For the Newbies of 2008....What was your biggest lesson learned this year?

[Shay72]

The best $6.50 I've ever spent. And that's for a year--what a bargain!

1. I needed a regimen
2. It is actually okay to wash your hair more than 1x/wk
3. My hair used to shed and break a ridiculous amount--my bathroom floor was covered in hair--and I've learned how to minimize that
4. Find something that works for your hair and stick with it. I'm a pj but only for the products that work for my hair
5. I am constantly looking for better ways to take care of my hair and I am able to do that by constantly reading and researching on here
6. Natural/natural based/organic products work better for me

 

[Menina Preta]

I came back to this board in April of 08 (used to lurk a while back and then just stopped coming all together) and my hair is a lot healthier. Things I've learned:

1. Be patient with rollersetting, you can get the hang of it.
2. Do not go crazy buying every and any new product. A lot of it is about technique, not just product.
3. You need a true shower comb! I have the Conair knockoff of the Jilbere and I love it. Now, I know what ladies mean by 'slip.' The comb glides through my conditioned hair. I always complained about a lack of slip prior to using this comb, but now I see it was the old comb I had that was the culprit, not the conditioner.
4. Keep it simple, sista! I wash once per week with ABBA, then DC with either Redken, Aubrey's, or Hairveda, then either airdry in a bun or a braid out or rollerset and then straighten NG.

 

[KPH]

moisture/protein balance
my fine hairs love natural products
deep conditioning multiple times a week is a wonderous thing
ayurvedic hair care rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[The Princess]

What I learned:

Moisturizing and sealant technique
Moisturize ends everyday
Co washing is my friendsalong with DC'ing weekly
Less direct heat is better
Last but no least...........Water is the ultimate moisturizer.

 

[nafissa]

I have learned to deep condition at least once a week
Moisturize and seal
What works for some might not work for me
Use Heat Protectant (used to always wonder why my hair feels like a tortilla chip afterflat ironing)
Co washing, baking soda, acv,scalp massages, leave the brush alone
The definition of seamless comb (always thought that it was a name brand)
I need to go to pj rehab
Basically everything i need to know to take better care of hair.

 

[gorgeous86]

This year I have learned:
-Moisturizing daily makes a huge difference
-How to rollerset properly
-My hair cannot handle too much protein
-The right mix of ayurvedic powders can do wonders
-Growth aids are great

 

[skatergurljubulee]

Stretching is good for my hair. I actually see progress better when I let my hair grow in. lol Mind you, I always relaxed every 8 weeks, but after stretching for ten weeks my hair has grown like a weed.
Also, protien treatments have saved my hair. They are a permanent staple for life.
Thanks LHCF and the ladies here!

 

[leilasbest]

I have learned:

1. The importance of moisturizing. This alone totally changed my hair's health.
2. How to develop a regimen to make my hair healthy, and especially, the importance of deep conditioning; and
3. Products that I learned about on this board that have helped me so much, and were in the store right around the corner.

I am excited for all of the information that I will continue to learn!

 

[Carrie A]

I've learned that consistency is key.
I am learning that natural products can give the same or better results as products with chemicals.

 

[TG2000]

I guess we all learned a lot! I am so glad I found this board! I also learned that protective styling is da bizness!

 

[bermudabeauty]

Pre-poo with oil. Dark N Lovely products suck on my hair. Olive Oil and Neutrogena recovery mask conditioner is my best friend.

 

[Solitude]

The most important thing that I learned was to read product labels carefully.

 

[lwilliams1922]

moisture moisture moisture

sealing that moisture

my hair loves olive oil

its ok to wash more than once a week

no poo for me

hair greese and pink lotion are making someone a lot of money but NOT good for my hair

protective styling

 

[LaidBak]

Great question! I am still a newbie (less than one month of lurking and membership). The biggest lesson I've learned was how to keep moisture in my hair (sealing). Oil is my friend--who knew?! LoL! But discovering Ovation and Mega Tek are a real close second. Oh! And garlic for shedding! I could kiss the girl who posted that! Dang, do I really have to just pick one lesson? Aww, man and the cross-wrap. That was a big one too. I think I learned something new everytime I logged on.

 

[Sarahh.]

1. That if my hair's breaking it probably just needs more moisture and not necessarily protein.

2. Protective styles aren't so bad (although I am starting to get sick of them now, they are worth it).

3. Before my BC I was using heat WAY too often.

 

[Shay72]

One more...How could I forget protective styling? I was really resistant at first. Now that I've been bunning for about a month and switched to "wet" bunning I've seen a difference.

 

[chitowngal330]

1. low manipulation
2. protective styles
3. Megatek!!
4. low heat
5. moisturizing/sealing
6. DC
7. natural products
8. PATIENCE!!
9. how to learn to love my natural texture
10. self styling (no salons)

So much other stuff, too much to name!

 

[Juliagizzle]

1. I learned I need some more protien
2. MSM
3. The importance of sealing.
4. I learned I like bantu knots
So many other things I cant think of.

 

[PreciousPearl]

I've learned that I need to maintain a moisture/protein balance for my relaxed hair. Stretch relaxers. I now relax every 3-4 months. DCing often is great. I need to moisturizing/seal ends to retain length. Low manipulation and protective styling is also key for retention. No or low direct heat. Self styling. I only go to the salon for touch ups and for the first time in years my hair is thriving! Last, don't jump on every band wagon, just keep a simple regimen and be patient.

Thank you to all the wonderful ladies at LHCF!

 

[TaurusAngel]

I've learned that Airdrying, baggying, and no heat do not work for me. I learned to not worry so much about length, but focus on the health, because that will give me length eventually. I learned that my hair is not the same as others so i have to treat it special, meaning not jumping on millions of bandwagons. I learned that pj'ism doesn't make you happy, it makes you broke. I learned that my hair loves protein so thats what i'll give it.

 

[britskie]

The biggest lesson I learned this year is that, in order to maintain length, I must take care of my ends. Moisturizing, sealing, protective styles and avoiding heat on them. I don't remember which member said this, but the ends of your hair are the oldest and most delicate part - you have to treat them accordingly.

I'm SO thankful for all the advice I find on here.

 

[MichL]

I learned:

-To assess my hair on a daily basis and do what needs to be done when my hair needs it, rather than scheduling everything.

-That its okay to be a PJ when you're beginning (in moderation of course.) How will you ever find those "Perfect" products if you don't try new things?

-That my hair looooves deep conditioning and deep conditioning with heat.

-How to keep my moisture/protein balance in check.

-To turn down the heat and lower heat usage all together.
-How to air dry and get awesome results.

-The proper way to transition. I was told by so many people that my hair would break off, but thanks to LHCF, I was able to find a support system and great advice. Yesterday was my 7 month anniversary, and I feel like I'm really getting the hang of it and understanding my hair.

 

[Babygirl1980]

To use MegaTek on my scalp and keep my hair moisturized Learning to love my hair no matter what the texture, curly or straight and it has taken me a while to get to that point!

Something I will NOT do EVER again is listen to those who tell me black hair can't be washed every few days or every week or it will make it fall out or that black hair doesn't grow to a certain point....proving them wrong and loving it!

 

[onejamifan]

Moisturizing and sealing my ends!

I cosign on the above. Low manipulation and keeping the moisture/protein balance have helped tremendously with breakage. Definitely the most important lessons learned thus far THANKS LHCF!!

 

[RockCreak]

I've learned soooo much, I hardly know where to begin.
Most importantly I learned about co-washing (I'm so in luv)
Mega Tek, increase dc, sealing the ends, protective styling, no need to trim or cut everytime you relax......omg how could I forget stretching. I need to gradually increase my stretching tho.....my next goal is stretch at least 16wks...then 20wks.....pray for me......

I honestly don't know what took me so long to find this support.

Also the most important thing that I've learned that when I'm in doubt about anything to do with my hair..... to LHCF for advice.

 

[PeachesQi]

I learned to just relax about my hair growth. I was so determined to find the next best product that I think for a minute there I was doing more harm than good. I have narrowed my products down from 15 different products to 5 must haves. It is just easier to care for my hair now that I have a couple of products that I know work for me. Also, I have learned that natural products are a great way to go. They seem to work better for me than some of the store bought items. My hair is no where near shoulder length or anything, but I know I will get there. I would also like to thank all of the women on this site for sharing both their struggles and their victorys. I don't know where I would be without the advice from this site.

 

[Lady Kay 21]

I learned that Just because a weave looks slamming on the outside, doesn't mean that your hair underneath is healthy

 

[Cinda2503]

1. Moisturize ends
2. Seal ends
3. Trims aren't neccessary
4. EVOO
5. Bunning
6.Co-wash
7. Stretching
8. Moisture/Protein balance

 

[lilree]

The biggest?
How little my stylist knows.

 

[Amerie123]

i don't need to trim that often (only when neessary).