i just can NOT combat this humidity!!! I went natural for this????

[krikit96]

I need some help, some encouragement... Some advice, SOMETHING!!!! Yesterday I walked out the house with a curly twist-out that I left twisted for 2 days... The frizz when I took the twists down was UNREAL!!! Then when I got into the car, the definition I DID have turned to mushy puffy soggy hair!!!! I went to work and brushed it back into a stretchy headband fro! My coworker said it was a hot mess!

I've been natural since March 2011 so I've grown my hair out under wigs the last few years. I was definitely bsl, but had a few stringy ends and out of frustration I went to the salon last night and got them cut... I'm now BACK to apl... I swear i can't get away from this length! Kinda minor setback, but not really I guess if it's all natural and no relaxed ends - but still this just makes me feel so bad about this long *** hair journey. After the years shouldn't I be longer than apl??? I can't wash & go cuz iono what I'm doing and the YouTube girls make it look easy when you really need mad practice (I can't go out in public the way my hair looks in a w&g) mainly cuz I had straight ends, like 2 to 3 inches, but that's gone now...

Ugh!!! I start a new job Monday and I think imma hafta keep braiding under the wigs cuz iono how to work with this natural hair... I'm sure it's cute when done THE RIGHT WAY, but I just can't do it!!! 3 years a slave, my hair is like Give Us FREE!!! Somebody help me!!! I don't want to perm it but I'm tired of wigs and wanna enjoy this short hair that should be longer than apl by now!!!

 

[whiteoleander91]

wow that was really rude of your coworker. what product did you use to twist? I'm not good at braid-outs/twist-outs AT ALL, but I do know that the product you use is important.

with anything, practice makes perfect. it can take a while to get the hang of certain styles.

 

[newgrowth15]

krikit96, Congrats of being 100% natural. That does not mean you cannot use products to help control frizz or combat humidity. I love Sabino Lok and Blok. It is silicone based and it works really well. You just have to try to find products that work for your hair. With time and patience, you will get there. Just don't give up on your hair.

 

[kupenda]

Ive just learned to embrace the poof. Every attempt at a style has blown up (literally lol) within minutes of my leaving the house. Would you consider going into protective mode during the summer months? Im planning to get my hair braided to keep things easier

No comment on your wack coworker -__-

 

[Honey Bee]

Ugh!!! I start a new job Monday and I think imma hafta keep braiding under the wigs cuz iono how to work with this natural hair... I'm sure it's cute when done THE RIGHT WAY, but I just can't do it!!! 3 years a slave, my hair is like Give Us FREE!!! Somebody help me!!! I don't want to perm it but I'm tired of wigs and wanna enjoy this short hair that should be longer than apl by now!!!

I'm not natural (yet), but I'm 11 months post. <---- my 'street cred'

Ok, so do you have any smoothing shampoo/ conditioner? What about frizz -fighting stylers like Sabino, Living Proof, etc? Pomade instead of gel? Butters instead of oils?

What's your reggie?

 

[veesweets]

Aw dont give up! Theres definitely been a learning curve for me on how to style my natural hair but its getting better with practice. Are you using styling products with glycerin/humectants high up in the ingredients? Thats the quickest way to the land of all frizz & no definition within an hour for me on humid days

 

[havilland]

Girl. I FEEL U!

Been there. I'm coming up on three years since my last relaxer.

I JUST GOT A GOOD WASH N GO

I spent weekends (when I was not gonna see people) trying products and techniques and WOWUH......it has been a trip!

I basically lived in a ponytail or in a wig or flat ironing when i want to wear my hair down....for three years.

All I can say is don't give up. You are gonna have to spend some dedicated time on products and techniques and trial and error.

I swear u will get it. I swear u will. Just. Don't. Quit.

 

[MissC320]

Natural hair is something you kind of grow into. I went natural in august of 2011 with no transition and am about the same length as you. What really helped with styling was practice and a change in mindset.

 

[atlien11]

^^ What she said. You really do have to practice at home and on the weekends on varying styles and products that work for you. Also the humidity is what it is, therefore you might need to apply some anti humectants.

I haven't tried them myself yet but i know I'm going to need them in this humid ATL weather so i don't have any recs, however i have been eyeing Avedas Anti humectant pomade.

Or maybe u can just do wigs in the summer and rock your natural curls in the fall and winter months. Hang in there.

 

[sunshinebeautiful]

Aw dont give up! Theres definitely been a learning curve for me on how to style my natural hair but its getting better with practice. Are you using styling products with glycerin/humectants high up in the ingredients? Thats the quickest way to the land of all frizz & no definition within an hour for me on humid days

Definitely this. What products are you using in your hair?

I live in humid South Florida and I'm able to get defined twistouts, but I avoid glycerin-based products, and I use a little bit of gel (Ecostyler is my face) for hold.

 

[Enyo]

You just have to play around with your products and technique. It took me about 3-4 years to get my hair regimen under control. If it helps, what works for me is a combination of items that are meant to protect against heat and frizz (Joico's K-Pak Smoothing Balm is one of my favorites) and alcohol-free gel.

I'm not sure what the humidity level is where you are. It's about 65% in where I live if that means anything.

 

[oneastrocurlie]

I'm learning to roll with humidity. I like to use a cream and then a pomade to twists. So I have a hold, my hair is moisturized, and the swelling due to humidity doesn't totally kill my twist out definition.

 

[krikit96]

Thank you all so much... I've been using Shea moisture smoothie under some eco Olive oil. When I DO use oil it's grapesed or coconut oil... BUT... I have been using glycerin in a little water spray bottle...someone told me it was good for moisture...

I live in the DMV... I work in Virginia, commute thru DC and live in Maryland... so the humidity lately has been pretty serious...I guess I just saw my bsl hair go to apl and felt despair wash over me... I really don't know if I'm 3c 4a or 4b.. prolly all 3. I don't know what I'm doing, I just was tired of the wigs...

Also, I've been using this suave natural shampoo and conditioner... alternating with vo5 moisture milks conditioner...

I'm on my phone, so sorry about the side pics...

 

[krikit96]

Also, the stylist used some kinda purple curl wax stuff to make my hair shiny when she flat ironed it... it's heavy and greasy now... I hate it! I've been doing my own hair and the assistant was brushing so rough, I said never again!

Where can I purchase sabino? Is it expensive?

 

[Honey Bee]

Also, the stylist used some kinda purple curl wax stuff to make my hair shiny when she flat ironed it... it's heavy and greasy now... I hate it! I've been doing my own hair and the assistant was brushing so rough, I said never again!

Where can I purchase sabino? Is it expensive?

krikit96, I bought it on Amazon (from the seller 'Sabino', wasn't taking no chances, but I had a giftcard to use up, so Amazon it was ). They have a website too. I wouldn't trust it from anywhere else cuz there was some drama a few years back (?) about fakes flooding the market.

 

[krikit96]

krikit96, I bought it on Amazon (from the seller 'Sabino', wasn't taking no chances, but I had a giftcard to use up, so Amazon it was ). They have a website too. I wouldn't trust it from anywhere else cuz there was some drama a few years back (?) about fakes flooding the market.

The sabino lok & blok?

 

[Honey Bee]

The sabino lok & blok?

krikit96, I got the Moisture Block. I think the difference is that MB is for coarser hair or something. It's possible I made the wrong choice though, cuz I have fine hair.

 

[LadyRaider]

That line that Jennifer Anniston advertises worked well for me. I don't remember the name now. They sell it at Sephora.

I remember using it before a HOT Texas day when I was outside for 3 hours doing Zumba and running around passing out pamphlets and my hair did NOT frizz up. I don't need it that often because my hair generally stays in braid outs well as long as I start the braids with wet hair.

 

[krikit96]

I need to Google the Jennifer Aniston stuff available in sephora... I did some history searching on Sabino and a few years back the ladies here were RAVING about it... I don't see or hear much about it anymore lately. Things have changed in this group from when I first joined.

Anyways... I was just in the mirror looking at my hair... there was no reason for her to chop off sooooo much hair. I really WAS proud of my bra strap length hair... now I'm just barely shoulder length... looks like I'll be finishing this year in wigs AGAIN after all... Smh... I mean, 3 YEARS and this is all I have to show for it. I've been eating all weekend... so depressed...all my long hair & patience down the drain.

 

[MissC320]

^^^ Huh???!....

 

[SEMO]

Sorry to hear about your cut. I know how that feels.

To help minimize frizz, I suggest the l.o.c. method. I used to do the moisturize and seal routine, where I'd put my leave-in on first then seal last with an oil. But in the l.o.c. (liquid, oil, cream) method I use water for my liquid, then smooth on an oil (lately I've been using walnut oil), add my leave-in and finish with a cream. If the cream doesn't double as a styler, then I also use a gel (I like As I Am curling jelly).

I find that putting the oil on first minimizes frizz. I tested this out by doing each method on one half of my hair, using the same products (only the order of application differed). So I know each half was exposed to the same environmental conditions. You should try this test for yourself and see which method you might prefer.

 

[Vshanell]

I was getting the puffy soggy hair as well until I found out it was the glycerin in products I was using. Especially if it's high up on the list. Glycerin in humid weather destroys my styles completely. I do much better using non glycerin products. Humidity will always affect natural hair but for me it's been greatly reduced by cutting out glycerin.

Just curious but what products were you using?

 

[Subscribe]

What G-free products are you guys using?

 

[Theresamonet]

I need to Google the Jennifer Aniston stuff available in sephora... I did some history searching on Sabino and a few years back the ladies here were RAVING about it... I don't see or hear much about it anymore lately. Things have changed in this group from when I first joined.

Anyways... I was just in the mirror looking at my hair... there was no reason for her to chop off sooooo much hair. I really WAS proud of my bra strap length hair... now I'm just barely shoulder length... looks like I'll be finishing this year in wigs AGAIN after all... Smh... I mean, 3 YEARS and this is all I have to show for it. I've been eating all weekend... so depressed...all my long hair & patience down the drain.

Maybe you should forego the wigs this time around, and get to know your own hair as it grows out.

I get that wigs are an effective and conveinent protective style, but it seems that some rely on wigs to the point that once they reach their length goals, they have no idea how to care for or style their own hair.

I've seen this result in setbacks so many times. Getting to your length goals is only part of the battle. You are to really learn your hair to maintain legnth & health.

 

[PennyK]

OP I know how you're feeling. When I started transitioning to grow out my heat damaged hair, my WnGs were horrible. My hair wouldn't curl and were a frizzy, frayed mess. It takes patience and practice. You've got to find the products that work for you and your hair. Even today my day 3 WnGs can't handle the humidity and end up getting frizzy. Hang in there and don't let the rude insensitive comments of others shake you.

 

[krikit96]

^^^ Huh???!....

What? Lol...what are you huh-ing?

 

[krikit96]

Maybe you should forego the wigs this time around, and get to know your own hair as it grows out.

I get that wigs are an effective and conveinent protective style, but it seems that some rely on wigs to the point that once they reach their length goals, they have no idea how to care for or style their own hair.

I've seen this result in setbacks so many times. Getting to your length goals is only part of the battle. You are to really learn your hair to maintain legnth & health.

Thank you for your input...

I've been doing just fine with my own hair, actually...lol as long as I was flat ironing. But I started a heat challenge with my lil sister and then a hide your hair challenge...so I stopped using heat back in August 2013.

I usually have good luck with my twistouts, but it was during the cooler months-this is my first spring/summer and I've never had to worry about humidity, flat ironing the Silver(forgot her screen name, think it's silver32?) With chi silk infuse and John Frieda, my flat irons are the bomb! I'm struggling now cuz I'm not using heat... and I'm fully natural now... I'm so sad...

 

[krikit96]

I was getting the puffy soggy hair as well until I found out it was the glycerin in products I was using. Especially if it's high up on the list. Glycerin in humid weather destroys my styles completely. I do much better using non glycerin products. Humidity will always affect natural hair but for me it's been greatly reduced by cutting out glycerin.

Just curious but what products were you using?

Pokahantis, I actually have been spraying with a water/glycerin mix!!! THIS IS probably my biggest culprit, huh?

Usually I spray with that mix, coat it with either silk elements leave in our CON leave in... then I'll either seal with coconut oil or grapeseed oil. That's my loc method...

I always tie my hair up Night...
When I DO my twist outs, I usually use the Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie under eco styler (olive oil)... when I wash I either co wash with v05 passion fruit smoothie or the strawberry... when I shampoo I use the suave natural almond& Shea butter...here...I can't get the pic to attach... ugh.

On wet or damp hair I do my twists

 

[preciouslove0x]

Nothing to add really. But my low density high shrinkage BSL hair loves humidity! I lose definition in a good way. For braid outs I use a cream every other day. And use water only on the other day.

 

[Vshanell]

Pokahantis, I actually have been spraying with a water/glycerin mix!!! THIS IS probably my biggest culprit, huh? Usually I spray with that mix, coat it with either silk elements leave in our CON leave in... then I'll either seal with coconut oil or grapeseed oil. That's my loc method... I always tie my hair up Night... When I DO my twist outs, I usually use the Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie under eco styler (olive oil)... when I wash I either co wash with v05 passion fruit smoothie or the strawberry... when I shampoo I use the suave natural almond& Shea butter...here...I can't get the pic to attach... ugh. On wet or damp hair I do my twists

Yes that's probably it. Try experimenting with products that don't contain it. I did this last summer and it made a world of difference.

Here's an article that explains a little about it.
http://cushblog.com/2011/08/when-to-use-glycerin-products-based-on-dew-points-technically-speaking/

The other products you listed seem ok....it's mainly your leave ins that you don't want to have glycerin.