Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2026

[Chicoro]

I'm sprouting fenugreek. I have my oil infusing with coffee and cloves. My oil should be ready by the end of the upcoming week.

 

[Chicoro]

I really like these continuous spray bottles. I like how they create a fine mist for the hair. I was using a cheap, garden, spray bottle. This works really well for my hair and I don't have dripping wet hair, but deeply water moisturized hair.


I saw this at the beauty supply. I see I can get two for the same price I paid for the one I bought. I'm still satisfied with my purchase.

I decided to purchase this because I saw how 'heavy' with moisture people's afro-textured hair was hanging when they were using this and demonstrating their haircare processes.

I'm really very happy with mine.

​

 

[yamilee21]

^^^ I bought one of those for my daughter. She likes it a lot; it makes doing her hair much easier. I happened upon it at Burlington; they had a lot them available alone, or as a set with one or two of those flexible detangling brushes, about 2 weeks ago.

 

[Chicoro]

^^^ I bought one of those for my daughter. She likes it a lot; it makes doing her hair much easier. I happened upon it at Burlington; they had a lot them available alone, or as a set with one or two of those flexible detangling brushes, about 2 weeks ago.

Have you tried this on your hair?

 

[Chicoro]

I left a plastic cap on my head from the night before which was Sunday, until this evening which was Monday. Hair was super soft and moist. It was drawn up and a bit fuzzy, though. I like it. My hair stayed moist. I like it.

 

[Chicoro]

Never Let Your Hair Get Dry vs Always Keep Your Hair Wet

​

Never Let Your Hair Get Dry:

I remember I removed some shed hair from my brush or comb. The hair was so soft, like cloud soft and I believe I mentioned it here and we discussed it in a past thread. The next day, that same shed hair was harder and dryer. The texture of the hair was rougher.

The point is that the shed hair was moisturized with water and lubricated with oil and covered and protected with a baggie, on a regular basis. My conclusion is that the shed hair got hard because it got DRY. The air dried it out and the moisture was not replenished with water and the hair was not covered with lubricating oil or a protective baggie.

Thus, for my hair, I can never let my hair get dry if I want my hair strands to stay in the pristine, healthy and optimal state they were when they were new on my head.


Always Keep Your Hair Wet:

This is not necessary to do for me. When I first started my hair journey, I used to keep my hair wet. My hair did well but I had to baby it because it was easier to break due to the fact it was always wet. In addition to this, when hair is wet, it tends to swell. This swelling distorts the natural structure of the hair strand making it fatter than normal and very likely having lifted cuticles on the strand. Hence, this state of the hair can be good depending upon your plan and your goals. But, it can also be damaging for the reasons I mentioned above.


So for me, never letting my get dry, is not the same as always keeping my hair wet. And, at this stage in my hair journey, moisturized and lubricated and protected hair works well for me.

 

[Chicoro]

I think my longest length is in the crown at around 23 inches. My nape hair is about 19 inches in length. I posted this in the grow it long challenge, too.

Starting length:

• 23 inches for crown
• 19 inches for nape area

This is about where my hair stays. One part of me wants to say it doesn't get much longer than this. But, I KNOW I escaped my Grow and Break Cycle.

I also think and can see that my hair is starting to gain back the length and drop a little bit in length like I had in 2021.

All these setbacks happen when I become complacent or too casual with my hair.

I have to balance having a routine but also staying vigilant.

 

[yamilee21]

Have you tried this on your hair?

@Chicoro Which this? The spray bottle or the brush?

 

[Chicoro]

@Chicoro Which this? The spray bottle or the brush?

The spray bottle! I really like mine.

 

[yamilee21]

@Chicoro I haven’t used the spray bottle on my own hair yet since I’m mostly keeping it covered during the cold months but I did use it while doing my daughter’s hair. I don’t understand how or why it’s so much better than regular spray bottles, but it really works well… it’s a more thorough spritzing.

I had to go out and buy an extra one; my sons like using it too!

 

[snoop]

@Chicoro I haven’t used the spray bottle on my own hair yet since I’m mostly keeping it covered during the cold months but I did use it while doing my daughter’s hair. I don’t understand how or why it’s so much better than regular spray bottles, but it really works well… it’s a more thorough spritzing.

I had to go out and buy an extra one; my sons like using it too!

I find that the fine must operates like the most from the shower. The even light coat of water gets to "all" parts whereas the water in a regular bottle gets to some parts.

I think the finer droplets of water absorb easier and faster into the strands.

 

[Chicoro]

I like this standing mirror. I saw it posted by mytype4hair channel on YouTube.

It is a mirror with a tripod. They come together and the company is called
LifeIsBarbarShop

It's on amazon

Her instagram video:



Attention:
The kit comes with a led mirror. But, you can get the mirror without LED and get the tripod adapter separately. I do not like LED mirrors.

I am putting this in my cart to possible purchase in the future.

 

[Chicoro]

(She has super thick, luscious hair ends!)

This is the video where I first saw metype4hair with the tripod mirror @12:12

Low Manipulation Haircare Routine on Type 4 Hair| Weekly Haircare Diary​

mytype4hair
7.85K subscribers

 

[Chicoro]

Forgot to mention that this mirror folds up and they have a mini travel version. I live in cramped spaces and places on a temporary basis. Space and portability are premium for me.

I really like this mirror because I love to press my hair on the stove. I prefer hot combs using a gas stove. And there is RARELY a place to prop a good mirror. A mirror is essential for me when I press the back and sides of my hair with a hot comb.

I haven't pressed my hair with a hot comb since I left for France which was 13 years ago. My mother does not have a gas stove but I think my sister and my cousin do. If I get this mirror, I'm going to one of the two houses for my first real hot comb press in 13 years.

Or perhaps, I should wait. Using heat the wrong way can definitely create a set back. Let me just sit down and calm myself.

Here's a review video on the product.

This mirror set up is the cheapest way to cut your own hair. Self cut​

ReviewHub

 

[Chicoro]

Lastly,

The 7 dollar mirror set-up can work, too! I may be doing this one while living with my mother.

Starts @7:31 seconds:

The BEST Mirror Setup For Self-Haircuts | How To Cut Your Own Hair​

Alex Kouras

 

[faithVA]

How are you progressing? What are those ends looking like?

It is too early to tell. I am experimenting with layering products and blow drying my hair on wash day. It is risky but I need to know if this is possible for short runs. I will evaluate every 30 days and see how it goes.

Because I have always set my hair while wet and only blown dry once a quarter, I really don't know if how quickly my ends split after a trim.

Have you had any epiphanies?

In December a stylist brought to my attention that I should be using shampoo to leave-in that are specifically for hydration. I made that switch in December and the improvement to how my hair feels is very noticeable. I need a couple of months to evaluate what this is very promising.

Have you set bolder goals?

No. After menopause, I think my hair grows even slower than it did before. Just going to stick to slow, steady and consistent.
It isn't a bolder goal, but I do think I will have a better understanding of my hair by the end of the year.

Have you pulled back on some goals?

No. I'm still shooting for APL at the end of the year.

Have you had any realizations about your hair or your hair care practices?

Mentioned above about the hydrating products. That is about it.

My hair isn't a fan of butters and oils. It is just too fine. But in the Spring, I plan to play around with layering different leave-ins, light and heavy to see if that is enough for my hair.

How is your consistency?

It is good. I'm still on my once a week reset and oiling/massaging my scalp once a week. I hoping in March to do a 2x a week reset. I will probably not blow dry when I do this.

Extending grace to you?

Yep, always!

 

[faithVA]

Reset today.
Shampooed twice, conditioned with plastic cap and then leave-in on damp hair. I put my hair in 5 sections.

Diluted my braid spray with water to reduce the glycerin effect.

I sprayed each section with diluted braid spray, followed with hair milk, argan oil and Mane Choice thermal protectant.

I took each section and sprites it with water and blow dried on low heat using my denman 38 paddle brush and thenoz,le attachment.

Im getting better blow drying this way.

Then I used the diluted braid spray and Mielle Twisting Souffle and put my hairin 10 flat twists.

I will oil my scalp tonight and then leave my hair alone until this weekend when I color.

 

[Chicoro]

Masters of End Retention and Preservation!

The one thing I've noticed about women with super long, afro-textured hair is that they are masters at protecting their ends. Interestingly, they don't do it the same way. Some keep their hair covered and wrapped up most of the time. Others may put certain products on their ends.


Here's a tip, especially if you may be in between wash days:

Keep your ends clean!
by

[td]www.youtube.com/@mrs.mississippi5035[/td]

I love this. This is one of those things that is so simple, that focusing on it escaped me. My ends do get gummy but I was waiting until wash days. I can consciously do this more frequently.

I have an ends routine. I can add a bit more love to the process. This is interesting.

 

[Chicoro]

We are getting close to the end of January! The month as whizzed by! How did January go for you in the world of luscious ends?

 

[snoop]

Masters of End Retention and Preservation!

The one thing I've noticed about women with super long, afro-textured hair is that they are masters at protecting their ends. Interestingly, they don't do it the same way. Some keep their hair covered and wrapped up most of the time. Others may put certain products on their ends.


Here's a tip, especially if you may be in between wash days:

Keep your ends clean!
by


[td]www.youtube.com/@mrs.mississippi5035[/td]



I love this. This is one of those things that is so simple, that focusing on it escaped me. My ends do get gummy but I was waiting until wash days. I can consciously do this more frequently.

I have an ends routine. I can add a bit more love to the process. This is interesting.

Interestingly, I just discovered her this morning (different video)!

 

[Chicoro]

Interestingly, I just discovered her this morning (different video)!

She’ s been in my for about 12 years. Her hair is fabulous.

 

[BeautifulRoots]

Masters of End Retention and Preservation!

The one thing I've noticed about women with super long, afro-textured hair is that they are masters at protecting their ends. Interestingly, they don't do it the same way. Some keep their hair covered and wrapped up most of the time. Others may put certain products on their ends.


Here's a tip, especially if you may be in between wash days:

Keep your ends clean!
by


[td]www.youtube.com/@mrs.mississippi5035[/td]



I love this. This is one of those things that is so simple, that focusing on it escaped me. My ends do get gummy but I was waiting until wash days. I can consciously do this more frequently.

I have an ends routine. I can add a bit more love to the process. This is interesting.

This is a great idea! Thank you for sharing. Very quick and easy to do since it's not a full wash day.

 

[Chicoro]

This is a great idea! Thank you for sharing. Very quick and easy to do since it's not a full wash day.

It’s the simple things that seem to be profound and impactful. And, for me, hiding in plain sight. Because I sure didn’t see this one.

 

[Yvette 2.0]

I'll join this year. I will edit my post as needed to reflect challenge format/requirements once they're shared.

For Quarter 1 I will focus on:

• Gentle detangling: predetangling protein-DC-saturated ends with my fingers and only then slowly and gently detangling with my UnBrush Plus
• Treatment: doing a protein treatment as the state of my hair dictates
• Styling: oiling my ends before gelling them
• Styling: opting to wear a single braid to take a break from my typical hairstyle (a wash and go)

Current relevant products:

• Hair oil: the Alodia hair oil
• Gel: Ecoslay Jello Shot gel and Innersense I Create Hold gel
• Treatment: Giovanni Smoothing Castor Oil Strengthening Hair Mask
• Protein: Aphogee 2-step Protein Treatment

I also have the K18 leave-in. I might wait until I've assessed the above practices before introducing it.

-------

Hair details:

I have fine, dense hair and I'm changing from being a straight-haired natural to mainly wearing my hair curly. This will result in a lot of added detangling, i.e. mechanical stress on the hair. I had to cut off a lot of inches to get a shape so I could wear my hair curly. I want to return to my previous length more quickly than not, so I'll need to protect these ends to really retain.

Also, I colored my hair for the first time ever. With that I'm thinking I really need to care deeply and gently for my hair overall, especially my ends.

Starting picture
View attachment 507500

January Reflection

I did my hair 3 or 4 times this month. I feel I lost a minimized amount of hair. I feel I handled my ends and my hair overall very well.

I followed the practices I said I would, with the exception of the adding oil to my ends during styling. I did this once and did not like how the oil interacted with my gel, so I haven't repeated it.

I am seriously considering going in to get my hair pampered by my favorite stylist. I'd like her to even up my hair if needed, to do a light trim, and to ask her how she feels about the density of my hair (left compared to right) and how the new color seems to be affecting my hair. I'd also like to know what she advises regarding caring for my new color. Lastly, we were vibing!: I was researching AG hair care products, and she started using some! I had no idea. She likes them. If I go in, I can see how they perform on my hair.

Summary: I feel great about January! Continuing on!

 

[snoop]

I micro-trimmed my hair yesterday. I think that on the next trim day, I'll take off a bit more. I'm still finding that there are a little ends breaking off.

 

[Chicoro]

Spray Attachment:

 

[faithVA]

My end of January check-in. It hasn't been a full 30 days, but I want to stay consistent and track near the end of each month.

I think the comparison looks little better because my blow drying has gotten a little better. Hopefully, I get a growth spurt before the Spring.

1/12/26 2/2/26

 

[faithVA]

@Yvette 2.0 , I believe it was you, I promised a write up about bond-builders versus protein treatments. When I'm speaking of protein treatments, I'm referring to the basic treatments we tend to do a home. This wouldn't be referring to full blown, in-salon keratin treatments. Anyway.

I watched the video again and took notes. Will be interesting to see what your stylist says.
Let me know if you want me to clarify anything. I tried to summarize it because there were a lot of points.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bond Builder: Primary Purpose is to help the hair become stronger by addressing internal damage
Protein Treatment: Primary Purpose is to help the hair act stronger

Some hair may need both but used at different times for different reasons. They are not interchangeable

Protein Treatment - external, immediate
--gives support to the structure the hair already has.
--use when hair feels: weak, overly stretch, breaks during styling or hair doesn't hold up well between shampoos for stretched, heated, out styles
--can help the hair feel firmer, less floppy and easier to style
--it is support, not repair; it does not rebuild damage
--may help hair feel better and perform better immediately
--stiff hair after treatment may indicate that the hair did not need protein or that it needs more moisture/protein balance
--is meant to provide immediate results
--performance: looks, feels, behaves, handles stress
--can provide a temporary reinforcement immediately after a heat or chemical treatment to help the hair immediately after it has been stressed, to help the hair behave better right now.


Bond Treatment - internal, over time
--internal damage is not immediately noticeable but shows up over time.
--focus is on repairing internal damage caused by chemical services, heat, long-term wear & tear or other stressors
--reinforces what is happening with the hair strand
--provides internal results which are seen over time and not immediately
--over time should result in less breakage, length retention and handles styles better over time
--integrity: survive stress
--with chemicals and heat, can strengthen the internal structure of the hair and help the hair survive over time
--used for maintenance for hair that is routinely under stress

 

[keranikki]

@Yvette 2.0 , I believe it was you, I promised a write up about bond-builders versus protein treatments. When I'm speaking of protein treatments, I'm referring to the basic treatments we tend to do a home. This wouldn't be referring to full blown, in-salon keratin treatments. Anyway.

I watched the video again and took notes. Will be interesting to see what your stylist says.
Let me know if you want me to clarify anything. I tried to summarize it because there were a lot of points.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bond Builder: Primary Purpose is to help the hair become stronger by addressing internal damage
Protein Treatment: Primary Purpose is to help the hair act stronger

Some hair may need both but used at different times for different reasons. They are not interchangeable

Protein Treatment - external, immediate
--gives support to the structure the hair already has.
--use when hair feels: weak, overly stretch, breaks during styling or hair doesn't hold up well between shampoos for stretched, heated, out styles
--can help the hair feel firmer, less floppy and easier to style
--it is support, not repair; it does not rebuild damage
--may help hair feel better and perform better immediately
--stiff hair after treatment may indicate that the hair did not need protein or that it needs more moisture/protein balance
--is meant to provide immediate results
--performance: looks, feels, behaves, handles stress
--can provide a temporary reinforcement immediately after a heat or chemical treatment to help the hair immediately after it has been stressed, to help the hair behave better right now.


Bond Treatment - internal, over time
--internal damage is not immediately noticeable but shows up over time.
--focus is on repairing internal damage caused by chemical services, heat, long-term wear & tear or other stressors
--reinforces what is happening with the hair strand
--provides internal results which are seen over time and not immediately
--over time should result in less breakage, length retention and handles styles better over time
--integrity: survive stress
--with chemicals and heat, can strengthen the internal structure of the hair and help the hair survive over time
--used for maintenance for hair that is routinely under stress

Very informative! Thank you @faithVA

 

[Chicoro]

Bond treatments are the most dangerous products for my hair. I just can't use them. I've tried a couple and each time, I have had a serious hair set-back. The first one left a sink full of broken hairs in the sink. All the hairs were the exact same length. I realized that the bond product was so drying to my hair that it popped off the cuticle layers of my hair strands. The second bond treatment was too harsh and it disintegrated my hair over a four month period. I do not think bond products are bad and I do not think they should be avoided. I just think they are bad for my hair and should be avoided by me.

I've learned that there is no such thing as an innocuous hair care product, as it pertains to my hair. I used to think that only relaxer products were to be approached lightly. Not anymore. My hair is so sensitive that even the wrong shampoo choice can set my hair back with extreme dryness after the wash. Or, worse case scenario, usher in another breakage cycle.

Part of the joy of hair care for me was trying different products. But, I have learned that I have to choose from the immediate and short-term gratification of using a new product, or maintaining the health and length of my hair for the long-term, using tried and true products.

I'm tired of setbacks and watching years of care and attention destroyed by a wrong 'new' product choice. I'm grieving the loss of being able to 'experiment' and try new products. But a set-back, from my poor product choice- for my particular hair type, is worse and far more grievous.