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

[hnntrr]

I BC'ed last night. Happy with the cut, unhappy with the results. Most of my hair has this loose s curl (which my mom claims I had when I was little) which is fine when wet, but when i try to braid/flat twist it, it dries completely striaight. I dont know if I have heat damage or not, I dont know if thats just how my hair is. I dont know. Kinda freaking out because its not long enough to bantu knot, i have no way of getting perm rods, i could do a straw set but I dont know if the back of my head is too short. I dont know what to do right now and my mom and bf yelling at me about cutting it isnt helping.

pictures of my cut both wet, dry, damp are on page 50 and 49 of here:http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=635847&page=50.

i pretty have tonight to figure out how to do my hair for the most important exhibition of my life.

 

[JJamiah]

@@JJamiah, You could always try a mudwash or mix your own bentonite clay to detox your hair. Your hair may not be damaged but may just be weighed down with the chemicals of the pool. Have you tried clarify or chelating?

Morrocco Method also sells detox clay in smaller sample sizes.

Hi faithVA

I did clarify and my hair which was very much weighed down snapped back into place.. all but the spot in the back that seems burned/frayed (I am trying to describe what it feels like when I touch it) it is the only spot that isn't snapping back, I so deserve it... HUH... hair grows back, I am glad I know a little more about swimming. I have 5 more full weeks to go before my classes finish. I am proud of myself.. I am not going to lie though, I am a little ticked aout my hair...

 

[HanaKuroi]

I BC'ed last night. Happy with the cut, unhappy with the results. Most of my hair has this loose s curl (which my mom claims I had when I was little) which is fine when wet, but when i try to braid/flat twist it, it dries completely striaight. I dont know if I have heat damage or not, I dont know if thats just how my hair is. I dont know. Kinda freaking out because its not long enough to bantu knot, i have no way of getting perm rods, i could do a straw set but I dont know if the back of my head is too short. I dont know what to do right now and my mom and bf yelling at me about cutting it isnt helping.

pictures of my cut both wet, dry, damp are on page 50 and 49 of here:http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=635847&page=50.

i pretty have tonight to figure out how to do my hair for the most important exhibition of my life.

Why not cut the straight end off a small piece of hair and see if it curls up.

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

 

[hnntrr]

Why not cut the straight end off a small piece of hair and see if it curls up.

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

I picked some spots and did....they didn't curl up. It just stayed the same, there were a few few areas that snapped back but most of them looked exactly the same.

I called and talked to the lady who did/does my hair and she said the same things as you guys but she also said it could be my hair. She used to relax me and she said thats how it was growing out of my hair even then and that sometimes wavy hair dries straight if it can't complete the curl.

So its one of those three, I prolly still do have some relaxed ends i just couldnt get which is a high possibility...on the places I know I cut to the natural hair, it could be heat damage...or it could just be my hair.

Regardless I am going to try not to stress. I bought some curly creme brule some hair accessories and am gonna try to figure out how I can wear it for my opening tomorrow and then not worry about it. I am getting twists back soon so I really wont have to look at it after awhile.

Sorry for my major freak out, I was just expecting it to snap back and be all coily.... but that may just not be my hair...maybe this is the way it is. We will see. Im going to listen to you guys. Im still early, I shouldnt make huge expectations right now. Im gonna work this out.

 

[DarkJoy]

Thanks HanaKuroi and faithVA for helping. Target's selection was thin. So jealous of the LHCF threads that show a stocked Target! lol. I saw only 2 protein treatments but both also had dimethicone.

And Hana, you aint never lied about that MJ baby buttercreme! Basically, it's chemicalized grease for dang near $60! Hell, I buy my grease for $3! All these people saying they refuse grease but use this expensive garbage just boggles my mind.

Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercreme
Water, Petrolatum, Glycerin, Mineral Oil, Fragrance, Glyceryl Stereate, PEG-100 Stearate, Acetylated Lanolin, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Panthenol, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Keratin, Hydrolized Keratin, PEG-8 Dilaurate, Ceteareth-20, Stearyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C 10-30 Alkyl Acylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Treithanolamine, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Caramel, Yellow 5 (CI 19140)

#endrant

 

[DarkJoy]

@DarkJoy
My hair hates wheatgerm too as well as soy. I have been adding silk protein powder to my deep con. I've also started using Aphogee Green Tea and Keratin spray before i apply the rest of my leave-ins. Feel a difference in the strength of my hair already. No brittle feeling. My hair is soft.

Bublin!! There's a keratin leave-in?! uh oh... Luckily the entire aphogee line is carried in my local black bss.

I think I will hunt for sample sizes each of keratin-based and silk-based protein treatments before I get too excited. My hair and skin are so sensitive and I have so many allergies I'm finding as I try ingredients one-at-a-time it's a crap shoot.

Luckily there are 2 huge black BSS warehouses next city over...I'll be there on Saturday.

 

[StarScream35]

Oh the shrinkage..........sometimes I love it and sometimes I hate it. I hate it because it makes my hair seem shorter than it is but I love it because when I stretch it, I'm like WOW!!!!!

 

[homegirljiggy]

Are you going to use all of those in one day? There are 3 different protein treatments, I would think it's too many at once.

 

[APrayer4Hair]

BraunSugar so far so good with the wet brush. Detangler without tugging pretty easily. I'd probably never use it on dry hair




Off Topic: I'm an idiot. Idk y I haven't made the connection that my fine hair NEEDS a protein leave in. When I was relaxed I never styled/straightened without my CHI keratin mist. I expected my natural hair to be totally different. I think I will revisit this or Aphogee green tea to use prior to leave-in.

 

[HanaKuroi]

BraunSugar so far so good with the wet brush. Detangler without tugging pretty easily. I'd probably never use it on dry hair

Off Topic: I'm an idiot. Idk y I haven't made the connection that my fine hair NEEDS a protein leave in. When I was relaxed I never styled/straightened without my CHI keratin mist. I expected my natural hair to be totally different. I think I will revisit this or Aphogee green tea to use prior to leave-in.

Are there natural protein leave-INS? That would be nice.

I just use mill creek keratin every few days followed by a dc or moisturizing conditioner.

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

 

[NefertariBlu]

Hi there again ladies.

It's been a while since I last posted. I had styling issues and I think moisture issues. Sooo I have been protective styling since January and I love it. I realised my hair loves being left alone and I'm ok with that. It's actually easier for me not having to do my hair daily.

My last protective style I kept in for nearly two months. I had twists done with my own hair, washed and conditioned them a couple of times and I had NO tangles when it was time to remove them. I just had them installed again yesterday and will wear them for two months.

Right, so here is my problem. I think my hair doesn't like being shampooed. I only use shampoo on my hair once throughout my washing process just to get it clean and my hair always comes out dry and crispy even after DC.

Right now I am using Shea Moisture's Coconut and Hibiscus shampoo. Doesn't leave my hair feeling too stripped but I have a problem with keeping moisture in my hair after I have washed it.

I do CO washes and that seems to be a little better on my hair but it seems like moisture just runs away from me after my hair is dry. I do the LOC method when my hair is damp, but it only works at keeping moisture in maybe 2-3 days later.

This is what my routine looks like:

Wash with Shea moisture- One application
DC with Taliah Waajid herbal conditioner- which was good at first but I don't think it's working.
Then onto LOC

I use either aloe vera juice with water to spray my hair, then I will use jojoba or caster oil to seal then I'd use She Moisture restorative leave in or Giovani SAS.

Result. Dry crispy hair. What's going on??

 

[NefertariBlu]

Thanks @HanaKuroi and @faithVA for helping. Target's selection was thin. So jealous of the LHCF threads that show a stocked Target! lol. I saw only 2 protein treatments but both also had dimethicone.

And Hana, you aint never lied about that MJ baby buttercreme! Basically, it's chemicalized grease for dang near $60! Hell, I buy my grease for $3! All these people saying they refuse grease but use this expensive garbage just boggles my mind.

Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercreme
Water, Petrolatum, Glycerin, Mineral Oil, Fragrance, Glyceryl Stereate, PEG-100 Stearate, Acetylated Lanolin, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Panthenol, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Keratin, Hydrolized Keratin, PEG-8 Dilaurate, Ceteareth-20, Stearyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C 10-30 Alkyl Acylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Treithanolamine, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Caramel, Yellow 5 (CI 19140)

#endrant

I LOVE Miss Jessies Buttercreme and the Curly Merengue. I know the ingredients are crap but my hair loves it

So far it's the only thing that gives me a great braid out. Gels just leave my hair crispy. With this it give be great definition,softness and it lasts a long time and yes I bought the big tub but it was BOGOF. I don't like grease though

The rest of their products do nothing for me. I used the curly merengue to do my twists yesterday for the braid, bun, twist challenge.


Oh and I have started using the aphogee keratin spray just last month. Not sure if I notice a difference in strength just yet but I have nothing bad to say about it.

 

[BraunSugar]

@BraunSugar so far so good with the wet brush. Detangler without tugging pretty easily. I'd probably never use it on dry hair




Off Topic: I'm an idiot. Idk y I haven't made the connection that my fine hair NEEDS a protein leave in. When I was relaxed I never styled/straightened without my CHI keratin mist. I expected my natural hair to be totally different. I think I will revisit this or Aphogee green tea to use prior to leave-in.

APrayer4Hair I'd never try to use it on my dry hair either. I don't care what they claim, that's just asking for trouble. I'm glad it's working for you!

 

[Cruzankink]

I like Curl Junkie Repair Me. The price is very high for a small bottle. I only buy CJ if it is on sale or an emergency.

I just stocked up on my favorite Curl Rehab. The 64 oz is usually $65! I use it several times a week.

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

I don't really think $65 is that bad especially if you can get the discount. If I buy an AO conditioner its 11 oz for 10.49 which is about the same. The only time you really get good conditioners less than that is if you buy a cheapie. I would say most conditioners are $.90 to $1.00 an oz.

You're right @faithVA. I'm just used to buying the small containers and used to the ~$12 a pop size.

@DarkJoy @faithVA @HanaKuroi Like you ladies, I don't mind paying good money for great products. I am a big fan of Curl Junkie Deep cons but I found that Organicals Deep Moisturizing Creme is a great deep con and a better value. I paid $65.00 + shipping for the 7 lbs container. You can use the con as is or add your favorite ingredients. I add EVOO, EVCO, AV Juice and fragrance for extra moisture, softness and a yummy scent. Denimpixie on youtube has a great video on bases like Organicals DMC. Ingredients are:

INCI: ORG Aloe barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Vegetable Glycerin (and) Purified Water (and) Salix alba (White Willow) Bark Extract (and) Hibiscus sabdariffa (Hibiscus) Flower Extract (and) Panax ginseng (Ginseng) Root Extract (and) Ilex raraguariensis (Yerba Mate) Leaf Extract, EcoCert Propanediol (Vegetable), Behentrimonium Methosulfate, EcoCert Trimethylglycine (Beet), Panthenol (ProVitamin B5), Hydrolyzed Quinoa Protein, Persea americana (Avocado) Oil (and) Prunus armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, EcoCert Gluconolactone (and) EcoCert Sodium Benzoate, Caprylic Capric Triglycerides (and) Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Squalane (Olive), Guar Hydroxypropyl Trimonium Chloride, Creatine

 

[faithVA]

NefertariBlu[/USER];18171303]Hi there again ladies.

It's been a while since I last posted. I had styling issues and I think moisture issues. Sooo I have been protective styling since January and I love it. I realised my hair loves being left alone and I'm ok with that. It's actually easier for me not having to do my hair daily.

My last protective style I kept in for nearly two months. I had twists done with my own hair, washed and conditioned them a couple of times and I had NO tangles when it was time to remove them. I just had them installed again yesterday and will wear them for two months.

Right, so here is my problem. I think my hair doesn't like being shampooed. I only use shampoo on my hair once throughout my washing process just to get it clean and my hair always comes out dry and crispy even after DC.

Right now I am using Shea Moisture's Coconut and Hibiscus shampoo. Doesn't leave my hair feeling too stripped but I have a problem with keeping moisture in my hair after I have washed it.

I do CO washes and that seems to be a little better on my hair but it seems like moisture just runs away from me after my hair is dry. I do the LOC method when my hair is damp, but it only works at keeping moisture in maybe 2-3 days later.

This is what my routine looks like:

Wash with Shea moisture- One application
DC with Taliah Waajid herbal conditioner- which was good at first but I don't think it's working.
Then onto LOC

I use either aloe vera juice with water to spray my hair, then I will use jojoba or caster oil to seal then I'd use She Moisture restorative leave in or Giovani SAS.

Result. Dry crispy hair. What's going on??

Taliah Waajid's conditioner has mineral oil in it. You may want to try a different conditioner. My hair loved it to at first. When you shampoo coat our hair first with conditioner and then apply your shampoo. That may give your hair a bit of protection.

I don't really think 2 or 3 days of moisture is that bad. You really should moisturize your hair several days a week even when in twists.

 

[Cruzankink]

UPDATE:

Reggie - I did my usual wash day routine. However, I prepood w/ EVCO and Dessert Essence Coco Con in med. heat for 1.5 hrs instead of sleeping w/ it overnite. By the end of my reggie, my hair was the softest its been in months. I did a twist out this morning and my hair just felt supple. I didn't even need to add a thing to it. I love that feeling!

Trim - I trimmed my ends on washday. I was hoping to wait until after my Komaza analyis but I could no longer ignore the 1" broken ends I've noticed in the last few weeks. I don't know how much I trimmed but it was appx. 1/2" - 3/4" in some places. My ends didn't catch as usual when I did my twist out. I guess I really needed a trim.

Length Check - I did a length check on washday as well. I am dissapointed. Apparently, my dry ends have affected my length retention in that I didn't retain as much length as compared to my last length check. I'll post pics on my BC nappiversary in a few days.

Styling - I spent about 5 hrs (w/ breaks in between) doing finger coils on my hair. I hated the look. So I unraveled them and went to my tried, true and boring twist out.

Goals - I am going on a hard core length retention program. I was thinking about putting in a full weave. I have never had a full weave before. I know one pro is no hair manipulation but if you ladies know of any cons let me know. I want to be fully informed so I can make the best decision for my hair.

 

[DarkJoy]

I LOVE Miss Jessies Buttercreme and the Curly Merengue. I know the ingredients are crap but my hair loves it

So far it's the only thing that gives me a great braid out. Gels just leave my hair crispy. With this it give be great definition,softness and it lasts a long time..

Oh and I have started using the aphogee keratin spray just last month. Not sure if I notice a difference in strength just yet

NefertariBlu All im saying is you might as well use grease. Baby Buttercreme is almost all grease anyway. Makes no sense for someone to turn their nose up to grease and use this instead.

I twist my hair 2 to 3 times a week with a finger of grease on my moist ends only. Cover that with an oil and wake up with a nice moist for days non greasy twist out. And have great. retention.

MJ is a rip. Save yo $60.

Now I really gotta try that keratin spray...

____________
*.~.*Sent from a distant Galaxy in the Unicorn-verse*.~.*

 

[NefertariBlu]

^^^ l agree it is really expensive for what it is. but it does work. I think its the consistency of it that is why l like it. I'm nor a fan of the consistency of grease.

Faithva, l am going to try that on my next wash. I just hate the way my hair feels after l wash it.

 

[faithVA]

^^^ l agree it is really expensive for what it is. but it does work. I think its the consistency of it that is why l like it. I'm nor a fan of the consistency of grease.

Faithva, l am going to try that on my next wash. I just hate the way my hair feels after l wash it.

It may not be the right shampoo for you either. It can be natural but it doesn't mean that your hair will like it.

Most ladies will probably tell you it took them a while to find the right shampoo.

Looks like it's time for you to shop for some new products.

 

[greenandchic]

Decided to do a henna treatment last night - the first in about two months. My hair was punishing me for going so long without. I'm not sitting at my desk with Giovanni Avocado & Olive Oil Conditioner and a bag on my head.

 

[faithVA]

If someone gave me some MJ I would probably try it. I can't fault people. Some of our hair is hard to stay moisturized so we have to do what we have to do. If it works use it.

Honestly, if I ever see it on the exchange board or I see a really good price, I may try it. My hair journey hasn't been easy enough or successful enough for me to dismiss anything But I would probably try grease first

 

[Dee_33]

Just returned from Sally's buying "the wet brush" per @BraunSugar and GVP k-pak reconstructer. That Giovanni ain't do spit....

BraunSugar...what's the wet-brush? Thanks

 

[greenandchic]

If someone gave me some MJ I would probably try it. I can't fault people. Some of our hair is hard to stay moisturized so we have to do what we have to do. If it works use it.

Honestly, if I ever see it on the exchange board or I see a really good price, I may try it. My hair journey hasn't been easy enough or successful enough for me to dismiss anything But I would probably try grease first

faithVA - Can you use cones on your hair?

 

[greenandchic]

It may not be the right shampoo for you either. It can be natural but it doesn't mean that your hair will like it.

Most ladies will probably tell you it took them a while to find the right shampoo.

Looks like it's time for you to shop for some new products.

It definitely took a while (years!) for me to find a shampoo my hair likes, now my scalp can't survive without a good shampoo.

 

[faithVA]

greenandchic[/USER];18173371]faithVA - Can you use cones on your hair?

I haven't been able to in the past. I use the water soluble ones. I haven't tried anything with cones since I started using protein. But I also use non sulfate shampoo so I tend to avoid them.

 

[faithVA]

It definitely took a while (years!) for me to find a shampoo my hair likes, now my scalp can't survive without a good shampoo.

Yeah I finally found one I like that doesn't scare me to death when I put it in my hair

I am getting really close to a good base of products. I've never been this close before.

 

[greenandchic]

I haven't been able to in the past. I use the water soluble ones. I haven't tried anything with cones since I started using protein. But I also use non sulfate shampoo so I tend to avoid them.

I ask because MJ products has cones. I have a few samples that I thought about using on my ends for sealing, but the cones scare me.

Yeah I finally found one I like that doesn't scare me to death when I put it in my hair

I am getting really close to a good base of products. I've never been this close before.

I am too. At first I thought products "stopped working" but it was more the fact that my hair and scalp wasn't always clean - cowashing only doesn't work for me.

 

[faithVA]

I ask because MJ products has cones. I have a few samples that I thought about using on my ends for sealing, but the cones scare me.



I am too. At first I thought products "stopped working" but it was more the fact that my hair and scalp wasn't always clean - cowashing only doesn't work for me.

Ok, I was just looking at what was posted for the Baby Buttercream. I didn't see any cones in what was listed. But it was just a maybe/if anyway.

If I get samples I probably would try something even if it had cones. I can always try it on a small section. It's the only way I will really know what works vs. guessing.

 

[BraunSugar]

@BraunSugar...what's the wet-brush? Thanks

luving me

The Wet Brush is a super awesome detangling brush! The bristles are extremely flexible which makes detangling the hair gentle and simple.

Here's a pic:

And the official website: www.mywetbrush.com

I found a knock off version by Conair @ Kmart. There is also a knock off version sold at Sally: http://www.sallybeauty.com/detangling-brush/SBS-217034,default,pd.html.

 

[DarkJoy]

If someone gave me some MJ I would probably try it. I can't fault people. Some of our hair is hard to stay moisturized so we have to do what we have to do. If it works use it.

Honestly, if I ever see it on the exchange board or I see a really good price, I may try it. My hair journey hasn't been easy enough or successful enough for me to dismiss anything But I would probably try grease first

Well there ya go @faithVA. I would try it too--for free! But I aint payin that much for glorified, whipped grease. I can melt it and whisk in shea butter myself at home and cost me less than $5.

I'm a cheap heaux if you can't tell by now I likes muh grease (only on the very ends, never scalp)--I know it flies against everything LHCF and it's practically free.