4A Naturals - Does Dry Hair = Hard Hair

[donewit-it]

I have been a serious product junkie since finding this site, and I'm learning what works and what doesn't work for my hair.

My question is, after I wash my hair, and it's obviously still wet and curls are popping all over the place, once it dries, it's hard to the touch. Last night in particular I noticed that as my hair dried; while entertaining a friend ; my hair shrunk tremendously and was actually crunchy. Now that was on a Monday. Sunday I just clarified with ACV, so I can't imagine it being product build-up. So.... What gives? All I used after co-washing with Tresemme Remoisturize was gylcerin and avocado oil. That's it. My BAA looked wonderful while entertaining, but by the end of the night. I looked a HAM.

What do you think? Please help.

I'm trying to follow a KISS regimen.

 

[Fine 4s]

I have been a serious product junkie since finding this site, and I'm learning what works and what doesn't work for my hair.

My question is, after I wash my hair, and it's obviously still wet and curls are popping all over the place, once it dries, it's hard to the touch. Last night in particular I noticed that as my hair dried; while entertaining a friend ; my hair shrunk tremendously and was actually crunchy. Now that was on a Monday. Sunday I just clarified with ACV, so I can't imagine it being product build-up. So.... What gives? All I used after co-washing with Tresemme Remoisturize was gylcerin and avocado oil. That's it. My BAA looked wonderful while entertaining, but by the end of the night. I looked a HAM.

What do you think? Please help.

I'm trying to follow a KISS regimen.

It sounds like your looking for a after wash moisturizer that softens as well as keeps the curls looking defined and fresh, is that correct? Have you tried Curls Milkshake or the Oyin products? I'm looking for a similar product but only to keep my hair moist after a wash. Butter mixtures don't lay it nice and flat, don't give much slip so forget about detangling but work well in my twists.

 

[scorpian]

I have been a serious product junkie since finding this site, and I'm learning what works and what doesn't work for my hair.

My question is, after I wash my hair, and it's obviously still wet and curls are popping all over the place, once it dries, it's hard to the touch. Last night in particular I noticed that as my hair dried; while entertaining a friend ; my hair shrunk tremendously and was actually crunchy. Now that was on a Monday. Sunday I just clarified with ACV, so I can't imagine it being product build-up. So.... What gives? All I used after co-washing with Tresemme Remoisturize was gylcerin and avocado oil. That's it. My BAA looked wonderful while entertaining, but by the end of the night. I looked a HAM.

What do you think? Please help.

I'm trying to follow a KISS regimen.

Glycerin may be your problem....my natural and relaxed 4b hair hates glycerin and it isn't a fan of oils as a leave in either

 

[Fine 4s]

Glycerin may be your problem....my natural and relaxed 4b hair hates glycerin

OR it could be that the glycerin should be applied on partially dried hair. Try both and see. But I don't think glycerin alone would give the results your looking for.....

 

[donewit-it]

This morning I just applied World of Curls Gel Activator to my wet hair. While here at work it is softer than last night, yet still damp within my mass of hair. Maybe I need a trim. My ends are not split but feel kind of rough.

While experimenting, i've tried Redken's Butter Treat and the Detangling Creme. I liked how it made my hair feel yet I haven't worn a WNG with those products.

Tonight I'm gonna twist and snip some ends even though I'll be breaking the challenge I signed up for that calls for no cutting or trimming. Maybe just a dusting erplexed

Thanks for the responses so far.

 

[donewit-it]

It sounds like your looking for a after wash moisturizer that softens as well as keeps the curls looking defined and fresh, is that correct? Have you tried Curls Milkshake or the Oyin products? I'm looking for a similar product but only to keep my hair moist after a wash. Butter mixtures don't lay it nice and flat, don't give much slip so forget about detangling but work well in my twists.

No I haven't tried Curls Milkshke or the Oyin products. KISS and cheap, after paying $50 for OCT that I don't use regularly I said I didn't want to buy any more products online. Can I get Curls Milkshake in the stores?

 

[JustKiya]

When my hair is dry, it's hard. When it's moisturized, it's soft.

I would suggest using the glycerin on DRY hair - it's a moisture 'equalizer' - so if your hair is wetter than the surrounding air, it's going to suck the moisture out of your hair to attempt to balance it.

I wouldn't suggest cutting anything until you figure out what's causing the dryness - if it's a product issue, you'd be cutting off length for no good reason.

Have you tried leaving in a little conditioner and letting that dry in your hair?

 

[donewit-it]

When my hair is dry, it's hard. When it's moisturized, it's soft.

I would suggest using the glycerin on DRY hair - it's a moisture 'equalizer' - so if your hair is wetter than the surrounding air, it's going to suck the moisture out of your hair to attempt to balance it.

I wouldn't suggest cutting anything until you figure out what's causing the dryness - if it's a product issue, you'd be cutting off length for no good reason.

Have you tried leaving in a little conditioner and letting that dry in your hair?

Thanks I'll try that

 

[donewit-it]

When my hair is dry, it's hard. When it's moisturized, it's soft.

I would suggest using the glycerin on DRY hair - it's a moisture 'equalizer' - so if your hair is wetter than the surrounding air, it's going to suck the moisture out of your hair to attempt to balance it.

I wouldn't suggest cutting anything until you figure out what's causing the dryness - if it's a product issue, you'd be cutting off length for no good reason.

Have you tried leaving in a little conditioner and letting that dry in your hair?

Wouldn't that still leave my hair hard? I have tried that too

 

[JustKiya]

[/b]

Wouldn't that still leave my hair hard? I have tried that too

It usually leaves my hair - softer/silkier feeling.

I was trying to think of some sort of leave-in that you might already have since you are trying the KISS/KIC.....

I can't let my hair air dry without a leave-in on it, it'll get hard and brittle, and my ends will be MOST unhappy - and heaven forbid I turn around and put a comb in it....

And it took me a while to figure out what the right leave-in's were - too concentrated glycerin = bad (oooh, have you tried watering down the glycerin mix?!? that might help!) oils = bad (except for Amla oil, which is MINERAL oil, for heavens sake - my hair really likes it, though), butters = good (Oyin's stuff, my hair loves, shealoe butter, my hair REALLY loves), conditioners = good (it doesn't really matter what kind, as long as it's cone-free, my hair is an equal opportunity conlover).....

Also, ACV does NOT clarify. I just noticed that in your inital post. It helps seal and smooth your hair, but it will not strip product residue off. Baking Soda will (add a bit to your conditioner before use) as well as a clarifying conditioner.....

 

[donewit-it]

It usually leaves my hair - softer/silkier feeling.

I was trying to think of some sort of leave-in that you might already have since you are trying the KISS/KIC.....

I can't let my hair air dry without a leave-in on it, it'll get hard and brittle, and my ends will be MOST unhappy - and heaven forbid I turn around and put a comb in it....

And it took me a while to figure out what the right leave-in's were - too concentrated glycerin = bad (oooh, have you tried watering down the glycerin mix?!? that might help!) oils = bad (except for Amla oil, which is MINERAL oil, for heavens sake - my hair really likes it, though), butters = good (Oyin's stuff, my hair loves, shealoe butter, my hair REALLY loves), conditioners = good (it doesn't really matter what kind, as long as it's cone-free, my hair is an equal opportunity conlover).....

Also, ACV does NOT clarify. I just noticed that in your inital post. It helps seal and smooth your hair, but it will not strip product residue off. Baking Soda will (add a bit to your conditioner before use) as well as a clarifying conditioner.....

Ohhhh Much appreciated. So I wont trim tonight. but add baking soda to my conditioner. Then deep condition under the dryer (Right?) Then twist using my butter treat with ORS Lock and Twist (I really liked that last time I used it on twists) What do you use? for your twists. I can't access fotki while at work

 

[JustKiya]

Ohhhh Much appreciated. So I wont trim tonight. but add baking soda to my conditioner. Then deep condition under the dryer (Right?) Then twist using my butter treat with ORS Lock and Twist (I really liked that last time I used it on twists) What do you use? for your twists. I can't access fotki while at work

Heh, my fotki doesn't have much regimen info in it, anyhow. I should hook it up, at some point.

All of that sounds lovely - you should try a steam treatment, too, since you have a dryer! From what I've read, that is a SUPER moisture treatment - I don't have a dryer, so I haven't tried one yet, but I bet your hair would LOVE it.

I used to use ORS Lock & Twist, and then I stopped, for some reason (I think I ran out, and just never brought it again)....lately, I've been using a homemade butters mix (shealoe, coconut, shea, red palm oil, SAA & honeyquat - I think - I was having fun that day ) - it leaves me with fluffier, softer, more touchable twists - they get fuzzy faster, true, but they look SO good until then. I was using Oyin's Whipped Pudding for a while, but then I ran out of that, too.

And can I say, your hair is just GORGEOUS, by the way? It's SO pretty...

 

[donewit-it]

Heh, my fotki doesn't have much regimen info in it, anyhow. I should hook it up, at some point.

All of that sounds lovely - you should try a steam treatment, too, since you have a dryer! From what I've read, that is a SUPER moisture treatment - I don't have a dryer, so I haven't tried one yet, but I bet your hair would LOVE it.

I used to use ORS Lock & Twist, and then I stopped, for some reason (I think I ran out, and just never brought it again)....lately, I've been using a homemade butters mix (shealoe, coconut, shea, red palm oil, SAA & honeyquat - I think - I was having fun that day ) - it leaves me with fluffier, softer, more touchable twists - they get fuzzy faster, true, but they look SO good until then. I was using Oyin's Whipped Pudding for a while, but then I ran out of that, too.

And can I say, your hair is just GORGEOUS, by the way? It's SO pretty...

Thanks Kiya. Off to go do a search on steam treatment. I just cancelled my gym membership since I wasn't going and utilizing the steam room. Lets see if I can do it at home.

 

[Fine 4s]

When my hair is dry, it's hard. When it's moisturized, it's soft.

I would suggest using the glycerin on DRY hair - it's a moisture 'equalizer' - so if your hair is wetter than the surrounding air, it's going to suck the moisture out of your hair to attempt to balance it.

I wouldn't suggest cutting anything until you figure out what's causing the dryness - if it's a product issue, you'd be cutting off length for no good reason.

Have you tried leaving in a little conditioner and letting that dry in your hair?

That hairstylist in the article posted on MSN that shampoo and conditioner should be rinsed out. Thinking back whenever I went to the DR salons and my hair wasn't rinsed out properly, my head was itchy and I had build up on my scalp. Maybe condish on the HAIR diluted is not so bad? Dunno...

 

[morehairplease]

When my hair is dry, it's hard. When it's moisturized, it's soft.

I would suggest using the glycerin on DRY hair - it's a moisture 'equalizer' - so if your hair is wetter than the surrounding air, it's going to suck the moisture out of your hair to attempt to balance it.

I wouldn't suggest cutting anything until you figure out what's causing the dryness - if it's a product issue, you'd be cutting off length for no good reason.

Have you tried leaving in a little conditioner and letting that dry in your hair?

I did not know this. Now, I know why my hair feels the way it does when I apply glycerin to partially wet hair as opposed to dry hair.

 

[JustKiya]

That hairstylist in the article posted on MSN that shampoo and conditioner should be rinsed out. Thinking back whenever I went to the DR salons and my hair wasn't rinsed out properly, my head was itchy and I had build up on my scalp. Maybe condish on the HAIR diluted is not so bad? Dunno...

Oh, yeah! Condish as a leave-in on the hair only, not the scalp. *shudder* That would leave me in an agony of itchiness in a day or two.

 

[LadyKaypnyc]

Try Shea Moisture's Shea butter Leave in OR Qhemet Biologic's Burdock Butter Creme OR Redken's Heavey Detangling Cream...all are my staple moisturizers. They really help keep the hair soft. The Shrinkage, well, that just comes with the territory

 

[JustKiya]

Try Shea Moisture's Shea butter Leave in OR Qhemet Biologic's Burdock Butter Creme OR Redken's Heavey Detangling Cream...all are my staple moisturizers. They really help keep the hair soft. The Shrinkage, well, that just comes with the territory

Cone-free?

 

[gmw]

I would be very careful about cones. If your hair loves cones, then clarify a little more often.

 

[LadyKaypnyc]

Cone-free?

Shea Moisture's Shea Butter Leave In is Cone Free I'm not sure about the Redken, I'm at work right now, so I'll have to get back to you one that, but I don't think it is

 

[JustKiya]

Shea Moisture's Shea Butter Leave In is Cone Free I'm not sure about the Redken, I'm at work right now, so I'll have to get back to you one that, but I don't think it is

Thank you!

Shea Moisture is a BSS special, though, right? I'm not planning on buying anything, I just have to keep products in the back of my head in case I hit hard times....

 

[InnerSoul]

Oh, yeah! Condish as a leave-in on the hair only, not the scalp. *shudder* That would leave me in an agony of itchiness in a day or two.

my scalp don't play when it comes to anything on it! It longs for shampoo!.. so I also just try to make sure that my leave ins and such are on the hair only!

 

[Angkin73]

I always mist my dry hair when I get up in the morning with a glycerin mix of 70% water and 30% glycerin. Some people use 60/40 mix. You have to determine how oily you like yours. I also add my homemade whipped shea butter mix to my hair right after I wash, and before I detangle. This keeps my hair very soft. I hope this helps. Good luck.
My whipped shea butter mix:
100% raw unrefined shea butter
coconut oil
sweet almond oil
grapeseed oil
olive oil
vitamin E oil
apricot kernel oil
jojoba oil

 

[donewit-it]

I'm gonna try this raved about steam treatment tonight and see how my hair feels. I was gonna twist it, but maybe instead I'll do a treatment and set in the curlformers I haven't used yet. If I like it, I'll post pictures.

Yeah lady Kaypnyc, you were the inspiration of getting the redken detangling cream and the shea moisture leave in.

My hair is thick, thick thick, but when I saw you detangling through your hair, I said I had to try it. I bought a small tube and I still have some left. It glides though my hair too. I couldn't believe it. The best conditioners don't get through this mass. Thank you for your tutorials

 

[Fine 4s]

I always mist my dry hair when I get up in the morning with a glycerin mix of 70% water and 30% glycerin. Some people use 60/40 mix. You have to determine how oily you like yours. I also add my homemade whipped shea butter mix to my hair right after I wash, and before I detangle. This keeps my hair very soft. I hope this helps. Good luck.
My whipped shea butter mix:
100% raw unrefined shea butter
coconut oil
sweet almond oil
grapeseed oil
olive oil
vitamin E oil
apricot kernel oil
jojoba oil

I can't wait to try Redken's leave-ins.

Those homemade whipped butters wouldn't work for me when it comes to buning or leaving my hair out. I would need a liquidy product like a Curls or Oyin. Ideally, I'd like to get out of the shower, squeeze excess water and run some product that leaves my hair soft all day. When dry I'd like to detangle easier. Kind of how my silicone-filled DC's do on my hair....

The butter mixtures keep my hair moist when I'm in protective styles -like now While I was twisting my hair this weekend and applying the butter mixture in sections, everytime I passed the comb through, it took forever to get the comb out, it didn't slide that well. Of course I didn't rush it either I just rolled my eyes each time