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For my "No" or "Low" Heat ladies....

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tapioca_pudding

Well-Known Member
How the **** do ya'll do it?

:lachen:

I realize that I MUST let go of heat in order to see results. It's a must. But Im skurred. :look: :lol: I'm so used to flat ironing my hair weekly but it's killing my ends slowly. So I need to cut it out.

My question is, how have you learned to live without heat? What is it that you're doing? Products, techniques...? I "perfected" the twist n curl so I have that as my go to style for now, but I know I will get bored soon. How do you stay consistent?

ETA - I'm natural with a BKT.

Thanks so much! :drunk:
 
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I did a 30 day no heat challenge and it changed my hair forever. They say it takes 30 days to change a habit and it's true.

You probably won't perfect a braid-out or other heatless styles in the first 30 days so keep it simple like buns or a single braid.

I promise at the end of the month you'll feel more comfortable and confident about not using heat.
 
I am right there with you and I am slowly giving up the heat myself. What working for me is the better moisturized my hair, especially my roots the less I need the heat. I use heat to comb through my hair from roots to ends. Cowashing and oil rinsing has made a major difference in my heat usage because my hair is a lot more pliable and the shine I have is an added bonus. I would suggest you reduce heat usage slowly, cold turkey did not work for me at all.
 
I'm sure someone will respond to your rollerset question, but I wanted to say that (I don't rollerset anymore) since I went natural.

I flat twist or bun and I rarely use heat. Now this is from someone that used to blow dry, press AND flat iron weekly. I even retained length doing that. :)

So imagine how much length I started to retain when I stopped pressing, stopped blow drying with the comb attachment and only flat ironed air dried (texlaxed) hair.

Then I stopped that too!

Now, I wear my natural hair in a bun or a flat twist out and I have bra-strap length hair, growing toward mid-back length. My original goal was...wait for it...collarbone length.

I'm 4b - basically, cottony, no-curl pattern, thick, thick, thick (Oprah hair).
So - It Can Be Done.

I never thought I would learn to air dry, I never thought I would learn to flat twist or even regular two strand twist...but I diiiiiiid and my hair loves it. Just a bit of encouragement for you.
 
I have not used heat on my relaxed hair since January.

I first realized the benefits for my hair when I stopped using heat for three months last year and then had to go to a function where I decided to get my hair blown out. I was very surprised at how much had grown from the time I stopped using heat. I believe it is because by not using heat so much on my fine hair, my hair was able to retain more.

It's not that hard for me not to use heat because I wear protective styles most of the time and always make sure that my hair is properly moisturized and sealed. I was never one that liked my hair brushing up against my clothes everyday anyhow.

Best,
Almond Eyes
 
:lol: @ the OP!

When I went natural, I cut out relaxers and heat simultaneously. I went from using heat multiple times a week (daily at some points :look:) to not using any heat (no blowdryer, flatiron, curling iron, bonnet dryer) for almost a year. In 6 years, I've straightened my hair 4 times, and twice were in the past 4 months LOL. Not straightening my hair is so easy because it's another thing I don't have to do to it. I successfully straightened my hair for the first time last week and it took 3 hours :blush:. Yeah, if I was going to do the straight hair thing, I'd only do it once a month tops, cause I am not about that life.

Laziness is what makes not using heat easy :lol:. My main style has been the wash n'go. If I use Aussie Moist for my styler, it's a 15 min process from wash to style :yep:. Using gel, it takes about 30 min total but I get 5-7 days out of it. Now I wash, put my hair in about 16 twists, and when it dries, I stretch my hair by putting it into 2-4 braids. The only downside I've found to not straightening my hair is that I have to moisturize more often, and I use oil and grease on my ends vs a serum.
 
I have been under a wig. I used direct heat this week for a funeral. Otherwise, it is wash, treat, rebraid and under the plastic cap with a bonnet on top. I have a wardrobe of wigs. My hair when straightened is now 1 1/2 inches into the armpit.....in the front.
 
Lissa0821 I think your'e right - I focus on protein because of the heat that I use, but since I'll be using less heat I need to step my moisture game up for sure. I typically shampoo weekly because I like for my hair to "swang", but I can cut out the weekly shampoo and just cowash which I think will help like you said. Thank you so much!
 
tapioca_pudding said:
brownb83

Thanks! I do know how to rollerset.. but after you take the rollers out, what do you do?
Click to expand...

You can wrap your hair to get it straight like they do in salons. You can gently separate the curls and wear it like that too. At night, you can wrap your hair or do pin curls and bantu knots to maintain it. Or you can use sponge rollers or flexirods, if you want to keep some curl. HTH
 
lana said:
I'm sure someone will respond to your rollerset question, but I wanted to say that (I don't rollerset anymore) since I went natural.

I flat twist or bun and I rarely use heat. Now this is from someone that used to blow dry, press AND flat iron weekly. I even retained length doing that. :)

So imagine how much length I started to retain when I stopped pressing, stopped blow drying with the comb attachment and only flat ironed air dried (texlaxed) hair.

Then I stopped that too!

Now, I wear my natural hair in a bun or a flat twist out and I have bra-strap length hair, growing toward mid-back length. My original goal was...wait for it...collarbone length.

I'm 4b - basically, cottony, no-curl pattern, thick, thick, thick (Oprah hair).
So - It Can Be Done.

I never thought I would learn to air dry, I never thought I would learn to flat twist or even regular two strand twist...but I diiiiiiid and my hair loves it. Just a bit of encouragement for you.
Click to expand...
lana thanks! I'm not sure if I can wet-bun, if my fine strands can take it.. I think air drying is going to be a feat for me... especially in the winter months (I live in Michigan). But I will definitely try!!

almond eyes said:
I have not used heat on my relaxed hair since January.

I first realized the benefits for my hair when I stopped using heat for three months last year and then had to go to a function where I decided to get my hair blown out. I was very surprised at how much had grown from the time I stopped using heat. I believe it is because by not using heat so much on my fine hair, my hair was able to retain more.

It's not that hard for me not to use heat because I wear protective styles most of the time and always make sure that my hair is properly moisturized and sealed. I was never one that liked my hair brushing up against my clothes everyday anyhow.

Best,
Almond Eyes
Click to expand...
almond eyes Thank you! What protective styles do you wear? How often do you relax/do you have an issue with the line of demarcation?

ckisland said:
:lol: @ the OP!

When I went natural, I cut out relaxers and heat simultaneously. I went from using heat multiple times a week (daily at some points :look:) to not using any heat (no blowdryer, flatiron, curling iron, bonnet dryer) for almost a year. In 6 years, I've straightened my hair 4 times, and twice were in the past 4 months LOL. Not straightening my hair is so easy because it's another thing I don't have to do to it. I successfully straightened my hair for the first time last week and it took 3 hours :blush:. Yeah, if I was going to do the straight hair thing, I'd only do it once a month tops, cause I am not about that life.

Laziness is what makes not using heat easy :lol:. My main style has been the wash n'go. If I use Aussie Moist for my styler, it's a 15 min process from wash to style :yep:. Using gel, it takes about 30 min total but I get 5-7 days out of it. Now I wash, put my hair in about 16 twists, and when it dries, I stretch my hair by putting it into 2-4 braids. The only downside I've found to not straightening my hair is that I have to moisturize more often, and I use oil and grease on my ends vs a serum.
Click to expand...

ckisland yes laziness is a HUGE factor lol!! I did a twist out and I didn't realize how simple it was! Just six flat twists all around, rollers on the end and go to bed.. When I blowdry and flat iron it takes me about an hour, which doesn't sound like a lot but when you're lazy.. :look: :lol:

felic1 said:
I have been under a wig. I used direct heat this week for a funeral. Otherwise, it is wash, treat, rebraid and under the plastic cap with a bonnet on top. I have a wardrobe of wigs. My hair when straightened is now 1 1/2 inches into the armpit.....in the front.
Click to expand...

felic1 - Thanks! I don't really like wigs but I know they are a GREAT option!
 
ckisland said:
You can wrap your hair to get it straight like they do in salons. You can gently separate the curls and wear it like that too. At night, you can wrap your hair or do pin curls and bantu knots to maintain it. Or you can use sponge rollers or flexirods, if you want to keep some curl. HTH
Click to expand...

Yeah I think I will try wrapping my hair after I rollerset to see what results I get. I could always just flat iron my roots too. Thanks!
 
Are you natural or relaxed?
I agree with rollersetting. After you take the rollers out just wear it as is or you can hit the roots and wrap it.
 
tapioca_pudding said:
brownb83

Thanks! I do know how to rollerset.. but after you take the rollers out, what do you do?
Click to expand...

*******
I've been rollersetting my hair for over 10 years. I look at it as another alternative to drying your hair while stretching out your natural hair. I only airdry if I don't have the time nor energy to rollerset because I find that it leaves my hair smoother, softer and can last up to 2 weeks if I desire.
After rollersetting:
1) you can seperate the curls and wear as is.
2) saran wrap and wear straight (my natural hair ain't hearing this...I could get away with it when I was fully relaxed though)
3) brush out the curls and wear a fake blow out (I normally do this when prepping for a protective style like braids or sew ins)
4) do 2 to 5 braids for a banging braidout
5) do 2 to 5 bantu knots
6) bun or ponytail it


I normally do all except 2. I also love getting my hair professionally pressed straight...and I do so around once a month in the fall/winter. I don't even attempt straight hair around the warmer months.
 
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Last time I used heat was last December. I think after hitting my hair with 450F heat sans protectant nearly daily, I'm pretty dang over it! :lol:

Curlformers will easily give you a sleek/relaxed look. I generally live on braidout styles though because Curlformers take so long for me to install. I don't PS much unless I'm traveling, in which case I tend to bun but otherwise my hair is styled just like when I was relaxed, just with textured hair from braids.

It's not too difficult, after washing I braid up the hair, loosen it the following day and do various styles throughout the week.
 
I dont use heat out of laziness. I think I will flatiron this weekend though. I airdry and wear a ponytail/bun
 
Tapioca pudding - I understand and I don't wet bun either (but I tried it before and it doesn't work for me). I mainly flat twist and let that dry overnight. It sounds like the other ladies gave you some great suggestions and I just know you are going to soar!
 
I definitely sympathize with you OP. As my hair has grown, I have grown to resent my shrinkage. I agree with some of the other posters that said to gradually decrease your heat usage. Going cold turkey is really hard when you really enjoy your heat stretched hair. I would also suggest that you find ways to stretch your hair heat-free when you wear textured styles. For example, when i wear braid outs and twist outs (my go to styles), I stretch my hair nightly in four chunky twists wrapped around my head and bobby pinned. With this method, my WL 3c/4a natural hair has a lot of swang and hangs to about APL.
 
tapioca_pudding said:
@lana thanks! I'm not sure if I can wet-bun, if my fine strands can take it.. I think air drying is going to be a feat for me... especially in the winter months (I live in Michigan). But I will definitely try!!


@almond eyes Thank you! What protective styles do you wear? How often do you relax/do you have an issue with the line of demarcation?



@ckisland yes laziness is a HUGE factor lol!! I did a twist out and I didn't realize how simple it was! Just six flat twists all around, rollers on the end and go to bed.. When I blowdry and flat iron it takes me about an hour, which doesn't sound like a lot but when you're lazy.. :look: :lol:


@felic1 - Thanks! I don't really like wigs but I know they are a GREAT option!
Click to expand...


Most welcome, we are all here to help one another. I do a lot of buns. My bestie hates buns, she complains that she has a big face and needs hair to frame her face. Lately, I have been on an extended break so my hair is in four big plaits tucked inside with a silk scarf. If I am going to the City, I will wear a hat over the scarf and if I am meeting up with people I just do a bun (but not tight).

As for my relaxers, I relax my hair every 10-12 weeks. I put the relaxer on the new growth only and only smooth on top of the new growth. I use the brush to do the smoothing after I apply the relaxer. I am not concerned if the middle part/crown and back of my hair is a little underprocessed or less relaxed/texlaxed. I smooth out my front a bit more and the middle top.

In the past, I would try and use my hands to smooth a little past the new growth but that was causing over processing and damage to the other parts of my relaxed hair so I no longer do that.

Hope that helps.

Best,
Almond Eyes
 
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tapioca_pudding said:
brownb83

Thanks! I do know how to rollerset.. but after you take the rollers out, what do you do?
Click to expand...

Depending on the size roller you use you can wear it straight, wavy, curly, etc.

Alranies, ulluvmegz, and lady belle have the best you tube vids on wearing your hair straight with little to no heat.
 
I used to use a curling iron EVERY day and now I never use heat except every 8 weeks when I go to my stylist. Now I do buns and braid outs and I want to get into roller setting.

You can do it, it just takes time for your mindset to change. You have to give up on having complete control over your hair.
 
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I've straightening my hair about 4 times in the past 3 years, once at the salon and the other times trying to perfect the comb-chase flatironing method. Let me tell you my hair looked good!

My transition to natural (I'm still transitioning) was accidental. When I graduated college and moved from VA to GA with no family I realized the high cost of relaxers so I was attempting to stretch them out but at the first sight of NG I started doing what I learned later to be WNG's (but they were HORRIBLE...I did not use the right conditioner, moisturizer, sealant, gel, or style it correctly...It was a matted mess). So I joined the forum a year ago and started doing twist/braid outs and PSing.

Now I've returned to WNGs from all the things I've learned on the forum. Those styles have made no heat a breeze. I am sometimes tempted 1.) to check my true length and 2.) to have no tangles for once but then I remember the damage it does and that it's such a temporary aesthetic approach (not beneficial/healthy at all). I also play vball 3-5 times per week and HAVE to wash my hair that night when I do so straightening my hair only lasts for 1-2 days.

I do occasionally use a hooded drier with my DC's but no blowdryer or flatiron for this chick.
 
I'm slowly going this route. Right now I have tracks in the back of my hair to allow it to rest. It's growing nicely because I'm not putting any heat on it. The part of my hair that's out seems to make minimal progress because of heat and I only use heat once every two weeks.

I'm going to get this knockoff pair of curlformers from Amazon (very inexpensive) and start practicing. I want to go completely heat free, minus a hooded dryer, and wear a curlformers style. http://www.amazon.com/18pcs-Rollers-Styling-Curler-Natural/dp/B008G43216/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
 
I did it COLD TURKEY!!!

I literally THREW my blow dryer AWAY!!!

Then I went from wash-n-gos to 2-strand twist
which is what I do now religiously.

I BS Wash, let it air-dry a couple of hours, then
apply leave-in, and seal with my Crisco
(even though I have experimented with
a couple of other products, these are my staples).

I have not had heat on my hair for over 3 years.

Never looked back!
 
I just brought a new blowdryer but I'm taking it back. I already have two and i'm letting the heat go.
 
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