Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2026

[Chicoro]

Thank you!

In November and December of last year, I bought the GHD Duet Blow Dry (which I love so much I got a second one while it was on sale for more than half off around black Friday) and used that back to back. From January, my press this week I didn't do anything special. Once a month I washed with Sedal ceremidas shampoo. I applied deep conditioner as though it were leave-in. The conditioners I used up these three months were Naturalle Mega Grow DC (used up..godo DC on my hair), Naturelle Indian Clay DC (used up not bad but not moisturizing enough for me), and I partially used a jar of Curl Mix Brown Sugar Baby DC(Loved this one the most out of the three, although the other two were good). After I applied my deep conditioner I layered my hair with an oil. I either used straight safflower oil or an oil mix of avocado, Haitian black castor oil, ashwaghanda, Fenugreek powder(from henna sooq, I haven't graduated to making my own like you ladies), and Chebe powder. I'd apply hair butter on my ends. Sometimes my hair butter was straight shea butter, other times a blend like Aethiopika from Qhemet Biologics or the H2Pro Healing butter shine. All the butters I used had a shea butter base. I twisted or braided my hair in 5-10 sections. I would unravel and swoop in a bang in the front after it finished air drying. I kept the rest of it on an updo or under a hat. If I wanted to skip a wash then I would rinse my hair and just apply more deep conditioner to it or a moisturiser and reseal with the oil and butter. One more thing. I co-washed from week to week but once a month I would shampoo and also detangle with the Olivia Garden CurlyHair Brush. My hair grew but I had more splits than I should have so it was a wash when I dusted off the straggly parts. I did enjoy my hair these past few months, so no complaints; but I expected more retention than where I landed.

Thank you for the detailed information. I appreciate the courtesy of taking the time to explain your process. I love details and getting into folks' [hair] business.

Your hair looks different to me.

So this was a December to March process that you newly implemented?

It's denser, thicker, darker and longer [based on the pictures I've seen].

To check my understanding, you did more oil and butter saturation than usual? Or, have you always done lots of oil an butter saturation as the end step of your hair process? My gut says no, no you did not always do this. But, you know your process and can correct me.

You are a Shea head. If I didn't e-know you, my Spidey Senses would be twitching because the hair is 'otherwordly' in its length, thickness and density. The marks of a Shea head.

But I think I know everything. So, I am looking forward to be enlightened!

 

[Chicoro]

Honestly I'm very pleased. It's starting to look a little frizzy tonight, but tomorrow is day 5 and still looking better than the previous week's day 1.

The thing that I believe made the biggest difference is smoothing the products into my hair between my palms.

Other things I think helped was the protein treatment I did the previous week, the HOTs I've done the two prior weeks, oil and protein both have smoothing properties, so I think they may have assisted.

Honestly, I've been fighting frizz since I stopped relaxing my hair almost 30 years ago. I don't think I have have been focused enough on the issue, or more like, I was focused on other stuff during other points of my HHJ. It feels so good to get here. I can make little tweaks here and there where I need to to improve on this new foundation.

I'm very glad I really got to know and understand my hair early on. It definitely makes it easier to think of solutions to my problems. I do feel confident in the breakthrough, confident in my processes and confident in the direction my hair and I are moving in.




It sure is! I'm glad to have gone back to my love.

30 years in the making, or getting to the solution and you are finally here! if that doesn't reflect the complexity of hair, I don't know what does! That's a super significant AHA!

 

[Chicoro]

I made some oil blends today, I made one to target growth, I infused this one with whole cloves, rosemary and mint. I may split it and add some onions to one half. I have a double boiler now, so it will help me to infused the onions on a low heat.

I used these oils:
Blackseed oil
Castor oil
Hempseed oil
Jojoba oil
Pumpkin seed oil
Sunflower oil

This is not one I'm making for myself but I do look forward to hearing the feedback

I made a blend for myself, no infusions just the blending of 10 different oils, I'm super excited to try this on washday. It looks good, I've got oils that helps with frizz so I'm expecting good things to happen on Sunday.

I saw @Lylddlebit post a silk durag in another thread. I think this might work better than a scarf because of the shape, as it's the front/top parts of my ponytail I want to smoothen. I'll use a scarf for now, but I intend to get one.

What's the hair challenge of the person for whom you are making the oil?

 

[Chicoro]

I think I am going to use my oil next week. It smells so sweet and pretty!

 

[Angel of the North]

What's the hair challenge of the person for whom you are making the oil?

Receding hair line and density reduction.

 

[Chicoro]

I redid my braids this morning. I also put on my layers and took my time. Then, I braided my hair really tightly. After that, I put my scarf on my head to lay down my hair. My hair came out so neat and pretty, with very little fuzzies or frizzies.

I have been super saturating my hair every day and covering my head at night for the last 20 + days. I am noticing some changes.

My hair is laying down better. It seems to elongate further. The moisture seems to penetrate deeper.

 

[Chicoro]

@Lylddlebit

I woke up with you and one other person in this thread at the top of my mind.

The image I got was that if your hair looks like it does now, I believe by December 2026 your hair will be thick and full half way past your behind. So, you may not have gotten the retention you expected this time around, but I believe it is coming, thick and full and beyond your expectations in December.

 

[Chicoro]

The other person I woke up with on my mind from this thread was @Angel of the North .

You mentioned 30 years and 5 days. You have been struggling with fuzzy hair for 30 days. As of now, you have arrived at five (5) days of hair that did not get fuzzy.

What came to mind for you is that I believe you are going to gain and retain at least four (4) inches by December. I don't know if that will get you to the goal length that you had in mind for yourself, though.

 

[Angel of the North]

The other person I woke up with on my mind from this thread was @Angel of the North .

You mentioned 30 years and 5 days. You have been struggling with fuzzy hair for 30 days. As of now, you have arrived at five (5) days of hair that did not get fuzzy.

What came to mind for you is that I believe you are going to gain and retain at least four (4) inches by December. I don't know if that will get you to the goal length that you had in mind for yourself, though.

Thank you for thinking of me IF I get 4 inches of growth with retention this year, I will have superseded my goal by somewhere between 1 - 1.5 inches

I'm definitely not playing this year. The things that could set me back are:

Protein overload: Low risk - I'm not too concerned by this because it's very unlikely to happen, I am also able to fix that relatively quickly if it did happen

My ends: High risk - This is where I need to remain vigilant and on top of my game. I need to baby, seal and protect my ends.

Falling off regimen: Low - medium risk - I'm back to loving wash days again so it's highly unlikely that this will happen unless for physical reasons, hence medium risk. In any case, my hair has spoken, and she says "Absolutely not!"

 

[Lylddlebit]

I made some oil blends today, I made one to target growth, I infused this one with whole cloves, rosemary and mint. I may split it and add some onions to one half. I have a double boiler now, so it will help me to infused the onions on a low heat.

I used these oils:
Blackseed oil
Castor oil
Hempseed oil
Jojoba oil
Pumpkin seed oil
Sunflower oil

This is not one I'm making for myself but I do look forward to hearing the feedback

I made a blend for myself, no infusions just the blending of 10 different oils, I'm super excited to try this on washday. It looks good, I've got oils that helps with frizz so I'm expecting good things to happen on Sunday.

I saw @Lylddlebit post a silk durag in another thread. I think this might work better than a scarf because of the shape, as it's the front/top parts of my ponytail I want to smoothen. I'll use a scarf for now, but I intend to get one.

Man* I am about to get that too lol. @Angel of the North & @GraceJones drafting that post talked me into it lol ha!

 

[Lylddlebit]

Thank you for the detailed information. I appreciate the courtesy of taking the time to explain your process. I love details and getting into folks' [hair] business.

Your hair looks different to me.

So this was a December to March process that you newly implemented?

It's denser, thicker, darker and longer [based on the pictures I've seen].

To check my understanding, you did more oil and butter saturation than usual? Or, have you always done lots of oil an butter saturation as the end step of your hair process? My gut says no, no you did not always do this. But, you know your process and can correct me.

You are a Shea head. If I didn't e-know you, my Spidey Senses would be twitching because the hair is 'otherwordly' in its length, thickness and density. The marks of a Shea head.

But I think I know everything. So, I am looking forward to be enlightened!

So this was a December to March process that you newly implemented?

I have used this process many times in the past...which is why I envisioned where I expected to land, but I hadn't done it in a little while. The DC leave-in, seal and style was from January-this past Sunday.



To check my understanding, you did more oil and butter saturation than usual? Or, have you always done lots of oil an butter saturation as the end step of your hair process? My gut says no, no you did not always do this. But, you know your process and can correct me.

I used the same saturation (doused in it lol), but was testing some new products. For example, the NaturelleGrow Indian Clay DC was moisturizing for a Clay DC, but I probably should have added more humectants and oil to it to keep my hydration in better. Also, the Aethopika butter and the pure shea butter are staples that work wonderfully, so I assumed the H2Pro butter would fall in line as a shea butter base... but nah, it wasn't as good as my staples and it gave my ends a chance to dry out despite them being sealed. I know the culprit, but I don't waste NAAAAAAAAAA-THIN so imma add some castor oil and extra shea to use it up lol. Waste not, want not ha! None of the products were bad, but all of them didn't keep my hair supple from one wash day to the next and that makes a huge diffrence on my retention.

I know my hair is doing it's thing and progressing, but if all my products would have hit like my staples, then I just would have gotten more retention out of last season. Thats all. No complaints as trying new things is part of the fun that I wouldn't trade. I just have an awareness that I could have done better. I will tweak for this round.

I am definitley a shea head since the days of Sera on Fotki and copying her entire regimen until tweaked her strong foundation until my pesonalized regimen. You've got good HairSense. I know that you know the indicators lol.

 

[Angel of the North]

Many I am about to get that too lol @Angel of the North & @GraceJones drafting that post talked me into it lol ha!

It's in the bag, but I need to wait till next week just out of principal, I didn't buy anything for my hair since around end of October, I've disgustingly made up for that this week! I almost thought I was cured of my PJism, but unfortunately not. I would like to buy a conditioner that I intend to use for cowashing, the durag and mini silk bands for my ends, the other 9 items can wait till much later in the year, as I will need to use up some stuff.

It's my birthday in a little under a couple of weeks, I will likely get money as I'm that person people struggle to buy for lol. I've had a little bit already, which I added to my mother's day gifts and purchased my recent haul , I intend to buy a new storage unit for my stash, and a new table top steamer. My old steamer drips hot water on my neck so it's got to go.

 

[Chicoro]

_Taylor505_ on TikTok


This young lady has beautiful, even, healthy ends. But I LOVE her attitude. Her mother is at the end of the video. She is SELF Loving. She seems to be on a cheerleading squad where she is the only black girl with hair like hers.

 

[Chicoro]

Thank you for thinking of me IF I get 4 inches of growth with retention this year, I will have superseded my goal by somewhere between 1 - 1.5 inches

I'm definitely not playing this year. The things that could set me back are:

Protein overload: Low risk - I'm not too concerned by this because it's very unlikely to happen, I am also able to fix that relatively quickly if it did happen

My ends: High risk - This is where I need to remain vigilant and on top of my game. I need to baby, seal and protect my ends.

Falling off regimen: Low - medium risk - I'm back to loving wash days again so it's highly unlikely that this will happen unless for physical reasons, hence medium risk. In any case, my hair has spoken, and she says "Absolutely not!"

Forecast for 2026 in the NORTH:

Sunny days and 4 inches of Rein. Hair Reining, Baby!

 

[Angel of the North]

Man* I am about to get that too lol. @Angel of the North & @GraceJones drafting that post talked me into it lol ha!

I appreciate that post, just checked my emails and Amazon have already sent me a reminder

 

[Chicoro]

So this was a December to March process that you newly implemented?

I have used this process many times in the past...which is why I envisioned where I expected to land, but I hadn't done it in a little while. The DC leave-in, seal and style was from January-this past Sunday.



To check my understanding, you did more oil and butter saturation than usual? Or, have you always done lots of oil an butter saturation as the end step of your hair process? My gut says no, no you did not always do this. But, you know your process and can correct me.

I used the same saturation (doused in it lol), but was testing some new products. For example, the NaturelleGrow Indian Clay DC was moisturizing for a Clay DC, but I probably should have added more humectants and oil to it to keep my hydration in better. Also, the Aethopika butter and the pure shea butter are staples that work wonderfully, so I assumed the H2Pro butter would fall in line as a shea butter base... but nah, it wasn't as good as my staples and it gave my ends a chance to dry out despite them being sealed. I know the culprit, but I don't waste NAAAAAAAAAA-THIN so imma add some castor oil and extra shea to use it up lol. Waste not, want not ha! None of the products were bad, but all of them didn't keep my hair supple from one wash day to the next and that makes a huge diffrence on my retention.

I know my hair is doing it's thing and progressing, but if all my products would have hit like my staples, then I just would have gotten more retention out of last season. Thats all. No complaints as trying new things is part of the fun that I wouldn't trade. I just have an awareness that I could have done better. I will tweak for this round.

I am definitley a shea head since the days of Sera on Fotki and copying her entire regimen until tweaked her strong foundation until my pesonalized regimen. You've got good HairSense. I know that you know the indicators lol.

Alright! Gotcha!

I am enjoying your journey right along with you!

 

[Angel of the North]

_Taylor505_ on TikTok


This young lady has beautiful, even, healthy ends. But I LOVE her attitude. Her mother is at the end of the video. She is SELF Loving. She seems to be on a cheerleading squad where she is the only black girl with hair like hers.

She is adorable, her hair looks very healthy, I live her energy. I couldn't watch the 2nd clip (I don't not have tik tok account), but the first one put a smile on my face multiple times.

 

[Angel of the North]

With everything that's been going on with my hair the last few weeks, I've been doing a lot of reflection. My central heating has been on constantly since September, although the sun is out now, it gets cold at night.

I'm thinking about the impact of the central heating on my hair, I've also been thinking about what I can do to mitigate that at least a little. I think I will try using my bonnets around the house instead of just for sleep. I will also try out the silk durag when it comes to see which I prefer, especially when the goal is to smoothen down the front of my hair.

I have purposefully not added any oil or butter to my ends between wash days this week, I want to see how my ends hold up and that will determine if it's a necessary step or a complimentary one. It is a step I will keep in my regimen, I just need to see what happens if I don't do it.

I probably won't do it next week either, as I want to analyse how my hair holds up without the extra mid week steps when it is in maximum moisture retention mode. I can document the results and then add the step back in the following week.

I will continue to add oil to my ends after the DC as I think over time it will help both the condition and the smoothness of my hair.

I mentioned that my regimen is a 4 weekly rotation, to show you what that looks like for me I'll break it down.

Following my 3 monthly reset,;

Week 1.
Moisturising cowash
Balancing DC (Moisture and protein)

Week 2
Overnight prepoo with blended oils
HOT
Moisturising shampoo
Moisturising DC

Week 3
Moisturising cowash
Mild protein DC, (I can can use rinse out conditioner as well as mild DC) apply oil blend over DC

Week 4
Overnight prepoo with infused oils
HOT
Clarifying shampoo
Moisturising DC

I get a minimum of 3 full 4 week cycles, once per cycle, I will add oil over my DC:

Round 1 week 4 - Mix oils in Moisture

Round 2 Week 3 - Mix oils in Protein

Round 3 Week 1 - Mix oils in Balance

I'm currently on week 2 of cycle 1

I think it's pretty simple, it hasn't been too much for me to stick to and most importantly, I have incorporated everything my hair likes over the 4 week period. I don't need to do anything but minor tweaks here and there, my regimen also allows for me to switch the cowash and DC conditioners as necessary. There maybe weeks where I think I need more moisture and I can switch it up accordingly, I just need to document it all and why I think that might be the case.

I intended to spend more time smoothing thing my products through my hair, I worked one quarter of my hair at a time and the results were amazing. I know to get the maximum moisture retention possible for my hair, it's better to work in smaller sections, and the moisture can last upto a couple of weeks.

I might even try out one of my oil applicator/dispenser, the one with a comb on the end lol, I have a couple that have long pointy applicator as well. I'm so excited to put that oil on tomorrow, I literally can't wait!

 

[Chicoro]

@Angel of the North

What is 'HOT'?

Something just slammed into me like a truck! Prior to your hair AHA!, something in your life shifted, or came to an end or came to fruition or was resolved. This freed up time and reflection time for you to transfer to your hair. I mention this to say, "Congratulations on resolving that situation and gaining peace!" It was a long time coming, was heavy and its resolution has lightened your load and lightened the burden that was once ever present in your life.

Breathe. You worked hard. Exhale, sigh and take in that deep, cleansing, sweet breath. You did it!

 

[Chicoro]

I see me and @Angel of the North have bumped this thread from 3 posts to 200 posts just from our two person discussion!

 

[Angel of the North]

@Angel of the North

What is 'HOT'?

Hot oil treatment. I'll sit under my hooded dryer for this. Before I got my dryer I'd just use a blow dryer to create the heat over a shower cap.

Something just slammed into me like a truck! Prior to your hair AHA!, something in your life shifted, or came to an end or came to fruition or was resolved. This freed up time and reflection time for you to transfer to your hair. I mention this to say, "Congratulations on resolving that situation and gaining peace!" It was a long time coming, was heavy and its resolution has lightened your load and lightened the burden that was once ever present in your life.

It most certainly has, I just left my job of 15 years. I have a lot of time on my hands and I have been able to prioritise my hair after some much needed rest.

Breathe. You worked hard. Exhale, sigh and take in that deep, cleansing, sweet breath. You did it!

I'm breathing I'm smiling, my hair is smiling, we are happy

 

[Angel of the North]

Posted this in the Grow it Long thread in error so I've moved it over here.



Pic 1: Washday 2 weeks ago
Pic 2: Wash day last week, (Sunday),
Pic 3: Today 5 days post wash day

 

[Chicoro]

Hot oil treatment. I'll sit under my hooded dryer for this. Before I got my dryer I'd just use a blow dryer to create the heat over a shower cap.

It most certainly has, I just left my job of 15 years. I have a lot of time on my hands and I have been able to prioritise my hair after some much needed rest.


I'm breathing I'm smiling, my hair is smiling, we are happy

All the interaction and communication we've been doing created an energetic, empathic, connection which enabled me to 'see' this change, but with my feelings. Prior to the above post, I don't believe you've ever mentioned this change on LHCF. I think this empathic connection is why I have awakened at least twice in the last seven days with YOU atop my mind.

I used to be so embarrassed by my Gift, my ability to "know" things. Now, I am better at accepting it and expressing it. Thanks for the confirmation! Now, I'm going to step out your business!

 

[Chicoro]

Posted this in the Grow it Long thread in error so I've moved it over here.

View attachment 508060

Pic 1: Washday 2 weeks ago
Pic 2: Wash day last week, (Sunday),
Pic 3: Today 5 days post wash day

Looking at your 5 days post wash day photo, it looks to me like there might be some moisture loss. Let me go back and look at your notes again. Nothing jumped out, yet.

I believe that you can keep that wash day shine up until day #5 and beyond. I DON'T think it's a change in or addition of a different sealant at the end of your wash day, that you need.

My gut says, there is something that you are doing upstream, close to your pre-poo and wash that may be inhibiting that shine after it dries. The shine is there. There is something that your hair prefers that will buff out those tresses and unleash the shine on days #2 through #5 and beyond.

Are you using or do you have any product in your arsenal that has the word "alcohol" in the first three (3) to five (5) positions on the ingredients list?

 

[Angel of the North]

Looking at your 5 days post wash day photo, it looks to me like there might be some moisture loss. Let me go back and look at your notes again.

Yes I agree. I also noticed that my braid has shrunk, which was one of the indicators. The other was how it feels, although there is still moisture inside the braid, the outside is feeling on the dry side. This is why I intend to spend longer smoothing in the products and working in smaller sections this coming wash day.

 

[Angel of the North]

My gut says, there is something that you are doing upstream, close to your pre-poo and wash that may be inhibiting that shine after it dries. The shine is there. There is something that your hair prefers that will buff out those tresses and unleash the shine on days #2 through #5 and beyond.

I think it's a case of what I'm not doing. I need to spend more time on the smoothing, and may have to refresh mid week because of the need to remoisturise. I will know for sure by the end of next week.

Are you using or do you have any product in your arsenal that has the word "alcohol" in the first three (3) to five (5) positions on the ingredients list?

No, I don't. I don't think I have either off of the top of my head. I was very ingredients conscious when I started one of my hair journeys around 20 years ago, and I had a list of ingredients that I would avoid.

 

[Chicoro]

I think it's a case of what I'm not doing. I need to spend more time on the smoothing, and may have to refresh mid week because of the need to remoisturise. I will know for sure by the end of next week.


No, I don't. I don't think I have either off of the top of my head. I was very ingredients conscious when I started one of my hair journeys around 20 years ago, and I had a list of ingredients that I would avoid.

Is there anything with Vitamin C, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Acetic Acid (vinegar), Ascorbic Acid?

Castor oil?

 

[Angel of the North]

Is there anything with Vitamin C, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Acetic Acid (vinegar), Ascorbic Acid?

Castor oil?

I don't think there is, but I'llhave to double check that. I don't like castor oil for my hair, it's way too thick and heavy and dries out my hair. The last time I had some, I had to mix it in my DCs so not to waste it.

 

[Angel of the North]

Looking at your 5 days post wash day photo, it looks to me like there might be some moisture loss. Let me go back and look at your notes again. Nothing jumped out, yet.

This is what I need to check over the next couple of weeks. Previously I didn't need to remoisturise my hair in between washes, now I feel it could be something I need to do, my hair may have changed to the way it responds to moisture now. I can rule this out within 2 weeks and it will not have a detrimental effect on my hair within that time.

 

[Lylddlebit]

@Lylddlebit

I woke up with you and one other person in this thread at the top of my mind.

The image I got was that if your hair looks like it does now, I believe by December 2026 your hair will be thick and full half way past your behind. So, you may not have gotten the retention you expected this time around, but I believe it is coming, thick and full and beyond your expectations in December.

Oh yeah!