Just started CG & my hair is freaking out!

hanhan27 · 06-04-2012, 07:11 AM

Hello there!

I'm a newbie to CG & recently bought my products & started a routine. I understand that it's typical for your hair to do some strange things while adjusting to the CG method, but I didn't expect what's currently happening.

I do a CO-wash and RO in the shower, scrunch my hair with a cotton t-shirt until it's soaked instead of dripping, put my LI in, plop for 15-30 minutes, then scrunch with gel. I've done this three times now. After the first two times, things were looking good. Noticeably less frizz & more defined curls. But after the third time, which was yesterday, my hair felt limp and just... dirty? I'm not sure how to describe it. It doesn't feel straw-like and it's not oily/greasy, but it definitely feels dirty. Within 6 hours after washing it, the curl was almost all gone and now just the last 3 or 4 inches of my hair has some wave. :\ Is this 'normal' behavior or could one of the products I'm using have ingredients that my hair doesn't like?

For those of you on the curltalk app, here's my info

2B/2C. Medium/coarse texture, high porosity, low elasticity, normal density.

CO-Wash: Suave Naturals Clarifying Co
RO: Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Co
LI: Regis Design Line Olive Oil Leave In
Styler: Herbal Essences Set Me Up Gel

I'm just worried that I could be using a product my hair doesn't like & will be suffering with 'weird' hair when it could be improving lol. Any input is welcome.

Corrina777 · 06-04-2012, 08:15 AM

I don't see any potential issue with your current products. Make sure that when you co-wash you are taking time and really massaging your scalp. Keep massaging as you rinse also. This made a huge difference for me with my co-washing results.

You can also rotate in a low-poo as needed to help with some of the gunkiness.

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virginblue · 06-04-2012, 11:28 AM

Maybe this is a little off topic, but doesn't HESMU having a drying alcohol high on the ingredient list now? I thought about getting some from the store, but when I saw that alcohol, I immediately shelved it. I'm not sure if you have an issue with this, but I thought I would bring it up. I agree with Corrina777 about the low poo. My hair seems to hate all shampoo, so I use an ACV rinse if my hair starts to feel gunky. I'm sorry you're having trouble but I think everyone has issues when they are just starting out. Maybe try mixing up your products or routine? It took me awhile to figure out what products my hair liked and also how much moisture and protein was a good balance for me. Sorry I can't give you any definitive answers...I know I probably haven't said anything you haven't heard before. Keep us updated!

hanhan27 · 06-04-2012, 12:53 PM

My hair seems to like ACV. If I do a rinse, do I just do that after CO washing and using my RO?

The strange thing is that the hair on top of my head feels fine... it's after about ear length that it feels kind of gross. :\ I will definitely pay more attention to scrubbing and rinsing thoroughly.

HESMU Ingredients:

Water, Laureth 23, Polyquaternium 4, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract (Cactus), Fragrance, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Benzyl Alcohol, Acrylates/Beheneth 25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, DMDM Hydantoin, Acrylates Copolymer, Disodium EDTA

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amayakei · 06-04-2012, 01:44 PM

A few quick suggestions:

Rinse with cold water to help seal the cuticle. If the cuticle is closed, then less gunk and dust can get in it
Take off the plop sooner and spend some time drying your hair in the sun. The sun is a natural disinfectant and can kill odors.
Keep your hair pulled back when you eat, clean, dust, wash your face, etc and keep it in front of your shoulders when you're lounging or driving (assuming it's long). I can't tell you how much toothpaste ends up on my hair and not in my mouth.
If you live in an area with less-than-perfect water, consider rinsing with filtered water to reduce the buildup of minerals
The olive oil leave-in might be a bit heavy for everyday use. Maybe water it down or only use it a few times a week.

Luckily, it sounds like your scalp is doing just fine! It's just the ends of your hair. Keep at it; it's such a good system. It seems like you're using great products; I love Suave Naturals

poemaXX · 06-04-2012, 01:45 PM

Soft, but frizzy uncooperative hair can be sign of overconditioning. I know my hair got that way soon after I started CG. The key is to use a protein treatment when you notice this to keep your protein-moisture balance in check. HTH!

hanhan27 · 06-04-2012, 07:43 PM

It is soft, but the frizz has eased a lot! I think that's one of the things that I'm most excited about as far as going CG is concerned.

The OO LI does seem a bit... rich? It's a more runny consistency than a condish but I'm still wondering if that might be the cause of my limp hair. I just washed my hair and I'm plopping with the OO LI right now. If my hair feels lifeless tomorrow, I might just return it and try something else to see if that helps at all.

Any HG LIs I should know about?

I really appreciate the replies thus far! I would be so lost if this forum wasn't here lol.

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virginblue · 06-05-2012, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanhan27

HESMU Ingredients:

Water, Laureth 23, Polyquaternium 4, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract (Cactus), Fragrance, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Benzyl Alcohol, Acrylates/Beheneth 25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, DMDM Hydantoin, Acrylates Copolymer, Disodium EDTA

I'm glad you have a tube of HESMU without the drying alcohol. The tube I saw had alcohol denat in it! Yuck! Also, I agree with poemaXX about trying a protein treatment, especially since you have high porosity. About your LI question, I rarely use one because it can weigh my hair down and maybe living in high dew points has something to do with it? When I do use a LI, I just use my RO.

hanhan27 · 06-05-2012, 12:52 PM

How do I know if I need to do a protein treatment? I thought I read that straw-like hair was a sign of needing protein, but mine isn't straw-like. The frizz is better and all of my hair feels moisturized, it just feels gunky or dirty or whatever.

poemaXX · 06-05-2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanhan27

How do I know if I need to do a protein treatment? I thought I read that straw-like hair was a sign of needing protein, but mine isn't straw-like. The frizz is better and all of my hair feels moisturized, it just feels gunky or dirty or whatever.

My hair doesn't feel straw-like when overconditioned, just very verrrrrry soft and frizzes almost immediately once I've applied product. I find that when my hair is balanced, it needs less product to stay happy and frizz-free.

Not really sure why you're hair would feel gunky though... Some people get build up easily from certain ingredients, such as Sorbitol or Polyquaternium 4 (which is in your gel).

earthnut · 07-02-2012, 01:43 PM

Straw like hair is a sign of applying too much protein.

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My hair is porous, medium thickness, good elasticity, medium density, 2c/3a, APL, dark brown with a silver lining. Biggest enemy: frizz!

HeadDress · 07-05-2012, 06:02 AM

Everyone has given great advice. Corinna mentioned using a lo-poo every now and then... I've had to do that because I have hard water so no matter how CG friendly my routine was I still had the issue of mineral build up from hard water.... Something to consider... and I definitely agree with trying a protein treatment

earthnut · 07-05-2012, 09:40 PM

I've heard that vinegar rinses can help in hard water areas. 1 tsp vinegar per cup water.

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2c/3a-M-ii porous, good elasticity, APL, dark brown with a silver lining. Biggest enemy: frizz!