Natural 4s: How long did it take

[FAMUDva]

Hey, This may have been asked a million times, but shoot me for asking again.

How long did it take before your hair started to "hang"? Meaning, how long did your hair have to grow before it hung down when dry? My hair grows out, out, out... I'm praying that at some point it'll start going down. I love the hang right after a CW with soaking wet hair, but nothing (not even KCCC) makes it keep the same hang. Pics below of my hair.

Another question, how the heck do you style it when it's growing out (not down). HELP!

And because I have no idea how to tame it . This is how I wear it mostly...

Side or low curly pony and call it a day

Although a friend hipped me to the 2 strand twist bantu knot (it only came out decent once)....

BTW, my hair is a little pas collar bone length stretch and probably 2 inches from APL. I haven't straightened since May, so I'm not certain how it looks straight, but i've stretched and see it's grown about 1.5-2 inches since then. I don't follow hair typing but, know I'm in the 4s... kinky-curly.

 

[msa]

I don't know how long it takes for it to hang since I'm not there yet. I suspect I'll have to be WL before I see some actual hanging, but I can't say for sure. It may never happen which is fine with me because I want a ridiculously large fro.

For styling, bantu knot outs are my go to out style. You just have to figure out the amount of twists and the products that work best for you. For me it's Oyin Honey Hemp conditioner, 12-15 twists (med-large size), done on damp hair.

But generally I'm too lazy for that, so I either wear a puff, a wash-n-go, or pin my hair into a french roll.

 

[FAMUDva]

I don't know how long it takes for it to hang since I'm not there yet. I suspect I'll have to be WL before I see some actual hanging, but I can't say for sure. It may never happen which is fine with me because I want a ridiculously large fro.

For styling, bantu knot outs are my go to out style. You just have to figure out the amount of twists and the products that work best for you. For me it's Oyin Honey Hemp conditioner, 12-15 twists (med-large size), done on damp hair.

But generally I'm too lazy for that, so I either wear a puff, a wash-n-go, or pin my hair into a french roll.

I appreciate the input... I'm soo tired of having to do it EVERYDAY! Wash and go, twist bantu, etc, all seem to look a hot mess the next day requiring re wetting I had my mom give me some cute corn rows (without extensions) earlier last week and so far it's still looking ok, so I don't have to do anything except tie it down. I'm trying to figure out if my life will be manipulation everyday?!?! If so, I'm not too cool with that.

 

[msa]

I appreciate the input... I'm soo tired of having to do it EVERYDAY! Wash and go, twist bantu, etc, all seem to look a hot mess the next day requiring re wetting I had my mom give me some cute corn rows (without extensions) earlier last week and so far it's still looking ok, so I don't have to do anything except tie it down. I'm trying to figure out if my life will be manipulation everyday?!?! If so, I'm not too cool with that.

Well when I do bantu knot outs I don't have to rewet every day...usually I can just wear a bonnet for the first night. And then for the next few nights I add a bit more product and do fewer knots, maybe 7. I can keep a knot out going for a week.

For french roll and pin up styles it's best for me to do them on already stretched hair. So I'll do my hair in cornrows (with product, usually conditioner), take them out the next day, and then for the rest of the week I can do different styles. And I don't have to re-braid my hair for that.

The only thing that requires rewetting for me is a wash n go. Puffs I can keep going for a few days.

 

[music-bnatural-smile]

I appreciate the input... I'm soo tired of having to do it EVERYDAY! Wash and go, twist bantu, etc, all seem to look a hot mess the next day requiring re wetting I had my mom give me some cute corn rows (without extensions) earlier last week and so far it's still looking ok, so I don't have to do anything except tie it down. I'm trying to figure out if my life will be manipulation everyday?!?! If so, I'm not too cool with that.

Maybe twists would be good for you?
i don't know what i am... ppl say 3c, ppl say 4a, whatev...
but for my whole life, i've never cowashed til i got on here, and it doesn't help...
dry styles really help me, ie braidouts, twistouts, etc.
i don't know how much that helps u cuz i don't know how much tighter your curl is or the level of moisture you have going on...

 

[FAMUDva]

Maybe twists would be good for you?
i don't know what i am... ppl say 3c, ppl say 4a, whatev...
but for my whole life, i've never cowashed til i got on here, and it doesn't help...
dry styles really help me, ie braidouts, twistouts, etc.
i don't know how much that helps u cuz i don't know how much tighter your curl is or the level of moisture you have going on...

My texture actually looks identical to yours (from your other thread). The twist outs were GREAT when I was still transitioning, but maybe i'm doing something wrong, because it's hit or miss now that the relaxer is gone.


My hair now loves CW (hated it while transitioning). My moisture level is in check and I've never had issues with dry hair. My hair is weird because it clumps really pretty and I love how it looks, but I just don't like having to manipulate everyday. Like even with a twist out, you have to retwist it everynight When I try NOT retwisting and sleep with my bonnet, it's a mushed mess. Unlike when I was relaxed, I'd go 2 weeks without combing my hair. Either wrap at night and finger comb it down, or wear a flexi set and bonnet every night and shake and go.

Although I'm frustrated, going back to relaxing has not crossed my mind. I have however been thinking more about cutting it short, short, short.

 

[music-bnatural-smile]

What product are you doing your twist/braid-outs with?
Are you letting them dry long enough?
I let mine dry for a full 24 hrs usually
Mine stayed well with mousse and gel too, and all I did was wear a bonnet...
This time around with the curls whipped they stayed for like 4 days, I washed prematurely lol and I'm not gonna lie, I slept without scarves lol... I could've gone a week I think... my hair is still pretty moisturized as well...

I'm trying the qhemet 2morrow with a wng we'll see how that goes

My texture actually looks identical to yours (from your other thread). The twist outs were GREAT when I was still transitioning, but maybe i'm doing something wrong, because it's hit or miss now that the relaxer is gone.


My hair now loves CW (hated it while transitioning). My moisture level is in check and I've never had issues with dry hair. My hair is weird because it clumps really pretty and I love how it looks, but I just don't like having to manipulate everyday. Like even with a twist out, you have to retwist it everynight When I try NOT retwisting and sleep with my bonnet, it's a mushed mess. Unlike when I was relaxed, I'd go 2 weeks without combing my hair. Either wrap at night and finger comb it down, or wear a flexi set and bonnet every night and shake and go.

Although I'm frustrated, going back to relaxing has not crossed my mind. I have however been thinking more about cutting it short, short, short.

 

[FAMUDva]

What product are you doing your twist/braid-outs with?
Are you letting them dry long enough?
I let mine dry for a full 24 hrs usually
Mine stayed well with mousse and gel too, and all I did was wear a bonnet...
This time around with the curls whipped they stayed for like 4 days, I washed prematurely lol and I'm not gonna lie, I slept without scarves lol... I could've gone a week I think... my hair is still pretty moisturized as well...

I'm trying the qhemet 2morrow with a wng we'll see how that goes

I depends on what's near me at the time I'm twisting...
I've used Miss Jessie's Curl Meringue, KCCC (for wash and go above- hated the crunch), HH condish, Noodle Head, Aveda Be Curly Line... all I can think of now, but I'm sure I tried other curling products. I actually prefer condish only, but of course that looks better, but I always know it won't last

And I only use gels (ecostyler and IC) for slicking in the front. I hate the way my hair feels with gels. I'm gonna figure out the balance with KCCC and coconut oil to prevent crunch. I'm also thinking of trying Miss Jessie's Stretch Silkening Crème for wash and goes and maybe going for he pudding for a heavier hold for twist outs. Haven't decided.

I look forward to your review of the other product.

 

[FAMUDva]

Here's my flat twist out (excuse the heat damaged front pieces). IT's an old pic from April right after the BC.

ETA, It look find the first day but looked a hot mess the next day. I was done with Miss Jessie's CM

 

[music-bnatural-smile]

why thank you!
to me it looks like u might not be letting them dry long enough... are they still really really moist when u unravel?
they are really pretty though, and personally i like when the front is looser... i think it frames the face nicely

 

[FAMUDva]

why thank you!
to me it looks like u might not be letting them dry long enough... are they still really really moist when u unravel?
they are really pretty though, and personally i like when the front is looser... i think it frames the face nicely

I twist it and wear it over night. I guess that may be so. Usually it's like 5-7 hours . But, you may be on to something; my hair is REALLY thick and takes a long time to completely dry.

Girl, my problem is I hate the heat damage so much that I always wear a head band/ scarf so, my hair never frames my face when I wear it out

One day soon... I hope and pray!

 

[music-bnatural-smile]

u could wear flat twists with a phony bun or pony....
do em straight back or in a design one night, then the next day slap on your peice over the twists in the back
then the next day or the day after take down the twists... whenever they are all the way dry
or just even without the bun or pony is cute to me...

 

[Kirei]

It took me about 1 and a few months...

I call it a "flop".

HTH

 

[tocktick]

I'm APL. Only the looser/larger coils located at the nape and sides hang. Based on the pics I've seen of people who seem to have hair very much like my own, I suspect all of it won't hang until I'm around BSL or midback.

 

[ThickHair]

My hair is past midback when stretched but it still doesn't hang. My hair grows up and out like Sideshow Bob.

I don't have a problem with it. That is just the way my hair is and I am not going to weigh it down with product, manipulate or use a little heat just so it will hang.

I wear 2st all the time and they barely graze the nape of my neck.

 

[Nonie]

I don't know how long it takes for it to hang since I'm not there yet. I suspect I'll have to be WL before I see some actual hanging, but I can't say for sure. It may never happen which is fine with me because I want a ridiculously large fro.

For styling, bantu knot outs are my go to out style. You just have to figure out the amount of twists and the products that work best for you. For me it's Oyin Honey Hemp conditioner, 12-15 twists (med-large size), done on damp hair.

But generally I'm too lazy for that, so I either wear a puff, a wash-n-go, or pin my hair into a french roll.

Amen to the bold. I have never cared for hanging, swinging hair. Having hair that can make it to a pony puff has always been my dream and the bigger the puff, the better.

How to style hair that doesn't hang? Thank God for puffs. I don't even care for WNGs coz dangling curls aren't my thing. Combed out Bernic Mac afro puffs that form a perfect dome IMO is how hair that doesn't hang is supposed to be worn. I love them so much that the first time I wore one after being in braids, I was so proud of it that I had to rock my "Are You Nikos' Cousin?" shirt coz I was proud to admit I do know a thing or two about hair.

 

[glamazon386]

I'm coming up on 3 years next month and mine still doesn't. The front and sides point down and the back kind of does but everything else just kind of goes outward.

ETA: FAMUDVA - It sounds like we're in the same boat with out hair. I'm having the same problem lately and I have no idea what to do with it. My styles are pretty much hit and miss and I get tired of spending my time braiding, twisting, etc. Most of the time my hair is in a bun or under a wig. I have no idea what to do with it.

 

[phyl73]

Have youtried using castor oil? It's heavier than coconut oil and might give it some hang. I had to hide my hair away in a sew in because I felt that I was touching it too much. Before I did I put it in tst and let it dry some. It didn't dry completely but I think if I had allowed it to completely dry it would have had more hang. I must admit I kept pulling it up instead of down I wanted it to be HUGE. I also used kcc before it put in the tst. I haven't had it straighten since April and am not planning to again until January. I hope to be apl by then.

 

[FAMUDva]

ETA: FAMUDVA - It sounds like we're in the same boat with out hair. I'm having the same problem lately and I have no idea what to do with it. My styles are pretty much hit and miss and I get tired of spending my time braiding, twisting, etc. Most of the time my hair is in a bun or under a wig. I have no idea what to do with it.

EXACTLY! Girl... it's even worse because I don't wear wigs or weaves. I tried extensions earlier this summer but wasn't feeling them after the first 2weeks and that was a lot of money and time. I'm watching youtube vids for inspiration and downloading styles.

Have youtried using castor oil? It's heavier than coconut oil and might give it some hang. I had to hide my hair away in a sew in because I felt that I was touching it too much. Before I did I put it in tst and let it dry some. It didn't dry completely but I think if I had allowed it to completely dry it would have had more hang. I must admit I kept pulling it up instead of down I wanted it to be HUGE. I also used kcc before it put in the tst. I haven't had it straighten since April and am not planning to again until January. I hope to be apl by then.

No I havent tried castor oil. I don't actually want it heavier with product, just wondered if it will always go out no matter how much hair I have. Sounds like that will be the case. I'm cool with that. I am however tired of wearing the scarves to hide damage. But youtube is giving me ideas. Hopefully I can find a couple of styles that last more than 2 days without rewetting, retwisting, re-anything.

 

[darlingdiva]

Hi, FAMUDva!!!

I understand where you're coming from on all accounts. My hair doesn't hang, either. After I wash it, it looks like a fro. Also, I'm style challenged and shrinkage doesn't help. In a non-straightened state, the only style that I can nicely do is a twist-out. I do the style by making individual twists, which takes a long time, but not as long as it used to. My flat-twisting skills leave much to be desired, plus the twist-out doesn't have enough volume for me when it's taken down from flat-twists.

The products that I use to twist vary by season.

In the winter and fall, I use JC Leave-In & the hair nourishing cream to twist. In the summer, I use a mixture of water, coconut oil, castor oil, and honey to twist. For my last set of twists, I added Jane Carter Solution Condition & Sculpt to the mix. It gives good hold, but it made my hands sticky. I think it's because I used too much, plus I didn't use water in the last mixture. I'm going to try again using water & less Condition & Sculpt & see how it turns out.

 

[skegeesmb]

O.k. please don't laugh (because I look like a dork) but here is a picture of my hair when I was natural a few years ago:

I'm a 3/4 combo. This picture was from March 2003. This was 15 months of being natural.

 

[darlingdiva]

O.k. please don't laugh (because I look like a dork) but here is a picture of my hair when I was natural a few years ago:

I'm a 3/4 combo. This picture was from March 2003. This was 15 months of being natural.

I'm lovin' the curls & the hang action.

 

[skegeesmb]

I'm lovin' the curls & the hang action.

Aww thanks!

 

[Oasis]

I'm around APL in back and SL in front and my hair barely hangs when wet. I'd say 60% afro-ish and 40% hang-ish. When it dries, it comes to about a 2 inch fro. I can't ever see my hair hanging when dry, regardless of length.

The only time I've ever gotten to see my hair hang was when I had henna in it.

 

[kurlybella]

i started hanging this year. and i'm apl stretched. however i was apl this time last year - i got a hair cut earlier this year and am back where i started, so to speak.

anyway, the reason i *think* and am pretty sure i'm hanging is that my hair is very moisturized, and even more so than last year this time.

i actually don't want my hair to hang anymore at all! i'm always trying to figure out how to get a tighter look. bantu knots, whatever i can do to make my hair look super short!!!!!

ya'll help me!! i need some advice. i miss my fro!! or my other fro!

ironically enough, i started a thread last year i think about hair hanging and how my hair shrank so much. not anymore!

 

[mscocoface]

Hanging......only with twists or braids otherwise it is like a black cloud around my head.

I am not sure when or if it will ever hang. I have hair similar to Sonce and Sera so I imagine one day that will happen since they shows pics of this phenomena but right now, nope. Shrinkage is in charge for a loooooooong while.

 

[FindingMe]

Good question OP, I was wondering the same thing...

 

[Soliel185]

I noticed my hair nowadays has more hang and less shrinkage than it did in the past. I think it's b/c it's so moisturized.

Right now, the top has the loosest texture, and it flops over or hangs freely when loose (with a band or after it dries I can coax it into standing sort of up at the crown)

The back seems to grow down, and the sides are down but at like a 45 degree angle. Kind of like shingles on a house..? I don't know if it's hang any more than that though.

 

[Rocky91]

i don't know anything about the time frame, but regarding styling:
i have "bangs" when i wash and go that i consider pretty cute. i just pull them down to frame my face like so:

or you could always pin the front back with a little click-clack. this might be a little more "young" looking than you desire, so beware. i probably shouldn't be wearing this anymore myself...

 

[Ramya]

I noticed my hair nowadays has more hang and less shrinkage than it did in the past. I think it's b/c it's so moisturized.

Right now, the top has the loosest texture, and it flops over or hangs freely when loose (with a band or after it dries I can coax it into standing sort of up at the crown)

The back seems to grow down, and the sides are down but at like a 45 degree angle. Kind of like shingles on a house..? I don't know if it's hang any more than that though.

Mine is like this too. The back has always grown down though and the front is a looser texture so it hangs anyway. From previous experience, my haircut also has a lot to do with the level of 'hang' my hair has. It's starting to frame my face now . I think it has a lot to do with the shape of the hair, not so much the length.