Any thoughts on Maximum Hydration Method

[MiamiChic]

I am one day away from giving up on this method. I am going to use ACV instead of baking soda tonight and going to change the conditioner I use. If my hair doesn't feel better after that then I'm have to stop. My hair doesn't necessarily feel super dry,but very rough.

I will keep the clay wash though. I used to do it a few years ago and stopped when I ran out of clay, but its a great natural option.

The first time I used BS, the next day my hair was HARD. So I ran & thoroughly rinsed my hair and then threw a whole bunch of moisturizing conditioners on it. Afterwards my hair was back to normal. I think its very easy to leave some BS in your hair accidentally. SO make sure your hair is thoroughly rinsed and deep conditioned.

 

[MsEveMarie]

Thank you all for your input. I think I'm officially giving up on the original method and I'm trying to work through an alternative.

Since it seems that were just loosening the curl pattern and detoxifying the strands to absorb more moisture, is it ok to do the following instead?

1. Deep conditioning with the cherry lola treatment (minus the baking soda), as the lactic acid in the yogurt will loosen the curl and the other ingredients will impart tons of moisture into the strands.
2. Detox with the mud wash.
3. Apply leave in condish
4. Gel + style

 

[bronzephoenix]

Your hair came out beautifully

Thanks! I've been drooling over yours

How do you like the Tresemmé? I'm tempted to try it since it's so cheap. The regular Tresemme Naturals everyone else raved about didn't do much for me...

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[Pompous Blue]

bronzephoenix Your hair looks great! You had great success. What definition and shine!

cutiebe2 I agree with KinkyRN. Don't give up yet!

 

[Guinan]

Thanks! I've been drooling over yours

How do you like the Tresemmé? I'm tempted to try it since it's so cheap. The regular Tresemme Naturals everyone else raved about didn't do much for me...

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I REALLY like it. I had a difficult time finding the "approved" one. But I finally found it. I wish I would have bought two bottles though It might be better than my Herbal Essence. But I'll wait until I use the whole bottle before making that claim.

 

[Guinan]

Thank you all for your input. I think I'm officially giving up on the original method and I'm trying to work through an alternative.

Since it seems that were just loosening the curl pattern and detoxifying the strands to absorb more moisture, is it ok to do the following instead?

1. Deep conditioning with the cherry lola treatment (minus the baking soda), as the lactic acid in the yogurt will loosen the curl and the other ingredients will impart tons of moisture into the strands.
2. Detox with the mud wash.
3. Apply leave in condish
4. Gel + style

I could be wrong, but I think it's the cherry lola treatment (if needed) then DC. I think you still need to DC with one of the approved moisturizing conditioners. I dont do the cherry lola so I'm not too sure. I do:

1. ACV w/water for 15min
2. DC over night or for 30min if I'm doing the shorter version
3. Clay for 15min
4. Leave-in and gel

If I need protein, I use Mill-creek botanicals before step 1. I think the Cherry Lola is if you need protein. At least that's how I took it.

 

[Rae81]

That's an interesting alternative to the method. Is there a reason/benefit to doing the clay 1st?

I may have to try it too see if my hair likes that. When I do the shorter version of this I apply my ACV and DV together and my hair still responds well.

I did it that way just to try it out

 

[bronzephoenix]

I REALLY like it. I had a difficult time finding the "approved" one. But I finally found it. I wish I would have bought two bottles though It might be better than my Herbal Essence. But I'll wait until I use the whole bottle before making that claim.

Great! I might have to track some down. I just ran out of KCKT and clay so I need my next move to be real economical...

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[Nightingale]

That's an interesting alternative to the method. Is there a reason/benefit to doing the clay 1st?

You didn't ask me but, I think clay is a better clarifier than BS or ACV. At least for me it is, so I prefer it first for my transitioning hair. But clay provides better definition on natural hair than BS/ACV, making it a better final "wash". If you're not doing a wash and go, clay first may work better.

 

[SpiceUpMyHair]

Can I add hibiscus powder to my clay mix?

 

[MsEveMarie]

I could be wrong, but I think it's the cherry lola treatment (if needed) then DC. I think you still need to DC with one of the approved moisturizing conditioners. I dont do the cherry lola so I'm not too sure. I do: 1. ACV w/water for 15min 2. DC over night or for 30min if I'm doing the shorter version 3. Clay for 15min 4. Leave-in and gel If I need protein, I use Mill-creek botanicals before step 1. I think the Cherry Lola is if you need protein. At least that's how I took it.

Maybe I need more protein then? I'm just picking from the steps my hair reacted well too. It looked great both times I did the CLT and looked a hot dry mess when I did just a regular baking soda or acv rinse on the remaining days. I was hoping I could keep the CLT as step 1 and just take out the baking soda, since it would be too damaging. Maybe take out the egg as well, to prevent protein overload.

 

[Cattypus1]

After day 1, I didn't use gel to finish, I used my Wen styling cream and Design Essentials foam to do 2-strand twists. I haven't taken them down yet so it will be day 4 before it gets wet again. I was sold after the CLT but if there was any doubt, the clay was the sauce! I've been massaging my scalp with some oil and finishing with super skinny. I'm going to roll with a Twistout tomorrow and see where I land. I don't have the time or he inclination to do a 7-day stretch. It will probably take we several weeks to get all that in. I hope my Twistout looks good enough for pics, it's almost time for my 5-month post BC pic.

 

[bronzephoenix]

I'm so mad at myself... Today is day 3 & everything was going great. I decided to be a little rebellious and use Garnier Pure Clean for my wng. Not until after I finished did I peel a sticker from the back of the tube revealing Glycerin as the 3rd ingredient...

I live in a pretty dry climate: 92F today with a dew point of 53. I wanted this to last at least another day before washing, but I'm afraid this glycerin will suck all of my progress out into the atmosphere.

Should I be concerned although the gel cast has already been formed??? TIA

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[8675309]

Day 5 was completed this morning . I'm still loving it! I haven't altered the original recipe much. I do add acv and oils to my clay mask. It helps it go on better. Here's a pic of my hair from tonight after a very long day with a few hrs outside.

 

[Nightingale]

My mix is 1 cup clay to 3 cups water. It's hard to say how much I use in one application. I had an old 32oz dish detergent bottle that I mixed on Wednesday and after 3 washes I have half left.

My premixed clay starts smelling funky after a few days. Anyone else experience this? My proportions are about the same, 1 part Aztec healing clay, 3 parts water. I now mix as needed.

 

[Z-kitty]

My premixed clay starts smelling funky after a few days. Anyone else experience this? My proportions are about the same, 1 part Aztec healing clay, 3 parts water. I now mix as needed.

I Have allergy issues and can hardly smell so mine could be bad. Off to check.

 

[Pompous Blue]

My premixed clay starts smelling funky after a few days. Anyone else experience this? My proportions are about the same, 1 part Aztec healing clay, 3 parts water. I now mix as needed.

@Nightingale
I use the original MHM recipe and get 4 uses out of it. After mixing it, I store it immediately in the refrigerator and scoop out only the amount I need for each use.

Are you refrigerating the unsed clay?

Mine is lasting about 1 - 1 1/2 weeks in the refrigerator. No odd smells or change in color.

 

[KinkyRN]

From what i understand ACV is for high porosity and BS is for low porosity. I have read that if you use the baking soda and your hair feels rough /dry to do a quick ACV rinse and it will bring it back to normal.

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[Guinan]

My premixed clay starts smelling funky after a few days. Anyone else experience this? My proportions are about the same, 1 part Aztec healing clay, 3 parts water. I now mix as needed.

Yass, mine's started smelling funky. I thought i was doing something wrong.

 

[ResultsMayVary]

I tried this method yesterday!

It definitely gave me the best wash and go I have ever had since going natural (I'd actually wear this out of the house), but I wonder if it was solely the clay mask because I didn't see much of a difference in my hair until I got to that step. The clarifying and DC left my hair feeling the way it usually does .

I think I am going to try just using the clay today. (fingers crossed I get the same results)

 

[Guinan]

Maybe I need more protein then? I'm just picking from the steps my hair reacted well too. It looked great both times I did the CLT and looked a hot dry mess when I did just a regular baking soda or acv rinse on the remaining days. I was hoping I could keep the CLT as step 1 and just take out the baking soda, since it would be too damaging. Maybe take out the egg as well, to prevent protein overload.

I think if your hair is responding well to it then dont fix what's not broken. However, if you notice matting and a stiffness to your hair then you will know that you have too much protein. I think if you are doing the CLT regularly then you need to follow-up with some moisture. Protein overload is a b**ch to correct.

 

[Guinan]

I LOVE seeing the pics and testimonies of this method: regardless if good or bad. It keeps me motivated to keep at this method.

 

[cutiebe2]

Well I tried this again last night, following everything to a T. After the BS it felt great, of course because of the pH of the baking soda. After the conditioner it felt good too. After the clay rinse my hair felt rough again and when I woke up the same thing. This method is just not for me. I will say that my breaking/shedding has stopped in its tracks which may be due to the CLM so I will do that every few months. I have learned that because I have thin/fine hair and my hair is not low porosity, I can't do everything. I will be keeping the clay and doing my wash similar to Naptural85. I also worry about pH balance so I will be using ACV or AVJ. I also think this showed me I need to be washing more often to insert more moisture into my hair so instead of washing once a week like I am used to I will add 1 or 2 co-washes.

 

[bronzephoenix]

I'm so mad at myself... Today is day 3 & everything was going great. I decided to be a little rebellious and use Garnier Pure Clean for my wng. Not until after I finished did I peel a sticker from the back of the tube revealing Glycerin as the 3rd ingredient... I live in a pretty dry climate: 92F today with a dew point of 53. I wanted this to last at least another day before washing, but I'm afraid this glycerin will suck all of my progress out into the atmosphere. Should I be concerned although the gel cast has already been formed??? TIA Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

2nd day hair looking & feeling good so far
Im experiencing remarkably reduced dry time. Which is great. This is also my first time ever having shakable hair after 100% dry at this length. I know it's due to MHM.

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

 

[MsEveMarie]

I think if your hair is responding well to it then dont fix what's not broken. However, if you notice matting and a stiffness to your hair then you will know that you have too much protein. I think if you are doing the CLT regularly then you need to follow-up with some moisture. Protein overload is a b**ch to correct.

Yep, that sucker dried my hair out this time - as I was applying it It was great in the end though, my curls were the most defined they ever been. I'm definitely cutting out the CLT/clarifying step and just going to do the mud wash and DC/leave in. I also may add some oil under my gel.

 

[DarkJoy]

Im done with the baking soda on the regular. Here's why and keep in mind my hair is a highly porous ultra fine cotton ball 4c and I am am occasional eczema sufferer:

Used a clarifying & chelating shampoo for over a week when I first started 3ish weeks ago. Had no troubles. Great moisture retention and definition that lasted a few days.

Used baking soda same amount of time, exact products. Actually I only used 1 TEASPOON, much less than her recommended recipe. The rest I followed to the "T".

Extremely itchy and sore PLUS dry arse scalp. Its been since Friday, which was the last baking soda application, and I still have hot spots (extra warm scalp to the touch) and itchy patches. This is NOT a typical eczema flair which never had hot spots and sharp itchy pains. Its pure scalp irritation.

Dryer hair results over time. When I first switched over my curls was poppin and moisture with using the swimmers shampoo was up. So a simple cowash gave easy definition that lasted. That pretty much died over these last few days

If I decide to continue mhm baking soda is out. I will not use acv either as that tends to close my cuticle. I will stick to AO Swimmers Shampoo.

Also I seem to have better luck with unapproved products that have glycerin (the As I Am line). These kinky curly products do nothing for my hair but make white sticky residue.

No need to be a purist with these bandwagons. Just stick to products that you know agrees with your body and hair.

Thats all I have to say...

 

[fluffyforever]

ProtectivePrincess on YouTube has a new video up with her new routine:

1) clay rinse
2) add conditioner as a leave in. detangle and steam. Does not rinse out.
3) seal with oil, butter, cream, etc.

She has being doing this modified routine for 1.5 months and says it has helped her overcome her setback.

 

[Nightingale]

@Nightingale
I use the original MHM recipe and get 4 uses out of it. After mixing it, I store it immediately in the refrigerator and scoop out only the amount I need for each use.

Are you refrigerating the unsed clay?

Mine is lasting about 1 - 1 1/2 weeks in the refrigerator. No odd smells or change in color.

Now I feel foolish. I didn't think to refrigerate the leftover clay.

 

[preciouslove0x]

ProtectivePrincess on YouTube has a new video up with her new routine:

1) clay rinse
2) add conditioner as a leave in. detangle and steam. Does not rinse out.
3) seal with oil, butter, cream, etc.

She has being doing this modified routine for 1.5 months and says it has helped her overcome her setback.

I've been doing this for two weeks. It needs a name because I think this could be a great alternative to the full mhm. I don't plan to go back to the full mhm because I get the exact same results but in 1/3 to 1/4 of the time (referring to the method/hair wash)

Eta: oops. Still waking up. I do the below routine and get the same results as mhm

1. Clay rinse (clay mix includes 1/3 cup bentonite clay, 1.5 tbsp avocado oil, 1 cup ACV). I leave it on for 20-30 minutes with cap
2. Add conditioner. Scrunch hair to remove excess water. Add avocado oil. Rinse some out with very cold water. Scrunch hair to remove excess water.
3. Add gel

 

[Guinan]

I'm washing my hair tonight and I will def be trying the even shorter Method.

So far I have gotten 4 days out of my wng!!!