Curly Hair Products for Natuaral Hair

[Meli]

Okay...I am new to Long Hair. I need all of your help...I have 4b-thick, super dry hair. I am trying to grow my hair cause it's soooo boyshort. I had my last relaxer Dec. 24, 2005, and I just became fully natural October 2006. I performed the big chop in October 2006. Based on my following regimen, what could I do to achieve the length I so desperately need to make me not look like a boy. I wash my hair weekly. I use the KeraCare 1st Lather Shampoo (2 washes). I then use KeraCare Hydrating Shampoo( 1 wash). For three weeks I have been using the NaturalLaxer-Clay Bakka Products...(found on Treasured Locks to strengthen my hair, gently loosen the curls so that it will be more manageable and prevent knots-not sure if it's working cause it's too early to tell (dryer for 1 hour). Then I rinse it out and use the Alter Ego Deep Conditioner-just started using this..before it was Pantene for Black Hair (under the dryer for 15-20 min). I proceed to rinse this out and perform a two-strand twist, while applying the Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding. I go under the hooded dryer for about 1 hour to 1-1/2 hour...and then untwist. Yesterday, I used Knot Today and the Curling Custard... and twisted my hair. I sleep with a satin cap..

Problem...
With Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding- I found my hair to be too greasy.(Am I putting too much on my hair) And I found that my hair was forming knots. Some say that it's because I need a trim. But my hair is forming knots in the mid-section of the hairstrand and not just at the ends.

Knot Today and the Curling Custard-My hair seems dry...a I have noticed some breaking...Is this just in my head or have you experienced the same. Do you find that the Curling Custard and Knot Today are drying to your hair?


PS: I do need to drink a lot more water. I do cardio exercises 5 days out of the week (treadmill and stairmaster)...1 hour daily. I take vitamins 5 days out of the week (Flaxseed, Biotin, A, D and Zinc).

Am I missing something? Are there other curling products that won't be greasy or drying? Are you aware that any of the products that I am using may be bad for my hair (alter ego, natural laxer-herbs only)? Please let me know.

 

[balisi]

Why are you lathering up a total of three times when you shampoo? Is it because of product buildup? If so, you should lather once or twice and clarify. Excessive lather can contribute to dry hair.

I've used Curly Pudding, Knot Today and Curling Custard and if anything, had the opposite issues from each. Curly Pudding can be drying, though the hair can look greasy if it's not scrunched after it has dried. The Kinky-Curly products can be too heavy/greasy looking if too much is used. You should try using a little bit of both and see how that turns out.

As far as your hair being "boy-short" you can always try a short, cute wig. You know, fake it until you make it.

 

[Cheleigh]

Why are you lathering up a total of three times when you shampoo? Is it because of product buildup? If so, you should lather once or twice and clarify. Excessive lather can contribute to dry hair.

I've used Curly Pudding, Knot Today and Curling Custard and if anything, had the opposite issues from each. Curly Pudding can be drying, though the hair can look greasy if it's not scrunched after it has dried. The Kinky-Curly products can be too heavy/greasy looking if too much is used. You should try using a little bit of both and see how that turns out.

As far as your hair being "boy-short" you can always try a short, cute wig. You know, fake it until you make it.

ITA with Balisi: why are you shampooing so often? Generally I don't think hair needs that much shampooing unless you are REALLY suffering from product build-up, and even then, I'd try to avoid those products rather than shampooing so often. My hair really doesn't like excessive shampooing.

I haven't tried either product, but the most important products I found beneficial for my natural hair: a good rinse out conditioner, a good leave-in, and a good moisturizer. Everything else is gravy.

I use Aubrey Organics and Regis Olive Oil Conditioners, Giovanni Direct for leave-in, and Curls Milkshake for leave-in and moisturizer. I use a homemade recipe for styling product or IC Fantasia gel for color treated hair.
C

 

[Buttalips219]

I was just introduced to a product called Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding

Here is the site

http://www.missjessies.com/products.htm

My sister uses it and she is 100% nautral with hair to rent out to 5 people and then some.

 

[Meli]

Re: Curly Hair Products for Natural Hair

I didn't realize that I was over-shampooing. I figured both of the KeraCare products are shampoos and the directions said use 1st lather and then the Detangling Humidyfying Conditioner... Maybe I should use one and not the other or both but one application for each.

 

[malachi74]

I bought every product from the kinky-curly line. I only ended up using the curling custard and the knot today. I actually like them HOWEVER, IMO you're right. The curling custard makes the hair feel a bit crunchy on the first day, but by day two, it softens up. I really like using the knot today as a leave-in. I haven't experienced any breakage from kinky-curly.

I think you just wash your hair too much for kinky/curly hair.

 

[keluric]

A picture of your hair would help but it might be that you have no natural curl pattern/definition. In that case, you may be using products like Miss Jessie's and KC Custard in vain. I know the fine-print on MJ's website says that it doesn't work on HIGHLY textured hair like really coarse 4b or 4z.

I agree that you shampoo way too much. Most natural hair never needs shampoo, let alone excessive shampooing.