BC Thread Tracker!!

[Addy3010]

Iam sure you've heard this but you look just like Amber Rose with that cut! (Thats a compliment) That look is so fierce...

Soleil- those pics of those kinky twist are making me want to install some twist for the winter....hmmmmm.....maybe that'll be my winter style....off to think about that.

It's gettin cold out here in NewEngland! erplexed

 

[djanae]

So I FINALLY did my first successful braidout!

I had actually been stuck on twist-outs, but for some reason this is the first time any kind of "out" has worked on me period. lol
Maybe at this length, braid outs look better on me b/c they give me more definition.

All I used was coconut oil, b/c I lazily did them last night thinking it wasn't going to look like anything (like all my other attempts), so I'm def excited to keep doing these with some leave-ins or other products.

The pics aren't great quality- but I had to share.
I love the fact that it's bigger than my normal/natural curls - I love big hair.

Thanks for sharing all your wonderful photos ladies! They inspire me to keep experimenting

 

[countrychickd]

So I FINALLY did my first successful braidout!

I had actually been stuck on twist-outs, but for some reason this is the first time any kind of "out" has worked on me period. lol
Maybe at this length, braid outs look better on me b/c they give me more definition.

All I used was coconut oil, b/c I lazily did them last night thinking it wasn't going to look like anything (like all my other attempts), so I'm def excited to keep doing these with some leave-ins or other products.

The pics aren't great quality- but I had to share.
I love the fact that it's bigger than my normal/natural curls - I love big hair.

Thanks for sharing all your wonderful photos ladies! They inspire me to keep experimenting

Your braidout looks gorgeous! You did a great job! I just love the fullness and the body! Very nice!

So lately, I've just been doing twist outs and retwisting at night. I DC and cowash once a week right now because of the weather, which is a drastic decrease from daily to once a week. My hair is doing great though. It's staying very moisturized, so that's most important. It's growing great too. I lost the cord to my camera so I can't update pics, but as soon as I resolve this, I'll post new pics. I'm still not pressed to trim or cut so this challenge is going well for me.

 

[shinyblackhair]

Can I join? Please!!!

Creole OMG!!! I didn't realize that was you in the avi...I assumed it was A.R. Girl you are drop dead gorgeous...but must know that by now...too too fierce!

 

[djanae]

Your braidout looks gorgeous! You did a great job! I just love the fullness and the body! Very nice!

So lately, I've just been doing twist outs and retwisting at night. I DC and cowash once a week right now because of the weather, which is a drastic decrease from daily to once a week. My hair is doing great though. It's staying very moisturized, so that's most important. It's growing great too. I lost the cord to my camera so I can't update pics, but as soon as I resolve this, I'll post new pics. I'm still not pressed to trim or cut so this challenge is going well for me.

thanks!

and I can't wait to see some pics - find that cord! lol

I'm having issues too transitioning into "winter mode" - I miss washing my hair as often as I'd like. it's becoming a pain to leave the house at least semi-dry, esp since I try to limit direct heat (blowdrying and such)

But I try to get more moisture by spraying my ends with water almost every day and applying some type of product or oil (I usually wear puffs). This way my hair isn't completing missing out on hydration.

 

[cocoaluv]

Newbie checking in!!

I BC'd on November 1st, 2009 after transtioning for about 3 months. As for hair type I'm not quite sure yet [4a maybe??, maybe I have scab hair idk]. Products that I'm using are Garnier Fructis shampoo, VO5 conditioner for a co-wash, and Herbal Essences None of Your Frizziness for a leave-in. I also picked up some Kinky Kurly Knot Today and Curling Custard [which i have not mastered yet]. I need help defining my curls [if possible on a TWA] if anybody has advice for me please let me know.

You are my hair twin. I BC'ed 11/13/2009....friday the 13th lol.

 

[varaneka]

Can I join? Please!!!

Creole OMG!!! I didn't realize that was you in the avi...I assumed it was A.R. Girl you are drop dead gorgeous...but must know that by now...too too fierce!

thank you so are you! don't you love short hair?

short hurr don't curr

 

[LivinMyLifeLikeItsGolden]

Hi Ladies!!!!

I have been gone for a minute from this thread. I have been feeling discouraged so I stepped away for a bit.

I currently have my hair in cornrows and braids. cute style but way to tight. i needed a break from "doing my hair". my hair started breaking and shedding out of control, so I did a protein treatment, moisture treatment and then had my friend cornrow it.

I miss playing in my own hair, but I think my hair needs a break. I will probably have to protective style it till at least the new year.

There are so many new faces.

All of you are making such great progress. I love it!!!

 

[shinyblackhair]

thank you so are you! don't you love short hair?

short hurr don't curr

Aww..thank you! Yes, I love having short hair. It is so freeing! I love just washing and going.

 

[FindingMe]

Newbie checking in!!

I BC'd on November 1st, 2009 after transtioning for about 3 months. As for hair type I'm not quite sure yet [4a maybe??, maybe I have scab hair idk]. Products that I'm using are Garnier Fructis shampoo, VO5 conditioner for a co-wash, and Herbal Essences None of Your Frizziness for a leave-in. I also picked up some Kinky Kurly Knot Today and Curling Custard [which i have not mastered yet]. I need help defining my curls [if possible on a TWA] if anybody has advice for me please let me know.

I love you hair and your cut!

So I FINALLY did my first successful braidout!

I had actually been stuck on twist-outs, but for some reason this is the first time any kind of "out" has worked on me period. lol
Maybe at this length, braid outs look better on me b/c they give me more definition.

All I used was coconut oil, b/c I lazily did them last night thinking it wasn't going to look like anything (like all my other attempts), so I'm def excited to keep doing these with some leave-ins or other products.

The pics aren't great quality- but I had to share.
I love the fact that it's bigger than my normal/natural curls - I love big hair.

Thanks for sharing all your wonderful photos ladies! They inspire me to keep experimenting

I love it, too!!!! GREAT JOB!

Can I join? Please!!!

Creole OMG!!! I didn't realize that was you in the avi...I assumed it was A.R. Girl you are drop dead gorgeous...but must know that by now...too too fierce!

Wow, you and your hair are so pretty! Like a model! This thread is chock full of hawt ladies!!!

 

[countrychickd]

Can I join? Please!!!

Creole OMG!!! I didn't realize that was you in the avi...I assumed it was A.R. Girl you are drop dead gorgeous...but must know that by now...too too fierce!

Of course you can join! Congrats on your BC! Welcome to the thread lady! You and your hair are absolutely gorgeous!

 

[makeupgirl]

I'm actually having regrets about BC too early. I was just so impatient and saw the damage of my relaxed ends that I acted. My hair is growing but I feel like a boy when I have my hair out. I'm still going all the way with going and staying natural but the beginning is tedious to me. It's a major difference with my long hair wig, then when I get home and take it off it's like ok I miss my hair. But, it's curly and kinda kinky at the same time. It's just I miss my long hair.

 

[mzlady305]

YAY! i have a hair twin and congrats on the BC cocoaluv.

 

[LivinMyLifeLikeItsGolden]

^^^If only between those three I would say the Totally Twisted. I have a bottle and although it doesnt provide the slip that Hello Hydration does but it works just as well. I dont know about using it to make curls pop because Ive only used it while I was twisted but it did make my hair soft.

I am offically out of my twist that lasted 4wks and some days. It took me a little longer then usual to detangle but no locking up and not a lot of knots. I actually took my hair down w/o water or oil. It was really soft I think from my previous wash. I sectioned my hair off into 4 puffs and used Reconditioning conditioner to detangle. I realized I have a good thing going w/ my Hello Hydration when it comes to detangling so I will be sticking with that for now on. Then I did some chunkier twist (4hrs) since I plan on taking them down for a wedding on Saturday. My hair has grown a little and its getting really thick. Im a little nervous as this is the first time I will wear my hair out in style w/o twist. Im excited I just hope I dont look too crazy since I havent experimented w styles since Ive chopped. Here are some recent pics of my hair after I took my twist out, after detangling and in puffs, and my chunky twist.

I love your hair. You look so good in your siggy!!!

 

[Morenita]

I want shiny hair What do you ladies do to make your hair shiny? I've never felt as though my hair was shiny, except when I cheat and use products containing cones, like Sabino MB...

I am considering straightening my hair for Thanksgiving, or maybe before, both to do a length check and to do a damage assessment (I'm scared that I may have a ton of single strand knots since I've been doing nothing but w-n-g's!!) It's going to look jacked, I just know it lol. And I know I'm supposed to not touch it until like 2010 or w/e, but if it's really bad, I may use up one of my passes and go get it professionally cut or something erplexed

 

[varaneka]

I want shiny hair What do you ladies do to make your hair shiny? I've never felt as though my hair was shiny, except when I cheat and use products containing cones, like Sabino MB...

I am considering straightening my hair for Thanksgiving, or maybe before, both to do a length check and to do a damage assessment (I'm scared that I may have a ton of single strand knots since I've been doing nothing but w-n-g's!!) It's going to look jacked, I just know it lol. And I know I'm supposed to not touch it until like 2010 or w/e, but if it's really bad, I may use up one of my passes and go get it professionally cut or something erplexed

butters should be a healthy way to achieve shine...I think glycerin does it, too.

 

[Soliel185]

I want shiny hair What do you ladies do to make your hair shiny? I've never felt as though my hair was shiny, except when I cheat and use products containing cones, like Sabino MB...

I am considering straightening my hair for Thanksgiving, or maybe before, both to do a length check and to do a damage assessment (I'm scared that I may have a ton of single strand knots since I've been doing nothing but w-n-g's!!) It's going to look jacked, I just know it lol. And I know I'm supposed to not touch it until like 2010 or w/e, but if it's really bad, I may use up one of my passes and go get it professionally cut or something erplexed

Aloe Vera gives my hair crazy shine I use it in a moisturizing spray with glycerine and rose water.

If you're doing this on straightened hair or your hair doesn't like glycerine Coconut Oil (esp mixed with Olive Oil) makes my hair very shiny, and it absorbs well too so you're not left with greasy hair so long as you don't use too much.

 

[djanae]

Coconut oil!
Aside from shine, its made my hair thicker and stronger.

 

[Morenita]

butters should be a healthy way to achieve shine...I think glycerin does it, too.

I actually do use butters. My hair loves JC Nourish and Shine, unfortunately, as well as shea butter on the ends occasionally. I usually use moisturizers that contain several butters and rotate them with the JC to keep my pocketbook a little happier. Oyin Whipped and Oshune Sweet Creme are my favorite alternatives. I still don't think any of them really give me much shine though... Maybe my hair just isn't meant to shine

Aloe Vera gives my hair crazy shine I use it in a moisturizing spray with glycerine and rose water.

If you're doing this on straightened hair or your hair doesn't like glycerine Coconut Oil (esp mixed with Olive Oil) makes my hair very shiny, and it absorbs well too so you're not left with greasy hair so long as you don't use too much.

Thanks Soleil, I will try the Aloe Vera and I've always wanted to try rose water... I'm trying to stay away from too much glycerine since it's cold out and I'm a believer in the whole no glycerine when the dew point is below such and such. I forgot about oils.. I've always been awful about remembering to use them. I have coconut, which isn't the best idea for cold weather either lol, olive of course, and I think maybe some grapeseed. Maybe I'll order some Jojoba, I think my hair likes that too

Going to henna tomorrow, I've put it off for 2 months now....

I took update pics, but they don't really show much in terms of growth because my hair is curly in them and not taken at the same angle as the ones when I b/c'ed. I think my hair has grown out as opposed to down, which I expected at this stage anyway. I will try again for comparison shots and post them all when I straighten this weekend or next week. :wink2:

 

[Morenita]

Coconut oil!
Aside from shine, its made my hair thicker and stronger.

Thanks, yeah I use that in the summer, but it will solidify in the cold weather in your hair (white flakes, no thanks) so it's staying under my cabinet until it's warmer again.

 

[djanae]

Thanks, yeah I use that in the summer, but it will solidify in the cold weather in your hair (white flakes, no thanks) so it's staying under my cabinet until it's warmer again.

yea, I've heard ppl say they noticed hardening, but I used it last winter (and am using it now) and never noticed this...

I guess its just different strokes and different heads of hair - some ppl swear by Ecostyler gel, but it made my hair hard and it flaked up
I stick by my IC Fantasia olive oil gel <3

Have you tried using coconut oil to pre-poo? I'd think you'd still get the benefit of shine if you left it on for about 15-20 min before you wash...I think it would still penetrate the hair and give noticeable results.

If not, I'd recommend the olive oil too, I use it occassionally just to change things up, but I don't really care for the smell too much.

BTW - your hair looks gawgeous and shiny to me already!

 

[djanae]

Just a quick question for everybody - Do any of you use (or have you tried) the Qhemet Biologics line? I'm really wanting to try their detangling ghee - just because it looks so freaking scrumptious! (sad, I know)

And I've also heard raves about the burdock root butter cream and the heavy alma and olive oil cream. If anybody uses (used) it, do you just apply in place of your normal oil (like olive or coconut) or are you using it for hold and definition too (like slicking back hair into buns or twist-outs)?

Thanks!

 

[Morenita]

yea, I've heard ppl say they noticed hardening, but I used it last winter (and am using it now) and never noticed this...

I guess its just different strokes and different heads of hair - some ppl swear by Ecostyler gel, but it made my hair hard and it flaked up
I stick by my IC Fantasia olive oil gel <3

Have you tried using coconut oil to pre-poo? I'd think you'd still get the benefit of shine if you left it on for about 15-20 min before you wash...I think it would still penetrate the hair and give noticeable results.

If not, I'd recommend the olive oil too, I use it occassionally just to change things up, but I don't really care for the smell too much.

BTW - your hair looks gawgeous and shiny to me already!

It was shiny in the siggy pic (which I just changed lol) and I couldn't tell you why. I have no idea. Yes, I've used coconut oil as a prepoo. I haven't done it in probably about 6 months though. Maybe it's time to break that out again. I've never tried the Ecostyler, but I do have both kinds of Fantasia gel and tbh, I may just start using KCCC as my gel. I like Curls Whipped as a gel also, even though it's not gel. I'm still in experimental mode so.... yeah

Just a quick question for everybody - Do any of you use (or have you tried) the Qhemet Biologics line? I'm really wanting to try their detangling ghee - just because it looks so freaking scrumptious! (sad, I know)

And I've also heard raves about the burdock root butter cream and the heavy alma and olive oil cream. If anybody uses (used) it, do you just apply in place of your normal oil (like olive or coconut) or are you using it for hold and definition too (like slicking back hair into buns or twist-outs)?

Thanks!

I've tried all three, along with the olive hydrating balm. I hated the balm, burdock root creme was great, as was the amla and olive, which is just a heavier version of the burdock. They both moisturize very well, but I really hate the sulfur smell. I use other stuff...

Personally, I used the Qhem products as moisturizers. I don't really know how to comment about using it in place of oil, since oil is more so for sealing, but they definitely work as conditioners/moisturizers. Sometimes the terms are used interchangeably, although I layer them both anyway just to make sure my hair is getting what it needs

The Detangling Ghee is the one thing I adore from Qhem. It smells yummy, like chocolate, and it detangles nicely. I used it while transitioning from time to time (expensive).

 

[djanae]

hmmm, Thanks for info!!

since you told me about the smell, that DEF ruled out the butters. I dont deal with products that don't smell great - b/c i know they'll just grow dusty on the shelf.

But, I'm glad to hear about the ghee being great - its the one that looked the most appealing to me and got me interested in the first place.

Sounds strange, but most of the time I can look at a product and know if it will be for me and my hair. Not sure if this is always the case - but its usually a good way for me to save my money. lol

and please do try the pre-poo again, document, compare and see if you notice results!
Then, of course we want to see pics lol

 

[Morenita]

hmmm, Thanks for info!!

since you told me about the smell, that DEF ruled out the butters. I dont deal with products that don't smell great - b/c i know they'll just grow dusty on the shelf.

But, I'm glad to hear about the ghee being great - its the one that looked the most appealing to me and got me interested in the first place.

Sounds strange, but most of the time I can look at a product and know if it will be for me and my hair. Not sure if this is always the case - but its usually a good way for me to save my money. lol

and please do try the pre-poo, document, compare and see if you notice results!
Then, of course we want to see pics lol

Man, I wish I had that talent lol. It would have saved me a lot of money w/o trial and error! I will pre-poo for the first time on my natural hair before I straighten just to see how it turns out.

Lol I know I know I will def post some this weekend or next week

 

[djanae]

^^ good luck! I'm sure it will turn out great

and for pics lol

 

[Morenita]

Ok, so I pre-poo'ed with coconut oil, did a rinse with amla/shikakai and now I'm sitting here with my henna. Thought I'd post the pics I took just before I henna'ed. Let's see if I made much progress....

In both pics, hair was washed, and instant conditioner run through then rinsed out completely. It's almost dry in the Nov. pic. though since I blotted it with a towel and my hair is very porous.This is 7/28 vs 11/20, so about 4 months. The real tell will be the straightened pics!

I see why you said my hair looked shiny Djanae, it was still damp in the one, so the water gives that illusion. My dry hair doesn't look much different since I don't get a lot of shrinkage wet > dry, but my dry hair doesn't shine like that as you can probably tell from the one pic. I'm not going to stress it. My hair will shine if it wants to and I guess I can always fake it lol.

Also here's a pic of the bane of my hair... the dreaded crown lol. I tilted my head back to try to show you better. My crown and edges give me a headache. It doesn't look bad looks here, but as you can tell, the curl pattern is much much looser and believe me when I say that's not a good thing in the case of my wash n go! erplexed It gets frizzy easier, and there's literally a section that is almost completely straight. I cut it too much when I b/c'ed because I thought it was relaxed hair, ugh. The best way for me to handle these areas are to section my hair off and apply w/e curl creme I'm using and either rake it through with my fingers in sections, or by using Teri's method. At least that way the frizz is controlled and it comes out wavy. So then I have wavy on top of curly. I may keep my hair layered just so it doesn't look too crazy when it grows out more

ETA: I am going to be bunning again 24/7 as soon as my hair is long enough to hold one again. These wash and go's are giving me a lot of single strand knots I suspect. Will find out once and for all in a few days (I keep saying that I know!)

 

[Vonnieluvs08]

I want shiny hair What do you ladies do to make your hair shiny? I've never felt as though my hair was shiny, except when I cheat and use products containing cones, like Sabino MB...

I am considering straightening my hair for Thanksgiving, or maybe before, both to do a length check and to do a damage assessment (I'm scared that I may have a ton of single strand knots since I've been doing nothing but w-n-g's!!) It's going to look jacked, I just know it lol. And I know I'm supposed to not touch it until like 2010 or w/e, but if it's really bad, I may use up one of my passes and go get it professionally cut or something erplexed

I've found that the combination of butters and henna has greatly improved my shine/sheen factor as well as made my hair a lot softer and more manageable. I do use coconut oil just making sure I really work it in before heading out. It doesn't get really shiny but it does look a lot less dull compared to before.

Ladies forgive me for I have cheated myself and my hair. I took the scissors to my hair last night and then again today I got tired of looking at these scraggly twists with the thin ends. I cut about an inch on the 5 twists that looked horrible and my hair looks so much better for it. I guess I've used my pass in the No Snip/Cut Challenge

I need some help with my dry twists. I keep getting twisted coils no matter how much time I spend on them. The twist out still comes out nice but i want uniformed twists. Any suggestion ladies? TIA

 

[remilaku]

I Just cut my hair OFF! Yesterday! I had dreads. I want to try for a big afro next!

 

[Soliel185]

Thanks, yeah I use that in the summer, but it will solidify in the cold weather in your hair (white flakes, no thanks) so it's staying under my cabinet until it's warmer again.

If you mix it with Olive Oil it won't solidify and you'll get the benefits of both.

3 Others that give a lot of shine are jojoba, rice bran, and peanut oil. The peanut oil can lighten your hair a bit though, so I'd avoid it if that is a concern for you.

Oh, and of course - Castor Oil. I mix it with a few drops of a lighter oil to thin it out and make it easier to spread and just lightly rub some over the outer layers and ends to seal.