I don't tape the handlebar wrap down at the end of the handlebar. I just start it, pull it tight, and start wrapping as normal. Maybe one overlap to start, to hold the bar-tape in place. Next time I'm going to try inserting the end of the tape between the cable housing and the handlebar, and then start wrapping the tape around the handlebar. So far I've not had any problems with the handlebar tape unravelling or sliding forward, but I don't ride on the ends of the handlebars all that much either. I also wrap the housing under the tape all the way to the stem, with no shifting problems at all, and I think I've gotten away with using a regular length cable too!
Good luck