Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2024

[Chicoro]

This is the point or length where my hair breaks or disintegrates. It can go either way at this length. I think I may be okay after 13 years of setbacks and maybe two 4year break cycles. If I can safely make it passed this point successfully, then I got it! I can write 40 hair books because all them setbacks and hair loss will have helped me crack the code.

I got my fingers, paws and claws crossed! Wish me luck. The next three months for my ends will be critical.

 

[MzSwift]

This is the point or length where my hair breaks or disintegrates. It can go either way at this length. I think I may be okay after 13 years of setbacks and maybe two 4year break cycles. If I can safely make it passed this point successfully, then I got it! I can write 40 hair books because all them setbacks and hair loss will have helped me crack the code.

I got my fingers, paws and claws crossed! Wish me luck. The next three months for my ends will be critical.

You've got this, @Chicoro !

Adding my happy hair vibes and prayers to yours!!

 

[Chicoro]

You've got this, @Chicoro !

Adding my happy hair vibes and prayers to yours!!

Hope all is well with you and the little one.

 

[ScorpioLove]

This is the point or length where my hair breaks or disintegrates. It can go either way at this length. I think I may be okay after 13 years of setbacks and maybe two 4year break cycles. If I can safely make it passed this point successfully, then I got it! I can write 40 hair books because all them setbacks and hair loss will have helped me crack the code.

I got my fingers, paws and claws crossed! Wish me luck. The next three months for my ends will be critical.

Do you have a write up of all your set back causes somewhere?

All of my setbacks are a cause of other people/ hair dressers doing my hair (tight sewins, less gentle detangling, overprocessed relaxer).

 

[Chicoro]

Do you have a write up of all your set back causes somewhere?

All of my setbacks are a cause of other people/ hair dressers doing my hair (tight sewins, less gentle detangling, overprocessed relaxer).

I am sorry that you experienced setbacks and problems because of other people. My first setback which set me on this hair care journey was a haircut by a ‘stylist’ when I was 14. He basically said my hair was ugly and unhealthy. He combed my hair with a roughness and insensitivity that had me in tears in the chair. Lastly, he cut my hair to my shoulders and layered it. I would say about 12 inches. I felt powerless, defeated, small, regretful, coward and sad. After that, I vowed that I would not ever allow anyone to do what he did or make me feel that way-ever again.

I don’t have a write up, but I’ve got notes everywhere. In general, my problems or setbacks were caused by ME!

Poor product choices
Poor style choices
Lack of care of my hair
Lack of knowledge of my hair needs at that certain length, in that certain state.

The quote that I coined is this: Hair is Not rocket science. It is FAR more complex.

The aforementioned quote summarizes my setbacks in a nutshell. For me, hair is so complex with all its own nuances, it’s easier to make the wrong decision than it is to make the right decision about one’s hair. Hence, I personally have had so many setbacks and 99.9% were caused by me.

 

[newgrowth15]

I am sorry that you experienced setbacks and problems because of other people. My first setback which set me on this hair care journey was a haircut by a ‘stylist’ when I was 14. He basically said my hair was ugly and unhealthy. He combed my hair with a roughness and insensitivity that had me in tears in the chair. Lastly, he cut my hair to my shoulders and layered it. I would say about 12 inches. I felt powerless, defeated, small, regretful, coward and sad. After that, I vowed that I would not ever allow anyone to do what he did or make me feel that way-ever again.

I don’t have a write up, but I’ve got notes everywhere. In general, my problems or setbacks were caused by ME!

Poor product choices
Poor style choices
Lack of care of my hair
Lack of knowledge of my hair needs at that certain length, in that certain state.

The quote that I coined is this: Hair is Not rocket science. It is FAR more complex.

The aforementioned quote summarizes my setbacks in a nutshell. For me, hair is so complex with all its own nuances, it’s easier to make the wrong decision than it is to make the right decision about one’s hair. Hence, I personally have had so many setbacks and 99.9% were caused by me.

@Chicoro, I appreciate the fact that you have accepted responsibility for your part in your hair care journey. It helped me so much to realize what I could do to bring about change in my own hair care practices. As a result, I am experiencing strong growth and length retention with minimal splits and single strand knots.

I am due for my quarterly trim this month, so I will post pictures some time this week.

 

[Chicoro]

I don’t have a write up, but I’ve got notes everywhere. In general, my problems or setbacks were caused by ME!

Poor product choices
Poor style choices
Lack of care of my hair
Lack of knowledge of my hair needs at that certain length, in that certain state.

The quote that I coined is this: Hair is Not rocket science. It is FAR more complex.

@Chicoro, I appreciate the fact that you have accepted responsibility for your part in your hair care journey. It helped me so much to realize what I could do to bring about change in my own hair care practices. As a result, I am experiencing strong growth and length retention with minimal splits and single strand knots.

I am due for my quarterly trim this month, so I will post pictures some time this week.

Pitchas! Pitchas coming through! Can't wait to see them.

Thank you!

 

[MzSwift]

... so I will post pictures some time this week.

 

[newgrowth15]

Here is a comparison picture of my bun from October 2023 and September 2024. Also my 3rd quarterly trim for 2024.

 

[Carrie A]

Howdy, the last washdays have gone ok. My hair is less tangled overall but I still shed more than I'd like. It's hard to be sure what's shedding vs breakage. Also my hair is holding moisture so I'm pleased. I'm excited to hear the outcome of your fenugreek oil in ends experiment @Chicoro. I have this issue to. I use a dental cleaning tool I ordered from Amazon to untangle end knots. It works but I'd rather not have them in the first place. I get lazy and end up cutting off the knotted hair.

 

[Chicoro]

@Carrie A

For shedding, you may want to consider to try to put a 1 to 2 tablespoons of garlic powder, not garlic salt, in your conditioner and let it sit. Then rinse and condition again with nothing in the conditioner to remove any smell.

 

[Chicoro]

View attachment 498950Here is a comparison picture of my bun from October 2023 and September 2024. Also my 3rd quarterly trim for 2024.

Thick and full on the ends! The texture of your hair looks like it is very soft and silky, too. The shine on your straightened hair is deep and goes from root to tip. Lovely progress and pretty hair!

 

[newgrowth15]

@Chicoro, thank you. I only used Nexxus shampoo and conditioner and IC Fantasia Heat Protector to blow dry and straighten my hair this time. This is the first time in my life that I have kept up with quarterly trims. I didn't have any splits and only a few SSKs in my kitchen area . My last trim for the year will be in December.

 

[Chicoro]

@Chicoro, thank you. I only used Nexxus shampoo and conditioner and IC Fantasia Heat Protector to blow dry and straighten my hair this time. This is the first time in my life that I have kept up with quarterly trims. I didn't have any splits and only a few SSKs in my kitchen area . My last trim for the year will be in December.

Bravo regarding no splits! That in itself is an incredible accomplishment.


Quarterly trims can be quite effective especially when they are strategically employed, ie knowing how much to cut and knowing how to do the same process consistently each time one trims.

 

[MzSwift]

@newgrowth15



Look at your bun progression! By next year, you won't be able to properly drive, your bun will be so big!

 

[newgrowth15]

@newgrowth15



Look at your bun progression! By next year, you won't be able to properly drive, your bun will be so big!

I was just thinking it's time to get a satin bonnet for the headrest in my car to keep my hair from rubbing against it.

 

[keranikki]

After some neglect, I finally got around to trimming my ends. I think I should have cut a little bit more, but time will tell. The first photo (flat-ironed) is from last week. The second photo is from January of this year (blow-dried).

 

[newgrowth15]

After some neglect, I finally got around to trimming my ends. I think I should have cut a little bit more, but time will tell. The first photo (flat-ironed) is from last week. The second photo is from January of this year (blow-dried).

Your hair looks thick and healthy @keranikki.

 

[keranikki]

Your hair looks thick and healthy @keranikki.

Thank you! I was thinking that I was a bit delusional about the changes (gains). I believe I can still finish strong, even though I may not make it to APL before December.

 

[Lylddlebit]

Thank you! I was thinking that I was a bit delusional about the changes (gains). I believe I can still finish strong, even though I may not make it to APL before December.

I see the improvement too. You hair looks great!

 

[GettingKinky]

My hair is blown out so I measured it to see if I’m retaining length. But I think my blowout this time isn’t as straight as my blow out last time so I’m not sure the measurements are a fair comparison. I think I’m retaining length, but since my hair is never straight straight it’s really hard to tell. I think I need a length check shirt. Do they still sell those?

 

[newgrowth15]

@GettingKinky, your hair looks about 2 to 3 inches longer in the October picture. You can get a measurement tee from Amazon or Walmart.com.

 

[MzSwift]

Thank you! I was thinking that I was a bit delusional about the changes (gains). I believe I can still finish strong, even though I may not make it to APL before December.

I absolutely see your gains!! KUTGW!!

 

[MzSwift]

@GettingKinky

Your hair looks further down past your shoulders to me! Looks like great progress for just 4 months!

Maybe you can get someone to do a pull down in the back for you? As a fellow lady who rarely wears my hair straight, I depend on my pull down tests for proper analysis.

 

[GettingKinky]

@GettingKinky

Your hair looks further down past your shoulders to me! Looks like great progress for just 4 months!

Maybe you can get someone to do a pull down in the back for you? As a fellow lady who rarely wears my hair straight, I depend on my pull down tests for proper analysis.

I’ve actually been measuring my hair in 8 different sections with a cloth measuring tape, but based on those numbers my hair hasn’t grown much at all. I think it’s really hard to do that in repeatable way.
A pull test with a length check T-shirt is probably quicker and easier.

 

[newgrowth15]

I’ve actually been measuring my hair in 8 different sections with a cloth measuring tape, but based on those numbers my hair hasn’t grown much at all. I think it’s really hard to do that in repeatable way.
A pull test with a length check T-shirt is probably quicker and easier.

Is it possible that the way you wear your hair on a daily basis could be causing your ends to snap off, since you said you didn't see much growth with the tape measure? It sounds more like a retention issue, rather than a growth issue.

 

[GettingKinky]

Is it possible that the way you wear your hair on a daily basis could be causing your ends to snap off, since you said you didn't see much growth with the tape measure? It sounds more like a retention issue, rather than a growth issue.

I don’t see short broken hairs around the house or when I wash my hair, but it’s possible. I don’t check my ball of shed hair when I detangle on wash day for short broken hairs. I’m hoping that my measurements are just not so accurate because each time my hair is blow dried the straightness varies.

 

[Chicoro]

Ya'll up in here posting some pictures. You know I'm coming in ready to look and see.

 

[Chicoro]

After some neglect, I finally got around to trimming my ends. I think I should have cut a little bit more, but time will tell. The first photo (flat-ironed) is from last week. The second photo is from January of this year (blow-dried).

@keranikki ,
In your most recent picture, it looks like your hair is hanging longer and 'heavier'. When hair starts to get that heavier look, even if the style is straightened, that means the health of the hair is changing and that change is positive. Don't forget, in 2024 you had several set-backs that you mentioned. Yet, and stil, your hair has gained MORE lenght and health. You didn't ask me, but I personally would not more length. Just keep the hair at it's current length and continue to trim to the hair is completely even. That way, you retain your length and address the hair that is growing toward your ends or growing toward the hemline. Your hair looks LONG to me. That's my 2 cents.

 

[Chicoro]

My hair is blown out so I measured it to see if I’m retaining length. But I think my blowout this time isn’t as straight as my blow out last time so I’m not sure the measurements are a fair comparison. I think I’m retaining length, but since my hair is never straight straight it’s really hard to tell. I think I need a length check shirt. Do they still sell those?

View attachment 499052

@GettingKinky ,

The pictures are different enough because one of the key points of reference is not visible. In the October 2024 picture your right shoulder is outside of the picture. As a result, one can easily miss the fact that the nape hair has undeniably DROPPED in length and gained at least an inch if not 2 inches.

Also, the position of your head is not the same. In the October 2024 picture, you have 'removed' some length because your head is straighter or more upright. In the June 2024 picture your head is leaning back or your chin is up in the air a bit more. Hence, there is probably more than 2 inches of length gained in October as was stated up thread.

Lastly, with the aforementioned things such as head position and the fact the hair in October clearly shows it is touching lower on your back, and add the fact that you say the hair is LESS straight in October, that means you have some 'hidden inches' and/or you have 'left some inches on the table unmeasured'.

I don't see breakage or length stagnation. I see progress and length gains.