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

I initially missed faithva's good news. Yay that's great.
Today is a bad hair day. While I'm happy I cut off the damaged straight hair in my bang area and edges, no amount of gel I put in this morning would make them lay down. I put a headband on and pulled it back, but it still looks weird.
 
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If i could keep my hair like this for weeks at a time I would be cool. But my hair lasts about 1 week in this style. I don't care to wrap it, i sleep without silk pillowcases sheets etc.

So it takes 4hrs to do this from wash to plait longer if I'm henna-ing that week. 7-10 days later I undo the plaits,then lose interest, meaning I wont detangle or comb my hair for weeks. I wet bun, co wash etc. This works for me, currently.

In a cpl months It will be winter, and I will be in Europe. All winter. My hair has never experienced a winter, my laziness will prob be the end of my hair by winter.
I thought about staying straight all winter, or using a Non-BKT treatment. But continued heat use, thins my already fine hair and loosens the curl pattern.
-Wet/damp hair will be the death of me in winter
-buns give me headaches
-no money for braids/sew ins


So I'm thinking *** it texturise.
I'm not against chemicals.

The longer my hair gets, the less I'm interested in it:ohwell::ohwell:
I have SSKs but, they have never bothered me, detangling takes 20 minutes sometimes less. Styling isn't an issue. There is no problem to fix( cept the laziness)

I'm still in the questioning faze.:perplexed. Itboils down to this

How sensible is it to relax for a short period, whatever the pros. Knowing that I will def return to natural hair. Is it worth it to risk the heat damage?
 
Also to add currently my head is covered daily for work, so daily maintenance( presentable anyway) hs never been an issue. I wear buns, but my hair isn't brushed or laid flat. I leave my hair uncombed and open but no one can see.

I will have to control my hair daily which seems rather stressful.
I will be moving to a foreign country
Learning a new language
Starting school
Adapting to life in a big city
Also I will be alone
 
Damaged but not out said:
th_032-4.jpg


If i could keep my hair like this for weeks at a time I would be cool. But my hair lasts about 1 week in this style. I don't care to wrap it, i sleep without silk pillowcases sheets etc.

So it takes 4hrs to do this from wash to plait longer if I'm henna-ing that week. 7-10 days later I undo the plaits,then lose interest, meaning I wont detangle or comb my hair for weeks. I wet bun, co wash etc. This works for me, currently.

In a cpl months It will be winter, and I will be in Europe. All winter. My hair has never experienced a winter, my laziness will prob be the end of my hair by winter.
I thought about staying straight all winter, or using a Non-BKT treatment. But continued heat use, thins my already fine hair and loosens the curl pattern.
-Wet/damp hair will be the death of me in winter
-buns give me headaches
-no money for braids/sew ins


So I'm thinking *** it texturise.
I'm not against chemicals.

The longer my hair gets, the less I'm interested in it:ohwell::ohwell:
I have SSKs but, they have never bothered me, detangling takes 20 minutes sometimes less. Styling isn't an issue. There is no problem to fix( cept the laziness)

I'm still in the questioning faze.:perplexed. Itboils down to this

How sensible is it to relax for a short period, whatever the pros. Knowing that I will def return to natural hair. Is it worth it to risk the heat damage?
Click to expand...

If you know how to French braid your own hair, try doing two French braids for the week, and redo them on the weekend. Also try to see of there is anyone from LHCF living where you will be, perhaps to offer assistance or info on the area hair-wise. May not be as complicated as you think.

ETA if you feel like relaxing is best for you, do it.
 
@Damaged but not out

How sensible is it to relax for a short period, whatever the pros. Knowing that I will def return to natural hair. Is it worth it to risk the heat damage?
Click to expand...
I've been a relaxed girl all my life except the past 7 months of my transition so I'm definitely not opposed to relaxing. However, transition sucks. If you KNOW you will eventually go back to natural then there is no point in relaxing IMO because you'd have to go through this awkward transitioning phase all over again. You will have to grow that hair out and trim it along the way or BC in order to remove the relaxed hair again. Sounds like a big halt in your natural hair journey. I would only relax if you plan on doing it long term (at least a year). If you just want straighter hair or hair easier to manage then just straighten your natural hair.
 
Damaged but not out: im not sure where in europe you'll be but some parts have really wet winters and that takes heat-straightening your hair out of the picture as your hair will revert immediately after a flat iron. most big cities have really mixed populations and you will likely find someone who can help you do your hair. If you could do braids or twists with extensions then it would buy you time for u to get used to the city and find someone to help you with your hair.

I usually twist my hair every week cos i dont do them pretty enuf to last longer. It is so time consuming but last week i taught myself flat twisting - not the best but i will get there some day. this week i will see if my hair can handle bunning - if so i will altermate between buns and twists cos i'm fed up of twisting. its so time consuming.

i live in the uk and i have friends scattered in some parts of europe i'd be happy to help you research if you like.
 
MyAngelEyez~C~U
Interesting enough my sister said the same thing, french braid. Which I used to do, when my hair was SL and easier to handle. I also think she has selective amnesia. Although I have fine strands, I have alot of them. She used to french braid my hair all the time growing up, till I was about 12. Then she stopped, because it was too much of a hassle getting it straight, flat and neat.


bhndbrwneyes
Yea, the transition part is the obvious deterrent. I hated it the first time around am sure it would be worse the 2nd time.

frobellete
I can actually braid/twist and cornrow my own hair. I was natural most of my life. Its just now I'm extremely inconsistent with my hair care. So I would do my whole head tonight but then not have the same motivation every week or every 2 weeks to redo it.

I even thought about loc-ing up and then undoing them later in 2013. But I'm sure that is a little insane.
My sister mentioned her routine never had to change when she moved from the tropics to the north.

So i'm going to just stop freaking out.
I guess I'm just going to have to get used to the bun headaches. My teens all over again:nono:

Thanks again for the replies. I think I just had to think it through out loud. To realise how silly it was.
 
DarkJoy said:
Glad youre finally making process @faithVA! Yay!

@Cruzankink--watch that caffeine now--that's a LOT! Tea and coffee have a lot less caff percentage wise than the pure-form pills. Some ladies from my coffee/tea rinse challenge have had issues with not being able to sleep--just from black tea. Caffeine absorbs through the scalp and into the blood stream. Maybe just try 1 pill or you could be like ---->:dizzy: all night! lol
____

My update:
I have a full Afro now. My hair has FLOWN out my head! Part of it is the protective style. I also think the other part is the tea I started drinking at the same time. I'm not sure why. Next take down, I'll measure and drink the tea like crazy and do an after-measurement. It was visibily longer after 2 weeks last friday...hmmm...

I was mostly going for healthy hair. But if this tea is like fertiziler, I'll take it. :drunk:
Click to expand...

DarkJoy Never thought that caffeine can be absorbe by the skin but it makes sense. Thanx for the heads up.
QUESTION: What tea are you drinking? My hair wouldn't mind some fertilizer. :lick:
 
Cruzankink

I have EVCO, SM PM, and AIA CCW. Do you find that the SM PM and AIA CCW are "strong" enough to get out the EVCO? I wanted to prepoo but wasn't sure if these products would work well after a prepoo.

EVCO=extra Virgin coconut oil
SM PM= Shea Moisture Purification Masque
AIA CCW= As I Am Coconut Cowash

Thanks.
 
daviine said:
@Cruzankink

I have EVCO, SM PM, and AIA CCW. Do you find that the SM PM and AIA CCW are "strong" enough to get out the EVCO? I wanted to prepoo but wasn't sure if these products would work well after a prepoo.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

daviine I find that both work well in removing product including EVCO. As a matter of fact, I need only rinse w/ water to remove most of the EVCO. I prefer to leave in some EVCO when I CW. I use the SM PM and AIA CCW to help dissolve the products I've used during the week and keep my scalp from itching.
 
daviine said:
@Cruzankink

I have EVCO, SM PM, and AIA CCW. Do you find that the SM PM and AIA CCW are "strong" enough to get out the EVCO? I wanted to prepoo but wasn't sure if these products would work well after a prepoo.

EVCO=extra Virgin coconut oil
SM PM= Shea Moisture Purification Masque
AIA CCW= As I Am Coconut Cowash

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I agreew with Cruzankink, I use oil on m hair daily and have not had an issue getting it out. I prepoo with Burt Bee's because I'm trying to get rid of it. And I wash 1x with teh AIA CCW and that was enough.
 
Cruzankink said:
@DarkJoy Never thought that caffeine can be absorbe by the skin but it makes sense. Thanx for the heads up.
QUESTION: What tea are you drinking? My hair wouldn't mind some fertilizer. :lick:
Click to expand...
Cruzankink. Oolong. 4 cups a day. The leaves or bags can be used about 3 times before it tastes funny. Its also great for removing plaque from the heart to lower cholesterol (I dont have it but it doesnt harm to start now!) and cardiovascular disease. So its a win-win.

I was actually gonna wait to reveal before I knew for sure! I've only had this crochet install a week tomorrow and I can already fit my fingers underneath the cornrows! dang, yo... lol

If you try it (say, 2 weeks-worth), you have to report back! :yep:

daviine said:
@Cruzankink

I have EVCO, SM PM, and AIA CCW. Do you find that the SM PM and AIA CCW are "strong" enough to get out the EVCO? I wanted to prepoo but wasn't sure if these products would work well after a prepoo.

EVCO=extra Virgin coconut oil
SM PM= Shea Moisture Purification Masque
AIA CCW= As I Am Coconut Cowash

Thanks.
Click to expand...
daviine, I use SM PM and it definately removes EVERYTHING from the scalp--and I'm a grease user (for certain styles). I dont use AIA, but another condish for CW after the PM and never have probs...love it! :lick:
 
I always see people talking about washing their hair in sections. I have been washing my hair loose with no problem. Could this be an issue of moisture? I use Miss Jessies super sudsy shampoo. When I was relaxed I was a heavy duty shedder. Now not so much.
 
MAHOGNEY329 said:
I always see people talking about washing their hair in sections. I have been washing my hair loose with no problem. Could this be an issue of moisture? I use Miss Jessies super sudsy shampoo. When I was relaxed I was a heavy duty shedder. Now not so much.
Click to expand...

I think it is more of an issue related to density and/or shrinkage. When I was relaxed of course I washed loose. As a natural :nono:

No matter the length of my hair, when water hits it, it is going to shrink 75%. So doing it in sections, keeps it stretched which therefore reduces my detangling time.

Also it is easier for me to apply product in section. Trying to apply product to my entire head is an impossibility and means I would use 50% more product than I need.

If you can wash with it loose go for it. But everyone has different density, shrinkage and curl patterns. Washing loose just won't work for everyone.
 
faithVA said:
I think it is more of an issue related to density and/or shrinkage. When I was relaxed of course I washed loose. As a natural :nono:

No matter the length of my hair, when water hits it, it is going to shrink 75%. So doing it in sections, keeps it stretched which therefore reduces my detangling time.

Also it is easier for me to apply product in section. Trying to apply product to my entire head is an impossibility and means I would use 50% more product than I need.

If you can wash with it loose go for it. But everyone has different density, shrinkage and curl patterns. Washing loose just won't work for everyone.
Click to expand...

Yup. When I was relaxed I didn't have to section it. Sometimes I would informally part my hair down the middle and cleanse the halves. With my natural hair, that's just a no-go. My hair is too dense for me to get product (or even water!) to the different layers without sectioning. This goes for when I'm styling, too; smoothing product on the top layer of my hair will never get it to the middle.
 
Good evening ladies, having trouble doing a good wash and go. My hair isn't long at all but it has some length. I am trying to get my curls to pop because they definitely pop when i am detangling my hair with conditioner. I love my hair then. When I tried SM curl enhancing smoothie and ecostyler , it shrinks all the way to a TWA. Any suggestions or should I just wait til more length?
 
Prettycoach said:
Good evening ladies, having trouble doing a good wash and go. My hair isn't long at all but it has some length. I am trying to get my curls to pop because they definitely pop when i am detangling my hair with conditioner. I love my hair then. When I tried SM curl enhancing smoothie and ecostyler , it shrinks all the way to a TWA. Any suggestions or should I just wait til more length?
Click to expand...

This may sound weird but as it airdries pull it. I use the same products for my w&g as you do and as it dries shrinkage starts to happen so I gently pull my hair to manually stretch/elongate the curls as they dry. I pull/tug it when its about 75% dry then again at aroinf 90% dry & again once dry.

Also when u apply the products you may want to apply it by pulling it thru your hair pretty much shingling it. It'll may look flat or not curly at first at first but as it dries it will start to curl up but it shouldnt shrink as much.
 
ManeStreet said:
This may sound weird but as it airdries pull it. I use the same products for my w&g as you do and as it dries shrinkage starts to happen so I gently pull my hair to manually stretch/elongate the curls as they dry. I pull/tug it when its about 75% dry then again at aroinf 90% dry & again once dry.

Also when u apply the products you may want to apply it by pulling it thru your hair pretty much shingling it. It'll may look flat or not curly at first at first but as it dries it will start to curl up but it shouldnt shrink as much.
Click to expand...

Interesting, I have never tried that. I will try it the next time I wash my hair. I just didnt want to give up on w&G bc they look so pretty on other hair. Last question, I first coat my hair with Kimmaytube leave in, then I put the SM curl enhancing smoothie and then ecostyler gel. I am wondering if I am puttin too much products in my hair ? and what is shingling it? :perplexed
 
beautyintheyes said:
Do you put anything under the scarf so the cotton doesn't take all the moisture out?
Click to expand...

I have on my beanie on right now and I put my silk bonnet under it bc I noticed that the cotton was pulling and tugging my hair. I also have used it under a scarf. I feel my hair is more moisturized when i do this and doesn't get hit with the weather as much.
 
I had a good hair wash day for a change. I oiled my scalp with my castor oil blend. Then I washed with Hair One Olive Oil. I actually like this. Can't wait to try the Hair One Argan Oil. I put my hair into 10 sections. Then I DCd with AO Blue Chamomile under my heat cap for 45 minutes. I let the water absorb for 15 minutes. Then I put 1/4 tsp of oil on each section. I used As I Am Leave In on each section. I combed it through with my Hercules K-Comb. For styling. I misted small sections then used As I Am Curling Jelly and put in finger combs. It took me almost 3 hours but it came out pretty good for my first time. If this last all week I am set.

As I was doing this I think I learned a little bit about how to do a WNG on my hair. I will try it on my next day off.
 
took down my mini braids and i am happy with the health of my hair. i see improvements. i know that i can do better in terms of my diet and taking my supplements, also drinking water. i will continue to work on that.

still will be protective styling until june. protective styling, changing my diet, exercising, inc water intake and taking my supplements will definitely take me over the edge. i think i will see even better results.
 
I posted this in the random thoughts thread, but maybe it will help someone here too. HHJ!

Oh my gosh. I finally figured out my wash n go routine! I am so happy. It's been kind of hard trying to figure out what works.

Lol interestingly enough, it involves products I tried right after I chopped: Kinky Curly. I did not like that stuff before, but maybe the Curly Girl method is helping, or I'm just using it with better products. For me, I DC overnight with Elucence MB and Hairveda Sitrinillah. Then in the morning, I blot my hair a bit with a T-shirt and apply Curls in a Bottle and KCKT (for me a big difference is using these clear, watery leave-ins instead of the creams I tried before). Then KCCC and I clip my sections back as I work on them. I do get a gel cast, but it's gone much more quickly than with Eco gels, and I can smooth it out section by section if I want. I diffuse it a little bit with cold air or the lowest heat setting if I have time.

I've only done this twice, but I got SECOND DAY HAIR both times (which has NEVER happened). I think I could go longer, but my hair doesn't pineapple well because the nape is still short. For the third day I put it in a puff and the fourth day I bun. It still looks good those days, but the back is frizzier. And it gets bigger.

That's all. I hope that helps someone! I have dense, low porosity hair with thick strands and a great variety of curl sizes.
 
Hello ladies,

I haven't posted in a few weeks for good reason. Unfortunately, life threw one heck of a curve ball at my husband and I. We are both OK and in good health but we are still realing from the event and would be for some time. Once I get myself together I'll continue posting my updates. I wish y'all the best in your HHJ. TIA.
 
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