Nail Your Regimen Support Thread 2011

[maxineshaw]

About me

Hair Status:
Natural

Current Length:
Between SL and APL

Current Regimen:
I don't really have one

Current Staples/Techniques:
Products-
Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo

Techniques-
Chelating (absolute must with every wash!)
Wash hair in sections
Detangle prior to washing

What in your regimen are trying to nail:
Several things...

1. I'm trying to decide if I should oil my scalp and seal my ends. Whenever I seal, my hair seems to get dry. My scalp is questionable. I can't decide if the 'dryness' I am getting is a result of products or a condition.
2. I don't know if I should deep condition my hair. I haven't for a very long time, and I don't think it has negatively affected the condition of my hair. I still get the same growth/retention as I did when I was dc'ing. I'm just trying to get by while doing the least amount possible. I aspire to take care of my hair like a man. I see plenty of men with really nice, long afro textured hair. They basically just leave their hair alone. All that said, I have joined the DDDC. I will be participating in it for one leg full leg to see if it makes a difference.
3. I really need to get my products down. I would like for them to be as inexpensive as possible. I have quite a few products that I like. The only true staple I have is the shampoo listed above.
4. I really need to learn the best way to style my hair. It's quite fine, and my styling techniques are very weak.

History:
I've had quite a few setbacks. I know I will never use hair dye again. Had I never caved to my mother pressuring me (because if your natural according to her you HAVE to dye your hair) my hair would be at least brastrap length. However, the dye left my hair feeling disgustingly dry. No matter what moisturizer I used, my hair just felt yucky. I wound up cutting off nearly two years of growth. I did not have the patience to transition out of that nasty feeling hair.

As for products, I have tried pretty much everything under the sun (from Ayurveda to Suave). I kind of have an idea of what works for my hair. However, the main thing my hair loves (butters) my skin doesn't tolerate well (acne). I'm trying to figure out how to make my Jheri Juice work. I purchased some Shea Moisture, but after waking up this morning with acne I've decided to take it back.

I will do a separate post about what I will be trying in the future.

This is a really great thread, OP.

 

[Napp]

i think i finally got my staples down! im so happy! now all i have to do is stick to my regimen

 

[JaszG]

i think i finally got my staples down! im so happy! now all i have to do is stick to my regimen

What are your staples?

 

[faithVA]

Great Post MaxJones

Current Staples/Techniques

:
Products-
Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo

Techniques-
Chelating (absolute must with every wash!)
Wash hair in sections
Detangle prior to washing
[/Quote]

Elasta Shampoo is on my list to try. Maybe it will be my 1 product purchase of April. Going to try cowashing first. I have heard a lot of good things about this shampoo.

Like how you added the Techniques part. Should have done that. Too lazy now.

What is Chelating? I have heard of it but have no clue.

I'm trying to decide if I should oil my scalp and seal my ends.

Interested in seeing how this comes out for you. I oil my scalp sometimes. The whole sealing thing doesn't seem to do anything for me. Haven't figured it out.

I aspire to take care of my hair like a man.

1. 
   

Had I never caved to my mother pressuring me (because if your natural according to her you HAVE to dye your hair)

This is a really great thread, OP.

Thanks

 

[faithVA]

i think i finally got my staples down! im so happy! now all i have to do is stick to my regimen

I'm happy for you but jealous

 

[Napp]

What are your staples?

From left to right

Nubian Heritage Black Soap
Apex Pressing oil
Murrays Original Pomade
Ultrasheen Duo Tex
Ultrasheen Super Setting Lotion
Praital Silk Worm Cream
Lafier Honey and Almonds Rinse
Crece Pelo Leave in
Palmers Moisturizing Oil
Smooth n shine Straighten Polish

yeah i was so happy i took a pic

 

[mamafree]

Tell us About You
Natural - Relaxed – Texturized/Texlaxed - Transitioning:NATURAL
Current Length: Collar Length
Current Regimen: I've never had a regimen. Today is my offical first day of my regimen and I am very excited. I just got he BEO Creco Pelo set in the mail today. I am very much looking forward to my hair growing. Up until today all I would do is go and get a blow out at the Dominican Salon and I wouldnt wash my hair until I could go back (gross I know). My hair stays very straight without a lot of flat ironing or wrapping at night. It looks healthy, to me but its not growing like I want it to. So I'll update you guys when I get on regimen.
Current Staples/Techniques: I got the Crece Pelo set from RIHEFRA.COM, it came very quickly! The set comes with Treatment 16oz, Shampoo 12oz, Rinse 12oz, Leave-In 4oz.
What in your regimen are trying to nail: Growth growth growth. So just having a regimen that works that I can stick to is what I'm trying to nail.
History (optional) – any history of how you got to this point
Hmmm I used to wear weave ponytails all the time. I'd wash my hair and put a whole bunch of gel and slick it back to a ball with a rubber band and wrap and bobby pin a track to a pony tail. This is sorda how I transitioned out the perm without cutting my hair. The problem was my hair was a mess. Then I finally decided to do something with it so I started getting it straighten with a straightening comb every other week. I tried using the Carols Daughter products but it this regimen made my scalp very itchy. And I didnt like how greasy my hair was after she pressed it. So THEN I started going to the Dominican Salons. I was hooked. The first time I went the lady told me in no uncertain terms that my hair was a MESS!... She cut it and blowed it BONE STRAIGHT. I felt so beautiful and my hair looked awesome and felt GREAT... So I went like 3 months w/o washing my hair but it looked so good I knew if I washed it I'd be back to the fro and honestly I don't like to wear my hair in its natural state, its just not me. I didn't experience any breakage or any scalp irritation. Since then I started going to the salon every 6 weeks. Recently I started using an all natural scalp oil. I don't want to mention the NAME of the product because I think its a good product but I have some kind of allergy to one of the oils (which was also probably the same oil in the Carols Daughter that made my scalp itch). I always thought All natural product was the best type but in my case I can't use certain ones. I haven't quite identified what oil it is but It REAlllllly irritates my scalp. I have constant itching and dandruff and my hair started breaking. So now here I am about to go BACK to using the Dominican Products only. I really hope that it cures my itchy scalp and dandruff. Wish me luck!

 

[JaszG]

Pics of products bring me joy for some reason.

mamafree welcome to the thread

 

[maxineshaw]

What is Chelating? I have heard of it but have no clue.

Chelating Shampoo

What it is:
A chelating agent can chemically bind with minerals and keep them from depositing on your hair. At least that’s the theoretical basis for this kind of formula. We’ve never seen it demonstrated in practice. This type of product has most application to areas of the country where there is hard water. Soft water already has the minerals removed.
What to look for:
Look for products with the ingredient EDTA.
Examples:
Joico Kpak Clarify Chelating Shampoo
Aveda Shampure

Source


For a very long time my hair would not retain moisture, and I did not realize the quality of my water was the cause. I went through a whole lot of products before realizing that the minerals in my water were building up in my hair and causing it to feel super duper dry.

But yeah, chelating will be a permanent part of my routine.

 

[faithVA]

Chelating Shampoo

What it is:
A chelating agent can chemically bind with minerals and keep them from depositing on your hair. At least that’s the theoretical basis for this kind of formula. We’ve never seen it demonstrated in practice. This type of product has most application to areas of the country where there is hard water. Soft water already has the minerals removed.
What to look for:
Look for products with the ingredient EDTA.
Examples:
Joico Kpak Clarify Chelating Shampoo
Aveda Shampure

Source


For a very long time my hair would not retain moisture, and I did not realize the quality of my water was the cause. I went through a whole lot of products before realizing that the minerals in my water were building up in my hair and causing it to feel super duper dry.

But yeah, chelating will be a permanent part of my routine.

Thanks for that info. I may be having that same problem. My hair feels fine until I put some water on it. My mom bought a filtered shower head so I'm supposed to try that. I'm feeling sort of lazy though. But I guess I should try that before going out and buying a shampoo. Knowing the right answer and doing the right thing ain't the same thing.

 

[faithVA]

Welcome mamafree. I didn't even see you sneak in here My computer has been acting a little crazy so it was just shutting down for no reason.

Thanks for sharing your history. 3 months with no shampoo - uh - thats absolutely amazing - lol. Talk about getting your moneys worth.

I have never been to a dominican salon or used dominican products, so I am looking forward to hearing about your new products and how they work out for your regimen. And looking forward to hearing about your hair growing, growing, growing.

ooh - and have you checked to see if you have a nut allergy? I was talking to a lady at the hair expo this past weekend and she was mentioning her allergic reaction to hair products. You might want to check to see if you are allergic to nuts, aloe vera, glycerin or coconut oil.

 

[JaszG]

Okay, So...has anyone used the Shea Moisture deep treatment masque? I used it for the second time today, and ugh, my hair hated it! I had to use Tressemme naturals to get my hair back to feeling somewhat normal. Do you all know if its a protein conditioner. How do you usually know the difference? I'm sure its obvious, but I can't tell. I'm starting to think anything protein wise is pretty much a no go. Because I tried to do the Aphogee 2 min reconstructor, and my hair is pretty much like NO. lol.

I am sitting under the dryer now. I decided to go ahead and straighten my hair tonight because the weather here is acting crazy. I'll probably deep condition this weekend, and get the month going right. I want to attempt a roller set.

 

[faithVA]

Okay, So...has anyone used the Shea Moisture deep treatment masque? I used it for the second time today, and ugh, my hair hated it! I had to use Tressemme naturals to get my hair back to feeling somewhat normal. Do you all know if its a protein conditioner. How do you usually know the difference? I'm sure its obvious, but I can't tell. I'm starting to think anything protein wise is pretty much a no go. Because I tried to do the Aphogee 2 min reconstructor, and my hair is pretty much like NO. lol.

I am sitting under the dryer now. I decided to go ahead and straighten my hair tonight because the weather here is acting crazy. I'll probably deep condition this weekend, and get the month going right. I want to attempt a roller set.

Here are the ingredients as posted on Curly Nikki's site (was being way lazy)
Deionized Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Argan Oil, Cetyl Esters, Sea Kelp Extract, Pathenol (Vitamin B-5), Ammonium Salt, Essential Oil Blend, Avocado Oil, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower (and) Lonicera Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Hyssopus Officinalis Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf and Equisetum Arvense Extract, Soybean Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil.

I don't see anything that looks like protein. Not sure about Panthenol - or Sea Kelp - don't think so. There doesn't appear to be anything in this that should make your hair feel harder.

Ok - leaving this to some one more educated than myself.

 

[FoxxyLocs]

I have the same issue. I tried the oil rinse once but not oil in my DC. Will be watching to see how it works out for you. I bought all this oil last year and have no idea how I'm going to use it since my hair is like ABSOLUTELY NOT - Get that out of here.

So what happened when you did the oil rinse?

I have used oil added to my shampoo and to my D/C before and it worked fine. My hair felt soft and there was no leftover residue. We'll see how the oil rinsing goes.

 

[faithVA]

So what happened when you did the oil rinse?

I have used oil added to my shampoo and to my D/C before and it worked fine. My hair felt soft and there was no leftover residue. We'll see how the oil rinsing goes.

Nothing happened. I didn't notice a difference. I do think that it works. I have a feeling that I will have to play with oils to see which ones work for me. I think I will put olive oil may be to heavy so going to see which light oils I have.

 

[Striving4perfection86]

Hmmmm i'm in abit of a pickle girls, my current regime is providing very good results but i must admit...i'm bored, i was co washing every morning then bunning for the day. i'm so bored of this and i don't wanna do my hair everyday at da moment and i'm sick of wet hair. I'm thinking of braidouts and making them last for 3-4 days then redo- ing them.

I'm also on the lookout for a heavy oil based moistrizer, any suggestions?

 

[JaszG]

Hikmah1986
I understand the feeling. It never really hurts to try something new. Just try it out for a few days, and see what happens. I've been doing braidouts lately, and I like it.

OAN: I think that the reason that the shea moisture deep treament masque went wrong last night, is because my hair may not like too much shea butter, and that product is definitely shae rich. That was my first time using anything with shea butter, so I shall experiment and see.

 

[faithVA]

Hmmmm i'm in abit of a pickle girls, my current regime is providing very good results but i must admit...i'm bored, i was co washing every morning then bunning for the day. i'm so bored of this and i don't wanna do my hair everyday at da moment and i'm sick of wet hair. I'm thinking of braidouts and making them last for 3-4 days then redo- ing them.

I'm also on the lookout for a heavy oil based moistrizer, any suggestions?

Well if you have most of your regimen down, absolutely add some styling options. Braidouts and Twistouts can be good for 2 to 4 days with the right holding product.

You co-washers amaze me. Wash my hair in the morning and go to work wooo. I took my flat twists out this morning and was late. I don't leave enough time in the morning to do anything but throw a band around my hair. I can wear a twist out for a week. I could probably stretch it for 2 but have never tried that. Today my hair is in a style I am naming Push up and Pray

Start adding some styles Hikmah1986 - You won't regret it.

 

[JaszG]

New discovery: The deep treatment masque may not be the issue. It has to be what I mixed with it (cast oil, coconut oil, and honey) because I did a wash with the tresseme conditioner with the same mix, and my hair felt just about the same, dry and coated. SO no more trying to mix for me! lol. I will give the deep treatment masque another go next week to see if my theory is true. lol.

 

[Striving4perfection86]

last night i co washed, moistrised and sealed, combed my hair out with a wide tooth comb and put it in 5 cornrows going back, it looks good i will keep it like this for a couple of days then do a braidout with it!!!
I'm soo much happier with my hair now, i'm gonna cut down on the co washing for now, its great for retention and moisture but i hate the wet hair feeling!
Thanks for your advice ladies i really appreciate it!!!!

Faith - I work from home so thats y i can afford to co wash every morning!!! When i'm out in the mornings, i co wash at night!! I'm soooooooooooooooo over it now!

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

lmao i'm so dumb! i really need to not read past midnight lol

when i saw the thread name i thought you were asking for nail reggies and i was gonna come in here and say

"girl this is in the wrong place!!! you better asked the mods to move this to the nail fanatic section!"

lol, ok, keep going...

 

[faithVA]

New discovery: The deep treatment masque may not be the issue. It has to be what I mixed with it (cast oil, coconut oil, and honey) because I did a wash with the tresseme conditioner with the same mix, and my hair felt just about the same, dry and coated. SO no more trying to mix for me! lol. I will give the deep treatment masque another go next week to see if my theory is true. lol.

That's an interesting find. I wonder which one of the three your hair doesn't like. I am wondering if it is the honey.

I said no more mixing for me either. I took a break and now am back at it. There was a recipe on here for a Miss Jessies replacement. My hair and wax .

 

[faithVA]

lmao i'm so dumb! i really need to not read past midnight lol

when i saw the thread name i thought you were asking for nail reggies and i was gonna come in here and say

"girl this is in the wrong place!!! you better asked the mods to move this to the nail fanatic section!"

lol, ok, keep going...

That's funny. I am that way when I post before having coffee. You should have posted it. Then when I read it I would have been like huh? - It is April Fools.

 

[faithVA]

Ok so working on my regi again this weekend.

I am debating on cowashing. I have a lot of junk in my hair so I may shampoo. I am also debating on whether I am going to go buy the Elasta QP shampoo. I have heard good things about it. As usual what I am going to do is up in the air until the actual day of.

Let's pretend
1. Going to shampoo with Elasta QP
2. Condition with Taliah Waajid conditioner
3. Skipping deep conditioning again
4. Let dry 80% and apply my leave in mix. Think I have gotten to a leave in mix that moisturizes (Paul Mitchell knock off, Aloe Vera, Glycerin, Water)
5. Seal with Coconut Oil
6. Apply Shea Moisture Smoothie
7. Sit under heat cap for 30 minutes (lock everything in with some heat)
8. Apply holding gel of some kind and style

Sounds like a lot but faster than what I usually do. I think I am close to nailing my styling regimen : leave in, coconut oil, creamy moisturizer, gel.

My cleansing regimen still needs a lot of work.

 

[maxineshaw]

Okay. I have a regimen mapped out. I am going to attempt to use cheaper products. I will stick with them for three months. I think that's a really good length of time to tell if the routine will make a difference.

Nutiva Coconut Oil
Safflower Oil
Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo
Suave Naturals Conditioner
ORS Hair Mayo
Queen Helene Cholesterol
Elasta QP Olive and Mango Butter Moisturizer
Elasta QP Leave-In Spray

Here's the routine (once a week):
prepooing with the safflower and coconut oil
Wash with Elasta QP Shampoo
DC with ORS Hair Mayo or QH Cholesterol (alternating)
Apply Moisturizer and Protective Style

I've decided to initially refrain from oiling my hair and scalp. If down the road I feel the need to, than I will. I'm kind of nervous about how my scalp will react to these products. I will update after about a month of usage.

ETA: I'm debating on whether or not to add ORS Creamy Aloe to my routine as a clarifying shampoo. The only reason I haven't is because I currently own all the products listed. I also promised myself that bar refilling I won't be purchasing anything for my hair until July 1.


ETA2:I've removed the juices listed (S-curl/CFC) and replaced it with the Elasta QP Leave-In Spray and Mango Moisturizer. I am officially quitting the juices.

 

[faithVA]

Here's the routine (once a week):
prepooing with the safflower and coconut oil
Wash with Elasta QP Shampoo
DC with ORS Hair Mayo or QH Cholesterol (alternating)
Apply Moisturizer and Protective Style

ETA: I'm debating on whether or not to add ORS Creamy Aloe to my routine as a clarifying shampoo. The only reason I haven't is because I currently own all the products listed. I also promised myself that bar refilling I won't be purchasing anything for my hair until July 1.

Looks good. Why not try it for a few weeks and then if you think you need a clarifying shampoo buy it then. Its possible your shampoo will get your hair and scalp clean enough.

I want to try that Elasta QP Shampoo. I have heard good things about it. But I think I will try cowashing this week and see how that works. If it doesn't work well then I will buy that shampoo.

 

[Poohbear]

Tell us About You

I have Natural 4a/4b hair.

My hair is armpit length when stretched.

My new current regimen is shampoo, condition, detangle, blowdry on medium/low heat, and style in two-strand twists once a month. I will moisturize my hair as needed.

A current staple product of mine is Aussie Moist Conditioner. I find myself buying this product over and over again after I run out. I had some other products that I would consider staples, but I have run out of them long time ago and haven't repurchased yet. I'm a cheapie when it comes to buying products and like to use up products before buying more. Not sure if any other product that I currently have will become a staple.

In my regimen, I am trying to nail being more gentle with my hair and leaving my hair alone.

History - I went natural in 2005 and have pretty much manipulated my hair alot ever since then. I've also had several trims and one hair cut along the way. My hair grew from less than 1/2" to APL in 3 years. After that, I started playing with heat straightening. I got a hair cut to above my shoulders in 2008. It grew back to APL and has stayed that length since 2009. I've been wanting BSL/MBL for so long but wasn't doing what it takes to get to that length. I wanted to try all types of styles, which was fun, but at the same time, it was sometimes frustrating and I was not achieving my goals. So last week, I got a trim and will be washing my hair soon to start this new protective style regimen.


Guidelines/Suggestions

Leave my hair in two-strand twists until I reach my goal. Be gentle with hair. Avoid heat straightening my hair with the flat-iron. To avoid getting bored, just style my twists in different ways.


Check-in when you

I just bought Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor. I have not used it yet. I'm hoping it will keep my hair strong and prevent splits. I will be using it once a month. There's a few products I would like to try, I just can't think of the names of all of them at this moment. I need all the encouragement and support that I can get in order to achieve my hair length goals.


And Let us know

I have tried the Juice Challenge where I would moisturize my hair everyday with S-Curl or Hawaiian Silky 14-n-1 and style my hair in a bun. But I got frustrated with doing that everyday. And my hair did not like to be drenched with moisture like that everyday. I have also tried to keep up a twistout routine since I like wearing twistouts, but I got tired of re-twisting my hair every night and felt like it was too much manipulation. Then I tried to keep up a heat straightening routine so I could leave my hair alone. Even though I could get my hair straight with one pass with the flat-iron and keep my hair from reverting for several weeks, I started noticing that the split ends were actually coming from flat-ironing with grease.

So now, I am going to try protective styling with two-strand twists to see how this routine will work for my hair. I've seen too many ladies here on LHCF and on other forums with similar hair types to mine who have had success with a protective styling routine (ie. ladies with fotki albums: Ms-Lala, Sera252, romasuki, Catheadface, jngn, Poetist, and more).

 

[JaszG]

My Hair Week In Review:

I did a few different things to my hair, I have actually been in my hair more than I usually am, just because I wanted to experiment. I believe thats okay. lol I think I DCed my hair a good 3 times this week. Smh. But my hair feels good! I@faithVA, I think you are right about the honey, because it is the only ingredient that I added that I don't use by itself, so I'm sure the honey is a no go! Shame. lol.

I have narrowed down the hair styles that I am going to be doing.

Pony tail Rollerset & silk wraps (To give my hair body, I will still have to flat iron it, but I Reduce the temp. I usually have it at MAX!!)
Braid outs
Buns

(I will see how these work out once I am a few more weeks post)

I want to reduce my direct heat usage. I usually blow dry, flat iron, curl. I want to Rollerset, and flat iron maybe. I may do the whole shebang once a month, or on relaxer days.

Products I am currently loving:
Tresseme Naturals: I don't really see anyone posting about the Tresseme line, but I seriously am going to try DCing with the conditioners because they are nice, and VERY student budget friendly!
Creme of Nature Argan Oil Polisher & Gloss: I am thinking this can replace my Design Essentials Silk Essentials, it has a lot of the same ingredients, and costs $7.99 Vs. $18. I knocked it over, and didn't notice and half the bottle wasted. BUT I don't feel half as bad as I know I would if it was the DE. lol. It smells SO GOOD too!
Bed Head Moisture Maniac: ULTA had a huge bottle for $11.99 regularly $22. It smells really good! Not sure if I like it as much as the Tresseme though.
Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter: Makes my hair feel moisturized, but NOT weighed down, and smells absolutely wonderful!!

I have been thinking about trying Nexxus Humectress, and Kenra MC, but they come in such small bottles for the price. The only reason I tried the Moisture Maniac is because it is HUGE. I think I'm going to set a rule for myself to make progress without ever spending more than $12 on a product. lol.

 

[maxineshaw]

I'm going to stop lying to myself and ditch the juice. I just can't deal with it anymore. I'm about to prepoo my hair, and it just feels really dry, tangled, knotted, and just all around gross. I won't be using it anymore.

I'm going to use the Elasta QP Olive and Mango Butter. I just hope I don't have a negative reaction.

I will be editing my post to reflect changes.

 

[JaszG]

The Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter is nice! I believe it is a protein moisturizer, but it leaves my hair feeling moisturized but not weighed down at all! I love the smell of it too!