Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2025

[GraceJones]

In 2024 I did a record five (5) trims. The first was in early January to start the year. The next ones were in March, June, September and then December.

I do not cut. I trim off just the very bottom of the hair. I try to section the hair exactly in the same sections with the same quantity of hair with every trim.

@keranikki is the one who changed my views on frequent trims. She has a method and maybe if we ask her nicely, she may drop in and grace us with her time and give us a detailed explanation with visuals!

I personally could see a huge difference in my hair with the third trim in June and the fourth trim in September.

Blowing my hair out in conjunction with the trims is what provided the incredible visual where I was able to clearly see my own length gains.

Danger: Trimming your own hair with good results is a learned skill!

I finally learned to confidently trim my hair myself in 2024, with good results . This was hugely gratifying and freeing.

Now, I’m 100% independent of a stylist. I can do everything myself, to my satisfaction.

Lastly, my blow drying results got better each time I blow dried before a trim in 2024. That is a skill, too. AND each person has a preferred technique, tools and process.

I learned the hard way that I have to have a comb attachment on my blow dryer. And, I must use hot air and high heat. And, I must dry my hair in 16 to 25 small sections. And, I must use a spray bottle with water to mist every section before I begin to blow it out, or it won’t turn out well.

All of this took time , and trial and error and analysis.

Again, hair, especially Afro hair, is complex.

If you are trying to find your way with your hair and ends, please be patient with yourself. Please give yourself grace. Please be gentle and kind to yourself.

Some people find their way quickly and are able to stay on a growth track for their entire luscious ends journey.

Then there are those of us, like myself, who have been riding this train for years and getting off track every 5 miles on a 1000 mile journey. It is what it is.

If you want them luscious ends, then you must be willing to be able to learn and listen to the wisdom and learn the language of your own hair.

As with any ‘foreign’ language one is trying to acquire, different from your own mother tongue, it takes time to become fluent for most people.

So, set your expectations accordingly.

Strap in tightly, I can FEEL 2024 is going to be filled with hair changing AHA moments and hair transformative epiphanies.

The real question is, “Are YOU ready to step into your Higher Self and attain those luscious, healthy hair ends in 2025?”

How did you learn to trim by yourself? What scissors do you use?

 

[Chicoro]

How did you learn to trim by yourself? What scissors do you use?

For me it was difficult. I did it by trial and error and lost half my hair in 2012 due to doing it wrong. After that I learned fearfully until I got it right. I just bought scissors from the beauty supply and only use those scissors for my hair nothing else.

 

[Chicoro]

I See We 'Bout to Go to School Again Up in Here!...

Take Notes....

That's right! Pay attention...or else! No distractions of ANY kind are permitted!

 

[Chicoro]

Back to bunning for me. I had to reach in my personal archives to see why I didn’t have breakage back in the day but did when I was going natural. The key was using creamy deep conditioner to slick back my hair and co washed it multiple times a week.

I used to love the Brazilian deep conditioners as my leave ins but once they started making products for the USA their unique formulas became just a base with different oils in them way down the ingredient list.

I tried Skala but it just didn’t hit like my old school Novex.

I just tried a cream from another brand called Skafe. I remember it because there was a user back in the day who had fire curls using an skafe sos natu hair combing cream. I still could not find this particular cream so I tried a combing cream from the brand.

Y’all it’s like I went back in time. My hair was so slick and when it dried my waves were so damn shiny. I didn’t add any thing else but the cream. Not only that my hair dried rather quickly and stayed that way.

I’m giving wash and goes a break for now and I and enjoying this bun season. My curls won’t come out to play till the spring.

10 Points for maintaining documentation AND 5 points for being able to go back to it and find it when you need it!

 

[BeautifulRoots]

I finally learned to confidently trim my hair myself in 2024, with good results . This was hugely gratifying and freeing.

Now, I’m 100% independent of a stylist. I can do everything myself, to my satisfaction.

Congrats! That is a huge win for maintaining your hair's health. You're so right. It is freeing to learn to trim yourself and not be dependent on a stylist.

I also learned how to trim my own hair in 2024 for this exact reason. In years prior, I was often stressed about going to a stylist for a trim. I was concerned that they would be scissor happy and hack away years of progress.

 

[Chicoro]

Congrats! That is a huge win for maintaining your hair's health. You're so right. It is freeing to learn to trim yourself and not be dependent on a stylist.

I also learned how to trim my own hair in 2024 for this exact reason. In years prior, I was often stressed about going to a stylist for a trim. I was concerned that they would be scissor happy and hack away years of progress.

Thank you and Congratulations to you, too!

Fear of someone cutting off my progress was the reason I was always so hyper vigilant when I went to go get my hair done. The last time I got my hair professionally done and trimmed was in 2014.

The stylist embarrassed me.

She was like, "What is your problem?" I kept trying to verify how much she was going to cut. I was in France.

There was another woman in the shop sitting in the middle of a process in a chair, waiting for the next step. She laughed and thought the situation was amusing. I did not find it amusing at all. The laughter wasn't the kind where the person is chuckling along with you. It was the kind of laughter where you feel judged and mocked.

I said NEVER AGAIN. Sadly, I did not start trimming my hair regularly and confidently until 10 years later. My hair suffered but I refused to get my hair done and feel humiliated by an onlooker who knew NOTHING about afro-textured hair. The stylist did a good job but I hate super straight hair on me and super blunt ends on me.

 

[Chicoro]

Daily Rinsing + Baggy on Head at Night vs No Daily Rinsing w/ Baggy on Head at Night vs Spritzing Hair Lightly w/ Baggy on Head Nightly
( @GGsKin Scenario 1) ( @MzSwift Scenario 2) ( @Chicoro Scenario 3)

All three (3) of these scenarios are slightly different. But it seems that all three of us have had the same positive result. Hair that stayed relatively moist and retention of almost all the length that we gained while performing our respective processes.


Here again, lies the Devil in the details. It seems that all three of these scenarios can produce and have produced similar results for its three separate users. I think @GGsKin used wigs/. @MzSwift used skull caps and I @Chicoro used nothing on the whole head during the day. BUT, I rolled up my ends and greased them and secured them with coated rubber bands. Slightly different methodologies for protecting the ends (wig, skullcap, rolled ends)

Any of these variations could cause breakage for someone and all of them could cause someone to have retention , as was the case for all three of us.

So, it really comes down to discovering what methodology works best in YOUR lifestyle and what method your hair scalp, edges and length prefer as well and how do you prefer to style your hair.

I am not sure but I THINK @GGsKin and @MzSwift both washed their hair in the same braids. I personally ABSOLUTELY can't do that. My hair would be matted and dreaded if I washed my hair in braids that were older than one or two days.

Again, the point in all this is that there are so many variables to how to perform processes, even those that seem the same on the surface. You must be meticulous with every aspect of your process, especially if you are trying to determine why you are having breakage.

Conversely, you must also be meticulous with your observations and processes if you are trying to reach new lengths of which you have never reached before. Or attain health on the ends, as many of us are trying to do, which you never attained before.


I say it all the time, "Hair is NOT rocket science, it is far MORE complex!"

Be patient with yourself and obtaining those luscious ends. It is NOT an intuitive process by any means. The example with our process variations I documented above exemplifies this.

I think a lot of the frustration that women with afro-textured hair have extends from the expectation that it should be 'easy' to gain length on our afro hair. It can't be that hard, right? Why is it so hard? What is the issue?

But again, it really is complex. It doesn't mean that doing your hair has to be cumbersome. But what it can mean is that going from where you are today as it relates to the length and health of your hair to getting to where you want to go/be tomorrow as it relates to the length and health of your hair MAY be a cumbersome process strewn with confusing clues.

Once you get there, and look back in retrospect, the road may be crystal clear. But until you get there, that journey may be rough, arduous long and riddled with obstacles and setbacks and painful disappointments.

I KNOW because I was THERE! And for a LONG TIME, too.

 

[faithVA]

Daily Rinsing + Baggy on Head at Night vs No Daily Rinsing w/ Baggy on Head at Night vs Spritzing Hair Lightly w/ Baggy on Head Nightly
( @GGsKin Scenario 1) ( @MzSwift Scenario 2) ( @Chicoro Scenario 3)

All three (3) of these scenarios are slightly different. But it seems that all three of us have had the same positive result. Hair that stayed relatively moist and retention of almost all the length that we gained while performing our respective processes.


Here again, lies the Devil in the details. It seems that all three of these scenarios can produce and have produced similar results for its three separate users. I think @GGsKin used wigs/. @MzSwift used skull caps and I @Chicoro used nothing on the whole head during the day. BUT, I rolled up my ends and greased them and secured them with coated rubber bands. Slightly different methodologies for protecting the ends (wig, skullcap, rolled ends)

Any of these variations could cause breakage for someone and all of them could cause someone to have retention , as was the case for all three of us.

So, it really comes down to discovering what methodology works best in YOUR lifestyle and what method your hair scalp, edges and length prefer as well and how do you prefer to style your hair.

I am not sure but I THINK @GGsKin and @MzSwift both washed their hair in the same braids. I personally ABSOLUTELY can't do that. My hair would be matted and dreaded if I washed my hair in braids that were older than one or two days.

Again, the point in all this is that there are so many variables to how to perform processes, even those that seem the same on the surface. You must be meticulous with every aspect of your process, especially if you are trying to determine why you are having breakage.

Conversely, you must also be meticulous with your observations and processes if you are trying to reach new lengths of which you have never reached before. Or attain health on the ends, as many of us are trying to do, which you never attained before.


I say it all the time, "Hair is NOT rocket science, it is far MORE complex!"

Be patient with yourself and obtaining those luscious ends. It is NOT an intuitive process by any means. The example with our process variations I documented above exemplifies this.

I think a lot of the frustration that women with afro-textured hair have extends from the expectation that it should be 'easy' to gain length on our afro hair. It can't be that hard, right? Why is it so hard? What is the issue?

But again, it really is complex. It doesn't mean that doing your hair has to be cumbersome. But what it can mean is that going from where you are today as it relates to the length and health of your hair to getting to where you want to go/be tomorrow as it relates to the length and health of your hair MAY be a cumbersome process strewn with confusing clues.

Once you get there, and look back in retrospect, the road may be crystal clear. But until you get there, that journey may be rough, arduous long and riddled with obstacles and setbacks and painful disappointments.

I KNOW because I was THERE! And for a LONG TIME, too.

Thank you for that write up. You are right, that hair is more complex. And I think it is more complex because it is a reflection of your whole body make-up. It isn't just about knowing your hair, it is about knowing your body as well.

You have to accept what doesn't work for you and move on. And as you say, change 1 thing at a time and see if it works.

I've been on this board for way too long (lol) and tried way too many things. Based on what I know about my body, I just have to disregard some things and narrow down the few things that may be a possibility. I have to accept I'm not one of those women who can put anything on their hair and it just works wonderfully (lol) and my hair doesn't like anything cheap. She's like naw! Don't come here with that. Now you know better.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

@Chicoro
No one would ever be distracted up in this Thread. Folks are here for business!

These nuggets of information and pearls of wisdom from all the Contributors are priceless.

 

[VarieYvette]

Daily Rinsing + Baggy on Head at Night vs No Daily Rinsing w/ Baggy on Head at Night vs Spritzing Hair Lightly w/ Baggy on Head Nightly
( @GGsKin Scenario 1) ( @MzSwift Scenario 2) ( @Chicoro Scenario 3)

All three (3) of these scenarios are slightly different. But it seems that all three of us have had the same positive result. Hair that stayed relatively moist and retention of almost all the length that we gained while performing our respective processes.


Here again, lies the Devil in the details. It seems that all three of these scenarios can produce and have produced similar results for its three separate users. I think @GGsKin used wigs/. @MzSwift used skull caps and I @Chicoro used nothing on the whole head during the day. BUT, I rolled up my ends and greased them and secured them with coated rubber bands. Slightly different methodologies for protecting the ends (wig, skullcap, rolled ends)

Any of these variations could cause breakage for someone and all of them could cause someone to have retention , as was the case for all three of us.

So, it really comes down to discovering what methodology works best in YOUR lifestyle and what method your hair scalp, edges and length prefer as well and how do you prefer to style your hair.

I am not sure but I THINK @GGsKin and @MzSwift both washed their hair in the same braids. I personally ABSOLUTELY can't do that. My hair would be matted and dreaded if I washed my hair in braids that were older than one or two days.

Again, the point in all this is that there are so many variables to how to perform processes, even those that seem the same on the surface. You must be meticulous with every aspect of your process, especially if you are trying to determine why you are having breakage.

Conversely, you must also be meticulous with your observations and processes if you are trying to reach new lengths of which you have never reached before. Or attain health on the ends, as many of us are trying to do, which you never attained before.


I say it all the time, "Hair is NOT rocket science, it is far MORE complex!"

Be patient with yourself and obtaining those luscious ends. It is NOT an intuitive process by any means. The example with our process variations I documented above exemplifies this.

I think a lot of the frustration that women with afro-textured hair have extends from the expectation that it should be 'easy' to gain length on our afro hair. It can't be that hard, right? Why is it so hard? What is the issue?

But again, it really is complex. It doesn't mean that doing your hair has to be cumbersome. But what it can mean is that going from where you are today as it relates to the length and health of your hair to getting to where you want to go/be tomorrow as it relates to the length and health of your hair MAY be a cumbersome process strewn with confusing clues.

Once you get there, and look back in retrospect, the road may be crystal clear. But until you get there, that journey may be rough, arduous long and riddled with obstacles and setbacks and painful disappointments.

I KNOW because I was THERE! And for a LONG TIME, too.

This is quite interesting. I am going to test out a scenario 4, baggy ends and wear a faux puff/faux ponytail during the day, then whole head baggy at night on alternate days. My hair thrives when washed daily, but I don't have time for that. This may help with keeping my hair more moisturised. I will start tonight and report back in about 4 weeks

 

[BeautifulRoots]

Thank you and Congratulations to you, too!

Fear of someone cutting off my progress was the reason I was always so hyper vigilant when I went to go get my hair done. The last time I got my hair professionally done and trimmed was in 2014.

The stylist embarrassed me.

She was like, "What is your problem?" I kept trying to verify how much she was going to cut. I was in France.

There was another woman in the shop sitting in the middle of a process in a chair, waiting for the next step. She laughed and thought the situation was amusing. I did not find it amusing at all. The laughter wasn't the kind where the person is chuckling along with you. It was the kind of laughter where you feel judged and mocked.

I said NEVER AGAIN. Sadly, I did not start trimming my hair regularly and confidently until 10 years later. My hair suffered but I refused to get my hair done and feel humiliated by an onlooker who knew NOTHING about afro-textured hair. The stylist did a good job but I hate super straight hair on me and super blunt ends on me.

I'm so sorry this happened, so not okay. In my opinion, she should have been a little more understanding. At this point, it's not a secret that many people are wary of getting their hair cut because some stylists have hacked or messed up their hair. Smh.

I'm glad it prompted you to learn how to do it on your own though.

I used to be the same way. I would make them verify how much they are cutting and show me while they're doing it. I would even bring a family member or friend to watch the stylist like a hawk to make sure they weren't cutting a bunch of length off my hair.

 

[Chicoro]

I'm so sorry this happened, so not okay. In my opinion, she should have been a little more understanding. At this point, it's not a secret that many people are wary of getting their hair cut because some stylists have hacked or messed up their hair. Smh.

I'm glad it prompted you to learn how to do it on your own though.

I used to be the same way. I would make them verify how much they are cutting and show me while they're doing it. I would even bring a family member or friend to watch the stylist like a hawk to make sure they weren't cutting a bunch of length off my hair.

And it's a shame we as black women have to be vigilant EVERYWHERE:

Vigilant in the chair of the hair stylist so the don't mess up our hair.
Vigilant in the hospital so they don't mess up our health and care.
Vigilant in the streets so the police don't treat us unfair.
Vigilant in the home against violence from a partner to protect our own safety and welfare.
Vigilant at the workplace and be wary so superiors and coworkers don't trap us in snares.

Get your rest and pamper yourselves.

 

[Chicoro]

Alright, I was inspired by @MzSwift and @GGsKin ...

They are over there in the tail end of the 2024 Luscious Healthy Ends thread tearing up some discussion.

So I think the theme of this thread in 2025 is going to be:

I want it all!

Every single inch of growth I get.
I want to keep it all.
And it will be I who determines how much stays on my head. I will be the one who trims what is not wanted.
It will NOT be Breakage or a Setback that determines how much stays on my head.

So, get in position to play the long game, my friends,
that being Literally
and
Figuratively.

Let the games begin!
The long luscious, healthy hair ends game, that is!

So true. Especially when it comes to growing afro-textured hair!

When you unlock your clarity, you unlock your length gains and retention possibilities.​

 

[MzSwift]

 

[GraceJones]

What silk scarfs and pillowcases are you ladies using to protect your hair?

 

[GGsKin]

What silk scarfs and pillowcases are you ladies using to protect your hair?

I’m in the UK, and I buy either of the ones pictured, but in the lighter coloured options. I also sleep with my hair wrapped in a genuine silk scarf.

 

[GraceJones]

I’m in the UK, and I buy either of the ones pictured, but in the lighter coloured options. I also sleep with my hair wrapped in a genuine silk scarf.

Where did you get your scarf?

 

[GGsKin]

Where did you get your scarf?

For scarves that I sleep in, I buy widths of silk from a fabric shop, and usually cut that piece in half for scarves.

 

[Chicoro]

I’m in the UK, and I buy either of the ones pictured, but in the lighter coloured options. I also sleep with my hair wrapped in a genuine silk scarf.

My hair is so greasy, if I use a silk scarf it will look like I have been carrying fried chicken in it.

 

[GGsKin]

My hair is so greasy, if I use a silk scarf it will look like I have been carrying fried chicken in it.

Mine can get like that too sometimes, so I tend to use two (lol) when I’m in loose/ exposed hair mode.

 

[Napp]

I don’t remember how I used to trim my hair evenly. My hair is somewhat lopsided now and trimming keeps making worse. Any tips and techniques? I like a blunt cut.

 

[Chicoro]

I don’t remember how I used to trim my hair evenly. My hair is somewhat lopsided now and trimming keeps making worse. Any tips and techniques? I like a blunt cut.

How have you trimmed it most recently?

 

[Napp]

How have you trimmed it most recently?

 

[Napp]

I used to use a crea clip but when my hair is straight it doesn’t hold in the clip and slips out. So I put my hair in a ponytail and cut the ends and that left me with and upside down u shape. Then I used feye’s method and that gave me a u shape which I don’t like. I don’t want to cut any more right now.

 

[keranikki]

I finally got this weave removed. I say finally, because my stylist was 38 minutes late. I was kind, but I’m not going back to her again. This is not her first offense. I’m going to miss her though. She was super sweet, but I don’t like my time being played with.

First picture is from January 2024 and second pick is from today.

My hair is mostly shoulder length with the front at neck length. I’m pleased with my progress, considering I take medications that affect my hair growth.

My goal this year is to take care of my health, so that my hair can reap the benefits. This entails a more beneficial diet (portion control), drinking more water, consistent exercise,
meditation (for anxiety and depression), and losing 52lbs.

 

[Chicoro]

I used to use a crea clip but when my hair is straight it doesn’t hold in the clip and slips out. So I put my hair in a ponytail and cut the ends and that left me with and upside down u shape. Then I used feye’s method and that gave me a u shape which I don’t like. I don’t want to cut any more right now.

I would suggest you not cut anymore right now either. It was that Feya Routine that JACKED up my hair and thrust me into a break cycle. Feya routine gave me an inverted u shape where the sides wet longer and my nape was shorter. Yeah, just wait for awhile. Continue to nurture your newly modified bun routine. That u may grow out faster than you anticipate.

 

[Chicoro]

I finally got this weave removed. I say finally, because my stylist was 38 minutes late. I was kind, but I’m not going back to her again. This is not her first offense. I’m going to miss her though. She was super sweet, but I don’t like my time being played with.

First picture is from January 2024 and second pick is from today.

My hair is mostly shoulder length with the front at neck length. I’m pleased with my progress, considering I take medications that affect my hair growth.

My goal this year is to take care of my health, so that my hair can reap the benefits. This entails a more beneficial diet (portion control), drinking more water, consistent exercise,
meditation (for anxiety and depression), and losing 52lbs.

Your hair looks like you retained about 3 to 4 inches MINIMUM.

It looks like you gained more on the side. Also, in your starting picture in 2024, your arms are up in the air and that is raising your shoulders up. That made it look like your hair was lower on your back than it was. The picture today is more balanced. If you don't pay close attention it looks like only gained one (1) inch or (2) two inches of length retention.

Eagle Eye Chicoro, Professional Length Retention Detective says.....
with ALL my chest:

No...wrong!!!!

She got 3 to 4+ inches retained, Baby!!!!!

@keranikki
The shine and the jet black color of your hair are glorious. To what do you attribute this? Protective styling? Covering of weave? Butters? Oils? Trimming? Grease? Moisture? Water?

 

[Chicoro]

@keranikki
If you are interested, we have a That Girl Challenge 2025 thread. You can track all that you mentioned above, and more, in that thread if you want.

 

[keranikki]

@keranikki
If you are interested, we have a That Girl Challenge 2025 thread. You can track all that you mentioned above, and more, in that thread if you want.

Thank you! I will check it out!

 

[keranikki]

@keranikki
The shine and the jet black color of your hair are glorious. To what do you attribute this? Protective styling? Covering of weave? Butters? Oils? Trimming? Grease? Moisture? Water?

I think the key to the shine on my hair is water (I have a water filter on my shower) and keeping my hair moisturized with scalp spray (water-based). I also rinse my hair with cold water to smooth my cuticles.

I believe I got the idea of squeezing water into my hair from @GettingKinky during my shampoo and conditioning session. I noticed my hair feels its heaviest during my conditioning session as I squeeze/scrunch water into my hair and finger-detangle. Once the conditioner is rinsed out my hair feels fluffy, but not frizzy.

Placing oil directly on my scalp tends to cause moderate to severe itching, so I use a water- based spray to keep my scalp moisturized in between washes. The weave creates a GHE, yet allows my hair to dry overtime. A scalp spray with aloe, peppermint, and rosemary kept any odor and bacteria at bay. I know oil is not moisturizing, but it does soothe a dry scalp and is a staple when wearing a protective style.

My hair vacillates between high and normal porosity, depending on my moisture/protein balance at the time of styling. Rinsing with cold water ensures my cuticles are closed, regardless of whether my hair is balanced or not. Rinsing with warm/hot water dries my hair out over time, since my cuticles aren’t closed.

Lastly, Kenra’s styling products also help, lol.

Now that the weave is gone, I need to figure out a new protective style for the winter.