I REALLY need help on sealing my hair! ***PICS***

[Charla]

My hair is about 3.5-4.5" all around and it's when it's dry, the only way I can seal it is to saturate it with spray(avj/water/glycerin), then use my hands to uncompact it because it gets really compacted when I wear my bonnets and scarfs (which are on all the time, esp since I wear them under my half wigs.)

Then when it's uncompacted, which is not an easy task, I apply my shea butter mix. But the problem is I feel like I have to manipulate my hair ENTIRELY too much to uncompact it and moisturize and seal it.

PROBLEM #2 Since it's sooo curly and since it's sooo short, I'm not even sure how I should be dividing my hair to seal it. I usually just rub some shea butter in my hands and then rub it across my whole head in a back-going motion. BUt I'm not sure if that's correct of if I'll end up with breakage eventually.

Will some more experience curly girls please tell me how to do this right?! Thanks

The first set of pics is freshly washed with no product -- this is also how my hair looks in it's compacted state that I'm complaining about above after I've worn a scarf or bonnet and it's already been moisturized. It's just so tightly wound!

The 2nd set of pics is after it's been detangled with VO5. If only it would stay stretched, then this post wouldn't be necessary!

 

[bride91501]

Hey missy! If you have 4" of hair, you should be able to braid or twist it. This is a much better way to wear it under your scarves under your wigs cuz they keep your hair in a stretched state, avoiding tangles.

If you can braid or twist it, you can just rub the butter or oil into your hands really well beforehand, then you'll be braiding and sealing at the same time.

Would this work for you?

 

[ErikaUK]

You have lovely curls! Have you tried flat twisting or canerows under your scarf at night? Those can be done with shorter hair. 4" is plenty! I would keep your hair stretched as much as possible, especially night time.

 

[Charla]

Hey missy! If you have 4" of hair, you should be able to braid or twist it. This is a much better way to wear it under your scarves under your wigs cuz they keep your hair in a stretched state, avoiding tangles.

If you can braid or twist it, you can just rub the butter or oil into your hands really well beforehand, then you'll be braiding and sealing at the same time.

Would this work for you?

Thanks, Bride. I did try that about 2 weeks ago, and even my plaits (braids) shrunk up like something fierce. It's like all the curls HAVE to be hugged up to each other. Should I be unbraiding them like daily or every other day to moisturize and reseal? Sorry if these are dumb or obvious questions, but having this much natural hair is new to me!

 

[Charla]

You have lovely curls! Have you tried flat twisting or canerows under your scarf at night? Those can be done with shorter hair. 4" is plenty! I would keep your hair stretched as much as possible, especially night time.

Thank you Erika! I did have cornrows in recently, but I felt like I couldn't access my scalp to apply my sulfur oil. When I tried, it felt like I was snagging and breaking my hair with the application bottle.

I'm so confused! I know girls with curlier hair than mine are accomplishing this. I don't know why I'm struggling so much

 

[Nonie]

Thanks, Bride. I did try that about 2 weeks ago, and even my plaits (braids) shrunk up like something fierce. It's like all the curls HAVE to be hugged up to each other. Should I be unbraiding them like daily or every other day to moisturize and reseal? Sorry if these are dumb or obvious questions, but having this much natural hair is new to me!

It depends on how you want to wear your hair. If you want to wear it loose, then I guess you'd undo it every morning. Until I came to the US, I had never heard of anyone with natural hair (save type 3) going to bed with hair that wasn't braided. Your hair stands a better chance of not shrinking when braided. When you braid, you stretch it as you braid and you braid firmly. It should not shrink much if you braid that way. It will shrink when you undo the braids depending on what it is you use to moisturize. I use S Curl so shrinkage is a part and parcel of my regimen.

IMO people do more manipulation trying to remove tangles than having to undo braids every morning to wear hair out. You don't have to wear your hair out if you like twists and braids. I just don't get this need to always wear hair out. I don't think some hair types are made for that sort of regimen. I think twisting and braiding and leaving hair alone serves some hair types better than always wearing it out day-in, day-out. And if you like wearing your hair out and love braid-outs/twist-outs, then you do cut back on manipulation because you do not need to use a comb but can finger-comb to remove shed hair and then rebraid it to maintain style for the next day.

 

[Charla]

It depends on how you want to wear your hair. If you want to wear it loose, then I guess you'd undo it every morning. Until I came to the US, I had never heard of anyone with natural hair (save type 3) going to bed with hair that wasn't braided. Your hair stands a better chance of not shrinking when braided. When you braid, you stretch it as you braid and you braid firmly. It should not shrink much if you braid that way. It will shrink when you undo the braids depending on what it is you use to moisturize. I use S Curl so shrinkage is a part and parcel of my regimen.

IMO people do more manipulation trying to remove tangles than having to undo braids every morning to wear hair out. You don't have to wear your hair out if you like twists and braids. I just don't get this need to always wear hair out. I don't think some hair types are made for that sort of regimen. I think twisting and braiding and leaving hair alone serves some hair types better than always wearing it out day-in, day-out. And if you like wearing your hair out and love braid-outs/twist-outs, then you do cut back on manipulation because you do not need to use a comb but can finger-comb to remove shed hair and then rebraid it to maintain style for the next day.

Thanks, Nonie. I never wear my hair out. It's always under a bonnet (at home) or under a bonnet and half wig when I'm away from home. I never do twist outs or braid outs...I'm still trying to figure this all out. I don't know. I feel like there's a key element I'm missing...how to keep my hair stretched...that's what I'm missing. My darn hair just WON"T STAY stretched!

 

[faithVA]

My hair is really curly and has been that length. When it was that short, I sprayed it with Stay Sof Fro and put on my wig cap and put on my wig. If your hair feels moisturized with the glycerin mix, you may not need to seal. I didn't and my hair stayed moisturized. And there isn't any reason to try to stretch it out every day since its so short, especially if you are going to put a wig back on it.

At this length it is long enough to put in some twists or braids or coils (which are easier). Just moisturized and seal before you put them in. And no don't take them down every day just leave them. You can just spray them with your glycerin mix when needed.

At your length it sounds like you are trying to do too much. This length is one of the most carefree.

 

[sapphire18]

Have you tried sealing your hair with oil after you apply the glycerine and water? Also, flat twists might be easier to do yourself than conrows.

 

[Charla]

My hair is really curly and has been that length. When it was that short, I sprayed it with Stay Sof Fro and put on my wig cap and put on my wig. If your hair feels moisturized with the glycerin mix, you may not need to seal. I didn't and my hair stayed moisturized. And there isn't any reason to try to stretch it out every day since its so short, especially if you are going to put a wig back on it.

At this length it is long enough to put in some twists or braids or coils (which are easier). Just moisturized and seal before you put them in. And no don't take them down every day just leave them. You can just spray them with your glycerin mix when needed.

At your length it sounds like you are trying to do too much. This length is one of the most carefree.

faithVA
That's makes perfect sense!
This is what I'll do. I'm going to up my spray bottle to something really nourishing and moisturizing and leave it like that. I felt like I was trying to do too much! And that I was overcomplicating it! THANKS!

 

[Nonie]

Thanks, Nonie. I never wear my hair out. It's always under a bonnet (at home) or under a bonnet and half wig when I'm away from home. I never do twist outs or braid outs...I'm still trying to figure this all out. I don't know. I feel like there's a key element I'm missing...how to keep my hair stretched...that's what I'm missing. My darn hair just WON"T STAY stretched!

Since you're keeping it covered, why not keep it braided? What's the use of having it out? I don't know anyone who wears wigs with their hair loose. I'm also not sure I understand why your hair isn't getting stretched. If you're wetting it, then it obviously shrinks. Most people dry their hair in braids to stretch and by the time it's dry it is stretched. IF you wet it again it will obviously shrink.

Also I don't know where you got your moisturizer idea from. If you are finding your hair feeling dry after you use your products, then they are obviously not working. Have you tried S Curl? I know I sound like a broken record but IMO you could get the same ingredients as Jacques Torres and not be able to come up with the same pastry creation that he would. So when folks take glycerin, water, etc and make their own mixture and then say their hair feels dry, I always wonder why they don't just buy the ready made "pastry" by a pro in the field. Also, it may be that Shea Butter doesn't work for you. I used to find my hair felt soft on application of shea butter but then it'd dry and get hard. All that changed when I discovered S Curl. I share all about the difference it made to my hair and my mom (and you will see a few others had the same experience) in this thread.

IMO, a good moisturizer should not leave your hair thirsting for moisture. It should be able to keep your hair happy for a long time before you need to apply more.

 

[Charla]

Have you tried sealing your hair with oil after you apply the glycerine and water? Also, flat twists might be easier to do yourself than conrows.

sapphire18
I haven't tried that. Do you think it would be a good idea to add an oil to my water/avj/glycerin mix? I have several oils, but I was thinking maybe my hemp would be good...or even liquified shea butter???


I haven't experiemented with flat twists yet, but would like to try when I get more length.

 

[PPGbubbles]

@sapphire18
I haven't tried that. Do you think it would be a good idea to add an oil to my water/avj/glycerin mix? I have several oils, but I was thinking maybe my hemp would be good...or even liquified shea butter???


I haven't experiemented with flat twists yet, but would like to try when I get more length.

be careful with liquified shea butter. It will go on easy but you may find that in its liquified state you will apply more than you need. Then when it solidifies you may have too much product and you will visibly see hardened shea in your hair.

 

[Charla]

be careful with liquified shea butter. It will go on easy but you may find that in its liquified state you will apply more than you need. Then when it solidifies you may have too much product and you will visibly see hardened shea in your hair.

ooooooooh, ok. I definitely didn't know that! Thanks!

 

[PPGbubbles]

ooooooooh, ok. I definitely didn't know that! Thanks!

No prob!

I would melt shea butter to easily add other oils and fragrance and I learned this the hard way

 

[Charla]

Since you're keeping it covered, why not keep it braided? What's the use of having it out? I don't know anyone who wears wigs with their hair loose. I'm also not sure I understand why your hair isn't getting stretched. If you're wetting it, then it obviously shrinks. Most people dry their hair in braids to stretch and by the time it's dry it is stretched. IF you wet it again it will obviously shrink.

Also I don't know where you got your moisturizer idea from. If you are finding your hair feeling dry after you use your products, then they are obviously not working. Have you tried S Curl? I know I sound like a broken record but IMO you could get the same ingredients as Jacques Torres and not be able to come up with the same pastry creation that he would. So when folks take glycerin, water, etc and make their own mixture and then say their hair feels dry, I always wonder why they don't just buy the ready made "pastry" by a pro in the field. Also, it may be that Shea Butter doesn't work for you. I used to find my hair felt soft on application of shea butter but then it'd dry and get hard. All that changed when I discovered S Curl. I share all about the difference it made to my hair and my mom (and you will see a few others had the same experience) in this thread.

IMO, a good moisturizer should not leave your hair thirsting for moisture. It should be able to keep your hair happy for a long time before you need to apply more.

Thanks, Nonie.
Before I added glycerin to my mix, apply just the water/avj spray and then seal with Aussie Moist mixed with castor oil. It worked for a while, I always had to re-do it.

Now that I've added glycerin to my spray, and I also switched to the shea butter(mixed with hemp seed oil) my hair stays soft and moisturized for 2 days. But of course after 2 days I have to redo it.

So I think I'm going to doctor my spray mix and use that exclusively as suggested by FaithVA and see how that goes.

As for keeping my hair stretched with braids, when I plait it wet, it just shrinks up into a teeny tiny plait and stays like that even when dry. So I don't know. Maybe at this length it's not the stretching kind.

 

[sapphire18]

@sapphire18
I haven't tried that. Do you think it would be a good idea to add an oil to my water/avj/glycerin mix? I have several oils, but I was thinking maybe my hemp would be good...or even liquified shea butter???


I haven't experiemented with flat twists yet, but would like to try when I get more length.

I was thinking you could seal in the moisture from the glycerin mix by applying the oil afterwards. The best sealing oil I have used was castor oil second best is extra virgin olive oil. I think flat twists can be done with your current length.

 

[Lucia]

OP
You could try adding evoo and a cerimide oil in your spray mix.

 

[Charla]

OP
You could try adding evoo and a cerimide oil in your spray mix.

Thanks, Lucia! I think I'm going to add hemp seed oil. I did try evoo before, but it left my hair crispy!erplexed

 

[Nonie]

As for keeping my hair stretched with braids, when I plait it wet, it just shrinks up into a teeny tiny plait and stays like that even when dry. So I don't know. Maybe at this length it's not the stretching kind.

I honestly don't know what to tell you. Braiding is one of the oldest ways to stretch hair.

When I would wash my hair loose, it'd look like this:

When I braid the wet hair, the braids would be longer than the shrunken hair because I don't know any way to braid that doesn't involve stretching the hair out. And if I let the hair fully dry, then it'd be the length of the braids it was in:

The only way I could see hair shrinking back is if you undo it before it's dry. The pic below shows my hair after being washed in braids. The braids are shrunken but as you can see, the center part that was undone while still dripping wet shrunks down even more than the braids:

When I braided it back, the plait from it was longer than the other plaits that shrunk during the wash, because when I braid, there's a stretching involved so strands are almost stretched straight.

In this pic below you can see what hair looks like when it dries in a braid. It's pretty much stretched:

That same hair not stretched looks like this:

 

[danniegirl]

I don't know if this was mentioned but I think u should try small twist or braids you can wash them and oiling you scalp would be really easy

 

[Charla]

I honestly don't know what to tell you. Braiding is one of the oldest ways to stretch hair.

When I would wash my hair loose, it'd look like this:


When I braid the wet hair, the braids would be longer than the shrunken hair because I don't know any way to braid that doesn't involve stretching the hair out. And if I let the hair fully dry, then it'd be the length of the braids it was in:


The only way I could see hair shrinking back is if you undo it before it's dry. The pic below shows my hair after being washed in braids. The braids are shrunken but as you can see, the center part that was undone while still dripping wet shrunks down even more than the braids:

When I braided it back, the plait from it was longer than the other plaits that shrunk during the wash, because when I braid, there's a stretching involved so strands are almost stretched straight.

In this pic below you can see what hair looks like when it dries in a braid. It's pretty much stretched:


That same hair not stretched looks like this:

@Nonie Thanks for the pics! I definitely see why you don't see what I'm saying about my hair. My hair looks nothing like yours in the above pic when I put plaits it. Those are some looooong braids to have the amount of hair that you do. My braids look nothing like that. My plaits end up about 1/4 the length of your braid! I don't know why. Maybe it's different textures or curl size or elasticity, who knows what?? They shrink up to oblivion! As I stated before, maybe my hair isn't the stretching kind at this legnth.
Regardless, thanks for your help. At least this helps me to see even more that I can't expect the same results as someone else with similar length!

 

[Nonie]

Charla I think you need to have someone braid your hair coz I honestly have never heard anyone say with type 4 hair say her hair doesn't stretched if airdried in braids.

Also my hair is longer than yours that is why it is long in the photos. Your hair should stretch to the lengths you show in your siggy or close. Maybe it's your braiding technique. Can you post a photo of the braids you do? Methinks you do them so loose that you might as well not have braided.

This was the puff I'd get after my BC when not stretched:

This is the same hair next day after being stretched in braids:

You've heard me say that I don't mind shrinkage at all and embrace it with S Curl, but I want you to see that products can also be to blame. After my BC, I was clueless on what products to use since I used to live with no-product hair that stayed braided or twisted. Now with a TWA that needed combing, I needed a product and so a friend would send me recommendations and samples. One of the samples she sent me was Garnier Fructis Curl Cream. Not only did my hair dry up hard, it also shrunk way more than S Curl hair. I took a pic back then to show her (My hair was twisted in both cases to stretch it):

Anyway, please post an image of your plaits or even a video of you doing them coz I honestly think there's something wrong with your technique. If your hair can be stretched with fingers (per your siggy) then it most certainly can be stretched with braids.