permed buckwheat wants to transition!

nitavcc

nitavcc

New Member
Ladies, Im really thinking about transitioning... Its just... Just....that my hair is soo hard ! I like the curls, but I'm afraid I can't handle the bush!

BRILLO!

Its definitely 4a hair.. its just that its extremely coarse, and wiry. The curls are definitely defined..

I know we have transitioning threads and all that, but they don't seem to apply to my super duper coarse hair! No matter what i do, nothing really softens my hair when its not wet.

I co wash with vo5 often, and even pre poo with Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle ROse.. I stay away from shampooing to often.

And now that I am approximately 9 weeks post, its beginning to tangle.. ( I have been using MT)

So the question? What softens 4a bRiLLo hair? I mean, the type of hair where only SUPER relaxers can be used, or the hair is just not straigtening...

and if you are a fellow brillo 4a er, that transitioned, any tips that you give will be helpful.
 
My hair is pretty coarse. I am 4a/b/c and I'm about 8 months post. Properly detangling (making sure I get most of the shed hair out to prevent tangles) and keeping my new growth stretched (I air dry or rollerset it in ponytails) has helped me in the last few months. I've also become an Ayurveda fan and the regimen I have has really changed my hair for the better. It's moisturizing and strengthening at the same time.
 
likewtr4chklit said:
My hair is pretty coarse. I am 4a/b/c and I'm about 8 months post. Properly detangling (making sure I get most of the shed hair out to prevent tangles) and keeping my new growth stretched (I air dry or rollerset it in ponytails) has helped me in the last few months. I've also become an Ayurveda fan and the regimen I have has really changed my hair for the better. It's moisturizing and strengthening at the same time.
Click to expand...


what are you using for moisture?
 
BostonMaria said:
Wow
Maybe your hair isn't cooperating because of the way you're seeing it.
Click to expand...


Exactly.


If you describe your own hair as "buckwheat" and "brillo" then there is no doubt in my mind that you are treating your hair in the same manner.

Your hair is surely lacking moisture, which starts from the inside. Evaluate your diet and how much water you drink.

Externally, you are going to have to find out what coarse hair needs (I think it has more cuticle layers...but I'm not sure about that)...I think there's a blog by one of our members called the coarse hair diaries...you may want to check that out.

You may also want to research how to get your cuticles to lay flat (acv rinses may help with that) which may help with softness...and whether or not your porosity is making it hard for you to retain moisture.

Just because your hair is coarse does not mean it can take all kinds of abuse. Coily hair is fragile due to all the bends and curves and you need to treat it as such. You may need to up your DC'ing. A great natural DC is the caramel treatment. Search for the thread titled "yum caramel". It may really help you with moisture. Ingredients: bananas, honey, blackstrap molasses, olive oil, wheat germ oil, acv.

Please stop referring to your hair in such a negative manner. If you regard it negatively, you'll act accordingly, and that won't be good for your hair. Your hair isn't doing anything wrong...you need to learn what it needs and how to cooperate with it, not the other way around.
 
nitavcc said:
Ladies, Im really thinking about transitioning... Its just... Just....that my hair is soo hard ! I like the curls, but I'm afraid I can't handle the bush!

BRILLO!

Its definitely 4a hair.. its just that its extremely coarse, and wiry. The curls are definitely defined..

I know we have transitioning threads and all that, but they don't seem to apply to my super duper coarse hair! No matter what i do, nothing really softens my hair when its not wet.

I co wash with vo5 often, and even pre poo with Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle ROse.. I stay away from shampooing to often.

And now that I am approximately 9 weeks post, its beginning to tangle.. ( I have been using MT)

So the question? What softens 4a bRiLLo hair? I mean, the type of hair where only SUPER relaxers can be used, or the hair is just not straigtening...

and if you are a fellow brillo 4a er, that transitioned, any tips that you give will be helpful.
Click to expand...

Nitavcc, transitioning is no joke as I've learned;it can be frustrating and put you out of the hair loop at first. The trans. can be hard but you have to make up your mind to take it and go with it or not. Learn to love your hair because the end result can be a beautiful thing. I hated my hair for a few months-knots, tangles, tears. I missed the relaxed length and ease of combing but I feel I made the right decision to trans. because now my hair is so soft, manageable, curly and feels so good. Take time and consider what you really want to do.
 
Hey! I hear you. I don't do the hair typing thing but I can tell you that when I used to relax, I used regular and strong relaxing products to get my hair straight...every four (4) weeks.:blush:

Prior to finding what worked for me, my natural hair was brillo crunchy as well. It was dry, crispy and gray on the ends. It was also very hard when I straightened it. I think the first thing is to decide that you want to do something different for you and your hair.

I would agree with the ladies that how you think can and does impact the kind of love and care that you give to your hair. I will say that you are not alone in getting to that fork in the road with your hair, that place where you say,"Something needs to change."

I don't have any specific advice but wish to encourage you to continue on your journey until you start to find what works. I would suggest that you might want to consider writing down what you try and the effects, and look over that. Sometimes there are clues there. Keep asking questions the best way you know how and the answers will come.

Continue looking. With the info on the board and the support of this wonderful ladies and gents, you will definitely find your way.
 
nitavcc said:
Ladies, Im really thinking about transitioning... Its just... Just....that my hair is soo hard ! I like the curls, but I'm afraid I can't handle the bush!

BRILLO!

Its definitely 4a hair.. its just that its extremely coarse, and wiry. The curls are definitely defined..

I know we have transitioning threads and all that, but they don't seem to apply to my super duper coarse hair! No matter what i do, nothing really softens my hair when its not wet.

I co wash with vo5 often, and even pre poo with Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle ROse.. I stay away from shampooing to often.

And now that I am approximately 9 weeks post, its beginning to tangle.. ( I have been using MT)

So the question? What softens 4a bRiLLo hair? I mean, the type of hair where only SUPER relaxers can be used, or the hair is just not straigtening...

and if you are a fellow brillo 4a er, that transitioned, any tips that you give will be helpful.
Click to expand...


Honestly, Nita, you don't really sound like you are ready for the mental transition yet, because it really does take that.

Great advice MSA and Chicoro.:yep:
 
LongCurlz said:
my hair is 4a but I would never put my hair in the same class as a brillo pad:nono:
what a shame
Click to expand...

Where’s the shame? If that's how she sees it then that may just be how it is. I think she was creating a visual for us so that we could offer advice.

At times my hair has brilloesque tendencies. I just deep condition for a few hours with heat and then rinse, add a thick leave in and seal. Most times it helps, other time it looks like a well conditioned Brillo pad. But I love it (most of the time) and look forward to all the challenges it offers.
 
Last edited:
msa said:
Exactly.


If you describe your own hair as "buckwheat" and "brillo" then there is no doubt in my mind that you are treating your hair in the same manner.

Your hair is surely lacking moisture, which starts from the inside. Evaluate your diet and how much water you drink.

Externally, you are going to have to find out what coarse hair needs (I think it has more cuticle layers...but I'm not sure about that)...I think there's a blog by one of our members called the coarse hair diaries...you may want to check that out.

You may also want to research how to get your cuticles to lay flat (acv rinses may help with that) which may help with softness...and whether or not your porosity is making it hard for you to retain moisture.

Just because your hair is coarse does not mean it can take all kinds of abuse. Coily hair is fragile due to all the bends and curves and you need to treat it as such. You may need to up your DC'ing. A great natural DC is the caramel treatment. Search for the thread titled "yum caramel". It may really help you with moisture. Ingredients: bananas, honey, blackstrap molasses, olive oil, wheat germ oil, acv.

Please stop referring to your hair in such a negative manner. If you regard it negatively, you'll act accordingly, and that won't be good for your hair. Your hair isn't doing anything wrong...you need to learn what it needs and how to cooperate with it, not the other way around.
Click to expand...

.... Nevermind
 
Last edited:
i understand what she's saying, all 4a hair isn't the same. my 4a could be soft/silky and retain moisture while another's 4a could be dry/hard without holding on to moisture. the health and treatment of the hair can make a difference but even if we're both doing the same things that doesn't mean that we will both have soft hair. if she says it's like brillo, perhaps that is how it feels, at least to her anyway.

my advice is to get more moisture in your regi (cowashes, heavier moisturizer and sealing with an oil). you said that you cowash with v05, you might be able to replace that with a more moisturizing conditioner (i found that suave and vo5 don't do anything for my hair so i switched to nature's gate and got much better results)...i hope this helps
 
Agreed. You have to hold your natural hair in higher regard. Natural hair takes patience (I understand you're just thinking about transitioning) and you have to change your frame of mind. You'll get enough unpleasantries from folks that don't agree with your decision.

I co-washed this morning with Vo5 for the first time and hated it. It's cheap. Upgrade your daily conditioner to something like HE Hello Hydration or Long Term Relationship. I also like Aussie Moist as a daily condish. Lots of ladies rave about Paul Mitchell The Condtioner, but I've never used it.

I DC on the weekend using Joico or Silicon Mix - sitting under the dryer for abour ~30 mins and leaving the cap on for another 30 mins while I do other things in the house.

Currently for moisture, I alternate between aloe vera gel, Hydrathermals Growth Lotion or Surge Moisture Lotion. I also use shea butter and castor oil.

As the season progresses, I'll take some products out and introduce some new things.

Good luck.
 
:rofl:
so now it is a LOA thing? does that mean that she needs to do a vision board and daily affirmations to change the texture of her hair and to change how she sees her own hair? LOLOLOL

what is it about the buckwheat connotation that is negative? is it the style or the texture or that the buckwheat character was a stereotype and caricature?

OP, i'm taking your membership here from 2005 to mean that you know how the ladies here would react to you using the buckwheat reference to describe your natural hair. if tht is how you see it, there is nothing wrong with that. ppl here have referred to their hair as sideshow bob and they don't get dinged for it. :rolleyes:
​
sorry, back OT: not sure how to help you with your situation as i bc'd b/c i could not stand the two textures. i will agree that VO5 is yukky to cowash with on your type of texture imo. try something thicker like Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Conditioner or if you can, Elucence. I hear good things about Aubrey. I don't use Herbal Essence stuff b/c of cones but I did try Hello Hydration to see what the hype was and I did like it. Since you are transitioning, that one may be a good choice as well.


Good luck.


BuckwheatBack.jpg

 
First, YES! one day you're gonna be full Bra strap length dog gone it! YOU CAN DO IT!

If you're really thinking about transitioning... I'm here to help, there are many other type 4 transitioners on this board who can help guide you.

It is difficult to give advice without seeing pics of your hair and knowing more about your product choices and routines. Which products have you tried? What were the results, how long do you live with a product before giving up on it?

I am a type 4 but I think over time I have discovered the products that do and don't work for my hair. And I agree, all type 4's are not created equal.
You say that you have curl definition...I do not...Except when I do a braidout or twist out. Otherwise my hair is happiest in the form of a fluffy cotton-tail afro. At times when lacking moisture, my hair can be on the more brillo-ee side of things too but that is rare.
I intake a good amount of protein in my diet and have discovered that my hair responds poorly to animal proteins (topically) but loves Silk Proteins (Silk Amino Acids).

I have been transitioning for almost 2 years, No BC. My first suggestion would be to start looking through the albums of other transitioners and learn all about the ups and downs of transitioning. Next I'd suggest that you think about how long you want to transition. And then I thing that you should start off by doing a 6 month stretch. That will help you determine if you're ready to comit to transitioning and ultimately ready to change over to natural hair.

But as Chicoro said, it is essential that you discover what works for your hair. Have you tried the baking soda in conditioner method?

We need to know more about what you are doing before we can give you good suggestions.


Vo5 Sucks for my hair, Try something else, I like Aussie Moist and MAnd & Tail over the counter conditioners and I love Matrix So Sleek Conditioner.
Silicon Mix also provides me with Softness.
 
If I were a therapist, I could make a whole lot of money working with women who have self-esteem issues that affect how they feel about their natural hair..
 
CocoBunny said:
Where’s the shame? If that's how she sees it then that may just be how it is. I think she was creating a visual for us so that we could offer advice.

At times my hair has brilloesque tendencies. I just deep condition for a few hours with heat and then rinse, add a thick leave in and seal. Most times it helps, other time it looks like a well conditioned Brillo pad. But I love it (most of the time) and look forward to all the challenges it offers.
Click to expand...


Thank you cocobunny, that was exactly what i was doing... You can see a picture, but you can't Feel a picture. I just wanted everyone to understand that hair type that I am focusing on, and then advice to know how to care for my hair, if I do in fact transition. My hair was permed as a child, BECAUSE it was just soooo thick and hard for my mother to handle.

The fact is, my is just that thick.. I don't think that's a mindset, that's a fact. I will try other products to soften it and seek the advice of a professional..

Thanks for the advice about the heat for conditioning, that I usually don't do.. I overnight , but I don't usually use heat.
 
Are you sure you are typing your hair right? I don't see how your hair could be like a brillo pad and be 4a. If you look at a brillo pad the strands are wiry and do not have a defined coil or curl pattern. Isn't it possible you might be 4b or 4bz or c-napp.

Anyway, there are lots of fotkis and info here about how to moisturize your hair. My favorite moisturizer is 14-1 Hawaiian silky. It is the only thing that works on my hair.
 
Mook's hair said:
First, YES! one day you're gonna be full Bra strap length dog gone it! YOU CAN DO IT!

If you're really thinking about transitioning... I'm here to help, there are many other type 4 transitioners on this board who can help guide you.

It is difficult to give advice without seeing pics of your hair and knowing more about your product choices and routines. Which products have you tried? What were the results, how long do you live with a product before giving up on it?

I am a type 4 but I think over time I have discovered the products that do and don't work for my hair. And I agree, all type 4's are not created equal.
You say that you have curl definition...I do not...Except when I do a braidout or twist out. Otherwise my hair is happiest in the form of a fluffy cotton-tail afro. At times when lacking moisture, my hair can be on the more brillo-ee side of things too but that is rare.
I intake a good amount of protein in my diet and have discovered that my hair responds poorly to animal proteins (topically) but loves Silk Proteins (Silk Amino Acids).

I have been transitioning for almost 2 years, No BC. My first suggestion would be to start looking through the albums of other transitioners and learn all about the ups and downs of transitioning. Next I'd suggest that you think about how long you want to transition. And then I thing that you should start off by doing a 6 month stretch. That will help you determine if you're ready to comit to transitioning and ultimately ready to change over to natural hair.

But as Chicoro said, it is essential that you discover what works for your hair. Have you tried the baking soda in conditioner method?

We need to know more about what you are doing before we can give you good suggestions.


Vo5 Sucks for my hair, Try something else, I like Aussie Moist and MAnd & Tail over the counter conditioners and I love Matrix So Sleek Conditioner.
Silicon Mix also provides me with Softness.
Click to expand...


THanks Mook .. SOOOOO much.. :bighug::bighug: I basically have been trying to discover what works... and most of the things that I have tried on this board have helped, but a day of two later, I'm dry and return to brillo.

What I do like is JBCO. shea butter... and Pantene's hair mask.. Everything else is......"meh"... I will post pictures of my hair next week, when I get my cell phone from Verizon.. Thanks for your help..

I think I need hand holding.. I tried to transition before, and in 3 months, man, I permed! I think finding the right products is the key...

Heard a lot about Aussie Moist... I think I will try it for co- washing, along with Trader Joe's Norish Spa!

More info coming....
 
1star said:
:rofl:
so now it is a LOA thing? does that mean that she needs to do a vision board and daily affirmations to change the texture of her hair and to change how she sees her own hair? LOLOLOL

what is it about the buckwheat connotation that is negative? is it the style or the texture or that the buckwheat character was a stereotype and caricature?

OP, i'm taking your membership here from 2005 to mean that you know how the ladies here would react to you using the buckwheat reference to describe your natural hair. if tht is how you see it, there is nothing wrong with that. ppl here have referred to their hair as sideshow bob and they don't get dinged for it. :rolleyes:
​
sorry, back OT: not sure how to help you with your situation as i bc'd b/c i could not stand the two textures. i will agree that VO5 is yukky to cowash with on your type of texture imo. try something thicker like Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Conditioner or if you can, Elucence. I hear good things about Aubrey. I don't use Herbal Essence stuff b/c of cones but I did try Hello Hydration to see what the hype was and I did like it. Since you are transitioning, that one may be a good choice as well.


Good luck.


BuckwheatBack.jpg
Click to expand...

Thank you.. I think you understood my point of view.
 
Bosinse said:
Are you sure you are typing your hair right? I don't see how your hair could be like a brillo pad and be 4a. If you look at a brillo pad the strands are wiry and do not have a defined coil or curl pattern. Isn't it possible you might be 4b or 4bz or c-napp.

Anyway, there are lots of fotkis and info here about how to moisturize your hair. My favorite moisturizer is 14-1 Hawaiian silky. It is the only thing that works on my hair.
Click to expand...


i understand what you're saying but she said that her hair feels like brillo. hair can have a curl pattern and feel wiry at the same time.
 
First you need to find a product that will loosen your NG naturally. Try honey and jojaba oil treatment and leave on for a LONG time. Repeat thsi once a week for a month then you can alter every month or every two weeks. Whatever your hair likes. Also keep your hair oiled.

See my hair below. I am 4b/c ALL NATURAL. I did it!!!

In the beginning it is hard and can be pretty intimidating but it's all worth it in the end.
 
Maybe you could try a humectant to moisturize like glycerin and water or aloe vera. Co-washing is better than shampoo IMO, but it ended up being the lesser of two evils for me. Maybe your hair unprocessed hair prefers alkaline cleansers as opposed to acidic. I would suggest trying a shampoo bar aka soap (right now I'm using du du osun black soap and couldn't be any happier). You could also try a baking soda rinse.

I would stick with the AO conditioner and maybe try to work on getting your hair moisturized in it's dry state instead of on wash days.

ETA: From personal experience, usually when you've tried everything and nothing from the store works anymore...it could mean your hair is "going green" on you. Check out some of the recipes in the Natural living forum..it couldn't hurt and the plus side is you'll end up saving money in the long run.
 
Last edited:
Hey my hair is 4a but it isn't as wiry ad coarse as u described. Quite honestly when I first started transitioning I flat ironed. Invest in a good mosturizing conditioner I like nexxus humectress or gvp humectant. Also if your going to be cowashing get a good cheap conditioner I personally love Suave tropical cocunut. Cowashing a few times a week really helped me get through my transition. Also invest in a good leave in. and I agree with the other posters about sealing the cuticle, I like to do a acv rinse... I wish you the best of luck even if you don't go natural I hope you find a way to make your hair more manageable to you.
 
I understand that you mean your hair is coarse, but I do hate to see you refer to your hair as buckwheat or brillopad. I know how coarse hair can be because mine is very dense and coarse, but I have learned to deal with it and it can be so soft sometimes now it surprises me (though not silky smooth)

I hope that you will come to associate your hair with something other than buckwheat though one day :)

Here are somethings that have helped me with moisture if you're interested, they're from my blog
 
Dang:nono:...Ya'll take things way too seriously on this board. She's not criticizing someone else's hair; if that's how she chooses to describe it, so be it; its her prerogative.

My suggestions for extremely moisturizing and softening conditioners are:

Elucence MB as conditioner and esp. as a leave-in
Alter ego energizing and rebalancing cream
Silicon Mix
Joico MR Balm (sometimes makes my hair too soft, but if your hair is as coarse as you say, then it should be just what you need)

And I love qhemet burdock root butter cream

HTH
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

lipyt
Natural to permed to texlaxed?? Anyone ever do that?
Replies
3
Views
901
DDTexlaxed
DDTexlaxed
bellezanegra826
how soon is too soon to correct this foolishness on the top of my head?
Replies
3
Views
1K
bellezanegra826
bellezanegra826
Candy_C
I've come to the Descision to Transition
2 3
Replies
71
Views
8K
Candy_C
Candy_C
halee_J
Homemade Hair Product Makers. Can We Have An Honest Conversation?
2 3
Replies
82
Views
13K
halee_J
halee_J
C
Easy and Painless Way to Transition!
Replies
10
Views
2K
DDHair
DDHair
Back
Top