Ex-lurker in need of advice [previously bleached hair]

[0xalis]

Pretty sure there's already a thread for what I'm looking for so you could just point me in the right direction if you don't want to write anything out, but here's my problem:

In April of 2012 I bleached my hair and it resulted in terrible damage so I cut it all off into a pixie [from about BSL *gross sobbing*].
I've been growing my hair out since then, currently collarbone length, trying to get to waist length [perhaps hip if that's possible for me.] Split ends aren't really a problem for me but my ends still feel very dry most of the time, and occasionally I get those "90 degree angle" ends that I know are a type of damage so I S&D and cut them off. I'm currently doing the baking soda & apple cider vinegar method and my hair LOVES it, but I still have dry ends.
I am convinced that my ends are dry and brittle because they are hair that was bleached at one point. The rest of my hair is virgin and is very soft. The ends of my bangs feel wonderful, quite unlike the rest of the ends.
I'm not sure what to do because I've tried using olive oil and it's just a pain to get out of my hair and I feel like the amount of baking soda and then super-watered-down dish soap I use to get it out just takes away any benefit I may have gotten from the oil!
I never, EVER use heat or product on my hair, I always use scrunchies or clips instead of the thin ponytail holders most people use, I wash/rinse in lukewarm-warm water, not hot, and I'm just generally very cautious with my hair because I've learned my lesson!

Does anyone have any advice or could link me to a thread that could help?

[Warda]

Welcome!

Perhaps you can trim your ends every few months to cut off the damaged hair completely and then continue growing fresh and clean. I think that would be much easier than hiding the damage. Also coconut oil seems to work very well with damaged hair and it is much lighter than olive oil. And conditioner works wonderfully in removing oil. Just cover your hair in conditioner before getting in the shower, while your hair is still dry, leave it for 20 minutes or so then wash it out.

Good luck!

[Warda]

Welcome!

Perhaps you can trim your ends every few months to cut off the damaged hair completely and then continue growing fresh and clean. I think that would be much easier than hiding the damage. Also coconut oil seems to work very well with damaged hair and it is much lighter than olive oil. And conditioner works wonderfully in removing oil. Just cover your hair in conditioner before getting in the shower, while your hair is still dry, leave it for 20 minutes or so then wash it out.

Good luck!

[0xalis]

Thank you!

[Nope]

I would try just conditioning those ends, before you do the ACV rinse. I tried baking soda washes while my hair was bleached and I found it to be ridiculously drying to my bleached parts, but my grown-out virgin parts felt smooth and soft. Also, your ends may benefit from a protein treatment, since I found that baking soda took some of the protein out of my hair and made it a bit stretchy after long term use. I hope this helps