My hair is taking up too much time

[HairQueen]

Hi Ladies

I am transitioning and I am currently 11 months post. I am currently loving my natural hair that is growing through (4a/b) and cannot wait until all the relaxed ends are gone which I am trimming away slowly.

My problem is that I have noticed that I am spending almost my entire weekend on my hair and I am starting to feel trapped inside my house because I cannot go out until my hair is completely finished. I have hair phony pony's and half weave's that I put on if I need to pop to the shop but I am tired of fake hair and my ultimate goal is to be done with fake hair very shortly. I have been wearing a phony pony for the last year and previous to that and I am sick of it now.

I generally tend to do my hair on a Saturday morning. I wash it in the shower then I do the aphogee two-minute protein, wash that out then I do an EVOO and conditioner mix under the dryer for about 30 minutes then I wash that out. Then I apply a leave-in conditioner, oil and a styler and then let my hair airdry. The problem is it then means I can't leave the house as I have these big braids or twists on my hair. And even worse the next morning I wake up and the braids/bantu knots whatever are STILL not dry!!

I cut out using all forms of heat in order to have a healthy transition and so I have not blow-dried or my flat ironed my hair in a year (except on the odd occasion). What can I do to cut down on the time of my weekly routine as its making me feel like I am trapped in the house as I can't go out until my hair is done.

Thanks

 

[brittle_hair]

Why don't you use the hairdryer on a cold or medium setting? I think sometimes we think our hair is more fragile than it is - I don't think weekly dose of warm air to dry your wet plaits will do any damage.

 

[Lilmama1011]

Towel dry for at least 30 minutes, it's will mostly dry and just Lightly mist and braid, should be dry less than 2 hrs

 

[virtuenow]

You have too many conditioner steps. If you find a good quality, rich conditioner, you will not need all these extra steps.

 

[Froreal3]

You need to airdry in large loose twists. Those braids and banu knots are not allowing your hair to dry fast enough. Also, try letting your hair dry to 50% BEFORE you put any leave ins on. Those extra products are keeping your hair from drying as well. It takes my normal porosity hair about 30 - 45 minutes to get to half way dry. You can also put a towel over your hair initially to soak up water. Just let it sit there...don't rub it around. You might also want to consider a dc that you put on dry hair before you get in the shower, so that you only shower/rinse once. I sometimes use the Aubrey Organics dcs to do this if I don't feel like doing an extra rinse.

Sent from my Snow White Frost Galaxy S4

 

[Blessed&higlyflavoured]

There's a few things you could try that would help reduce the number of steps and the time it takes to dry

Deep conditioning on dry hair
Sitting in a towel for 30+ minutes before applying leave ins and oils
using just one conditioner
Getting your protein from a leave in (like the aphogee green tea and keratin restructurizer)
Using a cool blowdryer
airdrying in looser twists as opposed to braids (if your worried about shrinkage you can undo and retwist tighter as the hair dries

I just wrap my hair in a pretty scarf/pashmina to dry and go about my business until i find time to get back to it. I find if you have make up on, a nice headscarf looks really well put together.

 

[Ogoma]

You can dry your hair in a bun so you are not stuck in the house.

You can also be flexible with what day or time you do your hair so it does not impede your social life.

 

[LivingInPeace]

When my twists are not dry and I have to leave the house, I twist them into a bun. I usually untwist some of them in the front and sides and just pin them back.

 

[HairQueen]

Why don't you use the hairdryer on a cold or medium setting? I think sometimes we think our hair is more fragile than it is - I don't think weekly dose of warm air to dry your wet plaits will do any damage.

Thanks I think I may go back to using my blowdryer again I was trying to avoid heat but you are right it will only be used in moderation so shouldn't do too much harm. I just find that blowdryer sucks a lot of the air out my hair but that was probably because I used to have the setting on too high before.

 

[HairQueen]

Towel dry for at least 30 minutes, it's will mostly dry and just Lightly mist and braid, should be dry less than 2 hrs

Thanks I will try this I have not been doing this.

 

[HairQueen]

You have too many conditioner steps. If you find a good quality, rich conditioner, you will not need all these extra steps.

I use the aphogee as I still have a lot of relaxed hair on the ends, its the 2 minute one. I use Elasta QP DPR as my staple, I like it mixed with the EVOO it keeps my hair in good condition. Any suggestions for another I could try?

 

[HairQueen]

You need to airdry in large loose twists. Those braids and banu knots are not allowing your hair to dry fast enough. Also, try letting your hair dry to 50% BEFORE you put any leave ins on. Those extra products are keeping your hair from drying as well. It takes my normal porosity hair about 30 - 45 minutes to get to half way dry. You can also put a towel over your hair initially to soak up water. Just let it sit there...don't rub it around. You might also want to consider a dc that you put on dry hair before you get in the shower, so that you only shower/rinse once. I sometimes use the Aubrey Organics dcs to do this if I don't feel like doing an extra rinse.

Sent from my Snow White Frost Galaxy S4

Thanks for the great tips, I always put the leave - ins on when wet as I thought it held the moisture in better but actually I will let it dry a bit more first, thanks for your ideas.

I don't like DC'ing on dry hair though, I tried that and I didn't like it.

 

[HairQueen]

There's a few things you could try that would help reduce the number of steps and the time it takes to dry

Deep conditioning on dry hair
Sitting in a towel for 30+ minutes before applying leave ins and oils
using just one conditioner
Getting your protein from a leave in (like the aphogee green tea and keratin restructurizer)
Using a cool blowdryer
airdrying in looser twists as opposed to braids (if your worried about shrinkage you can undo and retwist tighter as the hair dries

I just wrap my hair in a pretty scarf/pashmina to dry and go about my business until i find time to get back to it. I find if you have make up on, a nice headscarf looks really well put together.

Thanks for the great ideas, I will be giving them a try.

 

[HairQueen]

When my twists are not dry and I have to leave the house, I twist them into a bun. I usually untwist some of them in the front and sides and just pin them back.

I can't wear buns, my head is too big When I have more hair and I can make my buns bigger I will but that will take a few years

 

[LivingInPeace]

I can't wear buns, my head is too big When I have more hair and I can make my buns bigger I will but that will take a few years

You act like you're The Elephant Man

 

[NappyNelle]

Can you do your washing and conditioning on Friday night so your hair can dry while you sleep?

 

[kurlllz]

You might say HECK NO to this suggestion but maybe it's time for the BC. Then you can be free!!!

 

[karenjoe]

Thanks I think I may go back to using my blowdryer again I was trying to avoid heat but you are right it will only be used in moderation s shouldn't do too much harm. I just find that blowdryer sucks a lot of the air out my hair but that was probably because I used to have the setting on too high before.

I may go back also especially during my stretch. I've seen a few people w beautiful long hair use heat weekly BUT they load up on the pre pre poo dc. time consuming still
I'm gonna to try that. I know now what I was doing wrong.
my hair never went past BSL TERRIBLE SHEDDING & BREAKING
... Heat wasn't my problem.
I would use hard protein & NO MOISTURIZER AFTER!
I will let MY HAIR GET 80% Tshirt AIRDRY then hit the root w blow drier.
I'm straight ( until I hit the gym)
If I see damage I will stop & go back to 5 to 6 hrs or airdrying.erplexed
good luck.

 

[Lylddlebit]

I would have said the same thing as virtuenow and nappy nelly.
I:
1)Wash(sometimes)
2)Condition with steamer(you skip the wash and just do this on wet hair)
3)Use a microfiber towel to dry
4)apply leave in
5)put my hair in a styles that looks just as good wet as it will dry. (or one that have a scarf and hat put over it to hid it until dry.)
If I have something to do I go to sleep on damp hair and its dry by morning. I will do friday night or saturday morning.

 

[Ms Lala]

When I airdry I prefer to wash it in the evening and let it dry overnight. I towel dry before putting it into plaits, it's about 50% dry at that point. If I need to style the same day I use a hooded dryer. My dryer is ionic and leaves my hair soft.