Another newbie with questions.

[sleepflower]

Hi everyone, I am still new here, and I think I lurk twenty-four hours a day. I have some questions as I am still trying to learn about caring for my hair and find a good regimen. I tried using the search but for the following questions I either found nothing or felt my questions were not answered, so I apologise if there is information I have missed.

1. My hair is natural (ever since 2002) and I never use heat (I am not against it, I just do not have a dryer!). I am using the last of a daily water-based moisturiser that has a lot of mineral oil and have made a basic pre-poo (honey, olive oil, and some really thick moisturising conditioner) in the hopes it will counteract the drying effect of the sulfates in my shampoo. Still, if you pull at my hair, it does not spring back into its curls very well...it kind of stays half-straightened. My hair also does not have a lot of shrinkage on its own; there is no bounce. What can I do to fix these problems?

2. I did a lot of searching, but I am not sure if I need protein, and if so, whether I should use a strong protein or a week protein, and how often I should use these products. Does anyone have some insight about this?

3. When I run water through my hair, it forms all these curls and not-quite-curls-but-sort-of-wavy clumps, a lot of which have O-shaped curls at the ends. It stays this way as it dries. Not my entire head, though, about half, all around my head. However, once I do anything to it, including parting it to oil my scalp, using a pick to make my 'fro neater, or put on a satin sleeping cap, they disappear. Even after the curls and O-shaped things disappear, one could put their fingers through my hair and feel the waves. Does this mean I can never have those curls? I cannot imagine not sleeping with the satin cap or at least trying to even it up or make it neater with a pick. I try not to pull the pick the length of the hair, but even just a little bit of manipulation is enough to make it go away. I am sure there is a lot of information about this, but I have no idea the right search strings to use!

4. I am thinking about purchasing a moisturiser from Qhemet Biologics. Would it be advisable to buy the burdock root cream or the amla? I am thinking, since my hair does not have much bounce and manipulation makes it lose the curls I like, I do not want to get a moisturiser to weigh it down. Am I correct in this assumption, or should I get the amla because my hair is extremely dry and coarse?

Sorry this is so long. Thanks everyone in advance for any help you can give!

 

[BrooklynSouth]

Welcome aboard!

 

[tiffers]

Welcome newbie!!!!

If your hair doesn't have elasticity, you need more moisture, not protein. Naturals rarely ever need protein, most natural hair craves moisture. How often do you dc? You should also consider switching to an SLS free poo.

I've tried both the Amla Heavy Cream and the Olive & Honey Balm from Qhemet and prefer the Honey Balm. It's sooo moisturizing and it's lighter than the heavy cream. If you want something really light, the Bordock Cream is the way to go. QB also sells sample sizes, so maybe you could get a sample of each moisturizer before commiting to one. You really can't go wrong though, all of Qhemet products are top notch

I can't help you with the curly problem, I'm relaxed and don't know much about clumping and/or forming/keeping curls

If you're having problems with the search function, try google. Just type in what you're looking for followed by:

site:longhaircareforum.com

So if you're looking for how to keep a wash n go, you'd type in:

how to keep wash n go curls site:longhaircareforum.com

HTH!!!!!

 

[Carrie A]

For number three. You may just have to do all of your manipulation and product adding when it is wet and then let it set. If you separate your coils too much when your hair is dry you will end up with a bushy look. Do all of your oiling etc on wet hair. Use Denman to define coils and then leave it alone until your next wash day. You can just wet the ends and add a little moisturizer daily, separate, and smooth coils with your fingers.

You may want to look into non sulfate shampoos which can be drying. Or a natural no poo.

 

[onelove08]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[SEMO]

Hey welcome to the forum!

1. Your curls should be able to spring back for the most part. It sounds like you may have a problem with elasticity or porosity. I would recommend maybe trying Roux Porosity Control shampoo (from Sally's beauty supply).

2. Naturals in general don't really need protein. Protein helps those that are relaxed or chemically treated b/c the chemicals break down some of the bonds in the hair and protein helps strengthen those weak points. I think mild proteins (like silk protein) would be enough for a natural.

3. Most naturals, myself included, have a number of different hair textures. I have places in my hair that are really curly and others that are wavy (and can look straight after combing). I suggest that you do NOT disturb your hair while it's drying or the curls will turn frizzy. And I only comb/brush my hair while it's wet with conditioner in it (usually after shampooing). Trying to comb/brush dry natural hair is guaranteed to make any curls present disappear.

4. I haven't used Qhemet in a while (I don't like having to order products online and use drugstore products or products from the local beauty supply store). But I remember the Amla heavy cream moisturizer (I think that's the name) being a rather thick, heavy product. All the products I used from QB moisturized well, but didn't necessarily promote the hair being curly.

 

[sleepflower]

BrookylnSouth and onelove08, thanks for the welcomes!

tiffers, thanks for the recommendations! As I understand it, I should be DCing with every wash? But I did not know that about using Google itself to search the site, thanks again.

Carrie A, I tend to squeeze a little water out before applying product, or I try to spritz it with water before doing anything... I am just learning not to put a comb through my dry hair. But I think I am going to start trying to do it with my hands, as you say. It is hard not to reach for a comb! I am a little intimidated by the thought of a brush! But I will try anything, haha. Thanks!

SEMO, thanks for your response! The porosity control shampoo is on my list, but I always feel like it will be forever until I can buy all this stuff. The joys of being a college student, haha. I am definitely going to try to change my habits about combing my hair once I step out of the shower.