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

[Cruzankink]

I've been avoiding this because of the "hold". Does it make your hair stiff?

@APrayer4Hair I forgot to address that... I have not noticed that it provides any "hold" on my hair but I have 4b kinks in a TWA so my hair ain't moving much anyway. I have not experienced any stiffness either. Also, it does not contain any ingredient (to my knowledge) that provides significant "hold". Actually, it does not provide significant shine either. If I were to rate the product based on its claims I'll give it a 2 out of 5 since it fails on hold and shine.

I took a chance on this product based on its all natural ingredients and that it moisturizes. My daily moisture routine consists of spritzing my hair w/ water, applying a water based cream moisturizer then sealing. I like it because its water infused w/ absorbing oils and extracts that adds the water part of my daily regimen. So far its working.

 

[faithVA]

I tried my first WNG last night. If I can get at least 2 days hair out of this then I can try this style for March. That way I can just finger detangle my hair and leave it alone until I cowash it again. I still have to moisturize it in the morning and lift it with my fingers because it shrinks to my head majorly. But it will accomplish a lot of goals
1. Allowing me to cowash during the week and keep my scalp healthy.
2. Give me easy access to my scalp for massages and oiling
3. Skipping combing
4. Skipping a lot of manipulation
5. Having 2nd and maybe 3rd day hair.

I slept on it last night. If I can sleep on it tonight than its a go.

I thought I would be self conscious with it so short but with a head band, I'm not at all.

 

[Cruzankink]

I tried my first WNG last night. If I can get at least 2 days hair out of this then I can try this style for March. That way I can just finger detangle my hair and leave it alone until I cowash it again. I still have to moisturize it in the morning and lift it with my fingers because it shrinks to my head majorly. But it will accomplish a lot of goals
1. Allowing me to cowash during the week and keep my scalp healthy.
2. Give me easy access to my scalp for massages and oiling
3. Skipping combing
4. Skipping a lot of manipulation
5. Having 2nd and maybe 3rd day hair.

I slept on it last night. If I can sleep on it tonight than its a go.

I thought I would be self conscious with it so short but with a head band, I'm not at all.

@faithVA I don't want to be a Debbie Downer... I understand that you may want to try this style for its low manipulation to not exascerbate your mid shaft splits but I think you're jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
We are both type 4. My experience has shown, repeatedly, that WnG dries out my hair. My hair cannot hold moisture and softness w/ WnG at all. I always need to wet the hair and add conditioner everytime I need to style. To me this defeats the purpose of a carefree style like WnG. I can never get 2nd much less 3rd day hair w/ the style no matter what products I use.

The ridiculous shrinkage I get from WnG gives way to SSK galore. You may choose not to manipulate your hair for a couple days - but if your experience is like mine - you'll spend 2x or 3x the time manipulating by detangling. When you have hair already fragile due to splits, that is a potential set back.

I do WnG sparingly maybe 1x every 2 month. Its not a style that helps me retain length b/c of the SSK and ends breaking. B/c of the ease, it's a style that I plan to use on yearly vacations. I hope I didn't come off strong but you should be fully aware of what WnG can do to kinky hair and ensure that you have the products/techniques/tools to fight the hazards.

 

[DarkJoy]

Agreeing with Cruzankink faithVA.

When was your last dye. We've never directly addressed this which is probably the root. Not knocking you. I cover mine too (henna tho). Perhaps there is a special color treated Reggie for natural hair. Are you going lighter too or dying black?

Also curious about your shears. Are they professional? Cutting a half inch is trimming off a whole months growth not dusting.

 

[faithVA]

@faithVA I don't want to be a Debbie Downer... I understand that you may want to try this style for its low manipulation to not exascerbate your mid shaft splits but I think you're jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
We are both type 4. My experience has shown, repeatedly, that WnG dries out my hair. My hair cannot hold moisture and softness w/ WnG at all. I always need to wet the hair and add conditioner everytime I need to style. To me this defeats the purpose of a carefree style like WnG. I can never get 2nd much less 3rd day hair w/ the style no matter what products I use.

The ridiculous shrinkage I get from WnG gives way to SSK galore. You may choose not to manipulate your hair for a couple days - but if your experience is like mine - you'll spend 2x or 3x the time manipulating by detangling. When you have hair already fragile due to splits, that is a potential set back.

I do WnG sparingly maybe 1x every 2 month. Its not a style that helps me retain length b/c of the SSK and ends breaking. B/c of the ease, it's a style that I plan to use on yearly vacations. I hope I didn't come off strong but you should be fully aware of what WnG can do to kinky hair and ensure that you have the products/techniques/tools to fight the hazards.

I'm not sensitive Say what you need to say.

My hair does not hold moisture for more than a day doesn't matter what style I wear. And the analysis lady wants me to wet, moisturize and seal my hair every day. So that's the rub. So when I say not manipulate I mean I'm not going to comb or twist.

My hair is too short to twist every night. I just don't have the time to send 45 minutes to an hour a night retwisting my hair. And I am cowashing 3x a week. So right now my choices are

1. WNG or a puff. But as soon as I moisturize my puff its just a WNG

At 3" I can call my styles something different, but after an hour everything is the same thing. It's a curly afro.

But I do hear you. It may take me a minute to figure out something that I can truly work.

As far as detangling, my hair doesn't really tangle as strange as that sounds. When I wet my hair and put conditioner on it, it just sort of unravels. I don't know if it just isn't long enough to tangle or what.

But honestly, I am just trying to take all the criteria I have and find two hairstyles I can use to make it through the week. It is very complicated at the moment. I don't see a happy place. I think I have to pick between the lesser of two evils.

 

[faithVA]

Agreeing with Cruzankink faithVA.

When was your last dye. We've never directly addressed this which is probably the root. Not knocking you. I cover mine too (henna tho). Perhaps there is a special color treated Reggie for natural hair. Are you going lighter too or dying black?

Also curious about your shears. Are they professional? Cutting a half inch is trimming off a whole months growth not dusting.

Not going to front. As I told the analysis lady I won't be going without my hair dye. I just shave it bald if I have to go gray right now

But to answer your question, I think I colored the 1st week of February. I colored my roots every 8 to 12 weeks. I tried henna but my hair is low porosity and it just rinses off after a week. The same with temporary colors. I color my hair darker. My hair is a medium/sandy brown (yuck) and I color it dark brown.

I have changed my regi this month after reading up more on color that is why I added the protein treatments which have helped. I stretch my color out as long as possible until I can stand it anymore. I DC every week. They have conditioners for color treated hair but I haven't found one that works.They usually are catering to preventing color from fading. I don't care if my color fades. I just cover grays. Once covered they stay covered.

I just bought new shears from Sally's last month. I got the 2nd to the best according to the lady.

Yeah I know 1/2" is a lot. Because I cut my hair curly, I can't tell you how much I cut off. I just know what the damage ends look like and I cut each section. I just know its somewhere between 1/4 to 1/2. And that is going go very by area.

Yes I know color is the root. I am just trying to work around it. I'm not pretending it's not the color. But I know I'm not going to live without color, so I have to make things work. It is going to work Dang It!!!!

 

[faithVA]

So Cruzankink and DarkJoy, do you have any suggestions? I really can't think of anything at this stage that is going to not be a challenge.

The only two styles I can think of that will allow me to wash my scalp mid-week, and allow me to moisturize and seal every night without a lot of manipulation is either a WNG or a puff. I am working with the bantu knots/pin curls. I can do those on the weekend but mid-week they don't have time to dry.

Cruzankink, how did you wear your hair when it was shorter?

 

[DarkJoy]

faithVA, girl I know. I'm starting to get really salt and pepper especially around the bangs and it's creeping towards the crown. But then again, I've had grays since I was a teenager Lucky me...

If you're just dying black, why not use indigo henna and let the peroxide stuff grow out? Or did you say you tried it before?

Speaking of which, I need to add that indigo to my Indian market shopping list

 

[faithVA]

DarkJoy[/USER];18027865] faithVA, girl I know. I'm starting to get really salt and pepper especially around the bangs and it's creeping towards the crown. But then again, I've had grays since I was a teenager Lucky me...

If you're just dying black, why not use indigo henna and let the peroxide stuff grow out? Or did you say you tried it before?

Speaking of which, I need to add that indigo to my Indian market shopping list

I've tried it before and it just washes out after a week. My hair just won't hold onto it. I actually hennaed for all of 2011 and most of 2012 before I said the heck with this. I colored my hair from 2004 to 2009. Not sure what I was doing in 2010. 2011 and 2012 I did henna. Summer of 2012 I said the heck with this. My hair was 4 different colors: brown, sandy brown, read and gray I was not happy.

My dad was gray when he was 21

 

[DarkJoy]

I hear you about the red shades... I've decided to do black henna, indigo, and to heck with the rest. The red isn't holding onto my grays too well either. See what the black does...besides, black is easier to match with weave and whatnot. lol

I hate to say it @faithVA, but you might have to seriously start PJing to find the products that will work with color treated hair, especially since you're going brownish, and lifting your own natural... PJing can be fun, tho!

 

[faithVA]

I hear you about the red shades... I've decided to do black henna, indigo, and to heck with the rest. The red isn't holding onto my grays too well either. See what the black does...besides, black is easier to match with weave and whatnot. lol

I hate to say it @faithVA, but you might have to seriously start PJing to find the products that will work with color treated hair, especially since you're going brownish, and lifting your own natural... PJing can be fun, tho!

ooh, no you aren't trying to make me go buy stuff

I am almost finished with the samples I got from HanaKuroi, Komaza Care and from my girl Tashboog. I was loaded I did learn a some things though.

I am going to buy the new Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango line from Sally's this weekend. I am also go to repurchase the As I Am leave-in. Before I did the protein treatment it is the only thing I have used in 2 years that came even close to working. So maybe it will work even better after the protein.

Also going to try the Karen's Body Beautiful and Camile Rose line if they come to my Target. So I have some plans.

 

[ronie]

Cruzankink the shea moisture mist was on my list to try, but as APrayer4Hair said i was afraid of the HOLD. Right now i spritz with water mixed with sheaterra rosewater, then moisturize with either the sea moisture curl milk (in the bottle) or Qhemet BRBC. My hair loves both, but when i am in cornrows i would love something to penetrate my coils easier. I do have course 4b hair as well, so i will definitely try it first.

 

[Cruzankink]

So @Cruzankink and @DarkJoy, do you have any suggestions? I really can't think of anything at this stage that is going to not be a challenge.

The only two styles I can think of that will allow me to wash my scalp mid-week, and allow me to moisturize and seal every night without a lot of manipulation is either a WNG or a puff. I am working with the bantu knots/pin curls. I can do those on the weekend but mid-week they don't have time to dry.

@Cruzankink, how did you wear your hair when it was shorter?

faithVA Now that I think of it, for the first 2 months or so after I BC'd, I rocked WnG. I'd wet my hair daily then add SM CES and Eco or just spritz w/ water to reactivate the products of the day before. My hair didn't get SSK or tangles. I believes its b/c my hair was shorter (2"-3" long) and I had a brazilian keratin treatment which loosened my curl pattern. Those were the easy days. That worked until the BKT wore off and my fried ends became ever present.
Then I started 2-strand twisting. I liked the look but like you hated the 3x or more a week that I spend twisting my hair. Then I discovered bantu knots but still I was rebantuing 2-3x/week just to keep the style fresh. I went back to WnG but as much as I tried to make it work for me its not a style that I can do w/o loosening my curl pattern.
Around late Sept-Oct 2012 I'd twist my hair on wash day and my twist outs would last a full 5 days. Thus no retwisting mid-week which was a blessing. Now that my hair is longer, my twist out definition last about 3 days. The start of day 4 they are unraveling but I still rock it. Its just more afroey w/ less twist definition. I just don't want to spend time retwisting.

I suggest trying the WnG see how it works w/ your hair. Maybe since its shorter you may not get the SSKs and tangles that plagued me when my hair got longer. Continue to do the twist on weekends and twist out during the week. When your TO loose definition go to WnGs.

@Cruzankink the shea moisture mist was on my list to try, but as @APrayer4Hair said i was afraid of the HOLD. Right now i spritz with water mixed with sheaterra rosewater, then moisturize with either the sea moisture curl milk (in the bottle) or Qhemet BRBC. My hair loves both, but when i am in cornrows i would love something to penetrate my coils easier. I do have course 4b hair as well, so i will definitely try it first.

ronie Try it! Instead of spritzing water w/ sheaterra rosewater try the SM Mist. Its not an expensive gamble since its about $10. I have fine 4b hair but I think it would work w/ coarser strands like yours.

 

[HanaKuroi]

ooh, no you aren't trying to make me go buy stuff

I am almost finished with the samples I got from HanaKuroi, Komaza Care and from my girl Tashboog. I was loaded I did learn a some things though.

I am going to buy the new Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango line from Sally's this weekend. I am also go to repurchase the As I Am leave-in. Before I did the protein treatment it is the only thing I have used in 2 years that came even close to working. So maybe it will work even better after the protein.

Also going to try the Karen's Body Beautiful and Camile Rose line if they come to my Target. So I have some plans.

The elasta qp olive oil and mango butter ingredients:

Ingredients: Water, Olive Oil, Capric Caprylic Tirglycerides, PEG-75 Lanolin, Behntrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceterareth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Mango butter, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Biotin (Vitamin H), Linoleic Acid (Vitamin F), Avacado Oil, Fragrance, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Hydrolyzed Silk, CI19140 Yellow 5.

faithVA make sure when you go to Sallys you check the ingredients. I don't know if they all cones but they do have parabens. I remember being very excited when I saw this at Sallys. Then I read dimeticone, lanolin and 2 parabens. I didn't look at every qp product though.

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

 

[faithVA]

HanaKuroi[/USER];18031431]The elasta qp olive oil and mango butter ingredients:

Ingredients: Water, Olive Oil, Capric Caprylic Tirglycerides, PEG-75 Lanolin, Behntrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceterareth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Mango butter, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Biotin (Vitamin H), Linoleic Acid (Vitamin F), Avacado Oil, Fragrance, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Hydrolyzed Silk, CI19140 Yellow 5.

faithVA make sure when you go to Sallys you check the ingredients. I don't know if they all cones but they do have parabens. I remember being very excited when I saw this at Sallys. Then I read dimeticone, lanolin and 2 parabens. I didn't look at every qp product though.

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

Thank You. The new line doesn't have parabens that I saw. And they have water soluble cones PEG Dimethicone vs Dimethicone. But I will double check as you are saying before I buy anything. I may pick and choose products. Or might not buy anything I will definitely stay away from the dimethicone.

Here is the Curling Pudding.
Aqua, Glycine Soja Oil/Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil/Olive Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter/Mango Butter, Argonia Spinosa Nut Oil/Argon Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil/Coconut Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit/Shea Butter, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract/Rosemary Extract, Dimethicone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract/Aloe Vera Extract, Phenyl Trimethicone, Panax Ginseng Root Extract/Ginseng Extract, Glycerin, Polyquaternium 11, Steareth 2, Steareth 20, DMDM Hydantoin, lmidazolidinyl Urea,Sodium Carbomer, PEG 150 Distearate, PEG 12 Dimethicone, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Oil/Carrot Oil, Parfum/Fragrance, Benzyl Benzoate, Citrai,Citronellal, d-Limonene, Geraniol, Lilial, Linalool.

Here is the Leave-in
Aqua, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil/Olive Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter/Mango Butter, Argania Spinosa Nut Oil/Argan Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil/Coconut Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract/Rosemary Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit/Shea Butter, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil/Soybean Oil, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Polyquaternium 37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, DMDM Hydantoin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Oil/Carrot Oil, Parfum/Fragrance, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Citronellal, d-Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool.

 

[faithVA]

I had 2nd day hair with my WNG but not 3rd day hair. So I will use the WNG for emergencies. I cowashed this morning and put in my leave-in and cream. Then I took some barrettes and pulled my hair in the direction of the puff to let it air dry a bit. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to get it into a puff.

Not sure what I am going to do with it tonight and tomorrow. Maybe I can pincurl it. We will see how that goes.

 

[faithVA]

You are right HanaKuroi, I can't use that product line. Let me go back to the basics. Let me investigate the Shea Moisture lines for a shampoo and conditioner. I think I will stick with the As I Am for a leave-in.

I'm off to do some research.

 

[faithVA]

Excuse my brain fart. You wouldn't know it was Friday. Somehow I got confused. I wanted to try the 4 Naturals line at Sally's not the Elasta QP Not sure how I got confused

4 Naturals Extra Moist Detangling Shampoo
Water, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl, Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernal Oil, Vitis Vinefera (Grape) Seed Extract, PEG-120 Methyl glucose Dioleate, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Panthenol, Rice Amino Acids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance

4 Naturals Extra Moist Detangling Conditioner
Water, Quaternium-91, Behentrimonium Chloride, Myristyl Myrisate, Cetearyl Alcohol (not liquid alcohol but a solid emollient conditioning alcohol that is great for hair and skin), Amodimethicone, Centrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Elaeis Guineensis (palm) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Fragrance

4 Naturals Reconstructor Conditioner
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol (not liquid alcohol but a solid emollient conditioning alcohol that is great for hair and skin), Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Phenoxy-ethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenisn, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Vitis Vinefera (Grape) Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol-Helianthus Annuus Seed, Extract, Capric Triglyceride, Rice Amino Acids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance

4 Naturals Afro Stretch Curl Cream
Water , PEG-50 Shea Butter , Glycerin , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) , Glyceryl Stearate , Sodium Acrylate , Sodium Acryloyldimethyl , Taurate Copolymer , Trideceth-6 , Phenoxyethanol , Caprylyl Glycol , Chlorphenesin , Fragrance

The ingredients for the leave-in aren't listed.

 

[HanaKuroi]

Excuse my brain fart. You wouldn't know it was Friday. Somehow I got confused. I wanted to try the 4 Naturals line at Sally's not the Elasta QP Not sure how I got confused

4 Naturals Extra Moist Detangling Shampoo
Water, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl, Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernal Oil, Vitis Vinefera (Grape) Seed Extract, PEG-120 Methyl glucose Dioleate, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Panthenol, Rice Amino Acids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance

4 Naturals Extra Moist Detangling Conditioner
Water, Quaternium-91, Behentrimonium Chloride, Myristyl Myrisate, Cetearyl Alcohol (not liquid alcohol but a solid emollient conditioning alcohol that is great for hair and skin), Amodimethicone, Centrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Elaeis Guineensis (palm) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Fragrance

4 Naturals Reconstructor Conditioner
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol (not liquid alcohol but a solid emollient conditioning alcohol that is great for hair and skin), Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Phenoxy-ethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenisn, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Vitis Vinefera (Grape) Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol-Helianthus Annuus Seed, Extract, Capric Triglyceride, Rice Amino Acids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance

4 Naturals Afro Stretch Curl Cream
Water , PEG-50 Shea Butter , Glycerin , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) , Glyceryl Stearate , Sodium Acrylate , Sodium Acryloyldimethyl , Taurate Copolymer , Trideceth-6 , Phenoxyethanol , Caprylyl Glycol , Chlorphenesin , Fragrance

The ingredients for the leave-in aren't listed.

Now it makes sense! Lol!

I was trying to understand why you picked elasta qp. Heheee.

Too many product names.

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

 

[Cruzankink]

UPDATE: As promised, I examined my shed hair for signs of splits. I didn't see any. Ofcourse, that doesn't mean that they don't exist but my hair is so fine that its difficult to see w/ the naked eye any signs of damage. Also during wash day, I was hyper-vigilant in finding hair breakage signaling damaged hair. I found a few but nothing that alarmed me.

I am planning to get another Komaza Hair Analysis done for my 1 yr nappiversary (1.5 yrs post relaxer) in April. The first analysis I had was somewhat inconclusive. Although Jen didn't find significant signs of damage, I didn't send a large enough sample of hair for her to make a thorough analysis. Then my house burned down the week I was to send my 3 mos update hair - so that was a bust. For now, I'm concentrating in keeping my ends moisturized and heavy sealing them w/ an olive oil pomade to help w/ the dryness/bushyness.

 

[lana]

Hi ladies, I would appreciate help on my twist outs. I have been getting inconsistant results and sometimes my ends are very dry. But keep in mind that I'm about six months into my transition (from texlaxed) and I'm sure that my texlaxed ends are weaker than my natural hair.

I use Shea Moisture and EcoStyler Gel to twist. Yes, I think the gel causes my ends to be too "hard" but I cocoon the ends and just using the Shea Moisture - won't cut it. I'm a 4b and I really feel like I need gel for hold.

Any suggestions? I retwist about three times a week. I just trimmed this weekend so I want to continue in the right direction. Straightened - my hair hangs around my bra-strap.

 

[HanaKuroi]

Hi ladies, I would appreciate help on my twist outs. I have been getting inconsistant results and sometimes my ends are very dry. But keep in mind that I'm about six months into my transition (from texlaxed) and I'm sure that my texlaxed ends are weaker than my natural hair.

I use Shea Moisture and EcoStyler Gel to twist. Yes, I think the gel causes my ends to be too "hard" but I cocoon the ends and just using the Shea Moisture - won't cut it. I'm a 4b and I really feel like I need gel for hold.

Any suggestions? I retwist about three times a week.

There is some special layering some ladies do with that Eco styler to prevent that crunchiness. I don't know what it is though. Hopefully someone will chime in.

I don't use shea moisture or ecostyler.

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

 

[Cruzankink]

Hi ladies, I would appreciate help on my twist outs. I have been getting inconsistant results and sometimes my ends are very dry. But keep in mind that I'm about six months into my transition (from texlaxed) and I'm sure that my texlaxed ends are weaker than my natural hair.

I use Shea Moisture and EcoStyler Gel to twist. Yes, I think the gel causes my ends to be too "hard" but I cocoon the ends and just using the Shea Moisture - won't cut it. I'm a 4b and I really feel like I need gel for hold.

Any suggestions? I retwist about three times a week. I just trimmed this weekend so I want to continue in the right direction. Straightened - my hair hangs around my bra-strap.

lana Try substituting your gel w/ a twisting cream when twisting your hair. Twisting creams are supposed to be formulated to provide moisture as well as hold - thus eliminating dry/crunchy ends. I have a love/hate relationship w/ As I Am Twist Defining Cream but its the one cream that has consistently giving me the results I like.

 

[faithVA]

Now it makes sense! Lol!

I was trying to understand why you picked elasta qp. Heheee.

Too many product names.

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

I'm glad you called me on it. I would have been so mad if I had gone to Sally's and bought that Elasta QP line.

I did get the whole 4Naturals line. Will start using it Sunday.

 

[lana]

Cruzankink - thank you for the suggestion. You just reminded me that I was twisting with Talijah Walid Twisting cream and I ran out of it and started back with Ecostyler gel. I will give it a try! I really want to maintain my ends and my length.

One thing that is great from twisting, the back of my hair has always been prone to breakage, but with the moisturizing and sealing and almost no heat...it has grown like a weed!

 

[faithVA]

UPDATE: As promised, I examined my shed hair for signs of splits. I didn't see any. Ofcourse, that doesn't mean that they don't exist but my hair is so fine that its difficult to see w/ the naked eye any signs of damage. Also during wash day, I was hyper-vigilant in finding hair breakage signaling damaged hair. I found a few but nothing that alarmed me.

I am planning to get another Komaza Hair Analysis done for my 1 yr nappiversary (1.5 yrs post relaxer) in April. The first analysis I had was somewhat inconclusive. Although Jen didn't find significant signs of damage, I didn't send a large enough sample of hair for her to make a thorough analysis. Then my house burned down the week I was to send my 3 mos update hair - so that was a bust. For now, I'm concentrating in keeping my ends moisturized and heavy sealing them w/ an olive oil pomade to help w/ the dryness/bushyness.

Why don't you just email them and explain the situation. I know its long beyond your 3 month update, but if you explain that to Jen, I believe she will understand. Just ask if you can do your follow up now due to your situation.

 

[faithVA]

lana[/USER];18045021]Cruzankink - thank you for the suggestion. You just reminded me that I was twisting with Talijah Walid Twisting cream and I ran out of it and started back with Ecostyler gel. I will give it a try! I really want to maintain my ends and my length.

One thing that is great from twisting, the back of my hair has always been prone to breakage, but with the moisturizing and sealing and almost no heat...it has grown like a weed!

I was going to recommend the Taliah Waajid. I use the Curling Cream and it is only $6 or $7.

Those that do use the Ecostyler though apply an light oil before or after the gel to get rid of the crunchiness. I think a cream is more moisturizing though than a gel.

 

[Cruzankink]

Why don't you just email them and explain the situation. I know its long beyond your 3 month update, but if you explain that to Jen, I believe she will understand. Just ask if you can do your follow up now due to your situation.

faithVA I just emailed them. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[faithVA]

Here is my new regimen which I will try out for 4 weeks. Do you see anything I missed?

1. Prepoo.....PRODUCT: AO White Camelia, as needed

2. Shampoo.....4 Naturals Extra Moist Detangling Shampoo.....Will wash 2x

3. Protein Conditioner.....4 Naturals Reconstructor Conditioner.....Every other week

4. Instant Conditioner.....4 Naturals Extra Moist Detangling Conditioner.....Every other week

5. Deep Conditioner.....AO Blue Chamomile.....Every other week after Protein Conditioner
.....Will determine if used after instant
.....Will use heat cap for minimum of 30 min.

6. Scalp Treatment.....NJoy's Growth Oil.....2x a week overnight
.....1x a week before DC

7. Baggying.....After final rinse, under heat cap for 15 min.

8. Detangling.....Use 6 to 8 sections when applying DC
.....Finger detangling either during DC application or before rinse.

9. Moisturize/Seal - Wash Day
.....As I Am Leave-In
.....4 Naturals Afro Curl Stretch Cream.

10. Moisturize/Seal - Daily
.....Kimmay Tube Leave-in
........As I Am Leave-In
........Aloe Vera
........Sunflower oil
........Apricot Oil
........Seal ends with pomade

11. Mid-week Cowash.....1x to 2x a week.....AO White Camellia.....Repeat Step 9

Styles
1. Wash day will be 2 strand twists to wear a twist out.
2. Mid-week, will pin curl
3. Puff only in emergency situations

 

[Cruzankink]

Wow! faithVA Your reggie seem to cover everything from scalp to ends. Good luck!