New to the CG method

Gloriaaa · 07-15-2012, 02:46 AM

I've been sulfate and silicone free for a week and a half. It's been tough.

New to the Method
Before CG I used to shampoo, condition, rinse thoroughly, then put in about a nickel sized bit of BioSilk Therapy, and diffuse dry. For sure my CG technique is not good yet, there is a lot to learn. I need to find out how my hair reacts to protein, oils, humectants, and emolients. There's so much to do!

Hair Type
I have super baby fine type 3b hair. A few strands in a cup of water after five mins remained on the surface. So, I guess that means my hair has low-porosity. Since my hair is super baby fine, just looking at it will weigh it down, especially near my scalp.

Products
I started out using DevaCare No-Poo and One Condition. My hair was clean, nothing too crazy happening. However, I also tried DevaCare Mist-er Right and DevaCare Set it Free, and the results were not good at all. Even though I sprayed them in my hand, using probably about 1/8 tsp., my hair felt filmy, weighed down, and super producty. After some research, I think I'm concluding that it's the glycerin in these products that is no good for my hair. At. All. Since glycerin is high on the ingredients list in the wash and conditioner, I am shelving those products for the time being. Maybe I'll circle back to them once I figure out what I'm doing. My Curl Junkie sample packs just arrived, so I'll dive into those starting tomorrow.

Technique
In the CG DVD that came with the book, the models were putting a ton of conditioner in their hair, and then not really rinsing it out at all, and then putting in leave-in conditioner afterward!!! I'm afraid to try this. Does this work for fine hair? How about the use of *gulp* hair gel? In the video those models were using a freaking crap ton of hair gel. My eyes popped out of my head. But their hair ended up looking beautiful, so it obviously works.

Advice?
Any advice from super fine-haired curlies would be welcomed. Also, has anyone found that their hair curled up tighter after starting the CG method? A few days ago I had these wicked tight curls near my temples (pen width). They've been that tight maybe only once or twice in my life. Will my hair get a little curlier as I progress through the CG method?

Thanks! I've been lurking for quite a while and I've admired your photos. I cannot wait for my curls to finally look well cared for!

Geek_Chic · 07-15-2012, 02:35 PM

Hi Gloriaaa. Early CG can be frustrating while trying to figure out a product combo that works, especially if you're having grease issues because your scalp hasn't toned down the oil production yet. Hang in there! It does get better and easier. I've added comments below in your post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gloriaaa

I've been sulfate and silicone free for a week and a half. It's been tough.

New to the Method
Before CG I used to shampoo, condition, rinse thoroughly, then put in about a nickel sized bit of BioSilk Therapy, and diffuse dry. For sure my CG technique is not good yet, there is a lot to learn. I need to find out how my hair reacts to protein, oils, humectants, and emolients. There's so much to do!

Hair Type
I have super baby fine type 3b hair. A few strands in a cup of water after five mins remained on the surface. So, I guess that means my hair has low-porosity. Since my hair is super baby fine, just looking at it will weigh it down, especially near my scalp.

Fine hair normally likes proteins. You may also need to low poo occasionally, since many fine haired people find that straight cowashing weighs down their hair. You may have better luck using clarifying conditioners as opposed to other sorts. The float test isn't super definitive in determining porosity. Some people with high porosity will have floating hairs, for instance. I did the strand test described here and my results jived with how my hair behaves, so I feel like it was fairly accurate. Evaluating how your hair behaves from day to day and how it's reacted to chemical processes (if any) in the past will generally be more useful in figuring out your porosity than the float test. In the shower, how long does it take to fully wet your hair? How long does it take to dry? Do spray products tend to bead up before absorbing? If the answers to those are a while, a while, and yes, you're probably low porosity. High porosity hair wets and dries quickly, and is often (but not always) damaged from color /perms /heat appliances. Medium porosity hair lies between the two extremes.

If you want a definitive answer on hair properties, try the Hair Analysis on Live Curly live Free. It won't tell you what products to use, but it will tell you what to look for in a product. Fort instance, it'll say whether you need moisture or protein or a mix, and whether or not emollients are a good idea.

Products
I started out using DevaCare No-Poo and One Condition. My hair was clean, nothing too crazy happening. However, I also tried DevaCare Mist-er Right and DevaCare Set it Free, and the results were not good at all. Even though I sprayed them in my hand, using probably about 1/8 tsp., my hair felt filmy, weighed down, and super producty. After some research, I think I'm concluding that it's the glycerin in these products that is no good for my hair. At. All. Since glycerin is high on the ingredients list in the wash and conditioner, I am shelving those products for the time being. Maybe I'll circle back to them once I figure out what I'm doing. My Curl Junkie sample packs just arrived, so I'll dive into those starting tomorrow.

I've seen several comments about the Deva stylers leaving people's hair feeling gooped up and producty, and looking weighed down. If I recall correctly, Set It Free has a wax in it, which could account for the producty feel, depending on how much you used. Also, it could be that your hair dislikes the olive oil in the Set It Free. Many start with Deva products, think they like them, then end up finding other lines they like better.

Glycerin can leave hair feeling sticky when it's humid out. Because it's a humectant, it attracts moisture from the wettest thing in an attempt to hydrate the driest thing. In humid weather, this means it will pull moisture from the air to hydrate your hair. In moist but not overly humid weather, it helps to balance moisture levels in your hair and the air, keeping it hydrated but not overly so. If it's very humid, this can mean it pulls in excessive moisture, leaving your hair looking frizzy /poofy and feeling sticky. Many need to avoid glycerin in styling products, but unless your hair is very glycerin sensitive, it's probably fine in rinse out products like shampoo and conditioner. In the middle of a shower (very moist air), the glycerin will pull in lots of moisture, which will super hydrate your hair, but once rinsed out, the effects don't continue to linger.

Technique
In the CG DVD that came with the book, the models were putting a ton of conditioner in their hair, and then not really rinsing it out at all, and then putting in leave-in conditioner afterward!!! I'm afraid to try this. Does this work for fine hair? How about the use of *gulp* hair gel? In the video those models were using a freaking crap ton of hair gel. My eyes popped out of my head. But their hair ended up looking beautiful, so it obviously works.

Tweak your product amounts to suit your hair. Not everyone's tresses can tolerate large amounts of product without looking weighed down and/or producty. I have some fine strands myself, mixed in with medium ones, and I prefer to completely rinse out my conditioner, then add some back in as a leave in if I need one. I feel like I have better control over the amount of conditioner left in my hair that way. Depending on your moisture levels, you may be able to get away without using a leave in, or you might like a spray leave in product rather than a creamy one. Also, as your hair adjusts to CG, you may also be able to use less conditioner and get the same results.

I always use a hard hold gel on my hair, since my hair clumps and curls better with one. For me, a hard hold gel holds my curls while they dry so they don't droop due to water weight, then it dries to a crunch which I can easily scrunch out (SOTC). I'm fairly light handed with product, but I maybe use a quarter size blob for my armpit length hair, 2 quarters worth if it's humid out and I need more hold. It's a trade off though, because more gel gives me better humidity resistance, but too much leaves my hair looking a bit weighed down, on top especially, where I'm prone to flat top anyway.

Advice?
Any advice from super fine-haired curlies would be welcomed. Also, has anyone found that their hair curled up tighter after starting the CG method? A few days ago I had these wicked tight curls near my temples (pen width). They've been that tight maybe only once or twice in my life. Will my hair get a little curlier as I progress through the CG method?

CG did enhance my curls somewhat, but it was fairly healthy to start with, so I didn't see a radical change. My hair is better hydrated, and feels and looks better, and my naked hair now looks better than my pre-CG hair with curl cream and gel. I didn't get any kind of 2c to 3b jump in curl quality, but I would say that my 2c /3a hair is more 2c /3a now than pre-CG, if that makes sense.

Thanks! I've been lurking for quite a while and I've admired your photos. I cannot wait for my curls to finally look well cared for!

bringingcurliesback? · 07-15-2012, 03:05 PM

Hi Gloria, I just got back onto NaturallyCurly after two years, and its great to be back C:
Okay, I have 3aish hair with some pieces that are more 3b and some that are ridiculously wavy. I think you should try a cheaper low-poo/conditioner washing conditioner. Not only will it save you money, but since these are "waterier" (is that even a word?), they tend to clean your hair without drying too much. Depending on your hair, you should experiment with this and see if it would moisturize enough. I use Vo5 conditioner to do this and it gets the job done but if I feel I need a little moisture I use it as a leave in also, or I use a "richer" conditioner afterword. Another thing you can do is do a deep treatment once a week and cowash throughout the week. Since you have fine hair you don't want to weigh it down with moisture all the time, so you can just make up for it when you do deep condititioning. Keep in mind when you wash your hair your going to put products in it after anyways (so you can use stuff that is more moisturizing then)- speaking of styling products try aloe vera gel!!! I remember when I started I would just scrunch some aloe vera gel into my hair (I used to use Fruit of the Earth from my drugstore)- but if you need extra hold add a mousse or gel overtop and that will give you the extra kick of moisture after the V05. Experiment and let me know if you have any questions.

So here it is a recap and a few tips/reccomendations:
try low-pooing with Vo5 (add a richerconditioner or use this as a leave in if your hair feels really dry)
try aloe vera gel to style your hair-or as a primer for other products
try the pixie curl method with a blow dryer (or even use a diffuser with your blow dryer off to add nicer curl)
try a deep conditioning treatment once a week (keep in mind you can make these yourself or buy them)-you could even kick it up to once a month or every two weeks depending on your needs

Well there you have it, let me know what you think!
And don't be shy if I didn't explain something thoroughly or you still need help. Good luck!!

mhen76 · 07-15-2012, 05:54 PM

Welcome, Gloriaaa! We have similar hair properties. I agree with the other posters but have a few things to add. I started off using Deva products with the same results you are having. My hair felt gummy. For me, it wasn't the glycerin, it was the Deva products themselves. My hair loves glycerin and it's a great way for my to control frizz. LOOB (L'Oreal Out of Bed) and EcoStyler both have glycerin and they are great stylers for me.

Fine hair does like protein as Geek_Chic mentioned. Here's a great recipe for a treatment: PT recipe - as promised

Fine hair also is prone to getting overconditioned. It's all a matter of finding the right balance of moisture and protein. Hang in there! It will all come together with some patience and experimenting!

earthnut · 07-16-2012, 10:48 PM

The float test is an unreliable way to measure hair porosity. See this site: http://scienceyhairblog.blogspot.com...e-sort-of.html

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2c/3a, M, ii, porous, good elasticity, APL, silvery dark brown.
Love coconut oil, olive oil, and Everyday Shea!