Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2023

[Chicoro]

Month #5 Using only Clay to Cleanse Hair!

Alright, I started doing clay washes at the end of December 2022. I started using the clay mix from @snoop in January 2023.

The end of May draws nigh!

Thus, it has been about five (5) months since I switched from commercial shampoo to dirt, most often referred to as clay.

I took down my nearly month old, untouched braids. No tangles or breakage.

I have not seen any great length jumps. BUT, I have not seen any breakage or velcro ends or sticky ends.

I'm riding this out to December 2023 AND doing a bun drop even if all I got is a rat tail pony.



Bun Drop December 2023!



No matter what.​

 

[Chicoro]

How are your luscious healthy ends coming along to round out the month of May? Do you have a new strategy for June? Or are you just gliding along on auto-pilot because if it's not broke, don't fix it, right?

 

[snoop]

I plan on trimming my ends at the end of this week. I had marked my calendar "micro trim" but this is the start of the 6th month of the year -- trimming every quarter would make this trim time (March/June/September/December), but micro trim time.

When I took my mini twists out I had some broken ends, but it makes sense, why.

I do think that I could stand to be more gentle with my ends, though. I haven't been hiding them away or moisturizing them like I should. Better efforts for this next quarter.

 

[MzSwift]

Check in:
I was rocking along with my cornrows. GHEing 3-5 nights a week and bun baggying the other nights.
Then the last two weeks, I decided to do bun baggie 24/7. When I went to redo my cornrows a couple of days ago, my hair was too mushy after my usual cleanse and honey/egg DC. Because those were my ends, I just applied some Infusium 23 and then installed a crochet locs set over my fresh cornrows with a hair net. Giving my hair a break for a month or so. I'll keep this set in for about 3-4 weeks and maybe do another set. If not, I'll be going back to my uncovered cornrows. Planning to install a set of minibraids/twists at the end of July bc we'll be traveling. And that'll be all for my summer hair! Crazy how fast summer passes!

 

[GettingKinky]

I haven’t done my olaplex 3 treatment in weeks but I’m back on track. I think I have enough left for one week and then I will start using the Epres I bought a few months ago.

 

[snoop]

I think that my ends are luscious and healthy, again. I just trimmed my ends. I really do like trimming/dusting my ends in the shower and then trimming them coil by coil. Micro trimming on months two and three of the quarter is also working out well.

I ended up putting my hair in bantu knots and letting my hair dry this way.

 

[Chicoro]

I think that my ends are luscious and healthy, again. I just trimmed my ends. I really do like trimming/dusting my ends in the shower and then trimming them coil by coil. Micro trimming on months two and three of the quarter is also working out well.

I ended up putting my hair in bantu knots and letting my hair dry this way.

What a great declaration to be able to make! Luscious healthy ends once again!

 

[Chicoro]

I took down my braids to do my hair and wash it. That was last week. I still haven't got to my hair yet. I keep my hair in separated bantu knots at home and then throw it into a not so attractive ponytail to go to work.

 

[Chicoro]

I did finger detangle to remove the shed hair. I noticed that the shed hair was extra extra soft. There was no roughness to the strands.

 

[Chicoro]

I'm curious to see what my straightened hair will look like after adopting a clay only routine. I probably won't be able to see that until December. So, I'm going to continue to go along until then. That's probably when I will give myself a trim, too.

 

[Lylddlebit]

I'm curious to see what my straightened hair will look like after adopting a clay only routine. I probably won't be able to see that until December. So, I'm going to continue to go along until then. That's probably when I will give myself a trim, too.

I have no doubts it will continue to look and feel amazing. A year's worth of retention when you hair feels great, has minimum shedding/breakage and you know you are taking care of it, one month after another, is only second to pregnancy growth/retention. It trumps even that, in how supple you are conditioning you hair to be right now.

 

[Chicoro]

I have no doubts it will continue to look at feel amazing. A year's worth of retention when you hair feels great, and has minimum shedding/breakage and you know you are taking care of it one month after another is only second to pregnancy growth/retention, but it trumps even that in how supple you I conditioning you hair to be right now.

Thank you! This is what I am anticipating and hoping for, some beautiful length by year's end. I am determined to do the ultimate bun drop with my hair.

On a serious note, I am starting to question the value of continuous protective styling. I've literally worn my hair up for MOST of my life. Personally speaking, I've been and still am content with this choice. Lots of women with afro have done fewer years of protective styling than I, have hair past their buttocks and/or touching their thighs.

Yet, my hair has never grown past my tailbone, because of 'set-backs', lack of knowledge about my own hair and mistakes mainly perpetrated by me, on my own hair either intentionally or accidentally.

Then I think, had I not had those re-calculations or problems or set-backs, I would not have had such clear ideas and vision when it came to afro-hair. That is because I had to learn to 'spot' the issue and figure out how to stop the progression of a problem or figure out how to solve the problem. Not only can I do that for my own hair, I can do it for others and even TEACH others how to do the process.

I'm just doing written musings about my hair history and hair life. Comparison is the thief of joy and I don't need no thieves up in my Temple.


So, let me cease and desist with the 'I am not at butt length' comparisons, and end with how very grateful I am for the unanticipated, fabulous life journey upon which my hair has taken me!

​

 

[GettingKinky]

I am so torn about my shampoo process. I’m sure that shampooing less often and with gentler shampoos is better for the integrity of my strands.
BUT
My hair looks so much better in my wash n gos - smoother/shinier/more movement when I thoroughly clean my strands from root to tip with an all purpose shampoo.
I want longer hair, but I also want hair that makes me smile when I look at myself in the mirror.

 

[Lylddlebit]

Thank you! This is what I am anticipating and hoping for, some beautiful length by year's end. I am determined to do the ultimate bun drop with my hair.

On a serious note, I am starting to question the value of continuous protective styling. I've literally worn my hair up for MOST of my life. Personally speaking, I've been and still am content with this choice. Lots of women with afro have done fewer years of protective styling than I, have hair past their buttocks and/or touching their thighs.

Yet, my hair has never grown past my tailbone, because of 'set-backs', lack of knowledge about my own hair and mistakes mainly perpetrated by me, on my own hair either intentionally or accidentally.

Then I think, had I not had those re-calculations or problems or set-backs, I would not have had such clear ideas and vision when it came to afro-hair. That is because I had to learn to 'spot' the issue and figure out how to stop the progression of a problem or figure out how to solve the problem. Not only can I do that for my own hair, I can do it for others and even TEACH others how to do the process.

I'm just doing written musings about my hair history and hair life. Comparison is the thief of joy and I don't need no thieves up in my Temple.


So, let me cease and desist with the 'I am not at butt length' comparisons, and end with how very grateful I am for the unanticipated, fabulous life journey upon which my hair has taken me!

​

You keep taking care of you hair while enjoying it and watch it sneak up on you. I thought I was going to have a postpartum shedding setback the year I reached classic length. It was completely on accident. Your regimen can absolutely get you to thigh length and beyond if that is your length goal. Plus, wearing you hair out along the way gives you a line of sight and can be incorporated just fine, as long as you add a few healthy practices to offset it. It's fun to enjoy the journey.

 

[Chicoro]

You keep taking care of you hair while enjoying it and watch it sneak up on you. I thought I was going to have a postpartum shedding setback the year I reached classic length. It was completely on accident. Your regimen can absolutely get you to thigh length and beyond if that is your length goal. Plus, wearing you hair out along the way gives you a line of sight and can be incorporated just fine, as long as you add a few healthy practices to offset it. It's fun to enjoy the journey.

Thank you for the support and encouragement @Lylddlebit, as I appreciate both very much!

 

[Chicoro]

I am so torn about my shampoo process. I’m sure that shampooing less often and with gentler shampoos is better for the integrity of my strands.
BUT
My hair looks so much better in my wash n gos - smoother/shinier/more movement when I thoroughly clean my strands from root to tip with an all purpose shampoo.
I want longer hair, but I also want hair that makes me smile when I look at myself in the mirror.

Are you seeing and noticing a negative impact on your hair strands due to using shampoo? Or, is it that you are concerned about the possible negative impact of shampoo on your hair in the long run/ in the future ?

 

[GettingKinky]

Are you seeing and noticing a negative impact on your hair strands due to using shampoo? Or, is it that you are concerned about the possible negative impact of shampoo on your hair in the long run/ in the future ?

I’m not seeing anything negative right now, but yes I am concerned about the long term effects. I didn’t see any problems with baking soda for a long time, but it ended up really roughening my cuticles. I assume that even at its worst shampoo won’t be as bad as that.

 

[Chicoro]

I’m not seeing anything negative right now, but yes I am concerned about the long term effects. I didn’t see any problems with baking soda for a long time, but it ended up really roughening my cuticles. I assume that even at its worst shampoo won’t be as bad as that.

Okay, I understand. It is true that shampoo can and does damage the hair and it expedites weathering of the hair. But, lots of things we do to our hair on a regular basis weathers the hair. My thought is that commercial shampoos, unlike baking soda, are specifically formulated for hair. Thus, they are not going to ever be as harsh on your Afro hair as baking soda has been. Secondly, because you are acutely aware of the damage that baking soda caused on your hair in the past, and because you protect your hair more today because of your hard won knowledge and experience, I believe that if damage ensues from shampoo, you will be able to ‘catch’ it in the earliest of stages. As a result, if any issues arise, your current level of attentiveness to your hair will thwart any harmful damage. You’ll recognize an issue and switch it up immediately. All that to say, if and when you see shampoo damage, you’ll know what to do to get back on track. I’m sure!

 

[Lylddlebit]

I am so torn about my shampoo process. I’m sure that shampooing less often and with gentler shampoos is better for the integrity of my strands.
BUT
My hair looks so much better in my wash n gos - smoother/shinier/more movement when I thoroughly clean my strands from root to tip with an all purpose shampoo.
I want longer hair, but I also want hair that makes me smile when I look at myself in the mirror.

I understand this. My own regimen is tailored to replenishing my hair, as I wear the styles I enjoy. This balances healthy hair that looks the way I enjoy wearing it. Maybe you can incorporate something similar into your WnG routine. Things like:

1. Observing which products allow your WnGs to look good the longest, thus allowing you to stretch wash days.
2. Observing which products/combinations balance out hold and moisture, thus allowing you to stretch wash days.
3. Identifying products that give nice definition/results, but wash away clean thus allowing you to co wash or water rinse more instead of needing shampoo as often.
4. Identifying what styles, in addition to WnGs, that make you smile when you look at yourself in the mirror (and you may enjoy just as much as the WnGs) that can give you a growth boost between WnGs.

I have been figuring some of those items out with my little one, since I have been trying wash and goes on her and enjoying the discovery. It is small things like some pre poo slippery gels give great definition and will set fine if I let them dry instead of washing them right tout. So some days I wet her hair down with aloe very juice the apply the pre poo to hair hair. Those can take 1-4 days to dry all the while softening her hair so that when I do rise it out the hair is well softened in preparation for wash day. When I add that to a 7 day wash and go, I like that. I also like finding that there are some creams and gels that wash away pretty well, without needing shampoo every wash. There are also styling products that can reactivate definition and feel moisturizing in the hair without a full wash day. I am betting small observations like that, within your routine, can be helpful to take some gradual risks that help you recognize extending moisture/styles and help to get to that next growth milestone that you seek.

 

[GettingKinky]

I understand this. My own regimen is tailored replenishing my hair as I wear the styles I enjoy in a way that balances healthy hair that looks the way I enjoy wearing it. Maybe you can incorporate something similar into your WnG routine. Thinks like:

1. Observing which products allow your WnGs to look good longest, thus allowing you to stretch wash days.
2. Observing which products/combinations balance out hold and moisture, thus allowing you to stretch wash days.
3. Identifying products that give nice definition/results but wash away clean thus allowing you to co wash or water rinse more instead of needing shampoo as often.
4. Identifying what styles, in addition to WnGs make you smile when you look at yourself in the mirror and you may enjoy just as much as the WnGs that can give you a growth boost between WnGs.

I am been figuring some of those items out with my little one, since I have been trying wash and goes on her add enjoying the discovery. It is small things like some pre poo slippery gels give great definition and will set fine if I let them dry. So some days I wet her hair down with aloe very juice the apply the pre poo to hair hair. Those can take 1-4 days to dry all the while softening her hair so that when I do rise it out the hair is well softened in preparation for wash day. When I add that to a 7 day wash and go, I like that. I also like finding that there are some creams and gels that wash away pretty well without needing shampoo every wash and which styling product can reactivate definition and feel moisturizing in the ahir without a full wash day. I am betting small observations like that, within your routine, can be helpful to take some gradual risks that help you recognize extending moisture/styles and help to get to that next growth milestone that you seek.

This is a great tactic! How long do you typically go between washes? Unless something disrupts my schedule I’m a pretty faithful every 7 day washer.
when I I have sweaty workouts I’m in a puff by day 5 or so. When I do less sweaty workouts my hair says defined all 7 days.
I bought the Ecoslay sangria curl refresh product, but I haven’t played with it enough to figure out how to use it. Maybe I’ll play with it today before I wash.
Also the longer I go between wash days the longer it takes me to detangle my hair how do you deal with that?

 

[Lylddlebit]

GettingKinky said:
This is a great tactic! How long do you typically go between washes? Unless something disrupts my schedule I’m a pretty faithful every 7 day washer.
when I I have sweaty workouts I’m in a puff by day 5 or so. When I do less sweaty workouts my hair says defined all 7 days.
I bought the Ecoslay sangria curl refresh product, but I haven’t played with it enough to figure out how to use it. Maybe I’ll play with it today before I wash.
Also the longer I go between wash days the longer it takes me to detangle my hair how do you deal with that?

When my hair is natural, I wash my hair every 1-2 weeks. However, my wash day is my day to pamper myself, not just hair maintenance. I will even put essential oils in my hair steamer and make wash day a spa day for the full experience to unwind after a long week. Last night I didn't need to wash my hair because the braids installed last week were still damp from the deep conditioner I left in it and the leave in conditioner I layered on top of it last week. However, I bought the Kazmalaje set and couldn't wait to try to that paddle comb. So, last night I took town my braids combed through each section with the paddle comb, applied more of my leave in and rebraided it. I didn't wash, I just applied an extra layer of leave-in. My hair will be moist for another week and it won't smell. My hair wasn't tangled at all when I tested the paddle comb. I could realistically do that all month without hair issues but I rarely do that based on my hair. Since know my hair can naturally matt if I do not keep a close eye on it, I prefer to check on it every 1-2 weeks to get ahead of matting before it starts. I also like to rinse out product on the regular, in order to prevent product built up that can aid in matting. There have been times that I have gone a month just rewetting my hair and leaving it alone but that can be hit or miss with matting so I don't do it as much anymore.

I wash my little girl's hair every 7-14 days. I only need to use shampoo if I used a heavy product that caused build up like wetline on a wash and go or a heavy butter on little girl ponytails because heavy product can harden or cause debris over the course of a week or 2. Last week I used the Curdaze Glossy Gel on her wash and go and her hair laughed at her pre poo, wash day and the Kazmalaje paddle comb. Had to wash it thoroughly, deep condition with my staple deep conditioner then after I rinsed that out use a Hairsense comb to scrap off any left over debris to prevent breakage. Whereas products, like Kinky Curly Knot Today and Curly Custard, would have been able to be reactivated this week or washed away much cleaner. You can tailor your wash days to styles you go out of and go into, as needed. I try to do that with LO and myself. It works pretty well. Generally, we both average using shampoo once a month.

 

[Lylddlebit]

@GettingKinky

I overlooked the detangling question. Quality tools and products are a must. To detangle very tangled hair efficiently, I am an advocate of seamless combs or if you have a comb with seams, use the kind that are coated. I have a pretty big collection of Hairsense combs and they are all seamless and glide through the hair efficiently without snagging(given that the detangling technique is efficient). The Wright Comb that came in the bundle Revair and can be bought off the Revair is another good one that is coated(so the seam isn't damaging to the hair). Felicia Leatherwood detanglers and Hercules Saagman tools and from what I can tell in my most recent Kazmalaje paddle comb are also good seamless brands(amongst many others). I am an advocate of using very well made detangling tools. Only use seamless detangle tools, or the ones that are silicone/rubber coated, to protect your hair. Also, using great deep conditioners prevent hair that is worn out from drying out or quality leave-in can keep it supple, when it is in a style. I steam my own and my daughter's hair on a regular basis. I deep clean my hair once a month so that products work as intended. I use deep conditioners and leave-in conditioners that are very moisturizing.

If you can identify when you hair feels great as a baseline, that will help you notice what you did when it felt that way, so, you can do more of that. When my hair is in it's natural state and not being worn out, I keep it supple and moisturized. Small steps around the style itself, can help offset the times you do run into a hair issue and offset damage. It took 10 minutes to detangle my daughters hair this morning with the globs of product at the ends that attracted debris this week which was only a few minutes longer than it would have taken if she didn't any debris in her hair. It took less than 20 minutes to detangle remoisturize and rebraid mine last night while I was watching TV before bed(so it would have taken less time if I wasn't distracted). A few weeks ago, when I was trying K-18 which tangled my hair more than normal, I was still able to detangle in under 15 and lose less than a grape size amount of hair, but you have to to use good tools, quality products and take whatever amount time you hairs needs for the tool to glide though it efficiently. As time goes on, and your hair continues to remain supple and healthy, detangling speed will come naturally. Since you like the back to back wash and goes, I recommend using deep conditioners that make your hair feel like butter and quality detangling tools (if you do not have them already). I also deep condition and steam every wash, when I wear it out back to back daily. That keeps it in a more supple state from one wash day to next, than natural wear is capable of removing from it. When your hair remains supple from the first day of your style to the last day of your style, detangling is easier. When you hair is less supple than it should be, that is a signal to recondition it.

 

[GettingKinky]

@Lylddlebit
Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed response.
I could probably go longer between shampooing if I wore more buns or puffs. I actually really like puffs and I could probably just refresh my hair and maintain a puff for 2 weeks without washing - as long as my workouts aren’t too sweaty.

 

[Mapleoats]

@Lylddlebit what kind of steamer are you using?

 

[Lylddlebit]

@Lylddlebit what kind of steamer are you using?

I have owned the Huetiful steamer since 2011. I use it regularly and it works fine. I heard some people complain about it getting too hot, but I have never had hot spot issues. It has been discontinued since 2012.
Amazon product ASIN B003XTMRSS
I also have this one Amazon product ASIN B07F11CXZWand it is so similar to the Huetiul that I can interchange the parts(wand, hood, water container) perfectly. The second one is on standby for when the Huetiful breaks, but the original hasn’t broken. So, I only use the backup one when my main one is being cleaned or I misplace a piece. They work exactly the same.


The link above is the the I bought in 2019 as a backup. It is under 50 bucks. I have heard some people not like this type of steamer and there are higher end versions, but what I have, stays.

 

[Napp]

My hair has been in braids but i have been daily washing and letting them air dry with no product. When in went to redo my braids the ends were very knotted. I will keep them moisturized daily with Hawaiian Silky from now on and not wash them to much. I think the daily washing made them tangle up too much. I am still retaining length though which is good.

 

[GettingKinky]

I just applied my first Epres treatment. It’s a little more work than Olaplex since you spray it on dry hair. It takes a bit more effort to get it worked in. I guess it would be easier if I used more product, but I don’t want to waste it. So I sectioned my hair in 4 and did them one by one. Spraying and then spending time working it through my hair. They say each vial ($17) will give 3-4 uses. I’m going to try and get at least 4.

Im planning on wearing a lot of pony/puffs this summer so I hope the Epres can help with any potential ponytail damage.

 

[GettingKinky]

I’m not sure I like how my hair turned out after using Epres. It’s a bit stiff. I’m going to use it a few more times before I decide if I prefer it to olaplex

 

[Chicoro]

I’m not sure I like how my hair turned out after using Epres. It’s a bit stiff. I’m going to use it a few more times before I decide if I prefer it to olaplex

Keep us posted!

 

[keranikki]

I’m currently in mini-twists. Here’s what led to it and what I learned:

-my hair goes through a growth and thickening phase each quarter
-during the second month of the growth phase, my hair starts to tangle more, due to longer hairs forming ssks or just tangling around shorter hairs
-mini-twists keeps my ends from forming ssks
-I need to keep my hair extra moisturized to minimize shed hair tangling
-I can stretch my wash to 10 days; I redo the mini-twists every two weeks, so far

Here’s a photo of the first install: