Natural Support Thread

[tdenmil]

What do you think?
I think this is a great thread and I enjoyed reading it. Now off to see some fotkis!
Hair type?
I have no idea. It's curly, though.
Current hair length?
3 inches
Goal hair length?
SL Unstretched. I don't want my hair that long.
Time since bc?
5 months and 2 days
How long did you transition, or did you?
I didn't. I shaved it off and started from scratch.
Biggest hair challenge?
It was finding the right products for my hair. I spent a lot of money to find what worked for me.
Stand-by products?
BB Oil Moisturizer, Kinky-Curly Curling Custard and Knot Today, Herbal Essences Hello Hydration, Pantene Hydrating Curls, Curls Whipped Cream and Milkshake and my beloved Fantasia IC gel with Sparkelites
Stand-by hair style(and short tutorial if it has not been explained. I think this is crucial because alot of the natural ladies don't know the wealth of styles they can do themselves)?
I just got enough hair to do a puff so I am going to rock that bad boy forever! You don't know how excited I am about that! Milestone #2 baby!
Do you have a picture(also very helpful)?
Sure--Wash and go with BB Oil Moisturizer and a little gel. See the white balls??

Here is my first puff! I am soooo proud of it!

Do you ever want to go back to relaxed
Nope. Nope. Never.

Best hair compliment?
Who knew you were hiding that beautiful hair under all that perm? Why did you perm it in the first place?
[/quote]

 

[GoldenBreeze]

Welcome aboard tdenmil. HHG

 

[discobiscuits]

Hair type?
4A-ish
Current hair length?
Shoulder
Goal hair length?
N/A
Time since bc?
Never BCd
How long did you transition, or did you?
A little over 1 year (August 2005 to April 2007)
Biggest hair challenge?
Managing my natural hair and finding products
Stand-by products?
I don't think I understand this question
Stand-by hair style(and short tutorial if it has not been explained. I think this is crucial because alot of the natural ladies don't know the wealth of styles they can do themselves)?
cornrows or braids with and without extentions
Do you have a picture(also very helpful)?
yes, in my fotki (see my profile) or search fotki
Do you ever want to go back to relaxed?
yes and i did in April 2007
Best hair compliment?
"Your hair is pretty"

 

[Evolving78]

I don't use anything on my scalp either.

is that your hair in the second pic? I think that is so cute. I really like your pics with your natural hair. Do you wear your own hair out often or the wigs? I can't wait until my hair gets that length!

 

[Leshia]

My answers are highlighted below

Time since bc? 6 or 7 months

How long did you transition, or did you? Nope, big chop


QUOTE]

Wowza, that is a LOT of hair growth six months after a big chop!!!

 

[GoldenBreeze]

I don't think I"d be able to do this. See once I put somethining on my head my twists are going to go in that direction so if I pull them back, when I take the holder out, my twists are still going to be pointing back! I'm going to use half of your idea (leave in mix) and use that with CurleeDST's suggestion and use it as a spritz in the morning.

That sounds like a good idea. You have to go with what works for you, and we certainly don't want yo going around with twists pointing out or up. I hope the moisturizer works well for you.

 

[LynnieB]

Post BC answers

Hair type?

thick, wavy/curly/kinky, lots of thick, coarse strands.

Current hair length?

longest layer is shoulder length in the back, chin length in the front.

Goal hair length?

i'm shooting for my pre-BC length of brastrap/waist

Time since bc?

05-24-07

How long did you transition, or did you?

15 months

Biggest hair challenge?

This is the shortest my hair has been in a long, long time so i'd say finding styles that will look good on shorter hair.

Stand-by products?

Nature's Gate poo's, Nature's Gate conditioners, Aubrey Organics HSR. GBP and Desert Herb conditioners, Fantasia IC Ice (the clear one) and LA Looks gel (the blue one)


Stand-by hair style(and short tutorial if it has not been explained. I think this is crucial because alot of the natural ladies don't know the wealth of styles they can do themselves)?

protective style til the fall/winter: 2 rows of cornrows in the front and twists in the back or any variation of this.
will be going back to braid/twist outs once i grow another 3-4 inches.

Do you have a picture(also very helpful)?

see fotki album.

Do you ever want to go back to relaxed?

no.

Best hair compliment?

Your hair looks nice like that.

[/quote]

 

[dimpalz]

How did I not see this thread before???? - or maybe I did

Hair type?
4a and loose 4a

Current hair length?
Between 5 and 7 inches, between 3 and 4 shrunken

Goal hair length?
ooooo I don't know! Shoulder shrunken? HA! like that'll ever happen. Probably BSL stretched which is about 13 inches on me from the nape.

Time since bc?
1 year and a week!

How long did you transition, or did you?
About 2 months then Snip Snip

Biggest hair challenge?
Trying to get my fro to shrink evenly.

Stand-by products?
MNT Moisturiser Texturiser conditioner

Stand-by hair style(and short tutorial if it has not been explained. I think this is crucial because alot of the natural ladies don't know the wealth of styles they can do themselves)?
I wear it shrunken with bands in the warmer months cos I wash it daily. That takes about 10 minutes including washing. I'm doing the bohemian thing right now so I literally co-wash and go.


Do you have a picture(also very helpful)?

Me in Thailand, holiday's don't give yout he option to NOT do the bohemian thing!

Do you ever want to go back to relaxed?
I don't WANT to but I may. I didn't WANT to go natural, I just did it for a change and chance to grow my hair. I may get to APL and decide I want it swangin...

Best hair compliment?
I can't believe how much your hair has grown *yank yank* (cos u have to pull it if someone says that lol) It doesn't look like it's grown that much to me.

 

[girlyprincess23]

Hair type?

3c/3b/4a, i dont'really know as it gets longer the texture seems to be changing

Current hair length?

when flat irone is in layers back layer reaches to shoulders
Goal hair length?

mid back? halfway between brastrap and waistlength
Time since bc?

1.5 years, sometime in december 05

How long did you transition, or did you?

2 months

Biggest hair challenge?

Trying to find easy to do styles that will keep my hair healthy and help it grow. The braids aren't working for me anymore
Stand-by products?

MTG, Infusiom, African Royale Braid Spray

Stand-by hair style(and short tutorial if it has not been explained. I think this is crucial because alot of the natural ladies don't know the wealth of styles they can do themselves)?

braids i guess. here looking for a new one
Do you have a picture(also very helpful)?

no, need to get batteries for camera, have some but need to get them on comp
Do you ever want to go back to relaxed?

I keep going back and forth, don't really want to but i need to be able to leave my hair out of braids some time

Best hair compliment?
OOH I'ts curly in the back.... (my grandmother)

 

[girlyprincess23]

LADIES!!! i need some style advice. I want to know how to do those cool looking buns where they stuff the scrunchies in them??

 

[juju]

3 years natural and 18 months with dreadslocs !

 

[juju]

After reading the thread on Nice and insight.

What do you think?
Great idea !

I think we're gonna need some structure..

So how about some questions,

Hair type?
4b (in locs18 months)

Current hair length?
I am not so good with hair lengths but i can say ear length (whatever it means )

Goal hair length?
healty long locs ,that i can make into 1


Time since bc?


How long did you transition, or did you?
just cut off the whole thing !

Biggest hair challenge?


Stand-by products?
EO

Stand-by hair style(and short tutorial if it has not been explained. I think this is crucial because alot of the natural ladies don't know the wealth of styles they can do themselves)?

Do you have a picture(also very helpful)?
I don't know how to post a pic !

Do you ever want to go back to relaxed?
No relaxer anymore for me !

Best hair compliment?
your hair is nice


Let's start with that.

Good thread !

 

[Ms_Twana]

OMG, how'd I miss this thread!!!!

Hair type?
4a

Current hair length?
about 5 inches

Goal hair length?
Mid back

Time since bc?
7 months

How long did you transition, or did you?
6 months

Biggest hair challenge?
SHRINKAGE

Stand-by products?
Cheapie conditioners

Stand-by hair style
wash and go

Do you have a picture(also very helpful)?
Album in siggy

Do you ever want to go back to relaxed?
Absolutely not (but, never say never). I do want to straighten on a regular basis once I reach my hair goal though.

Best hair compliment?
My curls (which are REALLY coils to the untrained eye). LOL

 

[turnergirl]

How are you ladies maintaining your twists at night? I usually just tie up all my twists into a scarf but then I wake up with straggly twists so I usually rinse my hair to get them to fall into place and plump up. Only problem with this is it causes my twists to frizz fairly quickly and while I don't mind the frizz that much, I'd like to know other alternatives!

I don't tie them up. I sleep with a satin pillow cover and that is that.

 

[LynnieB]

Thanks for bumping this thread, i'd forgotten all about it and my post needed updating.

 

[Hair Iam]

Hair type? 3c/4a

Current hair length? Just passed Shoulder length when flat ironed

Goal hair length? BSL or Mid back when flat ironed

Time since bc? It was a progression from June 2005 o Dec 2005

How long did you transition, or did you? I transitioned for a year

Biggest hair challenge? Shrinkage what can you do... part of the teritory,

Stand-by products?My own home made products, Elucence conditioner, Castor oil coconut oil, Amla,

Stand-by hair style . I think this is crucial because alot of the natural ladies don't know the wealth of styles they can do themselves)? Wash and Go , twist out, two strand twists, flat ironed, bantu knots, fro, bun,

Do you have a picture(also very helpful)? See my fotki .

Do you ever want to go back to relaxed? Not as long as I own a flat iron

Best hair compliment?" Is that your own hair " ?

 

[villacole]

Great thread!!
I am a newbie to this site so I'm glad to have found this thread.
I have been natural since sept 2005

Hair type? ?? very curly
Current hair length? current length is just below Apl when flat ironed
Goal hair length? BSL or Mid back when flat ironed

Time since bc? January 2007

How long did you transition, or did you? I transitioned since sept 2005

Biggest hair challenge? finding the right products to tame the curls and also to aide in the straigtening when I want to go straight.

Stand-by products?

Stand-by hair style . I think this is crucial because alot of the natural ladies don't know the wealth of styles they can do themselves)? Wash and Go , flat ironed,

Do you have a picture(also very helpful)? See my fotki .

Do you ever want to go back to relaxed? when I get tired of flat ironing but for the most part I love the ease of wash'n and going

Best hair compliment when I rock it wavy and it makes me look 20yrs younger


http://public.fotki.com/villacole/

 

[glamazon386]

is that your hair in the second pic? I think that is so cute. I really like your pics with your natural hair. Do you wear your own hair out often or the wigs? I can't wait until my hair gets that length!

Sorry I'm just seeing this...Thanks! But I don't remember which picture I had up then. But to answer your question, I've been wearing my hair out a lot more often since it got warm out. I wear wigs on occasion when I want to switch it up or i'm inbetween styles. I wear weaves most of the time though out of pure laziness. My hair is getting too big to go under the wigs without gelling it down or plaiting it so I prefer the weave.

 

[MissFallon]

Hair type? 3B/3C

Current hair length? Shoulder length

Goal hair length? 3" from Waist Length when straightened

Time since bc? almost 2 months

How long did you transition, or did you? I transitioned for 11 months

Biggest hair challenge? Finding a style that looks right, and dealing with the straighter textures to make them blend with the curls.

Stand-by products?Suave Humectant and my mix of Scurl, curl wax grease and curl activator gel.

Stand-by hair style . I think this is crucial because alot of the natural ladies don't know the wealth of styles they can do themselves)? Wash and go is the only style I can do. I'm going to try bantu knots tho.

Do you have a picture(also very helpful)? fotki.com/missfallon

Do you ever want to go back to relaxed? Dont think so but u never know

Best hair compliment?" Haven't gotten any yet cuz I've never worn my hair out in front of other ppl since I bc'ed.

 

[Miss*Tress]

Hair type?
3 something; fine strands, medium density

Current hair length?
Bra strap/mid-back

Goal hair length?
Hip or tailbone

Time since bc?
N/A

How long did you transition, or did you?
Last relaxer was 25 July 2005; about an inch of relaxed ends left I think which are only obvious when my hair is wet though

Biggest hair challenge?
Where do I start?

• Having my curls look the same over 2-3 days; every morning and each time I wash and style, they look different, sometimes nice, sometimes not
• Not enough texture, thickness, and volume for twists to look good; basically, I look like an overgrown 8-year-old when I twist my hair so don't go out like that
• No skills at flat twisting, or corn rows; could do the front and leave the back out at least

Stand-by products?
Henna, DAHO, honey, and Anita Grant's Sapotle Oil

Stand-by hair style (and short tutorial if it has not been explained. I think this is crucial because alot of the natural ladies don't know the wealth of styles they can do themselves)?
I'm not very innovative on that front: just roller sets, twist outs, and buns

Do you have a picture (also very helpful)?
See siggy; Dec. 2006 pic is a roller set 18 months after my last relaxer

Do you ever want to go back to relaxed?
Never, ever!

Best hair compliment?
I don't usually get comments on my hair but people will say Tu as (vous avez) de beaux cheveux (you have beautiful hair); I'd be over the moon if someone called me an African Queen like Bmoreflyygirl

 

[JustKiya]

Hair type? 4a/b

Current hair length? Urm - jaw length, I suppose?

Goal hair length? I'm growing til it won't get no longer.

Time since bc? 15 monthes

How long did you transition, or did you? I transitioned from bleached/dyed hair to all natural hair - it took me about 10 months to cut it all out - I was supposed to go for a year, but I didn't have the patience. I've been perm-free for ten years.

Biggest hair challenge? Keeping it MOISTURIZED!

Stand-by products? Elasta QP Intense Moisturizing Fortifying Treatment, Creme of Nature Carrot Oil Hair Conditioner, Henna, Oyin Honey Hemp conditioner & Whipped Pudding.

Stand-by hair style(and short tutorial if it has not been explained)? Either a pushed back afro (if I'm being bold and leaving my hair out) or flat twists (my classic protective style). Flat twists are just like cornrows, but instead of using three strands, you use two. I can't cornrow my own head for nothing... and I think your hair needs to be a bit longer to cornrow well - flat twists can be done on uber short hair though.

Do you have a picture(also very helpful)?

I can do it in almost any sort of 'pattern' and it lasts a week at a time. I deep mist/spray my hair every night with a mix of water, conditioner, and glycerin, baggy it, and tie it up. In the morning, I mist it lightly again, tie on a do-rag nice and tight, and wear it on my ride to work. When I take the do-rag off, the hair is nice and smooth and tight - it's a great style, and it fast to do.

Do you ever want to go back to relaxed? I'd have to be and :alcoholic in order to do that.


Best hair compliment? "Look!! Your hair TOTALLY defies gravity" Damn Skippy.

 

[dlove]

Hey 4 a/b naturals with TWA, try Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam for a "Gerry Curl" look. It creates a beautiful curl pattern in your hair without the grease like in curl activators. Try it... You'll love it My co-workers were like... whoa, I like your hair. I used a scarf to tie it down the night before then added a curly puff ball. Beautiful....

 

[CurleeDST]

Does it make it crunchy?

Hey 4 a/b naturals with TWA, try Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam for a "Gerry Curl" look. It creates a beautiful curl pattern in your hair without the grease like in curl activators. Try it... You'll love it My co-workers were like... whoa, I like your hair. I used a scarf to tie it down the night before then added a curly puff ball. Beautiful....

 

[ladylibra]

Hair type?
OS thready, thick (something like 4a-ish, i don't like Andre's method of hair typing)

Current hair length?
stretched: the longest layer is APL, the shortest is just below the chin. i have lots of pics of my hair in its shrunken state on my Fotki, i don't know what length to describe it when shrunken but it doesn't touch my shoulders...

Goal hair length?
stretched: MBL, which i'm hoping will mean my hair touches my shoulders when shrunken

Time since bc?
almost 2.5 years!

How long did you transition, or did you?
only 4 months before i did the BC

Biggest hair challenge?
the biggest challenge was dealing with post-partum shedding... *shudders and starts repressing the memory*

Stand-by products?
Trader Joe's Nourish Spa shampoo and conditioner (SLS-free and cone-free, respectively) and V05 conditioners for co-washing. i think Afro Detangler is going to become a new stand-by as well

Stand-by hair style(and short tutorial if it has not been explained. I think this is crucial because alot of the natural ladies don't know the wealth of styles they can do themselves)?
i love my shake and go... it's hassle-free and cute IMO. i also love twists but those take time and effort and i have trouble getting them to stay twisted so... yeah...

Do you have a picture(also very helpful)?
plenty... check out my Fotki

Do you ever want to go back to relaxed?
never say never, but i highly doubt it. i occasionally flat iron, and after a week or less of straight hair i'm itching to go back to my coilies.

Best hair compliment?
when people think my hair is a wig or straw set... i know i must be having a good hair day. or when i'm not having a good hair day/messed up a style and people still think my hair looks cute...

 

[NannDee]

Thanks for posting his thread. I am ready to take this journey to beautiful hair. It is already strong and soft to the touch. I had to do the wig thing for a few months (all my hair fell out on my left side, bald from the edge to the ear); with the help of Doo Gro Mega-thick anti-thinning lotion it cam back. I love Doo Gro for growing hair in a crunch. I gotta stop using the Meg-thick formula..my hair is thick enough on its on..thank god! It thinned greatly with perming and braids....I missed my little afro. My mom let me wear an afro for 1 day..when I was about 3 or 4..needless to say..my southern-belle mother did not like it!..I loved it! It was so cute with my little gold hoop earrings! Well she is gonna swoon when she sees my hair now!


Hair type? 4a/ab

Current hair length? short and coiled

Goal hair length? APL

Time since bc? August 18, 2007

How long did you transition, or did you? 6 months

Biggest hair challenge? Keeping it soft and moisturized

Stand-by products? Infusium 23, Doo Gro, shea butter, deep conditioner, plastic baggy

Stand-by hair style(and short tutorial if it has not been explained. I think this is crucial because a lot of the natural ladies don't know the wealth of styles they can do themselves)? So far, an afro..gonna try twist-outs

Do you have a picture(also very helpful)? yes..check profile

Do you ever want to go back to relaxed? not at the moment, gonna try other straightening methods..no more chemicals!

Best hair compliment? "it's so soft", "Foxy Brown", "fly voodoo high priestess"

 

[Ms Red]

Hair type? 3c and 4a

Current hair length? My hair grows in layers. The shortest length is nose-chin length. The longest is about 1 inch from APL.

Goal hair length? I'd like to have full APL (unstretched)

Time since bc? 2 months

How long did you transition, or did you? I transitioned for 2 years and 3 months. At first I trimmed my hair myself regularly but when I 'BC'd' I had the stylist cut about 1/2 an inch all around and voila, I was natural

Biggest hair challenge? My biggest challege is styling and keeping my hair moisturized.

Stand-by products? I still haven't found staples for my natural hair. I have been wanting to try so many products but haven't gotten around to it. The only products I use consistently are CON Shampoo (once a week), Suave Coconut Conditioner for co-washes, Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner for dc'ing and ORS Replenishing Paks. I am thinking about trying Aveda.

Stand-by hair style(and short tutorial if it has not been explained)? A puff and ballerina bun is all I've managed so far. I told yall, I'm style challenged. Plus I'm at an awful stage where the front and sides of my hair are shorter but the back of my hair hangs. Can you imagine a natural mullet? My goal is to be full APL (stretched) by March of next year.

Do you have a picture(also very helpful)? Not yet but I'm working on a fotki!

 

[Soliel185]

I've always wanted to do a puff - but my hair is so thick I can't get it into a ponytail holder. And when I do manage the front is so puffy it looks ridiculous or the holder pops a few moments later. Am I doing something wrong? I want a puff soo bad!!

 

[XXXtacy]

I've always wanted to do a puff - but my hair is so thick I can't get it into a ponytail holder. And when I do manage the front is so puffy it looks ridiculous or the holder pops a few moments later. Am I doing something wrong? I want a puff soo bad!!

Honey, I wish I had your hair. Thick hair is so beautiful!!!! Yes, I do know about the puffy front look though. That just causes me to wear an afro without the puff.

 

[glamazon386]

I've always wanted to do a puff - but my hair is so thick I can't get it into a ponytail holder. And when I do manage the front is so puffy it looks ridiculous or the holder pops a few moments later. Am I doing something wrong? I want a puff soo bad!!

Have you tried using an ouchless headband. Put it around your neck twice then brush your hair up as if you're going to put it in a ponytail. Then push the ouchless headband back until you have a puff. You may have to wrap the band around again. I usually do it 3 times. I couldn't figure it out for the life of me either until somebody over at NP explained it to me. AFashionSlave also has a tutorial with pictures in her fotki. HTH...

 

[Ivie184]

Hair type: 4a
Current hair length: Just about APL in the back, sides are collarbone and the front is between chin and shoulder length (layers )
Goal hair length: Bra- Strap length stretched (shrinkage does not really bother me )
Time since bc: Never did

How long did you transition, or did you: Transitioned with braids from a wave nouveau to 100% natural (Nov.’02 to Nov. ’04).

Biggest hair challenge: Keeping my ends moisturized consistently.

Stand-by products: Ayurvedic products (yes yes yes!!!! ), Aubrey organics gpb and honeysuckle rose, TJ’s nourish spa, shealoe, castor oil, honey, KCCC and avocado butter.
Stand-by hair style: Twists, Twists and more Twists with an occasional French braid and puff here and there.

Do you have a picture (also very helpful): Yes in my fotki

Do you ever want to go back to relaxed: No thank you. The first and last time I had a relaxer was in the 4th grade.

Best hair compliment: Your hair looks so healthy, it’s so soft and “who does your hair?” (Me!!)