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

[Bublin]

I doubt that you have to saturate your hair That doesn't sound right. Maybe those wearing a WNG saturate their hair to get their curls to hold. Try using less. It will still be wet, but that's the case with any gel. What type of style are you doing?

I'm doing a braids for a braid-out. Yes, I'll just coat my hair instead of saturating because I was like huh? I just airdried now my hair is soaking wet again . (I've never really been a gel user, except for edges)

 

[JessieLeleB]

Sally's sells Hair One and As I Am.
Of Course there's the infamous Wen
L'Oreal also sells a cleansing conditioner.

Those are all I know on the ground.

Another question that I'm sure has been answered but what's makes a conditioner cleansing also, compared to just a conditioner, I mean I thought cowashing was like cleansing and conditioning, so what exactly in the product makes it cleansing conditioner?

 

[frobellete]

@Cruzankink Thank you very much for your advice. I have decided to stop using extensions until at least next year and see how I go, if all goes well I will never use them again until I develop a good understanding of my hair. Also, I bought a denman brush a while back and used it just once, I will stay away from it for a while.

Once I finish my stash I will consider using products without silicones and sulphates in them for a while (when I shampoo I use either the aphogee moisturising shampoo or the tresemme naturals shampoo they both have sulfates - I dont poo each time I wash my hair). If anybody knows of any online resources about silicones and ingredients to look out for when I buy products please let me know.

I washed my hair last night and just finished installing medium twists for the week ahead. As I was detangling (finger detangling) my hair didnt feel dry but felt quit strong I think the 2 step aphogee I used last week worked, so I co washed and detangled with tresemme and dc'd with Alter Ego - rinsed with tea and rinsed out the tea. I used kimmay tube's leave in and used coco nut oil this morning to twist my hair. I am not very good at self styling, the twists arent the best but they will do for the week.

I still experienced some breakage but it had reduced by maybe 70%, I am happy with the progress.

You also mentioned that I should pay particular attention to moisture levels on my hair considering I am using some products with cones. I have also decided to do GHE every other day and see how it all goes.

I intended to trim my hair but I misplaced my scissors so I will trim next week. I havent trimmed since July.

Again, thank you for the support.

 

[The Princess]

Still hanging in there. My curl pattern is really changing. It's softer and looser. I never would have thought. I'm still doing the CG method, it really make a difference.

 

[faithVA]

Another question that I'm sure has been answered but what's makes a conditioner cleansing also, compared to just a conditioner, I mean I thought cowashing was like cleansing and conditioning, so what exactly in the product makes it cleansing conditioner?

Not 100% sure but cleansing conditioners generally have few emollients in it to be left on the hair vs. moisturizing conditioners which are designed to leave a layer of emollients on the hair. I think most conditioners contain a surfactant anyway so they can also cleanse to a degree.

 

[nlamr2013]

what do you guys do with oil that doesnt really work for your hair?

 

[JJamiah]

I dislike my hair texture.... seems that every time before I WaS natural, this is the point of change, either cut, put away for a year or two, cut, cut, or cut. I'd love it the 1st year plus....then it gets ugly.

I remember getting twist in 1999 for my baby shower, after being natural 2 years and shaved my head bald again!

I like my hair short natural, hubby likes it long period........I just wanna like this mess on my head! I don't mean to offend anyone who likes Jheri curls, but on me It isn't cute or sexy! I plan on wigging it for a while. Just kinda sad......wanted to vent....

I bought 10 headbands some really fancy.... I felt less ick and more chic.... still out 100% on It yet!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using LHCF

 

[czyfaith77]

what do you guys do with oil that doesnt really work for your hair?

It depends on the purpose of each oil. I either mix them together as on oil with each one properties working together , use them to enhance deep conditioners, use them for my skin namely cuticles and feet. Or..... Swap with some one.

 

[charmtreese]

How can you tell the density of your natural hair without straightening it.

My relaxed hair was visibly low density, however my natural hair appears very dense.

I know I have the same amount of hair follicles relaxed or natural....but it just seems like I have more hair as a natural.

 

[Cruzankink]

Update:

When I did my cut in Aug., I thought I would never see signs of breakage again... well, atleast not soon. But as I massaged the DC in my hair today I saw tiny pieces of hair. Nothing alarming or even noticeable but they were present. I'm surprised since my ends are not rough and dry as it was prior to my Aug. cut. I can handle that the tiny bits are due to some reason like old dry ends, or I need more protein. But I cant cope if it still breakage from heat damage.

I promised I will not trim again until the results of my 2nd Komaza hair analysis in November and I will not break it. I just hope that its not heat damage. Anyway, the struggle continues...

 

[DarkJoy]

Has the weather begun changing in your locale Cruzankink? its been much drier here the last 3 weeks or so and I've noticed those little broke bits and more shedding. Been upping the castor oil and grease (see heavy sealing thread) and its relieved it mostly.

I can tell its the enviro and not me. My skin is ashy as hayl too!

 

[NewlyNature12]

My hair has been extra frizzy lately. I co-washed today and used this pomade to seal instead of jojoba oil. I hope it prevents frizz a little better.

 

[Anakinsmomma]

Had to start heavy sealing. It JUST started getting cooler and my hair is drying out like crazy!

 

[Austro-Afrikana]

I have no idea how to style my hair. It is so frustrating! I love twists and flat twist styles but my hair is too fine to do those styles. It is so annoying that I am confined to the same style alllll the time.

 

[Love718]

I was in a rush to put box braids in my head and now i miss my hair something serious and its only been one week! Im just so tired of thus style already

 

[Cruzankink]

Has the weather begun changing in your locale @Cruzankink? its been much drier here the last 3 weeks or so and I've noticed those little broke bits and more shedding. Been upping the castor oil and grease (see heavy sealing thread) and its relieved it mostly.

I can tell its the enviro and not me. My skin is ashy as hayl too!

@DarkJoy There's a heavy sealing thread?! Does heavy sealing help breakage? I live in the Caribbean. The weather here is always hot and humid but it gets a tad cooler between Nov - March.

 

[BraunSugar]

Cruzankink Heavy Sealing Thread

 

[DarkJoy]

Thanks for putting up the link BraunSugar!

Also Cruzankink, you could just be finding your natural 'dusting' schedule? Its been a couple months, yes? I can't remember. They could just be needing a tiny clipping...

 

[Cruzankink]

Thanks for putting up the link @BraunSugar!

Also @Cruzankink, you could just be finding your natural 'dusting' schedule? Its been a couple months, yes? I can't remember. They could just be needing a tiny clipping...

DarkJoy I think you're right. I'll incorporate a dusting every 2 mos in my reggie. Since it has been 2 months, I'll just dust them on my post-relax anniversary next week. I'll check out the thread thanks BraunSugar.

 

[DarkJoy]

Ha! No more struggling (for a little while). Crochet braids!! I matched my hair texture and length so well my daughter was confused! She just stared. No comments at work, just confused blinking. Lol.

Will Ps until winter w/ 2x daily moisturizing. I dusted before I put them in and applied ao blue camo and coco/shea butter mixed. Keeping them for 3 weeks, take down, detangle, wash, redo.

Commercial braid sprays have too much glycerin and leave nasty buildup so I made my own. It has my scalp and hair's favorite things: nettle/burdock tea with a touch of glycerin, grapeseed oil, camelia oil, sunflower oil. Will see how this works.

 

[thiathia]

I bc'ed in May after transitioning for 8 months but am tired of ssk.

 

[HanaKuroi]

Ha! No more struggling (for a little while). Crochet braids!! I matched my hair texture and length so well my daughter was confused! She just stared. No comments at work, just confused blinking. Lol.

Will Ps until winter w/ 2x daily moisturizing. I dusted before I put them in and applied ao blue camo and coco/shea butter mixed. Keeping them for 3 weeks, take down, detangle, wash, redo.

Commercial braid sprays have too much glycerin and leave nasty buildup so I made my own. It has my scalp and hair's favorite things: nettle/burdock tea with a touch of glycerin, grapeseed oil, camelia oil, sunflower oil. Will see how this works.

DarkJoy did you do these yourself? I cornrowed DD hair and I am about to attempt crochet braids.

Do you have a tutorial? Suggestions? Pictures? Advice?

 

[BraunSugar]

Cruzankink You're welcome!

 

[DarkJoy]

DarkJoy did you do these yourself? I cornrowed DD hair and I am about to attempt crochet braids.

Do you have a tutorial? Suggestions? Pictures? Advice?

HanaKuroi, I will give you more detail when I'm home from work. On the app now. Will def put up pics too. Have you visited the crochet braids thread?

Man...there's a thread for everything on lhcf!

 

[faithVA]

I have been playing around with saturating my hair with the leave-in mixed with AVG. And that worked better than just applying the product straight. But it still leaves my hair feel very crunchy. I could apply less but that wasn't working either. But I think I've made enough progress to make a few changes. So going to play around with order a little bit.

On next wash day going to cowash, then apply oil, apply the leave-in mix and then a heavier cream as my last step. I am hoping that the oil will push the water into the cuticle or at least trap it inside. I may do one side without the heavy cream and the other side with.

Even though my hair has been crunchy, I have great definition. And my breakage is minimal.

 

[Cruzankink]

Let me know how the twist defining cream works out. I bought the jelly I couldn't figure out whether I wanted the cream or the jelly. Still not sure but I am thinking long term a cream would be better for my hair.

@faithVA As promised my review of the As I Am Twist Defining Cream:

I did my midweek CW yesterday w/ Tresemme naturals. I parted my hair down the middle. On one side, I used AIA Leave in and TDC. On the other side, I used 2 of my twist out staple products: Gio DLI and QB Amla & Olive Heavy Cream.

Application: I followed the directions on the TDC by first shingling the LI to avoid flaking. I love how the LI feels. Its light, slightly creamy, had great slip and moisture. It defined my coils. However, when I added a little of the TDC the slip and moisture quit. Although TDC has a thick cream consistency it felt thin on my hair - like I needed more to actually feel moisturized. So I applied more. My hair then felt coated. The product just didn't absorb well. The directions said that TDC can also be used to shingle alone - ha! That's not gonna work for me.

Twist Out Results: I am surprised! The TO on the AIA side were shinnier and better defined. It seems that the TDC provided better hold. However, my hair didn't feel as soft and moisturized as the side w/ my staple products.

Conclusion: Even though the TDC provided crisp looking TOs, I prefer soft supple hair. I don't like how TDC feels going on my hair or that it neutralizes the slip and moisture from the LI. Furthermore it does a bad job of providing or sealing in moisture. I'm thinking about adding some EVOO to my TDC to provide better slip and seal which may compromise the best part of the results. Suffice to say, I will not repurchase this product.

 

[MaraWithLove]

I am so hair depressed I could cry. Seriously considering just cutting it all off (again) & psing under weave. I feel like in the span of 1 year I've retained hardly anything; my hair is nice and detangled for a moment, only to tangle hours later. I examine my ends often, to discover no bad appearances, and sometimes I still trim. If I wash in braids it's smooth sailing for the most part, but I don't want to LIVE in braids. Nor do I want to have to wear my hair stretched all the time. I'm definitely an out-style kind of girl. If it was long enough to bun, that'd be awesome. But it's not and on top of all of this my hair is VERY dense, coarse and low porosity. Talk about bad combination! I'm at a loss and all I've been doing (styling wise) is wearing scarves the past 2 weeks. In the morning, perhaps I will feel better and come up with something, but right now...

 

[HanaKuroi]

MaraWithLove don't cut your hair. Nooooo.

Wait until you are more calm. What is your regimen?

 

[BraunSugar]

MaraWithLove Hugs We can figure it out!

 

[Just11412]

i was hair depressed but now i'm just protective styling in mini braids for a bit because i don't want to do anything crazy.