MHM Hangout

I'm up at 7 AM getting my clay in before the madness of my errand running Saturday. If I didn't do it now it wasn't gonna get done at any point this weekend. @AbsyBlvd that's what i'm talkin' bout Sis...knowing and listening to YOUR own hair!
Protein and I are still BFF's...sometimes I follow up with a DC sometimes not, at least right away. But i'm using hydrolyzed keratin, collagen and even small amnts of wheat protein several times a week with (so far) no adverse effects.
Last night I asked DH to do an impromptu length check, and my bottom layer is almost at the end of my 1st tat positioned in the middle of my back just above my shoulder blades! this is AMAZING growth for me and I know it's cause i'm hydrating on a regular and consistent basis! When I finally break out the flat iron in the Fall or Winter I plan to thoroughly impress myself!
Oh and since the summer weather is here my hair is LOVING it; moist and lush from the time it dries through the end of my day! It would stay moist over night if i ever remembered to put on my scarf but it's my pleasure to hydrate everyday.

Have a great Saturday wherever you are in this great big world!
 
Over the past month or so I have had a consistent regimen with a consistent "recipe" for my clay mix. I'm loving my wng finally! I have not (knocks on wood) had a bad one yet since using shampoo weekly and protein at least once/twice a month.

The Redeem Extreme Builder Plus protein is awesome so I'll continue there.

The interesting thing is I've been using Redken Chelating shampoo as my weekly shampoo. I oddly have been using the Carols Daughter conditioner cleanser (can't recall the actual name). I'm looking for a regular shampoo and since I'm having great results with the Redden line, I might start looking there.

I also want to order the conditioner from Etsy that @faithVA and @Cattypus1 uses, for my occasional DC treatments.

In the meantime, I'll watch my hair for any signs of distress due to the use of these products. I've had great results oppose to the alternative so I don't think things will go south.
 
I mixed rhassoul clay powder with honey, ACV and olive oil last night. Was just enough to get on all of my hair. Wanted a bit more coverage, so I took some Naturalicious clay mix I had and diluted it with ACV. Went to sleep with it last night and I'm just waking up.

Still reading through this thread and also reading Dubaidee's blog. So, is the general consensus here, to skip the leave-in and go straight to the gel, even as a first-timer, @faithVA ?

I'm pretty sure I'm low-po. My hair and scalp is very dry and my hair itself is so thick and dense, it's challenging to keep moisturized as it has so many layers.
 
Finished my CLT and DC-ing under my hothead right now. Interesting experience with my CLT this time. There was a distinct ammonia-like smell just as I was finishing the application. It worried me so I rinsed immediately. My hair felt stiff like hard protein. There was no breakage or any other ill effects as far as I can tell. I'm using the NG Cucumber and Melon condish and it melted the stiffness immediately. I have 4 different NG conditioners and I could do commercials, I love this stuff! I have been struggling with shrinkage, about 80%. I need about 2 more inches before I can effectively stretch my hair and keep some curl...hoping for October. The struggle is real!
 
So, I rinsed out the clay and used the KCC gel after reading Dubaidee's modified regimen. I have lots of definition. Hair is still super wet. So far so good. I assume it'll dry with these curls. I plan on going for three days and spritzing in between. I'm going to have to figure out what to do about gel though. I darn near used the whole jar, as my hair is too thick. I'll have to get some cheapy gels and use KCC on special days.

Besides making my own flaxseed gel, anyone have any gel recommendations they second to KCC?
 
Cattypus1 said:
Finished my CLT and DC-ing under my hothead right now. Interesting experience with my CLT this time. There was a distinct ammonia-like smell just as I was finishing the application. It worried me so I rinsed immediately. My hair felt stiff like hard protein. There was no breakage or any other ill effects as far as I can tell. I'm using the NG Cucumber and Melon condish and it melted the stiffness immediately. I have 4 different NG conditioners and I could do commercials, I love this stuff! I have been struggling with shrinkage, about 80%. I need about 2 more inches before I can effectively stretch my hair and keep some curl...hoping for October. The struggle is real!
Click to expand...

I wonder what caused the ammonia Smell!! Did you do anything different? Please list your NG conditions beginning with your top choice...I'll be ordering 2 different ones next week.

@Cattypus1
 
I completed the entire regi and my hair came out pretty good. I skipped the leave-in and used the CR Curl Maker. I also changed my clay mix because I didn't want to use the Really Raw honey because I've been picking bits of honey comb out of my hair for a week. I used about a tbs of coconut oil instead. It turned out really nice.
 
KiWiStyle said:
I wonder what caused the ammonia Smell!! Did you do anything different? Please list your NG conditions beginning with your top choice...I'll be ordering 2 different ones next week.

@Cattypus1
Click to expand...
I have no idea what caused it. My recipe was the same as always, maybe it didn't like what was already on my hair, I don't know. I think I read somewhere in another thread I think about someone noticing that smell but this is the first time for me. The stiffness happens every time. Oh well, it turned out pretty good so no harm, no foul. My NG conditioners are as follows ranked from Love to OK but wouldn't repurchase unless the others were not available:
  1. Herbal Blends
  2. Mango & Coconut Water
  3. Cucumber & Melon
  4. Natural Aloe & Avocado
Actually, I think it's a tie between the Cucumber Melon and Mango Coconut Water. I just got the Cucumber Melon and I've only used it once but I love it already. They all have great slip and 2 and 4 actually have the word "infused" on the label and 4 has protein. I'm not crazy about the scent of 4 either.
 
As
Cattypus1 said:
I have no idea what caused it. My recipe was the same as always, maybe it didn't like what was already on my hair, I don't know. I think I read somewhere in another thread I think about someone noticing that smell but this is the first time for me. The stiffness happens every time. Oh well, it turned out pretty good so no harm, no foul. My NG conditioners are as follows ranked from Love to OK but wouldn't repurchase unless the others were not available:
  1. Herbal Blends
  2. Mango & Coconut Water
  3. Cucumber & Melon
  4. Natural Aloe & Avocado
Actually, I think it's a tie between the Cucumber Melon and Mango Coconut Water. I just got the Cucumber Melon and I've only used it once but I love it already. They all have great slip and 2 and 4 actually have the word "infused" on the label and 4 has protein. I'm not crazy about the scent of 4 either.
Click to expand...

I guess its fine if there are no negative after effects. Thank for listing the NG conditioners, I'll try the top two recs.
 
tashboog said:
HopefulOne my previous post might have come across a bit negative and that wasn't my attention. Since I've been on this forum my alopecia areas have improved greatly. I want to post pics to show you but I'm still kind of embarrassed to post those pics. My crown was really bad when I first started my journey but when I showed faithVA my pics she thinks that I can heal my crown in about 2 years :grin:. The bald spot regimen seemed to improve my crown cuz it was wide like a 3 lane highway but now it's more like a single lane :lol:. The one thing I've been doing is massaging those areas and using the NJoy oil and using a dermaroller before applying the oil so that it can actually penetrate those areas. Hang in there and stay positive cause your hair will improve despite of what the doctors tell you. All my doctors said that my hair will not grow back but I have pics to prove that hair is slowing growing in those areas :yep:.
Click to expand...

@tashboog, how often are you using the dermaroller? Is that the only time you're applying NJoy's oil?
 
faithVA said:
Low porosity hair doesn't necessarily have an issue with glycerin. That's really on a head by head basis. My low porosity hair is fine with glycerin. Tashboog on the other hand is high porosity and her hair doesn't like glycerin. My hair seems to be fine with it despite the season.
Click to expand...

So glad I saw this quote, Thanks faithVA. I just recently had my hair Deva cut (and as I'm in Australia, that's not an easy thing!)
She did a great job with my haircut and added glycerine to a hair treatment made with Jessicurl and my hair is more moisturised than ever. I'm still using the MHM, but I've decided to try using glycerine spritzs for my GHE since it seems to boost moisture. It's so crazy dry here. It produces less frizz than I imagined. Lots of shrinkage, but the ends are elongating, so that probably means eventually the whole strand will elongate too. Will keep you all posted.
 
tallnomad said:
I mixed rhassoul clay powder with honey, ACV and olive oil last night. Was just enough to get on all of my hair. Wanted a bit more coverage, so I took some Naturalicious clay mix I had and diluted it with ACV. Went to sleep with it last night and I'm just waking up.

Still reading through this thread and also reading Dubaidee's blog. So, is the general consensus here, to skip the leave-in and go straight to the gel, even as a first-timer, @faithVA ?

I'm pretty sure I'm low-po. My hair and scalp is very dry and my hair itself is so thick and dense, it's challenging to keep moisturized as it has so many layers.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry I'm just getting to you. I was out of town. If you feel unsure about the leave-in, try diluting it heavily and then apply it. I only recommend Dubaidee's method for newbies if you are using rhassoul or sodium bentonite. If you have calcium bentonite, you may need the conditioner and/or leave-in.

But I don't use gel as my final step so you have to do what you have to do to make the modified method work for you.
 
Honey Bee said:
So... I've been thinking about it, and I'm wondering if I should still be posting here. I ask because, in all honesty, the only MHM-approved thing I do is the clay step. Everything else is all shampoo/ bad gels/ wrong ingredients. I mean, if I'm still officially MHM, I'm reaaallly ****** it up. :lol:

What y'all think?
Click to expand...

I think there are a few people here who aren't really doing MHM. Post if you like. I think at this point it doesn't really make a difference. Everyone is doing there own thing.
 
I'm not doing much with my hair and I'm off track with my clay treatments. I tried the color change shampoo again 2 weeks ago so didn't do clay. And then I used permanent color on Friday so had to shampoo and conditioner. I do protein 3 to 4 days after color, so I will do that either Wednesday. So it looks like I won't be doing a clay treatment until maybe sometime next week. I am going to try to keep some water on my hair and scalp during the week since it is so hot here.

I don't feel like fooling with my hair too much right now.
 
faithVA said:
I'm sorry I'm just getting to you. I was out of town. If you feel unsure about the leave-in, try diluting it heavily and then apply it. I only recommend Dubaidee's method for newbies if you are using rhassoul or sodium bentonite. If you have calcium bentonite, you may need the conditioner and/or leave-in.

But I don't use gel as my final step so you have to do what you have to do to make the modified method work for you.
Click to expand...

Thank you, @faithVA. No worries.

I did use rhassoul, and skipped the conditioner. I applied the gel Saturday afternoon and my roots are STILL wet. I lightly spritzed my ends with water last night and sealed with castor oil and then put in 12 braids. And, my roots are still wet! I'm working from home, so I'll see if I get some definition with a braid out in a couple of hours, if not, I guess I'll rinse it out and apply gel lightly. I think I might have been a bit heavy handed.

I'm going to order more rhassoul powder. I would like to try the sodium bentonite too, but moutainherbs is all sold out.
 
Honey Bee said:
So... I've been thinking about it, and I'm wondering if I should still be posting here. I ask because, in all honesty, the only MHM-approved thing I do is the clay step. Everything else is all shampoo/ bad gels/ wrong ingredients. I mean, if I'm still officially MHM, I'm reaaallly ****** it up. :lol:

What y'all think?
Click to expand...
If you're out, I am too. I don't really pay any attention to whether the product is approved is not. As long as my hair is feeling it, I'm good. I'm as consistent (for me) as I could be and I have zero breakage. I'm not in tune enough to know which thing is really working for me or not but as long as I don't get and huge swings in retention, growth or breakage then I'm not going (ala the Jennifers)...
 
Washed my hair today- rhassoul + c.bentonite, water, ACV and SAAs. Followed with wheatgerm oil (I'd been unwittingly neglecting this) and grapeseed oils on length, sunflower oil on ends.

I think I will wait a couple of weeks before I hide my hair with twists or braids.
 
I found the Giovanni LA styling gel half off the original price at TJMaxx today. I leave for NY and won't be able to try it out until I get back next week. I ain't trying to experiment before vaca. I can't wait to try it...fingers crossed.
 
pelohello said:
I didn't really care for the gel. It has a strong hold similar to an eco gel. But it works great for my edges.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this review. My hair is super fine and I need a heavier gel that will help with clumping. I'm not necessarily looking for a hard hold, I'm looking to see if there is a non drying gel that will hold my coils better as its dry/ing. I like Eco olive but y'all got me scared to try it. I know a heavy gel equals a harder hold. I have a teeny TWA so I'm hoping the better hold will be fine for now. I know I won't like it when my hair gains length and hangs.
 
I'm kind of getting nervous. I've been wearing wng's, maybe going 2 days in between rewetting and my roots never dry. Is this normal? I do have very thick, dense hair, so I'm guessing that's the issue?

Also, like @KiWiStyle, I need a heavier gel too. When my hair dries, some parts are coily/curly, but other areas are just shrunken up crunch. I live in a dry environment, but wondering if I need a curl activator, like @discodumpling, is using. @discodumpling, which gel are you using?
 
tallnomad said:
I'm kind of getting nervous. I've been wearing wng's, maybe going 2 days in between rewetting and my roots never dry. Is this normal? I do have very thick, dense hair, so I'm guessing that's the issue?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't describe my hair as dense. Early days (weeks) of doing the full regimen, it would take days to dry (if I wore my hair out). Most of the time I baggied (24hrs) so my hair was constantly wet, or damp.

Nine months later and my hair dries in a day if I leave it out (I haven't counted the hrs), 2 days if I've put it up.
How are you wearing your hair? Is the perimeter at least drying faster than the rest?
 
tallnomad said:
I'm kind of getting nervous. I've been wearing wng's, maybe going 2 days in between rewetting and my roots never dry. Is this normal? I do have very thick, dense hair, so I'm guessing that's the issue?

Also, like @KiWiStyle, I need a heavier gel too. When my hair dries, some parts are coily/curly, but other areas are just shrunken up crunch. I live in a dry environment, but wondering if I need a curl activator, like @discodumpling, is using. @discodumpling, which gel are you using?
Click to expand...


I no longer need to use curl activator and haven't since I finished my last bottle of Lustrasilk Curl Max. BUT it totally helped to moisturize my hair as a layer in between my leave in and gel. I say go for it! I never used more than a quarter size (American $) and if I did I paid with limp greasy "noodle" hair, which is totally NOT the look i was going for. Somewhere along the way MHM has conditioned my hair enough so that a layer of CA is no longer necessary. But if your hair is asking for something you gotta give it what it needs! I might revisit CA when the cold weather comes back around :)

Gel wise i'm still using Super Wet. I buy a 2.2 lb (FOR REAL that's POUNDS!) jar at my local supermarket or .99 cent store for less than $5! It is NOT sanctioned by the MHM gods but it has all the properties MY hair needs like slip, moisturization, heaviness, and that PRICE THOUGH....you can't beat that with a bat!
 
tallnomad said:
I live in a dry environment, but wondering if I need a curl activator, like @discodumpling, is using. @discodumpling, which gel are you using?
Click to expand...
You didn't ask me but I just started using World of Curls curls activating gel. I got to the bottom of my curl cream and I'm trying to use up my stash. Now, to be fair, I have nothing to compare it to, first time using activator gel, but I'm enjoying it. I will say, my city is very humid right now and thusly, my hair never dries, but I'm working around it. I wng at night and when I wake up, my hair is still quite damp (unusual for me), so I spray a little water and add a small amount of gel. After that, it finally dries, thank goodness. The curls could probably last up to a week, but I wouldn't know cuz I keep playing in it. :look:
 
AbsyBlvd said:
I wouldn't describe my hair as dense. Early days (weeks) of doing the full regimen, it would take days to dry (if I wore my hair out). Most of the time I baggied (24hrs) so my hair was constantly wet, or damp.

Nine months later and my hair dries in a day if I leave it out (I haven't counted the hrs), 2 days if I've put it up.
How are you wearing your hair? Is the perimeter at least drying faster than the rest?
Click to expand...

Thank you for the detail. So if your hair is any indication, it sounds promising that my hair will eventually start drying faster. That's a relief, because my scalp even smells mildewy right now and I do not want to develop any fungus.

I'm wearing my hair pulled back in a big curly/coily puff. I use an old pantyhose to create a pulled back bun thing that sits atop and at the back of my whole head. Hope that makes sense. When my hair was shorter, this same pantyhose tie-style create a afro puff, but now with more length, it's just a larger.

And, yes, the perimeter of my hair is drying normally and it's super soft and springy. Like, it's a softness I have never felt in my hair, so I know something is working really well!

discodumpling said:
I no longer need to use curl activator and haven't since I finished my last bottle of Lustrasilk Curl Max. BUT it totally helped to moisturize my hair as a layer in between my leave in and gel. I say go for it! I never used more than a quarter size (American $) and if I did I paid with limp greasy "noodle" hair, which is totally NOT the look i was going for. Somewhere along the way MHM has conditioned my hair enough so that a layer of CA is no longer necessary. But if your hair is asking for something you gotta give it what it needs! I might revisit CA when the cold weather comes back around :)

Gel wise i'm still using Super Wet. I buy a 2.2 lb (FOR REAL that's POUNDS!) jar at my local supermarket or .99 cent store for less than $5! It is NOT sanctioned by the MHM gods but it has all the properties MY hair needs like slip, moisturization, heaviness, and that PRICE THOUGH....you can't beat that with a bat!
Click to expand...

Thank you! I think I saw Super Wet today. That's a great deal! Glad that it has heaviness for you. That's what I need right now. I went crazy in the beauty supply today buying various gels. I got a cream called, Natural Lengthening Creme by 3 Sisters. I bought this gel called, Tres Flores, which seems to have a really heavy hold. Hoping it works well. Then I bought a couple more (shameful). I'll let you all know my thoughts.

So great that the CA helped you to get over a hump and once done, your hair was like, "so long." Are you still using a leave-in? I decided not to use the leave-in and I'm wondering if I should have tried it, but honestly, besides the annoying wetness of my roots, my hair is so nice and soft and springy. And you telling me to listen to my hair makes me want to go back to the Tropical Avocado conditioner I used to use. It's a Dominican conditioner that I would leave in my hair and it created amazing curls. I would get 2 wng days with that stuff. I used it as my styling product. Because I'll be clarifying with the clay often, I might just try it and see what it does to my hair.

Honey Bee said:
You didn't ask me but I just started using World of Curls curls activating gel. I got to the bottom of my curl cream and I'm trying to use up my stash. Now, to be fair, I have nothing to compare it to, first time using activator gel, but I'm enjoying it. I will say, my city is very humid right now and thusly, my hair never dries, but I'm working around it. I wng at night and when I wake up, my hair is still quite damp (unusual for me), so I spray a little water and add a small amount of gel. After that, it finally dries, thank goodness. The curls could probably last up to a week, but I wouldn't know cuz I keep playing in it. :look:
Click to expand...

Thank you for responding! So curious, when you wng at night, are you sleeping with loose hair or with it in a baggy? And, dang! Your curls must be popping strong if you think they can hold for up to a week. Do they initially have a hard/firm hold? After you run out of this gel, would you repurchase?


So, a couple more questions for you all, please . . . are most of you applying gel in the shower or are you shingling/doing it in sections? Anyone applying gel, then adding a bit more water to the hair and then doing the shake method? When I used to apply Curly Pudding and or the Avocado conditioner, I would shake my hair, coated in the product, and that would help to create curls. Maybe I shouldn't shake as that could be manipulation?? Maybe I should just apply the gel or product and let the hair do what it do and assume the curls will form on their own? I think that's what I did the first day . . . I forget . . . my brain is probably too wet now.

Also, on the max hydration website, I think she says that you can use cream in lieu of gel, so I'm kind of thinking that Avocado conditioner could be my cream, right?

Sorry for all of the questions. Hope they make sense. Thank you, ladies!

Editing to add--forget the Dominican Avocado conditioner for now. Reading about the political mess with the Haitians and I can't support anything DR right now.
 
Last edited:
1. Clarify: ACV mix
2. Condition: keraPro Restorative Intense Treatment (UA)
3. Mud: bentonite clay, Moroccan clay, water
4. Leave-In: Skipped
5. Seal: flaxseed gel...followed up with Shea Butter

I used way too much water in my mud mix. It was soooo messy.

I'm convinced that I don't like the flaxseed gel. I will make the oatmeal one after this runs out.

My hair feels really soft since I added Shea butter. I hope it stays soft after it's dry.

Still not much definition and still looks dull.

I broke down and bought some rhassoul clay...should get it this week.

I did the strand test and I'm LP. I completely forgot about it for maybe 40 minutes. When I finally checked it, all the hair was still floating.

I've been wearing a puff daily. Whoever came up with using a pantyhose for it is awesome!

@AbsyBlvd how long had you been doing the MHM before getting full definition?
 
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