Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2023

[Chicoro]

Part of my re-instated/revamped luscious ends process is straightening my hair to trim the ends at least 1to 2x per year. I hate how 'MY 'flat iron presses look on my hair. I am an old school presser. When I went back to the US and went through my things that had been in storage for eleven (11) years found my pressing oven. It is from Kentucky Maid. I plugged it in and it still worked! I packed the precious, fragile ceramic part by stuffing clothes in it and put it in my suitcase. It didn't work when I got it to France but I used the adapter with it and it worked. AND it doesn't make all my lights go out like the bigger one I bought in France does, which I can't use. I brought my old pressing combs and irons, too.




I've had that adapter thing for about 10 years. I just noticed that it says to not use it more than 10 minutes at a time.



I'm just going to have to push that envelope because we all KNOW it takes more than ten (10) minutes to press some hair.

 

[Chicoro]

Here's my Xtreme gel stash. Due to receiving a text that my flight was full and thus it was recommended to check all hand luggage for free, I stuffed five (1) of these 1 Kg jars into my carry on and checked it in.

If I am prudent and use or ration one jar for 2.5 months, this stash could last me up to 12.5 months. Barring nothing crazy happens, I usually return to the US every 12 months. I got my little brown paw in the photo to show and highlight the size of the jars.

 

[Chicoro]

I am tired of inconsistency as it relates to availability of product be it due to logistics/supply chain related or because a product has been discontinued. Using what I have, I decided to create my own Protein Treatment Mix. I would wash the hair and use it as a leave on after deep conditioning. Ideally, I want it to dry before in the hair before I put on my grease (Scurl and Shea butter and Vaseline).


I decided to make my own water-based protein mix. The Aroma Zone ingredient store in Lyon has:

-Phytokeratine (wheat protein in powder form)
-Keratine protect Aqua, Glycerin, Zea mays starch, Cystoseira compressa extract, Glucunolactone, Benzyl alcohol, Sodium benzoate, Dehydroacetic acid, Calcium gluconate.) I'll probably not re-purchase this as it looks like water and glycerin.
-Purple spray bottle!
-Vitamin B5 - Same main ingredient as Infusium 23 (Infusium 23 is water, silicones, pathenol, castor oil and amino acids)
-Rice Protein
-Silk Protein

I am washing weekly so I would make it once a week


See photo below.

 

[Chicoro]

I liked the way the original Infusium 23 worked on my hair. I DEFINITELY can't get that here in France and ordering it regularly would be cost prohibitive. So, I made me some of that, too. I need to watch out for any signs of protein overload. I think I'll be okay.

My DIY Version consists of:
DIY- Chicoro Dupe for Infusium 23
Water, silicone (eliminate), Vitamin B5 panthenol, glycerine, castor oil and amino acids (These are the key ingredients I will be using.)

I put this in my purple Spray bottle along with my protein mix. It is my spray bottle concoction!


Infusium 23 Original Ingredients
Ingredients
Water, Polyquaternium-11, Amodimethicone, Panthenol, Fragrance, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ppg-2 Methyl Ether, Glycerin, Peg/ppg-18/18 Dimethicone, Peg-8, Sodium Pca, Betaine, Sorbitol, Glycine, Alanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Arginine, Lysine, Glutamic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Oleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Behenic Acid, Palmitoyl Myristyl Serinate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Peg-8/smdi Copolymer, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Polysorbate 80, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Methylparaben, Dmdm Hydantoin.

 

[Chicoro]

Here's my purchased stash from the beauty supply. I got the large Scurl and the Queen Helene from "Beng's". I got the smaller Scurl, rubber bands and the Shea butter from my normally frequented beauty supply. I think I am set for the next two (2) months. The little bottle to the right is from Aroma Zone and it is fruit acid I use it for my skin care/melasma situation.

 

[Lylddlebit]

Part of my re-instated/revamped luscious ends process is straightening my hair to trim the ends at least 1to 2x per year. I hate how 'MY 'flat iron presses look on my hair. I am an old school presser. When I went back to the US and went through my things that had been in storage for eleven (11) years found my pressing oven. It is from Kentucky Maid. I plugged it in and it still worked! I packed the precious, fragile ceramic part by stuffing clothes in it and put it in my suitcase. It didn't work when I got it to France but I used the adapter with it and it worked. AND it doesn't make all my lights go out like the bigger one I bought in France does, which I can't use. I brought my old pressing combs and irons, too.

View attachment 490927


I've had that adapter thing for about 10 years. I just noticed that it says to not use it more than 10 minutes at a time.



I'm just going to have to push that envelope because we all KNOW it takes more than ten (10) minutes to press some hair.

That is a nice set. The brown-handled hot comb looks heavy-duty like a Kizure pressing comb. I can tell that one and the one directly to the right of it are well made.

 

[Chicoro]

That is a nice set. The brown-handled hot comb looks heavy-duty, like a Kizure pressing comb.I an tell that on and the one directly to the right of it are well made.

Thank you!

You have good eye! The ones you referenced are my two heaviest combs. It's their heaviness coupled with heat that give me a sleek silky press.

Do you press your hair with straightening combs, too? I assumed that you used an electric flat iron!

Was looking for Kizure combs and LHCF thread came up where you are talking about those combs so that answers my question, yes, you press!

Experience with Kizure Pressing Combs Please Come In

After sending several emails to Kizure I finally received a response. I understand I guess the liability for giving me an actual answer but I need help ladies. In March they are suppose to have their combs back in stock and I am unsure which one to get. I think it is between K-52 and K-54...

longhaircareforum.com

 

[Lylddlebit]

Thank you!

You have good eye! The ones you referenced are my two heaviest combs. It's their heaviness coupled with heat that give me a sleek silky press.

Do you press your hair with straightening combs, too? I assumed that you used an electric flat iron!

Was looking for Kizure combs and LHCF thread came up where you are talking about those combs so that answers my question, yes, you press!

Experience with Kizure Pressing Combs Please Come In

After sending several emails to Kizure I finally received a response. I understand I guess the liability for giving me an actual answer but I need help ladies. In March they are suppose to have their combs back in stock and I am unsure which one to get. I think it is between K-52 and K-54...

longhaircareforum.com

Most definitely. I have and use the new and fancy stuff, but I still use my old school Kizure hot combs and marcel irons! I will always keep my old school irons. I love my heavyweight hot combs too! My first presses as a kid were always by an aunt with the hot comb on the kitchen stove. My first salon visits were also with hot combs and marcels. I didn't own my own flat iron until my freshman year of college(although the house had that clunky gold n hot flat iron under the cabinet...that was my mom's or my sister's flat iron and it was terrible but we made it work lol). For years my pressing combs were way better than most flat irons I tried. Then I found brands like Sedu, Solia and FHI and that helped me get into flat irons. I added the upgrades and flat irons to my collection, but I've never stopped loving my pressing combs. FHI is my only original flat iron that is still standing from my college years.

 

[caribeandiva]

I'm just going to have to push that envelope because we all KNOW it takes more than ten (10) minutes to press some hair.

I thought it took more than 10 minutes to press ALL hair. No? Is it just me then?

 

[Chicoro]

I thought it took more than 10 minutes to press ALL hair. No? Is it just me then?

It's not you. My meaning was not clear enough, that's all. See below explanation.

I was being facetious! The adapter says that it, the adapter, can not be in use more than in 10 minute intervals at a time. Since it takes MUCH longer than 10 minutes to press my hair, I am going to have that adapter plugged up to the pressing oven for longer than 10 minute intervals. Thus, I am going to be pushing the adapter beyond its limits, way beyond the recommended ten minute intervals because pressing my hair by hot comb takes at least 30 minutes for me to do it.

 

[Chicoro]

Most definitely. I have and use the new and fancy stuff, but I still use my old school Kizure hot combs and marcel irons! I will always keep my old school irons. I love my heavyweight hot combs too! My first presses as a kid were always by an aunt with the hot comb on the kitchen stove. My first salon visits were also with hot combs and marcels. I didn't own my own flat iron until my freshman year of college(although the house had that clunky gold n hot flat iron under the cabinet...that was my mom's or my sister's flat iron and it was terrible but we made it work lol). For years my pressing combs were way better than most flat irons I tried. Then I found brands like Sedu, Solia and FHI and that helped me get into flat irons. I added the upgrades and flat irons to my collection, but I've never stopped loving my pressing combs. FHI is my only original flat iron that is still standing from my college years.

Okay! I looked up those Kizure ones and they are NICE, especially the 50 and 52. I'd still be using the kitchen stove if it had real fire and gas. My stove here is electric. Those flatirons you've mentioned are top of the line. I have not seen those brands of flat irons here in France. I know the issue for me is that my skill level is not great with flat irons because when I have gotten it done, the stylist gets it super straight with the flat irons available here in France. I've never used those Marcel curlers but I fell in love with the way they click and sound when a seasoned professional is using them. In the old beauty shops, those Marcel curlers would leave the hair smoking and the hair always smelled so good and the scent of the setting products hung in the air. I love the way old school black beauty shops used to smell. Sounds like you too are pro with those Marcel irons!

 

[Lylddlebit]

Okay! I looked up those Kizure ones and they are NICE, especially the 50 and 52. I'd still be using the kitchen stove if it had real fire and gas. My stove here is electric. Those flatirons you've mentioned are top of the line. I have not seen those brands of flat irons here in France. I know the issue for me is that my skill level is not great with flat irons because when I have gotten it done, the stylist gets it super straight with the flat irons available here in France. I've never used those Marcel curlers but I fell in love with the way they click and sound when a seasoned professional is using them. In the old beauty shops, those Marcel curlers would leave the hair smoking and the hair always smelled so good and the scent of the setting products hung in the air. I love the way old school black beauty shops used to smell. Sounds like you too are pro with those Marcel irons!

I don't own the K-50 but looking back, I wish I would have just gotten it because I know now that I could have used it just fine. I believe the k-50 is the fine version but heavyweight and I could have used it in smaller sections. Golden Supreme still sells old-school hot combs for regular prices. I would buy one of those or another Kizure iron from eBay if I were adding to my set (good ones pop up on eBay fairly often). I have never used the Golden Supreme irons but I love their pressing pads and I own their heat tester(even though I rarely use it). I would try their irons. Out of sheer curiosity, I checked their site last night and they have a sale going on. I was going to get their S irons since they are on sale too but I saw they had shears on sale (including swivel thumbs) and I got several pairs of those. 20 bucks is a good price for what they are(should be 50 and up, I would expect 80 bucks for several of those options).

 

[Lylddlebit]

@Chicoro. I overlooked the marcel piece. Ah yeah click-clank lol. I am decent with them. I can use them better on others but I am good with them on myself. I love them for barrel curls. The great thing about alternating between flat irons and old-school tools is you can alternate without burning your hair out...and yes there is nothing like the salon smell. I am not talking about burning hair. I am talking about salon products mixed in with the heat tools smell lol. You can get that salon smell from your hair stove and hair products too. It is the smell of warmed hair products(when the tool goes from stove to hair then back to stove), mixed with hairspray lol.

 

[Chicoro]

@Chicoro. I overlooked the marcel piece. Ah yeah click-clank lol. I am decent with them. I can use them better on others but I am good with them on myself. I love them for barrel curls. The great thing about alternating between flat irons and old-school tools is you can alternate without burning your hair out...and yes there is nothing like the salon smell. I am not talking about burning hair. I am talking about salon products mixed in with the heat tools smell lol. You can get that salon smell from your hair stove and hair products too. It is the smell of warmed hair products(when the tool goes from stove to hair then back to stove), mixed with hairspray lol.

Yes!!!!! That is the smell I'm talking about that good good smell. Not that burning hair smell. I love beauty shops as they are such microcosms!

You got some skills, don't you, Girl, clicking them Marcel tools and making barrel curls! I can't do a Marcel barrel curl. I bought my Marcel flat irons years ago but have never used them. As long as I have a WHITE paper towel, I can temper the comb so I don't burn my hair.

My other issue is I can't blow dry my hair straight or very well. I don't have a comb attachment which is what I used to use in the US. That nozzle and flat brush or round brush thing I just can't do. That's the next challenge: learning how to blow dry well without a comb attachment and using a nozzle and a brush. Sigh, caring for my hair is a Never Ending Story!

 

[caribeandiva]

It's not you. My meaning was not clear enough, that's all. See below explanation.

I was being facetious! The adapter says that it, the adapter, can not be in use more than in 10 minute intervals at a time. Since it takes MUCH longer than 10 minutes to press my hair, I am going to have that adapter plugged up to the pressing oven for longer than 10 minute intervals. Thus, I am going to be pushing the adapter beyond its limits, way beyond the recommended ten minute intervals because pressing my hair by hot comb takes at least 30 minutes for me to do it.

Oh gotcha!

 

[Lylddlebit]

Yes!!!!! That is the smell I'm talking about that good good smell. Not that burning hair smell. I love beauty shops as they are such microcosms!

You got some skills, don't you, Girl, clicking them Marcel tools and making barrel curls! I can't do a Marcel barrel curl. I bought my Marcel flat irons years ago but have never used them. As long as I have a WHITE paper towel, I can temper the comb so I don't burn my hair.

My other issue is I can't blow dry my hair straight or very well. I don't have a comb attachment which is what I used to use in the US. That nozzle and flat brush or round brush thing I just can't do. That's the next challenge: learning how to blow dry well without a comb attachment and using a nozzle and a brush. Sigh, caring for my hair is a Never Ending Story!

If you want to give blow drying another go there are so many affordable blow dryers on the market now that are like a paddle brush and blow dryer or a round brush and blow dryer all in one. A lot of ladies love those to blow dry in a user-friendly manner. I do think blow drying is a useful skill, but there is nothing wrong with letting good tools help you get there, even if you are taking the time to learn new skills or do the work for you. Your hair is a beautiful read lol.

 

[caribeandiva]

If you want to give blow drying another go there are so many affordable blow dryers on the market now that are like a paddle brush and blow dryer or a round brush and blow dryer all in one. A lot of ladies love those to blow dry in a user-friendly manner. I do think blow drying is a useful skill, but there is nothing wrong with letting good tools help you get there, even if you are taking the time to learn new skills or do the work for you. Your hair is a beautiful read lol.

Yes! I love my Revlon blow dryer brush! Amazon product ASIN B013HJEA4C

 

[Chicoro]

If you want to give blow drying another go there are so many affordable blow dryers on the market now that are like a paddle brush and blow dryer or a round brush and blow dryer all in one. A lot of ladies love those to blow dry in a user-friendly manner. I do think blow drying is a useful skill, but there is nothing wrong with letting good tools help you get there, even if you are taking the time to learn new skills or do the work for you. Your hair is a beautiful read lol.

Thank you! The last time I blow dried my hair straight I did NOT take my time. HUGE mistake. Before I invest into another tool, I am going to go through my process slowly and with thought and analysis. I have learned that shampoo tramautizes my hair. Blowdrying while brushing seems to bother my hair, too. I really do need to learn the righ skills for my hair.

 

[Chicoro]

Yes! I love my Revlon blow dryer brush! Amazon product ASIN B013HJEA4C

I've seen these. Does it leave your hair silky and bouncy after you use it?

 

[caribeandiva]

I've seen these. Does it leave your hair silky and bouncy after you use it?

Yes!! Plus it gets the job done super fast!

 

[Chicoro]

Yes!! Plus it gets the job done super fast!

Okay, thank you! This is great to know!

 

[Chicoro]

What I'm doing to make all of hair luscious, not just my ends:

1. Aphogee 2 Step
2. Washing with Clay Mix
3. Weekly Washing (Washing hair 1x per week instead of 1x per month)
4. Xtreme Gel Usage
5. Covering head every night

My ends are luscious. I had so much 'breakage' around the roots. By re-implementing the five (5) steps listed above, I see my breakage at the root and crown of my head is not as bad as before. As a result, my hair is not as fuzzy or as frizzy as it was. It is laying down beautifully and smoothly.

to


Trying to stay on track for that end of year 'Bun Drop'.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

@Chicoro Yes indeedy, I see you shining babyyy! Don't hurt 'em

 

[Chicoro]

@Chicoro Yes indeedy, I see you shining babyyy! Don't hurt 'em

Thank you!

 

[Chicoro]

@Lylddlebit since you mentioned Marcels up thread, I wanted to share a video that came into my feed. At around 8 minutes, she says that she noticed from her experience that moving from Marcels to flat irons people's hair was a lot more healthier and that their hair grew faster. Hmmm...I'm sticking with my old school heat and using my pressing combs. I put Marcel and hot comb irons in the same category. The irons work for me. My hair doesn't get past my break point with flat irons, or without flat irons. I personally gained my longest length using pressing combs- when maintaining my hair myself. But, who is to say that there weren't other factors that impacted my progress.

Hair is complex. I have finally figured out techniques to get luscious ends on my hair type. It took years and lots of trial and error and endless mini-tweaks. So, I don't anticipate that getting past my break point will be simple and easy to figure out. But if it were easy, most of us would not be here!

 

[Lylddlebit]

@Lylddlebit since you mentioned Marcels up thread, I wanted to share a video that came into my feed. At around 8 minutes, she says that she noticed from her experience that moving from Marcels to flat irons people's hair was a lot more healthier and that their hair grew faster. Hmmm...I'm sticking with my old school heat and using my pressing combs. I put Marcel and hot comb irons in the same category. The irons work for me. My hair doesn't get past my break point with flat irons, or without flat irons. I personally gained my longest length using pressing combs- when maintaining my hair myself. But, who is to say that there weren't other factors that impacted my progress.

Hair is complex. I have finally figured out techniques to get luscious ends on my hair type. It took years and lots of trial and error and endless mini-tweaks. So, I don't anticipate that getting past my break point will be simple and easy to figure out. But if it were easy, most of us would not be here!

@Chicoro, yeah, I notice advantages too. My hair definitely holds moisture better with incorporating flat irons as opposed to marcels/hot combs only. When my hair stays supple, I can straighten my hair more often without worrying about damage, it drying out, splitting, or breaking off. I didn't immediately notice the advantages, but over time, they made themselves known. Like pressing as often as I want and not needing trims as often as what was usual before, my hair still feels silky and supple at the end of wearing a straight style, being able to get great results with no-so-great products because the tools overcompensate for that.

Love the old-school stuff, but I also like the versatility my other tools, products and methods open the door to.

 

[Chicoro]

@Chicoro, yeah, I notice advantages too. My hair definitely holds moisture better with incorporating flat irons as opposed to marcels/hot combs only. When my hair stays supple, I can straighten my hair more often without worrying about damage, it drying out, splitting, or breaking off. I didn't immediately notice the advantages, but over time, they made themselves known. Like pressing as often as I want and not needing trims as often as what was usual before, my hair still feels silky and supple at the end of wearing a straight style, being able to get great results with no-so-great products because the tools overcompensate for that.

Love the old-school stuff, but I also like the versatility my other tools, products and methods open the door to.

Thanks for adding your real world, personal experience information!

 

[yamilee21]

Update on my lopsided hair: I put my hair into 10 not-very-neat twists today, and *one* twist on the forever-shorter left side is actually as long as the twists on the right side. Granted, it is just the one twist, and the rest are still significantly shorter, but maybe, just maybe, non-lopsided hair may be in my future… someday.

 

[Chicoro]

Update on my lopsided hair: I put my hair into 10 not-very-neat twists today, and *one* twist on the forever-shorter left side is actually as long as the twists on the right side. Granted, it is just the one twist, and the rest are still significantly shorter, but maybe, just maybe, non-lopsided hair may be in my future… someday.

Congratulations on this wonderful, wonderful, wonderful update!!!!! This is a BREAK THROUGH! Break throughs are FULL of gems of information.

Did you make any changes to your process? Did you do anything different? Did you add something? Did you stop or remove something? That evened-out on the forever shorter left side is a CLUE, CLUE, CLUE!



Instead of Professor Plum used a rope in the living room, it will be @yamilee21 used a scarf/scissors in the bathroom on her left side in January... perhaps. Think back, please.

It is possible that the smallest tweak contributed to this HUGE accomplishment. I do not think it was luck, either.

Me: Paces floor and eagerly awaits response and answer*



Thank so much for sharing. This is really a big deal.

 

[Chicoro]

We are almost at the end of the month, heading into Fall and September. How's it look since January 2023? Are you ready for these last four months? Are those ends stuntin' on folks or are they sadly just stunted ? Or somewhere in between?