Wash And Go, To Grow And To Dazzle 2020 Challenge

[GettingKinky]

I saw this vid of her using the FL brush for smoothing purposes while styling. She states why she would use it though.

Thanks!! An actual short video from the As. This is perfect timing- I’m not going to try my denman today I’ll smooth my shampoo with the FL.

 

[GettingKinky]

Thank You. I'm going to watch this later todays. Two hours (sheesh)

They do not know the meaning of concise. At one point in the DS Aeleise was asking for feedback about videos we would like to see and how to improve their content. A number of people suggested breaking the videos up into shorter videos. She was semi offended by that.

 

[DVAntDany]

Thanks!! An actual short console video from the As. This is perfect timing- I’m not going to try my denman today I’ll smooth my shampoo with the FL.

Yep, one of the very few. Lol

 

[DVAntDany]

They do not know the meaning of concise. At one point in the DS Aeleise was asking for feedback about videos we would like to see and how to improve their content. A number of people suggested breaking the videos up into shorter videos. She was semi offended by that.

I think the digital resource library is more concise. It’s missing all those extra little tidbits though. The 1hr + vids have some of the answers I was looking for and necessary explanations that are not found in the library.

I understand their want to tailor the info for the primary basics in the library, but it’s hard to know info on the whys of what we are doing. I like to understand the mechanics of things so I can logically figure out answers on my own when I have questions. Don’t just tell me to smooth my hair. Tell me why and all of its benefits.

I love the vid with the explanation of the cut and why. I’d go around looking like a mop before I have another Deva Cut Specialist touch my head again. So a CIK stylist it is. I just have to get some length to do something with.

 

[DVAntDany]

I cowashed with AG boost. The reg sized FL works well. You just can’t rake it through all willy-nilly. The few strands that pulled out all had bulbs on the ends of them. It’s similar to using the denman D4, but a bit more easy. It does not compare to that shower brush. The shower brush just glides through effortlessly.

I forgot to add the Mielle custard while in the shower. I applied it afterwards and tried to rewet at the sink. It feels too thin and not weighted enough when emulsified. The AJ flaxseed gel feels similar once emulsified but doesn’t glide as easy or create hold. I topped with the Mielle mousse. It provides the slip and clumping. All the frizz was smooth down. This was my first time emulsifying the mousse but it worked well.

I sat under the dryer for maybe 10 to 15 mins on high heat. I purchased the one in Rhonda’s shop. It was a little hot. I didnt truly have it sitting on something. So my hand was helping to prop it up and I needed it my hands free.

I think I must be using the shower brush wrong when smoothing to style. It always looks frizzy. I smooth with the brush. Then I smooth with my hands. Lastly, I rake with knuckle to keep tension. The top is the part where I used it. It still looks frizzy but less than last time I used the brush. I have more volume though.

 

[faithVA]

I think the digital resource library is more concise. It’s missing all those extra little tidbits though. The 1hr + vids have some of the answers I was looking for and necessary explanations that are not found in the library.

I understand their want to tailor the info for the primary basics in the library, but it’s hard to know info on the whys of what we are doing. I like to understand the mechanics of things so I can logically figure out answers on my own when I have questions. Don’t just tell me to smooth my hair. Tell me why and all of its benefits.

I love the vid with the explanation of the cut and why. I’d go around looking like a mop before I have another Deva Cut Specialist touch my head again. So a CIK stylist it is. I just have to get some length to do something with.

Get pictures of what you want your cut to look like. Instagram, FB, etc are good places. The more you understand about why they cut the way they do, you can communicate to them what you want.

I don't like a hard taper and hard angles and that seems to be a thing. Because I have small coils and my hair is short I have go grow my hair out in layers. Even when my hair is longer, I will not be able to have a 2 dimensional cut but will need a 3 dimensional cut. So there is a lot to be aware of. Stylist will make up stuff if you don't direct them

 

[DVAntDany]

Get pictures of what you want your cut to look like. Instagram, FB, etc are good places. The more you understand about why they cut the way they do, you can communicate to them what you want.

I don't like a hard taper and hard angles and that seems to be a thing. Because I have small coils and my hair is short I have go grow my hair out in layers. Even when my hair is longer, I will not be able to have a 2 dimensional cut but will need a 3 dimensional cut. So there is a lot to be aware of. Stylist will make up stuff if you don't direct them

Oh I had shown a picture and my hair was almost in the shape I wanted. I just wanted it cleaned up and the base removed for more angle. This is going to sound so prejudice but it’s the truth from my experience. The lady who did my hair was a white lady with naturally bone straight hair who used a crochet needle to loc her hair. She seemed obsessed with Afro texture. Like the literal spongy Afro look. I came in with a defined shoulder length wash and go and left out with a round fluffy Afro up to my ears.

My ex husband and ex in-laws are all Germans from Germany. They seem to appreciate the traditional Afro more than I did. I preferred curl/tight wave definition since I had it. Also for the life of my ex, he couldn’t understand the obsession of people slicking down baby hairs, greasing scalps or glopping down hairs w/sticky gels just to have crunchy hair.

I don’t like to bring race into hair because a talented stylist can come in any color, shape or form. But people outside the culture or those looking from the opposite spectrum don’t always understand why you want something even when you explain it in clear words and pictures.

That little flash back makes me realize that I want to see upfront the stylist’s handiwork on my head before they come near me with scissors. I’m not seeing that as an option on many of the CIK stylists sites. One of my closest CIK choices’ website wasn’t working properly when I checked a week ago. Now it is and I much prefer the look of her work compared to the other one.

Since I have my second vaccine, I’ll try booking a consultation next month. She only does in person consultations. I hope it’s worth the 2 1/2hr drive. If push comes to shove, I’ll travel the 4+hrs to Atlanta for one. I’m just going to go ahead and dive into this lifestyle.

 

[faithVA]

Did my CCS today. Tried a lot of different things. Out of all the tools, taking the shower head, with the concentrated setting and smoothing it across my hair seems to infuse my hair with water, smooth my hair and give me more definition. It does more than what my brushes do and it is easier and faster.

I shampooed once and then detangled. Used my diluted conditioner. This is working for me. I think I can dilute it more. My curls defined more and didn't frizz. I smoothed with the brush a few times and it was OK. Then I rinsed out the conditioner and did my shower head thing.

I paid attention this time to how much gel I applied. I did 2 pumps per section and then an extra pump for the very back of my hair. Then I soaked my hair with water. I think I understand how much water I need and what it should look like. I currently let the gel sit and then get out of the shower to add my topper. Next time I will add the topper in the shower and then add the water and then I can let it all sit for 10 minutes.

Anyway, I got out the shower and let the UFD sit while I got dressed. Then I added the Aunt Jackies and smoothed it in well. Then I added more water. Then I shook it. I can tell I didn't have enough water because my hair didn't fall into place. I think that is my sign. But at that point, I'm not sure if I should add more water or just leave it, so I left it.

I started diffusing but I was impatient so I just took off the diffuser and blow dried it on low cool. I tend to just blow dry my hair anyway unless it is the very end of the day and I just need to dry my roots.

But I think I have better direction for next time.

Cleanse and detangle at this step with my Tangle Buster then rinse.
Apply very diluted conditioner and work in. I should see definition at this point.
Let the conditioner sit while I shower.
Smooth under running water while I rinse out conditioner.
Smooth hair with shower head
Apply 2 pumps of UFD to each section
Apply 1 pump of Aunt Jackies. Smooth the roots and focus on the ends
Add water until it hangs
Let hair sit for 5 minutes (don't think I can make 10 but will try)
Then style and shake
Figure out drying that day.

Will post my comparison pictures this evening.

 

[DVAntDany]

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

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

Yes, it sounds like you are definitely following her to a T.

I have a set of Matrix Sleek headed my way. Where are you finding the Do it for the Culture Buttery Gel? I heard Rhonda say it’s being discontinued from Sally’s. It’s still heavily advertised on the Mane Choice website. I contacted customer service to ask about that, but they haven’t responded back yet.

Would you know how the buttery gel compares to the Mielle custard?

 

[GettingKinky]

Here was my process today:
- Shampoo with Innersense Pure harmony and Elucence moisture
- I tried to brush my hair with shampoo, but that was NOT happening
- condition with color radiance
- detangle & smooth with my FL brush
-apply KCKT
- brush and smooth with FL brush my hair was super smoooooth at this point.
- apply jello shot smooth and rake
- diffuse for ~ 10 minutes.

so far so good. A little crispy, but I think this means it will last all week, and I don’t really have time for a midweek wash this week.

 

[faithVA]

Here was my process today:
- Shampoo with Innersense Pure harmony and Elucence moisture
- I tried to brush my hair with shampoo, but that was NOT happening
- condition with color radian
- detangle & smooth with my FL brush
-apply KCKT
- brush and smooth with FL brush my hair was super smoooooth at this point.
- apply jello shot smooth and rake
- diffuse for ~ 10 minutes.

so far so good. A little crispy, but I think this means it will last all week, and I don’t really have time for a midweek wash this week.
View attachment 470155

It looks better and better each time you do it.

 

[faithVA]

Tomorrow is officially 4 months since my last cut and 8.5 months since my first cut. I really needed that first cut. I was so relieved.

I don't have pictures from all sides for each cut.

My original cut June 2020


My 2nd cut in November 2020


4 months later


I'm happy with the way it turned out today so I feel like if I just work on my technique I can stay out of the chair until June or July.

 

[toaster]

Yessssss GROWTH @faithVA ! Look how your hair (especially the front and sides!!) is hanging down now.

Amazing progress

 

[faithVA]

Yessssss GROWTH @faithVA ! Look how your hair (especially the front and sides!!) is hanging down now.

Amazing progress

Thank You @toaster. You are always so supportive. Definitely making progress. And yay, I'm just at the beginning of my hang time.

I think I saw my curl twin on FB. She has less density than I do but we have similar curls.

 

[sunshinebeautiful]

Yes, it sounds like you are definitely following her to a T.

I have a set of Matrix Sleek headed my way. Where are you finding the Do it for the Culture Buttery Gel? I heard Rhonda say it’s being discontinued from Sally’s. It’s still heavily advertised on the Mane Choice website. I contacted customer service to ask about that, but they haven’t responded back yet.

Would you know how the buttery gel compares to the Mielle custard?

I bought it before it was discontinued. I like it. It does a really good job in locking in water to my hair, I think.

I have not tried the Mielle custard yet.

 

[faithVA]

@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.

I started watching this. Made it through the first hour. This is probably the calmest I have seen her.

I was hoping to learn more about application, saturation, distribution but I guess that is just something I have to learn on my own.

What I did learn is that I'm not doing anything wrong. My hair is not going to be soaking wet until after I apply the gel. She said her hair is that way and it just doesn't hold water until after gel. So I will stop trying

She said we shouldn't fluff our hair until it cures which is 24 hours later. I will remember that for the future. Right now with my hair short it isn't possible for me to just get up and go without fluffing.

She does mention that my hair is going to need more length to have weight and I wouldn't really have the curl I want until I get a little more length.

And I caught this time when I'm under the dryer I just want to get the outside dry. That works for me since I hate a dryer. I will have to see how long it takes for the outside of my hair to dry.

Will try to watch the rest tomorrow.

 

[GettingKinky]

@faithVA your hair has grown so much since your first cut last June! It’s so clear even with your tight curls, which means you must have added a lot of length. Have you done a pull test to see how long it is then?

 

[GettingKinky]

I have 2 slap caps. The one I got in December has already stretched out a little and is much more comfortable to wear than the one I got in February.

 

[toaster]

Under the dryer after today’s CCS. It was my usual Sunday routine:

cleanse with carols daughter wash day delight
Condition and detangle with briogeo curl charisma conditioner
Style with uncle funky’s curly magic and earthtones max gel

I ordered another earthtones max gel last week although I’m not close to finishing my current jar.

I’ve decided I like the earthtones max gel more than pop lock because it has better ingredients and it rinses out of my hair much easier than pop lock.

However, earthtones gel is definitely leaving a film all over my shower and clogging my drain. It’s also in a jar which I hate, and I ha e to order it online.

I’m really not tempted to try another combo, so I’ll live with the downsides.

I do want to order a shampoo brush so I’m not left out of the brushing with gel that everyone is doing!

 

[GettingKinky]

@ toaster The gel is clogging your drain? It doesn’t rinse away?

 

[toaster]

@ toaster The gel is clogging your drain? It doesn’t rinse away?

It rinses out of my hair clean but when applying in the shower it leaves this thick foamy film all over the shower that doesn’t rinse away. It’s sticky and no matter how much water I run it doesn’t completely go away. After using twice a week for a the last few washes I can see the buildup in my drain and the water isn’t draining very well.

 

[faithVA]

@faithVA your hair has grown so much since your first cut last June! It’s so clear even with your tight curls, which means you must have added a lot of length. Have you done a pull test to see how long it is then?

@GettingKinky, Yes it has grown. And if I hadn't got it cut in November, I think I would have a super fro.

I randomly pull hair here and there. My sides are between the top and bottom of my ear. The very front is right above my lip.

I will plan to do a pull test on my 1 year anniversary of my cut. That will help give me something to look forward to.

 

[faithVA]

Under the dryer after today’s CCS. It was my usual Sunday routine:

cleanse with carols daughter wash day delight
Condition and detangle with briogeo curl charisma conditioner
Style with uncle funky’s curly magic and earthtones max gel

I ordered another earthtones max gel last week although I’m not close to finishing my current jar.

I’ve decided I like the earthtones max gel more than pop lock because it has better ingredients and it rinses out of my hair much easier than pop lock.

However, earthtones gel is definitely leaving a film all over my shower and clogging my drain. It’s also in a jar which I hate, and I ha e to order it online.

I’m really not tempted to try another combo, so I’ll live with the downsides.

I do want to order a shampoo brush so I’m not left out of the brushing with gel that everyone is doing!

It rinses out of my hair clean but when applying in the shower it leaves this thick foamy film all over the shower that doesn’t rinse away. It’s sticky and no matter how much water I run it doesn’t completely go away. After using twice a week for a the last few washes I can see the buildup in my drain and the water isn’t draining very well.

Maybe place some in a bowl and try seeing what dissolves it and then use that. I think I mentioned to someone earlier to try diluted vinegar instead of the drano they were using.

 

[faithVA]

My application yesterday must have been OK. I didn't sleep with a head covering. I think for now this is the best way to go. My hair was smooshed on the sides but the front was fine. After an hour or so the sides puffed out so my fluffing was minimum. I can definitely get 4 days out of this, so I'm going to try to repeat what I did yesterday. My hair still has a cast but it is starting to soften up.

The more I use the Aunt Jackie's the more I like it. For $8 it goes a long way. But it definitely requires shampoo to get it off my hair.

I'm getting ready to put on my cycling equipment. This will be the first test to see if my wng holds up under my helmet and with all of the sweat. No matter what I'm not doing my hair before Tuesday

 

[DVAntDany]

@GettingKinky and @faithVA Im loving the results and progress. You can definitely see the growth faithVa.

Here is another vid of a detangling brush being used for styling. Surprisingly, the raking technique is not being used afterwards. Once again technique is demonstrated by a stylist.


Kurian from HydraBar prefers using a comb for short hair. I see Maya from The Doux does as well. The Doux even sells a small D-Tail Smoothing Comb. I don’t even own a comb. So if it turns out to be a fail, I can always use the tail to part with.

D-TAIL™ Smoothing Comb

WHAT IT DOUX: Natural curls, kinks, and waves will love the D-TAIL! Designed for sectioning and detailing small sections of hair, The Doux D-Tail™ Smoothing Comb helps you work through your hair more quickly, allowing you to smooth and detangle each section as you go. No more stopping mid-style...

thedoux.com

@toaster Im finally figuring out what on earth pop lock is. Duh, the Doux. What are your thoughts on the pop lock gel? I understand you saying it not shampooing from your hair well. Any other negatives? Any positives?

I also can say that I did not like my first try of cowashing with the AG conditioner. My scalp is itchy. My hair dried with a producty feeling and didn’t have its usual shine.

I looked back at the product directions and I see potentially why I didn’t get the results I had before. All the products say to use on clean hair. That conditioner did not leave my hair feeling clean even though it’s so light. The Mielle custard says to air dry or diffuse for volume. The AJ Flaxseed Gel to air dry or use diffuser on a light setting. Maybe I’m reading too much into this but air drying was listed first. Products that work best with heat usually list air drying as the last option.

Also, Ulta is now having their by 1 get the second one 50% off online starting today. Dang it, I ordered a few days too early. Oh well.

It’s for Redken, Biolage, Matrix Total Results, AG Hair, Sebastian, Tigi, Paul Mitchell, Chi, Keratin Complex, Wella, Joico and Bosley.

 

[faithVA]

Thank You @DVAntDany. Glad to have progress to help me stay motivated.

I did 45 minutes on the bike with my cycling cap. It didn't turn out too badly. I made sure not to touch it while it was wet. I will see how it turns out tomorrow and see if I can fluff it. I may consider wearing my buff the next time I ride. I'm not sure the buff is a moisture wicking as my cycling cap though. We shall see. Maybe cycling will help my hair grow faster.

 

[GettingKinky]

@DVAntDany I’ve never been a fan of cowashing. My hair never turns out as well after a cowash as compared to shampooing. If I’m planning to refresh I just use a gentle shampoo and only wash 1x instead of my usual 2x.

 

[toaster]

@DVAntDany i love pop lock glaze! Other than the plastic feeling when I shampoo it out, it’s amazing. My hair looks great when I use it alone or over uncle funky’s curly magic, it’s in a bottle so no shower water gets in it, and it’s pretty affordable and found at target. I’ll definitely take it with me when I’m traveling as a one and done product.

 

[DVAntDany]

Thank You @DVAntDany. Glad to have progress to help me stay motivated.

I did 45 minutes on the bike with my cycling cap. It didn't turn out too badly. I made sure not to touch it while it was wet. I will see how it turns out tomorrow and see if I can fluff it. I may consider wearing my buff the next time I ride. I'm not sure the buff is a moisture wicking as my cycling cap though. We shall see. Maybe cycling will help my hair grow faster.

I need to start being active again too. I’m scared to topple over on those tall bikes. I just started back walking.

You’ll never know how moisture wicking it is until you try it. Are the buffs any different than those regular neck gaiter/bandeau thingamajigs? Those are pretty thin.

 

[DVAntDany]

@DVAntDany I’ve never been a fan of cowashing. My hair never turns out as well after a cowash as compared to shampooing. If I’m planning to refresh I just use a gentle shampoo and only wash 1x instead of my usual 2x.

I was trying to follow these stylists’ advice and use a reg conditioner to cowash if I’m trying to redo my hair more than 2 times a week. My hair feels kinda gross right now.
The A’s only recommend Curl Junkie Daily Fix Cleansing Conditioner as an actual cowash. I don’t want to invest in it especially since they said to just use a conditioner and I don’t like the feeling.

I’ll take your advice. That’s what I was doing beforehand.