I definitely did as well, stunk when I couldn no longer fit my hair underneath
I would Wash my hair, BD, Gel it up and put a Scrunchy small little on it or elastic band, put it gently and fan out my combs on my pony tail to make it wider then place it on my hair, use a spray bottle to clean up any residue. BEING HONEST HERE, I'd rock that for a week and then towards the end of the week I'd need oil sheen to give it some shine and loosen up my gel helmet.
End of the week, severe wash and break down, I did this weekly and went from basically APL to WL. Not over night but I didn't even notice I was WL until my pony was misbehaving. I'd place it on sticking the combs up front then go to do the back the darn combs from the front shot out
It worked forcefully for a while but eventually there was no packing it in.
Great Protective style that allows you not to be stuck for so long in or under anything. You can decide at any time to say what the hay, I am wearing my hair.
I Love Phony PonY's THey are Cheap CUte and great for a gal on the GO!!!! Like So.
Ends her babble!