Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2026

[Angel of the North]

Thank you!

In the most recent pic, the one on the right, the hair is straighter. At the top it’s flatter.

On the outer sides, the hair is not as long as now.

The hair is hanging heavier and the width of your hair hemline is broader. The quality of the hair, the strands, seem different, too.

The hair on the left has a perfectly straight hemline, perfectly even ends.

Nice contrast. The hair you currently have is completely new in comparison to the hair in your avatar.

I have a funny feeling the hair in my avatar is a roller set. The one on the left is my preference for how my ends and hemline look, it also gives the appearance of thicker hair.

 

[Angel of the North]

Yesterday I was on tenter hooks most of the day. A little back story, when I ordered my dress initially, the sizing was off, the bottom half fitted perfectly, I couldn't get the back zipped out. I ordered another one and prayed it would arrive on time, it just made it by 12 pm yesterday.

When I tried it on, the zip went up, it was slightly too long and there was an issue with the built-in bra, which was way too small and kind of sat on top of my bust, preventing the dress from fitting flush to my chest as it should.

I'm fortunate enough that one of my friends, who lives very close to me knows her way around dress making. She removed the built-in bra, mended the bits that were cut and is ghost stitching the hem to the lining of the dress by hand, tgen steaming the dress for me (God bless her).

With all that going on, I managed to get a hair wash,. DC and blow dry in. I washed with the Amika Frizz Be Gone and DC'd with the Frizz Be Gone conditioner. To blow dry, I used the smallest amount of the Cantu Weightless leave in, I also spent a bit longer on the blow dry, I had a much better result.





I got a better blow out, so I'm hoping for a better press this time around. I'm going to apply a tiny bit of the Amika Superfruit Star oil, l will likely blow dry the roots before straightening, I'll be back later with the final results.

At the moment, I'm chill, I've got to go out and buy a lipstick, then it's just to paint my nails, chill a bit more and then to get ready.

 

[faithVA]

Yesterday I was on tenter hooks most of the day. A little back story, when I ordered my dress initially, the sizing was off, the bottom half fitted perfectly, I couldn't get the back zipped out. I ordered another one and prayed it would arrive on time, it just made it by 12 pm yesterday.

When I tried it on, the zip went up, it was slightly too long and there was an issue with the built-in bra, which was way too small and kind of sat on top of my bust, preventing the dress from fitting flush to my chest as it should.

I'm fortunate enough that one of my friends, who lives very close to me knows her way around dress making. She removed the built-in bra, mended the bits that were cut and is ghost stitching the hem to the lining of the dress by hand, tgen steaming the dress for me (God bless her).

With all that going on, I managed to get a hair wash,. DC and blow dry in. I washed with the Amika Frizz Be Gone and DC'd with the Frizz Be Gone conditioner. To blow dry, I used the smallest amount of the Cantu Weightless leave in, I also spent a bit longer on the blow dry, I had a much better result.



View attachment 508702

I got a better blow out, so I'm hoping for a better press this time around. I'm going to apply a tiny bit of the Amika Superfruit Star oil, l will likely blow dry the roots before straightening, I'll be back later with the final results.

At the moment, I'm chill, I've got to go out and buy a lipstick, then it's just to paint my nails, chill a bit more and then to get ready.

Your hair looks great. Have a wonderful time.

 

[Chicoro]

Yesterday I was on tenter hooks most of the day. A little back story, when I ordered my dress initially, the sizing was off, the bottom half fitted perfectly, I couldn't get the back zipped out. I ordered another one and prayed it would arrive on time, it just made it by 12 pm yesterday.

When I tried it on, the zip went up, it was slightly too long and there was an issue with the built-in bra, which was way too small and kind of sat on top of my bust, preventing the dress from fitting flush to my chest as it should.

I'm fortunate enough that one of my friends, who lives very close to me knows her way around dress making. She removed the built-in bra, mended the bits that were cut and is ghost stitching the hem to the lining of the dress by hand, tgen steaming the dress for me (God bless her).

With all that going on, I managed to get a hair wash,. DC and blow dry in. I washed with the Amika Frizz Be Gone and DC'd with the Frizz Be Gone conditioner. To blow dry, I used the smallest amount of the Cantu Weightless leave in, I also spent a bit longer on the blow dry, I had a much better result.



View attachment 508702

I got a better blow out, so I'm hoping for a better press this time around. I'm going to apply a tiny bit of the Amika Superfruit Star oil, l will likely blow dry the roots before straightening, I'll be back later with the final results.

At the moment, I'm chill, I've got to go out and buy a lipstick, then it's just to paint my nails, chill a bit more and then to get ready.

I’m so excited! We are going to have a great time!!! And…Look and Feel great!!!

 

[Angel of the North]

Your hair looks great. Have a wonderful time.

Thank you

 

[Angel of the North]

Okay so on Friday everything appeared to be going well, until it wasn't.....

First was the dress that arrived a day before the event and needed alterations lol. I managed to get the main section altered by a friend and she also had to safety pin the hem up as there wasn't enough time to do it properly.

My hair was going great, it was actually still past WL after the bit I took off last week, we trimmed a little more off and then everyone started rushing me, I was running late, getting all flustered, which I pretty much never do, and I forgot to use anti humidity products before I left. By the time I got my mask on, by which time there was no direction my hair had not been pushed or pulled, and I got into the venue, my hair looked like it had been dragged through a bush, epic fail!


That's how much was taken off.

Funnily enough nobody recognised me, especially with my hair down and out, their used to seeing me in buns, so first time seeing my hair in years, I would have been about APL - BSL the last time any of them saw my hair.

I got so many compliments on both my hair and my dress, literally all night. There were a couple of ladies there I'd not met before, they were both lovely, one offered to help me put my hair up if I wanted, I think they were also shocked when my sons told them I was their mum, then the compliments grew even more

With all that, said, I didn't really get any proper pics, I will have to check if anyone else got any, I vaguely remember a couple being taken. If I manage to get hold of any, I will come back and post.

It was an amazing night, we celebrated in love, the birthday girl looked stunning, she appreciated the effort everyone made for her special birthday, we had a great time.

 

[Chicoro]

With all that, said, I didn't really get any proper pics, I will have to check if anyone else got any, I vaguely remember a couple being taken. If I manage to get hold of any, I will come back and post.

​

That's okay....It's your car and we are merely along for the ride.

I am so glad the evening was magical for you. It may not have been your party, but you definitely were the Queen of the Ball.

@Angel of the North stuntin' on everybody at the masquerade party from head to toe!

 

[Angel of the North]

With all that, said, I didn't really get any proper pics, I will have to check if anyone else got any, I vaguely remember a couple being taken. If I manage to get hold of any, I will come back and post.

​

Sorry..... There must be a pic somewhere, I need to track them down.

That's okay....It's your car and we are merely along for the ride.

I am so glad the evening was magical for you. It may not have been your party, but you definitely were the Queen of the Ball.

Honestly, with the dress fiasco I felt like Cinders, I didn't think I was going to make it.

@Angel of the North stuntin' on everybody at the masquerade party from head to toe!

it was amazing, everyone looked fantastic! Now I'm planning for my next event I'll be attending, I've got a couple of months for that one so I have enough time to get myself together.

 

[Chicoro]

I have no energy to give for straightening and trimming.

But I’m loving the lemongrass scent on my hair. It smells so pretty.

 

[VarieYvette]

Okay so on Friday everything appeared to be going well, until it wasn't.....

First was the dress that arrived a day before the event and needed alterations lol. I managed to get the main section altered by a friend and she also had to safety pin the hem up as there wasn't enough time to do it properly.

My hair was going great, it was actually still past WL after the bit I took off last week, we trimmed a little more off and then everyone started rushing me, I was running late, getting all flustered, which I pretty much never do, and I forgot to use anti humidity products before I left. By the time I got my mask on, by which time there was no direction my hair had not been pushed or pulled, and I got into the venue, my hair looked like it had been dragged through a bush, epic fail!

View attachment 508736
That's how much was taken off.

Funnily enough nobody recognised me, especially with my hair down and out, their used to seeing me in buns, so first time seeing my hair in years, I would have been about APL - BSL the last time any of them saw my hair.

I got so many compliments on both my hair and my dress, literally all night. There were a couple of ladies there I'd not met before, they were both lovely, one offered to help me put my hair up if I wanted, I think they were also shocked when my sons told them I was their mum, then the compliments grew even more

With all that, said, I didn't really get any proper pics, I will have to check if anyone else got any, I vaguely remember a couple being taken. If I manage to get hold of any, I will come back and post.

It was an amazing night, we celebrated in love, the birthday girl looked stunning, she appreciated the effort everyone made for her special birthday, we had a great time.

Is that the wavytalk dryer? How do you like it?

 

[GGsKin]

Hi Everyone, I’m back for 2026. I’ve been off the boards for about 6months, and I didn’t realise it had even been that long. Life was life-ing. I’ve dealt/ been dealing with some family and friends being very poorly and had some losses, but from what I’ve read, a few of us here have been going through it. I wish us all well, and praying we find some solace together- at the very least through our unified goal of having healthy luscious hair.

I had my twists in for about a year. Each time I washed my hair, I just redid them one by one- focussing hydrating and moisturising. I would either layer Amika Hydro Rush leave-in, then Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate leave-in, then Adwoa Blue Tansy leave-in, or use any one of these, and layer with The Doux Twisting Cream, and twist my hair back up with the same human Afro hair. My ends felt good, but I could never really tell because I couldn’t see my hair overall.

I took the twists down three weeks ago because I needed to clarify my hair. I had a horrible incident with the Amika Clarifying Gel Shampoo- it got into my eyes and they were chemically burned. I had to take a week off work to recover. All is mostly well now. The shampoo was great on my hair, but….yeah….

I gave my hair an Aphogee 2 step protein treatment because I hadn’t used anything protein for a year, and I wanted my hair to accept the moisture well (Amika Hydro Rush DC, layered with the conditioner- a stylist I follow in IG does this) in preparation for my press. While I continued with my wash day (I had to push through the pain), due to me burning my eyes I couldn’t do a thorough trim on that occasion. After two weeks, I washed my hair again. Every thing reverted wonderfully. This time I used just moisture shampoos, and conditioners with steam (Amika Hydro and Chi). I used Redken as my leave-in, and blow dried. I followed up with Amika The Shield as a super light weight heat protectant, and pressed my hair again with my pressing comb, and then my T3 flat iron. I did a proper trim/ cut to get rid of my wayward ends, and there were a few. I cut off a couple of inches- I didn’t really measure. I just got rid of what needed to go. I threw in some loose curls and it’s been pin curled under my scarf for 4 days, due to poor weather lol. Today I got my cousin to take some pics. Since I was wearing black, I put one of her tops over my jumper lol.

The first pic is from last year April, just before I put my twists in. White top pics are today.

 

[Chicoro]

Hi Everyone, I’m back for 2026. I’ve been off the boards for about 6months, and I didn’t realise it had even been that long. Life was life-ing. I’ve dealt/ been dealing with some family and friends being very poorly and had some losses, but from what I’ve read, a few of us here have been going through it. I wish us all well, and praying we find some solace together- at the very least through our unified goal of having healthy luscious hair.

I had my twists in for about a year. Each time I washed my hair, I just redid them one by one- focussing hydrating and moisturising. I would either layer Amika Hydro Rush leave-in, then Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate leave-in, then Adwoa Blue Tansy leave-in, or use any one of these, and layer with The Doux Twisting Cream, and twist my hair back up with the same human Afro hair. My ends felt good, but I could never really tell because I couldn’t see my hair overall.

I took the twists down three weeks ago because I needed to clarify my hair. I had a horrible incident with the Amika Clarifying Gel Shampoo- it got into my eyes and they were chemically burned. I had to take a week off work to recover. All is mostly well now. The shampoo was great on my hair, but….yeah….

I gave my hair an Aphogee 2 step protein treatment because I hadn’t used anything protein for a year, and I wanted my hair to accept the moisture well (Amika Hydro Rush DC, layered with the conditioner- a stylist I follow in IG does this) in preparation for my press. While I continued with my wash day (I had to push through the pain), due to me burning my eyes I couldn’t do a thorough trim on that occasion. After two weeks, I washed my hair again. Every thing reverted wonderfully. This time I used just moisture shampoos, and conditioners with steam (Amika Hydro and Chi). I used Redken as my leave-in, and blow dried. I followed up with Amika The Shield as a super light weight heat protectant, and pressed my hair again with my pressing comb, and then my T3 flat iron. I did a proper trim/ cut to get rid of my wayward ends, and there were a few. I cut off a couple of inches- I didn’t really measure. I just got rid of what needed to go. I threw in some loose curls and it’s been pin curled under my scarf for 4 days, due to poor weather lol. Today I got my cousin to take some pics. Since I was wearing black, I put one of her tops over my jumper lol.

The first pic is from last year April, just before I put my twists in. White top pics are today.

Hair looking like this sister 's above!!!

Umph, to the left, umph, hey ump to the right. Get down. She back.

Scoot it on back, now. C'mon. Stiff and old, but I'm slidin' cause she back.

Yes!!! I am so happy to see you and this stunning hair!

 

[Chicoro]

Hi Everyone, I’m back for 2026. I’ve been off the boards for about 6months, and I didn’t realise it had even been that long. Life was life-ing. I’ve dealt/ been dealing with some family and friends being very poorly and had some losses, but from what I’ve read, a few of us here have been going through it. I wish us all well, and praying we find some solace together- at the very least through our unified goal of having healthy luscious hair.

Baby, I am sorry for your losses and for your hardships. Yes, life is tearing up lots of folks, as of late. I'm trying to have joy in the journey no matter how much Life got its teeth sunk in the flesh of my buttocks. I am good at looking back and exhaling with gratitude once I've passed through a difficult passage way or road. But, I am HORRIBLE when I am actually on that road. I'm trying to not just grin and bear it. But to find authentic joy and inner peace within the turmoil.

And so far, well, let's just say this is how my face looks when I say I'm doing okay:

Me: 'I'm good.'

I had my twists in for about a year. Each time I washed my hair, I just redid them one by one- focussing hydrating and moisturising. I would either layer Amika Hydro Rush leave-in, then Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate leave-in, then Adwoa Blue Tansy leave-in, or use any one of these, and layer with The Doux Twisting Cream, and twist my hair back up with the same human Afro hair. My ends felt good, but I could never really tell because I couldn’t see my hair overall.

Wow! A whole year?! So, each braid was redone, what, about every 2 months or so?


So what was that rotation like?

I took the twists down three weeks ago because I needed to clarify my hair. I had a horrible incident with the Amika Clarifying Gel Shampoo- it got into my eyes and they were chemically burned. I had to take a week off work to recover. All is mostly well now. The shampoo was great on my hair, but….yeah….

Oh no! Chemical burn? Are you going to continue with that on your hair? I know shampoo is not supposed to be used as an eye rinse, but gosh, that sounds harsh. Glad to know all is well. Tell me something, was there something you did during that week's time of healing , that had you been at work, you would not have been able to do it?

Sometimes things work out in mysterious and funny ways. Something knows we won't take a certain route or action, and so, it nudges us in a way that way can't ignore. Yes, you know I be all up everybody's business, including yours.

I like to make it sound highbrow and deep by saying, 'I'm an Empath, you know'. When in reality, I'm just plain old nosey.

Toe may toe, ta ma toe

Empath, Nosey

I gave my hair an Aphogee 2 step protein treatment because I hadn’t used anything protein for a year, and I wanted my hair to accept the moisture well (Amika Hydro Rush DC, layered with the conditioner- a stylist I follow in IG does this) in preparation for my press. While I continued with my wash day (I had to push through the pain), due to me burning my eyes I couldn’t do a thorough trim on that occasion. After two weeks, I washed my hair again. Every thing reverted wonderfully. This time I used just moisture shampoos, and conditioners with steam (Amika Hydro and Chi). I used Redken as my leave-in, and blow dried. I followed up with Amika The Shield as a super light weight heat protectant, and pressed my hair again with my pressing comb, and then my T3 flat iron. I did a proper trim/ cut to get rid of my wayward ends, and there were a few. I cut off a couple of inches- I didn’t really measure. I just got rid of what needed to go. I threw in some loose curls and it’s been pin curled under my scarf for 4 days, due to poor weather lol. Today I got my cousin to take some pics. Since I was wearing black, I put one of her tops over my jumper lol.

The first pic is from last year April, just before I put my twists in. White top pics are today.

That HAIR! Is stunning! It looks like a WIG! Your hair is gorgeous. I am not clear on the Aphogee 2 Step process, though.
1st. Aphogee 2 Step
2nd Amiko Hydro
3rd Conditioner

Is this the correct order you did? Did you do all this in one day?


Woo oooo weee! I ain't EVEN read this yet. I'm salivating at this hair in the photos. OH MY! Sooooooo pretty!

 

[Chicoro]

@GGsKin

In picture 1, your hair looks to be about three (3) inches past your bra-strap.
In picture 2, with the white shirt, your hair looks to be about 6 to 7 inches past your bra-strap.

It definitely is Luscious and Long, too!

Edit: I meant armpit, not bra strap. Hair is cascading and careening rapidly to and past that bra-strap, though!

 

[GGsKin]

Baby, I am sorry for your losses and for your hardships. Yes, life is tearing up lots of folks, as of late. I'm trying to have joy in the journey no matter how much Life got its teeth sunk in the flesh of my buttocks. I am good at looking back and exhaling with gratitude once I've passed through a difficult passage way or road. But, I am HORRIBLE when I am actually on that road. I'm trying to not just grin and bear it. But to find authentic joy and inner peace within the turmoil.

And so far, well, let's just say this is how my face looks when I say I'm doing okay:

Me: 'I'm good.'


@Chicoro, I remember reading about your own massive life change last year. I am happy that you get to spend time and take care of your loved one. We truly do have to be grateful for all the positives. Those faces above was literally me last night. Grateful for the positives and finding joy in life, but still very sad.



Wow! A whole year?! So, each braid was redone, what, about every 2 months or so?

Maybe. I can’t ever say that i put a time on it. I always try to refresh once my roots have enough room where I can hold a finger width or more. That particular style looks good as it grows out, but I don’t like giving my roots the opportunity to twist round and cause more unregulated tension or tangles. I also take the opportunity to remove shed hair, so final takedown isn’t as traumatic a process.

So what was that rotation like?

it’s early here, so forgive me please. What do you mean? I may have answered above. If not just nudge me, and I will try to answer



Oh no! Chemical burn? Are you going to continue with that on your hair? I know shampoo is not supposed to be used as an eye rinse, but gosh, that sounds harsh. Glad to know all is well. Tell me something, was there something you did during that week's time of healing , that had you been at work, you would not have been able to do it?

It was a set of rather unfortunate events that caused that shampoo to get into my eyes, as well as it being the first time I used it. I would like to say, ‘No way! In the bin it goes’, but I’m just too stubborn. I was side-eying the container because what! I have never experienced anything like that before. During my research (before I purchased the product) I did note that the pH of the shampoo was acidic from information on their site. After the burn, I was trying to see what ingredients could have done that to me, but at the time I couldn’t see properly- I couldn’t keep my eyes closed nor open. Not only my eyeballs, but the backs of my eyelids were burned, and it was so so painful when I went to sleep that night. Fortunately, one of my cousins is an Ophthalmologist, so she gave me sound medical advice.

I was able to close my eyes and not deal with anything for a few days, and just heal. I cooked a big pot of Caribbean soup- with gungo peas, salt beef, pumpkin, yam, tanya, eddoes, and dumplings, so I had comfort food for a week lol.

Sometimes things work out in mysterious and funny ways. Something knows we won't take a certain route or action, and so, it nudges us in a way that way can't ignore. Yes, you know I be all up everybody's business, including yours.

I like to make it sound highbrow and deep by saying, 'I'm an Empath, you know'. When in reality, I'm just plain old nosey.

Toe may toe, ta ma toe

Empath, Nosey



That HAIR! Is stunning! It looks like a WIG! Your hair is gorgeous. I am not clear on the Aphogee 2 Step process, though.
1st. Aphogee 2 Step
2nd Amiko Hydro
3rd Conditioner

Is this the correct order you did? Did you do all this in one day?

Thank you! I’m working on it lol. I’d like to be able to improve my density. I have a lot of shorter strands throughout that appear like new growth rather than breakage- I know because whilst I twists, I’ve experienced a parade of grey hairs that have decided to join in on this long hair journey. And they had a knack of springing up in my partings lol, so I assume that my dark hairs were also doing the same. I wasn’t on any supplements during this hairstyle. I bought some vitamin D3 and K2 drops yesterday to see if I can see some improvement.

Yes, this was all in one day. So after clarifying, I did the 2-step. Then I followed up, using the Amika Hydro DC and layered rinse our conditioner from the same line on top. I squeezed and smoothed that in, and used my Manta brush (I guess the teeth are similar to a tangle teaser) to brush through. The I wrapped in cling film, and applied steam. After rinsing, I went in with another conditioner (Amika Mirroball) and rinsed out. I was kind enough f crazy to continue washing my hair in all that pain, but in my mind, I couldn’t leave my hair to dry out, half done and looking crazy. It could have added to my problems.

Woo oooo weee! I ain't EVEN read this yet. I'm salivating at this hair in the photos. OH MY! Sooooooo pretty!

Thank you, again @Chicoro . My hair has a lot of movement and is actually starting to feel long to me, although I’m not sure it reaches by bra strap yet. I had so many layers on in the pics with the white top, I can’t remember feeling it lol. This second press looks more thorough than my first one, where the eye burn occurred for probably two reasons.

I conditioned with steam- not wrapped in cling film, focussing on moisture, and my ends are better looking due to my cutting. It’s been wrapped up all week so the elements haven’t got to it, so I my cousin and I were squealing like little girls last night at the length and movement when I took it down lol. She is also on a length journey. I do her trims for her, and give her tid bits of advice.

 

[Chicoro]

@GGsKin

How wonderful to be able to share your hair journey with someone near and dear in your life who is also family!

 

[Chicoro]

@GGsKin
My question about rotation is: For example did you redo sections or areas of your head, did you redo three braids at a time? What was your schedule and your process you used when re doing your braids, please?

 

[Chicoro]

@GGsKin

I still can’t get over the quality and length of your hair. It’s just marvelous. Those truly are some luscious, exquisitely beautiful hair ends that you have.

 

[Chicoro]

Okay, anybody else got some hair updates?

 

[Chicoro]

My hair is feeling soft and moisturized. I went back to the chemicalized SCurl with its fabric softener ladened chemical composition.

I’m due for an Aphogee 2 Step Treatment this month. I was supposed to heat straighten and trim in April/May.

Hopefully ‘Life’ will unhinge its fangs from my behind, at least momentarily, so I can do a lovely, satisfying trim.

The energy is just not there. Something has got to give at some point and free me up enough so I can get my hair done, with care and patience so I can have a lovely hair outcome.

 

[GGsKin]

@GGsKin
My question about rotation is: For example did you redo sections or areas of your head, did you redo three braids at a time? What was your schedule and your process you used when re doing your braids, please?

Ok! I’d usually just redo the ones that had grown out or slipped. So mainly focussing on the very back, and the very front. After several weeks I would have sessions where I would go through and redo the mid section, and take the opportunity to moisturise those strands. Then, after several more weeks, I would wash my hair and re-do my whole head in one sitting.

 

[Chicoro]

Ok! I’d usually just redo the ones that had grown out or slipped. So mainly focussing on the very back, and the very front. After several weeks I would have sessions where I would go through and redo the mid section, and take the opportunity to moisturise those strands. Then, after several more weeks, I would wash my hair and re-do my whole head in one sitting.

Thank you for the response. I appreciate it. Well one thing I can say for certain, the current head of hear that you possess looks like Rich Woman's Hair. It looks well cared for, protected, pampered and lush.

 

[Chicoro]

There seems to be something in the air for hair in 2026, at least going by THIS thread. I've been privileged to see so many gorgeous heads of hair within this challenge. But the same women and the same heads of hair have an ELEVATED level of health, length and beauty in 2026.

I am not sure what the shift is. Perhaps it's the 'Collective Rest' black women are taking and the heightened attention to and upon our self care in these days.

I don't know. But something has definitely changed and it is reflected in your beautiful heads of hair.

You know, they call me the 'Hawk' because I don't miss nothing. I see everything, always observing, assessing, analyzing.

So, whatever I'm seeing is definitely there.

But what I'm not sure about is whether I'm seeing it with my sense of sight or if I'm seeing things empathically.

It might be a combination of both.

 

[Angel of the North]

Hi Everyone, I’m back for 2026. I’ve been off the boards for about 6months, and I didn’t realise it had even been that long. Life was life-ing. I’ve dealt/ been dealing with some family and friends being very poorly and had some losses, but from what I’ve read, a few of us here have been going through it. I wish us all well, and praying we find some solace together- at the very least through our unified goal of having healthy luscious hair.

I had my twists in for about a year. Each time I washed my hair, I just redid them one by one- focussing hydrating and moisturising. I would either layer Amika Hydro Rush leave-in, then Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate leave-in, then Adwoa Blue Tansy leave-in, or use any one of these, and layer with The Doux Twisting Cream, and twist my hair back up with the same human Afro hair. My ends felt good, but I could never really tell because I couldn’t see my hair overall.

I took the twists down three weeks ago because I needed to clarify my hair. I had a horrible incident with the Amika Clarifying Gel Shampoo- it got into my eyes and they were chemically burned. I had to take a week off work to recover. All is mostly well now. The shampoo was great on my hair, but….yeah….

I gave my hair an Aphogee 2 step protein treatment because I hadn’t used anything protein for a year, and I wanted my hair to accept the moisture well (Amika Hydro Rush DC, layered with the conditioner- a stylist I follow in IG does this) in preparation for my press. While I continued with my wash day (I had to push through the pain), due to me burning my eyes I couldn’t do a thorough trim on that occasion. After two weeks, I washed my hair again. Every thing reverted wonderfully. This time I used just moisture shampoos, and conditioners with steam (Amika Hydro and Chi). I used Redken as my leave-in, and blow dried. I followed up with Amika The Shield as a super light weight heat protectant, and pressed my hair again with my pressing comb, and then my T3 flat iron. I did a proper trim/ cut to get rid of my wayward ends, and there were a few. I cut off a couple of inches- I didn’t really measure. I just got rid of what needed to go. I threw in some loose curls and it’s been pin curled under my scarf for 4 days, due to poor weather lol. Today I got my cousin to take some pics. Since I was wearing black, I put one of her tops over my jumper lol.

The first pic is from last year April, just before I put my twists in. White top pics are today.

Welcome back! Sorry to hear about all you've been dealing with, I hope your loved ones get well soon. I'm so sorry to hear about your shampoo accident, I hope your eyes are okay now.

I'm really liking the Amika products I've tried, although I'm unsure about the Frizz Be Gone conditioner, I don't know thst it's doing anything to help my frizz, but I've only used it twice so the jury is still out.

Your press looks gorgeous, I'm here for the tips. I'd been trying to straighten my hair for last week, it was a huge flop lol. It also didn't help that the venue was extremely hot inside, which I think was my undoing. I've got a 30th wedding anniversary to go to in July, I might gigive it another attempt.

 

[Chicoro]

Welcome back! Sorry to hear about all you've been dealing with, I hope your loved ones get well soon. I'm so sorry to hear about your shampoo accident, I hope your eyes are okay now.

I'm really liking the Amika products I've tried, although I'm unsure about the Frizz Be Gone conditioner, I don't know thst it's doing anything to help my frizz, but I've only used it twice so the jury is still out.

Your press looks gorgeous, I'm here for the tips. I'd been trying to straighten my hair for last week, it was a huge flop lol. It also didn't help that the venue was extremely hot inside, which I think was my undoing. I've got a 30th wedding anniversary to go to in July, I might gigive it another attempt.

I think @GGsKin used pressing combs. Those sometimes give hair a different look and set than flat irons. I personally am a pressing comb person. I like gas heat on the stove myself, old school style.

Edit: I believe she used flat irons, too. Both together or using one or the other can give a gorgeous result. I personally am not skilled with a flat iron. And for my hair, it does not look the same as when I use a pressing comb.

By the way, your hair was NOT a flop! You had a tremendous amount of success building up to the point and with the final hair presentation as well. It was pretty.

 

[Angel of the North]

I think @GGsKin used pressing combs. Those sometimes give hair a different look and set than flat irons. I personally am a pressing comb person. I like gas heat on the stove myself, old school style.

I haven't tried the electric pressing combs before, I liked the old school ones on the stove and the Marcel ones in the salons, but as I have a very noticeable and scar on my face from a hairdresser refusing to accept my telling her she was burning me, I've stayed away from the pressing combs where possible.

 

[Chicoro]

@Angel of the North

Edit: I believe she used flat irons, too. Both together or using one or the other can give a gorgeous result. I personally am not skilled with a flat iron. And for my hair, it does not look the same as when I use a pressing comb.

By the way, your hair was NOT a flop! You had a tremendous amount of success building up to the point and with the final hair presentation as well. It was pretty.

 

[Chicoro]

I haven't tried the electric pressing combs before, I liked the old school ones on the stove and the Marcel ones in the salons, but as I have a very noticeable and scar on my face from a hairdresser refusing to accept my telling her she was burning me, I've stayed away from the pressing combs where possible.

I'm sorry the burn happened to you.

like the stove combs.


The electrical pressing combs are WORSE than the flat iron for me.

 

[Angel of the North]

@Angel of the North

Edit: I believe she used flat irons, too. Both together or using one or the other can give a gorgeous result. I personally am not skilled with a flat iron. And for my hair, it does not look the same as when I use a pressing comb.

That's interesting, using the 2 together, I would think one or the other. @GGsKin can you elaborate a little about the process please? Which do you use first, why in that particular order, and what is the difference using both the hot comb and straighteners v one on their own?

I used to have no problems getting my hair straight years ago, I obviously don't have the skill to get my hair as straight as they do in the salons, even when I'm using the exact same tools.

By the way, your hair was NOT a flop! You had a tremendous amount of success building up to the point and with the final hair presentation as well. It was pretty.

Thank you, I appreciate you saying this. I definitely enjoyed the journey, this year's hair journey has been eventful so far and extremely enjoyable, I appreciate you ladies accompanying me along the way.

I still need to try and achieve a salon worthy press, as this and a weave/braids are the only thing I pay for, I can braid my own hair both with or without extensions and I totally believe I could weave my own hair if I needed to, but I wouldn't want to though.

 

[Angel of the North]

I'm sorry the burn happened to you.

Thank you

like the stove combs.


The electrical pressing combs are WORSE than the flat iron for me.

When you say worse, what exactly are you referring to? I definitely feel safer with the flat irons, even the slightest touch of the heat near my skin puts my body in a traumatic state of shock. I'm surprised I even let anyone near me with heat lol.