Bored --need 2 change 4b hair

[Sweetyb]

I've finally learned how to keep my hair moisturized and healthy. I've learned not to pull at my wet hair with my combs or Denman brush in the shower. I found techniques to protect my hair as it grows and ways to stimulate its growth. Ever since I first flat ironed my hair at the start of the year, I felt liberated from fighting over my hair for a full week. It felt good, but I wonder, is that the only option I have?

My hair as grown a couple inches or so past my shoulders and therefore is hard for me to keep in its natural state all the time. I feel like I've done it all:

Short length faze: bantu's, tiny twists, tiny twists on rollers, tiny twistouts
Medium length faze: small-medium twists, twistouts, flat twists, flat twistouts, afropuff(s), ponytails/ponypuffs

Now that my hair is longer, it's tiring to do most of these styles, and leaving my ends out drys them out. I'm honestly considering relaxing again. I work out regularly and therefore keep braided extentions in my hair, but I need a change inbetween. What do you ladies do with your natural, past-shoulder, type 4 hair?

 

[Isis]

Nay wears her beautiful, natural type 4 hair mostly in braidouts and has successfully grown her hair very long this way. You mentioned twistouts, have you tried braidouts? What about rollersets?

 

[BAILEYSCREAM]

How about a little wild growth oil and better braids spray with the scarf technique under the dryer. Seems to be working great for my new growth. It's a pitiful suggestion, but that's all I've got since I have processed hair.

However, wandering through the member list 2 days ago I came across some fabulous info. Check out Asha97's album. She has lots of hair tips, advice and good info

 

[Sweetyb]

Thanks Ladies,

Nay does have some beautiful hair, but I already know that my texture is much tighter than hers. Although my hair runs past my shoulders, it is 2" when washed and shrunken (and ofcourse I keep my hair stretched out while washing so this doesn't happen).

I think I'm understanding what a lot of women mean by they can't deal with their natural texture at a certain length. My curls are so tight and full that it's hard to style without taking 3-4hrs (wash/condition not included).

Also, I work out on the regular now and need a texture that can withstand that. If I attempt to press weekly, the hair will just revert from sweat. Or maybe I just need to start going to the salon again. Anyone else have this delema?

ps. I'm 5+yrs natural, 4b fine texture, don't trust heat or salons.

 

[deedabug]

how about banding with lots of moisturizer on the ends..u can get a semi str8 look with some gel in the front..thats what i did last mth and it worked until i got tired of it...if u do it on the regular your hair wont shrink back up that much

 

[Sweetyb]

Thank you deedabug for the suggestion. I was just 'daydreaming' about a similar technique to try on my hair. Over the summer, I would slick my hair back with gel and it eventually dried out my hair, but I loved how my texture was stretched out, and my kinky texture poped out in uniform rivlets when I would separate the hair from the pony. So, I might modify the same thing except experiment with new products. Moisturizing ones. I know I can't relax because my hair is just too soft for that. If I was blessed with thick hair I would have done that yrs ago. I'm just gonna have to keep thinking of different ways I can handle this hair.

 

[zigzag1]

How about a little wild growth oil and better braids spray with the scarf technique under the dryer. Seems to be working great for my new growth. It's a pitiful suggestion, but that's all I've got since I have processed hair.

Hi

Can you explain or let me know the thread for this technique?. Thanks in advance

 

[kristina]

I've got natural 4 something hair. Maybe this is boring but I really like to do buns and updos on slightly stretch out hair. What works for me is braiding my hair wet after detangling and gently brushing out when dry- from there I have hair that looks sorta like a blow out (stretched) and I can put it into styles. When I get out of braids I'm going to try to baggie by ends with a straight or wavy phony pony (that way I can get the relax hair look w/o the heat). As far as relaxing, of course it's your decision but I would consider how you would likely wear your hair if it was relaxed. I'd guess you'd often be in protective hairstyles primarily anyway and leave the hair down on special occasions. So being relaxed wouldn't necessarily ease the boredom issue.

 

[BAILEYSCREAM]

How about a little wild growth oil and better braids spray with the scarf technique under the dryer. Seems to be working great for my new growth. It's a pitiful suggestion, but that's all I've got since I have processed hair.

Hi

Can you explain or let me know the thread for this technique?. Thanks in advance

Zigzag1,

I PM'd you.

 

[Sweetyb]

Thank you Kristina about the phony pony suggestion. You're right about relaxing; I would still have to figure out how to style my hair.

Thanks BailysCream for Asha97's link. I was finally able to visit her album. She was always one of my inspirations. Seeing how far her hair has come has insipired me to keep with the natural styling and not give up on it. I really think I'll be giving some of her products a try. And I'm ashamed to say, after 5 yrs of being a natural, I have yet to purchase and try 100% natural shea butter! So yeah, I think I have more things that I can still try.

Thanks ladies

 

[Nefertiti0906]

When I get bored with my hair and am tempted to perm, I flat iron it. Usually that feeling lasts 2 weeks, then I'm back to my "natural" hair styles.

To be more creative, I also use synthetic pieces. Right now I'm rocking this instant weave style: http://www.outrehair.com/pro.asp?cat=30 , the piece is called Nita and most people think it's my hair (I even did the corn row style in the front). Another style I also use wear is the Miss Jamaica phony tail by Isis Collection. It looks something like this: http://www.isishair.com/catalog_i1914214.html?catId=30104

 

[Sweetyb]

I think that's what I'm gonna do. I'm planning on taking my braids out this week, wash/condition, and go to a salon (fingers crossed) to have it pressed only.