Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2025

[Chicoro]

I've relegated any type of length checks to the end of each quarter. I'm pretty sure I'm retaining something but right now I can't tell whether I am making progress with my lower layers. And I really don't want to get obsessive about it. Instead of doing length checks, I've decided to measure progress in other ways, like being able to do 2 Bantu Knots in the back instead of the 4 I currently do. This makes more sense, because what I really ant is to be able to do certain styles with my hair.

I don't do much with my hair once I put it up for the week. I put on my cap at night and take it off in the morning. That is about it. But if I wear a barrette or banana clip to hold my twists, I may or may not take it out in the evening.

Last night I took out my barrette while sitting on the coach watching television. I was just playing around with the twist and thought, hmm, let me braid these all together. So I have 10 or so twists that I braided together and then was able to tuck the ends under. That is definitely progress because I know 6 months ago I could not do that. The braid is about 4 inches long.

I wouldn't wear it out or anything but it was nice to see that I can do that.

I don't know if I will make it this year but my 2 goals are
1. To be to just put in 2 strand twist and pull them all up into a bun. If I can get to even just the majority of the twist in a bun with leaving the front that would be a good milestone as well. But this would allow me the opportunity to rinse in twist.

2. Styling my flat twist all towards the back and then able to pull them together whether into a twist or braid or barrette and tuck them under.

Looking forward to what my hair achieves in the next 5 months.

Congratulations on your four inch long braid and your well earned progress! I am looking forward to the end of the quarter so I see that four (4) inch braid showing itself cute, healthy and long.

 

[Chicoro]

I’m hanging in there. Times and people are trying to the spirit and I’m trying not to be affected.
I’m currently still at CBL and my ends are still breaking off in little bits. I thought it was the Skala DCs that were adding too much protein to my hair, but it was my Aloe Hibiscus Rinse that is the culprit. The hibiscus is drying my hair out. I stopped using the DCs and used the rinse as a daily refresher, which is how I was able to finally deduce that it was the rinse not the DC.
I have now stopped using the rinse and I’m back to using diluted Infusium 23. My hair looks healthier with my new black hair, but I know I’m going to have to cut my hair at some point. For now I’m babying my ends and will keep my hair hidden in protective styles for the rest of the year. I’m not going to participate in silk press season this year.

I'm sorry that you are experiencing dryness and breakage. I am glad to hear that you have identified the culprit product. Now that you have eliminated it you, you can give your complete focus to nurturing and protecting your precious hair. One thing about you is that you know how to gain all-around- full, longer lengths. You have those processes down pat and can pull them out whenever you need to. Looking forward to seeing your updates.

 

[Chicoro]

@faithVA Life has certainly been lifing, but I give it to the LORD. I just been keeping it simple.

I hear you!

 

[Chicoro]

For those of you that wear WAGs, are you doing anything specific to take care of your ends? I never really focused on my ends while wearing WAGs, I used to baggy my ponytail, which meant that the length and ends were extremely moisturised everyday. Now I am no longer doing this, I'm thinking about ways to take care of my ends while in WAG.

Although I have had this current WAG in for 6 days, no refresh, my hair still feels moisturised. I do think that I was a little slap dash when I applied my leave in, so I'm definitely going to ensure I do it properly on my next wash day. This should increase the moisture levels throughout the next week.

I'm due a trim at the end of this month, I'm planing to just dust, hopefully I don't need to take off much. I've found a gel that gives me great definition, virtually frizz free, that lasts all week (The Doux Big Poppa), so this will mean minimal manipulation going forward as I will only have to do my hair once per week, without needing to refresh it anymore.

ETA: I am currently using silk bonnets and silk/satin Pillowcases, so ends are somewhat protected at night. I have tied my ponytail higher to keep my hair off my shoulders and stop it from rubbing against any fabric. Healthy ends = Better length retention so I'm trying to do whatever I can to help that along.

Sorry to hear about the breakage. Glad to hear that you could count the pieces that did break. That in itself is a good thing. I love the name of your hair gel!

 

[Angel of the North]

Affirm huh? Where do you get it? I could use some protein.

I'm in the UK, it's available at BSS, eBay and Amazon.