sheilacurl

I straightened my hair for the first time in about 3 years because a girl I work with has been bugging me to do it so I finally gave in. I thought my hair was relatively healthy until I saw it straight!

It looks so unhealthy...straw-like, frizzy and no shine whatsoever. I even added some KCKT and some sweet almond oil to "smooth" it out as I don't have any more silicone-filled serums in my arsenal anymore.

I've been low-pooing, deep-conditioning, doing protein treatments and using nothing but the best CJ conditioners but this was a reality check on how unhealthy my hair really is.

__________________
~ MI curly ~
2c-3a baby fine, porous (?), low density
mid-back length and letting it grow
modified cg since July 2009

Low Poos: SM Moisture Retention, Elucence Moisture Benefits, Yes 2 Cucumbers
Clarifier: CHS Treatment Shampoo
Rinse Out: CJ Beauticurls, CJ Argan, CJ Smoothing
Leave-in: KCKT
Protein: SSPRT, Gelatin
DT: CJ Rehab
Stylers: CJCQ, CK, KCCC, UFDCM, I have too many to list
Scalp Treatments: Brown Sugar mixed with any cheap condish helps me with my itchies

anonymous_22139

Your hair isn't unhealthy, it's curly. It is beautiful!

Curly hair because of its nature, does't reflect light in the same way that straight hair does. Each strand is flattened instead of round and so it will look different, even though you straighten it.

Don't make the mistake of thinking there is something wrong with your hair just because it doesn't do things that are against its nature.

__________________

hippiechik

Your hair looks beautifully healthy in the curly state - the way it's made to be.
+1 on Kitschy's post!

sheilacurl

Oh thank goodness it's ok that it doesn't look shiny. But it really does feel like straw and I can't wait to give it a hot oil treatment tomorrow night!

The first thing my boss said to me this morning was, "Wow Sheila, what did you do to your hair? It sure looks like you could use a trim, looks like you have a lot of split ends."

So I'm sorry if I'm a little paranoid, lol.

By the way, I don't want to be accused of fishing for compliments!

beeduh

The last two times I've straightened my hair since going CG in Feb. my hair felt like straw. It wasn't smooth like I use to get it when I straightened it a lot and it felt extremely dry. I was glad to wear it curly again after both times.

__________________
combination hair.
2c on top - low elasticity
3a&b scattered underneath - normal elasticity.
fine texture. thin density. A lot of it.
porosity: normal to high.
loves protein and moisture.

products may vary. i'm a PJ.
loving Curl Junkie, Curly Kinks, and AS I Am.

RingletTeenLove

I kept my hair curly all summer and had the same problem when I straightened it. Its no bigie
________________________________
3b/3c/4a
Needs A lot Of Moisture.

sheilacurl

Interesting…now I'm wondering…could it just be that my hair is in much better condition from doing a modified curly girl routine that the damage I did from straightening is much more noticeable? Does that sound stupid?

When I straightened my hair before CG, I don't remember such a drastic change from super soft to super rough…maybe the silicone serum just masked the damage?

The strange thing is, is that I'm getting a lot of compliments on my hair from people who see me on a daily basis when I think it looks damaged and frizzy. Which makes me think that I don't have good curly hair days because I never get compliments on it when I think it looks shiny and healthy. uuuuuugh.

rymorg2

That doesn't sound stupid at all.

One thing I do when I straighten (which as a wavy I do occasionally but I'm modified so I just use a low poo that has cocomidapropyl betaine in it to remove cones afterwards) is still use cones. I don't think they're terrible, they have their uses, but that's the only time I use them. You're right your silicone serum probably just masked your damage.

As a stylist, I'm uber paranoid about my hair. So I totally relate.

__________________

Cosmetology Educator with sensitivities, eczema and Seborrheic Dermatitis.
Ingredients Maven
Products: Free and Clear sulfate free poo and condish, Theraneem Sulfate Free Shampoo/Condish, Unscented SSCEJ, Coconut oil, Camellia oil, Argan oil
Lady Karaan, High Priestess of Hayr Tretements in the Order of Curly Crusaders
Fotki updated 10/12/10 Password: wavy

kash123

no i think your hairs is very beautiful shiny and strong i have also like this hairs...

__________________
kashi.ca

mooglieboo

I wouldn't worry about it! maybe get yourself some good scissors and dust for split ends if you think that comment had some truth to it. Btw, am I the only person whose scalp hurts for about a day after straightening my hair? I rarely do it but recently it was a literal pain for the first 24 hours o___O

__________________

CurlyIndianGirl

I had the same issue, I straightened after about 1 and half year of CG and my hair looked straw like and dry and even more poofy. After doing one side of my hair, I gave up straightening and went ahead and washed my hair. To my surprise all the shine came back in my curly hair.

Now I wear my hair curly all the time, no more trial straightening!!

__________________
3a with some 2a-2c, Medium/Low Porosity
Co-wash:deva no-poo/Vo5 kiwi
Detangle:Suave
Leave-in:Shea Moisture/GVP conditioning Balm/AOHSR

Since long hair- I finger twist in big chunks, which helps till 5th day hair
Gel:LA sports
Plop: Old T-shirt for 15 minutes ,diffuse

sheilacurl

HAHAHA, I should have done the same thing! The whole time I was blowdrying it straight I was cringing. I should have stopped after the first few passes and hopped right back in the shower

sheilacurl

Hi mooglieboo, I am going to go for a trim on my next day off the island. I got looking and saw a few here and there, but not enough for her comment. Everything was just standing on end because I didn't have any serums ( to smooth things down. I guess I have a lot of breakage though.

Yeah my scalp hurt also, too much pulling and tugging! Plus my wrists and fingers hurt from holding onto the hairdryer for so long, lol