I use this method and I am transitioning. I have approx 3"-4" of new growth...
What products do you use before and after doing your ponytail?
After rinsing out my deep conditioner, I rub in a dime-sized amount of a moisturizing conditioner into my dripping wet hair and leave it in. I usually use Suave Tropical Coconut, Suave Humectant or Jason Sea Kelp for this. (I don't know if this has an effect on my air-drying--I do this to make combing my hair easier.) I let it a drip-dry a little (still wet enough to make comb-out easy), apply a leave-in spray (I like Grandma's Secret Recipe Leave-In Spray and ION Anti-Frizz), apply a mixture of ORS Twist & Lock Gel and S-Curl Spray (THANK YOU ADRIENNE!!), comb my hair into my ponytail and tie my hair down reeeeeeeal flat. If it's not flat when it's drying it will be poufy when you take your hair down. I tie my scarf so tight, it leaves a dent in my forehead! /images/graemlins/laugh.gif I let it dry for an hour or two and then I apply an oily moisturizer like WGO or CRS Sheep Sorrell Ointment, smooth it back into the ponytail with 1-2 pumps of S-Curl Spray, tie it back down and let it dry completely. When it's completely dry I smooth on a little pomade for shine. I like CRS Hair Rejuvenator and Natural Island Pomade.
Does this method give you same effect as you would get if you used heat(i.e straightness and shine)
Not for me. It looks kinda wavy when it's dry. (Which is what I want.) For a smoother look I need a flat iron.
how long(hours) does it take for hair to dry when using this method.
I'm not sure. After applying the Sheep Sorrell Ointment, I tie it back down and go to bed.