Random Hair Thoughts/Thinking out loud

I say I want lightweight products, but maybe that is not what I really mean. I want products that have enough weight and hold to give deep definition, slickness and shine while it dries. Then once dry, it can easily be scrunched to be soft and give lift while still having sheen/shine. I also don’t want to be super meticulous with applying it. I think I want too much.
 
I ended up getting my hair professionally twisted. I hate the results. My stylist did a good job. My hair is just fine and thin. I just braided the twists down and am going to wear a wig for a while. I'm a bit depressed about how thin my hair has gotten.
Sorry, it didn’t come out as planned.
 
I bought and used the Flexy Brush. It is about doggone time someone made a decent brush for our hair. After two uses, these were the least traumatic detangling/shed hair removal sessions I have ever had in life. I could rinse off most of the sheds by holding the brush's backside directly under the showerhead and shaking it. You have to give the brush a last shake to get rid of the water that builds on the inside when finished. My coils pretty much bounced back, very little frizz. My hair is still short right now, so the praise may change.
 
@Sharpened That looks similar to the Unbrush , which I have the same sentiments you expressed. The holes are more spaced but it clumps my curls better than any other brush. It doesnt smooth the hair out. ill tryt he Flexy brush later on next spring.

 
I’m in love with my hair. It’s so much easier to detangle and style since getting a professional keratin treatment. Best $270 I ever spent. Those diy treatments don’t even compare.

I’m debating getting another one next month. My hair seems to be growing really fast and it’s only a matter of time before these roots take over. First treatment was in July… EB7415BA-0401-40D5-A2E3-3AC5B090736E.jpeg35CDA11C-F400-4703-A403-194C269FA292.jpeg

ETA I went to and worked my first NFL game. Texans did their thang! I got my exercise too. All that walking gonna have me fine as wine in a few months
 
I’m realizing that it will be more than products and product application needed to get my hair at maximum defined volume. A factor I didn’t consider is styling technique.

After testing products like the Doux pop lock, MoKnowsHair primer+gel and CurlSmith Weightless leave-in + Hydro jelly, quickly drying my soaking wet hair doesn’t allow it to fully spiral back up. My curls are flash dried into crispy waves due to the weight of the water. They are super crispy like tissue paper but Weightless. So it’s not just about light weight products.

I might have to delay drying my hair. The extended wait time should allow my hair to spring back up before drying it.
 
I drank an ice coffee yesterday. It had me waking up every hour all night/this morning. Just found out that Pattern Beauty has a custard now. That’s something I want to try. I like the fact that their products make my hair feel weightless and soft.

Using their products as recommend gave me better results. For instance, I had better definition, elongation and sheen when pairing the leave-in with the curl gel. Using the strong hold gel to slick baby hairs looked far better than using it for a wng.

So this custard might be what I’m looking for. However, there is no mention of using this product for a wng. After some time of sifting through videos, I see others have made combos to use the strong hold for a good wng. They used the styling cream instead of the leave-in under the strong hold. Maybe the custard can be worked into wng material too.
 
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I’m realizing that it will be more than products and product application needed to get my hair at maximum defined volume. A factor I didn’t consider is styling technique.

After testing products like the Doux pop lock, MoKnowsHair primer+gel and CurlSmith Weightless leave-in + Hydro jelly, quickly drying my soaking wet hair doesn’t allow it to fully spiral back up. My curls are flash dried into crispy waves due to the weight of the water. They are super crispy like tissue paper but Weightless. So it’s not just about light weight products.

I might have to delay drying my hair. The extended wait time should allow my hair to spring back up before drying it.
Maybe you could try shaking your head before you dry your hair. That will help your curls spring back up.
I also prefer my curls curly rather than wavy/noodly. Even if it means more shrinkage.
 
I bought some keratin complex after care products to extend the life of my treatment. These roots though. I may get another keratin next month if my finances are right
 
Would you say a BKT is a good alternative to a relaxer?
I know you didn’t ask me but the answer is emphatically yes. I haven’t done it in nearly 8 years but the only brand I can remember I liked is SoftLiss. That’s a not so aggressive one. It does the job but for sure will wear off over time.

They give your hair a texture that a relaxer could never achieve. You could easily get flat ironed results with just a blow dryer. Just beautiful simple blowouts. It makes your hair super easy to straighten or wear your hair curly. When I did it right, my curls were ringlets the size of my thumb and silky. Relaxers, no matter how it was doctored or applied, always gave me limp frizz. It never gave me looser curls.

As long as your hair isn’t processed, it should revert back easily. That could take several months. That also depends on how often you do it.

If I can think of the one I loved, I’ll let you know But, there is so much new stuff out there that’s probably more advanced.
 
I know you didn’t ask me but the answer is emphatically yes. I haven’t done it in nearly 8 years but the only brand I can remember I liked is SoftLiss. That’s a not so aggressive one. It does the job but for sure will wear off over time.

They give your hair a texture that a relaxer could never achieve. You could easily get flat ironed results with just a blow dryer. Just beautiful simple blowouts. It makes your hair super easy to straighten or wear your hair curly. When I did it right, my curls were ringlets the size of my thumb and silky. Relaxers, no matter how it was doctored or applied, always gave me limp frizz. It never gave me looser curls.

As long as your hair isn’t processed, it should revert back easily. That could take several months. That also depends on how often you do it.

If I can think of the one I loved, I’ll let you know But, there is so much new stuff out there that’s probably more advanced.
I agree that but can replace a relaxer if you are not trying to preserve your curl pattern which is why I asked prettymetty. If I'm not mistaken @Prettymetty is not trying to keep her natural curl pattern?

I used to bkt alot and tried many different types. Even had a website chronicling my journey about it. I hated softliss lol. My fave treatment was the botox treatmenys hands down but it gradually loosened my curl pattern too much. That's why I had too keep cutting my length when I was bkting.
 
I agree that but can replace a relaxer if you are not trying to preserve your curl pattern which is why I asked prettymetty. If I'm not mistaken @Prettymetty is not trying to keep her natural curl pattern?

I used to bkt alot and tried many different types. Even had a website chronicling my journey about it. I hated softliss lol. My fave treatment was the botox treatmenys hands down but it gradually loosened my curl pattern too much. That's why I had too keep cutting my length when I was bkting.
Oh, guess I misread. I still think getting BKT is a better investment. The schedule to get a “retouch” is about the same. Most instruction manuals say it can be redone on a more regular basis. Since a wng plus cut can cost $300+, I have no clue what a relaxer is going for these days.

So @Prettymetty, was it simply easier to get the BKT professionally done or was it more effective to have a professional apply it? I see you said the DIY treatments didn’t compare. What were you getting before?

I bought some graymaket Keratin Complex for the first treatment I did myself. It was the only name I knew beside Brazilian Blowout. Once I saw that the results were legit, I kept searching for cheaper yet effective products. Most were still professional products though.

@Napp I was only mentioning SoftLiss because one can easily fix what one messes up. This stuff doesn’t make your curls look pretty, but it will keep your hair straight. Also, I had to pull the name Softliss from far into the recesses of my memory. I can’t remember Jack.

Did you ever look into ones where the directions required the technician to curl the hair into the desired pattern? For example, you wouldn’t do the normal 6 to 8 passes and keep the hair straight. You instead would do fewer passes and then curl the hair. Then you’d keep the hair in that curled pattern for x amount of time before you are able to bend/wash your hair again.

Initially I was trying to find ways to preserve the loosened curl much like you. After I messed up my hair using Chi Infra High Lift, I was trying out ways to give myself a more uniform curl from root to tip. I tried so many products and techniques to perfect the BKT curl. It just isn’t as straightforward as setting a curly perm to get a custom curl.
 
Would you say a BKT is a good alternative to a relaxer?
I think heat in general is a great alternative. This treatment wears off gradually so I feel like it’s less of a demarcation issue. I will need to get it every 3-4 months because of new growth. Very similar to a relaxer. Just as uncomfortable. I don’t miss those relaxer burns. This keratin has rough fumes and it makes your scalp sore for a couple days
 
Oh, guess I misread. I still think getting BKT is a better investment. The schedule to get a “retouch” is about the same. Most instruction manuals say it can be redone on a more regular basis. Since a wng plus cut can cost $300+, I have no clue what a relaxer is going for these days.

So @Prettymetty, was it simply easier to get the BKT professionally done or was it more effective to have a professional apply it? I see you said the DIY treatments didn’t compare. What were you getting before?

I bought some graymaket Keratin Complex for the first treatment I did myself. It was the only name I knew beside Brazilian Blowout. Once I saw that the results were legit, I kept searching for cheaper yet effective products. Most were still professional products though.

@Napp I was only mentioning SoftLiss because one can easily fix what one messes up. This stuff doesn’t make your curls look pretty, but it will keep your hair straight. Also, I had to pull the name Softliss from far into the recesses of my memory. I can’t remember Jack.

Did you ever look into ones where the directions required the technician to curl the hair into the desired pattern? For example, you wouldn’t do the normal 6 to 8 passes and keep the hair straight. You instead would do fewer passes and then curl the hair. Then you’d keep the hair in that curled pattern for x amount of time before you are able to bend/wash your hair again.

Initially I was trying to find ways to preserve the loosened curl much like you. After I messed up my hair using Chi Infra High Lift, I was trying out ways to give myself a more uniform curl from root to tip. I tried so many products and techniques to perfect the BKT curl. It just isn’t as straightforward as setting a curly perm to get a custom curl.
I used uncurly. Then I got an ion treatment from Sally’s. Uncurly was a good diy treatment that blocked frizz and gave me the sleekest shiniest blowout. Curl pattern was still in tact though

It was definitely better getting a professional one. I think the results will be cumulative
 
Oh, guess I misread. I still think getting BKT is a better investment. The schedule to get a “retouch” is about the same. Most instruction manuals say it can be redone on a more regular basis. Since a wng plus cut can cost $300+, I have no clue what a relaxer is going for these days.

So @Prettymetty, was it simply easier to get the BKT professionally done or was it more effective to have a professional apply it? I see you said the DIY treatments didn’t compare. What were you getting before?

I bought some graymaket Keratin Complex for the first treatment I did myself. It was the only name I knew beside Brazilian Blowout. Once I saw that the results were legit, I kept searching for cheaper yet effective products. Most were still professional products though.

@Napp I was only mentioning SoftLiss because one can easily fix what one messes up. This stuff doesn’t make your curls look pretty, but it will keep your hair straight. Also, I had to pull the name Softliss from far into the recesses of my memory. I can’t remember Jack.

Did you ever look into ones where the directions required the technician to curl the hair into the desired pattern? For example, you wouldn’t do the normal 6 to 8 passes and keep the hair straight. You instead would do fewer passes and then curl the hair. Then you’d keep the hair in that curled pattern for x amount of time before you are able to bend/wash your hair again.

Initially I was trying to find ways to preserve the loosened curl much like you. After I messed up my hair using Chi Infra High Lift, I was trying out ways to give myself a more uniform curl from root to tip. I tried so many products and techniques to perfect the BKT curl. It just isn’t as straightforward as setting a curly perm to get a custom curl.
I never heard of the ones you curl to style. That's different. Maybe it's a new technique? They are always innovating. I wish I could go to a hair show and see all the products and techniques. Hopefully next year depending on COVID. I think natural is for me right now because I would like to grow my hair longer so I'm staying away from chemicals right now.

My stylist recommends a curly cut with her that's not $300 and I'm considering it but I really want to see if I can reach BSL next year. My hair hovered around APL with heat straightening or keratin treatments. I want to see if I can finally gain length with just my natural hair.
 
Does olaplex work well for you even though you dont really use heat or color @GettingKinky and @toaster ? I just remembered I have olaplex 1 and 2 just sitting there. I forgot why I bought it lol maybe I should use it to baby back some heat damaged ends
I use steps 0 and 3 every other week. I don’t use direct heat or color my hair, but I also don’t trim my hair frequently and wear my wash and go down daily. I think it gives my ends a little protective layer/fills in the bonds.
 
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