Relaxed Newbie Queries

[Leona28]

Hi girls
I want to primarily thank all of you for sharing quite detailed information re proper hair care. I have been reading (with much enthusiasm) the Newbie threads, but still have questions! (as we probably all do/did!)

I'll keep it simple...

1. If choosing to continue using some heat, are Steam Hair straighteners any different from GHD/Remington/Babyliss Flat Irons? Or are they all concentrated heat sources?

2. Sunshyne (Youtube Hair guru: Hairlicious Inc.) has an easy air drying regime for type 4 hair however for those of us (after more than 6 weeks post relaxer use) who have quite a bountiful amount of hair growth, how do we smooth the new growth without use of heat? The surface of the hair is smooth, but the roots can still remain quite coarse and rough. What advice is useful in tackling post relaxer hair growth?

3. To reduce our Highly porous hair, what natural (without parabens,etc) products can be used?

4. Giovanni products seem to have some organic ingredients. What other hair products are available which target type 4 hairtypes?

5. What is a low maintenance hair regime?

6. Last question, is it advisable to combine different products from different brands?

Cheers x

 

[sunnieb]

Hey newbie! Welcome!

I was just about to logoff, but saw your thread title!

I can help you with a couple of your questions.

For #2, check out my airdrying album here: http://public.fotki.com/sunnieb/how-i-air-dry-my-hair/

I don't really wear the curlies anymore, but I still do the same basic premise to keep my newgrowth smooth.

#6 - I use all different brands at the same time. As long as my hair doesn't have an adverse reaction, I'm good. I have zero brand loyalty. I will stay with a product as long as it does well on my hair and/or until I find something better.

I am so over using the entire line of a brand.

Good luck with your hair journey and I'm sure the other ladies will chime in shortly.

 

[havilland]

I relaxed for a long time. I'll give you my tips.

Rollersets were the easiest way I found to smooth my roots. I would roller set then wrap my hair and tie it down with a silk scarf. I would flat iron the roots only if need be.

I like using one brand but it is def not a rule. Use what works best for you. Sometimes an entire line won't work.

Shea Moisture has a nice line of products. Kenra is a good line for relaxed hair. I like Hairveda (as a relaxed head and as a transitioner)

 

[divachyk]

Leona28 - welcome!

1. I have Caruso rollers (steam rollers) and have read that those are better for the hair than direct heat from flat irons. I don't have any scientific proof to back that up though.

2. sunnieb's tut is very good for showing how to smooth ng. If you're trying to achieve straight ng from crown to nape, I suppose you could run the comb through various ng areas of your hair -- will be a bit time consuming though. I usually only focus on the top layer since no one can see what's going on underneath. However, my preference is roller setting over air drying.

3. I have low porosity, sorry can't help there.

4. Aubrey Organics is a great line. Some argue it's not organic entirely but I've never had any issues with the product line. You can research some of the vendors specializing in handmade products - I like Bee Mine, Claudie's and HairVeda.

5. My LHCF blog details my regi.

6. Many mix & match product lines without issues. I personally mix/match.

 

[Leona28]

Thanks so much for your 2 cents girls!

 

[Leona28]

Do any of you know much about Shima Hair line?

 

[runwaydream]

*Grabs popcorn*

 

[Guinan]

WELCOME NEWBIE!!!

I dont know if I will be able to answer all your questions but as far as combining different products from different brands, absolutely! I do it all the time and sometimes I mix the products together. For instance, I mixed Suave Tropical Coconut conditioner with my Aphogee leave-in

For protective styles, I wear braid-outs, mini braids and buns (in my siggie).

For air drying, I like Sunshyne's method of air drying but its not realistic for someone that is texlax (for me anyways). I air dry in braids (4 braids) and then gently finger comb or use a detangle brush.

Some great products to use for type 4 are: As I am products, Elasta QP and Joico K-Pak.

As far as a low man regime, to me its up to the individual. Something that seems low man to you might be alot for me. I DC once a week when my hair is curly and every two weeks when its straight. I M&S every night and PS about 90%.

Good Luck!!!

 

[divachyk]

Do any of you know much about Shima Hair line?

Leona28, I don't know much about Shima as that was before my time. I do know a question of that generates a lot of comment. I've never taken the time to research her line but I suggest you do a search to find the back story.

 

[Leona28]

Quite frankly I have/had purchased her products as part of a healthier hair regimen however with deeper inspection, I found that most of her products esp the leave in conditioner have parabens and other artificial preservatives. (UBH has more I think!) Her shampoo/conditioner is a 2 in 1 and for critic's sake, it is more of a moisturizing conditioner. The leave in conditioner smells good and is light (Can get sudzy if using too much). The Leave in Creme is also quite light (watery consistency) but does help with instilling moisture into hair. Lastly the leave in oil gives a good gloss but can not be used as a co-wash/DC. She does not have mineral oils/petroleum in her products and does go to great lengths to educate her 'Shima girls' about hair retention. Overall it's a good product but I have the belief that if we're leaving something in our hair or seeking to have it penetrate into our hairshafts/body on a regular basis, we need to be mindful re what we're consuming. So, I'll keep on my search.

I tried an ACV rinse today. Boy! Wish I had put on googles! Acid-Water mixtures still burn! Once rinsed through, I decided to experiment by mixing about 1/2-3/4 tsp of vitamin C granules, grinding a multivit, added a Tsp of liquid vitamins, 1 tsp of Raw Honey, EVOO and 2 Tbsp of EVCO as my leave in conditioner. DC for 30mins and then rinsed. Added alittle ACV mix over hair and then some Shima Shampoo. My hair didn't feel very moist after the DC however interestingly when hand combing through, my hair felt a bit softer. The Shima Shampoo helped with increasing the moisture in my hair. I then sprayed with her leave in and some Shima hair creme. I am air drying for the 2nd day like Sunshyne (Youtube).

I am of the opinion that my hair has been so much harder in recent weeks after using a new Permanent Hair dye. I had previously been using a Japanese make and then decided to use Clairol Texture and Tones for women of color. Bad mistake! My hair has never felt so hard for such a long period! My hair has been so brittle and breaking off in chunks. It truly was a no no. I haven't relaxed my hair since July so I'm sure it's not as a result of closely timed chemical usage.

I am purchasing a few products on amazon and looking for means to aid with High porosity (although I question whether the use of the ACV is why the DC didn't moisten as much?) My hair still smells of the vitamins which isn't so luscious therefore liquid vitamins and teas are key. I plan to purchase a Shampoo, Conditioner, DC, Porosity controller, Leave In Conditioner and examine oils which would benefit in my hair regime.
I'm getting the hang of less heat is best although may use some once a month unless not required. What I have found with my hair strands is that the shafts are thin in places and easily breaking. Is that a means for chopping or allowing to grow alongside new stronger hair? My hair is SHL and very thin at the ends. My new growth is always quite thick. I am changing my Child relaxers to Phytorelaxer. I had tried Str8 away sufle but it uses a whole lot of heat to get hair straight. I am also considering purchasing a steamer and or steam rollers/ steaming flat iron. Any advice re the above?

Cheers once again!