Any thoughts on Maximum Hydration Method

[shelli4018]

I'm wearing KCCC today. It feels nice but doesn't weigh my hair down enough. My hair doesn't need to be plastered to my head or look like a helmet. But I don't like it being too light and fly away. I have a big head and thick hair to boot. The last thing I need is big poofy hair. Unfortunately FSG is just as light as KCCC and I'm unwilling to spend $$$ on gel. May need to get in the kitchen and figure something out.

My feeling about black hair care is: my hair doesn't require million dollar investments or a PhD. I will KISS by any means necessary (LOL)!

 

[AJellyCake]

I'm wearing KCCC today. It feels nice but doesn't weigh my hair down enough. My hair doesn't need to be plastered to my head or look like a helmet. But I don't like it being too light and fly away. I have a big head and thick hair to boot. The last thing I need is big poofy hair. Unfortunately FSG is just as light as KCCC and I'm unwilling to spend $$$ on gel. May need to get in the kitchen and figure something out. My feeling about black hair care is: my hair doesn't require million dollar investments or a PhD. I will KISS by any means necessary (LOL)!

Would love to hear about any thick gels you come across!!!

 

[werenumber2]

I'm curious to see how this method would work on type 3 hair, so I may give it a shot once I get my hands on some Braggs and clay.

Do you think it would be ok if I used Trader Joe's Clover Honey instead of Manuka Honey?

 

[Guinan]

I'm curious to see how this method would work on type 3 hair, so I may give it a shot once I get my hands on some Braggs and clay.

Do you think it would be ok if I used Trader Joe's Clover Honey instead of Manuka Honey?

I think you'll be ok. The front of my hair is in the 3's, and it actually responded better to the MHM. I think it depends on the texture. I think if you have really fine hair it might not be too good; especially using the clay. But I could be wrong.

 

[Guinan]

So Ladies, I decided to go ahead and do this for 7days this week and then do it for 3days the following. After futher reading the many, many, many pages of the MHM, it appears that the 1st week is crutial to obtaining MH. Unfortunately I will be doing the shorter verson. I would do the long version, but I ABSOLUTELY hate the way my hair looks in a WnG since I have a twa. I will either do a flat-twistout or wig it for this week.

 

[Honey Bee]

I made some gel today... out of Irish Moss powder. I still have my clay on, so I haven't used it yet, but as far as I can tell . I'm speaking to consistency and smell, cuz Irish Moss is a variety of kelp and... well... it smells like it.

My 'recipe', haha, was:
2.5 oz water
1 tsp Irish Moss powder
1 tsp Slippery Elm Bark powder
2 drops of glycerin
1 tbsp of oil (I used Wild Growth cuz I'm trynna use it up)
4 drops of rosemary oil
2 drops of clove oil

Bring water and dry ingredients to a boil. Allow to boil for 1-2 min. Remove from heat, allow to cool slightly. Add remainder of ingredients and stir. There was no straining, don't know if that will result in a gritty gel.

It actually smells better than expected. I smell mostly clove on my 'test finger'. I don't need it to really hold cuz I ain't even natural yet, but I'm curious about the concept of gel sealing better than oil so I wanted to try it out. It was easier to cook some up that it would be to find an MHM-approved gel.

 

[bellebebe]

Man, I've been on this thread's balls like 2 inch pubic hair. I have about 2 weeks left of classes, then I can hurry up and take my kinky twists out to start this method. I feel too impatient.

 

[myfaithrising]

I made some gel today... out of Irish Moss powder. I still have my clay on, so I haven't used it yet, but as far as I can tell . I'm speaking to consistency and smell, cuz Irish Moss is a variety of kelp and... well... it smells like it. My 'recipe', haha, was: 2.5 oz water 1 tsp Irish Moss powder 1 tsp Slippery Elm Bark powder 2 drops of glycerin 1 tbsp of oil (I used Wild Growth cuz I'm trynna use it up) 4 drops of rosemary oil 2 drops of clove oil Bring water and dry ingredients to a boil. Allow to boil for 1-2 min. Remove from heat, allow to cool slightly. Add remainder of ingredients and stir. There was no straining, don't know if that will result in a gritty gel. It actually smells better than expected. I smell mostly clove on my 'test finger'. I don't need it to really hold cuz I ain't even natural yet, but I'm curious about the concept of gel sealing better than oil so I wanted to try it out. It was easier to cook some up that it would be to find an MHM-approved gel.

Please keep us posted on your results, I'd love to know how your gel turns out!!!

 

[AJellyCake]

Anyone know of any good gels for edges? KCCC can't cut it!

 

[crimsonpeach]

I'm on Day 6. I did 4 days consecutively and the last 2 were done every other day. This ease of detangling is amazing. I'm roughly 50% hydration. I'm need to tweak my gel application. Day 1 hair dries a bit crunchy. Day 2 hair softens up. I tried Afroveda Pur Whipped Jelly (all the ingredients looked MHM friendly) yesterday and it weighed down my hair more. I think it's because it so oil-heavy ingredient wise. I didn't get as much fluff as I gotten from KCCC. I prefer the fluff. Below pic is Day 2 hair from my 5th full application.

 

[Guinan]

I missed yesterday. I was just too tired. I will try to attempt to do it today.

 

[shelli4018]

Went back to my Wetline/EVO mix today. My hair looks great!

 

[myfaithrising]

I'm on Day 6. I did 4 days consecutively and the last 2 were done every other day. This ease of detangling is amazing. I'm roughly 50% hydration. I'm need to tweak my gel application. Day 1 hair dries a bit crunchy. Day 2 hair softens up. I tried Afroveda Pur Whipped Jelly (all the ingredients looked MHM friendly) yesterday and it weighed down my hair more. I think it's because it so oil-heavy ingredient wise. I didn't gets as much fluff as I gotten from KCCC. I prefer the fluff. Below pic is Day 2 hair from my 5th full application.

Nice!! I love the fullness!!

 

[Nightingale]

what is it?

OK, a few days after posting this, I read about the method and decided to give it a shot on my transitioning hair. I completed the full method every other day for two weeks, then I started experimenting with it for another two weeks.

After doing the full MHM for two weeks, I saw a difference in my hair. The new growth is shinier, softer, frizzes less, and stays moisturized longer. The relaxed ends improved as well, waving up more and has some shine, but not as much change as the new growth. I think I had faster results because I'd been using the CG method this last year, so I already used decent products without most "bad" ingredients.

During the experimental weeks, I discovered that:

1. the step3 clay step doesn't work so well on my transitioning hair. I'm better off doing clay first and BS third or omitting it completely, replacing step 3 with baking soda.

2. Baking soda solution (BS) works just fine for me. 2tsp per cup of water, using a spray bottle to apply.

3. Full gel application on transitioning, bunned hair is a No No. I seal with avocado oil and use avocado butter on my edges.

4. Avocado butter usage requires the clay step first to clarify.

5. Stretching beyond 3 days is a NoNo. I need to wash at least twice a week, three times is optimal.

6. The shortened BS method works well when Im short on time (clay, BS, leave in), but I should do the full method once a week, minimum.

7. For me, cherry Lola isn't necessary. I'm still seeing results using a protein DC twice a month.


Overall, I really like this method. I can see results, I'm using less product, and it isn't as complicated as it first appears.

 

[SimJam]

crimsonpeach Im gonna be watching your progress I like how your hair looks now ... Like for me .... if you consider that 50% hydrated ... I would stop when Im about 65-70% hydrated just to get the poof out to the roots just a little bit more.

Why? because when I do a WnG I get the most tangles close to the roots. Really only the last 2 - 3 inches of my hair stays defined and untangled when my hair dries.

also even when I do a twistout everything else puffs out except the very ends of my hair (puffed leads to tangles for me) so I have to retwist every night ... which I think is too much manipulation.

 

[crimsonpeach]

@crimsonpeach Im gonna be watching your progress I like how your hair looks now ... Like for me .... if you consider that 50% hydrated ... I would stop when Im about 65-70% hydrated just to get the poof out to the roots just a little bit more.

Why? because when I do a WnG I get the most tangles close to the roots. Really only the last 2 - 3 inches of my hair stays defined and untangled when my hair dries.

also even when I do a twistout everything else puffs out except the very ends of my hair (puffed leads to tangles for me) so I have to retwist every night ... which I think is too much manipulation.

Thanks! I like my hair at this point also. Starting this method I was afraid to lose the fluffiness/fullness that I get from my twistouts. Right now the fluffiness is still there. We'll see how more definition affects it.

Your hair sounds alot like my hair. My tangles were at the root of my hair. My twistouts behaved like yours. My roots would puff as the days passed and my ends would remain curled. I actually really liked the puffed out twistout look. I just paid for it when it was detangling time.

 

[SimJam]

^^^^ exactly ^^^^ ... re paying for it detangling time.

see if mhm means I can get rid of the poof and tangles but still keep a decent amount of volume then Im all for it

 

[Guinan]

Day 2 completed. I decided to twist my hair. Im under the dryer now.

I can finally see what my curl pattern is in the back.

I feel like we may need to start a challenge thread: )

Pic below after the clay. Product free!! And min frizz. I will be doing the MHM on Thursday

 

[Honey Bee]

Day 2 completed. I decided to twist my hair. Im under the dryer now.

I can finally see what my curl pattern is in the back.

I feel like we may need to start a challenge thread: )

Pic below after the clay. Product free!! And min frizz. I will be doing the MHM on Thursday

I finally did Day 1 and I noticed the same. The whole front of my hair is frizzy because I wear it pulled back, but I finally saw some kinda of definition today. The best part, though, was that the really dry sections of my hair finally felt moisturized! So I guess it is lo po.

Review of my gel:

So, I haven't used gel in years. Don't even really know how to use it, other than laying down edges. I think I was a bit heavy-handed. And, I will admit, my hair wasn't soaking wet went I did it (at all, though I did moisten with a spray bottle).

Aside from that, I think it had great hold! On the parts where I applied it correctly , my coils were defined but soft. There was a little frizz, but I can't tell if that's the product or my hair.

Conclusion: I will make another batch and try to apply it properly, but so far, the recipe seems sound, at least. I wanna try flax seed at some point too.

 

[SpiritJunkie]

I've done this everyday since Saturday. The products you use definitely make a difference. The 1st time I used a conditioner that had no no ingredients so I changed it and my clay mix is alot better and smoother. The first time too watery.

I am really shocked at the curls that I have. Major definition & softness. I'm using Giovanni for my Gel. I didn't use a leave in conditioner in this last step. Gel only gave me better results. I will post my pics later.

I also rinsed with condition/baking soda-conditioner after I washed the clay out, so changed that step too. I adjusted a bit for what works for my hair.

Anyway, I'm a believer and will continue on this MHM method. So happy I "bumped' into this thread.

HHG~

 

[VirtuousGal]

I broke all kind of rules attempting MHM and I still got results just doing my own nonsensical version of this twice in the last three days.

I didn't do a cherry lola treatment....I just decided to "deep condition" with coconut oil on damp hair the night before I started steps 1 through 5.

The next day, I shampooed with clarifying shampoo. (That was just to remove the coconut oil, from that point on I clarified with ACV) Then I co-washed with my favorite cheapie conditioner from the Dollar Tree called Silkience. I didn't want to use clay for step three, so I used a black tea rinse. I know that seems really strange, but the few times I've used clay, it was messy and I wasn't in the mood lol.
The way may hair feels when I use the clay mask is very similar to the feeling I get when I use henna or tea rinse.
My lazy rationale figured if tea rinses has that same clarifying/squeaky/coated sort of feel that clay masques give me, I'll take the tea rinse for $500.

Afterwards I used watered down conditioner as leave in. The first time I tried this I used Eco Styler Gel, another big no no..then I covered my strands in a light oil.

The final result was hair with defined curls that was extremely moisturized. I tried it again one more time except I used Cantu's coconut curling cream in place of the gel. Still got great results and my hair feels even better than it did the first time.

While I may eventually follow the original protocol line for line, I was hesitant about baking soda and clay, so I decided to be a my own guinea pig and I am so happy that I did.
I attached a photo of my hair slightly damp, hopefully the photo isn't too huge, may have to resize it. It shrunk up some but maintained a similar look.

I think merely going through the steps infused extra moisture in my hair despite lower quality products and straying off the proper path.

ETA: In case anyone is curious, I am 4a/4b.

 

[Honey Bee]

Yes, I'm posting in the middle of the night to tell y'all how moist my hair feels. No one else would understand and my mother's asleep. Anywho, after I applied heavily diluted KCKT (which, surprisingly to me, moisturized better than the normal undiluted version) and sealed with my gel, I realized that it was taking far too long to dry. I don't have that kind of patience. So I blowdried on cool using the tension method.

This is what I posted to say: my hair is still moist, cool to the touch even. I can't believe it, in only one day. I'm one of those people though, I don't believe nothing 'til I see it myself. Incidentally, my hair was defined about halfway up the length, so I guess that puts me at 50% max hydration? (I don't know the rules on this.) And I'm still transitioning!! My hair is gonna be so fly when I bc. I really can't wait. *impatiently bouncing in place*

 

[Rae81]

I'm thinking about starting this method over the weekend. My only concern is the time it takes to do ask the steps. I would have to do it all in one session at night.

 

[bajandoc86]

I have exams coming up soon, so I decided to put trying this on hold till after that. I need to be able to follow the steps as closely as possible and right now I need all my available time either for gym or study.

But I will definitely be trying this!!

 

[Guinan]

I'm thinking about starting this method over the weekend. My only concern is the time it takes to do ask the steps. I would have to do it all in one session at night.

I did mines last night in all in one session. 15Min for acv, 15min for DC (with heat) & 15min for clay.

 

[myfaithrising]

Yes, I'm posting in the middle of the night to tell y'all how moist my hair feels. No one else would understand and my mother's asleep. Anywho, after I applied heavily diluted KCKT (which, surprisingly to me, moisturized better than the normal undiluted version) and sealed with my gel, I realized that it was taking far too long to dry. I don't have that kind of patience. So I blowdried on cool using the tension method. This is what I posted to say: my hair is still moist, cool to the touch even. I can't believe it, in only one day. I'm one of those people though, I don't believe nothing 'til I see it myself. Incidentally, my hair was defined about halfway up the length, so I guess that puts me at 50% max hydration? (I don't know the rules on this.) And I'm still transitioning!! My hair is gonna be so fly when I bc. I really can't wait. *impatiently bouncing in place*

I'm so glad you had good results!! I had the same experience with the kinky curly products, they work so much better for me heavily diluted.

 

[Ann0804]

I really like this method. This is my second week- I do it every 3 or 4 days. I've completed 3 mhm sessions. My 4c hair does form ringlets, but I like protective updos, so I don't ever leave my hair out for a wash n go.

I use ACV that I put in a spray bottle to mist throughout my hair for the first step. Half water and half ACV. I leave it on 15 mins then move on to the next step.

I'm using jessicurl too shea as my deep conditioner. I leave this on for 30 mins to one hour with a plastic cap.

Next I'm using rhoussal clay with regular honey, JBCO, and hot water. I make it very runny in texture, since I made it too thick once and had trouble getting it out. I leave it on 15 mins.

I then use kckt as my leave in. I add Aloe Vera juice to it since I like it better that way. I don't dilute it with water since I'm detangling at this step and need all the slip I can get. In this step I apply shea moisture's style and shine milk then add an argan oil treatment.

Lastly, I section off my hair to add kccc. It gives a lot of hold and I think this keeps my hair from frizzing.

Also like the other reviewer mentioned, my hair does not need to be done in sections. I usually needed to create 4 sections.

My hair is very manageable and does seen really hydrated.

I didn't do the cherry lola treatment, but I did do my own protein treatment masque at the beginning of the MHM. I also have (at times) reversed the steps to do the clay first and still got great results.

After I complete the seven day cycle- I will probably do MHM twice a month.

 

[Wildchild453]

When are y'all doing the method? At night? How do you fit in the 7 day cycle?

 

[crimsonpeach]

When are y'all doing the method? At night? How do you fit in the 7 day cycle?

I did the first 4 days back to back. The 5th day I waited a couple days. I'm now on 6th run of the method. I'm on day 3 hair now. I'm stretching it for 4 days since my schedule is busy and I'm tired. I do all the steps together. It gets easier and less time intensive as you go. Much of it is "waiting" time. I workout, cook, prepare for next day. I'm planning on my 7th run of the method on Friday. After that I'm aiming on every 3 days or whenever I have the time. Once I get higher levels of hydration I plan on doing some experimenting. Mainly to cut out some steps/modifying some steps. I'm using the initial 7 days/run throughs as a foundation.

 

[faithVA]

Wildchild453, I do all of my steps at night because I twist my hair instead of doing a WNG. If you can't do 7 days straight, do what you can, just try not to go longer than 3 days before doing another wash.

I took a 2 week break due to frustration with my length and trying to style it. The only step that I am modifying is the clay step.

I did BS/conditioner for step 1 and left it in for 15 minutes
I heated up my conditioner for step 2 and used it full strength. Sat under the dryer for 20 minutes.

I used a very watery clay mix and let it sit while I showered. It was probably less than 5 minutes. When I rinsed my hair was soft for the first time.

I heated the kknt and applied full strength. I then finger combed warm water through.

This is probably the first time I have seen curls at step 4.

I flat twisted with CR Jai Almond.

I'm going to keep the watery clay and leave it on for 5 minutes to see how that works. I will play around with the consistency of the clay and the time I leave it on. A heavier mud consistency left on for 15 minutes leaves my hair dry. So I need to optimize this step.