Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2025

[Angel of the North]

In just 3 days (72 hours) this thread has added 117 posts! No wonder I can’t keep up, but I love it!!

I wasn't even gone that long, found me the same thing. It took a good while to catch up, I will not longer be leaving this thread unchecked for longer than 24 hours, if I can help it.

 

[GettingKinky]

@GettingKinky What was your process and technique for blow drying your hair?

I took notes for myself so I will remember when I try again in 3-6 months.

My biggest issues were applying enough tension and being able to orient the dryer correctly - looking in the mirror is very confusing. And my ends didn’t really get straight they remained very crinkly. I’m hoping @MzSwift suggestion of using a protein DC next time will help

Here are the steps I followed. I’m looking for any suggestions that will help me get a smoother straighter result with less reversion.

• Washed with Briogeo Aloe & Oat followed by Bekura Fatty Coconut hair froth
• DC’d with Briogeo Avocado + Kiwi mega moisture mask
• Detangled with wide tooth comb followed by detangling brush
• Applied Kinky Curly Knot Today leave-in
• Applied Briogeo Farewell Frizz blowdry perfection & heat protection crème - 1 quarter size dollop per half head of hair
• Applied Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum - 3 pumps per half head of hair
• Split hair into 11 sections (bantu knots)
• Blowdried each section with concentrator nozzle on dryer and using either FL or babyliss brush to apply tension

 

[Chicoro]

Make that a 3-1 I also think @pikkonoloidlee braids look cute, whilst also giving me a protective style inspiration

 

[Chicoro]

I wasn't even gone that long, found me the same thing. It took a good while to catch up, I will not longer be leaving this thread unchecked for longer than 24 hours, if I can help it.

What happens when you stay away from this thread too long. You get
left behind.

But let us know, though! Because then, we'll come back for you!

Especially if your hair is cute! Anything for a set up to see some hair pictures and updates...

 

[Meritamen]

Did a at-home keratin straightening treatment on my hair recently. After the 24 hour wait, I washed, deep conditioned, and blow dried my hair. It was so easy to detangle, like zero effort. I decided against a relaxer because I like my curl pattern plus I color my hair jet black to darken my hair. I'm wonder are there other at-home treatments available that give the hair smoothness without altering the curl pattern too much?

I love that it took no time at all to detangle or blow dry but eventually I will miss my kinky coils. My hair is very weak prone to breakage (my bangs have and crown area break off easily for years) no matter how I detangle it and I'm not interested in spending forever finger detangling. It's going to be summer soon so I will have to wash and detangle my hair more often which I'm not looking forward to.

 

[Chicoro]

Did a at-home keratin straightening treatment on my hair recently. After the 24 hour wait, I washed, deep conditioned, and blow dried my hair. It was so easy to detangle, like zero effort. I decided against a relaxer because I like my curl pattern plus I color my hair jet black to darken my hair. I'm wonder are there other at-home treatments available that give the hair smoothness without altering the curl pattern too much?

I love that it took no time at all to detangle or blow dry but eventually I will miss my kinky coils. My hair is very weak prone to breakage (my bangs have and crown area break off easily for years) no matter how I detangle it and I'm not interested in spending forever finger detangling. It's going to be summer soon so I will have to wash and detangle my hair more often which I'm not looking forward to.

Congratulations on your easy detangling session!
Which product did you use for your keratin treatment?

 

[BeautifulRoots]

I took notes for myself so I will remember when I try again in 3-6 months.

My biggest issues were applying enough tension and being able to orient the dryer correctly - looking in the mirror is very confusing. And my ends didn’t really get straight they remained very crinkly. I’m hoping @MzSwift suggestion of using a protein DC next time will help

Here are the steps I followed. I’m looking for any suggestions that will help me get a smoother straighter result with less reversion.

• Washed with Briogeo Aloe & Oat followed by Bekura Fatty Coconut hair froth
• DC’d with Briogeo Avocado + Kiwi mega moisture mask
• Detangled with wide tooth comb followed by detangling brush
• Applied Kinky Curly Knot Today leave-in
• Applied Briogeo Farewell Frizz blowdry perfection & heat protection crème - 1 quarter size dollop per half head of hair
• Applied Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum - 3 pumps per half head of hair
• Split hair into 11 sections (bantu knots)
• Blowdried each section with concentrator nozzle on dryer and using either FL or babyliss brush to apply tension

I have not caught up with the thread yet, so forgive me if this was already suggested.

Are there any humectants in your leave in products, heat protectants or serums?

Humectant ingredients in leave in products can attract water to the hair which may result in a frizzier blowout. Things like glycerin, honey, etc. For my hair, I have to steer clear of any and all humectants when blow drying. Even propylene glycol and aloe vera ingredients in leave in products make my blowouts notably frizzier, puffier, and not as sleek.

This is only for leave ins, serums, and heat protectants (anything you leave on your hair). My hair is fine if the humectants are in my deep conditioner or anything I am rinsing out before leave ins. The humectant thing is also important if you happen to live in a humid climate.

Also, my smoothest blowouts are when I use a blowdry paddle brush (revlon). I have other blow dryers like the revair and a professional blow dryer with concentrator nozzle + separate brush, but the blowdry brush gets my hair the smoothest out of the three.

 

[Meritamen]

Congratulations on your easy detangling session!
Which product did you use for your keratin treatment?

Thanks!! I used ANSWR Keratin Hair Treatment since it seems simpler than other treatments being that it's a spray.

 

[GettingKinky]

I have not caught up with the thread yet, so forgive me if this was already suggested.

Are there any humectants in your leave in products?

Humectant ingredients in leave ins can attract water to the hair which may result in a frizzier blowout. Things like glycerin, honey, etc. For my hair, I have to steer clear of any and all humectants when blow drying. Even propylene glycol and aloe vera ingredients in leave in products make my blowouts notably frizzier, puffier, and not as sleek.

This is only for leave ins and serums, my hair is fine if the humectants are in my deep conditioner or anything I am rinsing out before leave ins. The humectant thing is also important if you happen to live in a humid climate.

Also, my smoothest blowouts are when I use a blowdry paddle brush (revlon). I have other blow dryers like the revair and a professional blow dryer with concentrator nozzle + separate brush, but the blowdry brush gets my hair the smoothest out of the three.

That’s a good tip. I don’t believe any of the products I used for my blow out have humectants in them.
Does the blow dryer brush have nylon bristles or boar bristles?

 

[BeautifulRoots]

That’s a good tip. I don’t believe any of the products I used for my blow out have humectants in them.
Does the blow dryer brush have nylon bristles or boar bristles?

The bristles are plastic, I think. They are the same material as a traditional paddle brush with the little balls on the end.

 

[faithVA]

That’s a good tip. I don’t believe any of the products I used for my blow out have humectants in them.
Does the blow dryer brush have nylon bristles or boar bristles?

Would you consider kinky Curly heavy in humectants? Just asking. That brand itself leans towards keeping the hair moisturized for curly styles.

This may not apply to you but it was something I used to do back in the day. Make sure the room you blow dry in isn't too warm. If your scalp/body is hot it can lead to sweat out the blow out while you are doing it.

When i cared I would crack a window, use a fan, anything to bring the room temperature down so my body felt a little cool.

 

[pikkonoloidlee]

Make that a 3-1 I also think @pikkonoloidlee braids look cute, whilst also giving me a protective style inspiration

I guess I'll never say my hair isn't cute again, lol.

Thank you

 

[pikkonoloidlee]

I took notes for myself so I will remember when I try again in 3-6 months.

My biggest issues were applying enough tension and being able to orient the dryer correctly - looking in the mirror is very confusing. And my ends didn’t really get straight they remained very crinkly. I’m hoping @MzSwift suggestion of using a protein DC next time will help

Here are the steps I followed. I’m looking for any suggestions that will help me get a smoother straighter result with less reversion.

• Washed with Briogeo Aloe & Oat followed by Bekura Fatty Coconut hair froth
• DC’d with Briogeo Avocado + Kiwi mega moisture mask
• Detangled with wide tooth comb followed by detangling brush
• Applied Kinky Curly Knot Today leave-in
• Applied Briogeo Farewell Frizz blowdry perfection & heat protection crème - 1 quarter size dollop per half head of hair
• Applied Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum - 3 pumps per half head of hair
• Split hair into 11 sections (bantu knots)
• Blowdried each section with concentrator nozzle on dryer and using either FL or babyliss brush to apply tension

To me the aphogee keratin and green tea restructurizer is top notch for straightening. I use it as my leave in. So far I get the best results with that one in particular.

 

[Lylddlebit]

I took notes for myself so I will remember when I try again in 3-6 months.

My biggest issues were applying enough tension and being able to orient the dryer correctly - looking in the mirror is very confusing. And my ends didn’t really get straight they remained very crinkly. I’m hoping @MzSwift suggestion of using a protein DC next time will help

Here are the steps I followed. I’m looking for any suggestions that will help me get a smoother straighter result with less reversion.

• Washed with Briogeo Aloe & Oat followed by Bekura Fatty Coconut hair froth
• DC’d with Briogeo Avocado + Kiwi mega moisture mask
• Detangled with wide tooth comb followed by detangling brush
• Applied Kinky Curly Knot Today leave-in
• Applied Briogeo Farewell Frizz blowdry perfection & heat protection crème - 1 quarter size dollop per half head of hair
• Applied Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum - 3 pumps per half head of hair
• Split hair into 11 sections (bantu knots)
• Blowdried each section with concentrator nozzle on dryer and using either FL or babyliss brush to apply tension

The 'Knot Today" did it. Bontanical gels will draw moistue into your stretched hair from the air to poof up you blow dry. All other things equal, removing the 'Knot Today" will allow your next blow dry to last longer. You have a good foundation.

 

[Lylddlebit]

I have not caught up with the thread yet, so forgive me if this was already suggested.

Are there any humectants in your leave in products, heat protectants or serums?

Humectant ingredients in leave in products can attract water to the hair which may result in a frizzier blowout. Things like glycerin, honey, etc. For my hair, I have to steer clear of any and all humectants when blow drying. Even propylene glycol and aloe vera ingredients in leave in products make my blowouts notably frizzier, puffier, and not as sleek.

This is only for leave ins, serums, and heat protectants (anything you leave on your hair). My hair is fine if the humectants are in my deep conditioner or anything I am rinsing out before leave ins. The humectant thing is also important if you happen to live in a humid climate.

Also, my smoothest blowouts are when I use a blowdry paddle brush (revlon). I have other blow dryers like the revair and a professional blow dryer with concentrator nozzle + separate brush, but the blowdry brush gets my hair the smoothest out of the three.

Yep exactly!

 

[Lylddlebit]

@GettingKinky
Organic Mango Fruit Extract, Organic Slippery Elm, Organic Marshmallow Root, Organic Lemongrass, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol and Natural Fragrance

The bolded ingredients are very effective humectants within Knot Today. @BeautifulRoots called it. If you remove the botanical gels from your process, the other products you described within your process will work much better. Your regimen was solid. The Knot Today has just undermined it. When you apply a botanical gel to hair and dry it, that product attracts water from the air and poofs your stretch. On a wash-and-go, it can plump your results for a desirable effect, but if you are going for sleek, you will want to remove the botanical gels from the blow-dry process. I have made the same mistake with my favorite leave-in when I was learning to staighten my hair. It gets better with a few tweaks.

 

[GettingKinky]

Would you consider kinky Curly heavy in humectants? Just asking. That brand itself leans towards keeping the hair moisturized for curly styles.

This may not apply to you but it was something I used to do back in the day. Make sure the room you blow dry in isn't too warm. If your scalp/body is hot it can lead to sweat out the blow out while you are doing it.

When i cared I would crack a window, use a fan, anything to bring the room temperature down so my body felt a little cool.

I didn’t think KCKT had humectant ingredients but ChatGPT says slippery elm and marshmallow root are humectant like. Next time I’ll leave the KCKT out. I was using it to try and give weight to my hair and it didn’t so no need to include it next time.

 

[GettingKinky]

@Lylddlebit I had just answered @faithVA and then I went back and saw that you had already responded about the KCKT. For sure I will leave it out next time.

 

[GettingKinky]

@Lylddlebit I had just answered @faithVA and then I went back and saw that you had already responded about the KCKT. For sure I will leave it out next time.

 

[Chicoro]

To me the aphogee keratin and green tea restructurizer is top notch for straightening. I use it as my leave in. So far I get the best results with that one in particular.

Which one?

The Aphogee Keratin or the Green Tea Reconstructor?

Or that one, as in the "Aphogee", product line.

 

[pikkonoloidlee]

Which one?

The Aphogee Keratin or the Green Tea Reconstructor?

Or that one, as in the "Aphogee", product line.

Aphogee as the product line and keratin and green tea restructurizer as the name of the product.

Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer - ApHogee Hair Care

The Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer is a moisturizing leave-in spray infused with strengthening keratin proteins and green tea extract. This one step hydrating and styling formula helps reduce breakage from styling. FEATURES & BENEFITS Restores keratin proteins to hair Helps reduce...

aphogee.com

 

[GGsKin]

I took notes for myself so I will remember when I try again in 3-6 months.

My biggest issues were applying enough tension and being able to orient the dryer correctly - looking in the mirror is very confusing. And my ends didn’t really get straight they remained very crinkly. I’m hoping @MzSwift suggestion of using a protein DC next time will help

Here are the steps I followed. I’m looking for any suggestions that will help me get a smoother straighter result with less reversion.

• Washed with Briogeo Aloe & Oat followed by Bekura Fatty Coconut hair froth
• DC’d with Briogeo Avocado + Kiwi mega moisture mask
• Detangled with wide tooth comb followed by detangling brush
• Applied Kinky Curly Knot Today leave-in
• Applied Briogeo Farewell Frizz blowdry perfection & heat protection crème - 1 quarter size dollop per half head of hair
• Applied Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum - 3 pumps per half head of hair
• Split hair into 11 sections (bantu knots)
• Blowdried each section with concentrator nozzle on dryer and using either FL or babyliss brush to apply tension

You applied 3 products before your blow dry. I see folks have already addressed the humectants in the Kinky Curly product especially so sorry if this is repetitive lol. I would say to use less leave-ins if you want a blow dry that doesn’t swell so quickly. With regards to technique, with the dryer on high speed and med- high heat, the focus should be more stretching with the brush as opposed to actual brushing of the hair when using the dryer. I like to focus on slow dragging movements with the brush, while directing the concentrator towards the stretched section of hair, slowly working down the length, from roots to ends. Try to keep the tension by holding the ends of the hair, as the brush moves towards your ends. I hope that makes sense.

The next time I try, I too will use @MzSwift tip of using a protein DC (hopefully I will remember to DC next time lol)

 

[Chicoro]

I guess I'll never say my hair isn't cute again, lol.

Thank you

Say it again, please:

Good decision.

 

[Chicoro]

I didn’t think KCKT had humectant ingredients but ChatGPT says slippery elm and marshmallow root are humectant like. Next time I’ll leave the KCKT out. I was using it to try and give weight to my hair and it didn’t so no need to include it next time.

For these priceless, gold nugget realizations

and tips from the collective.





​

 

[Lylddlebit]

@Lylddlebit I had just answered @faithVA and then I went back and saw that you had already responded about the KCKT. For sure I will leave it out next time.

Yeah. You've got it, your regimen is solid. So, it just needs small tweaks and tailoring instead of an overhaul,

 

[Chicoro]

Yeah. You've got it, your regimen is solid. So, it just needs small tweaks and tailoring instead of an overhaul,

It's those needed tweaks that hide in plain sight and are very hard to discern and see. The simple, small things can easily elude you. That's why it's so beneficial to have so many eyes on something at one time, collectively analyzing a situation.

 

[Chicoro]

I noticed that I had more split ends and knots in my hair this time around.

• The first change was that I extended the trim time from 3 months to 4.
• The second change was that I used more Vaseline on my ends this time than Shea butter. Although Vaseline is occlusive and can hold in moisture well, I think I'm going exclusively with Shea butter on my ends from this point forward.
  • Vaseline coated hair that dries out is more detrimental to the ends of my hair because Vaseline seals the moisture in hair when it's wet, it also seals the moisture OUT of the hair once the hair dries. Vaseline requires a bit more care and conistency to ensure the hair doesn't dry out.
  • Shea butter may a bit more giving in the sense that if and when my Shea butter coated hair dries out, it is not as extreme as it is with the Vaseline.

 

[Angel of the North]

Aphogee as the product line and keratin and green tea restructurizer as the name of the product.

Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer - ApHogee Hair Care

The Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer is a moisturizing leave-in spray infused with strengthening keratin proteins and green tea extract. This one step hydrating and styling formula helps reduce breakage from styling. FEATURES & BENEFITS Restores keratin proteins to hair Helps reduce...

aphogee.com

I really like this as a milder protein boost, it doesn't give me protein overload.

 

[pikkonoloidlee]

I really like this as a milder protein boost, it doesn't give me protein overload.

I just had a thought about some of the conversations earlier in the thread and I wonder if the protein as well as how light it is in the hair is part of the reason why it works so well for heat styling.

 

[GettingKinky]

You applied 3 products before your blow dry. I see folks have already addressed the humectants in the Kinky Curly product especially so sorry if this is repetitive lol. I would say to use less leave-ins if you want a blow dry that doesn’t swell so quickly. With regards to technique, with the dryer on high speed and med- high heat, the focus should be more stretching with the brush as opposed to actual brushing of the hair when using the dryer. I like to focus on slow dragging movements with the brush, while directing the concentrator towards the stretched section of hair, slowly working down the length, from roots to ends. Try to keep the tension by holding the ends of the hair, as the brush moves towards your ends. I hope that makes sense.

The next time I try, I too will use @MzSwift tip of using a protein DC (hopefully I will remember to DC next time lol)

I had such a hard time figuring out how to angle the blow dryer/concentrator so that the air was blowing in the same direction as my strands. Looking in the mirror and trying to figure how to move my hands was so confusing. I felt soooo uncoordinated.