Now Forming an Army of SUPER-LONG HAIR 4B (or mostly 4b) NATURALS!! Come on in!

[Froreal3]

I hope to retain 4 inches this year to put me at grazing WL. :crossfingers: I hope that my new hands off regimen and wigs will help. I feel like everybody that has hair past BSL/MBL has a hands off regimen.

 

[Prettymetty]

I would like to grow 6 inches this year (double my normal growth rate). I plan to do a quarterly trim in March, June, September and December. If I retain at least 4 inches I will be happy. The trims are to grow out my layers.

 

[almond eyes]

The size of the protein molecules probably makes a difference as well. My hair dislikes aloe, shea, and coconut oil. However, I've found that silk peptidesas part of my leave in has really helped my hair by eliminating all sorts of splits (mid strand, split ends, etc.) But to Almond Eyes' point, it's very low on the ingredient list so maybe my hair reacts the same to it as it would a protein that had been rinsed out. ...?

Yes, silk peptides work too they seem to be a mild protein and not too high on the ingredients list I guess that is the key.

Coconut oil does't work for me at all, it activates my sebum and I developed the worse case of acne in my life two years ago. It was a nightmare. Now my skin is clear as a whistle so I stay away from it.

Are you low or high porosity?

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[CenteredGirl]

Seriously, what's the best tool to detangle 4c hair.
Not interesting about finger detangling as it takes too long.

Krystle~Hime,

I think detangling quickly is accompllished in three steps (10 minutes max):

• Finger detangle, ends first then work way up to scalp
• wide tooth comb from scalp until you hit the "kinky tangle wall", fingers detangling to the ends.
• In shower, soak hair (ends first) and detangle from tip to scalp with wide tooth comb and then a brush like my Mason Pearson above (you can get cheaper versions). Make sure you follow the warm water. Your hair should fall into your tools like butter baby. Happy New Year!

 

[DarkJoy]

I second seamless combs. I haven't had any mid strand splits since I made that change.

Sally actually carries a line called "Cricket". I also just saw them at the Beauty Centre chain at the mall.

 

[almond eyes]

Idk, I'm still transitioning my daggone self. I finger detangle... which you said you weren't interested in.

You could try seamless combs. I have the whole set from hotcombs.net (magic rake, etc) and I noticed a difference almost immediately. My mom loves them too and her hair was even more delicate than mine at the time (undiagnosed thyroid issue). My hair improved immensely once I got them and, tbh, I thought the combs I had before were just fine. Shows how much I know.

I just got my seamless comb from hot combs (the magic rake) and I was really surprised at how great an investment this has been. I have had my bone comb for at least six years now and I never had a problem with it but I realized that it was not a comb for the shower or for wet hair/detangling so upon reading this post I decided to give the seamless comb from hotcombs a try. My hair just glided through the comb not a single snag which I do get with my bone comb. Thanks so much. My hair is also fine and it has made my detangling like butter because I detangle daily in the shower. I even used the comb on my mother who is very tender headed and she thought something like oil was on the comb to make it glide so effortlessly and I told her nope. So, I am a believer.

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[snoop]

I just got my seamless comb from hot combs (the magic rake) and I was really surprised at how great an investment this has been. I have had my bone comb for at least six years now and I never had a problem with it but I realized that it was not a comb for the shower or for wet hair/detangling so upon reading this post I decided to give the seamless comb from hotcombs a try. My hair just glided through the comb not a single snag which I do get with my bone comb. Thanks so much. My hair is also fine and it has made my detangling like butter because I detangle daily in the shower. I even used the comb on my mother who is very tender headed and she thought something like oil was on the comb to make it glide so effortlessly and I told her nope. So, I am a believer.

Best,
Almond Eyes

I love my seamless combs, but rarely use them on my hair now (I find finger detangling easier now and mostly use them on the kids). When I do use them on my hair I love doing their 3comb smooth method. It leaves my hair soooo soft.

 

[Prettymetty]

I hate it when I see a new product that looks good, because I'm afraid I'm going to relapse. I used to be a hardcore product junkie always looking for the next best magic product to smooth, soften, tame frizz, etc. Now I just use what I know I like. I can't afford to waste anymore money or time on maybes

 

[niknakmac]

I measured my hair this morning. It's been 6 months since my bc. I have 2.5 inches in some places and 3 inches in others so I know I am growing about .5 inches a month but i'm still feeling so bald. ughhhhh patience is truly a virtue.

OAN Shea butter really seems to melt my single strand knots. Which makes detangling a breeze.

 

[oneastrocurlie]

Glad to see some 4s are having a good experience with the magic rake comb. I have one on the way.

I use Aphogee green tea protein leave in just about weekly and I consider myself high-po with normal to thick strands. So far so good. I also have permanent color.

 

[CenteredGirl]

I am in my 6th week of daily wetting. Ladies, this regimen has been a GAME CHANGER for me. My hair is soft as silk. HEAVEN! I think this time it's a go for super long 4b hair. My has is DIFFERENT in a very good and manageable way. I am really honing in on my little concoction for my ends and they are LOVING it now (maybe it's because I have more sebum coverag???)

2015 is going to be my year (at least I am putting that energy "out there"). I continue to maintain videos of my journey. which, if the Lord supports me, I will be on YouTube in January 2016 for the big REVEAL.

About 5 weeks in to daily rinsing. Still preening nightly for a good 15 to 20 minutes (dry) and again in the shower). I'm generating more and more sebum with diligence (probably 3/4 of my hair is nicely covered now). Had to create a concoction for the ends, and my ends seems to think it's sebum (yay).

By the way AlmondEyes, ITA about having had a perm destroying hair follicles. It has been 20 years since my last perm, and my hair was BONE dry up until recently (the ends are still struggling along with the help of my little experiment). But I am here to tell you that I can SEE the difference after almost 5 weeks of DAILY committed effort. It's not easy to find the time and sometimes, I'm up late because I have tons of other stuff to get done before I go to bed. But I am DETERMINED that before I leave this earth to have SUPER LONG 4 B hair. If this is the price I have to pay, I'm forking over my wallet. I've been dancing around trying to get some hair for 20 years post perm and by gosh, I'm going to will it to happen with God's help.

I have discovered that my expensive de-tangling Mason Pearson brush is actually AWESOME in the shower. After using the wide tooth comb in sections, I start at the ends with my brush and move on on up. Hardly any hair combs out and what does is "end of life hair". Because my hair feels so silky, I'm back to wetting all of it daily. Now I understand the meaning of "listen to your hair". So, I'm back to parting it in 4 even sections.

Another thing I found was clipping my hair flat against my head while hair is soaking wet, then wrap it up and go to bed. In the morning combing though it a DREAM as hair is stretched to the max but slightly moist so it is manageable.

Also, I switched from condish to something natural: Xanthum gum. It is the slickest ever. Love it. 1 tsp to 8oz wather does one wash. CHEAP.

My hair is getting better and better. I'm a taking videos of my journey and plan to launch a YouTube Chanel January 2016 for the big reveal.

 

[Prettymetty]

I turned a bad hair day into a good gair day just now. I did a full head baggy with aloe vera juice and coconut oil, then I put my hair in a banana clip bun. My ends are much softer and they are protected from the cold air.

 

[CenteredGirl]

Well ladies, I just can't "beweeve" my hur! I'm so excited I had to post again. My hair is so soft that I can now gingerly run my $$$$ Mason Pearson extra large Boar brush through my hair with virtually NO HAIR loss (just end of cycle hair -- I check check make sure). I originally had purchased due to it's magical ability to spread sebum. However, at the time I failed to appreciate that it WOULD NOT work with dry, kinky 4b hair. In fact, the first time I used it, I had major hair fall out.

Here is a pic of the brush.

I know it my heart that if things continue as they are, I will be able to run this sucker through my hair like nobody's business. At that point, sebum will really start to flow (it had better for for $325 ) GAME ON!!!!!!

I am in my 6th week of daily wetting. Ladies, this regimen has been a GAME CHANGER for me. My hair is soft as silk. HEAVEN! I think this time it's a go for super long 4b hair. My has is DIFFERENT in a very good and manageable way. I am really honing in on my little concoction for my ends and they are LOVING it now (maybe it's because I have more sebum coverag???)

2015 is going to be my year (at least I am putting that energy "out there"). I continue to maintain videos of my journey. which, if the Lord supports me, I will be on YouTube in January 2016 for the big REVEAL.

 

[almond eyes]

Well ladies, I just can't "beweeve" my hur! I'm so excited I had to post again. My hair is so soft that I can now gingerly run my $$$$ Mason Pearson extra large Boar brush through my hair with virtually NO HAIR loss (just end of cycle hair -- I check check make sure). I originally had purchased due to it's magical ability to spread sebum. However, at the time I failed to appreciate that it WOULD NOT work with dry, kinky 4b hair. In fact, the first time I used it, I had major hair fall out.

Here is a pic of the brush.

I know it my heart that if things continue as they are, I will be able to run this sucker through my hair like nobody's business. At that point, sebum will really start to flow (it had better for for $325 ) GAME ON!!!!!!

I am so glad you are seeing progress. Just try to alternate between the brush and finger combing or using a seamless comb when you are dealing with wet hair. We want you to maintain your progress and save every single strand. Congrats on feeling happy about your hair's progress.

The main issue for curlies in terms of the sebum is that the sebum doesn't make it all the way down our curl strands and sometimes our scalps are off balance so the sebum produced is little. So a bit of help through a slight comb helps especially when the hair is wet especially after a shower drench. A brush can accomplish the same thing (usually on straight hair) but because our hair is curly and densely packed a brush especially if used everyday and on dry hair may tear out your strands. Many women curlier use the brush to detangle the ends rather than to distribute sebum.

I stay away from brushes as my hair is fine. I alternate between finger combing and a seamless comb. But a brush works for many curlies and there are some excellent quality brushes that may not rip out strands.

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[CenteredGirl]

Thanks almond eyes I promise not to get carried away with my brush. It was just an eye popping moment to experience. I am just pleased as punch. If this works out, I will dedicate my Youtube introduction to you girl. You got it popping!

I am so glad you are seeing progress. Just try to alternate between the brush and finger combing or using a seamless comb when you are dealing with wet hair. We want you to maintain your progress and save every single strand. Congrats on feeling happy about your hair's progress.

The main issue for curlies in terms of the sebum is that the sebum doesn't make it all the way down our curl strands and sometimes our scalps are off balance so the sebum produced is little. So a bit of help through a slight comb helps especially when the hair is wet especially after a shower drench. A brush can accomplish the same thing (usually on straight hair) but because our hair is curly and densely packed a brush especially if used everyday and on dry hair may tear out your strands. Many women curlier use the brush to detangle the ends rather than to distribute sebum.

I stay away from brushes as my hair is fine. I alternate between finger combing and a seamless comb. But a brush works for many curlies and there are some excellent quality brushes that may not rip out strands.

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[almond eyes]

Thanks almond eyes I promise not to get carried away with my brush. It was just an eye popping moment to experience. I am just pleased as punch. If this works out, I will dedicate my Youtube introduction to you girl. You got it popping! [/QUOTE.

I really am rooting for you!!!!!!!!!!You are very sweet!!!!!! I just want to help others.

I am also trying to apply my own lessons too. When I see something that doesn't work or I change, I will also share.

By the way, I recently began using two hair scarves. One satin one and another one on top to hold the satin one in place at night. I do not tie my scarves tight though. Just to hold the moisture base it a bit better. I actually used a satin pillow case and converted that into my head scarf. I don't like satin pillow cases for my skin but for my hair great.

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[CenteredGirl]

almond eyes,

Well you sure did help me and I am forever going to credit you for that. BLESS YOU. Keep sharing cause, I'm going to soak it up.

Interesting about the scarves, you need to start a YouTube Chanel. What else do you have in you bag of "awesome hair knowledge"? Tee Hee.

Thanks almond eyes I promise not to get carried away with my brush. It was just an eye popping moment to experience. I am just pleased as punch. If this works out, I will dedicate my Youtube introduction to you girl. You got it popping! [/QUOTE.

I really am rooting for you!!!!!!!!!!You are very sweet!!!!!! I just want to help others.

I am also trying to apply my own lessons too. When I see something that doesn't work or I change, I will also share.

By the way, I recently began using two hair scarves. One satin one and another one on top to hold the satin one in place at night. I do not tie my scarves tight though. Just to hold the moisture base it a bit better. I actually used a satin pillow case and converted that into my head scarf. I don't like satin pillow cases for my skin but for my hair great.

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[almond eyes]

almond eyes,

Well you sure did help me and I am forever going to credit you for that. BLESS YOU. Keep sharing cause, I'm going to soak it up.

Interesting about the scarves, you need to start a YouTube Chanel. What else do you have in you bag of "awesome hair knowledge"? Tee Hee.


Again thanks for your kind words. I want black women to be encouraged by their hair rather than frustrated. I have learned a lot from the women on LCHF. I have also been in the natural hair game off and on for a very long time and I have learnt each time about where I went wrong and the missing links and why my hair was perpetually dry and looking lackluster even when it grew. And I am always happy to share.

I can't wait to see your youtube channel though if you do start one.

As for me, I leave the you tubers to the brave!!!!!!!!!!!! (Smiles)

Blessings,
Almond Eyes

 

[Prettymetty]

My hair is becoming easier and easier to detangle and that is a blessing. I'm also finding fewer ssks. I've been using a balancing conditioner after every wash and I think that is helping a lot. If my hair has too much protein or moisture it gets super tangled

 

[krissyhair]

My hair is becoming easier and easier to detangle and that is a blessing. I'm also finding fewer ssks. I've been using a balancing conditioner after every wash and I think that is helping a lot. If my hair has too much protein or moisture it gets super tangled

Which balancing conditioner?

 

[Prettymetty]

Which balancing conditioner?

I mixed Aphogee 2 minute with Keracare Humecto. Until I find a good detangling dc I will be mixing those 2.

 

[CenteredGirl]

Week 7. My hair is so manageable now that I wet it parted down the middle. @ the wise advice of almond eyes, I am putting away the brush and sticking to my seamless wide toot comb in the shower. Cut my shower time in half$$$. It's working ladies.

Also, I am honing in my ends recipe. Almost have it nailed. Talk soon and continue happy journeys to all my 4B sisters!

 

[almond eyes]

Week 7. My hair is so manageable now that I wet it parted down the middle. @ the wise advice of almond eyes, I am putting away the brush and sticking to my seamless wide toot comb in the shower. Cut my shower time in half$$$. It's working ladies.

Also, I am honing in my ends recipe. Almost have it nailed. Talk soon and continue happy journeys to all my 4B sisters!

CenteredGirl, glad to hear your hair is manageable and you put down the brush (smiles). I think once your hair feels manageable and grows long enough (to a protective style like big braids) you can incorporate more spritzing and then rinse every few days until shampoo/D.C. days. If you see more hairs than usual in your comb, incorporate a protein treatment (without heat) on wash day followed by a DC. As your hair gets longer, you can limit the combing in the shower and incorporate more finger combing.

I also now use a spritz bottle and put a lot of cold water in there so after I have done my warm water rinse and detangle lightly under the shower then I close my hair cuticles with a few spritzes of cold water. And then I detangle lightly again to stretch my hair out a bit before putting in my leave ins.

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[coolsista-paris]

CenteredGirl, glad to hear your hair is manageable and you put down the brush (smiles). I think once your hair feels manageable and grows long enough (to a protective style like big braids) you can incorporate more spritzing and then rinse every few days until shampoo/D.C. days. If you see more hairs than usual in your comb, incorporate a protein treatment (without heat) on wash day followed by a DC. As your hair gets longer, you can limit the combing in the shower and incorporate more finger combing. I also now use a spritz bottle and put a lot of cold water in there so after I have done my warm water rinse and detangle lightly under the shower then I close my hair cuticles with a few spritzes of cold water. And then I detangle lightly again to stretch my hair out a bit before putting in my leave ins. Best, Almond Eyes

thanks for this idea. close cuticules with cold sorite water. i always skipped closing mine because i didnt want cold water on my body. i will now do it outside the tub

 

[HappyHairJourney]

*waves* Hiiiiii! I'm new here (after lurking for about 5 years) lol. It's refreshing to see this thread and see it is still active. Hoping to learn a lot and hopefully help a lot through sharing.

I agree with sealing cuticles with spritzing cold water to avoid instant back freeze. Lol! I mix mine with AVJ and Distilled water and store it in the fridge. I've been slacking a bit and need to get back to that. I notice my hair always feels better and tends to stay hydrated longer when I seal it right away with cold water.

 

[CenteredGirl]

almond eyes,

Thanks for the continued guidance! So far there have been only a couple of hairs with my comb, but frankly, I could do it all with my fingers. Will start that tonight as a matter of fact. My hair stays soft all day so i was wondering if the daily wetting needed to continue. I think I will stay the course of daily wetting for a full year as I signed up for that.

Hmmm, cold water rinse. Been down that road before, but with very UN-MANAGEABLE natural hair. I'll keep a spritz bottle in the fridge and work it in! Will keep you posted!!!!! Bless you girl.

CenteredGirl, glad to hear your hair is manageable and you put down the brush (smiles). I think once your hair feels manageable and grows long enough (to a protective style like big braids) you can incorporate more spritzing and then rinse every few days until shampoo/D.C. days. If you see more hairs than usual in your comb, incorporate a protein treatment (without heat) on wash day followed by a DC. As your hair gets longer, you can limit the combing in the shower and incorporate more finger combing.

I also now use a spritz bottle and put a lot of cold water in there so after I have done my warm water rinse and detangle lightly under the shower then I close my hair cuticles with a few spritzes of cold water. And then I detangle lightly again to stretch my hair out a bit before putting in my leave ins.

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[almond eyes]

thanks for this idea. close cuticules with cold sorite water. i always skipped closing mine because i didnt want cold water on my body. i will now do it outside the tub

Coolista-Paris and Centered Girl, cold hair rinses in the shower make my hair shrink and hard. But when I put the cold water in a spritz bottle and I spritz after I have gotten out of the shower my hair responds well. I use the cold water from the sink and not keep it in the fridge that's too cold for my hair.

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[almond eyes]

almond eyes,

Thanks for the continued guidance! So far there have been only a couple of hairs with my comb, but frankly, I could do it all with my fingers. Will start that tonight as a matter of fact. My hair stays soft all day so i was wondering if the daily wetting needed to continue. I think I will stay the course of daily wetting for a full year as I signed up for that.

Hmmm, cold water rinse. Been down that road before, but with very UN-MANAGEABLE natural hair. I'll keep a spritz bottle in the fridge and work it in! Will keep you posted!!!!! Bless you girl.

You don't need to put it in the fridge, you can just use it straight from the sink that is already cold. I don't think the water needs to be like freezing cold.

I think if you feel that your hair is in a good place then you might want to skip the daily wetting and use a spritz bottle with water daily or as needed with your normal leave in. I think for me I will continue the daily wetting for a year (which for me ends in June) until my hair can be pulled into big braids. And then do some alternate days of wetting or spritz bottle mostly.

Or on dry hair just use a bit of water spritz or moisturizer and a good grease to seal. I had an old bottle of scalp protector (from my days of relaxing) from ORS and found out that it did very well as a grease when I looked at the ingredients. It actually has aloe in the ingredients, I find it very moisturizing.

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[faithVA]

Sometimes I just like to read. This may be old but its new to me.

The Natural Hair Blog Directory

 

[AyannaDivine]

Forgot to tell yall that I cut about 4 inches of hair. I'm back to APL and will be working diligently to get to BSL before year end. I know you guys know this already but just a friendly reminder not to skip your protein treatments! My hair feels amazing since I've started using SheScentIt Okra treatment!

Edit: I meant to say I was back at SL, not APL!