Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013/2014

[faithVA]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

Yay for you! I know its been a struggle!

Thank You Babygrowth. It has been. It looks like 2013 may be a good hair year for me. Hoping anyway

 

[virtuenow]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

I just got threw LCOB'in my hair.

I applied diluted KomazaCare Aloe My Hair Moisturizing Spritz, then the Darcy's Botanicals Shea Butter Curl Moisturizing Cream, Grapeseed Oil and buttered the last 2 to 3 inches of my hair with Silk Dreams Mocha Bling Butter .

My hair is really liking this combo. The Aloe My Hair Spritz is really nice, still not better then the Califia (My HG), but a definite second .
I'm going to be pretty bummed when the Bling Butter is gone. Def. staple, I'll pick up another jar within the next 6 or so months. I want to use up another pomade or two before repurchasing it.

As for my Wash Day "End" Care, I'm still applying the Phyto Phytokeratine Reparative End Serum to my ends after applying all of my Leave In's. This stuff is too a staple. My ends are noticeably stronger and can within more manipulation when using it. (I manipulate daily for bunning and the removal of shed hair. I have fine strands, so if I don't I will get some knots and slight matting .)

@EnExitStageLeft Komaza's Califia Moisture Spritz is also my favorite moisture spray. It is excellent. However, I believe the Aloe My Hair Spritz is just as good (if not better). The thing is, the Aloe Spritz is much more powerful when undiluted. The Califia is great whether you dilute it or not; but you only get the full effect of Aloe by using as is. The moisture is off the charts.

 

[EnExitStageLeft]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

virtuenow

Hmmmmmm......I may try this as a leave in along with the Aloe Leave In and Moisturizing Cream when I wash this weekend. Thanks for the tip

 

[Babygrowth]

I just got threw LCOB'in my hair.

I applied diluted KomazaCare Aloe My Hair Moisturizing Spritz, then the Darcy's Botanicals Shea Butter Curl Moisturizing Cream, Grapeseed Oil and buttered the last 2 to 3 inches of my hair with Silk Dreams Mocha Bling Butter .

My hair is really liking this combo. The Aloe My Hair Spritz is really nice, still not better then the Califia (My HG), but a definite second .
I'm going to be pretty bummed when the Bling Butter is gone. Def. staple, I'll pick up another jar within the next 6 or so months. I want to use up another pomade or two before repurchasing it.

As for my Wash Day "End" Care, I'm still applying the Phyto Phytokeratine Reparative End Serum to my ends after applying all of my Leave In's. This stuff is too a staple. My ends are noticeably stronger and can within more manipulation when using it. (I manipulate daily for bunning and the removal of shed hair. I have fine strands, so if I don't I will get some knots and slight matting .)

Is your hair still damp or dry while doing the LCOB? I want to try it. My ends need some extra babying for the future... EnExitStageLeft also did you ever get tea rinsing to work for you?

 

[EnExitStageLeft]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

Babygrowth
I use just enough liquid to coat my strands, but not wet them (if that even makes any sense lol). So my hair is still dry once I finish with all the steps.

...and girl I gave up and said I would try to start again in the summer . I work for the Head Start Program and we're out for most of the summer. So then I'll have time to to really test it out. However, I want to try my hand at oil rinsing so if that happens, I may just axe the whole Tea Rinsing idea out completely. I do add Marshmallow root and Slippery Elm to my DC's though. I may use the herbs and mix it with a Conditioner Base and make my own DC's this summer......Hmmmmmm

 

[Babygrowth]

Babygrowth
I use just enough liquid to coat my strands, but not wet them (if that even makes any sense lol). So my hair is still dry once I finish with all the steps.

...and girl I gave up and said I would try to start again in the summer . I work for the Head Start Program and we're out for most of the summer. So then I'll have time to to really test it out. However, I want to try my hand at oil rinsing so if that happens, I may just axe the whole Tea Rinsing idea out completely. I do add Marshmallow root and Slippery Elm to my DC's though. I may use the herbs and mix it with a Conditioner Base and make my own DC's this summer......Hmmmmmm

Ok. That makes sense! Then you put your serum on top of all that? Well adding those ingredients you don't need tea rinsing lol! But, I hope it works for you. I love marshmallow root! Oil rinsing didn't work for my relaxed hair like my natural hair but I probably didn't use the right oil. Coconut oil will probably work tho! I need some sunflower and grapeseed in my life. They should definitely work... I like the sound of making your own DC! Yummy!

 

[EnExitStageLeft]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

Babygrowth....I'm sorry I just seen your post!Forgive me

Actually, I only use the Phyto serum on my wash days. The only thing I focus on my ends during the weeks is my butter and/or pomade.

Now about the oil rinsing. I've read that a couple people have the most success with ceramide oils, so I may use either rice bran, grapeseed or wheat germ. Heck I may get fancy and combine the three .

I would love to test my own DC concoction this summer. I have 2 conditioner bases just itching to be used. I'll put them to the test then .

 

[Mskraizy]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

I would like to join in this too.

1. Are you relaxed, texlaxed, natural, transitioning, etc
2. Current Hair Length Half-Inch from BSL
3. Any issue(s) you are having with your ends Nope, and I want to keep em that way. I recently did a dramatic trim of about 1-2 inches of dead ends and my ends are the healthiest I've seen in awhile.
4. What you have tried to improve your ends Trims....just couldn't find any other way around it.
5. What you are going to try to get those healthy ends I'm just gonna keep up with what I'm doing which is basically moisturize and protective style.

 

[Babygrowth]

Babygrowth....I'm sorry I just seen your post!Forgive me

Actually, I only use the Phyto serum on my wash days. The only thing I focus on my ends during the weeks is my butter and/or pomade.

Now about the oil rinsing. I've read that a couple people have the most success with ceramide oils, so I may use either rice bran, grapeseed or wheat germ. Heck I may get fancy and combine the three .

I would love to test my own DC concoction this summer. I have 2 conditioner bases just itching to be used. I'll put them to the test then .

Ceramide oils you say??? Hmmmm.... let me know about the mixes!

 

[Babygrowth]

I cannot wait to dust my ends on the 21st! After a not so good wash day yesterday my ends looked horrible! But they will be better today after this protein treatment! Still this scheduled dusting will do me some much needed good. I need to try henna... off to mehandi.com

 

[EnExitStageLeft]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

@Babygrowth

I used Hempseed oil and honestly my hair felt like it does when I prepoo. So I probably won't be oil rinsing again.

I think I'll stick to my usual routine because its been perfection for my tresses.

Prepoo
Shampoo
If needed, reconstructive treatment
Moisturizing DC with steam
Cowash and detangle with my homemade slippy detangling mix.

Thats it and I most likely won't be changing it. No tea or oil rinsing for me right now. YAYYYYYY FOR DECISIONS .

 

[faithVA]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

I moisturized and sealed my hair for 7 straight days. Between the protein treatments, trims and daily moisturizing my ends are finally feeling better. They aren't perfect but they aren't terrible. And that's progress for me.

They still feel bushy and I may not be able to save them but I think I am often the excessive trimming cycle. My breakage, still a lot but has been much less this week. And it was extremely low today even though its my wash day.

I will be taking pictures of my shed/breakage hair for the next 4 weeks.

 

[EnExitStageLeft]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

faithVA

I know that you have Low Porosity hair.

Have you tired glycerin based products or baggying overnight or in the shower?

ALot of Low poro. people tend to benefits from regimens like this. Also you may benefit from heavy sealing AFTER the baggying session.

 

[Babygrowth]

@Babygrowth

I used Hempseed oil and honestly my hair felt like it does when I prepoo. So I probably won't be oil rinsing again.

I think I'll stick to my usual routine because its been perfection for my tresses.

Prepoo
Shampoo
If needed, reconstructive treatment
Moisturizing DC with steam
Cowash and detangle with my homemade slippy detangling mix.

Thats it and I most likely won't be changing it. No tea or oil rinsing for me right now. YAYYYYYY FOR DECISIONS .

Yay! Sounds good to me. For the first time in a long time I felt like I was doing too much to my hair! I think its also time for me to re-evaluate my regimen!

 

[EnExitStageLeft]

Yay! Sounds good to me. For the first time in a long time I felt like I was doing too much to my hair! I think its also time for me to re-evaluate my regimen!

Yeah, ive found that doing touch is just as bad if not worst then doing nothing at all. I did this towards to beginning of my journey and while the health of my hair flourished, I never seen any length. Ive been keeping it relatively simple since then.

 

[faithVA]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

faithVA

I know that you have Low Porosity hair.

Have you tired glycerin based products or baggying overnight or in the shower?

ALot of Low poro. people tend to benefits from regimens like this. Also you may benefit from heavy sealing AFTER the baggying session.

Thanks EnExitStageLeft. I am playing around with glycerin based products. Just trying to find one that works for me. I want to keep it moisturized but at the same time I'm trying to avoid the sticky, greasy feeling that comes along with it. It's just trial and error at the moment.

I can't baggy over an hour because it inflames my scalp. I have played around with it but I have never gotten baggying to work for me yet Maybe something will click and I will figure it out in the future.

Everything you say makes sense. I am just trying to figure it out for my head. It is still a matter of trial and error for now.

 

[Babygrowth]

Thanks EnExitStageLeft. I am playing around with glycerin based products. Just trying to find one that works for me. I want to keep it moisturized but at the same time I'm trying to avoid the sticky, greasy feeling that comes along with it. It's just trial and error at the moment.

I can't baggy over an hour because it inflames my scalp. I have played around with it but I have never gotten baggying to work for me yet Maybe something will click and I will figure it out in the future.

Everything you say makes sense. I am just trying to figure it out for my head. It is still a matter of trial and error for now.

Man, if my hair was long enough to baggy just the ends then I probably could make it work! I don't like the wet head feeling and sometimes I get a crazy case of the itchies!

 

[faithVA]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

Man, if my hair was long enough to baggy just the ends then I probably could make it work! I don't like the wet head feeling and sometimes I get a crazy case of the itchies!

Yeah, I agree. If I could baggy the ends or baggy a bun then I could work it. I always get the itchies. So when I baggy I'm scratching my head all night and not getting a good sleep.

I have tried putting the bonnet first, the bag second and then putting a scarf on top of that. That gives me some of the benefits of baggying without the itchies and without the excess water.

But I still haven't figured out what to do with it in the morning. Even with sealing my hair dries out faster so I will put that on hold until my hair is longer.

 

[EnExitStageLeft]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

faithVA

Maybe this way can benefit you. Moisturize with a glycerin based product, apply your plastic cap and then your satin bonnet, baggy while you shower (15 to 30 minutes), get out and and heavy seal with a grease like product, solidified oil or butter as soon as you remove the baggy, style (if preferable), reapply satin bonnet and proceed with your normal nightly routine.

The benefit of this regimen is you get a thorough baggy session in without the wet feeling and by heavy sealing directly after the session your sealing in the moisture from the "steam" and moisturizer.

As far as glycerin go you may want to go far a product with glycerin far down in the ingredients. This way you can experience the glycerin benefits without the sticky feeling. Also, what are you sealing with? Maybe this can be the culprit. A bad sealant can make for a bad hair day. My hair loathes coconut oil during the winter and fall. I can only use it spring and fall, however my hair adores grapeseed oil year round. This is why it is my go to sealant. However since you do have low porosity hair you may need something heavier to seal. Please don't be alarmed with my suggestion, but have you ever tried Crisco. I know it may sound bizarre, but crisco can actually be beneficial for those such as yourself because of the Hydrogenated Oils it contains. These type of oils are produce soley to lubricate so this is what makes it so beneficial for sealing. This way it could coats the strands, leaving the moisture no choice but to stay sealed in.

Also, I know you trim regularly. Do you think the shears you trim with could be the culprit. When I suffered from splits and dry ends a couple years ago. I found out threw the help of my stylist that my shears and cutting technique could have been the issue. However, since then I have been using and repurchasing this pair of shears :http://www.folica.com/tools/shears/tweezerman-styling-shear-five-and-a-half-inches and haven't had any dryness or "bushiness" since. Also, how do you trim you hair. If you don't do it in twist you may want to try it that way. This way you can see what exactly needs to come off.

I hope I didn't overwhelm you with all of this

 

[faithVA]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

EnExitStageLeft[/USER];18085233]faithVA

Maybe this way can benefit you. Moisturize with a glycerin based product, apply your plastic cap and then your satin bonnet, baggy while you shower (15 to 30 minutes), get out and and heavy seal with a grease like product, solidified oil or butter as soon as you remove the baggy, style (if preferable), reapply satin bonnet and proceed with your normal nightly routine.

The benefit of this regimen is you get a thorough baggy session in without the wet feeling and by heavy sealing directly after the session your sealing in the moisture from the "steam" and moisturizer.

As far as glycerin go you may want to go far a product with glycerin far down in the ingredients. This way you can experience the glycerin benefits without the sticky feeling. Also, what are you sealing with? Maybe this can be the culprit. A bad sealant can make for a bad hair day. My hair loathes coconut oil during the winter and fall. I can only use it spring and fall, however my hair adores grapeseed oil year round. This is why it is my go to sealant. However since you do have low porosity hair you may need something heavier to seal. Please don't be alarmed with my suggestion, but have you ever tried Crisco. I know it may sound bizarre, but crisco can actually be beneficial for those such as yourself because of the Hydrogenated Oils it contains. These type of oils are produce soley to lubricate so this is what makes it so beneficial for sealing. This way it could coats the strands, leaving the moisture no choice but to stay sealed in.

Also, I know you trim regularly. Do you think the shears you trim with could be the culprit. When I suffered from splits and dry ends a couple years ago. I found out threw the help of my stylist that my shears and cutting technique could have been the issue. However, since then I have been using and repurchasing this pair of shears :http://www.folica.com/tools/shears/tweezerman-styling-shear-five-and-a-half-inches and haven't had any dryness or "bushiness" since. Also, how do you trim you hair. If you don't do it in twist you may want to try it that way. This way you can see what exactly needs to come off.

I hope I didn't overwhelm you with all of this

Thanks. No it's not overwhelming. Trust me I am always throwing a lot of things around. I welcome the suggestions. You never know when one thing my fit. And sometimes I have to change 1 variable in my regimen to get another to work. So even if I can't use it now I may be able to fall back on it later.

So far my hair doesn't like anything heavy. Oils, butters, grease They don't seal, they just don't do anything but be greasy. Yep, I've tried just about all of them. Even the ones I love sunflower oil, apricot oil don't really do anything. What I am noticing is that my hair likes a creamy product to seal which can then contain oils, butters etc. So I have learned that.

I have considered the crisco but since I've had such a poor experience with oils and butters, that experiment is on hold for now.

I can definitely give the baggy method a try maybe while I'm exercising. I can probably at least try it 2x a week.

I am still playing around with products when it comes to moisturizing and sealing. This week I am sealing with Qhemet Burdock Root or Qhemet Amla both of these products contain glycerine. So as to not weigh down my hair I am only spritzing it with a tea mix. That has seemed to work well. Spritzing my hair with water does nothing

On wash day I apply As I Am leave-in, followed with 4 Naturals Afro Stretch.

I am currently looking for a moisturizer that doesn't have glycerine, mineral oil or dimethicone that I can buy on the ground.

But I'm in the Use Up Your Stash Challenge so that will have to wait until next month.

I don't think it is my shears. I had my hair analysis and she said my hair is just dry and just need to moisturize it every day and do more protein treatments. So for right now I am just trying to moisturize it every day. My hair is still pretty short so moisturizing it every day so far is a challenge. I will try the baggying piece to see if I can make that work.

I don't have those shears but I did just buy my shears last month. And I have trimmed in many ways: 2 strand twists, single twists, roller set, loose wet hair before I twist.

My head is a walking experiment

 

[faithVA]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

I am going to graduate from this thread one day

 

[Babygrowth]

I am going to graduate from this thread one day

Yes you will!

 

[Babygrowth]

Dusting completed; ends look much better! Next dusting in May (I think) still M/s everyday just haven't been doing twice a day. May go back to that but I don't think I need it now that I have products that work...

 

[EnExitStageLeft]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

@Babygrowth

I'm glad your dusting session went ok. Hopefully mine will too. I will be dusting with my next Texturizing/flat ironing session at the end of April. My siggy pic is of my hair post light flat ironing without a dusting (I dusted after taking the pics). I took the pics to access if I had any damage luckily there wasn't any and I only took off about 1/8th's of an inch on my bottom layers and 1/4th's off the top. Hopefully it'll stay this way .

@faithVA

How is it going with the 4Naturals line? I have the reconstructor and its been staring me down for a hot minute now . I would love a review if you have used it.

@Jewell

Stop lurking and share dem' tips. You air drying queen you .

....No, but seriously I wouldn't mind knowing your regimen .

 

[Atdow71]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

I am going to henna my hair tomorrow or Saturday. I haven't done it in a few months because I didn't like how it loosened my curl pattern. This lady that I follow on fb said to use Amla powder, so I hope this works.

Next week I'm going wig shopping w/ my girlfriend. Wig shopping is exhausting, but she loves wigs and has a bunch so I'm hoping I can find a nice wig.

 

[faithVA]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

@Babygrowth

I'm glad your dusting session went ok. Hopefully mine will too. I will be dusting with my next Texturizing/flat ironing session at the end of April. My siggy pic is of my hair post light flat ironing without a dusting (I dusted after taking the pics). I took the pics to access if I had any damage luckily there wasn't any and I only took off about 1/8th's of an inch on my bottom layers and 1/4th's off the top. Hopefully it'll stay this way .

@faithVA

How is it going with the 4Naturals line? I have the reconstructor and its been staring me down for a hot minute now . I would love a review if you have used it.

@Jewell

Stop lurking and share dem' tips. You air drying queen you .

....No, but seriously I wouldn't mind knowing your regimen .

I will use the whole line together on Sunday I will let you know then. I have used the shampoo and reconstructor. The shampoo is wonderful. My hair was moist just as the bottle said and it was very soft. Sunday I will use the conditioner after the shampoo to see how it works. I also used the reconstructor. I don't have a lot of experience with protein treatments but I liked it. My hair felt stronger. I did do a DC behind it.

I hope this line adds a DC and leave-in to it. Because so far I like what I have used.

 

[EnExitStageLeft]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

faithVA

I thought they had a Curl Cream or something like that, that subs as a leave in. I could be wrong, but I think they do(?).

 

[faithVA]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

EnExitStageLeft[/USER];18108107]faithVA

I thought they had a Curl Cream or something like that, that subs as a leave in. I could be wrong, but I think they do(?).

Are you referring to the Afro Stretch Cream? Since it doesn't have any nutrients in it I would consider this more of a moisturizer or styler. It's pretty much glycerin and shea butter.

The only other product for my hair type are the freshen up curl refresher.

I am going to try the Afro Stretch Cream by itself but long term I think I will apply a leave-in under it and use it as a styler.

Unfortunately there site has a virus and I can't even get to it to read more.

ETA: Never mind they fixed it

 

[faithVA]

Re: Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2013

Moisturized last night with Qhemet Moringa Ghee, spritzed with water and twisted. Sealed my ends with ?Oyin Burnt Sugar Pomade I think

This morning I snipped any ends that tangled.

Moisturizing and twisting every night is a lot but I am committed for 30 days to see if I see a difference. I do notice less breakage during the week. And my hair actually stayed moisturized yesterday, so much so that I really didn't want to touch it to remoisturize it.

I only have 3 more weeks to go. I can make it

But my fro is starting to hit the ceiling in my car That can't be good

 

[FoxxyLocs]

I straightened my hair on Wednesday and trimmed my ends. Overall they looked pretty good. I trimmed about 1/2 inch, a little more in some places but I was happy with how my ends looked. My last real trim was November I think, and I've been dusting monthly. Will continue my regimen.