4a/b Natural Support and FAQ Thread (da Nappy Head Thread)

[nurseN98]

Hey fellow 4's. I'm just here to proclaim I'm giving up curlygirl routines. I've been natural for about 2 1/2 years now....it is not working out and I need silicones. Lot's of them. I'm just gonna have to deal with it because my tangles are out of control even after doing all the things I've usually done to deal with them. I'm tired of spending 1/2 hour in the shower to detangle (a new development within the last couple of months. )

That's all

 

[PrincessScorpion]

Devacurl line has worked well for me.

 

[Mecca_Goddess]

I trim my hair dry, normally after I've put it into a set of twists. I just nip the ends off every 6 months. (and I do mean "nip")

Same here....

 

[CurleeDST]

i make my own by taking black opaque stckings and cut crosswise, real easy. i like making them extra wide. because when i first put it on i use it to lay down the front then i push it back when i arrive to work. very easy

I have a question about headbands. Where can I get the pantyhose head bands and how long was your TWA before you started adding accessories? I think I may have an 1 1/2 inch or 2 inches, but I'm not sure if I will look right with headbands and stuff yet.

 

[Kurlee]

Devacurl line has worked well for me.

I second this motion! I tried to co-wash with cheapies and it didnt; work, but once i tried the no poo an done condition:

 

[CurleeDST]

oh yeah the devacare line is awesome

 

[Soliel185]

The last time I was completely natural I was a definite 4b with the occasional 4a spiral in there. I started using BT and now ALL my new growth ( about 16wks worth ) is in Tiiiiiiiiight little well defined (shocker!) spirals. They're so cute! I can't help but wonder if I did a BC if they would stay? I know the weight of longer hair can stretch the curl pattern, but it's not wavy at all - They're ringlets that look like the spring from inside a clicky pen. I'm either going to do a looooong transistion to natural at this point or texlax with protein to make my everyday dealings with my hair a bit simpler.

To keep the ng in check I use lacio lacio - NTM silk touch - jojoba and coconut oil - and my own special mix of distilled water, veggie glycerin, aloe vera gel/juice and infusium21 moisturizing formula.

Have any 4a/b taken MSM? What affect did it have on your natural pattern? I heard it can relax the texture, and if that's true I might not even need to texlax -- yay!:bouncegre

 

[CurleeDST]

MSM did nothing of the sort for me with my hair. It made my skin baby smooth and soft though!

The last time I was completely natural I was a definite 4b with the occasional 4a spiral in there. I started using BT and now ALL my new growth ( about 16wks worth ) is in Tiiiiiiiiight little well defined (shocker!) spirals. They're so cute! I can't help but wonder if I did a BC if they would stay? I know the weight of longer hair can stretch the curl pattern, but it's not wavy at all - They're ringlets that look like the spring from inside a clicky pen. I'm either going to do a looooong transistion to natural at this point or texlax with protein to make my everyday dealings with my hair a bit simpler.

To keep the ng in check I use lacio lacio - NTM silk touch - jojoba and coconut oil - and my own special mix of distilled water, veggie glycerin, aloe vera gel/juice and infusium21 moisturizing formula.

Have any 4a/b taken MSM? What affect did it have on your natural pattern? I heard it can relax the texture, and if that's true I might not even need to texlax -- yay!:bouncegre

 

[Soliel185]

bumping thanks

I actually just saw a thread about using baking soda to clarify and a few people said they liked it better than the ACV - it's 2 tablespoons of baking soda to every 2 cups warm water. Shake in a bottle to desolve and then rub into scalp and hair. I haven't tried it yet but HTH

 

[nurseN98]

Devacurl line has worked well for me.

THat's the one conditioner I haven't tried yet....I still have pj'ism in my bones so maybe I'll order some

Soliel185 I used msm for a while and I didn't get that effect either

 

[SignatureBeauty]

Ok, I have learned that I can no longer apply products to my wet hair, My has to be slightly damp, like after I rinse I use my microfiber towel and that helps with my frizzies and makes my hair soft and then right after that I apply my products and that works like a charm.

 

[Blackoutzangel05]

Ok, I have learned that I can no longer apply products to my wet hair, My has to be slightly damp, like after I rinse I use my microfiber towel and that helps with my frizzies and makes my hair soft and then right after that I apply my products and that works like a charm.

Glad you found something that works for you....I find that applying products to wet hair doesn't do anything for me either, however I still apply my leave in conditioner on wet hair and just re-moisturize and seal after my hair has airdryed for a little....

 

[Love_Goddess_Oshun]

bumping thanks

Aussie... that Baking Soda works wonders in terms of clarifying the hair.

 

[MJ]

I actually just saw a thread about using baking soda to clarify and a few people said they liked it better than the ACV - it's 2 tablespoons of baking soda to every 2 cups warm water. Shake in a bottle to desolve and then rub into scalp and hair. I haven't tried it yet but HTH

That's too much baking soda. It could make your hair real hard. Motowngirl recommends using no more than 1 tbsp.

 

[Love_Goddess_Oshun]

What are 4a/4b's using to slick their puffs back with?
Regular gels don't seem to work for me?

OR

Perhaps I'm just not applying the gels right????????
I usually don't use a lot of product--maybe that's my problem????

For those who USE gel to slick back their pony/puffs....how much do you use??? I'm clueless

Maybe if I tell you what I currently do--you can help me out from there:
I usually dab a lil bit of gel all around freshly co-washed hair and try to brush/hand smooth the gel onto my hair. I then tie my hair up for about 30 minutes to let it set.
HOWEVER
I take the scarf off--and I still have frizzy hair that won't lay down????
What am I doing wrong?

Kookie... I tend to have to use A LOT of product in order to hold the hair down. I apply immediately after washing and applying leave-ins. Most of the time, I do this in the evening so it has time to set, especially if I'm wearing a bun on top of my head.

See pics below:

 

[melodee]

I love my natural hair. To me it isn't very difficult. However, I find that I am more of a bohemian to others who think I'm making a statement.

The statement is...it's my God given hair...dern it!!!

 

[Meli]

What are you all using to make you curls "POP". And what do you know BBD Glass? And how is Miss Jessie's products really working on 4a/4b hair

I'm piggybacking off of this question too.....
what products make the curlys 'Pop'? Is it Jessie's Rockin Ringlets?---I've heard a little about this....I need to achieve a more defined curl w/o the frizz. It starts off good and then looses the curl definition. Please share...Thanks in advance

 

[cocoberry10]

I’m transitioning now, and I used to get my hair blown out, flat ironed and then trimmed, so I could have it all evenly straight. I’m not sure what I’ll do once I’m natural (I’m currently texlaxed with bone straight ends—the last 2-3” are bone straight)!

 

[cocoberry10]

im struggling to keep it feeling soft and moisterised.

What do you guys do to keep it moisterised. I've noticed my hair is baby soft when i wash it (gawsh that's the best feeling) i just wish i could find a way to keep it feeling that soft when its in it's dry state. Im thinking of making a spritz - do you guys have an suggestions?

This is my problem too!

 

[a_ caribbean_dream]

I've been natural for about 8 years in Dec/Jan. I didn't start actually caring for my hair until late 2005.

few random thoughts
-i find myself detangling ALOT in the shower
(braiding it up before pooing then before conditioning then while conditioning..blah blah)

-moisture is the key. something i'm reminding myself everyday

-stop letting people get scissor happy on you. watch them like a hawk. be a b****. sorry I had to be frank. esp with this topic.

-curl definition is over rated.
in the end you spend all this money on products that say they enhance your curls but really don't. i'm learning to just embrace what you have. amen.

 

[remnant]

This is my problem too!

This is what i use:

My homemade moisTurizer mix is:

Spring water and aloevera gel (150+150 ml )
+
oils(almond,avocado,olive,castor) 2 teaspoons for each oil
+
glycerin(60ml)
+
Le KaiR cholesterol (8 teaspoons)
+
Essential oil(ylang ylang or rosemary or lavender)
30 drops

and i seal it with my oil mix

And my hair is soft soft soft

 

[Bublin]

I've also just realised that applying products to soaking wet hair is not what my hair wants.

It has taken me over a year to realise this.

I was wondering why the hell i couldn't get my hair into a ponytail after all this growth. I then wrapped my hair in a towel after rinsing the conditioner out.

My hair was stretched but still damp. I then applied all my leave-ins and for the first time a week ago i was able put this head of hair into a ponytail.

All the advice about putting gels into hair whilst soaking wet was doing me no good....infact i think my hair was breaking because of this.

Put them on whilst the hair is damp - not soaking wet.

 

[cocoberry10]

This is what i use:

My homemade moisTurizer mix is:

Spring water and aloevera gel (150+150 ml )
+
oils(almond,avocado,olive,castor) 2 teaspoons for each oil
+
glycerin(60ml)
+
Le KaiR cholesterol (8 teaspoons)
+
Essential oil(ylang ylang or rosemary or lavender)
30 drops

and i seal it with my oil mix

And my hair is soft soft soft

Thanks for the advice! and thanks for this recipe!

 

[ScandalousBeauty]

How are things going for you all???

 

[donewit-it]

How's your hair going Bublin after the heat damage? I haven't cut mine out, I just washed and conditioned at least twice already and the pieces have not reverted back yet. I just spent all day yesterday, braiding my hair in individual extensions . I can't be concerned with my hair for this month. I have a big test to study for related to my job. Wishing you the best.

 

[SNyeema]

I've also just realised that applying products to soaking wet hair is not what my hair wants.

It has taken me over a year to realise this.

I was wondering why the hell i couldn't get my hair into a ponytail after all this growth. I then wrapped my hair in a towel after rinsing the conditioner out.

My hair was stretched but still damp. I then applied all my leave-ins and for the first time a week ago i was able put this head of hair into a ponytail.

All the advice about putting gels into hair whilst soaking wet was doing me no good....infact i think my hair was breaking because of this.

Put them on whilst the hair is damp - not soaking wet.

I 2nd this motion. Took me a minute to figure that out too. Apply products to my hair while damp helps distribution and doesn't leave my hair dry.

 

[SNyeema]

I've also just realised that applying products to soaking wet hair is not what my hair wants.

It has taken me over a year to realise this.

I was wondering why the hell i couldn't get my hair into a ponytail after all this growth. I then wrapped my hair in a towel after rinsing the conditioner out.

My hair was stretched but still damp. I then applied all my leave-ins and for the first time a week ago i was able put this head of hair into a ponytail.

All the advice about putting gels into hair whilst soaking wet was doing me no good....infact i think my hair was breaking because of this.

Put them on whilst the hair is damp - not soaking wet.

I 2nd this motion. Took me a minute to figure that out too. Applying products to my hair while damp helps distribution and doesn't leave my hair dry.

 

[Evolving78]

My hair is growing, but it is very hard to pick since it is really coily. I only pick it when it is wet to do a puff or put some twists in. It is soft, but because it is so coily, I have a hard time showing length. I love the Qhemet products. I love the heavy cream and the hydrating balm. They really moisturize my hair dry or damp.

 

[miss Congeniality]

I really feel that my hair has not been growning or that I haven't been able to retain any length. I plan to wear twist until the end of the year. I plan to baggie and to oil my scalp every night. If I don't see any changes by the end of the month, I'll change my diet.

 

[DeepBluSea]

How are you ladies trimming?

Do you go to a salon or DIY?

Trim while natural or straight?

What type of scissors are you using?

I'm pretty sure I need a trim. I still see straight hairs even though I BC'd in May.