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I learned how to baggy properly...ive been transitioning 20 months (lol, sounds weird, dont you hate when people say that their kids are 47 months or something odd like that!!) anyway, since im a long term transitioner i learned that bun baggying is not for my relaxed ends, they dont require much moisture....i whole head baggy and concentrate on my natural hair...this seems like a lot but i spray my hair with water/glycerine, then add a creamy leave-in (KCKT, KBB Milk), then seal with coconut oil, and add an "emulsified leave-in" (afroveda pur whipped gelly or sheamoisture curl milk), then I put a shower cap on for 2-4 hours, then I braid it and go to bed...this way my hair stays moisturized and detangled at least 4-5 days...when I feel a little dryness mid-week I just use a little kbb milk or KCKT and put on the shower cap for a bit and braid and sleep, but this is rarely needed!

Since my hair is sooo thirsty, i avoided protein, but i recently discovered that homemade protein treatments are just what the doctor ordered for me! Last time I used avocado, bananas (the real kind, poor me, should have used baby food), 1 egg yolk, yogurt, and coconut cream. My hair was immediately stronger and started to lock in moisture. I will do this treatment, and tweak it as needed at least once per month.

Black tea rinses really stopped me from shedding! I love them!

In short, I found the secret to locking in moisture, strengthening my hair and limiting shedding.
 
Black tea rinses are the truth! It has given me stronger and rich darker hair! And get this: NOOOOOO shedding. Again, shedding has become completely obsolete. I lovvveeeeee them.


And also henna (karishma brand to be exact). For me, I am able to henna once a week. Unlike others, I actually enjoy the process so it's a win-win :D And I recently found out about Ayurnatural Beauty. They ship my indigo (200g) for only 3 dollars! You can't beat that shipping price!
 
**This isn't really a secret but I feel like I just have to shout it to the world high atop a mountain or something: high potency biotin needs super b-complex or your face will look like connect the dots or those holes in pancakes (except bumps). While lots of water helps...that's not what keeps the bumps away...its an equivalent dose of b-complex to balance you out!

So I bought a bottle last year (naïve lurker) ooooo...the next day I was dying with pimples...I have incredibly clear skin so this was probably the worst thing that could possibly happen....and I had this dude that was chasing and I couldn't even look at him despite his pleas for me to stop being silly...ladies u know how even one pimple can ruin your day....imagine your whole face being pimples!!! Bad! No matter how much water, vitamin c, niacin, and how complete my multi was...my face was done. I stopped and it took me a month to get over the bumps. So horrible. I'm still scared of a similar occurrence.

So you know I was beyond hesitant the other day when I picked up a super b-complex wanting to try again, at least so I could finish the daggone biotin and not feel like I wasted money. I need to finish several vitamins sitting in my little cart (fish oil, multi, vitamin c, biotin, and now b-complex to be exact) so I picked fish oil to finish first.

This is only day 2 so I'm no pro but trust me when I say I know when my body hates something and when it doesn't...no polka dot face!!! No bumps, my skin is as it always is and beginning to glow now that I'm using a sunscreen. I'm so happy. Ill finally be rid of this biotin (5mg).

My nails grew overnight...I could/can actually feel the tinglyness in my fingers but even then I didn't think I would wake up with growing nails. I'm in it more for my brittle nails than anything so hopefully I can get those on point and anything else will just be an added bonus.

I'm ~5"2 so when I say that super b-complex is the ish with biotin...I'm serious. God knows my body would be all broken out otherwise. So, if you're scared to take biotin...or even revisit it after a bad first experience. I'm here for you. Ill go through this with you. So far so good and I'm not looking back!! Will update in BC2WL forum after I take my braids out in August. I should have no less than 1" of new growth and if by some luck biotin works for my hair too...may get 2" :) that'd be so sweet! Had these braids since June 20.

I'm taking the following each night after supper:
--(1) 5mg super potency biotin (spring valley walmart brand)
--(1) natural super b-complex (sv walmart brand)
--2 fish oil soft gels (nature made cod liver oil)

:blush: sorry, I'm excited. I average 3/4"-1" a month depending on my diligence (w/o any growth aids/supplements) so I'm hoping finishing up all the strange supplements and growth aids I jumped all over will give me a boost until december. Then ill either pick a supplement combination or grow naturally. :grin: gHg!! 2" would be sooo freakishly amazing. I've grown about 1/4"-1/2" since june 20 my edges being the slower growers. So ill have a growth rate to compare with. :lick:
 
Secret #1: I never post questions to the board. Unfortunately those willing to answer probably have a limited view on the topic even though their efforts are greatly appreciated. So, since I am a very curious person and I like to study (been doing that all my life), I approached my hair care journey the same way I approached my engineering or MBA classes: slowly but surely, I researched the topics I want (by using the LHCF search feature or other sites). I can go as far as the first posts on LHCF (around 2002 I think) and then I gather all the responses, analyze them from different angles, under different ligths until I finally make my idea. It can take days or weeks, but I am a very patient person and goal-oriented, and really like to study so I dont mind the time spent on resarches until I found the solution to my problem.

Secret # 2: HBCO (moisture retention) and wheat germ oil (ceramides, softness) and the EVOO and honey combo :)

Secret # 3: I oil my scalp and spritz my roots nightly. It is hard to explain the scientific logic behind this one. I never tried to anyways from the moment it works for me :) Honestly I think, just like our ends, our roots and scalp need moisture. That is why our hair grows faster during the summertime, in humid regions, when we work out on a regular basis, when we cowash regularly (and NO it is not only about retention). I shampoo every 2 weeks to avoid buildup. So on a daily basis, my roots and my scalp are always a little bit damp.

Secret # 4: Texlaxing... I have been natural and relaxed bone straight and let me tell you texlaxing is the best of both worlds just like one of the ladies said above :)

Secret # 5: I am open minded ... I listen to hair advice from all people (short-long, type-1 to 4 hair, relaxed, natural, texlaxed). I dont beleive in the segregation I've been seeing on the boards lately. People who beleive in that really have no idea what they are missing. Lately on the board, I have being seeing a lot of threads "Natural this, relaxed that".... I am like SMH "Do they really know what they are doing".... Some times I feel like answering a question in a natural thread and I am like "What if they dont want to take my advice just because I am not natural" and I slowly back out of the thread... That is sad but that is the way it is...And I learn a lot from people with short hair, sometimes the WHAT NOT TO DO and sometimes some awesome tips because they are willing to try anything to have long hair and then they are full of knowledges... I rely on myself to filter the good advices from the not so good ones :)

Happy hair growing ladies :)
 
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^^^@Wanji post

Am I the only one on the board not taking some sort of vitamins or growth aid :) ... I so wanted to try biotin so badly but my skin is so prone to acne, I gave it up... Keep us posted Sweetie I want to know if your combo works for you
 
@Mamato

I will definitely keep you posted! I had been taking vitamins for health long before my hair became a priority but I think growth aids are definitely more work than they're worth sometimes :blush: that's why they sit in my drawer unwanted.

Although I just want to finish my bottles of random things I sheepishly bought, secretly I want it to make my nails and hair grow like weeds! :grin: I will take it as long as my face remains clear, trust, as the other ladies have pointed out: healthy skin before long hair.
 
The best thing for my hair growth has been that I stopped:

A. Believing ppl when they say I need to trim every 6-8 wks, and

B. Stopped trusting that most stylists actually know what a "trim" is, or that they subscribe to the same definition as I do. Trims to most stylists, have been what I call an outright hair cut!!!
 
Thanks islanchile! I really hope this thread doesn't die either :(

Secret to Healthy Growth: MOISTURE
I find that cowashing every 3 days and shampooing my hair every 7-10days helps keep my yarn braids looking more and more natural while cleaning my hair and scalp and keeping it super moisturized!

I also mixed cheapie conditioners, carefree curl moisturizer, braid spray, infusium, MT and a little water in an old braid spray bottle for an amazing and delicious smelling daily moisturizer. I use it 2-3 times a day depending on the day and I'm very liberal with it. I like to feel my hair sucking in all the moisture and I believe that constant moisture is the reason it is growing so steadily and my hair feels much stronger. I know its not the MT because I literally had a small hand full left and its mixed in a bottle so its not as big of a factor like it had been during the 2 months I used it consistently in my transition.

I moisturized once a day for the last few days and I already feel a difference in the happiness of my hair...it needs more and I'm back to my 2-3x a day spray down. Smells so yummy and love it when one of the guys comments on the sweet scents. :grin:
 
After wearing lace fronts constantly for months, my edges were not happy with me (whether you use adhesive or not, the constant pressure inhibits them).

Solution: paying extra attention to edges when moisturizing and making certain never to braid them along with the rest of the hair. Aloe on them nightly has helped nurse them as well. They are soft happier and free to be as they choose.

Tip: alternate between styles if your edges seem to be more compromised by a particular one. Always keep them extra moisturized and never braid them...they are forever just babies :nono:

Learned through experience/failure/successes.
 
Oh I forgot to mention switching from Mizani NO-lye relaxer to Mizani LYE relaxer has saved my hair from breakage and dryness. It's a BIG difference, so much so that after 6 months (2 applications) my husband said "Babe your hair looks shiny, what did you do different?"

My new growth is all Texlaxed with Lye and it is so much healthier, less dry, less dull, less everything.

I love texlaxing a few times a year with "Lye". It's working for me.
 
Freeforming my locs. My first set of locs were damaged and falling out because I was messing with the newgrowth to much. Now, I don't even touch it. I freeform, and my hair is doing alot better.

Also, making most if not all of my own products. I know what my hair wants and needs. I put that in the products when I make them.

Another thing is, washing my hair everyday. I have no lint build up in my locs because of this. In my first set of locs I had MAJOR lint in my locs. I only washed about 1x a week. Now I wash every day with this set of locs and I have no visible lint in my locs!
 
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My secret to the best twist/braid out:

Use whatever moisturizer/leave in your hair likes and seal with your favorite oil.

In each section, make 3 small two strand twists and braid them together.

Tons of curls and more body and length than a regular twist or braid out.

I tried it because I like the little extra length I get from braidouts, and I like the coils I get from twistouts. Works for me :)

ETA: I'm pretty sure my avatar is styled this way.
 
My Secret to Combating PJism: Repurpose the seemingly unproductive products you have already purchased:

- Protein Heavy Leave-in Conditioners: if your hair is protein sensitive, add healthy doses of water and oil, then try again (e.g., Rusk Sensories Smoother performed badly on my hair due to its aloe and protein content until I incorporated this method; and the end result was heavenly)

- Ineffective Leave-in, Rinse-out and Deep Conditioners: add EVOO and use as a detangler since it facilitates slip, or add coconut oil and/or a ceramide oil and use as a pre-poo

- Ineffective Rinse out and Deep Conditioners - depending upon their ingredients, add oils and use as a leave-in conditioner (e.g., since the Jessicurl WDT and Too Shea were not moisturizing enough for me as DCs, I added some oils and repurposed them into leave-in conditioners – superb to the tenth degree!)

- An Effective Natural DC: dilute somewhat, add oils and repurpose it into an equally effective leave-in conditioner (e.g., Giovanni’s SAS and 50:50 conditioners make lovely leave-in conditioners)



This process has enabled me to significantly decrease my product stash, in addition to unearthing staple products and ingredients while allowing me to learn more about my hair and its needs.
 
My secret to moisturized hair that never feels dry; My Three P's

Protein/Moisture Balance
Protective stying
PH balanced products
& that's it
 
my secret to very easy to detangle armpit length natural hair:
- moisturizing with "normal" protein free conditioner, dampening my hair and sealing with oil every night, braiding the moisturized sections (2 or more).
- avoiding humectants and butters (they contrast lubrication on my hair)
- EVOO, coconut and hempseed oils on damp hair to detangle, and 80% finger detangling
- washing in 4 braids, 1 section at a time, finger detangling it and rebraiding it straight away
- using a clarifying hydrating shampoo once a week with no co-washes in between
 
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charmtreese said:
Techniques that have really made a BIGGGG difference in my hair care journey are:

* Airdrying using the scarf method. For years my hair would airdry hard causing my ng to mat up and ends to frizz. Once I started air drying my hair with it just hanging straight with a scarf around m edges I realized that heat is not a necessity at all in my regimen. Of course using the right live-ins and detangling combs for my hair type also contributes to my success with air drying.

Products:

* JBCO, this stuff is just great! I use it just about every day and there is no other oil that softens my hair and keeps it moisturized better then JBCO.

* WGO, Wheat germ oil keeps my hair sooo smooth, when mixed with JBCO this combo is keeper!!!

* Mane and tail detangler, this product is a must for transitioners or stretchers. I spray my ng with m&t detangler and finger comb to detangle prior to every wash. Because of this product I no longer have to wash my hair in sections when Im 3 months post.
Click to expand...


I love love loooove this stuff!
 
Secret 1: I noticed when I applied my leave-ins and air-dried, my hair was dry afterwards, as if I didn't put anything in it. I realized my leave-in was evaporating faster then my hair could absorb it, so now I baggy with my leave in for an hour and then seal with an oil. My hair is sooooooo soft, and moisturized by doing this. I highly recommend it.

Secret 2: Applying my conditioner in sections, and moisturizing my hair in sections keeps my hair moisturized longer, and stimulates the stubborn areas that don't seem to want to grow. When I used to be relaxed, the back of my hair used to never grow, but as soon as I started applying products in sections, my hair in the back grew thick, long and fast. Also now that I'm natural I noticed that if I apply products to my hair without doing it in sections and I do a part in my hair, the inside of my fro is dry and hasn't even been touched by the product.

Secret 3: One of the products I used to love when I was relaxed was phytodefrisant's botanical hair relaxing balm. This product was the truth. It literally melted my new growth, and made it feel like I just had a relaxer. It helped me stretch longer, and made my hair super soft. It's not a relaxer in anyway, naturals can even use it. I plan on using it when I straighten my hair for the first time. It's all natural has no chemicals and is meant to nourish and gently soften frizzy or naturally curly hair.


Step 4: I noticed people re-twist their hair at night to make their twist-outs look more fresh, but I think it looks better the older its gets. By the 5th day you have a sexy chunky twist out. I'm not going to lie the 2nd and 3rd day looks a little hamish, but the 4th, 5th......day hair is worth it.
 
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DCing with heat and using pure natural oils;
Camellia Japonica
Palm Kernel
Macadamia Nut
Grapeseed
Argan

By adding these oils to my DCs really boost the conditioners effectiveness. I used an ORS light protein treatment adding Grapeseed Oil and my hair felt great.
 
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pssst: leaving you hair alone for about a month...just make sure no tangles...then i get back on my reggie...i look up and i have grown a lot! i may have looked like a wild woman during that time but hey, what ever!
 
Using a hot oil treatment before shampooing to detangle. Olive oild from the kitchen is fine.
Moisturizing frequently (throughout my hair) and hiding my hair.
Avoiding scissors like the plague
Wide tooth comb, no heat, texlaxing :)
Oh, and what I eat makes no difference (to my hair). I cut down from 9 different vitamins to 1 multi (thinking about a hair vitamin) because my growth rate was the same. For me it's a retention game.
 
I was one of those sistas that thought black hair should not be washed often but it's the exact opposite. I wash every other day using Phyto's dry hair line and my hair feels and looks amazing. I also incorporate Roux porosity control to keep my porosity in check. I have HIGH porosity. I make sure I use Nexxus Emergencee every two weeks to keep it nice n' strong. I airdry and rarely use heat. I use an eletric detangler to detangle and I DON'T do any protective styling or bunning. My hair just doesn't like it. I sleep on a satin pillow and the ONLY time I comb my hair is when it's wet and has conditioner in it. I like to seal using Mega Care oils. I have finally learned how to take care of my kitchens...........that is definitely 4b and has been my most difficult area to keep moisturized and also to grow but thanks to S-Curl, I finally got that area to obey! Oh oh..............almost forgot, I clarify AND chelate twice a month. And when the money is real funny and low, I use Aubrey Organic's moisturizing line............Hands down to their conditioner!
 
Blow drying on low heat with the tension method when I want to straighten.

I really don't see how that's any different from sitting under the hooded dryer. I do not use the comb attachment and simply wave the blow dryer over my strands. That's it.

But - it works!
 
Brighteyes35 said:
I was one of those sistas that thought black hair should not be washed often but it's the exact opposite. I wash every other day using Phyto's dry hair line and my hair feels and looks amazing. I also incorporate Roux porosity control to keep my porosity in check. I have HIGH porosity. I make sure I use Nexxus Emergencee every two weeks to keep it nice n' strong. I airdry and rarely use heat. I use an eletric detangler to detangle and I DON'T do any protective styling or bunning. My hair just doesn't like it. I sleep on a satin pillow and the ONLY time I comb my hair is when it's wet and has conditioner in it. I like to seal using Mega Care oils. I have finally learned how to take care of my kitchens...........that is definitely 4b and has been my most difficult area to keep moisturized and also to grow but thanks to S-Curl, I finally got that area to obey! Oh oh..............almost forgot, I clarify AND chelate twice a month. And when the money is real funny and low, I use Aubrey Organic's moisturizing line............Hands down to their conditioner!
Click to expand...

Brighteyes35 Do you use shampoo every other day?

BTW I went ahead and ordered the Tangle Tamer and will post my review in the other thread after I have tried it.
 
Making my own hair products,

Finding a staple conditioner, shampoo, moisturizer, leave in conditioner, and sealing oil;

Taking care of myself internally by finding my staple nutritional supplements;

low manipulation of my hair;
 
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