Hi! I'm sorta new. This is my first time logging in since 2006. Everytime I start to want to take care of my hair I give up and go to the Dominicans for a wash and set and blow-dry. I'm starting to care about my hair again because my mom keeps complaining that my hair is not what it used to be. Then when I try to do it myself, my mom says I cant, that it will break. I have a love/hate relationship with my hair. I dont know the texture type, or if I need conditioning or protein treatments, so I just go along with whatever the stylist feels like using. I feel like my hair is two different types on the front and back part, I hate it! But now, I want to know what it is so that I can better take care of my hair. Ive been on you-tube all week and decided to do my hair myself. Here is a quick rundown of what I have purchased and done, and where I am at: I am 9 weeks post relaxer, and my hair is about 2 inches from bra strap. I washed today and attempted to do those bendable flex rods. I washed with ROUX porosity, then deep treatment with Silk Elements Megasilk Olive Oil moisturizing treatment and I added a little avocado and coconut oil to it and left it on with no heat for 2 hrs. I rinsed and detangled with Herbal Essence Long Term Relationship conditioner. I detangled with Mane and Tail detangler, applied Profectiv moisturizer and sealed with coconut oil and put the rods in (it was a very lame attempt). I have NO idea what I'm doing I just copied what I saw on youtube. I am going to try and not to give up this time, because everytime I start, I always tangle my hair in a big mess and just go back to salons. It also doesnt help that I'm a heat junkie. Also, can anyone help me figure out why the front of my hair grows super long and the back is slower? I know I'm babbling but I really want to grow my hair longer and take care of it. I am including some pictures in this thread if anyone can help me with that whole 4a 3a system id. Thanks!!!!!
Hi guys! I need some help!
- Thread starter Ginia1124
- Start date
Your post isnt reader friendly. It's long and in one block. You should space out your questions so that each inquiry is in its own paragraph. Also, i think it's hard for people to tell you your hair type because you had the rods in when you took the picture. Take a section out, wet the roots and take another pic. It may be possible to guess your type depending on how much new growth you have.
I think some of your problems stem from not fully commiting to going on a hair journey, which is why you keep going back to the stylists. You joined in 2004 so you should know better than to let a stylist dictate what your hair needs.
Now that you are ready to take care of your hair you should lay off the heat, and commit to taking care of your hair on your own. Keep watching YouTube videos and keep practicing. Your flexis may not look great now but they will in a few weeks.
If the back of your hair isn't breaking or otherwise damaged your growth rate for that section may just be different. For me it's the opposite; the front grows way slower than the back. I think it's normal.
HTH!
I think some of your problems stem from not fully commiting to going on a hair journey, which is why you keep going back to the stylists. You joined in 2004 so you should know better than to let a stylist dictate what your hair needs.
Now that you are ready to take care of your hair you should lay off the heat, and commit to taking care of your hair on your own. Keep watching YouTube videos and keep practicing. Your flexis may not look great now but they will in a few weeks.
If the back of your hair isn't breaking or otherwise damaged your growth rate for that section may just be different. For me it's the opposite; the front grows way slower than the back. I think it's normal.
HTH!
Looking at your roots, you look like a 4a to me (you should google for 4A type hair)...
Just looking at your regimen, I can't tell how often you wash your hair, but it looks to me that your regimen is too complex.
A couple things you need to incorporate
- wash/cowash at least once a week
- Find a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner that make your hair feel moisturized and stick with it.
- Stay away from the heat.. Look on youtube for protective styling options..
- Find a good leave conditioner, and a good butter or oil mix to seal.
- Depending on how damaged your hair is, you may need a protein treatment, try something light and see how it works for you.
To sum it up...
- On a weekly basis (at least), wash your hair in sections with a moisturizing shampoo, DC with heat with a moisturizing (or protein) conditioner, apply leave in, seal with oil or butter and protective style...
If your hair feels dry, re-moisturize and seal again... Hope this helps a little...
There are tons of women here that can help you more though.. I'm still trying to figure out my hair... lol... Just didn't want you to feel alone.. lol
Just looking at your regimen, I can't tell how often you wash your hair, but it looks to me that your regimen is too complex.
A couple things you need to incorporate
- wash/cowash at least once a week
- Find a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner that make your hair feel moisturized and stick with it.
- Stay away from the heat.. Look on youtube for protective styling options..
- Find a good leave conditioner, and a good butter or oil mix to seal.
- Depending on how damaged your hair is, you may need a protein treatment, try something light and see how it works for you.
To sum it up...
- On a weekly basis (at least), wash your hair in sections with a moisturizing shampoo, DC with heat with a moisturizing (or protein) conditioner, apply leave in, seal with oil or butter and protective style...
If your hair feels dry, re-moisturize and seal again... Hope this helps a little...
There are tons of women here that can help you more though.. I'm still trying to figure out my hair... lol... Just didn't want you to feel alone.. lol
Thank you guys sooo much for responding! I read online that it has to be dry to determine the hair type? Oh well, when I wash again, I will take another picture. When I used to follow LHCF I was in college, and everytime I went back home my mom would look at my hair in horror and schedule a hair appointment. Since then, my regimen has been:
-Wash and set/blow dry probably twice a month
-Relaxer whenever I felt like it, probably every 6-8 weeks or so
I know, horrible, right? Well now I'm going to be patient no matter how frustrating it gets. I just feel like I can't do it, and you guys are so creative thats why you can do it!
Well just to recap:
-My new growth DOES feel very soft, softer than its ever felt for 9 weeks post.
-I'm okay with how the flexirods came out, my only concern is I put them in yesterday evening around 5, and I just took them out tonite around 9:30 and my hair still feels damp (??) any suggestions on what I should do next time?
Again, thanks guys so much! I'm excited to start this journey!
-Wash and set/blow dry probably twice a month
-Relaxer whenever I felt like it, probably every 6-8 weeks or so
I know, horrible, right? Well now I'm going to be patient no matter how frustrating it gets. I just feel like I can't do it, and you guys are so creative thats why you can do it!
Well just to recap:
-My new growth DOES feel very soft, softer than its ever felt for 9 weeks post.
-I'm okay with how the flexirods came out, my only concern is I put them in yesterday evening around 5, and I just took them out tonite around 9:30 and my hair still feels damp (??) any suggestions on what I should do next time?
Again, thanks guys so much! I'm excited to start this journey!
tiffers
Whisper "bleep boop" to yourself when you're sad.
Do you know how to braid? You can do braidouts to style your hair. 
I'm style-challenged, so braidouts were a pretty easy option for me when my hair was longer.
For now, start out simple. Wash, dc and style (braidout, rollerset, bantu knots, etc) once a week.
Once you cut out all of that heat, your hair will thrive. You don't need blowdryers to make your hair fly.
As far as your hair still being wet, do you have a dome or softbonnet dryer? You can get a softbonnet from Sally's for a little under 30 bucks and are well worth the money. I used to have one and dc'd and also dried my hairstyles with it. Without a dryer, my hair would still be damp, no matter how long I left it to dry.
I'm style-challenged, so braidouts were a pretty easy option for me when my hair was longer.
For now, start out simple. Wash, dc and style (braidout, rollerset, bantu knots, etc) once a week.
Once you cut out all of that heat, your hair will thrive. You don't need blowdryers to make your hair fly.
As far as your hair still being wet, do you have a dome or softbonnet dryer? You can get a softbonnet from Sally's for a little under 30 bucks and are well worth the money. I used to have one and dc'd and also dried my hairstyles with it. Without a dryer, my hair would still be damp, no matter how long I left it to dry.
