Moisture HELP for Newbie with extreme shrinkage!!!!....(Pic heavy)

[Bina24]

[FONT=&quot]Hey Ladies!![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] First off I want to thank all the ladies who’ve posted advice about growing healthy hair whether it’d be for relaxed, tex-laxed, transitioners, or naturals. Out of ALL the forum boards I’ve visited and lurked you ladies have been the most helpful and adventurous in willing to venture into new products, methods, and reggies that even most stylists don’t even dare to think of. I’ve enjoyed lurking so much that I finally broke down and subscribed![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Problem: [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] I have serious dry hair. So serious, that if I don’t moisturize at night and seal with oil, my ends WILL break off in the morning! Yet, even though I do this, I still have problems making sure that my hair stays moisturized throughout the day. I rarely do wash n go’s because my coils tend to coil around each other and dry up by the end of the day = more hair loss. My 4 something hair type is really fragile and fine. I have been natural all of my life but yet have been unable to find a moisturizer that will help my tiny coils stay moisturized throughout the whole day. Currently, I’m using Kinky curly’s knot today with jojoba oil to seal the ends of my hair. I’ve used olive oil in the past but found it to be too heavy at times for my thin/fine hair. However, as the day progresses, the knot today and the jojoba oil dries out. I usually wear my hair in a bun or twists pinned up. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Does anyone know of any homemade or commercial hair products that might help moisturize my hair for longer than one day?
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[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Current reggie: [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Co-wash everyday- my hair really loves water
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Cleanse 1x/week- Shampoo Kinky Curly’s [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Moisturize with Kinky curly knot today [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Seal in- Jojoba oil [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Lucia, has already given me a great link to purchasing East African Shea Butter but I'd love to hear any more advice anyone has!

Thank you!

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[Bina24]

Sorry for the huge pictures I didn't realize how big they would turn out! :/

 

[cmw45]

I found that most of the oils were either too heavy (didn't absorb and my hair feeling coated) or too light. My wonder butter (oil) is shea butter. Doesn't leave my hair feeling greasy...can be applied on damp or dry hair and my hair is super soft and moisturized all day.

 

[curlyninjagirl]

I think my moisturizing spritz is the best LOL!! It's made with 5 parts water and 1 part AO HSR conditioner. It totally turned my brother's hair around and his hair was the driest I've ever seen. Now his hair always feels soft and he wears it out daily. For growing long hair, though, I think it's best to tuck your ends away from the elements. Your own hair is the best "sealant" in my opinion. I don't even use oils anymore.

 

[reeko43]

Wow, your hair is so pretty! I love the close up shot of your coils It looks soft and moisterized from the pictures. I guess the pictures are a little deceiving since you say your hair is dry

 

[Ijanei]

wow you do have some EXTREME shrinkage, beautiful hair though

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

Wooooooow your shrinkage is wild!

I like sealing damp hair with a little castor oil.

 

[westNDNbeauty]

have you tried deep conditioning overnight?

for me, it wasn't until I started doing that did I notice a change in my hair. It was so moisturized that my curls hung a little lower than usual.

I DC with silk elements mega silk moisturizing treatment from sally's. When I'm looking for an extra boost I add honey (maybe some olive oil and coconut oil).

 

[january noir]

Your hair is beautiful! I love your shrinkage!

 

[classychic1908]

Have you tried aloe juice and glycerin spritz? Or using your favorite moisturizing DC or conditioner as a leave in? I use AOWC as a leave in on freshly cleansed hair and refresh my hair daily with the aloe glycerin spritz. I also love castor oil, but it may be too heavy for your hair if you prefer lighter oils.

HTH

 

[Akemi]

You didn't list a DC. Do you use one?

My hair is very fine, too. Joico Moisture Recovery Balm is a great DC!! Keeps my hair moisturized for days. You should try it.

 

[HauteHippie]

1st, your hair is so lovely! Have you tried Jane Carter Nourish & Shine? I use it after spraying her leave in. Works for both me (fine/fragile/dry hair) and my sister (thick/coily/DRY hair, that shines despite the dryness!)

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using T-Mobile G2

 

[faithVA]

No advice here. Im still trying to figure out the same. I have similar hair...fine, small coils with major shrinkage. It dries out typically around 3 pm.

Your hair is beautiful. Love the pics of your coils. And it looks so healthy.

Welcome!

 

[CurlsBazillion]

Lovely hair! I'm team ceramides over here and may I suggest a different oil to seal with like grapeseed oil? its not as thick as evoo to me plus I don't put alot on my hair. I also wanna cosign with tucking your ends away and DCing over night. Also do you do mild protein treatments regularly? I hope these are things that can help you out with your beautiful hair.

 

[Dizz]

You and your hair are beautiful! Welcome!

A good, regular DC as Akemi mentioned might be a good place to start.
An addition, have you tried oil rinsing? Co-washing combined with oil rinsing (olive oil worked for me) helped my hair retain lots of moisture and cut down on tangling.

Also, S-Curl was one of the only leave-in products that was amazing for my hair in this area as well. I hated the smell of it, though.

 

[keepithealthy]

First off your hair is so pretty! Secondly you have crazy shrinkage!

I want to 2nd what these ladies said...

have you tried deep conditioning overnight?

for me, it wasn't until I started doing that did I notice a change in my hair. It was so moisturized that my curls hung a little lower than usual.

I DC with silk elements mega silk moisturizing treatment from sally's. When I'm looking for an extra boost I add honey (maybe some olive oil and coconut oil).

I noticed a change in my hair moisture level when I began to overnight dc. I have also found that adding EVOO and EVCO to my conditioners have enhanced the moisture level of my hair.

Have you tried aloe juice and glycerin spritz? Or using your favorite moisturizing DC or conditioner as a leave in? I use AOWC as a leave in on freshly cleansed hair and refresh my hair daily with the aloe glycerin spritz. I also love castor oil, but it may be too heavy for your hair if you prefer lighter oils.

HTH

I sometimes use Shae Moisture Organic Raw Shae Butter Deep Masque Treatment (it's ok as a dc) but when I use it as a leave in my hair is suuuuuuuuper soft! I use Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Mango Butter Moisturizer to seal my ends. My hair is on the fine side and it works well for me. (I found Castor oil to be to thick for me)

 

[Ese88]

Maybe you should look into deep conditioning. It seems washing and then adding a leave in is not working too well for you. Also if you have porous hair, you may want to look into using ph balanced products at the end of your routine. Knot today has a ph of 7 and our hair is generally good at 4.5 so it may be something to look into.
I really like oyins hair dew and qhemet's amla and olive heavy cream for moisture.

 

[Valerie]

I think eventually, you should invest in a hair steamer, such as the huetiful hair and facial steamer http://www.behuetiful.com. That should help with your moisture problem, but your shrinkage, out of the world, very beautiful.

 

[Miss*Tress]

Welcome to the board!

You have lovely hair. Like the other posters, I suggest you find a deep conditioner. You can add oils and honey to it for an extra boost. Also many ladies have seen good results with kimmaytube's leave-in conditioner recipe. Don't hesitate to change products either. Jojoba oil and Kinky Curly Knot Today didn't do much for my hair either.

 

[ErikaUK]

You have very simliar hair to me. Loads of shrinkage, dry and fine. I'm not sure how much help this is going to be but I deep condtion once a week, pre-poo with oil before I shampoo, use a leave in conditioner. Then, after I've detangled and twisted I let it air dry about 50% then I seal with another oil. I use rice bran oil or shea butter. Shea butter in particular keeps my hair moist for longer.
However... I do still mist my hair as I feel it becoming dry during the day. Sometimes up to 3 times a day. But I have noticed the difference in my moisture levels and I don't get as much shrinkage either.

 

[Raine054]

Try avocado butter. It will change your life.

 

[hair4romheaven]

Taaliah waajid mist bodifier

 

[Xaragua]

I used to have dry hair and a while back I started to use a Shea butter mix to seal my ends while damp and I never had a problem with dryness since then. Here is the link on how to make your Shea butter mix.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3Ok14CgADM

 

[Bina24]

I think my moisturizing spritz is the best LOL!! It's made with 5 parts water and 1 part AO HSR conditioner. It totally turned my brother's hair around and his hair was the driest I've ever seen. Now his hair always feels soft and he wears it out daily. For growing long hair, though, I think it's best to tuck your ends away from the elements. Your own hair is the best "sealant" in my opinion. I don't even use oils anymore.

Thank you for sharing your spritz! Do you spritz throughout the whole day? I'm not familiar with all the acronyms what is AO HSR conditioner and where can I buy some?

 

[Evolving78]

Hi and welcome! i have crazy shrinkage as well. Knot Today is just a leave-in. it is not going to give you enough moisture that your hair needs. you need a moisturizer, like a creamy one.
I would suggest Shea Organic Curly Smoothie or the Deep Treatment Masque to use daily.
plus, you can use a moisturizing spritz like Taliah Waajid Bodifer Mist. you can water it down a little bit to make it easier to spray.

as far as deep conditioning, you need to do this once a week after you shampoo wash.

I would recommend Silk Elements deep treatment in the Green jar. leave on your hair 30-60mins and you don't have to rinse all of it out.

 

[godzchildtoo]

Thank you for sharing your spritz! Do you spritz throughout the whole day? I'm not familiar with all the acronyms what is AO HSR conditioner and where can I buy some?

It's Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose conditioner. They sell it at Whole Foods and a lot of health food stores.

 

[thaidreams]

have you tried deep conditioning overnight?

for me, it wasn't until I started doing that did I notice a change in my hair. It was so moisturized that my curls hung a little lower than usual.

I DC with silk elements mega silk moisturizing treatment from sally's. When I'm looking for an extra boost I add honey (maybe some olive oil and coconut oil).

I agree with westNDNbeauty; deep conditioning overnight does my hair a world of good. It seems to seal in the moisture for the week. That combined with my daily oil applications for my ends.

 

[Evolving78]

I agree with westNDNbeauty; deep conditioning overnight does my hair a world of good. It seems to seal in the moisture for the week. That combined with my daily oil applications for my ends.

if you deep condition overnight, make sure you put your hair in twists to prevent your hair from tangling/knotting up

 

[carameldelight87]

As everyone else said, DCing is definitely necessary. I would also suggest you try SheaMoisture's Coconut & Hibiscus line. The Curl & Style milk from that line is SUPER moisturizing! Not it won't give you curl definition but it's perfect for wearing twists or any other protective style.

I also just bought Aussie Moist conditioner and I hear it's one of the best moisturizers. It's pretty cheap and available just about every where.

To fix this problem, it's gonna be trial and error, honey. Hope you find something that works.

 

[Curlykale]

try sealing with avocado butter or hemp seed oil. they are powerful.