things are finally taking "shape"

Hey everyone! I've been MIA, but I'm back. I've been busy with work and trying to settle on a routine with this stuff on top of my head. For awhile I've been wearing my twist outs and they have been lasting a week, with coil/curl definition still in existence. I've received many compliments and complete strangers come up to me and ask "where I get my hair done" - LOL!!! I say I did it and they look shocked So start the questions, how, what, can I touch it , yadda yadda- So, what I decided to do was to update my blog with my details.

All this to say, for the newbies, don't give up!!!!! I was soooo frustrated in the beginning and went broke being a product junkie, but I just kept at it. Your time will come. It's been about 7 mos for me and I'm just now getting the hang of it- only at 1 style...Still can't get the fro thing to look well. Oh, well, that' be next!!! I'll have to post a new pic soon.

I have been frustrated with my routine as well I havent been able to get it down but I am not going to give up I am going to keep trying I am happy that you were able to get your routine

@Sebastain13, thanks!!! You have a nice looking fro there in your avitar. I like! It looks so thick and healthy.

I am almost 11 months in & I thought that it would be longer than this but I have a tendency to get caught up in what I see other natural beauties are doing & I think that my hair should be the same length I have always had thick hair but I just want some lenght not but I have to be patient & it will come with time Im still working on my routine almost 11 months later

Naturalin, that was very kind of you to post these words of encouragement for ppl who are still having diff finding a routine. Congrats on your success!!

Sebastian - Hang in there and don't forget the power of journaling to know what you use, what other products you use things with, outcomes, etc.,when you have to moisturize again, etc. Also, don't underestimate the power of taking note of the first 4 or 5 ingredients in each product. Another hint, most ppl's hair either loves shea or not really. That you should be able to notice fairly quickly. If a product is shea heavy, how does your hair respond? If it responds favorably, then you have an entire line of Shea Moisture (cheap) that could turn into your HG. If not, you know to avoid, shea heavy products. Also, aloe. Notice how your hair reacts to aloe being high in the ingredients. Lots of times ppl don't give a product a fair chance. First, how does the manufacturer recommend it be used. Follow their instructions and then you can modify (dry, damp, wet hair, etc.) But, be sure you have clarified so you are not trying to evaluate a product with others. Hope some of this is helpful. I wish you success!

I know how exhilarating it is when you find your routine and products. I have been natural since April 2009 (but have BC'd 2 times since then because of split & dry ends; last time was March 13, 2010). I finally found a regime last Fall (November 2010), protective styling (2 strand twist/coils) and wigs. I officially end my Hide My Hair Challenge at the end of March or April 5th which is my original BC anniversary.

Although I found my styling regimen it has taken me until last month to find the "perfect" products. I have found a complete "natural" line that won't break the bank and I don't have to wait forever for my products, I can buy them at my local Target (SheaMoisture Organic Raw SheaButter Line).

I think I have this natural hair thing down, but it only took 22 months and 3 BC's later to figure it out. You have accomplish this in only 7 months, you are well ahead of the game. You go girl.

Naturalin2010 wrote:Hey everyone! I've been MIA, but I'm back. I've been busy with work and trying to settle on a routine with this stuff on top of my head. For awhile I've been wearing my twist outs and they have been lasting a week, with coil/curl definition still in existence. I've received many compliments and complete strangers come up to me and ask "where I get my hair done" - LOL!!! I say I did it and they look shocked So start the questions, how, what, can I touch it , yadda yadda- So, what I decided to do was to update my blog with my details.

All this to say, for the newbies, don't give up!!!!! I was soooo frustrated in the beginning and went broke being a product junkie, but I just kept at it. Your time will come. It's been about 7 mos for me and I'm just now getting the hang of it- only at 1 style...Still can't get the fro thing to look well. Oh, well, that' be next!!! I'll have to post a new pic soon.

Naturalnola I have been journaling on a wkly basis but I still feel like that I havent got a routine down yet I have purchasing some products from Darcy botanical The products that I have are
coconut & cupuacu butter hair pomade(give great shine)
natural coils curling jelly
avocado & wild plum twisting cream(jar is almost gone)
avocado & honey twisting cream
madagascar vanilla styling creme
Oyin hair dew, burnt sugar pomade(great shine), & juices & berries
Qhemet biologics amla & olive heavy cream(make my hair feel extremely soft especially if I use a plastic cap at night or without it) & olive & honey hydrating balm(makes hair really soft)

I dont use all of this at one time I use some after wash day then may
be a couple days later use something else
I think Im just using too much

@swan ur right its a process & I am going to continue this until I get it right Im not going to give up

I agree with Natuallynola, you will know very early if you hair likes sheabutter. Mine does but it has to be mixed with other things, i.e. oils, aloe vera and/or water. As I mention in my earlier post, I use the SheaMoisture Organic Raw SheaButter Line. I use the shampoo, deep treament, restorative conditioner and I use the Curl Enhancing Cream from the Coconut & Hibsicus Line for 2-strand twist on a weekly basis (daily leave-in spritz and oil seal hair); I also henna once a month for strengthening. Since I'm protein sensititve, I have to limit products in it. This is all that I use, I need nothing else. I hate that I waited so long to try this line, I had tried almost everything else but I hesitated because I was trying all the other "online" natural product favs. Can't believe what I needed was already in my own backyard so to speak (at my local Target store). I could look at all the money, time and hair retention I could have saved but it was a learning experience. Now I know what my hair needs, likes and I am better enpowered for it.

@Sebastian, it takes time and its natural to compare but use the comparisons as inspiration and motivation. One day, you will be encouraging a newbie or a frustrating natural or transitioner. All of us, unless, we have been natural all of our lives, have/will encounter moments of frustration but the journey is well worth it, you will see. Just take your hair's progression in 3mo, 6mo, 9mo and 12mo timeframes. I found not looking too far ahead and gauging my hair health and growth in small increments (3mos at a time) was helpful.

naturallynola wrote:Naturalin, that was very kind of you to post these words of encouragement for ppl who are still having diff finding a routine. Congrats on your success!!

Sebastian - Hang in there and don't forget the power of journaling to know what you use, what other products you use things with, outcomes, etc.,when you have to moisturize again, etc. Also, don't underestimate the power of taking note of the first 4 or 5 ingredients in each product. Another hint, most ppl's hair either loves shea or not really. That you should be able to notice fairly quickly. If a product is shea heavy, how does your hair respond? If it responds favorably, then you have an entire line of Shea Moisture (cheap) that could turn into your HG. If not, you know to avoid, shea heavy products. Also, aloe. Notice how your hair reacts to aloe being high in the ingredients. Lots of times ppl don't give a product a fair chance. First, how does the manufacturer recommend it be used. Follow their instructions and then you can modify (dry, damp, wet hair, etc.) But, be sure you have clarified so you are not trying to evaluate a product with others. Hope some of this is helpful. I wish you success!

@Swan I do tend to do that because I see others at the same time frame that I am & their hair is longer but I have been trying to not look at that & try to keep my hair as healthy as possible I need to focus on what I have now & what I dont

Thanks so much for the words of wisdom & encouragement

Yep! Too much and too soon.

Select 1 of each:
cleanser
oil
conditioner
leave-in/moisturizer
styler

Give it some time for you to evaluate. Unless your hair totally rebels (like a hay stack moment), give it ample tries. This is a journey of 2 gallons of patience and more.

When I say journal, I will give you an example of what I do. I date a word document, identify if I prepoo, with what oil, and how long. I note what cleanser I use, what conditioner, if with heat, no heat, on dry hair or wet, what leave-in, what styler, and what style (some stylers work for some styles, but not others). I note the condition of my hair the next couple of days and note when I moisturize and what I moisturize with... You get the picture. So, I can go back as far as September and know what I used and if the hair days were bad, good, if the hair was soft, very soft, etc. In my opinion, this is no fail. You just have to be consistent and have patience.

For me, my Kimmaytube leave in is the ANSWER. Heavy shea products, butters, twisting creams and all the like are not necessary and not helpful for me personally. I noticed this early on. A good conditioner with a lotion or creamy textue works for me. Again, noting the ingredients also will be very helpful in you nailing down your go to products. I love the Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm, but the Burdock Root and Amla & Olive heavy cream were a no go for me--too heavy and too greasy for me. Soft, yes, but that's it. So, of course focus on softness to some extent, but pay attention to the level of moisture and other qualities that result in healthy hair. Also, alot of ppl talk about shine. In all honesty, simple oils like coconut oil and castor give shine and at a very reasonable price tag. Try to look for patterns. Often the simplest, and sometimes most inexpensive products work wonders

Sebastain13 wrote:I am almost 11 months in & I thought that it would be longer than this but I have a tendency to get caught up in what I see other natural beauties are doing & I think that my hair should be the same length I have always had thick hair but I just want some lenght not but I have to be patient & it will come with time Im still working on my routine almost 11 months later

I hear ya! My hair is thick as well. I did the same thing and still do is to look at others and think mine should look the same. The only time I see length in my hair is when doing my twists for my twist outs. *sigh*

naturallynola wrote:Naturalin, that was very kind of you to post these words of encouragement for ppl who are still having diff finding a routine. Congrats on your success!!

Muchas gracias!!!


@SwanLakeLibra Thanks!. I am loving those coils in your avitar. Very nice!

@Naturalin Im glad that you feel where Im coming from but I am going to take all of the advice that was given here today & reevaluate the situation If I remember I will get back with you in about two wks that will give me enough time to reevaluate my products

Again ladies thanks so much for all of the help

Thanks, it only took me 7 1/2 hours to do. My hands & arms killed me that day and I haven't done the coils since then. I have carpal tunnel, so I don't do them that small since the avatar and that was Thanksgiving eve last year. I now do only 2 strand twists (chunky size). I plan to do mini 2 strand twist soon, I just need to carve out the time and prepare my hands. I need to update my avatar, but I want a big afro as my avatar so I have a little ways to go. If I can get the perfect mini twist I might post it.

Naturalin2010 wrote:

Sebastain13 wrote:I am almost 11 months in & I thought that it would be longer than this but I have a tendency to get caught up in what I see other natural beauties are doing & I think that my hair should be the same length I have always had thick hair but I just want some lenght not but I have to be patient & it will come with time Im still working on my routine almost 11 months later

I hear ya! My hair is thick as well. I did the same thing and still do is to look at others and think mine should look the same. The only time I see length in my hair is when doing my twists for my twist outs. *sigh*

naturallynola wrote:Naturalin, that was very kind of you to post these words of encouragement for ppl who are still having diff finding a routine. Congrats on your success!!

Muchas gracias!!!


@SwanLakeLibra Thanks!. I am loving those coils in your avitar. Very nice!