I Never Imagined I Would Be...

[MizaniMami]

What are some things that you NEVER imagined that you would be doing? But that you do because of what learned on LHCF??

I NEVER imagined I would be:

Doing the baggie method, I used to think it was so weird.

Not using heat for mos at a time. I NEVER saw this one coming!

Stretching my relaxer more than 7 weeks, by my own will ( I used to only stretch because I was too broke to see a stylist)

Stop wrapping my hair at night, I was sure this was the only way that black people's hair grow.

Pass shoulder length, I thought shoulder length was my growth potential.


I'll add more later. What about you ladies??

 

[Desert Skye]

I never thought nor ever heard of anyone using whale sperm shampoo... My boyfriend found a bottle of it in my bathroom and he is now questioning my sanity...

 

[Catina72]

The first time I came across DSD's fotki album I thought the sister was CRAZY with that plastic sandwich bag on her ends. Now I do it daily. Also no brushing?? I truly believed in the 100 brushes per day for hair. !! Stretching relaxers I thought was asking for trouble and not straightning the hair (texlaxed) I couldn't comprehend. I do all of these things now and my hair couldn't be happier . No strands all in my comb, on my back, on my pillows or on the bathroom floor .

 

[Candy_C]

i never thought i'd be taking vitamins!!!

i never thought i could stop using gel

i never thought i would stop combing my hair so often

never EVERRR thought i could airdry and still look decent

 

[so1913]

Wearing my hair natural

 

[brooklyngal73]

Hmmm...

• stretching relaxers - going from 8 weeks religiously lol: ) to 12 weeks is great for me. Hopefully after I relax in July, I'll stretch for 16 weeks.
• co-washes - my hair is so much more moisturized
• sealing moisture with oil - Thanx to Sistaslick, I always seal my water-based moisturizers in with oil
• Using a satin scarf nightly
• Protective styling - mostly bunning
• Wetting my hair (either by co-washing or shampooing) more than once every 2 (1 time 3 ) weeks
• Cutting down on direct heat/airdrying - I only use direct heat @ the Dominican salon; I only go there once every 3 months
• Introducing protein into my "regimen"
• Deep conditioning

Thanx LHCF for these hair helpers!

 

[BamaBelle]

I never thought I'd be dandruff free... All because I stopped relaxing for 6 months, and only touch-up every 3 months or so... Obviously I was overprocessing it before.

 

[tenderheaded]

I never thought I'd be airdrying relaxed hair, and have it look and feel good I never thought I'd be using different types of conditioners depending on what my hair needs. I never imagined I'd find an international sisterhood willing to help me with my hair journey

 

[Nightingale]

I never imagined that I would be natural.

 

[JazzyDez]

1. Deep Conditioning Every week (Although I could style hair I was clueless when it came to hair health)

2. Taking Vitamins specifically for my hair/skin/nails

3. Stretching relaxers. (Went from every 6 weeks and on my way to my first 12 week stretch!! And actually being excited about it! )

4. Trying various topical growth aids.

5. Spending extended periods of time in hair stores reading ingredients and actually know what I was looking for/avioding.

5. Visiting a hair board daily!! (Sometimes several times a day )

 

[MizaniMami]

I never thought I'd be airdrying relaxed hair, and have it look and feel good I never thought I'd be using different types of conditioners depending on what my hair needs. I never imagined I'd find an international sisterhood willing to help me with my hair journey

You can say that again!!!!!!

 

[Miss*Tress]

I never imagined:

- I'd be wearing my hair up so much...and preferring it to letting my hair down.
- My hair could reach bra strap. I though armpit was my terminal length.
- I'd be spending so much time on a hair care forum.

 

[BMoreFlyy]

Never imagined I'd be taking vitamins for my hair, attempting to stretch a relaxer, or even having to deal with an obsession over hair

 

[Imani]

...stretching relaxers!! I used to relax every 5 weeks . I want to eventually stretch to 16 wks. now i'm at 10 . I was always told that my hair would fall out and break horribly if i didnt relax oftenerplexed ...so NOT TRUE!

...actually leavin the house without hotcurling my hair---I used to NEVER EVER leave my house without my layers perfectly curled and styled. Now i try to stay away from that evil curling iron as much as possible!

 

[joyous]

1) Wear my hair natural again
2) Airdry
3) Wash more than once weekly

 

[Cichelle]

I never imagined I would do the big chop.
I never imagined I would be cowashing my hair every day.
I never imagined I would love my natural hair.

 

[Denim And Leather]

When I first saw this board last year, (I had questions about the Maxiglide....I posted my questions under what name I cannot remember, got my answers and left with no intention of coming back), I thought (wrongfully) that this was a board full of chicks who were obsessed with their hair and obsessed with different products. It wasn't until the end of March of this year, when I decided to get serious about taking care of my hair, that I came across this board again, quite by accident (or was it really? )
did I realize that my first impression was wrong, that everyone is here because they want to take care of their hair, and want to share and exchange product recommendations and hair care tips, sqashing all the lies and myths about black hair that I have been brainwashed with over the years. Now I'm on this board every day!

* I never thought in a million years that I'd purposely stretch a relaxer to 12 weeks for the sake of the health of my hair. I used to go for a touch-up without fail, every 6 weeks! But yet, here I am, 9 weeks into my stretch. I am very excited to make it to 12 weeks!

* Wasing my hair twice a week

*Doing conditon washes and deep conditions

*NOT using heat, only every now and then, or when I deep conditon, under a bonnet hair dryer

*Not using a brush (very rare now). Funny, my former hairdresser thought that not using a hairbrush was stupid (said words to this effect the last time I saw her for my t.u. in April). Shows how much she knows, which is one of the reasons why she is now my former hairdresser!

*Finger combing my hair mostly, and not using a brush or comb

*Moisturizing my hair twice daily, without fail

*Using ingredients with protein, and learning about the importance of the moisture/protein balance that our hair needs

*The big one: finding the guts to self relax! Thanks to the ladies on here, I realized that I can do it, as long as I'm armed with the right tools, relaxer, and know how (thanks to all the self-relaxing tips I've found on here!)

It feels so great to have complete control over my hair now, and it's largely thanks to LHCF (I have to give a shout out to Cathy Howse, her book was what got me started on my jouney, but this forum did the rest.)

 

[gradygirl]

I never imagined I would:
* Wear a sandwich bag on my head to bed
* Stretch my relaxers. ( I went from 4 weeks to 8 trying to get to 10)
* Using a product made for horses on my hair. (Mega-Tek)
* Not combing my hair everyday

 

[nefertitiblack]

*Conditioner Washing
*Wearing my natural hair longer without it being straightened or locked
*Able to wear my hair straightened without a "ski jump" or tiny bits of hair left on my shoulders
*Able to run my fingers through an toss my straightened and have it fall back into place

 

[MissFallon]

*Buying products based on ingredients instead of what the bottle claims it does.

*Taking vitamins for hair growth

*Putting MN on my scalp.

*Wear my hair up (in a protective style) for 6 months straight.

*Being on a hair board atleast 2x a day discussing various hair issues and solutions.

 

[Sweet_Ambrosia]

I Never Imagined I Would:

*Give up Relaxers
*Co Wash more than once a week
*Not use heat

 

[blac_quarian]

*Washing my hair twice weekly (as opposed to every 2-3 weeks)
*airdrying succesfully
*Stretching relaxers in the correct manner - I alway used to "stretch", however, I didn't pay attention to the need for moisture and washing/DC regularly to keep NG in check. Boy was my hair a mess!!!
*Moisturizing religiously
*Using the baggie method
*Using unconventional products for hairgrowth (MN/MTG)
I glad to say that everything is working like a charm thus far. I love this site!!!

 

[SwtnLow]

1. Not afraid to wet my hair.
2. Spending more than $4.00 for any one hair product
3. Going more than 6 weeks between relaxer touch ups without braids.
4. Applying my relaxer to my roots only.
5. Using monistat 7 to grow my hair.
6. Popping pills like a senior citizen.
7. Having so much fun learning how to care for my hair.

 

[brownsugarflyygirl]

I never thought that I wouldnt be using heat and still be able to wear cute styles!! No heat never ever crossed my mind...not even as a passing thought...now I am about two-three months strong and managing well!!

 

[brownhaired_bonanza]

... washing my own hair at home. A couple of years ago I relied completely on the hairdresser to wash my hair every 2 weeks. If you told me I'd have to do it myself, I'd probably freak. Now, even though I still go to the hairdresser on a regular basis because she's just THAT good, I'll shampoo in-between appointments.

 

[EMJazzy]

*taking as many vitamins as I am currently taking
*using MTG and MN on my scalp
*co-washing nearly everyday
*baggie method (daily)
*never thought I could get past SL as an adult (I had bsl as a child)
*happily wearing my hair in a bun daily

 

[Isis]

I never thought I would be:

Eliminating heat! I always thought I had to use heat on my hair.

Airdrying my hair! This was not even a concept.

Stretching my relaxer, this too was not a concept.

Relaxing my newgrowth only 50-60% and loving it!

Posting on a hairboard (or any board) for three years!

 

[Vshanell]

Great thread!

I never thought I would be not using heat as much.

Roller setting my natural hair.

Air-drying for 12+ hours before flat-ironing.

Not using tons of gel to slick my hair down to my head.

Using a Maxiglide....thank the Lord for this one!!

 

[madamdot]

My hairline could (or should) have regular length hair and not just "baby" hair. It's about 3 inches long. Whohoo!

Stretching my relaxer. Am not a pro like you ladies but I am entering week 5 with a ton of new growth you know I'd have an appointment for the end of the week.

I'd not comb my hair as often. I swear this has been the greatest hurdle. Interestingly enough - not combing it as often helps with stretching cause I dont face the daily frustration.

Thanks ladies for all your help.

 

[middlegirl]

1. Using MTG - it stinks
2. airdrying in rollers
3. getting compliments when i wear my no-heat styles