Overcomplicated

[glamazon386]

Ok folks I have read some people's routines and wanted to ask - why are people mixing up so many convoluted concoctions (i.e. mixing V05 with 8 different oils, 2 additional conditioners and honey for good measure)?

I wonder this myself. I don't do nearly half as much to my hair. That's just too much going on for me.

 

[CurleeDST]

Oh another thing I found complicated - cutting on the full moon. UUGGH! I could not keep up with it or ever really get an appointment during the "growth" period. I did not see a difference either when I did do it.

 

[B_Phlyy]

I hear you and I understand the art of experimenting to find what works best for your hair. I am guilty of this, I have seen those of us have a perfectly good routine and then jump on the latest bandwagon I do not know - perhaps in search of something just that much better? At least I think that is what I was doing. Adn then when it doesn't work I reflect back on what did and end up right back where I started.

For me, I define complicated when mixing 3 or more items together for a cocktail plus including 3 or more steps in a routine.

But that is just me. If I can't memorize the routine after reading it twice - it is too complicated for me. Or I have a short attention span - one of the two! LOL

Yeah, I am guilty of the first part myself. I really didn't expect to get any additional length, but my hair is so dry, whenever I hear the words "softer" or "more moisturized", I'm on it. But I have so much stuff to experiment with now, I'm sure I'll find a staple this year.

For the second part, I totally understand what you mean. I once did mix like 5 conditioners in a jar just to get rid of them, but I know if I had just used them one at a time, I probably could have really isolated what was helping or hurting my hair. Now, if I have to try something new, I only introduce one item at a time.

 

[frostydoll]

My girlfriend went natural 3 years ago. She transitioned 1.5 years. She cut out the remaining relaxer and in another 1.5 years she is past BSL. I asked her what she does and it was so simple it was ridiculous. In the summer she shampoos and conditions, adds C Dhair ilk and wears it curly. In the winter she washes and conditions adn then straightens with her maxiglide and puts it up in a bun and calls it a day.

That is it. It is so simple it is ridiculous and her hair is long and lustrous and smooth.

Her regimen is very simple and sounds similar to mine aside from the heat straightening I didn't do to much of it the first year and a half but I've been doing it more lately. This gives me hope that the flat ironing won't mean less growth for me. I hope to be bra strap by September.

 

[nurseN98]

I mix things but it's to the point that i mix the same things over and over. I add shea butter, coconut oil & castor oil when its cold outside and when it's warm I add mango butter coconut oil and avocado when it's warm. It works well for me adding them to Abba for the perfect leave-in that I haven't found even though I've tried too many products to mention. But other than that I rinse daily & shampoo & deep condition weekly and I've finally simplified my routine enough so that both my hair and I like it.

I agree that trying every new thing is overkill...for example I've been seeing the shikaikai/amla/henna threads and I get tempted. I really do but doggonit my aubrey & Elucence is working fine for me so I'm gonna leave those alone....for now.

Also sometimes I think a lot of us just want to buy something new...lol.

 

[frostydoll]

Oh another thing I found complicated - cutting on the full moon. UUGGH! I could not keep up with it or ever really get an appointment during the "growth" period. I did not see a difference either when I did do it.

My grandmother told me to do that and I just nodded and said mhm politely.

 

[CurleeDST]

Yeah my girl has very pretty hair. When she was relaxed she bunned it often as well b/c she is a pharmacy rep. and she just didn't need all that hair hanging on her neck. She would wear it down and out when she was going out or on special occasions.

Now her hair is the length that if she doesn't straighten it she can bun it. I do not believe she is conscious that her routine would be considered protective styling but it is in this forum. She just does what is easy and simple for her. When she lets it all out and down it is awesome!

She rarely switches up products such as cleaners, conditioners or stylers and uses them consistently. She washes once a week on Sundays and that is pretty much it. If in the winter her edges get frizzy she will touch them up w/ a hot comb or something so she can slick it back in a pony bun OR she will apply a little gel and scarf and call it a day.

 

[CurleeDST]

Congratulations on the pregnancy. I swear 2007 is the YEAR of the baby!

I mix things but it's to the point that i mix the same things over and over. I add shea butter, coconut oil & castor oil when its cold outside and when it's warm I add mango butter coconut oil and avocado when it's warm. It works well for me adding them to Abba for the perfect leave-in that I haven't found even though I've tried too many products to mention. But other than that I rinse daily & shampoo & deep condition weekly and I've finally simplified my routine enough so that both my hair and I like it.

I agree that trying every new thing is overkill...for example I've been seeing the shikaikai/amla/henna threads and I get tempted. I really do but doggonit my aubrey & Elucence is working fine for me so I'm gonna leave those alone....for now.

Also sometimes I think a lot of us just want to buy something new...lol.

 

[CurleeDST]

I know I know. My grandmother swore by it too. Yeah she had long hair but her hair just grows regardless! LOL

My grandmother told me to do that and I just nodded and said mhm politely.

 

[CurleeDST]

I've read about the henna treatments and stuff but that is just wear I draw the line! I can't go down the Indian products path! I can honestly say that is one regimen I am totally not interested in.

 

[Country gal]

Great thread. I am not a challenge or pj. The only challenge I am on is the no heat challenge. It has helped my hair to thrive and grow. Simple works best for me. I have my stables (Castor oil, Elucnece shampoos) but my hair just likes the extra attention I pay it.

 

[nurseN98]

Congratulations on the pregnancy. I swear 2007 is the YEAR of the baby!

Yes it is...lol! Thanks for the congrats..

And you are next, how exciting! Happy pushing!

 

[nikkivale]

Ok folks I have read some people's routines and wanted to ask - why are people mixing up so many convoluted concoctions (i.e. mixing V05 with 8 different oils, 2 additional conditioners and honey for good measure)? Are you all really seeing that much improvement in hair condition and or length with it or are we overthinking this entire thing?

I read routines of some of the members with waistlength hair and one thing seems to be consistent - they kept it very simple and low manipulation. They use the conditioners as instructed, shampoo as instructed and a moisturizer and then pin it up. Voila - with consistency their hair grew and remains thick and strong.

Why all the complication? Also, this is not meant to offend but meant to start a discussion about it b/c to some point I think we can be a bit fanatical with length to the point we jump on every bandwagon there is.

I feel the same way as you do, for a while after joining this board I tried so many concoctions of different things that it was taking up too much time money and effort and I don't thing it made any difference to be honest. From my experience mixing stuff up has not worked for my benefit at all. My hair just doesn't like all that stuff

I also notice that many women with very long hair just have simple routines of basic clarifying, moisture+protein and a low maintenance styles. I've given up on my pj ways and i'm sticking with the basics that have been working for me from the beginning.

 

[locabouthair]

curlee i understand where your coming from. i dont have a really complicated regimen and i dont mix a bunch of things but i do understand how frustrating it can be as a newbie when u dont know what your hair likes or needs. shoot i have been hear 2 years and i still cant really find a staple. it's like my hair rejects every conditioner. plus lots of women here are making great progress and while I am happy to see women here reaching their goals, it can make make someone feel more anxious or desperate to try different things to reach their goals.

 

[babyblue]

its just a phase i think we all go through. i remember being caught up in that hype a few years ago. i've now realized that all that was unecessary. today i don't bother with all that and u know what? my hair feels great

as for people not following the instructionsn on the bottle. It kind of irks me when i read someone complain about a product not working for them and when they explain how they use it they totally strayed away from the manufacturers suggested instructions. for ex. they will complain product x didn't work. They claim they mixed it with ___ and left it on 2 hr with heat and their hair turned out terrible. mind you product x says to leave on for 2 minuts and rinse with no mention of heat. I think a lot of hair disasters would not happen if folks would just follow instructions.

 

[Bublnbrnsuga]

Ok folks I have read some people's routines and wanted to ask - why are people mixing up so many convoluted concoctions (i.e. mixing V05 with 8 different oils, 2 additional conditioners and honey for good measure)? Are you all really seeing that much improvement in hair condition and or length with it or are we overthinking this entire thing?

I read routines of some of the members with waistlength hair and one thing seems to be consistent - they kept it very simple and low manipulation. They use the conditioners as instructed, shampoo as instructed and a moisturizer and then pin it up. Voila - with consistency their hair grew and remains thick and strong.

Why all the complication? Also, this is not meant to offend but meant to start a discussion about it b/c to some point I think we can be a bit fanatical with length to the point we jump on every bandwagon there is.

Nothing to add , but

 

[CurleeDST]

LOL you are funny and love the fun loving pic in your signature. I know I am talking about myself when I saw "alot of people" as well as others who have not followed instructions in the past, totally figure I know better than the creator of the product to use it how I see fit and expect extraordinairie results. Am I being unreasonable? Umm, I have learned yes I was being unreasonable.

I do appreciate that I found my staple product from these boards which is Elucence shampoo and conditioner. I can appreciate I have learned that castor oil DOES seal in moisture and ORS Mayonnaise used as a pre-poo is PHENOMENAL! Anything more, for ME, will be overkill and really create diminishing returns.

And when we switch products, how do we know what really worked and/or if we break out or experience adverse effects - what did it?

Nothing to add , but

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

For me when I do mix things it's normally when I was trying to get rid of something that didn't work too well buy it self and just by adding a little EVOO and/or Honey it's like a whole new conditioner , you end up w/softer and shinier hair, now b4 adding the extra stuff the conditioner did nothing but sit there.

I'll also mix some of my favorite conditioner if I want some of what all of them do, it's hard to explain, but it gives me what I want. Since I've gotten rid of all the Pjism crisis products I barely mix anything now, except for adding a little Aphoghee to a moisturizing conditioner that way I get just the amount of protein I need at that momment and moisture in one DC. It also keeps me from having to buy a mild protein treatment.

 

[alwayzalady22]

My husband clowns me b/c I have several failed experiments under my bathroom sink and when he finds something in the trash - OH HE JUST BUSTS out laughing at me.

From that I realize that this one particular year when I started focusing on length and trying all of these items my hair grew NO FASTER than normal. I ran 5 to 6 miles a day, drank fresh fruit 100% natural smoothies DAILY, and took those raved about supplements. I still gained oh .5 inch a month I guess no more and no less.

From that I think about when I did have longer hair and how I did not pay attention to my hair. I didn't abuse it but I did minimal amount of things to maintain and style it and it just did its magic. So when I read about some of these complicated concoctions and cocktails I wonder if that person will really see the difference they are hoping for or is that a bunch of money down the drain wasted.

your hair may not have grown any more than you expected, but your body would thank you in the long run if you kept that up, extra growth or not...i'll admit, i got back to exercising seriously b/c of my hair, but i always see exercise being a part of my life even if it doesn't help my hair grow any faster and even after i reach my goal....if you cut your hair, it grows back...but too many of us are cutting our own lives short by not exercising, and you only have one life to live imho, exercising is not one of those things you should cut out in an attempt to simplify your routine...i know you're not saying that specifically, but of the 'extra' things you listed, exercise woulda been the one to hold on to

 

[Britt]

Totally agree...
A simple regimen is much better. Find your staples and when you do, stick with them. I understand that is very hard for newbies especially since they are overwhelmed and excited about all the products on the board. It's like a little kid in a candy store . I personally have a weakness for moisturizing conditioners, however most don't work for me which is why I have been using the same products since Aug. 06. I don't see the purpose of sooo many oils and concotions , it baffles me . I personally think the crux of any hair regimen is a good shampoo and conditioner, everything else is secondary. Real moisture comes from frequent washing and a good deep condition. Over time, the moisture levels in your hair will increase. Now, I have strayed a few times and have tried several different conditioners since last year, but I always regret it b/c the conditioner doesn't work and it ends up to be a waste of money.
It's so funny you made this thread b/c I was just thinking that I am going to stop taking my MSM and biotin. I have been taking a tablespoon of MSM for the past 4.5 months and I can't say I see *any* change in my hair at all. My nails are still as brittle as ever, I was hoping that would change, but lo and behold, no change at all . All those threads on MSM really got me hype and wishing that i'd see some type of change. I guess everyone's body is different .

 

[SkinnyMocah]

My hair is doing much better now that I just leave it alone. I can't baby it, I do what needs to be done and quit messing with it and it's finally making steps toward healthy.

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

I mix mine because it works for me. When using some conditioners, my hair comes out dry. When I blend, it's moisturized and is easy to detangle. And it's not all that "complicated". I mix not just for me but for my S.O. Recently my sister asked me to blend some for her. It works for us. Not only that, it's a good and inexpensive way to use what I already have.

 

[2cute2B4gotten]

In the beginning, I probably did more to my hair than I do now. I wash and condition and rollerset and that seems to work for me.

 

[SvelteVelvet]

Great thread! I haven't jumped on too many bandwagons, one thing I did go out and buy from reading this board that was a waste (for me) was Amla oil. There was nothing special about it IMO. Glad I got over the Indian products thing.

I will never Henna my hair, I have seen some great results from ladies who have and more power to them but for me it's just a little beyond what I'd do for my hair. I'll never baggy my ends either.

Things I picked up that I do feel will be beneficial are certain vitamins and I love Boundless Tresses because I've always wanted to use Sulfur 8 again because I knew the sulpher was beneficial for my scalp and I obtained alot of growth as a child when my mom used it but couldn't stand the smell. BT was like an answered prayer, something I was already looking for.

One thing I am itching to try once I'm done with Crown & Glory are the Dominican shampoos and conditioners, particularly silicon mix because I've heard wonderful things in and outside the board about it. I'm going to need a new supply of poos and conditioners anyway, so I'll try it for a spell and if I don't see any significance, I'll just go back to my staples when the bottles are through.

I too have noticed that the womens hair that I drool over in fotkis because of their length and thickness have the most simple regimen and their growth rate is a pretty average half inch a month. It's all about low manipulation and PATIENCE!

 

[natstar]

I think if it works for you-do it. My mixing isn't for the goal of length per se. It's more for maintenance/moisture of my hair in the week. My rountine still is pretty simplistic. And I totally agree that many times simplicity is key and hair will grow if it just gets what it needs along w/patience and low manipulation.

I make a spray that I use daily for moisture. It combines water/cheapy conditioner, oils and glycerin. I LOVE IT! and will continue to use it because of the benefits I see. It's not time consuming at all. It takes less than a minute to make, last me 2 weeks- I just pour shake and spritz. It also saves me a lot of money and I control what conditioner I put in (Suave, white rain, VO5) etc.

As far as any other mixing goes, I do add honey and olive oil to some conditioners to make them work even better. Again- it isn't time consuming and I see great benefits.

Overall I think, if there are members who want to mix and do something extra-that's their choice. Many who mix may just like experimenting w/recipes for hair care or whatever. It could be a case of you see a product that works ok, but you know it could work even better and offer more benefit if you added something extra once in a while

 

[janeemat]

I am definitely a mixer. I love mixing certain cond together. I started doing it right before joining this board to repair my hair that was damaged by relaxer and color at the hands of a stylist. I found the mix somewhere on line and it truly worked. By the time I joined this board my hair had been repaired but I was looking to grow my hair longer. With all of the info here, I then became a professional mixer. One week I washed my hair and decided to right it in my hair journal and had used 18 products! I realized then that I needed to seek professional help. I have since recovered some; half way there. I'm under the hair dryer now and mixed 10 en 1 and silicone mix and then added 3 essential oils in it.

 

[EMJazzy]

When I first joined LHCF I became a *serious* pj, over the past year I've found what my hair likes and what it dislikes....I enjoy mixing products and seeing what the outcome will be. Another reason I mix is to get rid of products I already spent my hard earned money on but didn't particularly care for (no need in being wasteful). My hair told me as long as I continue to do my weekly protein treatments it doesn't care what I mix up and apply.

When my hair was relaxed (back in the early 90's) I *had* to follow the directions on the bottle of whatever product I was using....but as a natural I find that my hair doesn't care if I leave it on overnight versus 2 minutes.

 

[*Michelle*]

For me less is more...Manufacturers instructions are spot-on, if you need longer time then odds are REALLY high its not the right product for your hair/scalp.

I wonder how much money is being wasted on so many products...hair can only absorb so much product at one time.

Thats my story and I'm stickin' to it...LOL!

 

[Barbara]

When I first started viewing this hair board, I felt that the regimens discussed here were quite overwhelming. There is too much manipulation and too many products layered on the hair or used simultaneously. In other words, too much work in trying to achieve long, healthy hair. Rotating them is fine, though.

Nevertheless, I was doing fine for ten years with the few products I have; then slowly but surely I turned into an oil, pomade and conditioner junkie--trying less expensive items to get the same results as my expensive products was my goal. I'm not as bad as some here, though.

It was fun as long as I didn't have to test them myself. My stylist does this for me, but I'm going to stick with what works after he tests the remaining products. From time to time, he gets inpatient, and I don't want to lose him as my stylist. Now I just buy what he recommends, and these products work perfectly. He says it's okay to add oil(s), honey and even avocado to conditioner. Nothing more is needed; it's better to keep it simple.

 

[CurleeDST]

And ladies let me clarify something - I am in no way attemping to be judgemental of those who choose to mix cocktails and extend their regimens. If that is what they are in to it is all cool.

I really want to find out from those who have done that did you really see tremendous results doing it or was it just extra work for mediocre or similar results so in the end we made someone very rich and still had to wait to achieve our length goal.

I have finally resolved myself to the fact that less is more. When I first joined LHCF in September / October 2005 I did the expanded regimens for 1 full year and while I did experience growth (hair does grow anyway about .5 a month) it wasn't anything extraordinary or something I would not have otherwise achieved staying on the same course I was on.