1 year of LHC

[SheaLynne]

Wow...hard to believe I've been around here for a year already! I didn't think I was going to post a 1-year progress post, but looking at my pics, I think it might be encouraging to someone...

I found LHC in June last year and joined in July. I was *barely* at waist with my longest strands pulled straight. I had several inches of layers and alot of taper.

I found LHC because I became determined to find ways to put my hair up and keep it longer than I had. I never dreamed that I'd be looking to even longer lengths! Or that I would have so many updos and styles to choose from.

I had *never* been able to get my hair to stay in a bun of any kind, or most updos, other than braids. I did know how to french braid and rope braid, though my layers always made those not as nice as I would have liked, so I didn't wear them much. THANK YOU to LHC for teaching me about sticks and Amish pins!!!!

So, here's what I came in at.

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=62304&albumid=4602&dl=1277575049&thumb=1

I was 8 months out from the last trim, and I was sick of paying alot of money for "trims" so I decided to just let it keep growing.

After finding LHC, I started using coconut oil, combing only, no flat-ironing, CO washing, and a few other things...in October I tried my first self-trim, and in December I committed to a year of monthly 1/4-inch self-trims. This spring, I started the updo challenge, and I'm 143 days into that. I've been taking pics monthly, and here are the results...

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=62305&albumid=4602&dl=1277575049&thumb=1 September 2009 (showing natural wave)

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=62310&albumid=4602&dl=1277575049&thumb=1 December 2009 (combed out)

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=62312&albumid=4602&dl=1277575049&thumb=1 January 2010 (alot of flash)

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=65293&albumid=4602&dl=1277575049&thumb=1 February 2010

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=68157&albumid=4602&dl=1277575049&thumb=1 March 2010

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=71302&albumid=4602&dl=1277575049&thumb=1 April 2010

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=73217&albumid=4602&dl=1277575049&thumb=1 May 2010 (still a bit damp)

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=75355&albumid=4602&dl=1277575120&thumb=1 June 2010


I have removed all my layers, about 2 inches of old heat-damaged ends, and alot of the taper. I can't remember exactly, but I think I measured somewhere around 28 or 29 inches when I first measured by LHC method, and I am now at 35 inches, so I am estimating that I gained 6-7 inches and trimmed off 2 inches. I'm now solid hip and shooting for upper tb in the next few months.

:cheese:

Thank you, LHCers!!!

(PS, I've also learned alot to help with dd's curly hair...I would have ruined her love of her hair early on without your help! Thanks!)

[JamieLeigh]

Congratulations on one year! :cheer: Your hair looks fabulous, so obviously you came to the right place. ;) Keep growing long and strong!!

[Kristin]

WOW! It looks like you had a ton of growth from March-April! Very pretty waves!

[chloeishere]

Beautiful! Congratulations.

[Dragon]

Your hair looks great. Congratulations on one year :)

[jera]

Congrats on your anniversary and your growth. Your hair looks awesome !!! :)

[Loreley]

Great progress! Congratulations! :)

[freckles]

congratulations :) you have gorgeous hair :)

[Medievalmaniac]

Congratulations!!! Your hair really does look amazingly well, definitely a lot of positive change for one year!! My one year is just around the corner, and I just hope when I do my "pictorial layout" I see similar progress!! :D

[melikai]

Such nice waves! Congratulations on 1 year and gorgeous hair. :blossom:

[SheaLynne]

Thank you, everyone! :blossom: Yes, I definitely found the right place!

[FrannyG]

Oh, your hair is so lovely, and what wonderful progress! I'm particularly delighted to hear that you've removed all of your layers. That can be such a pain, and yet you've gained so much length as well. Beautiful! :blossom:

[Pumpkin]

Congratulations! All of your hard work has paid off. Simply beautiful. :)

[GoddesJourney]

Well, you seem to be doing something right because the ends are much thicker now. That's some pretty good growth if you've made if from above waist to below hip with trims in one year.

[triumphator!]

How wonderful! Your hair really seemed to thrive since you joined LHC. It's fun to look at because we have somewhat similar hair and hopefully I'll be around your length someday!

[SheaLynne]

Thank you! Yes, the layers are something I am very happy to be rid of...I am sure they affected my updos not staying well (besides my ignorance along with that!), and also added to the taper that made my braids dwindle down to nothing.

Triumphator!, I know how many of the anniversary posts have inspired me and kept me from getting impatient this past year. I can't wait to see your hair longer, too! You seem to be getting good growth! (And I originally started from a very layered barely shoulder-length cut about 5 years ago, but I had some longer layered cuts done in there before officially letting it grow out from layered bsl in the past year and a half.) You'll be there before you know it!

[TinaDenali]

That's some awesome growth!! It looks great!! :)

[Hana]

I love anniversary posts, yours is no exception.

Looks like great progress over only one year! :D Hope mine is that good after I've been here for that long...

[eamane]

Looking good :) Congratulations :flowers:

[little_acorn]

Congratulations and happy anniversary :D