Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea but

[Innocent_Kiss]

Just a few months ago, I thought natural hair was supposed to feel hard and dry

*slaps self* I didn't know anybetter. But, after I've came into the knowledge of hair care, I've done a much better job of keeping my tresses healthier. However, I still have that crisp feeling from time to time. I have to admit I'm still having a hard time with the moisture! I love my shea butter, but at times it's entirely TOO thick and leaves that ugh feeling. After a few days, though, when it's all absorbed

It feels much softer. Can someone recommend some shea butter recipes I can whip up to make a better consistance suitable for hair? Or recommend a moisturizer perferably with natural ingredients?

*back to the topic*
What are some moisturizing treatments you do to keep your coils and curls soft?

 

[Sweetyb]

As of now, the only two things that really soften my hair are deep conditioning treatments and henna treatments. Hair creme moisturizers gave me too much build-up, some collected dust!

As far as Shea butter goes, I have one from a trade, made by From Nature with Love that looks and smells like Elmers Glue Paste that I still don't know how to use.

BUT, one tip I got about shea butter was from Tinovia (check out her hair), and a mix she will use consists of Shea, aloe vera gel, glycerin, and rosemary eo.

 

[SVT]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

[ QUOTE ]
Sweetyb said:
As of now, the only two things that really soften my hair are deep conditioning treatments and henna treatments.

[/ QUOTE ]

I second the deep conditioning treatments. I've only used henna once but I'm hoping to try it again.

 

[Ayeshia]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

Deep conditioning, which I only do once a month. And Mango butter in conjunction with Pantene R&N on soaking wet hair, when it dries it is very soft. Its even softer If i comb my hair out

.

 

[CocoaButterflyy]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

deep conditioning every 2 weeks
moisturize daily with Royal Roots Moisture Glaze/Black Earth Protective Mist Bodifier (they are the same ingredients but with diff scents and names distributed by the same company)

 

[Innocent_Kiss]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

Thanks everyone!
I can't wait to buy my hair steamer

I'm going to use it to deep co with tropical conditioners. And thanks for the recipe Sweetyb!

 

[Shatani]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

at this point, im doing a weekly mayo deep condition....i just tried the keracare oil moisturizer with jojoba oil, and it worked like a dream!!!! hooray for free samples, cuz i never would have found that...

generally, my hair is soft, if not a little greasy....i put EQP mango butter on my ends everynight...and i spray with kemi oyl conditioning spray when i feel like its dry and needs some nourishment....

im early on in the process of figuring out what my hair likes, so this is working for now...im waiting on my shea butter to come and i will see how that goes to!

now, what exactly does the hair steamer do for you hair??? does it open the pores and whatnot??
~T~

 

[TigerLily]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

I deep condition every week and do a pre-shampoo treatment with jojoba oil, honey, coconut oil, castor oil, and EVOO. I heat the oils, then put a plastic cap on my head after applying the oils. I then wrap a towel around my head and let the oils sit for about 30min.-1 hr. Then shampoo, condition and deep condition as usual.

For everyday, I use coconut oil 2x a day. (I

this stuff!!!). Sometimes, I switch up and use Elasta QP mango butter, Fantasia IC silky gel activator moisturizer or Woojee Cream.

 

[Sweetyb]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

No problem, Innocent_Kiss... hope that goes well. I forgot to ask, where do you, and Shatani, get your shea butter?

 

[Nonie]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

I'll admit that for as long as I've been natural, I've never quite gotten acquainted with my hair -- well, not ever since it grew beyond three inches anyway. I hid behind extension braids (singles) for so long that my hair grew without me really learning how to manage it. So I guess I'm as green as someone who's transitioned to natural for the first time, since my hair and I are only getting to know each other.

Because I'm a non-PJ (by sheer determination), I haven't tried out a lot of products to be able to give good suggestions. But since my hair feels soft this moment, I'll tell you what I did:

I washed my hair in plaits using AO Selenium Natural Blue Shampoo, then conditioned with GPB (not deep conditioning, just for ten mins without heat); then rinsed with lukewarm water. The plaits were about the size of the singles I had when I wore extensions. I then applied shea butter on the damp hair, focussing on the ends. I then showered and before getting out, I put a solution of ACV/water/EOs in a basin and dunked my head into it for a few minutes and massaged my scalp. (Don't ask about the order in which I was doing this.

Just wanted to see if I could seal my hair with ACV after applying shea to my damp hair. Finally I applied another light coat of shea butter for good measure and airdried in the plaits. It's about two hours later, my hair is dry and very soft. It's also not greasy at all, which is a bonus. I usually sleep in a plastic cap so that helps keep my hair soft by making sure I don't lose moisture.

I still haven't got the courage to wear my hair out, so I keep my hair braided at all times. So I can't tell you if my hair is always this soft.

 

[Innocent_Kiss]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

Aww thanks nonie!
I can't wait until I get just a little length (I'm NOT good with short hair) so I, too, can get aquainted with my hair. We barely know eachother (poo' baby). I'm usually "hiding" my hair in braids and weaved styles, too. I might try a wig with the curly weave so I'll be able to experiment and care for my locs on a daily basis. The thought of wearing a wig, though *cringes* takes some getting use to...for me, anyway.

 

[Ayeshia]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

[ QUOTE ]
Innocent_Kiss said:
Aww thanks nonie!
I can't wait until I get just a little length (I'm NOT good with short hair) so I, too, can get aquainted with my hair. We barely know eachother (poo' baby). I'm usually "hiding" my hair in braids and weaved styles, too. I might try a wig with the curly weave so I'll be able to experiment and care for my locs on a daily basis. The thought of wearing a wig, though *cringes* takes some getting use to...for me, anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]

Im not good with short hair either

. I know exactly how you feel

 

[Innocent_Kiss]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

Oh, yea..there's an African shop near my house (I'm in Chicago) it's on 87th and Ashland Ave. for my Chi peoples. Just do a search for African shops in your area. Call 'em and ask do they carry Unrefined Shea Butter. Oh, and I answered my own question! Check out the Whipped Butters recipes at snowdrift.com

 

[Innocent_Kiss]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

[ QUOTE ]
ayeshia said:
[ QUOTE ]
Innocent_Kiss said:
Aww thanks nonie!
I can't wait until I get just a little length (I'm NOT good with short hair) so I, too, can get aquainted with my hair. We barely know eachother (poo' baby). I'm usually "hiding" my hair in braids and weaved styles, too. I might try a wig with the curly weave so I'll be able to experiment and care for my locs on a daily basis. The thought of wearing a wig, though *cringes* takes some getting use to...for me, anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]

Im not good with short hair either

. I know exactly how you feel

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks ayeshia! *hugs* It's not very versatile to me, and I'm really picky with styles so I barely like anything

As far as the shea butter, I really stress checking out African Shops in your area. I noticed A LOT of shops carrying shea butter since I've found the one around my house. Just wanted to add that

 

[Shatani]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

[ QUOTE ]
Sweetyb said:
No problem, Innocent_Kiss... hope that goes well. I forgot to ask, where do you, and Shatani, get your shea butter?

[/ QUOTE ]my mom's side of the family is from ghana, and my aunt is bringing me some when she gets back....another african friend of my mom has some and is mailing me a tub (from mass.) in a couple of weeks!
~T~

 

[Innocent_Kiss]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

Anybody ever tried deep conditioning with coconut milk? A lot of the relaxed ladies here use it to soften their new growth.

 

[Nonie]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

[ QUOTE ]
Innocent_Kiss said:
Aww thanks nonie!
I can't wait until I get just a little length (I'm NOT good with short hair) so I, too, can get aquainted with my hair. We barely know eachother (poo' baby). I'm usually "hiding" my hair in braids and weaved styles, too. I might try a wig with the curly weave so I'll be able to experiment and care for my locs on a daily basis. The thought of wearing a wig, though *cringes* takes some getting use to...for me, anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]

Girl, I never thought I'd see myself in a wig either now that I had grown up and gotten wiser, but I do have a story (and pics) that might give you the courage to don that wig.

I don't know if you know but I did my own micro extensions for the two or so years I wore them. Although I never had hairline breakage, I decided to play it safe an do mini-cornrows minus extension at the front of my head and kinda hide the ends within the micro extensions immediately behind the cornrows. The do looked like this: Mini-cornrows + Micros (ignore the not-so-straight partings LOL)

Anyway, one day, while touching up my braids (I always undid one at a time and rebraided it...so my hair was never all out of braids), I decided to make the cornrows longer ie extending farther back...so that my micros start farther back, just for variation. But for some reason, my hair didn't look right with thick cornrows and skinny singles in the back. So I decided to make my singles thicker. Don't ask me what possessed me but after undoing a few hoping to combine them, I changed my mind and decided to remove the extensions altogether and wear a fake afro puff over my own hair in singles. Only, I didn't have one.

(Now most normal pple plan way before getting started, right?

)

After undoing my extensions and putting the hair in the back in single plaits minus extensions, I donned a cap and went to Sally's to find the finishing touch. Unfortunately, the store nearest me didn't have what I was looking for. The fake ponies they had were too narrow and straight for the look I was hoping for. But they had hair in a sealed pack that I couldn't tell what kind it was. I asked the girls in the store about it, since I couldn't open it, and they said it was a fake pony puff. The hair was curly (like a jheri curl) -- not exactly my texture, but when you're kinda desperate, you take whatever you get. And I say I was desperate coz I have not quite learned how to do cornrows with decent partings all the way back so I needed the puff to hide the mess back there. And I wasn't about to wear my own hair in a puff for various reasons; least of all, I'm terrified of leaving my hair out and having my lovely pen springs start that love affair they seem to share and get all tangled up in a mass of passion which I'd have to undo alone.

Anyway when I got home, I unwrapped the curly "puff" to try it on, but found, to my horror, it was a weaving piece!

It's no lie that necessity is the mother of invention coz I tell ya, I immediately conjured up a plan.

I reached for an old pair of pantyhose, cut off the legs and sewed the panty part to make a cap. I then put it on the head of one of my teddy bears (I don't have those neat foam mannequin heads and I didn't think any of my kitties would be a good sport

) I then proceeded to sew the weave tracks onto the cap. I ended up with what looked like a drag-queen's or hooker's "wig": A little too long and big to be believable. (You see, if I'm gonna wear a wig or a weave, it better look as close to my own hair as possible. So I needed to make some adjustments.) I also realized that the wig wasn't as full as was necessary to keep its "recipe" a secret (Any movement would reveal the cap

). What's more, I didn't even have Internet access to express order the right thing online and this was the 4th of July weekend so stores weren't exactly trying to work with me. Again

...and I decided to try puttin the net that came with the hair over it to hold it together, and voilà(!) I got the puff look I was going for.

Of course, the texture difference was still evident, but everyone that saw my new do at work the next day loved it. And I mean every single person remarked on how nice it looked.

Even a few black friends didn't realize it wasn't all my hair till they got really close. And even then, they thought it was done by a professional.

If you want to see what I'm talking about click here.

So Innocent_Kiss, be daring! The cool thing is one day when you have mastered how to care for you hair and everyone has kinda gotten used to you having a short boring do, you can do away with the fake hair and reveal your long, gorgeous mane...and the wonders you can do with it.

 

[Nonie]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

[ QUOTE ]
Innocent_Kiss said:
Anybody ever tried deep conditioning with coconut milk? A lot of the relaxed ladies here use it to soften their new growth.

[/ QUOTE ]

I did, but I think I did sth wrong coz my hair felt really hard when the coconut milk was in it. I then added honey to see what that'd do. Couldn't tell if it did anything. I rinsed off then followed with GPB and then ACV. I don't remember anything WOW. But again, because I didn't follow a recipe, I probably didn't use it right.

 

[greAtness333]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

This is kinda OT but I just wanted to give a huge shout out

to the naturals on here. I often look to your advice on how to keep my new growth soft. Well lemme tell you, I was visiting some (platonic) friends a while back and I unexpectedly had to sleep over to finish some things the next day. My hair was in a twist out and managed to look decent the next morning

despite not covering it up or moisturizing it

(My friend is Cape Verde with type 1/2a hair so she has no need to do such.) Anyway, in a jokingly way her roommate shuffled my hair and he said it was soft. I didn't realize what that meant at that time (I didn't think anything of it), but it really was. So thanks to the naturals.

 

[TigerLily]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

I did the coconut milk and lime mixture and it was GREAT!!! My hair was sooo soft and moisturized. I didn't have to use any product on my hair after rinsing it out. My hair stayed like that for days! I'm definitely using the coconut milk and lime mixture again!

 

[pebbles]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

Very nice, Nonie!!

 

[Nonie]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

Aww... Pebbles

Thanks. *blush*

 

[pebbles]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

 

[morehairplease]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

[ QUOTE ]
Innocent_Kiss said:
Thanks everyone!
I can't wait to buy my hair steamer

I'm going to use it to deep co with tropical conditioners. And thanks for the recipe Sweetyb!

[/ QUOTE ]

May I ask where you are getting your steamer from? TIA

 

[Innocent_Kiss]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

[ QUOTE ]
nonie said:
[ QUOTE ]
Innocent_Kiss said:
Aww thanks nonie!
I can't wait until I get just a little length (I'm NOT good with short hair) so I, too, can get aquainted with my hair. We barely know eachother (poo' baby). I'm usually "hiding" my hair in braids and weaved styles, too. I might try a wig with the curly weave so I'll be able to experiment and care for my locs on a daily basis. The thought of wearing a wig, though *cringes* takes some getting use to...for me, anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]

Girl, I never thought I'd see myself in a wig either now that I had grown up and gotten wiser, but I do have a story (and pics) that might give you the courage to don that wig.

I don't know if you know but I did my own micro extensions for the two or so years I wore them. Although I never had hairline breakage, I decided to play it safe an do mini-cornrows minus extension at the front of my head and kinda hide the ends within the micro extensions immediately behind the cornrows. The do looked like this: Mini-cornrows + Micros (ignore the not-so-straight partings LOL)

Anyway, one day, while touching up my braids (I always undid one at a time and rebraided it...so my hair was never all out of braids), I decided to make the cornrows longer ie extending farther back...so that my micros start farther back, just for variation. But for some reason, my hair didn't look right with thick cornrows and skinny singles in the back. So I decided to make my singles thicker. Don't ask me what possessed me but after undoing a few hoping to combine them, I changed my mind and decided to remove the extensions altogether and wear a fake afro puff over my own hair in singles. Only, I didn't have one.

(Now most normal pple plan way before getting started, right?

)

After undoing my extensions and putting the hair in the back in single plaits minus extensions, I donned a cap and went to Sally's to find the finishing touch. Unfortunately, the store nearest me didn't have what I was looking for. The fake ponies they had were too narrow and straight for the look I was hoping for. But they had hair in a sealed pack that I couldn't tell what kind it was. I asked the girls in the store about it, since I couldn't open it, and they said it was a fake pony puff. The hair was curly (like a jheri curl) -- not exactly my texture, but when you're kinda desperate, you take whatever you get. And I say I was desperate coz I have not quite learned how to do cornrows with decent partings all the way back so I needed the puff to hide the mess back there. And I wasn't about to wear my own hair in a puff for various reasons; least of all, I'm terrified of leaving my hair out and having my lovely pen springs start that love affair they seem to share and get all tangled up in a mass of passion which I'd have to undo alone.

Anyway when I got home, I unwrapped the curly "puff" to try it on, but found, to my horror, it was a weaving piece!

It's no lie that necessity is the mother of invention coz I tell ya, I immediately conjured up a plan.

I reached for an old pair of pantyhose, cut off the legs and sewed the panty part to make a cap. I then put it on the head of one of my teddy bears (I don't have those neat foam mannequin heads and I didn't think any of my kitties would be a good sport

) I then proceeded to sew the weave tracks onto the cap. I ended up with what looked like a drag-queen's or hooker's "wig": A little too long and big to be believable. (You see, if I'm gonna wear a wig or a weave, it better look as close to my own hair as possible. So I needed to make some adjustments.) I also realized that the wig wasn't as full as was necessary to keep its "recipe" a secret (Any movement would reveal the cap

). What's more, I didn't even have Internet access to express order the right thing online and this was the 4th of July weekend so stores weren't exactly trying to work with me. Again

...and I decided to try puttin the net that came with the hair over it to hold it together, and voilà(!) I got the puff look I was going for.

Of course, the texture difference was still evident, but everyone that saw my new do at work the next day loved it. And I mean every single person remarked on how nice it looked.

Even a few black friends didn't realize it wasn't all my hair till they got really close. And even then, they thought it was done by a professional.

If you want to see what I'm talking about click here.

So Innocent_Kiss, be daring! The cool thing is one day when you have mastered how to care for you hair and everyone has kinda gotten used to you having a short boring do, you can do away with the fake hair and reveal your long, gorgeous mane...and the wonders you can do with it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ahhhh nonie!
You're a genius

(not shocked at you being a genius, but at what you did)

This is really encouraging. After all that, I would've threw in the towels

Really. And that PUFF is SOOO CUTE!!!!

 

[Innocent_Kiss]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

[ QUOTE ]
tishee said:
[ QUOTE ]
Innocent_Kiss said:
Thanks everyone!
I can't wait to buy my hair steamer

I'm going to use it to deep co with tropical conditioners. And thanks for the recipe Sweetyb!

[/ QUOTE ]

May I ask where you are getting your steamer from? TIA

[/ QUOTE ]

Beauty Beauty USA has a store in the Chicago area (no shippin and handling for me

They're expensive but quality and versatile!) Someone who already had one adjusted the neck to it and steamed her face, too. When I compared going to a Salon/Spa which costed anywhere from ($35-55) a visit, it was worth it. Just four visits and I'm out of $200 already. It allows your hair follices to open so your product can deeply penetrate your hair. I tried finding cheaper ones, even on ebay, but this is the going rate. Plus it's a great alternative to heat!

 

[Nonie]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

[ QUOTE ]
Innocent_Kiss said:
Ahhhh nonie!
You're a genius

(not shocked at you being a genius, but at what you did)

This is really encouraging. After all that, I would've threw in the towels

Really. And that PUFF is SOOO CUTE!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you, Hun.

Must say, I was very proud of it while it lasted. I finally got the real thing (matching texture and all) so my "baby" has been kicked to the curb.

BTW, I've got an update on the shea butter softness. Now you will remember my hair felt soft two hours later, following my application of shea butter to damp hair, right? Well, I started undoing a few of the plaits at a time to make partings and cornrow the hair. While I did it, my hair still felt soft and it was a pleasure to work with. But if I happened to get distracted and left my hair out of braids for too long, it would lose the softness it had -- usually an indication of well-moisturized hair -- and curl up sth scary.

I tell ya, if ever proof was needed that air can be drying, I had it right there!

So I'm still a long way from getting well-acquainted with my hair. And I guess I don't yet know how to keep the hair soft. But shea butter so far has given me the lubrication I need to carefully run a comb through my hair in preparation for braiding (cornrowing). And although the softness is short-lived (apparently), for the time being, it's serving me well.

So the adventure of knowing my hair continues; and I'm having fun all the way

I also have a deeper admiration of the natural ladies who have mastered their crowning glory and can change hairdos like they do underwear.

I look forward to the day I'll get like that. But I'm in no rush since I am enjoying every step of this learning journey...especially stopping to smell the roses.

 

[Innocent_Kiss]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

You're welcome nonie

This transitioning thing is so fun to me. Although I haven't really been able to fool around with my hair, it's just exciting to know that I finally decided to embrace my natural texture! I had low self esteem as a child, so looking back, I thought I would NEVER accept anything about myself

I look at it like this. The skin renews it self every 6 weeks. Would I bleach my skin every 6 weeks? Nah

I don't think so. I've also always wanted genuinely healthier hair. I just don't think my hair can take relaxers anymore

So I decided to just drop it. It's like a smoker trying to find ways to keep their lungs healthy. I'm working against my self. I'm not slaming relaxers (shoooot my wayward self might end up relaxing NEXT WEEK

) But I'm just talking about what's right for me! Plus I'll be in college next year. Hair is the last thing I need to struggle with considering my academic load

 

[jewel]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

i love reading all of you sistas advice and recommendations

. i am natural and what i use on my head for soft curls ( shea butter a stable, coconut oil & honey mixed in with my suave conditioners, products that does not have alcohol due to drying).For those of you looking for shea butter. I currently have 40lbs of unrefined/natural shea butter from Ghana that i purchased from a friend who is ghanian and i am looking to sell at least 20lbs of it

. i am selling it in 4oz($7), 8oz($11) and 16oz($18)with standard shipping. If anyone is interested pm me and we could work something out.

 

[Sridevi]

Re: Naturals, how do you keep your hair SOFT? shea

In the past two weeks I just figured out the secret for making my hair dry soft. I mixed EVOO with my leave-in (NTM or Humectress) applied to my hair, dripping wet, then combed through with a wide-tooth comb.

On days when I don't wash my hair . I spritz my hair with water then apply my daily moisturizer (Cantu Shea Soft) mixed with EVOO. I've been wearing a bun so I brush it back with my denman brush. When I tie it down silk scarf overnight, a beautiful curl pattern emerges the next day.