Calling 4a/b/c naturals who wear ponys or puffs

[Trell]

I have a question. I am attempting to use puffs and ponys as a protective style for the summer. My delimma is that during the process of gathering my hair up into the pony I am encountering a lot of breakage due to the combing and brushing.

I only comb my hair when wet with lots of leave-in conditioner (the creamy type). I use a K-cutter comb and the Denman brush. What else can I do to achieve this style with minimal breakage?

 

[Bunny77]

I don't brush my wet natural hair at all... I only comb my hair in the shower with rinse out conditioner, then pat dry (not rub) with a towel. I put a creamy leave-in in it and then put it all up in a scrunchie/puff.

Some shedding is natural, but there shouldn't be too much if you do it this way. Good luck!

 

[jetcitygirl]

You should use a soft boar-bristle brush to smooth your hair into a pony -puff. Make sure to soften the bristles by dunking or holding the brush in warm water before using it.
Only brush just enough to get your hair in the puff.

 

[CocoaButterflyy]

I agree with the other ladies... I detangle in the shower with conditioner and my denman brush, shake dry and then use a little pure aloe gel and royal roots moisture glaze... once its slightly damp I use a soft boar bristle brush to smooth enought to go back and not be lumpy

I just put a pic in my album of my puff I tried this way

 

[jaelje]

Just curious? What do you do to your hair at night? how do you wrap it up?

 

[Trell]

I am currently doing as suggested with detangling in the shower with conditioner. I then put in my leave-in and proceed to create my puff. This is usually done at night so, once my puff is made I tie it up and go to bed. Afterwards, I don't take it down until I get ready to wash it again. For maintenance, I just smooth on a little leave-in at night and tie it down.

To me it seems I experience a lot of breakage getting my hair into the puff.

 

[joyous]

I usually spray my comb and brush with a light oil sheen to make it glide through the hair. I dont't use scrunchies but elastics (made by Scrunchie)that I spray generously with oil before putting them in my hair. I spray around the elastic when removing for my next wash.

 

[Ipanema]

When I wore ponypuffs, I would just fingercomb my hair up towards the top of my head, put an elastic to hold the hair up, place a stretch comb at the crown of my head, and then take out the elastic so that my hair could puff out. Then I would smooth my hairline (as smooth as it could get), with a bit of product, the palms of my hands, and a brush. This method was more gentle for my hairline & didn't cause much breakage. To have the hair tighter, I would tie a scarf around it (but this caused breakage for me).

I think making a puff is easier if the hair is stretched out overnight with plaits or bantu knots. I've never done a puff with wet hair. Here is a picture of the stretch combs I use. I couldn't imagine making a puff without these:

 

[syoulee1]

I use these stretch combs too, can't imagine making a puff without them.

 

[sassygirl125]

At one time, my hair was so weak that any kind of manipulation caused breakage. Maybe you need to beef up your protein intake and/or use protein conditioners more often.

Using heavy duty proteins like Aubrey's GPB or Sally's Generic Joico K-Pak once a month and milder proteins (Summit Mend, Lustrasilk HPC, Lekair Professional Cholesterol) once a week worked wonders for my hair.

I also use Surge on my hairline and nape at night to keep them strong since I wear my hair pulled back all the time.

 

[soslychic]

Now that's an idea. I've never thought of using those combs for a puff.

 

[bee]

I've tried using these combs but they never seemed "sturdy" enough to me (during my relaxer days). Do you have any other suggestions for a firmer hold?

 

[Donda]

Re: Calling 4a/b/c naturals who wear ponys or puff

Try a detangling shampoo like Cream of Nature, and make sure your hair is "Damp" or "towel dry" not wet. Hair breaks much easier when wet.

 

[Ipanema]

[ QUOTE ]
bee said:
I've tried using these combs but they never seemed "sturdy" enough to me (during my relaxer days). Do you have any other suggestions for a firmer hold?

[/ QUOTE ]

I've noticed that some stretch combs are firmer than others. I've seen some really cheap, flimsy ones in the stores. For a firmer hold, I use something similar to the picture below, but it's a bit rounder (and it's called a "cincher"). I snapped off some of the teeth to make the spaces about a centimeter apart & filed down the rough spots. This only works, though, if the hair is long enough to make a ponytail. I put it on my head sideways, and it makes a pretty round puff.

 

[missykeyana]

To get my hair to lay down, I brush back just a little with a boar bristle brush and then I tie my hairline loosely with a scarf. 20 minutes later, voila! Smooth hairline. I find that a scarf works best for getting my higher puffs (tied loosely of course), but I also like the stretchy combs. For some reason I can't get a high puff with them though.

 

[Casarela]

[ QUOTE ]
Trell said:
I have a question. I am attempting to use puffs and ponys as a protective style for the summer. My delimma is that during the process of gathering my hair up into the pony I am encountering a lot of breakage due to the combing and brushing.

I only comb my hair when wet with lots of leave-in conditioner (the creamy type). I use a K-cutter comb and the Denman brush. What else can I do to achieve this style with minimal breakage?

[/ QUOTE ]


Honestly..and speaking from my experience...Youre betteroff..leaving your hair alone...because before when I didnt know I could tie my hair to make a puff...i would leave it out...just wash n go than when i started putting my hair in a puf...it became my daily hairstyle and I realized how my hair is not liek it use to be i have layers everywhere maybe its because of the elastic I experienced breakage. Now im back to the huge curly afro that looks WILD!! Im leaving my hair alone..I try not to brush it as often as I use to and just brush it when I have conditionner in my hair. Stay away from brushes the more that you can..that is my advice.

 

[CocoaButterflyy]

I agree it definitely can cause some breakage... I use a hair elastic dipped in oil and the oil prevents snags from happening

 

[bee]

@Ipanema: I use combs like the "cincher" all the time! It's my favorite tool for ponytail making. However, I can't always find them. When I do see them, I purchase as many as they have on the shelf. They seem to disappear/reappear, all too often.

Got any tips on where I can find these on a continuous basis? BTW, whenever (and this occurs once or twice a week) I'm in Target, KMart, Walgreens, WalMart or CVS, I look for these combs. Just wanted you to know where I look for them in case any one of these stores, may be a suggestion of yours.

 

[Ipanema]

They have them in Eckerd & you can order them online, too.

I just searched their website & found a picture of it: