4As Who Straighten : HELP!

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

I'm trying to keep my hair natural as possible (and hidden) until I get past that damaging routine of cutting my hair once it's BELOW shoulder (which it's getting to).

Whenever I blow dry my hair, it's instantly crispy no matter what I use.

Same when I flat iron with the Maxiglide unless I do it wet (and I hate the hot steam on my scalp, PLUS I remember someone posting that it is bad and unhealthy).

Any suggested products and tips?

I have CHI Silk Infusion but it's really not that effective against the dryness I have...

I'm not texlaxing until Im at my desired length - my hair is hidden but I do want to see how my hair is doing and update the fotki... right now my hair is in a dried puff while I wait til I'm patient enough to flat iron. lol

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

b to the u to the m to the p ..

 

[FeelinIt]

Try this product I used call Easy Straight Flat Iron Finish.

Make sure before you straighten your hair that you do a good shampoo and conditioning. Pick good products.

When you wash your hair, concentrate on the roots and wash hair in one direction. Don't wash your hair like they do in the commercial. Just focus the lather and the pads of your fingers on your scalp. YOur hail will get clean.

Make sure you use a great conditioner. Deep condition if necessary. Rinse with cool to cold water to seal the moisture in.

I like to use coconut oil after a wash and condition. I section my hair in four and deal with each section individually. I apply a light amount of coconut oil to each section. Then I generously apply the flat iron finish to each section of hair. Make sure you get it all over. The product is light and does not have a residue like feeling to it like some products do. Follow the directions and your hair will blow dry soft.

Then straighten as usual in 1-2 inch pieces.

Hope some of that helps. I can post my flat iron results if you want.

 

[FeelinIt]

http://www.easystraight.com/offers.htm

Website to product I used to help straighten my hair.

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

http://www.easystraight.com/offers.htm

Website to product I used to help straighten my hair.

Do you use JUST that product?

I used their "temporary" straightener and it was pure garbage for my hair.

 

[Neish222]

What products are you using before you blowdry?
I say use very little products to blowdry with. Also since you hair is natural make sure the products don't have alot of protein in them. Are you blowdrying in small sections or just all over the place? I am not natural but I am texaled so some of the same rules apply. If I blowdry in small 1 inch sections I get less frizz and the crunchy feeling. I use mane n tail detangler and keracare cream press(focusing mainly on the ends and very small amounts) before I blowdry.

 

[SoAnxious12]

How exactly are you blow drying? If you're doing it while the hair is dripping wet that may be a culprit. It helps if you air-dry in a stretched style with moisturized ends and blow dry once hair is at least 60% dry. Also, during the wash/condition process try using a lil more protein than usual... because to many humectants will make the hair revert. i hope i understood your post right and gave somewhat helpful advice.

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

What products are you using before you blowdry?
I say use very little products to blowdry with. Also since you hair is natural make sure the products don't have alot of protein in them. Are you blowdrying in small sections or just all over the place? I am not natural but I am texaled so some of the same rules apply. If I blowdry in small 1 inch sections I get less frizz and the crunchy feeling. I use mane n tail detangler and keracare cream press(focusing mainly on the ends and very small amounts) before I blowdry.

I had been trying different leave ins from Fermodyl to Biolage, to CHI Silk Infusion. I would be crunchy every time. Then I used ION Straightener from Sally's this time and my hair was so coated, hard and crunchy that I just rewashed and made big dookie braids and put my wig back on!

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

How exactly are you blow drying? If you're doing it while the hair is dripping wet that may be a culprit. It helps if you air-dry in a stretched style with moisturized ends and blow dry once hair is at least 60% dry. Also, during the wash/condition process try using a lil more protein than usual... because to many humectants will make the hair revert. i hope i understood your post right and gave somewhat helpful advice.

This time I used CHI Silk INfusion and ION Hair Straightener as leave ins.

Crunchy Crunchy Cruncy!

I would love to have the patience to wait til it's 60% dry... but that could take ALL day. My hair is SL but it is SOOOOO thick it's ridiculous. I'm scared I might not stay natural once I make APL or something, LMAO.

(I did texlax, but for the record it reverted back like it didn't take like NOBODY's business... and I can see the damage from it anyway in the front.... )

 

[glamazon386]

Are you using a leave in conditioner? Blow drying tends to make the hair feel dry anyway. It's probably the products you're using. I would also up your DCing.

ETA: Also, please DO NOT flat iron your hair while it's wet. It will jack your hair up. Somebody had posted an article on here a while back about it. Something about it creating bubbles in the hair shaft and your hair will break off at that point.

 

[fivetimestwo]

Aveda Hang-Straight to blow dry+Ultra Sheen Satin Creme Press to Flat iron=relaxer-straight hair (and plenty of bling)

*only use a teensy bit of the creme press on each section 'cause it will weigh down your hair if you use too much.

 

[FeelinIt]

Do you use JUST that product?

I used their "temporary" straightener and it was pure garbage for my hair.

ohh yes just the flat iron finish. I have not used their whole product line. I don't want to permenantly straighten my hair. I used that and some coconut oil on wet hair.

 

[Country gal]

I deep condition my hair first since I am adding in excessive heat. I also oil my scalp and add in leave in conditioners. I also use a heat protectant when flat ironing my hair and blowdrying. My hair feels good.

 

[Neish222]

I looked at your fotki page and you and your hair are beautiful.....you've made alot of progress. I would kill for those waves, lol. Is you hair hard and crunchy when you do your protective styles or airdry? Also is your hair hard and crunchy after you deep condition?

P.S. I feel u on the wig thing....I do that alot when I dont feel like dealing with this monster, lol.
Maybe your hair doesnt like alot of products in the hair, or cones, or protein....but I am trying to figure out just what it is.
Instead of serums have you tried some leave in and some plain old cream press?

 

[Divine Inspiration]

This time I used CHI Silk INfusion and ION Hair Straightener as leave ins.

Crunchy Crunchy Cruncy!

I would love to have the patience to wait til it's 60% dry... but that could take ALL day. My hair is SL but it is SOOOOO thick it's ridiculous. I'm scared I might not stay natural once I make APL or something, LMAO.

(I did texlax, but for the record it reverted back like it didn't take like NOBODY's business... and I can see the damage from it anyway in the front.... )

The bolded is probably your issue. I agree with whomever posted that because I used to have the same problem year ago.

I think you should use a SLS free poo, DC w/ heat for 30 minutes or so, rinse, apply a little creamy leave-in, detangle, leave it alone for 3-4 hours and let it dry then blowdry it the rest of the way in sections.

Then flat iron in very small sections. How much serum are you using? IME, it only makes hair crunchy when you use too much. You only need a touch.

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

Are you using a leave in conditioner? Blow drying tends to make the hair feel dry anyway. It's probably the products you're using. I would also up your DCing.

ETA: Also, please DO NOT flat iron your hair while it's wet. It will jack your hair up. Somebody had posted an article on here a while back about it. Something about it creating bubbles in the hair shaft and your hair will break off at that point.

Yes, I was using either Fermodyl or Biolage Daily Tonic.

And I remember you or another poster saying that before, which is why I no longer flat iron wet.

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

Aveda Hang-Straight to blow dry+Ultra Sheen Satin Creme Press to Flat iron=relaxer-straight hair (and plenty of bling)

*only use a teensy bit of the creme press on each section 'cause it will weigh down your hair if you use too much.

I haven't been to an Aveda Store in Forever. . . I still have my Aveda card. I'll need to give them a visit.

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

I looked at your fotki page and you and your hair are beautiful.....you've made alot of progress. I would kill for those waves, lol. Is you hair hard and crunchy when you do your protective styles or airdry? Also is your hair hard and crunchy after you deep condition?

P.S. I feel u on the wig thing....I do that alot when I dont feel like dealing with this monster, lol.
Maybe your hair doesnt like alot of products in the hair, or cones, or protein....but I am trying to figure out just what it is.
Instead of serums have you tried some leave in and some plain old cream press?

Thank you!

I actually have been making more progress in the front but have not updated my fotki because I wanted to show noticeable progress in the length... ehh maybe two weeks from now.

I haven't tried a creme press in a while. I think I need to learn how to properly style or dry my hair while it's wet/damp. I can wash and condition like nobody's business... but the whole get it dry/rollerset/flat iron/braid, etc. stuff is out the door... and the texlaxer is too much for the front part of my hair... it is too straight... so eh, I must stay on the course and learn from you gurus.

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

The bolded is probably your issue. I agree with whomever posted that because I used to have the same problem year ago.

I think you should use a SLS free poo, DC w/ heat for 30 minutes or so, rinse, apply a little creamy leave-in, detangle, leave it alone for 3-4 hours and let it dry then blowdry it the rest of the way in sections.

Then flat iron in very small sections. How much serum are you using? IME, it only makes hair crunchy when you use too much. You only need a touch.

I currently use the Shikaikai soap, and I tried HE LTR (smells good, but won't be a staple). When I have to, I use Joic Chelating to get my hair squeaky clean... and I am lazy enough to leave the DC on for an hour...even after the prepoo. I need to buy more conditioner though; the ones I have are trash, and I need another protein treatment.

I think I may be a litte heavy handed on the serum... I'll have to really watch that.

 

[sydwrites]

I wouldnt do the protein treatment unless you really need it. I had the same issue as you for a couple of weeks and then i realized it was the protein treatment that I did. i upped my moisture and i got smooth ends back, the only problem is that alot of moisturizing products causes the first press to be a little more poofy. after that its smooth sailing.
you can check my fotki for results.

 

[Sugarhoney]

You should shampoo, DC, and then add a quarter size of leave-in. I suggest Lacio Lacio or Cantu shea butter leave-in. Detangle, add Chi Silk Infusion and then rollers set. After your hair is completely dry, detangle and flat iron in tiny sections, no bigger than 2/3 an inch. If it is not straight enough, then wrap under a silk/satin scarf. The key is detangling and use as little product as possible.