Marci

My hair properties: 2C/3A curl pattern, normal elasticity, normal porosity and medium/fine texture, very dense. Hates glycerin and apparently aloe. I do use PEG silicones, protein, oils and occasional sulfate 'poos with no issues. I've had excellent results with mod CG for the past 3 months but this past week has been tough. I live in a very humid climate (Miami), and need some survival tips for the summer. This is my very first summer as a natural curly. I don't want to give up. TIA

ssarahdee

Found your twin!! I'm from Naples/Ft Myers I hate this humiditiy down here! I go to college up in Tallahassee so coming back home this summer has been a doozy! haha. I basically don't go outside without diffusing or a couple good layers of strong hold hairspray. My favorite is L'Oreal Elnett because it has a firm hold and also gives a lot of movement. Also I use a lotttt of LI, probably too much, but without it my hair just poooooofs up like a furball!

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2c, lower layers of 3a/3b.
medium density and texture, high porosity.

Low-Poo: SM Cocnut and Hibiscus shampoo
CW: SN Coconut
RO: L'Oreal Eversleek Sulfate-Free Smoothing system w/ sunflower oil
LI: KCKT and Clear ultra shea oil
Stylers: LOOB, BRHG, SM Coconut and Hibiscus curl and style milk

Macadamia oil <3<3<3

Marci

Hi ssarahdee, it is good to hear from someone going through the same struggles. I added a Garnier anti-humidity spray recently and it seems to be helping but not enough. My usual gel is sold out everywhere I've looked and I am getting desperate. I actually don't use any LI, but I do put LOOB under my gel instead. That was working fine until this humidity from hell and rain started. I'm having a 50% success rate with any products these days

kimmidawn

I've been looking for a CG hairspray and am always curious about this one; any idea if it's CG?

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2b, fine texture, normal porosity & elasticity (CG as of 12/2011)

Low-poo: UFD Rich & Funky
Cowash: VO5 Kiwi Lime
RO: Tresemme Naturals, Aubrey Organics GPB, Ion Effective Care, MillCreek Keratin
PT/DT: IAgirl's PT, GVP CB
LI: KCKT, Cure Care, CJ CCCC Lite
Styling: Curl Keeper, As I Am Jelly, UFD Curly Magic, CJ Curl Queen, TIGI Strong Hold Mousse


http://public.fotki.com/kdawn12/


^^ day 1 of going CG; avatar = 6 months later

Marci

I've been looking for a CG hairspray and am always curious about this one; any idea if it's CG?[/QUOTE]

I checked out Ellnet on the Target website. There seems to be some silicone in there, but I am not an expert at which 'cones are water soluble, so I hope someone else chimes in. The GF spray I tried has no 'cones, but it also isn't all natural and healthy. My hair doesn't seem to mind though, and that's all that matters in this awful humidity lol

Cuban-curl-E

Not an exact hair twin but thought I'd commiserate since I'm in Miami too. I completely agree with ^. I use lots of LI and make sure my hair isn't "thirsty" otherwise my hair poofs and sucks up even more moisture from the environment. I also limit/avoid glycerin and aloe.

I'm really liking HESMU gel and Biolage gelee but we're only in June so we'll see how I feel in August!

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3a/b, fine texture, low porosity, normal elasticity, mod-CG 7/11/11

Poo: KC Come Clean, SM Moisture Retention
CO: CJ Curl Rehab, CJ Argan & Olive Oil, Renpure Argan Oil, YTCucumbers, Sevi Pumpkin
Style: AIF, HESMU, Biolage gelee, KCCC
LOOB for second day hair

Like BS/ACV rinses, limit protein/humectants.

Marci

Hi CubanCurlE,
What kind of leave-in do you use that helps your hair not to poof? I actually quit using it a few weeks back after finding that it wasn't helping me at all. It may just be the product I was using... the SM Smoothie. I know my hair hates Aloe because when I added it to homemade FSG I had a tangled mess. In desperation yesterday I picked up this "Gorilla Snot" gel at CVS, the ingredients look awful but no 'cones. I added only a dime size, but today I have less poof even in the drizzle. I still would prefer more controlled curls, and a little less volume. To my surprise, I've gotten more compliments this past week than I have since starting CG 4 months ago. I guess people love the voluminous curl look !

Cuban-curl-E

Hi Marci. I've been using KCKT bc it's not too heavy and it's protein and glycerin free. I also use suave and recently started using curl junkie beauticurls LI. I'm no expert and I still have frizz and poof but for me, LI helps in higher dews. I've found that I can't use straight oil to seal. Big fail for me!

I've seen the gorilla snot and have been tempted to try it. Which one did you get? I used SM smoothie last summer -- did not work. I'm not sure if it was the glycerin, oils/butters, aloe or what but it was a gradual disaster. Results were cumulative. I stopped using it and my hair improved. I really wanted to like it though.

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3a/b, fine texture, low porosity, normal elasticity, mod-CG 7/11/11

Poo: KC Come Clean, SM Moisture Retention
CO: CJ Curl Rehab, CJ Argan & Olive Oil, Renpure Argan Oil, YTCucumbers, Sevi Pumpkin
Style: AIF, HESMU, Biolage gelee, KCCC
LOOB for second day hair

Like BS/ACV rinses, limit protein/humectants.

Marci

Hi CubanCurlE,
I've seen the KCKT at Target but the price scares me. I have a lot of hair, I'd probably go through that bottle in a week But just maybe an oil may help, I will give that a try. Glycerin is definitely a no-no for me too, I realized that quickly after trying EcoStyler and mind, that was months ago when the weather wasn't so humid yet. The Smoothie I've been using as a DT and it's been fine so far.
So I bought the strongest hold Gorilla Snot, and here's what I have found:
Do not rake this in... you'll lose a lot of hair. The stuff is soo sticky it is like glue in your hair.
Do not try to mix it with another gel and then rake in, you'll still lose hair.
The best use I found is to layer it over another more light-weight gel by scrunching it in. I used two dime size amounts, and added some water to lessen the stickiness.
The hold is not so crunchy as it is "plastic-y", but it does get softer after I SOTC. The hold lasted all day even in a light drizzle. It can probably last a few more days but I just prefer the look of freshly styled curls, so I washed it out.
Lastly, I am pretty sure a cowash won't get this out. I've had to shampoo it out so it may not be worth it to some. I'd rather do that than risk nasty build up.
Bottom line, for under 4 bucks I think it was a good buy. I can only hope it doesn't dry out or damage my hair. There isn't much out there about this product

frizzinfla

Hi fellow Floridians! Lurking on your conversation due to horrible humidity lately in Sarasota. Currently layering Biotera Gel and BRHG which is great for curl definition & frizz control but causes bad 2nd day dryness. I think it's the protein in BRHG. AIF has been failing me, as well... It does not hold my curl. I'm looking for something new...

Marci

Hi there!
I actually went out and bought the Biotera gel and I loved how it was so easy to distribute but my pretty, bouncy curls would turn into a frizz fest as soon as I walked outside. I had been looking for BRHG but instead I picked up some LALPS because AIF only worked for me indoors. I read a review that said LALPS was comparable to BRHG, and so far it has been great. My hair doesn't feel any drier and lasts a few days! I was so tired of washing every day. It may not work for you though because the protein content is high. I did also try a gel called Gorilla Snot in desperation and found it to work OK layered over another lighter gel. However it does contain alcohol and I'm pretty sure cowash can't get it out. The stuff is like crazy glue, I wouldn't use it every day. Good luck in your search because I know this FL weather is driving us all mad !!

frizzinfla

jsuzkelley

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CG since 12/29/2011

Marci

I wish I could see your last posts, but they aren't showing up

frizzinfla

Marci, Not sure what happened to my original response! With Biotera, I use a very small amount between my leave in conditioner and my hard hold gel. I find it helps my gel distribute more evenly. I can't use it by itself or I get the results you mention. Bummer for me that LALPS has protein.
I've had luck the last couple of days with the following combo:
Wash out conditioner: Tresemme Naturals Radiant volume
Leave- in conditioner: Renpure Organics Revitalizing
"Prep" gel: a dime size amount of Biotera
Hard hold gel: BRHG or Aquage Molding Mega Gel

I really like the Renpure Revitalizing conditioner as a leave in.

Let's keep each other posted on Florida summer product successes! Wishing you happy hair days ahead :-)

Marci

I am so glad you mentioned this! I will give Biotera another try underneath the LALPS. I was disappointed it didn't work and getting ready to post it on the swap board. I am still not sure I'll be adding leave in to my routine because the few times I tried, it was a disaster. I was thinking that an oil for sealing may help so I'm going to try EVOO under my gel tomorrow. Just out of curiosity, how much BRHG do you go through? Because I find that I still have to use A LOT of LALPS so my hair can make it through the day. It looks awful while its drying but looks great once its scrunched out.
Happy hair days to you too

frizzinfla

I have long hair and do not have to use very much BRHG. I'd say a dime size amount for the top of my head & another dime for the back. Then approx. a nickel size for each side. In comparison, with my Aquage, I have to use much more.

Let me know how the EVOO goes.

Cuban-curl-E

Hello fellow Floridians! Great weather this week huh? Ugh. It's been 70-90% chance of rain everyday (at least in Miami). Anyway, I have a few product combos that have been working for me:

*I always use LI -- either KCKT, CJ beauticurls or yes to cucumbers.

*KCCC topped with HESMU
*Biolage gelee topped with AIF
(both protein/glycerin free combos)

*AIF + LALPS (this has protein but no glycerin)

I rotate these 3 combos and rotate the LI's and find this is as good as its gonna get under these weather conditions.

Anything working out for you guys?

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3a/b, fine texture, low porosity, normal elasticity, mod-CG 7/11/11

Poo: KC Come Clean, SM Moisture Retention
CO: CJ Curl Rehab, CJ Argan & Olive Oil, Renpure Argan Oil, YTCucumbers, Sevi Pumpkin
Style: AIF, HESMU, Biolage gelee, KCCC
LOOB for second day hair

Like BS/ACV rinses, limit protein/humectants.

Rednaturalcurls

Another Florida girl. Tampa area. I am currently using the Sallys generic of Biolage Conditioning Balm as a leave in. Then Curl Junkie CIAB followed by CJ Pattern Pusha. I also use Garnier anti humidity hairspray. I like the Sleek and Shine the best of all of them. the combo doesn't 100% work especially on the real rainy days but it at least keeps me from being a big poofy mess.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using CurlTalk App

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Hair Type: mix of 3's, growing out an angled bob, color-treated red.
Current products: GVP conditioning balm for co-wash and leave in, Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle, Pattern Pusha and Garnier Anti-humidity hairspray
Location:Sunny Florida
Hair idol: Kimberly Schlapman from Little Big Town

frizzinfla

I use Sally's GVP conditioning balm as rinse out. I'll have to try it as leave in. Question: does the hairspray make your hair feel sticky in high dew points?