Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2025

[faithVA]

I was unable to trim my ends today due to a massive headache. I may try to trim tomorrow, but if I’m unable I will just trim next year in January. Gosh time is flying!

OAN, I already knew that my hair does not like coconut oil, but I never considered how coconut oil derivatives could affect my hair. I just found out that they react the same way as coconut oil, in that they react like a protein. Coconut oil makes my hair so hard and dry, which is why I refrain from products that have coconut oil. I have to thank @Lylddlebit for this revelation. Her post in another thread led me down this rabbit hole.

So, I researched shampoos that do not have coconut oil or its derivatives and settled on Verb Ghost Shampoo. In an effort to save money, I headed to TJ Maxx, but picked Verb Glossy Shampoo and Conditioner instead. Yo, you guys, my hair is so soft man. Like it’s soft and hydrated. I washed my hair yesterday with these products and my hair still feels good. Typically I would feel the need to M&S, especially with this cold weather, but there is no need. I’m very pleased with the results. I was looking forward to blow drying and trimming my hair, but all I could muster was two buns in satin scrunchies.

Now, I have to inventory all of my products and donate the ones that have coconut oil/derivatives in them.

Im glad you found something that is working wonderfully. The one thing I have learned over the past few years is getting that shampoo and conditioner step right is crucial. The following steps are unlikely to fix what has happened in the first step. Still learning.

That softness and feeling hydrated is amazing isn't it.

 

[Lylddlebit]

I was unable to trim my ends today due to a massive headache. I may try to trim tomorrow, but if I’m unable I will just trim next year in January. Gosh time is flying!

OAN, I already knew that my hair does not like coconut oil, but I never considered how coconut oil derivatives could affect my hair. I just found out that they react the same way as coconut oil, in that they react like a protein. Coconut oil makes my hair so hard and dry, which is why I refrain from products that have coconut oil. I have to thank @Lylddlebit for this revelation. Her post in another thread led me down this rabbit hole.

So, I researched shampoos that do not have coconut oil or its derivatives and settled on Verb Ghost Shampoo. In an effort to save money, I headed to TJ Maxx, but picked Verb Glossy Shampoo and Conditioner instead. Yo, you guys, my hair is so soft man. Like it’s soft and hydrated. I washed my hair yesterday with these products and my hair still feels good. Typically I would feel the need to M&S, especially with this cold weather, but there is no need. I’m very pleased with the results. I was looking forward to blow drying and trimming my hair, but all I could muster was two buns in satin scrunchies.

Now, I have to inventory all of my products and donate the ones that have coconut oil/derivatives in them.

'Strand Epiphanies' (yep I just made that up in this moment ha) are one of lifes true rewards lols. I am glad you had a hair breakthrough!

 

[keranikki]

Im glad you found something that is working wonderfully. The one thing I have learned over the past few years is getting that shampoo and conditioner step right is crucial. The following steps are unlikely to fix what has happened in the first step. Still learning.

That softness and feeling hydrated is amazing isn't it.

Yes, the softness and hydration is amazing. I’m literally amazed.

 

[keranikki]

'Strand Epiphanies' (yep I just made that up in this moment ha) are one of lifes true rewards lols. I am glad you had a hair breakthrough!

Thank you!

 

[Chicoro]

November 2025 Update:
Posted December 11th, 2025

The pool heater broke so I didn't go swimming two weeks in November. Plus, I stayed with my cousin for six days.

I sprouted fenugreek seeds to make my oil but my mother's apartment flooded and I had to vacate it for six (6) days while staying with my cousin and I did not bring my sprouts. They did well but I just didn't have the time to complete the process, so I threw them out. I will try again to get my oil started.

I bought a stick of cocoa butter from the beauty supply and made me some Shea/Cocoa butter for my ends. I like the firmness and stiffness of the butter, even though I whipped it. I like to put it on the ends of my braids.



How are you progressing?
I keep my hair braided and the ends oiled and rolled up, per usual. I undo the braids to re-moisturize. I have not trimmed it since June. Caregiving is eating me UP.

What are those ends looking like?
My ends need a trim but they are moisturized for now and rolled up/balled up and protected.

Have you had any epiphanies?
I used to take MSM for my melasma on my face. But have not used in it over a year. I have my MSM ready to go and use because it's a good time to address it in Winter. I remember that MSM sometimes adds a bit in lengthening my hair growth.

Have you set bolder goals?
No. Went back to my monthly wash schedule.

Have you pulled back on some goals?
No, not really. Just a re-affirmation to stick with clay cleansing and keeping my hair braided so it does not get matted.

Have you had any realizations about your hair or your hair care practices?
I think my braids are beautiful. I enjoy them and they fit right in my current lifestyle.

How is your consistency?
I am quite consistent in keeping my hair protected. I use my fingers to detangle when I re-do my braids. I don't keep my hair covered at night and I want to go back to that. I also want to go back to oiling my hair at night. Got to get back to my fenugreek oil. I really like that oil. It feels good and smells good in my hair and it creates an opportunity for me to enjoy my hair and make time for me.

Extending grace to you?
Most times.

 

[Angel of the North]

Hi ladies,

I've been MIA for some time for health reasons, I'm feeling ready to get back on the wagon, although I don't have the same energy levels I had when I jumped back on board earlier this year. I missed August's update because I wasn't able to assess my hair properly while wearing WAGs and being in between washes. I've done the updates from September till now, I will post them separately so that the post is not excessively long.


SEPTEMBER

How are you progressing? What are those ends looking like?

My ends are stil dry and feeling course, this is definitely not something I'm used to. At a glance it looks like I could do with about 2 inches taken off, but on closer inspection, my ends don't look split, they just looked and felt rough. They look a lot better after the roller set, also felt a little better too, which gives me hope.

Have you had any epiphanies?
The CRN spiked honey mousse worked perfectly for my roller set, my hair wasn't sticky, it had a nice shine and felt soft moisturised.

Have you set bolder goals?
No, I don't feel I need to.

Have you pulled back on some goals?
Yes. This current setback with my ends, is making me think that achieving WL by year's end, is rather lofty.

Have you had any realizations about your hair or your hair care practices?
Roller setting weekly will not be an attainable goal for me at present. I also don't want to spend the amount of time a full wash day and roller set would take on a regular basis.

How is your consistency?
Not great. I returned from Portugal, did my hair the following week, which was two weeks off schedule. I'm struggling with the physical side of doing my hair,


Extending grace to you?
Yes, it is what it is. I'm accepting my inability to maintain my regimen on a regular basis, I am not beating myself up about it.

 

[Angel of the North]

OCTOBER

How are you progressing? What are those ends looking like?
That roller set did my hair some good. I'd like to aim for bi weekly at the most or monthly at the least.

Have you had any epiphanies?
Not really an epiphany, but I really need to learn how to wrap my hair. I've not really needed to wrap my hair, the times that I did, my hair was not as long, so it was easy to do. I tried to use a doobie, the pattern was imprinted in my hair, and it didn't lay as flat as I had hoped.

Have you set bolder goals?
No,.although I'm a little more optimistic about reaching WL by December. It won't be the end of the world if it doesn't happen.

Have you pulled back on some goals?
No, but I'm prepared and will not feel disappointed if I don't hit my December target.

Have you had any realizations about your hair or your hair care practices?
More a reminder, my hair still grows when I'm not doing 101 things to it on a regular basis.

How is your consistency?
Terrible! Since I got back from Portugal at the beginning of September, I've only managed to wash my hair three times. I'm pretty much back on auto pilot mode, not doing more than what is absolutely necessary.

Extending grace to you?
Yes, I'm feeling positive, I'm not overthinking anything.

 

[Angel of the North]

NOVEMBER

How are you progressing? What are those ends looking like?
There's a huge improvement to look and feel of my ends, they seem to be slowly returning to their usual state.

Have you had any epiphanies?
More of a realisation, my hair still wraps around my silk hairbands, I'd like to think it's shed hair and not breakage. If it is breakage, it really isn't obvious as there's not noticeably shorter hair around the areas I would pull my hair back.

Have you set bolder goals?
No, I'm waiting to see what the end of the year brings. I feel like this year has been a reset, with a little consistency, I envisage great results over the next two years.

Have you pulled back on some goals?
Yes. I've reassessed a few things that I can easily add to my very simplified regimen. I'm currently aiming for a minimum of one wash day per month. I want to prepoo the night before with my oil blends, focus on moisture and sealing, and babying my ends over the winter months. I've decided not to trim to my previous schedule, I will dust at the end of the year and aim for a proper trim in April.

Have you had any realizations about your hair or your hair care practices?
No, but I'm glad I didn't go straight to the scissors when my ends betrayed me, which was my first instinct. The setback would have been a lot bigger than nursing my ends back if I took off those extra two inches. We're slowly but surely on the right track

How is your consistency?
It has improved since August. I've started applying my butters and oils to my ends, I know this will make a huge improvement to the condition of my ends.

Extending grace to you?
Yes, still feeling positive, I'm really looking forward to next year. I'm using the rest of this year to set myself ready for next year, I feel confident in achieving at least 2/4 of my goals and challenges. If I manage that, I'll be happy.

 

[Angel of the North]

DECEMBER

How are you progressing? What are those ends looking like?
I've noticed a huge improvement to my ends, they are much softer, don't look or feel dry like they did. My ends don't look like I have splits, I was going to trim this month, I'm thinking of waiting till March, that will be a year since I got back on my HJ.

Have you had any epiphanies?
No, I'm just loving the affects of using the avocado butter and oil on my ends.

Have you set bolder goals?
No, still on the same goals. I may be feeling optimistic, but the worst that can happen is that I'm a little bit off from my target. I don't have a problem with that, I'm just happy that the condition of my ends have improved.

Have you pulled back on some goals?
I did think I may need to pull back on my goals a few monhs ago, now I feel that I could be on track. I will have to do a length check on my next wash day to see how I'm progressing.

Have you had any realizations about your hair or your hair care practices?
Not over this month, everything is ticking along smoothly. I do feel like I want to start wearing my bonnets at night again. I'm using silk pillowcases though, so it's not too bad.

How is your consistency?
My consistency for moisturising and sealing my ends have been very good, I've also been trying to detangle my hair weekly to remove shed hairs and prevent my roots from turning into a bird's nest, shed hairs that are not removed create knots and tangles, potentially creating setbacks that could be avoided.

Extending grace to you?
Most definitely.

 

[Angel of the North]

@faithVA What were the changes you made to your blow drying process? I haven't blow dried my hair in years, but I will likely want to do so around April next year. I may need to look into different techniques.

I saw a video on YT of a woman saying that she uses the highest settings of heat and speed to blow dry as straight as possible in preparation for her silk press. Some comments felt her hair was heat trained, others felt her hair was heat damaged.

 

[faithVA]

@faithVA What were the changes you made to your blow drying process? I haven't blow dried my hair in years, but I will likely want to do so around April next year. I may need to look into different techniques.

I saw a video on YT of a woman saying that she uses the highest settings of heat and speed to blow dry as straight as possible in preparation for her silk press. Some comments felt her hair was heat trained, others felt her hair was heat damaged.

I'm still figuring out this process. Just wanted to add this disclaimer. I don't blow dry often. And I also use a RevAir since my hair tends to stay on the dry side.

But last time I blow dried,
--I did all of my moisturizing and deep conditioning boosters the week before.
--the day of, I did an Aphoghee 2 minute and used a balancing conditioner behind it.
--used the Olaplex bond leave-in, just because I had it.
--used a heat protectant.

With both leave-in and heat protectant, I made sure to not be heavy-handed because I think that leads to my hair being too heavy.

I made my sections bigger for the RevAir.
I didn't move the wand around. The stylist said moving it back and forth could cause issues with the cuticles laying flat.
Then immediately after removing the wand, I combed through the section with a side tooth comb. I don't remember what she said this was for.

I'm going to repeat this at the end of the month and see how it turns out.
Next weekend, I will use K18 and the Olaplex hydrating mask to get ready.

I will keep you posted.

 

[snoop]

Thank you
@faithVA
@Chicoro
@Angel of the North
@GettingKinky
And all the other ladies!

I have been keeping my hair around my hip for a while to cut away holes, thinning, and damage I had from the end of 2021 when hormonal shedding due to discontinuing birth control that yielded severe shedding, matting, and breakage. I made things worse when I got frustrated during the detangle session at the end of 2021. Although it felt good at the time to beat my hair up for acting up I completely wrecked my hair in anger. In any case, I enjoy my hair THROUGH setbacks. I enjoy using heat and a variety of hairstyles that don't quit, even if my hair is in bad shape and I need to camouflage the condition before it is back "in effect". So I decided to share my example that, barring a medical condition or a physiological one, a person is fully capable of enjoying their hair like it is already where they want it to be, THROUGH setbacks.


Here are a few more photos for transparency. My hair was wrecked in 2020 and 2021, but has been getting closer to my baseline length and thickness each year.
Blue dress with hair hanging over my butt: When my thinning first became noticeable in 2020 but my hair was still to the the bottom of my butt/classic length.
Red tank: When my hair broke off/thinned out severely (believe it or not, it was MUCH WORSE at the beginning of my setback, December 2021, but I did not photograph it).
Yellow jumpsuit: Lots of holes and thinness while I was growing my hair back out.
Olive Tunic: Hair same week as the yellow with all the severe thinness and holes, but an example of how I camouflaged the damage so I could enjoy wearing it down and styled the way I desired to wear it regardless of the condition.
Back out: Now(yesterday). Raw ends no tricks
Blue dress again with hair just past my elbows: Now (yesterday evening). Raw ends no tricks

Basically, I am growing it back past my butt but with the thickness of yesterday's example(since that is my normal, freshly hard-pressed thickness when my hair is at baseline)...even if I just cut it back to the hip once I get there(because I do like this length). I usually stop tracking my hair when it gets past my hip, but this time I am documenting it better. It does take a bit longer to keep hair at a baseline length while gradually cut off damage compared to a big chop, but as long as hair is well cared for, it will get to a good place in time and it can look good when styled the entire time. I hope this is helpful and a reminder to enjoy your hair while reaching those luscious ends. There are numerous ways to get your hair where you want it to be. Gon' head and stay cute throughout the journey!

I'm catching up on this thread : How much did you trim from your hair as you nursed it back to health? How often did you trim it?

 

[Lylddlebit]

I'm catching up on this thread: How much did you trim from your hair as you nursed it back to health? How often did you trim it?

I trim my hair once a season. I may skip one season in a year if I am hiding my hair or allowing a style to be enjoyed, but never more than that. There is no set amount that I trim. It can be a half inch or 3 inches in any given trim when I am correcting a setback or maintaining a style...but bear in mind that trimming 3 inches of pathetic ends will remove less hair than cutting one inch of thick, healthy ends. The goal is that each trim must make it look and feel better, though. My hair was probably 24-30 inches before the medicinal(came off a prescription) shedding started then a hot, broken, 20-25-inch mess after my 2021 setback. I am pretty sure I grew out ALL the remaining hair on my head with gradual trims. My length seemed similar, but healthy ends inched downward until they reached the hemline.

https://longhaircareforums.com/threads/luscious-healthy-ends-challenge-2022.853005/post-25777111 (some of the damage not the worst of it)

Even though the hair had some thickness to it, the APL/BSL looks were deceiving because I could feel every bit of the weathered/damaged strands until they were cut off. That method takes longer than chopping all the damage at once and growing it out, but if I never stop enjoying my hair during a setback then I can forget I am in a setback and just take care of my hair until it is back to normal. So, I just decided what hairstyles I wanted and tailored my trims/cuts around that to enjoy the recovery process during that recovery period.

 

[Chicoro]

I was unable to trim my ends today due to a massive headache. I may try to trim tomorrow, but if I’m unable I will just trim next year in January. Gosh time is flying!

OAN, I already knew that my hair does not like coconut oil, but I never considered how coconut oil derivatives could affect my hair. I just found out that they react the same way as coconut oil, in that they react like a protein. Coconut oil makes my hair so hard and dry, which is why I refrain from products that have coconut oil. I have to thank @Lylddlebit for this revelation. Her post in another thread led me down this rabbit hole.

So, I researched shampoos that do not have coconut oil or its derivatives and settled on Verb Ghost Shampoo. In an effort to save money, I headed to TJ Maxx, but picked Verb Glossy Shampoo and Conditioner instead. Yo, you guys, my hair is so soft man. Like it’s soft and hydrated. I washed my hair yesterday with these products and my hair still feels good. Typically I would feel the need to M&S, especially with this cold weather, but there is no need. I’m very pleased with the results. I was looking forward to blow drying and trimming my hair, but all I could muster was two buns in satin scrunchies.

Now, I have to inventory all of my products and donate the ones that have coconut oil/derivatives in them.

The more one learns about hair and products, the more you realize how complex, multi-layered and connected it all is. Thanks to you both for bringing this to the forefront.

Such a seemingly small detail that has had tremendous impact’s- coconut derivatives in hair products and their adverse impact in your hair.

 

[Chicoro]

I trim my hair once a season. I may skip one season in a year if I am hiding my hair or allowing a style to be enjoyed, but never more than that. There is no set amount that I trim. It can be a half inch or 3 inches in any given trim when I am correcting a setback or maintaining a style...but bear in mind that trimming 3 inches of pathetic ends will remove less hair than cutting one inch of thick healthy ends. The goal is each trim must make it look and feel better though. My hair was probably 24-30 inches before the medicinal(came off a rx) shedding started. A hot mess broken 20-25-inch mess after my 2021 setback. I am pretty sure I grew out ALL the remaining hair on my head with graduaal trims. My lenght seemed similar but healthy ends inched downward until they reached the hemline.

https://longhaircareforums.com/threads/luscious-healthy-ends-challenge-2022.853005/post-25777111 (some of the damage not the worst of it)

Even though the hair had some thickness to it around APL/BSL looks were deceiving because, I could feel every bit of the weathered/damaged strands until they were cut off. That method takes longer than choping all the damage at once and growing it out , but if I never stop enjoying my hair during a setback...I can forget I am in a set back and just tke care of my hair until it is back to normal. So I just decided what hairstyles I wanted and tailored my trims/cuts around that to enjoy the recovery process during that recovery period.

Great philosophy to have!

 

[Chicoro]

Gosh, we are literally days away from the end of the year.

What kind of healthy, luscious ends did you cultivate in 2025?

Perhaps it wasn’t hair ends you cultivated, but maybe knowledge of self, products or processes.

It all culminâtes in the end for the good of your hair, and hopefully, ultimately your hair ends.

 

[Chicoro]

I was sitting here feeling bad about my progress and I had to check myself. I reminded myself that 2025 was the year that my hair finally stopped breaking.

My hair was looking scraggly to me today. But I realized that it has started to drop in length, down my back again. And, then per as usual, the bulk will follow to that length.

I get embarrassed and discouraged when I have a setback. But in retrospect, I remember that I always learn something new about my hair and myself to help me and also to help other people.

So,

1. The breakage has stopped.
2. It is dropping in length.
3. Next, in 2026 it will begin to thicken at the newer, longer length.

 

[faithVA]

I was sitting here feeling bad about my progress and I had to check myself. I reminded myself that 2025 was the year that my hair finally stopped breaking.

My hair was looking scraggly to me today. But I realized that it has started to drop in length, down my back again. And, then per as usual, the bulk will follow to that length.

I get embarrassed and discouraged when I have a setback. But in retrospect, I remember that I always learn something new about my hair and myself to help me and also to help other people.

So,

1. The breakage has stopped.
2. It is dropping in length.
3. Next, in 2026 it will begin to thicken at the newer, longer length.

I'm glad you recognized all of that and see it in the right perspective. You have had a lot going on this year. Glad that your year is ending well.

 

[faithVA]

I did all of pre-blow dry prep steps tonight so on next wash day I can keep it simple and short.

I will probably reset next Monday and then do my end of year pictures. I should be able to just shampoo, condition, blow dry and trim and be done in a couple of hours.

I hope my pictures are encouraging because I'm not super excited about my hair right now. I need to figure out a way to get some box braids or something to get me through the spring.

 

[faithVA]

I believe I have a good routine to start 2026. Im just hoping that when I take off 1/2 inch next week that my ends are in better condition than they feel.

I will just have to wait until the blow dry.

 

[divachyk]

It's been a tough year and spent it in protective styles. I stayed on top of my trims and did deeper cuts as needed. My ends are prob the healthiest they've been in years because hair has not been my priority for a long while.

 

[Napp]

Wrong thread sorry

 

[snoop]

I need to set up my lunar trim calendar for 2026. The schedule has been working really well for me.

 

[Chicoro]

I'm glad you recognized all of that and see it in the right perspective. You have had a lot going on this year. Glad that your year is ending well.

You are correct, I have had a lot going on this year. The frequency and intensity of the activity in my life went from a gentle, slow, quiet wave to a fast moving storm.

Interestingly, I felt that I had been made well prepared.

 

[Chicoro]

Wrong thread sorry

Right person. Hi @Napp !

 

[Chicoro]

I did all of pre-blow dry prep steps tonight so on next wash day I can keep it simple and short.

I will probably reset next Monday and then do my end of year pictures. I should be able to just shampoo, condition, blow dry and trim and be done in a couple of hours.

I hope my pictures are encouraging because I'm not super excited about my hair right now. I need to figure out a way to get some box braids or something to get me through the spring.

I hope we get the privilege and honor to see some of those pictures you take.

 

[Chicoro]

I need to set up my lunar trim calendar for 2026. The schedule has been working really well for me.

Why do you say and think the schedule works well for you? Let us in on them well thought out insights you have come upon, along with your detailed hair analysis, as it relates to lunar trimming.

We could all use some of that!

 

[keranikki]

Salutations to all and I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays. This will most likely be my last post for 2025, but I will see you guys around the bend, lol.

2025 was definitely a setback year for me. Between the Hibiscus rinse fiasco that left me with dry, brittle hair and chasing the culprit for my shedding (low iron, B12, calcium); I did not reach my goal of APL. I’m currently at SL, which is roughly an inch and half shorter than where I started. Though I am disappointed, I’m not discouraged. I have a renewed sense of how I want my hair to look and feel. I will use what I have learned to have an exceptional comeback in 2026.

Lessons learned:
1) My hair hates coconut oil and coconut oil derivatives, especially when they’re used as a surfactant. My hair also doesn’t care for glycerin. Since I have stopped the use of these ingredients, I have experienced the following: hair is hydrated and stays moisturized for longer; the frizz has toned down significantly; my ends do not feel chewed up; and my curls are more defined before adding any styling product. While I wish I knew about coconut oil derivatives and how they can wreak havoc on my hair, I’m happy I know now. This lesson is the biggest game changer for me, for now I understand why I was having such a hard time finding my protein/moisture balance, since coconut oil/derivatives act like a protein. I was essentially overloading my hair with “protein” by using coconut oil/derivatives containing products and protein treatments simultaneously. Add hibiscus to that and you have recipe for disaster.

2)I need to massage my scalp more consistently. I was able to fill in a small bald spot in my left eyebrow due to massaging my scalp. It seems the lack of growth around my edges is a combination of tension and vitamin deficiency.

Rules of Engagement for 2026:
•I’m cleaning out my stash. I have already identified the products I can no longer use. I will use up what I can then reset.

•I will keep my hair hidden or tucked away 90% of the time. This means 3 days out of the month I will let my hair be free.

•maintain trims, take my vitamins, drink water, and my business.

I’m looking forward to my hair journey for 2026.

 

[Napp]

Right person. Hi @Napp !

Lol hey. I didn’t post all year because I thought I didn’t join but there I am on the first page .

Any hoo, I went from crunchy un even ends to smooth. I trimmed several times this year to get a smooth result but once I incorporated Vitale pro split end sealer my ends have take on new life

Jan 2025



December 2025

 

[Chicoro]

Lol hey. I didn’t post all year because I thought I didn’t join but there I am on the first page .

Any hoo, I went from crunchy un even ends to smooth. I trimmed several times this year to get a smooth result but once I incorporated Vitale pro split end sealer my ends have take on new life

Jan 2025
View attachment 507354


December 2025
View attachment 507356

This product here?

There looks to be several one of them. Which one or ones did you use, please?






You went from ABOVE armpit length to BELOW armpit length by 2+ inches. Great progress @Napp !!! I'm glad I called you out to say hello. I got to see some ca- yute hair pictures and some inspiring progress. Those ends do look good: silky and smooth!

Thank you for the update. You are solidly on track for 2026.