I experienced a huge knot that formed from a single strand knot. I had to cut it out. I've experienced breakage over the past year from letting my hair go too long without detangling. I've had quite a bit of shedding and I lost a lot of hair when I got it pressed at the salon recently. The breakage resulted in thinning ends. I'm "in recovery" now and have opted for more frequent trims and combing. Basically in an effort to keep the hair from getting matted.
WSL and Beyond ladies:
Over the years have you found that deep conditioning weekly or every other week works best? Or has it mattered?
As your hair grows do you get a lot of lead hairs that look scraggly or no? Based on the info so far it sounds like if you are getting them you leave them alone (thinking about Chicoro's advice).
WSL and Beyond ladies: Over the years have you found that deep conditioning weekly or every other week works best? Or has it mattered? As your hair grows do you get a lot of lead hairs that look scraggly or no? Based on the info so far it sounds like if you are getting them you leave them alone (thinking about Chicoro's advice).
WSL and Beyond ladies:
Over the years have you found that deep conditioning weekly or every other week works best? Or has it mattered?
As your hair grows do you get a lot of lead hairs that look scraggly or no? Based on the info so far it sounds like if you are getting them you leave them alone (thinking about Chicoro's advice).
when the seasons change I DC weekly, I always moisturize daily cause that's what got me to WL. I've learned to leave my lead hairs alone if I really want to get to the next length goal. Chasing blunt ends has done more damage than good, if I need a trim or S&D I do it but I don't cut massive length anymore cause uneven doesn't mean unhealthy. It's better to blunt once your goal is reached +2 inches (for the trim) then you'll have your goal length and blunt ends. HHG
Did any of you ladies ever have a problem with growing the back/middle section of your hair? That's the spot that wont grow right for me
@caliscurls
It really depends on what my hair needs but I lean towards deep conditioning at least 2x a month whether my hair needs it or not, I also alternate a light protein DC in my rotation, but when the seasons change I DC weekly, I always moisturize daily cause that's what got me to WL.
I've learned to leave my lead hairs alone if I really want to get to the next length goal. Chasing blunt ends has done more damage than good, if I need a trim or S&D I do it but I don't cut massive length anymore cause uneven doesn't mean unhealthy. It's better to blunt once your goal is reached +2 inches (for the trim) then you'll have your goal length and blunt ends. HHG
Thank you and thanks to everyone that answered. I am finding that when the season changes my hair does in fact need extra attention but I didn't up the DCs until now.
Lead hairs drive me crazy, especially with my natural pronounced v in the back. I just need to learn to let them be.
I finally realizing this!!!! They drive me crazy as well and I became super self conscious about them when I had another BW (my boss at the time) say "Oh you're hair looks gorgeous...now you just need to cut those ends" erplexed I never wanted it to look like ihad struggle-length. , so for the past 6 years I've always had VERY blunt ends and haven't made it past bsl. A year or so ago i realized the stylist was always cutting to my shortest layer and I was losing about 4 in each cut I cut (not trim) at least 2x year and I just need to stop!!! ETA: When wearing your hair down, how are you all masking lead/uneven hair? rollersets? curls?
Lucia Thanks for sharing your knowledge in this thread! What's the difference between full moon dust/trimming vs. the Moroccan method? Sent from my Speak & Spell using LHCF
There may be hope for me yet!!! I broke through the APL barrier earlier this year!!!!
Did you reach your goal of top of jeans yet?Ok so Im definitely WSL now but I have hair anorexia. Im going for the top of my jeans.
My favorite conditioner is V05 because I go thru a bottle in 2 "washes". I can't remember the last time I used shampoo. A few months ago maybe? I am 2 years post. The shortest my hair has ever been is nape length that was by choice. Before that it was BSL and I was annoyed with the length (the angst of youth). Thru all my hair abuse the shortest my hair ever got from abuse is shoulder length. I find that basic is best. I heat style maybe once a month. My go to style is a braid out that I redo on wednesdays and saturdays. If not its a wet bun or wet ponytail.
You can say grazing if some of your hair is there.Well, only just those few precocious hairs are...
I believe @CurlyRy's hair hangs WL or longer in its curly state.WL & beyond ladies:
1) what is your hair type?
I'm 3B/3C curly in between SL & AL but only WL straight.
2) Any curly haired girls WL curly? If not what length are you curly?
1. If you get them: How do you deal with tangles, matting, SSK (single strand knots) dry hair, itchy scalp? My AVJ + coconut oil prepoo & seamless combs take care of tangles. I don't get matting. SSKs have been reduced by not wearing my hair in fros and puffs, and at longer lengths I've had to stop doing twists. Regular DCs and a daily leave in have helped with dryness. And washing once a week takes care of my scalp. I don't oil or grease it in between.
2. How often do you trim, dust or S&D the knots and SSK's only when you need? I normally dust every 3-4 months unless my ends need attention, but its rare to dust more often than that.
3. What are your staple products and how do you use them? CV shampoo bars, AVJ, mango butter, various oils, coconut milk. I prepoo, shampoo, and DC once a week.
4. Do you still do wash n go's, what products do you use to get your WnG look? No WNGs for me.
5. What's your straight/stretched length now front and back of hair? And what's you goal length or how long will you let your hair grow? I keep the front layered. I think the shortest layer is chin length and the longest is MBL. I'm WL in the back. I wouldn't go longer than classic.
6. Has your hair ever been this long before? My mom says my hair was past waist length as a child. I can't say for sure because I never cared much about the length. I just knew out was long and people always commented on it. As a teen/adult the longest I remember is MBL.
7. For naturals: What do you say to naturals who are getting discouraged and ready to give up on being natural and go back on the creamy crack (relaxers/perms/texturizers)? I love being natural and I've never really struggled with it, but I respect that everyones journey is different. I would encourage naturals to give it time because it can take a while to find the right regimen and products for your hair. At the end of the day you have to do what's best for you.
I responded to this thread years ago, so I thought I'd give an update since it's been bumped.
1. If you get them: How do you deal with tangles, matting, SSK (single strand knots) dry hair, itchy scalp? My issues with tangling have decreased dramatically over the years. I shampoo, then DC for an hour, then comb with my jumbo rake under running water in the shower. It only takes maybe 10-15 min to detangle my whole head. I don't get very many SSKs either. I S&D each time I get my hair straightened, but I don't have a lot of SSKs or split ends. My scalp is generally in good shape. If I have to stretch my washes, I like to use a Q tip and some Sea Breeze on my scalp to keep it from flaking or itching.
2. How often do you trim, dust or S&D the knots and SSK's only when you need? same as before
3. What are your staple products and how do you use them? I use Elucence MB shampoo and Silk Dreams VS or Aubrey Organics to DC. I'm experimenting with a moisturizer, so I haven't found a staple yet. I only wash every 2-4 weeks now and I don't pre-poo anymore. I also don't bother with making my own concoctions anymore.
4. Do you still do wash n go's, what products do you use to get your WnG look? Still no
5. What's your straight/stretched length now front and back of hair? And what's you goal length or how long will you let your hair grow? I grew out the layers so it's basically the same length all over now (hip length). I definitely wouldn't go longer than classic, maybe not longer than tailbone. Over the past 5 years I've gone back and forth between waist and hip, but this is my first time being full hip length.
The answers to 6 and 7 haven't changed.
Lead hairs, I have a lead section, waiting for the rest to catch up so hard. That's why I've upped my moisturizing products.@Lucia
WSL checking in! I really like looking at my old posts (likes what's above) and seeing how far I've come. The lead hairs still drive me crazy though!
For the past year I've kept my hair in loose twists 24/7 with a scalp treatment, wash, protein treatment and deep condition every week to 2 weeks. I also finger detangled exclusively.
More recently I've taken the loose twists out (just wanted a change) and have rocked a bun. My wash routine is about the same. What changes based on the season is the type of oil or butter I use. More oils and butters are used in the winter. It's also worth noting that getting to waist length was achieved primarily through:
- very low manipulation
- consistency in product usage
- keeping my hair stretched and my ends protected
- making sure the protein and moisture treatments are balanced
Edit: regarding moisturizing and sealing, outside of winter when my hair needs more attention at times, I only moisturize and seal every few days after wash day as opposed to daily. With the protein/moisture level being balanced I find I don't need to moisture and seal daily. In fact my hair does better without it.
HHJ!
For number 3 response where are you finding Aubrey's even though they're going out of business and changed their formulas ?