tHE 2011 "4A pLATooN"....... 4A soLDieRs-oF-hAiR, wHeRe Ya'LL at?

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

i don't know what I'd use to detangle if not the kckt

 

[Theresamonet]

4A!!!!!


Regimen: Co-wash 3-4x weekly; Pre-poo 1x weekly; Wash 1x weekly; DC with steamer 1-2x weekly; Apply leave-in daily. I use a protein as a pre-poo about once every second week. I henna occasionally and dabble in some other Ayurvedic practices.

Issues: The main issue I have/had as a natural is that my hair tangles around itself unmercifully. When I detangle my strands immediately re-cling to each other for dear life. It made styling seem impossible.

Products that work:

• Coconut oil
• Vo5 Moisture Milks as a leave in/detangler/cowash
• Silicon Mix and Silk Elements Mega Silk as DCs
• WGO and ORS Hair mayo as a protein pre-poo
• The Tangle Teezer for detangling; The Denman for "clumping"
• ACV as a pre-DC rinse
• Castor oil to seal in the warm months
• KBB

Products that don't:

My hair hate anything with a high glycerin content! Any type of jheri juice is a NO GO, even in the summer. No silicon/petroleum/mineral oil based leave-ins work for my hair either. Butters don't do anything for me.


Struggles:

Styling...

I don't like the typical "natural styles"... I hate those little twists, braids, "Outs" of any kind don't suite me. I feel like unless you hair is long most natural style look childish. It irks me to see grown women with little puffs/twas with headbands and barrets. I either want to wear my hair straight or in its wild natural state.

Even though natural hair is supposed to be the most versatile, I feel limited to one particular "look"...


Needs:

I'm in need of an all natural, creamy, water based, non-glycerin, leave-in, that I can buy down the street and costs under $10...and smells good.

These are the only pics I have. Sorry no strand shot.

 

[LongLeggedLife]

skkrrrrrrrrrrrrr.... you hated kinky curly knot today????

what? as a 4a???

bout to vote chu' off LHCF right now

Haha! Dont vote me off the island, madam!!
I'm sorry that stuff just feels NASTY on my hair!!! I was slanging that mess everywhere...felt like it was just slimy and rolling off the hair vs penetrating it.
And my hair REFUSED to dry. I finally gave up and took the twists down after about 2-3days, it was still damp, looked a HAM, and I had to wash and start over.
Not to trash the KC line, I do think those products are more appropriate for people who may wear their hair in the twist and braids for several days and are less worried about drying time---I'm too impatient!

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

^^^^^ wow... i must be porous as heyelll

my hair dries w/in hours (i actually make it thinner w/ aloe vera juice)

i live by the avj

hmmmmmm, I haven't found a better detangler yet


_____________


Needs:

I'm in need of an all natural, creamy, water based, non-glycerin, leave-in, that I can buy down the street and costs under $10...and smells good. <<<---- geee

i don't know about that one.... i love how specific u are

 

[glamazon386]

Haha! Dont vote me off the island, madam!!
I'm sorry that stuff just feels NASTY on my hair!!! I was slanging that mess everywhere...felt like it was just slimy and rolling off the hair vs penetrating it.
And my hair REFUSED to dry. I finally gave up and took the twists down after about 2-3days, it was still damp, looked a HAM, and I had to wash and start over.
Not to trash the KC line, I do think those products are more appropriate for people who may wear their hair in the twist and braids for several days and are less worried about drying time---I'm too impatient!

It is kind of slimy.

 

[Shay72]

SHAY... do u have a texture or strand shot??

Dang I knew someone would ask .Yeah I have some terrible pics on my phone from when I was like a month post bc. Let me get it together and post them in here.

Wet no product

Dry no product.

As I said these pics are terrible.

 

[Evolving78]

I didn't like them either. I mean the Knot Today was too watery and the Curling Custard did nothing for my hair and made it sticky.

i couldn't do anything with that KCC! i used very little and it still made my hair crunchy. it made my hair clump even more instead of stretching the coils out. Ecostyler works better for me for a wash and go look/shingled look.

 

[Shay72]

I will attempt to do a strand shot like Shortdub. We will see how that works out .

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

Dang I knew someone would ask .Yeah I have some terrible pics on my phone from when I was like a month post bc. Let me get it together and post them in here.


Wet no product

Dry no product.

As I said these pics are terrible.

you look fine stranded (word?) and normal/medium density)....yeah?? neh?

 

[Shay72]

you look fine stranded (word?) and normal/medium density)....yeah?? neh?

I don't know....

Sometimes ya'll get too technical for me. All I know is I'm a 4a with tightly coiled hair. My coils are clearly visible when wet or dry. No shingling required.

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

I don't know....

Sometimes ya'll get too technical for me. All I know is I'm a 4a with tightly coiled hair. My coils are clearly visible when wet or dry. No shingling required.

i know right!!!!!!

every time i say "my hair is thin"..... everybody's like what to you mean by thin?

so i've learned to come correct (or partially so:-/) from jumpstreet!!

 

[Sianna]

How did I miss this thread?

Anyway, here goes

Regimen: Um... does falling off the wagon count as a regimen?

If I have what can be described as a "regimen" it would be co-washing once a week and DC'ing once a week. Whatever else I do to my hair depends on how I'm styling it, though I do try to keep it sealed with a Crisco, walnut, olive oil concoction.

Issues: BREAKAGE! My ends have been snapping off as of late! I am now thinking its due to a lack of moisture! Even at this very moment I'm trying to figure out how to fix it.

Products that work: Iono. Conditioner mostly. From what I can tell, my hair doesn't really seem to prefer any particular brand, line or type of conditioner.

Products that don't: Again, Iono. My hair isn't all that picky.

Struggles: Styling, and keeping my hair moisturized in this cold weather! Because of the awkward length of my hair I am trying to figure out how to get more moisture into it while also keeping it styled nicely enough to go to work each day.

Oh, and keeping my hands out of my hair! Even when I do manage to get my hair into a protective style, I have a really, REALLY hard time leaving it that way for more than four or five days at a time.

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

^^^^^^ hair snapping off??? hmmmmmmm i'm always overmoisturized (like right now)

even rinsing out henna... hair way too stretchy

(if you're breaking... maybe fall in love with the overnite baggy thing)???

 

[Shay72]

I will attempt to do a strand shot like Shortdub. We will see how that works out .

I kept getting a picture that was too close. I will continue to try.

 

[Evolving78]

Sianna- what products are you using for daily moisture? are they water-based products? do you use these before you seal with your oil mixture?

 

[Shay72]

Sianna are you applying your moisturizer to wet or dry hair? When my hair is wet I apply a spray moisturizer, follow with a lotion type moisturizer, then seal with a serum or oil. Once completely dry I apply a butter or heavy cream. Throughout the day if I feel my hair needs it I refresh my hair with a spray moisturizer.

 

[SCarolinaGirl]

I barely have any hair but I'm claiming 4a. I just BC'd a month ago so I'm still figuriing things out. My hair is fine with low density (I think) and tight coils. Sometimes so much of my scalp is showing that I look like I have bald spots.

Regimen: I cowash daily with yes to tomatoes, suave, or aussie moist. I wash weekly with yes to tomatoes and DC overnight with a mix of lustrasilk sheabutter plus mango, honey and EVOO. I use S curl as a moisturizer... carol's daughter hair milk curl definer or curls cream brule as a leave in. My sealing oil of choice is EVCO.
Issues: Styling is an issue because I dont have enough hair to do anything. Any suggestions???
Products that work: Still learning but the products in my regimen are working great! I also want to try target's Shea moisture line.
Products that don't: Quickly learned that my beloved aphogee products don't like me anymore.
Struggles: My only struggle is finding the confidence to wear my TWA to work. I'm fine with it on the weekends but I wear a wig to work. My husband hates my hair so that hasn't helped my confidence.
Needs: I need for my hair to grow!!! And I need something that leaves my hair shiny once it dries.

I was playing with the ecostyler here, lol

.

 

[aicramphoto]

I think I have found my hair fam:
Curly (wet and dry), thin/fine, low density, 4A.
Regimen:
-Currently doing a sulfur, Megatek, oil solution every night into scalp;
-Leave-in (NuGro or ORS) and seal with an oil mixture (B&B Growth or my own mixture [EVOO, grapeseed, jojoba, sweet almond, coconut, vit E])
-Coat ends with Carol's Daughter butter or Elasta QP Olive and Mango Moisturizer, braid in four braids, scarf.

-In AM, very light co-wash. For me, any conditioner. Put Alter Ego Garlic Treatment. Take shower, then rinse out.
-Leave in (NuGro or ORS or Knot Today or Organix Coconut) seal, quarter size IC Fantasia Sparkling Gel (the green one) or Kinky Curly Custard (using up both), if I'm wearing wash and go. OR bun it and hold with Kuz Straightening Wax (expensive, but worth it to me when front of hair was too short to reach ponytail).

DC once a week with Organix Coconut
Reconstructor (Emergencee or Aphogee or ORS) 2x month (for 2 min)
2 step Aphogee every 6 weeks or so. Seems I am one who could use protein.

I seem to have bottomed out at 6 inches in length, natural since 2007 (for 5th time), can't retain length, little curlycues that break off at ends, some single knots.
Supplements: Shen hair vitamins, 500 mg garlic, 3000 mg MSM, 400 IU Vit. E, multi, iron. Also, have low thyroid (levoxyl). Exercise regularly, very little meat, protein shakes, lotsa fruit and veggies, trying to cut back on carbs and approaching an age I wouldn't want to admit to anyone but my gyn!

 

[aicramphoto]

I'm back: so, for someone with similar hair like mine, that obviously grows (otherwise, if it only broke off, there would be nothing left), if you got past shoulder length, how did you accomplish it?

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

I'm back: so, for someone with similar hair like mine, that obviously grows (otherwise, if it only broke off, there would be nothing left), if you got past shoulder length, how did you accomplish it?

heeeeeeehh???

wat do u mean? (sorry i'm all kinda slow w/ a cyber drink in my hand) a la elle pixie

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

do u mean... your hair has always/naturally stopped at or before shoulder length in the past? so looking to surpass that hump?

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

I barely have any hair but I'm claiming 4a. I just BC'd a month ago so I'm still figuriing things out. My hair is fine with low density (I think) and tight coils. Sometimes so much of my scalp is showing that I look like I have bald spots.

Regimen: I cowash daily with yes to tomatoes, suave, or aussie moist. I wash weekly with yes to tomatoes and DC overnight with a mix of lustrasilk sheabutter plus mango, honey and EVOO. I use S curl as a moisturizer... carol's daughter hair milk curl definer or curls cream brule as a leave in. My sealing oil of choice is EVCO.
Issues: Styling is an issue because I dont have enough hair to do anything. Any suggestions???
Products that work: Still learning but the products in my regimen are working great! I also want to try target's Shea moisture line.
Products that don't: Quickly learned that my beloved aphogee products don't like me anymore.
Struggles: My only struggle is finding the confidence to wear my TWA to work. I'm fine with it on the weekends but I wear a wig to work. My husband hates my hair so that hasn't helped my confidence.
Needs: I need for my hair to grow!!! And I need something that leaves my hair shiny once it dries.





I was playing with the ecostyler here, lol
.

your hair is gorgeous in a twa!!!!! i'm growing out of mine and I hate I didn't rock it!!!! so please do! I actually was shy about mine.... but your hair looks gawjuuuuus!!!!

hubby would like after seeing all the looks and whistles u get from stray guys

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/ha...on/478820-have-you-ever-big-chopped-pics.html

 

[Evolving78]

I think I have found my hair fam:
Curly (wet and dry), thin/fine, low density, 4A.
Regimen:
-Currently doing a sulfur, Megatek, oil solution every night into scalp;
-Leave-in (NuGro or ORS) and seal with an oil mixture (B&B Growth or my own mixture [EVOO, grapeseed, jojoba, sweet almond, coconut, vit E])
-Coat ends with Carol's Daughter butter or Elasta QP Olive and Mango Moisturizer, braid in four braids, scarf.
-In AM, very light co-wash. For me, any conditioner. Put Alter Ego Garlic Treatment. Take shower, then rinse out.
-Leave in (NuGro or ORS or Knot Today or Organix Coconut) seal, quarter size IC Fantasia Sparkling Gel (the green one) or Kinky Curly Custard (using up both), if I'm wearing wash and go. OR bun it and hold with Kuz Straightening Wax (expensive, but worth it to me when front of hair was too short to reach ponytail).
DC once a week with Organix Coconut, Reconstructor (Emergencee or Aphogee or ORS) 2x month, 2 step Aphogee every 6 weeks or so. Seems I am one who could use protein.
I seem to have bottomed out at 6 inches in length, natural since 2007 (for 5th time), can't retain length, little curlycues that break off at ends, some single knots.
Supplements: Shen hair vitamins, 500 mg garlic, 3000 mg MSM, 400 IU Vit. E, multi, iron. Also, have low thyroid (levoxyl). Exercise regularly, very little meat, protein shakes, lotsa fruit and veggies, trying to cut back on carbs and approaching an age I wouldn't want to admit to anyone but my gyn!

you use a lot of oil based and protein filled products, what do you use to moisturize your hair with?

 

[aicramphoto]

you use a lot of oil based and protein filled products, what do you use to moisturize your hair with?

The leave-ins moisturize nicely: Nu Gro, Kinky Curly Knot Today or Organic Root Stimulator leave in. Then I seal with either a very light application of oil or the Elasta QP or Carol's Daughter hair honey. Only the ORS has a little protein and the ingredient is listed at the bottom.

I tried no protein for two years, so I started after summer 2010.

PS, it is hard to find a moisturizer or conditioner nowadays with no protein. Manufacturers seem to be on a protein blitz!

 

[aicramphoto]

heeeeeeehh???

wat do u mean? (sorry i'm all kinda slow w/ a cyber drink in my hand) a la elle pixie

I meant that I cannot seem to get past my collarbone. It's obviously growing, otherwise, it would keep breaking off and it would end up at my scalp. I need to retain what grows. It's been the same length for three years: I've braided, bunned and did wash and go's. I thought the wash and go would be the least manipulative.

Maybe this is just it.

 

[aicramphoto]

do u mean... your hair has always/naturally stopped at or before shoulder length in the past? so looking to surpass that hump?

Hi: not sure if you're talking to me, but I could use the push over that hump! When I relaxed, I got to my shoulders once, but I was younger and that was pre-thyroid issues. I learned about co-washing then.

If you weren't responding to me, help me anyway!!

Thanks, ladies, I've lurked for a while, but this is the 1st time I've been so active. You've been so great.

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

Hi: not sure if you're talking to me, but I could use the push over that hump! When I relaxed, I got to my shoulders once, but I was younger and that was pre-thyroid issues. I learned about co-washing then.

If you weren't responding to me, help me anyway!!

Thanks, ladies, I've lurked for a while, but this is the 1st time I've been so active. You've been so great.

ooooooooooooh..... thanks first for including that, sometimes people omit VERY KEY variables
I think you will always have issues w/ breakage until....unless your thyroid imbalance is conquered. Physician in check? I know many procedures used to work with thyroid imbalances.... in your case "hair comes last, health comes first".... I know you've heard it before, but please don't forget that one

I think you may have to rely heavily on moisture... and It wouldn't hurt for you to get those cuticles to lie flat <---- WATCH THE pH of your products (between 4-6 is best)
not everyone needs extra maintenance, but you sound as if you may have to do the MOST to over-correct external hair issues (b/c of internal imbalances)

1- love your hair NO MATTER what length it reaches.... trust me, MOST important
2- no matter if you are neck length or tail bone length.... start NOW with practicing optimal care of your strands (just means don't wait til' it's down your back to care for it like it's "down your back") <-- treat it with kid gloves b/c you are likely prone to breakage due to thryoid issues
3- get a mean arse moisturizing routine <--- this could be anything, depending on how your hair responds. I know that when I started pH balancing my hair, I barely EVER need moisture. I have to be careful b/c i stay over moisturized ALOT these days.
look into many Ways to develop the best moisture routine for your hair ----- invest in a steamer (steam maybe once or twice weekly) <-- listen to your,
4--- hard protein once a month
5--- never ever omit a leave in.....if prone to breakage, u need this
6---if you may have to get a really good hair vitamin, and clear the use of with your physician... b/c again your strands need extra nourishment to thrive
7---lots of WATER WATER WATER WATER WATER
8---LOW MANIPULATION **** stars b/c you have evidenced increase breakage issues, so you may NOT need to moisturize and seal daily if that's increased manipulation
*** so find a way to trap moisture in your hair .... and also pick up a great moisturizer that lasts for days (I say try qhemet's Amla & Olive heavy cream)<-- apply to damp hair
if your moisture level is high for days...no need to reapply

9--- baggy nightly (or rather whenever you feel your hair is drying out, or simply feels dry)
BUNS MAY NOT BE YOUR FRIEND... tons of people have issues with buns, whether it's tension, or placement, etc..... try loose styles or loose buns only
10-- clarify frequently (to ensure moisture reaches your hair)

and just watch the boards.... so much advice, so little time but if you find someone with your TEXTURE it may help to pair or follow some of their good practices.....

****celinastarr uses only conditioner (NORMALLY NO SHAMPOO).... CHeck out her routine (she's tail bone length, and this may help with your breakage routines).... to just reduce your use of shampoo to as minimal as possible

don't pick up every piece of advice you see (including mine but rather draw from each what you need to compile for your needs)
.... i have just a couple of people I stalk and trust that they've done the research when I'm feeling lazy (99% of the time).... or I simply go with the numbers (percentage of proof positives)

 

[aicramphoto]

ooooooooooooh..... thanks first for including that, sometimes people omit VERY KEY variables
I think you will always have issues w/ breakage until....unless your thyroid imbalance is conquered. Physician in check? I know many procedures used to work with thyroid imbalances.... in your case "hair comes last, health comes first".... I know you've heard it before, but please don't forget that one

I think you may have to rely heavily on moisture... and It would hurt for you to get those cuticles to lie flat <---- KEEP A WATCH OF THE pH of your products (between 4-6)
not everyone needs extra maintenance, but you sound as if you may have to do the MOST to overcorrect external hair issues (b/c of internal imbalances)

here's my prescription for you
1- love your hair NO MATTER what length it reaches.... trust me, very important
2- no matter if you are neck length or tail bone length.... start NOW with practicing optimal care of your strands (just means don't wait til' it's down your back to care for it like it's "down your back") <-- treat it with kid gloves b/c you are likely prone to breakage due to thryoid issues
3- get a mean arse moisturizing routine <--- this could be anything, depending on how your hair responds. I know that when I started pH balancing my hair, I barely EVER need moisture. I have to be careful b/c i stay over moisturized ALOT these days. Ways to get into your moisture routine
----- invest in a steamer (steam maybe once or twice weekly) <-- listen to your
4--- hard protein once a month
5- never ever omit a leave in.....if prone to breakage, u need this

Thanks! Been on medication since diagnosis, have blood work done every 4-6 months, so that's not an issue, my levels have been normal.

I do Aphogee every 4-6 weeks depending (for example, I swim a lot in summer, beach and pool, and caps leak!!).

I've always treated my ends special, but more than one hairdresser has told me that fine hair will always break, split or get the single knots, so I figured I was doomed.

I use a leave in every day, twice a day: I'm trying the sulfur challenge with Megatek, so if I sounded protein heavy, that was the reason why, but I am only applying that to the scalp and putting the leave in on the rest of the hair.

However, someone else mentioned something else in another thread: Should I put a reconstructor or Emergencee or other protein on the ends only every week or two weeks? That sounded interesting, like to strengthen the ends and keep up with the moisturizing.

 

[FebeeSigns]

I'm 4a. My hair is not tightly coiled, I have a lot of S-curls. They are very loose in the crown and nape area. My strands are thick. It takes a while for my hair to get thoroughly wet. My camera is not working at the moment so bare with me. I would compare my hair to Kim Love of Kimmaytube. My issue is dryness. My hair has only been soft for more than one day when I was using my own acidic spray/leave-in mixture. However, it started to grow mold in it after about 3 days even when refrigerated so I had to stop making it.

What works: Acidic leave ins, moisturizing daily, moisturizing shampoo bars, coconut oil works for shine only and evoo works for softness, knot today for detangling, goody comb, aloe vera juice, acv, distilled water.
What Doesn't work: leaving any conditioner in my hair that contains protein, no matter what type it is, AOHSR, aloe vera GEL alone (just makes my strands hard and crunchy), cones, most alcohols, grease, shea butter
I'm a big advocate of natural/organic products and I won't put anything in my hair that contains more than one chemical. Usually the chemical should be some kind of preservative.


Regimen?
Every Friday night I shampoo my hair. I then condition and put on a plastic conditioning cap and sleep in it for overnight conditioning since I do not "deep condition" with heat. I rinse on saturday, apply my leave in and oil of choice. Sometimes if I am not lazy I will twist up my twa (I hate styling short hair, takes too long.) and leave the twists in until monday morning. Every night before bed I make sure I spritz my hair with water and oil. Oil goes in my hair every single day so i do not pre-poo. Oiling every day kind of IS my pre-poo.
When outside I put on a satin cap underneath my hats. I never expose my hair to the winter air (I live in the mountains) and the only time my hair is not covered is inside my room or in the shower.