Medium texture, normal porosity and elasticity...let's share! - Page 2

maycon55 · 02-16-2013, 12:25 PM

texture-medium/fine, porosity-normal, elasticity-normal

I haven't been on this site since Sept 2012. I logged on today and realized that I first went on my CG journey in 07/2011. WOW, time flies.

After first trying the Deva products, I found that my hair did not like protein. While everyone had rave reviews for Deva, it left my hair feeling like a brillo pad.

I conditioned like crazy, switched to products with NO protein, and my hair improved (as much as it can in HOT/HUMID Houston). A couple of months ago I Chopped 6 inches off ( it was mid-back) and instead of improving my hair, my hair got worse. Although it felt soft, it was always frizzy (looked frizzy even when wet) and now my 3a/3b curls were looking more like 2c/3a. It finally dawned on me today what the problem could be... LACK of Protein. I did a protein treatment today and although I cannot say that my hair is super curly, I did get some of my bounce back and I am noticing much less frizz. Hmmm... go figure.

Throughout this time though, the products that I use have not changed. I still love all the products in my signature (GVP Conditioning Balm as well). I guess I will just have to do a protein treatment maybe once or twice a month.

KCCC is a bit heavy for my weak curl pattern, but it is the only gel that does not leave my hair feeling sticky or coated so i keep using it. I still haven't tried Curl Keeper although I have been dying to forever. Maybe I will splurge this summer.

Curlsnswirls · 02-16-2013, 04:48 PM

I hope your hair improves and gets back to "normal" soon.
You just reminded me I probably need to do a protein treatment too....and possibly a DT.
Still using the products in my siggy with success. I need to go through all my extras and get rid of the products I don't use anymore.

ltdeforrest · 02-17-2013, 02:14 PM

curlsnswirls: I'm wondering if you still use the Truepolaris FSG or just the BB? I've been considering BB' s FSG or Mudd for awhile, but the Truepolaris curly gel looks intriguing. Do you use the custom version of either? If so, what do you add?

We aren't perfect hair twins, but we do have similar properties; mine is fine, normal to low porosity, normal elasticity. I live in rainy Washington State so our climate is different. I also have to be very careful with protein and I have to avoid glycerin completely. I have had the most success with Jessicurl Too Shea (RO/LI) and Weekly Deep treatment (RO), but most of her styling products have glycerin so I can't use them. I really like the JC Confident coils( JCCC), but I get white flakes by the end of the day. That's why I thought I might like the Truepolaris, since it has Mag Sulfate in it like the JCCC. My hair seems to really like it. My favorite gels are Uncle Funky' s Daughter Curly Magic ( UFDCM) and CJ Pattern Pusha (CJPP), but UFDCM is very expensive with shipping (you get a nice large bottle though) and CJPP gives me inconsistent results. I hope you don't mind if I "stalk" you a little bit.

Curlsnswirls · 02-17-2013, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltdeforrest

curlsnswirls: I'm wondering if you still use the Truepolaris FSG or just the BB? I've been considering BB' s FSG or Mudd for awhile, but the Truepolaris curly gel looks intriguing. Do you use the custom version of either? If so, what do you add?

We aren't perfect hair twins, but we do have similar properties; mine is fine, normal to low porosity, normal elasticity. I live in rainy Washington State so our climate is different. I also have to be very careful with protein and I have to avoid glycerin completely. I have had the most success with Jessicurl Too Shea (RO/LI) and Weekly Deep treatment (RO), but most of her styling products have glycerin so I can't use them. I really like the JC Confident coils( JCCC), but I get white flakes by the end of the day. That's why I thought I might like the Truepolaris, since it has Mag Sulfate in it like the JCCC. My hair seems to really like it. My favorite gels are Uncle Funky' s Daughter Curly Magic ( UFDCM) and CJ Pattern Pusha (CJPP), but UFDCM is very expensive with shipping (you get a nice large bottle though) and CJPP gives me inconsistent results. I hope you don't mind if I "stalk" you a little bit.

Replied to your PM

.
I forgot to mention, I LOVE tresseme naturals moisturizing conditioner. I use it as a rinse out mainly but also as a co-wash and a leave in. Still loving my TruePolaris FSG and BB's FSG and mudd. TruePoaris I get her regular formula...BB's I prefer the "foolproof" version. HTH.

I'm also liking UFDCM and Curl Queen. Another favorite is KCCC. I've only tried CJPP once or twice, so nt sure about that. AOMM is good as well.

Curlsnswirls · 02-21-2013, 08:21 AM

Added a couple new Stylers!

morninglorie · 02-26-2013, 07:56 AM

Out of curiosity, how often do you guys do a PT/DT? I'm still trying to figure out my moisture/protein balance and I think it would help to work out a "routine" that seems common for my hair type

Curlsnswirls · 02-26-2013, 02:42 PM

This probably won't help you, but I'm pretty inconsistent when it comes to PT or DT's. I was doing them about once every 7-10 days and my hair loved it but somewhere along the way I got busy, distracted, lazy....and now just do them when I think about it. I kinda go according to how my hair feels.

When im consistent, I like to do atleast a DT once a week and a protein maybe every 10 days. I do use products and conditioners with protein so don't do PT's that often. This reminds me I need to purchase some CJ Repair me, I've heard great things about it. Sometimes instead of a DT I do a heavy oiling with either coconut oil or EVOO. I slather my hair and let it sit for about an hour and then wash as normal. My hair loves it!

Curlsnswirls · 02-26-2013, 04:36 PM

Tried the L.A. looks power spikes gel over moptop yesterday and my hair turned out very nice..soft and shiny!!! I love that it has no glycerin.(altough my hair tolerates it in moderate amounts)....don't care for the scent, although it doesn't linger after hair is dry. I also picked up a bottle of LALSG to try out one more time...the bottle I tried before was very old. I'm willing to give it another go since its so cheap.

I want to try the L.A. looks nutra gel but can't find it locally. I may break down and order it online. I really like to have inexpensive products I can get locally just in case I run out of my good stuff. I picked up one more styler, SM smoothie. I plan to use it as a curl cream.
Anyone else use the SM smoothie? How do you use it and what is your favorite combo?? Also any of the LA gels..thanks!

After testing out the LA gels, smoothie and recently ordered Mop C curl cream...I should be done experimenting for a while.
I've realized I keep coming back to my good old favorites that do not let me down. There are some products that I just had to try but again, want to stick to my favorites.
I'm also so excited that iherb carries kinky curly products!!!! The whole foods I have bought mine from before is almost an hour away, so this makes it nice..plus they have discount codes and you can earn points.
On with the experimenting.......

kurlygurly · 02-26-2013, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morninglorie

Out of curiosity, how often do you guys do a PT/DT? I'm still trying to figure out my moisture/protein balance and I think it would help to work out a "routine" that seems common for my hair type

My protein treatments are far and few between and they're pretty lite at that. I do a DT about every 10-20 days.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

morninglorie · 02-27-2013, 11:19 AM

Thanks y'all, that does help! I do need to be more regular about DTs for sure. I'm such a slacker-pants. My hair doesn't seem to have the typical reactions to protein and OCing as most people though. Boo!

To answer product questions--the only LA Looks gel I've tried is the Sports Gel, and it does alright, but I live where there are low dews so the glycerin is often a problem. I'd really love to find something with lots of hold (I like crunch) and low humectants.

Curlsnswirls · 02-27-2013, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morninglorie

Thanks y'all, that does help! I do need to be more regular about DTs for sure. I'm such a slacker-pants. My hair doesn't seem to have the typical reactions to protein and OCing as most people though. Boo!

To answer product questions--the only LA Looks gel I've tried is the Sports Gel, and it does alright, but I live where there are low dews so the glycerin is often a problem. I'd really love to find something with lots of hold (I like crunch) and low humectants.

I live in a dry climate where the dews are low as well. I can actually use products with glycerin even in the winter as long as (1) the glycerin is at least
The 4th ingredient or lower in a product and (2) I use a more moisturizing leave in under/with it. The LA looks power spike gel didn't really have a super strong hold but it still worked nicely. BRHG is definitely a strong hold gel. I use no more than a nickel size of it for my tailbone length hair. I usually use it on top of my regular gel or I've had success mixing it with AOMM.

morninglorie · 02-27-2013, 07:46 PM

Quote:

I live in a dry climate where the dews are low as well. I can actually use products with glycerin even in the winter as long as (1) the glycerin is at least
The 4th ingredient or lower in a product and (2) I use a more moisturizing leave in under/with it. The LA looks power spike gel didn't really have a super strong hold but it still worked nicely. BRHG is definitely a strong hold gel. I use no more than a nickel size of it for my tailbone length hair. I usually use it on top of my regular gel or I've had success mixing it with AOMM.

Ohh! I'll keep that in mind about the glycerin. My hair seemed happier off the LA Looks, but I'll try to pair it with a heavier leave in and see what happens. Turns out I also haven't been using nearly enough LI either, so that probably didn't help!

I've been wanting to try both BRHG and AOMM! You're going to pass your experimenting bug on to me

Product update-wise, recently I've been trying HETT over my FSG and have been liking it pretty well. I'm not getting the super floof and producty feel that AIF seemed to give me, at least on day 1. However, my second day hair is NOT good--I lose the clumps and definition and it starts to feel gross. BUT, I added some coconut oil into my FSG, so that might also be contributing to the grosser 2nd day hair.

Curlsnswirls · 02-27-2013, 10:35 PM

KCCC gives me the best 2nd day and sometimes 3rd day hair. The only other product that assures good 2nd day hair for me is BRHG on top of or mixed with another gel/jelly. Otherwise, my 2nd day hair is..meh....as far as definition goes. Sometimes that's ok since I will wear it up for the most part.

The experimenting bug goes back and forth...back and forth..

Somehow I feel like I need to try out every new combo I see at least once.

Please update when you get to experiment some more. Speaking of experiments....I'm going to test out my newly acquired Mop C curl cream tomorrow since its wash day.

Curlsnswirls · 04-14-2013, 02:02 PM

Just wanted to say that I am absolutely LOVING UFDCM!!!! I love it more than KCCC. I just ordered more because I do not want to be without it. Every time I use it my hair turns out fabulous!! I may have to clear out my cabinets and stick with just a few styling products. This has been working so consistently for me and I don't even need a hard loading gel with it! My daughter is loving it too. If it works in the summer, than I'm completely sold. Since the average dews are around 30, I'm hoping this will work year round.

FloridaCurly · 04-16-2013, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curlsnswirls

Just wanted to say that I am absolutely LOVING UFDCM!!!! I love it more than KCCC. I just ordered more because I do not want to be without it. Every time I use it my hair turns out fabulous!! I may have to clear out my cabinets and stick with just a few styling products. This has been working so consistently for me and I don't even need a hard loading gel with it! My daughter is loving it too. If it works in the summer, than I'm completely sold. Since the average dews are around 30, I'm hoping this will work year round.

I got a sample of UFDCM from Kathymack and, like you, I absolutely love it! So far I have also tried KCCC, CK Coil Jam, CRN Aloe Whipped Butter Gel, CK, CJCIAB and CK. I really liked CK for fighting frizz in combo with BHRG for hold but as the dew points rose they were not working. I went back to the samples and products I bought to see what might work, tried a few things and concluded I needed to stay away from glycerin in the higher dew points so I went back to glycerin-free UFDCM and it is by far the best! I just ordered two bottles (saved on some shipping!) but they are back ordered until the 25th - I am bummed about that. As far as the higher dew points are concerned Central Florida's have been above 65 (and I believe are usually in the 70's in the summer) for the past few weeks and I believe are here to stay until late fall and so far the UFDCM is doing a great job in them.

Curlsnswirls · 04-22-2013, 11:07 PM

So I've been applying my products to dripping wet hair as instructed in the Curly Girl book by Lorraine Massey and wow!! I know I've mentioned before on other threads that my hair did not do well when applying product to super wet hair...I was so wrong!!! Apparently I was not applying enough gel and was not scrunching enough. I've been doing this for 2 weeks (maybe more?) and get fabulous results every time!!!! I get a lot of definition, minimal to no frizz, shine, etc. and I'm so thrilled!!! I actually used LALSG (on one side of my hair) over a leave in + oil to seal on both sides and LALPSG on the other half and my hair turned out fabulous!!! I used a lot more gel than I have tried before and I'm impressed. I will see how second day hair fairs but I think I'm really going to love these gels! I wanted atleast one of the LA gels to work for me since they are easy to find locally and so inexpensive. I've had such great results and the dews have been super low..

I've been applying products to dripping wet hair, scrunch..scrunch..scrunching...scrunching with my CLU cloth and then diffusing to 90%(?). LOVING the results!!
I use a leave-in + oil (usually MO+Argan or sweet almond), curl cream (MopC or MDCSC), and gel (variety).

Curlsnswirls · 05-11-2013, 10:59 AM

I'm still loving LALSG!!! I haven't used the power spikes in a while since I'm loving the results with the sports gel. I cannot get over how much I'm loving this gel. I was not using it correctly before and that's why I could not get it to work for me. I'm sooooo glad I revisited this gel. I have to end up using 3-4 tablespoon, sometimes more for it to work but its so worth it. It's inexpensive as it is, so no problem there. It gives me defined, soft, shiny hair...what more could I want? I still love many of my other products but this has quickly become a "top 5" favorite gel.

I did get a chance to use it in low dews but not really during the winter. If it works in the winter time.....

I love that I can use it with just a leave-in+a few drops of oil and top with LALSG...=fantastic hair!!! Today I did top that with a squirt of Gel-les'C and wow that helped with clumps!!!

Also, I'm still styling in really wet hair. This technique has really made a difference for my hair. I noticed even when the forecast said "tricky" curls I still had great hair, a little less volume, but still great hair.

Yay for great hair days!!!