Ask CurlyNikki

Hola Curlies!

Starting today, I'll be available for one hour MWF to answer your questions and comments...real time...right here 5:00-6:00pm EST.

Other viewers, please feel free to chime in and offer your advice and personal experiences! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Chat at ya later,
Nik

Everytime that I try to do a twist out, I end up looking a hot, frizzy mess. I don't know what I am doing wrong. Should I do a twist out on dry or wet hair? What product should I use to moisturize? How should I maintain the style at night? Should I retwist at night? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Nikki - I simply love ur TnC featured today - what is the secret product? Your hair looks fantabulous! Please tell. I can never get the parts out completely my finers get stuck if that make sense.

@Mrs, I only do my twist-outs on soaking wet hair, sometimes I don't even leave the shower, lol. I've never tried dry hair twists, but I've heard that while they drastically reduce shrinkage, they only last a short while and can become very frizzy, very quick.
To answer your questions:
-load your hair up with moisturizing conditioner (acts as a setting lotion and moisturizer) to set the hair and keep the frizzies away. If you feel the need, add a moisturizing curl cream or light gel on top for extra control.
-for moisture, I recommend DevaCare One Conditioner, SheaMoisture shea butter leave-in, or Garnier Sleek and Shine. All of these provide moisture and a bit of hold. You can use shea butter, whipped shea, qhemet butters, or even conditioner to moisturizer after the 1st day.
-You can sleep with it out on a satin pillow case, or up in a loose pony if you have enough length. Depending on hair type, you might get better results from re-twisting each night.


@blonde
I can't tell yet! It was actually given to me at a product swap recently. It is a cheap drugstore product, and I'm happy for that! I'll make a vid on how I separate my twists soon. In the meantime, whenever you run into a part, just simply and gently pull/pick your hair apart in that area--its a fine line to walk between fluffing and creating unnecessary frizz.

Ok. - I guess I'll just to wait. I'll give it a try again tomorrow. Thanks

check out the bonnet dryer for your next set and report back...

I have a pibbs 514 - u say u do 5 to 6 on each side - are u doing double rows?

I do the following for each side:
-two in the back
-one above my ear
-one by face
-and one by the crown

let me know how it turns out!

Thanks Nikki!!! I am going to give your suggestions a try right now and I will report back!! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Hey Nikki!

So im new to your site and I absolutely LOVE it! Kudos to you for having a fabulous blog! I really love the "Twist & Curl" style and Im going to definitely try it, possibly this weekend or next week! What shampoo do you suggest I use to wash my hair with? I noticed on your pictorial you used Pantene R&N and Aubrey Organics HSR (never used that before). I usually wash my hair with Garnier Fructis and CatWalk. Every now and then I switch it up, but for this I want your advice on, because I looove the twist and curl and I want it to turn out lovely!

Natural83

Shampoo, for me, is an after thought...I only do it once or twice a month....sometimes not even that often! When I do poo, I use shampoo bars (www.mehandi.com), or Giovanni 50/50 shampoo. The important part step is the conditioning process!

Good luck, and report back

What is your opinion of Long Aid Activator Gel For Extra Dry
(Large Tub)?





My hair seems to love it.
But I have concerns about the ingredients:

• Are
  they okay or harmful?
  
• Will I
  need to shampoo with a lighter grade sulfate (Jane Carter) or clarify w/
  Paul Mitchell after using this?
  

The reason I ask is at first when
I put it on its kind of gooey. It’s messy actually to put in as I saturate. I’ve
put it on when my hair has been brittle dry and it came alive like I had put
conditioner in it. I haven’t put in damp
yet..but imagine it will be even better.





Anyhoo, after a couple of days, my
hair drinks this stuff in. Then it feels
like a cloud on my head. It defines my curl and coats it nice. Great feel. It's not greasy to the touch but does have a
silk film to the touch. I can't explain it but it’s not greasy--like when
I put my oils in then touch my hair. Ya know? I have noticed though that when I've tried to co
wash after using this stuff or wet it, it looks a bit milky. Like the conditioner is not penetrating. In otherwords, it doesn't seem like it's my cowashing is doing its job. And that’s
what makes me wonder if it good to use--especially long term. Do I need to do a shampoo to get it out? I'm hoping I can still use this stuff and cowash over it. I'm confused.








Here are the ingredients:





Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, carbomer 940,
OLETH-20, Methylparaben, DMDM Hydantoin, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Collagen,
Panthenol, Aloe Vera Powder (Aloe Barbadensis), Fragrance (Parfum) Ext. Violet
2 (CI 60730)
You can see photos of my hair currently in my
introduction post and here is a photo of my Jan 2009 fro (prior to discovering Long Aid and post the Dominicans frying my hair before I cut
it down to the Avatar photo).

Hey Nikki! I'm a newly natural and I want to try the curlygirl method, i plan on buying a few products today the only problem is I live on campus and we have super hard water- will this method still work? Also, when i air-dry my hair it be so dry and hard i don't know how to combat it.

Thanks,
Jeri

Hello Nikki,
I am a 7 and 1/2 month (hopefully) long term transitioner. I enjoy your site so much. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] You have been most helpful to me among the other sites. I have found my HG in AO HSR, DevaOne, Unrefined Shea butter and Cocount oil. I believe I have 3c waves in the front and crown and the rest is 4a/b corkscrews.
So my question is: I have been reading about this Apple Cider Vinegar(ACV). What exactly is this used for? how often do you use it? When do you use it? Do YOU use it and when? And doesn't it smell? (sorry for all the questions) [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Hey Nikki,

Why do you prefer DevaCare condish over DevaCurl, if you've tried both? Also, what does HTH mean?! I looked for it in the dictionary, but didn't see it!

Nikki, my mom is at work and just sent me a link to your blog! Isn't that crazy! I said, "I love her blog, I read it every day. Thanks for the link though, Mom."

Intelligentbeauty, check out this link:

http://www.curlynikki.com/2009/04/curl-whisperer-on-acv-rinses.html

@Tisha, I've heard good things about that gel! It is humectant heavy so just be mindful of your hair as winter approaches--make sure it continues to be as moisturizing as it was in the past few months. If you like it, I love it! It sounds like it'd be a good gel to shingle with?
Be sure to always use a leave-in under it...no gel is 'that' moisturizing

@nappyjer, you might want to take a peek at the ingredients in your current products. Something is drying you out...could be protein, it could be build-up. Like I always say, eliminate the culprit, try the new routine for 3 weeks, reassess, and decide if it should be reintroduced or thrown out. Trial and error...that's all we can do
As far as hard water goes, I'd rec' a shower head filter, but since you're in college (and in a dorm?), I'm assuming that's unlikely. Unfortunately, a harsher detergent is needed to remove the gunk that comes with hard water. It builds up on porous curly hair
quickly, and SLS is needed---perhaps bi-weekly. You could also invest in spring/purified gallons and use that...a pain in the butt, but better than the water you have at school. Are you sure it's hard?

@Krenea, I use DevaCare because it's marketed for the dry/chemical treated/damaged folk. My fine curls are dry as the desert, and I usually opt for products that specify that. That's the only reason Plus, I read a bunch of reviews about how moisturizing it is (over devacurl), and that many 2a-3bs get over conditioned with it. If a 2a get's overconditioned using a conditioner, I'm all over it!

lol@weekendluxury!!!! Tell your mom I said HI, and thanks

Hi Nikki,

What type of flexi rod do you use? And how many for your whole head. I went to buy some the other day, but couldn't make a decision. One set was gray, size 11/16 and the other was purple, appeared to be a little thicker/wider, but one less rod in the pack. I consider my hair long and wonder should I even venture to try this out? Please advise.

Thanks!

I've only done the curly fro once, and I used the gray ones...about 8 I think. My hair, stretched varies from collar bone length, to just below my rib cage. I loved my results from the gray ones

Hey CN! I was wondering how do you apply the DevaCare SIF? Do you only apply it to the ends of your twist before you roll? Or do you apply/squirt it on your hair before you begin twisting? Thank you and I LOVE your blog!

It depends on my mood, lol.

I've noticed two things when applying a few squirts per section (prior to twisting):

1. Too much can cause residue--you don't see flakage, but when I shake my hair out to fluff, I can see these white things fall away...gross! It goes away after a day.

2. The perfect amount provides great shine, hold, and yields 4 day hair For me, the perfect amount is 3-5 squirts per twist.

By the time I get out of the shower, my hair is already loaded down with DevaCare One. As I twist, I squirt the SIF onto my finger tips and apply it from root to tip.

When I'm trying a new conditioner or product (or when I just don't feel like taking the extra step period), I'll apply SIF to my ends only, prior to rolling.

hth!
nik

Where do you purchase your DevaCare products? Do you buy the economy size, if there is one? What store, if there's more than one, has the best prices? Thanks, CN!

Nikki,

Question about the Twist N Curl! I have yet to get the DevaCare One Conditioner. (Does Ulta have it???) I am planning to get it asap, as I know you highly recommend it! But until then, what conditioner would you recommend for the time being? I have the Garnier Fructics cream conditioner, Pantene R&N, and HE Totally Twisted already in the cabinet. I may do a twist and curl tonight, so what should I cowash and set with? Im in the process of getting all the recommended products!!! Trust me, I cleaned out my cabinet last night and Im gradually restocking!!!