AM I doing TOO MUCH

The long-short version of my natural hair journey
*Last Perm January 2009
*January 2009 - May 2010 still getting my hair straighten/done with a flat iron every 2 to 3 weeks at the salon.
*June 2010 stopped straightening my hair began doing natural styles 2 strand twist outs and using a slewwwww of natural hair care products Carols Daughter etc...because my ends were still straight (not sure if i still have any perm hair left or how much?!?!?) i was using hard/perm rods on my ends to make them curl. being a hair novice I completely BROKE OFF MY ENDS in the back/crown of my hair.
*August 2010 went back to my hairdresser and had to get a serious trim and got hair straighten
*September - December 2010 had microbraids and pretty much did nothing to my hair. Oiled my edges here and there but didn't really take care of my hair while braided like i should have.

NOW i am determined to continue with my natural hair journey...but after reading this site i keep seeing Protective Styles Protective Styles!! i am doing 2 strand twist outs (thats the only style I've mastered LOL) but that requires i twist my hair EVERY night!!! because my hair has no curl pattern yet if i dont twist/and roll my ends (using flexible soft rods now..learned this lesson the hard way) at night it looks like a hot mess the next day. I am using EVOO/CO mix on my hair every day & CD Hair mimosa.. I only use heat on my hair once a week when i DC and do my initial style for the week...but I'm afraid I am "messing" with my hair tooooo much??!???!?! HELP?!?!?!

Can i please get some advice?!

SN: didnt mean for this post to be sooooo long!! guess i need to VENT..LOL

Hi Determined!! And welcome to Curlynikki!!! Ok...I have been natural for about 15 years but only recently (sad, I know) have I started really taking better care of my hair.
Just to let you know, you don't have to do twists as your only protective style. Protective styling is really basically protecting mostly your ends (and the rest of the hair too), making sure they are hidden from the air/elements. How long is your hair? If it's long enough you can do a bun either with a ponytail holder or bobbie pins. You can do cornrows, flat twists. If you go to youtube and typin in protective hairstyles a slew of stuff should come up. On curlynikki a lot of us really like kimmaytube. She is great!!! https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kimmaytube+protective+style&aq=8 She started out from really unhealthy hair and she started a couple times over I think. But if you watch her videos you'll see a lot and get a lot of good info from her.

Retwisting your every night probably is too much. Have you tried setting them on flexirods while wet? They may last longer that way. Also, I see you are putting oil on your hair but are you using a moisturizer first?? You should try moisturizing with a leave-in conditioner and THEN put the oil in. The oil keeps the moisture in. That should help hold the style a little better too.

Hope this helps. And oh...don't feel bad for long posts. A lot of us do the same thing!!! I have had some longer than yours!!! LOL No worries. We're all here to help each other our. Good luck to ya!!

I am still in transition mode...and I tried a braid out for the first time this week. I think the braid out held well, I used the pineapple technique for sleeping that night with my hair in a satin bonnet...and I was able to achieve 2nd day hair, then that night I put a little water and moisturizer on and re-braided. You could think about trying a braid out, I've heard some ppl here say that since it gets closer to the root, it last a little longer than a twist out.

thanks!!! i am definitely going to try a braid and curl this weekend.. but what is consider a good moisturizer?!??! I'm sure there is 1 on the shelf full of products i've bought recently..LOL..its Cantu Shea butter consider a moisturizer?!?

Yes it is. Water is the 1st ingredient. I use it and I love it. On the back of the jar it says "hydrate and moisturize with Shea Butter and natural oils". You can use it everyday and it smells great!!

Hey Ladies!!! I must seek out your help again!! :-)

To Trim Myself or Go to a Salon!!!

My hair hasn't been trimed since...hmmmmm....let me think..late july/ early august. After taking braids out in early december I am pretty sure I need a trim.

I really dont want to go to a salon...1. i dont want to spend the money. 2. i dont want to hear "you might as well just cut it all off"
Should i straighten my hair to trim it? Do it while its wet/ dry? Any tips or suggestions would be GREAT!! :-)