Wash And Go, To Grow And To Dazzle 2020 Challenge

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Thanks & congrats to you too @Rocky91!! This was definitely the most challenging year but we made it!!

I kinda feel like part of stash management is acknowledging when something is not working for you & moving on. That being said, I will happily be trashing my Alikay Naturals Lemongrass gel without looking back. I know when I first tried it, I liked the hold & shine and felt like the strange texture and absolute refusal to emulsify were manageable. However, I can now get that from the Earthtone Nalturals gel- higher price & equally strange texture but the fact I lose far less of it and that it can actually be worked with are more important to me. My second gel application is typically outside the shower and I am pretty peeved right now that I have to go back in there and play “hunt & destroy” for all the lemongrass gel that literally just fell off my hands & hair. It’s not worth it.

This is what made me leery about tryin it and thats why its still in there. I have two jars ,lol

 

[toaster]

Now I’m wondering if I should try this one and do a comparison. I guess this is the other girl’s version: https://xpoh2o.com/product/the-curlformer/

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

I wonder did she reformulate it @toaster

I'll have to see if i have the jar still when i get home.

 

[toaster]

Both “new” formulas are slightly different based on the ingredients list:


Xpo- Ingredient List:

Water, Polyacrylate-14, Glycerin. PVP, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polysorbate 20, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera (Kelp) Extract, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Sorbic Acid, PEG- 12 Dimethicone, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol



Curlformer- Water, Polyacrylate-14, Glycerin, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, PVP, Polysorbate-20, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera (Kelp) Extract, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Fragrance, Aminomethyl Propanol, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, DMDM Hydnation, Iodopropnyl Butylcarbamate.



Nurture- Water, Glycerin, Polyacrylate-14, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, PVP, Peg-12 Dimethicone, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polysorbate 20, Phenylpropanol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA

 

[OhTall1]

If you use a lot of drugstore products, Target is doing 25% off hair products to compete with Amazon's Prime Days. Online only, and the sale ends on the 22nd.

 

[LavenderMint]

This is what made me leery about tryin it and thats why its still in there. I have two jars ,lol

Honestly, I’m grateful that I’ve tried enough gels to be able to say that I’m not using it again since there are better options for my hair. I got my jars when they were on sale at Target & I don’t feel bad tossing it.
Give it a shot!! Looking at reviews, they seem overwhelmingly positive so it could just be me. Maybe it will work for you? I don’t think we’ve ever had a gel in this thread be unable to work for anyone lol

 

[Rocky91]

Working my way through my stash today by doing my wash and go with a random gel I had under my sink. Ampro prostyl argan oil gel (there’s a minuscule amount of actual argan oil tho lol).

I am sure it will come out fine with my application, and I’ll be restyling by Wednesday for travel anyways.

I did have a slightly more annoying time detangling today. I used a pick to get a nice fro yesterday for an event, so I could definitely feel that there were more tangles than usual. I will definitely keep this in mind and reserve picking for more special occasions.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Sitting under the dryer. Used UFD Curly Magic and topped it with ICH. Weird experience.

My hair is in flat S’s but together to form one big S in sections. I dunno how it’s gonna turn out but that’s okay but it’s #washngoseason and I’m washing every two days.

did a protein rinse with NG smoothie and lost about 6-7 pieces of hair. Might be the reason why my curls look different.

 

[toaster]

Looks great @Bette Davis Eyes !

 

[faithVA]

Here is the pic of the jello shot. The original jar has been in the fridge and the small jar has been in my bathroom for 2 weeks. It smells the same. It has not molded or shown any signs of going bad. I think the slight color variation is just due to being exposed to the air and being at room temperature, whereas the original jar is probably 40 degrees.

I will keep the small jar in my bathroom until it goes bad. I'm not doing wash and goes at the moment so I'm not using it. Will keep everyone abreast of any changes.

I don't foresee any issue with those doing wash and goes weekly, with putting some in a small jar. You will use it up before it goes bad.

 

[faithVA]

I was going to try a wash and go today but I talked on the phone too long When I finished it was 4 pm and way too late to get started since I wasn't going to sit under the dryer. But while I was applying my conditioner I came up with an idea to try to smooth more gel into my hair. Maybe I'm not applying enough pressure with smoothing. I'm going to try smoothing with my palm instead of the flat of my hand. We shall see.

 

[toaster]

Thanks for the update @faithVA !

I am traveling again next week and I’ll scoop some Jell-O shot in a jar and won’t worry about refrigerating it. I’ll bring just enough for 2 washes.

 

[GettingKinky]

I think I have an appointment for a curly cut on 7/17- I gave my CC number for the deposit, but I haven’t gotten a confirmation email yet. I’m going to make the 1.5 hour drive and I’m 98% sure that I’m going to let her cut enough to get rid of some of the damage and get a good shape.

 

[LavenderMint]

@toaster I’m so glad you enjoyed your experience with Abena!! She really seems like a stylist that has earned her reputation and listens to her clients.
(I thought I hit post on this HOURS ago.)

 

[Rocky91]

@toaster I’m so glad you enjoyed your experience with Abena!! She really seems like a stylist that has earned her reputation and listens to her clients.
(I thought I hit post on this HOURS ago.)

I agree, she seems so sweet and I love the subtle cut @toaster. It makes me want to travel with DH when he goes to NY for business trips to get in her chair.

I’m in Chicago, but idk how I feel about going to Aisha. I don’t mind her spicy personality when watching the livestreams but I don’t want to be bullied into getting a taper cut when I really do need to be able to have an emergency bun for work.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Not sure if it was my bonnet thats a sauna when I sleep or too much curly magic.

Hair is slightly sticky. I thought it was at least 85% dry but nope.
I could water rinse it a little tonight and shake but we shall see.

 

[toaster]

@GettingKinky so excited for you! Even if you change your mind and just get a trim, it’s so interesting what products they use and suggest for your hair.

@LavenderMint thank you so much!! I’m loving your ponytail! A game changer for the summer.

@Rocky91 not only would she try to bully you into a taper, she works like 2 days a month so you wouldn’t get an appointment for years. @protectedbylisahh_ does curly cuts but also braids and other styles. She seems a bit more… relaxed? She’s in Chicago as well.

 

[sunshinebeautiful]

I was going to try a wash and go today but I talked on the phone too long When I finished it was 4 pm and way too late to get started since I wasn't going to sit under the dryer. But while I was applying my conditioner I came up with an idea to try to smooth more gel into my hair. Maybe I'm not applying enough pressure with smoothing. I'm going to try smoothing with my palm instead of the flat of my hand. We shall see.

Report back on your progress. I've gotten more consistent results when focusing more on smoothing.

 

[faithVA]

Not sure if it was my bonnet thats a sauna when I sleep or too much curly magic.

Hair is slightly sticky. I thought it was at least 85% dry but nope.
I could water rinse it a little tonight and shake but we shall see.

I think it was the curly magic. When I looked at your picture yesterday, it reminded me of my hair and it looked like too much gel to water.

 

[faithVA]

Report back on your progress. I've gotten more consistent results when focusing more on smoothing.

I definitely will. I currently smooth but I do it with the flat of my hand. I'm thinking that may not be enough pressure. For some reason my hair needs pressure even when I'm spraying it with water. We shall see.

 

[faithVA]

I put my hair in twists and cut the ends off. I still have over a month until my CIK appointment.

 

[faithVA]

I agree, she seems so sweet and I love the subtle cut @toaster. It makes me want to travel with DH when he goes to NY for business trips to get in her chair.

I’m in Chicago, but idk how I feel about going to Aisha. I don’t mind her spicy personality when watching the livestreams but I don’t want to be bullied into getting a taper cut when I really do need to be able to have an emergency bun for work.

Yeah, that taper is a beast. It forced me to have to wear a wng until it grew out. It is longer now but still not long enough to wear a puff. I won't be getting a shape when I have my CIK appointment in July. But I will be looking for a picture of the shape I want so we can both have a clear idea.

 

[toaster]

I put my hair in twists and cut the ends off. I still have over a month until my CIK appointment.

Were you’re ends scraggly? Or you just felt like it was time for a dusting?

 

[faithVA]

Were you’re ends scraggly? Or you just felt like it was time for a dusting?

They were scraggly and I could feel the SSKs on them. I am overdue for a dusting. I usually do it every 4 months. But it has been 7. I only did a partial job. She will still need to clean it up next month.

 

[toaster]

 

[faithVA]

It looks really good. I need to pay attention to the way they work the hair. She used various methods. There were some smoothing but she separated at the ends first. Then she used the thumb and fore-finger and she did some other stuff. So it isn't just one type of defining method.

Is this you @toaster. What did you learn?

 

[Rocky91]

Working my way through my stash today by doing my wash and go with a random gel I had under my sink. Ampro prostyl argan oil gel (there’s a minuscule amount of actual argan oil tho lol).

I am sure it will come out fine with my application, and I’ll be restyling by Wednesday for travel anyways.

I did have a slightly more annoying time detangling today. I used a pick to get a nice fro yesterday for an event, so I could definitely feel that there were more tangles than usual. I will definitely keep this in mind and reserve picking for more special occasions.

Don’t get tempted by this gel, even though the ingredients are slightly similar to wetline and the price is decent. I have FLAKES GALORE today, ugh.

I hate a wonky style right at the start of my week, and I’m annoyed enough to redo it. Maybe later after I get done with all my other tasks and workout.

 

[toaster]

@faithVA

That’s me!

It was an interesting experience. I showed her my hair when I usually style with two gels and how it lasts throughout the week. She told me I was doing a good job defining my hair, but when I watched her I noticed things I’m not doing that might inhibit my results.

1- shampoo. I was shampooing twice with the same shampoo. I purchased the AG shampoo and repurchased the innersense hair bath so I can shampoo twice with an all purpose shampoo and then a moisturizing shampoo.

2- believe it or not, the amount of product used. She used an absolute ton of conditioner to detangle my hair and 4-6 ounces of gel to style my hair. I know I’m heavy handed, but I’m getting 4-6 uses out of Jell-O shot and maybe I shouldn’t be? Granted I use uncle funky’s underneath and she used only the curlformer gel, but still.

The other thing I think we’ll never be able to do on our own, is the parting and the leverage she gets when she’s defining our curls. We’re working on our own head. She even showed me the back of her hair and it’s nowhere near as defined as she accomplished on me.

That helped me go easier on myself when it comes to styling. Not only am I not a professional, I just can’t get the leverage on my own hair.

 

[toaster]

@faithVA She also seemed to use her fingers to literally separate each curl clump into individual curls. It didn’t take her very long to do that at all, but I definitely don’t have the patience.

 

[ckisland]

@toaster Your hair looks so good!! The definition is so on point!! I've been doing wash n'gos for 13 years and I've never had anyone do a wash n'go on my hair. I'm so curious to see if someone can tame the kinkiness of my hair without it being hard as a rock and snowing like it's Christmas.