Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2023

[Chicoro]

I took the train to the big city to buy my products. I bought enough for the upcoming months of November and December.

I was so excited to get my products. From left to right:

• SofnFree Protein Gel
• Cholesterol Tea Trea Conditoner
• Hair Mayonnaise Conditioner (Smells so delicious!)
• Scurl Curl Activator (2 Bottles)
• Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Gel
• Almond Oil
• Johnson Baby Oil (for my melasma skin concoctions)
• Castor Oil
• Keratin Liquid Leave In (Knock off or copy of Aphogee Tea Tree Leave -in)
• Worlds of Curl's Curl Activator (blue top)
• SofnFree Curl Activator (green top)
• White/Koalin Clay in bag (for cleansing my hair)
• West African Shea Butter (in square plastic container)
• Hair Conditioner (They smell wonderful, too.)

I am so glad I purchased these things. I hope everything lasts until the beginning of January.

 

[Chicoro]

The lighting in my home, close to mirrors is not very strong. But, I hope you can see how soft and relaxed my curls are. Shampoo really was traumatizing my hair. My hair lays calmly against my back. I think the Curl Activator Gel also adds to the softness.

My ends are nice and full and there is no velcro stickiness.

Clay is Bae

 

[GettingKinky]

Your curls are beautiful. Are those from a braid out or your natural curls?

 

[snoop]

@Chicoro Your curls look super soft! (I was going to mention that before even reading the post.)

 

[snoop]

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

So, I'll first clarify that by lunar I mean cut based on the moon phase as opposed to an actual lunar calendar.
I maintain my trims quarterly, but I've added the micro-trims each month in between.

Really, it's a fun experiment, however, by adding the micro trims I feel like it's caused me to pay more attention to my ends. I can stay on top of any SSKs that may be at the ends of my hair. I guess, it's kind of like doing a scheduled search and destroy, but without a the search. Rotating between trimming and micro trimming is like, shaping your nails (trimming), then taking a finger nail file to your nails regularly to maintain the shape (micro-trim).

The calendar ensures that I maintain a schedule where I don't cut to often (I'm the opposite of scissor happy, so that's not a concern) and/or I don't make the trims to close together e.g. cut the last week in one month and the first week in another.

 

[Chicoro]

@Chicoro Your curls look super soft! (I was going to mention that before even reading the post.)

My Snoop Mix, your mix, saved my hair. Thank you so much for your generosity and your knowledge. I greatly appreciate you.

 

[snoop]

My Snoop Mix, your mix, saved my hair. Thank you so much for your generosity and your knowledge. I greatly appreciate you.

Your hair is thriving!

I know some people view clay washing as just washing your hair in dirt, but at the end of the day it all comes down to how products make your hair look and feel. It's obviously working for you, me, and many others. I love it!

 

[Chicoro]

Your hair is thriving!

I know some people view clay washing as just washing your hair in dirt, but at the end of the day it all comes down to how products make your hair look and feel. It's obviously working for you, me, and many others. I love it!

I was one of those who thought it was dirt, too! Good for an occasional mask only. Yes, my hair is definitely thriving! Thank you!

 

[Chicoro]

I broke down and bought myself a blow dryer. It comes with a comb attachment. There are two things that I am weak at regarding my hair:

• Trimming
• Blowdrying using a brush

So, I decided to be honest with myself and admit that I prefer a blowdryer with a comb. It just works better for me and my skills. I am looking forward to receiving this.


I use the diffusers with the blow dryer for my Aphogee 2 Step Treatment. They work great drying and hardening the Aphogee 2 Step Treatment on the hair.

 

[Chicoro]

Shed Hair and Breakage

The devil is in the details. I have always finger detangled. But, what I have started doing now is seeing from WHERE the shedded and/or breakage is coming.

The majority of hair comes from the front sections. It's breakage.



That is from pulling my hair back in a bun. The lost hair is breakage and not necessarily shedding. So, I'm going to try to fortify the area where the nylon wraps to form my pony.

I can use either Aphogee Keratin Tea Tree Leave in Reconstructor or Byphasse Liquid Keratin, which ever product I choose I will use both doctored up with some stuff. Then, put that on that area of my hair held by the nylon. I can do it at night too once I loosen the nylon on my hair before bed.

I have already gone through one bottle of Aphogee Tea Tree (un-doctored with any extra things) and that worked nicely when used after a wash and condition.


This time around, I couldn't find the Aphogee so I substituted the Byphasse Liquid Keratin this time. Never heard of the Byphasse until I bought it last weekend but ingredient wise, it is similar to Aphogeee Keratin Green Tea with common ingredients being water, keratin, citric acid.

 

[GettingKinky]

I’m sorry to hear that you are getting breakage from your ponytail holder.
But I know that now you have this problem in your sights, you will conquer it.

 

[Chicoro]

I’m sorry to hear that you are getting breakage from your ponytail holder.
But I know that now you have this problem in your sights, you will conquer it.

Thank you so much! I appreciate it.
My hair breaks no matter how I style it. It's just par for the course.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

My ends seem to be holding on. They do need a cleaning up, but I might be able to hold off on that for another few inches. Perhaps 3 or 4 inches. It's been idk maybe 2 years since I've had a trim? When this gets old, I'm going back to old faithful.

 

[Chicoro]

My ends seem to be holding on. They do need a cleaning up, but I might be able to hold off on that for another few inches. Perhaps 3 or 4 inches. It's been idk maybe 2 years since I've had a trim? When this gets old, I'm going back to old faithful.

Silky, jet black and BEAUTIFUL!

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

Silky, jet black and BEAUTIFUL!

Thank you

 

[Mapleoats]

My ends seem to be holding on. They do need a cleaning up, but I might be able to hold off on that for another few inches. Perhaps 3 or 4 inches. It's been idk maybe 2 years since I've had a trim? When this gets old, I'm going back to old faithful.

Ouu found the pics!! Yasss you are blinding me with that shiny gorgeous hair

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

Ouu found the pics!! Yasss you are blinding me with that shiny gorgeous hair

Oh staph it *blushes*

 

[Lylddlebit]

My ends seem to be holding on. They do need a cleaning up, but I might be able to hold off on that for another few inches. Perhaps 3 or 4 inches. It's been idk maybe 2 years since I've had a trim? When this gets old, I'm going back to old faithful.

What style is old faithful?

 

[Napp]

Shed Hair and Breakage

The devil is in the details. I have always finger detangled. But, what I have started doing now is seeing from WHERE the shedded and/or breakage is coming.

The majority of hair comes from the front sections. It's breakage.



That is from pulling my hair back in a bun. The lost hair is breakage and not necessarily shedding. So, I'm going to try to fortify the area where the nylon wraps to form my pony.

I can use either Aphogee Keratin Tea Tree Leave in Reconstructor or Byphasse Liquid Keratin, which ever product I choose I will use both doctored up with some stuff. Then, put that on that area of my hair held by the nylon. I can do it at night too once I loosen the nylon on my hair before bed.

I have already gone through one bottle of Aphogee Tea Tree (un-doctored with any extra things) and that worked nicely when used after a wash and condition.


This time around, I couldn't find the Aphogee so I substituted the Byphasse Liquid Keratin this time. Never heard of the Byphasse until I bought it last weekend but ingredient wise, it is similar to Aphogeee Keratin Green Tea with common ingredients being water, keratin, citric acid.

View attachment 492365View attachment 492367

I have my most breakage in the front of my buns too. I think I will try fortifying the outer layer of my hair with the Aphogee to see if it helps too.

 

[Chicoro]

I have my most breakage in the front of my buns too. I think I will try fortifying the outer layer of my hair with the Aphogee to see if it helps too.

Your hair is really pretty. I love your straightened, progress photos of your length gains.

There are three prominent Aphogee products:

Aphogee 2 Step

Aphogee 2 Minute Keratin Reconstructor

Aphogee Keratin Green Tea Reconstructor (Leave In)

You are talking about using the leave in product, right?

 

[Chicoro]

What style is old faithful?

Great million dollar question. I didn’t think to ask it.

 

[Lylddlebit]

Your hair is really pretty. I love your straightened, progress photos of your length gains.

There are three prominent Aphogee products:

Aphogee 2 Step

Aphogee 2 Minute Keratin Reconstructor

Aphogee Keratin Green Tea Reconstructor (Leave In)

You are talking about using the leave in product, right?

I like the provitamin leave-in. It has protein in it but is more moisturizing than strengthening and works pretty well. I would add that to your list.

 

[Napp]

Your hair is really pretty. I love your straightened, progress photos of your length gains.

There are three prominent Aphogee products:

Aphogee 2 Step

Aphogee 2 Minute Keratin Reconstructor

Aphogee Keratin Green Tea Reconstructor (Leave In)

You are talking about using the leave in product, right?

I mean the green tea reconstructor! It’s not my favorite though. I also have Roux repair and shine 233 leave in that I am going to try as well

also thanks for the compliment! I think my hair is kind of ugly but I’m trying to get it where I want to be.

 

[Lylddlebit]

I mean the green tea reconstructor! It’s not my favorite though. I also have Roux repair and shine 233 leave in that I am going to try as well

also thanks for the compliment! I think my hair is kind of ugly but I’m trying to get it where I want to be.

I've seen your hair. It's not ugly at all. It's just not doing what you want it to do, and that frustrates you.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

What style is old faithful?

Old faithful is mini/micro braids with my own hair. Sometimes I get tired of it and just do a bun.

 

[Lylddlebit]

Thank you so much! I appreciate it.
My hair breaks no matter how I style it. It's just par for the course.

I was looking at this comment and your Aphogee list. Do you ever go without protein products for a few months or does it need the level of protein it is receiving? I know our hair is different, but my breakage will increase if I use protein back to back(more than twice, or in short windows) or the strong treatments. I have to rotate it on and off and stick to the light to moderate versions. For example, I did a protein deep conditioner on 10/20. So, instead of using a protein leave-in, I am using Uncle Funky's Thirsty Curls and Qhemet biologics Alma and Olive Heavy cream every week. I probably won't do another protein-promoting product until December or January. Another example: If I was using a light protein like the green tea reconstructor that makes my hair a bit stronger than I need it (thus, easier to break instead of stretch and rebound), if it is my primary leave-in. I get better results when I rotate it on and off every other week when using a deeply moisturizing conditioner consistently and a moisture-rich leave-in during the off week. Stuff like that.

 

[Chicoro]

I like the provitamin leave-in. It has protein in it but is more moisturizing than strengthening and works pretty well. I would add that to your list.

This one is not available in France.

 

[Napp]

I've seen your hair. It's not ugly at all. It's just not doing what you want it to do, and that frustrates you.

It’s not thick, long or full. Plus it’s very frizzy and resistant to styling. Hopefully next time I straighten and trim it will look better

 

[Napp]

I also noticed that by using a hard hold gel every day( the Doux bee girl custard) I have less breakage because the hair doesn’t move around as much so sticking to bunning is easier. I don’t have the halo of frizz/ breakage anymore sticking out by the end of the day either.

I wonder if this is the key to my front breakage especially above my ears where my glasses rest and the loops for my mask are. I will stay in a bun for 6 months until I go back to braids and assess if I have more or less breakage around the perimeter.

 

[Chicoro]

I was looking at this comment and your Aphogee list. Do you ever go without protein products for a few months or does it need the level of protein it is receiving? I know our hair is different, but my breakage will increase if I use protein back to back(more than twice, or in short windows) or the strong treatments. I have to rotate it on and off and stick to the light to moderate versions. For example, I did a protein deep conditioner on 10/20. So, instead of using a protein leave-in, I am using Uncle Funky's Thirsty Curls and Qhemet biologics Alma and Olive Heavy cream every week. I probably won't do another protein-promoting product until December or January. Another example: If I was using a light protein like the green tea reconstructor that makes my hair a bit stronger than I need it (thus, easier to break instead of stretch and rebound), if it is my primary leave-in. I get better results when I rotate it on and off every other week when using a deeply moisturizing conditioner consistently and a moisture-rich leave-in during the off week. Stuff like that.

I don’t think this is the reason. I just started back using protein July/Aug 2023.

I think it’s important to change the hairstyle. I don’t do that.

Also, clay has softened my hair. Shampoo left my hair hard and wiry.

It’s a precarious balance among all things. I have less breakage now than prior to changing to clay.

Thank you for taking the time to detail out the information and for making the suggestion.I will revisit this.