Frequent issue with me--nothing is working, thinking of giving up :(

modelKTford · 08-08-2012, 03:43 PM

Hello all! Most of you probably have seen me around continually asking for advice--I love this place.

However, I'm back for more--been having some pretty serious disappointment lately. Currently, I'm using Suave Naturals Coconut condish and this really great Trader Joe's Nourish conditioner as a LI/RO. I decided to make it simple, so I tried out this Whole Foods Beautiful Curls Curl Cream along with that Suave Salons Captivating Curls Spray gel.

Here's what it looked like the first day I tried it.

Naturally, I was thrilled.

I have done the SAME exact thing, SAME exact products, for like two weeks since, and it has not looked remotely like that since.

It gets really limp and stringy and not really ringlet-y, not that I can get it to do that anyway. :/ I try to do the IA Girl protein thing pretty often, but it still doesn't seem to be helping--I don't really have a strong curl pattern, and I know it sounds pathetic, but any time I go out and see anyone, even super cute little girls with gorgeous ringlets, I'm happy for them and sad for me because I wish I could just have nice hair and not have to fuss over it like I feel like I'm doing with no results.
:/

It got cut a little too short awhile ago and I'm growing it back a little, but I feel like nothing is really helping. I diffuse it hopefully, end up disappointed and just put it up in a bun.

I know it's probably silly to be so worked up over hair, but it's one of my favorite things to play with and I just want it to look nice.

Does anyone have any recommendations or ideas? I can't figure out why I seem to have this issue where I try a product once and it works beautifully and then never again. I'm pretty positive my hair doesn't like glycerin what with this desert heat, but I'm running out of things to try and money to try them with :/

Any help is appreciated--sorry if it sounds negative, but I'm sure almost everyone has gone through a period of being so sad that their hair doesn't want to cooperate even a little.

Corrina777 · 08-08-2012, 03:53 PM

There are plenty of people who find that they need to rotate products for best results. The only time I use the same products multiple days in a row is if I'm intentionally trying to kill stash and not really as concerned with how my hair looks. Also, you might want to rotate in a low-poo. Many wavies, especially those with finer hair, find that they cannot co-wash exclusively. Some wavies skip co-washing altogther and just use low-poo or even rotate in a gentle sulfate shampoo once in a while. I know you've been frustrated for a while and I really hope you're able to find something that works for you.

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modelKTford · 08-08-2012, 04:07 PM

Thanks

For a little bit I was trying out this Trader Joe's shampoo...but my scalp started itching unbearably, and once I stopped using it, it went away--so I'm currently on the market for new shampoo

Jas76 · 08-08-2012, 04:55 PM

I second Corrina's suggestion on rotating.

I also agree that a mix of low-poo and co-wash might be helpful.

I co-wash with suave nats coconut, or suave nats clarifying, or vo5 kiwi lime.

I low-poo with either SMR or Renpure organics keratin. (I've also done well with Organix Shea, too.)

For a RO, I used to use GFTN before the formula change, now I'll use Renpure Organics Argan oil or Keratin, and GVPCB.

Every 2 weeks (or once a week, if needed), I use a low sulfate poo to clarify, and I'll do a gelatin PT and a DT (I use a mix of my RO's with some honey and EVOO and/or EVCO mixed in.)

So I definitely rotate my poos and condishes!

Stylers I don't vary as much on.

When you co-wash, do you rinse throughly before applying a RO (or LI, if you skip RO)? That can make a huge difference.

I've never had good results with curl creams, so maybe rotating that would be helpful. (or perhaps just less on the 2nd day of using it? Idk.)

Is your hair dry? Does it like protein?

modelKTford · 08-08-2012, 05:04 PM

It isn't very dry---seems to like protein, but very weak. :/ I want it to have tight, nice ringlets, but basically the tiniest touch or puff of wind makes it all fall apart into kind of awkward little half-kinks. I might try easing up on the curl cream--I only use a tiny, pea-sized amount though, so maybe it's just not the stuff for me?

Jas76 · 08-08-2012, 05:59 PM

Hmm... Well, my curls used to blow out in the wind, and actually droop as the day went on. Turns out they were indeed drying out, though they didn't feel that dry to me.

I had to up the protein AND the moisture. Lots of LI, too. Seal with an oil - usually MO, gel on very wet hair, scrunch out the excess with a tee or MF towel, then scrunch a tiny bit of a different hard gel mixed with some more LI or oil, then plop.

Of course that's after the stuff I told you earlier.

I'm wondering if perhaps you aren't using a hard enough hold gel? And if perhaps moisture loss is an issue, since you say it's weak, which could mean porous.

If it IS porous, moisture is key, along with protein for increasing strength. The only thing that made a HUGE difference for me was MO. Just a couple drops mixed with your LI will help seal. You won't have build up issues if you are low-pooing fairly regularly. (even once a week is likely enough, though everyone is different.)

You may find rotation helping, still. Either you wash/condish routine, your styling routine, or both.

Hope some of this helps!!

Corrina777 · 08-08-2012, 06:17 PM

I'm going to second Jas76 on the MO. It's made a huge difference for me.

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jaclyn15 · 08-08-2012, 06:26 PM

What is MO?

Corrina777 · 08-08-2012, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaclyn15

What is MO?

Mineral oil. It frequently gets a bad rap here, but gets very positive reviews on Long Hair Community. I've been sealing with baby oil almost daily for almost two months and it's helped not just with frizz, but also with tangles.

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Jas76 · 08-08-2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corrina777

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaclyn15

What is MO?

Mineral oil. It frequently gets a bad rap here, but gets very positive reviews on Long Hair Community. I've been sealing with baby oil almost daily for almost two months and it's helped not just with frizz, but also with tangles.

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Yes yes and yes!!!! Helps with frizz, holds moisture in, holds humidity out, and keeps the dreaded nape-snarls at bay!

Not to sound dramatic, but it was a life-changer! (when it came to my hair, that is! Lol!)

Jas76 · 08-08-2012, 07:49 PM

Oh, meant to add that whenever my hair just gets ucky and uncooperative, I clarify, then do a PT and mini-DT. It sort of "resets" my hair!

Good luck!!

wavymom · 08-08-2012, 09:28 PM

Shampoo suggestions: Shea Moisture! And I can't recommend them personally, but a lot of people love the Renpure shampoos (and conditioners). And many wavies love the CHS Treatment shampoo (which does have sulfate but which is supposedly more gentle than most low-poos).

I agree with jas in terms of 'rebooting' your hair with clarifying wash, then PT, then DT. Also, ACV rinses sometimes help me.

ETA: Oh! Also, I love love love L'Oreal's Evercreme Cleansing Conditioner. A moisturizing alternative to a low-poo; more cleansing than regular co-washes but far less stripping than a low-poo. This has become one of my HG products. I don't use it every wash, but most.

HuptyDumpty · 08-09-2012, 06:49 AM

Maybe your hair doesn't like proteins. I have read in the long hair community that a lot of people get nice results when first put but after days not. Look for some balance in the protein and moisture..this article helped me a lot
The Fine Art of Protein and Moisture Balancing for Black Hair Care - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com

Btw don't give up! Your hair is so beautiful!