What am I doing wrong?

funkymunkycurl · 11-01-2005, 02:40 PM

I have a problem. My hair has lost its curl. Last year I was able to put just about any gel in my hair and diffuse and I would have beautiful 3a curls. Ever since last winter, I have not been able to get that curl back that I can to love so much. Then I had my hair cut into lots of layers and it made it worse. Does anyone have the same problem or can anyone offer and suggestions on what to do?

LavenderCurls · 11-01-2005, 02:53 PM

Could you give us a list of what you're using to wash and condition with as well as the gels you're using and how you dry your hair? That might help to pinpoint the problem

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funkymunkycurl · 11-01-2005, 03:07 PM

Right now I have been using pantene hydrating curls shampoo and bed head moisture maniac conditioner. I am trying Jessicurl Rockin Ringlets and Confident coils. I have been following Jessicurl instructions by applying projust when it's wet and scrunching with a towel and diffusing right away. I still can't get the curl that I want. DO you think maybe the shampoo and conditioner I'm using could be the problem?

jersey8 · 11-01-2005, 07:03 PM

I was using Pantene Hydrating Curls shampoo and conditioner and was told by my stylist and people here that it was weighing my hair down. I don't know if it's the same with you though. But that's just my experience with it.

LavenderCurls · 11-01-2005, 07:06 PM

I'm hoping someone more knowledgable about the shampoo and conditioner will pop in and lend some advice. If you'd been using those for a long time and never had any problems until last year, there could be other factors involved (hormonal changes, childbirth, change in where you live weather-wise, etc.). Not alot of gals are crazy about Pantene products (some of the styling products are okay, though) and maybe over time, there's some buildup on your hair. A apple cider vinegar rinse might help.

There's lots you can try to get more curl. Using conditioner to wash and condition instead of shampoo (or low poo options), adding honey to your conditioner or doing the honey rinse Jess recommends on her site might help.

Alot of curlies plop to get some added curl, too.

I'd repost your original question on the main board .. you'll probably get alot more feedback there

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funkymunkycurl · 11-02-2005, 08:17 AM

Does anyone use a good shampoo and conditioner combo that enhances curl without weighing it down?

Cricket · 11-02-2005, 09:03 AM

Do you clarify? I wash my hair once a week with clarifying shampoo because I mix around with different products all week (some have cones).
I know I quit using Pantene because it had something in it that coats the hair and builds up. Your hair starts out looking great, but then goes blah. I know Laurabeth or another ingredient whiz could tell you about the Pantene shampoo.

Cricket · 11-02-2005, 09:16 AM

~colomunky~

I did a search and bumped a thread about the Pantene. It is under Reader Product Reviews.

HTH

funkymunkycurl · 11-02-2005, 10:44 AM

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Do you suppose if I clarified once a week and then maybe use a volumizing shampoo and plopped would help any? Also, do you add product before you plop on soaking wet hair? Do any of you have a tried and true method and products?

funkymunkycurl · 11-02-2005, 10:45 AM

Sorry for all the questions. I'm new to this.

LavenderCurls · 11-02-2005, 02:30 PM

Don't apologize for the questions ... we're all just full of questions all the time!

Go ahead and try whatever you think might help

. Clarifying it might do wonders and may solve the problem, you never know. You might also try "washing" with a conditioner and see how that goes.

As for plopping, some curlies add products before, some after .. it's all a matter of personal preference. The couple times I tried to plop, I put products in before. My hair has shorter layers on top and plopping it just left the top of my head ...

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As for tried and true products and method, here's mine for when I definitely want a good hair day (for an occasion or something). This is also the combo I used in my avatar.

* Co-wash (Suave's Citrus Smoothie right now)
* Condition with either VO5 Milk Moistures Strawberries and Cream, or Aussie's 3-Minute Miracle, or Giovannie Triple Treat and add an equal amount of honey to it.
* Rinse (leave some in during summer, all out in the winter).
* Apply Curl Keeper to soaking wet hair.
* Add a couple blobs of Aussie Dual Gel+Water Gel and rake through.
* Add a couple smaller blobs of Aussie Tizz No Frizz and rake through.
* Scrunch with a microfiber towel.
* Flip back over and add just a touch more Tizz to the ends.
* Scrunch a little more with the mf towel.
* Begin diffusing upside down with a bowl diffuser asap. I usually have to let the dogs out, then go use the diffuser I have by my sofa so I won't wake up hubby

) Diffuse to about 80% dry, then air dry while putting on makeup.

Any other time, I try different product combos as alot of us find that using a combo (or even one styling product) seems to lose it's punch after a few days, hence the "rotation" you'll see people mention

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funkymunkycurl · 11-03-2005, 08:49 AM

Thanks so much for all the advice. This morning I washed with a clarifying shampoo, and then I conditioned with Bed Head Moisture Maniac. I only left the conditioner in while I detangled and I rinsed it out right away. I found that if I leave that particular conditioner in for too long it weighs down my hair, even when I straighten. But I love how soft my hair feels after I use it. I put in about two quarter size puddles of Aussie gel + water and tizz no frizz, plopped for about 10 minutes, and then diffused. Before I pixiecurl diffused, I scrunched in about a quarter size puddle of Jessicurl CC. My hair today is exactly that way it was about a year ago. I think tomorrow I'm going to try shampooing with conditioner and style the same to see if I get the same results. Thank you all so much for your suggestions.

LavenderCurls · 11-03-2005, 12:57 PM

So glad you're getting your hair back!! Your hair maybe just needed clarifying and you might want to try using some things without -cones in them just to see if your hair responds better.

I hope the Aussie Combo works for you .. I just love it!