virtuenow
what is your blowdry and flat iron regimen? I do a protein DC (AO GPB, or HSR+egg), shampoo, DC, blow dry, and flat iron every 2 weeks. I don't rinse my hair or co-wash in between. I don't sweat, don't use a lot of product in between so I every 2 weeks works well for me. If I had to wash more often I still wouldn't blow dry more than every 2 weeks.
Do you use the tension method? No, I use a comb attachment
High/low, hot/cold dryer? High speed, low heat (warm air)
What kind of dryer and flat iron? Solia 1 in. iron; Solia hair dryer (the blue one) w/Willie Morrow comb attachment that I bought locally
What temp do you flat iron on? 300-350; every 3-4 months or so I do a bone straight flat iron on 400 but I think that's too much for twice a month.
Are you blowdrying first? I always blow dry before flat ironing. Air drying doesn't work for me. The only reason I flat iron is b/c I can't get my ends straight from blow drying.
Do you use big sections or small sections to flat iron. Very small sections, sometimes a little bigger if I'm in a hurry but they're still on the small side
Will you retain a satisfying amount of length using these techniques? I've tried this regimen off and on for the past 2 years and my retention is always better. I kept stopping because I love my natural hair but ssks were killing my ends.
This time around I've been consistent for about 6 weeks and I have zero ssks, almost no splits, my hair is soft and easy to manage but still looks full and is clearly not relaxed. I can still do twists if skip flat ironing, but I haven't done a set yet. I've been bunning or wearing a ponytail.
Will you increase your DC's b/c of this? I've actually decreased my DCs b/c I used to DC once a week but since I'm stretching my washes its 2x/mo. The protein DCs are new though. I didn't do them before. Not sure if I need them now but they make me feel like my hair is more protected.
What kind of DC do you use (protein/brand)? protein I'm using AO GPB only because I have some left over. I love, love, love Silk Dreams Vanilla Silk and Avocado. When my AO runs out I'll switch to an SD protein DC.
Do you use heat protectant when you blowdry or flat iron or both? I sometimes use a heat protectant but usually I forget. Or I'll put it on one section and not on the others. IDK how much of a difference it makes but I like my results without it.
Do you moisturize and seal before you blowdry or after? The DC is all the moisturizer I need. After I blow dry and flat iron I use castor oil or rice bran oil on my ends. Usually rice bran right after because it's lighter, and then later on in the week when I'm bunning I use the castor oil.
I'm really loving this regimen. Detangling is a breeze. Blow drying is down to 45 min where it used to take 2 hrs or more. My hair is big and full and has lots of body. And I don't have to use high heat b/c my goal is not to have pressed hair, but just to keep it from knotting at the ends.
I had my hair trimmed from WL to MBL 6 weeks ago and I've retained all of my length since then. Before I would have needed another trim by now.
. I haven't noticed any knotting or stray hairs clinging together, so I guess it's okay. Tonight I gave myself another scalp massage using JBCO on my edges and Vatika oil on the rest. I've been doing massages for about 2 or 3 weeks now and it may have contributed to some additional growth. I used to avoid putting oil on my scalp because the hair police said not to, but too many long-haired ladies do this (especially Indian and Middle Eastern ladies) for to not try it. I also need to get back on my CO HOT because its like the number 1 oil for long haired women world wide
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, Yes I would! Before I figured I would go to hair school after college now I can get some experience before and during!
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