Struggling with your natural hair? Come in here.....

[Ahlaam]

I have fine frizzy hair so for me finding a decent product has always been a challenge. The amount of money I've wasted on product is mortifying! So I decided to make my own concotion after what can only be described as forever and finally I have managed to find one that is perfect for me! I do a deep treatment (no protein) once a week and co-wash 3 times a week. My hair loves

 

[CaliiSwagg]

Ok so yesterday I called myself straightening my hair.... it turned out so nice until I got to work today.

It started to freakin poof up from the slightest amount of moisture in the air.

I'm wondering if it's my hair or if it's my products. Idk.. I need help!!

For the ladies that straighten and achieve silky straight hair despite humidity (I live in the south)... please share your techniques and/or holy grail products.

 

[Cruzankink]

For the ladies that straighten and achieve silky straight hair despite humidity (I live in the south)... please share your techniques and/or holy grail products.

CaliiSwagg Although I haven't straightened my hair in a while I'd advise that once you condition your hair use an oil based moisturizer like Qhemet Biologics Alma & Olive Heavy Cream. Since its oil based (oil & water don't mix) it extends the life of your straight style and provides moisture as well as seals your hair without weighing it down. This product is very rich and emollient so a little goes a long way. Also, this would probably be the one time I'll recommend the use silicones, by way of a silicone heat protectant. Silicone keep moisture out thus hair is less prone to frizz from humidity plus you have the added benefit of a product that protects from heat damage. When I was relaxed I used a heat protectant/shine sirum from Joico (I don't remember the name).

 

[CaliiSwagg]

@CaliiSwagg Although I haven't straightened my hair in a while I'd advise that once you condition your hair use an oil based moisturizer like Qhemet Biologics Alma & Olive Heavy Cream. Since its oil based (oil & water don't mix) it extends the life of your straight style and provides moisture as well as seals your hair without weighing it down. This product is very rich and emollient so a little goes a long way. Also, this would probably be the one time I'll recommend the use silicones, by way of a silicone heat protectant. Silicone keep moisture out thus hair is less prone to frizz from humidity plus you have the added benefit of a product that protects from heat damage. When I was relaxed I used a heat protectant/shine sirum from Joico (I don't remember the name).

Cruzankink
Thank you

I am going to have to pick up that moisturizer. I have only straightened my hair twice and both times turned out the same... fabulous until I walk outside

I use Paul Mitchell smoothing balm and super skinny serum before I blow dry and flat iron. They make my hair so soft and silky, but I'm guessing they arn't sealing my hair enough for humidity to not effect it.

 

[Leslie_C]

@Cruzankink
Thank you

I am going to have to pick up that moisturizer. I have only straightened my hair twice and both times turned out the same... fabulous until I walk outside

I use Paul Mitchell smoothing balm and super skinny serum before I blow dry and flat iron. They make my hair so soft and silky, but I'm guessing they arn't sealing my hair enough for humidity to not effect it.

CaliiSwagg


A lot of naturals who wear their hair pressed swear by Aveda Anti-humectant pomade. I havent tried it, but its on my wish list. Look it up and Im sure you will find great reviews.

I also read somewhere that this line performs well in humidity:
http://www.livingproof.com/

 

[DarkJoy]

@DarkJoy I'll definately give a review of the quinoa protien. I'm happy that you found the culprit of your breakage. Now you know what to avoid. I don't mean to get up in your bidness oke: but I'm curious as to why your hair is so water sensitive particularly, in its natural state. I've read your posts and you seem to be very knowledgable in natural hair care arena. However, I must ask, does your regimen incorporate protein? If it does, do you think your moisture/protein balance is askew? What is your hair porosity? Is your regimen/products catered to your porosity level? Have you ever sought the advice of a medical professional to illiminate any illness and/or mineral/vitamin deficiencies? Hollah back...

Thanks Cruzankink!

For my health currently, it checks out normally *knocks wood* as of 4 months ago. I'm sure I'm deficient in something because when I keep up on my vits I feel way diff. I keep forgettin to take them regular. Once a week ain't cuttin it! I could drink more water too...

This is genetics. I inherited this mess from my dad who, even in his 30s, had thin & just above see-thru hair. So did his father. Both of our hairs are also ridiculously fine but wiry and brittle feeling. When I got bone straight relaxers as a teen, I didn't like them because my hair was so thin, just like my dad! Texture works better so there's some volume at least.

Everytime I try a protein treatment, my hair draws into what feels like a bunch of dreds and feels like steel wool, so IDK.. It's got me skrd.

 

[DarkJoy]

Oh, and when I did a porosity test, some strands fell to the bottom of the glass but most floated on top. So, who knows...

 

[HanaKuroi]

If you have henna in your hair will it affect a porosity test?

 

[DarkJoy]

^^Interesting question...

Speaking of, I TOTALLY forgot I had semi-perm dyed my hair lighter in the winter several times! Everytime I've done that it's been a disaster. And I'm a slow-grower so it takes forever to grow out any epic hair failures

I have no doubts much of my problems is this even tho I henna'd over the top when the breakage started. 1/2 inch more to cut off of this nightmare and we will see if any of these things I've learned actually works on healthy-non chemically ruined hair

 

[Cruzankink]

^^Interesting question...

Speaking of, I TOTALLY forgot I had semi-perm dyed my hair lighter in the winter several times! Everytime I've done that it's been a disaster. And I'm a slow-grower so it takes forever to grow out any epic hair failures

I have no doubts much of my problems is this even tho I henna'd over the top when the breakage started. 1/2 inch more to cut off of this nightmare and we will see if any of these things I've learned actually works on healthy-non chemically ruined hair

DarkJoy Is the henna treatments working for you? When I first did my BC I looked into it but I've read that it dries hair out. Have you had this reaction?

 

[DarkJoy]

Thanks for asking Cruzankink. I actually experience more shine and moisture since henna. The breakage started after my last chemical dye in january or february. The 3 inches of ng I have is very soft and supple so I'm hoping after I chop the rest of these ends, it will be in better shape from there on out. I've never had long hair, but the last time it was in such bad shape was when I was relaxing. No more dye!

 

[HanaKuroi]

I think it depends on how long you leave the henna on and what you mix it with. I haven't had dryness with it. I did get tangles from the red rahj when I slept in it and it took away the color I had built up from the jasmine henna.

I just henna'd two days ago with Jamila and I love it. Smooth and shiny hair.

I was using henna weekly and I didn't have dryness. I did dc after. I like to dc for twice as long as I henna.

 

[MyAngelEyez~C~U]

Ok so yesterday I called myself straightening my hair.... it turned out so nice until I got to work today.

It started to freakin poof up from the slightest amount of moisture in the air.

I'm wondering if it's my hair or if it's my products. Idk.. I need help!!

For the ladies that straighten and achieve silky straight hair despite humidity (I live in the south)... please share your techniques and/or holy grail products.

CaliiSwagg, try Sabino Moisture Block, sold online only. Works well for me when I straighten, and I get at least 2weeks outa my straightened hair.

 

[Cruzankink]

Just received my bottle of Quinoa Protein from Ingredients to die for! :superbanana: Can't wait to do my homemade moisturizing protein treatment this weekend. Hope I don't have any setbacks...

 

[CaliiSwagg]

@CaliiSwagg, try Sabino Moisture Block, sold online only. Works well for me when I straighten, and I get at least 2weeks outa my straightened hair.

MyAngelEyez~C~U
Thank you!!
I forgot all about Sabino. I remember when everybody raved about it on here. I need to cop that asap.

 

[SimJam]

Im not struggling any more

Hair profile? 4b medium strands medium density

Reggie and products?
wash weekly with Dr bronners (various scents) or terressentials mud wash/rhassoul clay, sometimes cowash mid week (Hair Veda moist PRO or moist 24.7)

finger detangle with tresseme naturals

Moisture DC with each wash, protein DC when needed

after rinsing out DC spritz with aloevera juice (my godsend and why I no longer am struggling)


How do you style your hair? twists, twist outs, buns, puffs

What problems do you have with your hair?
my issue was dry bushy ends which were prone to breakage and always had SSKs - no matter what I did they were always there.

aloevera juice was the answer - it closes my cuticles, reduces SSKs and eliminates the dry bushy ends

now Im finally able to retain my ends and see some length

 

[HanaKuroi]

I get so scared to try anything new. I don't want any setbacks either.


Btw: I use green tea and coconut milk in my jamila henna. Do not think you can slap henna in your hair without detangling either. I dry detangle with sunflower oil or any ceramide oil and apply like a relaxer and do eight chunky twists. Then Saran wrap. Rinse til water is clear then rinse with vo5 moisture milks. Then dc with vanilla silk dreams or AOHsr with a little oil and use some more coconut milk to my hair to make sure it is wet and coated at the very ends. Saran wrap or baggy for several hours. I don't apply leave-ins on drippy hair. I band when half dry. I wait until almost dry to add leave in and m and s.

 

[AtlantaJJ]

I think it depends on how long you leave the henna on and what you mix it with. I haven't had dryness with it. I did get tangles from the red rahj when I slept in it and it took away the color I had built up from the jasmine henna.

I just henna'd two days ago with Jamila and I love it. Smooth and shiny hair.

I was using henna weekly and I didn't have dryness. I did dc after. I like to dc for twice as long as I henna.

Oh no, I bought 100 grams of Red Rahj I'm scared to use it now. I usually use Jamila.

Sent from my iPhone 4S using LHCF app

 

[HanaKuroi]

AtlantaJJ It took me two bottles of conditioner to get the twigs/veins out. I rinsed forever. I did leave it in overnight and where I slept on it was just tanglely. It was terrible and I had shedding. It took several trips to the store to get my hair right. Ugh! I have five or six boxes of it. I am nit new to henna and I have slept in it before, just not red rahj.

Have you used henna before? I really liked the application though. I think I left it on too long and shouldn't have let my hair get smooshed. I believe that is what caused the tangles.

The main reason I won't use it again was because I lost all my henna color from the jamila and jasmine. I ended up with no highlights/color deposits. If you use it don't sleep in it.

 

[DarkJoy]

Just received my bottle of Quinoa Protein from Ingredients to die for! :superbanana: Can't wait to do my homemade moisturizing protein treatment this weekend. Hope I don't have any setbacks...

*waits patiently for your review*

 

[AtlantaJJ]

AtlantaJJ It took me two bottles of conditioner to get the twigs/veins out. I rinsed forever. I did leave it in overnight and where I slept on it was just tanglely. It was terrible and I had shedding. It took several trips to the store to get my hair right. Ugh! I have five or six boxes of it. I am nit new to henna and I have slept in it before, just not red rahj.

Have you used henna before? I really liked the application though. I think I left it on too long and shouldn't have let my hair get smooshed. I believe that is what caused the tangles.

The main reason I won't use it again was because I lost all my henna color from the jamila and jasmine. I ended up with no highlights/color deposits. If you use it don't sleep in it.

I have used Jamila, I sleep in it and I have zero issues with tangles or dryness. You are right about sticking with what works!

Sent from my iPhone 4S using LHCF app

 

[AtlantaJJ]

HanaKuroi have you ever tried sifting henna? I just realized I have 300 grams of the RR, I can't let it go to waste. I'm going to try sifting it before I use it. I'm going to research manual sifting methods.

 

[HanaKuroi]

AtlantaJJ let me know how that works out. I didn't like the color deposit so I won't use it again. I might try morrocan or Yemeni henna and I think thu might need extra sifting.

 

[DarkJoy]

I have fine frizzy hair so for me finding a decent product has always been a challenge. The amount of money I've wasted on product is mortifying! So I decided to make my own concotion after what can only be described as forever and finally I have managed to find one that is perfect for me! I do a deep treatment (no protein) once a week and co-wash 3 times a week. My hair loves

Hello Ahlaam, my fine haired friend.

Care to share your concotion with a fellow fine-haired sister? Hehe

 

[DarkJoy]

@DarkJoy I'm curious as to why your hair iHowever, I must ask, does your regimen incorporate protein? If it does, do you think your moisture/protein balance is askew?

Well I thought about you Cruzankink when I was at Whole Foods yesterday and saw the Aubrey Organics line. Maybe u r right about the balance. Its been feeling awfully mushy when wet and not holdin astyle well. Picked up the GPB. It gets raves here...will see how this protein treatment works. Anything else I've tried makes my hair steel wool even home treatment like eggs. Maybe its just finding the protein that agrees with me. And anyway can't afford any henna with ship costs for a month. Wash day is coming up! Will let ya know.

 

[lamaria211]

Well I thought about you Cruzankink when I was at Whole Foods yesterday and saw the Aubrey Organics line. Maybe u r right about the balance. Its been feeling awfully mushy when wet and not holdin astyle well. Picked up the GPB. It gets raves here...will see how this protein treatment works. Anything else I've tried makes my hair steel wool even home treatment like eggs. Maybe its just finding the protein that agrees with me. And anyway can't afford any henna with ship costs for a month. Wash day is coming up! Will let ya know.

My hair also gets hard with the slightest use of protein so I mix the GPB with my Rosa Mosqueta or another moisturizing conditionerhth

 

[Cruzankink]

Well I thought about you @Cruzankink when I was at Whole Foods yesterday and saw the Aubrey Organics line. Maybe u r right about the balance. Its been feeling awfully mushy when wet and not holdin astyle well. Picked up the GPB. It gets raves here...will see how this protein treatment works. Anything else I've tried makes my hair steel wool even home treatment like eggs. Maybe its just finding the protein that agrees with me. And anyway can't afford any henna with ship costs for a month. Wash day is coming up! Will let ya know.

DarkJoy I hope the GPB does the trick! I am excited about my quinoa protein treatment this weekend but like you and lamaria211 I am also concerned about the possibility of getting rough hair afterwards. When I was relaxed and did protein treatments even expensive ones (e.g. Nexxus, Joico) my hair came out rough, dry and consequently a nightmare to detangle. However, my hope with using a plant protein, like quinoa, is that it will be easily absorbed and more moisturizing to my hair. If not, it will be another costly mistake.

I must of missed it, but I've never heard of the Aubrey GPB conditioner! (Probably cause I'm new to the natural world). I saw on Aubrey's website that they sell a sample size. If this quinoa thing doesn't work out, I'll order a sample GPB.

 

[DarkJoy]

DarkJoy I hope the GPB does the trick! I am excited about my quinoa protein treatment this weekend but like you and lamaria211 I am also concerned about the possibility of getting rough hair afterwards. When I was relaxed and did protein treatments even expensive ones (e.g. Nexxus, Joico).

I saw on Aubrey's website that they sell a sample size. If this quinoa thing doesn't work out, I'll order a sample GPB.

Well Cruzankink, if the gpb doesn't work for me I can always send it to you. I would hate to just throw it away.

I also used joico when relaxed. Hair loved it then! Scared to spend that kind of money now because so much doesn't work...

As for the gpb treatment I'm gonna try it on my most sensitive section (the crown) and see if it balls up. Lol. That way I won't have a whole mess to try and save.

Tomorrow is wash day! Wish me luck...

Will also try part of the crown mixed like lamaria211 suggested. Thanks lamaria

 

[Nonie]

CaliiSwagg, also if you used a moisturizer or other product on hair before the anti-humectant (Sabino or whatever) then it won't adhere well to your hair and may not offer protection as well. Best to add moisture to hair during conditioning then use only anti-humectant/heat protectant on hair during the flat-ironing process.

I've never used Sabino but John Frieda has served me well in over 20 years.

 

[Cruzankink]

Well @Cruzankink, if the gpb doesn't work for me I can always send it to you. I would hate to just throw it away.

As for the gpb treatment I'm gonna try it on my most sensitive section (the crown) and see if it balls up. Lol. That way I won't have a whole mess to try and save.

Tomorrow is wash day! Wish me luck...

DarkJoy Thanks for your GPB offer! I also was planning to mix the quinoa with some other moisturizing conditioners and honeyquat to reduce any hair roughness. But you gave me an idea... Since today is a co-wash day for me, I'm gonna make a small amount of my concoction and apply it to a patch of hair at the back of my head. If it turns out good then I can't wait for this weekend. But if its bad then I know not to continue as planned. No need to have 'brillo' hair if I can avoid it.