Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2023

[abioni]

Fromm Style Smoother Paddle Brush

Curl Studio Style Smoother Paddle Brush

Style hair with ease using our Style Smoother Paddle Brush. This cushion paddle brush effortlessly smoothes & detangles thick, curly & textured hair without frizz.

www.frommpro.com

Fromm Curl Shaper Brush

Curl Studio Shaper Styling Brush

Shape & define curls effortlessly with Fromm Pro. Our styling brush expertly shapes, separates, defines and styles wet curls without frizz. Designed for professionals.

www.frommpro.com

EZ Detangler knock off form Amazon or Aliexpress
Amazon product ASIN B087NP4K56
Enjoy and I am glad you like it.

ETA: with the exception of the Denman 38(petite version), I prefer the Fromm brushes to Denman, and they are cheaper. When you sign up for an account you can get a discount and they offer sales and discounts regularly.

Thank you for sharing this. Are Fromm combs seamless?

 

[Lylddlebit]

Thank you for sharing this. Are Fromm combs seamless?

They are not seamless, and I do not love them as well as my Hairsense seamless combs, or my combs with seams that are rubberized to coat the seams to prevent snagging, hair breakage and mechanically wearing the hair down (like the Revair Rakes call "Wright" combs ), but the seams are not terrible and aren't too rough on the hair. I tend to use my Hairsense combs or my combs that have seams but are rubberized over the seams more than my Fromm combs, for that reason. I can detect the seams on Fromm combs but I don't have increased breakage when I use them and don't feel them being rough on my hair. So I have kept the one in the photo(I bought the whole set but gave the pick and the other comb away because I do prefer seamless combs, but may file some with seams and use it until it begins to snag). The Fromm comb in the photo is not my favorite, but I love the design and I can use it (I need to just get a cake cutter, but haven't gotten around to it yet). The Fromm brushes (particularly the curl smoother, hot paddle brush and vent brush)** are excellent though, if they have seams I can't detect them. They are smooth around the bristles and don't snag my hair at all.

ETA: I double checked the brushes they do have seams on the Style Smoother paddle brush. That is one I have but haven't gotten around to using yet. The bristles on the curl smoother have the undetectable seams, the same is true on my Hot paddle brush from that brand(my favorite blow dry brush), and the vent brush which is also from the Fromm brand. If the Style Smoother paddle brush snags, I will get rid of it.

 

[Napp]

You think her assessment is incorrect? What parts do you disagree with? I do feel like IG stylists are always finding damage and I never know if damage is that common or if that’s just what they choose to highlight in their posts.

The only way to permanently change your hair texture is through heat or chemicals. The bonds that break when wetting the hair are not the same that are changed when structure is involved. This stylists seems extremely scissor happy as well. Just because ends are all not the same length doesn’t necessarily mean they are split and need to be trimmed

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

@MzSwift Out here like the butchers using the pigs. Nothing left but the oink

 

[Chicoro]

@MzSwift Out here like the butchers using the pigs. Nothing left but the oink

Oooo! I never heard this one before. Thank you @ItsMeLilLucky !

 

[Chicoro]

@Lylddlebit ,
I love my K cutter combs! I bought me three this summer when I was in the US. Two are still in the plastic. I call them cake cutter combs.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

Oooo! I never heard this one before. Thank you @ItsMeLilLucky !

I can't take credit, I saw it on the Internet somewhere and ran with it

 

[GettingKinky]

I’m going to try a new detangling process when I wash my hair today. I’ll use my magic star wide tooth comb before I use my Felicia leatherwood brush. I wanna be like @Lylddlebit with super long hair one day.

 

[Chicoro]

I’m going to try a new detangling process when I wash my hair today. I’ll use my magic star wide tooth comb before I use my Felicia leatherwood brush. I wanna be like @Lylddlebit with super long hair one day.

@Lylddlebit be putting 25 inch weaves to shame with all that real hair she got.

@GettingKinky , let us know how the change goes for you!

 

[Napp]

OK so I realize now that i need to straighten my hair throughout the year to assess the ends. Here are some pictures that im slightly ashamed to share. Experimenting really messed up my hair.

Bunning had been working for my hair. I would put my hair in a bun, grease the ends and put a phony pony on top. Here is my hair early in the year. I had not had a trim in about a year.




I got tired of the bun and wanted to try other styles. At one point I was looking at handfuls of hair trying to make my hair do styles it can no longer do. I am transitioning from Keratin/Botox treated hair and my hair just can't do styles it used to without alot of work and manipulation.(I have type 4 hair) I royally jacked up a good thing I had going. When I finally straightened my hair in July it was really bad. I ended up cutting 2 inches. This was pre trim. I was also going though alot of reversion as well. My hair would not stray straight in my little bathroom. lol



and here is my hair now in October after leaving my hair in protective styles for the last few months. Mainly buns, twists and braids. My ends aren't 100% where I want them to be(I want more thickness) but I am pleased with my progress even though my hair still isn't completely straight here either. I'm not in a rush to get thick blunt ends especially since I'm still transitioning and my ends are weak but I will trim a little bit every quarter to have progress to fuller ends. I also like having length which is why I haven't big chopped yet. 16 months post so far!

 

[Chicoro]

OK so I realize now that i need to straighten my hair throughout the year to assess the ends. Here are some pictures that im slightly ashamed to share. Experimenting really messed up my hair.

Bunning had been working for my hair. I would put my hair in a bun, grease the ends and put a phony pony on top. Here is my hair early in the year. I had not had a trim in about a year.


View attachment 492163

I got tired of the bun and wanted to try other styles. At one point I was looking at handfuls of hair trying to make my hair do styles it can no longer do. I am transitioning from Keratin/Botox treated hair and my hair just can't do styles it used to without alot of work and manipulation.(I have type 4 hair) I royally jacked up a good thing I had going. When I finally straightened my hair in July it was really bad. I ended up cutting 2 inches. This was pre trim. I was also going though alot of reversion as well. My hair would not stray straight in my little bathroom. lol

View attachment 492165

and here is my hair now in October after leaving my hair in protective styles for the last few months. Mainly buns, twists and braids. My ends aren't 100% where I want them to be(I want more thickness) but I am pleased with my progress even though my hair still isn't completely straight here either. I'm not in a rush to get thick blunt ends especially since I'm still transitioning and my ends are weak but I will trim a little bit every quarter to have progress to fuller ends. I also like having length which is why I haven't big chopped yet. 16 months post so far!
View attachment 492167

Thanks for sharing. I love it! Now you know what works beyond a shadow of a doubt. It is a blessing to have such clear confirmation and guidance. Bravo to you! Your hair now is thicker, darker and longer than in the first picture.

 

[Chicoro]

Since we are sharing... Shampoo was EATING UP my hair. See the thinness at the ends in the picture on the left in the red housecoat?
Then, when you look at the roots, you see fullness and puff. The roots are a product of changing from shampoo over to clay. I started the clay in January of 2023. I trimmed all I'm going to trim in July. We just have to go with this right here.

I can say that despite how the ends of this section look, my hair overall is fuller, even and thicker on the ends. The photo on the right with the ponytail is from October 15th or 17th 2023. I am loving the crystal shine on the hair, imparted with the help of shine products, and the smoothness of my hair is lovely, too. No fuzzies. My hair is deeply moisturized using my old school processes and products:

I'm back to weekly washes and baggying.

SCurl
Worlds of Curls Curl Activator
Shea Butter (newish)
Vaseline
Queen Helen Conditioner or Queen Helenesque type products
Glycerine
Castor Oil
Olive Oil
Honey
Aloe Vera
Essential Oils
Gel
Baggie
Cover hair at night
Aphogee 2 Step Every 8 Weeks (I've done two sessions in 2023.)

I do not have any length gains that I can see for 2023. But my health gains on my hair are represented as fuller, thicker ends, at my current length. I'm sticking with my current process at least until December 31st 2023.

 

[Mapleoats]

@Chicoro your journey with clay is really inspiring me to ditch shampoos long term. I've found a method of cleansing my scalp without shampoo, I'm now intrigued to see if I can just use the clay for my strands and ACV cleanser for my scalp.

 

[Chicoro]

@Chicoro your journey with clay is really inspiring me to ditch shampoos long term. I've found a method of cleansing my scalp without shampoo, I'm now intrigued to see if I can just use the clay for my strands and ACV cleanser for my scalp.

Let us know how things turn out for you and your hair!

 

[GettingKinky]

So I used my magic star rake before my detangling brush. I’m not sure if it made a big difference or not. I feel like maybe I pulled out fewer clumps of hair. I’ll keep this up for a few months and see how it goes.

 

[Chicoro]

So I used my magic star rake before my detangling brush. I’m not sure if it made a big difference or not. I feel like maybe I pulled out fewer clumps of hair. I’ll keep this up for a few months and see how it goes.

Are you going to save your shed hair so you can compare what you lost now and what you lose in the future?

 

[GettingKinky]

Are you going to save your shed hair so you can compare what you lost now and what you lose in the future?

I want to, but I can’t think of a good system or a place to keep it. I’m very into my hair and even I find this a bit extreme I can’t imagine DH’s reaction and the teasing that would follow.

 

[Napp]

I want to, but I can’t think of a good system or a place to keep it. I’m very into my hair and even I find this a bit extreme I can’t imagine DH’s reaction and the teasing that would follow.

You can take a picture of all the shed hair you collect every wash day to track your shedding/breakage. That way there is no physical evidence

 

[Lylddlebit]

@Lylddlebit ,
I love my K cutter combs! I bought me three this summer when I was in the US. Two are still in the plastic. I call them cake cutter combs.

I know. I love it. Many of the rake combs I like borrowed from the cake cutter design.

 

[Lylddlebit]

I’m going to try a new detangling process when I wash my hair today. I’ll use my magic star wide tooth comb before I use my Felicia leatherwood brush. I wanna be like @Lylddlebit with super long hair one day.

You will get it. Us reaching our hair goals and black women with thriving hair from relaxed to natural and everything in between is normalized now. We pick our journey and go. So, come and get you some!

 

[Lylddlebit]

@Lylddlebit be putting 25 inch weaves to shame with all that real hair she got.

@GettingKinky , let us know how the change goes for you!

I gotta have hair that I like more than weave, since I don't like weave on me at all. I tried it twice in high school and they looked good, but I didn't like it better than my hair or braid. I kept my hair braided up until my real hair was longer than my favorite braided style/length. I definitely see how my favorite braided style as a child/young adult has influenced my natural hair journey.

 

[Lylddlebit]

OK so I realize now that i need to straighten my hair throughout the year to assess the ends. Here are some pictures that im slightly ashamed to share. Experimenting really messed up my hair.

Bunning had been working for my hair. I would put my hair in a bun, grease the ends and put a phony pony on top. Here is my hair early in the year. I had not had a trim in about a year.


View attachment 492163

I got tired of the bun and wanted to try other styles. At one point I was looking at handfuls of hair trying to make my hair do styles it can no longer do. I am transitioning from Keratin/Botox treated hair and my hair just can't do styles it used to without alot of work and manipulation.(I have type 4 hair) I royally jacked up a good thing I had going. When I finally straightened my hair in July it was really bad. I ended up cutting 2 inches. This was pre trim. I was also going though alot of reversion as well. My hair would not stray straight in my little bathroom. lol

View attachment 492165

and here is my hair now in October after leaving my hair in protective styles for the last few months. Mainly buns, twists and braids. My ends aren't 100% where I want them to be(I want more thickness) but I am pleased with my progress even though my hair still isn't completely straight here either. I'm not in a rush to get thick blunt ends especially since I'm still transitioning and my ends are weak but I will trim a little bit every quarter to have progress to fuller ends. I also like having length which is why I haven't big chopped yet. 16 months post so far!
View attachment 492167

And that is plenty to be pleased about! That recovery looks fantastic!

 

[Lylddlebit]

So I used my magic star rake before my detangling brush. I’m not sure if it made a big difference or not. I feel like maybe I pulled out fewer clumps of hair. I’ll keep this up for a few months and see how it goes.

...an that is how it goes. Small gains add up for cumulative milestones as they develop and are perfected.

 

[Lylddlebit]

You can take a picture of all the shed hair you collect every wash day to track your shedding/breakage. That way there is no physical evidence

Fantastic idea!

 

[Lylddlebit]

I want to, but I can’t think of a good system or a place to keep it. I’m very into my hair and even I find this a bit extreme I can’t imagine DH’s reaction and the teasing that would follow.

I can. DH reverts to his 13-year-old self when moments arise to tease me and I am naturally witty, so my retorts make him laugh harder. The never-ending cycle of cutting up lol. It keeps me from getting irritated while he has his fun. Not to mention I keep doing what I was going to do through the teasing, and he lets my quirks ride and considers them precious after they land.

 

[snoop]

I'm finally back! It was a busy summer, but I can finally be here for my hair.

Summary: My ends are not luscious. I need a trim. I want to stick with my lunar trimming schedule so I have to wait until Friday to take care of these ends. They need me. Unfortunately, I think that I'll have to cut about an inch of hair. I'll see how it goes.

 

[snoop]

I just trimmed my ends. This time I trimmed my ends in the shower to help stretch my hair since I've had my twists in for a week. My hair ends look and feel much better.

I can't remember when the last time I trimmed my mini twists in the shower (i.e. under running water) but I need to make it a thing. I like how it stretches my hair so I think that I get a more precise cut. I noticed this time that, using the same method that I've always used, I was cutting less scraggle and more bulk! I'm excited by this because it means that my hair is more even down to the ends.

Changes that I made this year: improved my diet/better nutrition, more frequent trims/dustings/microtrims. I've got high hopes for the next two months and beyond!

 

[Dare~to~Dream]

I just trimmed my ends. This time I trimmed my ends in the shower to help stretch my hair since I've had my twists in for a week. My hair ends look and feel much better.

Hi, Snoop! Glad you're back; I missed seeing your posts. I have never trimmed my ends in the shower. Do you have a shower mirror by any chance? Since I found out that it was a thing I've wanted to invest in one because I really need it. Just curious if you have one due to your trimming in the shower and if so can you suggest a good one?

 

[snoop]

Hi, Snoop! Glad you're back; I missed seeing your posts. I have never trimmed my ends in the shower. Do you have a shower mirror by any chance? Since I found out that it was a thing I've wanted to invest in one because I really need it. Just curious if you have one due to your trimming in the shower and if so can you suggest a good one?

Thanks! So glad to be back!

I don't have a shower mirror. I want one too, but I haven't done my research, yet.

My hair is long enough that I could pull my it in front of me and see to trim it (front and sides) or I tilt my head and do a bit of neck gymnastics to get the back done.

 

[Mapleoats]

@snoop What are the benefits you find from the Lunar trimming cycle?