Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2023

[Lylddlebit]

I felt inspired to try a clay wash. I have done clay masks circa 2009-2011 but that was when I spent hours on wash day to learn and style my natural hair. I have kept clay in my bathroom for my skin but stopped using it in my hair about a decade ago. I digress @snoop @Chicoro and @Mapleoats inspired me to revisit it, but I wanted to try out a thinner consistency wash instead of the mask for an easier rinse out.

I made a clay wash Rhassoul clay, ashwagandha, bhringraj, aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, water, and a blend of essential oils(frankincense, myrrh, rosemary, lavender& chamomille). Those are ingredients I keep in my bathroom without having to buy anything new.

I mixed it similar to

but I just used ingredients I already had in my beauty cabinet. I eyeballed my measurements to make my wash easy to spread like shampoo instead of thick like a mask. It only took a few minutes to make.


I rinsed my hair squeezed out the water then applied my wash with an applicator bottle. I let it stay in for just under an hour while I was making dinner last night then rinsed and deep-conditioned as normal. After rinsing my deep conditioner I applied my leave-ins, installed a few braids, and let my hair air dry overnight. The wash did a good job of cleansing my hair when I checked where I landed this morning, my leave-ins were absorbed well.

I appreciate this thread and its inspiration to revisit old gems that I gave up on too soon in the past. Clay washing has a place in my regimen and so do wash and wear sets(thanks again @GettingKinky ). Both are practices I dabbled in but gave up on before I got them right for my hair. I am happy this thread inspired me to add them back to my haircare & and hairstyle arsenal. They were worth getting right. I dont have any styles so show right now. My hair is in "Plain -Jane) braids under a silk-lined cap, but it sure feels good.

 

[Chicoro]

I felt inspired to try a clay wash. I have done clay masks circa 2009-2011 but that was when I spent hours on wash day to learn and style my natural hair. I have kept clay in my bathroom for my skin but stopped using it in my hair about a decade ago. I digress @snoop @Chicoro and @Mapleoats inspired me to revisit it, but I wanted to try out a thinner consistency wash instead of the mask for an easier rinse out.

I made a clay wash Rhassoul clay, ashwagandha, bhringraj, aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, water, and a blend of essential oils(frankincense, myrrh, rosemary, lavender& chamomille). Those are ingredients I keep in my bathroom without having to buy anything new.

I mixed it similar to

but I just used ingredients I already had in my beauty cabinet. I eyeballed my measurements to make my wash easy to spread like shampoo instead of thick like a mask. It only took a few minutes to make.


I rinsed my hair squeezed out the water then applied my wash with an applicator bottle. I let it stay in for just under an hour while I was making dinner last night then rinsed and deep-conditioned as normal. After rinsing my deep conditioner I applied my leave-ins, installed a few braids, and let my hair air overnight. The wash did a good job of cleansing my hair when I checked where I landed this morning, my leave-ins were absorbed well.

I appreciate this thread and its inspiration to revisit old gems that I gave up on too soon in the past. Clay washing has a place in my regimen and so do wash and wear sets(thanks again @GettingKinky ). Both are practices I dabbled in but gave up on before I got them right for my hair. I am happy this thread inspired me to add them back to my haircare & and hairstyle arsenal. They were worth getting right. I dont have any styles so show right now. My hair is in "Plain -Jane) braids under a silk-lined cap, but it sure feels good.

@Lylddlebit up in here with oils of frankincense and myrrh. We know she’s a True Queen, because those oils are the gifts of Kings. And what better place to use them, but upon her magnificent Crowning Glory, that being her lovely hair!

 

[Lylddlebit]

@Lylddlebit up in here with oils of frankincense and myrrh. We know she’s a True Queen, because those oils are the gifts of Kings. And what better place to use them, but upon her magnificent Crowning Glory, that being her lovely hair!

Those ancient oils are packed with benefits!

 

[Chicoro]

So as I thought, I had less breakage when I took down my braided pony. There was still some matting due to broken hairs having felted into the hair. To reiterate or clarify, I have stopped using a brush on my hair once I braid it up. As a result, I had lessened the amount of breakage I was getting. Subsequently, I have less matting, too.

Today, I unloosened my braid. Usually it is so matted at the top of the braid that I have to use hot water in a spray bottle to soften the hair to detangle it. It was not necessary today! I was able to detangle my hair with my fingers immediately after un-braiding without wetting it.

 

[snoop]

So as I thought, I had less breakage when I took down my braided pony. There was still some matting due to broken hairs having felted into the hair. To reiterate or clarify, I have stopped using a brush on my hair once I braid it up. As a result, I had lessened the amount of breakage I was getting. Subsequently, I have less matting, too.

Today, I unloosened my braid. Usually it is so matted at the top of the braid that I have to use hot water in a spray bottle to soften the hair to detangle it. It was not necessary today! I was able to detangle my hair with my fingers immediately after un-braiding without wetting it.

That's excellent!

I'm going to have to re-read your last few posts to see if there is anything that you're now doing that I can incorporate into my routine. I don't braid my hair and I don't wear buns often, but I'm not always the most gentle with my hair. If I can reduce the amount of breakage that I am creating, then I'm here for it.

 

[Chicoro]

That's excellent!

I'm going to have to re-read your last few posts to see if there is anything that you're now doing that I can incorporate into my routine. I don't braid my hair and I don't wear buns often, but I'm not always the most gentle with my hair. If I can reduce the amount of breakage that I am creating, then I'm here for it.

I'll save you some time:

I was brushing my hair from hairline to the ponytail holder in the morning before going to work. I realized that I was causing mechanical damage with a brush during my grooming process. I was not getting breakage passively, during sleeping. It was active breakage that I was doing to myself by brushing and brushing hard and fast.

Now, I do not brush my hair at all during the week, as I wash/condition and braid on the weekend. I just smooth hair and re-tie the nylon pony tail holder during the week. I use at the most a TOOTHBRUSH and use it gently. I smoothly and neaten my hair with my hands and fingers, NO STYLING tools. I now no longer use any brushes or combs when doing my hair during the week. Combs I use maybe every 3 to 6 months. Brushes I use weekly on the weekend during styling on wash day.

Incidentally, my hair looks just as smooth if not smoother with my hands and fingers than it did with a brush.

I continue to cover my head at night with a plastic cap and a scarf.

I use a DIY or doctored commercial protein treatment weekly and Aphogee 2 Step every 8 weeks. By the way it's an Aphogee 2 Step Weekend today.

And of course clay...clay.. My Bae!

Oh, can't forget my Sugar, Shea butter!

 

[Napp]

I am also not pulling my elastics tight anymore. I noticed that I was getting flatter results but I have a little breakage at my nape and that part never breaks for me so from now on I’m not doubling over my hair elastics.

 

[Chicoro]

Those ancient oils are packed with benefits!

Can you share some of the benefits, please. YOU are my E-Friend, not Google.

 

[snoop]

I am also not pulling my elastics tight anymore. I noticed that I was getting flatter results but I have a little breakage at my nape and that part never breaks for me so from now on I’m not doubling over my hair elastics.

What kind of hair elastics do you use? Have you tried the spiral elastics?

 

[Lylddlebit]

Can you share some of the benefits, please. YOU are my E-Friend, not Google.

Sure
Frankincense on hair:

• Moisturizing to hair and scalp
• Can help with shine
• Regulates sebum
  • which helps scalp remain balanced and dandruff free
• Enhances circulation to the scalp
• Anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant and antimicrobial for scalp
  • Can slow greying

Myrrh on hair:

• Moisturizing to hair and scalp
• Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti fungal
• Regulates sebum
  • which helps scalp remain balanced and dandruff free
• Natural cleanser/clarifier

Rosemary on Hair:

• Scalp stimulant
  • A lot of people(a some studies) say it increases hair growth
• Enhances circulation to the scalp
• Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, for scalp
  • Can slow greying

Lavender on hair:

• Scalp stimulant
  • A lot of people(a some studies) say it increases hair growth
• Enhances circulation to the scalp
• Anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant and antimicrobial for scalp
  • Can slow greying

Chamomile on hair:

• Moisturizing to hair and scalp
• Can help with a shine/natural hair color (some use it to lighten hair but I use so little it doesn't lighten mine)
• Regulates sebum
  • which helps the scalp remain balanced and dandruff free
• Detangling properties
• Enhances circulation to the scalp
• Enhances collagen production

In general, I like the smell of essential oils and find them relaxing when I catch a whiff of my hair. Most are scalp stimulants and double as preservatives(antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antimicrobial etc) when mixing at-home products. I know the list is much longer than what I put on here. I usually use the lavender chamomile and rosemary together since they come in the hair blend it is typically to see frankincense and myrrh together also but I will use powder from or break open a vitamin capsule, depending on what I have on hand.

Fabulous Frannie and Mountain rose herbs are my online vendors of choice but there are plenty to choose from.

 

[Chicoro]

Sure
Frankincense on hair:

• Moisturizing to hair and scalp
• Can help with shine
• Regulates sebum
  • which helps scalp remain balanced and dandruff free
• Enhances circulation to the scalp
• Anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant and antimicrobial for scalp
  • Can slow greying

Myrrh on hair:

• Moisturizing to hair and scalp
• Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti fungal
• Regulates sebum
  • which helps scalp remain balanced and dandruff free
• Natural cleanser/clarifier

Rosemary on Hair:

• Scalp stimulant
  • A lot of people(a some studies) say it increases hair growth
• Enhances circulation to the scalp
• Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, for scalp
  • Can slow greying

Lavender on hair:

• Scalp stimulant
  • A lot of people(a some studies) say it increases hair growth
• Enhances circulation to the scalp
• Anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant and antimicrobial for scalp
  • Can slow greying

Chamomile on hair:

• Moisturizing to hair and scalp
• Can help with a shine/natural hair color (some use it to lighten hair but I use so little it doesn't lighten mine)
• Regulates sebum
  • which helps the scalp remain balanced and dandruff free
• Detangling properties
• Enhances circulation to the scalp
• Enhances collagen production

In general, I like the smell of essential oils and find them relaxing when I catch a whiff of my hair. Most are scalp stimulants and double as preservatives(antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antimicrobial etc) when mixing at-home products. I know the list is much longer than what I put on here. I usually use the lavender chamomile and rosemary together since they come in the hair blend it is typically to see frankincense and myrrh together also but I will use powder from or break open a vitamin capsule, depending on what I have on hand.

Fabulous Frannie and Mountain rose herbs are my online vendors of choice but there are plenty to choose from.

Thank you for taking the time to post this lovely, detailed information. I bet you hair smells so good!!

I use essential oils in my pre-poo to cleanse my scalp before my clay wash.

I have not figured out how to carry over sweet, pretty essential oil smells to my hair after the wash. Meaning, I can’t smell anything after my hair has dried.

Any tips to amplify and carry over those smells more intensely after the wash and condition process is done?

But, the secretary at my job, with whom I do share a small office said that I smell like essential oils. I thought she was smelling my perfume, not my hair.

 

[snoop]

Maybe you can do a scalp massage with the EOs after washing your hair. Or you can add a snarl amount to your clay mask so that they soak into your hair. Just be careful not to over do it, because EOs aren't really for scenting so much as they are for aroma therapy and other therapeutic applications. Too much of the wrong kind of EO can have a negative influence on your person or don't work well with certain medical conditions.

 

[Chicoro]

Maybe you can do a scalp massage with the EOs after washing your hair. Or you can add a snarl amount to your clay mask so that they soak into your hair. Just be careful not to over do it, because EOs aren't really for scenting so much as they are for aroma therapy and other therapeutic applications. Too much of the wrong kind of EO can have a negative influence on your person or don't work well with certain medical conditions.

Yes, thank you so much. I think I am going to have to go with whatever the conditioner leaves behind because I don't like synthetic oils and essential oils can burn me. We'll see. Something yummy and lasting that I may work for me may just pop up at some point!

 

[Chicoro]

I have been natural for most of my life and have re-started my hair journey upon numerous times. I have decided that I am officially re-starting, retro-actively, as of January 2023. That's when I started to use clay almost exclusively and to the exclusion of shampoo.

Brand New Hair Journey As of 2023:

1. Started to use Snoop's Clay Mixture as my main wash staple.
2. Eliminated brushes in daily grooming.
3. Went back to old school products (No Olaplex or Henna on hair).
4. Eliminated shampoo except to clarify for protein, Aphogee 2 Step Treatments.
5. Started using DIY Protein Treatment on a weekly basis after each wash.
6. Retained Shea butter in my routine.
7. Went back to baggying and coating hair with Vaseline, ( Shea butter, too)
8. Went back to covering head at night religiously

The impetus for these changes was this thread in which I participated to try to eliminate my velcro ends.

Since January 2017 I have been fighting velcro ends:

All.That.Length.Lost!



It's okay! Because my velcro ends are GONE!!!

 

[snoop]

Yes, thank you so much. I think I am going to have to go with whatever the conditioner leaves behind because I don't like synthetic oils and essential oils can burn me. We'll see. Something yummy and lasting that I may work for me may just pop up at some point!

Are you diluting your essential oils before using them? If diluted well, I don't think that they should burn, though some of them are sensitizing.

 

[Chicoro]

Are you diluting your essential oils before using them? If diluted well, I don't think that they should burn, though some of them are sensitizing.

I do dilute them, but even lavender be tearing me up at times. My skin and body have different sensitivities at different times in my life. So, I stopped fighting it and just test everything every time I re-introduce back into my life.

 

[Lylddlebit]

Thank you for taking the time to post this lovely, detailed information. I bet you hair smells so good!!

I use essential oils in my pre-poo to cleanse my scalp before my clay wash.

I have not figured out how to carry over sweet, pretty essential oil smells to my hair after the wash. Meaning, I can’t smell anything after my hair has dried.

Any tips to amplify and carry over those smells more intensely after the wash and condition process is done?

But, the secretary at my job, with whom I do share a small office said that I smell like essential oils. I thought she was smelling my perfume, not my hair.

For me, the scents hold well in oils or leave-in. If I am using a great leave-in it like a product from the Qhemet Biologics line I just use it "as is", but if I am using something more incomplete like plain aloe vera or a cheapie product from Walmart/CVS/the Dollar Store I will add a few ayurvedic and/or herbal powders(like fenugreek, aloe powder, alma powder, chebe, spirulina, etc) and spray/apply that on my hair once a week the seal it with homemade oil. My hair loves oils high in ceramides like safflower but there are others I keep in rotation like avocado and castor oil. Right now I have safflower, grapeseed, avocado, castor oil(Jamaican black and Haitian), sweet almond, pumpkin, jojoba, and argan in my bathroom. I take one carrier oil, add about 5-20 drops of essential oils and/or ayurvedic/herbal powders shake it up, and leave it in there while I use up the bottle. Spirulina stinks but my hair loves it and the carrier oils mask the smell. In most natural haircare videos I see people use cheesecloth, a stocking, a sock, or some type of strainer to remove the sediment from their oily/watery mixes. I do not. I keep the sediment right at the bottom of the bottle for however many weeks or months it takes to use the mixture. When the bottle/jar is all used up I turn the bottle upside down or reach into the jar to get the sediment out and grease my scalp with the sludge the night or the day before before wash day. Works great, stimulates the scalp, and rinses out fine.

 

[Chicoro]

For me, the scents hold well in oils or leave-in. If I am using a great leave-in it like a product from the Qhetmet biologics line I just use it as is, but if I am using something more incomplete like aloe vera or a cheapie product from Walmart/CVS/the Dollar Store. I will add a few Ayurvedic powders(like fenugreek, aloe powder, alma powder, chebe, spirulina, etc) and spray that on my hair once a week the seal it with homemade oil. My hair loves oils high in ceramides like safflower but there are others I keep in rotation like avocado and castor oil. Right now I have safflower, grapeseed, avocado castor oil(Jamaican black and Haitian), sweet almond, pumpkin, and Argan in my bathroom. I take one carrier oil, add about 5-20 drops of essential oils and/or ayurvedic powders shake it up, and leave it in there while I use up the bottle. Spirulina stinks but my hair loves it and the carrier oils mask the smell. On most natural haircare videos I see people use cheesecloth, a stocking a sock, or some type of strainer to remove the sediment from their mixes. I do not. I keep the sediment right at the bottom of the bottle for however many weeks or months it takes to use the mixture. When the bottle/jar is all used up I turn the bottle upside down or reach into the jar to get the sediment out and grease my scalp with the sludge the night or the day before before wash day. Works great and rinses out fine.

Your process sounds yummy and delicious!



Ooooo, look everyone!!!



Somebody got a new avatar!



And it is fabulous...I see you @Lylddlebit !

 

[snoop]

I do dilute them, but even lavender be tearing me up at times. My skin and body have different sensitivities at different times in my life. So, I stopped fighting it and just test everything every time I re-introduce back into my life.

Lavender is something else. I bought lavendar powder from a raw ingredients supplier, because they didn't have lavandin buds in stock. I asked them about how to use it and they said that you need to use less powder than buds. OK, cool. I think I used a teaspoon in a hair mask the first time I tried. I'm used to adding tablespoons of ayurvedic powders to make pastes and such. This thing had my head swimming. It's been sitting there since because I'm afraid that I still might get the reduced quantity wrong.

 

[Chicoro]

Lavender is something else. I bought lavendar powder from a raw ingredients supplier, because they didn't have lavandin buds in stock. I asked them about how to use it and they said that you need to use less powder than buds. OK, cool. I think I used a teaspoon in a hair mask the first time I tried. I'm used to adding tablespoons of ayurvedic powders to make pastes and such. This thing had my head swimming. It's been sitting there since because I'm afraid that I still might get the reduced quantity wrong.

Glad you were able to identify exactly what the offending ingredient was!

That brings up another valid point, the same ingredient in a different form can have a far different impact on you! But, you may not know until you try it, like in your case. The complexity of it all!

 

[Napp]

As I Am double butter isn’t hitting in this cold weather. My ends feel really hard and dry at the end of the day when I take down my bun. Looking for a nice cream or butter replacement that keeps my ends soft and moisturized.

 

[Chicoro]

As I Am double butter isn’t hitting in this cold weather. My ends feel really hard and dry at the end of the day when I take down my bun. Looking for a nice cream or butter replacement that keeps my ends soft and moisturized.

Glycerin? Layered with whipped Shea butter, maybe?

 

[GettingKinky]

Tomorrow I’m getting my grays dyed and then a blow out and trim. I can’t wait to do a thorough inspection of my hair in the blown out state.

I wish my stylist could do blow outs like this woman. Hers are so sleek. When my stylist does it they come out very puffy.

Lazhane Hightower on Instagram: "Service | The returning experience I always say thank God for growth, because I really thought I knew what I was doing. She would tell me over and over but I would not listen. Now years later, while I’m blow drying

136K likes, 595 comments - hairbynay247 on April 26, 2023: "Service | The returning experience I always say thank God for growth, because I really thought I knew what I was doing. She would tell me over and over but I would not listen. Now years later, while I’m blow drying that’s all I hear...

www.instagram.com

 

[Lylddlebit]

Tomorrow I’m getting my grays dyed and then a blow out and trim. I can’t wait to do a thorough inspection of my hair in the blown out state.

I wish my stylist could do blow outs like this woman. Hers are so sleek. When my stylist does it they come out very puffy.

Lazhane Hightower on Instagram: "Service | The returning experience I always say thank God for growth, because I really thought I knew what I was doing. She would tell me over and over but I would not listen. Now years later, while I’m blow drying

136K likes, 595 comments - hairbynay247 on April 26, 2023: "Service | The returning experience I always say thank God for growth, because I really thought I knew what I was doing. She would tell me over and over but I would not listen. Now years later, while I’m blow drying that’s all I hear...

www.instagram.com

Are you sure she isn’t just giving you a softer blowdry to make you comfortable and ease you into blow-drying? I can get pretty straight results like the clip, but If I were a friend or relative stretching your hair, I would give you a soft stretch based on your communicated concerns about heat damage and mechanical damage (not that you would automatically get damage, but I wouldn't want you to be worried the whole time about it and anxious for reversion come wash day). If my memory is correct it took a bit to work your way up to the blowdrying this year. Have you discussed getting a sleek blow-dry? Have you seen her blow dry another natural's hair? Would you be comfortable if she increased the tension and heat on the dryer to give you a smoother blow dry? If you want it, it may be worth discussing with her...especially if she is a stylist you trust and can see yourself seeing regularly.

 

[Chicoro]

Tomorrow I’m getting my grays dyed and then a blow out and trim. I can’t wait to do a thorough inspection of my hair in the blown out state.

I wish my stylist could do blow outs like this woman. Hers are so sleek. When my stylist does it they come out very puffy.

Lazhane Hightower on Instagram: "Service | The returning experience I always say thank God for growth, because I really thought I knew what I was doing. She would tell me over and over but I would not listen. Now years later, while I’m blow drying

136K likes, 595 comments - hairbynay247 on April 26, 2023: "Service | The returning experience I always say thank God for growth, because I really thought I knew what I was doing. She would tell me over and over but I would not listen. Now years later, while I’m blow drying that’s all I hear...

www.instagram.com

I am convinced that fresh cut, even, full ends make for THE BEST silk presses.

 

[Chicoro]

Are you sure she isn’t just giving you a softer blowdry to make you comfortable and ease you into blow-drying? I can get pretty straight results like the clip, but If I were a friend or relative stretching your hair, I would give you a soft stretch based on your communicated concerns about heat damage and mechanical damage (not that you would automatically get damage, but I wouldn't want you to be worried the whole time about it and anxious for reversion come wash day). If my memory is correct it took a bit to work your way up to the blowdrying this year. Have you discussed getting a sleek blow-dry? Have you seen her blow dry another natural's hair? Would you be comfortable if she increased the tension and heat on the dryer to give you a smoother blow dry? If you want it, it may be worth discussing with her...especially if she is a stylist you trust and can see yourself seeing regularly.

I wish I could. Do you find that the fresher ends, the better the silk press? Can you get straight results on hair that hasn't been trimmed recently, say about 6 months prior to the silk press? What is the ideal condition of your ends to get the BEST silk press on your head, from your experience, please? Thank you!

 

[Lylddlebit]

I wish I could. Do you find that the fresher ends, the better the silk press? Can you get straight results on hair that hasn't been trimmed recently, say about 6 months prior to the silk press? What is the ideal condition of your ends to get the BEST silk press on your head, from your experience, please? Thank you!

Funny enough, I gave myself bad ends at the end of 2021 and have been pressing as I please on my journey to regain what I consider good ends. Good ends allow me to style my hair well with less effort and work. Good ends will make my hair more precise and look fuller compared the the same length and bad ends. Good ends will allow me to style my hair and leave it alone until wash day rolls back around (be that a week or a month away), BUT heat and technique will still silk them and can make them look “good enough” when I don't consider them good and know the difference between them "passing" within a style compared to actually being healthy.

The caveat is I have been straightening my hair with the hot comb and curlers since I was a child, and I built up my marcel and flat iron skills as a young adult. All the years I spent “making it work” before I became good at it and before I figured out my favorite tools, products, and techniques, facilitates making sure my hair comes out nice no matter the state it is in. So I can reinforce that good ends press out easier. Good ends can remain strong and won't break with frequent pressing. Good ends retain tensile strength even when I am pressing back-to-back. Good ends can go longer between trims, BUT I can make the style hit right…even if I am working on my ends.

So the question on my styles won’t necessarily be if good ends will give me a better press because I know I can make my press hit right. However, to make hair that isn't healthy look good, I must use more treatments, and trim more often, baby my ends more, for a good result on hair that isn't healthy. I can use LESS product, effort, technique and time on LONGER, THICKER, HEALTHIER hair than what is used on hair I am nursing. This year there were times when I probably would have hard-pressed my hair, but I opted for softer presses because I knew I was getting rid of my unhealthy ends and wanted them to hold on a while longer until I was ready to let them go. With hair that is already healthy, I can get excellent results with less, time, effort, treatments, trims, and restrictions. With hair I am growing out and cleaning up, I have to do a lot more to make it look good. Being extra gentle with it, lessening manipulation, and lowering the heat can stretch needed cuts. I hope that makes sense. Healthy ends and hair are better, but I can make it work on the way to the destination lol. Let me know if you need me to clarify. I can get wordy and confusing.

ETA:
Attached is a screen capture from a post I made in last year's Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge to drive my point. Both pictures are from the same sleek and smooth press when my ends were in terrible condition. One was before I styled my hair, the other was after. The same week, same press. I wouldn't dare wear my hair out in the yellow jumpsuit with bad, unstyled ends. I still needed to cut off a lot of hair in the photo with the green tunic, but I was able to enjoy my hairstyle, wear my hair down, and look nice before I cut all that needed to come off. I have been gradually cutting off those bad ends. Every time I press my hair I cut off more and the thick parts get closer to the hemline. I should be done cutting by the end of this year and I have been enjoying my hair in straight, stretched, and natural styles throughout my setback. That is what I mean. I can silk my hair fine and style it well enough to wear and enjoy...even if it is in terrible shape lol.

 

[GettingKinky]

Are you sure she isn’t just giving you a softer blowdry to make you comfortable and ease you into blow-drying? I can get pretty straight results like the clip, but If I were a friend or relative stretching your hair, I would give you a soft stretch based on your communicated concerns about heat damage and mechanical damage (not that you would automatically get damage, but I wouldn't want you to be worried the whole time about it and anxious for reversion come wash day). If my memory is correct it took a bit to work your way up to the blowdrying this year. Have you discussed getting a sleek blow-dry? Have you seen her blow dry another natural's hair? Would you be comfortable if she increased the tension and heat on the dryer to give you a smoother blow dry? If you want it, it may be worth discussing with her...especially if she is a stylist you trust and can see yourself seeing regularly.

It’s true she knows I’m concerned about heat damage, but even back in the days when she would do my silk press her blow dry was very soft.
Since she is so good with the flat iron I don’t think she puts too much effort into the blow dry.

Maybe I’ll ask her if she can do a sleeker blowout this time.

 

[Chicoro]

Funny enough, I gave myself bad ends at the end of 2021 and have been pressing as I please on my journey to regain what I consider good ends. Good ends allow me to style my hair well with less effort and work. Good ends will make my hair more precise and look fuller compared the the same length and bad ends. Good ends will allow me to style my hair and leave it alone until wash day rolls back around (be that a week or a month away), BUT heat and technique will still silk them and can make them look “good enough” when I don't consider them good and know the difference between them "passing" within a style compared to actually being healthy.

The caveat is I have been straightening my hair with the hot comb and curlers since I was a child, and I built up my marcel and flat iron skills as a young adult. All the years I spent “making it work” before I became good at it and before I figured out my favorite tools, products, and techniques, facilitates making sure my hair comes out nice no matter the state it is in. So I can reinforce that good ends press out easier. Good ends can remain strong and won't break with frequent pressing. Good ends retain tensile strength even when I am pressing back-to-back. Good ends can go longer between trims, BUT I can make the style hit right…even if I am working on my ends.

So the question on my styles won’t necessarily be if good ends will give me a better press because I know I can make my press hit right. However, to make hair that isn't healthy look good, I must use more treatments, and trim more often, baby my ends more, for a good result on hair that isn't healthy. I can use LESS product, effort, technique and time on LONGER, THICKER, HEALTHIER hair than what is used on hair I am nursing. This year there were times when I probably would have hard-pressed my hair, but I opted for softer presses because I knew I was getting rid of my unhealthy ends and wanted them to hold on a while longer until I was ready to let them go. With hair that is already healthy, I can get excellent results with less, time, effort, treatments, trims, and restrictions. With hair I am growing out and cleaning up, I have to do a lot more to make it look good. Being extra gentle with it, lessening manipulation, and lowering the heat can stretch needed cuts. I hope that makes sense. Healthy ends and hair are better, but I can make it work on the way to the destination lol. Let me know if you need me to clarify. I can get wordy and confusing.

ETA:
Attached is a screen capture from a post I made in last year's Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge to drive my point. Both pictures are from the same sleek and smooth press when my ends were terrible. One was before I styled my hair the other was after. The same week, same press. I wouldn't dare wear my hair out in the yellow jumpsuit with bad ends unstyled. I still needed to cut off a lot of hair in the photo with the green tunic, but I was able to enjoy my hairstyle, wear my hair down, and look nice before I cut all that needed to go off. I have been gradually cutting off those bad ends. Every time I press my hair I cut off more and the thick parts get closer to the hemline. I should be done cutting by the end of this year and I have been enjoying my hair in straight, stretched, and natural styles throughout my setback. That is what I mean. I can sleek my hair fine and style it well enough to wear..., even if it is in terrible shape lol.

Ooo! Thank you for the visuals. I see you were stunting on 25 inch weaves back in 2022, as well! I love the length of your hair.Thank you for this detailed explanation!

I guess I need to get my skills on track because when I straighten 'bad ends' on my own head, this just serves to flatten and melt them. It's not a pretty sight at all.

 

[Chicoro]

It’s true she knows I’m concerned about heat damage, but even back in the days when she would do my silk press her blow dry was very soft.
Since she is so good with the flat iron I don’t think she puts too much effort into the blow dry.

Maybe I’ll ask her if she can do a sleeker blowout this time.

Would she be offended if you showed her the Instagram video, as an example of what you would like to have done to your hair?