Stupid question about fairytale ends

[kelly-j]

Ok, If you don´t ask you don´t get an answer, right? ;)
I´ve been thinking about fairytale ends for a while and there is one thing that I don´t get, so please let my know the secret.
Is the only way to get fairytale ends, not to cut it or trim it? I mean isn´t that how fairytale ends appear?
If you don´t trim, won´t split ends travel longer and longer towards your roots making the hair looking damaged?
How does it work?

[Loreley]

I think if you do S&D you won't have splits but your hair will be thin at the ends. :confused:

[emmabovary]

I think if you do S&D you won't have splits but your hair will be thin at the ends. :confused:

That's how I've understood it too.

[missjessiecakes]

I believe it is the natural taper of hair which may or may not be helped along by the type of hemline.

[share801]

I always thought it was by type of *hair*.

[ilovelonghair]

At terminal hair length you will get fairytale ends. But there can be other reasons, for me it is because I lost a lot of hair 2 years ago and there is a definite difference between the old hair from 2 years ago and the new hair, which is thicker. The old hair got fairytale ends.
Some people cut their hair in such a way that there are fairytale ends.

[kristymarie87]

What's fairytale ends? Am i dumb for not knowing lol

I imagine it as being quite whispy ends that curl?

[Rowanne]

Kristymarie87, I've understood that fairytale ends refers to hair that tapers naturally towards the ends (= opposite of blunt cut).

I was wondering the same thing myself until yesterday. I think I haven't heard the word outside the LHC :)

[ChloeDharma]

Yup fairytale ends are basically where you let your hair grow without trimming the hemline blunt so it grows in a natural shape. The name does exist outside of HC and there have been websites specifically about it.
As has been said you can deal with splits by S&D. I have noticed in recent times less people seem to like the look though and i've noticed on here more members saying hemlines that fairytale should be cut neatly.
Personally i like them, i think they give a natural look and add an etherial vibe to the appearance.
I hope that helps answer your questions :)

[embee]

That's how my hair has grown out. Each hair is a slightly different length, and I do not trim.

I plan to leave them that way; every updo works easier for me. Some folks hate fairytale ends, others love them. Personal preference.

[Sarahmoon]

I got some fairytale ends when I didn't trim for over 3 years. My split ends didn't "travel up". I don't really believe in travelling splits, but maybe it's a personal thing.
I think you can maintain fairytale ends by sd-ing, but I never tried it cause I had quite a lot split ends, would have taken me ages.

[cmnt831]

There have been a couple of times in my life when I didn't trim my hair for a few years and the ends pretty much retained the blunt cut they had when they started. I think I'm over two years without a trim at this point (except S&D) and I have no sign of fairytale ends.

It may be a hair growth pattern thing for certain people? I don't know - but I do think that fairytale ends look pretty and sometimes wish I could grow them. :)

[jivete]

All hair should fairytale at terminal length, but some hair types are prone to it because of varying growth rate (or breakage). A "V" shape hem with layers would mimic the look pretty well for those that want the look but their hair is too short/thick/evenly growing to do it naturally.

For most people, I don't really believe splits travel up either. I think you need to have some robust hair for the split to unravel. A split on my hair will break off long before it could travel anywhere. Actually seeing splits in my hair was a sign it was getting stronger because the split was able to form instead of simply breaking off. :twocents:

[heidihug]

There have been a couple of times in my life when I didn't trim my hair for a few years and the ends pretty much retained the blunt cut they had when they started. I think I'm over two years without a trim at this point (except S&D) and I have no sign of fairytale ends.

It may be a hair growth pattern thing for certain people? I don't know - but I do think that fairytale ends look pretty and sometimes wish I could grow them.
cmnt831, I didn't get noticeable fairytale ends until I was past hip-length, so it could be that you won't until your hair gets longer. My ends are the result of breakage and natural loss - I mean, my longest hairs are probably 9+ years old, with my average monthly growth rate taken into account. I'm kind of amazed that I have any that are actually that old!

[spidermom]

My splits travel. I've found them open as much as 2-3-4 inches (somewhere in there; didn't actually measure). Also, when you see a little twig of hair sticking out several inches from the bottom, that is usually a split that traveled and broke off.

[jel]

Also, when you see a little twig of hair sticking out several inches from the bottom, that is usually a split that traveled and broke off.

Or it could be a split on one of your shorter hairs - I sometimes find these poking out of my braids.

[HotRag]

I got some fairytale ends when I didn't trim for over 3 years. My split ends didn't "travel up". I don't really believe in travelling splits, but maybe it's a personal thing.
I think you can maintain fairytale ends by sd-ing, but I never tried it cause I had quite a lot split ends, would have taken me ages.
My splits doesn't neither seem to travel up.

My hair kept growing until I cut it shoulder length (this was when I was 12 yo, no S&D then), had splits and fairytale ends, but it kept growing. I think my hair breaks, but it doesn't seem to travel.

When I had my long hair in the 90's, I did S&D, but after my second dog came along, I had not enough time, and stopped. Nothing really bad happened. I could of course find more splits, but the ends looked mostly the same (if not looking close for splits). I then just made micro trims, but no S&D for three years. Hair was 50" when cut, so ends were old.

[cmnt831]

cmnt831, I didn't get noticeable fairytale ends until I was past hip-length, so it could be that you won't until your hair gets longer. My ends are the result of breakage and natural loss - I mean, my longest hairs are probably 9+ years old, with my average monthly growth rate taken into account. I'm kind of amazed that I have any that are actually that old!

Ah, thanks for the info. It is amazing that you have 9 year old hair!

The longest my hair has ever been was hip length and it was still blunt at that point. I may have to live without fairytale ends because I don't think I can keep up with maintaining longer hair than hip. I guess I'll just work with what I've got. :D