Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2018

[faithVA]

This challenge is for everyone who wants to focus on healthier ends. We know our hair is always growing and that healthy ends are key to retention.

This challenge is for you if you...
1. had healthy ends but damaged them in some way
2. have ends that are dry, brittle, bushy
3. have ends that are thin, breaking or brittle
4. have breakage you just want to get rid of
5. have healthy ends and want to keep them that way
6. or fill in the blank

To join, post
1. Are you relaxed, texlaxed, natural, transitioning, etc
2. Current Hair Length
3. Why are you joining this challenge?
4. What have you tried to improve your ends?
5. What are you going to try to get those healthy ends?
6. Any helpful tips you learned for your fellow challengers...

Optional: Post a picture of your ends

Retention is an ongoing thing so if you join please be committed to updating at least 1x a month.

 

[faithVA]

1. Are you relaxed, texlaxed, natural, transitioning, etc: Natural

2. Current Hair Length : SL

3. Why are you joining this challenge? : I need to stay motivated with the progress I have made on my ends and improve my retention.

4. What have you tried to improve your ends?
...I am currently following one of Chicoro's suggestions and using a glycerin spray, a cream and a butter like process on my ends.
...I use several layers of products on my ends when remoisturizing.
...I keep my hair in flat twists
...I do frequent search and destroys
...I dust every 4 months

5. What are you going to try to get those healthy ends?
...Going to keep doing what I was doing in #4
...May switch to rollersetting to keep my ends smooth or I may start blowing drying until 90% dry

6. Any helpful tips you learned for your fellow challengers...

Optional: Post a picture of your ends

 

[Dee Raven]

This is exactly the challenge I need for 2018. I have big dreams for my ends.

1. Are you relaxed, texlaxed, natural, transitioning, etc? Natural
2. Current Hair Length: TBL
3. Why are you joining this challenge? I'm joining because my ends are thin and I want to thicken up my hemline. Also, I'm growing out a deva cut so the hair lengths are weird. I would like to get them to be more normal even layers. I would also really like a u-shape.
4. What have you tried to improve your ends? Different trimming methods. What I have not been doing is protective styling. Something else that has been working is doing clay mask periodically.
5. What are you going to try to get those healthy ends? More frequent trims (every three months) currently I've been trimming every 5 - 6 months. I may consider getting a stylist to trim at the end of 2018. We'll see.
6. Any helpful tips you learned for your fellow challengers...
This technique by Curly Desi has really helped me catch the layered ends and I plan to keep using it in 2018.



Optional:

 

[Chicoro]

I've been waiting for this challenge. I have had the 2018 updated version in my siggy for about a week now. Thank you @faithVA !

Congratulations to you on your length gain of shoulder length, bravo!!!!!!!

 

[Chicoro]

This is one of my FAVORITE challenges! My ends have thickened and flourished because I stayed posting in this thread [2017 version]. Even if no-one read my information in 2017, I posted for ME! The encouragement and support I got here made it even more wonderful to be a part of this challenge. Here's to Luscious, Healthy Ends in 2018!

Here were the ends of one or two braids and their evolution from January 2017 to October 2017:
10 Months of Care

BEFORE: Healthy, with no splits and only a few knots, but thin!


AFTER: With about 2 mini-trims, lots of Castor oil, protection, attention and 'gazelle' focus from doing my nightly Hair Ends Routine. ATTENTION: This may not be the same braid, but all of my braids have thickened on the ends.



To join, post
1. Are you relaxed, texlaxed, natural, transitioning, etc

• Currently I am natural.
• I have not heat straightened my hair in 4 years

2. Current Hair Length

• Body Measurement Lengths
  • My hair length is 1 inch from tailbone length.
  • My hair is about 2 inches from my thigh when I am sitting.
  • My braid comes to my waist when I pull it.
• Actually Measurements in Inches
  • 21.5 inches in the back
  • 24 inches in the crown (back crown) edited
  • 24.5 inches in the crown (front crown) edited
  • 22 inches in the front of my head

3. Why are you joining this challenge?

• My ends have always been challenging to keep healthy. When the ends of your hair are beautiful, it elevates the beauty of your hair to a whole different level.
• This challenge helps me to maintain and continue to evolve the best hair ends routine for my hair.

4. What have you tried to improve your ends? This is the evolution of my process in order:

• Scurl + Buns: I used to saturate my hair with glycerin products and keep my hair in braided buns or simple buns. This is when I first learned about protective styles. My hair was STILL weathered and white colored and crispy on the ends.
• Vaseline + Baggie Method: I built on the Scurl + Braided Bun method and would then add vaseline to the ends of my hair and cover with a baggie. This worked well for years until in 2016 my braid turned in on itself and knotted and I lost 3 inches that had to be cut. My hair is too long and too soft for this to work. It worked BEAUTIFULLY for me, initially! I was so disappointed when this process stopped working for my hair.
• Castor Oil + Ends Routine: After studying women with super long afro-textured hair, I realized that they had Hair End Routines. So, I developed one for myself. Problem: Hair unraveled and twisted around braid and created tangles that led to breakage.
  • My routine is to wet the last 1/2 of my entire braid in warm, running water.
  • Next, I saturate that same 1/2 of the braid in castor oil.
  • After, I place my braids on top of my head in a loose ponytail and gather it with a knee high and secure.
  • Last, I wrap the greased braids around in a bun and secure with another knee high. In the morning moisturized, protected ends!!!

• Shea Butter + No Comb Method: I started this in December 2016. I may have started to add the Shea Butter in Spring of 2016. Resolved Problem: Shea Butter kept hair 'clumped' together so it did not unravel. Shea butter heightened and optimized the castor oil on the ends. No more tangles!
  • I keep my hair is 8 braids and never, ever, ever, combine them!
  • I wet my braids.
  • I undo each braid, one at a time and put them in bantu knots
  • Add Scurl and gel.
  • Slather Whipped Shea Butter from root to tips daily!

5. What are you going to try to get those healthy ends?

I am L.O.V.I.N.G. my No Comb Method with Shea Butter and Hair Ends Routine with Castor oil. My hair is looking magnificent!
​

6. Any helpful tips you learned for your fellow challengers...

• That I must be consistent, even if I am sleepy, tired or busy.
• Mini trims while still in braids are helpful and effective!

Optional: Post a picture of your ends: My Ends!

Retention is an ongoing thing so if you join please be committed to updating at least 1x a month.

Where I am [my hair ends are] today in Nov/Dec 2017:

 

[GGsKin]

I'm in. I will return to post my information.

 

[LuvlyRain3]

Just the challenge I need for 2018

1. Are you relaxed, texlaxed, natural, transitioning, etc?- Natural

2. Current Hair Length-APL

3. Why are you joining this challenge?i want to keep my ends healthy to retain as much of my length as possible in 2018

4. What have you tried to improve your ends? Nothing lol.

5. What are you going to try to get those healthy ends? I just need to be consistent in my regimen and I should be fine

6. SEAL!!!!

 

[NappyNelle]

I'll be back! I love @faithVA challenge threads.

1. Are you relaxed, texlaxed, natural, transitioning, etc
I am a kinky coily natural, with medium to low density of fine hair strands.
2. Current Hair Length
WSL
3. Why are you joining this challenge?
My goals are to thicken my hemline, reduce knotting, limit exposing my ends and focus on strength.
4. What have you tried to improve your ends?
Consistent end sealing with a butter and gel. I often wear braid-and-curls; rolling my ends on perm rods really improved their look, feel, reduced knotting, and helped me to retain.
5. What are you going to try to get those healthy ends?
Apply the same methods as above, but reduce the frequency of 'out' styles in favor of banana clip buns. I will also apply more conditioner to my ends during each dc session.
6. Any helpful tips you learned for your fellow challengers...
Seal your ends with a heavy butter or oil!

 

[keranikki]

Holding my spot.

Side note: I’m in a lot of challenges, but I’m excited for each one! I hope I can keep up.

 

[Taleah2009]

Throwing my hat in the ring. My ends are trouble area. I will be back.

 

[Nightingale]

1. Natural
2. WHip
3. I want to protect my ends for length retention and to prevent thinning.
4. I've been using a castor oil-based pomade nightly
5. I will be trimming my ends next week. Then I'll start a LCO routine just for my ends.
6. I don't have any tips to share, but I'm hoping to pick up some over the course of this challenge.

 

[faithVA]

I'll be back! I love @faithVA challenge threads.

You have been missed. And I have missed seeing that beautiful hair

 

[faithVA]

I've been waiting for this challenge. I have had the 2018 updated version in my siggy for about a week now. Thank you @faithVA !

Congratulations to you on your length gain of shoulder length, bravo!!!!!!!

Thank You. Yeah, I hung in there and finally made it

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Lurking and learning.

 

[faithVA]

My hair is still straight and it is harder to deal with than my curly hair Tonight I moisturized with TGIN Daily Moisturizer and added some extra on my ends. I then used One n Only Argan Oil Split End Mender onmy ends. I put in some flat twist towards my crown using TGIN gel. I was going to get rid of this gel but it works for times like this when I just needed something to twist my hair up with. I guess I will put it back on the shelf for emergency situations like this.

This weekend I plan on putting in some twist and dusting my ends.

 

[NappyNelle]

Last night, I did an overnight oil soak with Vatika. This morning, I added a few sprays of NW21 to my length and ends, then applied a coating of SSI Honey & Castor to those ends and my edges. Now I'm sitting under a heat cap to allow all of the goodness to penetrate.

It is the solstice, so maybe I should trim; I don't remember trimming this year at all.

 

[LushLox]

My hair is still straight and it is harder to deal with than my curly hair Tonight I moisturized with TGIN Daily Moisturizer and added some extra on my ends. I then used One n Only Argan Oil Split End Mender onmy ends. I put in some flat twist towards my crown using TGIN gel. I was going to get rid of this gel but it works for times like this when I just needed something to twist my hair up with. I guess I will put it back on the shelf for emergency situations like this.

This weekend I plan on putting in some twist and dusting my ends.

What is this like Faith? My mum bought this moisturiser today but I thought it may be too heavy for her hair (natural). Is it heavy or is it quite light?

 

[faithVA]

What is this like Faith? My mum bought this moisturiser today but I thought it may be too heavy for her hair (natural). Is it heavy or is it quite light?

It isn't heavy but it isn't light either. It is heavier than a milk but lighter than a butter. I find it light enough to use on my stretched styles to give my hair some moisture without causing my style to revert. It should not be too heavy for her hair if she doesn't use too much. I tend to only use this product when I want to remoisturize my hair. I haven't used it on wash day yet.

If your mom is a type 4 it should be fine. If she is a 3 then any moisturizer I would think she would want to use sparingly.

 

[faithVA]

I trimmed my ends for the end of the year. I took off 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch. Clipping splits as I find them has really improved the condition of my ends. I have been able to successfully extend my dusting/trims from originally every 8 weeks to then 12 weeks to now 16 weeks. I will be starting 2018 in a good place.

 

[LushLox]

It isn't heavy but it isn't light either. It is heavier than a milk but lighter than a butter. I find it light enough to use on my stretched styles to give my hair some moisture without causing my style to revert. It should not be too heavy for her hair if she doesn't use too much. I tend to only use this product when I want to remoisturize my hair. I haven't used it on wash day yet.

If your mom is a type 4 it should be fine. If she is a 3 then any moisturizer I would think she would want to use sparingly.

I thought so, I already told her to use it gently as she's a type 3. Thanks!

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

@faithVA, I'm vibing with your posts. With this straight hair, I feel concerned about my ends in a way I don't when my hair is curly.

I sprayed some SM Hipo shine elixir on my hair, and it improved greatly (ends smoothed, no reversion, strands moisturized, etc.).

After not trimming for all those months, after all that SSK-battling, and after all that using my KareCo Tangle Buster brush with worry, my ends weren't crazy bad given how many months had gone by.

I am inspired by Chicoro's post. I'm going to make her ends care routine a priority for 2018.

 

[FoxxyLocs]

1. Are you relaxed, texlaxed, natural, transitioning, etc Natural
2. Current Hair Length full HL
3. Why are you joining this challenge? Maintaining my ends is an ongoing struggle so I need this challenge to help me focus
4. What have you tried to improve your ends? I stopped wearing certain styles (puffs, twists), keep my ends stretched or straightened, trim regularly, monitor for SSKs and trim as needed
5. What are you going to try to get those healthy ends? I need to moisturize my ends more often

 

[gvin89]

Let me get on in here...my ends are the devil. I had a lot of setbacks in 2017 and hoping for a full recovery in 2018.

1. Are you relaxed, texlaxed, natural, transitioning, etc NATURAL
2. Current Hair Length SL
3. Why are you joining this challenge? I didn't pay enough attention to my ends last year and my hair suffered
4. What have you tried to improve your ends? LOC method, trimming twice a year,
5. What are you going to try to get those healthy ends? I think I should dust more often. I would never take off the raggedy ends. I will ensure that I love on my ends with oil or butter. Be more careful of how my twists rub my clothing.
6. Any helpful tips you learned for your fellow challengers...

 

[jennex]

Holding my place!

 

[jennex]

1. Are you relaxed, texlaxed, natural, transitioning, etc Natural

2. Current Hair Length Neck length

3. Why are you joining this challenge? I'm joining because I really want to get serious about retaining length and I'm tired of having dry, crunchy ends. It took my a while to realize I need to pay more attention to my ends if I want long hair.

4. What have you tried to improve your ends? I've tried trimming and I had to cut a lot of it at the beginning of 2017 because the breakage was so bad. I thought trims were the only answer and couldn't figure out why my ends were still so dry.

5. What are you going to try to get those healthy ends? Moisturizing and sealing! I started using Shea Moisture's edge treatment gel from their Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore line. I use it not only on my edges but on my ends every night. What a difference! Then I started sealing with castor oil and shea butter. My ends are now very moisturized. So I'm going to keep that up and give my hair a light dusting every 3 or 4 months.
6. Any helpful tips you learned for your fellow challengers...

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

This is one of my FAVORITE challenges! My ends have thickened and flourished because I stayed posting in this thread [2017 version]. Even if no-one read my information in 2017, I posted for ME! The encouragement and support I got here made it even more wonderful to be a part of this challenge. Here's to Luscious, Healthy Ends in 2018!

Here were the ends of one or two braids and their evolution from January 2017 to October 2017:
10 Months of Care

BEFORE: Healthy, with no splits and only a few knots, but thin!
View attachment 419233

AFTER: With about 2 mini-trims, lots of Castor oil, protection, attention and 'gazelle' focus from doing my nightly Hair Ends Routine. ATTENTION: This may not be the same braid, but all of my braids have thickened on the ends.
View attachment 419235


To join, post
1. Are you relaxed, texlaxed, natural, transitioning, etc

• Currently I am natural.
• I have not heat straightened my hair in 4 years

2. Current Hair Length

• Body Measurement Lengths
  • My hair length is 1 inch from tailbone length.
  • My hair is about 2 inches from my thigh when I am sitting.
  • My braid comes to my waist when I pull it.
• Actually Measurements in Inches
  • 21.5 inches in the back
  • 24 inches in the crown (back crown) edited
  • 24.5 inches in the crown (front crown) edited
  • 22 inches in the front of my head

3. Why are you joining this challenge?

• My ends have always been challenging to keep healthy. When the ends of your hair are beautiful, it elevates the beauty of your hair to a whole different level.
• This challenge helps me to maintain and continue to evolve the best hair ends routine for my hair.

4. What have you tried to improve your ends? This is the evolution of my process in order:

• Scurl + Buns: I used to saturate my hair with glycerin products and keep my hair in braided buns or simple buns. This is when I first learned about protective styles. My hair was STILL weathered and white colored and crispy on the ends.
• Vaseline + Baggie Method: I built on the Scurl + Braided Bun method and would then add vaseline to the ends of my hair and cover with a baggie. This worked well for years until in 2016 my braid turned in on itself and knotted and I lost 3 inches that had to be cut. My hair is too long and too soft for this to work. It worked BEAUTIFULLY for me, initially! I was so disappointed when this process stopped working for my hair.
• Castor Oil + Ends Routine: After studying women with super long afro-textured hair, I realized that they had Hair End Routines. So, I developed one for myself. Problem: Hair unraveled and twisted around braid and created tangles that led to breakage.
  • My routine is to wet the last 1/2 of my entire braid in warm, running water.
  • Next, I saturate that same 1/2 of the braid in castor oil.
  • After, I place my braids on top of my head in a loose ponytail and gather it with a knee high and secure.
  • Last, I wrap the greased braids around in a bun and secure with another knee high. In the morning moisturized, protected ends!!!

• Shea Butter + No Comb Method: I started this in December 2016. I may have started to add the Shea Butter in Spring of 2016. Resolved Problem: Shea Butter kept hair 'clumped' together so it did not unravel. Shea butter heightened and optimized the castor oil on the ends. No more tangles!
  • I keep my hair is 8 braids and never, ever, ever, combine them!
  • I wet my braids.
  • I undo each braid, one at a time and put them in bantu knots
  • Add Scurl and gel.
  • Slather Whipped Shea Butter from root to tips daily!

5. What are you going to try to get those healthy ends?

I am L.O.V.I.N.G. my No Comb Method with Shea Butter and Hair Ends Routine with Castor oil. My hair is looking magnificent!
​

6. Any helpful tips you learned for your fellow challengers...

• That I must be consistent, even if I am sleepy, tired or busy.
• Mini trims while still in braids are helpful and effective!

Optional: Post a picture of your ends: My Ends!

Retention is an ongoing thing so if you join please be committed to updating at least 1x a month.

Where I am [my hair ends are] today in Nov/Dec 2017:

View attachment 419215

Ma'am, the contrast between your ends in those two pictures has captured my attention!

You've got me rethinking my whole regimen.

I think I'm going to try your method of moisturizing and sealing. I am trying to figure out what I'm going to use instead of S-curl. I'm looking at these two products:

(enlarges upon click)


and



(Thanks, @trueheartofgold, for mentioning this brand to me!)

 

[faithVA]

Ma'am, the contrast between your ends in those two pictures has captured my attention!

You've got me rethinking my whole regimen.

I think I'm going to try your method of moisturizing and sealing. I am trying to figure out what I'm going to use instead of S-curl. I'm looking at these two products:

(enlarges upon click)
View attachment 419965

and

View attachment 419967

(Thanks, @trueheartofgold, for mentioning this brand to me!)

Just my thoughts, whatever you replace the s-curl with needs to have some glycerin or humectant in it. It's one of the things that keeps the ends from sticking together and staying moisturized. It keeps the SSKs and splits at bay. I didn't enlarge the picks to check the ingredients.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Just my thoughts, whatever you replace the s-curl with needs to have some glycerin or humectant in it. It's one of the things that keeps the ends from sticking together and staying moisturized. It keeps the SSKs and splits at bay. I didn't enlarge the picks to check the ingredients.

Thanks.

These are the ingredients in the Apple one:
Aqua (Water), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Vegetable Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Pyrus Malus (Green Apple) Fruit Extract, Coco Nufcifera (Coconut) Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Sesame Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Parfum (Fragrance, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Panthenol (Vitamin B-5), Asorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Magnesium Silicate, Hydroxethyl Cellulose, Hydrolyzed Silk Protein, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernal Oil.

Here are the ingredients in the other one:
Water (Aqua), Propanediol, Glycerine, Cetearyl Alcohol and Cetrimonium Bromide, Cetyl Alcohol, Olive Oil (Olea Europaea), Wheat Germ Extract (Triticum Vulgare), Caprylyl Glycol Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum).

 

[faithVA]

Thanks.

These are the ingredients in the Apple one:
Aqua (Water), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Vegetable Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Pyrus Malus (Green Apple) Fruit Extract, Coco Nufcifera (Coconut) Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Sesame Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Parfum (Fragrance, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Panthenol (Vitamin B-5), Asorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Magnesium Silicate, Hydroxethyl Cellulose, Hydrolyzed Silk Protein, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernal Oil.

Here are the ingredients in the other one:
Water (Aqua), Propanediol, Glycerine, Cetearyl Alcohol and Cetrimonium Bromide, Cetyl Alcohol, Olive Oil (Olea Europaea), Wheat Germ Extract (Triticum Vulgare), Caprylyl Glycol Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum).

They both look fine. Have you used them before? Does your hair like them? The first one has a lot of ingredients. Will your ends like aloe, coconut oil, silk protein on a regular basis.

If you have both, you could trial test them both and use one on the right and one on the left.

If you already have a spray you like without glycerin, you can just buy some glycerin and put a little into your spray.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

They both look fine. Have you used them before? Does your hair like them? The first one has a lot of ingredients. Will your ends like aloe, coconut oil, silk protein on a regular basis.

If you have both, you could trial test them both and use one on the right and one on the left.

If you already have a spray you like without glycerin, you can just buy some glycerin and put a little into your spray.

Good tips.

My hair loves aloe and coconut oil, but I don't know about all that protein, though my hair tends toward hipo.