Natural Hair Check-In

[orangeblossom]

How is it going, especially with this summer heat? Any product rants or raves?  New styles?  Issues you need help with? What's up?

I'm going to use our newly formed Official Black People List to tag people, my apologies in advance, if you're not natural.  It's just easier this way.

Have a great day!

iammalcolmx

pennypenny

NitaX
@soudesafinado

@barefootbarista

thejackpot

cookiemdough

gazpacho

sfy

chedominique

@stilljustash

@smorriso

LLL

callie

@wandering

socratic

@koko

meshaliuknits

summer

@tooshort

@246baje

dowagercountess

busybodyk

@kirkette

threejs

redwino

05heel

Queen Mamadala
goober

barcelonagirl

MeMyselfandI

wesleycrusher4ever

skwcm80

Black Lavender
caligurl

borinquen57

blacksred

aqualuv

calla37

sunshine608
nsuhomer

[orangeblossom]

I think it was iammalcolmx who recommended Cantu's Leave-In Conditioner.  I like it.  I also tried the shampoo once I ran out of my normal stuff, Kericare's Natural Hair Textures Cleansing Cream.

Oyin Handmade's Boing is finally being sold at Target.  It provides great curl definition.  Right now through Saturday, if you buy two Oyin products, you get a $5 gift card.

I want to get this Curl Sponge.  I've used the Nudred Before, but want to try the CS for comparison. (The background noise in the video is annoying, listen with the sound off)



I'm still having issues with the crown of my hair, but oh well, that seem to be par for the course.

[thejackpot]

I have fallen in love with Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker for my wash-n-go. I have a very simple and pared down routine that I probably will continue for a bit: Either I co-wash with Trader Joe's Tea Tree Conditioner or wash with Curl's Unleashed Shampoo, deep condition and then add Kinky Curly Knot Today to detangle/leave-in and top with Curl Maker. Seems long but it is rather quick.
My hair is doing ok, with being pregnant I am not sure if it is hormones or what that is causing anything.

I have never heard of the curl sponge. Will check out the video.

[orangeblossom]

Jun 17, 2015 6:58:12 GMT -5 thejackpot said:

I have fallen in love with Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker for my wash-n-go. I have a very simple and pared down routine that I probably will continue for a bit: Either I co-wash with Trader Joe's Tea Tree Conditioner or wash with Curl's Unleashed Shampoo, deep condition and then add Kinky Curly Knot Today to detangle/leave-in and top with Curl Maker. Seems long but it is rather quick.
My hair is doing ok, with being pregnant I am not sure if it is hormones or what that is causing anything.

I have never heard of the curl sponge. Will check out the video.

I've been wanting to try the Camille Rose, but haven't yet.  Glad to hear you like their products.

[orangeblossom]

Jun 17, 2015 6:59:30 GMT -5 socratic said:

Those are awful pictures

They're fine.  You look cute.

[callie]

I don't chemically treat my hair but get it blow dried and straighten regularly. I do have this struggle every summer about figuring out my hair type(s) so I can just wash and go. I love swimming and don't go to the beach often because I'll have to work my hair appts around going. Which is ridiculously I know but I've been too lazy as of late to devout the time and money again into trying different products to figure out what works for me.

[gazpacho]

I have reverted back to using only coconut oil for my locs. They are way too long and I am still having a hard time keeping them moisturized. I also use the Oyin Greg Juice. I have been completely uninspired with my hair lately, though.

[iammalcolmx]

It's called a constant bun in this heat.

[aqualuv]

My usual go to is a twist out since my hair shrinks up so much. I went for a trim last Friday and had my hair blown out for the first time since the 2 years, 4 months I've been natural. It was nice to see my length. She braided it and I took it out the next day. I love the braid out too bad I can't braid. Lol! I've been braiding at night in huge braids to try to maintain the style somewhat. It's not the same as Day 1 but I still like it.

I recently watched this wash and go video that Tarenguy posted that I want to try. I've yet to perfect the wash and go without being annoyed at the shrinkage. Here's the video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahrs2kTeHLY.

ETA: I still haven't found my holy grail of products. The natural stylist I've gone to twice now wants me to try Pureology and put a clear glaze on my hair since my hair color can be pretty dull at times. I haven't done either yet.

Comparison of big chop v blow out - 2 yrs difference



After I took the braids out before the humidity hit it



A few days later after wearing it out in this crazy heat

[orangeblossom]

aqualuv Super cute.

[chedominique]

It's been so humid the last few weeks that I haven't worn my hair out because of shrinkage.  I'm wondering what's going to happen when I get my blowout next month for my trim.  I did revisit this hairstyle I tried last year that I couldn't get right.


Here is my hair this morning:

[sfy]

I would love that sponge brush, but I'm guessing you have to have a TWA for it to work? I think that would have my hair a damn tangled fool.

That's a lot of growth, aqualuv!

Gorgeous curls, @smorriso .

socratic, your hair is so pretty--I would do lots of twist-outs and braid-outs if I were you.  It looks like you would do great with WNGs, too, though.

Oh mahgawd...I love that, chedominique!

callie, I also wear my hair straight most of the time.  I have trouble with WNGs, though, because I have too many heat damaged pieces.  I am going to try to revive it a bit with a protein treatment.

As orangeblossom knows, I am trying desperately to get a flexi rod set the next time I go to the salon lol.  I ended up getting my usual blowout this weekend, which is fine, but I really prefer to wear natural styles in the summer.  I get a hydration treatment, so even with the outrageous humidity in my area, I usually don't deal with reversion, but I just think big natural hair is especially pretty in the summer.  So I want it....but I hate doing it myself.

My blowout (don't judge me, I'm in desperate need of a trim, which I'll be getting next time..and I have egg on my face, because that's how I roll ):

[orangeblossom]

sfy Your hair is cute. I love the highlights.

You can have up to 7 inches to use the sponge, but I've seen it used on longer hair, and it doesn't look as good. I think there's a sweet spot for good it will look.

[sunshine608]

I'm a summertime natural hair drop out. I caved and got a Keratin treatment. I couldn't keep up with the my hair, work, working out, humidity and the baby. Something had to give. The Keratin treatment just made it a little easier to do my Wash and go's and for me to do my own straightening. It takes me about 30-45 minutes instead of an 1 hour + now and my curls are more defined and less frizzy.

I was useing the Camille Rose and I like but its expensive and my cheapie John Frida does a better job to me.

[barcelonagirl]

The Cantu leave in conditioning hair cream is amazing. I hated all those thin spray leave ins and had been using my hello hydration in a spray bottle but that had so much build up. Still looking for cream for my loc. I'm using Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie but it leaves my hair so sticky

[skwcm80]

I'm loving the humidity because I tend to like shrinkage. I rock twists ( in a bun), or a twist out all the time, but I'm getting ready to start fall race training so my hair will spend more time in twists. I have never been able to master the wash and go.

My routine is pretty much the same Cantu leave in, olive oil instead of Shea butter, and Eco styler with argan oil.






Had to crop out most of the wine bottle.

[busybodyk]

I have been rocking a wash n go for the last few weeks. Its been easy since my hair is shorter (had to cut it since it was just ruined with post pardum hair loss) and I've been running regularly. I have never really embraced this look on me because I couldn't stand the shrinkage or having to deal with wet hair and not touch my hair but I've gotten used to it. Also I like washing my hair in the kitchen sink, not the shower so its been quite an adjustment. I wash it about every other day.  I've been co-washing with As I Am coconut cowash and using Kinky Curly Knot Today leave-in and Kinky Curly Curling Custard. Here's my OOTD pic today with my little fro. This is actually day 3 hair. I was running late this morning...

 

[orangeblossom]

Jun 17, 2015 9:00:58 GMT -5 @246baje said:

Talk my off the ledge yall. My hair is a really weird length and I just want to slap some braids on  or shave my head again and go. 

The back is a completely different texture so where the front curls the back just looks matted to me LAWD!

I didn't realize you cut your locks off.  Cute.

You might like the curl sponge, it helps provide definition.

[sfy]

Jun 17, 2015 9:00:58 GMT -5 @246baje said:

Talk my off the ledge yall. My hair is a really weird length and I just want to slap some braids on  or shave my head again and go. 

The back is a completely different texture so where the front curls the back just looks matted to me LAWD!

Don't do it!

I mean, I think it's fine to get braids if you think you're at an awkward length (I think it looks cute), but definitely don't cut it.  It's growing pretty fast, I think.  I agree with orangeblossom that you should try the sponge.  Ultimately, I think you have to find a way to work with the different textures, however, because that's pretty common.  I have two, if not three textures.  Add in my heat damage and it is very trying, but hey, it is what it is.

That's outrageously amazing for day 3, busybodyk!

[skwcm80]

Jun 17, 2015 8:43:00 GMT -5 barcelonagirl said:

The Cantu leave in conditioning hair cream is amazing. I hated all those thin spray leave ins and had been using my hello hydration in a spray bottle but that had so much build up. Still looking for cream for my loc. I'm using Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie but it leaves my hair so sticky

I hate the Shea Moisture curl enhancing smoothie for the same reason. Nothing in the SM line actually works for my hair.

[busybodyk]

My next goal is to try the max hydration method. I'm a simple girl and it looks kind of complicated. Anyone try it?

[chedominique]

Jun 17, 2015 9:12:41 GMT -5 skwcm80 said:

Jun 17, 2015 8:43:00 GMT -5 barcelonagirl said:

The Cantu leave in conditioning hair cream is amazing. I hated all those thin spray leave ins and had been using my hello hydration in a spray bottle but that had so much build up. Still looking for cream for my loc. I'm using Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie but it leaves my hair so sticky

I hate the Shea Moisture curl enhancing smoothie for the same reason. Nothing in the SM line actually works for my hair.

I experience the same thing.  I love SM but the curl enhancing smoothie only works for me in the colder months because it's heavier.  I use lighter creams and oils during the warmer months.

[Black Lavender]

I'm really looking for a good wash and go routine. I just feel like everything I try looks okay for two days and then I'm back to a frizzy mess. I get good results with the KC curling custard, but its too much to do it every other day. Talk to me about diffusers...do they really make a difference? How do you refresh your wash and go or twist out?

[Queen Mamadala]

I did the big chop a few months ago, so it's super short and very low maintenance. I usually hate dealing with it during the summer, more so when I lived in the South and dealt with the awful humidity.

I love having a wash-n-go hair style. It's about time to get my roots touched up. Part of me wants to get box braids. It's been a couple years since I had braids.

[skwcm80]

Jun 17, 2015 9:29:52 GMT -5 Black Lavender said:

I'm really looking for a good wash and go routine. I just feel like everything I try looks okay for two days and then I'm back to a frizzy mess. I get good results with the KC curling custard, but its too much to do it every other day. Talk to me about diffusers...do they really make a difference? How do you refresh your wash and go or twist out?

I only do twist outs, but I typically have my hair in 6 big twists overnight, and shower with no shower cap to let the moisture into my hair. That usually does the job for me. 

[Queen Mamadala]

My sister recently got box braids. They look great on her. Now I want them. I had Sengalese twists two summers ago, and I really liked them. Took six hours with two people. Ugh. And five hours to take them out by myself.

Thinking of getting the braids next month.

[meshaliuknits]

Jun 17, 2015 7:43:22 GMT -5 @smorriso said:

I've been rocking curls a lot more now that it's summer. I wore my hair curly almost the entire week we were in Mexico

You are SO cute.

[meshaliuknits]

I missed my annual Good Friday salon visit. I'm trying to get an appointment in early July. I need a trim bad. My hair has grown since I last saw her, I hope she can reach.

One of the women at work gave me some hair oil that's too heavy for her hair but is FANTASTIC on mine. Most days I use a combo of that with my Cantu leave in. To keep everything from drying out I have a spray bottle with watered down conditioner in my bag. This weekend Imma mess around and see if I can do the twists NitaX linked me to a tutorial for. I also wanna try this, but I think I might have too much hair.

 

[redwino]

I've been dealing with some slap issues for the past year so I'm limited in style choices. Since DD has been born I've been rocking 4 cornrows under a wig or hat. Last night I switched it up to 5 cornrows, lol. I want box braids if my scalp ever gets it together. But that won't happen before the fall. I think I'm going to make a kinky crochet wig this summer. It's so hot though so I'm unmotivated. Plus I'm lazy and it looks tedious.

[orangeblossom]

Jun 17, 2015 11:50:17 GMT -5 @stilljustash said:

i chopped my hair off a month ago and i love it so much. i think i'm going to ask for the sides to be shorter when i go back for a trim so it's a bit edgier, but love love love.

also, my kid totally changed my curl pattern. not sure if i like that yet (it's much looser).


View Attachment

So so cute.