Did BIG CHOP now thinking of texturizer - HELP!

[MidwestGirl]

Okay, I thought I would be able to handle this hair of mine and I keep spending like $10/day buying stuff that I read about on this site that people claim help them, but my hair is still frizzy. I have 4a/4b hair and about 2-3 inches. I'm thinking that I should try a texturizer to help me get used to my hair even though I realize that it is really a relaxer that doesn't process as long. But I spend hours on my hair every day twisting, pressing, curling and I still have a mess.

I went to the african braiding place yesterday and was told that my hair is too short to braid by itself and that I would have to use fake hair (which hubby hates) and that it would cost $175 for the style I wanted and would last 6 weeks. But hey, for as much as I'm spending on products it may be worth the $$$.

I read somewhere that the best way to texturize is to use half lye relaxer and half conditioner for like 7 minutes. I'm hoping to achieve low maintenance curls.

ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
MWG

 

[Trinette]

Re: Did BIG CHOP now thinking of texturizer - HELP

I think the problem might be some of the styles you want. If you have 4b type hair, it's not meant to do those things naturally.
As a 4b myself I KNOW I can't get curl definition no matter what miracle potion I put on my hair. LOL

My hair goal is to keep it detangled and soft so I wash it with conditioner only (2- 5x per week depending on my mood) and keep it oiled (I happen to use meadowfoam seed oil and shea butter now but I also love avocado oil)

If you want your hair to 'curl' you may be able to do it with a twist-out from 2 strand twists on 3 -4 inches of hair.

4b hair can be really brittle if its handled a lot so be careful.

I don't know if I helped but good luck

 

[BronzeBrown]

If your hair's 4b, then it won't have curl definition. But that doesn't mean it can't be attractive! Find an excellent daily hair softener/moisturizer (I highly, highly recommend Carefree Curl's Instant Moisturizer Spray - it's very effective and extremely cheap), gently comb your fro out so that it's pretty even all over and it'll look so soft and cottony. A great example of a beautiful short 4b fro is Tomiko Fraser's on the cover of "Hair Rules" by Anthony Dickey.

To dress it up, try doing 1-inch to the back cornrows around your hairline and then securing the ends with jeweled hair pins.

One thing I've definitely now learnt is that sexy, touchable hair doesn't have to equate visible curls. Good luck

.

 

[Premierepearl08]

How long have you been chopped? I did the Big Chop back in 1999 and I had weird "scab" hair for like 2 months. It was hard and dry even though I tried everything I could to soften it. If you just chopped you may need to give it some time. If I were you, I would watch my diet and drink lots of water. If you are healthy then your hair will look healthier.

As far as styling goes, keep your hair moisturized! I wash my hair every blue moon, but rinse with conditioner on a daily basis. I would try the styling tips that were suggested above and also be realistic about you expectations. My hair is 4a and will never (without chemical help) be a 3-anything. Being natural is about accepting what God gave you. Try going to Nappturality and checking out the Women of the Web link. There are about 200 or so natural women with their own websites and hair care tips. Trust me, you will find someone on there with a hair texture almost identical to yours. My favorite women with 4a/b hair on there are: SweetAfrica (page 1?), DembaSamba (page 1?), and Jessy (page 3?). They have beautiful hair!! Check that out and email me if I can help you any more. My site isn't much of a help but you can check it out too.
Mariposa's Haven

 

[zoya_j]

I agree with you Premierepearl! My hair was very dry for about one month after my big chopped. But I moisturized and conditioned daily and my hair was in great condition ever since, even though I still had some scab and permed ends on my hair. I'll admit I had some trying times with my hair, but from January to now it has only gotten better. People try to push the texturizer theory saying it will "relax my curl" but I love my hair and I've learned how to work with. I just tell 'em no thanks I like my hair just like this. BTW, I love how my hair is growing. But when I had 2-3 ins of hair I loved it because all I had to do was shake and go.