Another transitioning dryness rant. Please help me!!

[newbeginnings2010]

Okay folks, I'm transitioning (14 weeks in), and my hair is being difficult. Of course, I expected this. But I thought DCing and cowashing was supposed to tame the hard, tangled mess that my hair is right now! Here's my story:

Last night I DC'ed for 2 hours with Shea Moisture's hair masque, rinsed it out with cold water, let my hair dry to about 80%, sealed with coconut oil, detangled my relaxed hair, braided in five braids, wore a satin cap overnight, and unbraided it the next morning. It looked good. My new growth was soft, and I had super shrinkage (I'm a 4zzzzzzzzz ), but it was fine.

This morning before I got to work, it was SOOOOO humid outside! My hair was actually DAMP (almost WET) by the time I got to the office! I pulled it into a ball and slipped on a headband (I keep a hair tie and headband in my purse).

When I got home after work, I realized my hair was such a HARD, DRY MESS that my immediate reaction was to soak it in product. So I soaked my new growth in Care Free Curl spray and my ends in Hawaiian Silky 14 in 1 Miracle Worker. My new growth feels a little better, but my relaxed ends are CRAP! I tried sealing with coconut oil too and that didn't work either. I knew that this was going to be hard and I really hate to be the whiner, but I don't know what to do! Help please ladies! What should I do? I thought I was prepared for the hard times by studying LHCF, but apparently I didn't study so well. HELP!

 

[NaturalEnigma]

In the early beginning of my transition my hair was very hard and dry, but after months of moisturizing/conditioning my hair, it eventually got softer, more moisturized and easier to handle. I think its going to take time for you increase the moisture levels in your hair. Try experimenting with new products. I hardly ever use protein now that I'm transitioning and the hair products I used before my transition are different from what I'm using now. Maybe you need to switch up your regimen a little bit. HTH!!

 

[newbeginnings2010]

Thanks Beauty Bandit. The products that I mentioned are all new for me, but maybe they aren't right for my hair. I'll try something else soon. It's expensive!!!

Any other suggestions?

 

[LaFemmeNaturelle]

Only thing that helps my ng stay moisturized is to co-wash at least 2 times a week. If it still feels dry, I spritz with water and seal with whipped shea butter. But my ng def needs water.

 

[nestlequik]

So your hair was damp from the humidity, but when you got to the office I would imagine the dry cold air from the air conditioning dried out your hair.

It has me thinking two things-
The coconut oil is making your hair hard. Check this link out- http://thenaturalhaven.blogspot.com/2009/04/coconut-oil-crunchy-hair.html
You may want to lighten up on the application.

OR

You may need more moisture. Products or adding aloe, shea butter, or avocado oil (there are others) may help.