“Nikki, I think I have been mistaking damaged split or breaking ends for what was actually dry ends. I trim once every other week, and I’m afraid that I’ll never reach my length goals. Every time I feel a nasty end, I reach for the scissors. Recently I discovered that the ends aren’t split, they just feel crackly, and probably could’ve been saved. I want long hair, but my ends aren’t cooperating. I hate the feel of them.“
I know exactly what you mean! I get those too…especially when I’ve been using a conditioner that contains protein. Your best bet is to start a routine of weekly Deep Treatments w/heat. My favorite moisturizing DTs are:
-Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose (Vitamin Shoppe or Whole Foods)
-Jessicurl Weekly Deep Treatment (Curlmart.com)
-Pantene Relaxed and Natural Breakage Defense Mask (Walmart, Target)
Also, getting into the habit of regularly moisturizing and sealing is essential. Sealing is adding a conditioner or leave-in to wet hair, and sealing it with a tiny bit of butter/oil, to protect the ends. I do this every time I style my hair, but other naturals do it every (other) day or so. I have to pay special attention to my ends because neglecting them in the past, led to stunted growth retention.
The important thing to remember is to catch them in the ‘dry crackly’ stage, because splitting is next.
Happy Moisturizing,
Nik
Nikki, do you have a previous post about sealing?
-ShandaR
I happy somebody asked that question!! I’m having the same problem I’m going to have to wite these down
I’m happy this post helped ladies!!! Keep me posted on your progress. It took me more than a year to whip my ends into shape and they still give me problems. They’re delicate little buggers, and we have to be diligent and VERY gentle.
I thoe products are on my wish list
ITA with Caramel Goddess & Soude! Thank u for this post. My ends were looking this way as well, that's before I started to moisturize & seal. :o)
Prettysunshyne
I was going to say that this post was for me but then I remembered it was for whoever sent you that message. 🙂
Nevertheless, I have to say THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!! MY ends have been like that for a couple of weeks but I couldn’t figure out why. Thanks for the tips.
OMG! I’m so glad I came across your blog. I was JUST looking at my hair this morning and wondering the same thing about my ends.
Thank you so much for that Nik! I kept cutting my ends bc I thought they were damaged until I sat down to really consider that maybe they were just really thirsty. I am definitly getting in the habit of using a good leave in conditioner and shea butter to seal. I like the SheaMoisture you recommended (I get mine from Treaseuredlocks.com) but also am into the TreasureLocks product line. I can’t wait to get my hair your length.
Wow. I have this same problem! When you posted that list of proteins last week I printed it off and checked the bottles of my deep conditioners and all of them have protein! I really need to get a deep conditioner that does not contain protein, I am going to get one that you suggested. Thanks a lot!!!
Great advice, Nikki.
Thanks for the information 🙂