I feel a lil' embarassed...

[Nyambura]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Jim, welcome. In addition to the good advice posted in this thread, you might want to check out the book "Curly Girl" by Lorraine Massey. She provides detailed information on how to care for curly hair. That's the book where some of us got the idea to do conditioner washes to add more moisture to curly hair. Ms. Massey's hair may be similar to yours (you did say Kenny G on a bad hair day? Lol!

). Here's a link where you can browse some of the pages: Curly Girl

Good luck!

 

[Jim]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Hi Girls!
I can already see how this can easily become addictive. After reading @ work, I think, almost every Thread here..(Wonder I wasn't fired..) here's my game plan for this weekend. Wake up early on Saturday..Grab the brand new MasterCard, the one with the 0 balance..put on my baseball cap, (Which I hope to lose REAL SOON) and, drive on down to Sally's (A local beauty supply store) If I'm lucky, I'll MAX it out! I have along list of products I've written down that you girls use. I know it's going to be alot of trial and error, but, I am really excited about this! I think I have the BASIC basics down...Heat? Bad! Moisture? Good! Right? One question..Nonie asked if I had a hood dryer. Should I buy one? Will it be useful for anything other than deep conditioning treatments? Oh, and, can I ask you girls to sort of keep an eye on me? If ANY of you see anything on my posts that even looks like..."Bra Strap Goal", with ANY date, you have my permission to beat me senseless. I'll keep writing, tonight, and over the weekend. They're calling for rain this weekend, so, that'll give me the perfect opportunity to experiment. "Thanks" once again to ALL of YOU for allowing me in here, and, for just accepting me. Jim

 

[India08]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Hi Jim!

Welcome to the board!!! You will love it here - we are one big happy family!

We discuss just about everything - join our other discussions as well! We all understand unruly hair

but we aim to support each other no matter what

Good luck this weekend and please keep us posted!

 

[Jim]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

One more thing...No, wait...Maybe two more things...I got, no "WE" got, FIVE STARS??? It's all "YOU" ladies!!! The other thing is...I'll have to change my next Post, 'cause, ya know what? I no longer feel embarassed!!! Love ya ALL! Jim-

 

[sylviaetc]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

girls, jim mentioned his desire to have straight hair and it occured to me that that hair sraightening technique from japan might be right for him; he has the right hair texture from what i understand. albeit it cost alot, (around 600.00) but if money is no object then i say go for it jim. do any of you remember what it's called? i've been racking my brain for over 2 hrs to no avail... *L*

 

[douglala]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Jim,

Welcome!

If you only need the bonnet dryer for deep conditioner then I think you can just get a heat cap. One that you plug in (there are some that you do not need to plug in, i think), heat it up and place on your head for deep conditioner treatments.

Sylviaetc,
I know the Japanese treatment you are talking about and I have heard it called may different things but I think most people just say Japanese Straightening system. But Jim, if your hair is breaking and weak then I would hold off on doing it until you hair is in better condition. The straightener is awesome (you would never need a blow dryer again) but could make matters worse if your hair is not strong enough to take it.

Well good luck this weekend. Keep us posted on your progress. Just remember that everyone's hair is different and what works for some will not work for others (as you may have already read in different threads). Like you said it's all trial and error and success may not be found in a day.

 

[Jim]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Sylvia,
"Thanks" so much for your reply...But, go to sleep..stop wracking your brain..If it costs around $600...it will grow out sooner or later...It's either time I set up the ironing board, and the iron, or, try what you ladies have tried. I do LOVE this board!! Jim-

 

[alireno]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Welcome Jim! I am sure you will love this board as much as I do!

 

[Jim]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Oh..I do..I DO!! Which is why, instead of being in bed right now, I'm still up reading your note!! I can't stay away from here!!! Jim-

 

[dontspeakdefeat]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Hey Jim, have you ever tried a ceramic flat iron? This works wonders for straightening hair. I have one and my hair feels like silk when I use it!

 

[Jim]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Hi Tamika!
No...I've never tried one of those irons, I'll have to add it to my shopping list. Before now, I've really never done anything too much with my hair, other than wash it, pull it back into a ponytail, or, on those special occasions, "try" to blow dry it straight, which in itself was a futile attempt. That's why I'm so looking forward to this weekend! I'll keep you all posted!!!

 

[sassygirl125]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Hi Jim!

@ "Kenny G on a bad hair day".

 

[Jim]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Everybody seems to enjoy that one...Well, I'm hoping...NOT FER LONG!!!

 

[caramelbarbie]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Hi Jim! Let us know how you shopping goes.

If your feeling brave I (we) would love to see your before and after pics!!

 

[Nyambura]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

[ QUOTE ]
girls, jim mentioned his desire to have straight hair and it occured to me that that hair sraightening technique from japan might be right for him; he has the right hair texture from what i understand. albeit it cost alot, (around 600.00) but if money is no object then i say go for it jim. do any of you remember what it's called? i've been racking my brain for over 2 hrs to no avail... *L*

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it's called thermal reconditioning.

 

[vevster]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Jim,

LEt us know what you buy at Sallys!!!

 

[Jim]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Will do! And, if my list gets any longer...(Been reading here ALL DAY) I just may have to rent a U Haul to get all my puchases back home!!!!

 

[cybra]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Hi Jim

Like yourself, I have spent a great deal of time reading the responses you got from the ladies on your post. Many have given you some very good advice (e.g., using a regular condition as a leave-in). Although you are white, much of what you are saying compares to problems many AA women have with their hair. In my opinion, I think you would probably get great results by visiting a "Black" salon and having a deep protein conditioner, under the dryer, done to your hair. I would also suggest having a wrap done to smooth your hair and give it body. Don't panic if a trim is recommended...sometimes you have to give something to get what you desire from your hair. There are many products that are used in black salons to do wraps and give your hair a shiny, silky texture. Ask around, if you have any AA female friends, for some recommendations for stylists and products. If you visit a salon, ask about some OTC products that will give you similar professional results that you can do yourself, and so you don't end up in the "poor house" buying products trying to tame your "do".

Good luck taming the beast (your hair)

and keep us posted on your progress.

 

[dontspeakdefeat]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Jim, I can't wait to hear your results. Good luck to ya!

DSD

 

[Jim]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Hi Cybra!
Thanks for responding! Ya know...after doing ALOT of reading myself on this board over the last few days..I was thinking exactly the same thing myself, although, I have read alot about Dominican salons. Is there really that much of a difference between the two? I'm really determined after finding this site to do "whatever" it takes to get my hair healthy and, if @ all possible, straight. You girls have been so wonderful and so kind to me...Thank you all!!! Jim-

 

[cybra]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Hey Jim...nice hearing back from ya.

Actually, you asked the very next thing I was going to suggest, you're way ahead of me

I have not, personally, visited a Dominican salon, but from what friends have told me, things that are done there are actually better than some "black" salons. I was in Holland last year, and all my AA friends and African friends only went to Dominican salons. I had intended to go myself, but my work schedule would not allow for it. But one things I can say is that their hair was gorgeous after they went. So, give it a try and let me know how it turns out. Who knows, I may take "your advice" and visit a salon myself.

Good luck and we're rooting for your success

 

[Jim]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Cybra,
Ya gotta deal! I am gonna try some OTC products first. I still want to make my trip to Sally's tomorrow morning. Oh, and, just do me a favor girls...The next time you're @ the salon, if you happen to see a guy with a roller set sitting under the dryer, try not to snicker, and, just say Hi...It just might be me!!!! Jim-

 

[leejure]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Jim,

Also, let me just share the regimen that I talked my white co-worker (who has frizzy/curly hair) into following and she has had MUCH success with it.

I talked her into doing conditioning only washes once a week. This is when you wash your hair but use a conditioner instead of shampoo. This keeps your curls really hydrated and very...well curly looking. At the end of each week, she shampoos her hair and then she repeats. The idea behind this is that curly hair seems to be drier than any other hair. When you shampoo, you strip all the oil from your hair causing it to be dry once again. What you want to do is the reverse...you wnt your hair to be clean as well as ADD moisture, hence the Conditioner Washes.

BTW... OTC Products that are marketed for non-black users are designed to strip oils from the hair. You may want to look into purchasing products for curly hair or AA only. I didn't read the responses of the other sisters here. I am sure they got you covered, I just wanted to offer my 2 cents as well!

Ooooo, another good idea. IF you are not keen on Conditioner only washes, try CREME OF NATURE shampoos. They are really great!

Good Luck and post pixs when you can!

-lee

 

[Jim]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Hi Lee!
First of all, let me just say I looked @ your photos, and, you have GORGEOUS hair!!!! Thanks for the advice...and, another girl here had already suggested going with the Creme of Nature products since I was telling her that my hair was dry. Of course, I want the best of both worlds...Healthy AND straight, but, I'm willing to just work on the healthy part for now, and, eperiment with the straight part later. Have a GREAT weekend!!! Jim-

 

[cybra]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Hey again, Jim.

I know things will turn out just fine with your hair. It might require some patience on your part until you achieve what you are going for, but IT WILL HAPPEN. I truly do hope you do as one sister suggested and take some before and after shots for us to see. Before, I was wearing braids but this year I decided to go natural. Like Lee, my hair is wavy and shrinks a lot when dry. I do plan to let it grow for another year before deciding whether relaxing it or continue to let it grow natural. If I decide to get it relaxed professionally, I might even visit a Dominican salon. If you're still around, I'll t post pictures after I have it done to see what you think. Until then, you can check out the ones I posted. Good luck buddy...TTFN.

 

[Jim]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Cybra,
You truly are...GORGEOUS! Either natural, or, braided. Yup! HERE is where I belong! Jim-

 

[MissJ]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Darn, Jim, you seem excited! Welcome to the board.

 

[Cleo]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

[ QUOTE ]
Oh, and, can I ask you girls to sort of keep an eye on me? If ANY of you see anything on my posts that even looks like..."Bra Strap Goal", with ANY date, you have my permission to beat me senseless.
Jim

[/ QUOTE ]

...Jim, I had a feeling I was going to like you

...great sense of humor.

 

[Jim]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Hi, and, "Thanks" Cleo!!!
This is one great site! I'll go on a little bit later tonite when I get home and tell all you girls about my trip to Sally's this weekend and how things went...

 

[dontspeakdefeat]

Re: I feel a lil\' embarassed...

Great! I can't wait to see what you bought.