Natural Hair Styling Issues - How to Fix?

[mzteaze]

I have my regimen down pat. My hair is definitely thriving. However, now is the time to deal with the finish styling issues.

I have tried rollersetting and flat ironing. With each effort I find the same issue, minutes after finishing, my hair poofs out. I go from straight hair to the triangle poof (a la Diana Ross/Chaka Khan) quickly. My roots stay fairly straight with just a little heat and/or tension.


I have tried the following products to combat the issue:

Aveda Damage Remedy
Aveda Smooth Infusion
A little castor oil
A little Argan oil (100%)
Sabino Lok & Blok
A few pomades (humectants and anti-humectant)
Additional moisture during cleansing process (pre-poo and with DC)

So what can be done? Is truly technique or is there something else I am overlooking?

 

[Vashti]

I haven't started flat ironing my hair yet so I don't know. Bumping for you 'cause i wanna know what to do about this too.

 

[beana]

Is there a reason you prefer rollersetting before flat ironing?

I straighten many natural haired ladies (mostly type 4's) i get good results by blow drying as straight as possible first. medium heat works well for me and i never spend more than 5 mins per section (i usually separate the hair in 4-6 sections).

also, i would cut out all the oil and do the following:
- wash, DC, apply leave in and seal with a tiny bit of lok n blok serum before blow drying.
- then use maybe a tiny drop more before flat ironing.

I am able to do one pass and the hair really silkens and stays that way for at least 5 days when I do this method.

 

[mzteaze]

I don't rollerset before flat ironing. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

I get the same results whether I rollerset OR flat iron. In both cases, my hair looks good for about 10 minutes before it starts poofing up. When I flat ironed, I let my hair air dry in twists (the roots were straight). With the roller set, my hair looked decent until I combed out the curls.

I guess blow drying is really the only choice if I want to flat iron afterwards huh?

 

[FlyyGyrl]

Have you tried air drying before flat ironing? For me blow drying first does not work better and its more unnecessary heat.

Are you deep conditioning first? This is critical. I personally like Redken Buttertreat. It works better than Aveda DR for me and its cheaper .

Are you doing chase comb method to straighten? This makes a huge difference.

ETA: I see you are air drying. Try braids instead of twists. It will stretch the hair more.

 

[mzteaze]

Thanks Flyygyrl.

I currently air dry before flat ironing. I guess that isn't really working well if I cant stay straight for 15 min after finishing. I definitely deep condition first before attempting any heat related styles. I am running out of ideas.

beana where in NYC do you do hair?

 

[beana]

Oh mzteaze i sent you a PM, but i forgot to mention that 1 or 2 pumps of foam wrap can make your rollerset results on natural hair much better. the hair really "wraps" the roller better with it.

Blow drying and flat ironing is my preferred method of straightening though.

 

[mzteaze]

Bumping...

any other tips?

 

[Napp]

how do you feel about grease?

 

[LongLeggedLife]

Adjust the heat(higher) on your appliance.

 

[mzteaze]

how do you feel about grease?

I haven't tried grease in a long time. I have fine hair and it used to weigh it down a lot.

Why would you suggest grease?

 

[Napp]

I haven't tried grease in a long time. I have fine hair and it used to weigh it down a lot.

Why would you suggest grease?

my best presses usually are done with grease.the one in my siggy is a press done with a hair dressing. it doesnt look,feel or act heavy at all.

well id like to think of grease as a last resort for people who have an issue with the chaka khan press.it doesnt have to be greasy and heavy yet it gives more "control" than just a serum. most of the time people are using way too much and getting that heavy,oily,dirty feeling..

if you still cannot find a solution you might want to try it at least once and see how you like it and if it gives the desired result. if you do make sure to turn down the temp and adjust it afterwards because i find that the temperature doe not need to be as high as if you were using a serum or little product.


my hair is fine and reverts easily as well and i find when i press with some petro or mineral oil product the press lasts for multiple weeks where i can barley get a week if i just used a serum.

 

[mzteaze]

my best presses usually are done with grease.the one in my siggy is a press done with a hair dressing. it doesnt look,feel or act heavy at all.

well id like to think of grease as a last resort for people who have an issue with the chaka khan press.it doesnt have to be greasy and heavy yet it gives more "control" than just a serum. most of the time people are using way too much and getting that heavy,oily,dirty feeling..

if you still cannot find a solution you might want to try it at least once and see how you like it and if it gives the desired result. if you do make sure to turn down the temp and adjust it afterwards because i find that the temperature doe not need to be as high as if you were using a serum or little product.


my hair is fine and reverts easily as well and i find when i press with some petro or mineral oil product the press lasts for multiple weeks where i can barley get a week if i just used a serum.

Thanks for this...

So do you use a light film of grease? Plus you definitely flat iron, right?
Brand recommendations?

 

[Napp]

Thanks for this...

So do you use a light film of grease? Plus you definitely flat iron, right?
Brand recommendations?

yes just a light coating on my finger per section. some times i flat iron and sometimes i use a hot comb. i tend to prefer pressing in the winter for some reason because i have been using the flat iron as of late.

i dont know much about brands but i do know you do not have to spend alot of money to get a nice flat iron. i got a rusk tourmaline+ceramic flat iron at tjmaxx after using an andis for years and i really dont think i could get an iron that is better...i think remington makes good flat irons too. also the babyliss/jilbere makes good ones too. i think they are all under the same manufacture but have different price points.

just make sure what ever you are using has smooth thick plates

 

[Dak]

Have you tried a moisture block, like Sabino? That makes a big difference for me.