BRUSHING IS TABOO Right?

[MissYocairis]

Hi Ladies! I'm struggling on my second 16 week stretch and I noticed that a lot of LHCF members are able to stretch well in excess of 16 weeks....I am talking 20-23- weeks!

My question is, aside from stretching in braids and cornrows, what styling methods are you using and DO YOU BRUSH during the late weeks of your stretches? If so, how does your hair respond? If not, why not? I was under the impression that brushing would just cause it to break. How are you bunning with a twa that is connected to several inches of relaxed hair if not brushing it down?

 

[OneInAMillion]

Hey CBC,

I was gonna post in the other thread, but I'm glad you started this one. About two weeks ago, I started lightly brushing my hair to make it into that bun! Now I don't really like doing that, and I know it's bad but I'm only do it (1.) 2x a week max and (2.) if my hair is soft and WELL moisturized. I try not to brush at all, and honestly, nothing really lays down at all. But after I'm done, I tie a scarf around my edges for about 1/2 an hour and im good to go.

Maybe it's just me, but I get my roots blown weekly, and I don't mind my edges lookin frizzy. I just let them be until the roots get thick.

Just note: Throughout the stretch, I lay the hair flat by tying it in a scarf. Not a wrap, just makin sure it's covered. Guess this means I need to end my stretch!

 

[Miss*Tress]

I just brush my edges with a boar bristle brush when I wear a bun otherwise no brushing since January 2006 and much less breakage. My last touch-up was end-July 2005.

 

[MissYocairis]

Hey CBC,

I was gonna post in the other thread, but I'm glad you started this one. About two weeks ago, I started lightly brushing my hair to make it into that bun! Now I don't really like doing that, and I know it's bad but I'm only do it (1.) 2x a week max and (2.) if my hair is soft and WELL moisturized. I try not to brush at all, and honestly, nothing really lays down at all. But after I'm done, I tie a scarf around my edges for about 1/2 an hour and im good to go.

Maybe it's just me, but I get my roots blown weekly, and I don't mind my edges lookin frizzy. I just let them be until the roots get thick.

Just note: Throughout the stretch, I lay the hair flat by tying it in a scarf. Not a wrap, just makin sure it's covered. Guess this means I need to end my stretch!

Thanks ONAM. You are getting your roots blown out weekly? Are you doing that at a Dominican salon? I'm working with daily wet hair and very limited heat (once a month). So, I guess I am on the scarf thingy. I need to work it out because I am only at 13 weeks and I feel like I am at 16 and I don't like looking like Kizzy from Roots. It's cool for home but not for work!

 

[MissYocairis]

I just brush my edges with a boar bristle brush when I wear a bun otherwise no brushing since January 2006 and much less breakage. My last touch-up was end-July 2005.

Hey, MissBiss! Are you transitioning or just stretching a REAAALLLY long time? How are your edges doing with this technique? What moisturizer are you using on the edges prior to the brushing? Do you use a "soft" brush?

 

[OneInAMillion]

Thanks ONAM. You are getting your roots blown out weekly? Are you doing that at a Dominican salon? I'm working with daily wet hair and very limited heat (once a month). So, I guess I am on the scarf thingy. I need to work it out because I am only at 13 weeks and I feel like I am at 16 and I don't like looking like Kizzy from Roots. It's cool for home but not for work!

Yes, sadly, I do get my roots blown weekly at the Dominican Salon . I have tried time and time again to rollerset my own hair, airdry, etc. and I end up with so much breakage, so I commend you on doing the no-heat thing!!! (Someday I'll get there ).

The good thing is that they blown my roots on low heat, so that's been working out well. I used to get straight blowouts every week, but that thinned out my hair. This has helped me regain my thickness.

Thanks for calling me out on the brush tip though ...I feel like hiding my brush now.

 

[baglady215]

I gel down my edges, lightly brush, and tie up in a scarf for a few minutes. I haven't suffered any ill effects. I don't brush my whole head (never have), just the hairline. I use a soft boar brush.

 

[Miss*Tress]

Hey, MissBiss! Are you transitioning or just stretching a REAAALLLY long time? How are your edges doing with this technique? What moisturizer are you using on the edges prior to the brushing? Do you use a "soft" brush?

I use ORS Carrot Oil and a soft brush to get the edges smooth.

I've stretched up to 9 months before, but I want to go a year and possibly transition. Usually in summer my roots get puffy, so I give up on growing out the relaxer every year.

 

[OneInAMillion]

I use ORS Carrot Oil and a soft brush to get the edges smooth.

I've stretched up to 9 months before, but I want to go a year and possibly transition. Usually in summer my roots get puffy, so I give up on growing out the relaxer every year.

That's exactly what I use...the ORS Carrot Oil is no joke...takes me from dry to moisturized for the whole day!

 

[Miss*Tress]

That's exactly what I use...the ORS Carrot Oil is no joke...takes me from dry to moisturized for the whole day!

Great stuff.

Forgot to mention that I wet set and pulling taut on the rollers gets my roots fairly straight.

 

[zorra]

I use a concotion of oils such as jojoba oil, emu oil, bring-raj oil, rosemary oil, sage and shealoe cream for hairline my temples and I brush with a 100% boar bristle brush. My hair line and temples have been so healthy and full. I use Motions cpr to stop breakage and I put it in a bun twister from cvs.

 

[*Frisky*]

I just bought a boar bristle brush and the bristles seem soft..I try not to brush my whole head to much..just the sides. I use a soft tootbrush most of the time.

 

[czyfaith77]

Believe it or not I actually do brush. I think it depends on the brush that you use and the technique. The brush that I use I got it from from Michelle, who I met at our (NC) most recent LHCF meeting. She said that it didn't particularly work for her but, it was a lifesaver for me. I use it for blowing my 4a/4b roots out and for when I wear wigs. It does not break my hair neither does it stretch the synthetic hair fibers in my wigs which causes the wig to look better (w/o the frizzes) and last longer. Due to the success of using this brush I have been able to stretch longer and I am seriously considering transitioning because due to the fact that I am able to see more of my natural texture due to the stretching (which I haven't seen in a long time) and I really think I like it and I also have better managability with the brush, CW, StaSoft spray, and occasionally various types of oils. But the main contribution to my possible decision, I would definitely say was the Denman brush because it permits me to better manage my hair with minimal breakage.

BTW, I brush in segments beginning at the ends and working my way up to the roots.

 

[MissYocairis]

Great stuff.

Forgot to mention that I wet set and pulling taut on the rollers gets my roots fairly straight.

Hey MissBiss, are you sitting under a hot dryer with those rollers? Do you do this weekly? I am wary of this because I really enjoy the daily wettings.

 

[ahsiar29]

I have not had a relaxer for about 6 months now. And I was dying to relax my hair. But I have stuck it through for alittle while longer. I am considering transitioning. Have not thought it through really.

However to get the frizzes and my edges down. Black n Sassy - Caribbean Creme (Leave In Conditioner - 16oz. jar)New product from Blackn Sassy. This Blackn Sassy Leave-In Conditioner has a moisturizer made from Tropical Flower Extracts.

Super Light - Grease Free

Conditions - Softens - Shines and this is my staple I am running out and need to reorder being that I can not find it out here anywhere. I have been wearing my hair in a bun and my niece said to me yesterday Auntie what kind of Gel do you use because it it shiny and sleeks your hair down.
I love this stuff it works

HTH Ahsiar

 

[MissYocairis]

However to get the frizzes and my edges down. Black n Sassy - Caribbean Creme (Leave In Conditioner - 16oz. jar)New product from Blackn Sassy. This Blackn Sassy Leave-In Conditioner has a moisturizer made from Tropical Flower Extracts.

Super Light - Grease Free

HTH Ahsiar

Thanks Ahsiar! And, the ingredients are all "LHCF"-approved, right?

 

[NewYorkgyrl]

I am 4 months post relaxer and if I am wearing my hair in a bun I brish my edges with a very soft brush (it is not a boar brush). There is no way using my fingers and oils are gonna put this hair of mine in any neat bun. I don't find my hair breaking when I brush lightly so I don't see anything wrong with it.

 

[sweetascocoa]

i use my denman brush to brush my edges when i make a ponytail. im a natural so the soft boar bristle brush wont work for that and the hard ones look dangerous to my hair. lol. i use the soft one all over then tie on a scarf for a few minutes

 

[Miss*Tress]

Hey MissBiss, are you sitting under a hot dryer with those rollers? Do you do this weekly? I am wary of this because I really enjoy the daily wettings.

Hi CantBeCopied, usually once a week. When I lived in Florida it used to be 2x a week. Unless your hair is really short, it isn't feasible to wet set daily. Last summer, I CO washed every day and the conditioner was enough to smooth the edges.

 

[ahsiar29]

Thanks Ahsiar! And, the ingredients are all "LHCF"-approved, right?

LOL!!! Well I am not to sure of the ingredients. But I sure know that my hair approves . I will look at the ingrediens when I get home and post. I know it is not a grease it is as light as conditioner. Well it is just like conditioner. But I will let you know if the ingredients are LHCF approved You just let me know or you ladies.

 

[Supergirl]

CBC,

I brush my hair into my bun just about daily. I use a soft brush that I got at Sally's. It actually says "Soft Brush" on the handle. My hair hasn't suffered.

 

[Divine Inspiration]

Hi Ladies! I'm struggling on my second 16 week stretch and I noticed that a lot of LHCF members are able to stretch well in excess of 16 weeks....I am talking 20-23- weeks!

My question is, aside from stretching in braids and cornrows, what styling methods are you using and DO YOU BRUSH during the late weeks of your stretches? If so, how does your hair respond? If not, why not? I was under the impression that brushing would just cause it to break. How are you bunning with a twa that is connected to several inches of relaxed hair if not brushing it down?

My styling methods largely depend on my mood. I don't always have the patience to do a roller set or braid my hair, and on those weeks, I air dry my hair with a scarf on it (to tame new growth) and a bonnet to cover the length and I put it in a bun each morning. I don't use a brush at all. I use a Jilbere de Paris shower comb. I have a Denman, but I can count on my fingers how many times I've actually used it. I don't brush b/c my hair likes the comb better...especially once I get past week 15 or so. A brush on my demarcation line is a pulling, tugging, breakage NIGHTMARE!!! I avoid the brush at all costs after 13 or 14 weeks.

I just use my shower comb to gently comb it into place, and I use my hand to smooth it down. If I'm 1-8 weeks post, I'll use a paddle brush, but once the NG starts sprouting and springing, I put the brush away and stick to my fingers and the comb.

HTH

{DI}

 

[Healthb4Length]

Brushing is cool as long as you are GENTLE and use a nice boar bristle brush or a detangling Brush like Denman D4. I use my D4 to detangle and I use a kiddie brush by Jilbere that is very very soft on my nape and hairline to avoid breakage. I super stretch all the time and brushes are necessary for me to smooth down the NG.

 

[baglady215]

I have not had a relaxer for about 6 months now. And I was dying to relax my hair. But I have stuck it through for alittle while longer. I am considering transitioning. Have not thought it through really.

However to get the frizzes and my edges down. Black n Sassy - Caribbean Creme (Leave In Conditioner - 16oz. jar)New product from Blackn Sassy. This Blackn Sassy Leave-In Conditioner has a moisturizer made from Tropical Flower Extracts.

Super Light - Grease Free

Conditions - Softens - Shines and this is my staple I am running out and need to reorder being that I can not find it out here anywhere. I have been wearing my hair in a bun and my niece said to me yesterday Auntie what kind of Gel do you use because it it shiny and sleeks your hair down.
I love this stuff it works

HTH Ahsiar

This stuff didn't work for me. It left a film on my hair. I had such high hopes...

 

[Arcadian]

Brushing is cool as long as you are GENTLE and use a nice boar bristle brush or a detangling Brush like Denman D4. I use my D4 to detangle and I use a kiddie brush by Jilbere that is very very soft on my nape and hairline to avoid breakage. I super stretch all the time and brushes are necessary for me to smooth down the NG.

I my D4! I don't use anything else.(cause I can't)

Using something like a D4 does help with stretching (though sometimes my hair likes to fight back..especially after 12 weeks! )

If you are gentle and take your time it should be ok. Since I rinse my hair after working out I sometimes brush twice a day. (I like using it over my comb any day)


-A

 

[trinidarkie1]

Brushing kinda freaks me out.
WHen I was little and had oh so beautiful hair, I used to HAVE to brush and use elastic to pull my hair into a ponytail
Now with one stroke I can see into my brains, oh how my hair has thinned out

I havent brushed in months. I was using a phony tail, and would slap on lots of Let's Jam to the edges. After about 2 months of doing this 3x a week, I realised that my temples thinned out completely.
So I havent brushed in about 9 weeks and I'm proud of myself.

I have to do a search for a good brush on the site. Does anyone have any advice on which brushes are good and those that arent?

 

[Isis]

I haven't owned a brush in years. I just use my wide-toothed comb, satin scarf and hands.

 

[ahsiar29]

This stuff didn't work for me. It left a film on my hair. I had such high hopes...

Hey I am sorry Baglady that it didnt work for you. Although this works great for me. It is just not for everybody.

 

[MissYocairis]

Thanks everyone for posting your brushing/no brushing methods! I am leaning toward using a very soft brush or no brush at all. But, I AM curious about this "Denman D4".

Since I am a PJ, I bought a Denman when I first joined LHCF because I saw it being mentioned all over the forum. I think I got the wrong one. It has plastic, widely-spaced bristles with a ball on the end of each bristle and I cannot imagine using it to detangle/brush/tame anything on my head whether I have 2 inches of new growth or not. It just seems harsh. So, I've used it about 3 times.

Anyone got a link or pic to post of the Denman D4?

 

[MissYocairis]

I found it! I had the WRONG Denman all along! *lol*

This is totally different and I've never tried this kind!

I had the Denman PADDLE brush which was a nice ripping-out-nightmare!