~*~*The Newly Natural Thread*~*~

[Zaz]

I was wasting time on tumblr when I ran across Tracee Ellis Ross' haircare regimen and thought I'd share with you ladies since she's a hair idol for so many:

::TRACEE ELLIS ROSS’S NATURAL HAIR CARE TIPS::

On Shampooing::

I wash my hair once a week. I use a couple different shampoos. Once a month, I use the Aveda Shampure and at the same time I’ll also rinse with the Rene Furterer Vinegar Rinse. But if you don’t want to spend that much you can use apple cider vinegar and cut it with water. Your hair will shine, but you can’t use it all the time because it will dry your hair out.

On a regular basis, I use the Goldwell’s Conditioning Shampoo.

On Conditioning::

If I’m going to wear my hair natural, with my natural curl pattern the best products are Aveda. I use the Cherry/Almond Bark Conditioner and the Deep Penetrating Revitalizer, which has an amazing smell. I also use a Denman brush. I am an advocate of Denman brushes, especially the D-4 brush. It is a rubber brush. The older it gets the better because it has gotten softer.

I separate my hair into six sections in order to brush it out. So, I don’t break my hair. And you start from the bottom. The way your mom taught you. I do this in the shower. I put more conditioner in my hair, shake my hair so my curls can find each other, and take my hair up with a big clip. Leave it in for a while, then, I turn off all the hot water and turn up the cold water. Put the cold water on low pressure because the high pressure will break up all the curls that just found each other. The low pressure cold water keeps it shiny and keeps the curl.

There’s another amazing product called Mixed Chicks, and I use that when my hair is wet and then my hair curls up really nicely. I use the Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner for when I want to wear my hair natural, you know like wash and go.

I wouldn't duplicate any of the products because they're kind of expensive but I'll try her water pressure trick. It seems like one of those simple and easy tweaks that could make a difference for a WnG.

 

[Jewell]

What is a good "natural", Ayurvedic, or organic ingredients deep conditioner/mask that you ladies would rec. for natural hair? I'm in the market for something that will coat my hair well and leave it really soft and moist. I don't want to spend a whole lot just in case I don't like it...but would love suggestions anyway!

BTW, I'm thinkin' of trying Butters-N-Bars Herbal Conditioning Mask/Deep Conditioner. I've seen good reviews on their site (but I know how sellers fake reviews sometimes), so has anyone here used this? I'm LOVIN' all the gorgeous natural hair pics in this thread! It makes me feel so good!

 

[Fab_Nikki]

SOMEBODY SLAP ME IF I EVER USE ANOTHER PERMANENT DYE IN MY HAIR!!!!!

I told my DH that I am going to shave my head (sorry I am alittle dramatic ) but I want this color GONE GONE GONE....

I washed with Aphogee shampoo then followed with the 2 minute stuff. After that I steamed with a moisturizing conditioner (the one by Loreal). I don't know what I am doing with this head of mine, but I am LOST...

A girl at the beauty supply store said "Oh I love your texture". I said "thank you". Then another girl said "Oh the front of your hair looks so goood, but the back is dry looking". We were talking hair, so I didn't slap her.

I NEED HELP LADIES!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry for the red, being dramatic again but I need advice.

This is how my hair looked yesterday (AFTER I picked it out)...Can you see how the color ONLY took in the front?

 

[EllePixie]

You can use a color remover...I used one before, I got it from Ulta.

 

[Platinum]

SOMEBODY SLAP ME IF I EVER USE ANOTHER PERMANENT DYE IN MY HAIR!!!!!

I told my DH that I am going to shave my head (sorry I am alittle dramatic ) but I want this color GONE GONE GONE....

I washed with Aphogee shampoo then followed with the 2 minute stuff. After that I steamed with a moisturizing conditioner (the one by Loreal). I don't know what I am doing with this head of mine, but I am LOST...

A girl at the beauty supply store said "Oh I love your texture". I said "thank you". Then another girl said "Oh the front of your hair looks so goood, but the back is dry looking". We were talking hair, so I didn't slap her.

I NEED HELP LADIES!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry for the red, being dramatic again but I need advice.

This is how my hair looked yesterday (AFTER I picked it out)...Can you see how the color ONLY took in the front?

I'm sorry to hear that you're not satisfied with the new hair color. Do you want to go back to your natural color? Have you considered trying Henna and Indigo. Nice pic BTW, you have a pretty smile.

 

[Fab_Nikki]

You can use a color remover...I used one before, I got it from Ulta.

REALLY?!?! I had NO idea. Do you know the name of it? Did you have any negative side effects from it?

I'm sorry to hear that you're not satisfied with the new hair color. Do you want to go back to your natural color? Have you considered trying Henna and Indigo. Nice pic BTW, you have a pretty smile.

Thank you sweetie! I am scared to henna and indigo. I do want to go back to my natural color. I consider myself very tame when it comes to hair, although I am always looking for a change. So, this reddish/brown is alittle to BOLD for me. I just want my black hair with the gray streak that I put a rinse in. I told my DH I wish I had a RESTORE button like on a computer. LOL

 

[EllePixie]

This one - http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/de...gth-hair-color-remover/ID=prod2180463-product

For me, it worked awesome. I had dyed my hair black and when it started to fade it looked this ugly muddy brown, so I used it and my previous color came back. I didn't use it on my natural hair, just my relaxed hair though. But nothing bad happened, so I would assume that it would be fine on natural hair since my hair is much healthier now.

Come to think of it...I wonder if this would help remove henna...off to Google!

 

[Skiggle]

Fab, I'm sorry you don't like your hair color.
Maybe you can experiment with henna or Ayurvedic Indian Powders,
the next time. Just baby your hair and increase the moisture/protein balance.

MrsJohnson, I was looking at your puff and I thought it was a phony pony..
I love the thicknesss and juciness

 

[ZkittyKurls]

I know im late but I love your twists outs! i usually leave my twists in for a week then do a twists out the following week i found them to last very well for days and then i start doing styles like a fro hawk or some simple styles to stretch before washing.

I see you are soming up on your one 1 yr anniversary!!

Water+Elasta QP setting lotion+coconut oil(or oil of your choice)=

I made relatively small twists all over (same size as a fine point Sharpie pen). When I took them down I didn't separate the sections. I just unraveled the two pieces and left them alone. Hopefully, this will allow me to stretch this out for a week or two. We'll see.

 

[Foxglove]

Twists have the same outcome for me. Different curl/crimp pattern but the same outcome once I separate. The GVP is the perfect gel alternative I would say. I was looking for something to give me more definition in braid/twistouts and gel is notorious for leaving your hair too hard. In the past I tried mixing gel with leave in or oil but the outcome was still a little crunchy. I'll see if the definition lasts longer with this and I suspect it will. Normally by day 3-4 I lose definition and it starts looking like a regular puff. I'll post updates on day 4-5.

Welp, today was day 5. I rebraided my hair nightly and slept with my sleep cap. My verdict- the GVP curl creme kept "definition" longer than just QB AOHC. I went from this on day 1

to this on day 5

over 5 days. Not bad. My hair is still soft which I like and even though I lost the "definition" my hair hasn't shrunk as much as it normally would this long after washing. I'll keep using it for now. My next experiment will be the long aid activator gel but that will be after running out of something
I don't know why I keep posting these experiments. I should just get a blog but I post too infrequently. I figure I was looking for product/technique reviews from people with hair like mine when I was transitioning so I'll keep posting for the lurkers that need to see how their hair will behave with all these products

 

[pookaloo83]

Welp, today was day 5. I rebraided my hair nightly and slept with my sleep cap. My verdict- the GVP curl creme kept "definition" longer than just QB AOHC. I went from this on day 1

to this on day 5

over 5 days. Not bad. My hair is still soft which I like and even though I lost the "definition" my hair hasn't shrunk as much as it normally would this long after washing. I'll keep using it for now. My next experiment will be the long aid activator gel but that will be after running out of something
I don't know why I keep posting these experiments. I should just get a blog but I post too infrequently. I figure I was looking for product/technique reviews from people with hair like mine when I was transitioning so I'll keep posting for the lurkers that need to see how their hair will behave with all these products

Yes girl, keep posting. I love to see hair pics!

 

[Sequoia]

Welp, today was day 5. I rebraided my hair nightly and slept with my sleep cap. My verdict- the GVP curl creme kept "definition" longer than just QB AOHC. I went from this on day 1

to this on day 5

over 5 days. Not bad. My hair is still soft which I like and even though I lost the "definition" my hair hasn't shrunk as much as it normally would this long after washing. I'll keep using it for now. My next experiment will be the long aid activator gel but that will be after running out of something
I don't know why I keep posting these experiments. I should just get a blog but I post too infrequently. I figure I was looking for product/technique reviews from people with hair like mine when I was transitioning so I'll keep posting for the lurkers that need to see how their hair will behave with all these products

Please keep posting, i love hair experiments. And your hair is lush!

 

[Platinum]

Foxglove your puff looks so thick and full. I almost regret braiding my hair back up. I'm starting orientation with a new company next week and didn't want to have to worry about my hair for a while.

I'll be 1 year post BC next month. Keep up the good work Everyone.

 

[bride91501]

Sigh... I really tried. Braidout with the GVP smoothing ultra styling creme

Pic of the braids
http://i225.photobucket.com/album

I think whoever mentioned I may have thin hair may be onto something. I can't just unbraid and go
[IMG]http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd151/sunnieg83/IMG_1110.jpg

Separated

And of course in a puff for work

ETA I will add the puff was more defined than usual. I like the consistency of the GVP styling creme and I'll use it when I'm going for a more defined look. I just don't think my hair is the unbraid/untwist and go type

Hey Foxglove- don't be frustrated. As others have mentioned, you just have to find products with the righ amount of weight for your hair. Henna has definitely helped with this for me, fyi. Also, this past week I put in mini-twists using homemade flaxseed gel, and I think this may be the product of my dreams. Added weight to my hair, light hold, and lots of moisture. And my hair is still very touchable (I can't stand hard, crunchy hair lol).

HTH

 

[Imani]

I believe we are hair twins. I have to separate my twist to make it look full. Most of the time I get frustrated and put it in a puff. Here are my braidouts.

Hot mess.

I didn't separate the back, but I did kind of pull apart the front. On ALL of my braidouts I use Qhemets AOHC. It's heavy and it holds well. I put a little water in my hands, one spritz from a spray bottle and then apply the AOHC and braid. I also go through once with my denman before braiding. My hair looks better after unbraiding when it's a teensy weensy bit wet.

Both of ya'll hair looks similar to mine. I am 4b/a with fine strands. It takes effort to make my hair look full.

 

[cch24]

I'm under the dryer now trying a braid out. I used the Curl Junkie Coffee Coco Curl Creme and Curl Junkie Aloe Fix Gel. I'm not opposed to using products with silicones (actually, I love them) but I've been curious about these products. I'm going to try to wear the braid out until Tuesday, and then re-do it with my JessiCurl products. I'll post pictures if it doesn't look horrible.

 

[cch24]

meh. those products DEFINITELY didn't have enough hold. my hair was soft and defined, but wayyy too fluffy. my braidout was better when i used aussie moist and tigi curlesque curl creme. better luck next time.

 

[NikkiQ]

Shampooed and DC'd my hair today. I am just in love with my texture. Thick and kinky curly. Totally diggin it!

 

[cch24]

I have to add that the Curl Junkie Coffee Coco Curl Creme is extremely moisturizing. I used it as a leave-in today and sealed it with my ceramide mix. Unfortunately, I feel like I have to use a lot of it, and at $22 for 8 ounces (although i got 15% off at CurlMart) it's not really worth it...

ETA: It has been about 2 hours since I applied the curl creme and my hair feels DRY. Maybe it was the aloe fix that moisturized my hair? Either way, I have to figure out how to use these products up.

 

[Stepiphanie]

Hey Ladies, haven't checked in recently. I did a high up do from twist out this weekend, I absolutely love it!! More pics in blog and fotki. HHG

 

[hairsothick]

Washing and deep conditioning right now. I'm gonna do a blow out, a length check, and put in some more mini twists. I will post the pics on my BC anniversary date this Saturday.

 

[LoveCraze]

Washing and deep conditioning right now. I'm gonna do a blow out, a length check, and put in some more mini twists. I will post the pics on my BC anniversary date this Saturday.

Stepiphanie love your updo!!

hairsothick Oh cool, I was thinking to do a blowout for my BC anniversary next month. IDK, I may do it even sooner. We'll see...Would love to see your results!

 

[andromeda]

Stepiphanie Lovely style! Your skin is like buttah!

hairsothick I have my hanky on standby for your pics! I'm sure I'll be shedding a tear or two in awe of your blowout.

 

[pookaloo83]

So I'm taking down my crochet's and when I was cutting the crochet hair low so it can be easy to take out, I chopped my own hair as well! My left side is now shorter than my right! I think I cut about 3 cornrows on the left.

 

[Stepiphanie]

@Stepiphanie Lovely style! Your skin is like buttah!

Thanks girl!! Ironically enough I was just at the end of a bad break out, so my make up helped, but I must say the oil cleansing method has really help smooth out my skin texture.

pookaloo83 Sorry to hear that girl. I had that happen once when I let my fiance cut out my weave for me. Hopefully it's just some small sections

 

[pookaloo83]

@Stepiphanie Lovely style! Your skin is like buttah!

Thanks girl!! Ironically enough I was just at the end of a bad break out, so my make up helped, but I must say the oil cleansing method has really help smooth out my skin texture.

@pookaloo83 Sorry to hear that girl. I had that happen once when I let my fiance cut out my weave for me. Hopefully it's just some small sections

Stepiphanie it was in the back, so you can't really tell thank goodness!

 

[Alta Angel]

Um, excuse me Stepiphanie...

You are going to have to describe, in great detail, how you created that style! I love it!

 

[Fab_Nikki]

I helped my future SIL BC this weekend. I love her texture (4a/b I think). She is very unsure about it but I am going to keep motivating her. It was very exciting and she can definitely rock the short TWA.

In other news MY HAIR IS BACK!!!!!!!!! After the dye fiasco, it's back to normal now. I thought I was about to shave my head lol

Oyin and Darcy Botanicals I LOVE YOU!!!!! lol

 

[mrsjohnson75]

I helped my future SIL BC this weekend. I love her texture (4a/b I think). She is very unsure about it but I am going to keep motivating her. It was very exciting and she can definitely rock the short TWA.

In other news MY HAIR IS BACK!!!!!!!!! After the dye fiasco, it's back to normal now. I thought I was about to shave my head lol

Oyin and Darcy Botanicals I LOVE YOU!!!!! lol

You should show her some fotki pics or pics from this thread of ppl who's hair type is similar. Looking at pics of 4a/b hair keeps me motivated. I'm glad your hair is back to normal.

 

[mrsjohnson75]

My hair today. I did a twist out bun but then decided to split it into 4 sections and pin them into the middle.