CG ruining my curls?

someonestakara · 06-16-2012, 11:37 PM

I've been doing CG for about two months and when I started I was a 2C/3A. At first my hair loved it; I had more curls, my hair was softer and less frizzy. Now one month and three weeks later my hair looks crappy, it's frizzy, unmanageable, barely any curl to it and it's pretty dry. I've tried lo-pooing and even using a clarifying shampoo to see if I just had build up, and my hair is still like this. I don't use any different products than I did when my hair curlier.
Right now I'm using:
Cowash/LI-Sauve naturals sun kissed strawberry
RO-GVPCB
Gel- Biotera styling gel
and Biotera curl cream to scrunch out the crunch.
I've got normal porosity and medium hair, is there anything I can do to fix my curls or is CG not for me?

FancyFree · 06-17-2012, 12:08 AM

Have you tried fiddling around with the products more? I tried GFTN (old formula) for a while and it worked for three weeks, and then my hair HATED it. It was really soft, but it looked like I had run a brush through it. Once I cut it out, my hair was curling like crazy again. Sometimes just cutting out a product or avoiding a certain ingredient can really help. Going CG isn't a one size fits all project, and it doesn't work for everyone, but with the right products and time, it can work for most.

lil_earthmomma · 06-17-2012, 01:52 AM

I'm still fiddling around trying new products to see what my hair likes best. I agree with FancyFree, you need to try some different styling products.

Also, when I'm going to start a new product, I like to shampoo and do a deep condish first, even something as simple as warm olive oil and honey. Sort of a reset.

Rustina · 06-17-2012, 06:07 AM

Have you done any PT's or DT's?

I'm a good speller! My iPhone keyboard? Not so much.

CurlyIndianGirl · 06-17-2012, 06:11 AM

@someonestakara , have you tried a leave in conditioner? May be your hair needs more moisture now after going CG. Especially after you have done clarifying and the layers of cones are washed out, So try using a good leave-in conditioner then gel. HTH

mhen76 · 06-17-2012, 09:43 AM

When my curls get stringy and frizzy, I usually need a PT. My hair is fine and thrives on protein. For some curlies, protein overload will cause hair to feel dry and brittle. How does your hair typically react to protein? Finding the right balance of protein and moisture can make a huge difference for your hair.

raindear · 06-17-2012, 10:22 AM

Many people (CG or not) find that they can't use the same products for long periods. They stop working, or there are other issues. Having 3 or 4 "sets" of products to cycle through can keep you from having these issues. You would use each product once or twice a week and reduce the chance of this type issue. Also, using CG you have to be extra careful to cleanse the scalp so that oils and sebum don't build up and cause other issues.

Auntie Bubbs · 06-17-2012, 10:30 AM

Along the same line of being careful to cleanse the scalp - you may need to clarify with an apple cider vinegar rinse. My curls love them - they spring back to life whenever they get dull, frizzy and lifeless. After I do a rinse they are bouncy and happy.

I add about 1/8c of vinegar to 1c of warm water for a rinse - I have alot of hair so I use 2c of water (and 1/4c).

Myrna · 06-17-2012, 11:07 AM

Hi, I used to think I had 2C hair; then, it seemed like it changed to frizzy unmanageable 3B hair. It was at that point I went CG, but for me, that has not eliminated daily shampooing, and NOT with conditioner or a cleansing conditioner. You do have to experiment a lot; I found other helpful curlies here whose hair was similar to mine, I asked a lot of questions and got a lot of helpful answers. For me, what seems to help the most is: not brushing my hair, ever; and leaving in more conditioner than when I was NOT CG. Shea Moisture Retention shampoo is highly recommended here - I absolutely LOVE it. I doubt I will ever use any thing else, so I hope that company is in it for the long run. I also recently - very recently - purchased roller Jaw clips, and they too have helped greatly - easy to use, enhance the curl, volume, wonderful.

Lilya · 06-17-2012, 01:21 PM

Aw, that's lousy. Could be build up. That's the way my hair is if it's sweaty, oily, or has too much product in it. Be sure to really stimulate the scalp if you are just using condish. That always makes my head and curls happy and boing-y.

poemaXX · 06-17-2012, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhen76

When my curls get stringy and frizzy, I usually need a PT. My hair is fine and thrives on protein. For some curlies, protein overload will cause hair to feel dry and brittle. How does your hair typically react to protein? Finding the right balance of protein and moisture can make a huge difference for your hair.

I second this – sounds like you need protein! HTH.

someonestakara · 06-17-2012, 10:42 PM

Thanks for the advice everybody! I tried some new gel today and my curls sprang back to life, so maybe I just needed some product rotation! But I'm thinking I might need to do some protein treatments, anybody have any recommendations from like Sally's or Walmart? You guys are so helpful!

mhen76 · 06-18-2012, 04:47 AM

This is the one that made the most difference for me: IAgirl's Protein Treatment recipe thread! It's easy to make, easy to use and cheap. My hair responded really well to the protein so I also bought a bottle of Colorful Neutral Protein Filler at Sally's and add a few drops to my refresher spray, conditioner and/or my FSG. Gives me a good protein boost anytime I need it.