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

[1beautiijunkii]

I have 3C-4A hair when my hair is completely natural. Currently I'm texlaxed and I'm growing that out. My hair is coarse and thick

I don't have a regular routine (like a certain day that i wash or cowash) but maybe I should establish one...?

I cowash at least once a week with Suave Clarifying condish or Tresemmé Naturals

I reckon I wash biweekly and I use Suave Naturals Daily Clarifying shampoo

I DC with Organics Olive Oil deep condish and I add EVOO to that

My leave in is Cantu shea butter leave in repair cream

I style with ORS Smooth N Hold pudding and ORS Edge Control and my normal style is a single braid in the back

I have issues with extremely dry hair and dry, brittle ends. My hair is right around BSL or a little longer and my goal is WL all over with thick, healthy ends

 

[HanaKuroi]

I have 3C-4A hair when my hair is completely natural. Currently I'm texlaxed and I'm growing that out. My hair is coarse and thick

I don't have a regular routine (like a certain day that i wash or cowash) but maybe I should establish one...?

I cowash at least once a week with Suave Clarifying condish or Tresemmé Naturals

I reckon I wash biweekly and I use Suave Naturals Daily Clarifying shampoo

I DC with Organics Olive Oil deep condish and I add EVOO to that

My leave in is Cantu shea butter leave in repair cream

I style with ORS Smooth N Hold pudding and ORS Edge Control and my normal style is a single braid in the back

I have issues with extremely dry hair and dry, brittle ends. My hair is right around BSL or a little longer and my goal is WL all over with thick, healthy ends

Stop clarifying. Cowashing with a clarifying conditioner and clarifying shampoo twice a week?! Repair cream? I think that has protein.

Where is your moisture? What are you sealing with?

How often are you moisturizing and sealing?

You must stop stripping your hair with the clarifying shampoos and conditioners.

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

 

[OceanEyes]

I do wet bun because, if I let it dry 100%, it'll be too difficult to put in a bun.

 

[1beautiijunkii]

I use Cantu Shea Butter leave in condish, and ORS Incredibly Rich Oil Moisturizing hair lotion, I seal with olive oil. I don't have a set routine as to how often I moisturize and seal. I'm open to any suggestions ;-)

Stop clarifying. Cowashing with a clarifying conditioner and clarifying shampoo twice a week?! Repair cream? I think that has protein.

Where is your moisture? What are you sealing with?

How often are you moisturizing and sealing?

You must stop stripping your hair with the clarifying shampoos and conditioners.

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

Sent from my dope as f**k Galaxy SIII ;-)

 

[faithVA]

Stop clarifying. Cowashing with a clarifying conditioner and clarifying shampoo twice a week?! Repair cream? I think that has protein.

Where is your moisture? What are you sealing with?

How often are you moisturizing and sealing?

You must stop stripping your hair with the clarifying shampoos and conditioners.

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

The only thing I would add is, are you sure your hair likes dimethicone? When I used them the cantu shea butter products had cones.

 

[faithVA]

OceanEyes[/USER];17943407]I do wet bun because, if I let it dry 100%, it'll be too difficult to put in a bun.

You may want to read some of the threads on bunning. I think some women lost their ends with wet bunning. If I have time tomorrow I will try to find the threads for you.

Are you willing to try another style for 30 days to see if it makes a difference? Can you wig it for 30 days or do another protective style?

 

[AJellyCake]

Lots of women on LHCF have left LIs behind AJellyCake--

for any styles like WnGs, twist outs, etc. most ppl put a LI then oil or styler. I skip the LI part. You can use water to moisten and seal with your favorite product. Done.

I make a concotion of tea and glycerin (in the summer) and keep in a spray bottle. Makes my hair soft w/o build up or drying it out. You can just put (bottled) water in a sprayer and be done with it. lol

I might have to try this!

My regimen is typically a wash n go that I wear out for that day and the day after (maybe), then buns until I cowash again. I scrunch leave-ins a little bit into my hair before pineappling for bed and before bunning during the day (with oil scrunched on top). Leave-ins just don't seem to work too much for me. And applying them makes my hair very frizzy. I'll have to keep working at it.

 

[OceanEyes]

You may want to read some of the threads on bunning. I think some women lost their ends with wet bunning. If I have time tomorrow I will try to find the threads for you.

Are you willing to try another style for 30 days to see if it makes a difference? Can you wig it for 30 days or do another protective style?

I would try twists but I don't like redoing them every couple of days, we'll see. I guess if I twist, I could use a moisturizing spray mix to replace a co-washing session with and reduce manipulation. I've been thinking about wigging but I'd have to order online (no shops here) and I don't want end up with a horrible mop.

 

[Cruzankink]

UPDATE: I did not do my usual EVCO prepoo this last wash day. I wanted to see if I can go w/o a prepoo to shorten my regimen. Well, the answer is no.

I did my usual CW. I DC for 3 hrs including 1.5 hrs under med heat. I used LI and sealed w/ EVOO. I styled my hair in 2strand twists. The next morning I did a twist out. My hair was not at its usual level of softness. I compensated by spritzing water, massaging more LI and sealing w/ sweet almond oil but by the end of the day my hair felt the same.

The last 6 of the 10 mos since I've been natural, I've done EVCO prepoos. My hair seems to love EVCO so when I skipped my prepoo I didn't think it would make a difference since my CW and DC contain loads EVCO. Apparently, I was wrong. I guess the penetrating qualities of EVCO in my overnite prepoo really does soften and allow my hair to retain moisture.

STRUGGLES: Shrinkage

 

[hnntrr]

having a really hard time keeping my moisturized. it feels good while wet but it still dries to look hard and with no sheen. it feels soft but it just LOOKS like a 5 day old twist out and I somehow managed to wrangle my hair into some kinda style...it does this with any curly style. When i flat iron I have no issue with moisture retention its only when i style for curling...not sure what to do or what I am doing wrong. I dc once a week and cowash 2 times a week...should i up my dcing?

 

[faithVA]

hnntrr[/USER];17976161]having a really hard time keeping my moisturized. it feels good while wet but it still dries to look hard and with no sheen. it feels soft but it just LOOKS like a 5 day old twist out and I somehow managed to wrangle my hair into some kinda style...it does this with any curly style. When i flat iron I have no issue with moisture retention its only when i style for curling...not sure what to do or what I am doing wrong. I dc once a week and cowash 2 times a week...should i up my dcing?

So after you rinse what is your regimen?

 

[Cruzankink]

having a really hard time keeping my moisturized....not sure what to do or what I am doing wrong. I dc once a week and cowash 2 times a week...should i up my dcing?

hnntrr You mentioned you CW however, do you poo as well? If yes, w/ what and how often?
Does your hair products contain moisture blocking ingredients like lanolin, silicones, waxes, or mineral oil?
How often do you flat iron (direct heat can dry hair)?

When I BC my hair was super dry. Like you, I CW and DC but it had no positive effect. Through a process of elimination (ie., trying the CG/no poo method) I finally figured the cause of my dryness were poos or any product that lathered for that matter. Research what ingredients add/retain hair moisture and those that block/strip it away. Tailor your reggie to moisture rich ingredients. Eventually, your hair will tell you what works. It took me about 5-6 mos into my natural hair journey to reap soft supple hair.

 

[HeChangedMyName]

I'm just tired of it right now. Its at a length that I would formerly think was long but now that I know better, it just makes me realize how much further I have to go to achieve my hair length goals. These stupid single strand knots are the devil and it seems that the only way to avoid them is to keep my hair stretched which for me would involve heat which would defeat the purpose in the long run.

I just want hair down to my bootay already.

 

[cami88]

I'm just tired of it right now. Its at a length that I would formerly think was long but now that I know better, it just makes me realize how much further I have to go to achieve my hair length goals. These stupid single strand knots are the devil and it seems that the only way to avoid them is to keep my hair stretched which for me would involve heat which would defeat the purpose in the long run.

I just want hair down to my bootay already.

I so relate to this. When I was relaxed I never managed to get my hair past neck length. Now that my hair is nearly bsl I still don't think that is long since I know how long others with my hair type have grown. SSKs are also the bane of my natural hair existence. I keep my hair stretched all the time but I don't use heat. Have you tried banding? That's the method I use to keep my hair free of knots and tangles. If I'm not going out my hair is banded and under a scarf. If I'm wearing half wigs, my hair is banded underneath the wig. I only really take them out if I'm doing a bun. My hair is too prone to knots and tangles to do 'loose' styles.

 

[hnntrr]

hnntrr You mentioned you CW however, do you poo as well? If yes, w/ what and how often?
Does your hair products contain moisture blocking ingredients like lanolin, silicones, waxes, or mineral oil?
How often do you flat iron (direct heat can dry hair)?

When I BC my hair was super dry. Like you, I CW and DC but it had no positive effect. Through a process of elimination (ie., trying the CG/no poo method) I finally figured the cause of my dryness were poos or any product that lathered for that matter. Research what ingredients add/retain hair moisture and those that block/strip it away. Tailor your reggie to moisture rich ingredients. Eventually, your hair will tell you what works. It took me about 5-6 mos into my natural hair journey to reap soft supple hair.

faithVA: i put in nexxus humcestress leave in, eq elasta mango moisturizer and ive been sealing with tea tree oil. then i bantu knot or cross wrap it.

I dont shampoo my hair at all, i have found that shampoo strips my hair horibbly no matter how light it is... I am working to try and figure out what I can use but my hair seems to not like anything... right now I am using mane and tail deep conditioner and organix moroccan argan oil and mixed chicks DC. I also havnt fully flat ironed for about 2 weeks. I only flat iron my bangs, if I am wearing it straight. I am low po so if anything I am using does have any of those things it sure isnt helping. But I have no real way of dcing with heat right now so I just throw a showercap on and a thick winter cap.

 

[Cruzankink]

Its at a length that I would formerly think was long but now that I know better, it just makes me realize how much further I have to go to achieve my hair length goals. I just want hair down to my bootay already.

I so relate to this. I keep my hair stretched all the time but I don't use heat. Have you tried banding? If I'm not going out my hair is banded and under a scarf.

HeChangedMyName and cami88 I am rowing that same boat. I am currently focused on retaining length. Although, I am not experiencing excess SSK and my hair is retaining length, everyone that sees my hair thinks its 3 inches long because of the shrinkage. Without using stretching techniques, I have 80% shrinkage. Yes, 80%!!! I have recently started banding regularly but I live in an area w/ high humidity and my tightly coiled 4b kinks still shrink (although not as bad as it does w/o the banding).

The amount of shrinkage makes me long for my BSL relaxed hair. I can always show off the length when I want to and bun it when I don't. Unfortunately, I don't have that option w/ my natural hair. Truth be told, it might be years until that option is available to me.

 

[faithVA]

faithVA: i put in nexxus humcestress leave in, eq elasta mango moisturizer and ive been sealing with tea tree oil. then i bantu knot or cross wrap it.

I dont shampoo my hair at all, i have found that shampoo strips my hair horibbly no matter how light it is... I am working to try and figure out what I can use but my hair seems to not like anything... right now I am using mane and tail deep conditioner and organix moroccan argan oil and mixed chicks DC. I also havnt fully flat ironed for about 2 weeks. I only flat iron my bangs, if I am wearing it straight. I am low po so if anything I am using does have any of those things it sure isnt helping. But I have no real way of dcing with heat right now so I just throw a showercap on and a thick winter cap.

Start looking at the ingredients in your products.

It looks like the Humectress may have dimethicone. You may want to skip products that have cones, pvp, mineral oil, petroleum, proteins and coconut oil. At least until you figure out what your hair likes.

Your mane and tail also looks like it may have dimethicones and wheat protein.

I haven't used argan oil. Not sure if if it is enough to seal. But you are putting products on your hair that can cause buildup, brittleness and block moisture. And since you don't shampoo, you have no way to get them off.

To start fresh you may need to use a diluted shampoo at least once to get the cones off. But try a cleansing conditioner. You can get several from Sally's. Find products with no protein, no dimethicone, mineral oil, petroleum, coconut oil. And start from there. Unfortunately I can't tell you which products to use because all heads like something different.

My hair is ok with Hair One, Giovanni, As I Am.

You may want to read up in the Low Porosity Support Thread to get some additional tips.

 

[Cruzankink]

i put in nexxus humcestress leave in, eq elasta mango moisturizer, mane and tail deep conditioner and organix moroccan argan oil and mixed chicks DC.

I dont shampoo my hair at all, i have found that shampoo strips my hair horibbly no matter how light it is... I am working to try and figure out what I can use but my hair seems to not like anything...

I also havnt fully flat ironed for about 2 weeks. I only flat iron my bangs, if I am wearing it straight. I am low po so if anything I am using does have any of those things it sure isnt helping. But I have no real way of dcing with heat right now so I just throw a showercap on and a thick winter cap.

hnntrr Thanx for the info! The great thing about your experience is that you've already eliminated a product that doesn't work for you - poos. However, most if not all the products you listed as your leave in, conditioner and deep conditioner contain moisture blocking ingredients like silicones. Most silicones are not water soluble. Since you are co-washing and not pooing that means that those silicones are not being dissolved and remain on your hair blocking moisture.

I suggest trying the Curly Girl method for 4-6 weeks. The CG method is simple: Generally, no products w/ moisture blocking ingredients like silicones, waxes, lanolin and mineral oil; no sulfates; and no poos. My go to products when I co-wash is either As I Am Coconut CoWash or SM purification masque.
I deep condition w/ Organicals Moisturizing Creme. The goal w/ this method to infuse your hair w/ moisture. Once you finished the recommended time, then experiment w/ different ingredients, oils etc. to see how to make you hair even more receptive to moisture.

 

[LivingDoll]

@hnntrr Thanx for the info! The great thing about your experience is that you've already eliminated a product that doesn't work for you - poos. However, most if not all the products you listed as your leave in, conditioner and deep conditioner contain moisture blocking ingredients like silicones. Most silicones are not water soluble. Since you are co-washing and not pooing that means that those silicones are not being dissolved and remain on your hair blocking moisture.

I suggest trying the Curly Girl method for 4-6 weeks. The CG method is simple: Generally, no products w/ moisture blocking ingredients like silicones, waxes, lanolin and mineral oil; no sulfates; and no poos. My go to products when I co-wash is either As I Am Coconut CoWash or SM purification masque.
I deep condition w/ Organicals Moisturizing Creme. The goal w/ this method to infuse your hair w/ moisture. Once you finished the recommended time, then experiment w/ different ingredients, oils etc. to see how to make you hair even more receptive to moisture.

Start looking at the ingredients in your products.

It looks like the Humectress may have dimethicone. You may want to skip products that have cones, pvp, mineral oil, petroleum, proteins and coconut oil. At least until you figure out what your hair likes.

Your mane and tail also looks like it may have dimethicones and wheat protein.

I haven't used argan oil. Not sure if if it is enough to seal. But you are putting products on your hair that can cause buildup, brittleness and block moisture. And since you don't shampoo, you have no way to get them off.

To start fresh you may need to use a diluted shampoo at least once to get the cones off. But try a cleansing conditioner. You can get several from Sally's. Find products with no protein, no dimethicone, mineral oil, petroleum, coconut oil. And start from there. Unfortunately I can't tell you which products to use because all heads like something different.

My hair is ok with Hair One, Giovanni, As I Am.

You may want to read up in the Low Porosity Support Thread to get some additional tips.

@hnntrr...It's also EXTREMELY important that your first poo be a clarifying poo to start the CG method. So use something with a sulfate to completely clarify all of the buildup. I just wanted to be sure that you knew to clarify first before you start the CG method. After you clarify that first time, you shouldn't use a sulfate poo again unless you've used a product with non-water soluable cones, mineral oil, petroleum, etc. (any ingredient that isn't water soluable). Hope that helps.


ITA with everything that these ladies have said.

 

[faithVA]

^^Elasta QP has a sulfate shampoo that isn't super harsh. I was using it before I switched to non sulfates.

 

[CurliDiva]

I think my hair doesn't likes being WET constantly - it seems stronger and less prone to breakage if it gets to dry (.....no wet buns, no constant baggying, no overnight conditioners) out.

 

[hnntrr]

Ahh! It sounds like most of my products have some kinda sometimg thats blocking moisture. I will look when I get home and post the things I am using regularly cause I dont know what to look for as far as things I should avoid go (like the scientific . names and stuff).

 

[HeChangedMyName]

I so relate to this. When I was relaxed I never managed to get my hair past neck length. Now that my hair is nearly bsl I still don't think that is long since I know how long others with my hair type have grown. SSKs are also the bane of my natural hair existence. I keep my hair stretched all the time but I don't use heat. Have you tried banding? That's the method I use to keep my hair free of knots and tangles. If I'm not going out my hair is banded and under a scarf. If I'm wearing half wigs, my hair is banded underneath the wig. I only really take them out if I'm doing a bun. My hair is too prone to knots and tangles to do 'loose' styles.

I've not tried bunning, but I work in an office everyday so I don't have that as an option unfortunately. I have 1 wig that I recently purchased and my hair has to be super flat underneath for it to look right. I am just at my whits end. I've got to figure out something. I may need some youtube therapy to figure it out. lol

HeChangedMyName and cami88 I am rowing that same boat. I am currently focused on retaining length. Although, I am not experiencing excess SSK and my hair is retaining length, everyone that sees my hair thinks its 3 inches long because of the shrinkage. Without using stretching techniques, I have 80% shrinkage. Yes, 80%!!! I have recently started banding regularly but I live in an area w/ high humidity and my tightly coiled 4b kinks still shrink (although not as bad as it does w/o the banding).

The amount of shrinkage makes me long for my BSL relaxed hair. I can always show off the length when I want to and bun it when I don't. Unfortunately, I don't have that option w/ my natural hair. Truth be told, it might be years until that option is available to me.

I have shrinkage like that too. when my hair is sopping wet, the front shows a tad bit of length, but the back still shrinks ALL THE WAY UP. Stretched, I have around 8"(at last measure), but shrunken, my hair can easily appear to be 2" short. I don't mind fooling people but I wish I had some hang time and at this rate my hair will need to be knee length to even appear to be long.

 

[Amarilles]

I don't mind fooling people but I wish I had some hang time and at this rate my hair will need to be knee length to even appear to be long.

Same. My tightest pattern (4a I think) hangs like a bat but they're still shrinky little effers. Don't count on hang time to give you length, the shrinkies will just find another excuse to shrink.

 

[hnntrr]

So I just got home and ALL my staple products have either some sort of cone, sulfate combo in it. Which sucks hahaha but would also explain why I am having problems.
Nexxus Humec has cones, one non water soluable one water soluble and coconut oil. My Eco styler has wheat protein (which isnt the worst thing in the world since I dnt use it that often). My elasta eq has sulfates and cones and my staple organic has sulfates and cones. and my mixed chicks just has 1 cone (which might explain why my hair did a little better with that). and organics africa best olive oil has sulfates cones and protein.....

UGH. I have used all of these in my hair some as late as december. No wonder I am having problems. I dont know which one of these my hair likes and doesnt like. ACK.

I think the only things that my hair might be okay with is the eco styler...I wanna think the mixed chicks too just cause it softened my hair up SOOO much and it was soo nice...but I wont guess.

It seems like the ONLY thing I have that I just bought that doesnt have any cones or sulfates is the one n only argan oil hydrating mask....it does have protein (hydrolized keratin but its 2nd to last on the list)...
Guess ill be doing this curly girl method.

 

[LivingDoll]

hnntrr

I was the same way. I have a copier paper box full of stuff with ingredients I can't use anymore. Luckily DD is still relaxed and they still work for her.

Don't be alarmed if your hair looks worse at first. That's normal. I'm at my 3 week mark doing a modified CG regime and my hair and scalp finally seem to be on track. I'm definitely gonna continue with it.

 

[hnntrr]

hnntrr

I was the same way. I have a copier paper box full of stuff with ingredients I can't use anymore. Luckily DD is still relaxed and they still work for her.

Don't be alarmed if your hair looks worse at first. That's normal. I'm at my 3 week mark doing a modified CG regime and my hair and scalp finally seem to be on track. I'm definitely gonna continue with it.

I wonder if that explains why they have worked so well on my relaxed hair...but not my natural hair. Does the relaxed process break down the porosity of the hair too? Cause of that is true I wonder if that has always been the root of the problem?

eta: does anyone have an suggestions on products that have no cones or sulphates? I dont mind proteins as long as they would be lower on the list...but I am having a hard time finding things with no cones/sulphates in them. I am going to try the hydrating mask I have tonight that only had proteins and seal with tea tree oil and see if that makes any kinda difference..

 

[DarkJoy]

The shea moisture line, Aubrey organics are the first that come to mind that are cone and fate free.

 

[HanaKuroi]

I use oyin handmade, Qhemets Biologics, silk dreams, and luv naturals. All cone and sulfate free. They are all online though.

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

 

[faithVA]

@hnntrr

I was the same way. I have a copier paper box full of stuff with ingredients I can't use anymore. Luckily DD is still relaxed and they still work for her.

Don't be alarmed if your hair looks worse at first. That's normal. I'm at my 3 week mark doing a modified CG regime and my hair and scalp finally seem to be on track. I'm definitely gonna continue with it.

My scalp loves the CG method. I stopped doing it (cowashing) because my hair is too short to be able to get it in mid-week, but as soon as I can work it again, I will be back to it. My products are all CG friendly but I want to get back to cowashing, finger detangling, etc.