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

[NewlyNature12]

Hope everything is ok Cruzan.

I bought some coconut oil, but I'm not sure what to do with it. Mix it with shea butter?

Also still super bored with my hair. Now that it's long enough to pull back, I slick down my uneven bangs and edges with Eco styler (blue) and put it in a bun or a puff. I cannot wait until my bangs and edges grow out...while I'm glad I cut the heat damage off, the uneven length is killing me.

Also, does too much protein loosen your curl pattern??? I think I might have overdone it with the protein.

 

[HanaKuroi]

Ever since the temperature has been below 15 degrees Fahrenheit my hair as been breaking at the ends. I keep seeing c shaped breaks in the tub, or when I m/s. I don't go out without a hat. I wear a scarf under it. My house has steam radiator heating.

I have been using lots of moisture. I use QBAOHC, QBCTDG, QHMT, oyin hair dew, sealed with jbco daily. I have slacked off steaming.
I use AOWC, AOHSR, GPB or Silk dreams VSD for my dc. I cowash with db pumpkin or CJ curl rehab every few days. I mudwash one or twice a month. I usually henna weekly and have been since this spring.

My hair was great until the temperature drop. I don't know what to do. Should I steam 3 times a week? I don't want to lose my progress. We have winter until late April/May.

I trimmed less than a month ago.

 

[faithVA]

HanaKuroi[/USER];17351315]Ever since the temperature has been below 15 degrees Fahrenheit my hair as been breaking at the ends. I keep seeing c shaped breaks in the tub, or when I m/s. I don't go out without a hat. I wear a scarf under it. My house has steam radiator heating.

I have been using lots of moisture. I use QBAOHC, QBCTDG, QHMT, oyin hair dew, sealed with jbco daily. I have slacked off steaming.
I use AOWC, AOHSR, GPB or Silk dreams VSD for my dc. I cowash with db pumpkin or CJ curl rehab every few days. I mudwash one or twice a month. I usually henna weekly and have been since this spring.

My hair was great until the temperature drop. I don't know what to do. Should I steam 3 times a week? I don't want to lose my progress. We have winter until late April/May.

I trimmed less than a month ago.

You mentioned breakage but how does your hair feel? Does it feel moisturized? dry? brittle? wiry? Is it drying out quicky during the day?

 

[HanaKuroi]

It feels soft and moisturized and shiny. I only notice when I am rinsing my hair or applying products. It doesn't happen when I handle my hair dry. Does that make sense?

I pressed my hair with graoeseed oil back in September and dc'd with steam before and after I gpb'd and dc. I straighten twice a year and never had a problem.

 

[DarkJoy]

@HanaKuroi this is my hair to a T when it's time for a hard protein due to moisture overload. IDK if silk is enough? I recently had this problem and the GPB wasnt cutting it. Henna is good, but it isnt an actual protein either. An egg solved the problem for me.

If a hard treatment doesnt work maybe consider heavy sealing to keep that moisture in.

 

[HanaKuroi]

How did you apply the egg DarkJoy? Should I add it to a conditioner?

 

[DarkJoy]

Actually, this was just last week. My hair was fine dry, but breaking when wet handled. Took a while to figure out it was protein related.

What I did was wash, hot oil blend first, egg on top. Because my hair is so protein sensitive--and it did start feeling slightly hard--I never took my hands out my hair. Matter of fact, I would gently tug the ends at random spots to see if there was breakage while I worked it in. I did that until the breakage stopped. Took about a minute and a half.

Rinsed.

DC'd

 

[faithVA]

@HanaKuroi this is my hair to a T when it's time for a hard protein due to moisture overload. IDK if silk is enough? I recently had this problem and the GPB wasnt cutting it. Henna is good, but it isnt an actual protein either. An egg solved the problem for me.

If a hard treatment doesnt work maybe consider heavy sealing to keep that moisture in.

I agree with this HanaKuroi. You may need more protein. Especially if you pressed and didn't follow it with a real protein treatment. Also agree with the sealing.

 

[HanaKuroi]

Thanks so much ladies. Off to try this. I'll post my results.

 

[DarkJoy]

look forward to your report!

 

[HanaKuroi]

Okay, I have a stash of stuff in my basement. I found Joico Kpak, ors olive oil replenishing conditioner, my honey child banana creme protein conditioner,my honey child hair reformer and Giovanni hair recontructor. Or should I simply use an egg? Lol. I have never used any of these. No, I used the ors last year.


DarkJoy and faithVA

 

[DarkJoy]

I've had this problem b4 (and keep forgetting!). The ORS never does anything for me. Never tried the others. I'd skip a reconstructor because it's time for harder protein. I think recons are more balancing?

I used to use Kpak when I was relaxed. Never tried it natural. So IDK!

Try the kpak--its REALLY hard. I would do the tug test and rinse immediately when breakage stops. Dont leave it as long as the directions unless you have to or else you might find yourself with a matted ball.

 

[HanaKuroi]

Okay,
This is why they are in the basement. I am afraid of them.

I think I will use an egg! Lolol.

 

[StarScream35]

Hair Type: 4a or OS according to the LOIS system (transitioned from relaxer to natural)

Porosity: Normal

Elasticity: Normal

Density: Medium to Thick

Reggie: Wash every three days, alternating between a moisturizing line and a protein line.

Products Used: Phyto Dry Hair Line, Star Lacio Lacio

Problem Solved: Natural hair kept matting. I only detangled when I washed and in between, my natural hair got tangled and matted at the roots. I finally figured I needed to also detangle when my hair dried and thus solved the problem.

 

[DarkJoy]

Okay,
This is why they are in the basement. I am afraid of them.

I think I will use an egg! Lolol.

LOL! An egg is hard protein too--just keep your hands in it and check check check!

 

[DarkJoy]

Hair Type: 4a or OS according to the LOIS system (transitioned from relaxer to natural)

Porosity: Normal

Elasticity: Normal

Density: Medium to Thick

Reggie: Wash every three days, alternating between a moisturizing line and a protein line.

Products Used: Phyto Dry Hair Line, Star Lacio Lacio

Problem Solved: Natural hair kept matting. I only detangled when I washed and in between, my natural hair got tangled and matted at the roots. I finally figured I needed to also detangle when my hair dried and thus solved the problem.

Yep @BrightEyes35! Some of us natural find we need to detangle often. Even daily...I'm one of 'em too!

 

[NefertariBlu]

judy4all trust me when I say, twists look a hot mess on me lol. I don't like how they look. You know what, I'm a subscriber on your YT channel, I just noticed by your name

I'm really style challenged. I suppose I just need to really practice.

Right, since finding the right products I love how twists look on me. Before they looked super skinny. Since I have been looking after my hair better I have noticed they look fuller.

I am a 4c hair type. My hair likes gylcerine products but not pomades/butters. Butters leave my hair dry.

My hair LOVES shea moisture curling souffle and I use Miss Jessies Baby Buttercreme for twist outs and I get great definition with it.

For the past couple of months I have been looking after my hair a lot differently. I have realised that my hair loves low manipulation/PS styles and my hair has grown longer than it ever has before.

NOW the issue I have is shampoo's. Ever damn shampoo I use leaves my hair dry and crispy. So now I just co wash but I do need something to remove product build up.

I have been looking at the Karens Body Beautiful's shampoo, which has glycerine in it but I didn't get it because I didn't want to waste my money.

 

[JudithO]

NefertariBlu have you tried elasta qp's creme conditioning shampoo? What about giovanni 50:50 shampoo? Also dessert essence cocnut shampoo...These worked very well for my 4c natural hair... do an overnight prepoo with coconut oil prior, and shampoo only once... that should leave you with supple hair...

 

[HanaKuroi]

So here's the deal. I had mill creek henna conditioner in my hair all day.

The ingredients are




Should I wait to dc with the egg? I don't know how much keratin is inthe mill creek. I am thinking about waiting until tomorrow so I can evaluate how the mill creek has affected my hair.

 

[DarkJoy]

I just put the egg on top of an oil rinse by itself then DC'd after. It only takes a minute or two if you do it straight up HanaKuroi

 

[DarkJoy]

have you used keratin before? is that enough for your hair? too much?

 

[BraunSugar]

HanaKuroi have you ever heard of Ultra Sheen Duo Tex? It is a protein conditioner and it is AMAZING!!! Probably the best protein conditioner I've ever used. Coconut milk, coconut cream, bananas, eggs (previously mentioned) are all great for protein too.

Have you considered a butter or crisco to seal instead of the JBCO? Crisco is just hydrogenated soybean oil & palm oil. I have heard a few people mention that their ends break while applying castor oil.

 

[HanaKuroi]

have you used keratin before? is that enough for your hair? too much?

I think once before, unless gpb has it.

Okay I am going to partially air dry then oil and egg and the dc! I will check, check, check my hair.

I will dc with something around here. Probably db pumpkin.

How often do you do protein with egg?

Apparently I need harder protein. I am so worried about dryness up here I have been neglecting protein.

 

[NefertariBlu]

NefertariBlu have you tried elasta qp's creme conditioning shampoo? What about giovanni 50:50 shampoo? Also dessert essence cocnut shampoo...These worked very well for my 4c natural hair... do an overnight prepoo with coconut oil prior, and shampoo only once... that should leave you with supple hair...

I tried a Giovani's shampoo. It wasn't the 50:50. Can't remember the name of it though. But that did the same thing maybe its the water where I amerplexed.

I don't think Dessert Essence is over here, but Elasta QP is. I'll check out the ingredients. Thanks

 

[DarkJoy]

@HanaKuroi my hair tells me it needs hard protein every 3 months or so. I always forget and fret at the breakage for a month before I remember:

wet-breakage = need hard protein! (at least for my hair)

This was my first time with egg, though.

I use a blowdryer and should really remember that...

 

[faithVA]

NefertariBlu[/USER];17352009]Right, since finding the right products I love how twists look on me. Before they looked super skinny. Since I have been looking after my hair better I have noticed they look fuller.

I am a 4c hair type. My hair likes gylcerine products but not pomades/butters. Butters leave my hair dry.

My hair LOVES shea moisture curling souffle and I use Miss Jessies Baby Buttercreme for twist outs and I get great definition with it.

For the past couple of months I have been looking after my hair a lot differently. I have realised that my hair loves low manipulation/PS styles and my hair has grown longer than it ever has before.

NOW the issue I have is shampoo's. Ever damn shampoo I use leaves my hair dry and crispy. So now I just co wash but I do need something to remove product build up.

I have been looking at the Karens Body Beautiful's shampoo, which has glycerine in it but I didn't get it because I didn't want to waste my money.

Have you tried washing with a Cleansing Conditioner like As I AM Coconut Cleanser or Hair One. I used those on a weekly basis. I use a mudwash every month or two for build up.

 

[youwillrise]

i realize that i am struggling a little bit with my natural hair.

i think it mostly has to do with my diet & lack of water. so, im going to, once again, try to eat cleaner & healthier.

i just know my hair should be longer than it is now. im not feeding my body what it needs and im seeing it in my hair as well as other things.

ive been natural 7 years total...my last BC was august 2009, so that's 3 years since a major cut and all i have to show for it is about 8-9 inches. i could blame it on slow growth, but that's suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupppper slow. ive done 1 or 2 inch trims a few times, but nothing major since then...so...i should definitely have something more substantial.

i did have a bit of a setback this year with getting sick, so maybe i would have had more growth? i dont know where i would be, but still...i feel like i need to be more proactive and start growing from the inside out...and taking care of myself in general from the inside. that's one thing ive honestly not consistently done in my journey or in my life at all...and it's about time.

 

[Cattypus1]

Right, since finding the right products I love how twists look on me. Before they looked super skinny. Since I have been looking after my hair better I have noticed they look fuller.

I am a 4c hair type. My hair likes gylcerine products but not pomades/butters. Butters leave my hair dry.

My hair LOVES shea moisture curling souffle and I use Miss Jessies Baby Buttercreme for twist outs and I get great definition with it.

For the past couple of months I have been looking after my hair a lot differently. I have realised that my hair loves low manipulation/PS styles and my hair has grown longer than it ever has before.

NOW the issue I have is shampoo's. Ever damn shampoo I use leaves my hair dry and crispy. So now I just co wash but I do need something to remove product build up.

I have been looking at the Karens Body Beautiful's shampoo, which has glycerine in it but I didn't get it because I didn't want to waste my money.

I'm not natural and have no intention of ever going fully natural...maybe...I follow this thread because I'm trying to become a regular stretcher between texlaxes nad theres lots of good information about handling natural hair. My problem has always been my unruly new growth. I have found my holy grail for my 4b-c hair--Wen. I am currently at 18&1/2 weeks post with about 2-3 inches of unprocessed hair. It's expensive but I love this stuff, it does an amazing job on my hair. I've heard it's comparable to Hair One but I haven't tried that.

 

[NefertariBlu]

Isn't WEN. Super expensive? I don't even know uf its available in the UK. If it isn't that's going to be a lot ofmoney for postage plus the product itself :-\

ETA: It is available in the UK! Just did a search and it's not as expensive as I thought. I'll read the reviews

 

[Cattypus1]

Isn't WEN. Super expensive? I don't even know uf its available in the UK. If it isn't that's going to be a lot ofmoney for postage plus the product itself :-\

ETA: It is available in the UK! Just did a search and it's not as expensive as I thought. I'll read the reviews

It is a little pricey but I've bought a few products, some of them were nearly as expensive since I started this HHJ and if I had tried Wen first, I would have never even tried the others. I love this stuff. I would never do the Guthy-Renker thing though. I'll buy direct, as needed. No way I would let them get ahold of my financial information. They have an awful reputation as far as customer service and billing.