Transitioning...want a break from heat.. Please Help!

[Quita]

Warning TONS of questions: I'm 6 months into transitioning, but most of the time I've gotten weekly presses at the salon; I want to try the no heat way; I bought a wig for the first time yesterday so no heat and low minipulation is the route I'm taking; I also plan to cornroll my hair under the wig. I don't know my hair type but my hair is fine and prone to breaking when straight/relaxed; (I've never been able to grow past SL for this reason)

Products and Regi: (I really don't have a regi since I'm just starting out)
wash weekly with Carila Aleo shampoo and condi?
Design Essentials Leave-in (tried it once but not sure what to expect)
How do I prevent breakage of my relaxed hair under the wig?
I have a condi heating cap for DC'ing is that still heat or can I do that?
I moisturize with EVOO and EVCO with MN daily?
Should I co-wash given all the moisturising or should I use a shampoo weekly? if I co wash weekly what's a good conditioner?

I open to any suggestions, I'm really new at doing my own hair but I'm desperately trying to learn and get better, it's my hair I must do better.

I'll stop with the questions for now but I realy, really need your help; It's pretty funny that I'm trying to reduce the amount of heat I'm using on my hair since I just purchased a ceramic blow-dryer and FHI flat iron etc. Crazy I know!

 

[The Princess]

V05 Moisture Milk is a good conditioner, makes my hair super soft.

 

[msa]

I'm really glad you're stopping the weekly presses. While you may not have encountered any heat damage, there is a large chance continuing on could cause your natural hair to be permanently loosened (and weaker because of it).

As far as your regimen, you're going to have to research and think about the characteristics of your hair to figure out what is going to work for you in the long run.

Products and Regi: (I really don't have a regi since I'm just starting out)
wash weekly with Carila Aleo shampoo and condi?
Haven't heard of this shampoo and conditioner. As long as the shampoo isn't completely stripping your hair and the conditioner gives you good results, then use it.
Design Essentials Leave-in (tried it once but not sure what to expect)
I don't know either. I haven't used this.
How do I prevent breakage of my relaxed hair under the wig?
I advise taking the combs completely out and using bobby pins (the large wrap pins) instead. The combs can cause serious breakage. Also, you may want to get a silk or satin wig cap to wear. I never used one, but other people find it helpful so that the wig isn't just rubbing against your hair.
I have a condi heating cap for DC'ing is that still heat or can I do that?
A heat cap is considered indirect heat and many people find that since heat opens the cuticles, it helps the conditioner penetrate better. You could also put on your dc, cap, and scarf and then go work out for an hour. The movement will build up enough heat to make it a good DC and you're multitasking.
I moisturize with EVOO and EVCO with MN daily?
The only true moisturizer is water. EVOO and EVCO are oils, and while they have been proven to penetrate the hair strand, they're not real moisturizers. I would say you should start with water (or a water based moisturizer or spritz) and then use the oils. Also, MN does not moisturize and from what I've read it can dry the hair out so you want to be sure you only put it on your scalp, though I wouldn't recommend using it at all.
Should I co-wash given all the moisturising or should I use a shampoo weekly? if I co wash weekly what's a good conditioner?
If you want to cowash go ahead. I used to cowash with Giovanni Smooth as Silk conditioner and that worked well for me. Only you can really figure out what cowash/shampooing schedule is going to work for you. So try some things out and see what works. A hair journal may be helpful for you to record outcomes from trying new techniques.

Remember, you've had your hair your whole life. While you may have had bad hair care practices in the past, there had to be some things that you were doing right and that worked for you. Take some time and think about the times you liked your hair, or it was soft and moisturized, or you had a good outcome and try to pinpoint what it might have been that got you there. Use that as a jumping off point for trying new things. And don't repeat things that didn't work.

ETA: There are lots of no heat hairstyles that may work for you to blend the two textures. Rollersets, braid/twist/bantu knot outs, pinning up your hair, straw/rod sets, buns, etc. Take some time and go through some of the hairstyle threads, it may be helpful.

 

[Quita]

Thanks for the great advice, I really really appreciate it.

 

[texasqt]

...There are lots of no heat hairstyles that may work for you to blend the two textures. Rollersets, braid/twist/bantu knot outs, pinning up your hair, straw/rod sets, buns, etc. Take some time and go through some of the hairstyle threads, it may be helpful.

Ditto!

 

[BrooklynSouth]

I wear wigs every Monday through Friday since late 2007 or January /February of 2008-cannot pinpoint the date. I use a regular wig cap beneath my wigs. I make sure to always do an every three to four day shampoo or con-poo, deep condition at least once a week then twist or braid my hair with a leave-in conditioner, an oil and some type of growth treatment to my scalp. I am not a heat user-no blow drying or flat ironingonly my heat cap for deep cons. I once in a while have some crispy ends a few days after some type of protein treatment so I rely more on moisture than proteins-Majabhringraj is no longer a friend to my hair-worst crispy, drop off ends after last week's usage.

 

[SEMO]

I second VO5 conditioners being good for cowashes. I don't wear wigs so I don't really have any advice about maintaining your hair underneath one. I also agree with the poster recommending alternate styles. During my transition I did "straw" curls using perm rods as a way to hide the two textures.

Also, using oil on your hair is great, but you need to make sure to moisturize your hair with a leave-in or something before that. Oil only seals moisture into your hair, it doesn't put moisture into your hair. Not to turn you into a product junkie, but one leave-in that I personally love is Africa's Best Liquid Hair Mayo (from Walmart).

Good luck to during your transition.