Dilemma! 4b's please help..what would you do?

[Chan_USMC]

Sorry! I would suggest a waterless shapoo on a weekly basis to cleanse and using Suave Rosemary Mint Condish mixed with distilled water as a spray on a daily basis. And then on a Sunday you could use a mix of Organix Coconut Milk(the white bottle) EVOO, and Honey to DC. Just take some aluminum foil and sit out there in that hot afgan sun for 30 mins you'll be set.LOL.(But really, overnight DC on dry hair works wonders for me.)

 

[Nonie]

OP, you've been transitioning. What have you been using? You said you're torn between EVOO and S Curl... Have you used any in the last three months? What has your hair responded better to? How much time do you have before you're due to leave? Can you test out both? If what you were using was working, I say stick to that.

 

[4cpleez]

OP, you've been transitioning. What have you been using? You said you're torn between EVOO and S Curl... Have you used any in the last three months? What has your hair responded better to? How much time do you have before you're due to leave? Can you test out both? If what you were using was working, I say stick to that.

ok after getting my last braid install taken out in Iraq, i just continued not to relax and i was using the cathy howse system over there with Scurl and biosilk gel. thats when i first found LHCF. discovering protein stopped the shedding i had experienced for years.. i got back to the states and decided to just not relax.. and started going to the salon once a week for a protein then moisture dc and then a phony pony but this went on for 7 more months until 3 months ago my stylist suggested i relax my hair as my hair would not lie in the bun.. so i relaxed.. in between going to the stylist i dc with nexxus emergencee, then nexxus humectress.. air dry with infusium and then saturate with sCurl in a bun and scarf..my hair has grown a lot BUT the ends look like brillo and I cannot understand why.. so today i cut an inch off of my head and moisturised with olive oil instead of the sCurl and my hair looks how i think it should.. so today i am thinking the sCurl was not a good fit for my hair and maybe i should moisturize with oil..

 

[Nonie]

Well, sounds like you've managed OK for 7 months w/o relaxing and you also seem to know what looks right on your hair, so I say get a touch up and then take the oil and S Curl with you. Why I insist on S Curl is, not only am I biased coz I think it's the shizzle, but you used it for 7 months w/o any problems, plus I believe nothing softens new 4B growth like S Curl. Your hair's ends will look bad if you're not protective styling, if you're not sealing them, and if you're not dusting regularly since they are the oldest part of your hair and can't live forever. They will age and split so the only way I know to keep ends looking good is regularly trimming and sealing and protective styling them. Seems oil works well on your relaxed ends, so at least you know that much and know to carry it. Maybe you will find oil works well on even your growth, but if it doesn't, you'll have S Curl. (If you find oil is better for you, I'll be happy to dispose of your S Curl for you. I know where the good trash cans are.)

My only concern would be, what is it your stylist did that you felt you couldn't do and had to go to her for DCing? Can you manage that part on your own? Can you ask her to give you a guide of how to do it alone? Or just take notes the next time you go (pretend to be texting but actually write down what she's doing--coz she may not want to give up the goods) so you can duplicate it out there. Otherwise, you can always find someone on here whose hair you admire and get the 411 on how to manage w/o your stylist.

 

[4cpleez]

Well, sounds like you've managed OK for 7 months w/o relaxing and you also seem to know what looks right on your hair, so I say get a touch up and then take the oil and S Curl with you. Why I insist on S Curl is, not only am I biased coz I think it's the shizzle, but you used it for 7 months w/o any problems, plus I believe nothing softens new 4B growth like S Curl. Your hair's ends will look bad if you're not protective styling, if you're not sealing them, and if you're not dusting regularly since they are the oldest part of your hair and can't live forever. They will age and split so the only way I know to keep ends looking good is regularly trimming and sealing and protective styling them. Seems oil works well on your relaxed ends, so at least you know that much and know to carry it. Maybe you will find oil works well on even your growth, but if it doesn't, you'll have S Curl. (If you find oil is better for you, I'll be happy to dispose of your S Curl for you. I know where the good trash cans are.)

My only concern would be, what is it your stylist did that you felt you couldn't do and had to go to her for DCing? Can you manage that part on your own? Can you ask her to give you a guide of how to do it alone? Or just take notes the next time you go (pretend to be texting but actually write down what she's doing--coz she may not want to give up the goods) so you can duplicate it out there. Otherwise, you can always find someone on here whose hair you admire and get the 411 on how to manage w/o your stylist.

Hi i'm about to PM you.

 

[Chan_USMC]

SN: I always miss those white words till they're put into a quote.

 

[Chameleonchick]

I say braid it up, and have a good sized bottle of moisturizing spritz.

 

[clulessonhair]

I leave for Afganistan in a yr for a yrly deployment, I thought I would just stretch my relaxer for that whole yr. I'm just going to learn how to so the twist's and M&S ponytails. @Chan USMC how did you deal with the fine sand over there. Cause i was considering braiding it up but now that I know that, I dont think i can deal with all that sand in my hair.....

 

[Urban]

OP, you've got 2 weeks. If you have time on your hands, you can learn how to braid. It's actually not that hard. Just sit through a few YouTube vids and practice on like a quarter of your head. If you're not confident that you can do it yourself towards the end of the 2 weeks, then i guess you could stretch or get the touch up.

 

[Avaya]

I would get a touch up and then get it braided up right before I left.

 

[Mook's hair]

MAybe hit some youtube tutorials really hard and learn how to braid & cornrow. Is your hair long enough to do 2 strand twists?

You should definitely do protective styles the whole time you're there. buns, twists braids. And focus on moisture.

 

[4bslbound]

First I would like to say, THANK you for you service. Is your total deployment 6 mos? Do you get to come home midway? I would get some braids, and when I came home (depending on how much time you have) get them done again

Be safe!

 

[PinkishlyNoire]

Hey, fellow 4b! I was wearing a pretty short style when I went to Basic Training. I kept my hair in 7 cornrows, making sure never to use the same set of parts twice and to keep my hair bathed in moisture. When I got to AIT, I started rocking full sewn-ins so by August or so I had a pretty lucious (sp?) bob, by fall I was pinning up buns. I'd take this time to keep your hair super moisturized and order your products before you go, if you can. Do you know how to relax your own hair? You CAN still relax your hair there as well. (I made a killing conrowing other ladies hair, deep conditioning and rinsing in the utility sink, arching eyebrows, trimming hair, ANYTHING!!!) You SHOULD have access to barracks or something semi-permenant while you're there to stretch or just relax on your regular schedule.

I like the ladies' ideas of braidouts and twistouts, but if there's sand, you might want to keep your hair secure (and above your collar, lol!) But, I had a whole bunch of styles for the field. Try flat twists in the front with a bun in the back, 7 big fat flat twists or regular old school french rolls work well with BDU caps but harder with berets. Try some smaller two strand twist or micros. I taught myself how to do those and it saved me a bundle, those can be done on a 4 day.
Be Safe and Let us know how you're doing!

 

[melodies815]

Hi Ladies! I just found out I am going to Afghanistan in 2 weeks...I am trying to grow my hair which has never been longer than 4B neck length...uhm still isnt but one day.. Anyway I am currently 3 months post and was thinking of getting my hair relaxed.. but with the new situation of going to the hot desert for 6 months I am not sure if i should:
a. Relax
b. Braid it up
c. Keep it in my pigtail and cowash and stretch for 6 months
d. Something else?

For those who pick a, c or d can you suggest a reggie??
THANKS IN ADVANCE TO ALL WHO ANSWER!

Hey there. My next door neighbor is military and I watched her home while she was deployed.

She left with braids, kept them in for 3 months, got them redone over there (I don't know how), kept those for another three months. Took them out for one, came home for 3 weeks of leave and got them done again here in the US, and she got home for good last week.

Her hair held up very well.

We're a military family.

Half wigs don't work well there.

Twists can work if you are going to committ to doing them every two weeks and washing in twists when you can. If they are long enough, pull the twists into a low ponytail and then do a twisted bun.

The best option is braids - not too small, but not too big...maybe a little smaller than pencil sized. Micros WILL break off. I promise.

Kinky twists won't last you as long or as neatly as you will want. At least this is what I keep hearing from hubby's ethnic-haired soldiers.

It's tougher but it's not impossible to make your haircare good over there.

I would not recommend braided in weave. When you take it down, it's going to be a nightmare for you.

Ask if there are braiders where you will be.

Good luck and God bless. If you can, write us while you are there.

Always,
Christi Johnson

 

[Mari-Cris]

I would get a touch up...dc...and braid it up...the braids won't last the whole six months, but when you take them down, at least the new growth will be more manageable. Then you can just pony/bun it up.

I agree. I would get a Mizani Butter Blend texlax and then small (not micro) braids before I go. Silk wrap it every night. After three months, I would take the braids out and then use pony/bun or if you can find someone who can do double twists, do that until you get back to the States. After the braids are out, wash and deep con once a week and co-wash 1-2X/week.

 

[Kindheart]

Braid it ,its easier .some part of Afghanistan are actually very cold especially in the north regions close to the mountains .Grab some scurl and lots of conditioner to top up moisture.

 

[krissyprissy]

I think braids are ok, but sand and dirt can get trap in braids and cut your hair. I would relax and slick it back under a phoney bun with the ends baggied to retain moisture.