Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2023

[Chicoro]

@caribeandiva @Chicoro Do either of you have a pic of what the braids look like that you can share please?

Hey @fifi134
Thanks for joining us! I would suggest you watch the video @caribeandiva linked. Then YouTube will produce more suggestions. I watched a few myself. Let us know what you come up with when you make a decision.

 

[Chicoro]

Where’s Queen @faithVA ? She always has a place of honor in our Luscious Hair Challenges. She has been the keeper of light for us.

Come and grace us with your lovely presence if you get a chance!

 

[Chicoro]

This is the content I came to this site for.

Girl, it’s about to get wild up in here! Hold on to your horses!

 

[Chicoro]

Alright ladies, as our resident genius @snoop stated,

“It’s the small things that make a difference.”

It’s here where we identify and discover those small changes. It’s here where we modify and analyze those changes. It’s here where we come to definitive, positive, impactful changes.

It’s because of the synergy of us being and working together as a cohesive group, supporting and encouraging one another.

We also question and push each other, too.

 

[Chicoro]

So, Ladies of LHCF,

Are you ready for some Healthy Luscious Ends in 2023????


Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!!!!!

 

[yamilee21]

My lopsided ends and I will be hanging around here too. I am NOT trimming/cutting to start the year, because that did not help at all last year.

 

[Lylddlebit]

I am in also.
2020: Stopped hormonal birth control manageable but noticeable shedding.
2021: Major shedding and breakage. Attempted to baby my hair and offset the shedding, unsuccessfully.
2022: Continuing to baby my hair more successfully. Hair recovery and spaced out cuts( lot of protecting styles and moisturized hair..I only straightened my hair on the days I cut damage off)
2023: Plan to transition back to normal styling and hair enjoyment with retention.


Red tank= example of one of the several noticeable shedding spikes I experienced during 2020 and 2021. Yellow jumpsuit=fresh cut a few days before Christmas 2022 . Cream sweater dress= Start photo I took on Christmas Day 2022. Please excuse my hair looking so different between cream sweater dress and yellow jumpsuit. It is the same cut as the yellow jumpsuit photo but my hair always looks fuller after I style it and I have worn it out a few days. The cream sweater dress was after my dyson airwrap curls fell.

 

[Meritamen]

I would like to join! I have a hair appointment in early February to hopefully get a light trim to set up for good year of caring for my ends and growing toward BSL. I'm nervous because my hair grows really slowly. So hopefully the stylist won't have to cut too much off.

 

[Chicoro]

My lopsided ends and I will be hanging around here too. I am NOT trimming/cutting to start the year, because that did not help at all last year.

GOOD decision!

 

[Chicoro]

I would like to join! I have a hair appointment in early February to hopefully get a light trim to set up for good year of caring for my ends and growing toward BSL. I'm nervous because my hair grows really slowly. So hopefully the stylist won't have to cut too much off.

My suggestion is that you have an idea about how much you would like cut and what that reason is. Then, when you get to the stylist, you have a FIRM point of negotiation. If your stylist tells you why more needs to be cut, then make the decision at that time. The point is to make the decision with a clear mind and to not feel coerced or bullied. Because, whatever you let the stylist do is your decision. You are in control and the power rests with you. If you only want so much cut off, no matter the energy, attitude or the tone of the stylist has, say so. That's because when you get home, and you felt that too much was cut, you may feel bad. We want to stay feeling good in 2023! Good luck to you and please keep us posted!

 

[Chicoro]

I am in also.
2020: Stopped hormonal birth control manageable but noticeable shedding.
2021: Major shedding and breakage. Attempted to baby my hair and offset the shedding, unsuccessfully.
2022: Continuing to baby my hair more successfully. Hair recovery and spaced out cuts( lot of protecting styles and moisturized hair..I only straightened my hair on the days I cut damage off)
2023: Plan to transition back to normal styling and hair enjoyment with retention.


Red tank= example of one of the several noticeable shedding spikes I experienced during 2020 and 2021. Yellow jumpsuit=fresh cut a few days before Christmas 2022 . Cream sweater dress= Start photo I took on Christmas Day 2022. Please excuse my hair looking so different between cream sweater dress and yellow jumpsuit. It is the same cut as the yellow jumpsuit photo but my hair always looks fuller after I style it and I have worn it out a few days. The cream sweater dress was after my dyson airwrap curls fell.

It looks to me like you are off to a GREAT start in 2023!

 

[Lylddlebit]

Absolutely. So I had a massive setback at the end of 2019 when the middle of my head broke off after reaching APL for the first time ever! I was devastated of course and didn’t know what really caused it. Was it the daily buns? Or using hair gel like my stylist suggested?

View attachment 485767

I was forced to chop off all my hair to even it out. Here’s my hair end of December 2019 to January 1, 2020:
View attachment 485769
View attachment 485765

Here’s how much progress I made in the last 2 years. @Chicoro noticed that the same thing was happening again! The middle of my head was still shorter than the rest of my hair:
View attachment 485763
That’s when she suggested I start a nape regimen and moisturize that part of my hair separately by going horizontally (side to side), moisturizing and braiding up that section. Then leaving it braided in a bun or ponytail. So I do 3 braids stacked on top of each other. Here are the results after about a month!

View attachment 485771
View attachment 485773
So thanks again @Chicoro for helping me save my hair yet again! I don’t know what else to say.

I know this thread is about growth and luscious ends but you hair looks so good in that Jan 2020 picture. Very flattering! I love a fly hair style.

 

[Chicoro]

I know this thread is about growth and luscious ends but you hair looks so good in that Jan 2020 picture. Very flattering! I love a fly hair style.

Acknowledging "Fabulous-ness' is always welcomed! Keep it coming, please!

 

[Chicoro]

Video Short - Segment is near end of video

I have never seen a man do a baby's hair like this guy. But, I am posting because I LOVE what he did with the ends of the baby's hair. I am not sure how it was done. I can't really see. But it is very pretty.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

 

[caribeandiva]

I know this thread is about growth and luscious ends but you hair looks so good in that Jan 2020 picture. Very flattering! I love a fly hair style.

Thank you! I had a ball with that hairstyle! I felt so effortlessly stylish

 

[caribeandiva]

Video Short - Segment is near end of video

I have never seen a man do a baby's hair like this guy. But, I am posting because I LOVE what he did with the ends of the baby's hair. I am not sure how it was done. I can't really see. But it is very pretty.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

Damn… I need a husband like this!! Total turn on! Lol

 

[snoop]

Absolutely. So I had a massive setback at the end of 2019 when the middle of my head broke off after reaching APL for the first time ever! I was devastated of course and didn’t know what really caused it. Was it the daily buns? Or using hair gel like my stylist suggested?

View attachment 485767

I was forced to chop off all my hair to even it out. Here’s my hair end of December 2019 to January 1, 2020:
View attachment 485769
View attachment 485765

Here’s how much progress I made in the last 2 years. @Chicoro noticed that the same thing was happening again! The middle of my head was still shorter than the rest of my hair:
View attachment 485763
That’s when she suggested I start a nape regimen and moisturize that part of my hair separately by going horizontally (side to side), moisturizing and braiding up that section. Then leaving it braided in a bun or ponytail. So I do 3 braids stacked on top of each other. Here are the results after about a month!

View attachment 485771
View attachment 485773
So thanks again @Chicoro for helping me save my hair yet again! I don’t know what else to say.

I know I've seen this picture before, but I still can't get over how fast your hair grows!!! The back is obvious, but I'm looking at the sides as well. I love this comparison shot!

 

[GettingKinky]

Beautiful hair @Lylddlebit

 

[snoop]

Video Short - Segment is near end of video

I have never seen a man do a baby's hair like this guy. But, I am posting because I LOVE what he did with the ends of the baby's hair. I am not sure how it was done. I can't really see. But it is very pretty.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

I can't even cornrow like that.

 

[caribeandiva]

I know I've seen this picture before, but I still can't get over how fast your hair grows!!! The back is obvious, but I'm looking at the sides as well. I love this comparison shot!

Thank you! I’m in shock too!! I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see the pics myself. To be fair I know my hair grows fast. I discovered that when I first started using Shea butter properly and was finally retaining length after years of thinking I was a slow grower! A few months ago I did start taking MSM supplements to make my hair grow even faster. Hey i wanted to recover from that setback lickety split! I also drink a cup of fenugreek tea in the morning. I take a tablespoon of this powder mixed with my orange juice or vitamin C beverage.

I buy it here:

Shop Online, Shopping List, Digital Coupons | Sprouts Farmers Market

Craft your healthy grocery list with fresh food from Sprouts Farmers Market! Make your list online and visit your local Sprouts

shop.sprouts.com

 

[caribeandiva]

I can't even cornrow like that.

Right!! Hence why I need a husband like that!!

 

[Chicoro]

Just completed my revamped routine without shampoo.

I'm feeling myself ! Not a velcro hair end in sight!​

 

[Lylddlebit]

Beautiful hair @Lylddlebit

Thank you. I try to not be too critical of it during setbacks.

 

[Chicoro]

Thank you. I try to not be too critical of it during setbacks.

We give others grace. It's so important to give grace to oneself as well.

 

[snoop]

Thank you! I’m in shock too!! I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see the pics myself. To be fair I know my hair grows fast. I discovered that when I first started using Shea butter properly and was finally retaining length after years of thinking I was a slow grower! A few months ago I did start taking MSM supplements to make my hair grow even faster. Hey i wanted to recover from that setback lickety split! I also drink a cup of fenugreek tea in the morning. I take a tablespoon of this powder mixed with my orange juice or vitamin C beverage.
View attachment 485823
I buy it here:

Shop Online, Shopping List, Digital Coupons | Sprouts Farmers Market

Craft your healthy grocery list with fresh food from Sprouts Farmers Market! Make your list online and visit your local Sprouts

shop.sprouts.com

Thank you for this information! I will look into it. I have some MSM here, but I wasn't consistent with it. I might have to start taking it again. I'll read up on fenugreek tea as well. Thanks again!

 

[Chicoro]

I did my hair Friday. I started at 8:00 pm and finished around 11:00 pm. I took my time because I was feeling my way through this new revamped regimen with no shampoo. I also was mixing up the recipes (not the oil, but the aloe vera and the clay wash) as I went and writing notes and observing.

1. I oiled my dirty hair immediately after take down.
   • I learned that if I wait to oil my hair after take down, my hair starts to dry and I snap hair. It's moist after immediate take down and flexible so I oil with very little breakage at that time.​
   • I put neutral henna in my oil to better fortify my hair.​
   • I left the oil for about 15 minutes, including the time I work it through which was when I also removed the shedded hair and separated out the tangles.​
2. I then massaged my scalp with whole leaf aloe vera juice, mixed with glycerine and medicinal essential oils (Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Sage, Rosemary) and worked the mixture from root to tip.
   • This moistened and softened the hair.​
   • It cleaned the scalp and hair and removed any stink stink I had on my hair and scalp and imparted a clean, herbal smell.​
3. I washed with the @snoop Clay Mix recipe she provided to me.
   • (4 table of kaolin, 2 tablespoons of goat milk powder, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of activated charcoal powder, water based on desired consistency. I put in about 1.5 cups) I used French clay which consisted of green, yellow and red clay, instead of kaolin clay. I replaced the French clay with the kaolin in snoop's original recipe.​
   • I squeezed it through my hair and watched it slick all the oil out of my hair. It stripped the oil like detergent!​
   • I made sure to rinse well until there was no darkness or murkiness in the rinse water.​
4. Conditioned hair with inexpensive conditioner.
   • Here is where I noticed the hair felt super soft, like silk and butter.​
   • The conditioner imparted more of a delicious smell on my hair.​

Test: I put in a creamy, white leave in, as part of my normal after-wash process, and squeezed it through my hair. Not ONE single tinge or speck of darkness in that cream. My hair was completely and deeply cleaned by the clay wash. Amazing.

Photo of loosened hair: Freshly washed and cleaned by the clay mix. Photo with bun is photo of how I styled my hair. White stuff is from leave-in.

• No velcro, brillo pad ends.
• No new tangles after washing.
• No sticky hair that intertwined tangled and broke off.
• No tearing apart or breaking apart of ends.

My hair looks like it has been cleaned by shampoo, but without the aforementioned problems with velcro ends and without breakage as mentioned above. My hair looks good, feels good and smells good.

The hair ball was tiny again.

My ends draw up to my ears and jaw, no matter the length of my hair.

I'll continue to take it one wash week at a time.

I'm starting to see that I have a chance to get past this breakpoint at tailbone length.

 

[Napp]

I plan on slathering my ends daily with grease all year. I don't plan on cutting my hair at all this year until the very end. May my ends stay lush and thick all year

 

[Chicoro]

I plan on slathering my ends daily with grease all year. I don't plan on cutting my hair at all this year until the very end. May my ends stay lush and thick all year

Yes, they do. Your hair is gorgeous. The growth, retention and health of your hair are phenomenal!

 

[Chicoro]

I took the 'horse and buggy' from my smaller village into town today. I got two jars of Shea butter. This brand is new to me. It is from Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso is the ONLY country in West Africa that is completely covered by Shea trees. Most other West African nations have parts of the country in the Shea Belt. The Shea Belt completely swaths Burkina Faso.

The Shea butter jars state it is Alimentaire (edible) and cosmetic. It is so thick and rich. When you touch it, it melts on your fingertips. The company website is listed as:
www.karilor.bf-Burkina Faso

It is a gorgeous, gorgeous butter! I also got two things of Vaseline. They don't have large size Vaseline name brand products. These work exactly like Vaseline. Each purple topped jar lasts me 2 months. I bought this Eco styler gel because I like gel. I got my Scurl, too.

That Shea butter is magnificent. Look how rich and thick it looks through the jar. I've been rubbing it on the top of my hand all night. I also bought some powdered keratin but that is not pictured.

 

[Chicoro]

Alright, so we are heading into Week #2 of the first month of the year! Gather your tools and supplies and get your plan of action in place.

We have no come to play.

If you are tired of broke 'off, raggedy ends, you are at the right place.