I've Come to the Conclusion: It's the Manipulation.

[RadiantBeauty]

I agree! Low manipulation works, especially if you are like me dealing with 3 different textures!

 

[Christelyn]

Even though the definition of low-manipulation is really subjective, I do agree with you. I think it's more about gentle handling and for some people being gentle means doing a style and leaving it all week.

This brings to mind something JustKiya always says. In order for her to have the length she wants, her strands are going to have to survive for several years. That's why she treats her hair gently now (ex: using seamless combs) so that she can retain as much of the cuticle and integrity of the hair as possible.

I'm all about gentle handling and not overdoing it. For me overdoing it is trying to comb through my hair constantly but that differs from person to person. Some of the things other people call low-manipulation seems like a whole bunch of manipulation to me.

I feel the same way! The comb--any comb, but I can tolerate a wide tooth--is not my friend. But even if I didn't comb, co-washed and finger-combed, I'd still have breakage. My hair just doesn't like to be touched.

 

[SelfStyled]

Anyone else feel me?

I TOTALLY feel you.

"Left alone" for me means cowash and bun rather than the manipulation that comes with rollersetting. I get the most progress just doing this. I just had this same epiphany over the weekend too and decided that I need some hoops and necklaces and hair accesories so I can feel cute rocking the bun.

 

[Christelyn]

It's funny. This morning I really set me mind to this decision and I think it's going to be doable. One big key for me is to lay off buying products for a while so that I'm not tempted and impatient to try them. Now I think how to preserve my set as a kind of game--how long can I go without it looking a greasy mess? And then next week, I'm looking forward to all the creative ways I can wear ponytails and buns without taking a comb to my hair.

This is definitely doable. I did it before out of what I thought was necessity. I'm doing it now because I know that what's best for my hair.

 

[vainღ♥♡jane]

i agree. when i had apl/bsl hair, i wore it in a ponytail everyday (which my mom hated). it wasn't until i started abusing my flatiron (along with no dc'ing or conditioning) that the length disappeared.

 

[Ramya]

Low manipulation has always been my thing even before I knew what it was called. I only comb on wash days or for special styles. Which is like once every 2 weeks now. I've found that it's really not necessary for me to manipulate my hair a whole lot.

 

[CenteredGirl]

Chris,

I am in TOTAL support of your conclusion. I was thinking the very same thing just yesterday. I am following this practice right now. I struggle to keep my hands away from my hair and washing weekly. My hair is 3 weeks old now and boy it looks good and doesn't smell. Thanks.

 

[Angelicus]

Hey sweetie, thank you for this thread! I agree with you; when I was keeping it simple, I had so much hair on my head. Thank you for reminding me that less equals more... hair!

 

[Mz.Shug]

I'm feeling you.I wrote the same thing in my blog over the weekend.That's why I'm sticking with bunning. I did it everyday for a month in Dec. and I had great retention and my ends were in great shape.Then I started with the heat and trying to rollerset, and got braids and went to a sew in which I'm sure works great for others just not for me.

 

[TwistNMx]

It's really nice when we discover what works best for our hair and that everyone is different.

 

[brucebettye]

Low manipulation for me is not combing my hair but every two weeks, washing my hair twice a week, and baggying my hair every night for moisture(my hair is dry like the desert). When I tried to cowash my hair everyday I had knots on all of my strands and had to give myself a trim. I'm so glad I found this website because it taught me to see what works best for my hair. If it wasn't for the trial and error stage I would have never learned what works for my hair.

 

[Christelyn]

Low manipulation for me is not combing my hair but every two weeks, washing my hair twice a week, and baggying my hair every night for moisture(my hair is dry like the desert). When I tried to cowash my hair everyday I had knots on all of my strands and had to give myself a trim. I'm so glad I found this website because it taught me to see what works best for my hair. If it wasn't for the trial and error stage I would have never learned what works for my hair.

How to you co-wash and not comb for two weeks without having tons of knots? Please enlighten!

 

[LovingMe87]

I was wondering do you guys think that braiding my hair every night is a lot of manipulation?

 

[Christelyn]

I was wondering do you guys think that braiding my hair every night is a lot of manipulation?

If you hair is on the finer side, I'd have to say a definite yes. Especially if you are braiding, then unbraiding, combing out the tangles, etc.