Caring for multi textured, wavy/curly/frizz prone hair

[hennalonghair]

People of all cultures have inherited multi textured hair. This is hair that has different textures regarding the outer layer or canopy, middle hair which is usually the majority of hair and the underneath hair - hair which is closest to the hairline ( above ears and around the naps of the neck)
Having many different textures presents a challenge for most.
I've searched for threads regarding this issue but have only found one and it was for people with fine to medium hair and most of my hair is on the medium to coarse side.

My canopy is course and dry ( 2b )
Middle hair is medium texture ( 2b )
Inner hair around hair line is coarse spirals of ringlets which is prone to breakage.(2c/3a)
Ive got no split ends but the underneath curly hair seems to break off before it has a chance to grow.
This is the hair that often creates fly always in many hairstyles and is frizz prone.
Caring for multi textured frizz prone hair has special needs and concerns.
For instance after washing you wouldn't want to brush it out otherwise the waves and curls would stretch out and start to frizz. Most curly hairs never brush, sometimes comb but often just finger comb but wavies often brush and/ or comb. I comb in conditioner and only comb until the majority of curls have dropped and stretched out. On the 4 or 5th day after washing I can use my Mason pearson mixed bristle brush without fear of turning my hair frizzy.
This is also the best time to manipulate my hair into different hairstyles since it usually has some slip to it otherwise my hair rebels against too much manipulation. The curly hair snaps off , it dries out and my hair often takes the shape of the previous hairstyles which generally looks unruly.
It prefers loose hairstyles after washing.
I used to get scalp issues but now that I henna and condition my scalp every 2 weeks using nupur 9 herb combination and adding coconut oil or coconut milk, peppermint, tea tree and rosemary EO's.
My scalp needs to breathe. With thick hair this seems to be common.
When I do style it I HAVE to section it in order to create any buns or updos.
Its like trying to create a knot with only 2 inches of thick rope. Its just not possible.
A piece of thread would handle dozens of knots so I understand the logic.
Flexi clips and extra large satin scrunchies are a Godsent!!!
Anyway I'm looking for others who have thick multi- textured hair so I can learn better ways of caring for it.
How do you clean, condition , seal in moisture, groom, style and care for your wavy/ curly hair?

Some use cones while others avoid them. While my hair initially LOVES them, in the long term it just dries it out so I no longer use it as just masks the damage.
My hair loves SLS free, paraben free, cone free shampoo or bars but I usually only wash my scalp.
Shampoo: Burt's bees, theraneem scalp therapy, Jason's, Mill creeks, shampoo bars from henna Sooq, and sometimes just borax acid or baking soda always followed with a leave in ACV.
My hair does NOT respond well to CO only washes. I develop scalp problems, oily greasy hair and major frizzes. Trying Wen and a variety of others was a complete waste of money and I've never shed so much in my life.
I condition and often deep condition the ends. Then I seal in the moisture with either coconut oil, shea butter or mimosa honey.
Sometimes I use a bit aloe Vera gel.
I never use heat on my hair. I've never used a straightening iron or curling iron on my hair so it doesn't have much damage.

There's got to be others out there with similar hair textures.
How do you care for YOUR multi textured hair?
NOTE: This is for members who still wish to embrace their natural hair. It's not for those who wish to change their texture by using a flat iron or chemically straighten their hair.

[MINAKO]

I have multi textured hair too. Kinda 2a-2c. My top layer is coarse(ish) and very wavy, tends to frizz. My underlayer is much finer and straighter. The hairline is pretty fine too, but would form aringlet here and there, hair doesn't get that long in that area, so it's probably light enough to still hold a curl.

Well, my entire routine is about flattening it, smoothing it all out and stop the hairs from Fighting each other. I think friction within hair itself is an often underrated enemy. I was dealing with breakage before i learned to take care of my hair, nowadays, hardly any. I CO, LOC, love proteins, oils and also cones. I do wears buns most of the time to protect it and handle my hair as gently as possible. I use a prewash treatment every time (once a week) made of molasses, sesame oil and deep conditioner.
I rinse with an acidic coffe mixture.
When i notice a fairy knot i snip it out immediately, never let them stay or rip them out with your nails.

Since i don't shamp shampoo, sls free is the case for me too, but i really don't ever see what the fuzz of paraben, glycerin, cone and absolutely any alcohol avoidance is about.

[hennalonghair]

I have multi textured hair too. Kinda 2a-2c. My top layer is coarse(ish) and very wavy, tends to frizz. My underlayer is much finer and straighter. The hairline is pretty fine too, but would form aringlet here and there, hair doesn't get that long in that area, so it's probably light enough to still hold a curl.

Well, my entire routine is about flattening it, smoothing it all out and stop the hairs from Fighting each other. I think friction within hair itself is an often underrated enemy. I was dealing with breakage before i learned to take care of my hair, nowadays, hardly any. I CO, LOC, love proteins, oils and also cones. I do wears buns most of the time to protect it and handle my hair as gently as possible. I use a prewash treatment every time (once a week) made of molasses, sesame oil and deep conditioner.
I rinse with an acidic coffe mixture.
When i notice a fairy knot i snip it out immediately, never let them stay or rip them out with your nails.

Since i don't shamp shampoo, sls free is the case for me too, but i really don't ever see what the fuzz of paraben, glycerin, cone and absolutely any alcohol avoidance is about.

Hi Minako,
Thanks for joining in on the discussion.
Friction on hair is an underrated problem.
So since most of your hair is more straight, you basically work with the rest to make it more uniform in texture.
That makes a lot of sense. When my hair was a lot longer that's how I used to care for it also.
The waves and curls then don't have as much friction because they are smoothed out.

I've seen a lot here about molasses. Do you use it for the vitamins and minerals or as a colour enhancer?
What's your main purpose for using it?

I'm not for or against cones. I've got some nice carols daughter hair products that I quite like that have cones in them and my have loves garnier triple nutrition while I'm using it. What happens to me is I have to keep using them or my have frizzes and dries out. It prevents other moisture from getting into my hair and it snaps off.
When I used to use them regularly my hair was so much easier to care for but I had a lot more breakage and split ends.

What type of hair toys, combs or brushes do you use?
What's LOC?

[MINAKO]

Yes, my hair has a very deep braid wavish S Pattern overall on top, and much looser underneath. Some streaks would even be 1c and fine hair (the joy of causasian-asian-afro hair, lol) I always get told to "embrace my natural texture, but it's mixed up to a point where it does'nt look acceptable to me if i just let it airdry. So 99% of the time it's damp bunning for me. And i do use a straightener to wear it down, which doesn't happen to often and i consider myself a pro after years of research and practise on the matter. ;) Straightening it does wreck the moisture levels a bit, but if it bascally stays tangle free for days, there sure is some advantage to it as well.

Oh, i only use the molasses externally, i couldn't bring myself to eat it. It does have a similar effect to henna, the hair feels kind of coated in a nice way and it restores moisture like no other natural product ever worked for me. I mix the 3 things and leave it on for a few hous before washing, it makes super slippery and soft hair. I always thought i don't have shiny kinda dull hair, but as i learned how to deal with it, add enough moisture and prevent tangles and get the hair to alingn at to the same pattern, it becomes so much shinier. Hony didn't work for me at all, plus i would hate my hair to become lightened even if it did (hi fellow ravens! :cool:)

I hear this thing about cones locking out moisture frequently and i don't think it's bad oberall if used right. It does lock out moisture, but at the same time has the ability to lock it in, so i rarely use it on dry hair. I would suggest using it right after a strong humectant, while hair is still wet or damp. For frizzies i use a german brand nipple cream which contains lanolin and coconut oil.

LOC is a way to add more moisture to the Hair. i do it everytime i comb my hair. So basically it means to proceed like this L (leav-in, or anything watery) O (Oil) C (Cream, a heavier fatty component to cover up the previous 2). Sealing something in or out always sound so dramatic, in fact its just layering stuff to keep it in place to get it to work. In fact water does evaporate slower out of oiled hair, that's a proven fact.

I use only one type of comb, the Hercules Saegeman 696W9 - 591W9, a very hard but rather rubery material, yet very smooth, its not exactly wide tooth, but still wide enough to be gently on the hair. I have a japanese boar bristle brush too, but only use that on straightened hair.
My toys are only sticks and two prong forks (although i really want a clear acrylic three prong one, *drools* ) I prefer sterling silver which is kind of hard to find, but also love acrylic, horn or polished ebony wood.

[MINAKO]

http://www.pomade-shop.eu/Hercules-thick-hair-comb-9

Here's a link to the comb. It doesn't look very special and i guess it isn't, just a high quality brand many hairstylist in germany would use. Anyways, i never came across anything better than this one, no matter what expensive brands and handcrafted natural material i tried, this baby is by far the best for me.

[Sharysa]

I'm probably multi-textured--I can't do a proper hair-typing photo because my hair takes hours to dry, but I'm a borderline 1c/2a wavy who would probably be a natural 2b if my wave pattern wasn't so fragile.

From wash day to Day 3, my hair tends to go from a really wavy braid-enhanced 2b/c to moderate 2a. If I stretch washes to Day 4, it gets REALLY weighed down and oily at the roots.

My daily/weekly routine:
-Finger-comb normally.
-Wash day is every three to four days, so about twice weekly. Before the wash, I use a horn comb to get tangles and shed hair out.
-Products are Dr. Bronner's based shampoo and normal conditioner. I shampoo the scalp, then rinse it out and condition the length.
-After the shower, I comb almond oil through my hair when it's damp and then put it in Dutch braids to get more regular waves. I sleep on my braids to get the bulk of drying time out of the way. Normally that's enough, but occasionally I wake up with my hair still damp.
-I braid it most of the time to keep it from tangling, frizzing, and getting in the way. But I do need to let it down for a couple hours so my scalp can breathe, so at home I tend to take it out of my braid. I also wear my hair down a couple times a week for the same purpose.

Monthly routine:
-I do a heavy-duty split-end trimming every new moon. I spend a full hour or two because I have a LOT of hair (3-4 inch ponytail). My most common types of split ends are complete breaks/tapers and white dots, although forked ends and fairy knots make consistent appearances as well. Usually I follow it up with a couple days of lighter split-end trimming.
-If my hair is particularly dry or tangle-prone, a pre-wash oiling (almond oil about 20-30 minutes before my wash) will set it back on track. Usually I only need a pre-shower oiling every one or two months.

With multi-textured hair, you generally pick which texture you want more. If you want more waves/curls, do things that encourage that (no brushing/combing, using curl-specific products or routines, using braid-waves or bun-curls). If you want straighter hair, then do things that encourage straighter hair (brushing, blow-drying on warm/cool, straightening products).

[StickyMane]

I have coarse, kinky hairs at my hair line and hair part, medium hair for my upper canopy where my shortest layers are, and my fine hair is at the bottom half and it's got a 1C-2A wave to it. No matter the texture, half of my hair is kinky and the other half is straight. My curly baby hair breaks off pretty easily and they don't seem to grow much or too fast at least. I just try to be gentle with them and do my best. But I don't like how they look when I pull my hair away from my face... it's like an afro of a bunch of random hairs at the top of my head when I put my hair up. Gahh!
When I comb my hair, it frizzes like a mother. So what I usually do is put it in a bun when it's still a little damp or when it's drying (or dry) I twist my hair. I don't have curly hair, but I smooth out the frizz momentarily that way and my hair even stays like that for a while so it looks like I've used a curling iron. I try not to comb my hair unless with I use my fingers.
I never thought I would ever have shine in my hair until I started keeping proper care of it and becoming knowledgeable about hair care and my specific hair's needs. What works to give my hair moisture is coconut oil for sure. My hair became shiny and softer and less frizzy. When I don't use coconut oil, it is dry and frizzy.. no matter if I use SLS S&C or not (which I don't anymore). What also works for keeping hair less frizzy and dry is using no heat.
Even though my scalp gets really greasy and I'm positive there's build-up, I give myself longer stretches between washes during the summer (now for me!) and keep coconut oil in for up to 2 days before washing it. When I do wash it all out, my hair feels and looks incredible! So soft, shiny, and much much less frizz,

[StickyMane]

Oh and the S&C I use is the Alba Bontica brand. The shampoo does not get all of the oil out of my hair, even when I repeat three times over.. but I use a lot less shampoo than I do conditioner. But the conditioner, wow, the conditioner is very moisturizing and thick. I believe it's the best conditioner I have ever used. The conditioner is the sole reason I go back to the brand. These days when I'm in the shower, I don't use a wide tooth comb... I just veryy gently use my fingers and don't bother to get all of the hair smoothed down, just the knots that will dry as knots. I remember I didn't comb my hair at all for a few months in high school and my hair was soft, had very little frizz, and great waves.. so I'm going back to that. And I just got my first silk pillowcase and I woke up this morning with tangle-less hair at the nape of my neck (where my fine hair is)! I hope if you try any of our go-to products, that they work out for you!

[hennalonghair]

Yes, my hair has a very deep braid wavish S Pattern overall on top, and much looser underneath. Some streaks would even be 1c and fine hair (the joy of causasian-asian-afro hair, lol) I always get told to "embrace my natural texture, but it's mixed up to a point where it does'nt look acceptable to me if i just let it airdry. So 99% of the time it's damp bunning for me. And i do use a straightener to wear it down, which doesn't happen to often and i consider myself a pro after years of research and practise on the matter. ;) Straightening it does wreck the moisture levels a bit, but if it bascally stays tangle free for days, there sure is some advantage to it as well.

Oh, i only use the molasses externally, i couldn't bring myself to eat it. It does have a similar effect to henna, the hair feels kind of coated in a nice way and it restores moisture like no other natural product ever worked for me. I mix the 3 things and leave it on for a few hous before washing, it makes super slippery and soft hair. I always thought i don't have shiny kinda dull hair, but as i learned how to deal with it, add enough moisture and prevent tangles and get the hair to alingn at to the same pattern, it becomes so much shinier. Hony didn't work for me at all, plus i would hate my hair to become lightened even if it did (hi fellow ravens! :cool:)

I hear this thing about cones locking out moisture frequently and i don't think it's bad oberall if used right. It does lock out moisture, but at the same time has the ability to lock it in, so i rarely use it on dry hair. I would suggest using it right after a strong humectant, while hair is still wet or damp. For frizzies i use a german brand nipple cream which contains lanolin and coconut oil.

LOC is a way to add more moisture to the Hair. i do it everytime i comb my hair. So basically it means to proceed like this L (leav-in, or anything watery) O (Oil) C (Cream, a heavier fatty component to cover up the previous 2). Sealing something in or out always sound so dramatic, in fact its just layering stuff to keep it in place to get it to work. In fact water does evaporate slower out of oiled hair, that's a proven fact.

I use only one type of comb, the Hercules Saegeman 696W9 - 591W9, a very hard but rather rubery material, yet very smooth, its not exactly wide tooth, but still wide enough to be gently on the hair. I have a japanese boar bristle brush too, but only use that on straightened hair.
My toys are only sticks and two prong forks (although i really want a clear acrylic three prong one, *drools* ) I prefer sterling silver which is kind of hard to find, but also love acrylic, horn or polished ebony wood.

Ok we have several similarities. Thats great that you can damp bun, my hair gives scalp problems if I try doing that.
You use a straightener to straighten. The look is fabulous but I just cant do it. A straightening iron would fry my hair.
I didnt know molasses does that. I am going to try that. Thanks for the thorough explanation.
that sounds like something I could use.
I dont use honey either. Mimosa Honey is a product from carols daughter. Its more like a promade to seal in moisture similar to your nipple cream with lanolin. Lol. I love lanolin. Right now I'm using a shea combination. Its mainly shea butter but has some coconut oil in it along with palm tree wax and lemongrass. My hair soaks this stuff up like a sponge.
I've got to change products depending on the weather. The lemongrass really helps as a bug repellent.
I guess I do use LOC methods. Oil most certainly does trap in moisture.

You most likely dont have porous hair which is why you can get away with using silicones.
If you can get them out of your hair without using shampoo, then you are doing good.
people with dryish porous hair like mine absorb moisture and oil easily. Silicones are basically plastics and what happens is they can seap into the hair cuticle, especially while using heating tools. This seals in the silicone so the hair can actually become plastercized.
The hair dries out so more silicones are used. Eventually most people just chop off the hair due to the damage.
With having very porous hair, I just cant risk it.
Certain silicones are more damaging than others. I believe its ones with smaller molecules. The larger molecule silicones are too big to enter the hair and can easily be washed out.

Thanks for the link to the comb. I love my MP brush but don't yet have a favorite comb.
I'll be sure to check it out.
I've yet to try real hair sticks, forks or combs so I might just be pestering you about this later.
Thanks again for joining in. Your contribution is much appreciated.

[Arwenlily]

I definitely have multi textured hair, mostly medium and coarse. Naturally, my hair is somewhere between 3a and 3b but usually, since I always have it up, it ends up being 2c-ish. My most favorite routine is using my Eco Sevi pumpkin seed shampoo followed by an ACV rinse, which I wash out. Then wrap my hair in a t-shirt or pillowcase, lol, whatever is around. Then I scrunch my hair with it and comb it, damp braid it or put it up in a claw clip. This makes me absolutely frizz-free ... it's wonderful but if I use any oil, it builds up easily with the shampoo I use.

My hair likes coconut oil in very small doses, otherwise it builds up and causes major problems! My hair loves olive oil though. Recently I have been trying Nightblooming Ostara's hair salve. So far I'm loving it, but it may take a little while for me to know for sure. I tried CO washing but my hair hated it and recently my hair has been completely rejecting conditioner, so I've been using some products with protein.

[MINAKO]

My scalp stopped giving my problems since i stopped using shampoo, it was dry back then but perfectly fine now and not sensitive at all. I do feel the weight of a bun, but if it's wrapped neatly it's not really doing anything bad. Maybe a damp rope braid would be an alternative, or a segmented ponytail, both do take some of the volume out and contribute to a straighter look.
I've learned about molasses only recently too and must say i'm very pleased to have it in my routine now. I think almost everyone with thick and dry hair would happen to like it.
The mimosa honey sounds nice, it contains beeswax as well, so i suppose it does a good job at taming frizzies. I live in europe, so i'm not sure if i could easily purchase it, but i'm always happy to get to try new stuff. I sometimes use Lipbalm and recently came over an organic shoe shine called Ulrich Leder Balsam (Leather Balm) that contains a hell lot of lanolin and some beeswax too. I might try it as well. Anything goes, haha.

My hair is naturally dry and i do even have a few kinks here and there, but the cuticle feels smooth on most of them and yes it does handle heat very well and straightens nicely. It does soak up product too, but that takes time, so i guess i would be somewhat on the non porous side. I know the coney feel after putting in too much but its gone after some heavy prewash oiling with natural oil and a CO wash, if there's a bit left it's just good for me to keep weighing hair down and add some slip, no downside at all. But again, if that's not for you, do try the molasses.

On the comb, it's sure useful as i cant take a brush to my wet hair and brushing it dry would make it too poufy. The boar bristle brush i found by accident was rather cheap, but it's good quality. I know MP is an investment, however if i was to shell out that much on a brush i would go for a YS Park or Kent. But the next thing i want for some reason is a traditional (japanese) boxwood brush, it's very wide tothed and apparently works well when saturated with an oil prior to use and is perfect for scalp massage. Still i could only use it on straightened hair, but it's a splurge i have in mind.
Ask away about the hairsticks anytime you like, i know it strogly depends on the taste as well and not only the compatibility to ones hair. there are plenty of stores linked in here, i just noticed that asian sellers on rakuten or taobao are completely left out for that matters, tho i personally love many of these items, since they are very minimalistic, well crafted and often come in exactly the colors i would choose anyways. Don't even get me started on the more festive hair decoration, so beautiful. Maybe i should organize some links and open a new thread

[hennalonghair]

Hi Sharysa,
Thanks for joining in on our conversation.
I can fully relate to the hair texture changing from day one wssh day to the next wash.
I'm guessing that you make your own shampoo seeing ss you use Dr. Bronners liquid castile soap.
That stuffs great. Its my go to cleanser. Ive seen many different shampoo recipes online. Do you mind sharingbyour shampoo recipe?

So you braid your hair while its wet to smooth out the kinks?
I'm going to try this again since I now know how to seal in moisture.
Maybe this will make a difference.

Isn't oiling hair before washing a form of pre pooing?
I also use almond oil. Some oils my hair loves and some it doesn't.
You sound like you have a solid routine.

Yes I agree that people with multi textured hair might be better off choosing one of their hair textures to focus on because trying to make all textures happy cause be a lost cause. Hair can sometimes get tamed easier with more length but then you end up forfeiting the curls.

Thanks for joining in Sharysa.
Your input was most appreciated.

[Sharysa]

My recipe is just 2 parts Dr. Bronner's to 1 part water, and then I use sweetgrass essential oil for scent.

As for hair-texture changing, it also tends to be a seasonal/weather issue; dry and warm weather is GREAT for boosting my waves, while wet and humid weather tend to make it greasy and straight.

And yes, braid-waves are pretty close to the 2a/b parts of my hair, so using braid waves to enhance my texture just looks better. No nearly-straight bits of hair ruining my hairline with them.

[hennalonghair]

Hi Stickymane,
Thanks for joining in.
Did you pick the name due to the use of coconut oil?
Ok there appears to be a common technique of styling hair while either wet or damp.
Tomorrow is wash day so I'm going to french braid my hair while its wet and see what happens.
I can completely relate to the afro - ish frizzies around the hairline. Doesn't that just drive you nuts at times?
You have a similar under layer as me. They are always shorter hairs that break off before they have a chance to grow.

This is the reason why my hair hates being turned inside out. These fragile hairs just dry out and break.

Congratulations on your first silk pillowcase.
Are they actually all theyre cracked up to be?
Does it really make that big a difference?
My pillowcases are a slippery satin material so I do understand the logic.
Yes that nape hair tangles easy doesn't it? I totally get that too. Lol.

Thanks again.
This thread is actually very interesting.

[MINAKO]

If i had something better to do than trying to get it straight and would just rock it natural instead, i would kinda look like her.
The F.I.A. system should totally allow a Yoko subtype in the 2 category. :silly:

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/shimi88/01-00101505000006h_zpsc3729b77.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/shimi88/media/01-00101505000006h_zpsc3729b77.jpg.html)

[hennalonghair]

Oh and the S&C I use is the Alba Bontica brand. The shampoo does not get all of the oil out of my hair, even when I repeat three times over.. but I use a lot less shampoo than I do conditioner. But the conditioner, wow, the conditioner is very moisturizing and thick. I believe it's the best conditioner I have ever used. The conditioner is the sole reason I go back to the brand. These days when I'm in the shower, I don't use a wide tooth comb... I just veryy gently use my fingers and don't bother to get all of the hair smoothed down, just the knots that will dry as knots. I remember I didn't comb my hair at all for a few months in high school and my hair was soft, had very little frizz, and great waves.. so I'm going back to that. And I just got my first silk pillowcase and I woke up this morning with tangle-less hair at the nape of my neck (where my fine hair is)! I hope if you try any of our go-to products, that they work out for you!
Ive tried the Alba Bontica and think its awesome. Its so creamy smooth and smells amazing. That only problem is that in this weather the mosquitos and black flies love it too. Lol.
Its a winter only choice for me.

[hennalonghair]

If i had something better to do than trying to get it straight and would just rock it natural instead, i would kinda look like her.
The F.I.A. system should totally allow a Yoko subtype in the 2 category. :silly:

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/shimi88/01-00101505000006h_zpsc3729b77.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/shimi88/media/01-00101505000006h_zpsc3729b77.jpg.html)

Oh Minako,
:laugh: A woman with humour.
THANK GAWD!!!
I LOVE it.

[MINAKO]

The funny thing is, i don't think Yoko Ono shoud have changed a damn thing about her hair, just awesome and iconic in a way. But i can't help it, if i wear my hair down like this and its not swishing in a controlable manner but flying around in any direction, i just feel like i'm being eaten alive. X'D Women of the 70s sure were brave and even tho i admire pinstraight hair the most it's cool to see that the exception does exist without being mixed at all.

[hennalonghair]

Exactly! That style is almost classic and will probably come back. Come on!
If the Afro can make a comeback then so can the wavy/frizzy big haired look.
I mean it kinda goes with bell bottoms. All we need now are some of those cool beaded headbands and huge sunglasses.
It's all coming back!
Yep on a humid day mine looks similar to this minus the colour.
My hairs reddish copper with some burgundy streaks here and there.
Yep it stands out that's for sure. :laugh:

[Rosa Harris]

http://www.pomade-shop.eu/Hercules-thick-hair-comb-9

Here's a link to the comb. It doesn't look very special and i guess it isn't, just a high quality brand many hairstylist in germany would use. Anyways, i never came across anything better than this one, no matter what expensive brands and handcrafted natural material i tried, this baby is by far the best for me.

Nice - I been looking for where to find THAT exact comb. When I was in the ICU in Atlanta a nurse brought me one because all the hospital had was these fine tooth combs for strait hair and i did not have the energy to take care of my hair at that moment and it was a knotted mess. Very sweet nurse. I ended up with the comb - I've never found another one and now its missing two teeth.. they did not break.. they got burned off when I dropped the soldering iron on the comb while working on something. For the most part they are indestructible. I filed mine really well to make sure there were no sharper places in it after I got better. I've tried similar ones I have seen but they were frather cleap plastic and - well just not the same feel and so on.

[Rosa Harris]

The funny thing is, i don't think Yoko Ono shoud have changed a damn thing about her hair, just awesome and iconic in a way. But i can't help it, if i wear my hair down like this and its not swishing in a controlable manner but flying around in any direction, i just feel like i'm being eaten alive. X'D Women of the 70s sure were brave and even tho i admire pinstraight hair the most it's cool to see that the exception does exist without being mixed at all.

Then there i also Janis Joplin who I always have gotten hair compared to http://assets-s3.rollingstone.com/assets/images/list_item/janis-joplin-20101202/janis-joplin.jpg

I love her and her whole style and attitude!

I got insane weird hair myself. I've also got about 3 different things going on. Fine back of the neck kinks drive me nuts trying to make their own locks. Ha a mind to leave them alone and let them go at it under there. Why not? They really are almost perfectly formed think locks. Then there is this super cat-hair fine wavy stuff, I have compared it to cat hair under a microscope and it really actually is cat hair fine fluff. Then there is this new hair I like coming in - its my white hair that is growing in and it is more coarse and wiry - has a total mind of its own and often stick out if they are sorter and ringlet. I'm hoping it is going to take over. It get length much easier than the cat hair. The whole thing is a vey fine almost weightless fluff ball that is almost pointless to try to control at all.

I'm still trying to discover what is best to do with it. LOL

[MINAKO]

Exactly! That style is almost classic and will probably come back. Come on!
If the Afro can make a comeback then so can the wavy/frizzy big haired look.
I mean it kinda goes with bell bottoms. All we need now are some of those cool beaded headbands and huge sunglasses.
It's all coming back!
Yep on a humid day mine looks similar to this minus the colour.
My hairs reddish copper with some burgundy streaks here and there.
Yep it stands out that's for sure. :laugh:

Most certainly it will come back, just needs Beyonce to go first nowadays and the trend is reborn. I would join in for the sunglasses, but can't muster up the guts of a Yoko to sport my frizzies like that. http://smiley.nowdararpour.ir/kolobok1/52.gif


Nice - I been looking for where to find THAT exact comb. When I was in the ICU in Atlanta a nurse brought me one because all the hospital had was these fine tooth combs for strait hair and i did not have the energy to take care of my hair at that moment and it was a knotted mess. Very sweet nurse. I ended up with the comb - I've never found another one and now its missing two teeth.. they did not break.. they got burned off when I dropped the soldering iron on the comb while working on something. For the most part they are indestructible. I filed mine really well to make sure there were no sharper places in it after I got better. I've tried similar ones I have seen but they were frather cleap plastic and - well just not the same feel and so on.

I'm glad you like kind of comb too. It is pretty much indestruable, yes. I used to break comb teeth and even brush handles with my hair my entire life and this one still looks perfect after more than 2 years of everyday use.



Then there i also Janis Joplin who I always have gotten hair compared to http://assets-s3.rollingstone.com/as...nis-joplin.jpg

I love her and her whole style and attitude!

I got insane weird hair myself. I've also got about 3 different things going on. Fine back of the neck kinks drive me nuts trying to make their own locks. Ha a mind to leave them alone and let them go at it under there. Why not? They really are almost perfectly formed think locks. Then there is this super cat-hair fine wavy stuff, I have compared it to cat hair under a microscope and it really actually is cat hair fine fluff. Then there is this new hair I like coming in - its my white hair that is growing in and it is more coarse and wiry - has a total mind of its own and often stick out if they are sorter and ringlet. I'm hoping it is going to take over. It get length much easier than the cat hair. The whole thing is a vey fine almost weightless fluff ball that is almost pointless to try to control at all.

I'm still trying to discover what is best to do with it. LOL

Yours is forming those ringlet at least on some days, so you have tamed it in a way and will eventually get it to behave more often, but as hennalonghair also pointed out, there is some relief for us with additional length. That why i'm always backing off from any haircut ideas that might come to my mind. It's not been painfully hard to grow it out from chinlength, but eeew, so stages in between really left me with not many options.
Thanks for the warning, if white hair becomes any thicker on my head, i think i would have a new issue to figure out. I have a few that grow with no pigment since i was 14 or so at the nape but they are rather fine and i love the color ( if the indigo didn't stain it pastelly ashy green, haha), so i will be on the silverthreads on here probably some day in the future.

[Charybdis]

The F.I.A. system should totally allow a Yoko subtype in the 2 category. :silly:

Yes, yes, YES! That is basically my hair, except my hair is a bit finer and my S-waves are a bit looser. It can be made to look straight with a blow-out, but my hair can't handle that at longer lengths, and I hate the noise hairdryers make anyway. Like some of you ladies, I get the crazy frizz halo when my hair is pulled back -- it's just one of those things.

We've had a few threads on here about having multiple hair types on the same head. Obviously, it happens in every ethnic group, but it does seem to be a little more common for those of us with racially mixed backgrounds. I'm 1/8 Native American, but look totally Northern European white; you can see the Native American ancestry a bit more with my father, who could pass for Hispanic. Possibly related to our ethnic background, my hair and my sister's hair have a lot of variability in color, curl, and coarseness among the individual strands, mine more so than my sister's. Hard to say with my father, as he's been mostly bald since before I was born. I have had shed hairs varying all the way from 1b/C to 4a/F -- obviously the extremes are rarer on my scalp, and it averages out to around 2b.

Sharysa, my wave pattern is kind of like yours in that it dries to 2b with some 2c bits after washing, but rapidly combs out to 2a-ish (for me, it's more like 1c in a really dry climate). Also like you, I can't conveniently do a proper typing photo, as my hair takes forever to dry.

My scalp has calmed down some now that I'm in an area with softer water, and I'm giving SLS-free another go. I've been using DGJ Organics Argan Oil Shampoo (http://www.dgjorganics.com/products/argan-oil-shampoo), which makes my hair feel really nice and doesn't seem to upset my scalp. Don't care for the scent, but it's not strong. For conditioner I've been using Naked Shine Hydrating Conditioner (http://www.nakedbodycare.co.uk/naked-shine-hydrating-conditioner-normal-to-dry-hair), which is cone-free, but I'm thinking that next wash I will throw some cones on my hair as my hair has been "grippy" lately (too much hair-on-hair friction).

The new product I've been using as a leave-in that I *love* is the Shea Moisture Curl-Enhancing Smoothie (http://www.sheamoisture.com/Coconut-Hibiscus-Curl-Enhancing-Smoothie-_p_309.html). I use that on damp hair (water gently squeezed out with a towel), plus some mineral oil on my ends, after a regular shampoo/condition. The Smoothie makes my hair feel soft and moisturised and marginally less frizzy, with no crunchiness or stickiness. It wouldn't work well if your hair is highly sensitive to silk protein, but otherwise it's great if your hair craves moisture and can handle a lot of oil without looking greasy.

Every once in a while I do a pre-poo oil soak with olive and/or coconut oil, but I'm usually too lazy. It does make my hair feel soft and supple afterwards.

[MINAKO]

Grippy hair, the lack of shine plus an extreme expectation of what it should look like sure are my biggest enemies.
Theres only so much i can achieve and something lis this (shinewise, mine is sooo much longer of course :P ) http://okayama.m3dsalon.info/data/salon/2/treatment_photos/f13128784200828.jpg is kinda unlikely, but i keep trying. ;)

[StickyMane]

Hi Stickymane,
Thanks for joining in.
Did you pick the name due to the use of coconut oil?
Ok there appears to be a common technique of styling hair while either wet or damp.
Tomorrow is wash day so I'm going to french braid my hair while its wet and see what happens.
I can completely relate to the afro - ish frizzies around the hairline. Doesn't that just drive you nuts at times?
You have a similar under layer as me. They are always shorter hairs that break off before they have a chance to grow.

This is the reason why my hair hates being turned inside out. These fragile hairs just dry out and break.

Congratulations on your first silk pillowcase.
Are they actually all theyre cracked up to be?
Does it really make that big a difference?
My pillowcases are a slippery satin material so I do understand the logic.
Yes that nape hair tangles easy doesn't it? I totally get that too. Lol.

Thanks again.
This thread is actually very interesting.

Haha my name doesn't actually refer to my hair, but it's a whole different story.. although it can apply to hair!
Yeah my afro-ish frizzies look especially great when it's humid! Luckily I live in the non-humid south. :rolleyes: Lol
I straightened my hair yesterday and I slept with it loose and woke up with no tangles, so the pillowcase is great! I would definitely recommend one. I got mine at Dharma Trading Co., because other LHCers recommended that site if you wanted one.
But I would like to know if almond oil is worth a try.. I've been thinking about giving it a go, but would like to know if it has worked for others with similar hair textures.

[hennalonghair]

Hi Arwinlily,
thanks for joining in. Ok you've a really curly girl and another who damp braids. Doesn't it take ages to dry? If I do that it takes over 24 hours for my hair to dry.
That pumpkin shampoo sounds amazing. Of course I'm thinking of a pumpkin pie scent with all the spices but its probably not like that.

Another one who can't CO wash. Did you lose lots of hair?
Im still experimenting with the oils but I've recently discovered my hair loves shea butter.
Its great finding just the right products.

[hennalonghair]

My scalp stopped giving me problems when I stopped co washing. Never in my life did I have more of a greasy scalp and other scslp issues as when I co washed. Now I wash my scalp but co wash the rest.
If you use lip balm and shoe polish on your hair and love to have shine you'll really like Mimosa Honey and Carols daugyter ships international. That stuff will make your hair shine like you've never seen. Ive got natural highlights that become amplified when I henna and when I use this on too, parts of my hair glow. Yes the Mason Pearson brush was $160 but I love it. I considered a Kent or a Denman but I figured id splurge. It washes great. So easy to clean. That was a huge selling point for me.
It gives a fabulous scalp massage but if used too much will cause greasy scalp. Thats the only thing I didnt like.
Ive seen those boxwood chinese brushes. Very interesting looking. That would tear my hair out in a heartbeat .lol
Thats a great idea. Start a link about your passion for certain hair toys.
I got your back girl.
Go for it.
Im most curious.

[Sharysa]

Damp braiding/bunning takes forever to dry, but my hair takes forever to dry anyway. Another reason I damp braid is so I don't have to deal with massive tangling from loose hair.

[hennalonghair]

My recipe is just 2 parts Dr. Bronner's to 1 part water, and then I use sweetgrass essential oil for scent.

As for hair-texture changing, it also tends to be a seasonal/weather issue; dry and warm weather is GREAT for boosting my waves, while wet and humid weather tend to make it greasy and straight.

And yes, braid-waves are pretty close to the 2a/b parts of my hair, so using braid waves to enhance my texture just looks better. No nearly-straight bits of hair ruining my hairline with them.

Thanks. That sweetgrass scent must be so pleasant.
Do you use ACV rinse afterwards to balance out the pH?

[hennalonghair]

Damp braiding/bunning takes forever to dry, but my hair takes forever to dry anyway. Another reason I damp braid is so I don't have to deal with massive tangling from loose hair.

CHECK!,, :laugh:

[Sharysa]

I've never really needed any pH balancing elements in my routine. Why exactly do people do acid rinses?

[hennalonghair]

Haha my name doesn't actually refer to my hair, but it's a whole different story.. although it can apply to hair!
Yeah my afro-ish frizzies look especially great when it's humid! Luckily I live in the non-humid south. :rolleyes: Lol
I straightened my hair yesterday and I slept with it loose and woke up with no tangles, so the pillowcase is great! I would definitely recommend one. I got mine at Dharma Trading Co., because other LHCers recommended that site if you wanted one.
But I would like to know if almond oil is worth a try.. I've been thinking about giving it a go, but would like to know if it has worked for others with similar hair textures.
My hair gets more unruly in humid weather for sure. Thats when I liked to have it up or at least styled.
I like almond oil occasionally as a pre poo. Lately my favorite thing has been the shea butter. Go into a health food store and try the testers.
Thats if they have them.
I must purchase a silk pillow. Actually silk sheets would be nice too.
Thanks

[MINAKO]

I've never really needed any pH balancing elements in my routine. Why exactly do people do acid rinses?

I put ascorbic acid in my rinse because the water is hard where i live, so it helpls to soften andkeep the cuticles down.
Hah, this is turning into my favorite thread btw.

[hennalonghair]

Ive read a lot of articles about using various recipes with Dr.Bronners liquid castile soup and they said that it leaves the pH balance of your hair off some.
Apparently pH balance is important for keeping a healthy scalp.
people with thick hair especially because they are more susceptible to bacteria and fungus issues.
Thats what I read. If you have no issues with it then I wouldnt worry about it.

[hennalonghair]

I put ascorbic acid in my rinse because the water is hard where i live, so it helpls to soften andkeep the cuticles down.
Hah, this is turning into my favorite thread btw.

We have hard water here too. We just got a water softer just last December and my hair went throughnsome kind of mineral withdrawal or something. The water seemed kinda slimey because of added salts. Now its down on the lowest setting.
And hardwater DEFINITELY adds volume..
An acidic rinse is a must for us hardwater washers. Lol

[mira-chan]

I have to Yoko subtype too. :lol: one plus for me is that my hair doesn't tangle much even if left down. Hairs float away from each other giving volume and lack of tabling but It also looks weird. Mostly the waves just refuse to align.

You can fix the pH balance issue with soap, which is alkaline, by rinsing with diluted apple cider vinegar (ACV) afterwards. Your skin and hair is naturally slightly acidic. The acid rinse will also help close the cuticle which reduces tangling and increases shine.

[MINAKO]

Ive read a lot of articles about using various recipes with Dr.Bronners liquid castile soup and they said that it leaves the pH balance of your hair off some.
Apparently pH balance is important for keeping a healthy scalp.
people with thick hair especially because they are more susceptible to bacteria and fungus issues.
Thats what I read. If you have no issues with it then I wouldnt worry about it.

Very right, so ightly acidid is always a good thing.

Welcome to the Ono family, mira-chan !!! http://smiley.nowdararpour.ir/love/59.gif

[StickyMane]

I'm definitely looking for shea butter now. So do I apply some to my freshly S&C hair and leave it in? Or will that be too oily when it dries? I've never used anything to seal in moisture other than S&C when my hair is wet.. so reading about using shea butter and/or coconut oil when the hair is wet is new to me. Any suggestions?

[hennalonghair]

Yes welcome mira chan.
We're a fun bunch here

oh and Minako
I already have the big huge sunglasses
So peace out dude :happydance:

[hennalonghair]

I'm definitely looking for shea butter now. So do I apply some to my freshly S&C hair and leave it in? Or will that be too oily when it dries? I've never used anything to seal in moisture other than S&C when my hair is wet.. so reading about using shea butter and/or coconut oil when the hair is wet is new to me. Any suggestions?

YES, while hair is still wet so it seals in moisture BUT just use a pea sized portion to start.
I also add a touch to my ends at the end of the day. It keeps them super soft.
Great for rough heels too.

[StickyMane]

Do you use them on your fro hairs? Haha. Before those things dry after one second? My ends need moisture! No splits, but they are really dry. :/

[MINAKO]

I'm definitely looking for shea butter now. So do I apply some to my freshly S&C hair and leave it in? Or will that be too oily when it dries? I've never used anything to seal in moisture other than S&C when my hair is wet.. so reading about using shea butter and/or coconut oil when the hair is wet is new to me. Any suggestions?

Shea butter sure is great, so are coconut oil and cocoa butter. I would melt them in a small pot over hot water and add something like sesame/almond/avocado/argan oil to dilute it and make it more liquid at room temperature. You really wont need much, of course it depens on your hairlength. I use about the sizeof two peanuts from my coconut oil cream and add it to the lower part of my hair focusing on the ends. After spritzing on some leave in and combing through.

ETA: Lol, guys we have a themesong! ;)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcUgsdS1y94

[mira-chan]

Thank you for the welcome.

I find that deep conditioning longer (30 min under shower cap) helps reduce the wiriness and adds smoothness. Unfortunately I rarely have time to do that. Any thick conditioner will do for that. Unfortunately I can't put any oil on my hair wet as ends up stingy in a bad way, it attracts lint like crazy then. If I oil dry, no problem, my hair pulls most of the oil in.

[hennalonghair]

Do you use them on your fro hairs? Haha. Before those things dry after one second? My ends need moisture! No splits, but they are really dry. :/

Absolutely. I rub a bit in the palm of f my hand, rub hands together start from the bottom and finish off smoothing the nape of my neck down the undersides of my hair. For me: it even works on dry hair. My hair just seems to love it. Its already mixed with coconut oil with some palm tree wax and lemongrass for a subtle scent. Its great to keep the bugs at bay.

Yes cocoa butter, mango butter etc., there are many types of valuable butters for us wavy/ curlies and like Minako has pointed out, customozing your own hair butters, oils and balms is probably the smartest approach due to our own individual uniqueness.

Why dont we start adding some cool recipe suggestions for this as well as mist sprays etc.,
This would be fun AND helpful to others.

You can add your hairtoy suggestions here if youd like Minako

[hennalonghair]

Our theme song is soooooo appropriate!!!!!
:laugh:
:laugh:
:laugh:

[hennalonghair]

Our theme song is soooooo appropriate!!!!!
:laugh:
:laugh:
:laugh:

[MINAKO]

Yes, plenty of conditioning time sure helps, i would sometimes go as far as taking a deep treatment for a leave in and just bun it like that. Or apply the prepoo before going to bed and wash it out in the morning. I only wash once a week but if my hair gets dusty i would just rinse it with water to get it out and LOC again, it's not exactly fresh then, but i personally only wear it down when i straightened it, so i really dont mind running around with some grubby hair, lol. It actually looks very clean and sleek in a bun, way better than if i was to bun it dry. In case i wear it straight i try not to get it wet but would dust it with some leave in spray and allply a tiny amount of an oil or something waxy right after too, it works pretty well and lint would be easy to brush out with the boar bristle brush.

[MINAKO]

Our theme song is soooooo appropriate!!!!!
:laugh:
:laugh:
:laugh:

Yes, lol, shes a genius. Might be the kind of hair, hahaha. ;)

[hennalonghair]

Thank you for the welcome.

I find that deep conditioning longer (30 min under shower cap) helps reduce the wiriness and adds smoothness. Unfortunately I rarely have time to do that. Any thick conditioner will do for that. Unfortunately I can't put any oil on my hair wet as ends up stingy in a bad way, it attracts lint like crazy then. If I oil dry, no problem, my hair pulls most of the oil in.
Most of the oils I use an dry hair also . Oiling on dry hair can be much easier to do hecause then you can immediately see how much you have in your hair whereas when you use it on wet hair its easy to use too much. Then we become like dust magnets attracting lint and tiny flies along the way.
yeah I 'get' that one.

[mira-chan]

I use regular conditioners as leave ins but I let hair dry after. I don't like having hair wet too long as I get cold super easily. I'd rather oil and have it look sleep from oil rather than conditioner wet. I also like to wear hats so grubby hair rubbing off on them is not tempting. :D

[meteor]

I have multi-textured hair.
I have a couple smooth, large S-waves at my nape (and they are getting more stretched and straighter as my hair is growing longer), and my face framing hair is virtually straight.

If I want absolutely straight hair, I use oils and something acidic: diluted vinegar/lemon rinses or products with lactic acid. Holding a curl/wave is really easy for me, too - I just sleep in braids/curlers and it always works like a charm, especially on freshly washed, damp hair.

In terms of what helps me avoid frizz and keep my hair texture manageable:
- I never use heat for styling (only water, oil or some leave-in).
- I never use brushes (only fingers and wide-tooth combs).
- I sleep on silk with hair contained.
- I oil and condition heavily (I use at least 10 times as much conditioner as shampoo).

[mira-chan]

Most of the oils I use an dry hair also . Oiling on dry hair can be much easier to do hecause then you can immediately see how much you have in your hair whereas when you use it on wet hair its easy to use too much. Then we become like dust magnets attracting lint and tiny flies along the way.
yeah I 'get' that one.
Yea. I can also comb oiled hair. I can't comb mine when wet, even with conditioner. I've tried CO before and couldn't get a comb through without feeling like I'd tear out all my hair at once. The comb just wouldn't move more than an inch when hair is wet. Once it's dry, no problem, not a tangle. I hardly comb. I can get away with finger combing 3 times a week and then combing once before wash (once a week).

[hennalonghair]

Well ladies, its been a pleasure but I have to go
I'll be sure to check back later
That was fun!,,

[StickyMane]

I should definitely branch out and try new butters/oils. I have primarily used coconut oil, and occasionally use grapeseed oil for a nice shine. It would be nice if there were some recipe suggestions and such for me to try since everyone here has similar hair textures (haha, or more like, we have all the hair textures!).
What EOs work best for frizzy hair? I have yet to have any EO and was wondering where I should start.

Hair Peace!:cheer::cheer:

[MINAKO]

I try not to use any conditioners containing surfactants as a leave in, but it does happen. Just not to much as i feel that it's not really adding enough moisture in the long run. It's kind of being on the fence, since the slip they provide comes in handy while combing, but i would rather resort to more oil and probably something silicone heavy for that than the surfactants.

[mira-chan]

I should definitely branch out and try new butters/oils. I have primarily used coconut oil, and occasionally use grapeseed oil for a nice shine. It would be nice if there were some recipe suggestions and such for me to try since everyone here has similar hair textures (haha, or more like, we have all the hair textures!).
What EOs work best for frizzy hair? I have yet to have any EO and was wondering where I should start.

Hair Peace!:cheer::cheer:
I like castor oil in my mix for pre-wash, it helps smooth the hair. It does need to be diluted for ease of use. Since you have grapeseed oil, that would be great to mix it with. EO's work on the scalp and like aromatherapy, they don't in and of themselves help hair texture once it's out of the follicle. But for a scalp massage mix, Jatamansi (indian spkenard) is considered the best hair EO, followed by Lavander EO.

For other oils, Burdock oil is great for smoothing hair, It works better on fine to medium hair though. I find it not so great for coarse hair.

[ExpectoPatronum]

So I'm another person with multi-textured hair. It runs the spectrum from 1b/c in the canopy to 3a in the underneath layers. It's so frustrating to care for, especially now that I have layers because the layers curl up so much more than my length. Basically, I have to choose between having shorter layered hair, or one length of long hair. I'm working towards one length.

I'm another who often braids or buns when damp. I usually let my hair air dry a little before, dutch braid it, and then take it out after a while so my hair can finish drying. Otherwise, my hair would take well over a day to fully dry.

I also can't co-wash. While it made the curly bits of my hair nice and lovely, it caused me to shed something horrible. I'm still trying to recover my thickness from my two times experimenting last year. My hair is nice and thick up near the top, but thins out to nothing near the ends. Ugh.

I've found the best way to deal with my dry, multi-textured hair is the LOC method and keeping it braided. My hair doesn't care either way for cones or SLS, however my skin doesn't like SLS or fragrance so I tend to stick to shampoos that are SLS free and either don't have fragrance or it's the very last thing on the ingredients list. The shampoo and conditioner I'm currently using contains cones (water soluble I think) and my hair is doing just fine. My wavy parts wave up nicer when I'm cone-free, but my straight parts remain the same no matter what I use. It's easier to use whatever and just braid it so everything matches lol.

The main thing I'm struggling with right now is shedding. While it's improved since I stopped co-washing, I'm still losing a ton of hair every day (definitely more than 150 hairs). :(

[meteor]

StickyMane, you can head over to the Hair Oils Thread for some ideas: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=10971
As for EOs, they are effective on scalp/skin for promoting healthy scalp and possibly growth, but I think, on hair length, EOs impart nothing beyond a nice fragrance, IMHO. I use only carrier/base oils on hair length/ends for that reason and reserve EOs for scalp and skin.

[mira-chan]

I try not to use any conditioners containing surfactants as a leave in, but it does happen. Just not to much as i feel that it's not really adding enough moisture in the long run. It's kind of being on the fence, since the slip they provide comes in handy while combing, but i would rather resort to more oil and probably something silicone heavy for that than the surfactants.

I can't use silicones except for very rarely as they leave my hair feeling like bad doll hair. Plus I can't usually wash them out as I'm sensitive to SLS family detergents. Even the sulfosuccinates cause me to itch. Dimethicone causes itching as well which is annoying as it's in everything. I'm ok with coco betaine, not much gentler but different chemical configuration, but it's not quite as good at getting cones off the hair.

[mira-chan]

Argh! :justy: Double post.

[Rosa Harris]

Shea butter sure is great, so are coconut oil and cocoa butter. I would melt them in a small pot over hot water and add something like sesame/almond/avocado/argan oil to dilute it and make it more liquid at room temperature. You really wont need much, of course it depens on your hairlength. I use about the sizeof two peanuts from my coconut oil cream and add it to the lower part of my hair focusing on the ends. After spritzing on some leave in and combing through.

ETA: Lol, guys we have a themesong! ;)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcUgsdS1y94

You can also whip the together with a mixer and a little oil of your choice - I like tea tree cause i also put it on the scalp for dry scalp itches and on my skin. If you do this you need to soften the butters slightly so you dont burn up your mixer. I chunk them in a freezer bag together and get some warm not hot water and put them in it for a few minutes to soften - not melt- them. There are some good whipping vids on youtude. Would love to give it a try with some argan oil as the argan oil products have really done some nice stuff to my hair when I use them.

GRIPPY! never heard that term used for what I am fighting with before. I was calling it 'rough. Last night it was insanely grippy.

I was trying to go NW, but last night I went into caniption fits with my hair and coned it again. I was looking great but feeling horrid. I was not not greasy - in fact it was super bone dry and tangling like a nightmare and felt super rough and catchy - i could not even seem to get it finger combed out well even when spritzing it. Tryig to section it out and finger comb it out was makig me end up with hellova breakage. That was completely product-free hair. I decided to lightly oil it some after spritzing to see if I could make something work and even that it still felt gripy, crunchy and like it wanted to go on a rampage and take over the world. It kinda had that feeling like when you wash henna off your hair before you condition it - eeww - hard and rough thing going on. I started thinking I had damaged the hack out of it somehow - totally delusional thinking but I got obsessed with the idea I had damaged it badly even tho my microscope clearly says I have not. So to prove to myself that my hair was the same as always just under diferent conditions I slathered on my Panteen Truely Naturals Co-wash and it felt lovely doing it and then followed it up with Panteen truet relaxed Oil Creme Moisturizer and my 'old hair' was back again. Its still the same after all. And now its limp and stupid looking as it was before I started but it feels good.

The fluff definitely needs its regular oil and butter treatements and deep conditioning to stay sane and not get into a bad mood and try to eat my head again - so NW is just not going to work at all since I can't slather on the oil and then NW - lol.

Well, I'm not going back to cones. The co-wash does not have sulfates so it might actually be water soluble cones - dunno - but still the end result is limp flat look hair with long s-waves so I am probably best doing cone free conditioner with my oil mix added and not messing with trying to go NW. I just hate that washing makes my scalp go into super-itch mode and NW was really avoiding that. Seems my hair and scalp cant agree on this issue at all.

[MINAKO]

I can't use silicones except for very rarely as they leave my hair feeling like bad doll hair. Plus I can't usually wash them out as I'm sensitive to SLS family detergents. Even the sulfosuccinates cause me to itch. Dimethicone causes itching as well which is annoying as it's in everything. I'm ok with coco betaine, not much gentler but different chemical configuration, but it's not quite as good at getting cones off the hair.

I honestly never let any SLS detergents touch my hair of scalp either, it's just that i only get so much build up and then it stops, i actually feel like heavy oiling does strip down some of the cones from my hair, it just works that way and i never do any other sort of clarifying, would just ruin the hair with stripping everything at once.
I seem to have the cortex that qualifies for the hairtype but not the cuticle for some reason. Also i noticed that so far i seem to be the only one who has more texture in the canopy, than the underlayers. Ive been reading another thread on it and over there it's also straighter on top for most people, i wonder how it happens one way or another.

[StickyMane]

I honestly never let any SLS detergents touch my hair of scalp either, it's just that i only get so much build up and then it stops, i actually feel like heavy oiling does strip down some of the cones from my hair, it just works that way and i never do any other sort of clarifying, would just ruin the hair with stripping everything at once.
I seem to have the cortex that qualifies for the hairtype but not the cuticle for some reason. Also i noticed that so far i seem to be the only one who has more texture in the canopy, than the underlayers. Ive been reading another thread on it and over there it's also straighter on top for most people, i wonder how it happens one way or another.

I'm like you.. my hair is fine underneath, then gets to medium on the canopy and coarse at the very top.. and as the hair shaft gets thicker, the hair texture becomes wavier and kinky.

[mira-chan]

My canopy is wavier than the underlayer, it's also coarse and rougher feeling. All of my hair is coarse, it just varies from smoother thinner coarse to holy crap I grew metal wire out my head (aka head pubes) coarse.

[StickyMane]

My canopy is wavier than the underlayer, it's also coarse and rougher feeling. All of my hair is coarse, it just varies from smoother thinner coarse to holy crap I grew metal wire out my head (aka head pubes) coarse.

Haha nice. I have those and it's weird because they are usually almost black in color and just strange. The rest of my hair ranges from all colors, but only the coarse and kinky hairs are really dark brown or black. And, naturally, my straight, fine hairs are blonde. So the thicker my hair gets, the darker my hair is. Lol, but mostly my hair ranges from dark ash blonde to light ash brown... so blondette. But yeah, those coarse and kinky hairs... there's no fixing them. I can't tame them even if I wanted to.

[lapushka]

I have multi-textured hair, which makes my hair look wild (not to mention it's thick, so it looks even wilder). I have about 1 to 2 spirals in there, which makes it almost 2c but the rest is sometimes 2a, sometimes 2b in texture. It's a jungle in there, honestly. :lol:

[MINAKO]

You can also whip the together with a mixer and a little oil of your choice - I like tea tree cause i also put it on the scalp for dry scalp itches and on my skin. If you do this you need to soften the butters slightly so you dont burn up your mixer. I chunk them in a freezer bag together and get some warm not hot water and put them in it for a few minutes to soften - not melt- them. There are some good whipping vids on youtude. Would love to give it a try with some argan oil as the argan oil products have really done some nice stuff to my hair when I use them.

GRIPPY! never heard that term used for what I am fighting with before. I was calling it 'rough. Last night it was insanely grippy.

I was trying to go NW, but last night I went into caniption fits with my hair and coned it again. I was looking great but feeling horrid. I was not not greasy - in fact it was super bone dry and tangling like a nightmare and felt super rough and catchy - i could not even seem to get it finger combed out well even when spritzing it. Tryig to section it out and finger comb it out was makig me end up with hellova breakage. That was completely product-free hair. I decided to lightly oil it some after spritzing to see if I could make something work and even that it still felt gripy, crunchy and like it wanted to go on a rampage and take over the world. It kinda had that feeling like when you wash henna off your hair before you condition it - eeww - hard and rough thing going on. I started thinking I had damaged the hack out of it somehow - totally delusional thinking but I got obsessed with the idea I had damaged it badly even tho my microscope clearly says I have not. So to prove to myself that my hair was the same as always just under diferent conditions I slathered on my Panteen Truely Naturals Co-wash and it felt lovely doing it and then followed it up with Panteen truet relaxed Oil Creme Moisturizer and my 'old hair' was back again. Its still the same after all. And now its limp and stupid looking as it was before I started but it feels good.

The fluff definitely needs its regular oil and butter treatements and deep conditioning to stay sane and not get into a bad mood and try to eat my head again - so NW is just not going to work at all since I can't slather on the oil and then NW - lol.

Well, I'm not going back to cones. The co-wash does not have sulfates so it might actually be water soluble cones - dunno - but still the end result is limp flat look hair with long s-waves so I am probably best doing cone free conditioner with my oil mix added and not messing with trying to go NW. I just hate that washing makes my scalp go into super-itch mode and NW was really avoiding that. Seems my hair and scalp cant agree on this issue at all.

Oh, i love tea tree oil, also cinnamon bark and lavender for scalp massages. I do like my butters very soft, yet not runny, kind of at the very edge to it.
I always complain about not enough shine, but in fact my cuticles are very smooth and rather soft, minding the thickness of the hair. I like to call it asian 'fro hair, which it actually is, 1/4 and 1/4 from my dad, my mom is caucasian with naturally very straight slippery hair as well so it does make sense.
I want it smother, thats why i would sometimes convince myself its "too grippy", but at the same time i dunno if it could be any better at all right now.
Took a picture this morning in the sunlight without flash and i'm actually very pleased with the shine after LOCing the night before.
Maybe i just never notice it from the front.
Loving everythig that weighs down and stretches i probably couldn't do without the cones at all. The never caused me any problems so far and the only thing drying would really be a shampoo or frequent blowouts to cause an itchy scalp.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/shimi88/10330488_10202330530211719_76164537861402105_n_zps 1fffbdd8.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/shimi88/media/10330488_10202330530211719_76164537861402105_n_zps 1fffbdd8.jpg.html)

[Weewah]

I use the super soaker method for clumps, and gel to hold my 1c-2c puffy wavy hair into fairly uniform 2b waves throughout. Scrunch drying with a t-shirt rather than an absorbent towel has virtually eliminated the last of my frizz problem.

[lapushka]

Talked (complained) about my wild hair, but forgot to tell you guys about how it's cared for. My methods are in my signature. We do WCC (conditioning twice after shampooing), then the LOC method for styling (leave-in, followed by an oil or serum, followed by a styling cream or a gel). This method leaves (virtually) no frizz, and it's super for detangling purposes (conditioning twice is, with the thickest most moisturizing conditioner last - this is important in preventing knots and tangles).

[hennalonghair]

http://m.voices.yahoo.com/molasses-hair-conditioning-treatment-4608017.html

[MINAKO]

Molasses is part of my HG, although i wonder why she refers to it in the article as "wonderfully sweet", the real deal on molasses is the almost black very thick kind that comes in a jar, its made out of sugar cane, never sugar beet (please correct me if i'm using the wrong word for this) it's tastes gross, but maybe it's like marmite, love it or hate it, lol... anyways, yeah, it's moisturizing and gives great shine and slip.

[hennalonghair]

Great bun photo Minako
What wonderful shine you have
Yes I posted back to you about the molasses treatment and hairbrushes but I forgot to address it to you.
How rude... :shrug:
Anyway I took your advice and tried it tonight. I massaged my scalp first with tea tree oil, rosemary and peppermint oils, then shampooed my scalp then used 2 tbsps. of molasses to about 1/4 cup of hair conditioner and 2 tsp. almond oil. Left it in for about 45 minutes , rinsed well with cold water and ACV . Then while it was air drying I scrunched in some shea butter
Combination . It's drying right now! OMG the curl definition is awesome, zero frizz so far. I think this might be my alternate wash routine.
I like the taste of molasses. I make gingerbread cookies with it every year.
It's loaded with minerals and yes it's sweet. It might not be the sweet that you are accustomed to be its sweet. It IS usually made from sugar cane.
Thanks
That was a great tip
I'll have to wait until tomorrow to give you a final verdict.
The shine is incredible.
My hair is more curly than when I henna.

[MINAKO]

Thank you, that's actually the style i wear aroung the house and to bed as well most of the time, the scarf does a great job in protecting the hair and it's not too embarassing to wear to quickly go to the grocery or something. Shifting the perspective of what i can observe in the bathroom mirror sure does help to analyse my hair further.
Yes, i got that we spoke about molasses earlier, i just wasn't sure if i emphsized that i came to use it religiously before every CO wash. Didn't take your post rude in any way. :o
Almond oil sure is perfect for the mixture, and i think it's good both ways, pre or post wash, maybe post is even better for the defrizzing effect, but sometimes i like to use another treatment afterwards as well that has a bit more protein. Well, there are some good things in molasses like the minerals and some aminoacids.
Here is a full list, http://www.feedipedia.org/node/12341
I'm not sure what exactly causes the effect, but sometimes i it doesn't bother me not to know if the results are that great. As for the taste, i can imagine it would be suitable to add flavour to another food, i just can't stand it pure. But since i don't put the honey on my head, theres plenty of that left to eat.

I'm excited to hear about your results once the hair has dried. Yes the effect is comparable to henna and increases after additional uses, very glad you like it so far.

[hennalonghair]

Molasses is part of my HG, although i wonder why she refers to it in the article as "wonderfully sweet", the real deal on molasses is the almost black very thick kind that comes in a jar, its made out of sugar cane, never sugar beet (please correct me if i'm using the wrong word for this) it's tastes gross, but maybe it's like marmite, love it or hate it, lol... anyways, yeah, it's moisturizing and gives great shine and slip.


Then there i also Janis Joplin who I always have gotten hair compared to http://assets-s3.rollingstone.com/assets/images/list_item/janis-joplin-20101202/janis-joplin.jpg

I love her and her whole style and attitude!

I got insane weird hair myself. I've also got about 3 different things going on. Fine back of the neck kinks drive me nuts trying to make their own locks. Ha a mind to leave them alone and let them go at it under there. Why not? They really are almost perfectly formed think locks. Then there is this super cat-hair fine wavy stuff, I have compared it to cat hair under a microscope and it really actually is cat hair fine fluff. Then there is this new hair I like coming in - its my white hair that is growing in and it is more coarse and wiry - has a total mind of its own and often stick out if they are sorter and ringlet. I'm hoping it is going to take over. It get length much easier than the cat hair. The whole thing is a vey fine almost weightless fluff ball that is almost pointless to try to control at all.

I'm still trying to discover what is best to do with it. LOL

Hi Rosa Harris,
Thanks for joining us. Yes you certainly do have multi textured hair.
What types of products do you use?
What's your hair routine?
Do you have a favourite hair tip you'd like to share?

[hennalonghair]

It's not quite dry yet but I can tell already that I'll be doing this more often.
My hair is super soft with about 3 c curls everywhere.
Thanks for the link. You're like me with regard to research.
I'm always looking stuff up.
I'm going to make my own promade out of shea butter, coconut oil and some other stuff.
The idea of whipping up oils and butters is exciting.
You obviously like making your own stuff too.
Do you ever wear your hair natural without straightening it?

[Arwenlily]

Hi Arwinlily,
thanks for joining in. Ok you've a really curly girl and another who damp braids. Doesn't it take ages to dry? If I do that it takes over 24 hours for my hair to dry.
That pumpkin shampoo sounds amazing. Of course I'm thinking of a pumpkin pie scent with all the spices but its probably not like that.

Another one who can't CO wash. Did you lose lots of hair?
Im still experimenting with the oils but I've recently discovered my hair loves shea butter.
Its great finding just the right products.

Yes, it does take forever but I really don't notice because the braid is so comfortable and so worth it. When I undo the braid, my hair is tangle free and frizz free. I wish I could keep my natural curls daily but they never stay anymore for some reason. And when I did cowashing I was losing way too much hair and my hair was getting overconditioned ... it is possible! And the pumpkin conditioner is wonderful but unfortunately it doesn't smell like pumpkin spice :(

[MINAKO]

Thats great, i love coming across a natural product that actually works on hair that has sort of extreme demands. I'm very fond of certain high end brands too, in the end it's ALL chemicals, sounds evil, but some actually aren't and work a charm, so the mix needs to be right. Environmentally... i eat 95% vegan, we are very correct on our garbage, save water and electricity and i don't drive a car, so i might as well at least use some damn cosmetics, lol. If they happen to be natural, hey that's a plus. Funny that molasses is actually a byproduct but way more expensive than the sugar it comes from, hah.
Yes, i like doing my research, even if i might not understand every detail in depth since my knowledge in biology and chemistry is limited, but learning doesn't hurt.

I like to mix oils and recently tried out some butter, shea and cocoa butter are just amazing. I like to keep things in rotation, that's been great for my hair so far.
I didn't have poppy seed oil for a while, so that's next for example. The only oil i hate with a passion is olive oil, it makes my hair waaay to sticky and the frizzies curl up in a manner that creates ****ty single strand knots, plus the smell, just yuck.

I observe my texture after certain treatment and how wearable it looks afterwards, but can never bring myself to leave the house like that.
My ambitions on "hair down" are all about something like on this picture, just to give an example, so having kinks flying around my face irritates me to no end.
I can admire all kinds of textures on people, but for me it has to be a specific way or i'd just throw it in a bun.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/shimi88/520f59c744fd8a7a6eb557e1ee171f9b_zps6b6186da.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/shimi88/media/520f59c744fd8a7a6eb557e1ee171f9b_zps6b6186da.jpg.h tml)

[Charybdis]

Hmm, I may have to try the molasses thing. Frizz is my #1 problem, and I like to enhance my waves, so hennalonghair's results sound really interesting!

[Rosa Harris]

Hi Rosa Harris,
Thanks for joining us. Yes you certainly do have multi textured hair.
What types of products do you use?
What's your hair routine?
Do you have a favourite hair tip you'd like to share?

Honestly right now I am totally confused and in process of trying to find a sane routine for my hair. For the longest time - basically to this length I was co-washing once a week or so with Panteen Naturals Co-wash and just Panteen conditioner before I found their cowash and pre-poo with coconut and taming it with coconut. I' let it dry and get it in some form of a twist bun once it got long enough to get it up there. I did not bother with it down because it ust looked ugly and stringy to me. Bunning streached it out anyway and I would also finger comb it out as it dried nd constantly smooth it.

Crunching it with gel and ploping it does wonders for the waves but my hair hates the gel and I can't go into the next day with it. It goes into tangle monster mode. Letting it airdry to almost dry then crunching it up in a sleep cap for the night does the same thing. It does not seem to need any help holding waves or clumping - its quite the clump monster anyway. Sections of my hair seem to have a magnetic affinity for each other and want to hang out and party together - get all twisted and finally make mad love and try to lock up.

I recently tried No Wash/water and that started off nice but went insanely wrong the last few days with me being unable to get it untangled. It needed at least the heavy oiling or something. It seems to absolutely hate being dry and product-less.

By the way it is Roma-Dutch-Black-French hair with an identity crisis.

[Rosa Harris]

Molasses is part of my HG, although i wonder why she refers to it in the article as "wonderfully sweet", the real deal on molasses is the almost black very thick kind that comes in a jar, its made out of sugar cane, never sugar beet (please correct me if i'm using the wrong word for this) it's tastes gross, but maybe it's like marmite, love it or hate it, lol... anyways, yeah, it's moisturizing and gives great shine and slip.

Wonder if that is the same as the cane syrup we get here.

[hennalonghair]

So I just finished writing this really long post explaining in detail of the results but for some reason it couldn't go through so I'll start over.

Washed my hair lsst night and when I woke up this morning my hair was still stightly wet. Talk about locking in moisture. Omg. This really works for smoothing down the hair where it actually has some slip. At first I thought I was going to need to wash my hair over again because my hair is a bit over conditioned but since my hair dries out so fast I decided to just leave it. I did something I normally never ever do. I combed my hair out the day of washing. Yikes, this normally would cause a fair amouht of frizz on the inside of my hair but my hair was surprisingly SMOOTH!,, It's shiny and soft and has a surprising amount of volume WITHOUT the poofiness. If you know what I mean. The weird thing is that its changes my texture so much that I'm not quite used to it yet.
It has slip to it. I never have any slip until the about the 5th day after washing. Now I probably won't have to add any othrr products for the next few days because it has such an incredible amount of moisture.

Ok here is what I did.
massaged scalp with tea tree, rosemary, and peppermint essential oils to stimulate blood flow , cleanse hair follicles and open up pores.
cleansed scalp with theraneem gentle therapy shampoo - great for rekief of dandruff, seborrehea dermatitis, psoriasis and othrr scalp problems
conditioned rest of hair with Burts Bees conditioner with boabab, 2 tbsp. Blackstrap molasses, 2 tsps. Almond oil and left on for 45 minutes.
Rinsed with lukewarm water then cool then proceeded with an ACV rinse -2 tbsps per pint , ( 2 cups) and left it.
Wrapped hair in t shirt to soak up excess water and left to air dry.
Added 2 peasized amounts of the shea butter combination to the inside curls and ends of my hair BUT I clearly didn't need this.

In hindsight I would have been better off pre pooing with molasses and oil, washing scalp and then conditioning the rest of the hair.
adding the shea butter to the areas that start drying out the quickest.

Overall conclusion: Molasses works great to smooth down hair, control frizz, add some slip, add LOTS of shine, soften hair while still maintaining volume.
AND another thing I really liked was that it toned down the orangey colours from the application of henna. Bonus!

Thanks for the great tip Minako

[StickyMane]

That's fantastico that your hair adores molasses and shea butter, hennalonghair! Haha, well, it looks like I'll be trying out molasses and shea butter as soon as possible!

[MINAKO]

Wow, sounds like succes hennalonghair! I actually first came across this reading an african american ladies posts wo had super bad hair from a relaxer and was trying to transition to natural and save some of her hair, so i guessed if it worked for her, it woul for my hair, since it is fairly healthy allover.
I did realign my waves althought not really increased them hence to the damp bun. I noticed tho that my bun as i usually do it started to drop much faster after the second aplication.

Sticky mane, i highly encourage you to give it a try! :D So anybody i recommended this to on another forum has loved it as well. For dry, thick or curly hair it's most likely a hit.

[MINAKO]

Wow, sounds like succes hennalonghair! I actually first came across this reading an african american ladies posts wo had super bad hair from a relaxer and was trying to transition to natural and save some of her hair, so i guessed if it worked for her, it woul for my hair, since it is fairly healthy allover.
I did realign my waves althought not really increased them hence to the damp bun. I noticed tho that my bun as i usually do it started to drop much faster after the second aplication.

Sticky mane, i highly encourage you to give it a try! :D So anybody i recommended this to on another forum has loved it as well. For dry, thick or curly hair it's most likely a hit.

[MINAKO]

Wonder if that is the same as the cane syrup we get here.

Rosa, i guessed there would be a couple kinds of syrups called molasses as well, but the one containing all the good stuff for our hair, like minerals and amino acids is blackstrap molasses. Mine is veeery thick and comes in a jar, i can#t even pour it and need a spoon to make my mix, it becomes creamy with the oild and conditioner in it tho.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackstrap_molasses

[hennalonghair]

Hi ExpectoPatronum
I can completely relate to layers not working in our hair type.
Layers don't work for me either. The curly part stays curly and then to straighter parts of hair just lay on top.
On humid days its a nightmare.
Keeping hair longer and all one length really helps because the canopy hair tends to flatten out the curls a bit and protect them. Whenever my canopy is cut then all those fragile curly bits start snapping off.
My hairs ends up being one big fuzz pile.

Thanks for joining in

[hennalonghair]

I have multi-textured hair.
I have a couple smooth, large S-waves at my nape (and they are getting more stretched and straighter as my hair is growing longer), and my face framing hair is virtually straight.

If I want absolutely straight hair, I use oils and something acidic: diluted vinegar/lemon rinses or products with lactic acid. Holding a curl/wave is really easy for me, too - I just sleep in braids/curlers and it always works like a charm, especially on freshly washed, damp hair.

In terms of what helps me avoid frizz and keep my hair texture manageable:
- I never use heat for styling (only water, oil or some leave-in).
- I never use brushes (only fingers and wide-tooth combs).
- I sleep on silk with hair contained.
- I oil and condition heavily (I use at least 10 times as much conditioner as shampoo).
It sounds like you have got your routine down pat.
I love my curls but it is much simpler to grow hair long and stretch them out.
It's seems easier to care for when its longer.
Another damp braided.
Thanks for joining us and contributing to our conversation.

[hennalonghair]

I can't use silicones except for very rarely as they leave my hair feeling like bad doll hair. Plus I can't usually wash them out as I'm sensitive to SLS family detergents. Even the sulfosuccinates cause me to itch. Dimethicone causes itching as well which is annoying as it's in everything. I'm ok with coco betaine, not much gentler but different chemical configuration, but it's not quite as good at getting cones off the hair.

Hi Mira chan,
I react very similar to you regarding cones.
Washing them out is difficult and who wants to use harsh detergents just to wash them away.
For me I find they make your hair look great for the first day or two but after that they act as a barrier. Other moisturizers and conditioning agents can no longer penetrate that silicone barrier causing hair to literally dehydrate.
I also use the water soluble ones if I'm going to use them

[MINAKO]

Hi Mira chan,
I react very similar to you regarding cones.
Washing them out is difficult and who wants to use harsh detergents just to wash them away.
For me I find they make your hair look great for the first day or two but after that they act as a barrier. Other moisturizers and conditioning agents can no longer penetrate that silicone barrier causing hair to literally dehydrate.
I also use the water soluble ones if I'm going to use them

I can only speak for myself, but i really never had this dryness issue and i'm a heavy cone user, like any kind. Some are sure better then others, but i dont really believe in this barrier "locking" anything else out of the hair. It's more a question of what OTHER good components a product contains, some just have the cones and not much else, that can become a problem. It might be treu that it sticks better the more porous the hair is. I don't wanna convince anybody who doesn't like them to use any, just saying that they are not beautiful hairs worst enemy as people have been developing such an intense aversion against basically anything containing silicone. They are quiet helpful for some.

[hennalonghair]

You can also whip the together with a mixer and a little oil of your choice - I like tea tree cause i also put it on the scalp for dry scalp itches and on my skin. If you do this you need to soften the butters slightly so you dont burn up your mixer. I chunk them in a freezer bag together and get some warm not hot water and put them in it for a few minutes to soften - not melt- them. There are some good whipping vids on youtude. Would love to give it a try with some argan oil as the argan oil products have really done some nice stuff to my hair when I use them.

GRIPPY! never heard that term used for what I am fighting with before. I was calling it 'rough. Last night it was insanely grippy.

I was trying to go NW, but last night I went into caniption fits with my hair and coned it again. I was looking great but feeling horrid. I was not not greasy - in fact it was super bone dry and tangling like a nightmare and felt super rough and catchy - i could not even seem to get it finger combed out well even when spritzing it. Tryig to section it out and finger comb it out was makig me end up with hellova breakage. That was completely product-free hair. I decided to lightly oil it some after spritzing to see if I could make something work and even that it still felt gripy, crunchy and like it wanted to go on a rampage and take over the world. It kinda had that feeling like when you wash henna off your hair before you condition it - eeww - hard and rough thing going on. I started thinking I had damaged the hack out of it somehow - totally delusional thinking but I got obsessed with the idea I had damaged it badly even tho my microscope clearly says I have not. So to prove to myself that my hair was the same as always just under diferent conditions I slathered on my Panteen Truely Naturals Co-wash and it felt lovely doing it and then followed it up with Panteen truet relaxed Oil Creme Moisturizer and my 'old hair' was back again. Its still the same after all. And now its limp and stupid looking as it was before I started but it feels good.

The fluff definitely needs its regular oil and butter treatements and deep conditioning to stay sane and not get into a bad mood and try to eat my head again - so NW is just not going to work at all since I can't slather on the oil and then NW - lol.

Well, I'm not going back to cones. The co-wash does not have sulfates so it might actually be water soluble cones - dunno - but still the end result is limp flat look hair with long s-waves so I am probably best doing cone free conditioner with my oil mix added and not messing with trying to go NW. I just hate that washing makes my scalp go into super-itch mode and NW was really avoiding that. Seems my hair and scalp cant agree on this issue at all.

Hey Rosa Harris
Have you considered using anti bacterial, anti fungal essential oils on your scalp? I had the same problem you're talking about. An itchy . scalp! Using tea tree, neem and of peppermint essential oils directly on scalp works great for me. I use about 10 drops of tea tree, 10 drops of rosemary and 10 drops of peppermint. This I do before I wash. It makes for a great refreshing scalp massage.
Also you might want to dry giving scalp washing only a try with an sls free shampoo.
Since I've been doing this I no longer get itchy dandruffy scalp.

[hennalonghair]

I can only speak for myself, but i really never had this dryness issue and i'm a heavy cone user, like any kind. Some are sure better then others, but i dont really believe in this barrier "locking" anything else out of the hair. It's more a question of what OTHER good components a product contains, some just have the cones and not much else, that can become a problem. It might be treu that it sticks better the more porous the hair is. I don't wanna convince anybody who doesn't like them to use any, just saying that they are not beautiful hairs worst enemy as people have been developing such an intense aversion against basically anything containing silicone. They are quiet helpful for some.

It depends on what cones you are using and what you're using to wash them out with.
Usually the curlier your hair is the drier it is.
Porosity has everything to do with how you'll react to cones. Think about it.
If you have dry damaged or coarse porous hair then you have cracks in the hair cuticle. They aren't naturally smooth.
If you've got dry coarse porous hair then you have lots of these cracked places. Silicone mends these places up nicely, smoothing up the surface by filling them in. Trying to get these cones washed out of hair that's either fine or medium and not to wavy curly is quite doable. Especially if you are in the 1a- to 2a /b group. The curlier the hair , the most damage coverage there is.
You probably don't have this type of problem because you're not that curly, don't have coarse hair and have a fool proof hair regimen using lots of oils and other lubricants. Plus you don't use shampoo so these silicones don't have a heck of a chance getting lodged into your hair and not getting out.

Try checking it out online. Look up all the different types of silicones.
Note which ones are water soluble and which aren't.
There's some great info out there about it.

Some people's hair can handle it and some can't
' Most' curlies do better without them.

[hennalonghair]

I have multi-textured hair, which makes my hair look wild (not to mention it's thick, so it looks even wilder). I have about 1 to 2 spirals in there, which makes it almost 2c but the rest is sometimes 2a, sometimes 2b in texture. It's a jungle in there, honestly. :lol:
Hi lapushka
Thank you for joining us

[hennalonghair]

I use the super soaker method for clumps, and gel to hold my 1c-2c puffy wavy hair into fairly uniform 2b waves throughout. Scrunch drying with a t-shirt rather than an absorbent towel has virtually eliminated the last of my frizz problem.
A super soaker?
Seriously?
Ok thanks Weewah for adding to our conversation

[hennalonghair]

http://m.wikihow.com/Determine-if-a-Hair-Product-is-Curly-Girl-Approved

http://chloeshere.blogspot.ca/2013/09/why-avoid-silicones-in-hair-products.html?m=1

[lapushka]

http://m.wikihow.com/Determine-if-a-Hair-Product-is-Curly-Girl-Approved

http://chloeshere.blogspot.ca/2013/09/why-avoid-silicones-in-hair-products.html?m=1

I don't avoid sulfates, or silicones. :) And I still do the CG routine, albeit (very) modified (see signature).

[hennalonghair]

Everyone has different hair type and texture
What works for some clearly doesn't work for others.
If I could get away with using silicones I would use them all the time. It's certainly an easier solution but unfortunately I can't. There's plenty of others who can't either. Just like some can use CO washing while some don't. Some can use sls and some can't. Some can use certain oils, balms, butters and serum etc while others can't.
It's personal preference just like most things in life.
I think its an important part of the discussion because there's many people that can't use them.

Perhaps it might be a good idea to make some lists of ingredients and what they are for just to make members more aware of whats in their products. I can put it on the front page of the thread.
I'm not wishing to sway anyone one way or the other.

Besides which I got the wrong 2nd thread. Lol

[MINAKO]

It depends on what cones you are using and what you're using to wash them out with.
Usually the curlier your hair is the drier it is.
Porosity has everything to do with how you'll react to cones. Think about it.
If you have dry damaged or coarse porous hair then you have cracks in the hair cuticle. They aren't naturally smooth.
If you've got dry coarse porous hair then you have lots of these cracked places. Silicone mends these places up nicely, smoothing up the surface by filling them in. Trying to get these cones washed out of hair that's either fine or medium and not to wavy curly is quite doable. Especially if you are in the 1a- to 2a /b group. The curlier the hair , the most damage coverage there is.
You probably don't have this type of problem because you're not that curly, don't have coarse hair and have a fool proof hair regimen using lots of oils and other lubricants. Plus you don't use shampoo so these silicones don't have a heck of a chance getting lodged into your hair and not getting out.

Try checking it out online. Look up all the different types of silicones.
Note which ones are water soluble and which aren't.
There's some great info out there about it.

Some people's hair can handle it and some can't
' Most' curlies do better without them.

I used to categorize my hair wrongly when i was youger and probably still do it today sometimes, simply because i was expecting too much, but my cuticles are really different from other curly hair i got to touch so for, even straight caucasian hair often feels much rougher, so i guess i really dont have many of these cracks naturally and the previously were a result of too much shampoo, lack of moisture plus mechanical damage and so on.

When i was recieving the hype that silicones are supposed to be bad, i did read about it, probably like 10years ago for the first time. But the knowledge that is being passed on often is incomplete or just false. I made a list of the solubility level thing, thinking OMG probably i should avoid non-water soluble cones as well. But in fact it doesn't matter. In the end none of them sticks forever to my hair in a build up sort of way and some silicones simply serve to carry other things onto the hair and simply evaporate, which is a chemical property that's hardly ever mentioned along with these warnings. However, since none of them resulted in a catastrophe, i still read the labels, but have to admit that i keep forgetting things and im to lazy to run around with a list in my phone and keep up with the industry, as ingredients change names or new ones are added. I do it ocassionally an compare stuff on a database, when i get home. So far, if a product isn't effective for me, it simply means it doesn't do anything at all, but since i jumped off the shampoo wagon i rarely notice any negative aspect being done by them.

I learned to use my natural oils along with the cones, knowing my proteins and humectants, so i got that down. Keeping in mind i decided to not ban the heat from my routine i also need something temperature resistant that doesnt sizzle up on the hair.

[MINAKO]

http://m.wikihow.com/Determine-if-a-Hair-Product-is-Curly-Girl-Approved

http://chloeshere.blogspot.ca/2013/09/why-avoid-silicones-in-hair-products.html?m=1

On the contrary to this, there are quiet alot of people who see the matter in a different light, i'm not even so rare in the world of wurls with my routine.
Over at Naturallycurly there are quiet a few people giving thumbs up.

A blog i always like to refer to is this one, it's got a lot more scientific in depth content than most of the other blogs i know out there.

http://science-yhairblog.blogspot.de/2014/04/silicone-ingredient-solubility-list.html

[hennalonghair]

I used to categorize my hair wrongly when i was youger and probably still do it today sometimes, simply because i was expecting too much, but my cuticles are really different from other curly hair i got to touch so for, even straight caucasian hair often feels much rougher, so i guess i really dont have many of these cracks naturally and the previously were a result of too much shampoo, lack of moisture plus mechanical damage and so on.

When i was recieving the hype that silicones are supposed to be bad, i did read about it, probably like 10years ago for the first time. But the knowledge that is being passed on often is incomplete or just false. I made a list of the solubility level thing, thinking OMG probably i should avoid non-water soluble cones as well. But in fact it doesn't matter. In the end none of them sticks forever to my hair in a build up sort of way and some silicones simply serve to carry other things onto the hair and simply evaporate, which is a chemical property that's hardly ever mentioned along with these warnings. However, since none of them resulted in a catastrophe, i still read the labels, but have to admit that i keep forgetting things and im to lazy to run around with a list in my phone and keep up with the industry, as ingredients change names or new ones are added. I do it ocassionally an compare stuff on a database, when i get home. So far, if a product isn't effective for me, it simply means it doesn't do anything at all, but since i jumped off the shampoo wagon i rarely notice any negative aspect being done by them.

I learned to use my natural oils along with the cones, knowing my proteins and humectants, so i got that down. Keeping in mind i decided to not ban the heat from my routine i also need something temperature resistant that doesnt sizzle up on the hair.

Hey Minako
I don't think you have anything to worry about. From every thing you've said about the way you care for your hair,it seems like you know your hair well and you have a solid routine that brings results. You protect your hair and care for it. I think you would know if your hair had damage from silicones. Silicones have come a long way in the last 10 years. My understanding of silicones is that many big commercialized shampoo companies use cheaper materials for major profits. They' use cheaper silicones that have smaller molecules and have sulphates and detergents.
With using these types of products you are stripping all the natural oils with harsh detergent and silicones then sealing it up with more detergent and silicones. Of course your hair initially will look great but aftrr a while the drying cycle starts. You have to then keep using shampoo just to maintain any kind of decent hair.
Better quality products use higher end silicones which have larger molecules that can't seap into the hair. They can only sit on top which is where you want them to be. These silicones are easily washed out so dont do any damage.
I don't go around with a list on my phone or otherwise. :lol: I just make sure that if I'm going to use them that I use a high quality one .

I guess you get what you pay for.

Plus you have medium textured hair. People with fine or medium hair usually have more resilience than people with course hair. Its usually smoother so doesn't allow for silicone to seap in.
You mentioned before that you learned a lot from African American haircare forums. Many African Americans , not all, have coarse dry curly hair which is why so many of them stay away from most cones.

Hair porosity has a lot to do with it.

[hennalonghair]

I don't avoid sulfates, or silicones. :) And I still do the CG routine, albeit (very) modified (see signature).

Hi lapushka
I decided to visit your WCC thread today and its great. Thats something I often do with great results.
Wash, condition with a a conefree conditioner then condition again with a deep conditioner and leave it in for about 20 minutes.
But you know I couldn't help noticing how many people not only refuse to use sulphates but Silicones also. There were a lot of them. To me that speaks volumes.

And you have fine textured hair.
its like comparing apples to oranges.

[hennalonghair]

Its a great thread btw I read all 14 pages

[hennalonghair]

http://www.flutterandpout.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Frizzy-Hair.jpg

If the " Wear your hair natural" came back in style would any of you go for it and stop all the primping?
How many feel social pressure to change your hair type just to fit in?
When reading forums about frizz prone hair on black curly girl forums it was stated that the biggest critics for hair typing were other black women.

How much influence does society place on determining whats acceptable and whats not?

How many of you know the style of hair that best suites your personal hair type but decide to cut it, shape it, add in layers, curl it, straighten it, or do other things to it against your better judgment, mainly due to changes in style?
Example: If layered hair is in you'd let your hairstylist convince you to add layers or if smooth hair is in you'd straighten it with a relaxer or a straightening iron?

[lapushka]

Hi lapushka
I decided to visit your WCC thread today and its great. Thats something I often do with great results.
Wash, condition with a a conefree conditioner then condition again with a deep conditioner and leave it in for about 20 minutes.
But you know I couldn't help noticing how many people not only refuse to use sulphates but Silicones also. There were a lot of them. To me that speaks volumes.

And you have fine textured hair.
its like comparing apples to oranges.

Everybody takes from this method what they want, IMMHO. :flower: It works for some, not for others. I'm heavy on the sulfates and the silicones, that's never been a secret. :)

[StickyMane]

http://www.flutterandpout.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Frizzy-Hair.jpg

If the " Wear your hair natural" came back in style would any of you go for it and stop all the primping?
How many feel social pressure to change your hair type just to fit in?
When reading forums about frizz prone hair on black curly girl forums it was stated that the biggest critics for hair typing were other black women.

How much influence does society place on determining whats acceptable and whats not?

How many of you know the style of hair that best suites your personal hair type but decide to cut it, shape it, add in layers, curl it, straighten it, or do other things to it against your better judgment, mainly due to changes in style?
Example: If layered hair is in you'd let your hairstylist convince you to add layers or if smooth hair is in you'd straighten it with a relaxer or a straightening iron?

I'm basically already wearing my hair natural, so I'd be ahead of the fashion game haha. And there's no pressure for me to change my hair type.. nobody's recommended me to curl or straighten my hair. Society determines just about everything that's acceptable or not... it's up to the individual to decide whether they want to follow their guidelines (I don't!). I don't cut, style, or do anything to my hair unless I feel like I want to.. no outside interference, just me and my mind at work. Nobody, and I mean nobody, can sway my opinions without me thoroughly analyzing it. I don't succumb to peer pressure. If everyone tells me to cut my hair short, like to my shoulders, I'll say, "F#$% off."

[luluj]

I would like thank you for this very interesting thread, hennalonghair.

My own hair has many different types, ranging from 2b to 3a with a mixture of tight corkscrews, a touch of frizz, soft waves, and even flat out straight when coming loose from an up-do. I am never sure what I am going to deal with on a day to day basis. I have tried most every method that has been discussed on TLHC and each one has its pros and cons, as far as my own hair reacts. I did indeed give the "no cones method" an honest try, but it only left me with tangles, dryness and no slip or shine.

We are all unique when it comes to our own individual needs in regard to our hair. For me, pass the silicones, please! :pinktongue:

Now, all that said, I do use a sulfate, paraban and silicone free shampoo, but for conditioning I need a product with silicones. :)

[Rosa Harris]

http://www.flutterandpout.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Frizzy-Hair.jpg

If the " Wear your hair natural" came back in style would any of you go for it and stop all the primping?
How many feel social pressure to change your hair type just to fit in?
When reading forums about frizz prone hair on black curly girl forums it was stated that the biggest critics for hair typing were other black women.

How much influence does society place on determining whats acceptable and whats not?

How many of you know the style of hair that best suites your personal hair type but decide to cut it, shape it, add in layers, curl it, straighten it, or do other things to it against your better judgment, mainly due to changes in style?
Example: If layered hair is in you'd let your hairstylist convince you to add layers or if smooth hair is in you'd straighten it with a relaxer or a straightening iron?

Never been much for going with whatever the style is. My mom drove me nutts with that as a kid being she was a hair dresser. I'm an old Punk.

I was effected by my mom's attitudes toward my 'weird hair' and her negativity to it for being neither strait enough of curly enough in her mind. She did convince me I had ugly rat's nest hair. I still deal with those feelings.

[Beborani]

I have all the middle hairtypes (2s and 3 s) on my head and depending on what I do after washing I can make it wavyish or curlyish. Making it curly looks more polished and wavy more casual. I cowash exclusively but use silicones-- serums (every possible cone known to man in those heavy cheap serums) and conditioners both rinse out and leave-in. I have not had any problems with buildup, velcro end, dryness and other things people complain about. I must add that water soluble and insoluble distinction is meaningless unless you plan to wash with water alone. If you use shampoo or conditoners--yes condtioners are just as effective--all you need is amphipathic surfactants and conditoners fit the bill--they will mostly wash off. Preoiling probably helps as oils bind to silicones and dirt in the hair and wash out with the conditioner. I love the curly girl movement--it has made a world of difference in how I treat my hair but I don't agree with silicone scare.

[MINAKO]

http://www.flutterandpout.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Frizzy-Hair.jpg

If the " Wear your hair natural" came back in style would any of you go for it and stop all the primping?
How many feel social pressure to change your hair type just to fit in?
When reading forums about frizz prone hair on black curly girl forums it was stated that the biggest critics for hair typing were other black women.

How much influence does society place on determining whats acceptable and whats not?

How many of you know the style of hair that best suites your personal hair type but decide to cut it, shape it, add in layers, curl it, straighten it, or do other things to it against your better judgment, mainly due to changes in style?
Example: If layered hair is in you'd let your hairstylist convince you to add layers or if smooth hair is in you'd straighten it with a relaxer or a straightening iron?

Nope, i'm not following any trends at all, neither do igive a shizzle about a critique face to face. I just love the feeling of straight, silky, heavy hair.
It grows much better in my case, the more i'm able to manipulate the texture to something straighter as well. Defined waves are ok too, but i would never ever wear my natural texture out and proud, at least not at my current legth, it did look cute when it was shorter than collarbone, but now, huh... not at all.

I left a picture already in another thread which show what is kind of the minimum of control i prefer to wear it down and a nice alternative to ultra sleek.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/shimi88/1395168_10201146348247910_1787012152_n_zps0d003ee0 .jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/shimi88/media/1395168_10201146348247910_1787012152_n_zps0d003ee0 .jpg.html)

[Arwenlily]

http://www.flutterandpout.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Frizzy-Hair.jpg

If the " Wear your hair natural" came back in style would any of you go for it and stop all the primping?
How many feel social pressure to change your hair type just to fit in?
When reading forums about frizz prone hair on black curly girl forums it was stated that the biggest critics for hair typing were other black women.

How much influence does society place on determining whats acceptable and whats not?

How many of you know the style of hair that best suites your personal hair type but decide to cut it, shape it, add in layers, curl it, straighten it, or do other things to it against your better judgment, mainly due to changes in style?
Example: If layered hair is in you'd let your hairstylist convince you to add layers or if smooth hair is in you'd straighten it with a relaxer or a straightening iron?

Honestly, I don't really bother with what is in style. I wear my hair natural but only try to contain the frizz just because I don't like the way it looks. Frizz looks messy to me and I like my hair to look neat. But sometimes I can't avoid frizz, so I just let it be.

[StickyMane]

It would be kind of funny to see people who usually have no frizz at all purposely add frizz to their hair just because it's the new style.

And when only the top half of my hair gets frizzy, it's really a pain to want to just keep the frizz. It's like a poofy, wavy frizz shorter layer and then I have less wavy, frizzless hair underneath that's longer.. looks like I have extensions haha. So I try and do something about the different textures there by evening it out so everything's closer to uniformity.

[hennalonghair]

I'm sorry that I super imposed my personal experience of using cones into beliefs and projected that on to you.
From now on if I ever mention cones again I'll try not to stereo type my comments. I certainly didn't mean to scare anyone.
Now would be a perfect opportunity to emphasize that the reason I opened this thread was to explore the diversity of haircare especially amongst multi textured hair types.
With multi textured hair there's bound to be multiple ways of dealing with it.
I completely embrace and respect the many different hair types and textures and the many diverse ways of caring for it.
Our haircare routine and the products we choose to use are as uniquely individualized as we are.
I'm sorry to have given the impression otherwise.

[hennalonghair]

I'm basically already wearing my hair natural, so I'd be ahead of the fashion game haha. And there's no pressure for me to change my hair type.. nobody's recommended me to curl or straighten my hair. Society determines just about everything that's acceptable or not... it's up to the individual to decide whether they want to follow their guidelines (I don't!). I don't cut, style, or do anything to my hair unless I feel like I want to.. no outside interference, ju
st me and my mind at work. Nobody, and I mean nobody, can sway my opinions without me thoroughly analyzing it. I don't succumb to peer pressure. If everyone tells me to cut my hair short, like to my shoulders, I'll say, "F#$% off."

What a bold bunch you guys are.
I really admire this type of attitude.
Just do your own thing.
Well why not? Our hair becomes a treasured part of us so its a good thing to accept it as is.
I also embrace my own hair just as is but try to enhance the curls and tame any frizz.
If someone suggested I cut off all my hair I will response like you in similar fashion

[StickyMane]

What a bold bunch you guys are.
I really admire this type of attitude.
Just do your own thing.
Well why not? Our hair becomes a treasured part of us so its a good thing to accept it as is.
I also embrace my own hair just as is but try to enhance the curls and tame any frizz.
If someone suggested I cut off all my hair I will response like you in similar fashion

Why thank you hahah. I admire you for making this thread. If it weren't for you, we both wouldn't have molasses. Which, btw, I'm getting some today. I can get it at the grocery store, right?

[hennalonghair]

I would like thank you for this very interesting thread, hennalonghair.

My own hair has many different types, ranging from 2b to 3a with a mixture of tight corkscrews, a touch of frizz, soft waves, and even flat out straight when coming loose from an up-do. I am never sure what I am going to deal with on a day to day basis. I have tried most every method that has been discussed on TLHC and each one has its pros and cons, as far as my own hair reacts. I did indeed give the "no cones method" an honest try, but it only left me with tangles, dryness and no slip or shine.

We are all unique when it comes to our own individual needs in regard to our hair. For me, pass the silicones, please! :pinktongue:

Now, all that said, I do use a sulfate, paraban and silicone free shampoo, but for conditioning I need a product with silicones. :)

Welcome luluj
I'm so glad you dropped by. I've seen your signature picture before and have to say that your hair looks FABULOUS.
I love the colour texture and the way you style it. It's extremely elegant and classy looking.
Did you ever colour it or did you always have natural hair colour?
I'm going gray also and only hope mine looks as good as yours when I decide to make the transition of sporting my grays...( spellcheck .... Lol)

I'm using cones in my next wash .....lol ; )

[hennalonghair]

Why thank you hahah. I admire you for making this thread. If it weren't for you, we both wouldn't have molasses. Which, btw, I'm getting some today. I can get it at the grocery store, right?

Lol.... Yes the grocery store has blackstrap molasses.
It's usually right next to the cooking molasses and fancy molasses.
Have fun with your new adventure.: D

[StickyMane]

Lol.... Yes the grocery store has blackstrap molasses.
It's usually right next to the cooking molasses and fancy molasses.
Have fun with your new adventure.: D

Haha thanks! Do you think it'll work just fine if I just wet my hair and then put some on?

[MINAKO]

Haha thanks! Do you think it'll work just fine if I just wet my hair and then put some on?

I dampen my hair with a spray bottle but would recommend to dilute the molasses with some oil and deep treatment as well. Mine is verrry solid and sticky, there might be brands that come as something more liquid, i don't know about that.

[hennalonghair]

Never been much for going with whatever the style is. My mom drove me nutts with that as a kid being she was a hair dresser. I'm an old Punk.

I was effected by my mom's attitudes toward my 'weird hair' and her negativity to it for being neither strait enough of curly enough in her mind. She did convince me I had ugly rat's nest hair. I still deal with those feelings.

Gosh that's like a double threat: mother AND hairdresser.
Oh my I feel for you. I'm sorry your mother felt it necessary to express such harsh negative views onto you about your hair

[hennalonghair]

I dampen my hair with a spray bottle but would recommend to dilute the molasses with some oil and deep treatment as well. Mine is verrry solid and sticky, there might be brands that come as something more liquid, i don't know about that.
Yes I agree with diluting it first. You surely do NOT want to put straight molasses into your hair. It's WAY to thick and sticky for that. OMG girl, if you did that you'd hate us both forever and a day :lol:

[StickyMane]

I dampen my hair with a spray bottle but would recommend to dilute the molasses with some oil and deep treatment as well. Mine is verrry solid and sticky, there might be brands that come as something more liquid, i don't know about that.

Haha I just remembered about the oil. I'll use my handy coconut oil.. or wait, didn't someone suggest grapeseed oil being good? Was it you lol?

[StickyMane]

Yes I agree with diluting it first. You surely do NOT want to put straight molasses into your hair. It's WAY to thick and sticky for that. OMG girl, if you did that you'd hate us both forever and a day :lol:

Yeah that's like putting honey straight on your hair. Yikes. Lol I sure would've hated y'all! Hahah.

[hennalonghair]

I have all the middle hairtypes (2s and 3 s) on my head and depending on what I do after washing I can make it wavyish or curlyish. Making it curly looks more polished and wavy more casual. I cowash exclusively but use silicones-- serums (every possible cone known to man in those heavy cheap serums) and conditioners both rinse out and leave-in. I have not had any problems with buildup, velcro end, dryness and other things people complain about. I must add that water soluble and insoluble distinction is meaningless unless you plan to wash with water alone. If you use shampoo or conditoners--yes condtioners are just as effective--all you need is amphipathic surfactants and conditoners fit the bill--they will mostly wash off. Preoiling probably helps as oils bind to silicones and dirt in the hair and wash out with the conditioner. I love the curly girl movement--it has made a world of difference in how I treat my hair but I don't agree with silicone scare.
Your hair is really pretty.
It's a similar texture to mine but I think you are a little bit more curly
Thanks for joining in

[hennalonghair]

Nope, i'm not following any trends at all, neither do igive a shizzle about a critique face to face. I just love the feeling of straight, silky, heavy hair.
It grows much better in my case, the more i'm able to manipulate the texture to something straighter as well. Defined waves are ok too, but i would never ever wear my natural texture out and proud, at least not at my current legth, it did look cute when it was shorter than collarbone, but now, huh... not at all.

I left a picture already in another thread which show what is kind of the minimum of control i prefer to wear it down and a nice alternative to ultra sleek.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/shimi88/1395168_10201146348247910_1787012152_n_zps0d003ee0 .jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/shimi88/media/1395168_10201146348247910_1787012152_n_zps0d003ee0 .jpg.html)
Oh myyy! Look at YOU!!!
Those are beautiful waves. Very sleek smooth look.
You've got lovely hair Minako.

[hennalonghair]

Honestly, I don't really bother with what is in style. I wear my hair natural but only try to contain the frizz just because I don't like the way it looks. Frizz looks messy to me and I like my hair to look neat. But sometimes I can't avoid frizz, so I just let it be.

Same here Arwenlily
I don't have a lot of hair that frizzes but when it does I don't get too upset about it
We might as well accept it. It's part of our texture.

[MINAKO]

I use sesame oil, but i'm sure grapeseed would work just as well. I haven't bought it in a long time, but it's pretty effective compared to a very pricey oil like argan or macadamia too.

[MINAKO]

Oh myyy! Look at YOU!!!
Those are beautiful waves. Very sleek smooth look.
You've got lovely hair Minako.

Thank you! The straightening lasts me quiet a while when i take proper care of it afterward and not accidetially get my hair wet in the shower, so usually i keep it like this for the entire time in between washes, but don't do it after every wash, in fact just sometimes. I have a hard time since im used to my hair in a bun and even smooth i do have the bad habit of checking on it all the time and it's attacking my face, lol.

Yay, hands up for the molasses. Y'all might wanna try catnip rinses and cassia every once in a while for some smoothness too, it all adds up and there are in fact many cone free options that are ver helpful in their own way.

[StickyMane]

I use sesame oil, but i'm sure grapeseed would work just as well. I haven't bought it in a long time, but it's pretty effective compared to a very pricey oil like argan or macadamia too.

I used coconut oil with the molasses just now. I accidentally poured in way too much coconut oil because it's in liquid form from how hot it is in my room. :doh:

[StickyMane]

So I'm gonna rinse mine out in 2 or 3 hours or so.. does that sound good? There's no such thing as "too long" with oil and molasses, right?

[two_wheels]

This is a really interesting thread. I don't have mixed texture in the curliness measure, but very much so in the fine/medium/coarse measure. Mostly medium but lots of coarse frizzy hairs in the canopy that just love to jump up and cause trouble :nono: Coney serum makes it SO much worse, I thought I was the only one in the world it didn't work for! Frizz-Ease? Whatever...

Thankyou to everyone for the tips which I shall experiment with when I get a chance! and Minako, those waves- wow!

Staying subscribed :popcorn:

[MINAKO]

So I'm gonna rinse mine out in 2 or 3 hours or so.. does that sound good? There's no such thing as "too long" with oil and molasses, right?

Absolutely fine, i already have left it on overnight and it just increases the effect. Please let us all know how it went for you. :)

[MINAKO]

This is a really interesting thread. I don't have mixed texture in the curliness measure, but very much so in the fine/medium/coarse measure. Mostly medium but lots of coarse frizzy hairs in the canopy that just love to jump up and cause trouble :nono: Coney serum makes it SO much worse, I thought I was the only one in the world it didn't work for! Frizz-Ease? Whatever...

Thankyou to everyone for the tips which I shall experiment with when I get a chance! and Minako, those waves- wow!

Staying subscribed :popcorn:

Thank you, two_wheels! I feel you on the coarse within canopy and medium to fine underneath part as well, i have that too, some hairs looking three times as thick as others. Actually the not so coarse one behave fine and with the help of the cones and it does have an effet to the better on the supercoarsies as well, but taming them would be something else, i try to keep them soft and moisturized at the least so i can at least force them to lay flat in a bun or when i heatstyle.

[two_wheels]

Yes, I think the problem with the coney stuff is that it weighs down my medium hair too much, and the coarse hairs spring out even more!

At the moment I'm doing occasional overnight coconut oil, and when I do cassia I mix with coconut milk and honey, and apart from that I just accept that it's going to be frizzy and don't try to weigh down the rest of the hair. Result: the canopy doesn't look terribly out of place, because it's fluffy all over my head :lol:

Damp bunning, I'm with you, really helps to enforce good behaviour.

[StickyMane]

Absolutely fine, i already have left it on overnight and it just increases the effect. Please let us all know how it went for you. :)

I'll definitely let y'all know how it goes. How will you wash yours out?

[hennalonghair]

Thank you! The straightening lasts me quiet a while when i take proper care of it afterward and not accidetially get my hair wet in the shower, so usually i keep it like this for the entire time in between washes, but don't do it after every wash, in fact just sometimes. I have a hard time since im used to my hair in a bun and even smooth i do have the bad habit of checking on it all the time and it's attacking my face, lol.

Yay, hands up for the molasses. Y'all might wanna try catnip rinses and cassia every once in a while for some smoothness too, it all adds up and there are in fact many cone free options that are ver helpful in their own way.

You seem to have quite a solid routine.
The only thing I dont like about wearing buns is that I canr use my reliner properly.
The bun gets in the bway.
Do you wear your buns high on your head?

[hennalonghair]

Yes, I think the problem with the coney stuff is that it weighs down my medium hair too much, and the coarse hairs spring out even more!

At the moment I'm doing occasional overnight coconut oil, and when I do cassia I mix with coconut milk and honey, and apart from that I just accept that it's going to be frizzy and don't try to weigh down the rest of the hair. Result: the canopy doesn't look terribly out of place, because it's fluffy all over my head :lol:

Damp bunning, I'm with you, really helps to enforce good behaviour.

Hi two wheels,
Do you drive a motorcycle?
Thanks for adding to the discussion.
My has asks similar. Itbsooths down the medium , makes curly hair more frizzy and makes my coarse hair stand out too much for my liking.

[two_wheels]

Hi hennalonghair - no, just a pedal cycle! Though I have two now, so I should be four_wheels really :lol:
Glad I'm not alone on the serum = crazy hair thing :)

[hennalonghair]

Hi hennalonghair - no, just a pedal cycle! Though I have two now, so I should be four_wheels really :lol:
Glad I'm not alone on the serum = crazy hair thing :)

Ok thanks. You must really like bicycling.
Ive got a mountain bike and road bicycle too
The weather is sure great for it.

[luluj]

Welcome luluj
I'm so glad you dropped by. I've seen your signature picture before and have to say that your hair looks FABULOUS.
I love the colour texture and the way you style it. It's extremely elegant and classy looking.
Did you ever colour it or did you always have natural hair colour?
I'm going gray also and only hope mine looks as good as yours when I decide to make the transition of sporting my grays...( spellcheck .... Lol)

I'm using cones in my next wash .....lol ; )

Thanks for the welcome, and thanks for such a flattering compliment, hennalonghair. :flowers:

Yes, I coloured my hair for many years and I quite enjoyed playing around with a lot of fun colours. I have been blonde, auburn, dark brown and the occasional shade of green shudder:due to some botched, at home experiments.:p.

I gave up the dye in August of 2008.

[MINAKO]

I'll definitely let y'all know how it goes. How will you wash yours out?

I rinse it with handwarm water and then CO twice.


You seem to have quite a solid routine.
The only thing I dont like about wearing buns is that I canr use my reliner properly.
The bun gets in the bway.
Do you wear your buns high on your head?

I place my bun high on the head and wrap it with a very slippery, strechy satin scarf, technically i can sleep on the back of my head but always tend to wake up face down, lol.

ETA: Hennalonghair, if you want to return to trying out a coney product, start at your lengths firt to see if your hair likes it, so you don't risk anything by aplying it to the entire head. I would recommend a serum to start trying. Something i founf really exceptionally good was the John Frieda full repair oil elixir, i know the brad doesn't have the best reputation but this stuff is great on my, not sticky at all, doesn't even provide the heavyness i'm usualy after but keeps a ton of moisture if i put it on damp hair, really softening.

http://www.johnfrieda.com/en-US/ProductDetail/Hair-Care/Full-Repair/Repairing-Oil-Elixir

[StickyMane]

Umm.. yeah.. where has molasses been all my life?!

I seriously have no frizz right now. My curly, dry, breakable baby hairs are calm and my hair is smooth and soft! But I only washed it with water.. so there's no doubt a bunch of coconut oil still in it.. but even when I would WO with oil, I'd have tangles and frizz.. but this, this is amazing. Thank you for suggesting this, MINAKO!

[Beborani]

Hennalonghair, sorry if it seemed like I got on your case! Personal experiences are all we have and I appreciate them--it is the blogs and such that get to me as they are not evidence of any kind--just another opinion whose author is not amongst us to discuss it.

[MINAKO]

Umm.. yeah.. where has molasses been all my life?!

I seriously have no frizz right now. My curly, dry, breakable baby hairs are calm and my hair is smooth and soft! But I only washed it with water.. so there's no doubt a bunch of coconut oil still in it.. but even when I would WO with oil, I'd have tangles and frizz.. but this, this is amazing. Thank you for suggesting this, MINAKO!

That's great. Molasses for the win! Yoko Ono would be proud of us, lol! :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
Yeah, try to see if it's ideal this way, i can also imagine it would do well in a rinse. It's also a great facemask by the way, i mix it with healing clay powder, some water and a few drops of oil, babysoft face after washing it off 30 mins later. It's really a great multipurpose product.

[StickyMane]

I'm damp braiding my hair tonight. Still frizzless and soft though so yay! Wow I never would've thought molasses was so versatile.. but then again I've never really ever thought about molasses before lol.

[hennalonghair]

Thanks for the welcome, and thanks for such a flattering compliment, hennalonghair. :flowers:

Yes, I coloured my hair for many years and I quite enjoyed playing around with a lot of fun colours. I have been blonde, auburn, dark brown and the occasional shade of green shudder:due to some botched, at home experiments.:p.

I gave up the dye in August of 2008.

Occasional shade of green :lol:
Funny now but not at the time
In 2008 when you stopped colouring, did you do a big chop or just let the coloured parts grow out?

[hennalonghair]

I rinse it with handwarm water and then CO twice.



I place my bun high on the head and wrap it with a very slippery, strechy satin scarf, technically i can sleep on the back of my head but always tend to wake up face down, lol.

ETA: Hennalonghair, if you want to return to trying out a coney product, start at your lengths firt to see if your hair likes it, so you don't risk anything by aplying it to the entire head. I would recommend a serum to start trying. Something i founf really exceptionally good was the John Frieda full repair oil elixir, i know the brad doesn't have the best reputation but this stuff is great on my, not sticky at all, doesn't even provide the heavyness i'm usualy after but keeps a ton of moisture if i put it on damp hair, really softening.

http://www.johnfrieda.com/en-US/ProductDetail/Hair-Care/Full-Repair/Repairing-Oil-Elixir

Wake up face down? Lol
Ive tried sleeping with a bun in my hair and I just cant sleep. Its far too uncomfortable.
Even braids bothrr me. I dont bothrr with protective styles at night.
I let it all hang out. Lol

Thanks for the cone serum recommendation.
my next wash I'm goinv to use some of carols daughters products from hrr Monoi line.
im going to wash with the Monoi shampoo, then use some conditioner rinse, then do a 30 minute deep treatment with Monoi Repairing Hair Mask which has some cones in it but its so nice. The scent is a bit strong but I find all her products strongly.scented.

The Minosa Honey smells like orange fruitellas. Im not sure if you have them in Europe but they were a childhood favourite.

[hennalonghair]

Umm.. yeah.. where has molasses been all my life?!

I seriously have no frizz right now. My curly, dry, breakable baby hairs are calm and my hair is smooth and soft! But I only washed it with water.. so there's no doubt a bunch of coconut oil still in it.. but even when I would WO with oil, I'd have tangles and frizz.. but this, this is amazing. Thank you for suggesting this, MINAKO!

This is great news stickymane. Minakos molasses suggestion is a big success.
I think I over conditiined my hair a tad but that just means my technique needs tweeking some.
its surprising huh?
I love experimenting with new hair recipes.
its fun.

[hennalonghair]

Hennalonghair, sorry if it seemed like I got on your case! Personal experiences are all we have and I appreciate them--it is the blogs and such that get to me as they are not evidence of any kind--just another opinion whose author is not amongst us to discuss it.

Not a problem Beborani.
I can be stubbornly opinionated which can take away from being objective.
This thread isn't about MY opinions but a collaboration of everyone's.

Besides which, it made me more consciously aware of my choice of words and how I express myself which is always a GOOD thing.
So thanks :D

[hennalonghair]

That's great. Molasses for the win! Yoko Ono would be proud of us, lol! :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
Yeah, try to see if it's ideal this way, i can also imagine it would do well in a rinse. It's also a great facemask by the way, i mix it with healing clay powder, some water and a few drops of oil, babysoft face after washing it off 30 mins later. It's really a great multipurpose product.

What type of clay do you use?
Bentonite?

[MINAKO]

This is great news stickymane. Minakos molasses suggestion is a big success.
I think I over conditiined my hair a tad but that just means my technique needs tweeking some.
its surprising huh?
I love experimenting with new hair recipes.
its fun.

Maybe you could both try it as a prewash next time. I actually just did it ths way because i wasn't sure if i had to expect any stickness from a residue, but the moment i rinsed it and not even had any conditioner on my hair it was so slippery that i could tell it would go as a rinse of deepconditioner after the wash too. Actually im thinking of mixing it into a bottle and try to lightly spray it on, should do along with an oil for some moisture in between.

[hennalonghair]

Ive never been one to keep up with the latest hair styles or easily be manipulated into changing my style by any others but I have in the past.
Now i will never visit another hairdresser and refuse to even consider what others peoples opinions on my hair are.
ive had far to much hair chopped off needlessly leaving me with hairstyles I didnt ask for and a bucket of tears?

How attached are you to your hair?
Why are we so attacteed to our hair?

What are some funny experiences you've had concerning your hair?
One of the funniest things thats happened to me was when I was younger I worked in a restaurant while putting myself through school.
at the time I had hair down to my butt and this particular day I had it in a ponytail but with 8 braids. The bottoms of the braids were all tied together at the end of my braided ponytail. This guy that I worked with came by and stuck a small plate through these 8 braids and rested it at the bottom where they were all tied off. He turned and looked at me and said, "now youve got another place to carry food to your customers."
I laughed so hard I almost got myself fired.

[two_wheels]

That's a funny story :D I don't really have any funny ones... Regarding comments, whenever it is long enough I just put it up all the time, people don't see it. My friends are nice and wouldn't say mean things about it anyway, and I think my mum misses her hair being longer so she doesn't snark either.

I read all of this thread- so many things I recognise and funny too, you are my peeeeeople! I did cassia yesterday so am currently sporting yoko hair. Love it.

Now, does anyone have opinions on boar bristle brushes? I love mine- as long as I use it before bed. It really tames canopy frizz for me, although I have trouble getting the effect all the way to the ends. And it does make the top look oily right after brushing- but then I sleep on it and in the morning it looks great. Should I put oil or something on the ends so the effect travels all the way down?

[MINAKO]

Now, does anyone have opinions on boar bristle brushes? I love mine- as long as I use it before bed. It really tames canopy frizz for me, although I have trouble getting the effect all the way to the ends. And it does make the top look oily right after brushing- but then I sleep on it and in the morning it looks great. Should I put oil or something on the ends so the effect travels all the way down?

You bet there is a precision tool for any case ;) ! My next boar bristle brush is most likely going to be this one. I haven't used it myself, so this tip has in no way a review quality, but look at this baby http://www.prohairtools.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=440 . Should hold up sturdy enuough to deal with some extra tangles in the deeper layers. :D

Onto your questions, hennalonghair!
How attached are you to your hair?
Using a scale of 1-10 i would say 8.5, lol. I'm not teribly attached to length but the overall condition.

Why are we so attacteed to our hair?
Because i had to work and expiriment excessively for the knowledge and standards i go by today, it was time, money, frustration, tears and finally success.
Anything you've invested so much product and emotions in would be hard to let go, lol.

What are some funny experiences you've had concerning your hair?
Funniest and probably most enlightening moment was probably my mom not regognising until i literally whipped my freshly cut hair in her face at the train Station.
I chopped it all off from waist to chin, after a 400 bucks japanese straightening performed by the worst german jerk hairdresser had been going horribly wrong.
My hair was a trainwreck full of breakage and i decided to part with any damage, wear it natural for a while and take things into my own hands when it comes to it.
If it wasn't for the money, i don't even regret going temporarily short back then, was fun to play edward scissorhands in the middle of the night and be done styling it in ten minutes afterwards. Lesson learned! :cool:

[YamaMaya]

I have multi textured hair too. Kinda 2a-2c. My top layer is coarse(ish) and very wavy, tends to frizz. My underlayer is much finer and straighter. The hairline is pretty fine too, but would form aringlet here and there, hair doesn't get that long in that area, so it's probably light enough to still hold a curl.

Well, my entire routine is about flattening it, smoothing it all out and stop the hairs from Fighting each other. I think friction within hair itself is an often underrated enemy. I was dealing with breakage before i learned to take care of my hair, nowadays, hardly any. I CO, LOC, love proteins, oils and also cones. I do wears buns most of the time to protect it and handle my hair as gently as possible. I use a prewash treatment every time (once a week) made of molasses, sesame oil and deep conditioner.
I rinse with an acidic coffe mixture.
When i notice a fairy knot i snip it out immediately, never let them stay or rip them out with your nails.

Since i don't shamp shampoo, sls free is the case for me too, but i really don't ever see what the fuzz of paraben, glycerin, cone and absolutely any alcohol avoidance is about.
Parabens are thought to be toxic and may be linked to some cancers, so there is growing concern over their safety.

[hennalonghair]

Maybe you could both try it as a prewash next time. I actually just did it ths way because i wasn't sure if i had to expect any stickness from a residue, but the moment i rinsed it and not even had any conditioner on my hair it was so slippery that i could tell it would go as a rinse of deepconditioner after the wash too. Actually im thinking of mixing it into a bottle and try to lightly spray it on, should do along with an oil for some moisture in between.

Yeah exactly. It worked soo well that I didnt need to deep condition afterwards but because my hair ended up over conditioned.
I wasnt expecting it to be that effective but it certainly is. My hair was much easier to manipulate into different styles which was nice especially with the humid weather.
Yes I'll prepoo with it next time.
The spray bottle idea is a good one. I've got all kinds of spray bottle concoctions and I love them all

[hennalonghair]

That's a funny story :D I don't really have any funny ones... Regarding comments, whenever it is long enough I just put it up all the time, people don't see it. My friends are nice and wouldn't say mean things about it anyway, and I think my mum misses her hair being longer so she doesn't snark either.

I read all of this thread- so many things I recognise and funny too, you are my peeeeeople! I did cassia yesterday so am currently sporting yoko hair. Love it.

Now, does anyone have opinions on boar bristle brushes? I love mine- as long as I use it before bed. It really tames canopy frizz for me, although I have trouble getting the effect all the way to the ends. And it does make the top look oily right after brushing- but then I sleep on it and in the morning it looks great. Should I put oil or something on the ends so the effect travels all the way down?

I'm glad you are enjoying the thread and our company.

I love my BBB also.
What I do is oil or condition the ends of my hair with product. Since you don't really like serums too much, try using just a pea sized dollip of coconut oil and scrunch into ends. You shouldnt have to oil the ends of your brush. In fact I dont recommend it. It just creates an oily dirty brush . The oils will attract extra dirt and lint making it most difficult to wash. Or try using 25% of your favourite conditioner into a spray bottle and fill the rest with water. Spray on dry frizzy hair when needed. Sometimes I add aloe vera gel or otyer treats. Perhaps some molassex woukd be worth experimenting with.
I wash my brush often which is one of its best features. Its cleans up well.
What type of brush do you use two wheels?
The Mason Pearson brush is expensive but its exceptional.
Sometimes I use it right after I've washed my hair and its 90% dry.
it gently elongates my curls and waves into sleeker locks . I usually end up with 2a ish hair with the ends flipped up slightly. Its a completely different look that I like. When I do my hair like this I could glide a comb easier and effortkessly all day long. No exaggeration.
Minako suggestion is dope. That is one terrific looking brush for a good price.

[hennalonghair]

Parabens are thought to be toxic and may be linked to some cancers, so there is growing concern over their safety.

:whistle:
shudder:




:bowtome:

[hennalonghair]

You bet there is a precision tool for any case ;) ! My next boar bristle brush is most likely going to be this one. I haven't used it myself, so this tip has in no way a review quality, but look at this baby http://www.prohairtools.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=440 . Should hold up sturdy enuough to deal with some extra tangles in the deeper layers. :D

Onto your questions, hennalonghair!
How attached are you to your hair?
Using a scale of 1-10 i would say 8.5, lol. I'm not teribly attached to length but the overall condition.

Why are we so attacteed to our hair?
Because i had to work and expiriment excessively for the knowledge and standards i go by today, it was time, money, frustration, tears and finally success.
Anything you've invested so much product and emotions in would be hard to let go, lol.

What are some funny experiences you've had concerning your hair?
Funniest and probably most enlightening moment was probably my mom not regognising until i literally whipped my freshly cut hair in her face at the train Station.
I chopped it all off from waist to chin, after a 400 bucks japanese straightening performed by the worst german jerk hairdresser had been going horribly wrong.
My hair was a trainwreck full of breakage and i decided to part with any damage, wear it natural for a while and take things into my own hands when it comes to it.
If it wasn't for the money, i don't even regret going temporarily short back then, was fun to play edward scissorhands in the middle of the night and be done styling it in ten minutes afterwards. Lesson learned! :cool:

I'll have to get to this one a bit later.
btw Minako, nice brush selection. Thats one fine looking brush.
I used to use only the boar bristles but have recently discovered that the mixed bristle brush, like the MP mixed bristle brush or the one that Minoka mentioned, are more suited to my hair type. The nylon bristles seem to tame the frizz perhaps better than bbb's alone.
At least thats my personal experience with them.

[StickyMane]

Maybe you could both try it as a prewash next time. I actually just did it ths way because i wasn't sure if i had to expect any stickness from a residue, but the moment i rinsed it and not even had any conditioner on my hair it was so slippery that i could tell it would go as a rinse of deepconditioner after the wash too. Actually im thinking of mixing it into a bottle and try to lightly spray it on, should do along with an oil for some moisture in between.

I didn't have any sticky residue doing WO. And I still have no little afro this morning. I'll definitely be trying it before I actually wash my hair with S&C.. I know that'll work great, too.

[StickyMane]

Ive never been one to keep up with the latest hair styles or easily be manipulated into changing my style by any others but I have in the past.
Now i will never visit another hairdresser and refuse to even consider what others peoples opinions on my hair are.
ive had far to much hair chopped off needlessly leaving me with hairstyles I didnt ask for and a bucket of tears?

How attached are you to your hair?
Why are we so attacteed to our hair?

What are some funny experiences you've had concerning your hair?
One of the funniest things thats happened to me was when I was younger I worked in a restaurant while putting myself through school.
at the time I had hair down to my butt and this particular day I had it in a ponytail but with 8 braids. The bottoms of the braids were all tied together at the end of my braided ponytail. This guy that I worked with came by and stuck a small plate through these 8 braids and rested it at the bottom where they were all tied off. He turned and looked at me and said, "now youve got another place to carry food to your customers."
I laughed so hard I almost got myself fired.

I'm extremely attached to my hair. I always imagine getting into a fight with someone and they go for my hair (like wusses!) and that's when I go psycho. Don't touch my hair. I have no idea why we're so attached to our hair.. it grows back. But then again, we have invested years in our hair's growth and maintenance, so that's probably why.

[MINAKO]

Parabens are thought to be toxic and may be linked to some cancers, so there is growing concern over their safety.

Thanks for clarifying that. Anyhow, i stopped panicking about too many potential things that could be responsible for cancer, so would be breathing at the end of the day. I don't go as far as sunbathing, smoking or eating processed foods, but were not entirely safe anywhere. It's not good news but doesn't really bother me in a hair product that works.

[lapushka]

Thanks for clarifying that. Anyhow, i stopped panicking about too many potential things that could be responsible for cancer, so would be breathing at the end of the day.

If it's really *that* bad, it would be off the market already.

[hennalonghair]

:lala::scared:
:whistle:
shudder:




:bowtome:
I'm just messin' with ya Minako!
I have no desire spending time debating over product ingredients when there's so many other things to talk about.
That was my attempt of humour on the subject.
A poor attempt . :brickwall:


:scared:

[two_wheels]

Whew! Subject change!! :D I don't fuss about parabens either, trusting in our European regulations for now

Ok so hennalonghair you asked what kind of BBB I use... I have the MP handy size, pure bristle. I tried a denman mixed nylon/bristle and didn't like it much, maybe because my hair is only medium thickness and I detangle with a comb first, I find the pure bristle is fine for me. Minako's brush looks great for people with masses of hair, though! I think I'm going to try with a little jojoba oil on the ends of my hair next time.

[hennalonghair]

I'm still digesting the fact that you cut off all your hair on your own confidently.
I'm not sure I'd attemp that Minako.

Hair is an obsession for me also.
On a scale from 1 to 10 I'd be somewhere between 8 and 9.
I agree with both Minako and StickyMane that we have invested so much time and effort along with money on our hair that we protect and cherish it like its old silk.
Our hair starts to become part of our character.

[hennalonghair]

Whew! Subject change!! :D I don't fuss about parabens either, trusting in our European regulations for now

Ok so hennalonghair you asked what kind of BBB I use... I have the MP handy size, pure bristle. I tried a denman mixed nylon/bristle and didn't like it much, maybe because my hair is only medium thickness and I detangle with a comb first, I find the pure bristle is fine for me. Minako's brush looks great for people with masses of hair, though! I think I'm going to try with a little jojoba oil on the ends of my hair next time.

Ok so you've got a great brush. Mason Pearson is a good make. Aren't they just devine to clean?
I wasnt sure whether you were talking about oiling your hair or oiling your brush. Some people oil their brushes.
The MP was my choice only due to my hairs thickness. Id love to get the pure bristle brush just for nightly or pre poo brushing.
Ive only had my MP brush for about 6 months now.
Have you had yours for long.? Are the bristles long on your brush and do they come with cleaning brushes?

[hennalonghair]

Ive just discovered the smiley faces over the last few days
Got a tad carried away :lol:
Gotta love those cute little faces :shrug:

[MINAKO]

Yes i'm kind of trusting the regulation to some degree as well.
I was just thanking Yama Mata for explaining the matter to me, because honestly, on parabens, i admittedly never even cared to look up why people didn't like to use them in some cases. I knew it's some kind of preservative and that was it. Als long as they even put it in Baby Products, i seriously can't be bothered. But no offense taken in any way. :)

Oh, the chopping was fun, i rember that half of my hair from nape length down had broken off anyways, it was really gummy and still caused bad tangles, so i furiously sarted snipping them until it at least felt somewhat healthy, the next day i had it a bit corrected in a salon, but actually didnt do too bad myself. I was left with a 2 inch pony stub and really liked the lenght, so i kept it there until it had all grown in virgin again and restarted growing long. It was fun having short hair for once, i seriously only regret the fact that i had to pay for a straighteing service before that was essentially an amateur at work.
I think before that happened i was much more obsessed with my hair than i am now. But that was the point were i learned to shift the focus a bit and study things on myself, rather than trusting in a stylist.

Of course i would be pissed if something happened to my hair now that it's so nice and healthy, but i survived it once, so another time is most likely possible, pixies, bobs, wigs, whatsoever, i would know how to have fun with it. :)

[two_wheels]

Ok so you've got a great brush. Mason Pearson is a good make. Aren't they just devine to clean?
I wasnt sure whether you were talking about oiling your hair or oiling your brush. Some people oil their brushes.
The MP was my choice only due to my hairs thickness. Id love to get the pure bristle brush just for nightly or pre poo brushing.
Ive only had my MP brush for about 6 months now.
Have you had yours for long.? Are the bristles long on your brush and do they come with cleaning brushes?

Yeah, for some reason oiling the brush squicks me out, but oiling my hair then brushing... no problem :hmm:

I'm pretty sure the handy size one that I have doesn't come with its own mini brush, I've had it for a long time now, they last forever. Cleaning is so easy, yes! I've been thinking about getting one of the big ones when I get to waist... but that's probably 2 years from now!

I have before-LHC and after-LHC pics that are quite funny (to me). Can dig them out if anyone cares.

[two_wheels]

Of course i would be pissed if something happened to my hair now that it's so nice and healthy, but i survived it once, so another time is most likely possible, pixies, bobs, wigs, whatsoever, i would know how to have fun with it. :)

I feel the same. I know I look ok with a pixie, it's just easier & cheaper for me not to cut it every 4 weeks. The mid-length hair is a bit of a fuzzy disaster though :lol:

[chen bao jun]

Yeah, I SOOOO have this.
My mom says I have 3-in-1 hair and she attributes it to me being so mixed race. (Generations of it..) But I have been noticing that people who are less mixed (you know what I mean, I know that in fact everyone is probably mixed but don't want to start a discussion of that here) also can have a lot of different textures on the same head.
My hair is coarse like Asian (I can sew a button on with it), curly like African and also has part of it which are still curly, but not like African, they are almost wavy and I don't know how to describe it. Limp? But that would be from an African hair type point of view. the best way I can describe them is to say that since I have started wearing my natural hair, other black people look at those sections (the whole top of my head, actually) and keep asking me if (or trying to convince me that) I have heat damage, because they can't see how those parts can just 'fall' or flop like they do and still be healthy. I tell them that I haven't had heat in my hair forever and its definitely not damaged in any way and they don't believe me because from looking at the back of my head where the hair is actually different (and very tightly curly) I clearly have an African hair type which should shrink and stand up on my head, not fall down.
You can almost draw a line across the middle of my head and on one side of the line (top of head) its really different than the other side.
This has advantages since with a certain kind of manipulation I can have a 60's style fro (which I did) with my natural hair and with another kind of manipulation, the same natural hair distinctly looks wavy and not African at all. Without any manipulation at all, it's ringlet type curls, spirals, but of two very different sizes and looks. The spirals on top are large and silky and the spirals on the bottom are small and fuzzy and tend to frizz much more quickly.
that's what my mom means by "3-in-1"
the main things I have found are that it all needs a whole lot of moisture, much more than you'd think possible to be healthy (my 60's style fro was partly accomplished by my hair being so dry that it was a frizzball all over, as well as constant picking and teasing which broke all the curls apart) and that I have to take care for it not to get super tangled, because when the two different textures get wound around each other, watch out. Braids are really nice for my hair because they keep it 'organized'. But I went through a period when I did what are called 'braid outs'--lots of tiny little braids that you take out and don't comb out for a sort of medusa look, and as I found with tiny cornrows before, little bitty braids are just heck on my hair. Way too much manipulation, which breaks hair off and they remove all the curl so that it all gets 'limp and plus my density is so high that making a lot of tiny braids is a seriously hellish job. Not to mention, taking them out,w hich is even worse. So it has to be two or three large braids at most, made very very loosely (so as not to curl crush).
I will be reading back through this thread for suggestions.

[hennalonghair]

Ive never cut my hair that short on my own. One of the benefits of long hair is that I don't have to trust or count on anyone else. By the time its between APL and BSL I can comfortably cut it I've elf. Any shorter than that and its far too short and thick to try and do a blunt hemline.

Ive grown my hair to almost classic three times but have never quite got there. Im getting older now so I want to reach that goal before i cant any more. I henna my roots every 2 weeks mainly because I've got some silver roots. Id like to keep my hennaed hair until I reach classic. Then I'll do the big chop and let it all grow back naturally.

I'm glad theres hair brush users . When I first joined and noticed many wavies/ curlies not using brushes so I stopped using mine but I really missed it. Brushing my hair before bed has been such a long time ritual that there seemed to be a void there.

[hennalonghair]

Yeah, for some reason oiling the brush squicks me out, but oiling my hair then brushing... no problem :hmm:

I'm pretty sure the handy size one that I have doesn't come with its own mini brush, I've had it for a long time now, they last forever. Cleaning is so easy, yes! I've been thinking about getting one of the big ones when I get to waist... but that's probably 2 years from now!

I have before-LHC and after-LHC pics that are quite funny (to me). Can dig them out if anyone cares.

Yes I'd love to see pics. :)

[meteor]

Great post, Chen! Very informative. :)

Braids are really nice for my hair because they keep it 'organized'. But I went through a period when I did what are called 'braid outs'--lots of tiny little braids that you take out and don't comb out for a sort of medusa look, and as I found with tiny cornrows before, little bitty braids are just heck on my hair. Way too much manipulation, which breaks hair off and they remove all the curl so that it all gets 'limp and plus my density is so high that making a lot of tiny braids is a seriously hellish job. Not to mention, taking them out,w hich is even worse. So it has to be two or three large braids at most, made very very loosely (so as not to curl crush).
I will be reading back through this thread for suggestions.

I also love braids for keeping hair smooth and "organized", I used to do lots of braids as well for braid-out waves, because my hair is too straight for my taste, but I had no idea they were damaging! Is it just because of too much manipulation or also a bit of twisting that happens on small-ish scale with braids. And is there anything non-damaging to use on ends of those mini-braids? I found that a challenge.

As for me, I avoid all frizz by using silk, occlusives (oils), overnight wet-setting for styling, avoiding all brushes, avoiding static-creating materials, avoiding all the damage I can avoid.
I only had frizz problems when I was getting highlights in my hair: the damage breaks protein bonds and messes up natural texture.

[two_wheels]

Yes I'd love to see pics. :)

Ok... left is pre-LHC in 2011, right is 2014. In between, I hennaed and then chopped everything off. I gave up blowdrying, straightening, silicones, and (recently) wet brushing. I stopped wearing it in a tight ponytail or down every single day. I started pre-wash overnight coconut oil every week or so. The left is not an on-purpose-bad shot, it always looked like that, sometimes worse. I just thought I didn't know how to style it correctly :lol:
http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb359/wheels_two/20140319_20110324_zpsac06387d.jpg

[two_wheels]

Great post, Chen! Very informative. :)


I also love braids for keeping hair smooth and "organized", I used to do lots of braids as well for braid-out waves, because my hair is too straight for my taste, but I had no idea they were damaging! Is it just because of too much manipulation or also a bit of twisting that happens on small-ish scale with braids. And is there anything non-damaging to use on ends of those mini-braids? I found that a challenge.

As for me, I avoid all frizz by using silk, occlusives (oils), overnight wet-setting for styling, avoiding all brushes, avoiding static-creating materials, avoiding all the damage I can avoid.
I only had frizz problems when I was getting highlights in my hair: the damage breaks protein bonds and messes up natural texture.

I love braids too! And silk pillowcase. I'm interested in wet-setting, seems to work for lots of people here.

[chen bao jun]

It's too much manipulation for my tightly curly hair, meteor. Even though mine is coarse, which makes it stronger, every where there is a bend its a weak spot. I think you would know if it was damaging for yours, though, because you would be breaking off and appearing not to grow, or even have your hair getting shorter. My hair got shorter and shorter while I did this, without my ever having a haircut. So I don't think you need to worry.
Anyway, I am talking really really tiny, like so small that you have about a hundred of them in at one time.
there are tightly curlies that these are helpful for because they can leave them in for a long time and wash in them and then it becomes low manipulation. But that's not me.
I unfortunately can't help you about fastenings for the ends of braids because I don't need them, my clingy hair won't unravel from a braid so I never bother to fasten them off at the end. Maybe someone else can weigh in on this?

[two_wheels]

I have read lots of your other posts chen and man, I love the way your hair looks but from what you say, I would not want to be in charge of it. You are one of my hair-heroes for learning how to deal with it. :blossom:

[hennalonghair]

Yeah, I SOOOO have this.
My mom says I have 3-in-1 hair and she attributes it to me being so mixed race. (Generations of it..) But I have been noticing that people who are less mixed (you know what I mean, I know that in fact everyone is probably mixed but don't want to start a discussion of that here) also can have a lot of different textures on the same head.
My hair is coarse like Asian (I can sew a button on with it), curly like African and also has part of it which are still curly, but not like African, they are almost wavy and I don't know how to describe it. Limp? But that would be from an African hair type point of view. the best way I can describe them is to say that since I have started wearing my natural hair, other black people look at those sections (the whole top of my head, actually) and keep asking me if (or trying to convince me that) I have heat damage, because they can't see how those parts can just 'fall' or flop like they do and still be healthy. I tell them that I haven't had heat in my hair forever and its definitely not damaged in any way and they don't believe me because from looking at the back of my head where the hair is actually different (and very tightly curly) I clearly have an African hair type which should shrink and stand up on my head, not fall down.
You can almost draw a line across the middle of my head and on one side of the line (top of head) its really different than the other side.
This has advantages since with a certain kind of manipulation I can have a 60's style fro (which I did) with my natural hair and with another kind of manipulation, the same natural hair distinctly looks wavy and not African at all. Without any manipulation at all, it's ringlet type curls, spirals, but of two very different sizes and looks. The spirals on top are large and silky and the spirals on the bottom are small and fuzzy and tend to frizz much more quickly.
that's what my mom means by "3-in-1"
the main things I have found are that it all needs a whole lot of moisture, much more than you'd think possible to be healthy (my 60's style fro was partly accomplished by my hair being so dry that it was a frizzball all over, as well as constant picking and teasing which broke all the curls apart) and that I have to take care for it not to get super tangled, because when the two different textures get wound around each other, watch out. Braids are really nice for my hair because they keep it 'organized'. But I went through a period when I did what are called 'braid outs'--lots of tiny little braids that you take out and don't comb out for a sort of medusa look, and as I found with tiny cornrows before, little bitty braids are just heck on my hair. Way too much manipulation, which breaks hair off and they remove all the curl so that it all gets 'limp and plus my density is so high that making a lot of tiny braids is a seriously hellish job. Not to mention, taking them out,w hich is even worse. So it has to be two or three large braids at most, made very very loosely (so as not to curl crush).
I will be reading back through this thread for suggestions.

My hair thickness twin :jump:
What a great post. I especially loved how you explained how you try not to get the two textures caught up with each other or end up with a mass of tangles.
I can really relate to hair not wanting to be manipulated too much or too tightly.
My hair also prefers larger but fewer braid styles. I once got cornrows and the tight manipulation from the roots to my ends was horrible.
Thanks for joining us . We look forward t reading your posts.

[hennalonghair]

Ok... left is pre-LHC in 2011, right is 2014. In between, I hennaed and then chopped everything off. I gave up blowdrying, straightening, silicones, and (recently) wet brushing. I stopped wearing it in a tight ponytail or down every single day. I started pre-wash overnight coconut oil every week or so. The left is not an on-purpose-bad shot, it always looked like that, sometimes worse. I just thought I didn't know how to style it correctly :lol:
http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb359/wheels_two/20140319_20110324_zpsac06387d.jpg
Thanks for the pics two wheels. What a nice colour and texture you have. To be honest I like both pics equally.
The picture on the right your hair looks more tamed down but I like the carefree look you had on the left

[two_wheels]

Aww, thanks! That feels nice. I don't mind the wavier thing on the left, but the frizz halo ugh

[hennalonghair]

Yeah, for some reason oiling the brush squicks me out, but oiling my hair then brushing... no problem :hmm:

I'm pretty sure the handy size one that I have doesn't come with its own mini brush, I've had it for a long time now, they last forever. Cleaning is so easy, yes! I've been thinking about getting one of the big ones when I get to waist... but that's probably 2 years from now!

I have before-LHC and after-LHC pics t are quite funny (to me). Can dig them out if anyone cares.
oh and thanks for the info about the MP pocket brush. I think like you, I'm going to wait and get the full size. Apparently the full size ones have longer bristles than the pocket size ones.
Your hair texture is similar to my canopy hair. Mine has the same wave pattern as yours.
I've got quite a few cow licks that crash into each other. Often one chunk of hair going one way and the other going the opposite. If you know what I mean. Your hair reminds me of mine when I was younger

[two_wheels]

Mmhmm, I too have a cowlick. Updos and half-ups are my friends :)

[StickyMane]

Ive just discovered the smiley faces over the last few days
Got a tad carried away :lol:
Gotta love those cute little faces :shrug:

Ha, yeah you've definitely been upping your smiley game lately! :taz:

[MINAKO]

http://smiley.nowdararpour.ir/party/28.gif

[hennalonghair]

Check out the video in this thread. This woman has floor length hair and it shows her putting it into a braided nautilus bun.
She's got beautiful hair.
How many of you would want hair this long if you could?
That is long hair

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=122573

[two_wheels]

I love it on her! I couldn't deal with anything past fingertip on me.
I don't like the principle of swooning over thickness, but one of her three strands looks like the thickness of my ponytail, and if I'm honest, I'm pretty impressed by that :lol:

[hennalonghair]

Yeah I feel the same way. It's beautiful and super thick.
I'm not sure I'd want have past my fingertips either.

Very cool hairdo for very long thick hair.
I've watched some long hair competitions in China and all the women did some form on a bun like this with hair knee to past floor length.

Here's a cute style a member here created for shorter thick hair.
Shorter meaning from APL to BSL. It's the start of a French braid twisted off and divided into to separate braids and partially wrapped around with a flexi to cover the elastic.
There's a lot of braid modifications that really suite our hair type
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=123108

[MINAKO]

No disrespect to anyone, but personally the thought of floorlenght hair on myself terrifies me. Even if my terminal length would allow it, i'd NEVER go this far.
The maximum for me would be upper/mid thigh, which is still damn long on a tall person.

This girl has my absolute dream hair :eek:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGKJPQmTkmU

[hennalonghair]

That's nice silky sooth hair at classic length.
It's very nice but I prefer the thicker wavier hair more.
Hey! At least we all agree that classic length is long enough :lol:

[StickyMane]

Fingertip/mid thigh length is long enough for me. Anything more than that I think it will be too much for me to deal with. Especially when I have to put it up for doing my cardio. :tbear::no::dizzy: (The skunk is random, I know... but I find it strange that it says "tbear" and not skunk haha)

[mira-chan]

Fingertip/mid thigh length is long enough for me. Anything more than that I think it will be too much for me to deal with. Especially when I have to put it up for doing my cardio. :tbear::no::dizzy: (The skunk is random, I know... but I find it strange that it says "tbear" and not skunk haha)

That's because Teacherbear, a very long time member here, first started posting that emoticon. It was added because of her. :)

[MINAKO]

That's nice silky sooth hair at classic length.
It's very nice but I prefer the thicker wavier hair more.
Hey! At least we all agree that classic length is long enough :lol:

It's about the same amount of hair as the indian woman, thickness wise. Just minus the voluminous pouf due to the kinks.
I want hair that's tangle free and would only brush it to distribute some oil for the purpose of making it shiny and even silkier.
But then again, if i had that hair, i would be at danger of doing that all day just because it feels so awesome and than it would be so much mechanical damage an friction that it all breaks off into a pixie anyways, lol. I would need a timelock on my hairfork. hahaha. http://smiley.nowdararpour.ir/ashamed/7.gif

THe first day when i straightened it i'm really horrible, like there's almost not even a minute during the day when i can keep my hand out of there. http://smiley.nowdararpour.ir/kolobok1/52.gif

[chen bao jun]

Yes, I honestly like both also.

Thanks for the pics two wheels. What a nice colour and texture you have. To be honest I like both pics equally.
The picture on the right your hair looks more tamed down but I like the carefree look you had on the left

[chen bao jun]

lol, it's called 'leave it alone and let it do its own thing'.
As I look back, most of my hair problems were from people wanting to make my hair be one thing or the other which involved lots of fighting it and 'fixing' it. But the less I do, the better it looks.
I find it hard to imagine myself with floor length hair. I don't know that I wouldn't like it, it's just hard to imagine. That lady made it look like 1-2-3, though, didn't she?
I guess I'd have to keep it up all the time, but I do that anyway. It's interesting to go over to the knee and beyond thread and read what they do once in a while, but I suppose the ones who keep it are the ones who can handle it. the others cut it off.

I have read lots of your other posts chen and man, I love the way your hair looks but from what you say, I would not want to be in charge of it. You are one of my hair-heroes for learning how to deal with it. :blossom:

[hennalonghair]

That's a cute smiley stickymane
It's very consideration of the long hair community to honour teacherbear this way. How sweet.

Minako, yes her hair was just as thick as the Indian woman's.
You're not that far from that length. In a year or so you could be making your own hair video.

You adore long silky black hair like I adore long wavy/ curly hair in reddish, coppery brownish tones.

[hennalonghair]

Yes she did make it look so easy. Her hair was freshly washed, conditioned and combed completely free of tangles.
We didnt get a glimpse of the three hours before this three minute video where she has to wash, condition , dry and comb it all out. I can't imagine hair that long either. I'd be tripping over it.
I suppose women with this hair length gradually get used to it as it grows

[mira-chan]

Generally the more you leave it alone the better hair grows, or as the old LHC saying "Put it up/ braid it and forget it." I don't have quite that thickness, nor that length but I am lucky in that my hair does not tangle easily. I rarely comb, and maybe use a brush a couple of times a year mostly for scalp massage. I usually finger comb a little and I'm good for bunning/braiding/ etc.

You do get used to length as it grows. I've met Denise (a moderator here) who has floor length hair. She has worn in down walking around, no tripping. It's kind of like you get used to moving hair out of the way when sitting down once it's long enough to sit on. I don't think about any more. Also moving brain forward when sitting in a chair with a back, so that it doesn't get pinned. I've done that movement unconsciously even when my hair was in a bun. :oops:

[MINAKO]

I should reach classic by the end of the year hopefully, we will see if my ends are willing to go with the plan, but so far no problems.
Yeah probably i will make a milestone video, i feel like there's still a lot of potential im my hair to get shinier, that documents nice in a short clip.
I'm the worst person in doing hairstyles on myself tho, so all i could do is a simple bun tutorial which is mostly likely already out there multiple times, lol.

I love red hair, but it would be really bad againt my skintone i guess. If you want to see some beautiful red curls you should keep up with a member called diamond eyes on here, so lovely. And there's a new member with the most amazing curls ever, MedusaWarrior, she did post a link on her hair journey somewhere. Simply amazing! there are so many great people to be inspired by. I'm really admiring the silver manes on this site, looks like i'm planning far ahead, but i would definitely want that at some point, still goes well enough with the winter type.

[hennalonghair]

Floor length hair is sure beautiful to look at. I'm used to TBL so I understand the getting used to moving it etc.,
It must be a big commitment to groom hair that length and thickness.
I'd like to be able to feel the ends of my hair on the backs os my knees or calves as I walk.

Yes there are so many members here with incredibly beautiful hair.
I've seen Diamond Eyes. Long red wavy/ curly bright red hair with icy blue eyes
Yes that's striking. I've seen many signature pics of women with long thick wavy / curly hair down to their knees.
It's stunning!
Long silver manes look fabulous. I've seen some beautiful women boldly showing their silvery grays. It always makes my day.
Luluj has gorgeous silvery graying hair that so wears beautifully and proudly

[Charybdis]

Check out the video in this thread. This woman has floor length hair and it shows her putting it into a braided nautilus bun.
She's got beautiful hair.
How many of you would want hair this long if you could?
That is long hair

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=122573

Being able to do braided buns along these lines is the one reason I would consider growing past classic. I'm past waist now, and I've just *barely* started being able to wrap my braid one time (along these lines (http://hairstyleshowto.com/simple-braided-bun/), but without the hair ties) and get it to hold with a Quattro Starlite fork. The ends still spring loose immediately unless I use an additional half-dozen small U-pins. The resulting bun is the diameter of a dessert plate, but it's flatter to the head and less severe looking than my usual tightly wrapped (non-braided) nautilus.

I had to laugh about the tutorial I linked above, saying to hold the braid up bobby pins. Yeah, RIGHT. How many bobby pins we talkin' 'bout, exactly? :p

[two_wheels]

Thanks chen bao jun. I spent ages trying to accept my colour, and I like it now. Maybe it's time to do the same thing with my texture :hmm: I find it easy to love extreme textures but hard to love the in between so I just force it straight-ish most of the time.

[hennalonghair]

I like the idea of braiding or styling hair while it's either damp or wet as a way to reduce frizz and protect the hair so I did just that.
It was washed yesterday afternoon and its almost been 24 hours and its still wet. While the wet hair doesnt bother me, what does is the possibility of scalp issues due to all the prolonged moisture. Most of my scalp feels dry except for the back bottom half due to the french braid.
My hair is very thick. Does this happen to any of you?

Another thing that happens is all the shorter hairs that are usually hidden from the bulk of my hair spring out of the styled hair leaving me with a light afro look around my head. Today of course is rainy and humid so you know what that means. By the end of the day or if I sprtiz these hairs with water they will reform into curly ringlets. I'm not a hair spray user at all so thats out of the question.
I'm going to experiment with this until I find some sort of solution.
Since these hairs are so close to my scalp I don't want to use anything too oily.
Perhaps some diluted aloe will do the trick.
I've read a lot about making flaxseed gel. I'm curious to try it but I wonder about rancidity.
Flaxseed is very perishable and the oils even more so. I'm wondering if anyone has tried this and if so, how did you apply it and how long did you leave it in your hair? I'm wondering if adding a bit of vitamin E as a natural preservative would be enough.
Any thoughts on this?

[MINAKO]

Hah, i bought flax seed oil that has vitamin E in it already. It quit good and really inexpensive. I put it an damp hair after washing and was concerned it would probably smell, bacause it turns bad in the bottle so fast, but it didnt smell at all, so its either the vitamin e or the stuff rots in an odorless manner, hahaha. Either way, hair was soft and shiny.

[TrapperCreekD]

*raises hand* I'm a flaxseed gel user!

FSG has taken me from this:
http://i.imgur.com/N1Q0nuo.png
(totally naked hair, hardly a defined wurl to be found)

To this:
http://i.imgur.com/2yDLoiI.png

I've found flax gel lasts at least two weeks in the refrigerator with no preservatives. I only apply on wash days, because what's the point of scrunching in gel everyday if I'm just going to comb it out and put it up? For me it works best on towel damp hair, or spritzed wet for non-wash days. If I'm using a leave in and other mane-taming products, the FSG goes on last. To apply, grab a glop (sounds gross, I know) and rub it between your hands like any other product - I find I get the best coverage if I smooth it over my hair and gently rake it through, then scrunch. I leave it in until my next wash, which is every fifth day or so; I don't know about fineys, but I haven't experienced any noticeable buildup from it. HTH!

[lapushka]

*raises hand* I'm a flaxseed gel user!

FSG has taken me from this:
http://i.imgur.com/N1Q0nuo.png
(totally naked hair, hardly a defined wurl to be found)

To this:
http://i.imgur.com/2yDLoiI.png

I've found flax gel lasts at least two weeks in the refrigerator with no preservatives. I only apply on wash days, because what's the point of scrunching in gel everyday if I'm just going to comb it out and put it up? For me it works best on towel damp hair, or spritzed wet for non-wash days. If I'm using a leave in and other mane-taming products, the FSG goes on last. To apply, grab a glop (sounds gross, I know) and rub it between your hands like any other product - I find I get the best coverage if I smooth it over my hair and gently rake it through, then scrunch. I leave it in until my next wash, which is every fifth day or so; I don't know about fineys, but I haven't experienced any noticeable buildup from it. HTH!

Wow pretty amazing difference! :)

Your way is pretty much how we apply gel (Eco Styler) here as well. Just a tiny bit, distribute through palms, then scrunch in. At least, that's how it's done here, no raking it in first.

[hennalonghair]

*raises hand* I'm a flaxseed gel user!

FSG has taken me from this:
http://i.imgur.com/N1Q0nuo.png
(totally naked hair, hardly a defined wurl to be found)

To this:
http://i.imgur.com/2yDLoiI.png

I've found flax gel lasts at least two weeks in the refrigerator with no preservatives. I only apply on wash days, because what's the point of scrunching in gel everyday if I'm just going to comb it out and put it up? For me it works best on towel damp hair, or spritzed wet for non-wash days. If I'm using a leave in and other mane-taming products, the FSG goes on last. To apply, grab a glop (sounds gross, I know) and rub it between your hands like any other product - I find I get the best coverage if I smooth it over my hair and gently rake it through, then scrunch. I leave it in until my next wash, which is every fifth day or so; I don't know about fineys, but I haven't experienced any noticeable buildup from it. HTH!

SWEEEEET! Ok if THIS doesn't convince me to try it, nothing will.
What an incredible transformation ! What a beautiful wave / curl pattern you have.
It lasts for two weeks in the fridge? This was my next question so thanks?

Did you guys purchase flax seed refrigerated and make your own or did you use freshly ground flaxseed strained?
How exactly did you make this spray including amounts.?


I've got a 3 ounce empty spray bottle I will be using.

Thanks for helping !

Oh btw Minako...... I saw photos of that new woman with classic length curly hair who uses the CG method. MedusaWarrior-saw her entire album.
I'm I love with her hair .
If I could steal anyone's hair here it would be hers.
That's beautiful!

[hennalonghair]

Did you guys purchase flax seed refrigerated and make your own or did you use freshly ground flaxseed strained?
How exactly did you make this gel?
Bump............Anyone?

[MINAKO]

As far as i know you don't use ground flax seeds and there is no need for them to be refrigerated when being purchased, they just come in a plastic or paper bag.
You soak them in water overnight, then bring the liquid to a boil for a few seconds, giving it a good stir and then strain it, so the seeds come out and you are left with the slimey stuff, that you can add some vitamin E oil to, aleo, some oil or EO... and that mix you can store in the refrigerator for a few days.

[hennalonghair]

PERFECT! Thanks Minako. :flowers:
I thought it was something like that.
No grinding flax seeds. Awesome!

So after almost 48 hours I let out my french braid and it was STILL wet.
Now I have super poofy braid wave hair. No frizz and super soft.
I used a coney conditioner over top of a conefree conditioner.

[two_wheels]

TrapperCreekD that is amazing. I do like the fluffy look as well, though.

Ok I'm going to try some gel, but am a total noob. How much do I use? And straight out of the shower? Or damp? Do I scrunch just when I put it in or while it dries, how often?

(ETA- if you think gel won't do anything for me, that is also useful info, I value everyone's opinion!)

In case it helps I am 2a, hair typing pic below (heavily conditioned though to tame the coarse bits, so my hair is a bit slapped down on top)
http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb359/wheels_two/tex1_zps62f5f58b.jpg

[MINAKO]

How much of the seeds in relation to water you use kind of depends on the strenght you want to achieve, i would say that one heaped tbsp. flaxseeds with 1 cup of water makes a pretty strong gel. Of course you can dilute it afterwards and also make more to store in the freezer what you won't be using for the near future.
Some people dont scrunch it in but use a tiny bit of the stuff in one liter of destilled water as a final rinse, i guess theres no right way to use it, just one way or another people would prefer the result.

[MINAKO]

two_wheels, your hair has a nice shine to it, i could imagine that you can achieve some kind of big ringlets if you do the upside down rinsing, plopping and scrunching thing.

[lapushka]

TrapperCreekD that is amazing. I do like the fluffy look as well, though.

Ok I'm going to try some gel, but am a total noob. How much do I use? And straight out of the shower? Or damp? Do I scrunch just when I put it in or while it dries, how often?

(ETA- if you think gel won't do anything for me, that is also useful info, I value everyone's opinion!)

In case it helps I am 2a, hair typing pic below (heavily conditioned though to tame the coarse bits, so my hair is a bit slapped down on top)
http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb359/wheels_two/tex1_zps62f5f58b.jpg

You could easily try some gel. With everything, especially with budding waves, it's important to know: less is more. Make sure you use an alcohol free gel (my favorite is Eco Styler). And try just a tiny bit (the size of a flat 2 euro coin). Rub it in between your palms, then scrunch in.

[florenonite]

/sneaks surreptitiously into thread

I've spent the better part of my life (since adolescence, anyway) pretending I'm a 1c. And I am ... at the back. The hair around my face, though, can be up to 2b, maybe even 2c, without manipulation. I've tried on a few occasions to coax waves out of the back half of my hair, because it looks really stupid when I've got 2b waves around my face and then sudden straightness at the back. It's never worked, though, so I just comb my waves out when my hair's damp. This is what I'm walking around with on an everyday basis:

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz270/frogggyh/20140516_zpsa2e48e93.jpg

You can't see it very well in the picture, but there's a lot of frizz. I honestly don't know if this is because I'm combing out my natural waves, or because I live in the Dampest Place Ever(TM). Either way, I don't like it. I'm also not entirely happy with the way my hair sometimes looks like it's got ponytail bumps. It hasn't. That's hair that has been washed and brushed.

It takes 6 hours to dry, minimum (see above about climate ;) ), and that's with finger-combing every so often to allow air circulation. So damp bunning/damp braiding/letting my hair dry without manipulation aren't options. My hair also gets greasy really easily, so I have to be really careful about applying any product to try and get waves.

Anyway, I guess I'm posting here because I'm not entirely happy with faking at being a 1c, but at the same time I don't know how to embrace my natural texture when my natural texture is, well, natural textures.

[hennalonghair]

Hi Florenonite
So glad you could join us.
We have many different hair textured members on this thread, some of them with the same typing as you that you might want to glance through. Two wheels has a very similar type.
Although my hairs curlier than yours the concern about those underneath hairs surrounding the face is the type of issue I was discussing a few posts back.
Besides being a completely different texture than the rest of the hair , it seems that these hairs have a shorter terminal length than the others so are always going to be shorter. It also seems that the curlier this hair is the more frizz prone it is especially with humidity and if you comb/ brush it out.
The ponytail bump analogy was perfect cause that's how my hair behaves with those hairs too.
They like to spring out and frizz. The hairs are so close to the face that you have to be careful what you apply.
Some of us have used molasses, aloe, serums, flax seed gel in a variety of ways with some success.
The best thing to do is experiment using a variety of methods until you find what suites your hair best.
Since we all have such different textures, there's no " one size fits all " type of routine.
It also greatly depends on whether you want to enhance your wave/ curl pattern or straighten and relax it.
This greatly depends on the products you use, the way you wash and dry your hair and how you groom your hair.
Many people don't brush or comb their curly hair specifically because it creates frizz.
Spritzing these hairs will often revert them back to a curlier pattern or at least smooth them out.
Right now I smooth them down with a 10% solution of aloe Vera mixed with water but I'm going to try mixing some flax seed gel into it.

One mechanical method of keeping these fly away frizz prone hairs is to secure them down with little mini flexi clips. They are just the right size for this very thing and are as cute as a button.
Just make sure that the ones you choose look the same upside down as right side up otherwise you'll have upside down dragon flies. Lol. If you get what I'm saying.

My hair takes ages to dry also so wet styling isn't really suitable for me either.
The best way to use this thread is to experiment, find what works best for you and leave the rest.

Thanks for contributing to our discussion about caring for multi textured hair.

[MINAKO]

The only solution to those frizzy front hairs i was ever satisfied with is damp bunning. I smooth them back with a tiny goat hair brush and a bit of a waxy product, but it makes hair look stiff and stringy once the bun comes down, so not very nice on days where i want t loose, there comes the straightener in. Ironing these nasty little bits down is sure the most effective thing in my case, but not the most gentle if done too often, but when its smooth, even my babyhairs have some sort of heavyness to them and it's the next best thing to bangs for those who dont want to cut any i think. SOme of them reach a terminal lenght of like 10cm and then fall out, nothing i can do about it.

You're very welcome florenonite, your hair looks very silky. If you want it straight i'm sure gentle blowdrying would solve the issue. If you want it wavy you could try to airdry it like 90% apply a serum and then put it in a bun, or overnight if you dont mind that. Anyhow, the more buns the smaller the waves.
Another method would be a semipermanent straightening treatment in the front that last a few weeks, to get the rest in the back wavy, the needs to be some kind of damp to dry manipulation i guess, which you mentioned would be tricky due to the climate. SO i don#t really know what would be best, but something to lock a style in and moisture from the air out would be helpful.

[florenonite]

Although my hairs curlier than yours the concern about those underneath hairs surrounding the face is the type of issue I was discussing a few posts back.
Besides being a completely different texture than the rest of the hair , it seems that these hairs have a shorter terminal length than the others so are always going to be shorter. It also seems that the curlier this hair is the more frizz prone it is especially with humidity and if you comb/ brush it out.


Annoyingly, it's not just the hairs with a shorter terminal length that are wavier for me; it's actually about half the hair on my head, from my face to past my ears.



You're very welcome florenonite, your hair looks very silky. If you want it straight i'm sure gentle blowdrying would solve the issue. If you want it wavy you could try to airdry it like 90% apply a serum and then put it in a bun, or overnight if you dont mind that. Anyhow, the more buns the smaller the waves.
Another method would be a semipermanent straightening treatment in the front that last a few weeks, to get the rest in the back wavy, the needs to be some kind of damp to dry manipulation i guess, which you mentioned would be tricky due to the climate. SO i don#t really know what would be best, but something to lock a style in and moisture from the air out would be helpful.

Thank you ^_^

I can usually get it pretty straight with a blow-dryer, but I'm not very skilled so it tends to exacerbate the frizz :P

Hmm, I wonder if damp bunning would work if I did several buns. Or maybe pin curls? That would allow more air circulation. ETA: On second thought, I'm not sure when this would allow me to enjoy waves/curls, because by the time it dried I'd be in bed, and by next morning they'd be gone.

[hennalonghair]

http://science-yhairblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/managing-elasticity-and-porosity-in-hair.html?m=1

[two_wheels]

http://science-yhairblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/managing-elasticity-and-porosity-in-hair.html?m=1
That is very interesting. Pre wash coconut oil really helps me.

MINAKO I will try the upside-down scrunching! and lapushka, I will definitely use just a bit, thankyou for suggesting. Last time I tried, I think I used too much and it didn't dry and was all gross and sticky and stringy... 2 euro sounds more like it!

[MINAKO]

Annoyingly, it's not just the hairs with a shorter terminal length that are wavier for me; it's actually about half the hair on my head, from my face to past my ears.



Thank you ^_^

I can usually get it pretty straight with a blow-dryer, but I'm not very skilled so it tends to exacerbate the frizz :P

Hmm, I wonder if damp bunning would work if I did several buns. Or maybe pin curls? That would allow more air circulation.

I posted a sponge curl tutorial for another member with straight hair, but i think it would actually be alright in your case too, it provides a nice level of control and the problem with too little air circulation sure won't be the case. I think its even more secure while sleeping then pincurls.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0z2Ofvrtvc


The porosity of my hair is low, so once it's dried out, it becomes pretty hard to put the moisure back in, reason enough to not ever let that happen. I'm really pleased with the overall elasticity right now, it's soft but firm (if that makes sense). I've seen a pretty girl today during shopping, she was middle eastern with hip length, thick, pokerstraight and sort of tangle free hair, but still it looked dry and frizzy. I hard a hard time not to turn around and recommend something to her. Maybe i should have but then again it's kinda rude :P
Science-y blog is golden, definitely the one worth reading every single damn post :D

[hennalonghair]

Testing the porosity of hair

http://curly2kinky.com/hair-assessments/porosity/

[MINAKO]

Thank you, yes i did a few of these. It's only ever slightly porous on these short bits of hair along the hairline, that we talked about earlier, even the ends near my butt are smoother than these, lol. But its just a bit to be fair, the rest of the hair runs up and down alsmost the same in terms of sleek, but still i can get bad tagles, due to the few kinky hairs in my texture. Actually i really want straight hair again, which i didn't wear for some time simply because i was lazy, it takes a long time. I might do those sponge curls too instead of the dreadful process, or expiriment a bit more with braidwaves.

[hennalonghair]

My hair is naturally coarse but its also naturally porous too. Oddly enough most articles say most coarse hair has low porosity but I have hair that dries slowly, has no split ends and has plenty of shine. In fact it's really shiny. It doesn't have all the characteristics of coarse porous hair.
It soaks up moisture easily but sometimes too much.
Since I've been trying so many different things I ve skipped on things that I normally do like sealing my hair with coconut oil.

It seems that most people have different texture around their hairline that's a different texture than the rest. I'm not sure why I figured Florenonite was talking about.
Clearly not.:lol:

Yeah I can tell you wish you had straight hair.
I'm happy with my wavy/ curly hair except the hair right above my ears that frizzes just by looking at it.

Does anyone else have hair that easily becomes over conditioned?

[MINAKO]

Over conditioned is what i'm constatly going for, makes hair heavy and loosens the texture, so i'm fine with that, i never want to wear it down unstyled anyways, so it might as well be a bit oily too, lol. If you don't use anything that causes build up, it's most likely only a residue, that will wash of the next time anyways. #stickybuns :laugh:

[hennalonghair]

I suppose thats where we differ the most. You prefer to stretch out your curl whereas I like to enhance the curl.
The strong wave / curl pattern in my hair is what gives it body and bounce. Maybe I'm stuck in the 70's or 80's but I still like the fluffy curly look. :afro:
Yeah I know its passe but its what my hair does best so I figure I might as well go for it.....lol

I didn't realize that you henndigo. I use to do the one step henna/ indigo as well for brown hair but the indigo didnt stay in my hair long. It was washed out in no time so in my experience it became a waste so now I just henna. It covers my grays just fine.
Why don't you wait for die release before using henna?
I usually wait at least 12 hours to get the best stain.
morrocan henna was what I used to use because it had quick die release. Like it was ready in about an hour or so but it didnt freeze well so I switched to that 9 herb Nupur blend which is still dark but it freezes great. It's also a lot easier to rinse out. It hss a really smooth sift.

What type of henna do you use and how often do you henndigo?

The only thing I don't like about using henna and indigo is the smell.
You end up smelling like hay all day.

[Charybdis]

I'm pretty sure most of my hair is on the low side of normal porosity. It's not super-resistant to chemical salon services, but it resists lightening; getting highlights put in takes the highlighted hair down only about 2 levels, which is fine by me as it avoided any skunk stripes in my dark hair! Conversely, any pigment that *does* make it into the hair shaft stays there a loooong time; when I was getting my hair dyed auburn at the salon, I had almost no fading between appointments, even though conventional red dyes are notorious for fast fading and I was washing every 2-3 days with SLS shampoo.

My hair has a hard time taking up moisture due to the low porosity, and takes a while to feel truly wet in the shower; it usually doesn't feel fully wet until I've shampooed it. After conditioning and applying leave-ins, it then takes *forever* to dry, which is why I always wash my hair at night and let it dry loose on my pillow; I still wake up with very slightly damp hair, but it's fully dry within a few hours of getting up. I have to be careful with protein, and I have no idea what over-moisturised hair would feel like.

hennalonghair, I think you have it backwards about drying time and porosity? Low porosity takes a long time to dry once the water finally gets into the hair, because everything takes a long time both to get into and to escape from a low porosity hair shaft; whereas high porosity dries fast because everything can both get into and escape from the high porosity hair shaft quickly.

Ironically, my hair is still rather "grippy" and tangle-prone in spite of low porosity, which I think has a lot to do with kinked hairs and fine hairs being sprinkled in randomly with hairs of other textures. Sadly, the grippiness does not translate into updos staying put, as my hair also has a lot of "spring" and loves to break free from its confines.

The only way I can enjoy my hair is by helping it to do its own thing as best it can, because it is generally not open to being persuaded to do anything else!

[hennalonghair]

hennalonghair, I think you have it backwards about drying time and porosity? Low porosity takes a long time to dry once the water finally gets into the hair, because everything takes a long time both to get into and to escape from a low porosity hair shaft; whereas high porosity dries fast because everything can both get into and escape from the high porosity hair shaft quickly.

Ironically, my hair is still rather "grippy" and tangle-prone in spite of low porosity, which I think has a lot to do with kinked hairs and fine hairs being sprinkled in randomly with hairs of other textures. Sadly, the grippiness does not translate into updos staying put, as my hair also has a lot of "spring" and loves to break free from its confines.

The only way I can enjoy my hair is by helping it to do its own thing as best it can, because it is generally not open to being persuaded to do anything else!

Hi Charybdis,
Thanks for joining in.
No I don't have it backwards. I fully understand that low porous hair takes a long time to dry.
What I was saying is that I always thought I had very porous hair or highly porous hair. It has many of the characteristics; grabs colour easily, absorbs moisture well, has a fair amount of grip etc, BUT some of its characteristics I don't have. My hair takes forever to dry and although it can be a bit on the dry side, has no split ends. None! So it makes me question whether I've got the correct typing for my hair.
my hair is far curlier than the 2b/ 2c that I've indicated. I'm quite certain I have some 3a/3b in my mix as well.
I clearly need to reconsider my hair type. I dont think I'm as porous as I once thought.

[MINAKO]

I suppose thats where we differ the most. You prefer to stretch out your curl whereas I like to enhance the curl.
The strong wave / curl pattern in my hair is what gives it body and bounce. Maybe I'm stuck in the 70's or 80's but I still like the fluffy curly look. :afro:
Yeah I know its passe but its what my hair does best so I figure I might as well go for it.....lol

I didn't realize that you henndigo. I use to do the one step henna/ indigo as well for brown hair but the indigo didnt stay in my hair long. It was washed out in no time so in my experience it became a waste so now I just henna. It covers my grays just fine.
Why don't you wait for die release before using henna?
I usually wait at least 12 hours to get the best stain.
morrocan henna was what I used to use because it had quick die release. Like it was ready in about an hour or so but it didnt freeze well so I switched to that 9 herb Nupur blend which is still dark but it freezes great. It's also a lot easier to rinse out. It hss a really smooth sift.

What type of henna do you use and how often do you henndigo?

The only thing I don't like about using henna and indigo is the smell.
You end up smelling like hay all day.

Ther straight hair has always been a personal choice for me, as i don't follow trends i neither think others should follow them and stay true to their taste. If i wanted a 'fro on the other hand, i would totally get the perm and wear it up to the ceiling, no matter what anyone says. I thinks we are often overanalyzing these things. I hardly ever think that people are being sort of brainwashed into this and that hairstyle, people are different but there are so many of them that's it's almost impossible for everybody to wear an absolutely unique hairstyle, some don't even think about it and wear their hair the convinient kind of way, so they might just do what the hairdresser suggest and be fine with it. That's how i see it.

Yes i do use herbal dye, but i think technically it's more of an indigo gloss then henndigo. I use two shades of a dye, of which one is jeust indigo, while the other is henna/cassia/walnut to be exact. By itself the second one does release some color as it stains white stuff, but i'm not the least bit interested in the warmer tones, i just want a somewhat conditioning effect with the indigo, but i like it to turn out a very cool toned black.
I think the indigo sticks well enough, but i dont need alot of covarage, as my hair grows black and i just keep up with the fading, which is a dark ash brown towards the ends. So it doesn't need that much color pay off and i do use a darkblue deposit dye 2 times in between the herbal dye processes.

One thing that could make the indigo and other pigments stick differnt over time could be the flatiron, I usually straighten a few days after the herbal dye. i don't know how this goes together, but anyone who has information on this is very welcome to jump in. ;)
For the smell i put cinnamon and cinnamon bark oil into the mix, it covers the hayish odor pretty well.

[florenonite]

I posted a sponge curl tutorial for another member with straight hair, but i think it would actually be alright in your case too, it provides a nice level of control and the problem with too little air circulation sure won't be the case. I think its even more secure while sleeping then pincurls.

Oh, thanks. Pincurls would probably fall out in bed. Hopefully this wouldn't extend the drying time too much, or the curls would be horrible and greasy on my hair D;



Does anyone else have hair that easily becomes over conditioned?

ME!

My hair has little porosity and is very fine. Doing pretty much anything to extend its drying time (damp braiding, damp bunning) results in really greasy hair. It's gross :p

[MINAKO]

Oh, thanks. Pincurls would probably fall out in bed. Hopefully this wouldn't extend the drying time too much, or the curls would be horrible and greasy on my hair D;


Yes i would try to wash early before going to bed and let it airdry by 85% first (lol on percentange of how hair dries X'D, i know, but you get the idea)
It works pretty well for me on wetter hair too as the sponge takes away some of the moisture sitting on top of the hair, but also i don't mind a bit of grease in my waves as it gives some definition to them. Anyways, it you get up you could try to catch damp spot with a couple minutes of gentle blow drying to make sure.
When i have straight hair and it get's greasy, which hardly ever happens, some volumizing root powder is great, i found dry shampoos making hair too dull looking

[hennalonghair]

Hey Minako,
How you feel and care about your hair regarding your personal preferences is the thing I admire about you the most. You know what you like and have such stubborn determination to get the results you want.
I completely agree I think people should wear their hair proudly how they choose and not fall prey to what any body else thinks.
Most of my life I've been this way but when I fell into a depression, I lost myself and my confidence so was more swayed by the opinions of others.
Now I have that same stubborn determination back again and it feels good.

I didn't think you used much henna because you have no red tones whatsoever.
This was why I was so curious. Your herbal combo is perfect for the texture and colour you prefer.
Walnut husks give great dark tones and probably help tone down the blues from the indigo.
You're probably better off not leaving the henna for full die release in your case. Clearly what youre doing is working.

Glossing? YES! That's how I prefer to use it also. I mix my henna with some herbal tea and acv, wait for dye release then add either full fat coconut milk or some type of oil, some all natural conditioner and a variety or EO's; usually peppermint, tea tree and rosemary but I have tried cinnamon bark and lavender.
The smell isn't that bad now. I rarely smell it any more but when I used to do full on straight henna treatments.......OMG I couldn't even stand the smell of myself :tbear:
I felt like a walking barn.:lol:
My hair is really thick so putting 2 to 3 hundred grams of pure BAQ henna in my hair and leaving it for 4 to 6 hours was just too much. Now I only use about 30 to 40 grams of it.

Using the Godrej Nupur really helped along those lines also because its not all henna.
Here's a breakdown of the ingredients:

Brahmi-promotes hair growth
Shikakai- leaves hair clean and shiny
Aloe Vera- moisturizes hair and makes it silky
Methi- conditions, nourishes and revitalizes hair
Bhringraj-makes hair luxuriant
Amla- darkens colour, adds shine and luster
Neem- fights scalp infection and prevents dandruff
Hibiscus-rejuvenates hair making it shiny and silky
Jatamansi-prevents graying of hair

These 9 other herbs are added to rhapsody henna, which is a dark toned henna that gives terrific lasting colour, fabulous shine, rinses well and freezes GREAT. Plus it's not too badly priced either.
It's $4.99 for 150 grams.

I know you personally might not be interested but some others might.

[hennalonghair]

ME!

My hair has little porosity and is very fine. Doing pretty much anything to extend its drying time (damp braiding, damp bunning) results in really greasy hair. It's gross :p

My hair rarely gets greasy. What happens is it gets too light and fly away and drags the curl out. Yeah and sometimes if its way too conditioned, it just doesn't dry but for me that would mean a LOT of oils.
I'm glad I'm not the only one here :lol:

[MINAKO]

Yes, we need to stick with that image inside out own heads and just go fot it. After all, i don't think i could get my texture even close to behave in a uniform way anhow, so there's acceptance in that as well i guess. WHen it gets really straightish from the bunning it still looks like a rat died in my canopy, it just gets so dense and poufy especially in the back. Maybe if there's more length i will happen to like my braidwaves, dunno, but for now it ain't working yet, maybe it looks different post classic and with some more natural taper (damn me for keeping the hemline blunt all this time)

The stain i have left from the color is really nice, even in the beginning, when the black on the ends faded a bit, i didn't mind having a bit of muddy green or blue tones to them, sort of goes well if you like mermaids, lol. I'm not so crazy about the color payoff anymore, so the conditioning effect has priority in a way.
In the beginning i did use 300g and now i like to cut it down to 200g but it really depends on my stash of those boxes in the bathroom, the color i use is from a brand called Santé. 2 parts black and 1 par chestnut.
http://www.sante.de/en/produkte/pflanzen-haarfarben/pflanzen-haarfarben/
On top of it goes Revlon Nutricolor in blue, sometimes i even use white platinum as it has cool violet tones, Pravana Chromasilk is a bit stronger and results in a rich midnightblue black. As it washes out it becomes all mixed up anyways.
I'm thinking of using the Pravana stuff in green next time, it creates a lovely shimmer on black hair like here for example.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/shimi88/c7d0e64ba08ecb0bbe807a121d9cec6d_zps0a94f843.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/shimi88/media/c7d0e64ba08ecb0bbe807a121d9cec6d_zps0a94f843.jpg.h tml)

This is my current clor, pic taken yesterday (horray for frizzies!!!)

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/shimi88/10271513_10202373771772731_6133446433511316_n_zps0 b7bd877.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/shimi88/media/10271513_10202373771772731_6133446433511316_n_zps0 b7bd877.jpg.html)

The composition of the Godrej Nupur sounds interesting, I'm especially intersted in the Methi and also have to try Amla yet. I think i will buy these individual and make a treatment from it or incorporated them in the color process. :)

My current recipe is this one, quoting myself from another thread.

I mix my indigo with an ultra strong combination of black coffee and tea, plus a small can of coconut milk, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 1tsp cinnamon, 2tsp of black pepper and 2 drops of cinnamon bark oil. God knows if it's any better then using water, but it works for me and also gets the consistency right. I simply refuse to use more than 300gr. But my hair is already black to begin with and i just have to keep up with the fading.

[hennalonghair]

I really like that bluish black colour too! You've got great colour and shine.
Here's something I've been searching for.
A list of products
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=128

DH is up
I'll respond to your post later Minako.

Have a GREAT day everyone.

[MINAKO]

Thank you, i have been visiting that thread but just quickly, i not fond of honey in my hair as you can imagine, hehe.
I tried aloe gel and it didn't do anything from my hair aside from the residue, so i used it on my skin.

Sadly many of the conditioners mentioned there are not available over here, so i can't really agree or disagree with that list. Just noticed that Redken heavy cream is in the problematic corner, but i love that stuff. I miss Joico, Kerastase, Sexyhair, Goldwell, Alterna, Tigi, Sebastian, Eugene Perma, Dessange, SwissOPar St.Ives and Davines on that, just some of my go to brands available in Germany, but not german at all.

We will continue later, have an awesome day as well! :)

[hennalonghair]

Yes you might think differently once your hair is longer.
With real blunt ends there is a lot of things that just don't suite that type of cut.
Braid waves can be a problem because then because you no longer have a solid hemline because the ends don't match up any more, whereas that look suites thinner finer hair. In fact it looks great.
They also can wear the messy hair style look better because they have wispy ends sticking out that feather and look adorable.
Not me. My ends are far too think and blunt to pull any of those styles of.

You really do a LOT of stuff to your hair to get it just the way you like. I'm wondering if you've ever given your natural look a chance to do its best without trying to straighten. Your hair my take a while to adjust to a new routine but you might like it better someday. Obviously not now but someday you might.

No I don't use honey either and there are many things on the ' no good' list but I don't take the opinions of others to seriously . What I find more interesting is the conversation that this list created. I think its a great reference thread for that alone.

[hennalonghair]

It won't let me edit my post.
There quite a few things on that list that I use that were ruled as not so good BUT if you read further the author has enlisted many reasons or variables of why the products didn't work as well as suggestions for each.

[MINAKO]

To be honest i loved blunt hemlines until waist, but came to hate the triangle shape it gives pst that and even if it falls straight down i don't think its very flattering. I'm tall but with a very slim frame, so a V shape will suit me just right. Braidwaves will turn out less bulky, so i wont be wearing a cape of hair anymore. It's kind of already starting to taper, but not visibly :/ , so i have to be patient. It's something i would consider as something rare, with this or that sumer dress tho, not really a goal.
I usually don't care much for messy styles, neither very constructed ones, i just keep it sleek and simple, avoid as much manipulation and tangling as possible.
I don't have a ficcare, i don't like flexi8s, i don't do braids, many of the things that would be taken as mandatory for a longhair just don't work for me.

So it really is, that i'm mostly active because i like to expiriment with treatments and sort of get the science behind it.
I don't think i would go as far, as to change my routine and i'm very persistent about the things i like, i seldom changing a system that has proven itself to work.
Black hair is a must and will stay for the time until i turn grey, so will straight hair when i want to wear it down. I can sure say that i will never prefer my natural texture over that. Keeping up takes some effort, but it's not like i still struggle with finding a solution as i previously did.
My hair is growing straighter over the years anyways, so i don't think i could really have curly hair again, if i was to shave my head now and grow it all back it would probably be around 2a by then. But in the current routine this is fine, as things become simpler while my knowledge and skills increase.
Playing around with some green, blue, violett shimmer is fine, or maybe i will try clip in bangs sometime, but my general ideal has't changed once since i started thinking about what sort of hair suits me. Even if i cut back to a shorter length it will basically stay the same. I like that trademerk look kind of thing. All my friend know me mostly with that huge cinnabun or with hair down that is looking simple, but well taken care of.

Looking forward to go to Japan soon and recieve a special straightening service they offer there, not the thing that we all now as japanese straightening tho. Actually i was thinking of getting my hands on the products and just do it myself, having the possibilty to do strand tests and stuff does give so much more comfort to it.

Yeah, the SMT thing is very similar to our molasses mix. Unfortunately the market is changing so fast that list are often kind of becoming useless after more than a year, many of my previous faves have just been discontinued, which is a pain every time i want to find an adequate replacement.

[chen bao jun]

Minako, your bun looks beautiful. I also love that color and shine.
I notice that you say your hair has gotten straighter over the years so just wanted to put in a quick warning. It's rather unlikely that your hair texture changed just because years passed. It's really possible at your length that the weight of the hair is weighing the curls down and making them seem a different texture. I just want to mention this because I know you love your hair to be straight. sometimes you have mentioned getting a drastic haircut--if you did that, it is possible that your hair might be very curly again. I wouldn't shave your head and start over if I were you because of this possibility--i know people this has happened to and if you're not prepared, it can be a shock.

[MINAKO]

Thank you chen bao jun! OMG the headshave was just a theory, i'd never do that, because of the reasons you mentioned, anything shorter than what gets into a pony would simply be unpredictable. Yes my hair is heavy and it does form more of a wave rather than a natural curl partly due to the weight. But i did get straighter compared to when i was a kind/young teen, probably i was a 3a/b then. I had it chopped into a bob already a few year ago and was actually afraid it would curl too much, i kept it like this for a year and still it wouldn't form any ringlets as i was expecting, before i started straightening again it did look pretty close to that yoko ono pic i posted on the first few pages, lol. Now it's still wavy but not as deep anymore, theres not much volume to it exept from the canopy frizz, then even straightish in some areas. All the damp bunning sure contributes to that

For some time recently i got frustrated with growing it, like it became a love hate relationship, being ambitious and have the highest expectations but lazy doesn't go together so well. Im really really careful when it comes to handling my hair and sometimes it takes so much to do all these steps, like detangling, LOC, deep conditioning, color, bed hairstyle. I tell myself either i'm diligent about it, or i don't deserve pretty hair, if that makes sense. If i get lazy, i automatically assume my hair is suffering and i might as well cut it to a much more controlable length. It's a bit paranoid, lol. But i'm highly motivated again to make it to classic.
If all turns out well i'm havin my next big chop planned far ahead, like when i turm silver and most of what grows above the shoulder has changed, i will want to embrace the color in a pure form and cut it again to get rid of the black below. Hahaha, i'm talking lifetime concepts here. But i like that, visually i never get confused of what i prefer the most, which is a good point i think.
I'm happily saving recipes, updating my product list and a wishlist on hairtoys, once i spent more money on that, theres no cutting anyways.

I started to mess with silk protein in a crazy intesity and found it to be highly efficient, i never dared to use that much in the past but it makes my hair sooo soft. I just added am entire 10ml vial of the hydrolized stuff to 150ml of a deep conditioner that contains some protein already. I have used it two times and so far i am impressed, we will see how that goes long term. Really looking forward to wear it down the next time :)

[chen bao jun]

Oh, great. I see you have it all planned out well. And if you already cut your hair short once and didn't get more curl than you want, you are in great shape.
I know I have a looser curl pattern than I thought (although I definitely have tightly curly hair, which is good because I like it that way) just simply because I learned about moisturizing my hair enough. I had a lot of dryness and frizz that I was mistaking for a different hairtype.
I have just known several people who got drastic haircuts and discovered they were much more curly than they thought, which wasn't a problem for some of them (one was truly delighted), but having read your posts about your preference for very straight hair, I got a bit afraid that might happen to you! Glad to know it won't.
I also respect the way you have done research to get exactly what you want.

[hennalonghair]

I get what your saying. My hair needs a bit more length to get to the point where I can start to except tapered ends. Waisr is about it for me as well. I just have to have that thick blunt straight across look. I like a solid hemline.
A tampered hemline with my hair type looks horrible but on straight black hair it looks nice.
My hairstyles are usually quite simple also. When I first joined here I was determined to create some of the beautiful buns I was seeing but my hair not long enough to do them but if I split my hair up into sectiins I can. Instead of one big twisted ponytail wrapped around itself I made two ponytails and wrapped them around each other and it looks the same. Other buns I could do this way also.
But my favourite way of wearing my hair back is by making a thick braid starting at the nape of the neck and roll this under towards my back and tuck the rolled or folded braid under the base and secure it with a flexi clip.
You don't like those? For me they are my favourite hair toy by far. Ive got about 20 of them.
ive even got some matching minis for my little yorkie.

You've certainly got a routine down pat. I'm not even close to suggesting you change it. I was just curious whethrr you'd ever considered wearing it natural and from what youve told chen, you have. When you get older and start going gray youll do the big chop and wear your hair more natural.
Thats kind of my plan as eell minus the additional colouring and straightening but I'm already old :lol:
Im 54 so im planning on growing my hair for the next 6 years doing my own trimming and root touch ups.
I should be able to reach classic by then. Ive reached TBL 3 times now so know that my hair straightens out a bit with more weight on it like Chen mentiined.

So after the last permanent straightening job where you had to cut off all your hair, you'd take that same risk again?

[hennalonghair]

Sorry for all the spelling mistakes over the last few points. I usually do my editing afterwards but the site wont let me today.

[MINAKO]

Looking at al these inspirational pics and reading about treatments and methods really helps me, it's just getting me curious about how far i can push the condition of my hair while obtaining the texture i want and not lay off the heat.
Yes, curls and waves widely vary, sometimes i think it would have made more sense to extend the classifiers to a 5 or another subtype within each. There are just so many ways a hair can bend, while straight hair is easier to decrobe as we all know the shortest distance between A and B is a line :D , but 3 a can be anything, as the width of the curl is given but not how much it stretches, same as 2c, the length of one wave might be the same,, but the depth varies sooo widely for everyone who apparently has the same hairtype. I was actually hesitant whether to classify myself at all for that reason, bu i just see it as roughly an idea to let people know what you are dealing with, it's still nothing i consider to be detailed.

So i guess as your routine has improved the actual curls have aligned better and therefore became more visible, that's great. Hair that non-porous but dry at the same time does take time to catch up on a treatment. Strong humectants, longer time for a product to penetrate the hair and moisture retention with the help of an oil or even silicone sounds like easy steps now, but switching up steps and ingredients until they perfectly fit can make a huge difference sometimes.
Knowing the risks of each step before adding them to a routine is definitely important and what i learned about straightening is that one should never mess with the cortex, breaking it down and rearranging it takes out way too much protein and and as half of the cuticle will be gone it's not possble to keep hair moisturized unless we wanna apply product 24/7 and even then it appears lifeless and straw like. A mild and gradual way just seemed better to me, as it's possible to stop at any incident of the slightest damage and take care of it before it becomes a permanent problem. Forcing the cuticles straight while the inside of the hair is still able to hold on to all the goodness of a treatmant sure is more effective. It's loosening over time and reverts differently, but it's not the same as heat damage or the rebonding kind of thing, just the gaps stuffed with proteins and lipids blocked from reverting all the way.
I will most likely never be able to catch up with these other asian girls who have naturally straight hair, but so far it's already way past of what i had originally expected.

Talking buns, i still have a bit of a way ahead of me, but i hope to be able to present a baby version of this soon. It's funny how we would all complain about headaches and scalp pulling sometimes when these ladies handle their manes which are often twice the size and half the neck support so gracefully. There's not much i wouldn't do to feel this tumbling down over my shoulders :pirate:

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/shimi88/12_zps75374663.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/shimi88/media/12_zps75374663.jpg.html)

[hennalonghair]

That picture really shows your shine and thickness. What nice hair you have.
Another thing to consider is that wavy/ curly hair needs to be a lot longer to reach certain lengths. For instance my hair right now is about 3 inches from my waist but yet in order for it to look waist length it needs to grow another 6 incyes due to the curl.
Maybe thats why I'm usually more impressed when I see photos of woman with longbwavy/ curlynhair because I know it's actually a LOT longer than it appears.
Its great to get inspired by all the different treatments and techniques for hair but I think its also good for each of us to hang on to whatvwe aoready know about our own hair. Its too easy to view a picture, follow some suggestions and soon discover that its just not for yiu: but them again, that's what experimenting is all about.

The stuff about straightening hair, cuticles and proteins just flew over my head. :lol:

[MINAKO]

hannalonghair, that last picture is NOT me, it was for inspirational purpose, lol... i wish it was me tho. :silly:
The bad phone picture i posted before that was me. So there's still alot of difference in shine and texture, but sometimes it all depends on the flashlight, as we all know.
Something to compare for the next shots.

I've sort of overlooked your previous post due to the site navigation today, pardon, we must have been typing at the same time.
You should leave your hemline as you think it suits you best. I just told myself to let it do whatever it grows into from now on, i will microtrim every few months in the position that creates a slight V shape and see what comes out, whispier ends will be more forgiving anyways.
I can do a cinnamon, and also some of the other simple buns like LWB and Nautilus, when i leave some of the nape hair out and just wrap it around the entire thing at the end. Well that's enough for me. I'm not too crazy about all these variation, because from the front they all give me the same look of hair-back-n-up anyways.
For toys i like sticks and simple forks, havent been warming up with flexi8s, they dont suit me, way to ornate and romantic.
I like chen's thread about the selfmade option tho. Maybe i will give it a try. I think by LHC standards my choice of accesories would be considered really boring.
When i turn silver or white, which i expect to happen at around 40 (thats 15 years left) i will probably still straighten, but want an even color at some point, so once its depigmented enough i will chop at collarbone.
Oh noooo! Not ever the chemical kind of permanent straightening again, the service i consider in Japan is'nt permanent and doesn't alter the structure of the bonds, it just coats the hair and wears off after a few weeks, i dunno how the do it, apparently it's even silicone free, but the shine is incredible, like glass. But as i said, i could handle the process myself and would prefer to do that if i can get hold of the products, otherwise i'm a bit more comfortable with a japanese hairdresser, as they tend to be very respectful with their customers demands and also work along the lines of another beauty standard, they don't go crazy slicing layers and pushing you into sunkissed Victoria's Secret glam beachhair if you don't specifically ask them to, lol.

My hair does shrink a good 3-4 inches too, when its wavy, so i consider myself tailbone when stretched out, there's a length shot in a thread somewhere, like either the tailbone to classic, or the one where everyone posts their legth shots together.

Oh, hair forums can be dangerous, if you don't exactly know what you want, hahaha. I guess that's why even long term members end up with a pixie ever once in a while (growing out indigo, followed wrong routine for too long)

My straightening principle expressed a it more simple means the same as bleaching vs deposit dye, i add to the hair, don't break up bond and remove something. Thats why it doesn't stay bone straight, but overall very healthy, heavy, flexible... you name it. I could probably even revert the stretched waves to fluffy natural ones with a few washes of a strong clarifying shampoo and some added sea salt, but then all my hard work would be destroyed, :tmi:

[chen bao jun]

Yes, you do need to come to a hair forum with a clear idea of what you want.
When I came here, I had not had heat and chemicals in my hair for 12 years and I knew I wanted to stay that way. I also knew that I hate myself with straight hair. I did that for 20 years only due to people telling me I didn't look socially acceptable with curls and hated every minute of it. That's a strong word, hate, but I really felt like that.
That's actually why I stayed on this forum, not over on the other one where they all straighten their hair. Their hair looks beautiful--on them.
The picture I always have in my mind is of my two grandmothers and of my one aunt who kept her hair long--super-thick, soft looking dead black hair in waves with spirally curls at the ends. I am getting there! I think I have finally hit arm pit length when curly (hard to tell, my hair is different lengths different days but it was looking solid armpit last night). It's very frustrating that the process takes so much longer for a curly and I will be 60 when I get the length I want IF I get it, but if not now, when..?
I was also thrilled last night that I was able to make my braid into a bun, finally. Yea, it was a poky little bee butt looking thing--but it was a braided bun! Yea!
Minako, 40 sounds like a little early to be gray for a person with a lot of Asian and some African mix. I'm only just getting noticeable sprinkles now and I'm 57 years old. Do people in your family grey so early? In my experience it's only Caucasian people who get noticeably grey during their 30's --some others can be gray by 40 but its not common for us.

[MINAKO]

Chen, i'm glad that you ended up here then and not primarily in one of the other forums. I have been visiting there many times too, but never felt like interacting. On one they do straighten alot as you say, but i rarely see anybody with the same hair type, on the other one they praise natural, which isn't what i want either, so i think inspiration for length and the enormous variety that LHC hast to offer finally brought me here. It's all here and i as my hair needs some for this and some for that the exchange is the most helpful overall in this community i think. I nailed the straightening part already now the fun is just about to begin.

Of course you will get past armpit anytime soon, just don't count the days and be patient. I know it's really going slowly with a curlier texture, but you have already come this far, so what else should be happening then your hair continuing to grow?
I imagine the look you are talking about like Thandie Newton is wearing it. Just her color is not as deep black as you describe.
http://cdn8.arabiastyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/curly-hair-en16.jpg

Does your hair fade towards the ends or keep the color well? I was surprised at some point how much lighter my ends had gotten, which was really an ash brown and made my skintone look washed out ( unless wearing full makeup which i don't always do), so i decided to roll with the indigo.

I cannot be entirely sure until my gray comes in i suppose, but i am half caucasian and my mom as well as my grandma had like more than 60% white in their early 40s. From my grandparent on fahers side i have only seen pictures and they were not gleaming white but both a solid grey, i'm not sure at what ages the pictures where taken tho, so i can only assume.
I have a bit of poliosis going on in the back of my head where there are a few white hairs, for as long as i can remember, also in a few places of the body, it's not very noticeable, but i often wonder if it has been increasing over time. A freind of mine is mongolian and she started to drastically lose al the pigment in her skin from the Age of 20 on, now around 26 she has huge gleaming white patches of hair in her black mane. She looks very special and beautiful altho it's considered a "defect"". I don't think this is happening to me, but her story sure makes me keep an eye on it.

[chen bao jun]

Thandie's hair looks great. That is in the ball park of what I like, except that I really like when the hair is even curlier so that you can see the squiggle curls on the ends a lot. thandie's ends are doing what mine do when I braid straughten it and then roll up the ends on rollers to avoid the dreaded single strand knots. I like the curlier ends much better when I am wearing it loose but ssk's not only feel awful but they just have to be cut off, which I don't think is good is for growth.
One of the nice things about being multi-racial is that you never know what will happen! You always get surprised--not only can each child in a multi-racial family look different but the same child can look different at different times of their life as the huge variety of genes come into play in startling ways. so yea, you could go grey like your caucasian relatives. I bet gray in your lovely hair would look nice!
Enjoy your trip to Japan and I hope your treatment comes out exactly as you like it. Have you been before? I love it there--only been once but I'd love to go again. One of my best friends is Japanese and we keep in good touch.
I never got my hair done in Japan, but living in Taiwan I got my hair done 2 or 3 times and I found the hairdressers great and very understanding of my hairtype in spite of the curls. They were the only hairdressers I've ever met who had a clue about really coarse and non porous hair.

[MINAKO]

I think o know exactly the type of curly ends you mean, but it's really had to find a person who has this happening as most celebrities hair would survive anyways, Thandie Newton was i close as i could think of, actually i was smiling because it's trul a rare thng to see end coil neat enogh that you could insert a pencil from the bottom and it went right through. But there wa a red haired german girl in my schoolwho had this too, unbelievably thick, healthy, supercurly hair. She always kept it in a middle part and told me she never uses a comb or a brush. As i did read your post i immediately saw these spirals bouncing up and down in my mind. Sure a beautiful and special thing to achieve as well.
I do get the ocassional ssk, and the worst thing is, when it's Not tied all the way and you try to find a needle to probably save one hair, lol. But yes, they are magical in a way, but also very very uncalled for. My ends Hang pretty staight but now, but nevertheless i sometimes get a few in my coarser hairs.
One thing i like to do to find them is place my hair right on the ipad while some lighting app is keeping the screen all white, at least makes it easier to spot them while S&Ding in case you dindt already feel it was there.
Actually i hope i will turn grey pretty early, it think it would look super interesting and i could have deposit dye pastel hair all the time. I would never bleach or color my hair chemically, but if the silver comes i'm ready.

Thank you, i'm so excited to go to Japan, i haven't been there yet but i'm deeply in touch with the culture and was kind of sure i will be living there some day in the future. I have many Japanese, Korean and Chinese Friends, a few from Taiwan as well, you are lucky to have traveled so much, i totally would like to visit more than just tokyo, where i'm headed. DBF lives there already, so it's like i'm getting ready to leave the nest.
I bet they know coarse hair in Taiwan, maybe a very curly client is still sort of unusual to them, but being able to adjust is always important, and not even every asian person has poker straight 1a hair, but they sure still know how to enhance beauty in a sublte way. rather than making it all look to dramatic.