Low Porosity Support Thread

[divachyk]

lol no i didnt get it. I wanna stop being so impulsive

btw divachyk do you like anything from Komaza..

also mma need you to do a blog post or video on how you use butters

FelaShrine, sealer type butters like Oyin burnt sugar pomade or curly butter for nape / edges? I just got my Komaza shipment. Keep you posted.

Being low porosity cause my PJism to decrease. It's like, I'm scared to try something new in fear it will contain something's my hair will hate and cause a setback.

Glycerin and Aloe Vera are not my best friends. Any of you ladies have any "it not you, it's my hair" products you like but can't use?

Please excuse my iPhone; it's trying to get it together

Saludable84, I use to be scared but I kinda know how to get my hair back in check at this point so I'm a little more open to trying new things. I make sure to only try one new thing per wash day. Learned that the hard way.

 

[FelaShrine]

FelaShrine, sealer type butters like Oyin burnt sugar pomade or curly butter for nape / edges?
.

*greedy* Both

 

[classoohfive]

Thanks Saludable84. Have you tried anything else from Komaza?

I assume BB is burts bees?

I've tried their Protein Strengthener but only once. I can't remember if I liked it or not. I was afraid to try new things so I was sticking to what I know. The first few ingredients are distilled water, aloe vera, behentrimonium methosulfate, hydrolyzed keratin, and hydrolyzed silk protein. IIRC, she said hydrolyzed silk one of the types of protein my LOPO hair can use as others may be too large to get into my strands.


I do use their Vitamin Reign. When I had my analysis done I asked for product suggestions (she didn't push anything, she actually said they don't try to do so and help me work with the products I have but I asked her for suggestions on their products). She suggested that I mist my hair at night and this is the product I use. I don't know if the vitamins are doing anything noticeable for my hair since I'm still transitioning and learning how my hair changes as it grows, but it does make my hair a little more manageable at night. Of course, you can easily make your own mist (she recommended that I dilute my HH leave-in and mix with something I'm to lazy to pull my notes out and check ).

 

[FelaShrine]

classoohfive

Have you made a post on your analaysis? Ive very interested in what they saw and told you/

 

[hnntrr]

So I grabbed some shed hairs (I had quite a lot from the past 3 weeks) and did another strand test. Here are the results. I am not sure what this really means. though.

The pictures go by time, so the first picture of them in the water are 5 minutes in, the 2nd picture is 20 minutes in.
What do you guys think?

I heard there are ways you can control your porosity. I do notice that my hair is not accepting moisture as much as when I was relaxed, my relaxed hair would become and stay moisturized longer. Now ugh I don't know.

I heard color can help to open up the cuticles, I have tried ACV I have tried sitting in a really steamy bathroom...on the occasion that I do sit under a drier it does help but I dont have access or money to get one right now (last time i sat under a dryer in conditioner was when I got my hair cut the 2nd time and my hair was nicely moisturized when i took off the braids she put in for me).

What can I do thats cost effective but will help to open them up a bit?

 

[classoohfive]

FelaShrine

I made a few posts (1 and 2) but they're all over the place as I was reading from the notes I took... Which were also all over the place. I didn't feel like going back and cleaning it up. There are some images in the first post, I wanted to show the difference in thickness between my natural and texlaxed hair.


To sum up:



Turns out my hair is healthy, it was just dealing with the difference in textures and porosity that was causing issues. She did notice that my strands are growing in a little thinner. Apparently hair can change every 5 - 7 years. I thought I was having internal issues, nope, normal.

My natural hair is low porosity and my texlaxed hair is normal to high. Rene said it's mostly normal and the "high" sections are probably from mechanical damage (I had some mid-shaft splits on the sides). This is why I'm VERY tempted to do like some of the ladies in this thread and try a perm. hair color to raise my porosity. I'm just worried about damage, especially with my texlaxed ends.

I didn't ask about my hair type while other LHCF lades reported that they did. I don't care, I realize that porosity matters much more.

A few ladies in this thread hate Roux Porosity Control. It should be called Roux High Porosity Control, it just makes our issues worse. I was using it before/after texlaxing and my hair loved it back then. She compared my hair before and after and said it really strengthened my hair. She's recommending I use that or another protein treatment during my transition, every two weeks. My hair has to stay strong to deal with both textures. Once I BC or texlax (I was undecided at the time so I got tips for both ) I can do it less often, every 3 months.

Rene stated that I have hair from 10 to 15 inches long. It's normal for there to be a difference based on where the hair is located; however, the huge difference is most likely due to my breakage in the back. She gave me an average length of my hair, I just can't remember the number.

She also went over the list of vitamins and supplements I reported, and let me know which were really important and why. Not just for hair, general health too.

Oh, there was an ingredient in Aphogee 2-Step that she didn't like. I need to go dig out my notes because she told me which type of proteins would work best with LOPO hair since others are too large. I kept it in mind when revamping my regi now I can't remember.

More LOPO aspects:

• I should mist my hair at night. Our hair takes a while to get wet and then takes forever to dry. She said if I do it at night my hair should be dry (or almost dry) by the morning. Then I can use my creamy leave-in if my hair needs some moisture.
  
• She said to give up on cowashing because it doesn't work well with our hair. I mean, it makes sense but I've still done it a few times when I needed some moisture between DCs.
  
• She wants me to find the right "wetness" before I add my products. Several ladies have discussed this in this thread. If the hair is too damp the product stays on top, if it's too dry then we're probably dealing with shrinkage and SSK.

 

[uofmpanther]

More LOPO aspects:

• I should mist my hair at night. Our hair takes a while to get wet and then takes forever to dry. She said if I do it at night my hair should be dry (or almost dry) by the morning. Then I can use my creamy leave-in if my hair needs some moisture.
  
  [*]She said to give up on cowashing because it doesn't work well with our hair. I mean, it makes sense but I've still done it a few times when I needed some moisture between DCs.
  
  
• She wants me to find the right "wetness" before I add my products. Several ladies have discussed this in this thread. If the hair is too damp the product stays on top, if it's too dry then we're probably dealing with shrinkage and SSK.

Thanks, classoohfive! These are great tips.

It's funny. I recently decided that I'm going to commit to using the Aubrey Organics White Camellia Shampoo, instead of my As I Am Co-wash. The Co-wash worked well on my transitioning hair, so I thought that would be my natural hair staple cleanser. However, as part of the Use Up Your Stash challenge, I've noticed that my hair really likes this shampoo better. I still have a jar of As I Am, so I'll probably use that if my scalp is itchy after a workout when it is too soon to wash again.

 

[Saludable84]

hnntrr

The pictures go by time, so the first picture of them in the water are 5 minutes in, the 2nd picture is 20 minutes in.
What do you guys think? Did you do this on clean hair without any product? If you do it on hair that isn't clean it could a) float due to cones or b) sink due to heavy product. IOW, clean hair gives the most accurate test. This looks LP since it floats but again, it depends on when you do it. The float test also is not the only test. I found out I was LP when my hair took overnight to dry (for years this happened) even when I used a t-shirt to dry and my hair would only stay moisturized when I used heat.

I heard there are ways you can control your porosity. I do notice that my hair is not accepting moisture as much as when I was relaxed, my relaxed hair would become and stay moisturized longer. Now ugh I don't know. Its just that relaxed hair is straighter so it can receive moisture better (this is a simplified explanation). You can't really control your porosity, just manage it unless your taking about manipulating it?

I heard color can help to open up the cuticles, I have tried ACV I have tried sitting in a really steamy bathroom…on the occasion that I do sit under a drier it does help but I dont have access or money to get one right now (last time i sat under a dryer in conditioner was when I got my hair cut the 2nd time and my hair was nicely moisturized when i took off the braids she put in for me). Color, like relaxing, opens the cuticles to do its magic. Color opens the cuticles to deposit color, but eventually the cuticles have to close. Im not sure how fully they close, but they really shouldn't stay lifted.

ACV would close the cuticles more, how did that work for you?

DIY Options I have tried that worked was:
-using a conditioning cap, then wrapping it with a wet hot tshirt, then using another conditioning cap, then wrapping finally in a dry towel. That was a good DIY steaming method for me.

-using a heating cap, I just wrap a dry tshirt under the nap/ear/forehead area and it steams more than heats.

-sit in a hot bath with dc and conditioning cap on. That worked pretty well for me.

-the best way, if possible, is to get something that heats up like a heating cap. A heating cap will open the cuticles and you can always DIY-steaming method- if you want to switch up the results.

What can I do thats cost effective but will help to open them up a bit?
I use sulphate poo's so that they open more during wash days. I also wash it warm (who am I kidding, its closer to hot) water to open the cuticles. Cold and cool water do absolutely nothing for me. I stay away from AVG and ACV and AVJ in any wash and conditioning products. These items can close the cuticle and make moisturizing harder. I also try to stay away from protein in poos unless its necessary. Using heat during conditioning always helps and if there is anyway to completely cover the heat to trap the heat, thats the best option to intensifying conditioning results.

 

[Saludable84]

classoohfive,

I gave up on cowashing a long time ago. Its better for me to wash 2x a week than to cowash in between. If my cuticles aren't tickled to open, its such a disappointing waste of time

 

[hnntrr]

hnntrr

The pictures go by time, so the first picture of them in the water are 5 minutes in, the 2nd picture is 20 minutes in.
What do you guys think? Did you do this on clean hair without any product? If you do it on hair that isn't clean it could a) float due to cones or b) sink due to heavy product. IOW, clean hair gives the most accurate test. This looks LP since it floats but again, it depends on when you do it. The float test also is not the only test. I found out I was LP when my hair took overnight to dry (for years this happened) even when I used a t-shirt to dry and my hair would only stay moisturized when I used heat.

I heard there are ways you can control your porosity. I do notice that my hair is not accepting moisture as much as when I was relaxed, my relaxed hair would become and stay moisturized longer. Now ugh I don't know. Its just that relaxed hair is straighter so it can receive moisture better (this is a simplified explanation). You can't really control your porosity, just manage it unless your taking about manipulating it?

I heard color can help to open up the cuticles, I have tried ACV I have tried sitting in a really steamy bathroom…on the occasion that I do sit under a drier it does help but I dont have access or money to get one right now (last time i sat under a dryer in conditioner was when I got my hair cut the 2nd time and my hair was nicely moisturized when i took off the braids she put in for me). Color, like relaxing, opens the cuticles to do its magic. Color opens the cuticles to deposit color, but eventually the cuticles have to close. Im not sure how fully they close, but they really shouldn't stay lifted.

ACV would close the cuticles more, how did that work for you?

DIY Options I have tried that worked was:
-using a conditioning cap, then wrapping it with a wet hot tshirt, then using another conditioning cap, then wrapping finally in a dry towel. That was a good DIY steaming method for me.

-using a heating cap, I just wrap a dry tshirt under the nap/ear/forehead area and it steams more than heats.

-sit in a hot bath with dc and conditioning cap on. That worked pretty well for me.

-the best way, if possible, is to get something that heats up like a heating cap. A heating cap will open the cuticles and you can always DIY-steaming method- if you want to switch up the results.

What can I do thats cost effective but will help to open them up a bit?
I use sulphate poo's so that they open more during wash days. I also wash it warm (who am I kidding, its closer to hot) water to open the cuticles. Cold and cool water do absolutely nothing for me. I stay away from AVG and ACV and AVJ in any wash and conditioning products. These items can close the cuticle and make moisturizing harder. I also try to stay away from protein in poos unless its necessary. Using heat during conditioning always helps and if there is anyway to completely cover the heat to trap the heat, thats the best option to intensifying conditioning results.

I will try the test next time I take my hair down but that's always the result I have gotten when I have done a strand test.

In the ACV worked okay, it left my hair shiny but I haven't done it in awhile.

I usually put on my DC and put a processing cap my scarf another scarf and a winter hat and it feels great while its in but as soon as I rinse it feels really rough.

And I don't want them to stay open forever but just enough to let moisture in. Ill try those other techniques next time I wash.

And yeah I wash in as hot as water as I can stand.

 

[Saludable84]

I will try the test next time I take my hair down but that's always the result I have gotten when I have done a strand test.

In the ACV worked okay, it left my hair shiny but I haven't done it in awhile.

I usually put on my DC and put a processing cap my scarf another scarf and a winter hat and it feels great while its in but as soon as I rinse it feels really rough.

And I don't want them to stay open forever but just enough to let moisture in. Ill try those other techniques next time I wash.

And yeah I wash in as hot as water as I can stand.

Do you rinse with cool water? Not cold though.

Also, what kind of leave-ins do you use?

How long do you leave DC's in too?

 

[classoohfive]

Thanks, classoohfive! These are great tips.

It's funny. I recently decided that I'm going to commit to using the Aubrey Organics White Camellia Shampoo, instead of my As I Am Co-wash. The Co-wash worked well on my transitioning hair, so I thought that would be my natural hair staple cleanser. However, as part of the Use Up Your Stash challenge, I've noticed that my hair really likes this shampoo better. I still have a jar of As I Am, so I'll probably use that if my scalp is itchy after a workout when it is too soon to wash again.

Co-washing was a lifesaver when I was just stretching my relaxers. My texlaxed hair loved it. I could get moisture in and some slip to detangle. I noticed my natural hair doesn't like it as much. Knowing that I'm LoPo, it makes sense. I guess the conditioner I used to cowash was just coating my hair, but the water was giving me a little bit of moisture. Usually having my hair coated worked out with the moisture I received, but if I'm not receiving enough moisture then the product coating my hair was making things worse by blocking out everything else.

IDK, I still cowash when it's too soon to wash and DC but it's no longer my go to plan of attack. I think the only benefit is that I can gently clean my scalp and my hair is stretched to work with.

 

[classoohfive]

classoohfive,

I gave up on cowashing a long time ago. Its better for me to wash 2x a week than to cowash in between. If my cuticles aren't tickled to open, its such a disappointing waste of time

Saludable84

See, I was scared when she told me to up my washing to once a week, now you have me considering doing it 2x/week. It makes complete sense. When I wash once a week and DC I wear the DC for hours and sometimes use heat in hope that my hair accepts it and it lasts the week.

Do you DC after both washes or just a wash out conditioner for one of those washes? Is the shampoo you use a "moisturizing" one?

 

[Saludable84]

Saludable84

See, I was scared when she told me to up my washing to once a week, now you have me considering doing it 2x/week. It makes complete sense. When I wash once a week and DC I wear the DC for hours and sometimes use heat in hope that my hair accepts it and it lasts the week.

Do you DC after both washes or just a wash out conditioner for one of those washes? Is the shampoo you use a "moisturizing" one?

The washing doesn't affect it at all. I have two shampoos, PM Shampoo One and Elasta QP Shampoo for Relaxed Hair. I just use them interchangeably and DC after every wash. I have actually have better moisture retention when I wash 2x a week versus 1x. I also always use heat. It seems scary at first, as I use to wash 2x a month, but 1x a week has allowed me to have much better retention.

Please excuse my iPhone; it's trying to get it together

 

[hnntrr]

Do you rinse with cool water? Not cold though.

Also, what kind of leave-ins do you use?

How long do you leave DC's in too?

No I don't rinse in cool water at all.
Right now I am using Giovanni leave in spray but I might switch to something else. I had been using Shea moisture leave in but it made my hair feel hard.


I leave DC's in from an hour to overnight (overnight if I am lazy).


With shampooing twice a week, does it seem like you have better moisture retention? Especially since product sits on our hair? I don't use cones or sulphates in my products a so I am using a shampoo with mild sulphate but would I be okay washing once or twice a week? (Since usually thet is build up from the glycerin.) The shampoo I have doesn't strip my hair too much.

Would it be worth just doing a prepoo and shampoo once or twice a week and following up with a DC instead of cowashing? Cause normally it just sits and feels nice when its on but soon as I rinse it feels the same as before. I could co wash when I was relAxed but now it's harder

 

[hnntrr]

Why is it that. My hair is all like "NA UH" when it comes to moisture but as soon as I put protein on it it want's to soak it up a person in the sahara who hasn't had water for days and then I get set back with a protein overload.


ETA:
Yo so, I forgot that I left that strand of hair in the cup...and its been probably 20 hours since I put that in there. It's finally floating towards the middle of the cup/near the bottom.

If this means I need to keep my head submerged in water for 20 hours I duno what the hell I am going to do.

 

[Saludable84]

No I don't rinse in cool water at all.
Right now I am using Giovanni leave in spray but I might switch to something else. I had been using Shea moisture leave in but it made my hair feel hard.


I leave DC's in from an hour to overnight (overnight if I am lazy).


With shampooing twice a week, does it seem like you have better moisture retention? Especially since product sits on our hair? I don't use cones or sulphates in my products a so I am using a shampoo with mild sulphate but would I be okay washing once or twice a week? (Since usually thet is build up from the glycerin.) The shampoo I have doesn't strip my hair too much.

Would it be worth just doing a prepoo and shampoo once or twice a week and following up with a DC instead of cowashing? Cause normally it just sits and feels nice when its on but soon as I rinse it feels the same as before. I could co wash when I was relAxed but now it's harder

Why is it that. My hair is all like "NA UH" when it comes to moisture but as soon as I put protein on it it want's to soak it up a person in the sahara who hasn't had water for days and then I get set back with a protein overload.


ETA:
Yo so, I forgot that I left that strand of hair in the cup...and its been probably 20 hours since I put that in there. It's finally floating towards the middle of the cup/near the bottom.

If this means I need to keep my head submerged in water for 20 hours I duno what the hell I am going to do.

LOL

20 hours. No, your hair is just SUPER hard to get moisture into. My texlaxed and new growth hair is like that, but the relaxed hair isn't You just need to use something that will open the cuticle up a bit. Baking soda is a good natural alternative but can be a bit abrasive. Shampoos for volumized hair also open the cuticles up more so that could be something look in to. Some conditioners with avocado and glycerin also cause my cuticles to tighten, causing my hair to not receive moisture.

Also, how often are you using protein and what kinds? That can make a difference too.

Last, have you tried baggying or any versions of the LOC methods?

 

[hnntrr]

LOL

20 hours. No, your hair is just SUPER hard to get moisture into. My texlaxed and new growth hair is like that, but the relaxed hair isn't You just need to use something that will open the cuticle up a bit. Baking soda is a good natural alternative but can be a bit abrasive. Shampoos for volumized hair also open the cuticles up more so that could be something look in to. Some conditioners with avocado and glycerin also cause my cuticles to tighten, causing my hair to not receive moisture.

Also, how often are you using protein and what kinds? That can make a difference too.

Last, have you tried baggying or any versions of the LOC methods?

Ahh, hm. I know glycerin helps hair to absorb moisture. I am trying it again to see if it helps, if not I am going to knock it. It didn't work too well for my relaxed hair..

And right now I am using 4 naturals reconstructor, which I like a lot. I leave it on my hair for 10 minutes and the curls pop without leaving me too protein overridden. I dont know what kind of protein is in it though. I read somewhere where wheat and silk proteins are good for lo po hair...but I am allergic to wheat and I am not sure if my hair will like it.

 

[Saludable84]

Ahh, hm. I know glycerin helps hair to absorb moisture. I am trying it again to see if it helps, if not I am going to knock it. It didn't work too well for my relaxed hair..

And right now I am using 4 naturals reconstructor, which I like a lot. I leave it on my hair for 10 minutes and the curls pop without leaving me too protein overridden. I dont know what kind of protein is in it though. I read somewhere where wheat and silk proteins are good for lo po hair...but I am allergic to wheat and I am not sure if my hair will like it.

Glycerin is only good if you adding more water on top of it. Glycerin dries out my hair badly.

I cannot use wheat protein because my hair hates it. I thought my hair liked it, but it dried out more using it. I can use silk and keratin without a problem.

The next thing I would suggest is looking at your leave-ins. That was the last problem I had to conquer with LP hair. Every step has to be tackled as they are all equally important.

 

[faithVA]

One good thing about my low porosity hair is on rainy days like today my hair doesn't really poof. So I can wear a twist out with 100% chance of rain. Let's see how that works out when my hair gets longer.

 

[divachyk]

I can't link it but I did a blog post about how to use glycerin - spritz with water, use glycerin product, spritz with more water. Layering water beneath & on top of the glycerin product ensures it has proper hydration to attract moisture to the hair. Without this added hydration, it was pull moisture out of the hair, leaving your hair feeling extremely dry. This method was recommended by a natural and it works! A few of my readers tried it and reported back it works. So give it a try if you haven't. It's the only way I use glycerin successfully.

 

[gvin89]

I've stayed in protective styles so often that I don't know what's best for my lo-po hair.

 

[Saludable84]

One good thing about my low porosity hair is on rainy days like today my hair doesn't really poof. So I can wear a twist out with 100% chance of rain. Let's see how that works out when my hair gets longer.

Hair Envy. My best hair days are on rainy days and here go other women "How your hair still look good?" I don't make fun of women with Unicorn hair because on rainy days, I'm one of them!

Please excuse my iPhone; it's trying to get it together

 

[CocoGlow]

I can't link it but I did a blog post about how to use glycerin - spritz with water, use glycerin product, spritz with more water. Layering water beneath & on top of the glycerin product ensures it has proper hydration to attract moisture to the hair. Without this added hydration, it was pull moisture out of the hair, leaving your hair feeling extremely dry. This method was recommended by a natural and it works! A few of my readers tried it and reported back it works. So give it a try if you haven't. It's the only way I use glycerin successfully.

divachyk

Thanks for this! I will certainly try this in the dry Winter time I have a strong feeling my beloved S-Curl will turn on me in the next few months ... I'm happy with the new formula but I've only been using it since the Spring so...

Oh how I wish it was humid all year long... it's the only time my hair stays consistently soft & moisturized with little effort!

 

[classoohfive]

One good thing about my low porosity hair is on rainy days like today my hair doesn't really poof. So I can wear a twist out with 100% chance of rain. Let's see how that works out when my hair gets longer.

There was a sudden downpour earlier this week, started right when I went to get my daughter from school, so I was unprepared. My texlaxed hair was soaked but my natural hair just laughed at the thought of taking in any moisture. It's great for hairdos but I really needed the moisture that day. I had washed my hair the night before and it just wasn't having it. I was holding the shower head inches above my head with very warm water and it took forever for my hair to get wet. *sigh*

 

[classoohfive]

When I organized my hair care stuff recently I found a box of John Frieda permanent color dye. I had a coupon to get it for free so I picked it up and it sat.

I didn't see any reviews here and I found just a few black women on YT who had used it. I said a while ago that I would keep experimenting to get some moisture until the end of August and then try a permanent dye to get this LoPo hair more on the normal side, I'm just worried about how my texlaxed hair will take it... I think I'm going to hold off another month and try:

The washing doesn't affect it at all. I have two shampoos, PM Shampoo One and Elasta QP Shampoo for Relaxed Hair. I just use them interchangeably and DC after every wash. I have actually have better moisture retention when I wash 2x a week versus 1x. I also always use heat. It seems scary at first, as I use to wash 2x a month, but 1x a week has allowed me to have much better retention.

Please excuse my iPhone; it's trying to get it together

I'm going to try shampooing and DCing twice a week for the next month. I'm a little worried that even with a gentle shampoo it may be too rough for my hair; on the other hand, it's less rough than a dye so this would probably be my best course for now.

 

[faithVA]

My hair is doing much better this year than last year. Making slight changes here and there and still playing around with theories.

My heat cap broke last weekend so I had to spend some time under the dryer. Not my favorite thing. So I will modify my regi a bit to deal with it. I will apply my DC and sit under the dryer for 15 minutes with a cap. Then I will smooth the conditioner into my strands since my hair is now warm. Then I will sit under the dryer for another 5 to 10 minutes to generate some heat then I will put on some extra layers to hold the heat in and let it further condition. I am playing around with the idea of smoothing the conditioner in after the hair warms up. I will see how this goes.

However, without the heat cap, I skipped my after rinse 15 minute baggy with heat. I can baggy for 15 minutes. It just works better with heat. And I really didn't want to sit under the dryer again.

Still playing around with LOC. I don't think LOC or LCO work for me. Next wash day I am going to try LC and LLC and see if I have better results. In the 4 years I have been doing this I have not seen where oil has benefited my hair at all, no matter how I try to use it.

 

[hnntrr]

Debating washing my hair tonight or waiting until tomorrow night. I wanted to install braids this weekend but I may not be able too. I only have 4 packs of hair and I need 2 more packs to get my whole head done (gonna check when I get home tho). Hopefully I will have enough and I will just start Friday night when I get off work and hopefully be done by the time I have to go to work Saturday. Kinda regretting taking a Saturday shift...at least my paycheck will be fat.

 

[uofmpanther]

My hair is doing much better this year than last year. Making slight changes here and there and still playing around with theories.

My heat cap broke last weekend so I had to spend some time under the dryer. Not my favorite thing. So I will modify my regi a bit to deal with it. I will apply my DC and sit under the dryer for 15 minutes with a cap. Then I will smooth the conditioner into my strands since my hair is now warm. Then I will sit under the dryer for another 5 to 10 minutes to generate some heat then I will put on some extra layers to hold the heat in and let it further condition. I am playing around with the idea of smoothing the conditioner in after the hair warms up. I will see how this goes.

However, without the heat cap, I skipped my after rinse 15 minute baggy with heat. I can baggy for 15 minutes. It just works better with heat. And I really didn't want to sit under the dryer again.

Still playing around with LOC. I don't think LOC or LCO work for me. Next wash day I am going to try LC and LLC and see if I have better results. In the 4 years I have been doing this I have not seen where oil has benefited my hair at all, no matter how I try to use it.

faithVA - what do you use for your LC and your LLC?

I think LOC or LCO works best for me right after washing. Lately, I've been using just my water sprit mix and KBB hydrating hair cream for my daily moisture, though I'm doing it while my hair is in twists. I'm not sure if it will work the same while my hair is out. Also, KBB has glycerin, so I don't know about winter. I've been mulling over trying to make my own. I'm just not sure I want to.

 

[uofmpanther]

If you ladies were to pick 1-2 hair care lines to use exclusively for you me hair, what would they be. I was able to use mainly just one for my relaxed hair, but I haven't found one line for my natural. The closest I get is Curl Junkie.