Fall/Winter Wash n go challenge

[YvetteWithJoy]

I'm going to go ahead and get the curl keeper original (even though I haven't tried it) and the gel. They're very pricey but anything that lets me get a week long wng in high humidity is GOLDEN to me!

What is the Curl Keeper original? Is that different from the gel? And why are you getting it?

 

[Vshanell]

OMG, girl!

Why have you said this?!??

I am prepping for a 3-month no-buy that starts in September, and I thought I was pretty much DONE PURCHASING.

I know right. I've been on a no buy for awhile but exceptions have to be made on this lol. If you could get your hands on some samples that would be great so you could at least know if it works for you before taking that plunge.

 

[Vshanell]

What is the Curl Keeper original? Is that different from the gel? And why are you getting it?

I think I'm getting it cuz I'm just so excited lol. Curl keeper explained it as being a water based serum that controls frizz in humidity but has less hold than the gel.

Plus I think her results sent me over the edge with wanting it.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

I know right. I've been on a no buy for awhile but exceptions have to be made on this lol. If you could get your hands on some samples that would be great so you could at least know if it works for you before taking that plunge.

Any idea where samples might be sold?

And I decided: I may get the JBCO lotion because I struggle with dryness or too-heavy moisture and hardly achieve the right level. The JBCO may be good there. But I'm going to try the new products I have at home first before getting another gel. If my current stash fails, I'll have Curl Keeper to look forward too.

 

[Vshanell]

Any idea where samples might be sold?

And I decided: I may get the JBCO lotion because I struggle with dryness or too-heavy moisture and hardly achieve the right level. The JBCO may be good there. But I'm going to try the new products I have at home first before getting another gel. If my current stash fails, I'll have Curl Keeper to look forward too.

Unfortunately no. I got mine in a curl mart order a couple years ago.

 

[discodumpling]

What are other ways you ladies maintain your wash n gos at night besides pineappling? I either do that or a loose ponytail in the back

Two pony puffs and a scarf. The steam from my morning shower is my styling tool!

 

[Luscious850]

Saturday = wash day for me

Using the same products and techniques, I set my hair for another 7 days.

Next week is my protein week. I have not yet chosen which product to use.

Normally my hair is the same texture all over but recently I've noticed the hair in the front seems to be lacking some elasticity and I'm not sure why but I'll continue documenting my journey.

[Disregard the product residue you see... my hair is still air drying]

 

[Coilystep]

Saturday = wash day for me

Using the same products and techniques, I set my hair for another 7 days.

Next week is my protein week. I have not yet chosen which product to use.

Normally my hair is the same texture all over but recently I've noticed the hair in the front seems to be lacking some elasticity and I'm not sure why but I'll continue documenting my journey.

[Disregard the product residue you see... my hair is still air drying]

Very pretty @Luscious850. When I'm experiencing elasticity issues it usually time for a clarifying session and protein treatment.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Today I'm finally using Bekura. I have been wondering about these products for a long while. Feeling really grateful to have them to try out. They've made today's at-home spa and hair treatments really fun!
I wanted to make sure everything was removed from my hair so that I could see ONLY what the Bekura products are doing. I may have gone a little overboard on the shampooing.

* Cleanse: ORS Creamy Aloe; Trader Joe's Nourishing Spa Moisture Balance; Naturalicious 5-in-1 Moroccan Rhassoul clay detox/conditioner/detangler (to add back a little moisture!)
* DC / steam treatment: Bekura Y.A.M. (Right now I have it on under a cap, a very moist Turbie Twist [or whatever you call it], another cap, and my bonnet dryer) . . . I will rinse it out with cold water.
* Anticipated styling: Bekura Tapioca Pudding

The goal: To see what happens if I style ONLY with Bekura Tapioca Pudding. Tublr blogger The Lazy Natural says she can! If that's the case for me as well . . . then

 

[cutiepiebabygirl]

Yay, @cutiepiebabygirl!

I'm so glad you had a my-hair-is-like-butter day!

I'd love a list of products that work for you.

Yes: I would need to use smaller amounts of each product per section if layering that number of products. I learned that lesson!

Thanks for sharing! You're so sweet to share! Your discoveries and info are really keeping me excited, interested, and encouraged on my search to nail an uber-moisturizing regimen.

I will post my products tomorrow. I've been traveling and want to make sure I get it right....

 

[Napp]

I've been using mousse for quicker styling and drying. I really like aquage silkening oil foam and some of the silkening oil treatment on top.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

I've been using mousse for quicker styling and drying. I really like aquage silkening oil foam and some of the silkening oil treatment on top.

Oooo, thanks for sharing!

I've been THINKING about trying mousse, but have been wondering if it would be effective enough or if it would dry out my hair! I even bought a sample size of Design Essentials mousse from the natural honey line (or whatever it's called).

Do you feel your hair looks different with mousse than with gel? If so, in what way(s)? TIA!

 

[Guinan]

I wore my wng out today. I really liked how full it looked. I had it in a twisted bun in the back and two strand twist in the front for the weekend. I twisted the back and have a side curly bang. If it looks ok tomorrow, I'll post pics.

 

[Vshanell]

Finally washed out my epic curl keeper wng. Used the same products for this one and praying for the same results.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

I cleansed my hair of the Bekura Tapioca pudding and then applied these two products (Marc Anthony's Strictly Curls -- the Stretch and the Lotion products). So far, UBER-DEFINITION, light springiness and separation, and shine. It's not drying my hair like many other stylers, but I do want more moisture than these products provide alone. So next time I will layer a leave-in beneath it. (I didn't want to do so this time so that I could just see what these products themselves do for my hair.)

I "heard" about the products from Curly Nikki here, this blogger's review, and this YouTube demo. The ONLY drawback: I do not prefer the ingredients or the GoodGuide ratings of these products.

I will keep trialing this product with different techniques (more or less product, raking versus scrunching it in versus praying hands method, etc.). I'll also be checking to see if I can deal with any longer term effects of the ingredients.

I do still need to one day purchase and trial a few samples of the Komaza puddings and cremes as well as the Shea Moisture hibiscus line custard because of the reviews and the superior ingredients. However, with these two Marc Anthony products (and maybe the conditioner and the stronger curling products or serum), my wash-and-go- styler search just might . . . be . . . over. Phew! We shall see!

 

[Coilystep]

I cleansed my hair of the Bekura Tapioca pudding and then applied these two products (Marc Anthony's Strictly Curls -- the Stretch and the Lotion products). So far, UBER-DEFINITION, light springiness and separation, and shine. It's not drying my hair like many other stylers, but I do want more moisture than these products provide alone. So next time I will layer a leave-in beneath it. (I didn't want to do so this time so that I could just see what these products themselves do for my hair.)

I "heard" about the products from Curly Nikki here, this blogger's review, and this YouTube demo. The ONLY drawback: I do not prefer the ingredients or the GoodGuide ratings of these products.

I will keep trialing this product with different techniques (more or less product, raking versus scrunching it in versus praying hands method, etc.). I'll also be checking to see if I can deal with any longer term effects of the ingredients.

I do still need to one day purchase and trial a few samples of the Komaza puddings and cremes as well as the Shea Moisture hibiscus line custard because of the reviews and the superior ingredients. However, with these two Marc Anthony products (and maybe the conditioner and the stronger curling products or serum), my wash-and-go- styler search just might . . . be . . . over. Phew! We shall see!

View attachment 369823

I've tried the lotion before I like the way it looked but I don't think I ever found a compatible leave in and I ended up with flakes. There is probably a post about it in this thread. I will try to find it.

 

[Coilystep]

Used Marc Anthony strictly curls curl defining lotion. I'm up in the air about repurchasing. If you aren't careful you can use too much and it will clump and flake. I used too much in bang and side area. Had to go to restroom at work and rewet the bang and side area. To get rid of excess product and flakes. I did my finger twirl method this morning. I like how it came out.

@YvetteWithJoy here is my old post

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

I've tried the lotion before I like the way it looked but I don't think I ever found a compatible leave in and I ended up with flakes. There is probably a post about it in this thread. I will try to find it.

Thanks, @stephanie75miller. I really appreciate that! That will help!

I'm sad about the ingredients in it. But I absolutely loved my hair today. I would say with this styler I've nailed my regimen, but somebody messaged me today and said pre-pooing and all of that is too complicated a regimen. And truth be told, if I could get today's exact look with better ingredients, I'd try.

Sigh. Feeling a little hair care discouraged. Thank you for your post: It gave me some sunshine!

 

[Coilystep]

Thanks, @stephanie75miller. I really appreciate that! That will help!

I'm sad about the ingredients in it. But I absolutely loved my hair today. I would say with this styler I've nailed my regimen, but somebody messaged me today and said pre-pooing and all of that is too complicated a regimen. And truth be told, if I could get today's exact look with better ingredients, I'd try.

Sigh. Feeling a little hair care discouraged. Thank you for your post: It gave me some sunshine!

Keep your head up. You will get there. This hair stuff is hard. I spent my teens and adult life totally dependent on hair dressers and relaxer. I couldn't even handle washing my own hair. Now I can wash style and dry my hair in about 2 & 1/2 hours. I'm definitely not an expert but I feel I have pretty good handle on what my hair needs.

I've mentioned before that I think you could cut out some of your steps. Stick to keeping it simple.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Keep your head up. You will get there. This hair stuff is hard. I spent my teens and adult life totally dependent on hair dressers and relaxer. I couldn't even handle washing my own hair. Now I can wash style and dry my hair in about 2 & 1/2 hours. I'm definitely not an expert but I feel I have pretty good handle on what my hair needs.

I've mentioned before that I think you could cut out some of your steps. Stick to keeping it simple.

Thanks! I really appreciate it. And congratulations on that progress in independence with your hair care!!! That's huge.

I've decided now to just focus here at LHCF on the health and fitness challenge I participate in. I'll participate in the no-buy thread over here on the hair side and maybe the 2 inches in however many months challenge. But otherwise I'll refrain from too much hair and product talk and just document in the journal I keep. I think reading about others' progress is perhaps participation/encouraging enough, and perhaps I don't need to think aloud here at the forum about hair.

It will be good to focus on bodily health!

 

[Coilystep]

Thanks! I really appreciate it. And congratulations on that progress in independence with your hair care!!! That's huge.

I've decided now to just focus here at LHCF on the health and fitness challenge I participate in. I'll participate in the no-buy thread over here on the hair side and maybe the 2 inches in however many months challenge. But otherwise I'll refrain from too much hair and product talk and just document in the journal I keep. I think reading about others' progress is perhaps participation/encouraging enough, and perhaps I don't need to think aloud here at the forum about hair.

It will be good to focus on bodily health!

Please don't go I enjoy your posts

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Please don't go I enjoy your posts

Thanks, all. I was feeling kind of down yesterday, so I really appreciate your words and those who "liked" the words/post. Many thanks.

I'm going to post here at this thread. This thread feels positive and peaceful. I might join the weight/hair combo challenge and just try not to overshare there. I like the idea of focusing on length (which translates to focusing on healthy practices), and not focusing on much else right now about hair.

Day 3 update on the Strictly Curls products (the Stretch and the Lotion).


(yesterday's second-day hair)

So I believe today was the FIRST day in my natural hair life that I woke up and had the thought: "I don't want anything to touch my curls today . . . especially water. It's a little shrunken, but I like my hair!" That is a huge milestone and makes natural hair feel less of an unreasonable option for my lifestyle because it makes me feel like I don't need to spend an hour on my hair every 1-3 days.

Of course, this morning my hair was squished in places because I'd slept on it. As I began to reshape it, I got a little frizz at the crown from touching it. I think I should have tried spritzing it before pulling on it to reshape it.

The above picture is of second-day hair (from yesterday). To refresh the wash-and-go, I simply flashed my head under the shower water and applied a super small amount of SM JBCO leave-in via scrunching (to tried to up the moisture a bit), and I did the same with the Strictly Curls Lotion (no additional Stretch added).

In this picture my hair was at about 70% dry. I did get a very small section of flakes at the front. I'm thinking that has got to because of the SM JBCO leave-in: Yesterday I had applied a healthy amount of Stretch beneath the Lotion and got zero flakes. I'll have to figure out if any leave-in or moisturizer will work beneath the Strictly Curls products. Ulta told me they were keeping the products on sale until August 24th (she sounded like she made that up, though ), so I might see what conditioner or leave-in the line has. Ugggh: I do NOT, NOT, NOT prefer these ingredients and would rather keep a healthier conditioner or leave-in rather than swap out to one from this line. Overall, besides livable third-day frizz in the crown, no major drawbacks yet with these products.

 

[Sharpened]

I read the whole thread, enjoying the progress people were and are continuing to make. Maybe I should join in, but I don't do anything interesting with my hair.

@YvetteWithJoy you about made me pout; no more talk of scarcity of presence.

 

[Napp]

Oooo, thanks for sharing!

I've been THINKING about trying mousse, but have been wondering if it would be effective enough or if it would dry out my hair! I even bought a sample size of Design Essentials mousse from the natural honey line (or whatever it's called).

Do you feel your hair looks different with mousse than with gel? If so, in what way(s)? TIA!

With mousse my curls are super defined and shrink up very much. With gel my hair is more elongated. Some of them are drying yet some barely do anything at all. So I really like the aquage.

 

[LavenderMint]

Funny you should mention the Marc Anthony Strictly Curls line, @YvetteWithJoy. I tried the Perfect Curl Cream today (with KCKT) and I'm not pleased. There were no results. My hair just looked shiny & fluffy, no definition & no way I could wear it in a wash and go. I don't know if I should try it with others in the line or what. I ended up just doing some fat twists- and they do look super juicy. I'll wash again this weekend & stick with what works for my wng.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Funny you should mention the Marc Anthony Strictly Curls line, @YvetteWithJoy. I tried the Perfect Curl Cream today (with KCKT) and I'm not pleased. There were no results. My hair just looked shiny & fluffy, no definition & no way I could wear it in a wash and go. I don't know if I should try it with others in the line or what. I ended up just doing some fat twists- and they do look super juicy. I'll wash again this weekend & stick with what works for my wng.

Oooo! Glad you had a fix!

What do you normally use?

 

[LavenderMint]

Oooo! Glad you had a fix!

What do you normally use?

Usually I'm Giovanni leave-in & Wetline Xtreme. But I've got a stash to use up so sometimes other things get thrown in there.

Also occurs to me that maybe my hair was less defined because I used my Revlon knock off Wet Brush (that I like waaaaaay better) to do a more thorough detangle this time. (Moving house meant no thorough wash/detangle routine for 3 weeks.)

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Usually I'm Giovanni leave-in & Wetline Xtreme. But I've got a stash to use up so sometimes other things get thrown in there.

Also occurs to me that maybe my hair was less defined because I used my Revlon knock off Wet Brush (that I like waaaaaay better) to do a more thorough detangle this time. (Moving house meant no thorough wash/detangle routine for 3 weeks.)

You like the knock-off better than the authentic Wet Brush? Mmm! Detangling is super serious for me, and every edge counts!

Do tell!

 

[LavenderMint]

Lol I realllllllllly dislike the bristles on the Wet Brush. They're so small that all they do is rip my hair. I suppose I could use it after the Revlon if I really wanted but.....

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Lol I realllllllllly dislike the bristles on the Wet Brush. They're so small that all they do is rip my hair. I suppose I could use it after the Revlon if I really wanted but.....
View attachment 370031

Hmm! My Wet Brush is larger than that in the pic. I don't know about the bristle sizes. But that is so interesting! I get no ripping at all with my Wet Brush. I gentle slide it through my hair with great peace of mind. LOL!

Everyone's head of hair behaves SO differently. It's amazing.