Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2026

[Angel of the North]

I am trying to stay focused and consistent with my hair and ends.

That's what I feel compelled to do right now too. I know targeting my ends will make a huge difference for length retention for me, plus I love healthy smooth ends I'm enjoying my current ends journey.

Now, I am focusing on preserving the structure of my hair strands for as long as possible. The way I do that is is to keep FRICTION to a minimum.

This is something important, it's also the reason I'm aiming to do my hair once a week and not rebraiding every day or so. I'm trying to beat the frizz at the same time.

That means I am doing as much slip for my pre-wash and detangling process. My hair is getting older as it continues to get longer.

With weekly washes and keeping well moisturised, detangling is a breeze and very quick too. I’ve finally reduced the amount of hair I lose whilst detangling, but it's still more than what I would lose during the time my hair was in the best condition.

The other area of focus is at the root and around the hair follicle. I looking at the break-down of elastin and other proteins around the hair follicle and how I can hold off that from happening, and for as long as possible.

Now you know you have my full attention! This is really interesting and getting more scientific, I'm here for all of it, I'll be watching this space.

Skinny Down Routine:

1. Wash.(Clay Mix)
2. Rinse. (Herbs)
3. Condition. (Shea butter/Oil/Honey in whatever condition base I use

A nice simple regimen that is a) Working well for you and b) Doesn't seem too much to fit around your commitments, I love that for you because that can make the difference between whether or not you can maintain consistency

 

[Angel of the North]

I've been here counting how many sleeps till wash day like I was 10 years old waiting for Crimbo.

I can feel 2 washes a week on the horizon in the not too distant future. When I think about it, my hair was in the best condition when I was cowashing 1- 2 times between wash days.

Wash days are a pleasure again, I hope the momentum lasts.

 

[Chicoro]

I've been here counting how many sleeps till wash day like I was 10 years old waiting for Crimbo.

I can feel 2 washes a week on the horizon in the not too distant future. When I think about it, my hair was in the best condition when I was cowashing 1- 2 times between wash days.

Wash days are a pleasure again, I hope the momentum lasts.

Crimbo? Colloquial for Christmas, right? Had to look it up.

 

[Napp]

I am trying to stay focused and consistent with my hair and ends.

Now, I am focusing on preserving the structure of my hair strands for as long as possible. The way I do that is is to keep FRICTION to a minimum.

That means I am doing as much slip for my pre-wash and detangling process. My hair is getting older as it continues to get longer.

The other area of focus is at the root and around the hair follicle. I looking at the break-down of elastin and other proteins around the hair follicle and how I can hold off that from happening, and for as long as possible.

Skinny Down Routine:

1. Wash.(Clay Mix)
2. Rinse. (Herbs)
3. Condition. (Shea butter/Oil/Honey in whatever condition base I use)

We should have a skinny down your regimen support group

 

[Chicoro]

We should have a skinny down your regimen support group

This is the skeleton of my routine. I pad my routine with other stuff. But the bare bones is to wash, rinse and condition the hair. Support group, hmmmmm...maybe!

 

[Angel of the North]

Crimbo? Colloquial for Christmas, right? Had to look it up.

Yep, that's correct

 

[Angel of the North]

We should have a skinny down your regimen support group

I see this working for getting ideas of ways you can achieve certain results with less steps, or working out things you don't necessarily need to do for your desired outcomes. An example being, I read a post a couple of weeks ago where someone said they had stopped using rinse out conditioner before their DC. I would never have thought to use a rinse out before a DC outside of cowashing, I wouldn't put on a conditioner, let it sit for 2-5 minutes and then rinse it out. That would most definitely feel like an unnecessary chore for me. A few people commented that a rinse out wasn't needed if doing a DC.

I've reduced stuff from my previous regimen, it doesn't make it feel so much of a chore, I've managed to include every process that works for me, I can skip stuff if I need to without my hair suffering for it, I'm also enjoying doing my hair at the moment, which also makes it less arduous.

 

[Chicoro]

I see this working for getting ideas of ways you can achieve certain results with less steps, or working out things you don't necessarily need to do for your desired outcomes. An example being, I read a post a couple of weeks ago where someone said they had stopped using rinse out conditioner before their DC. I would never have thought to use a rinse out before a DC outside of cowashing, I wouldn't put on a conditioner, let it sit for 2-5 minutes and then rinse it out. That would most definitely feel like an unnecessary chore for me. A few people commented that a rinse out wasn't needed if doing a DC.

I've reduced stuff from my previous regimen, it doesn't make it feel so much of a chore, I've managed to include every process that works for me, I can skip stuff if I need to without my hair suffering for it, I'm also enjoying doing my hair at the moment, which also makes it less arduous.

This a great perspective and I didn’t think about it this way when
@Napp mentioned it up thread.

@Napp is your line of thinking similar to that of @Angel of the North? Assuming you are both saying the same thing, let me see.
Both of you feel free to expound upon this if I’m off base, please.


To check my understanding, you are proposing a thread where people present their routine and we collectively look at the hair routine to help the person optimize their routine. Let me know if my understanding is not correct.

 

[Angel of the North]

I've just taken my bands out, this is how they are looking after a week of conditioning my ends with oil.....







The first pics in the comparison pics was taken on the 29th of March, the other 2 were taken today.

 

[Angel of the North]

This a great perspective and I dans didn’t think about it this way when
@Napp mentioned it up thread.

@Napp is your line of thinking similar to that of @Angel of the North? Assuming you are both saying the same thing, let me see.
Both of you feel free to expound upon this if I’m off base, please.


To check my understanding, you are proposing a thread where people present their routine and we collectively look at the hair routine to help the person optimize their routine. Let me know if my understanding is not correct.

Yes pretty much, it may even be that someone is looking for help to omit just one or two things or their whole regimen. I think it would be interesting and fun. @Napp What did you have in mind?

 

[Chicoro]

I've just taken my bands out, this is how they are looking after a week of conditioning my ends with oil.....

View attachment 508346
View attachment 508344

View attachment 508350
View attachment 508352

The first pics in the comparison pics was taken on the 29th of March, the other 2 were taken today.

There is no frizz and the ends are sleek and laid down. Aesthetically, I know this is the look you prefer.

In addition to the aesthetics, this process stretches the hair, minimizes expansion or swelling of the hair strands, provides a rigid and firm architecture or substrate for the hair to be supported on, lubricates and protects the hair strands, and minimizes knot and tangle formation due to immobilizing the hair.

All of which, is demonstrated and illustrated in the aforementioned picture attachments.

Now this is what I talk about when I talk about using your current hair ends to learn how to optimize the health of your future, freshly trimmed ends.

Your practices are solid! Once you decide to trim, you are going to masterfully cultivate and maintain those freshly trimmed ends. All due to the practical knowledge you gained. You really took advantage of the gift your current ends have given to you: identifying the best practices, and understanding the best processes, methods and ingredients and products for your hair.

Super healthy, long, glorious hair in 2026, here she comes!!!!

I think in 2026 you are going to surpass any length and health goals you have ever reached prior to this year.

Wow! How exciting and wonderful for you!

 

[Chicoro]

Koalin Paste instead of Koalin Rinse to Cleanse Hair



The first thing I noticed is that the kaolin paste elongated my hair. I did remove the charcoal from the mix. I had on flax seed and glycerin before I put on the paste. There was some gumminess.



Rinse #1 with water, there was residue on the hair. But, I think I need to rinse out my flax seed gel and glycerine and aloe mixes before putting the kaolin on. I may need to eliminate the goat milk from the mix, too.



Rinse #2 with water. My scalp and roots are super clean. But there is some residue on the hair.


Close up look of Rinse #2 with water.


Rinse #3 with herbs

(Hibiscus, green tea, cloves and cinnamon stick)
When I put on the rinse, my hair turned HARD instantly to the touch. But,
it was a fortified or strong type of feeling. This was my favorite part of the
process.

And the smell was so beautiful and fragrant.





Conditioner with oil and honey and I sat under a heating cap for
20 minutes.

-----------------
I like the paste and will do it again. But I got too many steps going on. I was exhausted and didn't finish.
I went to sleep with my conditioner in my hair.

If I have some of the things made before the actual wash, things might go faster and feel less overwhelming.

 

[Angel of the North]

This week's wash day was another good one! Last week I mentioned how moisturised my hair was, I didn't take a pic, I decided to take one this week, so this is how it looked on day 7.5. I already posted pics of how my ends looked after the week of using my oil blend to condition my ends, the brush and comb were smoother through my hair this week too.

Outside of sealing and babying the very ends of my hair and doing HOTs over the hair as a whole , this isn't something I've done before. I'm basically applying my knowledge of oils to my current problem. Based in how my hair reacts to sealing with oils, I had a good idea of how it would work and, I'm pleased to say that it's just as I expected.



I lost a third less hair whilst detangling this week compared to last week. This week's total hair loss: pic 1 is before washing, pic 2 is after washing .



I forgot to add the oils to my ends yet again. I'm upset with myself because I actually remembered twice during prep, what made me forget was that I was undecided about which DC I was going with, by the time I'd decided and mixed them together, it was a wrap! I know this step makes a difference to my ends, I'm going to have to find a way to remember, maybe set an alarm or something.

I got to try out my mini silk bands, again this has worked as I envisioned, it being smaller, it blends better with the width of the braid at the point I secure it. It still provides the protection I look for too, so another win.



Overall, another positive week, I still need to get it together with adding the oil to ends for DC though. I'm going to continue to condition my ends with the oil blend, I may even extend it to the length of my braid just to see what happens. I have a fair idea of what to expect, I would expect to see the same results as with the ends, but only if I was to take down my braid and rebraid it the day after wash day.

This is the only thing that gets rid of my frizz. I will say though that I'm enjoying my frizz fighting journey, I've never attempted to combat it before now, then again, I've never had my hair as frizzy as it is now. I've chalked it up to doing less than my hair needed for 7 years. Although I jumped back on it last year, and did so much better, during the last quarter, wash days were not as frequent and then I had the blunder that left me with the breakage.

I've been extremely consistent since the beginning of March, I'm reaping the benefits and enjoying every step. I have a masquerade ball to attend next month, I'm planing to straighten my hair for that, it'll be the first time since December 2019, I'm glad I have the L'Oreal Airlight Pro en route, I haven't managed to source the comb yet, but I can use a brush to provide enough tension to get it ready for session.

I'm going to use this opportunity to try out my new heat styling tools as well, after testing them, I'll use the one that achieves the look I'm going for. I'm looking forward to trying them.

 

[Angel of the North]

This is how my hair is looking 3 hours 50 minutes after I finished everything. There's definitely an improvement with the frizz.

 

[faithVA]

I took out my twists but I can't bring myself to do a cleanse today. I will do a cleanse and reset tomorrow after my bike ride. I will regret that because my arms will be tired I can't put it off any longer.

 

[Chicoro]

This week's wash day was another good one! Last week I mentioned how moisturised my hair was, I didn't take a pic, I decided to take one this week, so this is how it looked on day 7.5. I already posted pics of how my ends looked after the week of using my oil blend to condition my ends, the brush and comb were smoother through my hair this week too.

Outside of sealing and babying the very ends of my hair and doing HOTs over the hair as a whole , this isn't something I've done before. I'm basically applying my knowledge of oils to my current problem. Based in how my hair reacts to sealing with oils, I had a good idea of how it would work and, I'm pleased to say that it's just as I expected.

View attachment 508358

I lost a third less hair whilst detangling this week compared to last week. This week's total hair loss: pic 1 is before washing, pic 2 is after washing .

View attachment 508362

I forgot to add the oils to my ends yet again. I'm upset with myself because I actually remembered twice during prep, what made me forget was that I was undecided about which DC I was going with, by the time I'd decided and mixed them together, it was a wrap! I know this step makes a difference to my ends, I'm going to have to find a way to remember, maybe set an alarm or something.

I got to try out my mini silk bands, again this has worked as I envisioned, it being smaller, it blends better with the width of the braid at the point I secure it. It still provides the protection I look for too, so another win.

View attachment 508364

Overall, another positive week, I still need to get it together with adding the oil to ends for DC though. I'm going to continue to condition my ends with the oil blend, I may even extend it to the length of my braid just to see what happens. I have a fair idea of what to expect, I would expect to see the same results as with the ends, but only if I was to take down my braid and rebraid it the day after wash day.

This is the only thing that gets rid of my frizz. I will say though that I'm enjoying my frizz fighting journey, I've never attempted to combat it before now, then again, I've never had my hair as frizzy as it is now. I've chalked it up to doing less than my hair needed for 7 years. Although I jumped back on it last year, and did so much better, during the last quarter, wash days were not as frequent and then I had the blunder that left me with the breakage.

I've been extremely consistent since the beginning of March, I'm reaping the benefits and enjoying every step. I have a masquerade ball to attend next month, I'm planing to straighten my hair for that, it'll be the first time since December 2019, I'm glad I have the L'Oreal Airlight Pro en route, I haven't managed to source the comb yet, but I can use a brush to provide enough tension to get it ready for session.

I'm going to use this opportunity to try out my new heat styling tools as well, after testing them, I'll use the one that achieves the look I'm going for. I'm looking forward to trying them.

I sure hope you post pictures of your hair. Wow! Six (6) years since you've straightened!

 

[Chicoro]

This is how my hair is looking 3 hours 50 minutes after I finished everything. There's definitely an improvement with the frizz.

View attachment 508366

Look at that BEAUTIFUL, super NEAT, braid!!!!

 

[Angel of the North]

I sure hope you post pictures of your hair. Wow! Six (6) years since you've straightened!

I will do, it's been so long.

 

[Angel of the North]

Look at that BEAUTIFUL, super NEAT, braid!!!!

I should have really started it again so that the top end was neater, but it's all good, I'll see how I feel once it's dry.

 

[Napp]

Yes pretty much, it may even be that someone is looking for help to omit just one or two things or their whole regimen. I think it would be interesting and fun. @Napp What did you have in mind?

I just want to get rid of the bloat in my stash and regimen. Like why do I have 5 shampoos when I only like one or two. I have my staples and just want to stick to them. Tired of failed experiences when I know what works

 

[Angel of the North]

I just want to get rid of the bloat in my stash and regimen. Like why do I have 5 shampoos when I only like one or two. I have my staples and just want to stick to them. Tired of failed experiences when I know what works

Sounds like you're well on your way to where you're trying to get to. I don't usually keep more than 2 -3 types of shampoo, I have a couple of clarifying and a moisturising one.

Recently I've purchased multiple shampoos and conditioners just to try out some new brands. I've been buying travel sizes so I'm not wasting money or product, I get a minimum of 2 uses per 60 ml bottles/pots, that's enough to decide if I like it and also gives me the chance to compare it with another brand as well. Anything I don't like, I'm gifting straight away.

 

[Chicoro]

This roller set on natural hair turned out GORGEOUS - Her hair ends are luscious!!!!

 

[Chicoro]

Posts #311 and #312

@Angel of the North

Yoo Hoo! Please go check out posts 311 and 312 of this thread. Post #311 is for YOU!