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

[HanaKuroi]

Thanks HanaKuroi – My hair is feeling better, especially in the front but it’s not what it should be or what it was. I’ve lost a lot of hair over the last few weeks. My hair has thinned out a lot! I had so much hair coming out everyday….long strands of hair.

I took your advice and slept in my deep conditioner. I rinsed it out the next day and didn’t feel any scalp irritation. My felt soft and I put on my leave in conditioner, followed by some oil and finally pomade. I ran out of my homemade pomade, so I used “Jane Carter’s Nourish and Shine”. I twisted my hair and the next day my hair look awful! It’s the first time I thought my hair looked ugly. It was dull, frizzy and rough to the touch. I could hear my hair when I touched it.

Thankfully I started this on Friday and I had one more day to hydrate my hair before going to work. When I got back home, I made more pomade, rehydrated my hair, applied pomade and twisted it up. It was much better than the day before.

I observed that there were hairs sticking up from my twists/parts near my scalp. My hair has broken off all over and I have little hairs about an inch or two long. I also have hairs sticking out of my twists all the way up and all the way down. Sigh. I guess this counts as my first major setback as a natural. I can only hope that for the remainder of the year I can obtain and retain the average ½ per month growth rate. Needless to say I won’t be doing a henna anytime soon, if ever again.

Question for all of you ladies: How do you moisturize your hair right after you wash your hair? How do you moisturize your hair on a daily basis? Do you spritz your hair? If so, what’s in your bottle? I think I’m missing a step along the line somewhere. Tia.
HHG

I just typed out a long response and it disappeared!

I'll post back later.

Your hair will bounce back!

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y

 

[softblackcotton]

Ugh! Okay my go to styles for now have been twist outs and two strand twists. They all look beautiful the first day, but I have redo my hair every single night for it to look good the next,. How are all these women on you tube getting their twist outs, twists, flat twist out last for days? I can hardly get mine to last more than 12 hours, before it starts to lose definition and shrink again.

Hair type: 4b, fine-medium strands, high density

Products: used home-made glycerin, aloe Vera juice, & water spray; Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie . Jojoba oil, or coconut oil to seal.

Porosity: no idea but once my hair is properly moisturized it stays moisturized for at least 2 days. My hair takes almost a day to dry when I am I trying to set it in a style by air drying. It took over an hour to dry under medium heat in the dryer this past weekend.

I just hate this daily manipulation. I am not experiencing a ton of breakage, but I am experiencing a little breakages of tiny little circles of hair. Its taking up too much of my time in the evenings!

What products can I use to keep my hair set for a couple of days? Please!

 

[faithVA]

softblackcotton[/USER];17842691]Ugh! Okay my go to styles for now have been twist outs and two strand twists. They all look beautiful the first day, but I have redo my hair every single night for it to look good the next,. How are all these women on you tube getting their twist outs, twists, flat twist out last for days? I can hardly get mine to last more than 12 hours, before it starts to lose definition and shrink again.

Hair type: 4b, fine-medium strands, high density

Products: used home-made glycerin, aloe Vera juice, & water spray; Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie . Jojoba oil, or coconut oil to seal.

Porosity: no idea but once my hair is properly moisturized it stays moisturized for at least 2 days. My hair takes almost a day to dry when I am I trying to set it in a style by air drying. It took over an hour to dry under medium heat in the dryer this past weekend.

I just hate this daily manipulation. I am not expressing a ton of breakage, but I am experiencing a little breakages of tiny little circles of hair. Its taking up too much of my time in the evenings!

What products can I use to keep my hair set for a couple of days? Please!

You need to use a gel or a cream styler that has some hold. I don't see anything in your product list that will hold. Shea Moisture has no hold. It actually makes the hair softer.

There are tons of styling products. I prefer creams since they are more moisturizing for my hair. Right now I am using Taliah Waajids Curling Creme and Komaza Care Curling Pudding.

But there are plenty of gels: Eco styler, As I Am. Kinky Curly, etc.

 

[softblackcotton]

You need to use a gel or a cream styler that has some hold. I don't see anything in your product list that will hold. Shea Moisture has no hold. It actually makes the hair softer.

There are tons of styling products. I prefer creams since they are more moisturizing for my hair. Right now I am using Taliah Waajids Curling Creme and Komaza Care Curling Pudding.

But there are plenty of gels: Eco styler, As I Am. Kinky Curly, etc.

I used to use Eco styler felt it dried my hair out. So the cremes hold as well as a gels? I also forgot to mention I used BB setting lotion foam. My hair felt so crunchy and it takes two days of moisturizing until it feels soft again.

 

[faithVA]

I used to use Eco styler felt it dried my hair out. So the cremes hold as well as a gels? I also forgot to mention I used BB setting lotion foam. My hair felt so crunchy and it takes two days of moisturizing until it feels soft again.

You will have to play around with different products. If you use a gel then you want to use a moisturizer under it. As I Am is not as drying. Qhemet has a nice gel that isn't really drying. Or you can make your own flax seed gel.

The cremes hold for my hair. But my hair is 4b and very coarse, so it hold fairly easily. But the cremes add moisture to my hair.

 

[HanaKuroi]

I just typed out a long response and it disappeared!

I'll post back later.

Your hair will bounce back!

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y

Okay, that nourish and shine I do not like at all. It is expensive to boot!

If you do decide to henna ever in the future use a henna gloss and one of the hennas with a lower lawsome content. I have heard that indigo is extremely drying! I would avoid that. I would also only leave it on for a few hours.

You will recover from the breakage.
I have had the same breakage from a denman brush and the tangle teaser.

I am sorry about your hair but it will come back!

Try dc'ing some more.

Qhemet's cocoa tree detangling ghee always turns my hair around.

I use oyins hair dew and jbco every few days. I use oyin burnt sugar pomade if I need to seal with something heavier.

I try to water my hair every other day if I don't cowash. I am in the dc challenge so I dc more than I cowash. Hairness

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y

 

[Cruzankink]

Hey y'all!!! Haven't posted in a while. I've had difficulty logging on. Apparrantly my company blocked LHCF but its unblocked again.

UPDATE: I have resumed my routine. Nothing is off which is good. I noticed however that my hair is loving SM CES again. Weird?! I have started in mid January a 6 months Biotin challenge. My goal is to accelerate hair growth or at the very least decrease shedding to maintain fuller hair.

STRUGGLES: I am struggling with the time it takes to do my hair. I am hopping that when it gets longer I can do the banding method to stretch rather than 2 strand twists 'cause its making me detest wash days.


View attachment 193441 This is a silhouette of my stretched TWA. It was a good hair day.

 

[HanaKuroi]

hey helooooooooooo

Hellooooooooo

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y

 

[Cruzankink]

HanaKuroi Hello I was testing my works computer to see if it would allow me to post. when I saw that it would I edited it.. Thanx for responding!

 

[Cruzankink]

I am having trouble uploading my pics of my length check I think I gonna have to do it one by one. Bear w/ me ladies....

 

[Cruzankink]

Oct 2012

Jan 2013

 

[Cruzankink]

Oct 2012

Jan 2013

Oct 2012

Jan 2013

 

[Cruzankink]

OK this is a silhouette of my stretched hair.

 

[Cruzankink]

Ugh! Okay my go to styles for now have been twist outs and two strand twists. They all look beautiful the first day, but I have redo my hair every single night for it to look good the next,. How are all these women on you tube getting their twist outs, twists, flat twist out last for days? I can hardly get mine to last more than 12 hours, before it starts to lose definition and shrink again.

Hair type: 4b, fine-medium strands, high density

What products can I use to keep my hair set for a couple of days? Please!

softblackcotton I understand your frustration. I too used to twist/twist out my hair frequently during the week taking alot of my time. Like faithVA and HanaKuroi mentioned you need a holding cream/gel. I've had a love/hate relationship w/ As I Am Twisting Cream. Out of the many products that I've used for hold on my twist outs this product seems to give me the best results... that's the love part. When I first started using it I hated that it did not provide slip. In fact, it seemed that it would absorbe the moisture from my hair. But when I did my twist outs, my hair was soft, shinny, moistured and more importantly had hold to maintain the look for days. I understand now to use just the right amount that it doesn't feel dry on my hair. Once you find the product that's right for you, your styles should last longer.


PS - Like you I have type 4b hair. It's been my experience that I get discouraged by watching youtube vids of natural gurus who have a looser curl pattern. Although enjoy their commentary and still subsribe to their channel, I tend to follow youtubers who have my similar curl pattern so I can gage how the style/product will work for me.

 

[darlingdiva]

softblackcotton: Maybe you can take medium to large sections of your twist out and braid out. That's what I do to make my twist out last for multiple days.

 

[Hairness]

What is in your pomade? It sounds interesting.

I'm low porosity. So after my rinse, I baggy for 15 minutes under a heat cap. Then I apply an oil (right now trying apricot), then I apply a leave-in. I let it dry overnight. The next day, I spritz with something(it varies), I may or may not apply a leave-in/moisturizer then I apply a creamy styler.

I always spritz my hair when I'm restyling. Right now I am using a tea blend with just a little glycerin and a little sunflower oil. If I get my moisture right on wash day then I don't have to moisturize my hair for 2 or 3 days. I haven't yet mastered the remoisturizing process though to share what works.

I am following the LOC method on wash day. Still figuring it out for the rest of the days.

Thanks for your response faithVA! I use Naptural85's pomade recipes:

1. Thick and Fluffy Pomade-Type Moisturizing Creme
2. Thick, Silky, and Creamy Moisturizing Creme

Using:
-Unrefined Shea Butter at Room Temperature
-About 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
-About 1 tsp Olive Oil
-About 1 tsp Castor Oil
-About 1 Tbsp Jojoba Oil
-About 1/2 tsp Vitamin E

I ran out of the "Silky and Creamy" pomade. I follow this recipe and add lavender and peppermint essential oils for fragrance. You use the Thick and Fluffy pomade to make the Silky one (or vice versa if I got that backwards.)

I will try your method of putting oil on right after washing even before the leave in. Right now I put in the leave in and then the oil. I'll leave out the glycerin until the dew points get higher around here.

My hair is breaking less but still too much and mainly in the back where my hair is very dry. I've stopped combing it and just use my fingers to twist at night. I will try to co-wash this weekend and sleep in my deep conditioner again. Hopefully my scalp won't itch or get scabs.

Thanks again. I'll be back later to answer the other responses.

HHG

 

[HanaKuroi]

Thanks for your response faithVA! I use Naptural85's pomade recipes:

1. Thick and Fluffy Pomade-Type Moisturizing Creme
2. Thick, Silky, and Creamy Moisturizing Creme

Using:
-Unrefined Shea Butter at Room Temperature
-About 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
-About 1 tsp Olive Oil
-About 1 tsp Castor Oil
-About 1 Tbsp Jojoba Oil
-About 1/2 tsp Vitamin E

I ran out of the "Silky and Creamy" pomade. I follow this recipe and add lavender and peppermint essential oils for fragrance. You use the Thick and Fluffy pomade to make the Silky one (or vice versa if I got that backwards.)

I will try your method of putting oil on right after washing even before the leave in. Right now I put in the leave in and then the oil. I'll leave out the glycerin until the dew points get higher around here.

My hair is breaking less but still too much and mainly in the back where my hair is very dry. I've stopped combing it and just use my fingers to twist at night. I will try to co-wash this weekend and sleep in my deep conditioner again. Hopefully my scalp won't itch or get scabs.

Thanks again. I'll be back later to answer the other responses.

HHG

Just put dc on your ends not near your scalp.

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y

 

[faithVA]

Thanks to Divachyk, I did my first protein treatment, since 2011, last night. I did a protein treatment in 2011 with Aphogee 2 min and when I rinsed it the shedding was terrible. I am already a very heavy shedder and this was worse. So I tried milder types of protein conditioners which all made my hair hard. I'm color my hair so I definitely need protein.

Last night I purchased samples of the ION Reconstructor and the ION Effective Care from Sally's. Decided to go with the stronger of the two since my ends were breaking badly. It went on easily and when I rinsed my hair felt stronger and was still soft. I also didn't experience any major shedding. I will try the Effective Care later. I am glad to finally add a protein treatment to my arsenal. Now I just need to figure out the frequency best for my hair.

 

[Hairness]

Okay, that nourish and shine I do not like at all. It is expensive to boot!

If you do decide to henna ever in the future use a henna gloss and one of the hennas with a lower lawsome content. I have heard that indigo is extremely drying! I would avoid that. I would also only leave it on for a few hours.

You will recover from the breakage.
I have had the same breakage from a denman brush and the tangle teaser.

I am sorry about your hair but it will come back!

Try dc'ing some more.

Qhemet's cocoa tree detangling ghee always turns my hair around.

I use oyins hair dew and jbco every few days. I use oyin burnt sugar pomade if I need to seal with something heavier.

I try to water my hair every other day if I don't cowash. I am in the dc challenge so I dc more than I cowash. @Hairness

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y

Thanks again HanaKuroi! I won't be putting any henna's in my hair until the winter is over. The winter is extremely drying to my hair. Last year was my first time having natural hair longer than a twa since my teenage years! It was a shock to the system and everything I was doing no longer worked and left my hair a frizzy mess! Research led me to learn about dew points and even with that knowledge, I haven’t learned my winter routine yet. The henna just exacerbated the situation.

I used the henna and indigo to cover the little gray hairs that are framing my face. Permanent color is too harsh for my hair but I can use a semi-permanent color. Do you know of a gentle color for natural hair? BTW, I used Mehandi henna by Henna for Hair. They have a cover your gray kit, this is what I used.

The henna gloss is clear, right?

Thank you for your encouraging words. My hair is almost normal in the front but the back is still dry, shedding/breaking and crinkly….just not as badly as before. I plan on deep conditioning overnight again.

I’m going to check out some of the products you mentioned.

HHG

 

[Hairness]

Thanks to Divachyk, I did my first protein treatment, since 2011, last night. I did a protein treatment in 2011 with Aphogee 2 min and when I rinsed it the shedding was terrible. I am already a very heavy shedder and this was worse. So I tried milder types of protein conditioners which all made my hair hard. I'm color my hair so I definitely need protein.

Last night I purchased samples of the ION Reconstructor and the ION Effective Care from Sally's. Decided to go with the stronger of the two since my ends were breaking badly. It went on easily and when I rinsed my hair felt stronger and was still soft. I also didn't experience any major shedding. I will try the Effective Care later. I am glad to finally add a protein treatment to my arsenal. Now I just need to figure out the frequency best for my hair.

faithVA - What kind of hair color do you use?

 

[faithVA]

Hairness[/USER];17862347]faithVA - What kind of hair color do you use?

I am using ION Demi-Permanent. My hair is low porsity so anything less than a demi, doesn't last past a week.

It doesn't have ammonia. But how it affects my hair I really can't say. Tried the henna, it just didn't take. But I may try another type in the future. I won't be coloring my grays again until April or May.

 

[HanaKuroi]

Thanks again HanaKuroi! I won't be putting any henna's in my hair until the winter is over. The winter is extremely drying to my hair. Last year was my first time having natural hair longer than a twa since my teenage years! It was a shock to the system and everything I was doing no longer worked and left my hair a frizzy mess! Research led me to learn about dew points and even with that knowledge, I haven’t learned my winter routine yet. The henna just exacerbated the situation.

I used the henna and indigo to cover the little gray hairs that are framing my face. Permanent color is too harsh for my hair but I can use a semi-permanent color. Do you know of a gentle color for natural hair? BTW, I used Mehandi henna by Henna for Hair. They have a cover your gray kit, this is what I used.

The henna gloss is clear, right?

Thank you for your encouraging words. My hair is almost normal in the front but the back is still dry, shedding/breaking and crinkly….just not as badly as before. I plan on deep conditioning overnight again.

I’m going to check out some of the products you mentioned.

HHG

Hi Hairness a henna gloss is henna mixed with conditioner after dye release. You still get the same color deposit but at the same time you get conditioning. I would still dc though. I like to dc twice as long as the henna was on my hair.

I was using henna for my grays too. I never used the kit from Mehandi but I have used their henna for African hair. I also use Jasmine and red raj from Hennasooq.com she is a member here.

I don't know if it was the length of time the henna was on my hair or the smooshing it that caused me those problems that time. I do know I won't sleep in it again.

If you have a steamer I would try that. If not there is a method with hot towels on the site.

Speaking of steam someone said you could steam your henna in and it takes less than an hour. I read it here and tried it once.

I live in an extremely cold and harsh climate! Extreme! I have learned that dc'ing and protein make a huge difference.

I was so worried about my hair drying out I wasn't using any protein. Big mistake.

faithVA I have only been using millcreek botanicals for my protein. I might try the ion protein you listed. I am avoiding cones. I try to stay as natural as possible. Do you remember if they are mostly natural?

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y

 

[Hairness]

HanaKuroi - This is my dilemma too...do I use protein, which is drying, to stop the breakage or moisturize to condition and get rid of that straw-like feeling....it's a difficult balance for me to strike in the winter.

I think I will continue to condition and moisturize this weekend and try a light or medium protein next weekend.

HHG

 

[faithVA]

HanaKuroi[/USER];17862609]Hi Hairness
I was using henna for my grays too. I never used the kit from Mehandi but I have used their henna for African hair. I also use Jasmine and red raj from Hennasooq.com she is a member here.

How was the henna for African hair? I just saw that. Did you like it? There kits are pricey. But I do want to try henna again. Maybe I will just do a patch next time.

I have only been using millcreek botanicals for my protein. I might try the ion protein you listed. I am avoiding cones. I try to stay as natural as possible. Do you remember if they are mostly natural?

I try to stay as natural as possible as well. But it's not natural. Not even close. I just needed something that worked. Divachyk uses the ION Effective Care and our hair is very similar so I went with it. I have had so many issues with protein treatments making my hair worse I went with what I thought was safest. Since I'm not using it that often I am willing to make an exception until I find something better.

My hair was in bad shape so I really needed something that was a more intense protein and this seems to have done the trick. If I find a more natural one that works I will let you know.

 

[HanaKuroi]

The henna for African hair is the same as one of their other Rajasthani hennas. I think this is a very strong henna. It really weighed my hair down. I was concerned about my curls for a few days. They bounced back after a few days. It covers the grays very well. Their kits are expensive! I won't buy those.

I think I will try the ion this weekend. I have the ultrasheen duotex but I haven't used it. Sometimes I am leery about some old school brands. Which ion did you use?

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y

 

[DarkJoy]

I live in an extremely cold and harsh climate! Extreme! I have learned that dc'ing and protein make a huge difference.

I was so worried about my hair drying out I wasn't using any protein. Big mistake.

I highlight the above HanaKuroi--you think that cold and need for protein are connected? Interesting thought!

Coincidentally, my hair has been protein starved and it's been cold for my area--and I mean frost on the ground (unusual) and scraping windshields. I did egg and/or yogurt protein 2 weeks in a row and still no sign of overload! Unusual!

 

[HanaKuroi]

I highlight the above HanaKuroi--you think that cold and need for protein are connected? Interesting thought!

Coincidentally, my hair has been protein starved and it's been cold for my area--and I mean frost on the ground (unusual) and scraping windshields. I did egg and/or yogurt protein 2 weeks in a row and still no sign of overload! Unusual!

I am so glad you mentioned the egg thing DarkJoy
How do you keep it from running down your neck? I have forgotten what I mixed it with.

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y

 

[DarkJoy]

Shrunk, my hair is still a TWA, so I only need 1 egg so maybe that's it? Of course, I always have the towel around my neck and a plastic cap on.

Hey, last time I really went wild HanaKuroi! I put an egg, greek yogurt, and banana in a blender for a hard protein, slapped it on--my hair practically GLOWED it was so shiny and puffy soft! HAHA. Who knew?! Just wanted to use that old banana, really.

 

[faithVA]

HanaKuroi[/USER];17862869]The henna for African hair is the same as one of their other Rajasthani hennas. I think this is a very strong henna. It really weighed my hair down. I was concerned about my curls for a few days. They bounced back after a few days. It covers the grays very well. Their kits are expensive! I won't buy those.

I think I will try the ion this weekend. I have the ultrasheen duotex but I haven't used it. Sometimes I am leery about some old school brands. Which ion did you use?

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y

ION has sample sizes of almost everything. You can get the samples instead of the full bottle. I purchased 2 packages each of the ION Reconstructor and the ION Effective Care. I used the ION Reconstructor though because I just colored my hair. Divachyk uses the ION Effective Care which she says works well. I am going to use that in between color applications if needed.

My hair is short (EL to NL), medium density but major shrinkage. I needed 1.25 packs of the ION Reconstructor. I put the remainder in a container for next time.

ION stuff is always on sale though.

 

[Kiowa]

I can't seem to get the curls going with organic products..currently using MJ Curly Buttercreme and MJ Sliken Creme...what am I doing wrong?