GGsKin
Well-Known Member
Diluting KCCC works well and I diluted the As I Am today so we'll see. The first time, I used it as is to see what it was like (flakes). I can't remember what happened the other times.
MHM Hangout
- Thread starter faithVA
- Start date
Diluting KCCC works well and I diluted the As I Am today so we'll see. The first time, I used it as is to see what it was like (flakes). I can't remember what happened the other times.
Bette Davis Eyes
The "OG" Product Junkie
Cattypus1
All loced up...
My hair looks terrible in a twistout and I'm beyond SL. I don't want to ruin my coils with heat so I'm trying some no heat methods for stretching. My issue is that I had hoped "setting" wouldn't be a necessity as a natural. I guess it wouldn't be if I was ready to accept my shrinkage, I'm just not ready.
I tried this today for the first time. I'm tender headed so my scalp is sore from the constant finger raking and pulling. I wanted to do it again tomorrow but I doubt I can.
The result isn't bad, my curls came out. My hair dried white. I guess I have to use really tiny leave-in next time.
The only thing I'm not happy about is the shrinkage. I'm close to APL and I expected this to elongate my curls but they are barely two inches long. Will I get more elongation as time goes by?
The result isn't bad, my curls came out. My hair dried white. I guess I have to use really tiny leave-in next time.
The only thing I'm not happy about is the shrinkage. I'm close to APL and I expected this to elongate my curls but they are barely two inches long. Will I get more elongation as time goes by?
Cattypus1
All loced up...
That has not been my experience. I'm getting about 80% shrinkage.
. I notice both these gels work better for me once diluted, although I don't add as much water to the As I Am- it's already pretty loose.
GGsKin
Well-Known Member
IDK, how large are your sections that you're working? Maybe make them a little smaller so they are easier to handle, and don't feel like you have to tug on your hair.
Ladies, do you think it's fine to daily bun with this method? I've searched this thread and just see very minimal mentions of bunning. I had to go out unexpectedly last night to meet a friend, so wet my hair in the shower and then slicked it into a low ponytail. I'm thinking I'm going to continue with this MHM by using buns.
Have you read or heard anything regarding this, or any thoughts?
Thank you!
Have you read or heard anything regarding this, or any thoughts?
Thank you!
faithVA
Well-Known Member
Any style you want to wear works with this method. So feel free to wear buns as much as you want but make sure to move your bun around to prevent breakage.
discodumpling
Well-Known Member
If your goal is curl definition then daily bunning is not the way to go. If you just like the way the method makes your hair feel then gwan wit yo badself!
Cattypus1
All loced up...
TBH...I can't really measure that. I BC-ed in May 2014 and I started MHM in December. My hair is in great shape and I have had little to no breakage since starting MHM. My hair is about 8 inches long and unless I stretch it it doesn't look like it has grown much or like I have retained 5+ inches since my BC but I have. It seems the coilier it is he more it shrinks but I think that's just my hair.
shoot. my goal is curl definition. okay. will have to rethink this. thank you!
@discodumpling and @faithVA --apologies for so many questions and thank you for your patience. if my goal is curl definition, is it okay to do twists and braid sets and then undoing for out styles. or does curl definition come best by just wetting the hair and then letting it do what it do?
discodumpling
Well-Known Member
Girl this is a hair board..ask as many questions as you need to, to be confident in your methods! Faith might have a differing answer so here goes mine. You will not find YOUR unique curl pattern with TO's and BO's you will get the pattern of the set. To discover your own personal curl imho you must wash and wear your hair just so! Your curl is unique to you, it's totally worth exploring it and getting to know it. I've been natural for a while and never knew the wonders of my hair until I started MHMing! I'm sure there are threads on here with me declaring that I have absolutely NO curl pattern and how it wasn't even worth me trying yada yada yada 
(@Nonie where you at?!!) But through consistent MHM and wearing my hair in nothing but a WNG since the beginning of the year I have a new found love and appreciation of my napps, curls, kinks and swirls.
(@Nonie where you at?!!) But through consistent MHM and wearing my hair in nothing but a WNG since the beginning of the year I have a new found love and appreciation of my napps, curls, kinks and swirls.
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GGsKin
Well-Known Member
@tallnomad The way I see it, following this (or similar) regimen, wetting often and being thorough with your process, will bring about your curl definition. I've done it just once on some heads with good results (especially for a first time).
I don't think twist outs or braid outs will affect your curl definition in any negative way. I personally don't do them (often) because 1) I am lazy at times, 2) my hair just doesn't have the fullness for them at the minute, 3) I think I wash my hair too often to make the most of the prep and style. Oh and 4) unless I first comb and stretch my hair, my coils refuse to submit to the set- and all the work is destroyed if I fluff at ALL.
I don't think twist outs or braid outs will affect your curl definition in any negative way. I personally don't do them (often) because 1) I am lazy at times, 2) my hair just doesn't have the fullness for them at the minute, 3) I think I wash my hair too often to make the most of the prep and style. Oh and 4) unless I first comb and stretch my hair, my coils refuse to submit to the set- and all the work is destroyed if I fluff at ALL.
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discodumpling
Well-Known Member
It's MHM my way day ladies! I'm sitting under the dryer with a simple clay mix of rhassoul SAA, and nourishing oils: Jojoba, Pracaxi, & Argan today
I'm trying to get a good pic but so far no bueno.
Today's process:
Wash: TJTTT--let's be honest. How dirty was my hair really..I wash n wear daily!
Protein- Aphogee 2 Step. I haven't used this since I had a relaxer! It sure has changed from the egg like consistency I remembered. But the smell was still horrific.
Balancing Conditioner
Clay mix: applied directly on top of the conditioner...cause i'm lazy
Leave-in- probably Ion something or the other
Gel- Super Wet
I took my time to detangle at both the protein and clay steps and i'm bout to get in the shower to complete the whole process. The whole process is taking 2- 2.5 hrs.
When I think of my days frequenting every salon on the south side of Queens and how much time I spent in 'em i'm grateful that I know how to nurture and treat my hair properly. This is time well spent!
I'm trying to get a good pic but so far no bueno.
Today's process:
Wash: TJTTT--let's be honest. How dirty was my hair really..I wash n wear daily!
Protein- Aphogee 2 Step. I haven't used this since I had a relaxer! It sure has changed from the egg like consistency I remembered. But the smell was still horrific.
Balancing Conditioner
Clay mix: applied directly on top of the conditioner...cause i'm lazy
Leave-in- probably Ion something or the other
Gel- Super Wet
I took my time to detangle at both the protein and clay steps and i'm bout to get in the shower to complete the whole process. The whole process is taking 2- 2.5 hrs.
When I think of my days frequenting every salon on the south side of Queens and how much time I spent in 'em i'm grateful that I know how to nurture and treat my hair properly. This is time well spent!
GGsKin
Well-Known Member
Ooh @discodumpling I'm eagerly waiting to hear how your hair turns out
. I know your hair loves protein but so many times I've read about the Aphogee 2 Step, it's been on relaxed hair.
. I know your hair loves protein but so many times I've read about the Aphogee 2 Step, it's been on relaxed hair.
discodumpling
Well-Known Member
Results:
Here's my fro bout 50% dry. It'll be a slow dry due to the super humid weather and the fact that i'm just hanging around the house mostly today. I'll let y'all know how she feels, moves and behaves when completely dry.
aharri23
Well-Known Member
Thinking about switching back to calcium bentonite because the sodium is so messy and my shower gets dirty really fast. I know the sodium absorbs into the hair more, but is there really a big difference between sodium and calcium? I like also how the calcium is smoother and less runny than sodium.
aharri23
Well-Known Member
Yep exactly. The longer I go without conditioner the more defined my hair is, but if I go too long I get too many shed hairs. If I could find a better way to detangle/remove shed hairs with the clay that would help me out a ton, but for now I have to use conditioner and a comb once a week.
Guinan
Re-Branding
@discodumpling , how often will you be using the 2-step Aphogee? I feel like when I use the 2min one I have to use it almost once a week due to the moisture retention of doing MHM. I've been thinking about trying the 2-step and doing that once a month.
GGsKin
Well-Known Member
I am out of KCCC so I decided to experiment today with that Ouidad Climate Control gel I have in my pre-MHM stash. It's really loose and should really have a pump dispenser. It has protein, as well as glycerin (much lower) in the ingredients.
As I was testing things out, I used avocado oil in place of my regulars. I also thought it might help with the added dryness I knew would be coming with these results
..
The gel kind of foamed in my hair. It didn't mix with the oil well at all (maybe I was heavy handed). My hair dried a little more shrunken than usual and is less defined with this gel. Doesn't feel as soft either. Although I can tell it's oiled
. I'm baggying my puff tonight. Hopefully it'll feel softer in the morning.
Edited to correct the name of that blasted gel.
As I was testing things out, I used avocado oil in place of my regulars. I also thought it might help with the added dryness I knew would be coming with these results
..The gel kind of foamed in my hair. It didn't mix with the oil well at all (maybe I was heavy handed). My hair dried a little more shrunken than usual and is less defined with this gel. Doesn't feel as soft either. Although I can tell it's oiled
. I'm baggying my puff tonight. Hopefully it'll feel softer in the morning.Edited to correct the name of that blasted gel.
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discodumpling
Well-Known Member
I had great touchable results after my last MHM go around...but y'all know I soak this head of mine daily so that was already 2 washes ago!
Just finished my daily co-wash and re-style for the day and i'm bout 50% dry and will be completely dry by 9AM when I sit at my desk and begin my work day.
I've been seriously considering giving my hair (and my SELF) a break with a long term protective style. Uggggh it's the time factor that is daunting to me. But it's doable if I decide to draw it out over a week or so. Still thinking about it...but I have a week off next week and that would be the perfect time to install some twists!
stay tuned and witness my unpredictability!
Just finished my daily co-wash and re-style for the day and i'm bout 50% dry and will be completely dry by 9AM when I sit at my desk and begin my work day.
I've been seriously considering giving my hair (and my SELF) a break with a long term protective style. Uggggh it's the time factor that is daunting to me. But it's doable if I decide to draw it out over a week or so. Still thinking about it...but I have a week off next week and that would be the perfect time to install some twists!
stay tuned and witness my unpredictability!
AJellyCake
Well-Known Member
Wow! I used the Butters-n-Bars rhassoul clay for the first time, and I'm very pleased.
I tried one package of rhassoul before (I think I bought it from Amazon), but I don't remember these great results.
So last night I did the baking soda + conditioner cleanser. I kept that on for about an hour. Then I conditioned with the Tresemme Naturals overnight. In the morning I mixed the rhassoul with just a little bit of ACV. I noticed it wasn't fizzing with even a little bit of ACV (like the Aztec Indian bentonite would), and I didn't want to use even more ACV. I added warm water until I had a thick mixture. Rinsed the conditioner and applied the clay. I left that in for about thirty minutes.
With this clay mix, I noticed when applying how smooth and silky it felt. It also had a pleasant fragrance. It had a light floral scent. I'm not sure why. It was easy to work it through my hair. When I rinsed it out, my hair also felt silky and not as dry as it would be with a similar bentonite mixture. I was very happy just at this point.
I applied diluted Tresemme Naturals as my leave-in (about 3 ounces conditioner and 5 ounces hitI also noticed I didn't use the full amount of diluted conditioner I use normally (just 5-6 ounces instead of 8). My hair felt adequately saturated.
Then, I applied KCCC throughout in small sections. Everything was great.
I split my hair in half and sat in front of my fan while I did my makeup for about 10 minutes.
The BEST part is that my hair has dried wayyyyyy more quickly than it ever has. In less than 2 hours the length of my hair is completely dry (dry enough for me to let someone hug me). This has never happened. My hair literally stays damp allllll day long. My roots are still damp but not as damp as they would be normally. The middle of my hair is still a bit damp but this is a huge improvement.
Hopefully my hair doesn't get too dry (unmoisturized/dehydrated).
Yup. So. I just wanted to post everything so I could remember it.
I tried one package of rhassoul before (I think I bought it from Amazon), but I don't remember these great results.
So last night I did the baking soda + conditioner cleanser. I kept that on for about an hour. Then I conditioned with the Tresemme Naturals overnight. In the morning I mixed the rhassoul with just a little bit of ACV. I noticed it wasn't fizzing with even a little bit of ACV (like the Aztec Indian bentonite would), and I didn't want to use even more ACV. I added warm water until I had a thick mixture. Rinsed the conditioner and applied the clay. I left that in for about thirty minutes.
With this clay mix, I noticed when applying how smooth and silky it felt. It also had a pleasant fragrance. It had a light floral scent. I'm not sure why. It was easy to work it through my hair. When I rinsed it out, my hair also felt silky and not as dry as it would be with a similar bentonite mixture. I was very happy just at this point.
I applied diluted Tresemme Naturals as my leave-in (about 3 ounces conditioner and 5 ounces hitI also noticed I didn't use the full amount of diluted conditioner I use normally (just 5-6 ounces instead of 8). My hair felt adequately saturated.
Then, I applied KCCC throughout in small sections. Everything was great.
I split my hair in half and sat in front of my fan while I did my makeup for about 10 minutes.
The BEST part is that my hair has dried wayyyyyy more quickly than it ever has. In less than 2 hours the length of my hair is completely dry (dry enough for me to let someone hug me
). This has never happened. My hair literally stays damp allllll day long. My roots are still damp but not as damp as they would be normally. The middle of my hair is still a bit damp but this is a huge improvement. Hopefully my hair doesn't get too dry (unmoisturized/dehydrated).
Yup. So. I just wanted to post everything so I could remember it.
Ajna
Well-Known Member
Your curls look like mine - did not know that was 4c you know someone actually told me my hair was 3c because of the coil ...I cannot keep up lol
But is it looking good!
Ajna
Well-Known Member
I am pretty sure I have figured out my reggie.
To give some background I started MHM in February and I did the entire regimen for two weeks then it was like every other day for about four weeks. I only wore my hair in a wash and go style so my curls could continue to form and set. By mid March/early April I started trying to find short cuts and some worked out temporarily but after about a week I would have to go back to the full reggie. I also tried to use up old products which would also set me back. Then in May I tried just the clay wash but my hair would get super dry by day two so I tried to baggie and that brought me an extra day. Then I tried just the curly girl method of conditioner only and two weeks of that and I had frizzy curls. Around this time I was sick of mixing stuff so I decided to incorporate things that had worked well in the past and to just try the products with just water and for the past 4 weeks or so it has been great.
Wash ever three to four days and alternate between clay wash (which is literally hot water 6 oz and clay 1 tbsp) and watered down DC (really watered like 6 oz water and 2 oz conditioner)
I section and detangle in this step (I typically have 6-8), rinse each section then apply oil so my hair is saturated - I just use clips to keep them separate - rinse my hair all over with the clips with hot water - getting rid of excess oil then quickly with cool. If I am going to do a wash and go I spray my hair with my watered down leave in which is normally a 50/50 ratio and rake through gel apply my tee shirt for however long it takes me to get dress and shake it out. If it is at night and I want some length I will again spray my hair with leave in add in gel and twist each section and I tuck my ends with bobby pins apply the tee shirt until it stops dripping and I try to let it air dry for an hour or two before I pass out.
On non work out days to maintain it I spritz with water and baggy on the third day. On work out days I literally rinse the sweat out of my scalp by rinsing with water only and putting my hair in three loose puffs - while I am still in the shower I rake through a quarter size of flax sees oil in each section put it back in the puff and wrap a towel around my head. In the morning I just use a little water and oil on my ends and fluff it out.
Once a month I henna with yogurt, olive oil and citric acid then DC at full strength with steam
It is so simple and typically I am done in like 30 minutes including my shower.
The baking soda and vinegar I could never get quite balanced so I just said bump it and it works out great. When I am feeling fancy I use a tea rinse in place of the leave in .
I am not sure if I am still on the MHM reggie or something else but I am thankful for this whole process I used to think my hair was supposed to feel cottony soft and silky smooth and while it is smooth it is not necessarily silky but it is not soft like cotton I dunno how to describe it except to say it is much stronger and it does not shed as much which is why I think I can see it growing not so much because it is growing faster but I am not loosing as much.
My staple products are:
DC: Hydro Quench Botanical Peppermint Coconut Mask or Bee Mine Bee*u*ti*ful
Leave in: CJ Beautycurls or KCKT
Gel: flax-seed from whoever on Etsy, Aloe Vera straight from the bottle or Camille Rose Curl Maker - I have always wanted my gel to be like a miracle thing and you know it is not most of the botanical gels work about the same for me with the exception of the kinky curly gel but that leaves my hair to hard and it feels weird so going forward I will probably stick with aloe vera or flax seed it is so much cheaper and no crunch
Clays: bentonite, pink and rassoul - I actually like rassoul the least and when I run out I probably will not repurchase
Oil: my blend is an ounce of castor, argon, emu, and hemp (each) with two ounces of avocado, sweet almond and apricot - my goal was to fill up my ten ounce container so I used more of what I had more of
Tea rinse: green or chamomile tea (again whatever I have more of) slippery elm, marshmallow, nettle and/or irish moss - this is 12 oz water with two teabag and two heaping teaspoon of an herb
For anyone going through this process it is so worth it. I can tell in a day or two if my product choice was bad - since I have staple products one would think I would stop trying to new things but I just love etsy lol. Really though my hair is so low maintenance it is not even funny and people comment on my coils all the time - I have severe shrinkage like more than 50% but I am ok with that because it looks nice and full.
Anyway I will probably go to lurker status but I guess my point is I have been natural for more than 15 years and my hair has looked nice ad it was healthy and grew but it took some work but now barely 6 months later and my hair is so transformed and what I do now is minimal.
For everyone still working through finding their own reggie just stick with it so worth it!
To give some background I started MHM in February and I did the entire regimen for two weeks then it was like every other day for about four weeks. I only wore my hair in a wash and go style so my curls could continue to form and set. By mid March/early April I started trying to find short cuts and some worked out temporarily but after about a week I would have to go back to the full reggie. I also tried to use up old products which would also set me back. Then in May I tried just the clay wash but my hair would get super dry by day two so I tried to baggie and that brought me an extra day. Then I tried just the curly girl method of conditioner only and two weeks of that and I had frizzy curls. Around this time I was sick of mixing stuff so I decided to incorporate things that had worked well in the past and to just try the products with just water and for the past 4 weeks or so it has been great.
Wash ever three to four days and alternate between clay wash (which is literally hot water 6 oz and clay 1 tbsp) and watered down DC (really watered like 6 oz water and 2 oz conditioner)
I section and detangle in this step (I typically have 6-8), rinse each section then apply oil so my hair is saturated - I just use clips to keep them separate - rinse my hair all over with the clips with hot water - getting rid of excess oil then quickly with cool. If I am going to do a wash and go I spray my hair with my watered down leave in which is normally a 50/50 ratio and rake through gel apply my tee shirt for however long it takes me to get dress and shake it out. If it is at night and I want some length I will again spray my hair with leave in add in gel and twist each section and I tuck my ends with bobby pins apply the tee shirt until it stops dripping and I try to let it air dry for an hour or two before I pass out.
On non work out days to maintain it I spritz with water and baggy on the third day. On work out days I literally rinse the sweat out of my scalp by rinsing with water only and putting my hair in three loose puffs - while I am still in the shower I rake through a quarter size of flax sees oil in each section put it back in the puff and wrap a towel around my head. In the morning I just use a little water and oil on my ends and fluff it out.
Once a month I henna with yogurt, olive oil and citric acid then DC at full strength with steam
It is so simple and typically I am done in like 30 minutes including my shower.
The baking soda and vinegar I could never get quite balanced so I just said bump it and it works out great. When I am feeling fancy I use a tea rinse in place of the leave in .
I am not sure if I am still on the MHM reggie or something else but I am thankful for this whole process I used to think my hair was supposed to feel cottony soft and silky smooth and while it is smooth it is not necessarily silky but it is not soft like cotton I dunno how to describe it except to say it is much stronger and it does not shed as much which is why I think I can see it growing not so much because it is growing faster but I am not loosing as much.
My staple products are:
DC: Hydro Quench Botanical Peppermint Coconut Mask or Bee Mine Bee*u*ti*ful
Leave in: CJ Beautycurls or KCKT
Gel: flax-seed from whoever on Etsy, Aloe Vera straight from the bottle or Camille Rose Curl Maker - I have always wanted my gel to be like a miracle thing and you know it is not most of the botanical gels work about the same for me with the exception of the kinky curly gel but that leaves my hair to hard and it feels weird so going forward I will probably stick with aloe vera or flax seed it is so much cheaper and no crunch
Clays: bentonite, pink and rassoul - I actually like rassoul the least and when I run out I probably will not repurchase
Oil: my blend is an ounce of castor, argon, emu, and hemp (each) with two ounces of avocado, sweet almond and apricot - my goal was to fill up my ten ounce container so I used more of what I had more of
Tea rinse: green or chamomile tea (again whatever I have more of) slippery elm, marshmallow, nettle and/or irish moss - this is 12 oz water with two teabag and two heaping teaspoon of an herb
For anyone going through this process it is so worth it. I can tell in a day or two if my product choice was bad - since I have staple products one would think I would stop trying to new things but I just love etsy lol. Really though my hair is so low maintenance it is not even funny and people comment on my coils all the time - I have severe shrinkage like more than 50% but I am ok with that because it looks nice and full.
Anyway I will probably go to lurker status but I guess my point is I have been natural for more than 15 years and my hair has looked nice ad it was healthy and grew but it took some work but now barely 6 months later and my hair is so transformed and what I do now is minimal.
For everyone still working through finding their own reggie just stick with it so worth it!
Honey Bee
Well-Known Member
I didn't think she was 4c either. Maybe I have this whole hair typing thing wrong.
I've actually been wondering, how are we typing our hair now? Because, after mhm, we see so many changes.... are we claiming the 'new' type? Is it really 'new' at all? Or are they the same curls we always had, just less frizzy?
I think they're the same curls. The reason I think that is, a, a section of my hair that's always been curly is still the same. The only changes I can see are in the frizzy section of my hair. Otherwise, the hair that was already curly just feels better, more moisturized, etc, but it looks the same.
Just some random, disjointed thoughts...
GGsKin
Well-Known Member
I didn't think she was 4c either. Maybe I have this whole hair typing thing wrong.
I've actually been wondering, how are we typing our hair now? Because, after mhm, we see so many changes.... are we claiming the 'new' type? Is it really 'new' at all? Or are they the same curls we always had, just less frizzy?
I think they're the same curls. The reason I think that is, a, a section of my hair that's always been curly is still the same. The only changes I can see are in the frizzy section of my hair. Otherwise, the hair that was already curly just feels better, more moisturized, etc, but it looks the same.
Just some random, disjointed thoughts...
I like the random thoughts. For me hair typing has its uses (finding common ground with products/ styling etc) but other than that I don't get caught up on it.
I stumbled upon hair-typing and labelled myself 4c. I don't consider my hair type to have changed, or that I was initially wrong. My coils have shown themselves before, I've just never catered to them like I have since finding this board.
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