may decide to grow to hip!
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4314/35927605910_6f0725bf90.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WJNnxd)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/WJNnxd) by sophie Thionville (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141638331@N02/), on Flickr

Proudly haven't used heat or bleach in 28 months and I have 14 inches of virgin hair .

Mostly I'm just so happy my texture has improved so much in just the last year!
thank you so much LHC for teaching me how to take care of my hair! :)

[Anya15]

That is amazing progress and your hair looks so healthy now! Congrats on the hairversary!

BTW your curls are gorgeous :crush: I have always wanted curls but no I am firmly stuck in the 2s :p

[Mamabearme]

Wow, your hair looks great!! I love your curls, I've got some serious hair envy going on over those.

[Kat-Rinnè Naido]

Congratulations and a happy 2 year hairiversary Raemarthe you have gorgeous thick hair. Your curls look absolutely soft. Thank you for sharing your experiences and for the beautiful photos. I wish you all the best as you continue growing and enjoying your hair

[raemarthe]

Thank you guys so much! I'm so happy to have my curls now. I used to hate them.

[littlestarface]

Thank you guys so much! I'm so happy to have my curls now. I used to hate them.

Really? I think curls are the most beautiful hair ever! I always wished I was a curly instead of a boring wavy.

[lapushka]

Oh you've got such gorgeous wurls, the wurl pattern definitely improved along the years!!! Congrats on your anniversary and on improving the health of your hair. :D

[raemarthe]

Oh you've got such gorgeous wurls, the wurl pattern definitely improved along the years!!! Congrats on your anniversary and on improving the health of your hair. :D

Thanks so much! :)

[butterflybutton]

Your hair is devine!!! It's improved so much in the last two years, very inspiring.

[Sarahlabyrinth]

Oh, what an improvement, your hair sure loves the LHC style treatment. It' stunning! Happy hairiversary!

[raemarthe]

Thank you both! I can't wait to see what the next year brings me. :)

[spidermom]

Wow - the condition has improved so much. Now you have thud-worthy hair. :thudpile:

[Crystawni]

:thud: That's what I love about LHC--that transformation is :thudpile: Thank you for sharing your story so far, and congrats on your hairiversary. Your gorgeous hair is testament to the thought and care you've given it. Cheers to longer length and happy curlies!

[hobbitlocks]

I must join the chorus of :thud: ! Your curls looks so beautiful -- now that they're being loved and cared for they can really shine :)

[raemarthe]

Wow, that's the first time anyone has referred to my hair as thud-worthy. Thank you all for your lovely compliments. :)

[lithostoic]

Your hair texture is so beautiful! Jealous straightie!

[hinabelle]

Your hair looks like a painting. I have tighter curls than you and my current hair status looks like a miniature version of yours -- curls, then looser/damaged thin ends (except much darker and shorter). It's so inspiring to see your progress. Patience is most important for curlies, and yours has really paid off.
:thudpile:

[TatsuOni]

Congrats! Your hair looks amazing now! Wonderful curls!


:thud:

[Wosie]

You and your hair are both so very beautiful...! :thud: I am seriously blown away! I'm so happy that your curls are happier these days, and it's easy to tell that they are. =))

[Hailwidis]

Wow, your hair looks so healthy now! Congratulations on your hairversary. You are very beautiful, and your glossy curls are truly special. :)

[Jennah]

Your hair looks stunning! :thud: Great progress! Loved to see the journey pictures!

[Mirabele]

You have such a beautiful hair! Lovely curls as well. You made a great progress. Congratulations on your anniversary!

[Kajzh]

Your hair is gorgeous! It has wonderful body and thickness.

[Alissalocks]

Oh!! You have the curls I dreamed of in my old days! As a 1a, I did so much damage back then , trying to achieve what you have. The improvement in your shine is just as noticeable also. I hope to see how mine may improve overall in 2 years time! (Tailbone? :meditate: ) Great journey.

[ephemeri]

Really amazing progress! I love your curls and your natural color. Do you mind sharing your routine? I'm always interested in knowing what curlies and wavies use in their hair to maintain curl definition. :o

[RavenRose]

Wow! That is a great improvement!

[Mimha]

You have the most awesome curl pattern, Raemarthe ! So good to see it come to life again !! :)

[raemarthe]

Wow I leave for the weekend and come back to all these super sweet compliments! Thank you all so much. :D

[raemarthe]

Really amazing progress! I love your curls and your natural color. Do you mind sharing your routine? I'm always interested in knowing what curlies and wavies use in their hair to maintain curl definition. :o

Thank you! My routine changes a bit depending on the seasons, but right now I Cowash once a week with the As I Am coconut cowash, and rinse and condition my hair every 2-3 days with a sheamoisture conditioner. My products are sheamoisture black caster oil styling lotion, and beautiful curls defining gel. On the days I co wash my hair I also deep condition with a homemade deep conditioner or just oil my hair with coconut oil. I always dry my hair with a cotton t-shirt to avoid frizz, and I sleep on satin pillow cases.

I think this winter I may begin sealing my ends with oil because I did it last year and it really helped me preserve moisture.

I also don't use sulfates or silicones because sulfates dry out my hair so badly, and silicones just make my hair really weird feeling and causes me more breakage. :)

[littlestarface]

Thank you! My routine changes a bit depending on the seasons, but right now I Cowash once a week with the As I Am coconut cowash, and rinse and condition my hair every 2-3 days with a sheamoisture conditioner. My products are sheamoisture black caster oil styling lotion, and beautiful curls defining gel. On the days I co wash my hair I also deep condition with a homemade deep conditioner or just oil my hair with coconut oil. I always dry my hair with a cotton t-shirt to avoid frizz, and I sleep on satin pillow cases.

I think this winter I may begin sealing my ends with oil because I did it last year and it really helped me preserve moisture.

I also don't use sulfates or silicones because sulfates dry out my hair so badly, and silicones just make my hair really weird feeling and causes me more breakage. :)

Thanks for saying the products too, I love seeing what curlies use so I can buy it lol.

[raemarthe]

Of course! The product I recommend the most is the As I Am cowash. Such a life saver for me, my hair just can't handle shampoo. It gets my hair clean, but still super soft and hydrated, and plus it's cheap.

[Shiranshoku]

Your hair is glorious!

[Entangled]

Wow! That is a complete transformation! You have beautiful curls.

[littlestarface]

Of course! The product I recommend the most is the As I Am cowash. Such a life saver for me, my hair just can't handle shampoo. It gets my hair clean, but still super soft and hydrated, and plus it's cheap.

Do you ever use honey or anything in your routine?

[Pinni]

Congrats. Your hair looks amazing. I had not forgotten your 1 year picture. :). :thudpile:

[raemarthe]

Thank you guys all so much :)


Do you ever use honey or anything in your routine?
Yes, I mix that into my deep conditioner. My hair loves it. In fact, I've got a deep treatment in my hair right now that contains honey! :)