Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2026

[ScorpioLove]

How short did you go? It may just take a little getting used to. I went through a phase of wearing my hair short, I like short hair on me, if I want a short style now I'd get a weave. I actually mainly avoid short hair because it's more work for me on a daily basis, I don't want to get up everyday and HAVE to style my hair, and that's what having short hair would mean for me.

It’s bottom of neck length bob. some of my strands are shorter but only cause i was dealing with a lot of breakage post partum/ removal of twists.

Definitely feels like more styling maintenance is needed. was also trying to search and destroy but couldn’t outside of my front strands. i will have to figure out a mirror set up. post salon visit style was cute but i am still trying to figure out damage free styling on my own. my hair isn’t quite long enough to ponytail but considering the damage those can cause it’s probably best not to rely on that.

i’m sort of reintroducing myself to hair as a hobby so super gentle detangling and styling to look nice with my own hair is the goal. in a pinch, i can throw on a wig if i need to.

 

[Angel of the North]

It’s bottom of neck length bob. some of my strands are shorter but only cause i was dealing with a lot of breakage post partum/ removal of twists.

Definitely feels like more styling maintenance is needed. was also trying to search and destroy but couldn’t outside of my front strands. i will have to figure out a mirror set up. post salon visit style was cute but i am still trying to figure out damage free styling on my own. my hair isn’t quite long enough to ponytail but considering the damage those can cause it’s probably best not to rely on that.

i’m sort of reintroducing myself to hair as a hobby so super gentle detangling and styling to look nice with my own hair is the goal. in a pinch, i can throw on a wig if i need to.

Have you thought about roller setting? That might work out for you, along with wrapping at night to make lighter work of styling.

 

[Lylddlebit]

Hey!

@Angel of the North

Another AHA!

The hard Shea butter mix elongates and stretches my hair.

So, I use the hard butter to stretch my hair instead of using HEAT (blow dryer) to stretch my hair.

I never made that connection before!


My hair coated with the Hard Shea Butter Mix with Cocoa Butter





Hard Shea Butter Mix Elongates and Stretches my Hair Section



Hair Braided and Coated with Hard Shea Butter Mix



Pulling Braid coated and saturated with the Hard Shea Butter Mix

That hair is sweeping the tops of your thighs while sitting down. Looking real good!

 

[Lylddlebit]

I'm here. Just taking a slight breather. For some reason I'm not feeling like being bothered with hair
I skipped the March update as you can see. No pictures. No straightening. No measuring.

How are you progressing? What are those ends looking like?
I'm not sure how they are looking. I didn't feel like being bothered with blow drying and trimming. I put my hair in mini-twist and clipped the ends. That's about all I'm going to do until probably June.

Have you had any epiphanies?
No really. Still thinking about which bond treatment I will switch to after the K18. Thinking I may be better off using something easier each wash day versus K18, once a month.

Have you set bolder goals?
No. Just sticking to reaching APL by the end of the year and keeping it as simple as possible.

Have you pulled back on some goals?
No

Have you had any realizations about your hair or your hair care practices?
No

How is your consistency?
I missed 1 week due to something I can't remember now. But for the most part on scheduling every 5 to 7 days.

Extending grace to you?
A whole lot of it right now.

Do you know which bond treatment you want to try? I really like the living proof triple bond treatment and Epes is on my wishlist.

 

[Lylddlebit]

For the first time in the history of my hair journey, my ends were so healthy, and NOT so riddled with splits/knots and lint, that I was able to selectively do the Search and Destroy method to clean up my Hair Ends.

I could literally COUNT the splits and knots and lint coated ends I had. Normally, every single hair end would usually be either split, knotted or have lint or have all a combination of these issues.

Not this time. Knot this time. Nope! ​

To be transparent, I still have some hairs with knots and a few splits. I did not get them all. But most of my hair ends are free from any issues and damage.

I read this and said. What a Feeling...in my Irene Cara impersonations lol!

 

[faithVA]

Do you know which bond treatment you want to try? I really like the living proof triple bond treatment and Epes is on my wishlist.

I think I'm going to try Hairgenics Pronexa. I used it before but along with the K18. You use it before shampooing. I think that will work better with the products I am using. And I'm hoping that using it every week will work as well for me as using K18 once a month. I don't think I want another leave-in type unless I confirm that no other type works for my hair.

 

[snoop]

Thank you for explaining that for me, I'm even more curious to hear about your results when you try the paste. I'm wondering if it makes a smoother paste than the other clays. I want to try the bentonite clay in the form of a paste.

I'm still making my way through the threads, but I'll answer this one.

I've used (white) kaolin, bentonite, rhassoul, red clay, and pink clays, though I've used the last four in the past. I've always used them as a paste.

From what I remember, red clay was sticky and hard to wash out. Bentonite and rhassoul are gritty/sandy and hard to wash out of my cottony 4c hair -- unless I follow up with conditioner. Pink clay was in between. Kaolin clay, however, has a consistency that's not like the others.

First, it requires a lot less water to turn it into a runny paste than the other clays do. Second, the clay itself is so finely milled, that I would compare it to talcum powder...very soft and smooth. Like flour. Finally, when you mix it, the consistency is, as @Chicoro said, soft and smooth, which makes it super easy to wash out. A lot of people with my hair texture tend to have some difficulty washing out other clays unless they can use a conditioner with slip to aid them. This washes straight out with water, unless I leave it on too long and it starts to dry or, as with the others, if I were to add oils which make the oils "sticky".

 

[snoop]

I needed to trim my hair. More than a micro trim. I hadn't used my "regular" trimming method of putting my hair in mini twists then cutting off the final inch, in some time. My ends were getting a bit raggidy.

But here's the thing. So roads...good intentions...

I washed my hair last week in jumbo twists with the idea of being able to keep my hair moisturized long enough to install a set of twists. This now takes me 3 to 4 days. Well, the washing process caused some major tangles and matting at my roots. The knots ended up causing breakage or I was forced to snip a lot of them out. I also took a day's break, which caused my hair to dry out more.

Normally, I just twist my hair with water then moisturize and seal when everything is done, but this time I used a glycerine heavy glycerine/water mix. I think that the glycerine added a bit of slip. My hair is now in mini twists and feeling so soft...and my ends are now feeling so much better!



I plan on keeping these in until mid- to end of next month. I want to break them down into micro twists after, but I've never done my hair that small, so I'm a bit apprehensive. We'll see.

 

[Angel of the North]

I'm still making my way through the threads, but I'll answer this one.

I've used (white) kaolin, bentonite, rhassoul, red clay, and pink clays, though I've used the last four in the past. I've always used them as a paste.

From what I remember, red clay was sticky and hard to wash out. Bentonite and rhassoul are gritty/sandy and hard to wash out of my cottony 4c hair -- unless I follow up with conditioner. Pink clay was in between. Kaolin clay, however, has a consistency that's not like the others.

First, it requires a lot less water to turn it into a runny paste than the other clays do. Second, the clay itself is so finely milled, that I would compare it to talcum powder...very soft and smooth. Like flour. Finally, when you mix it, the consistency is, as @Chicoro said, soft and smooth, which makes it super easy to wash out. A lot of people with my hair texture tend to have some difficulty washing out other clays unless they can use a conditioner with slip to aid them. This washes straight out with water, unless I leave it on too long and it starts to dry or, as with the others, if I were to add oils which make the oils "sticky".

Thank you, I was heading in the direction of betonite clay, but after reading your post, it spends like that Kaolin would be better suited to my hair for ease of washing out.

I can't remember if I asked this already, apologies if I have. Will they clay/s have the same effect on hair when used as a rinse instead of a paste?

The washing out is the biggest challenge for me, I'd like to use a clay mask before I start back on WAGs, I'm aiming for minimum once per year but this could increase if I don't find it too difficult.

 

[snoop]

Thank you, I was heading in the direction of betonite clay, but after reading your post, it spends like that Kaolin would be better suited to my hair for ease of washing out.

I can't remember if I asked this already, apologies if I have. Will they clay/s have the same effect on hair when used as a rinse instead of a paste?

The washing out is the biggest challenge for me, I'd like to use a clay mask before I start back on WAGs, I'm aiming for minimum once per year but this could increase if I don't find it too difficult.

That I'm not sure of so we'll have to wait for Chicoro's experiment.

If I remember correctly, when I bentonite and rhassoul masks, I could use 2 tbsp...the same amount of mask requires double the kaolin. It waters down sooooo easily . Like, seriously be conservative when adding water your first time until you figure out your ratios.

 

[snoop]

@Angel of the North

Here's a video showing the consistency the rinse part isn't long, but you'll get an idea of how easily it can rinse out of textured hair.

 

[Chicoro]

That I'm not sure of so we'll have to wait for Chicoro's experiment.

If I remember correctly, when I bentonite and rhassoul masks, I could use 2 tbsp...the same amount of mask requires double the kaolin. It waters down sooooo easily . Like, seriously be conservative when adding water your first time until you figure out your ratios.

The problem is not having grainy residue. The problem is getting ALL the 'DIRT' out so it does not show up as you are putting your oils and leave ins on the hair.

The key is to Rinse, Rinse, rinse, rinse and rinse and rinse and repeat.

You need to get all the clay mix out. Then you can really feel the benefits of the clay.

Yesterday, I just bought an aloe vera leaf and some aloe vera in a bottle at the health food store. I wanted some basil essential oil but nobody carries it where I am at.

I've been trying to get to my hair but life pops up and demands my attention.

 

[Chicoro]

@Angel of the North

Here's a video showing the consistency the rinse part isn't long, but you'll get an idea of how easily it can rinse out of textured hair.

.

@snoop


Do you remember what was in your Clay Mix that you are using in this video?!!

Also, what KIND of hair do you have?!!!

Your hair looks like ART!


I was so intent on the video that I didn't recognize it as yours, firstly. Then, I thought someone was punking me because the shape of the hair was perfectly uniform and consistent. I thought it was a fake doll/wig head.

Then I was like :

That's REAL Hair

and that's the REAL snoop!!!!!

I'm still shook.

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS hair.

That body. That glistening, richly hued skin. That thumbnail says it all. Just WOW!

 

[snoop]

The problem is not having grainy residue. The problem is getting ALL the 'DIRT' out so it does not show up as you are putting your oils and leave ins on the hair.

The key is to Rinse, Rinse, rinse, rinse and rinse and rinse and repeat.

You need to get all the clay mix out. Then you can really feel the benefits of the clay.

Yesterday, I just bought an aloe vera leaf and some aloe vera in a bottle at the health food store. I wanted some basil essential oil but nobody carries it where I am at.

I've been trying to get to my hair but life pops up and demands my attention.

For me it's the first. Generally speaking, I finger detangle in the shower. This can take 45 min to an hour, going almost strand by strand at the roots. When I step out, if it gets stuck the grain will sit on my scalp. The same thing happens with certain ayruvedic herbs. There are some herbs, like Sidr/Ziziphus which I will not use because it is like rolling on a lint filled carpet. It will take me several washes before it disappears. I can see it even before touching the oils and moisturizer. (I tried to find a picture, but I tend to delete them immediately.) I will caveat that I don't follow up with a rinse out conditioner, so I don't have that added assistance of slip from another product.

Have you tried ordering oregano oil online? New Directions Aromatics might be a place to try.

 

[snoop]

@snoop


Then I was like :

Girl, STOP!

 

[snoop]

I realize that my hair acts this way when it gets a LOT of WATER AND I RAKE through my strands. To the level of using a fine tooth or close to fine tooth comb. You can see through the (larger) crinkles of the twist out that I have tiny little crimps to my hair. That's because of the water and shingling. I don't use gel or mousse or anything. Just herbal stuff to wash my hair, water, and a moisturizer and oil after.




My routine was borne out of desperation for getting sidr out of my hair. I was testing out a product and it got stuck and it looked BAD. Like, I was scared that I wouldn't be able to be out in public for a few weeks because no matter what I did, the sidr lint wouldn't get out of my hair. I noticed that after a while, my hair would retain all sorts of texture.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure what the mix was that I used in the video. I basically use a different mix each week, but I might be able to track the recipe down. But in the meantime, this is a response to a comment on the video asking what was in the mix:

I mix various things depending on the week. I usually add a combination of ayurvedic powders, hydrolyzed proteins and amino acids, and honey. When I'm feeling experimental, I might find other things to add.

The amino acids are ones that I got from YOUR video. I still use them regularly (i.e. whenever I make a clay mask.) I also modify this particular part of the recipe by adding ascorbic acid and allantoin (per Aubrey).

 

[Chicoro]

Girl, STOP!

I will NOT!

 

[Chicoro]

For me it's the first. Generally speaking, I finger detangle in the shower. This can take 45 min to an hour, going almost strand by strand at the roots. When I step out, if it gets stuck the grain will sit on my scalp. The same thing happens with certain ayruvedic herbs. There are some herbs, like Sidr/Ziziphus which I will not use because it is like rolling on a lint filled carpet. It will take me several washes before it disappears. I can see it even before touching the oils and moisturizer. (I tried to find a picture, but I tend to delete them immediately.) I will caveat that I don't follow up with a rinse out conditioner, so I don't have that added assistance of slip from another product.

Have you tried ordering oregano oil online? New Directions Aromatics might be a place to try.

Sidr?
I was like sitar?

Ziziphus?
I was like you mean Sisyphus?






But I can buy me something for my hair, though. Let me go!

New Directions Aromatics website, here I come.

 

[Angel of the North]

The problem is not having grainy residue. The problem is getting ALL the 'DIRT' out so it does not show up as you are putting your oils and leave ins on the hair.

The key is to Rinse, Rinse, rinse, rinse and rinse and rinse and repeat.

You need to get all the clay mix out. Then you can really feel the benefits of the clay.

Yesterday, I just bought an aloe vera leaf and some aloe vera in a bottle at the health food store. I wanted some basil essential oil but nobody carries it where I am at.

I've been trying to get to my hair but life pops up and demands my attention.

I will make sure to rinse thoroughly when I try out the clay mask, I've noticed a few people have said they struggle with getting all of the grains out.

You could always infuse your own basil oil? I don't see this as being different to the process you use for your fenugreek oil and you have more control over the strength and how long the oil is infused for.

ETA: I watched a couple of videos yesterday, one fried the aloe leaf in sunflower oil and the other fried it in coconut oil. EVOO was also mentioned as an option, the aloe Vera oil looked wonderful.

 

[ScorpioLove]

Have you thought about roller setting? That might work out for you, along with wrapping at night to make lighter work of styling.

i have done roller setting but its still a lot of work and my roots never come out very good. it takes me about double to triple the time to rollerset and dry my hair. i’ll keep trying but i wouldn’t try it on a regular basis. I can’t wrap my hair so i’ve generally used flexirods my whole life.

just trying to get better at healthy styling that doesn’t take so long :-/

 

[Angel of the North]

My mini silk scrunchies arrived today, I'm looking forward to trying them out on Sunday.

I've been oiling my ends daily since Sunday, it is having the results that I'm looking for, ends a soft, silky and smooth. I may continue with conditioning my ends with the oils for another week, or so, I'm playing it by ear.

 

[Angel of the North]

i have done roller setting but its still a lot of work and my roots never come out very good. it takes me about double to triple the time to rollerset and dry my hair. i’ll keep trying but i wouldn’t try it on a regular basis. I can’t wrap my hair so i’ve generally used flexirods my whole life.

just trying to get better at healthy styling that doesn’t take so long :-/

I understand. I know exactly what you're talking about, I did a roller set in December, my wash day from the start till it was fully dried too 6 hours.

As much as I love a good roller set, 6 hours is too long for me and my arms, I am likely do it between 2 - 6 times for the year. I've increased the potential amount of times I'm willing to put my body through that because I love them so much.

There should be a thread or even a few of them dedicated to protective Styles. Have look if you haven't already, there were some really cute styles.