Newbie - Finding my Regimen - How long?

[Jetblackhair]

Hi Ladies,
I'm a newbie and I am so glad I found this forum. I have been soaking up the wonderful information you ladies provide like a sponge. I'm really anxious to get started with my hair care but I know I need to find out what works for my hair first. I think this is going to be a tedious process. I already found out that doing the baggy method nightly does not work for my fine hair. How long would you say it took to find the method and products that work for you? I'm trying to avoid being a PJ but I can see it's on the way. Thanks for your help.

 

[Sistaslick]

Welcome to the forum!

Oh my... it took me a good lil while to find out what worked for me. I've been at this nearly 3 years now, and I'm still experimenting with different things.My staples are pretty much in the bag and I think I got into a good rotation after about the first year. Yeah, year one was me trying any and everything. Year 2 I was more focused on narrowing down things, and now I'm pretty much set. Buckle up and enjoy the ride. . .

 

[Jetblackhair]

Welcome to the forum!

Oh my... it took me a good lil while to find out what worked for me. I've been at this nearly 3 years now, and I'm still experimenting with different things.My staples are pretty much in the bag and I think I got into a good rotation after about the first year. Yeah, year one was me trying any and everything. Year 2 I was more focused on narrowing down things, and now I'm pretty much set. Buckle up and enjoy the ride. . .

Thanks Sistaslick, this is good to know coming from a PRO. I guess patience is the key. Your hair is lovely and I enjoyed reading your articles...very informative...I'm learning alot!

 

[Missi]

YUP she's right: i believe u can vary ur regimen but ur staples is wat keeps ur hair in good condition. It may take a few weeks to find ur staples but other than that: havin a SET regimen isn't necessary: everyone has that (product junkie) itch to try somethin new: lol

 

[Jetblackhair]

Thanks 4N6...good to know. I was a PJ before I became a member, kicked the habit and like you said I can feel that itch again.

 

[Sistaslick]

Thanks Sistaslick, this is good to know coming from a PRO. I guess patience is the key. Your hair is lovely and I enjoyed reading your articles...very informative...I'm learning alot!

Aww thank ya! Just get your wallet and closets ready . . .

 

[sareca]

Aww thank ya! Just get your wallet and closets ready . . .

For real! Budget for it. In the beginning I was spending at least $100/month *sometimes $200*
After almost 2 years I only spend about $10/month on hair stuff.

ETA: Sista, I loved the relaxer article. A+

 

[EMJazzy]

Aww thank ya! Just get your wallet and closets ready . . .

That is soooo true.

I've been here 1 1/2 years and I am JUST now figuring out my what my hair likes. I will admit that I still like to experiment with different products from time to time.

 

[Whimsy]

Experimentation is key. See what your hair likes.

Good luck!!

 

[BrooklynSouth]

Welcome aboard. I think it's been about 7-8 months of trial, error, frustration, anger almost resignation before I found what my hair really likes. I've 'lost' money and space in the effort but now...ahhhhhh!!

 

[Windsy]

Welcome!!!

I'm on my 3rd regiment since April 07. Just pay attention to your hair because it will tell you what is not working. Good luck and Happy Growing!!!

 

[Tee]

Welcome

It took me a minute to find my staples and a regimen that works for me. But once you find one...... :reddancer: It's wonderul! Happy Hunting.

 

[tyrablu]

Everything these ladies have mentioned is the truth.

I am a newbie myself, and every time I think I have anything close to a regimen I encounter a setback.

But patience I guess is the number one thing.

Also looking back at what worked for you before is also helpful e.g. I knew that my hair always thrived when I did rollersets, so that has helped my now. Whenever I flat-ironed my hair it looked nice but thinned.

So with that I know that my hair does not like direct heat.

Just remember not everything that is raved about will work for you.

TB

 

[Jetblackhair]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your input. I know I'm in good hands. Finally real solutions for my hair. You ladies have taught me more about hair in the past couple of weeks than any stylist has. Hopefully I can get some pictures up soon.

I guess I will start my hair savings account for my products but this time I will be a PJ with a purpose versus just trying any old product for the heck of it.

 

[Empress Yahudah]

Experimentation is key. See what your hair likes.

Good luck!!

I Agree

 

[Kari107]

It took me about a year and a half to find a regimen that I'm satisfied about. Finding a regimen is not an easy task. Some products that you may be excited to try can turn out to be disapointments. So it comes down to trying different things and seeing what works best for you.

 

[JustKiya]

It took me about nine months to settle on a regimen.

I have fine hair too, and baggying is a MUST for me - I would suggest making a water based SPRAY (a simple one to start with is 50/50 water to your fave conditioner - make it in a small mister bottle so that you don't have to worry about watering down the preseratives), misting your hair, then baggying it. That has helped my hair stay moisturized SO much - I can tell when I skip a night the net morning - but at the same time, it's not SO much moisture that my hair gets too soft and gummy.

Another suggestion - ONE new item every TWO weeks. You need to give each thing time to 'work' on it's own, and display the changes in your hair. Some stuff you can just tell sucks after the first application - other things, it might take a while. Also - clarify before using a new product - you want to see how it works on your hair, not how it works on your hair on top of the buildup of all the other products you've been using.

Sample sizes are the SURE SHOT. Check out the mfg's websites - a lot of places offer samples.

If something doesn't work at first, save it, and try it during a different time of the year/different point in your hair cycle. Had you asked me six months ago, I would have told you my hair HATED glycerin. As soon as it started getting hot, my hair LOVED glycerin.

Keep it SIMPLE. Don't start out mixing a little bit of this, and a little bit of that - because if you combine something that works for your hair with something that doesn't - you can be dismissing a REALLY good product for no reason - and you don't know for SURE what your hair didn't like.

Figure out what your hair needs - is it too dry? is it too brittle? is it chemically damaged? And address those needs first before you start trying to find something to 'style' it perfectly.


Thas about all I got.

Good luck!

 

[Mook's hair]

Yes, it takes a while to get a good regimen. And you may still be making seasonal adjustments to it.

Just don't try to do too much at one time or you won't be accurately measuring your results. It's one thing if your hair just responds horribly to something, you'll know right away and you can move on from that item but sometimes you need to try something for a few weeks or even a month before you can come to your final verdict.


I also suggest starting a fotki and turning on the guest book & comments. When Others can see what your hair is like...They can give better advice and when ladies start leaving you comments noting that they have the same grade of hair, you can investigate their regimens and pickup great do's & don'ts.

If you're not gonna make an album, it is a good idea to put at least one photo of your hair in your avatar or signature. If you need help doing that, send me a PM and I'll help set you up, you just need to get me the photo.

 

[Jetblackhair]

It took me about nine months to settle on a regimen.

I have fine hair too, and baggying is a MUST for me - I would suggest making a water based SPRAY (a simple one to start with is 50/50 water to your fave conditioner - make it in a small mister bottle so that you don't have to worry about watering down the preseratives), misting your hair, then baggying it. That has helped my hair stay moisturized SO much - I can tell when I skip a night the net morning - but at the same time, it's not SO much moisture that my hair gets too soft and gummy.

Another suggestion - ONE new item every TWO weeks. You need to give each thing time to 'work' on it's own, and display the changes in your hair. Some stuff you can just tell sucks after the first application - other things, it might take a while. Also - clarify before using a new product - you want to see how it works on your hair, not how it works on your hair on top of the buildup of all the other products you've been using.

Sample sizes are the SURE SHOT. Check out the mfg's websites - a lot of places offer samples.

If something doesn't work at first, save it, and try it during a different time of the year/different point in your hair cycle. Had you asked me six months ago, I would have told you my hair HATED glycerin. As soon as it started getting hot, my hair LOVED glycerin.

Keep it SIMPLE. Don't start out mixing a little bit of this, and a little bit of that - because if you combine something that works for your hair with something that doesn't - you can be dismissing a REALLY good product for no reason - and you don't know for SURE what your hair didn't like.

Figure out what your hair needs - is it too dry? is it too brittle? is it chemically damaged? And address those needs first before you start trying to find something to 'style' it perfectly.


Thas about all I got.

Good luck!

Oh wow...thanks soooo much Nappywomyn...this really helps me out alot.

 

[Jetblackhair]

Yes, it takes a while to get a good regimen. And you may still be making seasonal adjustments to it.

Just don't try to do too much at one time or you won't be accurately measuring your results. It's one thing if your hair just responds horribly to something, you'll know right away and you can move on from that item but sometimes you need to try something for a few weeks or even a month before you can come to your final verdict.


I also suggest starting a fotki and turning on the guest book & comments. When Others can see what your hair is like...They can give better advice and when ladies start leaving you comments noting that they have the same grade of hair, you can investigate their regimens and pickup great do's & don'ts.


If you're not gonna make an album, it is a good idea to put at least one photo of your hair in your avatar or signature. If you need help doing that, send me a PM and I'll help set you up, you just need to get me the photo.

This is awesome Mook thanks for your helpI don't know anything about starting a Fotki or setting up a photo in my signature so I will probably have to PM you.

Thanks to everyone! I'm off to a great start

 

[klb120475]

Welcome!!!

 

[brownsugarflyygirl]

It took me about 6 months on this site to find a regimen that my hair liked and thrived with. I have a core group of staples that I rotate based on my hair needs.

Overall though, its been my experience that my hair regimen is a constant evolution. Im not a PJ but I do try out new products from time to time or new methods. Its about improving and tweaking...lol..or failing and going back to the tried and true.

Enjoy the journey...try not to spend too much money. I would say I spent about $200 during my journey to find staples...and about $100 of that was on the products that I now consider staples....

 

[northernbelle]

Discovering what works is an investment of time, money and emotions.
If one follows the two-week rule before kissing or dissing product, then, on average, there is a two to four week minimum.

Be sure to check out the sticky prepared by Don't Speak Defeat. She prepared a very detailed document for newbies to help them along on their hair journey, so as to not have to re-invent the proverbial wheel.

Peace.

 

[tastesosweet]

It definitely takes a minute. One of the challenges of this forum is to not fall into PJ status but you have to buy (or make) products to find out what works! Give yourself a few months and try new stuff--it won't take long to find out what works and what doesn't work for your hair. Good luck!

 

[Mestiza]

My regimen will vary according to what my hair needs.

 

[Jetblackhair]

Discovering what works is an investment of time, money and emotions.
If one follows the two-week rule before kissing or dissing product, then, on average, there is a two to four week minimum.

Be sure to check out the sticky prepared by Don't Speak Defeat. She prepared a very detailed document for newbies to help them along on their hair journey, so as to not have to re-invent the proverbial wheel.

Peace.

Thanks Northernbelle, I checked out the sticky - lot's of great information like you said!!

 

[hairgirl]

Hi Ladies,
I'm a newbie and I am so glad I found this forum. I have been soaking up the wonderful information you ladies provide like a sponge. I'm really anxious to get started with my hair care but I know I need to find out what works for my hair first. I think this is going to be a tedious process. I already found out that doing the baggy method nightly does not work for my fine hair. How long would you say it took to find the method and products that work for you? I'm trying to avoid being a PJ but I can see it's on the way. Thanks for your help.

My experience was that my hair had to be healthy and not underprocessed before I could stick to a regimen. Prior to this I was in and out of shops and doing reconstructors. When I cut all the damaged and flat-iron fried relaxed hair off almost 2 yrs. ago, and started afresh my hair was short but healthy. Now I'm able to just maintain. If u'r at the maintain stage and don't need to use a lot of protein try Keracare's line. It's great. I also moisturize and seal w/oil after each wash.

 

[Jetblackhair]

My experience was that my hair had to be healthy and not underprocessed before I could stick to a regimen. Prior to this I was in and out of shops and doing reconstructors. When I cut all the damaged and flat-iron fried relaxed hair off almost 2 yrs. ago, and started afresh my hair was short but healthy. Now I'm able to just maintain. If u'r at the maintain stage and don't need to use a lot of protein try Keracare's line. It's great. I also moisturize and seal w/oil after each wash.

Thanks for the information Hairgirl, your hair looks sooo healthy and beautiful. I'm looking forward to the day my hair looks like that.

Right now I'm experiencing some shedding and I don't know why. Thus far I've been using Con, UBH Deep Conditioner, NTM-Leave In and Olive & Clove oil to seal. I've also started taking Biotin, 5mg and I am using BT (which I love). I'm thinking I may not have the right balance of Protein and Moisture yet, so I'm still working on it.

 

[bablou00]

Your hair looks great Mooks....WOW

Back to the topic: It took me about a year to figure out what my hair likes. As far as a regimen mine changes daily depending on working out, going out, work, and anything else I have going on in my life. I experimented w/ products during this time and found ones that work perfect for my hair. Take your time w/ your hair and try not to get frustrated!! I know its easier said than done. Theres a lot of great information on this site so take the time to absorb it all in. Go back and read old post. I am always reading old post and reviews. Before you buy something search it on the site I am pretty sure someone has tried it and loved it or hated it.
Good luck w/ hair journey!!!

Yes, it takes a while to get a good regimen. And you may still be making seasonal adjustments to it.

Just don't try to do too much at one time or you won't be accurately measuring your results. It's one thing if your hair just responds horribly to something, you'll know right away and you can move on from that item but sometimes you need to try something for a few weeks or even a month before you can come to your final verdict.


I also suggest starting a fotki and turning on the guest book & comments. When Others can see what your hair is like...They can give better advice and when ladies start leaving you comments noting that they have the same grade of hair, you can investigate their regimens and pickup great do's & don'ts.

If you're not gonna make an album, it is a good idea to put at least one photo of your hair in your avatar or signature. If you need help doing that, send me a PM and I'll help set you up, you just need to get me the photo.

 

[gymfreak336]

Welcome to the board.

I don't have anything else to add except when you find something that works, keep it. Even if no else likes it or uses it, if it works keep it.