My Unexpected natural journey (pics :-))))

[leigh.hill]

I NEVER excepted to go natural EVER in my life. To be honest, I had no respect for the natural ladies. Didn't like it. Didn't want it. Didn't even want to talk about going natural. THEN last December my hair started falling out. Oh I did everything possible to stop it, but nothing worked.

I went to the derm and he said to stop relaxing for 6-12 months .

I did the hair analysis and she basically said the same .

Long story short. I actually LOVE being natural thought this was NEVER part of my life plan. I am still in search of the "right" products.

I have tried a TON of products (eco-styler, curl creme burle, shea moisturer, Taliah waajid, oyin moisturizer) and thus far Coco Curls is the only line that seems to work. I want more curl definition. I see it when my hair is wet, but not dry. ANY SUGGESTIONS?!?!?!?

 

[lovely_locks]

First off, you have such nice bone structure! You rock short hair! I love the very last pic, it is so trendy and just HOT! I like your story. I like how you took the docs advice from the get go, and even though you hated the thought of natural hair you did what you had to do to get healthy hair. Many of my friends keep on relaxing even though their hair and scalp are suffering.

 

[Pompous Blue]

Love your story! Health above style!

I gave up relaxing, too, for a healthy, full head of hair with no scalp issues in 3 years.

Don't know about obtaining curl definition because I'm 4CZ and there is no curl cream or gel that will give my hair a curl definition. So, I use a heavy cream and styling gel to flat twist my hair for daily styles.

My favorite heavy creams are

Myhoneychild.com honey hair cream
Oyin Whipped Pudding
Donna Marie Super Buttercream
Shescenit.com's creams

Favorite gels -
Uncle Funky's Daughter Curly Magic
hydroquenchsystems.com Puttyful Anti-gel

I used to use a leave-in conditioner but they were never moisturizing or heavy enough to keep my hair moisturized and defined.

 

[danniegirl]

you can try to clarify your hair with bentonite clay this is the only way i clean my hair and my curls really are popping after

and you can also try a cherry lola treatment- i loved this treatment it really made my curls pop but i really thought it was too harsh.

ETA: you should try either of these just to see the curls you may have they will not create anything they will just help in defining what you naturally have

 

[leigh.hill]

Thanks for the suggestions ladies and keep them coming!

Pompous Blue I have my go-to leave-in conditioner when I was relaxed (Giovanni). Now I am about to give up on leave-in conditions. Nothing seems to work and I am tired of spending money.

 

[Lexsmarie]

They say if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans

Nice story!

 

[naturalmanenyc]

Congrats on going natural, although it was unexpected. You are rocking that hair!

I've been natural since 2007 and I'm still looking for new products. I have some staples but for the most part different products have worked for me at different times.

I did a protein treatment on Saturday and noticed that my curls popped! They seem more defined than usual. I've never tried a true protein treatment (just the 2 minute ones) so this was different for me. Adding more protein into my regimen (protein conditioners and leave in) and doing a protein treatment was recommended during my Komaza hair analysis. I used the Komaza Protein Hair Strengthener.

Assuming you are not protein sensitive, I would think a protein treatment would make your curls pop. I've noticed when people have heat damage (straight hair) they always do a protein treatment or two to get the curls to come back. I read it but it didn't click for me until I did my own protein treatment and saw my curls pop.

 

[leigh.hill]

They say if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans

Nice story!

It took me a second to get it, but this is SO true for ALL parts of my life.

 

[leigh.hill]

Congrats on going natural, although it was unexpected. You are rocking that hair!

I've been natural since 2007 and I'm still looking for new products. I have some staples but for the most part different products have worked for me at different times.

I did a protein treatment on Saturday and noticed that my curls popped! They seem more defined than usual. I've never tried a true protein treatment (just the 2 minute ones) so this was different for me. Adding more protein into my regimen (protein conditioners and leave in) and doing a protein treatment was recommended during my Komaza hair analysis. I used the Komaza Protein Hair Strengthener.

Assuming you are not protein sensitive, I would think a protein treatment would make your curls pop. I've noticed when people have heat damage (straight hair) they always do a protein treatment or two to get the curls to come back. I read it but it didn't click for me until I did my own protein treatment and saw my curls pop.

That Komaza hair analysis changed my life! I had it right when my hair was falling out. Of course she recommended leaving the relaxer alone for a little bit (if not forever) and she mentioned protein but I thought it was only for relaxed hair. I have the hair strengthener. I will give it another try with natural hair. Thanks!!!!

 

[Guinan]

Congrats on becoming natural! I always say that everyone should go natural at least once in their adult life.

 

[Pompous Blue]

Thanks for the suggestions ladies and keep them coming!

@Pompous Blue I have my go-to leave-in conditioner when I was relaxed (Giovanni). Now I am about to give up on leave-in conditions. Nothing seems to work and I am tired of spending money.

I tried a lot of leave-in conditioners when I went natural and tried and tried to find something to keep my hair moisturized more than a few hours. I spent a fortune on leave-ins (Oyin, KBB, Komaza, Shescentit, etc., etc., etc.)

Until it hit me one day that I needed something heavier than a liquid leave-in. I needed a heavy cream. It turned my regimen around!

Also, I agree with those up-thread who said protein and bentonite clay can help. I once thought I was protein sensitive 'til I found the right moisturizing conditioner to balance my hair with.

And I use bentonite or rhassoul clay to clarify my hair once a week.

These 2 things in my regimen make the other products perform better.

 

[MileHighDiva]

Third pic is fierce!

 

[Newtogrow]

That mohawk is the bizzness!!!!! You can try comb twists also known as finger twists and then separate for curl texture.

I'm 4z so I have no curl pattern.

 

[yuhlovevybz]

Congrats! You are working that cut and those feather earrings!

When it comes to curl definition, I learned the hard way that you gotta be patient. Put down any products that say 'curl defining' because they make your hair kink up tighter and a lot of the time that makes curls LESS visible. Clarify your hair, condition it (no mineral oil) and then just let it do its thing. You learn more about your natural texture the less you do with it. As my hair has gotten longer its gone from being a fro (back when I was using gels and petroleum) to having kinky spirals and waves. Now I just kinda let it do what it wants and let it surprise me as it grows. HHG!