a few questions

tproul · 02-03-2010, 12:50 PM

I've recently discovered that I have wavy hair (I'm probably a 2a or 2b, with fine hair, but lots of it) and have a few questions before starting the CG method.

1) when should I do a protein treatment? Before doing my last poo wash (with sulfates but no cones)? After the co-wash, condition? How often should I do this?

2) What about clarifying treatments?

3) do some of you wavies still flat iron your hair sometimes? Would I still use the same CG products such as co-wash and conditioner to do this?

4) I need to blow dry my hair using a brush before using the flat iron. What kind of brush is recommended to minize breakage?

5) What is this 'transition period' after you start CG? Does this mean that my hair will look awful during this time?

I'm so excited to get started, but I admit that sifting through all of the information is quite daunting at times. Already I have tried plopping and the pixie curl method and it's done wonder for my hair, even though I'm still using sulfates and cones.

pedaheh · 02-03-2010, 05:09 PM

I can answer some of your questions. How often you do a protein treatment depends on how often your hair wants them. Many people do them once a week. I do them every 1 1/2-2 weeks. Although not CG legal, most of us do flat iron a few times a year. You still use your CG products. You should find a CG heat protectant when you do this. Products with glycerin can work as heat protectants. The transition period varies from person to person. I think the average is about 2 weeks. It can be up to six weeks. Including me I personally know four people who went CG. 3 had no transition period at all. The other person didn't have an awful time. Just some frizz. It is not always terrible, but be prepared to wear you hair up if needed.
You have many of your hair's properties figured out. You still need to know porosity and elasticity.
Porosity
Post your before & After CG pics
Elasticity
determining porosity and elasticity help?
Then look in this thread and find people with hair like you.
http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlta...=1#post1160167

Product recommendations for people new to CG
http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlta...=1#post1160167

Since you have fine hair I'd suggest starting with suave coconut as a cowash. It has a small amount of protein.
Which rinse out you want to try will depend upon how much moisture your hair needs and if it is easily weighed down.
For a leave in conditioner, you start by using a bit of your rinse out or cowash conditioner.
For a gel, I'm guessing you will want a fair amount of hold. Off the top of my head
Hard hold gels-Herbal Essences Set Me Up, Got 2B spiked up gel, LA Looks sports gel (or maybe this is a super hard hold)
Super Hard Hold Gels-Biosilk Rock Hard Gel or Chi Gel
Hard hold mousse (if you prefer mousse)
Hard Hold CG Mousse Recomendations
I don't low poo, so I won't recommend one.
HTH

tproul · 02-03-2010, 06:31 PM

Thanks again for all your advice Pedaheh. You seem to be a CG guru.