HELP! I'm so close to giving up on my hair! =\

wowohwow · 03-29-2010, 11:17 PM

Hello everyone!

This is a desperate plea for help. I have no idea what to do with my hair anymore. Here's my story...

Back in Fall 2005, I finally started to embrace my thick/coarse, jet black, curly south Indian hair

I used Herbal Essences Totally Twisted shampoo, condish, and mousse. My hair looked GORGEOUS. Perfect bouncy ringlets, little to no frizz, up to 3rd day hair, soft, shiny...awesome right?! Until I decided to dye my hair. One process, all over color. My hair stopped responding to the HETT line, and I've never been able to find anything that awesome since.

My hair has completely grown out since then, and by that I mean the dyed hair is no longer on my head, lol. But I still haven't been able to find anything that worked as well as HETT

In the order of worst to best, I've tried...

Dove/Pantene/Aussie - both left my hair "gummy" ... LOTS of product buildup
Redken/John Freida/Sunsilk - did nothing. my hair was limp and sad.
Garnier Curls line - some definition, but my hair was wavy at best
Giovanni - this is what I've been using since I discovered NC .. it works, but not much shine, ringlets have been a rare treat - more like "C"s

I feel like I've tried everything there is and then some. Right now, my hair feels like straw for whatever reason...may be because I just switched (again) to Garnier Triple Nutrition. This has detangled my hair, leaving it soft, but not much more definition than Giovanni .. I just like the price break!

So that's my story. If you have any further questions about my hair, don't hesitate to ask! ANY suggestions would be welcome. THANK YOU in advance

greekgoddess · 03-30-2010, 12:17 PM

Hi,
Are you doing the Curly Girl Method? That has really helped my hair 100 %.

I am not sure what your hair type is, but I am a 3b, and my hair loves Aloe Vera Gel (Brand: FOTE), Flax seed gel, AG:Recoil, and Batia & Aleeza gel. My hair also loves being spritzed with a mixture of water and epsom salt that makes my curls springy and full of ringlets.

I wash only once a week with a low sulfate shampoo. My favorite is Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo. On days where I don't wash, and just condition my hair, I use the Conditioner from the same line. I also use their conditioner for a leave in (just a pea pod).

I also am in love with Coconut oil, as a deep treatment. I just rub it in my scalp, and throughout my hair and leave it on. It could be a few hours, or I might sleep with it like that. But just a warning...you only need a tiny bit, because it is oily. If you have time, google all of its benefits. It is great!

Also, I have been taking vitamins for my hair from GNC called Nourish Hair, that have a lot of good reviews, and my hair is looking awesome. I have been getting many compliments on it.

I hope that I have helped a bit. Wish I could post a pic on my profile, but no battery in my camera right now, and I have to ask someone to take a picture of my hair, because it is quite hard doing it yourself (lol). If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Oh, I also do Rudee Chicks Super Soaker Method, and use a Denman brush for clumpy curls.

I know, I am rambling now...sorry.

Hope I helped a bit.

curry curls · 03-30-2010, 12:49 PM

I will second the Curly Girl method. It worked wonders for my hair. Also, hubby is South Indian...youngest girl has that lovely hair. She also just conditioner washes and then conditions. I usually just encourage her to put some conditioner in as a leave in and that's pretty much it. I'd also say to go easy on the protein. Too much protein will make your hair feel like straw.

stephycurl · 03-30-2010, 12:57 PM

I would definitely the CG method as well. I've only been doing it for about a month now, but I'm already noticing a difference in my hair - it feels and looks a lot healthier than it used to be, and my frizz is almost completely gone!

stephycurl · 03-30-2010, 12:58 PM

I would definitely the CG method as well. I've only been doing it for about a month now, but I'm already noticing a difference in my hair - it feels and looks a lot healthier than it used to be, and my frizz is almost completely gone!

Soficurls · 03-30-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wowohwow

Hello everyone!

This is a desperate plea for help. I have no idea what to do with my hair anymore. Here's my story...

Back in Fall 2005, I finally started to embrace my thick/coarse, jet black, curly south Indian hair

I used Herbal Essences Totally Twisted shampoo, condish, and mousse. My hair looked GORGEOUS. Perfect bouncy ringlets, little to no frizz, up to 3rd day hair, soft, shiny...awesome right?! Until I decided to dye my hair. One process, all over color. My hair stopped responding to the HETT line, and I've never been able to find anything that awesome since.

My hair has completely grown out since then, and by that I mean the dyed hair is no longer on my head, lol. But I still haven't been able to find anything that worked as well as HETT

In the order of worst to best, I've tried...

Dove/Pantene/Aussie - both left my hair "gummy" ... LOTS of product buildup
Redken/John Freida/Sunsilk - did nothing. my hair was limp and sad.
Garnier Curls line - some definition, but my hair was wavy at best
Giovanni - this is what I've been using since I discovered NC .. it works, but not much shine, ringlets have been a rare treat - more like "C"s

I feel like I've tried everything there is and then some. Right now, my hair feels like straw for whatever reason...may be because I just switched (again) to Garnier Triple Nutrition. This has detangled my hair, leaving it soft, but not much more definition than Giovanni .. I just like the price break!

So that's my story. If you have any further questions about my hair, don't hesitate to ask! ANY suggestions would be welcome. THANK YOU in advance

Hello!!!!
Like the other curlies I would suggest GO CG. Completely. My hair was dull and completely unmanageable before I started cg. I have been cg for a month, NO POOS whatsoever. My hair is looking better everyday. I did go through a period when I freaked out because my hair felt dirty for like 2 days, but it was for two reasons. In my hurry to have beautiful hair I was OVERCONDITIONING like crazy!
I was doing deep treatments with a lot of oil, and although it is good in SMALL quantities, it will build up like crazy. I still did not use shampoo, but cowashed two consecutive days, and it cleaned my hair. If you scrub really well with condish, your hair will get cleaned.
Second thing I did wrong is that I was using some cholesterols and treatments that had MINERAL OIL in it. Mineral oil can be drying but not all the time, but the EVIL in mineral oil is that you have to wash it with shampoo because it is sooooo hard to get off with cowashing.
If you are using the Triple Nutrition Conditioner, that is great! It is amazing but not in large quantities because it may leave your hair so soft that it has no curls and hold. DO NOT USE the garnier triple nutrition 3 minute undo. It has LOADS OF MINERAL OIL.
I also second the Supersoaker. I was having blah, ok hair some days, others good, others bad until I tried this method. It takes about 3-4 times practice, but it is amazing!
I condish with triple nutrition, rinse, then add a tiny tiny bit of triple nutrition again for a leave in, then add a curl cream! I use biotera, it is cheap and great! Then comb with FINE tooth comb for clumping, then with my hands cupped I scoop cold water and bring it up to my hair... all the way to the roots.
After this, scrunch in some gel! and that is it. beautiful hair.
You could also benefit from dissolving a tablespoon of honey in a cup of water and pouring it on your hair before you do the leave in. Give it a try, and remember sometimes problems come from too much product! Try using smaller quantities, and things that are more natural.
Vatika hair oil is also amazing for a Deep Treatment, but just a little, otherwise you will have trouble getting it off with cowash!

blubutterfly04 · 03-30-2010, 03:11 PM

I'm with everyone else here, go CG all the way. My hair has done a complete transformation. I "no-poo" about twice a month. Do it!!!

Italian Curls · 03-30-2010, 03:34 PM

Sorry, but I'm about to become a broken record. CG is amazing, and has totally helped me. My hair has done a complete turnaround! I used to use all the HETT products, too. I thought (keyword) that it was doing a spectacular job, but in reality it just fried my hair. When I switched to BedHead, I was a little hesitant. But then I saw how terrible the HETT had been. It is just a mindset, I think, that you need to break out of. Keep working on your hair!! There are a million and one products out there that you haven't tried. Go on the product reviews section of this website, totally helps.

JUST DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!

hmixon · 03-30-2010, 04:37 PM

I'd be frustrated with my hair too if I was using drug store brands. When I went to higher quality products I got happy hair. With your coarseness you should also avoid all protein for while.

You can order samples from Kathymack of lots of high quality products to check out what will work for you. You'll have to research which ones have protein and which don't.

Don't give up!!

wowohwow · 03-30-2010, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curry curls

I will second the Curly Girl method. It worked wonders for my hair. Also, hubby is South Indian...youngest girl has that lovely hair. She also just conditioner washes and then conditions. I usually just encourage her to put some conditioner in as a leave in and that's pretty much it. I'd also say to go easy on the protein. Too much protein will make your hair feel like straw.

Conditioner as a leave in is fine, but I can't just leave it at that. Idunno if it's the cut or what, but my hair flattens and gets limp. I have to use mousse after.

And yes! Totally understand that my hair hates protein now, after lots of rounds of trial and error :P

wowohwow · 03-30-2010, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soficurls

Hello!!!!
Like the other curlies I would suggest GO CG. Completely. My hair was dull and completely unmanageable before I started cg. I have been cg for a month, NO POOS whatsoever. My hair is looking better everyday. I did go through a period when I freaked out because my hair felt dirty for like 2 days, but it was for two reasons. In my hurry to have beautiful hair I was OVERCONDITIONING like crazy!
I was doing deep treatments with a lot of oil, and although it is good in SMALL quantities, it will build up like crazy. I still did not use shampoo, but cowashed two consecutive days, and it cleaned my hair. If you scrub really well with condish, your hair will get cleaned.
Second thing I did wrong is that I was using some cholesterols and treatments that had MINERAL OIL in it. Mineral oil can be drying but not all the time, but the EVIL in mineral oil is that you have to wash it with shampoo because it is sooooo hard to get off with cowashing.
If you are using the Triple Nutrition Conditioner, that is great! It is amazing but not in large quantities because it may leave your hair so soft that it has no curls and hold. DO NOT USE the garnier triple nutrition 3 minute undo. It has LOADS OF MINERAL OIL.
I also second the Supersoaker. I was having blah, ok hair some days, others good, others bad until I tried this method. It takes about 3-4 times practice, but it is amazing!
I condish with triple nutrition, rinse, then add a tiny tiny bit of triple nutrition again for a leave in, then add a curl cream! I use biotera, it is cheap and great! Then comb with FINE tooth comb for clumping, then with my hands cupped I scoop cold water and bring it up to my hair... all the way to the roots.
After this, scrunch in some gel! and that is it. beautiful hair.
You could also benefit from dissolving a tablespoon of honey in a cup of water and pouring it on your hair before you do the leave in. Give it a try, and remember sometimes problems come from too much product! Try using smaller quantities, and things that are more natural.
Vatika hair oil is also amazing for a Deep Treatment, but just a little, otherwise you will have trouble getting it off with cowash!

First off...soficurls, you are awesome. SO much helpful advice

I am CG for the most part...I use the Triple Nutrition shampoo once a month as a "just in case" so that all buildup/sulfates/whatever can leave and I have a clean start...However! I found a thread last night about baking soda/ACV rinses, and worked just fine this morning, so that shampoo is about to be deleted from my routine

Whoa whoa whoa. I know my hair hates mineral oil (a DT of baby oil taught me that :P ), but I had no idea it was in the 3 minute undo! Thank you so much for telling me! Deleting that as well.

As far as curl cream, what do you think about the Tigi Curls Rock cream? That's what I've been using but it has silicones in it so I'm considering using Biotera instead...

And oh dear. I've been using a wide-toothed comb. Didn't know it made a difference

And yes, I do the super soaker already. I'm more concerned about the products I use than my "technique," if you want to call it that, haha. I've REALLY got to try that Biotera - heard SO many good things about it!

Have you tried AG Re:Coil? How does it compare to Biotera?

wowohwow · 03-30-2010, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmixon

I'd be frustrated with my hair too if I was using drug store brands. When I went to higher quality products I got happy hair. With your coarseness you should also avoid all protein for while.

You can order samples from Kathymack of lots of high quality products to check out what will work for you. You'll have to research which ones have protein and which don't.

Don't give up!!

Ooh, thanks for the Kathymack tip! I use drug store brands because I'm a broke college kid, but I'm willing to use better products. Using samples will def. help cut down on the process!

wowohwow · 03-30-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Italian Curls

Sorry, but I'm about to become a broken record. CG is amazing, and has totally helped me. My hair has done a complete turnaround! I used to use all the HETT products, too. I thought (keyword) that it was doing a spectacular job, but in reality it just fried my hair. When I switched to BedHead, I was a little hesitant. But then I saw how terrible the HETT had been. It is just a mindset, I think, that you need to break out of. Keep working on your hair!! There are a million and one products out there that you haven't tried. Go on the product reviews section of this website, totally helps.

JUST DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!

Haha, with all this support, I def. can't give up!!

Ohhhh I see. I think I'm going to try your products, because my hair looked exactly like yours "before" ... off to get bedhead moisture maniac and HETT gel!

wowohwow · 03-30-2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekgoddess

Hi,
Are you doing the Curly Girl Method? That has really helped my hair 100 %.

I am not sure what your hair type is, but I am a 3b, and my hair loves Aloe Vera Gel (Brand: FOTE), Flax seed gel, AG:Recoil, and Batia & Aleeza gel. My hair also loves being spritzed with a mixture of water and epsom salt that makes my curls springy and full of ringlets.

I wash only once a week with a low sulfate shampoo. My favorite is Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo. On days where I don't wash, and just condition my hair, I use the Conditioner from the same line. I also use their conditioner for a leave in (just a pea pod).

I also am in love with Coconut oil, as a deep treatment. I just rub it in my scalp, and throughout my hair and leave it on. It could be a few hours, or I might sleep with it like that. But just a warning...you only need a tiny bit, because it is oily. If you have time, google all of its benefits. It is great!

Also, I have been taking vitamins for my hair from GNC called Nourish Hair, that have a lot of good reviews, and my hair is looking awesome. I have been getting many compliments on it.

I hope that I have helped a bit. Wish I could post a pic on my profile, but no battery in my camera right now, and I have to ask someone to take a picture of my hair, because it is quite hard doing it yourself (lol). If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Oh, I also do Rudee Chicks Super Soaker Method, and use a Denman brush for clumpy curls.

I know, I am rambling now...sorry.

Hope I helped a bit.

You're not rambling!

Thanks so much for your help.

Definitely pointed some things out to me, like the fact that I really REALLY need to try AG Re:coil!

Also, yes, I am CG. I use the Garnier Triple Moisture condish as my cowash and condish. I use the super soaker technique with Denman, and I plop! Since I have the routine down, I figure it's my products.

Have you tried Biotera gel or HETT gel? I'm trying to figure out which to use...versus AG Re:coil. So many experiments ahead of me! haha

greekgoddess · 03-31-2010, 08:56 AM

Never tried Biotera gel or HETT gel..I just bought AG:Recoil, and I am really liking it, but since my hair really loves mag sulphate, I have been spraying it in my hair with a little water.

Good luck

wowohwow · 03-31-2010, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soficurls

I condish with triple nutrition, rinse, then add a tiny tiny bit of triple nutrition again for a leave in, then add a curl cream! I use biotera, it is cheap and great! Then comb with FINE tooth comb for clumping, then with my hands cupped I scoop cold water and bring it up to my hair... all the way to the roots.
After this, scrunch in some gel! and that is it. beautiful hair.
You could also benefit from dissolving a tablespoon of honey in a cup of water and pouring it on your hair before you do the leave in.

Alright, here goes. I got the biotera curl cream and the biotera gel from Sally's this afternoon, and I'm gonna try it tomorrow morning!! Also trying the honey thing. I'll be sure to update you - thanks again!! =D

wowohwow · 04-01-2010, 12:18 PM

So I used the Biotera cream and Biotera gel this morning. I think I should stop fine tooth-combing my hair after my base layers of leave-in/curl cream, cus my curls aren't as defined or clumpy as I'd like them to be...also no root curl

maybe it's the gel? I usually use mousse, so that might be the culprit. Minus the gel and the combing, plus Joico mousse shall be my experiment tomorrow!

Soficurls · 04-01-2010, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wowohwow

So I used the Biotera cream and Biotera gel this morning. I think I should stop fine tooth-combing my hair after my base layers of leave-in/curl cream, cus my curls aren't as defined or clumpy as I'd like them to be...also no root curl

maybe it's the gel? I usually use mousse, so that might be the culprit. Minus the gel and the combing, plus Joico mousse shall be my experiment tomorrow!

The fine tooth should give you clumps. Put the cream in, then comb, then supersoaker gently, no scrunch, just cup hands and bring them up, no squishing! Then get out of the shower and scrunch gel in, scrunch scrunch, and your hair should be still dripping. Take the towel. I use flour sacks, they are amazing and cheap! and scrunch, not too hard, to get water out. scrunch scrunch all over, and leave your hair alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for about 15 mins, if you have time, 20. Then diffuse upside down, and tell me if this doesnt give you better hair!!!!!!!!

wowohwow · 04-01-2010, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soficurls

The fine tooth should give you clumps. Put the cream in, then comb, then supersoaker gently, no scrunch, just cup hands and bring them up, no squishing! Then get out of the shower and scrunch gel in, scrunch scrunch, and your hair should be still dripping. Take the towel. I use flour sacks, they are amazing and cheap! and scrunch, not too hard, to get water out. scrunch scrunch all over, and leave your hair alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for about 15 mins, if you have time, 20. Then diffuse upside down, and tell me if this doesnt give you better hair!!!!!!!!

Hmm I've been scrunching & squishing when I supersoak...does it really make that big a difference? Also, I'm plopping for about 15 mins between scrunching gel in and diffusing. Does that matter too? TIA!

wowohwow · 04-02-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soficurls

The fine tooth should give you clumps. Put the cream in, then comb, then supersoaker gently, no scrunch, just cup hands and bring them up, no squishing! Then get out of the shower and scrunch gel in, scrunch scrunch, and your hair should be still dripping. Take the towel. I use flour sacks, they are amazing and cheap! and scrunch, not too hard, to get water out. scrunch scrunch all over, and leave your hair alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for about 15 mins, if you have time, 20. Then diffuse upside down, and tell me if this doesnt give you better hair!!!!!!!!

I don't know why my hair can't cooperate with the rest of me! As an experiment, I didn't comb today, and added mousse after the gel. I STILL GOT THE SAME RESULTS AS YESTERDAY, COMBING OR NO COMBING!

I think I'm gonna shave my head.

On a more rational note, I think I should not use the gel next time and see what happens. I'm pretty sure I'm a strictly-mousse girl.

Also, do I really need curl cream? I'm not sure if it's doing anything...