1st summer as a Natural!!

This will be my first summer as a Natural and I'm not really sure what to use. Just figured out what use in the winter and now it seems to be finally over. But with Michigan weather, you never know.

Please share your spritz, oils, conditioner, and anything else you use in the summer. Especially if you have 4 hair.

Thanks

From what I've heard, this is the time to add the glycerin to your mixes. This is my first summer natural too, so I'll be watching for other comments.

If you live in a relatively humid climate, like me (Dallas), especially Houston ( J & B), veggie glycerin does make a great addition to your mixes. Glycerin is a humectant and it draws moisture from the air to your hair. I did my BC duing the summer and I just kept a moisture spritz in a spray bottle. My spritz is 1 part water, 1 part conditioner (Suave Coconut), a tbsp of each: Veggie Glycerin, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, castor oil, and any essential oil of your choice. Shake it up, a couple squirts, and it leave my hair moisturized and soft all day.

Be prepared for more shrinkage than usual in the summer, but you can make the humidity work for you. It's your friend!

I like this, I am listening, my first summer too.
Come on veterans -- post!!!!

I've been two years natural and I still dont quite know! I would like to see some responses too!

thanks ladies.

My daughter and I will be mixing a few things this weekend. We need a daily spritz. My recent discover for softness was rosewater/aloe vera gel with an oil. I spritz my hair and put Ojon conditioner on top. My hair became so soft. After it dried, I applied just a little of my shea mix.

The conditioner was left over from a kit purchased back in November. Didn't care for it then. But then again I was still trying to figure out my hair.

I just thought about it...I BC'ed last fall so this is my first summer natural too!!

Thanks for the advice and pretty avatar CurlsGalore!!

Oh so glad I stumbled upon this thread....It's my first summer too so I'm all ears [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

BrownSkinDiva wrote:I just thought about it...I BC'ed last fall so this is my first summer natural too!!

Thanks for the advice and pretty avatar CurlsGalore!!

You're very welcome and thank you! You have some luscious curls! Pretty texture!

CurlsGalore, how much glycerin do you add to your mixes?

@ J & B: About a tbsp of each.

How about in places that it's hot but not humid? Is it still safe to use glycerin?

deeply_rooted_chick wrote:How about in places that it's hot but not humid? Is it still safe to use glycerin?

I wouldn't. Since glycerin is a humectant it'll just backfire by sucking the moisture from your hair and dry your hair out.

I don't know what my summer reggie will be, but I know I'll be co-washing about 2-3 times a week and experimenting with new styles (wash n gos, wet buns, etc)

it's my first summer too. i BC'd last october. i have glycerin at home, just didn't know what to do with it. now i do.

thanks!

WOW this is my first summer and I was wondering the samething. I'm in Mississippi and I know its going to be hot and dry all summer. So this advice is going to be a great help!!!!

This will be my second summer as a curly girl. I learned a lot since then. First, humidity is not as much a concern as the dewpoint. The dewpoint is the level of moisture (or not) in the air. Too much and too little will cause hair to frizz or expand. The key is to know the dewpoint before styling. Here is a great article on dewpoints.

Why? If you use too many humectants or too much of an humectant, your hair can be dry, frizzy and let's just say, not what you want. They key is balance. A good amount of moisture and products with humectants along with sealants.

If the air is too moist, your hair may take it in and begin to expand. If the air is too dry, your hair may be drained of the moisture it has.
My plan is to try a mix of glycerin and aloe vera gel before my water based leave in then seal with castor oil, a host of other oils or butters. I want to see if I can avoid using gel or mousse but will should my hair not behave with moisture alone.

@ Chrs: Thank you for that info. I never thought about taking dewpoints into consideration. This will be my 2nd summer as a curlie. I had a TWA last summer, but now I have some length so my regimen my not stay the same.

I will be keeping up with this thread! Living in Houston, you definitely have to be prepared for the humidity! It is no joke...all my Houston curlies can definitely second that! LOL!

@ChrsLvsBks Thanks for that info! I may have to try your remedy!

i second that!