I am Natural now And.....

[iCandey]

my 4a natural hair will Not stay straight! It frizzes within hours and turns into a POOF.. Does anyone have any tips? I flight iron with my FHI at the highest temp and it Still does this...... I am desperate

 

[aminata]

Sorry, I have no suggestions--my hair does the same thing. I'll just wait for fall or winter to straighten my hair. I just feel no sense in fighting nature.

 

[iCandey]

funny! There HAS to be hope...lets see the responses...

 

[Blackoutzangel05]

Due to the time of the year, you might want to wear wash n go's...I would ease up on the heat because you will burn your hair and your natural pattern won't come back. Have you tried braid outs and twist outs!?!

 

[iCandey]

No I havent but maybe you have a point- I should set it and see if that works better? I have to wear it strait bc though I love my natural look and curl pattern, I noticed my natural hair curls into its self and gets knots and I do NOT want that ...so Natural state is not an option for me on a continuous basis....someone in another thread mentioned some kind of wax..off to do a search...

 

[locoabouthair]

Congrats! I will not bother straightening right now, it's too hot, if I want to be straight during these dog days of summer I may as well relax again.....NOT HAPPENING! So I just do wash n gos or TWA. I may straighten every so often in the winter, otherwise I say enjoy being NATURAL! Plus straightening too often will cause heat damage, and your hair will start to be straight after so long..........then when you want that natural texture again, you'll be cutting your hair again!

Good luck!

 

[Sweetcoco82]

Girl i am dealing with the same thing. My hair turns into a big poof no matter what i do. Its driving me crazy. Like you i tend to wear my hair straight all the time. I would like to see what other people say about this. I am thinking about texlaxing. Cause i dont want to deal with this next summer and i have even more hair on my head to worry about puffing up.

 

[iCandey]

Thanks to all for the responses.... I did a search and came up with waxes to prevent the poof but not one particular wax was mentioned the most...I will continue to look tomorrow and hope to get some more advice on what to do....

 

[bgyrl]

I used to press my hair all the time and I had the same problem espeacially when I came from being in braids for a long time. Your hair has to be trained if it hasn't been pressed in a while it's going to poof up. So the more you straighten it the more straight it will become over time. I used to get it pressed every two weeks by a professional and my hair is able to take alot of heat.

Just to let you know I had no problem getting my natural curl pattern back I just wore braids for a minute and I saw my hair turn back to its 4a pattern. But I saw better health and more growth when I let the heat alone.

 

[PinkSkates]

I press my hair with Aveda Anti-humectant Pomade and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, and that combo really fights off the humidity. Also when there is high humidity like it is now, I apply a light coating of Sebastian Xtah Raw silk smoothing creme to my edges, nape area, and ends of my hair and it adds an invisible coating to my hair, that slows down hair reversion due to the humidity.

 

[MissFallon]

Chi silk infusion and a miniglide helped me combat this problem in the 90+ degree weather and 95% humidity. I also heard that the aveda anti humectant is really good. I kinda agree with every1 else with the not straightening in the hot and humid months but I also know what it is to want to wear your hair straight. Last year when I was transitioning I had this problem and couldn't seem to fix it at the time. I just discovered this combo 2 days ago after spending the day outside and feeling my roots reverting.

 

[Enchantmt]

PLEASE be careful with the heat. Dry brittle hair isnt cute on anyone.
I would do as the other ladies suggest and lay off straight styles for the summer but if you insist on trying to do the straight thing this is what I suggest:

1st use a shampoo and conditioner like Roux porosity control. This will help your hair from frizzing up from the moisture if it is porous, which it very well may be if you have heat damage. It's designed to give folx more even chemical processing, but it will help you in this case as well.

2nd, Use Hask Straight Solution. You use it on wet hair. It helps control reversion from humidity.

3rd Try to dry your hair in a way that helps it straighten so you have less to do with the flat iron. Use the largest rollers your hair will take and dry it under a bonnet, or wrap it. You can also air dry (or bonnet) in a pony tail or four so that your roots at least are straight. If I do this I comb the body of the tail straight and secure the ends so it doesnt curl and frizz up, similar to banding.

4th Use a good heat protectant. Also a good oil, like coconut, but not too much, you dont want greasy hair or stiff hair from heavy waxes. Avoid water based moisturizers, they will make your hair swell up. Wash your hair more often though, you still need moisture.

5th Get some satin covered sponge rollers. When you get home roll your hair up so it is up off of the heat and moisture of your scalp. Take cool showers, make sure the exhaust fan is on, hot steamy showers are not your friend. If you wear a shower cap, put a scarf or something under it first to help keep moisture off your hair. Dont take it off in the bathroom, go to a cool moisture free room. Air conditioner is your friend, drive it in, work in it, live in it.

6th If your scalp gets to wet from sweating in the heat, lightly blow dry the roots, preferably with a comb attachment to help it dry straight.

7th-- Pray... you will need all the help you can get trying to keep straight hair in the summertime.


HTH...

 

[seraphim712]

I'm in the same boat as you are now. I understand how you feel about not wanting your hair in its natural state; my hair is acting the same way too. It is very stiff, course, and rough. Every moisturizer I put in my hair, it drinks it up leaving no evidence that I even applied moisture. I'm hoping to purchase some avocado butter soon. I heard that this helps alot with natural hair disasters. If I had a choice in the matter in my hair type, I would prefer wavy over tight curls anyday just so my hair won't knot up and snap like a rubber band...

 

[iCandey]

Thank you so much for the tips!

What is a miniglide? (Mentioned in another post.)

Ladies that follow the tips above can you report back pls??? and if there are any more tips to stopping the POOF pls post too

I am going to try what I have at home first that was suggested (porosity control, virgin coconut butter and sealing with my ends (w/ aveda brilliant) and see if I see improvements) and then go out and buy some of what was suggested like the Aveda anti humectant Pomade ....

I will make sure to report back.

 

[bLackButtaFly]

I let go of my dreams of straightocitygrin during the humid summer months. If i do straighten I end up putting it in a bun or ponytail within minutes of straightening. Like the other ladies said I would be cautious of straightening often, b/c you can get heat damage, and even if it does revert, you'll lose the health of your hair. Maybe try a weave or braids with straight ends. Then you can have the straight look w.out the risk of damage...

For me when I'm looking for something straighter I will put my hair in buns or bantu knots tie them down over night, and in the mornign I get a nice wavy look. It looks nice when it frizzes, and it would lessen the tangles you spoke about b4.

 

[iCandey]

(I will be careful with the heat from now on.)

......Bantu knots at night? That is a good tip as well. Do you use a product before you Bantu-wrap it up at nite?

 

[TaraDyan]

Once a month, I get my hair flatironed by Balisi and she uses the Mizani ThermaSmooth Straightening System on my hair. I was on vacation last week and my hair did not revert at all --- even in the sweltering heat and humidity. We even went to the zoo and visited the Lied Jungle (it's supposed to mimick the actual conditions of a jungle with the heat and high humidity). My hair STILL stayed straight even after that. No lie.

Perhaps you can try that system?

 

[bLackButtaFly]

I'm probably the only person on this board who uses Carols' daughter products, but they agree with my hair... I use the either the hair milk, or the healthy hair butter, on damp or wet hair. If I'm not doing the set right after I wash then I'll wet my hair with a mixture of castor oil, con, and water shaken very well.

HTH

 

[Southernbella.]

I'm 8 months post with a ton of frizzy texlaxed hair behind that...

I got my hair straightened for an outside wedding this weekend. I sweated and there was a lot of humidity, but there was NO reversion. I was shocked.

Here's was she did...

I prepoo'd with my regular Mane and Tail mixed with Coconut milk.

She washed, put in conditioner (but didn't deep condition it). She rinsed me, then put my hair into 6 braids.

She put me under the dryer for 15 minutes to get rid of the excess water.

She undid the braids and blowdried each section throughly (she used a Tourmaline dryer and a paddle brush). When she finished, my hair was bone straight with a little root puffiness.

Then, she went through and flat ironed my roots section by section, spraying each one with a really light oil first (not sure what brand it was).

When she finished, my hair was bone straight, swingy, and smooth. It's NEVER been this straight before. I told her I had my Aveda anti-humectant with me, but she said I would need it, and she was right.

I'm thinking it was the method that did this rather than a product. I wouldn't do this regularly, but it's good to know that my hair can get this way when I really want it to.

 

[LovetheLord]

I believe PinkSkates straightens her hair once a week.... I am not totally sure on her texture 3a/b or 4a/b. Either way she seems to do a good job and she works out too!

Nevermind I see that she already responded.

 

[frankie]

I'm 8 months post with a ton of frizzy texlaxed hair behind that...

I got my hair straightened for an outside wedding this weekend. I sweated and there was a lot of humidity, but there was NO reversion. I was shocked.

Here's was she did...

I prepoo'd with my regular Mane and Tail mixed with Coconut milk.

She washed, put in conditioner (but didn't deep condition it). She rinsed me, then put my hair into 6 braids.

She put me under the dryer for 15 minutes to get rid of the excess water.

She undid the braids and blowdried each section throughly (she used a Tourmaline dryer and a paddle brush). When she finished, my hair was bone straight with a little root puffiness.

Then, she went through and flat ironed my roots section by section, spraying each one with a really light oil first (not sure what brand it was).

When she finished, my hair was bone straight, swingy, and smooth. It's NEVER been this straight before. I told her I had my Aveda anti-humectant with me, but she said I would need it, and she was right.

I'm thinking it was the method that did this rather than a product. I wouldn't do this regularly, but it's good to know that my hair can get this way when I really want it to.

Your post is right on time, because I plan to straighten my nearly 9 month post hair tomorrow, and the humidity here is horrible.

 

[lala]

Sabino's Moisture Block

 

[iCandey]

Your post is right on time, because I plan to straighten my nearly 9 month post hair tomorrow, and the humidity here is horrible.

Yes indeed it is! Lauren your hair was beautiful for the wedding! There are soooo many tips on this thread I feel hope.....

 

[lana]

I use the Redken Smooth Down line and it really helps straighten your hair out with less heat. The other thing that I have to use to combat humidity and stop reversion in its tracks is the product pasted below. Lustrasilk Hair Culture Solution. I'm 4a/b and when I was natural (collarbone length) this was the ONLY thing that let me go all day with silky straight pressed/or Maxiglided (flatironed) hair. ...For Pressing and Styling Super Curly Hair

 

[Hair Iam]

I let go of my dreams of straightocitygrin during the humid summer months. If i do straighten I end up putting it in a bun or ponytail within minutes of straightening. Like the other ladies said I would be cautious of straightening often, b/c you can get heat damage, and even if it does revert, you'll lose the health of your hair. Maybe try a weave or braids with straight ends. Then you can have the straight look w.out the risk of damage...

F

or me when I'm looking for something straighter I will put my hair in buns or bantu knots tie them down over night, and in the mornign I get a nice wavy look. It looks nice when it frizzes, and it would lessen the tangles you spoke about b4.

I have been doing this and I love the results , even when my hair gets puffy. I've been getting so may compliments about the health of my hair ....right now I'm not missing straight hair

 

[iCandey]

Do you put a product in it before you bantu/ bun at night?

 

[ClassicBeauty]

PLEASE be careful with the heat. Dry brittle hair isnt cute on anyone.
I would do as the other ladies suggest and lay off straight styles for the summer but if you insist on trying to do the straight thing this is what I suggest:

1st use a shampoo and conditioner like Roux porosity control. This will help your hair from frizzing up from the moisture if it is porous, which it very well may be if you have heat damage. It's designed to give folx more even chemical processing, but it will help you in this case as well.

2nd, Use Hask Straight Solution. You use it on wet hair. It helps control reversion from humidity.

3rd Try to dry your hair in a way that helps it straighten so you have less to do with the flat iron. Use the largest rollers your hair will take and dry it under a bonnet, or wrap it. You can also air dry (or bonnet) in a pony tail or four so that your roots at least are straight. If I do this I comb the body of the tail straight and secure the ends so it doesnt curl and frizz up, similar to banding.

4th Use a good heat protectant. Also a good oil, like coconut, but not too much, you dont want greasy hair or stiff hair from heavy waxes. Avoid water based moisturizers, they will make your hair swell up. Wash your hair more often though, you still need moisture.

5th Get some satin covered sponge rollers. When you get home roll your hair up so it is up off of the heat and moisture of your scalp. Take cool showers, make sure the exhaust fan is on, hot steamy showers are not your friend. If you wear a shower cap, put a scarf or something under it first to help keep moisture off your hair. Dont take it off in the bathroom, go to a cool moisture free room. Air conditioner is your friend, drive it in, work in it, live in it.

6th If your scalp gets to wet from sweating in the heat, lightly blow dry the roots, preferably with a comb attachment to help it dry straight.

7th-- Pray... you will need all the help you can get trying to keep straight hair in the summertime.


HTH...

I agree with most of what she said, especially the bold portion. I've actually had a lot of luck this summer. As long as it's not raining outside, I'm basically ok. (In the beginning of the summer it was raining like everyday in Dallas, and I was so frustrated with my hair!)

Instead of the sponge rollers, I usually wrap my hair up and tie it down in the shower with a scarf and a towel. (The shower is the enemy!) I also try to convince everyone to rollerset their hair before they flat iron it. I'm convinced it makes all the difference. Also, if you plan to wear your hair straight, you might want to try silicone products. They may not be good for wash n gos, but they are great to keep the humidity out of my hair! (Just make sure you wash it good to avoid build-up.)

I posted my regime in my journal. I straighten my hair almost every week (unless I'm wearing a braidout or twistout).

 

[MissFallon]

No I havent but maybe you have a point- I should set it and see if that works better? I have to wear it strait bc though I love my natural look and curl pattern, I noticed my natural hair curls into its self and gets knots and I do NOT want that ...so Natural state is not an option for me on a continuous basis....someone in another thread mentioned some kind of wax..off to do a search...

I think u are talking about the Aveda Anti-Humectant. I have never used it tho but have heard that it is really good. I did however use Garnier Fructis Anti Humidity Styling Cream b4 I rollerset and blew it out and my hair stayed straight like in my siggy all all week.

 

[Enchantmt]

I agree with most of what she said, especially the bold portion. I've actually had a lot of luck this summer. As long as it's not raining outside, I'm basically ok. (In the beginning of the summer it was raining like everyday in Dallas, and I was so frustrated with my hair!)

Instead of the sponge rollers, I usually wrap my hair up and tie it down in the shower with a scarf and a towel. (The shower is the enemy!) I also try to convince everyone to rollerset their hair before they flat iron it. I'm convinced it makes all the difference. Also, if you plan to wear your hair straight, you might want to try silicone products. They may not be good for wash n gos, but they are great to keep the humidity out of my hair! (Just make sure you wash it good to avoid build-up.)

I posted my regime in my journal. I straighten my hair almost every week (unless I'm wearing a braidout or twistout).

I actually got a press to last a week, but I was taking QUICK showers and avoiding as much moisture as I could. There are probably a lot better products out there than the Hask, but I havent tried them and in fact, I havent straightened my hair in over a year. I want to try the aveda line, but I am having a hard time justifying the expense when I already have a ton of products and no real hair complaints. Silicones are great, as is anything that will put a barrier between your hair and the elements. You just have to be careful because you dont want to dry your hair out trying to keep the moisture from causing reversion. Silicones are ok for wash n goes too, just not for folx using low poo or no poo methods, as the build up has to be removed with a shampoo.

 

[ClassicBeauty]

I actually got a press to last a week, but I was taking QUICK showers and avoiding as much moisture as I could. There are probably a lot better products out there than the Hask, but I havent tried them and in fact, I havent straightened my hair in over a year. I want to try the aveda line, but I am having a hard time justifying the expense when I already have a ton of products and no real hair complaints. Silicones are great, as is anything that will put a barrier between your hair and the elements. You just have to be careful because you dont want to dry your hair out trying to keep the moisture from causing reversion. Silicones are ok for wash n goes too, just not for folx using low poo or no poo methods, as the build up has to be removed with a shampoo.

I totally feel you! I went to get check it out, but honestly, I have no real complaints with my normal CHEAP products. I just can't convince myself to spend that much for hair products. I've never tried the Hask either. I just use shampoo, condition, deep condition, leave-in, and a heat protectant. I am too cheap to try all these products that people recommend. I hope they work for everyone, but Pantene, Suave, and Infusium work well for me!