Angel of the North
Well-Known Member
It's been a lot, but mainly good things. I could probably use this thread as my backup hair journalSo much going on in here and just 3 women of color holding a conversation
Carry on!
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Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2026
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Chicoro
9 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Me, trolling through the thread, looking for someone with whom I can engage. "Oh! There's someone now!"
*enters* @Angel of the North unknowingly..."
Nobody comes up in this 'unknowing'. C'mon, now.
Step into this thread, "And I GOT you!"
Lylddlebit
Well-Known Member
You know I'm born and raised in Cali. I didn't move East until college. So in a different time, you might have caught me haha. My sister, who lives in your neck of the woods, says she woudn't buy ANYTHING if I were still in Cali, she would come to my house with an empty tote bag and raid my bathrooms as family does best haha.
My collection goes back to being a teenager. It started with Caboodles and Christmas nail and makeup sets my mom started buying me when I was about 11, then train cases in college, now bathrooms and filled cabinets as an adult lol. I love always having what I need for hair, skin, and nails right at home. Always did it that way...even before I was actually wearing the makeup and taking my haircare seriously.
Chicoro
9 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
This is very good. It saves you lots of money. And, if supplies get low due to panic buying or world events, you can ‘shop your own shelves’ for what you want!
divachyk
hair neglect is my superpower
Diva entering the chat briefly....
How are you progressing? What are those ends looking like?
Decent. I keep my them hidden mostly.
Have you had any epiphanies?
Ends will be ends. Snip them and keep moving.
Have you set bolder goals?
None. Less is more. in my current phase.
Have you pulled back on some goals?
Stopped making them.
Have you had any realizations about your hair or your hair care practices?
My hair thrives on a level of neglect. Constant attention results in over manipulation.
How is your consistency?
Very inconsistent. I wash about once a month when taking down one style and transitioning into another.
How are you progressing? What are those ends looking like?
Decent. I keep my them hidden mostly.
Have you had any epiphanies?
Ends will be ends. Snip them and keep moving.
Have you set bolder goals?
None. Less is more. in my current phase.
Have you pulled back on some goals?
Stopped making them.
Have you had any realizations about your hair or your hair care practices?
My hair thrives on a level of neglect. Constant attention results in over manipulation.
How is your consistency?
Very inconsistent. I wash about once a month when taking down one style and transitioning into another.
faithVA
Well-Known Member
Missed seeing you.
Chicoro
9 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Welcome! It is sooooooooo gooooooood to see you!
Chicoro
9 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
I know, right!!!!
Chicoro
9 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Yes, indeed!It's been a lot, but mainly good things. I could probably use this thread as my backup hair journal
Angel of the North
Well-Known Member
This long/juicy post will serve as my weekly and monthly Update, I've tried to cover what's in the monthly update.
I didn't put any oils or butters on my ends this week, so I was curious to see what they'd look like. It wasn't as bad as I expected at all. The bit that looks frizzy is the bit I fold back, I know I didn't do the best job of securing my braid last week, I was just glad to get through wash day. I was pleasantly surprised because, although that bit I flipped looked frizzy, my ends felt soft and were still hydrated and are still in a much better place than they'vebeen of late. There were 3 tiny bits of lint attached to the ends, this is new to me but I know the way I tied the ends was the reason for this.
When I took my hair down, it was so soft and moisturised as well.
The picture doesn't accurately represent how soft and shiny it really was.
I decided to try out Living Proof No Frizz shampoo and conditioner today. I liked the shampoo, the conditioner was nice, I feel like it did do something to the frizz while my hair was wet, but I also get the impression that this is a line you would have to use for some time before you see the benefits. I Sat under the steamer for about 15 minutes with the conditioner. This was my hair after rinsing the DC.
Close up:
I was prepping for using my Splitender so needed to stretch my hair. I decided to go with the WavyTalk Air Sculpt and I used the paddle brush to dry and stretch my hair. I felt like as I took a braid down to detangle and add products, my ends seemed to be having a kumbaya moment and appeared to be holding strands.
For products I went with Amika Hydra Rush, I blotted the excess water/product with paper towels then sprayed in the Amika Frizz Me Not to each section before drying. I sprayed a little of Amika the Shield once I'd finished all the sections just to see what it would do. Neither of these leave ins felt heavy and they didn't weigh down my hair, so I was happy about that. When dry, my hair didn't feel sticky or anything like that it just felt normal.
The WavyTalk was easy to use, I had to do it in smaller sections than I would have liked but it didn't take long to get through my whole head when looking at the time l spent drying. I kept my hair in the same sections as for the wash and DC, I did one section at a time and once a section was dry, I'd go through it with the splitender, until the head was completed.
The WavyTalk blew out my hair nicely, there was hardly any hair in the paddle brush, I wanted to take a picture but unfortunately I hoovered it up unintentionally. My hair had a nice shine to it as well.
@Chicoro Do you remember my saying I was thinking of getting a silk press so that I could properly assess the current state of my hair? Well as my hair got dry, what I noticed was how thin my ends are. I would normally just cut that off. As I have used the splitender, I'm feeling quite confident that the hanging splits have gone. For this reason I will wait a bit longer to cut the ends off. I'm enjoying using my oil blends and seeing what they can do to my ends, length and roots. Also as it's highly unlikely that my ends should ever be in this state again, it's a good opportunity for me to care for them and secure a solid process to nurture them in this condition as you can never really say never.
This is how much I would like to take off, and it could probably do with a tad more.
The WavyTalk stretched my hair well and initially gave the effect as though I had used straighteners on a low heat, that look lasted at least until I went through with the Splitender. My hair still had texture, I didn't go in too hard on the roots as my target areas were the length and ends.
This is what my hair looked like when I'd finished. I put on the same thing I had on when I did the pull test so that it would be easier to compare. I did a further pull test, I feel like my ends are so thin that it's difficult to hold them and their so thin I couldn't actually see them through the camera lens and again, I still have the hair I'm holding on to that can't be seen.
This is the comparison to the last pull test, it's not completely accurate as I'm standing at an awkward angle, it was very difficult to get a pic whilst also pulling on my hair.
I know for sure that it was the last set of extensions/braids I had installed that has messed up my ends. I have always instinctively removed my braids between 4 - 5 weeks, I kept them in for about 7 maybe even 8 weeks. I used the French curl hair, it is very difficult to braid to the ends of my hair, so often the last inch will be loose. This has never been a problem before, I also thought my braid spray would help, it did for everywhere but my ends. Let's just say its a lesson learnt.
This evening, I've sprayed some It's a 10 silk leave in and put my hair in a bun. I felt my hair might appreciate a little protein after the heat, it's been a hot minute. It's also moisturising and a heat protectant too. My hair still didn't feel weighed down or coated despite having layered 4 products, 3 of which being heat protectants, make me feel better about flat ironing tomorrow.
I'm still in 2 minds, I'll decide how I feel as to whether I'll straighten it tomorrow or not. I need to see what it looks like straight to see the minimum I can take off without it looking terrible, I'd also like to try a couple of products to see which of them will be better for preventing my hair from reverting.
I had another aha moment today. I remembered that many years ago, I would use cold water for my final rinse. This most likely also helped my hair to lay smoother, meaning I had less frizz. I'm not sure I have the stomach for cold water final rinses anymore, but I reckon I could handle tepid water, which is an improvement from warm water.
I have been very consistent with my regimen, I've not changed my goals and despite seeing the full extent of the damage today, I'm still feeling positive and confident that I will reach HL by the end of the year. I've realised that my hair year starts in March not January, but I believe I will still make it.
Initially I started this year (March) with the intention of focusing on length retention which I've been doing for the past 2 months, I'm thinking of adding growth to that goal as well. I'd like to cut out the thin ends over the next 2 - 3 months and then trying out some of the growth oils I've been blending for others.
My intentions for next year will definitely include thickening up my density, it's kind of dawned on me that all the hair I was losing on wash day over the last several years has affected my density. I have a lot of hair but seeing it stretched made me feel a little bald headed compared to before. It's actually crazy work that I sat on that for those years, I'd tell myself if I was supposed to shed between 50 - 100 strands daily (which I've never actually believed), then it was probably I the range of normal. I'm glad I managed to get back on top of things.
I'm most definitely giving myself grace, I'm not sitting here beating myself up about the mistakes I made in August last year which jacked up my ends, and earlier this year which caused me to have breakage. I'm accepting of the situation, I'm treating it as a learning curve, I also know that my hair will grow back and it will be completely healthy.
I didn't put any oils or butters on my ends this week, so I was curious to see what they'd look like. It wasn't as bad as I expected at all. The bit that looks frizzy is the bit I fold back, I know I didn't do the best job of securing my braid last week, I was just glad to get through wash day. I was pleasantly surprised because, although that bit I flipped looked frizzy, my ends felt soft and were still hydrated and are still in a much better place than they'vebeen of late. There were 3 tiny bits of lint attached to the ends, this is new to me but I know the way I tied the ends was the reason for this.
When I took my hair down, it was so soft and moisturised as well.
The picture doesn't accurately represent how soft and shiny it really was.
I decided to try out Living Proof No Frizz shampoo and conditioner today. I liked the shampoo, the conditioner was nice, I feel like it did do something to the frizz while my hair was wet, but I also get the impression that this is a line you would have to use for some time before you see the benefits. I Sat under the steamer for about 15 minutes with the conditioner. This was my hair after rinsing the DC.
Close up:
I was prepping for using my Splitender so needed to stretch my hair. I decided to go with the WavyTalk Air Sculpt and I used the paddle brush to dry and stretch my hair. I felt like as I took a braid down to detangle and add products, my ends seemed to be having a kumbaya moment and appeared to be holding strands.
For products I went with Amika Hydra Rush, I blotted the excess water/product with paper towels then sprayed in the Amika Frizz Me Not to each section before drying. I sprayed a little of Amika the Shield once I'd finished all the sections just to see what it would do. Neither of these leave ins felt heavy and they didn't weigh down my hair, so I was happy about that. When dry, my hair didn't feel sticky or anything like that it just felt normal.
The WavyTalk was easy to use, I had to do it in smaller sections than I would have liked but it didn't take long to get through my whole head when looking at the time l spent drying. I kept my hair in the same sections as for the wash and DC, I did one section at a time and once a section was dry, I'd go through it with the splitender, until the head was completed.
The WavyTalk blew out my hair nicely, there was hardly any hair in the paddle brush, I wanted to take a picture but unfortunately I hoovered it up unintentionally. My hair had a nice shine to it as well.
@Chicoro Do you remember my saying I was thinking of getting a silk press so that I could properly assess the current state of my hair? Well as my hair got dry, what I noticed was how thin my ends are. I would normally just cut that off. As I have used the splitender, I'm feeling quite confident that the hanging splits have gone. For this reason I will wait a bit longer to cut the ends off. I'm enjoying using my oil blends and seeing what they can do to my ends, length and roots. Also as it's highly unlikely that my ends should ever be in this state again, it's a good opportunity for me to care for them and secure a solid process to nurture them in this condition as you can never really say never.
This is how much I would like to take off, and it could probably do with a tad more.
The WavyTalk stretched my hair well and initially gave the effect as though I had used straighteners on a low heat, that look lasted at least until I went through with the Splitender. My hair still had texture, I didn't go in too hard on the roots as my target areas were the length and ends.
This is what my hair looked like when I'd finished. I put on the same thing I had on when I did the pull test so that it would be easier to compare. I did a further pull test, I feel like my ends are so thin that it's difficult to hold them and their so thin I couldn't actually see them through the camera lens and again, I still have the hair I'm holding on to that can't be seen.
This is the comparison to the last pull test, it's not completely accurate as I'm standing at an awkward angle, it was very difficult to get a pic whilst also pulling on my hair.
I know for sure that it was the last set of extensions/braids I had installed that has messed up my ends. I have always instinctively removed my braids between 4 - 5 weeks, I kept them in for about 7 maybe even 8 weeks. I used the French curl hair, it is very difficult to braid to the ends of my hair, so often the last inch will be loose. This has never been a problem before, I also thought my braid spray would help, it did for everywhere but my ends. Let's just say its a lesson learnt.
This evening, I've sprayed some It's a 10 silk leave in and put my hair in a bun. I felt my hair might appreciate a little protein after the heat, it's been a hot minute. It's also moisturising and a heat protectant too. My hair still didn't feel weighed down or coated despite having layered 4 products, 3 of which being heat protectants, make me feel better about flat ironing tomorrow.
I'm still in 2 minds, I'll decide how I feel as to whether I'll straighten it tomorrow or not. I need to see what it looks like straight to see the minimum I can take off without it looking terrible, I'd also like to try a couple of products to see which of them will be better for preventing my hair from reverting.
I had another aha moment today. I remembered that many years ago, I would use cold water for my final rinse. This most likely also helped my hair to lay smoother, meaning I had less frizz. I'm not sure I have the stomach for cold water final rinses anymore, but I reckon I could handle tepid water, which is an improvement from warm water.
I have been very consistent with my regimen, I've not changed my goals and despite seeing the full extent of the damage today, I'm still feeling positive and confident that I will reach HL by the end of the year. I've realised that my hair year starts in March not January, but I believe I will still make it.
Initially I started this year (March) with the intention of focusing on length retention which I've been doing for the past 2 months, I'm thinking of adding growth to that goal as well. I'd like to cut out the thin ends over the next 2 - 3 months and then trying out some of the growth oils I've been blending for others.
My intentions for next year will definitely include thickening up my density, it's kind of dawned on me that all the hair I was losing on wash day over the last several years has affected my density. I have a lot of hair but seeing it stretched made me feel a little bald headed compared to before. It's actually crazy work that I sat on that for those years, I'd tell myself if I was supposed to shed between 50 - 100 strands daily (which I've never actually believed), then it was probably I the range of normal. I'm glad I managed to get back on top of things.
I'm most definitely giving myself grace, I'm not sitting here beating myself up about the mistakes I made in August last year which jacked up my ends, and earlier this year which caused me to have breakage. I'm accepting of the situation, I'm treating it as a learning curve, I also know that my hair will grow back and it will be completely healthy.
Attachments
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Angel of the North
Well-Known Member
In case anyone is interested, this was the contents of the Splitender, AKA, my split ends. This is actually the most I've ever seen come out, just shows how badly leaving those braids in impacted my hair.
Although I have had this tool for many years ( I'm pretty sure that it was @faithVA who put me onto this), this is about the 4th or 5th time I've used it.
One of the main reasons I don't use it more is because the hair needs to be straight to use it. The hair dryer I used at that time definitely caused more tension but didn't get my hair straight enough, so I'd have to go over them with straighteners. This is not something I was prepared to do regularly long term, after the last time I used it, I just made sure to dust my ends regularly and that kept the splits in check.
The WavyTalk stretched my hair well enough that I didn't need to use anything else, I was able to get the Splitender through no problem. I went down each tress twice in both directions, overall I'm happy their gone and it could have been a lot worse.
Although I have had this tool for many years ( I'm pretty sure that it was @faithVA who put me onto this), this is about the 4th or 5th time I've used it.
One of the main reasons I don't use it more is because the hair needs to be straight to use it. The hair dryer I used at that time definitely caused more tension but didn't get my hair straight enough, so I'd have to go over them with straighteners. This is not something I was prepared to do regularly long term, after the last time I used it, I just made sure to dust my ends regularly and that kept the splits in check.
The WavyTalk stretched my hair well enough that I didn't need to use anything else, I was able to get the Splitender through no problem. I went down each tress twice in both directions, overall I'm happy their gone and it could have been a lot worse.
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Chicoro
9 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
@Angel of the North
I think your hair looks quite long and full. I do understand that you know your hair and that I do not.
The first press or heat straightening is the most difficult, after a long hiatus from heat. It took me about 3 presses and trims to get mine to look the way I wanted it to look.
I can see the same length on the pulled hair as on the straightened hair.
Your straightened hair is fluffy and draws up a bit. Also, the ends still have texture on them. It's very long. I don't think those ends are as thin as you say. Once you do a small trim, you will see how much growth and length you have.
The more the hair is pressed, the heavier and longer the hair hangs. But, there is a risk of having heat damage with that, too.
Heat straightening the hair gives one another view of one's head of hair. So, you have gathered more intel and information as it relates to the immensely complex hair strand and the hair on your head!
Continue on your renewed journey. It will continue to pay hair dividends!
Keep us posted!
I think your hair looks quite long and full. I do understand that you know your hair and that I do not.
The first press or heat straightening is the most difficult, after a long hiatus from heat. It took me about 3 presses and trims to get mine to look the way I wanted it to look.
I can see the same length on the pulled hair as on the straightened hair.
Your straightened hair is fluffy and draws up a bit. Also, the ends still have texture on them. It's very long. I don't think those ends are as thin as you say. Once you do a small trim, you will see how much growth and length you have.
The more the hair is pressed, the heavier and longer the hair hangs. But, there is a risk of having heat damage with that, too.
Heat straightening the hair gives one another view of one's head of hair. So, you have gathered more intel and information as it relates to the immensely complex hair strand and the hair on your head!
Continue on your renewed journey. It will continue to pay hair dividends!
Keep us posted!
Angel of the North
Well-Known Member
It's not quite the same as I'm used to, but I will see how it goes when I straighten it, that will give me a better idea, but my ends are much thinner right now.
This is the reason I wanted to straighten this week and next week, the 3rd press will be the week of the ball.
I've only blow dryed it here, so it's not properly straight, I also didn't go in too hard on my roots hence the texture and the ability to pull it down.
I don't intend to press my hair often at all, this is pretty much a one off for now. I may start straightening for my trims once everything is straightened out and I have fresh ends again.
Absolutely! I've had no major issues with my hair or my ends until I took out the braids in August, I've been assessing the damage mainly by feel and look in an unstretched state so, I definitely need to see it straight now.
Thank you and I will do
Angel of the North
Well-Known Member
I got to straightening my hair today. I decided to do one side with the Tymo Ionic Plus brush and the other side with the Tymo Flipro. I have this chasing comb I bought from the salon I last had a silk press at, I triedView attachment 508536 to use it today, it's a bit awkward until 2 inches down the shaft.
I did my right side with the brush and my left side with the Flipro. I only used the comb part if the Flipro and one pass was enough to get the results you can see, I had to go higher on the heat with the brush and had to do 2 or even 3 passes in some parts. You can definitely see the difference.
I sprayed on more Frizz me not and the shield and then got to it, when I finished I used a very tiny amount of the Olaplex N°9 serum through the ends and the front of my hair. I still had a tiny bit of frizz at the front, so I used a tiny bit of Philip Kingsley Frizz fighting gloss and that has made a good improvement.
My ends are see-through! Zoom in...
My hair was literally tangling itself together at the ends so I knew I had to trim It. My hair before the trim.
This is what I know needs to go!
I took off about an inch of that.
How the ends looked after the trim....
I need to lose another inch, I will do this slowly with regular dusting till its all gone. My hair will be straight for the best part of this month which is weird, but after that, it'll be business as usual and I will go back to conditioning my ends with the oil blend.
You all saw what a difference the oils made, I'm pretty confident that with the worst of my ends gone, they will continue to do a good job on the rest. I can't imagine what my ends would be like if I hadn't started to condition them.
I did my right side with the brush and my left side with the Flipro. I only used the comb part if the Flipro and one pass was enough to get the results you can see, I had to go higher on the heat with the brush and had to do 2 or even 3 passes in some parts. You can definitely see the difference.
I sprayed on more Frizz me not and the shield and then got to it, when I finished I used a very tiny amount of the Olaplex N°9 serum through the ends and the front of my hair. I still had a tiny bit of frizz at the front, so I used a tiny bit of Philip Kingsley Frizz fighting gloss and that has made a good improvement.
My ends are see-through! Zoom in...
My hair was literally tangling itself together at the ends so I knew I had to trim It. My hair before the trim.
This is what I know needs to go!
I took off about an inch of that.
How the ends looked after the trim....
I need to lose another inch, I will do this slowly with regular dusting till its all gone. My hair will be straight for the best part of this month which is weird, but after that, it'll be business as usual and I will go back to conditioning my ends with the oil blend.
You all saw what a difference the oils made, I'm pretty confident that with the worst of my ends gone, they will continue to do a good job on the rest. I can't imagine what my ends would be like if I hadn't started to condition them.
Attachments
Angel of the North
Well-Known Member
This is how my hair looked yesterday evening after being out all day, it was a little humid today but nothing too crazy, I think the Amika products have done what they were intended to do. My hair feels hydrated, very spft but strong.
I sprayed some more Amika Hydra Rush and Frizz Me Not to my hair and put them in rollers. I had to use 4 of them which is 2 more than I would have used with shorter hair. I applied the same products to the front of my hair and wrapped a scarf round it and then put on a bonnet. It looks like a lot lol, I tried to get the rollers to sit how my hair would fall, I'll see what happens when I take them out.
I sprayed some more Amika Hydra Rush and Frizz Me Not to my hair and put them in rollers. I had to use 4 of them which is 2 more than I would have used with shorter hair. I applied the same products to the front of my hair and wrapped a scarf round it and then put on a bonnet. It looks like a lot lol, I tried to get the rollers to sit how my hair would fall, I'll see what happens when I take them out.
Chicoro
9 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
@Angel of the North
Your hair is hanging beautifully! It's thick, full and heavy. It is so dark in color, too. Just lovely! I am so excited to see how the hair looks with the curlers removed and styled. I am sure it is going to cascade like a gorgeous, satiny cloud around your shoulders.
Thank you for sharing your lovely pictures. I love how your hair came out!
Your hair is hanging beautifully! It's thick, full and heavy. It is so dark in color, too. Just lovely! I am so excited to see how the hair looks with the curlers removed and styled. I am sure it is going to cascade like a gorgeous, satiny cloud around your shoulders.
Thank you for sharing your lovely pictures. I love how your hair came out!
Chicoro
9 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
One of my mother's neighbors approached me about a hair issue she is having. So, I told her I wanted to ruminate, pray and reflect on it and told her I'd get back to her in about a week or so. I made the concoction up for her. Her edges need some support. I made a sulfur based product. I didn't take photos of it. I thought it came out nice. It smells medicinal like peppermint and sage and rosemary.
Angel of the North
Well-Known Member
Looks can be deceiving
It's not thick at all, it just looks like it is. If there wasn't still a bit of texture, that ponytail would be smaller in width. It feels great though 
It's so soft.I had intended to take a picture of when I took the rollers out, but I was in a hurry to go meet my mum. When I took them down, and brushed it out, it pretty much looked exactly as it did yesterday.
Usually it would look perfect, (There are actually pics of my having done this in the threads somewhere) two reasons why I think it wasn't:
1. Those dreaded ends
2. I would normally use a creamy leave in
I didn't use a creamy leave in this time because I was testing out how the products I used react to the elements. I think for what I need, they might work, but it's hard to say because a hot function room with multiple bodies, is the perfect environment for hair to revert.
This evening I put my ponytail back into a braid, I badded creamy leave into the front and length, and then added my oil blend and a little butter to the ends. It's business as usual until my next wash day.
Thank you
I actually really loved it too, I prefer when there's a little texture,.it was still blowing in the wind, there were times yesterday when my hair seemed to be getting more wind swept than a few people who you might expect go have more movement. Considering it's been 7 years since I last straightened it, it didn't turn out bad for the first go.
Angel of the North
Well-Known Member
That sounds amazing! I really hope it works out for her. It seems we both have people asking for advice, what's beautiful about it is that the trust us with their problem areas.
ETA: I did take a pic of my hair when I took out the rollers, I don't even remember taking it. All that rushing but I still found the time to take pics
The first pic:
The second pic because my top in the first one was a bit dark:
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Chicoro
9 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
This pony looks like it’s higher up than the one in the first posted photos. It looks thick from root to tip.
Angel of the North
Well-Known Member
That might be the rollers giving it body
Chicoro
9 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Update for the Month of April, 2026
Posted on April 28th, 2026
How are you progressing? What are those ends looking like?
My ends look GREAT! I am so satisfied and happy with how they are looking. The splits and the knots are at a minimum. It feels good to have some success after so much difficulty. (same as last month)
Have you had any epiphanies?
YES!!! I like warm stuff. I like all my products to be warmed up on my head before I use them. I just used a flax seed and aloe vera mix and I warmed it up in a pot. It felt wonderful on my head. (NEW realization!)
I continue to use glycerin and add essentials oils to it in the palm of my hand. Then, I put it directly on my hair. It makes my hair smell so pretty! (same as last month.)
Have you set bolder goals?
Since I have the time, I have long hair sessions by choice and because I enjoy doing my hair.
Have you pulled back on some goals?
Nope. But, I DO NOT use new products without thought. Every product, no matter how innocuous it may seem, could potential set my hair care goals back. So, I'm sticking to my tried and true basics and ingredients.
Have you had any realizations about your hair or your hair care practices?
I love warmed up products! From gels to herbal rinses, to clay rinses to deep conditioners. I love heated up products.
How is your consistency?
It's really good for the month of April. I just take it a day at a time.
Extending grace to you?
Yesterday was ROUGH. But, I'm doing better today.
Posted on April 28th, 2026
How are you progressing? What are those ends looking like?
My ends look GREAT! I am so satisfied and happy with how they are looking. The splits and the knots are at a minimum. It feels good to have some success after so much difficulty. (same as last month)
Have you had any epiphanies?
YES!!! I like warm stuff. I like all my products to be warmed up on my head before I use them. I just used a flax seed and aloe vera mix and I warmed it up in a pot. It felt wonderful on my head. (NEW realization!)
I continue to use glycerin and add essentials oils to it in the palm of my hand. Then, I put it directly on my hair. It makes my hair smell so pretty! (same as last month.)
Have you set bolder goals?
Since I have the time, I have long hair sessions by choice and because I enjoy doing my hair.
Have you pulled back on some goals?
Nope. But, I DO NOT use new products without thought. Every product, no matter how innocuous it may seem, could potential set my hair care goals back. So, I'm sticking to my tried and true basics and ingredients.
Have you had any realizations about your hair or your hair care practices?
I love warmed up products! From gels to herbal rinses, to clay rinses to deep conditioners. I love heated up products.
How is your consistency?
It's really good for the month of April. I just take it a day at a time.
Extending grace to you?
Yesterday was ROUGH. But, I'm doing better today.
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Chicoro
9 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
I made a flax seed and aloe vera leaf (freshly blended and unstrained.) I heated it up in a pot and applied it to my hair.
The impetus for heating it up was from a video I was watching on making lotion. The person heated up water mixed with aloe vera gel.
The result is a nondescript gloop. But it was wonderful on my hair!
It deeply moisturized my hair and elongated my hair.
I was pleasantly surprised. I don't think that I have EVER
combined flaxseed gel and aloe vera mixed together.
Flax seed is a colloidal and has mucilage and is a polysaccharide.
Aloe vera is a mucopolysaccharide.It contains negatively charged polysaccharides.
My hair LOVES this !
The impetus for heating it up was from a video I was watching on making lotion. The person heated up water mixed with aloe vera gel.
The result is a nondescript gloop. But it was wonderful on my hair!
It deeply moisturized my hair and elongated my hair.
I was pleasantly surprised. I don't think that I have EVER
combined flaxseed gel and aloe vera mixed together.
Flax seed is a colloidal and has mucilage and is a polysaccharide.
Aloe vera is a mucopolysaccharide.It contains negatively charged polysaccharides.
My hair LOVES this !
Angel of the North
Well-Known Member
ETA: This post landed at 4:03 am on the 29th of April, I've never really thought about the timezones and differences.
I'm so happy for you! I know it's not been easy for you juggling hair and life, but you seem to have found that sweet spot that allows you to take your time and enjoy wash days.
I'm happy for your ends too! All that effort and applying your knowledge to your regimen has helped your hair and ends so much, you've done a great job
My hair loves warm oils and conditioners too, I'm intrigued by the warm gel though.
Angel of the North
Well-Known Member
This is interesting, you had my attention regarding this from your update, you did not disappoint! Thank you, I've made a mental note to try this when I start making flaxseed gel.I made a flax seed and aloe vera leaf (freshly blended and unstrained.) I heated it up in a pot and applied it to my hair.
The impetus for heating it up was from a video I was watching on making lotion. The person heated up water mixed with aloe vera gel.
The result is a nondescript gloop. But it was wonderful on my hair!
It deeply moisturized my hair and elongated my hair.
I was pleasantly surprised. I don't think that I have EVER
combined flaxseed gel and aloe vera mixed together.
Flax seed is a colloidal and has mucilage and is a polysaccharide.
Aloe vera is a mucopolysaccharide.It contains negatively charged polysaccharides.
My hair LOVES this !
Chicoro
9 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Thank you. Doing my hair gives me great pleasure and joy. I am rearranging my ingredients and processes and coming up with new combinations for myself, with old familiar ingredients!
Thank you! I can SEE the difference with my ends. It really is the little changes that can create huge shifts.I'm happy for your ends too! All that effort and applying your knowledge to your regimen has helped your hair and ends so much, you've done a great job
That warm gel mixed with aloe Vera heated together in a pot was glorious. I love all my products super warm when I apply them. What a feeling!
I had planned to heat straighten my hair. But my loved one whom I caretaker had a medical emergency. The person is stable, but I’ve chosen to do 11 to 22 hour shifts with them while they are in the hospital. Thus, my hair has to wait.
Chicoro
9 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
I clean my scalp with a carrier oil such as sunflower oil mixed with essential oils of rosemary, sage, tea tree and peppermint with a little bit of glycerin. I massage my scalp with this on dry dirty hair. I do not rinse. This removes any odor from my scalp and hair.
Next, I put on the warmed flaxseed gel and aloe Vera gel over the top, on top of the oil. I section and detangle my hair.
This step infuses and saturates my hair with moisture.
There are cationic (positively) charged components in both flaxseed gel and aloe Vera gel.
And, since hair has a slightly negative charge, from weathering and damage, the gels adhere beautifully. And the gels actually deposit minimal amounts of protein on the hair strands.
Once I work the gels through my hair and my hair is super saturated, I rinse everything out.
Then, I clean with koalin clay mixed with water and honey. I prefer more of a liquid rinse than a paste. I mix the paste with warm water, too. Then, I rinse that out.
Then, I rinse my hair with a boiled herb mix of horsetails, coltsfoots, hibiscus, clove and cinnamon sticks. The horsetails and coltsfoot provide silicone to strengthen the hair. The hibiscus acts as an astringent whereby the vitamin c in hibiscus tightens and flattens the cuticles on the hair strand. I add the clove and cinnamon because of the beautiful, perfumed scent they emit. Then, I rinse this out.
Then I mix oil and honey into my conditioner and sit under a heating cap.
My hair is left soft, with a deep shine. No more hard, wiry, traumatized hair. It’s still dry, but my Afro textured hair tends toward dryness.
It’s a five step process. The basic process consists of three steps which are wash, rinse and condition.
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Angel of the North
Well-Known Member
I find that too, it is very peaceful too. The little tweaks for big gains is working very well indeed.
I've been trying to imagine it
I'm really sorry to hear that, I hope they make an expeditious recovery. 11 - 22 hours is a long time, most hospitals have poor provisions for families of their patients. I hope you're getting some respite in between your hospital shifts.
