Super coarse and super thick 4a/b naturals check-in

[lipyt]

You've described my hair to a tee. And just so you know, I am on the rope with you and am about to jump into a pool of creamy crack. My hair is in braids right now. I honestly don't know if I'll be natural anymore by the end of this year. The proud, stubborn part of me wants to wait and see until next year just so I can boast of having had natural hair for 10 years. We'll see.

That's what I did, but you're better than me, I only lasted 3 years.

CAN EVERYONE POST THEIR ROUTINE PRODUCTS FOR:
w&G
washing
defining curls
flat iron
twisting
etc.

Also, do any of you ladies mix your own concoctions with EVOO and avocado and all that etc etc! I could never get into all of that business too much drama for me.

 

[sunbubbles]

Another UBER thick natural checking in! My hair is super dense with thick and fine strands twirled about!!
I just dont understand it! I only have about 5 inches of HAIR!!! This is supposed to be the EASY time when its a twa. I cant even imagine what it'll be like this time next year!! For those that have been natural for years what has given you patience??
I was so pissed ( and broke) last week that I went to the beauty supply, bought some pony yaky hair, and put that mess in some "Homemade" Micro-Braids!! Take that!! I dont want to be bothered for the next 2 months!!

oops..... Didnt mean to rant...... Sunscribing by the way lol

 

[lipyt]

Another UBER thick natural checking in! My hair is super dense with thick and fine strands twirled about!!
I just dont understand it! I only have about 5 inches of HAIR!!! This is supposed to be the EASY time when its a twa. I cant even imagine what it'll be like this time next year!! For those that have been natural for years what has given you patience??
I was so pissed ( and broke) last week that I went to the beauty supply, bought some pony yaky hair, and put that mess in some "Homemade" Micro-Braids!! Take that!! I dont want to be bothered for the next 2 months!!

oops..... Didnt mean to rant...... Sunscribing by the way lol

I know thats right! I do the same thing over the summer!

 

[Stiletto_Diva]

how do you get the front of your hair to lay so flat with waves? Am I the only one who can not find a gel thick enough/powerful enough to keep their hair down? All those curly pudding things are just a joke for my hair. My goes: you can't be serious at the sight of all these popular gels and cremes most people on here go crazy for.

right after I co wash I blot my hair to get rid of excess water. Immediatly I slap on a good amount of Fantasia IC Gel (This stuff is my life line!!) with a soft boars bristle brush I brush my edges as if I am putting it into a puff. I then run my hand ovedr it a few times to help it lay flat. I then take a knee high and put my hair in a puff. Afterwards, I put a bit mor of the gel on my edges and lightly brush the edges again. Tie a scarf on my head tight until the edges are mostly dry. This takes about 5 minutes at the most. The key is to to have the scarf on your head before the hairstarts to dry. At night I put one scarf on my edges to keep them flat, and then another one over that to cover my whole head. I do this until my next co-wash (which is usually a day or two later.)

The key to having my hair lay down is for it to be wet first. Like I said before, when my hair is wet I can do almost anything with it.

 

[lipyt]

What regimens do you all follow. How is it different to all the other naturals/transitioners/relaxed heads?

 

[anherica]

Super thick 4a/b checking in. My strands are fine, but there are alot of them. My hair and I get along fine, once I realized that some things just are not going to happen. Wash n Go not happening. Allowing it to shrink all the way nope, nada. So I keep it stretched in twists or braids. Sometimes I will indulge myself and wear a twist out in the summer, but not for longer than a few days. I have learned that the more I leave it alone, the better off we both are.

 

[that_1_grrrl]

Lol, I really have no business responding because my hair isn't coarse nor super thick, but it is thick.

Thick + short hair is difficult because it takes FOREVER to style, which is why I don't style my hair.

 

[BrandNew]

4a4b checking in! It is getting easier to manage now that I have found a regimen that works for me.

Water is the best friend of my hair, and scalp, along with low-no manipulation.

Same here. My hair is very thick but I try not to do too much with it so I haven't had any issues really. I co-wash every morning and that's the only time I comb and detangle. Otherwise my hair is wrapped up under my scarf.

 

[lipyt]

Super thick 4a/b checking in. My strands are fine, but there are alot of them. My hair and I get along fine, once I realized that some things just are not going to happen. Wash n Go not happening. Allowing it to shrink all the way nope, nada. So I keep it stretched in twists or braids. Sometimes I will indulge myself and wear a twist out in the summer, but not for longer than a few days. I have learned that the more I leave it alone, the better off we both are.

I love your style in your pic. Is it twisted and then french braided??

 

[anherica]

Thanks lipyt! Yep it is.

 

[Platinum]

Super thick, super coarse 4abz here! I put my hair through hell years ago by overprocessing on a quest for bone-straight hair. I'm currently 14 1/2 weeks into a 6 month stretch (maintaining with braids). Ayurvedic powders and oils make my NG softer.

Subscribing...

 

[lipyt]

Super thick, super coarse 4abz here! I put my hair through hell years ago by overprocessing on a quest for bone-straight hair. I'm currently 14 1/2 weeks into a 6 month stretch (maintaining with braids). Ayurvedic powders and oils make my NG softer.

Subscribing...

really? Hmm...Keep me posted on that one because it's like a jungle sometmes.... Especially in the middle of my hair! Very tough to get through the thick of that forest!
Ladies, another positive thing that I experience with my thick coarse hair that many other naturals complain about is I never get tiny knots on the ends of hair strands. Anyone else know what I'm talking about?

 

[msMicaela]

Our Hair is BEAUTIFUL...but dang it can be difficult!!!

Difficulty: It has taken me years to figure out my hair! i am a 4a/b but with no curl definition... my hair wants to grow straight up into some sort of half curly, half frizzy afro!If you like afro's my natural hair would be fly..

DOWN RIGHT FLY: when our hair is healthy and conditioned properly aint no other type have the thickness, sheen and body that ours has... and the perception that our hair will not grow is false, our hair grows just as fast as any other type... u just have to work with the way that it is growing and not against it!

 

[bravenewgirl87]

Newly natural here!

I'm currently wearing kinky twists to grow out my hair. Its grown so much in just a month of doing absolutely nada.


But, I have to be honest, Although I started out with only 1 1/2 to 2 inches of hair when I BC'd, I have so much hair on my head that I tire the stylists out. It can be pretty when styled, but dauting trying to get it to look good.

 

[lipyt]

Our Hair is BEAUTIFUL...but dang it can be difficult!!!

Difficulty: It has taken me years to figure out my hair! i am a 4a/b but with no curl definition... my hair wants to grow straight up into some sort of half curly, half frizzy afro!If you like afro's my natural hair would be fly..

DOWN RIGHT FLY: when our hair is healthy and conditioned properly aint no other type have the thickness, sheen and body that ours has... and the perception that our hair will not grow is false, our hair grows just as fast as any other type... u just have to work with the way that it is growing and not against it!

That's one good thing about my thick hair, I've never had a problem with growing. My hair always produces in that aspect. As a matter of fact I don't even sweat breakage/shedding like some others do. Some people count all the hairs in their sink and combs, take pics, I just sweep it up throw it in the trash and keep moving. My hair is so abundant,that as long as I don't have split ends, it doesn't even matter.

Newly natural here!

I'm currently wearing kinky twists to grow out my hair. Its grown so much in just a month of doing absolutely nada.


But, I have to be honest, Although I started out with only 1 1/2 to 2 inches of hair when I BC'd, I have so much hair on my head that I tire the stylists out. It can be pretty when styled, but dauting trying to get it to look good.

join the club.

 

[lipyt]

bumping for more responses

 

[Candycane044]

right after I co wash I blot my hair to get rid of excess water. Immediatly I slap on a good amount of Fantasia IC Gel (This stuff is my life line!!) with a soft boars bristle brush I brush my edges as if I am putting it into a puff. I then run my hand ovedr it a few times to help it lay flat. I then take a knee high and put my hair in a puff. Afterwards, I put a bit mor of the gel on my edges and lightly brush the edges again. Tie a scarf on my head tight until the edges are mostly dry. This takes about 5 minutes at the most. The key is to to have the scarf on your head before the hairstarts to dry. At night I put one scarf on my edges to keep them flat, and then another one over that to cover my whole head. I do this until my next co-wash (which is usually a day or two later.)

The key to having my hair lay down is for it to be wet first. Like I said before, when my hair is wet I can do almost anything with it.

I do this exact same thing. I don't know where my hair would be without IC Gel.

I am a 4a/b natural with pretty thick hair and I find that the longer my hair gets the harder it is to detangle. It takes me an absurdly long amount of time to detangle but I think about the alternative, which is having damaged hair or none at all (which is what I used to have). It's annoying but it's worth it to me. Also, I find that if I saturate my hair with conditioner prior to detangling, it is MUCH easier to do.

 

[lipyt]

I do this exact same thing. I don't know where my hair would be without IC Gel.

I am a 4a/b natural with pretty thick hair and I find that the longer my hair gets the harder it is to detangle. It takes me an absurdly long amount of time to detangle but I think about the alternative, which is having damaged hair or none at all (which is what I used to have). It's annoying but it's worth it to me. Also, I find that if I saturate my hair with conditioner prior to detangling, it is MUCH easier to do.

I don't like this gel. It's not heavy enough for me.

 

[Sascha]

Your hair is gorgeous in your avatar! Is it flat ironed there? I can not get my hair straight enough when I flat iron. Do you have a technique?
Even with texlaxed hair I have to take my hair in stages too. I permed after 3 year of being natural because it was too much work. I was at armpit length I can only imagine the trouble you go through to do your hair! Is it BSL?


Just by looking at your Profile pic I'm wondering if we're hair twins I used to do a lot of singles braids when I was natural too (like in my pic^) because that way I didn't have to deal with my hair for 2-3 weeks! It was a break!
I'll be checking both of you ladies' fotki's when i get off work

I didn't realize you asked me a question! Sorry! Thank you for the compliment. In my avatar it is just a twist out. I always do my twists on wet hair. I believe I had it in for about a week and then took it down. When I twist I use whatever leave in conditioner I have and some coconut oil. My hair is mid back length I guess...right above my hips.

 

[lipyt]

So I bought diva smooth and used it about a week ago and it is going to become a staple in my regimen. It made my ng so supple and spongy the comb just slipped right through my hair. I was able to flat iron my hair (with t-tree oil) in an hour as opposed to the obsene amount of time that it has taken me in the past. My hair was so straight and shiny, like a fresh relaxer.
I bought some amla oil and I will try that this weekend to see how that works out.
......girls I think I'm finally giving up my beloved grease...

 

[MekyakaKinkerbelle]

Super thick/super coarse natural checking in...

I USED to do daily co-washes and wash and go's, but at my current length, that just doesn't cut it.

At the moment, the only thing I can do (at least that's good for my hair) is keep it up. I've worn my hair out this year so far only one time. No wait, twice. It stays in large braids right now. Once every week to ten days, I take it down, wash, condition and braid it back up. This means less manipulation, and protected ends for the most part. I also put coconut oil on the ends on a regular basis.

When I WAS wearing it out, to define my curls, I used either KCCC or Eco on top of Paul Mitchell the Conditioner. For me, the PM Conditioner was the major factor. I never, ever, EVER style my hair without using a leave-in conditioner.

After 2 1/2 years, I am below APL and moving towards BSL. If/when I get to BSL, I'm gonna have a come to Jesus meeting with my hair to decided what to do next.

 

[lawyer2be371]

I'm superhead!!! I wish I could put my hair in a ponytail but I normally just plait it!
The problems I have is combing I'm extremely tender headed

 

[Soliel185]

Sometimes my hair makes ME cry and I'm used to it. erplexed

I don't know where I got it from either...my Mom's hair is not especially thick. Since I've started transitioning back to natural I've discovered that I will never again have to go to a gym to do arm exercises. Wrestling all my hair into a bun is workout enough.

 

[tru2me]

Super Course and super thick natural here!

I have ridiculous shrinkage and will only comb my hair when wet. These last two weeks, I've been sporting rollersets.

 

[tuffCOOKiE]

Super thick natural checking in. A blessing and a curse. I love my natural hair, but it is not easy to deal with. I know now, that my natural vs. relaxed hair was not easier or harder. It's just when I was relaxed, I went to the Dominicans every week. As a natural, I do my own hair.

Also, when wet, it's a dream to deal with....But dry

Girl, I TOTALLY feel you. I don't know WHAT it is!! I've tried everything and it doesn't make sense!

My hair is relaxed now and I'm transitioning - My hair is AMAZING when wet but as soon as it dries, it's breakage, and dry and COARSE.. I dunno what to do!

 

[MichelleMyBelle]

Super thick/super coarse natural checking in...

I USED to do daily co-washes and wash and go's, but at my current length, that just doesn't cut it.

At the moment, the only thing I can do (at least that's good for my hair) is keep it up. I've worn my hair out this year so far only one time. No wait, twice. It stays in large braids right now. Once every week to ten days, I take it down, wash, condition and braid it back up. This means less manipulation, and protected ends for the most part. I also put coconut oil on the ends on a regular basis.

When I WAS wearing it out, to define my curls, I used either KCCC or Eco on top of Paul Mitchell the Conditioner. For me, the PM Conditioner was the major factor. I never, ever, EVER style my hair without using a leave-in conditioner.

After 2 1/2 years, I am below APL and moving towards BSL. If/when I get to BSL, I'm gonna have a come to Jesus meeting with my hair to decided what to do next.

My hair twin!

My hair is between APL and BSL. I'm considering doing a major cut to keep my hair more managable. I don't think I want to ever be longer than BSL. I BC in 1994! Everytime I get close to BSL I cut my hair to SL or APL. I'm trying to tough it out.

Eco Styler is my fav gel. IC Gel is too light.

 

[harrison]

So I bought diva smooth and used it about a week ago and it is going to become a staple in my regimen. It made my ng so supple and spongy the comb just slipped right through my hair. I was able to flat iron my hair (with t-tree oil) in an hour as opposed to the obsene amount of time that it has taken me in the past. My hair was so straight and shiny, like a fresh relaxer.
I bought some amla oil and I will try that this weekend to see how that works out.
......girls I think I'm finally giving up my beloved grease...

I was wondering about this diva smooth stuff. I texlaxed on Jan 31st and do not plan on doing it again. So I guess I'm transitioning?? But anyhow.. that's not written in stone. I just want something to make it a little easier to detangle. Not looking to wear my hair straight, just easier to detangle.

 

[lipyt]

My hair twin!

My hair is between APL and BSL. I'm considering doing a major cut to keep my hair more managable. I don't think I want to ever be longer than BSL. I BC in 1994! Everytime I get close to BSL I cut my hair to SL or APL. I'm trying to tough it out.

Eco Styler is my fav gel. IC Gel is too light.

ITA! I love Eco!!! My hair just laughs at IC.

I was wondering about this diva smooth stuff. I texlaxed on Jan 31st and do not plan on doing it again. So I guess I'm transitioning?? But anyhow.. that's not written in stone. I just want something to make it a little easier to detangle. Not looking to wear my hair straight, just easier to detangle.

I'm in th same boat as you. I was natural for three years texlaxed last year and haven't permed since oct 08 not sure if I'm transitioning or stretching yet. But I know for sure I won't BC what ever I decide. I guess I was going to keep searching for something that with make this thick hair more manageable before I decide to slap a perm back in it. And i think I might have fount the answer in Diva Smooth. We'll see....

 

[Ivy Santolina]

Subscribing.

I'm the only one in my family to have a lot of coarse 4a-zz hair. But, each individual strand is fine. I decided just yesterday to transition for another 12 weeks. By then I'll know for sure if I want to keep texlaxing my hair or transition back to my teeny-tiny curls. I'm currently on the fence. I miss my big juicy 'fro. My SO misses me letting him play with my hair.

One thing I've learned about my hair is that no matter what I do to it (locs, twists, braids, texlaxed, etc.) it will be high-maintenance. The main reason I texlaxed last year was because of the individual strand knots. I got tired of them. Now, that I've learned so much on LHCF, I think I can keep those annoying knots down to a minimum. My NG is very soft and manageable. I credit, co-washing, Ayurvedic powders, ACV rinses, t-shirt drying, Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, a seamless detangling comb, weekly DCing with Rhassoul and other stuff, EVOO, weekly mild protein treatments, massaging my scalp, satin scarf and bonnet, wearing my hair up, taking my time, and of course - a lot of LOVE for my hair.

 

[MekyakaKinkerbelle]

Subscribing.

I'm the only one in my family to have a lot of coarse 4a-zz hair. But, each individual strand is fine. I decided just yesterday to transition for another 12 weeks. By then I'll know for sure if I want to keep texlaxing my hair or transition back to my teeny-tiny curls. I'm currently on the fence. I miss my big juicy 'fro. My SO misses me letting him play with my hair.

One thing I've learned about my hair is that no matter what I do to it (locs, twists, braids, texlaxed, etc.) it will be high-maintenance. The main reason I texlaxed last year was because of the individual strand knots. I got tired of them. Now, that I've learned so much on LHCF, I think I can keep those annoying knots down to a minimum. My NG is very soft and manageable. I credit, co-washing, Ayurvedic powders, ACV rinses, t-shirt drying, Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, a seamless detangling comb, weekly DCing with Rhassoul and other stuff, EVOO, weekly mild protein treatments, massaging my scalp, satin scarf and bonnet, wearing my hair up, taking my time, and of course - a lot of LOVE for my hair.

I think this is very important to highlight. Sooo many people think that going natural means less maintenance. This is Not necessarily the case. Yes, I can walk outside in the rain and not give it a second thought, but truth be told, my natural hair is probably more work that my relaxed hair was. It is thick, it is fragile, and needs tons of TLC to keep it healthy and tangle free.

Natural hair does not = maintenance free hair, ESPECIALLY for our super thick heads of hair.