Wash And Go, To Grow And To Dazzle 2020 Challenge

[faithVA]

So here’s day 3 of earthtones. Top pictures are my hair out of the buff. Bottom pictures are after I “scrunched” with a little of the earthtones butter. It looks much better but it’s still hard! I don’t mind, but if crunch is not your thing, stay far away.

I feel like my hair would stay like this for weeks.

When I wash on Sunday I’m going to use less in the front because my hair is looser in the front and doesn’t need as much hold.

Im also realizing my hair looks basically the same with all the products I try, so maybe I’m not the best point of reference.
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You can tell it definitely has hold. Curious to see what it looks like in a few days.

 

[VictoriousBrownFlower]

has anyone tried
or
for their wash and goes????? I'm looking for something to put under gel for some stretch...

 

[GettingKinky]

@LavenderMint I think your hair looks great, but I know that when I don’t like my hair, the thing that I don’t like isn’t always obvious in pictures.

@EmmJaii - you have so much volume!! You hair looks amazing. Do you think it has enough hold to last?

@toaster you’re right your looks pretty much the same no matter what products you use. I’m guessing it’s because you have great technique.

 

[toaster]

@VictoriousBrownFlower ive never used any of those products, but if you want more stretch you might try applying your gel to your hair without a leave in, or even layering gels. Applying a product with no hold probably won’t help stretch your hair.

 

[EmmJaii]

@LavenderMint I think your hair looks great, but I know that when I don’t like my hair, the thing that I don’t like isn’t always obvious in pictures.

@EmmJaii - you have so much volume!! You hair looks amazing. Do you think it has enough hold to last?

@toaster you’re right your looks pretty much the same no matter what products you use. I’m guessing it’s because you have great technique.

Thank you! I initially thought it would last because the cast was so hard, but I just tried on a bunch of clothes I bought online and one side of my hair is already frizzing up a bit. I even made a conscious effort to avoid touching my hair, but just the fabric rubbing past it already has broken the cast and is agitating the hair. Ugh. At least I know it’ll have enough volume for my date tomorrow lol.

 

[EmmJaii]

@GettingKinky you’re so right. @toaster must have amazing technique given that her hair always looks perfect no matter the product. @toaster, give us some details on your technique! I’m trying to get a 10 day wash and go too lol

 

[toaster]

@GettingKinky you’re so right. @toaster must have amazing technique given that her hair always looks perfect no matter the product. @toaster, give us some details on your technique! I’m trying to get a 10 day wash and go too lol

I’m not doing anything special, I don’t think! I just make sure my hair is detangled so I can part small sections all the way to the root, saturate with product, and then rake and smooth.

 

[GettingKinky]

I’m not doing anything special, I don’t think! I just make sure my hair is detangled so I can part small sections all the way to the root, saturate with product, and then rake and smooth.

You have all those years of roller setting experience. You could probably do this in your sleep.

 

[toaster]

You have all those years of roller setting experience. You could probably do this in your sleep.

Okay that part is true! I can roller set my hair and that took months of practice and years to perfect.

 

[GettingKinky]

Okay that part is true! I can roller set my hair and that took months of practice and years to perfect.

Years???

 

[toaster]

Years???

Yes! I started setting in 2014? I had it perfected by 2017/2018. Then I moved on because I lost the patience.

 

[GettingKinky]

Yes! I started setting in 2014? I had it perfected by 2017/2018. Then I moved on because I lost the patience.

You’re way more patient than me. I lost patience’s after less than 6 months.

 

[faithVA]

Going to start my hair at 12:30 today instead of 4:30

 

[faithVA]

Going to start keeping track of what I am doing here to see if I can get a consistent wng since I am doing my hair more often and it is starting to grow. I was doing this last year but I didn't complete it. Think I'm going to start blogging again as well. Helps me stay focused and patient.

CLEANSE
I rinsed as usual.
Then I shampooed with TGIN. I hadn't done an almost clarify in a while. I won't clarify until I get ready to color my hair in March.
I shampooed again with diluted Elucence Moisturizing shampoo.

CONDITION
I started diluting my conditioner again. I think this is going to be key for me. I need to figure out the ratios of conditioner to water.
I applied the diluted conditioner and squeezed it into my hair.
I let it sit while I showered.
I then took a handful of water and squeezed it into sections to squeeze more water and conditioner into my hair.
I rinsed out the conditioner.
I then put the shower handle nozzle on the setting that is similar to the salons. This step seems key. With this step, my hair laid down and accepted more water. I must need more pressure to get water into my hair. I could see more definition with this step.
I put my hair in the style I wanted it to dry in

STYLE
I applied UFD to the top of my hair in the style I wanted to dry in to get all of my hair covered while it still had some water in it.
Then I went back through and added gel in smaller sections.
I took a handful of water and squeezed it into section
I alternated between smoothing and raking

I don't think I had to use as much UFD this time.

TOPPER
I'm still using the Aunt Jackie's just because I have it. I won't repurchase.
I applied a small amount to each section and squeezed it in and then smoothed and raked.
I added water and then squeezed it in. I'm not sure if I need this step or not. I will see how my hair turns out.

NEXT CCS
I'm only going to journal my full CCS and compare those. The only change will be I will use Elucence Moisturizing Shampoo twice instead of the TGIN. I will be checking to see if my hair looks the same the cleanse and condition step. I will nail those first before I concern myself with the styling step.

I like the initial way my hair turned out. I hate that it looks cute to me in the mirror but horrific in my pictures I think having my front and sides grow out will help me feel better about it.

Not sure why I'm frowning

 

[toaster]

It looks great @faithVA !!! It’s really grown in. I think you’ll love it as it keeps growing out.

 

[faithVA]

It looks great @faithVA !!! It’s really grown in. I think you’ll love it as it keeps growing out.

Thank you @toaster. You are very kind and encouraging. I'm tired of this super short length. I'm ready for it to Grow Out Woosah!

 

[GettingKinky]

I’m about to wash my hair.
I’m going to clarify and this is my week to cocktail my protein conditioner with my regular conditioner.

@faithVA your hair is definitely getting longer.

 

[GettingKinky]

I can tell that my jello shot WnG is going to turn out better this time. Clarifying definitely helped. But it’s sooo much work to apply because it’s so thick. And the smell when the jar is open isn’t that great. I’ll see how it wears this week.

 

[toaster]

Looks great @GettingKinky !!!

Totally agreed on the work applying a thick gel.

Trying again with earthtones max gel tomorrow. Hope I get great results like yours.

 

[GettingKinky]

Looks great @GettingKinky !!!

Totally agreed on the work applying a thick gel.

Trying again with earthtones max gel tomorrow. Hope I get great results like yours.

What does the Earthtones smell like?
In general how long does it take you to apply and style your gel(s)?

 

[HappyAtLast]

I’m on a mission to use up the products I have that aren’t my staples. I’ll use them on my midweek washes

- I have 2-4 more uses of curl charisma coil custard
- I have a huge bottle of Deva decedance conditioner that will last many months
- I have 2 8oz containers of KCKT
- I have one 8oz container of KCCC

I think I can use all of this up by June- hopefully sooner.

After that I wil stick to UFD and only experiment with toppers to replace ICH. And maybe try orange marmalade as a UFD replacement.

Having too many products stresses me out. I like being on auto pilot.

I'm planning the same.

 

[EmmJaii]

Y’all. This pop lock WnG failed me. I ended up having to just wear it in a puff last night instead of the sexy va-va-voluminous fro I was planning. I had a whole lewk in mind, but it was too frizzy, I had tiny white flakes all over my black dress, and a grey cast. Ugh. I don’t know if I want to even put in the time to try and figure it out. I should’ve known better than to use anything other than my tried and true UFD and ICH. Anyone want this pop lock?

 

[toaster]

So sorry @EmmJaii !!! We’re always on a hunt for something better when our tried and true’s work just fine. I hope you had a wonderful night with your puff, anyway!

 

[toaster]

What does the Earthtones smell like?
In general how long does it take you to apply and style your gel(s)?

I just went into the shower to sniff it. It’s a mix of floral and sweet and honestly, it’s not a great smell. I don’t find it offensive, but it’s not something I’d want to wear as perfume or anything. It definitely doesn’t linger in your hair.

I’m in the shower for about 50 minutes, but I’d say only 15 minutes of that is actually styling my hair. Takes longer to cleanse, condition and detangle.

 

[toaster]

Day 5 with earthtones max gel. Going to workout and wash this afternoon.

First impressions:

- very strong hold
- not the easiest to apply
- might work better over a leave in, but I’m going to try it alone again today
- while the hold is strong, my roots are very soft and puffy, probably because it’s hard to get the product on the roots, and probably because of my workouts and sweating

 

[GettingKinky]

Day 2 of my jello shot WnG. The cast is still super strong so my hair is flatter than I like, but I’m guessing it will last beyond my normal 4-5 days. I’ll see how it looks on Wednesday and see if I will skip my mid week wash.

 

[toaster]

Today was the first time I washed my hair and felt like it was getting longer! I can’t wait for my hair to grow more so I can get a corrective cut. My hair doesn’t fluff up that much over time. I don’t need all the layers that help hair with volume look great over 7-14 days.

I did a few things differently for my wash and go. Want to write them down in case this works and I need to remember.

Turned off the water when I applied the gel. I’m not sure if this would make any difference, but it’s better for the environment?

Didn’t attempt to emulsify the product. Took a glob from the jar and applied it directly to my ends and then raked and smoothed down my hair.

Applied more product to the back of my hair than I did the front. The front of my hair was rock solid last time. Trying to avoid that.

Did a light shake of my hair before I got out of the shower. Hoping for slightly less curl clumping this time.

 

[sunshinebeautiful]

Another Sunday, another wash... here's my latest WnG attempt

I used a product recommended by the local natural hair salon I want to start going to - a mixture of Mane Choice Do It For the Fro and Aunt Jackie's Flaxseed Gel to lock in moisture and add hold. It's dry now with a soft hold. Let's see how this does. *insert nervous emoji*

I managed to get a hair appointment for a cut. I want to get a "shape" to my hair so I can continue to grow it out. I have to wait a little over a month until this appointment though...

I'm still experimenting with how to not wake up with smooshed hair. That is my major challenge at the moment. How do you ladies sleep with your WnG?

 

[toaster]

Great results @sunshinebeautiful ! I sleep in a buff and I definitely wake up with my hair smooshed. I just shake shake shake until it falls back into place.

I think others sleep in bonnets, scarves, or with nothing on their head and a satin pillowcase on their pillow.

 

[GettingKinky]

@sunshinebeautiful I sleep in a slap cap and my hair is definitely smooshed when I get up, but usually by the time I’ve worked out and showered (with a shower cap) it has un-smooshed if not I fluff it a bit with my fingers.