2a peeps . . . 3 Months In - There is HOPE! (pics)

tambalina · 11-28-2012, 02:12 PM

11/21/12 marked my 3 month anniversary of my first CG experience. I'd thought I'd document my journey so that other "barely wavy" people can see what learning about your hair's properties can do.

Background:
I am half-Asian and half-Caucasian which means I have fine, medium and course hairs all over my head. There is no rhyme or rhythm to where they are or how they behave. My BSL+ hair was virgin until I dyed it with 2 boxes of Feria in June. Big mistake. So now I use henna and indigo to cover my grays.

This was my hair on August 13, 2012:

And this was my first CG wash on August 21, 2012:

This was when I diffused my hair successfully for the first time on September 11, 2012:

By this time, I've been hitting my hair hard with moisture and occasional protein treatments that weren't as successful. Here is a pic from October 25, 2012 when I finally achieved some root curl:

It finally dawned on me that I was getting over-conditioned, so I tried a few protein treatments. This was after IAGirl's gelatin treatment on November 6, 2012:

And here is my (belated) 3-month anniversary pic on November 26, 2012 when I used Neutral Protein Filler:

The point of all of this is to show you that learning about what your hair needs and using different techniques can do. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I could go from this to this in a matter of 3 months:

There *IS* hope out there, 2a wavies!!

dresdendoll · 11-28-2012, 05:32 PM

What an amazing transformation! Your hair looks so healthy, and so much curlier. Definitely 2b and maybe even 2c or 3a. Looks lovely

jsuzkelley · 11-29-2012, 05:55 PM

Wowza! That's incredible

ladymisswavy · 12-03-2012, 04:30 PM

Thanks for this post!! I am frankly losing hope for my hair. Nothing seems to work for very long

What techniques are you using??

tambalina · 12-03-2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladymisswavy

::snip:: What techniques are you using??

It varies, but this is my "tried and true" technique:

Low-poo: Organix Moroccan Argan Oil shampoo
Rinse Out: Biolage Conditioning Balm for at least 3 minutes, longer if I can (This is also the only time I will comb my hair!)
Rinse w/ 1/2 gallon distilled water mixed with 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

After I get out of the shower, I flip my head upside down and scrunch with a Aquis microfiber towel. (I can't use products w/ soaking wet hair. It weighs it down.)

Leave-In: Kinky Curly Knot Today (nickle-sized blob) scrunched in upside down. I try to keep the conditioner away from my roots.

Still upside down, I apply either Flax Seed Gel or Kinky Curly Curling Custard using pump and scrunch method. Don't forget to put *some* gel in the roots of the hair to add structure. And then I plop for 10 - 15 minutes with a flour-sack towel.

After the first plop, I apply a strong hold gel. Lately, I've really like combining BioSilk Rock Hard Gelee with Biotera gel. I use about 3 pea-sized drops of BHRG with about a half dollar-sized pool of Biotera. And also scrunch and pump. Plop again for 20 minutes with a NEW (dry) flour-sack towel.

After 20 minutes, I diffuse upside down (pixiecurl method) until I think my hair is about 80% dry. Then, I flip up and arrange the waves to create a part line. I clip the roots with little "butterfly" claw clamps and wait for my hair to dry COMPLETELY.

Just SOTC with an oil (I use Monoi, coconut or sweet almond oils.) My hair will last 2 - 3 days wavy.

HTH!!

elizard · 12-04-2012, 12:58 PM

i don't think i'd call you 2a anymore!

Cubanwavy · 12-07-2012, 04:33 PM

Wow your hair is beautiful.

Flipnwavy · 12-08-2012, 09:48 PM

So then at what point do you use the neutral protein filler? I have had times where I think I had over-conditioned. Do you dilute it in a spray bottle? That's how I figured it is used.

tambalina · 12-08-2012, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flipnwavy

So then at what point do you use the neutral protein filler? I have had times where I think I had over-conditioned. Do you dilute it in a spray bottle? That's how I figured it is used.

After shampooing w/ SLS and *before* conditioning, I used NPF mixed 2:1 with distilled water in a spray bottle. Leave on for 20 minutes without rinsing and then condition. HTH!

Aral · 12-17-2012, 12:28 AM

This is such an amazing transformation and it gave me hope for my hair too.
I am trying to figure out CG but no luck so far. My hair is a mess!

WavyShmavy · 01-09-2013, 08:20 PM

I had long lost hope for my 2a, fine, easily weighed down by the tiniest bit of product, hair. I have a very oily scalp and I've always found it to be a nightmare combination. Every now and then I browse the wavy section to see if I could find a miracle to help my hair. I feel like I've tried every mousse, gel, hairspray, diffusing method, to no avail.

Last night when I read this thread and saw that you had used CNPF I thought...Hey, I've had that stuff laying around for months. Now that I know how to use it, I'll give it a shot. I diluted equal parts CNPF and water in a spray bottle. I washed my hair, towel dried, then sprayed a generous amount all over my head and left it on for 20 mins. I then rinsed out and followed with a light rinse out conditioner.

Well, I will let the results speak for themselves.

The photo on the left is how my hair looks most of the time after a bit of LA Looks Sport gel and a few minutes of diffusing just to get most of the moisture out.

The photo on the right is the morning after the CNPF treatment. Last night I scrunched a quarter sized amount of LA Looks Sport Gel in it as usual and pixie diffused for a few moments so I wouldn't have to go to bed with sopping wet hair. Then...I slept on it...No plop, no pineapple, and this is how I woke up the next morning.

I've been CG for at least 2 years and was so disappointed to be only a 2a....and now this!

This is quite literally an overnight transformation!!!

So, what do you all think? 2b???

Mimee03 · 01-09-2013, 08:48 PM

I've been mod-CG for 11 months. I am totally jealous!

Your hair looks thick though and mine is very thin. I SO wish my hair would curl up like yours!

Hair type: 2a/2b. Fine texture, normal porosity, normal elasticity.

Houseofcurls · 01-10-2013, 02:20 PM

This makes me happy

and SO MAD! You have been doing this as long as I have and have made such HUGE improvements. I acutally think my hair looks WORSE!

shellyRN07swavy · 01-11-2013, 08:39 AM

Tambalina, thanks for posting your routine. I like to see how others do thier hair and see if I can use any techniques/order for my own. And im defintiely geeting the NPF this weekend. My hair adores protein, and seems like it could help perk up my hair! YAY to that

colleennoelle · 01-11-2013, 08:59 PM

That is amazing! You have beautiful hair.

tambalina · 01-14-2013, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WavyShmavy

I've been CG for at least 2 years and was so disappointed to be only a 2a....and now this!

This is quite literally an overnight transformation!!!

So, what do you all think? 2b???

Definitely 2B/3A! Glad that NPF worked for you, too!!

My hair gets weighed down easily, as well. I know it isn't CG, but sometimes a good sulfate wash can reset your hair. Plus, since you are regularly conditioning your hair, it doesn't damage it as much as you would think! Just give it a few drops of oil at the ends for a few nights. I do this every night as I am growing out my hair.

tambalina · 01-14-2013, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mimee03

I've been mod-CG for 11 months. I am totally jealous!

Your hair looks thick though and mine is very thin. I SO wish my hair would curl up like yours!

Hair type: 2a/2b. Fine texture, normal porosity, normal elasticity.

My ponytail is only 2.25 - 2.5" circumference. Protein is required daily.

shellyRN07swavy · 01-17-2013, 10:45 AM

I have been using the NPF mixed with my conditioners. ..but thinking I should use it by applying it straight to my hair...did you rinse out the mixture of NPF and water after the 20mins or just rewet your hair and sytle it as usually??? Ive read posts about both ways..but our hair seems similar. .

Sent from my SCH-I535 using CurlTalk App

srogge · 01-17-2013, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tambalina

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladymisswavy

::snip:: What techniques are you using??

It varies, but this is my "tried and true" technique:

Low-poo: Organix Moroccan Argan Oil shampoo
Rinse Out: Biolage Conditioning Balm for at least 3 minutes, longer if I can (This is also the only time I will comb my hair!)
Rinse w/ 1/2 gallon distilled water mixed with 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

After I get out of the shower, I flip my head upside down and scrunch with a Aquis microfiber towel. (I can't use products w/ soaking wet hair. It weighs it down.)

Leave-In: Kinky Curly Knot Today (nickle-sized blob) scrunched in upside down. I try to keep the conditioner away from my roots.

Still upside down, I apply either Flax Seed Gel or Kinky Curly Curling Custard using pump and scrunch method. Don't forget to put *some* gel in the roots of the hair to add structure. And then I plop for 10 - 15 minutes with a flour-sack towel.

After the first plop, I apply a strong hold gel. Lately, I've really like combining BioSilk Rock Hard Gelee with Biotera gel. I use about 3 pea-sized drops of BHRG with about a half dollar-sized pool of Biotera. And also scrunch and pump. Plop again for 20 minutes with a NEW (dry) flour-sack towel.

After 20 minutes, I diffuse upside down (pixiecurl method) until I think my hair is about 80% dry. Then, I flip up and arrange the waves to create a part line. I clip the roots with little "butterfly" claw clamps and wait for my hair to dry COMPLETELY.

Just SOTC with an oil (I use Monoi, coconut or sweet almond oils.) My hair will last 2 - 3 days wavy.

HTH!!

How much KCCC do you usually use? And where do you all buy those oils for your hair? Thanks!

tambalina · 01-19-2013, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srogge

How much KCCC do you usually use? And where do you all buy those oils for your hair? Thanks!

I use about 2-3 teaspoons of KCCC in damp (not wet) hair.

You can definitely get sweet almond and coconut oils in a grocery or natural foods store. Monoi (fractured coconut oil) I purchase online. It comes in a variety of scents. My favorite is sandalwood. Most popular scents are vanilla and gardenia.