Struggles, Revelations, Progress, and of course LOTS of pics

So, because I have so much to update, I've decided to post in sections. I will start with the wash and gos. Now, I'd gotten a bit wash and go happy for a moment there, but I've stopped doing them now. But here are some pics.

First, I did a wash and go with conditioner only. I shared this with you all a while back. It was actually an accident. I washed my hair, sprayed my leave in and then applied KBB hair milk. My intent was to sit under the dryer to dry my hair some before doing the shingling. (Since I'm living back at my parent's house now, for the first time in 7 years, which we will discuss later... sigh... I've decided to make good use of the hooded dryer) So, I sat under the dryer and lost track of time. Before I knew it, my hair was dry. When I got out of the dryer, I gave my hair a good look over and determined that it was fine as is. Now, I was also being lazy and didn't feel like shingling. But, it honestly didn't look bad at all. I was estatic. Finally, I'd achieved a true wash and go. No extra stuff, no gel, no time consuming smoothing from root to tip. Of course it isn't going to be as defined as when you use gel, especially with my hair type. But it is what it is... this is my texture... it's not changing. So why not just accept and love it in it's truly NATURAL state? Now, I will say that because I allowed my hair to curl naturally and was not smoothed or shingled, this style could be very prone to tangles. So, it is not something I would do often. But it's nice to know that in a time crunch I could wash an literally go if need be. Oh and the sides were looking eh as usual, so I made a very mediocre attempt at flat twisting the sides. Lol.




And here's what it looked like Day 2. A bit wild and crazy... but it's all good. Lol.




This style did not make it past two days. I got scared of the tangles. However, I did another wash and go right after. Again, I was being lazy. But I semi defined it with Darcy's Coiling Gelly. I will be back in a few hours to show you the results of that. Keep checking back throughout the day, or just come back tomorrow once EVERYTHING is loaded. See ya!

Your flat twist look fine....a little more practicing and it will be perfect.

Lynnieluve wrote:Your flat twist look fine....a little more practicing and it will be perfect.

Thanks Lynn! I'm just trying to get on your level. Lol.

So, next I did a wash and go with Darcy's Botanicals Natural Coils Coiling Jelly. I didn't really shingle except for in the front. I kind of scrunched it in. The results came out fine. Of course, no stretch (because I didn't shingle), but there was definition. And it didn't make my hair hard. Also, not white stuff, except in the front where I used a bit too much. And it wasn't white, it was moreso clear, but thick. I will definitely try it again and give a better review. Here's the pics.

Wet with product:



Under the dryer:




If you don't remember saying before, I definitely recommend sitting under the dryer for wash and gos. It REALLY helps with the shrinkage. Your hair dries with the product before it has a chance to start shrinking. And you don't have to walk around with a wet head.

Here's dry:





As you can see my hair, like most, has a myriad of textures. When I first BCed I thought I was 4b all over, no curls, no coils. But part of that was just dryness. The more I take care of my hair, the more coils I see. So I'd say 4a. But my hair is sooooooooo dense and very thick. So it doesn't look like some people's hair with 4a, or 4b either. In fact, no one's hair looks the same at all! So why am I even bothering with this typing again??? Lol. Moving on...

Here's some pics of my hair fully fully dry...



Oh and in case you noticed my lack of boobs... no you haven't been bamboozled. I am not a boy and I am almost 25. God just didn't endow me in that area... sigh... it sucks...

Anyways, here's 2nd day hair...



And here's me on Day 3:




After that I went back to my tried and true band and go. Which worked awesomely. Then I put in twists. Which I still have in now. I'll be doing more protective styles. Believe it or not, I kinda missed the twisted look. Lol. But I think it's moreso the ease. Waking up and not having to fluff or do anything. Stay tuned. I've got more updates on the way.

Bamboozled? Ha ha! I think it's easy to see you're a chick, lol!! I see the hair is looking good Mrs. Cukes. And you found your "true" WnG! That's one I haven't gotten the guts for yet. Go lady!!

nattyblog wrote:Bamboozled? Ha ha! I think it's easy to see you're a chick, lol!! I see the hair is looking good Mrs. Cukes. And you found your "true" WnG! That's one I haven't gotten the guts for yet. Go lady!!

Thanks Natty!

Alrighty... I'm back for round 3, this will be shorter, as I'm pressed for time. I'll have to do more tomorrow.

So I did an amla and brahmi treatment. I had lots of fun mixing the powders. It looked like chocolate. And the smell wasn't horrid, as I'd anticipated. I'm not sure if my hair felt any different though. But I will definitely try again.




I LOVE the way my hair hangs when I have some type of powder. You get to really see it's length. Still haven't found a product that gives me that much stretch.


Ok, here's a random style. I did it somewhere in between my wash and gos an banding. And I honestly don't remember. I've got to start updating right away so this won't happen. Lol. Anyhow, it looked cute.



And lastly, here's some pics of the hairstyle I wore to my family reunion. I did the puff bang. But I didn't get a chance to really twist the bangs like I wanted as I was in a hurry. But it worked for the moment.



Alrighty, that's enough updating for today. See ya'll tomorrow!

i see you doing your thing. practice make perfect I am learning lol

Hey JnB!!! Your wash and Go's are super cute!!! In the winter I sit under the hooded dryer also, I can not stand to go to bed with wet hair!!! It did help my twist not to shrink!!!

Great updates you are doing it up!

priceless wrote:i see you doing your thing. practice make perfect I am learning lol

CocoEuro wrote:Hey JnB!!! Your wash and Go's are super cute!!! In the winter I sit under the hooded dryer also, I can not stand to go to bed with wet hair!!! It did help my twist not to shrink!!!

sweetdrk1 wrote:Great updates you are doing it up!

Thanks everyone!

So I finally can say that I have staple products. I'm really trying to narrow things down, so that I don't go mad with the purchases. I'm also living at home with my parents now (for the first time in 7 years sigh... like I said we'll talk later) and I don't want them to raise an eyebrow when I have packages with hair stuff coming every week. Lol. So, here's what I've come up with.

Staple Products

Shampoos:
Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle- guess why? Lol. The tingle and the price. The only problem is that we do not have a trader joe's in houston. So, my dad goes back and forth to New York every week. I'm going to try and see if he can stop off and stock up for me one day. I could always use the Giovanni, but it's double the price.
Kinky Curly Come Clean- I use this when I'm using KCCC of course. But I also use it when I really want to clarify my hair (ex. after swimming). As soon as I can stock up on some more empty bottles, my plan is to dilute it some so that I can stretch it's use.

Conditioners:
Yes to Cucumbers- as you know I've professed my undying love for this conditioner. And it will be my staple for cowashing and detangling until my hair says otherwise.
VO5 Moisture Milks- even though I like YTC better, it's more expensive unless you hunt it down at Ross. You honestly can't beat the price of V05. I can find it for as low as 79 cents! 79 cents! And it works! And you can find it just about anywhere. Which makes it awesome if you find yourself in an emergency situation. So, this will always remain in my rotation.

Leave In Conditioners:
Kinky Curly Knot Today- I think this is self explanatory. I don't know anyone who does NOT like this leave in. And as we are all learning you can do so much with it. I actually dilute it with water, oils, glycerin, and EOs. And Kimmaytube has made a great mix that everyone seems to love and I'll be trying it soon.
(note. I plan to revisit Giovanni Direct Leave In. I purchased it when I first BCed but gave it away. I think it wasn't that it didn't work but I was experiencing the usual post BC dryness and I didn't think anything worked. It's cheaper than the KCKT too, so I'll purchase soon)

Deep Conditioner:
I'm still on the market for this one. I have used several and like them all. But I haven't found one that just wowed me.

Wash and Go Styler:
I have several that work. But since I am still in the process of perfecting the technique, I am not yet ready to say which one I like best.

Twists:
Afroveda Hemp Seed Lock Twist and Roll Butter- Hands down! Now I know I'm not fond of the smell, but I cannot deny that this product gives me the BEST twists. And the smell isn't so bad after the first time. I mean, the BEST definition without your hair being crunchy. If you want defined twists and twistouts, this is an awesome product. Now, if you are looking for a softer flufflier, I wouldn't suggest it. It has very good hold. I'm still looking for a staple moisturizing styler that doesn't hold alot. So far I've used lots and they work. But I can't move them to staple status yet. I have purchased SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, but have not used it. Perhaps it will be the one.

So I'm really proud of myself for being on the way to narrowing things down.

Alrighty. Here's some pics from what I'd say has become my new signature style. The puff with bangs. I usually do a twistout to make the bangs, but this time, I just left the twists in. I liked it that way. The back was just my band and go (which btw, I forgot how well it worked)














Okie dokie. Come back later and show ya'll my current twists. Later!

Hey JNB love the puff with the bangs and I'm also working on narrowing my product list down. Going forward I want to only use a few products instead of having a cabinet full of them.

krazy coils wrote:Hey JNB love the puff with the bangs and I'm also working on narrowing my product list down. Going forward I want to only use a few products instead of having a cabinet full of them.

Thanks KC!

Oooohhhh! The puff with bangs really becomes you.

nattyblog wrote:Oooohhhh! The puff with bangs really becomes you.

Thanks NB!!!

The puff and bangs look GREAT. The Hemp Seed butter is doin' big things!

Can you post a pic of it in the jar?

awwww...so cute!!!

HEY JB! Your hair is growing nicely. I think we may have a similar hair type. I don't know if you posted already but how did you like the AMLA treatment. I tried it and I didn't like it maybe i did it wrong. What did u do when you applied it?

PaganWifey wrote:The puff and bangs look GREAT. The Hemp Seed butter is doin' big things!

Can you post a pic of it in the jar?

Sure. I will come back tomorrow and post a pic as well as the most recent twists I did with it.

CocoEuro wrote:awwww...so cute!!!

Thanks CE!

missmoriah wrote:HEY JB! Your hair is growing nicely. I think we may have a similar hair type. I don't know if you posted already but how did you like the AMLA treatment. I tried it and I didn't like it maybe i did it wrong. What did u do when you applied it?

I think I did something wrong too. Or maybe my hair just doesn't like it either.

Hey JnB!!! Your hair is looking great and I'm loving all the styles!!

QuietButterfly wrote:Hey JnB!!! Your hair is looking great and I'm loving all the styles!!

Thanks QB. I'm just trying not to get bored. Lol.

hey mamma, your hair is looking great and I loooove the new avi

Hey JnB!

You know you be workin' the styles! I love your updos...always nice!

Now what exactly does the amla & bra (I don't feel like scrolling back up to find how to spell it...you know what I mean..LOL) do for your hair? I have amla, just been trying to figure should I use it?

TheRYL1 wrote:Hey JnB!

You know you be workin' the styles! I love your updos...always nice!

Now what exactly does the amla & bra (I don't feel like scrolling back up to find how to spell it...you know what I mean..LOL) do for your hair? I have amla, just been trying to figure should I use it?

Hesh Amla Powder is a natural astringent and skin toner that works on both hair and skin. In Botanical term it is known as Emblic Myrobalan. The paste of this powder helps promote luxuriant hair. Even as it controls hair loss. It stimulates hair roots and promote hair growth. This apart, it prevents scalp infection and controls premature graying of hair. Regular usage of Amla powder gives nourishment to the hair. It may also remove mild dandruff from hair scalp while giving body to the hair. Amla powder added to Henna tones down reds giving it more brown hues. When used on skin, the paste of this powder brightens the complexion and removes pimples and grime.

I got that from butters and bars. But my hair hasn't been responding well to it. So I have no further recommendations at the moment.