Naturals who do not protective style

TiffanyInez · 11-06-2009, 12:00 PM

What do you do? I am currently a college student. I am not able to do many protective styles and do not care for them much. I want to wear my hair out, but I still want to retain length. I do not know what to do. I am in a war with my hair, and I am losing. It has gotten to the point that I want to relax or texlax my hair. This morning I got so mad that I roughly combed my hair which resulted in the breaking of my favorite comb and the loss of hair. I just do not know what to do once again. I need some advice or I am making an appointment to get my hair relaxed. Thank you for your time.

hippychic · 11-06-2009, 12:07 PM

what about a rollerset?

TiffanyInez · 11-06-2009, 12:12 PM

I have curlformers, but the set does not come out right. I think the problem is that I need to see length. Shrinkage is not allowing me that opportunity. That's why a relaxer seems appealing right now. I am putting too much time and effort into my hair. When it does not come out right, my whole mood changes. I don't want that to happen anymore.

Sandy Coils · 11-06-2009, 12:24 PM

Don't use the chemicals just yet! Stop and take a deep breath. I rarely do protective styles for my hair and I am seeing some great growth results (IMO).

I do a co-ash & go nearly every day just because my hair looks better if I wet it every day. Have you tried that? How much moisture are you incorporating into your routine? Although the weather is cooling off (I'm not sure where you are located), you can still wet your hair even if you just mist it with a water and essential oil combo.

Take a little more time with your hair. You didn't come all this way to go back to chemicals - and that will not make it easier for you.

I'm going to suggest co-washing with a cheapie conditioner (I use Suave Naturals Coconut or Vanilla Floral) for a few days just to see of that makes a difference with your hair. When you rinse the conditioner, do so in cool/cold water and then apply whatever product it is that you use to style our hair.

If you want, you can PM me and I would be happy to share my routine if you are interested. You can also visit my Fotki.

Good Luck.

TiffanyInez · 11-06-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Coils

Don't use the chemicals just yet! Stop and take a deep breath. I rarely do protective styles for my hair and I am seeing some great growth results (IMO).

I do a co-ash & go nearly every day just because my hair looks better if I wet it every day. Have you tried that? How much moisture are you incorporating into your routine? Although the weather is cooling off (I'm not sure where you are located), you can still wet your hair even if you just mist it with a water and essential oil combo.

Take a little more time with your hair. You didn't come all this way to go back to chemicals - and that will not make it easier for you.

I'm going to suggest co-washing with a cheapie conditioner (I use Suave Naturals Coconut or Vanilla Floral) for a few days just to see of that makes a difference with your hair. When you rinse the conditioner, do so in cool/cold water and then apply whatever product it is that you use to style our hair.

If you want, you can PM me and I would be happy to share my routine if you are interested. You can also visit my Fotki.

Good Luck.

Thank you for the advice. I actually go to school in Atlanta. The weather is real crazy right now. I'd like to know your routine. Is it on your fotki?

intransition...again · 11-06-2009, 12:42 PM

Right now, my hair is too short to pull back into a bun, so I pin back the front and wear the back out. I use head bands, scarves, clips. . .I also finger twist my hair right after washing and leaving in a good amount of conditioner. This seems to give me some length, but I don't like how the finger twists look on me. I get a lot of shrinkage with wash and go's, but I don't care at this point. I hope that when I have more length, I can do twist outs and roller sets.

subbrock · 11-06-2009, 01:06 PM

nevermind

Sandy Coils · 11-06-2009, 01:13 PM

Ah, ok, I'm in the ATL too.

So, you could continue to wet or co-wash a few times a week if not daily just to see if it works for you.

Also, henna has helped alot in making my hair easier to manage. I get alot less tangles and more definition. The henna has also helped to suppres shrinkage in some areas of my hair but not all of them.

You still have a lot of options available.

Lynnery · 11-06-2009, 01:39 PM

I don't do protective styles either. I tried wearing extensions but my hair doesn't care for them. Plus my hair needs moisture daily so I co-wash daily.

I agree with Sandy Coils. Get a conditioner like Suave coconut, Aussie moist, or Lustrasilk shea butter & mango. These work well for me. Keep your hair moisturized, seal with an oil and your hair will still retain length.

Mslizzia · 11-06-2009, 02:03 PM

OMG DO NOT DO IT! I REPEAT DO NOT PUT CHEMICALS TO YOUR HAIR!

I can totally relate to you because i am a college student myself. I know, i know it get so hard to be broke all the time but you need to try doing styles that last for like 3 months at a time. That's what i did when i transitioned. I attached some pics of the styles that i have done.

I have a protective style in right now

millie_(A)TCK · 11-06-2009, 02:06 PM

is it really necessary to protective style? I rarely do, come to think of it I totally postpone cutting my ends for months which is indeed quite wrong.:P
My hair loves water so I co-wash everyday, use CG products to style and I either seal my hair with castor oil or layer Qhemets burdock root butter creme untop of styled hair. I take supplements. Once a week I put a deep treatment like AOHSR. Twice a week at night I oil my hair with coconut oil or vatika oil. My hair is growing but I stopped caring about all that. When I hennaed my grew very fast but it made my hair texture courser so I stopped. Don't go back to a relaxer, its never worth it.

Mslizzia · 11-06-2009, 02:18 PM

Ok so these are my 2 current protective styles. I just style the hair different. The curly look is a rollerset.

I hope this helps! It lats 4- 6 weeks too

Mslizzia · 11-06-2009, 02:32 PM

Oh and i meant to post this one up. It's the main one. LOL. This is a pic of my hair earlier this year when i decided to transition again. It's a bantu knot out. You can try this if you don't want to do protective styles

Bantu Knot Out
Knot Out Results 2
Knot Out Results 3
Knot Out Results 4

DBOO75115 · 11-06-2009, 04:40 PM

I agree with the other ladies, co-washing really does help. I have to co-wash everyday or every two days and I only manipulate my hair wet, and usually only in the shower with condish.

And don't fight your hair. If your comb breaks, either get a wider tooth comb or use your fingers. I really had to learn to not fight it and find what works. Remember you probably didn't have perfect hair everyday with a relaxer either.

And if it still looks crazy... put a scarf on, tie it up nicely, put on some great earrings, throw on some make-up, and keep it movin'!

Good luck

CoilyKinks436 · 11-06-2009, 06:10 PM

I co-wash everyday and my hair seems to prefer this.

I use a cheap condish for co-washing, slather that on as a leave in and then add a moisturizer or butter (I like shea butter and/or Darcy's Botanicals Madagascar Vanilla Cream) and top it off with Kinky Curly Curling Custard.

Work with your hair and see which products best suit you, but please, PLEASE don't resort to chemicals.

Mslizzia · 11-06-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoilyKinks436

I co-wash everyday and my hair seems to prefer this.

I use a cheap condish for co-washing, slather that on as a leave in and then add a moisturizer or butter (I like shea butter and/or Darcy's Botanicals Madagascar Vanilla Cream) and top it off with Kinky Curly Curling Custard.

Work with your hair and see which products best suit you, but please, PLEASE don't resort to chemicals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBOO75115

I agree with the other ladies, co-washing really does help. I have to co-wash everyday or every two days and I only manipulate my hair wet, and usually only in the shower with condish.

And don't fight your hair. If your comb breaks, either get a wider tooth comb or use your fingers. I really had to learn to not fight it and find what works. Remember you probably didn't have perfect hair everyday with a relaxer either.

And if it still looks crazy... put a scarf on, tie it up nicely, put on some great earrings, throw on some make-up, and keep it movin'!

Good luck

Wow ya learn something new everyday, and here i am thinking i was out of my damn mind for co-washing everyday. Hmm.. ya learn something new everyday

* Back to the OP*

I agree with everyone else too. Cowashing makes a difference like you wouldn't believe. It's not just talking. There is a difference in your hair when you wash it in conditioner.

I hope all of our tips help you stay on track, just don't use chemicals.. please

TiffanyInez · 11-06-2009, 10:40 PM

I want to thank you ladies for all the advice. The thing with co-washing is that we cannot wash our hair in the shower

We have to use the kimono room. I would do it more often if it wasn't for that rule. I'm not going to relax. I'm going to just do braid outs, puffs, and wear braids under a hat. Wish me luck. And once again, THANK YOU

!

mousey · 11-07-2009, 12:37 PM

if you can't wet your hair everyday, i suggest twist outs. i had a work schedule that was like my school schedule (meaning i had no time but to work, eat, shower and sleep

) i couldn't have my hair out so i just wore the twists, but you can do the twists on sunday morning or afternoon (my day to twist too) to be dry to untwist on monday before class. during the week just refluff and seal the ends, and your good!! i'll be doing this when i go back to school in january

.
you get to wear your hair out, plus it shows length (you can use a blow dryer at the roots to get it to look longer), plus (probably the biggest plus) you only really need to do your hair once a week!!!

Trinigirl · 11-07-2009, 03:18 PM

And I'm also in the A T L

I really think that protective styles are for little kids but to each her own.

I wash my hair once a week in the colder months. (2 to 3 times in summer). I DC every week and always use a heavy moisturing conditioner (I like Aubrey Organics Island Naturals). Every night I braid my hair in about 6 braids. I spritz the end and put a dab of a shea butter and jasmine oil mix on each section.

I'm only using natural products and even go to a natural hair salon (Eco Colors) close to Piedmont.

blaquesuga · 11-07-2009, 03:54 PM

Well Im with Trinigirl; I braid my hair in a single inverted braid down the center of my head. It is professional enough for work and great for keeping me from getting sick from using water. Water is not my hairs' friend and I always lose when my hair is not dry in the winter before I leave home. Sometimes I (hush now) wear a wig and braid 10-12 cornrows or directional braids so that on the weekends I have nice free flowing curls from the braids.

Good luck Tiffany Inez-I'm an Inez too!