By Chicoro

Thin ends can mean that your hair is either breaking or growing. If the ends of your hair are not as thick as the bulk of the hair, or if you can see through the ends more so than you can see through the rest of your hair, you have thin ends.

How do you tell if you’re growing or breaking?

Put the scissors down and hold off with the trim before you make a decision!

Straighten your hair or stretch it and take a good, clear, picture of the back of your head to measure the length (Since you are looking at the ends, you don’t want to pull and stretch a section. It is best to straighten or stretch out all of your hair.)

Perform your routine or regimen for at least a month.

Straighten and measure again and take a photo.

This critically important photo will be your baseline measurement.

If your hair is shorter than before, or the same length as before and your ends are thin, it is very likely that your hair is breaking. If your hair is longer than the last time you measured it, but see -through or a bit thinner on the very ends, then your hair is most likely growing to longer lengths. This is how I determine what thin ends mean for me. Right now, my thinner ends mean growth! My ends will not be trimmed because I am using my “Goal Point Method” to reach newer and longer lengths.

To learn more, read my book entitled, “Grow It!”.

originally posted 2/3/08

Submitted by Dee, a transitioner.

I’m 7 months post relaxer and one thing that enabled me to retain length is what I call “end tucking”. It has helped me get past bra strap length – even with my weak relaxed ends. I do it whenever I feel like my hair needs a break from styling. Here’s how it works:

• Co-wash hair and apply leave-in.
• Slick back into a ponytail.
• Slather more leave-in on your ends.
• Gently twist hair.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa128/princessivelisse08/Profile%20Pics/Hurrrr/5.jpg

• Wrap it around your ponytail as if you are going to bun. Stop when you have about 2 inches of hair left.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa128/princessivelisse08/Profile%20Pics/Hurrrr/4.jpg

• Tuck the last 2 inches of hair directly into the middle of the bun. Your ends should not be exposed.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa128/princessivelisse08/Profile%20Pics/Hurrrr/3.jpg

• Bobby pin your bun in place. The end result should look like this…

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa128/princessivelisse08/Profile%20Pics/Hurrrr/2.jpg

At the end of the day, my ends are still damp and very moisturized. This is what my hair looked like before I started bunning this way (picture taken January 30, 2010)…

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa128/princessivelisse08/Profile%20Pics/Hurrrr/SANY3671-1.jpg

I trimmed it to arm pit length right after that picture. Four months later, my hair grew to bra strap length and this is what my ends looked like without trimming:

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa128/princessivelisse08/Profile%20Pics/Hurrrr/SANY3678-1-1.jpg

Today, my hair is at mid-back length with super healthy ends. It’s a simple change that anyone can add to their routine. Try it out! The proof is in the pudding.

There are many products out there that we want to try to see if it could be the “one” for us. Consequently, trying and buying all those products could be a financial burden if you don’t have the extra cash to spend on product after product. However, there are ways to save and still try that product that you have your eyes.

1. Don’t jump on bandwagons! Seriously, a bandwagon almost ruined all the hard work I put into in maintaining healthy hair. I have learned (the hard way) to let others experiment and then wait for the results. You don’t always have to be the guinea pig.

2. Request samples. There are so many companies out there that will provide samples to potential customers that there is no need to go out and purchase full sized full priced products just to “try” them. Some major chains have links on their websites that lets you request different samples through them each month.

3. Shop the travel aisle. If a company does not provide samples try the travel aisle in your local retail/discount store. Those items are constantly changing so keep your eye on them to see if the product you are curious about makes the shelf. (Example: I purchased a shampoo that I was interested in for 50¢ and it lasted for 3 shampoos.)

4. Use coupons. The funniest thing to me is to be line behind a person that just paid full price for a product and see their reaction as they hear my total being 50% less because I used a coupon (or two). Here is the trick: Purchase items only when on sale and use the coupon at the moment. Also, if the store has a VIP/MVP card, get one and use it.

5. Swap, Swap, Swap. When you RSVP “yes” to attend a meet-up or gathering, GO! Usually at those events there are product swaps and someone just might bring the product that you have been wanting to try.

I highly recommend that all naturals carry a spray bottle with water at all times. I even carried one around during my transition. If you’re using tap water, you will have to empty the bottle every day to avoid bacteria and other hygiene issues. Plus tap water is rife with all kinds of foolishness. So, unless you have an access to an expensive water deionizer system, it’s just so much easier, cheaper and healthier to carry around the a spray bottle. Evian Brumisateur is one of my favorites. It is a great pick-me-up on hot summer days. You can spray it in your face as well as use it to re-moisturize your hair. It leaves your face with a dewy look and is great if you have dry skin. This is definitely one of the things I would take with me if I were stranded on a desert island. It’s a must in my book. What’s cool about the Evian Brumisateur is it comes in sizes ranging from 1.7 ounces to 10.5 ounces, so there will be a size to fit your purse whether you’re a cute clutch kind of girl or a fabulous tote carrier. The last one I purchased was under $5 in the smallest travel size. I just ran out, it’s disgusting how much I love this stuff. It works by cooling and hydrating, but honestly I love it because it’s just so dope and fun to use.

Ingredients: Evian® Water, Nitrogen. Evian is propelled by natural and safe nitrogen (80% of the air we breathe is nitrogen) so it does not damage the ozone layer.

If you ever want to wear your hair and a natural state, be cautious when deciding to cut bangs. If I had a dollar for every time I heard a bang-cutting horror story, I’d be set. I was actually reminded of this while reading a magazine. Bangs are a commitment. Once you do it, you’re going to be stuck with them for at least a few months. Bang-remorse is even a common sentiment felt by women with straight hair. There may be some exceptions, but the majority of women that I know of who have cut bangs on natural hair, deeply regret it. I’m not going to tell you what to do. I believe inventiveness and creativity often happens when we are breaking the rules. If you’re craving bangs, consider your shrinkage and be very light-handed with those scissors. You can always fake bangs using pins and clips, rather than making a long-term decision to cut and end up regretting it.

I am speaking from experience here. I didn’t cut bangs, but whenever I did my big chop, I cut way too much off in the front. Those layers still don’t look quite right and it’s been two years. Now, I love layers. I don’t think my hair will ever be all-one-length, but sometimes I get overzealous clipping off the shorter sections especially when I straighten my hair.


The lesson here is to be very careful and conscious when you’re cutting your hair when it’s straight and when it’s wet. What seems like a small amount on straightened hair or wet hair will look like a big chop with shrinkage on hair in a natural state. Same thing with cutting while your hair is wet, be very careful and very conservative when cutting or you might spend the next 6 months to a year of your life filled with remorse and hiding it while it’s growing out.

End papers are one of the must-have items in my hair care arsenal. I grew up using them, my mom used end wraps. They are especially beneficial to women with curly hair that like to wear roller sets, transitioners, anti-trimmers and women with uneven ends/layers. They keep your ends smooth and straight on the roller. If you have dry frizzy ends, these papers make hair ends appear sleek and free from frizz. I think they are a little bit of a miracle. What’s extra cool is that they are under $2 a box. I only need a new box usually about every few months. I get my end papers from Sally’s, but they are available at almost any beauty supply store.

I stumbled upon a YouTube video where “ChocolateTresses” is using end papers. She keeps folding the end paper. You don’t really need to do all of that. Just wrapping it in half around your hair is good enough. Think of your hair as a hot dog and the end paper as the bun. That’s all you really need to do. “CCshinez” also has a YouTube video. She wraps her paper around several times as well. You can if you want, but I just think it’s time consuming and unnecessary. It might also depend on the roller you use. I’m always using flexi rods and it’s just easier and quicker to just fold the paper in half around your hair. I also use the papers on dry hair at night when I am re-setting a braid out/flexi rod set. I just moisturize, seal the ends with an oil or shea butter, wrap the ends in end wraps and roll on the flexi rod.

Here’s an image of me doing my go to style, using end wraps. Click here to see the results of my braid out right after I take the rollers and braids out. Click here to see what my braid out looks like after it’s been styled.

I learned very early on that we should never touch natural hair while it’s wet. Do it and you will end up with a frizzy mess. The best way to handle natural hair is to set it while it’s wet and then keep your hands away until it’s dry.

A big reason why I think I’ve been able to retain so much of my length is because I stopped getting my hair trimmed. I was definitely a believer in trimming every 6-8 weeks, but I realized that every time I went to the hair dresser to get a trim… I was actually loosing new length. I don’t use heat very often and I’m very diligent about caring for my ends so it’s really unnecessary. I also wear my hair curly most of the time so I don’t care that my ends aren’t super blunt or even. I can’t remember the last time I got a trim. Maybe it was April of 2009 when I did the keratin therapy. For the most part I just search and destroy: look for bad ends and cut them off. I typically cut off .5″ above the split. It is super time consuming to go through strand by strand, but I don’t try to do it all in one day. It also helps that I find it relaxing, the same way other people find knitting and crafts to be relaxing. I like doing it outside because I can see the ends a lot better. Sometimes I even break out a magnifying glass. A little obsessive? Maybe, but why loose a couple of inches of length for a few bad ends? Now, if your hair is rife with split ends, it might just be better to get a full on trim. Once I reach my goal length, I will get regular trims to maintain that length and to keep my ends full and thick. Hair grows unevenly so instead of cutting of a few strays because they are longer, I try to wait for the other hairs to catch up. Right now I’m waiting for another few inches before I trim off 1-2″. I use professional shears from Sally’s, I have a few pairs. I don’t really have an average frequency for how often I search and destroy. I just do it whenever I feel like doing it. One week I might do it everyday and then I’ll skip a month and do it every other week. There’s no schedule.

After interviewing hundreds of women with healthy, full and long hair about their hair care regimens, I found more than a few common threads. I’ve already told you about low-manipulation. Low to no heat is another similarity amongst women with healthy hair. Heat tools  include curling irons, flat irons, blow dryers, hot air brushes and hot rollers. Obviously, some of these tools are more damaging then others because of the extreme and varying temperatures. Heat is extremely damaging when it is overused or used on already damaged hair. If you take proper precautions and have healthy hair to start with, using heat in moderation can be used with little to no damage to your hair. If you want to retain length and see length quicker, you should avoid heat as much as possible. It’s also not only the frequency of when you use heat, but the amount of heat being use. You could refrain from using heat for 3 years, but decide to use a hot comb one day and completely fry your hair. Be very cautious of the temperature of the het appliance you’re using and how long you’re leaving it in your hair. Use the minimum amount of heat it takes to achieve your desired look. For most products, this information is available in the manual the tool came with and if it’s not you should call the manufacturer. It’s also a good idea to buy a tool with temperature settings so that you can have full control over the amount of heat being used. You should only use to heat on clean dry hair. Try to limit use to once a month or less if possible. Be sure to deep condition your hair if you’re using heat regularly, at least once a week. Consider using a heat protectant/barrier product. They may weigh down fine hair and they don’t work for everybody but if you’re using a lot of heat, it’s something to consider. To reduce the amount of heat you’re using, consider doing a roller set or stretching your hair with bands, braids or twists before using a heat tool. I only straighten 4 times a year: every 3 months and I mainly do it to check for length. It’s also great to switch up your look every once in awhile. Versatility is one of the best things about being natural. It’s your hair and your prerogative, but like everything else, moderation is key. The less heat you use, the more opportunity your hair has to flourish and grow to it’s full potential.

Cotton and other bedding fabrics create friction, dry out hair and can make highly textured hair tangled and matted. The more matted your hair is, the more hair you will loose when you are detangling. No one wants that. That is why is super important to always always always sleep on satin or silk. If you tend to toss and turn a lot, you might consider also using a satin/silk bonnet or scarf.  I find that the more secure I put my hair up at night, the less I have to detangle. Most women I know have been sleeping on satin/silk since they were teenagers. It’s not always cute or glamourous, but this coupled with low manipulation are two of the biggest changes you can make today that will save your hair.