MHM Hangout

[Evolving78]

I have not done a conditioning steam treatment in months. This morning I decided to do a water rinse, apply the Tresamme Perfectly undone conditioner with argan oil and steam DC for a few minutes prior to applying my clay mix. I honestly think there is a portion of my hair on the back/sides that are not being hydrated well because its a lot less porous than the rest of my hair. My cuticles are really struggling to open enough on its own and I really don't want to use BS so I'm going back to basics even more so.

I'm looking forward to getting out the TWA phase so that I can focus less on definition and more on retaining length.

How do you style your hair? I use my finger and just kind for run them through, like in a scrubbing kind of motion. I wet my hair throughout the process. This helps with definition. Light product give me soft coils, and heavy products give me very defined coils. I wonder is there a gel that doesn't have the no no ingredients that is thick? Flaxseed gel maybe? I just bought the Shea Moisture Gel soufflé today. I got the Argan oil ecostyler gel. I don't know if the SM is on the bad list. People complained of it being sticky, but it reminds me of KCC. Not as snotty as the custard though.

 

[Evolving78]

How do you style your hair? I use my finger and just kind for run them through, like in a scrubbing kind of motion. I wet my hair throughout the process. This helps with definition. Light product give me soft coils, and heavy products give me very defined coils. I wonder is there a gel that doesn't have the no no ingredients that is thick? Flaxseed gel maybe? I just bought the Shea Moisture Gel soufflé today. I got the Argan oil ecostyler gel. I don't know if the SM is on the bad list. People complained of it being sticky, but it reminds me of KCC. Not as snotty as the custard though.

Yeah I just saw that the SM has glycerin and Panthenol in it..smh

 

[Evolving78]

How do you style your hair? I use my finger and just kind for run them through, like in a scrubbing kind of motion. I wet my hair throughout the process. This helps with definition. Light product give me soft coils, and heavy products give me very defined coils. I wonder is there a gel that doesn't have the no no ingredients that is thick? Flaxseed gel maybe? I just bought the Shea Moisture Gel soufflé today. I got the Argan oil ecostyler gel. I don't know if the SM is on the bad list. People complained of it being sticky, but it reminds me of KCC. Not as snotty as the custard though.

Yeah I just saw that the SM has glycerin and Panethol

 

[KiWiStyle]

How do you style your hair? I use my finger and just kind for run them through, like in a scrubbing kind of motion. I wet my hair throughout the process. This helps with definition. Light product give me soft coils, and heavy products give me very defined coils. I wonder is there a gel that doesn't have the no no ingredients that is thick? Flaxseed gel maybe? I just bought the Shea Moisture Gel soufflé today. I got the Argan oil ecostyler gel. I don't know if the SM is on the bad list. People complained of it being sticky, but it reminds me of KCC. Not as snotty as the custard though.

@shortdub78 I do the same thing. Gel, scrunch, water...gel, scrunch, water, repeat as necessary. I aim to make sure the gel is distributed evenly and to get my hair heavy enough to clump with the water and gel. As far as I know, there are no heavy approved gels, if you try flaxseed let me know how it works for you.

 

[guudhair]

Finished Day 6... I've been lazy since Saturday :-/

1. Clarify: Skipped
2. Condition: SM African Black Soap Balancing Conditioner (UA) w/steamer
3. Mud: Terressentials
4. Leave-In: Skipped
5. Seal: flaxseed gel

It seems like there was slightly more clumping this wash...not very noticeable. I plan on doing a CLT this weekend.

I'm not sure if I like the flaxseed gel but I'm going to keep using it until I run out. It doesn't feel like it's setting/holding. Maybe I'm not using enough? My hair looks dull and feels kind of dry. I will leave out the Aloe Vera when I make the next batch to see if it's better for me.

 

[AJellyCake]

@KiWiStyle

You have beautiful hair. That's an objective fact. Haha not just my opinion.

One thing that I've noticed with a lot of my friends and family who've gone natural recently is that it can be very frustrating to deal with shorter hair. Especially with the shrinkage.

When people ask me for advice I definitely tell them to wait out their natural hair for 2 years. With 2 years' of growth most of us 3c-4c curlies should have some visible length. That aids in styling as well. My hair is so much easier now than it was two years ago. And it was easier at 2.5 years post-relaxer than it was at 1.5 years.

Soooo all I can say is to not give up and keep trying to find products and a regimen that work for you.

But, of course, if you think relaxed hair works better for you, then you can certainly go back!

:hugs:

I'm just about six months into my natural hair journey and the max hydration method; regular and modified. I am sad to report that my hair is not much hydrated or defined than when I first began. My wet and product free hair looks a hot mess, my dry and product free hair is a hot mess and my hair with gel (KCCC) IS a hot mess when it dries. I'm losing hope that its even possible at all for me and have momentarily considered the creamy crack again, cutting it all the way down to 1/2", wearing breads to hide my hair from my own eyes. I have stared in the mirror nearly crying and saying how much I hate my hair. Its still a dry frizzy mess and I regret my BC so much because I can't do anything to it but attempt
wng with gel which looks fine while wet...I'm so over hard hair but creams laugh at my hair. It's fine, weightless and even coiless. At least I don't have ugly and gray hair tho...I'm glad I colored it or else I might've sank into a depression. Vent over.

 

[guudhair]

@AbsyBlvd Is your clay mix considered clarifying since you added ACV? How much ACV did you add? I'm going to try that since I ran out of Terressentials.

I've never mixed clay for my hair and I don't have any Rhossaul. I have Rose, Moroccan, Sea, Earth, and Kaolin clays. Will either of these be okay to sub for Rhossaul to mix with the Bentonite?

Also, I will do a CLT this weekend. Will it be best to leave out ACV in the clay mix since BS is in the CLT?

TIA

 

[Honey Bee]

@AbsyBlvd Is your clay mix considered clarifying since you added ACV?

You didn't ask me but ACV is considered a clarifier all by itself, so, yeah, I'd assume that it works toward the same purpose with the clay. (I mix acv with my clay too.)

 

[guudhair]

@Honey Bee, Thank you. Should I not add ACV to the clay mix on days I do CLT since it includes baking soda?

 

[Honey Bee]

@Honey Bee, Thank you. Should I not add ACV to the clay mix on days I do CLT since it includes baking soda?

As I understand it, ACV has a low ph value as opposed to bs. People often use it as a final rinse to close the cuticle (vs bs which opens it).

Make your own decision, of course, but I don't see anything wrong with it. They work in totally different ways.

 

[GGsKin]

@AbsyBlvd Is your clay mix considered clarifying since you added ACV? How much ACV did you add? I'm going to try that since I ran out of Terressentials.

I've never mixed clay for my hair and I don't have any Rhossaul. I have Rose, Moroccan, Sea, Earth, and Kaolin clays. Will either of these be okay to sub for Rhossaul to mix with the Bentonite?

Also, I will do a CLT this weekend. Will it be best to leave out ACV in the clay mix since BS is in the CLT?

TIA

Yes, the clay is considered as the cleansing part of the regimen. We all must make our own judgement of course but I would go ahead and include the ACV in both mixes. I've done so on numerous occasions without adverse effects.

I used to add about a tea spoon, now probably about 1-2 tablespoons and I dilute with water before adding to the clay (makes it slightly less volatile).

A couple spoons of your Moroccan clay and one or two of bentonite should do ok. I use mine in an applicator bottle and add enough liquid to make about 14oz or around 420ml (from poor memory).

 

[AJellyCake]

This week I've tried a modified regimen.

I used clay (one day bentonite and ACV, one day Terressentials), then diluted conditioner leave-in, then gel.

My hair had more volume on Day 1 than normal and I got great 2nd day hair. But I had more build-up on my scalp.

 

[Evolving78]

@shortdub78 I do the same thing. Gel, scrunch, water...gel, scrunch, water, repeat as necessary. I aim to make sure the gel is distributed evenly and to get my hair heavy enough to clump with the water and gel. As far as I know, there are no heavy approved gels, if you try flaxseed let me know how it works for you.

What other styles have you tried yet? Finger coils, two strand twists? Twist outs? Bantu knots/sets? Cold wave rod sets?, straw sets? In the past, I would two strand twist my hair with just two inches of hair. I would get a lining, so it would look nice and neat. Once I gained a few more inches, I started trying more styles. Would you consider a tapered cut? Have you started back with incorporating the protein treatments? Has it helped any?

 

[Evolving78]

I tried the SM gel soufflé with the ecostyler Argan, and it gave me more shine, but it was more crunchy than the Eco olive oil and kids organics lotion. I will continue to use it though. I plan on getting some clay today as well.

 

[ForestRose]

Gonna give this a go soon. Won't be strict as I'm not too interested in brining out my natural curl pattern but just so I can get my hair healthy. I will try as often as possible but I'm gonna stick to no less than twice a week.

 

[Holla4mom]

My hair is so much easier now to deal with now than it was before I started MHM! I'm enjoying it much more.

I have an easy updo I've been doing this week and have been getting lots of compliments. Overnight, I don't add any water, and just put a plastic cap on it. My hair is moist when I wake up. In the past, that would have been a nightmare. Moist hair would have meant my style is ruined. Now, it just reactivates my flaxseed gel mix and I put on a silk scarf for a little while and then out the door for the day.

It no longer takes DAYS to go from washing my hair to a decent "out" style that requires all kinds of stretching, rebraiding, etc. I will have to post a pic of my updo when I redo it.

 

[KiWiStyle]

@KiWiStyle

You have beautiful hair. That's an objective fact. Haha not just my opinion.

One thing that I've noticed with a lot of my friends and family who've gone natural recently is that it can be very frustrating to deal with shorter hair. Especially with the shrinkage.

When people ask me for advice I definitely tell them to wait out their natural hair for 2 years. With 2 years' of growth most of us 3c-4c curlies should have some visible length. That aids in styling as well. My hair is so much easier now than it was two years ago. And it was easier at 2.5 years post-relaxer than it was at 1.5 years.

Soooo all I can say is to not give up and keep trying to find products and a regimen that work for you.

But, of course, if you think relaxed hair works better for you, then you can certainly go back!

:hugs:

Thank you @AJellyCake for the encouragement. I'm back on track and my hair isn't giving me a complete headache so I'll be growing my hair out. The crazy thing is, I like when my hair coils and shrink and I love short hair on me when its hydrated, Lol. This week I managed to get a good looking 2nd & 3rd day wng. My hair is in a good place and I hope it continues.

 

[KiWiStyle]

What other styles have you tried yet? Finger coils, two strand twists? Twist outs? Bantu knots/sets? Cold wave rod sets?, straw sets? In the past, I would two strand twist my hair with just two inches of hair. I would get a lining, so it would look nice and neat. Once I gained a few more inches, I started trying more styles. Would you consider a tapered cut? Have you started back with incorporating the protein treatments? Has it helped any?

I have not tried any other style...with my length I don't think I'd like comb/finger coils or the others you named on me. I use to get tapered cuts but not since I decided to grow my hair out.

I've started using commercial hydrolyzed protein treatments and they have made a world of difference! I honestly believe my hair is finer than anyone I know or know of so I get buildup super fast and I need more than animal proteins.

 

[guudhair]

Finished Day 7

1. Clarify: BS mix
2. Condition: SM African Black Soap Balancing Conditioner (UA) w/heating cap
3. Mud: bentonite clay, Moroccan clay, ACV, water
4. Leave-In: Skipped
5. Seal: flaxseed gel

Not much difference from my last wash. I will do a CLT tomorrow or Monday and start washing every three days after that.

 

[Ajna]

Thanks @Ajna for your feedback. I'd posted earlier what my hair looks like with the thicker and thinner clay mixes on it...with and without clarifying my hair.

https://www.longhaircareforum.com/threads/mhm-hangout.744625/page-135#post-21384243
https://www.longhaircareforum.com/threads/mhm-hangout.744625/page-135#post-21384831

I'm not sure if it's a porosity issue or a product issue? For what it's worth, I think my hair gets wet quickly when I wet it during a wash. It used to take a lot of time. But even still, looking at the pictures and seeing it in the mirror it doesn't seem like it's really wet, just holding the water on top. But as I said my moisturizer absorbs very quickly....????

Sorry I missed the pics from before.

Ok I am having a geek moment it looks like your hair is literally repelling water! Very cool!

Let me read through all of your posts but I am thinking you have not found your method within the method - which for me is part technique and part product.

Sorry about that I thought I had responded to you.
Two questions it looks like you have not clarified your hair and are you using BS? I think the cherry lola treatment would be really beneficial
Personally I do not find a difference in thicker clay vs thinner - I prefer it thinner because it is easier to wash out and I use less product.
Honestly though I would suggest starting with the cherry lola and adding a bit of bs to hair on wash days
HTH

 

[snoop]

Sorry about that I thought I had responded to you.
Two questions it looks like you have not clarified your hair and are you using BS? I think the cherry lola treatment would be really beneficial
Personally I do not find a difference in thicker clay vs thinner - I prefer it thinner because it is easier to wash out and I use less product.
Honestly though I would suggest starting with the cherry lola and adding a bit of bs to hair on wash days
HTH

Thanks! Those pics are with and without clarifying.

I'm not keen on using bs but I will try another CLCT this week and take pictures.

 

[Cattypus1]

Finally a WNG that looks like I didn't just roll out of bed...
Modified MHM yesterday and today.

1. Clarified with Ouidad Superfruit Clarifying Shampoo
2. DC overnight with NG Mango and Coconut water DC
   1. Detangled and plaited using Denman-like brush
   2. Covered with plastic cap
3. Rinsed in plaits and applied clay mix in sections
   1. Clay mix with Rhassoul, AV juice, raw honey, water
   2. Word to the wise...do not use Really Raw Honey, I have be picking bits of honeycomb out of my hair. I can't wait until I'm done with this jar.
4. Skipped the DC and applied DE mousse. Air dried.

This was my most successful looking WNG ever. My DS actually noticed and commented on my hair several times.

 

[KiWiStyle]

Finally a WNG that looks like I didn't just roll out of bed...
Modified MHM yesterday and today.

1. Clarified with Ouidad Superfruit Clarifying Shampoo
2. DC overnight with NG Mango and Coconut water DC
   1. Detangled and plaited using Denman-like brush
   2. Covered with plastic cap
3. Rinsed in plaits and applied clay mix in sections
   1. Clay mix with Rhassoul, AV juice, raw honey, water
   2. Word to the wise...do not use Really Raw Honey, I have be picking bits of honeycomb out of my hair. I can't wait until I'm done with this jar.
4. Skipped the DC and applied DE mousse. Air dried.

This was my most successful looking WNG ever. My DS actually noticed and commented on my hair several times.

I'm glad you had a successful wash day!!! These days I rinse and repeat, Lol. If today's regimen worked for you, keep doing it! This week my hair made me proud. Even today while I did nothing to it because I didn't leave the house and it looks like crap, it feels AMAZING, Lol.

 

[tashboog]

So this weekend I did a CLCT since I haven't done one in awhile. Nothing magical happen to my hair, but it does seem to help a little bit with my hydration. After doing the modified routine this weekend, my hair still looks the same far as hydration goes. I am a slow hydrator so I now realize that it'll take me a couple of months before I can see a noticeable change .

Since I no I'm a slow hydrator, I'm no longer focusing on curl definition. I'm now focusing on length retention and healing my scalp. So my new routine now consist of wearing loose twist weekly. For my mid week wash, I now wash in these loose twist then stretch them with curlformers. I've been getting a lot of comments on my curly twisted updo. I like loose twist better than regular twist cuz it makes my low density hair appear fuller. Also I don't have to worry about my ends knotting or dreading during take down. Overall it's a win-win style. I keep it pinned up 24-7 and so it's low manipulation and a protective style. I've notice since doing this routine, that my breakage has slowed down a lot. Before I was way too busy trying to get a perfect braid out, twist out, or bantu knot out. I was doing something to my hair every single day, and my fine strands was not having it .

Also after watching @aharri23 video, I'd decided to detangle with my magic rake comb and man was I surprised with how much shed hair I'd removed. My ends were sticking together so I usually no that means that I wasn't getting out all of my shed hair out with finger detangling. So now I'm going to use a comb at least once a month to thoroughly detangle my hair .

 

[faithVA]

Finally a WNG that looks like I didn't just roll out of bed...
Modified MHM yesterday and today.

1. Clarified with Ouidad Superfruit Clarifying Shampoo
2. DC overnight with NG Mango and Coconut water DC
   1. Detangled and plaited using Denman-like brush
   2. Covered with plastic cap
3. Rinsed in plaits and applied clay mix in sections
   1. Clay mix with Rhassoul, AV juice, raw honey, water
   2. Word to the wise...do not use Really Raw Honey, I have be picking bits of honeycomb out of my hair. I can't wait until I'm done with this jar.
4. Skipped the DC and applied DE mousse. Air dried.

This was my most successful looking WNG ever. My DS actually noticed and commented on my hair several times.

Congratulations. So what change do you think made the most difference?

 

[KiWiStyle]

I just steamed in my clay and will leave it in while I bake my neighbor some cookies.

I plan to use a shampoo on Monday's and use a cleansing cream on Thursdays. Clarify and protein treat once per month, I just haven't chosen a day yet but probably my first shampoo Monday of the month.

I think using Glycerin is helping maintain my moisture levels. Oyin Greg Juice is giving my hair life, I use it on 2nd/3rd day hair. Even just spraying a little before showering makes a bigger impact than just spritzing with water.

 

[Cattypus1]

Congratulations. So what change do you think made the most difference?

Two things: eliminating the leave-in step and using the mousse instead of gel. I actually have 2nd day hair-not winning any beauty contests but I could run out of the house in a fire and not have to grab some kind of covering for my head...LOL

 

[DeeLiteFulEKinky]

I'm just about six months into my natural hair journey and the max hydration method; regular and modified. I am sad to report that my hair is not much hydrated or defined than when I first began. My wet and product free hair looks a hot mess, my dry and product free hair is a hot mess and my hair with gel (KCCC) IS a hot mess when it dries. I'm losing hope that its even possible at all for me and have momentarily considered the creamy crack again, cutting it all the way down to 1/2", wearing breads to hide my hair from my own eyes. I have stared in the mirror nearly crying and saying how much I hate my hair. Its still a dry frizzy mess and I regret my BC so much because I can't do anything to it but attempt
wng with gel which looks fine while wet...I'm so over hard hair but creams laugh at my hair. It's fine, weightless and even coiless. At least I don't have ugly and gray hair tho...I'm glad I colored it or else I might've sank into a depression. Vent over.

I'm mad late to this forum post and I hope I'm not repeating anything anyone said already but... Have you considered you may have scab hair?
I don't know if you were relaxed before big chopping and for how long, but many women who bc find that their hair doesn't behave as they thought it would. Creams don't do anything, treatments, you name it. The thought is the relaxer is able to effect your hair beneath your scalp and sometimes the damaged hair grows out looking like your texture but is in fact damaged rougher hair.
Do you find the ends to be the worse behaved on your head? Usually this is a clear sign. I will try to find some articles/blogs/videos to share with you regarding this. Some think it's a myth, but I don't!

 

[DeeLiteFulEKinky]

But now that I have my technique down I'm loving this stuff. I do my hair in the shower so I put a little in the palm of my hand, rub my hands together and put them under the shower stream, then smooth onto my hair while separating my strands some since my hair tends to overclump. My hair comes out beautifully. I walked by the Camille Rose curl maker in Target yesterday and started to buy it but then I thought for what, I don't think my hair can get any better. As an aside, I hope I don't sound "braggy" I just really love my hair

This is my goal. I haven't really bought new items and have walked away from buying when I see sale tags but ultimately I want to remind myself that my hair is happy with what I'm using. Period.

 

[nycutiepie]

I decided to weave up for the summer but I'm still watching this thread. Does anyone think I could clay wash in a weave if I heavily diluted it with ACV and/or water?