Wash And Go, To Grow And To Dazzle 2020 Challenge

Don’t hurt me, but he has a point. :giveup:I’m only saying this because of dealing with my mom. She is a school teacher and since October has had an opportunity to work from home with distant learning. She doesn’t even have to show her face for her digital classes and she doesn’t. They just use the audio.

She had said like one million times already she wants to grow her grey out and says she wants to wear her natural curls. Tell me why, every time I look up she is dying her hair (temporary but it does some major almost permanent staining) and relaxes her roots ( it still leaves her with some curls.) She does all these things that are counter productive for what she says she wants just to pull it back into a ponytail that no one literally sees. These days she even covers her hair when shopping in public.

Leave that stylist and her shears alone if you say you are trying to grow it out some.
You are probably my SO pretending to be DVAnyDany :handslap: Just for clarification the weather is warm so I am outside every day and I'm going places. Just watch and see :lol: And I have Zoom meetings every week. So, I only want my head to look so crazy on camera. But I made a deal with Toaster to wait at least until the end of April and I will re-evaluate.

At this length I can't avoid the stylist completely. It needs to be cut into the shape I want it to grow out in. If I just let it grow out with out shaping as we go, then I just end up with a big chop at the end. Just have to figure out a good compromise.

But I'm sure you are my SO pretending to be someone else.
 
@faithVA i show my husband my length check pictures... every week :drunk: and we’re definitely past the point of him looking. He just nods in the direction of my phone and says “yep. Longer”:badidea:

I don’t say anything because he hasn’t said anything about my hair purchases yet :bdance:
You show him pictures :lol: I can't even imagine. I once asked my SO how my hair looked as we were walking out the door. He said I don't even bother looking at your head :shocked: . He said something else with it. Then I told him what he said and of course he said "I didn't say that". Whatever man.

But he ran out of shampoo and conditioner and I gave him what I wasn't using and now he is growing out his fro talking about how soft his hair is. He never used conditioner before last year. Now I think he is hooked. :lol:

He does notice my hair is growing. Last night he mentioned the patch in the front, which I call Peppermint Patty. He said that section is getting so thick. He doesn't like short hair. He tolerates it. So he notices growth before I do.
 
Hahaha, it’s practically CCS too. Here are some basics that differ from the A’s. Rhonda believes in the power of sulfates and silicones. She is okay with the use of cleansing clays and even using natural aloe occasionally. She uses a shampoo brush from the shampoo process all the way to the smoothing process. General product selection is different also.

There is a big emphases on smoothing the hair. I mean major. Smooth, smooth, smooth even while shampooing.

Let me watch through the whole washing and styling procedure of both schools and I’ll be better able to explain. It’s more so how they do it and what they put more emphasis on.
Cool. No matter what the A's say, I didn't get rid of my clays. I won't use them frequently and I will wait until I get my technique down but I won't be throwing them away.
 
I was a bit concerned with using the Evolve Pineapple Cap because my hair seemed a bit soft last night. It is really soft without the topper.

Took off the cap and my hair was flat down to my head. I've learned not to touch my hair as soon as I take off the cap or when I get up. I give my hair about 10 minutes to wake itself up. It will rise a little on its own. Then I do the rest.

Yesterday's set didn't have a lot of definition, so I had to be careful fluffing this. I did a little fluff and it is wearable. I will see how it acts when I work out later today.

Not much to learn this time around. This is just observation. I do plan to stick with just the UFD for a while. I love how soft my hair is. I will do better at smoothing the gel into my hair to get more definition. I still think air drying works best and just using the blow dryer on cool to finish it off.

Tonight I may try spraying it heavy with water and baggying. I did this last year. It caused my curls to tighten up and give me more definition but obviously less length. The result of this will let me know if I need to reset tomorrow or can wait until Sunday.
 
Three month comparison of day 3 hair. Happy with my growth so far. No scissors for a while per my agreement with FaithVA. We have goals.
View attachment 470135
That is fabulous progress. You can definitely see the increased length. And the back looks so much better. It is evening out. It looks fuller too in your recent pictures, which means it is longer than it looks here. :yay:
 
That is fabulous progress. You can definitely see the increased length. And the back looks so much better. It is evening out. It looks fuller too in your recent pictures, which means it is longer than it looks here. :yay:
Thank you!!! Pictures help me see growth more than anything. I’m in my hair twice a week so I don’t notice it growing every wash, but making sure I snap pics for my comparisons definitely keeps me from giving up.
 
You are probably my SO pretending to be DVAnyDany :handslap: Just for clarification the weather is warm so I am outside every day and I'm going places. Just watch and see :lol: And I have Zoom meetings every week. So, I only want my head to look so crazy on camera. But I made a deal with Toaster to wait at least until the end of April and I will re-evaluate.

At this length I can't avoid the stylist completely. It needs to be cut into the shape I want it to grow out in. If I just let it grow out with out shaping as we go, then I just end up with a big chop at the end. Just have to figure out a good compromise.

But I'm sure you are my SO pretending to be someone else.
I forgot to mention the most important part of my mom's situation. She hates her hair. She hates that ponytail. That's the same ponytail she chooses to relaxer her hair for.
 
What are the biggest positives changes you have seen so far? Also, are you using the shampoo brush to smooth while styling?

Three months is actually a good amount of time. I believe that’s what is usually suggested to see results in skincare. Unfortunately, I’m not willing to wait that long to evaluate results...yet.

Let me preface this by saying that I was probably doing everything Rhonda says :nono: to beforehand. Didn't even think a WNG would "work" for my hair texture. I was constantly fighting dryness. Now I understand why - I was using lots of shampoos and conditioners laden with oils and butters and then applying the LOC method on top of that. When I would get sick of my fighting the moisture battle, I would put my hair in braids for a few months. Just getting more dried out in the interim and then repeating the whole cycle. :nono:

The results I've gotten.... My hair is a LOT more hydrated. I noticed that immediately. You wouldn't have been able to tell me before that I could go days without applying a product to my hair and be able to retain moisture. And a WNG that I thought was impossible has been made possible lol. Sections of hair that I thought wouldn't curl up.... actually have curls in them. Imagine that revelation!

All of this for me is a win-win. I follow Rhonda's regimen to a T to evaluate the results. Yup, I use the shampoo brush for smoothing. Rhonda also says it may take a minimum of 3 months to achieve proper hydration, and depending on what you were doing to your hair before, perhaps longer. So that's why I chose to stick to it for 3 months. I'm working from home and in the house 24/7 while this pandemic is going on, so I figured by the time we actually go back into the office that I should have the WNG mastered. Hopefully lol.
 
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@toaster Your hair grows so fast!!

@DVAntDany I’m going to try using my FL brush during the shampoo step this weekend. I want to see if my hair gets smoother this way. I’m still not ready to try brushing with gel in my hair, my last attempts doing that were not good.

I’m dying laughing at all the responses from SOs/DHs. I don’t even try to show my DH hair pictures. He would think I was crazy if he saw how many pics I have of my hair.
 
@toaster Your hair grows so fast!!

@DVAntDany I’m going to try using my FL brush during the shampoo step this weekend. I want to see if my hair gets smoother this way. I’m still not ready to try brushing with gel in my hair, my last attempts doing that were not good.

I’m dying laughing at all the responses from SOs/DHs. I don’t even try to show my DH hair pictures. He would think I was crazy if he saw how many pics I have of my hair.
The FL brush doesn't really have a back on it does it? I wouldn't think it would work the same.

I don't let my SO see how many pictures I have on my phone. I don't let anyone see how many hair pictures I have on my phone or my computer. They would know I'm obsessed.

I'm not ready to try using the brush with gel either. But I'm going to buy the shampoo brush and try it at least once when I get it.
 
The FL brush doesn't really have a back on it does it? I wouldn't think it would work the same.

I don't let my SO see how many pictures I have on my phone. I don't let anyone see how many hair pictures I have on my phone or my computer. They would know I'm obsessed.

I'm not ready to try using the brush with gel either. But I'm going to buy the shampoo brush and try it at least once when I get it.

The FL brush doesn’t have a single piece back. But each row of bristles is kind of like a back. I can smooth against those. But maybe I should try my denman it probaly would do a better job.
 
I could be wrong but I don't think the FL will work. I think the hair needs a larger area to rub against.
I agree. I have two brushes with that FL type back, that aren’t actual FL brushes. One has a “paddle” area bigger than my palm & the other is about the same size/shape as the FL. They are what I have previously used for detangling. After hearing from y’all earlier this week, I went to Ulta & bought the single “Tangle Teezer Large Ultimate Detangler” they had in stock.

Zoom Work was over for me today at 1 & by 1:30, I was in the shower rinsing out the rose gold CurlSmith stuff (again, rinsed out very easily). My plan was
  • Rinse out gel & thoroughly saturate hair
  • Cleanse & gently finger detangle with TGIN Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo
  • Use Crece Pelo DC to further detangle & lubricate the hair for the Tangle Teezer
  • Cautiously go in with Tangle Teezer but be ready to fall back on the Kazmaleje paddle comb, if needed
  • Follow up with Curl Junkie Strengthening Conditioner while I showered off (wish I had the Repair Me instead)


Things went as planned & now I’m under the dryer after applying UFD & twisting up. I’ll be using Aunt Jackie’s Flaxseed gel & CurlSmith Turquoise later in the evening, as usual.

Now. The Tangle Teezer. That thing will forever have a spot in my hair regimen. I did have to work in smaller than usual sections but... y’all.... it might be love. :blush2:
Surprisingly, it did not take longer than finger detangling so it was incredibly efficient. I consciously made sure to smooth my hair on the back of the brush. It did NOT tear my hair. I was in there for 90 minutes total, including my post-conditioner-rinse body scrubbin. Since my hair was so thoroughly detangled, gel application was the quickest I’ve ever experienced because I didn’t have to constantly pick shed hairs off my hands. And my hair did what it now does consistently: coils defined root to tip in about 87% of my head with the rest waving or whatever it does.

This is definitely something I need to use maybe twice a month/every other wash.

forgot to add: I don’t think I’m brave enough to use it with gel application, yet. And the only con I have is due to tendinitis in my thumbs so there were moments where holding the brush was extremely painful but that was because of how long it took.
 
@faithVA
Blondie discussing distribution. I’m listening to it while I feed cows and sheep. Let me put my phone back in my pocket before it falls out and one of these critters step on it.


You have cows and sheep?
The As actually share a lot of free information, you just have to piece it together yourself if you don’t join their paid platforms.
 
I was a bit concerned with using the Evolve Pineapple Cap because my hair seemed a bit soft last night. It is really soft without the topper.

Took off the cap and my hair was flat down to my head. I've learned not to touch my hair as soon as I take off the cap or when I get up. I give my hair about 10 minutes to wake itself up. It will rise a little on its own. Then I do the rest.

Yesterday's set didn't have a lot of definition, so I had to be careful fluffing this. I did a little fluff and it is wearable. I will see how it acts when I work out later today.

Not much to learn this time around. This is just observation. I do plan to stick with just the UFD for a while. I love how soft my hair is. I will do better at smoothing the gel into my hair to get more definition. I still think air drying works best and just using the blow dryer on cool to finish it off.

Tonight I may try spraying it heavy with water and baggying. I did this last year. It caused my curls to tighten up and give me more definition but obviously less length. The result of this will let me know if I need to reset tomorrow or can wait until Sunday.
Why do you prefer air drying? When you aren’t air drying, are you sitting under a hooded dryer or just diffusing? What happens when you use indirect heat that you don’t like?

My hooded dryer and Felicia Leatherwood brushes (reg and travel) came in today. Both schools talk about just cowashing to restyle. I’m going to give that a go. I can only imagine that takes longer to dry. It did in the far distant past. So I’m just curious.
 
Let me preface this by saying that I was probably doing everything Rhonda says :nono: to beforehand. Didn't even think a WNG would "work" for my hair texture. I was constantly fighting dryness. Now I understand why - I was using lots of shampoos and conditioners laden with oils and butters and then applying the LOC method on top of that. When I would get sick of my fighting the moisture battle, I would put my hair in braids for a few months. Just getting more dried out in the interim and then repeating the whole cycle. :nono:

The results I've gotten.... My hair is a LOT more hydrated. I noticed that immediately. You wouldn't have been able to tell me before that I could go days without applying a product to my hair and be able to retain moisture. And a WNG that I thought was impossible has been made possible lol. Sections of hair that I thought wouldn't curl up.... actually have curls in them. Imagine that revelation!

All of this for me is a win-win. I follow Rhonda's regimen to a T to evaluate the results. Yup, I use the shampoo brush for smoothing. Rhonda also says it may take a minimum of 3 months to achieve proper hydration, and depending on what you were doing to your hair before, perhaps longer. So that's why I chose to stick to it for 3 months. I'm working from home and in the house 24/7 while this pandemic is going on, so I figured by the time we actually go back into the office that I should have the WNG mastered. Hopefully lol.
:crybaby: Why do you all have to give examples that make sense to me that I don’t want to do? Lol

Initially, I wanted to combine the best of the two schools to make my own Dany hybrid routine. I do understand it’s best to learn and understand the basics before I start breaking rules and improvising. I’m already starting to want to switch to the A’s method because my hair seems a little short for that shampoo brush when it comes to styling. That seemed to add more time and frizz, but I understand it’s a learning process.

They say products don’t matter but they still seem to. So which product recommendations are using currently? I’ll be out of my little samples before my products come in the mail. I’m going to cowash some time this morning.
 
@toaster Your hair grows so fast!!

@DVAntDany I’m going to try using my FL brush during the shampoo step this weekend. I want to see if my hair gets smoother this way. I’m still not ready to try brushing with gel in my hair, my last attempts doing that were not good.

I’m dying laughing at all the responses from SOs/DHs. I don’t even try to show my DH hair pictures. He would think I was crazy if he saw how many pics I have of my hair.
I saw this vid of her using the FL brush for smoothing purposes while styling. She states why she would use it though.
 
The FL brush doesn't really have a back on it does it? I wouldn't think it would work the same.

I don't let my SO see how many pictures I have on my phone. I don't let anyone see how many hair pictures I have on my phone or my computer. They would know I'm obsessed.

I'm not ready to try using the brush with gel either. But I'm going to buy the shampoo brush and try it at least once when I get it.
The shampoo brush was a breeze through my hair. I’m going to test the FL brushes this morning on a section. Hey, I lied about the whole sticking to the HydraBar method completely for one whole month. I have two freaking brand new brushes and I’m not suppose to use them for the next 28 days? I don’t know about all that.

I didn’t realize how chunky this FL travel brush handle is. I figured a smaller brush would handle better for shorter hair. Just holding it doesn’t feel ergonomically comfortable.
 
Every month I delete all the hair pics from the prior month, and try to only keep a few good sets for comparison.

My mom is my hair journey buddy, so we send each other hair pictures practically every day. It’s a judgment free zone.
That’s great you have someone in real life to share this experience with who doesn’t think you are crazy or overly obsessive.
 
You have cows and sheep?
The As actually share a lot of free information, you just have to piece it together yourself if you don’t join their paid platforms.
I didn’t realize how much info they had out there. I kept hearing references back to the vids and material they took down. So I thought all that info was located in what was removed. Basically they are making you pay to have all that info bundled all neat and organized with demos.

More so family animals. I guess you could say a farm. I mean I personally had a pet cow that I raised from when she was less than a week old. Sadly, she died a few years back. I do have Ameraucana chickens because I wanted to be like Sam I Am with green eggs and ham. Even though it’s only the shells that are blue green, I’m still counting it as green eggs.
 
Why do you prefer air drying? When you aren’t air drying, are you sitting under a hooded dryer or just diffusing? What happens when you use indirect heat that you don’t like?

My hooded dryer and Felicia Leatherwood brushes (reg and travel) came in today. Both schools talk about just cowashing to restyle. I’m going to give that a go. I can only imagine that takes longer to dry. It did in the far distant past. So I’m just curious.
My sets last longer when I air dry. If I sit under the dryer I need to reset by day 3. And it doesn't matter whether my stylist does it with her wonderful dryer or I do it with mine. I typically never diffuse immediately so I'm not sure how long that last. I will have to try it again. I usually on diffuse in spurts after hours of air drying. When I air dry I can get 4 to 5 days out of a set.

I know this is different than what is taught and other's experiences, but the A's did say listen to your hair. It initially looks great but it just doesn't last.
 
:crybaby: Why do you all have to give examples that make sense to me that I don’t want to do? Lol

Initially, I wanted to combine the best of the two schools to make my own Dany hybrid routine. I do understand it’s best to learn and understand the basics before I start breaking rules and improvising. I’m already starting to want to switch to the A’s method because my hair seems a little short for that shampoo brush when it comes to styling. That seemed to add more time and frizz, but I understand it’s a learning process.

They say products don’t matter but they still seem to. So which product recommendations are using currently? I’ll be out of my little samples before my products come in the mail. I’m going to cowash some time this morning.

:look: I'm currently fighting off the urge to try some new products, so let me just say that :lol:

Here's what I've been using:
Matrix Sleek shampoo
Matrix Sleek conditioner (I alternate this with the Matrix Biologe Hydrasource Conditioner - I like the aloe in it, it's really moisturizing - not the Ultra Hydrasource which has all the oils in it, btw)
Gel: Mane Choice Do It Fro The Culture Gel mixed with Aunt Jackie's Flaxseed Gel - I'm not 100% sold with this combination. Love how it looks once it sets, but I think I need a product with more hold in it

I try to shampoo and style my hair twice per week. Sometimes I don't get a chance to and just let it frizz/fro out in a puff until I get around to it :lol:
 
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