How do you deal with Co-Washing? Cuz it is NOT cute...

[IndianAngel22]

I don't understand. I've been on this website for a very long time and I just can't pick up on this Co-Washing thing. You can see from my photos the length of my hair. From what I understand, those of you who do, don't straighten, or blow dry, or do anything to your hair, you just co wash and put it in a bun or pony tail or what not. Well when I do this, it is NOT CUTE!!!! How can I walk around like this for the rest of my life because I want healthy hair? I try to pull it back in a pony tail and it starts frizzing up around the edges cuz I'm natural. I mean I feel like I look like an escaped slave. *No pun intended*.... It seems those with nicer grades of hair can do this and have that cute curly thing going on, or a nice slick bun, such as "Southern Tease" *shout outs* her hair is GORGEOUS, but even I have pretty ok grade of hair, and pulling it into a ponytail or bun still looks a HOT mess. I'd rather just blow dry and straighten it and do it every week or something. In order to follow this regimen I'd probably go in hideing for a month and not let anyone see me. I did it once and my mom literally look at me and said 'Girl you need to do your hair! You look terrible"...... So help me out someone. HELP me to understand. Is it just a sacrifice you make? You'd rather walk around with un-done hair 364 days of the year looking a mess, and on the 365th let your hair down? Come on... I gotta be missing something. And don't take it offensively. It's an honest question.

 

[Simply_Kelz]

I mean, you don't have to do it. I think the scarf method works wonders but, if its that bad to you, then go back to weekly washing.

 

[msa]

I don't understand. I've been on this website for a very long time and I just can't pick up on this Co-Washing thing. You can see from my photos the length of my hair. From what I understand, those of you who do, don't straighten, or blow dry, or do anything to your hair, you just co wash and put it in a bun or pony tail or what not. Well when I do this, it is NOT CUTE!!!! How can I walk around like this for the rest of my life because I want healthy hair? I try to pull it back in a pony tail and it starts frizzing up around the edges cuz I'm natural. I mean I feel like I look like an escaped slave. *No pun intended*.... It seems those with nicer grades of hair can do this and have that cute curly thing going on, or a nice slick bun, such as "Southern Tease" *shout outs* her hair is GORGEOUS, but even I have pretty ok grade of hair, and pulling it into a ponytail or bun still looks a HOT mess. I'd rather just blow dry and straighten it and do it every week or something. In order to follow this regimen I'd probably go in hideing for a month and not let anyone see me. I did it once and my mom literally look at me and said 'Girl you need to do your hair! You look terrible"...... So help me out someone. HELP me to understand. Is it just a sacrifice you make? You'd rather walk around with un-done hair 364 days of the year looking a mess, and on the 365th let your hair down? Come on... I gotta be missing something. And don't take it offensively. It's an honest question.

Ummm .


I think you have to decide what your goal is. Obviously you feel that frizz=looking like a hot mess. If you would rather have a slicked down bun/ponytail you either need to find products that will help you accomplish that OR straighten your hair.

My hair is natural and since it doesn't slick down on its own, I don't try to make it do that because that's my preference. I do not look a mess, even though my hair is frizzy/fuzzy/nappy all the time. If you look at my avatar, my hair is obviously not slicked down and I love it that way. My hair is considered "un-done" but I do not walk around looking a mess.

If your hair is not curly or does not naturally lay down easily then you are going to have to figure out a way to make it do that since that's what you want.

 

[basic64]

I imagine it would be diffucult to find the beauty in your natural hair when someone you love dearly and loves you, thinks it "looks terrible". Find the inner strenght to love your locks and they will love you back. your beautiful sister, all of you.

 

[v2.0]

You can co-wash your hair and do a regular roller set or what you would usually do. Co-washing = "washing" your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo. Nothing more.

 

[Eisani]

[/quote=msa;6558165[/B]Ummm . Just no.[/B]


No kidding .

There are other options for styling after cowashing. I guess I'm trying to figure out where people got the idea that if you cowash you can't follow up as you normally would after a regular wash w/poo. If you rollerset after you poo, rollerset after you cowash. If you blowdry, hook it up. Do what works for you. Don't just assume that if you cowash you have to airdry. That's like assuming that you have to flat iron if you blowdry. If it doesn't work for you, stick to what you know. No biggie.

 

[IndianAngel22]

[/quote=msa;6558165[/b]Ummm . Just no.[/b]


No kidding .

There are other options for styling after cowashing. I guess I'm trying to figure out where people got the idea that if you cowash you can't follow up as you normally would after a regular wash w/poo. If you rollerset after you poo, rollerset after you cowash. If you blowdry, hook it up. Do what works for you. Don't just assume that if you cowash you have to airdry. That's like assuming that you have to flat iron if you blowdry. If it doesn't work for you, stick to what you know. No biggie.

But isn't the object of the cowashing supposed to be staying away from heat, blowdrying, straightening and all that? Do you know anyone who co washes, blow dries, and straightens their hair EVERYDAY?

 

[Lynnerie]

How do you like to wear your hair? As a natural it should be easy to CO-wash. WHen I was relaxed my hair looked un done because it was just there and I'd wear a wet bun. But as a natural Co-washing is my best friend.

Do you have a pic of your hair in its natural state or after co-washing?

I hope you find out what you want to do. Go for the style that you like and what makes you feel good about yourself.

 

[v2.0]

But isn't the object of the cowashing supposed to be staying away from heat, blowdrying, straightening and all that? Do you know anyone who co washes, blow dries, and straightens their hair EVERYDAY?

The object of co-washing is to avoid the use of shampoo because it can strip the hair.

 

[loulou82]

I'm echoing the other ladies. Co washing is an alternative to using shampoo. It does not preclude you from using a blow dryer or any other tool or product. I just finished co washing and now I'm rocking a wash and go puff and I look good doing it. My hair is not curly. It's coily-frizzy but a scarf around the edges lays them down perfectly. GL finding a method that works for YOU.

 

[MizzBrown]

Someone needs to get in here and give her a reggie. She is WAY off the radar with this hair thing.

Can someone adopt a newbie?

 

[IndianAngel22]

I'm echoing the other ladies. Co washing is an alternative to using shampoo. It does not preclude you from using a blow dryer or any other tool or product. I just finished co washing and now I'm rocking a wash and go puff and I look good doing it. My hair is not curly. It's coily-frizzy but a scarf around the edges lays them down perfectly. GL finding a method that works for YOU.

So say I wanted to still wash my hair, blow dry and press every week. If I washed my hair with conditioner, I'd still get the same clean I do with shampoo?

 

[anniev2]

thanks for asking this question. I think its valid and some of the responses seem helpful. others may not understand where i think you're trying to get at. do you think you need to be adopted? i'm a newbie too so i understand how you feel.

 

[trj1922]

I mean, you don't have to do it. I think the scarf method works wonders but, if its that bad to you, then go back to weekly washing.

Yeah, that's the bottom line. Co-washing is an individual thing like everything else. I don't co-wash though I may try it in the near future. Even still, it won't be more than once a week in addition to my weekly wash with Auyrvedic powders. I have fine hair and past experiences as well as the input of others on the board argue against the wisdom of keeping fine kinky or tightly curled hair constantly wet.

Co-washing is a big deal on LHCF, but that shouldn't make it an automatic part of your reggie. Some folks say they can't retain length without it, others find it makes their hair fall out or break. Still others, and I suspect this may be you, just don't like their natural hair and insist that it be "done" at all times. They don't, however, have the time or inclination to "re-do" the hair daily or every other day when they co-wash so constant co-washing isn't practical for them.

I'll spare you the lecture on learning to love your hair for whatever it is because that either comes with time or some people just never get there. The point is, if it ain't working for you, don't do it.

 

[LyndseyJK]

I'm fairly new but I think the ladies will agree with me that your hair will get just as clean co-washing as it will with shampoo. Many conditioners have cleansing properties in them but they aren't stripping like shampoo AND you get urber moisture. Since you aren't fond of the wash-n-go method then co-wash and try airdrying on rollers or even airdry, apply castor oil and then set your hair on hot rollers. Those might give you the more finished/polished look you are more accustomed to. If you dont like how these look then co-wash, blow dry on a cool setting and flat iron. Just make sure you moisturize your hair and put on a heat protectent(there are many ladies that have healthy long hair and they use heat/straighten their hair). you have to find the right balance between products and methods. and trust me...its hard!!! Or at least it is for me lol (it doesnt help that I'm a product junkie). Hope this helps.

 

[IndianAngel22]

thanks for asking this question. I think its valid and some of the responses seem helpful. others may not understand where i think you're trying to get at. do you think you need to be adopted? i'm a newbie too so i understand how you feel.

Yea I'm not trying to offend anyone. It's very valid. I just want to understand it in general because I don't hear about people who co-wash and then doing their hair. It's more of a leave your hair in it's curly state type thing, and bun bun bun!

 

[discobiscuits]

No I don't think u get the same "clean". Like Zion said poo strips ur hair co-washing is a tool to retain moisture. If co-washing is not ur cup of tea, try sulfate free or low- poos (deva curl, jonathan, or similar). Cowashing is just an alternative, an option.

I'm a natural and I cowash and shake and go daily even in the cold. I don't get frizz. I don't look a hot mess. I also don't use any heat anymore. I also use cone free conditioner and styling products (I do use them from time to time. I swear by KCCC now as well over IC gel).

It took about a year for me to get to this point. I would not even consider a cowash a year ago. After a lot of trial and error I've got my regimen & I love my hair.

U need to keep at it until u find what works.

 

[lexi84]

I don't understand. I've been on this website for a very long time and I just can't pick up on this Co-Washing thing. You can see from my photos the length of my hair. From what I understand, those of you who do, don't straighten, or blow dry, or do anything to your hair, you just co wash and put it in a bun or pony tail or what not. Well when I do this, it is NOT CUTE!!!! How can I walk around like this for the rest of my life because I want healthy hair? I try to pull it back in a pony tail and it starts frizzing up around the edges cuz I'm natural. I mean I feel like I look like an escaped slave. *No pun intended*.... It seems those with nicer grades of hair can do this and have that cute curly thing going on, or a nice slick bun, such as "Southern Tease" *shout outs* her hair is GORGEOUS, but even I have pretty ok grade of hair, and pulling it into a ponytail or bun still looks a HOT mess. I'd rather just blow dry and straighten it and do it every week or something. In order to follow this regimen I'd probably go in hideing for a month and not let anyone see me. I did it once and my mom literally look at me and said 'Girl you need to do your hair! You look terrible"...... So help me out someone. HELP me to understand. Is it just a sacrifice you make? You'd rather walk around with un-done hair 364 days of the year looking a mess, and on the 365th let your hair down? Come on... I gotta be missing something. And don't take it offensively. It's an honest question.

1. There is NOTHING here that work for each and every one of us. Find what works for you. Some people have the disipline to wear their hair up all year and have it down only once a year. These are usually the ladies with the longest hair, but not all of us can do it. Do what works for you. You dont have to co-wash if you dont want to.

2. Fuzzy hair doesnt mean un-kept hair/ "escaped slave" hair. That fuzz you're refering to, is your natural texture. And that same fuzz is also my natural texture. Its apart of you. If you dont like your "fuzz" to show, perhaps you should straighten your hair if its that much of a problem.

3. No hair texture is 'nicer' than the other. Southern Tease's hair is very pretty, but so is Que and other 4b ladies here is beautiful long healthy 4b hair.

Just some words of wisdom. I said it all with love.

 

[Akemi]

I co-wash often and I have 4a/b hair. To make my ponytail nice and sleek, I use the clear Fantasia IC gel on wet hair after I co-wash. If I co-wash at night, I tie the gelled ponytail with a scarf and in the morning it looks very nice and sleek. My ponytails are always neat and pretty. You should try it.

 

[SimpleKomplexity]

I understand how you feel. When I first got here my hair looked a MESS as I was cowashing everyday. I felt un-done and unprofessional with wet hair all day or puffy hair as I airdried. There are many ways to overcome this problem.

First of all using a leave in and serum helped me airdry a lot better. After cowashing I placed my hair in rollers like a rollerset and let it airdry over night. I would cowash about 9 and in the morning my hair would be dry and slicked down because of the serum

Experiment with scarves. You don't have to wear yoru hair out everyday if you feel it looks unkempt

You can cowash and then roll your hair and sit under the dryer. THat's indirect heat and it's ebtter on your hair than flat irons or such

Use aloevera gel to slick down your edges and get the look you're tryna get.

BUT SERIOUSLY in the beginning cowashing wasn't for me. After I revisited it after I got the hang of things, it got ebtter. Everything has it's season. If cowashing isn't for you, that's okay. Just keep trying. Take a break from cowashing if you wish. Just do you.

Just remember that there are many different ways to skin a cat not just one.

 

[anon123]

Another option you might try is cowashing in the evening and braiding the hair into a few braids. It will dry over night and you can undo the braids for a braid out.

 

[discobiscuits]

Thx lexi. I love Mwedzi's hair just like I love southerntease's. Q's hair is awesome. Lundaemel, lauren450 (can't remember her new name & I apologize for misspellings lol). There are so many naturals here I can't name em all off the top of my head and they all have diff reggies & use diff prods.

OP, no lecture from me either. Just try to self-observe from a different perspective & one day u may see that u've embraced ur "frizz" & become one w the frizz or at least found ways to make the frizz obey ur commands. LOL

I hated that frizz look too when I wet bun. Now I've found ways and prods to reduce it & I don't mind. Yes, u will have ppl make unkind comments (even if their intent is Not unkind). Trust me, they will go away as u figure out what works for u & ppl see that u accept & love ur hair no matter what state it is in & as ur self-confidence increases.

Another suggestion: less manipulation is more. My hair will get angry & swell up if I mess with it too much when it is wet. That is y we get along so well now. I co-wash, leave some conditioner in, gently wrap in a towel or old tshirt to get the excess water, then take the towel off, shake n go. Sometimes I will add a cream moisturizer &/or KCCC, or coconut oil. Most times I don't.

Just keep trying & read old threads on moisture, cowashing, natural hair, etc. We'll b here 2 help u too.

 

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

Someone needs to get in here and give her a reggie. She is WAY off the radar with this hair thing.

Can someone adopt a newbie?

She's not a newbie, she said she's been here for a very long time

 

[BostonMaria]

I just co-washed my hair a few minutes ago. Its in two pigtails (I feel like I'm 5 again) and it has no product because I'm ready to hit the sack.

OP, it took me a while to buy into the co-washing thing. Someone told me to try it for 2 weeks and see how my hair reacts. Honestly after the first week my hair started to look alot moisturized. I will cowash and bun, co-wash and rollerset/flatiron, co-wash and leave my hair curly, etc.... I also use other things to help me along the way. Castor oil to seal in moisture, gel to make my hair slick in the front, etc.

Another thing that took me a while was seeing myself in ponytails and being ok with it. I HATED ponytails in the past. I am now used to it. Especially now that my ponytails are long and curly. I also straighten my hair every 4-6 weeks just to change things up. I know how to use heat without causing heat damage so its ok.

Sounds to me like you just need to add some variety. I cut my hair in September 07 to barely nape length. A year later I'm BSL. I know I didn't get there without some sacrifices.

 

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

Op cowashing really has nothing to do with styling your hair. I mean, unless you will be just cowashing and going which a lot of ladies do in warmer weather times. Every one can do a wash n go. Everyone from the silkiest strands to the kinkiest kinks. If you don't want to see the fuzzies, just put a scarf around and let your hair free in the back.

Now, if you aren't doing a wash n go then you have so many options depending on how much time you have. You can do a rollerset, you can do bantus, you can do a braid/twist out, you can do a bun, you can airdry and straighten, you can do a ponytail, you can do an updo. The choice is yours to do what makes you feel fierce.

Typically for me since i still cowash during the winter i either put it in a bun or I put the scarf around the edges and let the tail hang. Or occassionally I do the scarf method with rollers on the end (but thats usually an overnight process).

Does this help???

 

[Eisani]

Yea I'm not trying to offend anyone. It's very valid. I just want to understand it in general because I don't hear about people who co-wash and then doing their hair. It's more of a leave your hair in it's curly state type thing, and bun bun bun!

If the search function or the LHCF Google search is working, look up the Cowashing challenge thread started by Tiffers this past spring or summer. There were quite a few ladies who cowashed then rollerset or blowdried, etc. I don't need to cowash in order for my hair to be curly or bun so that's not the object or purpose. Someone has already stated that it's more to reduce the usage of poos, and my hair tends to be dry so to combat it I cowash to retain more moisture .

She's not a newbie, she said she's been here for a very long time

The date join date says 6 months, unless IndianAngel you had to rejoin for some reason, or maybe lurked for a long time? Not that it matters, newb or old head, we wanna make sure you find something that works for you.

 

[IndianAngel22]

She's not a newbie, she said she's been here for a very long time

Technically I guess I'm still a newbie. I've only been here sense June this year '08 but if feels like forever sense I'm on here all the time. I'm still understanding and learning. The one thing I did want to learn was the roller set. I've done them before years ago but I guess I wasn't pulling the hair straight enough or what. My hair doesn't get straight like it should, it's just curly frizzy hair rapped around a roller and dried into curly frizzy hair..... I don't know how to explain. My roots are still curly while the ends may be slightly straighter. I still have to blow my roots straight and iron like normal. Others I see do a roller set and come out with beautiful silky curls, straight roots and all...... I just don't think I'm doing it right

 

[msa]

Technically I guess I'm still a newbie. I've only been here sense June this year '08 but if feels like forever sense I'm on here all the time. I'm still understanding and learning. The one thing I did want to learn was the roller set. I've done them before years ago but I guess I wasn't pulling the hair straight enough or what. My hair doesn't get straight like it should, it's just curly frizzy hair rapped around a roller and dried into curly frizzy hair..... I don't know how to explain. My roots are still curly while the ends may be slightly straighter. I still have to blow my roots straight and iron like normal. Others I see do a roller set and come out with beautiful silky curls, straight roots and all...... I just don't think I'm doing it right

If you're a natural and in the 4 range that's pretty much how it's going to look. At least, that's how it looks when I do rollersets. The only time I've seen 4a/b's get anything near silky/straight with rollersets is with curlformers...and even then it's definitely not like a relaxed heads.

I think you just need to find a style that works for you. You don't have to cowash, you could just wash once a week and moisturize in between. That way, you could blowdry/flat iron or whatever else. I personally wouldn't recommend that much heat once a week, but lots of people do it here and they say it works for them.

 

[gabulldawg]

Maybe you need to consider relaxing?? I'm confused about why you are natural. Natural 4-type hair won't get straight unless you use heat.

If that's not an option for you I would recommend cowashing and doing styles that don't require your hair to be straight - i.e., bantu knots, twistouts, braidouts, etc.

 

[IndianAngel22]

Maybe you need to consider relaxing?? I'm confused about why you are natural. Natural 4-type hair won't get straight unless you use heat.

If that's not an option for you I would recommend cowashing and doing styles that don't require your hair to be straight - i.e., bantu knots, twistouts, braidouts, etc.

I went natural about 3 years ago after a hair dresser practically burned my hair ALL the way out and I started getting bald spots. It was terrible. I got weaves to basically cover up the damage and try growing my hair back out but my relaxed hair couldn't take it so I accidently started transitioning and stopped getting perms. Eventually my entire head was natural. I have beautiful tiny little curls on my head when it's wet but i would never wear it like that and it's so short and thin. That's why I am natural. I miss my perms a lot but my hair seems to be healthier without them. I think.....