Recent BC's: What Have You Learned Thus Far?

[araceli2418]

I notice there's been quite a bit of BC going on and I was wondering how everyone is doing.

I did the BC in June.

I have learned that, though, I thought I was a 4a I may have a bit of 3c. I call it the 'crazy patch' b/c it seems so different than the rest of my hair. Then the middle is a lot coarser than the sides. It doesn't really matter. I'm more concerned with the health of things. MSM has softened my hair a lot. Detangling is pretty easy.

But the part I love most is my hair soooo STRONG. I never had this strength relaxed.

I cowash daily and then moisturize with either shea butter or my coconut/castor oil mix. I moisturize twice a day.

For supplements, I take MSM, Biotin. I'll be adding B-complex soon and possibly fish oil since I've heard such great things. '

That's pretty much about it. Just waiting for growth now.

Oh, I also henna.

 

[Geminigirl]

Yea! Great thread!

I have learned that:

I love my hair and have NEVER felt more beautiful and desired.

my hair is finer and softer around the perimeter but I have this thick coarse patch in my crown area. I love that too.

finding products for my hair is hard but I am loving the journey. My hair loves water and condtioner.

I learned to appreciate my shrinkage but it still sucks.

There are so many cool/funky/unique styles I can do with my hair that I would have never done relaxed.

My hair is also stronger too. It's able to be pulled and touched which was a no no when relaxed(my hair was very fine and not too strong) or weaved up.

 

[countrychickd]

I've also found my hair to be much stronger now than it was when I was relaxed. I think I still have some scab hair, but I'm going to wait until next year January to cut it.

I've also found out that IC Fantasia gel doesn't mix well with a lot of products...lol. I get white gooey balls from tcertain mixtures.

Concerning my hair, it loves cowashing at least twice a week, and I've found twist outs to be my staple style.

 

[GreenD]

Cool thread!! I've learned soooo much, where do I begin?

Let's see:

1. I've learned my hair just adores water. The more water it gets the more if flourishes.

2. My hair and I love some protective styling

3. Keeping things simple work bests

4. The greatest thing I've learned about hair is that less is definitely more

5. Caring for my hair has also changed more aspects of my over health for the better (vitamins, more water, etc.)

6. I have lots of options in caring for and styling hair... they're endless!!

7. When my hair is happy I'm happy.

8. And most of all seeing that any black woman can grow hair long (natural and relaxed), and not just those of certain hair textures.

 

[araceli2418]

Geminigirl: Yeah, I agree about the shrinkage. It does sucks, but, oh well, it's part of the program. I look at it this way: when I finally do straighten, what a surprise it will be



DivaDava: My hair loves water, too, which is good b/c I love feeling it on my scalp. Can't get enough. I agree with your #5, too. I didn't really notice it until you said something.

 

[GreenD]

Geminigirl: Yeah, I agree about the shrinkage. It does sucks, but, oh well, it's part of the program. I look at it this way: when I finally do straighten, what a surprise it will be



DivaDava: My hair loves water, too, which is good b/c I love feeling it on my scalp. Can't get enough. I agree with your #5, too. I didn't really notice it until you said something.

LOL, I thought I was the only one. Like as soon as the water from the shower hits my head, I think my eyes roll back in my head!! It just feels so good, and I can completely relate to the Herbal Essence commercials now. It's like I can feel my scalp/hair just drinking it up. I just love it!! I love wash days and my hair does too!!

 

[DDTexlaxed]

Subbing for future use.

 

[araceli2418]

LOL, I thought I was the only one. Like as soon as the water from the shower hits my head, I think my eyes roll back in my head!! It just feels so good, and I can completely relate to the Herbal Essence commercials now. It's like I can feel my scalp/hair just drinking it up. I just love it!! I love wash days and my hair does too!!

Girl, trust me, you are not the only one. Hell, I thought I was the only one. Do we need help? And I forgot all about those HH commercials. Was it HH the one that had the commercial where it sounds like the woman is having sex in the shower?

If I have to skip a day w/o washing my hair for whatever reason it almost feels like my head is going through withdrawals.

 

[Spongie Bloom]

I've learned that my texture is a lot looser in the back of my head, that it loves being co washed, that I dont really need shampoo. I dont need to comb my hair I finger comb in the shower when im co washing. I only comb my hair when Im combing through my DC. that my hair has a lot of shrinkage...and a like it That I love to wet my hair I need to everytime I take a shower... winter will be a struggle

I co wash with HEllo Hydration everyday. I (try to) DC once a week with Pantene time renewal or ORS replenishing con or as a treat I whizz up avocado, banana, honey and coconut milk and let it sit on my hair for about 30 mins. I did a lot of henna over the summer but now that im back to studying I dont have the time.

I seal my hair after washing with my coconut oil/shea butter mix which is fantastic!

 

[araceli2418]

^^ Yeah, I also found out detangling (sp?) in the shower is not for me.

 

[Soliel185]

I wasted so much time being relaxed.

I mean - no offense to relaxed folks. I had very nice relaxed hair - but when I look in the mirror I feel like this is the hair I should have had all along.

It's so much EASIER than I expected. Sometimes when I look at my hair I wonder if I'm really "natural". I expected it to be a struggle to maintain and comb and a constant battle to style but it's been the exact opposite. (I'm admittedly very low maintenance) I know a lot of new naturals struggle, and I'm not knocking them. I just feel so lucky (and surprised) sometimes to love my hair AND have low mani hair at the same time.

I don't mind shrinkage so much. It shrinks, yeah, but if it didn't shrink I wouldn't have curls or kinks or waves and I love all those things so why would I want to change them?

Best unexpected benefit: detangling and styling natural hair is the best free arm/shoulder workout there is!

 

[Shananyganz]

OMG!! I LOVE THIS THREAD!! Real spit...

I BC'ed June 27, 2009, and recently took out braids (September 25th), so its only been a short while of me even having my hair "out". But I CANNOT tell you how I much I have learned. For example, my natural color is dark black/brown, like a 1B, this WHOLE time, I thought I was a light 2 in the winter and a dark 4 in the summer. Uhm..yea I didn't know folks!! I believe the relaxer combined with the (brown) gel made my hair color lighter with extended use. Its so interesting to try to get used to this "new" color I've had all my life...lol.

My hair LOVES water, which I already knew, but I have to admit, I was ABUSING water ya'll. Previous routine: Vigorously comb while dry, then wet hard bristle brush to slick, brush, force back into a tight pony, add more water and yea...I was ridiculous. But now, I use water properly and the co-washes!!! GET OUT!! My hair enjoys it thus far. Since Sat, I've co-washed two times. Whereas before I was conditioned to thinking that for me, washing once every two weeks was okay. It might work for some, but for my hair, negative on allat.

My hair loves butters and oils. My hair doesn't have a natural shine, so before my BC/Transition, I thought that it meant it was dry, so I'd pile on the Pink Oil Lotion, (yea ya'll, I said it..sigh) to get that shine I so loved. Well NOW, I moisturize with butters and seal with oils...I still don't have the overall gloss and shine I want, but my hair STAYS moisturized throughout the day and with the crazy hot weather we been having as of late.

I love my CURLS!!! Ya'll I got CURLS and WAVES!!!! My hair amazes me EVERY single time I look at it (sorry....honeymoon phase here..lol) and I can't help but marvel at the springy little curls and how my hair waves in the front when I slick it into a puff. Sometimes, I absentmindedly pull a curl in the back and its CRAZY how shrinkage has me fooled!!

I can't see my SCALP!!! This is SO FUNNY to me, cause as a long-time relaxer who did things the WRONG way, I saw scalp honey! Let me tell you!! But now..nope and my nape?? Get out of here!! Its growing RIGHT along with the rest of my hair. My edges....we getting BACK on track..and thicker...lovin it LADIES!

I love where I'm going. I'm not sure what this journey has for me, but I love all things hair, so for me I am in (hair)Heaven..even on my not so great days (yesterday, but who's being specific) I am having fun. I never think of going back. When asked about texlaxing, I told a friend of mine (who is also natural, she unlocked her dreads after 10 years and is struggling to find her footing) I'd be a straight natural,before I went back to chemicals. My hair can be healthy either way, I know that, but I have no desire to relax.

-S-

 

[Soliel185]

^^ I feel you - especially on that nape issue. I used to get SO frustrated. The rest of my head could be silky and swang-y but my nape would stick straight out from my neck stiff as a board and short/broken off to boot!

 

[LovinLea]

I've learned what my real hair texture looks like (yay!) and that I'm allergic to shea butter , which seemed to be natural hair's holy grail.

I've learned to love cowashing everyday because my hair is really dry.

I want to learn:
are all people with TWAs cowashing daily?
what products you guys are using?

 

[Shananyganz]

^^ I feel you - especially on that nape issue. I used to get SO frustrated. The rest of my head could be silky and swang-y but my nape would stick straight out from my neck stiff as a board and short/broken off to boot!

I had nearly NO nape...I had to bobby pin..wait no..those lil clip thingy's...snaps..I call them sanps, but whatever they are called. I had to use those, cause the hair in that area simply would NOT pull up into my ponytail, that I insisted on wearing..day in and out.

LAWD...the things we do...and then wonder why the results aren't different...insanity..thats what it was.

 

[Shananyganz]

I've learned what my real hair texture looks like (yay!) and that I'm allergic to shea butter , which seemed to be natural hair's holy grail.

I've learned to love cowashing everyday because my hair is really dry.

I want to learn:
are all people with TWAs cowashing daily?
what products you guys are using?

I have yet to use shea...I use QP Elasta Mango butter..and I love it. Maybe I'll Shea in the future...

I have a TWA, but I don't co-wash daily, I might in the future, but right now I just listen to my hair. When it starts to feel heavy or loaded with product, I co-wash...I think I'm on every other day as of now...for certain every three days.

-Current regimen including products:
Pre-Poo: Suave Tropical mixed with Coconut Oil
Shampoo: Nourish Spa Shampoo
Clarifier: Baking Soda mixed with whatever condish I have
Conditioner: Nourish Spa Conditioner
Co-Wash: Vo5 Moisture Milk
Deep Conditioner: ORS (Protein) Tresemme Deep Quench (Moisture)
- All of the above are done on an as needed basis; but no less than once a week. I shampoo only once a month; clarify only once a month if needed; generally after long term protective styling.

Leave -In: Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Spray or one of the above mixed with Almond Sweet Oil
Moisturizer: QP Elasta Mango Butter
Gel: Still up in the air..sigh
- Generally daily use. I use lightly and if my hair starts feeling "heavy" I do a co-wash.

(this was taken from another post I did, but you know, its my info...lol)

-S-

 

[Naturel]

My hair loves water, water, water!
I feel good wearing my natural hair even though it's still a TWA

 

[naijamerican]

I've learned what my real hair texture looks like (yay!) and that I'm allergic to shea butter , which seemed to be natural hair's holy grail.

I've learned to love cowashing everyday because my hair is really dry.

I want to learn:
are all people with TWAs cowashing daily?
what products you guys are using?

Even though I've been natural for 9 years, I think this big chop really allowed me to know my hair and love it in a way that I never, ever did before. I appreciate the pen spring - and even smaller than pen spring! - curls I have. I appreciate the fact that the nape/kitchen area is extremely soft and fine, so fine that the hair can actually look invisible when it comes out - who knew?! I love the fact that a TWA suits my face, so much so that I'm contemplating keeping it short until I graduate. Finally, I never knew that my hair loves protein until I did my big chop.

LovinLea, just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in the shea butter department. My hair does not like shea butter one iota. It also doesn't seem to like aloe gel. I co-wash daily and use Oyin Honey Hemp conditioner, as well as Aubrey Organics White Camellia, to do so. When I get my Elucence Balancing conditioner, which is what I used to co-wash all summer, I'll be rotating that in. I also plan on doing something that I saw that someone else suggested, which is to rotate between a moisturizing conditioner and a light, protein conditioner.

 

[araceli2418]

OMG!! I LOVE THIS THREAD!! Real spit...

I BC'ed June 27, 2009, and recently took out braids (September 25th), so its only been a short while of me even having my hair "out". But I CANNOT tell you how I much I have learned. For example, my natural color is dark black/brown, like a 1B, this WHOLE time, I thought I was a light 2 in the winter and a dark 4 in the summer. Uhm..yea I didn't know folks!! I believe the relaxer combined with the (brown) gel made my hair color lighter with extended use. Its so interesting to try to get used to this "new" color I've had all my life...lol.

My hair LOVES water, which I already knew, but I have to admit, I was ABUSING water ya'll. Previous routine: Vigorously comb while dry, then wet hard bristle brush to slick, brush, force back into a tight pony, add more water and yea...I was ridiculous. But now, I use water properly and the co-washes!!! GET OUT!! My hair enjoys it thus far. Since Sat, I've co-washed two times. Whereas before I was conditioned to thinking that for me, washing once every two weeks was okay. It might work for some, but for my hair, negative on allat.

My hair loves butters and oils. My hair doesn't have a natural shine, so before my BC/Transition, I thought that it meant it was dry, so I'd pile on the Pink Oil Lotion, (yea ya'll, I said it..sigh) to get that shine I so loved. Well NOW, I moisturize with butters and seal with oils...I still don't have the overall gloss and shine I want, but my hair STAYS moisturized throughout the day and with the crazy hot weather we been having as of late.

I love my CURLS!!! Ya'll I got CURLS and WAVES!!!! My hair amazes me EVERY single time I look at it (sorry....honeymoon phase here..lol) and I can't help but marvel at the springy little curls and how my hair waves in the front when I slick it into a puff. Sometimes, I absentmindedly pull a curl in the back and its CRAZY how shrinkage has me fooled!!

I can't see my SCALP!!! This is SO FUNNY to me, cause as a long-time relaxer who did things the WRONG way, I saw scalp honey! Let me tell you!! But now..nope and my nape?? Get out of here!! Its growing RIGHT along with the rest of my hair. My edges....we getting BACK on track..and thicker...lovin it LADIES!

I love where I'm going. I'm not sure what this journey has for me, but I love all things hair, so for me I am in (hair)Heaven..even on my not so great days (yesterday, but who's being specific) I am having fun. I never think of going back. When asked about texlaxing, I told a friend of mine (who is also natural, she unlocked her dreads after 10 years and is struggling to find her footing) I'd be a straight natural,before I went back to chemicals. My hair can be healthy either way, I know that, but I have no desire to relax.

-S-

OMG, you are killing me with this post but, seriously, I can relate on soooo many levels.

 

[yardgirl]

I did my BC in June.

I'm relaxed and I've learned that my hair loooves protein.

My hair can grow about 1/3rd of an inch in a month with proper care.

I can have thicker hair (I always thought it was very thin)

I can do a better job with caring for my hair than most stylists

My NG loves deep conditioners and will behave if I keep up with the DCs

The less manipulation the better

What I want to figure out is what can be achieved if I keep up with my vitamins (Biotin, MSM, multivitamin)

 

[GreenD]

Girl, trust me, you are not the only one. Hell, I thought I was the only one. Do we need help? And I forgot all about those HH commercials. Was it HH the one that had the commercial where it sounds like the woman is having sex in the shower?

If I have to skip a day w/o washing my hair for whatever reason it almost feels like my head is going through withdrawals.

LOL, yeah that's the commercial. I'm pretty much like that minus the sound affects. Like I just stand there and literally melt in the shower. It's like my scalp is tight and/or dry and just adding water to it wakes it right up!! I don't know. That's the first thing I noticed after I chopped my hair off... that I could actually feel water on my scalp!! I think we need to start a group called Hydro Lovers!! LOL, Araceli it's not just us any more!! I was seriously asking my mom and sister about having a shower chair to just sit under the shower and let the water beat and run down my scalp, and they recommened the old people bath/shower chairs!!! I'm so not getting one of those. But I'm glad they don't make beds/recliners for the shower, because 1. my water bill would be off the hook and 2. I'd be a prune. LOL, but maybe my hair would reach tailbone by then!!

All this talk of co-washing and water got me itching to go and have a part deux tonight! I just co-washed last night!!

 

[araceli2418]

LOL, yeah that's the commercial. I'm pretty much like that minus the sound affects. Like I just stand there and literally melt in the shower. It's like my scalp is tight and/or dry and just adding water to it wakes it right up!! I don't know. That's the first thing I noticed after I chopped my hair off... that I could actually feel water on my scalp!! I think we need to start a group called Hydro Lovers!! LOL, Araceli it's not just us any more!! I was seriously asking my mom and sister about having a shower chair to just sit under the shower and let the water beat and run down my scalp, and they recommened the old people bath/shower chairs!!! I'm so not getting one of those. But I'm glad they don't make beds/recliners for the shower, because 1. my water bill would be off the hook and 2. I'd be a prune. LOL, but maybe my hair would reach tailbone by then!!

All this talk of co-washing and water got me itching to go and have a part deux tonight! I just co-washed last night!!

 

[Taina]

I've learned :
1.- I have two types of hair, the textures are sooo diferent, i couldn't tell when i was relaxed
2.- My hair loves DC
3.- My hair loves homemade products

 

[araceli2418]

Have any of you ladies noticed a marked decrease in shedding? My shedding is like non-existent. Sometimes it makes me a little nervous but I think it's b/c I spent so many years with half my head on the bathroom floor .

When I say I was DUMB about hair care pre-LHCF, I mean I was D-U-M-B. I'm not kidding.

 

[GreenD]

Have any of you ladies noticed a marked decrease in shedding? My shedding is like non-existent. Sometimes it makes me a little nervous but I think it's b/c I spent so many years with half my head on the bathroom floor .

When I say I was DUMB about hair care pre-LHCF, I mean I was D-U-M-B. I'm not kidding.

LOL, here you go again!!! After I chopped I was like cool virtually no shedding. But I can admit that while women were complaining about too much shedding on here, I was ready to type that I wasn't shedding enough!! I just assumed that not shedding that much was healthy and you'd have periods of shedding. Like when I take my cornrows out each month it's not comparable to when I permed my hair and washed after 2 weeks. I love it though because it's less clogging in my shower!!

 

[bablou00]

I have learned to love my hair for what it is and what it can do!!! Like Soliel185 why didnt I do this a long time ago! I love the ease, the comfort, the variety (although Ive been in twist most of the time), the pleasure of washing my hair and not feeling guilty about it. How soft my hair can be with all the co-washing Ive been...it screams for more water. How much more confident I am just being the real ME! How Im able to enjoy a long, vigorous, sweaty workout without worrying about what Im going to do with my hair. My coils, curls, and napps oh how I just loathe u!!! Like I've mentioned before I have this new found love affair with my hair that I didnt have w relax....yah I thought I was fly w/ straight hair now I know Im fly w/ my natural hair...lol!!

 

[GreenD]

I have learned to love my hair for what it is and what it can do!!! Like Soliel185 why didnt I do this a long time ago! I love the ease, the comfort, the variety (although Ive been in twist most of the time), the pleasure of washing my hair and not feeling guilty about it. How soft my hair can be with all the co-washing Ive been...it screams for more water. How much more confident I am just being the real ME! How Im able to enjoy a long, vigorous, sweaty workout without worrying about what Im going to do with my hair. My coils, curls, and napps oh how I just loathe u!!! Like I've mentioned before I have this new found love affair with my hair that I didnt have w relax....yah I thought I was fly w/ straight hair now I know Im fly w/ my natural hair...lol!!

LOL, I agree. I've always loved my hair whether it was relaxed and broken off, colored, pressed, etc. But now, I'm madly in love with my hair. We make the perfect pair!!

 

[song_of_serenity]

My hair LOVES water!!

It's easier to manage THIS time around because I know what to do for my hair and it is responding accordingly!! And growing fast, too.

I have curls and I CAN make them pop.

Pulling your hair up in a puff err day WILL cause a bit of thinness (watch that ladies. Hasn't happened to me, but I am paranoid and will start wearing more twists up the front and hopefully learn to flat twist the back to ease tension.

 

[RubyWoo]

-I BC'd in May of this year and I'm amazed at how much stronger my hair is. I love it!
-I also learned that deep conditioning really keeps my hair soft and strong.
-The longer my hair gets. the more I love it.
- Taking care of my hair is so easy and I love doing my hair. I actually look forward to twisting my hair not only because I like my twists looking fresh but also because I find twisting my hair very therapeutic.
-My hair still benefits from protein. A light protein treatment once a month and my hair is good.
-I like shrinkage !

 

[araceli2418]

I have learned to love my hair for what it is and what it can do!!! Like Soliel185 why didnt I do this a long time ago! I love the ease, the comfort, the variety (although Ive been in twist most of the time), the pleasure of washing my hair and not feeling guilty about it. How soft my hair can be with all the co-washing Ive been...it screams for more water. How much more confident I am just being the real ME! How Im able to enjoy a long, vigorous, sweaty workout without worrying about what Im going to do with my hair. My coils, curls, and napps oh how I just loathe u!!! Like I've mentioned before I have this new found love affair with my hair that I didnt have w relax....yah I thought I was fly w/ straight hair now I know Im fly w/ my natural hair...lol!!

Yes, yes, yes to the bold text. I remember one day this past summer it was raining cats and dogs. I was out with 2 other ladies: one with a weave, one relaxed. No one had an umbrella and they went into panic mode. Me, I was loving it. They thought I was crazy. I remember those days but it was still a little funny. And now I love working out even more.