Hi Ladies!
I've just recently joined the board after about a month of lurking. I've tried to do my research but of course it becomes overwhelming.
A little background/ My hair history: I've had my hair mainly natural for about 15 years (1990:1 year stint with Leisure curl/1995: less than a year relaxed with Affirm). In '95 when I had my relaxer, my HD at that time told me that if I wanted to continue relaxing, I'd have to accept chin length hair forever, as my hair ends got too thin or broke off when reaching that length. So I decided to go natural forever, and just resigned myself to wearing single braids, which turned into kinky twists in 1999. I was wearing kinky twists until Oct 2004, when I decided to get a straight hair weave. Beyond the steam treatments and deep conditioning upon taking out the twists, I have never really "cared" for my hair. I added some grease when it got dry and that was about it. I also left my styles in for too long approx 3 months. Hey, I figured I'd never wear my hair out and would spend my life in braids or weaves so who needed haircare.
Well, let's fast forward to 2005, my year of self improvement on all levels. I stumbled upon this forum by accident and have been here ever since! Thanks to you ladies, I am trying to ERASE the belief that I will never have long hair - You ladies have restored my faith!! My current HD is always telling me it's possible, if I would just take care of my hair.After reading the archives, I decided that the protective style I need is a wig, as opposed to a weave (which I can't afford to redo every 4-8 weeks and have a tendency not to maintain). The bonus is that I work from home, so only end up wearing the wig for about 2 out of 7 days. I am currently wearing synthetic instant weave HZ8001 or HZ9002 by sensationel. I really like it - but am having a problem blending my natural hair. I plan on getting a lace front or maybe a plain human if I can get one that covers my hairline (pls let me know if you see 1 in my style).
I have not put a solid regimen together yet and would appreciate some advice. So far this is what I've been doing, but it is random, does not feel organized and is not feeling purposeful. Your suggestions are very much appreciated and welcomed.
Daily: 50/50 mix of Surge and MTG (the smoked herring smell doesn't bother me) massaged into scalp
- as needed, every other day moisturize braids with QP mango butter
Mid week Cowash, w/ overnight pre poo made of salerm 21, mane n tail cond and coconut oil
* I would love to cowash more often, but it takes too long for my hair to dry.
Weekly Poo
prepoo - coconut and olive oil - 10 min plastic cap, then hair combed out.
shampoo 2x with diluted Aveda Brillance
deep condition - ors, aphogee moisture balance and avocado conditioner
scalp - mix of wgo, mtg, surge
hair - Neutrogena leave in, scurl, moisture aide
Some questions
Pls see my product listing in my journal)
Note: I'll be buying NTM shampoo shortly
- I am wearing 4 loose cornrows and like keeping them in during the week. Is it smart to keep the cornrows in while cowashing? How long can I keep them in before redoing them. I'd like to keep them in while I poo also.
- I'm trying to do low manipulation - when I do take the cornrows out, when/how should I comb my tangle easy hair
- I'd like to use up/incorporate/mix some of my old products with the new products or procedures - any suggestions?
- Looking at my current list (in journal) of items - what "mixes"/rotations can I perform. I don't know how/when to use half of the stuff I have, but would like to use them in my regimen
- Anything that should be diluted?
- Which products to throw out or are useless? (I can give them to neighbors)...
- I was thinking of the "baggie method" nightly for my 4 loose cornrow ends - If it's a good idea, what products should I use?
- Also are heating caps for deep conditioning a good idea?
- Is there anything else could/ should I be doing?
- Should I purchase a comfy grip?
- Any advice on a sleep cap that won't slide off?
I've just recently joined the board after about a month of lurking. I've tried to do my research but of course it becomes overwhelming.
A little background/ My hair history: I've had my hair mainly natural for about 15 years (1990:1 year stint with Leisure curl/1995: less than a year relaxed with Affirm). In '95 when I had my relaxer, my HD at that time told me that if I wanted to continue relaxing, I'd have to accept chin length hair forever, as my hair ends got too thin or broke off when reaching that length. So I decided to go natural forever, and just resigned myself to wearing single braids, which turned into kinky twists in 1999. I was wearing kinky twists until Oct 2004, when I decided to get a straight hair weave. Beyond the steam treatments and deep conditioning upon taking out the twists, I have never really "cared" for my hair. I added some grease when it got dry and that was about it. I also left my styles in for too long approx 3 months. Hey, I figured I'd never wear my hair out and would spend my life in braids or weaves so who needed haircare.
Well, let's fast forward to 2005, my year of self improvement on all levels. I stumbled upon this forum by accident and have been here ever since! Thanks to you ladies, I am trying to ERASE the belief that I will never have long hair - You ladies have restored my faith!! My current HD is always telling me it's possible, if I would just take care of my hair.After reading the archives, I decided that the protective style I need is a wig, as opposed to a weave (which I can't afford to redo every 4-8 weeks and have a tendency not to maintain). The bonus is that I work from home, so only end up wearing the wig for about 2 out of 7 days. I am currently wearing synthetic instant weave HZ8001 or HZ9002 by sensationel. I really like it - but am having a problem blending my natural hair. I plan on getting a lace front or maybe a plain human if I can get one that covers my hairline (pls let me know if you see 1 in my style).
I have not put a solid regimen together yet and would appreciate some advice. So far this is what I've been doing, but it is random, does not feel organized and is not feeling purposeful. Your suggestions are very much appreciated and welcomed.
Daily: 50/50 mix of Surge and MTG (the smoked herring smell doesn't bother me) massaged into scalp
- as needed, every other day moisturize braids with QP mango butter
Mid week Cowash, w/ overnight pre poo made of salerm 21, mane n tail cond and coconut oil
* I would love to cowash more often, but it takes too long for my hair to dry.
Weekly Poo
prepoo - coconut and olive oil - 10 min plastic cap, then hair combed out.
shampoo 2x with diluted Aveda Brillance
deep condition - ors, aphogee moisture balance and avocado conditioner
scalp - mix of wgo, mtg, surge
hair - Neutrogena leave in, scurl, moisture aide
Some questions
Pls see my product listing in my journal)Note: I'll be buying NTM shampoo shortly
- I am wearing 4 loose cornrows and like keeping them in during the week. Is it smart to keep the cornrows in while cowashing? How long can I keep them in before redoing them. I'd like to keep them in while I poo also.
- I'm trying to do low manipulation - when I do take the cornrows out, when/how should I comb my tangle easy hair
- I'd like to use up/incorporate/mix some of my old products with the new products or procedures - any suggestions?
- Looking at my current list (in journal) of items - what "mixes"/rotations can I perform. I don't know how/when to use half of the stuff I have, but would like to use them in my regimen
- Anything that should be diluted?
- Which products to throw out or are useless? (I can give them to neighbors)...
- I was thinking of the "baggie method" nightly for my 4 loose cornrow ends - If it's a good idea, what products should I use?
- Also are heating caps for deep conditioning a good idea?
- Is there anything else could/ should I be doing?
- Should I purchase a comfy grip?
- Any advice on a sleep cap that won't slide off?
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