Shrinkage

[Caramel Jewel]

Oh my....I have six months of growth and right now my little fro below my permed hair is less than an inch all around...

I don't know about this....I saw a pic of my impersonated posh spice haircut ...it was so so nice

 

[SEMO]

Yeah, shrinkage is one of those things that take a while to get used to. I haven't had a relaxer since February 2005 and I'm still getting used to my shrinkage. I transitioned until I could make a ponytail, but it's up to you the look you want.

 

[Caramel Jewel]

Yeah, shrinkage is one of those things that take a while to get used to. I haven't had a relaxer since February 2005 and I'm still getting used to my shrinkage. I transitioned until I could make a ponytail, but it's up to you the look you want.

I don't know what kind of look I want....
I want to define my little coiled curls as all...

 

[SEMO]

I don't know what kind of look I want....
I want to define my little coiled curls as all...

If you haven't already try a Denman brush and using after shampooing, while your hair is full of conditioner. It detangles, defines curls, and promotes the hair's overall curliness.

 

[Caramel Jewel]

If you haven't already try a Denman brush and using after shampooing, while your hair is full of conditioner. It detangles, defines curls, and promotes the hair's overall curliness.

Okay Ill try it once I BC...I don't like the denman on the two textures...it feels like its ripping the hair out

but what kind of curl enhancing cream do you use...there is a lot of stuff out on the market..I wouldn't know where to start...

 

[SEMO]

I understand what you mean about the Denman. Another great alternative is the Goody Jojoba Oil infused brush (you can get one at Walmart). It doesn't have to be used when the hair is loaded with conditioner, but for naturals/transitioners it would probably work best on at least damp hair. It's like a paddle brush and the bristles are super gentle and flexible; no pulling like the Denman does at times.

As far as curl defining products I have a few things in my arsenal:
1. My newest discovery, and current favorite is Texture My Way Curl Keeper. It doesn't create culrs, but locks the ones you have in place without frizziness.
2. I also use Cantu shea butter leave in repair cream sometimes. It really makes my hair curly for some reason. It can build up over time, so I wouldn't use it if you were on a low or no shampoo routine.
3. Finally I have some IC Fantasia gel with Sparklelites. I use the one for color-treated hair b/c it has more glycerin and is more moisturizing for the hair.

NOTE:
Never, NEVER use the Cantu with the IC Fantasia gel. It creates some weird white coating that's hard to get out of the hair. Separately they work great, just not together. Also, I find that most products work better on damp or wet hair. So if you do try this products the best time would be afte a fresh shampoo or after you re-wet your hair.

 

[Caramel Jewel]

I understand what you mean about the Denman. Another great alternative is the Goody Jojoba Oil infused brush (you can get one at Walmart). It doesn't have to be used when the hair is loaded with conditioner, but for naturals/transitioners it would probably work best on at least damp hair. It's like a paddle brush and the bristles are super gentle and flexible; no pulling like the Denman does at times.

As far as curl defining products I have a few things in my arsenal:
1. My newest discovery, and current favorite is Texture My Way Curl Keeper. It doesn't create culrs, but locks the ones you have in place without frizziness.
2. I also use Cantu shea butter leave in repair cream sometimes. It really makes my hair curly for some reason. It can build up over time, so I wouldn't use it if you were on a low or no shampoo routine.
3. Finally I have some IC Fantasia gel with Sparklelites. I use the one for color-treated hair b/c it has more glycerin and is more moisturizing for the hair.

NOTE:
Never, NEVER use the Cantu with the IC Fantasia gel. It creates some weird white coating that's hard to get out of the hair. Separately they work great, just not together. Also, I find that most products work better on damp or wet hair. So if you do try this products the best time would be afte a fresh shampoo or after you re-wet your hair.

ya know wash and goes seem so ideal...but I live in a cold climate..it's like freezing right now...what do you do in the winter...I wish I could wash and go in the winter

 

[Caramel Jewel]

Yeah, shrinkage is one of those things that take a while to get used to. I haven't had a relaxer since February 2005 and I'm still getting used to my shrinkage. I transitioned until I could make a ponytail, but it's up to you the look you want.

wow I just saw your pic...you hair is so nice....I love your curls....

 

[SEMO]

I used to do a number of wash and go's during the winter. But now I live where it's much colder than I'm used to and I'm not trying to get pneumonia. I usually wash my hair at night now. I then put in my leave in's (most likely a little Africa's Best Hair Mayo, followed my the Texture My Way), then I seal in the moisture with oil. I've been loving the unrefined, extra virgin coconut oil I got from GNC. I then put my hair in a ponytail and tie a satin scarf on it. I also wear a bonnet over that just in case the scarf slips off.

In the morning I just finger fluff my hair back into place. Or if it's really smashed, or if I'm wearing it down, I'll mist my hair with some water to help the curls spring back. But I don't use a lot of water b/c I don't use a hair dryer and don't want to go out with wet hair.

On the weekends I may decide to moisturize my hair and sleep in a plastic cap overnight to deep condition my hair.

 

[SEMO]

wow I just saw your pic...you hair is so nice....I love your curls....

Thanks for the compliment.

 

[Caramel Jewel]

I used to do a number of wash and go's during the winter. But now I live where it's much colder than I'm used to and I'm not trying to get pneumonia. I usually wash my hair at night now. I then put in my leave in's (most likely a little Africa's Best Hair Mayo, followed my the Texture My Way), then I seal in the moisture with oil. I've been loving the unrefined, extra virgin coconut oil I got from GNC. I then put my hair in a ponytail and tie a satin scarf on it. I also wear a bonnet over that just in case the scarf slips off.

In the morning I just finger fluff my hair back into place. Or if it's really smashed, or if I'm wearing it down, I'll mist my hair with some water to help the curls spring back. But I don't use a lot of water b/c I don't use a hair dryer and don't want to go out with wet hair.

On the weekends I may decide to moisturize my hair and sleep in a plastic cap overnight to deep condition my hair.

how long did you go before you bc'd...i'm doing mine when it's warm again....(june will be a year) I hate these two textures...but its too short to cut now

 

[SEMO]

I stopped relaxing February 2005 and cut the last of the relaxed hair off July 2006 (so I transitioned 17 months). I did mini-chops along the way, cutting off some of the relaxed ends. I failed at my first transition and was scared I would back out again. So I cut some along the way to push me to keep going. I'm glad I did.

 

[Caramel Jewel]

I stopped relaxing February 2005 and cut the last of the relaxed hair off July 2006 (so I transitioned 17 months). I did mini-chops along the way, cutting off some of the relaxed ends. I failed at my first transition and was scared I would back out again. So I cut some along the way to push me to keep going. I'm glad I did.

during your transition how did you wear your hair...so far I've done braids and twistouts and braidouts...I'm starting to think the twist n braid outs look bad, even though I get compliments on them sometimes...I think people are lying to me...

 

[SEMO]

Honestly I am styling challenged and during my transition I mostly wore ponytails or braidouts. I also occasionally wore my hair is straw curls (using the small blue perm rods by Goody--you can get them at Walmart). I particularly like the straw set look b/c it blended the textures best of all. Plus it allowed me to see what I would look like with short little curls all over, possibly mimicking what my natural curls would look like. Surprisingly that gave me a pretty accurate picture of how my natural hair really does look. I wish I could find some old pics of my hair in this style.

Also, I'm sure your hair looks fine. Compliments mean that people went out of their way. If it was ugly then they could have just kept silent. Take those compliments and keep stepping.

 

[Caramel Jewel]

thanks for chatting with me