Struggling with your natural hair? Come in here.....

[USER=285954 said:
itsjusthair88[/USER];16804661]Umm...I'm not sure, I mean if somebody has a reggie that's not super complicated or expensive, that would be nice. But really, just anything that could help me deal with my hair, because honestly, I'm about to texlax soon if I can't get all this under control. I don't even enjoy my hair :perplexed
Click to expand...


Not ignoring your post, I am just not good with giving regimens. I am better at helping people with certain pieces. But I would have to ask a million questions to help you build a regimen. So I am leaving this to those who are better at it than I.
 
Bublin said:
@DarkJoy not drying overnight is a huge problem for me. I have about 18 braids but they are on soaking wet hair. Everything has to be done very wet hair or loaded with product. Yes I have low porisity
Click to expand...

To help dry, and this may not solve your problem but
1. Make your twists or braids smaller. Braids take longer than twists to dry.
2. Apply a t-shirt to your hair for 20 minutes to soak up excess water and product.
3. Leave your hair uncovered as long as possible to dry. Don't wrap your head until you ar ready to go to bed.
4. As soon as you get up, unwrap your hair.
5. If you are going to wear it out and your hair is damp, If you can unravel the twists or braids but do not manipulate them.
6. Let them continue to air dry until the very last moment before you have to style it.

The more your hair is allowed to receive air circulation the faster it will dry. The more hair that is piled together, the slower it will dry.
 
DarkJoy said:
Ohh @itsjusthair88--I see you live in the Bay too. Budget control and hair care is no joke where we live! Consider the cost of touch ups on top of that and its no cure for dryness either. You'll just be adding costs in the long run.

Find an Indian Market near you! sounds cray, BUT the cost of their coconut and other oils is cheapcheap! Oils cost $2.99. Including Vatika (a great hair oil) and plain oils--coconut, sunflower, etc in their food section.

If you can spare ~$12 (that's with the tax!) head to Whole Foods and pick up an Aubrey Blue Camomile Conditioner! Most hydrating condish ever! Works great as a DC too.

Shea Moisture products at Walgreens, CVS run about $10--however the Aubrey conditioners kick SM conditioners butt.

Grease runs ~$3. Yes, many LHCFers despise grease...yet, there are a secret sect of us (me included) find that it works! I went against the grain and got some--instant stop to SSKs! A fingerful on damp or wet styled hair before bed is all it takes! And it really locks-in moisture.
____

My single mom budget and simple reggi allow this (I get min 3-months from commercial products using them for 2 people):

Cleansing/Conditioning

  • prepoo with vatika oil (2.99 per bottle)
  • SM purification mask ($10 a jar)
  • co wash with a Wen knockoff (Lisa Rachel-only $8 a bottle)
  • tea rinse (less than $1 a batch) for added moisture and strength
  • DC (aubrey = $12), rinse.
Styling

  • Home made flax gel (less than $1 a batch) for wash n go
  • castor oil ($7)
  • moist twist outs with $3 grease.
I also home-make other things that save cash, but understand that not everyone wants to bother being a mixtress...
Click to expand...

DarkJoy Girl, the Bay is NO JOKE rent is a killer! lol thanks for the recommendations, I cannot thank you enough. I will be looking for an Indian store this week and although I despise Whole Foods, I may swing by there when I get paid, can I ask you a few questions???

1. What tea rinse do you use? How does it add moisture? I have plenty of tea, how do you use it?
2. How do you make flax seed gel? I want to try it
3. Where do you get the WEN knock off from? I want to stop using shampoo

THANKS...and I don't mind being a mixtress, I usually mix oils and condish anyway to stretch them out.

faithVA said:
Not ignoring your post, I am just not good with giving regimens. I am better at helping people with certain pieces. But I would have to ask a million questions to help you build a regimen. So I am leaving this to those who are better at it than I.
Click to expand...

faithVA it's OK, I understand I asked a lot...I guess what I really want a way to keep my ends moisturized and to figure out if I need protein in my reggie, which I think I do, I just don't know what kind of protein to use, etc. Thanks!
 
itsjusthair88 said:
@DarkJoy Girl, the Bay is NO JOKE rent is a killer! lol thanks for the recommendations, I cannot thank you enough.

1. What tea rinse do you use? How does it add moisture? I have plenty of tea, how do you use it?
2. How do you make flax seed gel? I want to try it
3. Where do you get the WEN knock off from? I want to stop using shampoo

THANKS...and I don't mind being a mixtress, I usually mix oils and condish anyway to stretch them out.
Click to expand...
@itsjusthair88, girl--rent, food, gas (is it REALLY almost $4.40 a gal lately?!?!) ugh...

Flax seed gel recipe by Naptural85 (I stir in castor oil and whatever other oil on hand with EO right after straining). Refrigerate! Yes, it DOES make the hair crispy like any other gel. Doesnt seem to be damaging my fragile hair, tho... *knocks wood* Seems to fend off my ssks too--and I was plagued by them.

Wen knockoff (Lisa Rachel) I at the black BSS not general ones like Sally's. DOesn't smell as good but I ain't paying for Wen right now.

Whole Foods shopping list
-flax seeds: buy in the bulk section. the packaged ones cost too much. buy what you can afford and not a $15 container. ridiculous!

-Aubrey Blue Camo Condish and/or GPB or Honey Suckle Rose

-Giovanni Direct Leave-in, 50:50 condish ($15 ish): People swear by this line...My hair didn't like. Yours may like.

-Herbs/Teas (see below): if you wanna try something exotic or diff, go to the BULK tea area. Tons cheaper!! Sure, some say $15 a pound, but do you know how many leaves it takes to make a pound?! Damn near a kitchen garbage bag (lol!) You'd be drinking and pouring tea for 5 years! I usually get $3 - $4 worth of whatever and have enough for a couple months... Just weigh and do the math...Cheaper than the fancy box ones...

Teas (challenge link in my siggie)
-lotta ladies like the black teas like lipton, green teas, herbal teas, or your leftover coffee...as long as there's no sweeteners and artificial flavors. They slow the shedding process and keep it thick(er) and stronger (depending on the herb). Gotta experiment to see which your hair likes best... Just make a cup of tea, let it sit for a while and cool then pour it over your head after washing! Some add their DC on top. You can store some in the fridge in a spray bottle and use it like a leave-in/refresher once you find what your hair likes.

You can always PM me, if you like...
Keep us posted!
 
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itsjusthair88

You have gotten some great suggestions for a cheap products from DarkJoy. I'll share mine with you. I have always promised myself that I'd never spend more than $10 on a hair product. Can you believe that I never have? The most expensive product I've purchased in almost 2.5 years is Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie for $9.99. Didn't even repurchase :lol:

Okay, here's my list:

Cleansing & Refreshing Hair
Black Soap- You can get from the drug store for about $3-4 a bar. I have a BSS that carries it, so I get it there)
VO5- It's good for removing a little product build up and to refresh my hair between washes if I need it. $0.89 a bottle at Walmart

Detangler & Conditioner
Tresemme Naturals- About $4. It's on sale pretty often in places like Walmart, Walgreens, etc.

Leave-In
I make my own leave-in. Recipe is:
3/4 cup Aloe Vera Gel- Fruit Of The Earth $4
1/4 cup crisco- $5 for a big container. It lasts about 3 months
2 tbsps Grapeseed Oil- $6 bottle
1 tbsp Castor Oil- $5 for a small bottle

Moisturizer
Aloe Vera Juice- $8 Gallon

Styler
Flaxseed Gel- $4 24oz Flaxseeds @ grocery store in baking aisle
Honey- (Goes in the flaxseed gel to give it a firm hold. About $5)
Sometimes I just style with my leave-in.

I'm on a budget and a cheap skate in general. :)
 
I think I just undid all my work. I prepoo'd overnight with African Pride Olive Mix. I washed with an ACV rinse earlier then applied my leave-ins. My hair was super dry after and I could hear the comb tearing through it as I prepped my hair for cornrows. Did the ACV dry my hair out or was the cause not using DC? My hair was moist after the pre-poo?
 
@DarkJoy @HanaKuroi @faithVA

Ladies thank you for all the advice.

This morning I bought a small bottle of VO5 Revive Me Daily Conditioner for just 99p and Curly Q's Cleansing Cream.

I got home early this afternoon and this is what I did.......

Rinsed with water
Co-washed with the VO5, rinsed, applied more VO5 and applied the cleansing cream to 2 small patches on my head where it always itches. Rinsed.
Applied Keracare Humecto and Castor Oil and put on a conditioning cap for 30 mins.
Rinsed and used the VO5 to comb through my hair....alot easier than usual.

At this point my curls looked very hydrated and popped. My hair felt strangely very clean and no where near as tangled. Put in four big twists and put a t-shirt on my head for about 10 minutes to soak up extra moisture.

I then applied Blue Magic Herbal Leave-in and sealed with castor oil. Put in 16 braids and right now it's on course to be completely dry in the morning.

I'm touching my hair and it feels very very soft. No itchy scalp.

I now see that co-washing has everything to do with the actual conditioner you use.
 
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2ndsbetter said:
I think I just undid all my work. I prepoo'd overnight with African Pride Olive Mix. I washed with an ACV rinse earlier then applied my leave-ins. My hair was super dry after and I could hear the comb tearing through it as I prepped my hair for cornrows. Did the ACV dry my hair out or was the cause not using DC? My hair was moist after the pre-poo?
Click to expand...

Maybe it was the ACV. Not using a DC shouldn't make your hair feel dry. Maybe it was the wrong ratio.
 
Bublin said:
@DarkJoy @HanaKuroi @faithVA

Ladies thank you for all the advice.

This morning I bought a small bottle of VO5 Revive Me Daily Conditioner for just 99p and Curly Q's Cleansing Cream.

I got home early this afternoon and this is what I did.......

Rinsed with water
Co-washed with the VO5, rinsed, applied more VO5 and applied the cleansing cream to 2 small patches on my head where it always itches. Rinsed.
Applied Keracare Humecto and Castor Oil and put on a conditioning cap for 30 mins.
Rinsed and used the VO5 to comb through my hair....alot easier than usual.

At this point my curls looked very hydrated and popped. My hair felt strangely very clean and no where near as tangled. Put in four big twists and put a t-shirt on my head for about 10 minutes to soak up extra moisture.

I then applied Blue Magic Herbal Leave-in and sealed with castor oil. Put in 16 braids and right now it's on course to be completely dry in the morning.

I'm touching my hair and it feels very very soft. No itchy scalp.

I now see that co-washing has everything to do with the actual conditioner you use.
Click to expand...

Let us know how it turns out. Glad it seems to be working out better.
 
faithVA said:
Maybe it was the ACV. Not using a DC shouldn't make your hair feel dry. Maybe it was the wrong ratio.
Click to expand...

Perhaps. I used to 2tbsp ACV to 4 cups of H20. The fact that my hair felt like it wasn't penetrated by the leave-ins after ACV makes me think I'm low porosity or using the wrong leave-ins. After checking other threads, I'm thinking of investing in the Komaza Hair Care Analysis or the one from Live Curly Live Free.
 
[USER=346351 said:
2ndsbetter[/USER];16811141]Perhaps. I used to 2tbsp ACV to 4 cups of H20. The fact that my hair felt like it wasn't penetrated by the leave-ins after ACV makes me think I'm low porosity or using the wrong leave-ins. After checking other threads, I'm thinking of investing in the Komaza Hair Care Analysis or the one from Live Curly Live Free.
Click to expand...

From what I read you want to dilute it to 2 TBSP for a litre of water. I don't do them but they were talking about this in the Komaza Care thread today.

Do you usually have an issue with your leave-ins? What leave-ins did you use?

Not sure that you need an analysis yet, but if you do decide to get one, it's worth paying the extra money for the Komaza Care. But hold on that for a moment. Let's see if we can figure out what happened today.
 
faithVA I use CON lemongrass & rosemary leave-in then sealed with a shea butter mix. To be honest, they have never really been that good for me. I colored a few weeks ago & have baggied for GHE to combat dryness so I don't want to blame the color.
 
2ndsbetter said:
I think I just undid all my work. I prepoo'd overnight with African Pride Olive Mix. I washed with an ACV rinse earlier then applied my leave-ins. My hair was super dry after and I could hear the comb tearing through it as I prepped my hair for cornrows. Did the ACV dry my hair out or was the cause not using DC? My hair was moist after the pre-poo?
Click to expand...
Okay, here are the ingredients in the African Pride Mix:

Ingredients: Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Persia Gratissima (Avocado) Oil [contains Vitamins B2, D, A, E, K, and Potassium], Linum Usitassimum (Flax) Seed Oil, Equisetum Hiemale (Horsetail) Extract, Silk Amino Acids, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Protein, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Pheny Trimenthicone, CI47000 (D&C Yellow 11), CI 61565 (D&C Green #6), TBHQ, Propylparaben, Parfum (Fragrance), Lanolin Oil, C12-C14 Alkyl Benzoate

There are a bunch of ingredients that can make your hair hard. It has lots of protein. Protein can male your hair hard if you don't properly moisturize. Also some people can't tolerate protein at all.

Eta: is this the right one.
 
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2ndsbetter said:
I think I just undid all my work. I prepoo'd overnight with African Pride Olive Mix. I washed with an ACV rinse earlier then applied my leave-ins. My hair was super dry after and I could hear the comb tearing through it as I prepped my hair for cornrows. Did the ACV dry my hair out or was the cause not using DC? My hair was moist after the pre-poo?
Click to expand...
oh noooooo @2ndsbetter! sorrrrrry you're having a bad hair day!

What's this African Pride product? What's the name? Is it a condish? Please share...it sounds like protein overload....

ETA. nvm...hana handled it...lol... woooooooow! That's hella protein: Silk Amino Acids, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Protein, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, PLUS the wheat germ oil which is kinda proteiny

Get a moisture DC quick! use heat, steam...
 
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Bublin said:
@DarkJoy @HanaKuroi @faithVA

Ladies thank you for all the advice.

This morning I bought a small bottle of VO5 Revive Me Daily Conditioner for just 99p and Curly Q's Cleansing Cream.

I got home early this afternoon and this is what I did.......

Rinsed with water
Co-washed with the VO5, rinsed, applied more VO5 and applied the cleansing cream to 2 small patches on my head where it always itches. Rinsed.
Applied Keracare Humecto and Castor Oil and put on a conditioning cap for 30 mins.
Rinsed and used the VO5 to comb through my hair....alot easier than usual.

At this point my curls looked very hydrated and popped. My hair felt strangely very clean and no where near as tangled. Put in four big twists and put a t-shirt on my head for about 10 minutes to soak up extra moisture.

I then applied Blue Magic Herbal Leave-in and sealed with castor oil. Put in 16 braids and right now it's on course to be completely dry in the morning.

I'm touching my hair and it feels very very soft. No itchy scalp.

I now see that co-washing has everything to do with the actual conditioner you use.
Click to expand...

I am glad things are improving. Yay!
 
2ndsbetter said:
@faithVA I use CON lemongrass & rosemary leave-in then sealed with a shea butter mix. To be honest, they have never really been that good for me. I colored a few weeks ago & have baggied for GHE to combat dryness so I don't want to blame the color.
Click to expand...

The ladies are saying it's protein overload but I don't know if it is or not. You have a lot of different things going on right now so it's hard to pinpoint what's going on. You have color, an overnight prepoo and ACV.

I do agree with doing a moisturizing DC just to see if you can get some balance to your hair.
 
faithVA said:
The ladies are saying it's protein overload but I don't know if it is or not. You have a lot of different things going on right now so it's hard to pinpoint what's going on. You have color, an overnight prepoo and ACV.

I do agree with doing a moisturizing DC just to see if you can get some balance to your hair.
Click to expand...


All I have in the house right now is the CON Intense Conditioning Treatment. I may try that. What do you all think of making a spritz of water and conditioner? I have Curls Coconut Curladd, Suave Almond & Shea Butter and VO5 Moisture Milks. Thanks to everyone for all your help:grin:
 
2ndsbetter said:
All I have in the house right now is the CON Intense Conditioning Treatment. I may try that. What do you all think of making a spritz of water and conditioner? I have Curls Coconut Curladd, Suave Almond & Shea Butter and VO5 Moisture Milks. Thanks to everyone for all your help:grin:
Click to expand...

Before you try anything you need to read the labels and figure out if it is a moisturizing or strengthening/protein conditioner. I know the moisture milks has protein. I don't know about the others.
 
Hair profile? 3c/4a. Fine strands. Wavy in the front and curly in the back

Regimen and products? Wet it daily with either steam from the shower or spray bottle. I oil scalp and re-seal ends daily with Mix #1. When I'm bored, I massage my temples to stimulate that area. I cowash twice a week with one of the following: Organix Tea Tree, Organix Coconut or Suave Shea Butter. If I have it, I also use DevaCurl One Condition. I wash my hair with shampoo at least once a week with Suave Shea Butter shampoo, Nexxus Therappe Luxurious Hydrating Shampoo, or DevaCurl No Poo (again if I have it). I detangle my hair at least once a week.
I do not have a concrete leave in. I have been using Ojon Hydrating Leave In and it's pretty good.
Currently, I dc once a week with Osmo Essence intensive deep repair mask if I've just had extensions. I also use Redken Butter Soft, ORS Olive Oil or Moroccan Oil Hydrating Mask. Sometimes I use heat and other times, I use two processing caps and a towel.

Mix #1 (my creation): 3 oz EVOO, .5 oz Tea Tree Oil, and .5oz Vatika Coconut oil. I mix this in a bottle that can be used with applicator caps. I find the applicator cap is effective when oiling the scalp in sections or when I'm wearing a net weave.

How do you style your hair? I usually wear my hair out with a soft headband to keep it off my face. Sometimes, I pull it back into a pony puff.

What problems do you have with your hair?
1. My hair has thinned out due to stress and my edges have thinned. I can see my scalp. It thinned while I had a weave so the next one that I got, I had more of my hair left out so that I could pay special care to that area.
2. It doesn't clump together in curls anymore.
3. My hair is so dry. I drink lots of water, eat pretty healthy and take daily vitamins (Green Active Women's from GNC and a calcium supplement)
4. I only know how to a twist out and have had only one successful twist out.
 
DarkChyld said:
Hair profile? 3c/4a. Fine strands. Wavy in the front and curly in the back

What problems do you have with your hair?
1. My hair has thinned out due to stress and my edges have thinned. I can see my scalp. It thinned while I had a weave so the next one that I got, I had more of my hair left out so that I could pay special care to that area.
2. It doesn't clump together in curls anymore.
3. My hair is so dry. I drink lots of water, eat pretty healthy and take daily vitamins (Green Active Women's from GNC and a calcium supplement)
4. I only know how to a twist out and have had only one successful twist out.
Click to expand...

Welcome @DarkChyld I recommend that you first learn why your hair is thinning by consulting a medical profession. You mentioned stress but it may be a condition that you are not aware of. I posted many moons ago that my sister suffered from dry, brittle thinning hair and it turned out she had a thyroid condition.

Although weaves and braids are used for protective styling if done tightly they can pull hair damaging the root causing traction alopecia which contributes to thin hair. Also, the needles used in attaching the weave can pierce you hair shaft causing mid shaft split and other damage that break hair. Once you found the source of your thinning hair, then you can work on regaining volume, body and length.
 
Last edited:
[USER=201580 said:
DarkChyld[/USER];16814575]Hair profile? 3c/4a. Fine strands. Wavy in the front and curly in the back



What problems do you have with your hair?
1. My hair has thinned out due to stress and my edges have thinned. I can see my scalp. It thinned while I had a weave so the next one that I got, I had more of my hair left out so that I could pay special care to that area.
2. It doesn't clump together in curls anymore.
3. My hair is so dry. I drink lots of water, eat pretty healthy and take daily vitamins (Green Active Women's from GNC and a calcium supplement)
4. I only know how to a twist out and have had only one successful twist out.
Click to expand...

Welcome :bighug:

Sorry about your thinning. But you can reverse so stay hopeful. While you are trying to reverse it you probably should stay away from weaves and extensions and give it a break.

I know you may not have your styling skills where you want, but for all of us it takes practice. And you are worth the investment.
 
DarkChyld said:
Hair profile? 3c/4a. Fine strands. Wavy in the front and curly in the back

Regimen and products? Wet it daily with either steam from the shower or spray bottle. I oil scalp and re-seal ends daily with Mix #1. When I'm bored, I massage my temples to stimulate that area. I cowash twice a week with one of the following: Organix Tea Tree, Organix Coconut or Suave Shea Butter. If I have it, I also use DevaCurl One Condition. I wash my hair with shampoo at least once a week with Suave Shea Butter shampoo, Nexxus Therappe Luxurious Hydrating Shampoo, or DevaCurl No Poo (again if I have it). I detangle my hair at least once a week.
I do not have a concrete leave in. I have been using Ojon Hydrating Leave In and it's pretty good.
Currently, I dc once a week with Osmo Essence intensive deep repair mask if I've just had extensions. I also use Redken Butter Soft, ORS Olive Oil or Moroccan Oil Hydrating Mask. Sometimes I use heat and other times, I use two processing caps and a towel.

Mix #1 (my creation): 3 oz EVOO, .5 oz Tea Tree Oil, and .5oz Vatika Coconut oil. I mix this in a bottle that can be used with applicator caps. I find the applicator cap is effective when oiling the scalp in sections or when I'm wearing a net weave.

How do you style your hair? I usually wear my hair out with a soft headband to keep it off my face. Sometimes, I pull it back into a pony puff.

What problems do you have with your hair?
1. My hair has thinned out due to stress and my edges have thinned. I can see my scalp. It thinned while I had a weave so the next one that I got, I had more of my hair left out so that I could pay special care to that area.
2. It doesn't clump together in curls anymore.
3. My hair is so dry. I drink lots of water, eat pretty healthy and take daily vitamins (Green Active Women's from GNC and a calcium supplement)
4. I only know how to a twist out and have had only one successful twist out.
Click to expand...

things stand out to me. Your conditioners and your lack of moisturizing and sealing in your regimen. Also the weekly shampooing.

I had some of those conditioners and I think they have silicones. Some people are able to use them without problems. Sometimes silicones can build up and block your hair from receiving moisture and require a sulfate shampoo to remove them. Sulfate shampoos are quite drying.

Are your conditioners moisturizing or strengthening? I decided to research your conditioners (can't sleep) and I don't like what I found.
The organix conditioners have at least 3 types of proteins and dimethicone high on the ingredients list. They don't seem to be moisturizing at all. The reviews say that these conditioners dried out their hair.
The Suave Shea Butter conditioner reviews are the most disturbing. It can cause thinning and hair to fall out. Here is the link be your own judge. http://www.makeupalley.com/product/x_showreview.asp?ItemID=128152

End of reply part 1. I just lost half of my reply. I have more to add but the app messed up. I will post this now before I lose this too.
 
The Nexxus Therappe seems to be a sulfate shampoo which would strip all the cones from your hair and any moisture and any oils making your hair even drier. (I am not sure if my reply about cones was deleted, I can't see while replying using this app) Cowashing with silicones that may keep out moisture, not moisturizing and sealing, dcing with silicones (one of you dcs seems quite nice) and removing with a sulfate shampoo is probably making your dryness worse.

I am guessing you are in the UK based on one of the products you use. The dc that you use after weave removal seems to be very good!

How do you feel about altering your regimen?

Eta: I didn't have the energy to retype everything that was deleted with my thumb. :(

Eta2: the redken buttersoft and the ors have silicones. The morrocon oil iirc is okay but I would use the osmo dc.
 
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