New Curly Girl needs some help, please.

[Ms Kraft]

Hi all. It's been a while since I've posted a question but I need some advise, please. I've recently gone natural (BC in July and I'm loving it), but I'm having a bit of an issue. No matter what I use, it just sits on my hair. Nothing penetrates. Curl activator, leave-in conditioner, regular conditioner, oil...it doesn't matter. I tend to put products on wet or damp hair to help some, but it makes very little difference. I use my denman brush, wide tooth comb and hands to try and work it in, but to no avail. erplexed I have to clarify at least once a week to get the build up off of my strands. I didn't have this problem when I was relaxed. Any ideas or suggestions to fix this?

 

[Ms Kraft]

bump-bump-bump

 

[belle_reveuse28]

Hmmm....??? Are you using products with lots of silicones in them? That may be the reason why you're hair is not allowing products to penetrate to the cortex being that it's sealed on the outside. Especially if they are non-soluble silicones. They are the ones that need very harsh detergents for removal, and if you're using cones daily, then you may have to switch to using products that only have water-soluble ones. That was the case with my own hair. Another issue I had that caused this problem was my hair's porosity. Once I began using Porosity Control by Roux and also limiting the types of silicones I used, I didn't have this problem anymore. If you want more indepth notes, take a look at my fotki. In the journal section there are three posts for porosity, silicones and natural hair care. I hope this helps!

 

[Leeda.the.Paladin]

I agree with belle...I have a major problem with silicones. When I used them, other products just seem to sit on my hair...and then it would end up hard and crunchy. Not pretty! Now that I use cone free products, I don't have that problem anymore.

 

[Ms Kraft]

duplicate entry

 

[Ms Kraft]

okay - not again - LOL!!

 

[Ms Kraft]

what the ???? LOL

 

[Ms Kraft]

duplicate entry - again

 

[Ms Kraft]

delete - delete - DELETE

 

[Ms Kraft]

Darn internet. It keeps hanging up.

Anyhoo's, thanks for responding Belle and KC.

Awesome info!! I'm sure there are a ton of cones in the products I use, since I mostly use drug store conditioners and serums. I thought they were water soluble, but I'm guessing not so much.

Thanks again, guys - you rock!! I hope I can get my hair to a place where it looks just as lovely as you guys!!

Off to check out fotki's

 

[Ms Kraft]

Darn internet. It keeps hanging up.

Anyhoo's, thanks for responding Belle and KC.

Awesome info!! I'm sure there are a ton of cones in the products I use, since I mostly use drug store conditioners and serums. I thought they were water soluble, but I'm guessing not so much.

Thanks again, guys - you rock!! I hope I can get my hair to a place where it looks just as lovely as you guys!!

Off to check out fotki's

 

[Ms Kraft]

OMG!!! Now you see why I'm a lurker

 

[Ms Kraft]

Shoot - when this thing gets hung, it really gets hung, huh?

 

[Ms Kraft]

Darn website. LOL

 

[Ms Kraft]

I think this is the last one - LOL

 

[Tee]

for Mrs Kraft.

 

[Leeda.the.Paladin]

LOL@ Mrs. Kraft!! I don't think it's just you, when I was replying to this thread, it kept saying that I had already posted or something weird.

I just thought I would suggest a few good cone free products, if you don't mind. I really like the following:

Giovanni 50:50 conditioner
Aubrey Organics White Camellia or Honeysuckle Rose
Giovanni Direct Leave In
Abba Leave In
Giovanni Smooth as Silk
Suave Coconut Conditioner

 

[Ms Kraft]

LOL@ Mrs. Kraft!! I don't think it's just you, when I was replying to this thread, it kept saying that I had already posted or something weird.

I just thought I would suggest a few good cone free products, if you don't mind. I really like the following:

Giovanni 50:50 conditioner
Aubrey Organics White Camellia or Honeysuckle Rose
Giovanni Direct Leave In
Abba Leave In
Giovanni Smooth as Silk
Suave Coconut Conditioner

Thanks, KCcurly!!! This will help a ton. We have very similar textures, which makes me very happy 'cause now I know what my hair will look like when it grows up. Your hair is simply beautiful!!

I love Suave Coconut conditioner. I keep a ton of it at the house. I usually just detangle with it and rinse it out. Is it cool to use it as a leave in too?

I'm really big on my curls, so I like products that define really well. Any suggestions for that?

 

[Ms Lala]

It would be helpful if you posted what products you're using to wash,dc etc... and your basic regimen so you can get more detailed tips.

 

[Ms Kraft]

It would be helpful if you posted what products you're using to wash,dc etc... and your basic regimen so you can get more detailed tips.

Sure.

- I wash weekly with HE Degunkify (I think that's what it's called)
- Then I deep condition with Motions CPR and/or Motions Moisture Plus (depending if I need some protein)
- I detangle with Suave Coconut then rinse.
- Here is where I think I get into trouble. - I use pretty thick leave-ins, for example, Garnier Smooth and Shine or Sunsilk 24/7 leave-ins. Then I seal with IC Olive oil serum and castor oil.

That's about it. If I want super curl I will use LongAid curl gel activator right after the leave-in.

I do daily co-wash with the Suave also.

 

[Ms Lala]

Sure.

- I wash weekly with HE Degunkify (I think that's what it's called)
- Then I deep condition with Motions CPR and/or Motions Moisture Plus (depending if I need some protein)
- I detangle with Suave Coconut then rinse.
- Here is where I think I get into trouble. - I use pretty thick leave-ins, for example, Garnier Smooth and Shine or Sunsilk 24/7 leave-ins. Then I seal with IC Olive oil serum and castor oil.

That's about it. If I want super curl I will use LongAid curl gel activator right after the leave-in.

I do daily co-wash with the Suave also.

Shampoo-I don't know much about the HE degunkify but it sounds like a clarifying shampoo and most people do not need to clarify their hair weekly it will dry your hair out. Also check to see if the poo has sulfates, my natural hair doesn't like most poos with sulfates, it is very drying and makes my hair hard to detangle. Sodium myreth sulfate is a little easier on the hair than SLS. Right now I use poos by Giovanni and there is one by EQP that is sulfate free that I have used

DC- Does you hair like the MOtions Moisture Plus? I found that it did very little for my hair. You may want to experiment with some other deep conditioners and don't use that CPR too often, natural hair doesn't typically need as much protein as relaxed. Focus more on moisture. I personally like ORS Paks (this does have protein), Silk ELement mega moisturizing Treatment (not the regular condish but the treatment you can buy a sample pak for a little over $1), EQP DPR-11, and Hairveda Moist 24/7 (this is my new fav and it is reasonably priced)

Leave ins- You are loading you hair up w/cones and over time that dries your hair out. I am pretty sure all of those leaveins have silicones and then that IC serum is mostly silicone. Your hair is probably in serious need of moisture. I would recommend clarifying, DCing w/heat, and using a moisturizing creamy leave in that is cone free, then sealing with oil. I like to clarify w/ a baking soda paste mix or ACV and water. You should definitely search from some threads on these clarifiers before testing them out because not everyone has had good results from them. Also find a moisturizer that you can use during the week. I also am not sure how often you are using the gel but using that daily can dry your hair out as well.

 

[Butterfly08]

I have nothing to add but the thousand posts from you are funny. I know how frustrating it can be though. At least you didn't post a thousand word essay only for it to disappear. That's what happens to me. erplexed

 

[starfish79]

I'm not really familiar with the products you're using but it looks like you're using a LOT of oils and cones. The product suggestions you got are good ones...try them out!

 

[turnergirl]

I had the same problem when I first went natural because I did not understand the importance of switching out my products. You want to make sure you don't have too many cones in your product. Also depending on the texture of your hair, you should rethink products in general. It is very difficult for certain parts of my hair to take oil. If I am using lots of oil I have to clarify the way I would if I were using cones. I try to stick with water based products on clarified hair and that way I don't have to do too much harsh washing or clarifiying.
Usually my hair eats up anything waterbased as long as I don't have build up. I only use oils in the winter to protect my hair from the cold.

That was when I was natural anyway.

 

[Ms Kraft]

Shampoo-I don't know much about the HE degunkify but it sounds like a clarifying shampoo and most people do not need to clarify their hair weekly it will dry your hair out. Also check to see if the poo has sulfates, my natural hair doesn't like most poos with sulfates, it is very drying and makes my hair hard to detangle. Sodium myreth sulfate is a little easier on the hair than SLS. Right now I use poos by Giovanni and there is one by EQP that is sulfate free that I have used

DC- Does you hair like the MOtions Moisture Plus? I found that it did very little for my hair. You may want to experiment with some other deep conditioners and don't use that CPR too often, natural hair doesn't typically need as much protein as relaxed. Focus more on moisture. I personally like ORS Paks (this does have protein), Silk ELement mega moisturizing Treatment (not the regular condish but the treatment you can buy a sample pak for a little over $1), EQP DPR-11, and Hairveda Moist 24/7 (this is my new fav and it is reasonably priced)

Leave ins- You are loading you hair up w/cones and over time that dries your hair out. I am pretty sure all of those leaveins have silicones and then that IC serum is mostly silicone. Your hair is probably in serious need of moisture. I would recommend clarifying, DCing w/heat, and using a moisturizing creamy leave in that is cone free, then sealing with oil. I like to clarify w/ a baking soda paste mix or ACV and water. You should definitely search from some threads on these clarifiers before testing them out because not everyone has had good results from them. Also find a moisturizer that you can use during the week. I also am not sure how often you are using the gel but using that daily can dry your hair out as well.

Thanks for the advise, Ms Lala. The Motions deep conditioner does okay. My hair is pretty soft afterwards. I've heard a lot about the EQP DPR-11. I may give that a shot next to see if it's any better. I don't use protein often, maybe once a month, if that. I tend to try and stay away from protein. My hair doesn't like it too tough, but the CPR is the only one it can seem to tolerate.

The Degunk is a clarifier. Like I mentioned earlier, the build up from the week is pretty bad so it does the job without drying too bad.

I don't use the curl activator daily, just when I really want my curls defined.

I think you are right about the IC and leave ins. I think I'm going to have to turn them loose. erplexed

 

[Ms Kraft]

I have nothing to add but the thousand posts from you are funny. I know how frustrating it can be though. At least you didn't post a thousand word essay only for it to disappear. That's what happens to me. erplexed

- I was like WTH. How many times did I hit the go button?

 

[Ms Kraft]

I had the same problem when I first went natural because I did not understand the importance of switching out my products. You want to make sure you don't have too many cones in your product. Also depending on the texture of your hair, you should rethink products in general. It is very difficult for certain parts of my hair to take oil. If I am using lots of oil I have to clarify the way I would if I were using cones. I try to stick with water based products on clarified hair and that way I don't have to do too much harsh washing or clarifiying.
Usually my hair eats up anything waterbased as long as I don't have build up. I only use oils in the winter to protect my hair from the cold.

That was when I was natural anyway.

Thanks for the reply, Turnergirl. My hair drinks up waterbased products too. By noon, my hair was soft but a little on the dry side. That why I switched to the silicones and oils to help hold the moisture in. It worked great at first, then recently, no matter what I used, it just either sat on my hair or flaked off. 'yuck'. I guess I'm going to have to become a PJ for a while until I find that right combo.