Nail Your Regimen Support Thread 2011

[faithVA]

^^^A total pain in the butt. Tried doing flat two strand twists and my hair fluffed up and out of the twists as usual. And this was after it was shelacked with conditioner. Idk what it's gonna take for them to stay down. I decided to blow it out and did some Celie braids for a braid out this weekend. Who knows how they're gonna come out, but if it works...I'll have to do this at least once a month.

Maybe this just wasn't a good week for flat twists.

Have you tried something with more hold like a gel? or a butter for your twists?

 

[faithVA]

Tell us About You
Natural - Relaxed – Texturized/Texlaxed - Transitioning: Natural
Current Length: APL
Current Regimen: I wash and deep condition my hair at least once a week, co-wash twice a week, moisturize with either Lacio Lacio and Oyin Handmade Hair Dew and seal with either a touch of walnut or coconut oil.
Current Staples/Techniques: I keep my hair in braids and slap a wig on (if that considered a technique!).
What in your regimen are trying to nail: I'm trying to nail sealing because I find that my ends are the hardest part of my hair to take care of.
History (optional) – any history of how you got to this point: I learned that I have to be gentle with my hair and not so scissor happy!

Welcome bernag06. Glad to have you with us.

I am definitely interested in learning how you seal your ends. I am trying various things but haven't quite nailed anything yet. Hopefully I can learn something from you while you are on your journey.

 

[faithVA]

Purchased the Elasta QP Soy Oyl shampoo this week and shampoo'd with it today. It is fantastic so adding this to my regi as my shampoo. So I have nailed my shampoo and my conditioner.

I put the oil on before the conditioner. Going to keep that step for right now. After conditioning I applied coconut oil and sat under the heat cap. It didn't work as well as the coconut oil and butter. It wasn't as soft. Next shampoo, I will apply the oil before the conditioner and after conditioning apply just the butter and sit under the heat cap. It will answer two questions 1. does my hair like butters at all? and do I have to use both coconut oil and butter to get that soft feel.

I love my leave in but I don't think its doing anything for my hair. It keeps me from having to detangle but it isn't moisturizing as far as I can tell. Testing overnight how my hair responds to water/glycerin on dry hair versus damp hair. Will see in the morning.

Now that I have the shampoo and conditioner out of the way, I can focus on other parts of my regi. My ends still feel brittle so going to work on that. And my leave in isn't moisturizing enough.

 

[JaszG]

I have not been getting along with my hair all week! lol. I tried the Bumble & Bumble Deeep conditioner it was $12 for 2 oz, and it didn't do anything for my hair, so I immediately returned it to Sephora! I purchased Hyrdratherma Naturals Moisture Boosting Deep Conditioning Treatment, and Karen's Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia! I am in LOVE with both products!!!! The conditioner smells WONDERFUL, and it goes on so NICE. I DCed with it for 30 min under the dryer, and washed it out afterwards. My hair felt like butter!! I loved it! I did a black tea rinse before hand, and washed my hair with CON detangling shampoo. However, I know the conditioner did the magic because I have done this before and my hair didn't feel this nice with the other conditioners. I think this will become a staple!!! I still have the Nexxus Humectress to try, and I would also like to try the Joico moisture recovery, but I'm definitely down for having more than one staple DC.

The sweet ambrosia is a leave in, and it is my new love! Awww I love this stuff so much!!! It smells unrealistically wonderful, and it is so moisturizing! I put this on my hair after I got out the shower, and detangled. I didn't really have to detangle much because the DC provided a lot of slip. I sealed with a little Coconut oil, and now I am air drying. I will wrap it, and do a caruso set, and silk wrap tomorrow. The regimen is coming together!!! I have more reviews on my blog below if ya'll want to check it out.

 

[Imani]

Same here! Then, I find out there is a place that sells Darcy Botanicals, Curls, and some of the stuff I have been wanting to try. I will NOT make a trip! lol.

JaszG Wait, there's a place in Bham that sells natural products??? I'm between Bham and Atl, so I hang in Atl a lot and always just buy products when I'm over there. B'ham is closer tho.

 

[NikkiQ]

Maybe this just wasn't a good week for flat twists.

Have you tried something with more hold like a gel? or a butter for your twists?

First time I tried doind them, I used Cantu shea butter leave in conditioning cream and some leave in but it still fluffed. This time was leave in and conditioner. I just had to blow it out and do Celie braids on dry hair instead of the twists. So frustrating.

 

[faithVA]

First time I tried doind them, I used Cantu shea butter leave in conditioning cream and some leave in but it still fluffed. This time was leave in and conditioner. I just had to blow it out and do Celie braids on dry hair instead of the twists. So frustrating.

You can always do a test run on a small section of hair. Take whatever product you are thinking about and use it for a regular 2 strand twist. If it has firm hold with the twist then it should work ok for the 2 strand flat twists. Will save you a whole head worth of effort.

 

[AlliCat]

Everyone always talks about moisture this and cowashing that. Both of which work for me, but in moderation. I find that if I co-wash too much, or don't do a protein treatment often, my hair gets mushy...I need to stay doing protein treatments (Joico Kpak) at least biweekly. and keep co-washing to a once-a-week minimum.

My hair also adores oils namely JBCO and products with argan oil. I'm close to nailing my regimen, I just need to finish this stasha

 

[JaszG]

@JaszG Wait, there's a place in Bham that sells natural products??? I'm between Bham and Atl, so I hang in Atl a lot and always just buy products when I'm over there. B'ham is closer tho.

Yes!! Its called LeVia's its on Valley Ave in Homewood! Love that store! Where do you go in ATL? My mom stays there, so I'm over there a lot too.

 

[FoxxyLocs]

Copied from my blog posts:

Today was wash day again. I pre-pooed with coconut/argan/grapeseed oil. Put on my baggy with my satin cap over it, then threw on a hat and went out to run some errands.

Washed with CV Olive & Shea poo bar. D/C'd with my homemade conditoner mix.

Spritzed with water/AVJ/castor oil mix. (1/2 water, 1/2 AVJ, dollop of castor oil, peppermint EO for fragrance). Sealed with coconut oil.

My hair feels really good! I think I found my wash day regimen Yay me, lol.

Staples:
CV poo bars
Coconut oil
water/AVJ/castor oil spritz
mango moisturizer
homemade D/C

Other oils:
Jojoba
Grapeseed
Argan
Safflower

I'm still tweaking some things here and there, but I do feel like I at least have a foundation now.

The argan oil is expensive, and I don't know if it's worth it to repurchase. I haven't tried my products without it so I don't know what the difference would be if I didn't use it. I'm in love with the coconut oil though. That one is definitely a staple

 

[FoxxyLocs]

Blog post #2 - Homemade conditioner

The conditioner I made worked out well. I'm so pleased with myself

I used:
Coconut cream (1 can)
Mango butter (1/2 cup)
Aloe vera juice (1/2 cup)
Grapeseed oil (2 tbsp)
Argan oil (1 dropperful)
Coconut oil (2 tbsp)
Castor oil (1 tsp)
Jojoba oil (2 tsp)

I don't measure so those are just approximate amounts. I melted the mango butter a little bit in the microwave, and used my handheld mixer to blend.

I had planned to use some avacado oil too, but I changed my mind.

It had a really thick and creamy consistency, which I loved. It wasn't too runny, and my hair feels great! I think its a winner

I do still want to try it again with some shea butter to see if that makes it better. But I'm so excited that it worked. For me the results were very similar to my AO HSR.

 

[Imani]

Yes!! Its called LeVia's its on Valley Ave in Homewood! Love that store! Where do you go in ATL? My mom stays there, so I'm over there a lot too.

JaszG In Atl I go to Sage Naturalceuticals. It is near the AUC right behind Castleberry Inn and Paschals. Also Urbanbella in Buckhead. Both have websites too if you google them to see what product lines they carry.

 

[JaszG]

Thank you so much!! I'm excited! I'm going to ATL the week after next, and I saw that Urbanbella has a location in Stonecrest Mall. Thats 5 minutes from my moms house. There is also a kiosk in that mall called Healthy Hair Dimensions that I want to check out as well. I have been thinking about transitioning, so having access to great products will be good if I decide.

 

[SavannahNatural]

Tell us About You:
Natural - Relaxed – Texturized/Texlaxed - Transitioning: Transitioning

Current Length: SL

Current Regimen: Ummm. . . working on it. I'm still just trying to find product staples. I think I'm going to start Co-Washing 2x a week, Washing every 2 weeks, DC with every wash, product and method TBD, Protein Treatment every 6 weeks

Current Staples/Techniques: Um, no staples or techniques just yet.

What in your regimen are trying to nail: Everything, all the way down to the vitamins and supplements!!

History (optional) any history of how you got to this point: I've been relaxed for about 17 years. I attempted to transition in 2009 into 2010, but had a setback due to being deployed and a fresh hair cut <---I die for those!! I'm going at this again, not only for healthy hair, but I want length and thickness and I just don't see that with relaxed hair. I've been tempted recently by the idea of texlaxing or texturizing, really didn't know these things existed for me!

I knew what to do with my hair when it was relaxed! I had a regimen, staples, and all kinds of techniques, but this new hair of mine I'm still working with. I'm not ready to BC I just want more length or at least to be a little more comfortable with styling this hair before I actually do it. I'm in it to Nail it!!!

 

[CurlsBazillion]

Wow I really need this for not only support but to help me remember my own regimen lol.
Natural - Relaxed – Texturized/Texlaxed - Transitioning: Natural
Current Length: SL
Current Regimen: Pre poo with Grapeseed oil or olive oil, sweet almond, or whatever oil is on hand (obviously needs work on that area) Co wash 2x a week
WEEKLY 1.shampoo w/ conditioner mixed 50/50 (gonna add an oil rinse between here) 2. egg, conditioner, and wheat germ oil mix for 10-15min 3. DC for 15-25min? 4. apply knot today leave in then Moisturize with HE LTR then seal with my butter mix (shea, avocado, mango butters and grapeseed and mucho wheat germ oil). 5.braid it up and hide it under a half wig or silk scarf. Every now and again I do a twist out.
Current Staples/Techniques: My staples are my butter mix, 2 CO washes a week with HE Hello Hydration, honey, and wheat germ oil mixture. HE LTR and sealing ends with wheat germ oil daily. TEchnique needs work...I don't detangle until right before I seal if thats a technique.
What in your regimen are trying to nail: everything but the moisturize & seal step, I feel like I got that down.

How can I improve my regimen? A question I ask myself whenever I do my hair.

I no longer mix my shampoo with conditioner (I havn't noticed a difference since I started). I do oil rinse with sunflower oil and I only do step 2 monthly now because my DCs contain protein and I fear my protein sensitive hair will have another overload

 

[greenbees]

Thanks faithVA!!! I'm definitely working on nailing a regimen for my ends. Hopefully I'll hop on baggying more often! I can't wait see some tips from fellow LHCFers.

 

[faithVA]

Welcome new Nailer @blcbuty@

I knew what to do with my hair when it was relaxed! I had a regimen, staples, and all kinds of techniques, but this new hair of mine I'm still working with.

Looking forward to following you as you nail your regimen. You have a good plan in place to get started so, it will come together one step at a time. And hopefully you will find the support you need here to nail your regimen and stick to it.

I also knew what to do when I was relaxed as well as when I had a twa. After my hair grew to NL the same things no longer worked. So I definitely understand.

 

[faithVA]

Thanks @faithVA!!! I'm definitely working on nailing a regimen for my ends. Hopefully I'll hop on baggying more often! I can't wait see some tips from fellow LHCFers.

You mentioned something about tagging vs. mentioning or something like that. I a clueless and probably doing it all wrong. Please school me so I can understand the difference and when I am supposed to do what. I guess I could read it but - ha ha -that's not going to happen probably.

I was like button? what button

 

[AlliCat]

Happy birthday, faithVA !!!

 

[faithVA]

I nailed my shampoo and conditioner and you would think I would be happy. But then I got discouraged because I couldn't keep my hair moisturized and I have no clue what to do. I have tried a lot of different things already and I really don't feel like trying a whole lot more. I just want one thing to use to moisturize my hair when wet.

Until I get my moisture straight, twists outs are not for me. I dusted my ends on Monday, and wore twist outs all week and my ends are Raggedy, Raggedy, Raggedy.

So my hair is up in mini twists (I swear I must have 200 of them) and i want to see if I can maintain them until the end of April.

So I won't be doing much work on my regimen over the next few weeks. I will be working on keeping my twists moisturized and using up some product.

 

[faithVA]

It's not my Bday yet but I'll take all the wishes just the same I just used my pass early because it was burning a hole in my pocket as they say.

 

[Imani]

OK so yesterday was my first go at nailing down salon quality straight hair. It was actually pretty good. My best attempt yet actually... but still not salon quality. It was not as silky and full as I would have liked. And wasn't really holding the curls as well as I would have liked.

Shampoos-Keracare 1st Lather, Joico MR
Conditioner-Joico MR Balm and conditioner
Leave in-Design Essentials
Other-Design essentials serum and gloss

I tried this blow dry technique I saw this chica do on youtube (saloncabello- sp?). It was awkward and I dropped the brush quite a few times and I wasn't pulling as hard as I could at times bc I was scared. But I can definitely see it making a big difference. I do think the key to the silkiness is the blow dry. So I will practice more to try and get the hang of the blow dry technique.

I will play around with the conditioners. Maybe use just the balm once time and the next just use the conditioner to see if that makes a difference. Also need to work on creating curls. I don't think I'm coordinated enough to do it with the flat iron like my stylist does, so I may just get a good ceramic curling iron.

I only did my leave out hair (I wear half wigs). The back is in sloppy week old plaits.

 

[faithVA]

OK so yesterday was my first go at nailing down salon quality straight hair. It was actually pretty good. My best attempt yet actually... but still not salon quality. It was not as silky and full as I would have liked. And wasn't really holding the curls as well as I would have liked.


I only did my leave out hair (I wear half wigs). The back is in sloppy week old plaits.

Very pretty Imani. You did a fab job. I think with just a few more tries you will have the knack of it; even the curls part.

I always wondered how the half wig worked I wore a twa for so long I am clueless about a lot of things.

 

[JaszG]

Imani your hair turned out GREAT!!!! !!! What kind of flat iron do you use?

 

[Imani]

Very pretty Imani. You did a fab job. I think with just a few more tries you will have the knack of it; even the curls part.

I always wondered how the half wig worked I wore a twa for so long I am clueless about a lot of things.

thanks! @ the half wigs-u just slap it on, blend or throw on a headband and go!

 

[Imani]

Imani your hair turned out GREAT!!!! !!! What kind of flat iron do you use?

JaszG I have a Hana Elite. The one thats supposed to be 100% ceramic and similar to the FHI Runway.

I also have a tiny FHI Platform that I used for edges sometimes. I did not use it this time because it didn't really seem necessary and I wasn't going anywhere just experimenting.

 

[JaszG]

Hey everyone! I have decided to embark on a 6 month stretch...! So, I guess it will be a few more weeks before my regimen is really put together!

 

[faithVA]

Hey everyone! I have decided to embark on a 6 month stretch...! So, I guess it will be a few more weeks before my regimen is really put together!

I don't know anything about stretching JaszG but I am assuming that you will still be able to learn a lot about your hair and your regimen in the process. And if you have the length you will be able to still wear styles that you can't wear if you BC to a short length. Sigh! I wish I could bun

 

[NikkiQ]

I think I may start incorporating my Celie braids into my reggie again. I did them for majority of the end of my transition and it made life much easier. I guess until my hair gets to a length where I can do more with it, this will just have to do.

 

[AlliCat]

One of the last goals I have to nail my regimen is to self-relax. I tried it once and it came out a hot mess. Right now I have my mom apply it and she does an awesome job so I guess that goal is on the backburner for now.

I need to learn how to cornrow as well.