Straight Hair Natural's Support Thread

MilkChocolateOne

Well-Known Member
Help please...I'm at a loss. I know I'm doing something wrong but I don't know what :perplexed. I've never been able to get boucy swinging hair when I flat iron. Here's what I did last night

-Pre-poo with AO GBP
-Clarifying wash with PM Shampoo Three
-Moisturizing wash with KC Come Clean
-Deep conditioned for 25 min with AO Honeysuckle Rose with Argan oil mixed
-Rinsed and t-shirt dried for 15min
-Applied Chi Iron Guard to each section(sprayed in my hand then applied to the hair to avoid stickiness) before blow drying with tension method using my denman(focused on roots mostly) dried hair till 80% dry
-Applied pea sized amount of Chi Silk Infusion to entire head and sat under hood drying for 10 min
-Flat ironed with comb chase method using my Babyliss Slim(it has a dial to turns up to 19 and I was on 10 or 11), I focused on my roots and mid-strands mostly
-I attempted a silk wrap with cling wrap and sat under the dryer for 10min
-I kept a fan on me when flat ironing to cool the room (it's not warm in my apartment but still)but my hair came out puffy
Any suggestions would be great! I straighten once a month for length check but I'm always so displeased with the results of the actual flat iron process that I keep my hair in a french braid or a rope braid to hide the lack of swing :sad:


Too many steps, too many products and possibly not the right products. I get the best results when I use 1 shampoo(cleansing without stripping or making the hair hard), 1 conditioner (it has to be smoothing and moisturizing) and 1 serum/heat protectant/leave-in(different people use different things). Also Aubrey Organics honey suckle rose is not smoothing or moisturizing enough for me to use if I am going to straighten my hair. Chi Iron guard and silk infusion are drying to my hair. The saran wrap is not a good idea either, it causes my hair to revert. I am just throwing different things out there.
 

Sunshine_One

Well-Known Member
longhairdreaming

I totally believe less is more. I suggest you use one good moisturizing shampoo and deep conditioner. I would choose a line that is smoothing/reduces frizz. Use the Aphogee 2 minute as your prepoo treatment (this is how I use it). Then I would add a creamy leave-in and serum ( I like the argan oil formulas).

I save all my 100 percent natural products (Aubrey etc) for my natural curly styles.

Cream of Nature has a great (inexpensive) Argan oil line of products that are great for heat styling. The Morrocan oil line is good also but more expensive. I use both and rotate.

You may also want to try roller setting. You can do the traditional mohawk or a pony tail roller set. I find the rollers get my ends smooth. When the ends are smooth you may only have to use the flat iron on the roots.

Oh and could never get the saran wrap method to work on my hair. I sweat easily and the moisture started reverting my roots back to curly. :(


HTH
 
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longhairdreaming

Well-Known Member
@Sunshine_One @MilkChocolateOne @diadall

Thanks ladies for the advice! I'll be sure to incorporate your suggestions for my next straightening session. I may have to go with the Morrocan oil line though 'cause I've not seen Cream of Nature over here in Abu Dhabi. I've tried rollersetting before and it was a nightmare-so much breakage but maybe it's cause I wasn't using the right products and process. I'll give it another go.
 
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CaramelQTpie

New Member
plz help! i really need some advice.. :perplexed
my hair is EXTREMELY weighed down since abt 3 days after i first got it done (i havent transitioned into completely doing my own hair yet, although im slowly trying to get there, so im still going to the shop) anyways here's what happened..
so i went to the salon over a week ago and got my hair flat ironed. this was the first time in a looonngg time i got it flat ironed, usually they use the hot comb, but after reading here at the forum that the flat-iron was less damaging i asked for that instead... i got shampooed, got deep conditioned and i was asked if i wanted a leave in (i shouldve said NO cause i have my own leave in conditioner that i use, but i said yes) so anyway my hair came out looking just fine.. i cross wrapped it at night for 3 days (i usually always cross wrap) and on the third day it was SUPER WEIGHED DOWN!! im talking abt a stringy,peicy looking, hot mess! :nono: so i figured it would probably be alright in a few day and it would get bigger.. well it did NOT. and here's whats worse my ends were really dry!! so after abt 8 days i said #%$& it im gonna just moisturize and seal before my ends break.. so i did (using neutrogena silk touch leave in cream and almond oil) that was abt 3 days ago and my hair STILL looks just as weighed down as it looked on the 3rd day BEFORE i moisturized and sealed so i cant really tell if moisturizing it made it worse or not. this is also my first time using almond oil (i usually use EVOO) and i've heard that its not necessarily all that light of an oil. but i dunno if the problem is that leave in that my hair dresser used (probably cause i've used the neurtrogena leave in once before and it didnt seem to really weigh my hair down) anyways the real problem is how do i fix this without having to wash my hair and start over? i only wash my hair every 3 weeks (which ive done for years) plus i dont even own a pair of flat-irons to straighten it again... and if i tried to wear it natural for the last 2 weeks the prob is i've had my hair straighted every 3 weeks for years not to mention the fact that the two times ive tried wearing my hair natural it broke off bad.. the point is, if i washed it and it was natural i wouldnt have any idea HOW to take care of it. so is there a way i can fix this without washing it? in another thread someone suggested bantu knots which i thought was a good idea until i realized i'd have to add yet ANOTHER product (a setting lotion) to make them work and i think too many products in my hair is the problem in first place *sigh*.. any tips?
 
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cocoaluv

Well-Known Member
Is anyone having a hard time getting their hair to revert? I started straightening my hair about 4 months ago and it seems that its all shot to hell now in terms of going back to 4AB.
 

Victorian

old head
CaramelQTpie

If you absolutely are ruling out washing it (that would be the best thing to do, but if you aren't used to doing your natural hair, now may not be the best time to experiment), here's my advice:

1. Stop sealing, just moisturize.

2. Stop wrapping -- oil from your scalp will just get to the ends faster. Wear your hair up in a bun, braid it, whatever. Just don't wrap.

3. Use something to absorb some of the oil in your hair. You can get a dry shampoo, use a tiny bit of light hold hair spray at the roots, or use crushed up oatmeal or some cornstarch--Sprinkle lightly at the roots, rub it into the roots and let it set for a minute, then shake it out, followed by a thorough (but gentle) brushing. I recommend doing this at night, before moisturizing.

If you really want to go another 2 weeks without washing you will have to prioritize moisturizing your hair over keeping a sleek style, especially since you've already experienced dryness. You won't really be able to "fix" your hair without starting fresh, but you should be able to make it through while minimizing any breakage that might result from the dryness. I'd recommend doing updos and being extra careful.
 

CaramelQTpie

New Member
keelioness
hmmm i did consider trying some flexi-rods.. although ive never used them :drunk: (never even hear of them until abt 3 days ago) but wouldnt i have to use some type of setting lotion to make the curl stay? same as with bantu knots? and i've got so much product on my hair already (seriously it looks like strings hanging down :lachen:) that i'm really trying to avoid throwing another one on... but if nothing is working and it still looks this bad then i might break down and try to throw some curls in...
thanks for the advice!! :)
 
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keelioness

New Member
Yoy dont really need the setting lotion. The flexi rod set will fall as the day goes on. It sounds as if your hair might be a little greasy. ..hence the striginess.. your hair looks pretty in your avatar..its probably not as bad as you think
 

Ozma

New Member
Is anyone having a hard time getting their hair to revert? I started straightening my hair about 4 months ago and it seems that its all shot to hell now in terms of going back to 4AB.

I'm not having this problem. What temperature are you setting your flat iron?
 

ItsMeFre

Well-Known Member
I might have missed this since I haven't read all 36 pages but, what are you ladies doing with your hair when you work out? How are you keeping it from reverting?

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF
 
I might have missed this since I haven't read all 36 pages but, what are you ladies doing with your hair when you work out? How are you keeping it from reverting?

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

I'm wearing my hair straightened less now, but curly or straight I don't try to keep a style while/after working out. I just start fresh. I plan my workouts and washing to coincide. Right now I am doing daily co-washing and shampooing every four days so it's not an issue. I just feel like the sweat and oil that accumulates isn't good for my hair or scalp and it just feels good to refresh the whole thing. You can also do a conditioning treatment while working out by utilizing your body heat.
 

The Girl

Well-Known Member
I'm wearing my hair straightened less now, but curly or straight I don't try to keep a style while/after working out. I just start fresh. I plan my workouts and washing to coincide. Right now I am doing daily co-washing and shampooing every four days so it's not an issue. I just feel like the sweat and oil that accumulates isn't good for my hair or scalp and it just feels good to refresh the whole thing. You can also do a conditioning treatment while working out by utilizing your body heat.

Her question was soo on time for me, as I am contemplating which local gym to sign up for. I have my lip poked out cuz, even with these extra Lbs...I think my straight hair looks best. Ah well, no pain=no gain...just gonna have to make it worth it when I go to the gym!;)
 

CaramelQTpie

New Member
im at a LOSS as to how to care for my hair when its straightened. i feel like ive tried so many things, and read so many threads... i think i just need a bit of direction. i get my hair washed and straightened (at a salon) every 3 weeks and im wondering how to moisturize it while its straight... some ppl say they moisturize and seal, others say they use oil, but only on the ends.. i tried moisturizing and sealing and the leave in i was using (neutrogena triple moisture) was making my hair shed more (it was obvious :nono:) i used to use olive oil a few years back and now im considering using olive oil again but ONLY on the ends (maybe once or twice a week until i get it washed again) my only fear with this is that i read that if you use oil on ur hair without a moisturizer it will dry ur hair out, PLUS oil accumulating in my hair for 3 WEEKS until its washed again... im just not sure.. i dunno if im in the 'information overload' phase of my journey but i really just need some direction... what do you ladies use on ur hair to moisturize it while its straight?
 

cocoaluv

Well-Known Member
I'm not having this problem. What temperature are you setting your flat iron?

Ozma I have been going to the Dominicans so..... I dont really think there is any hope at this point. I think I am going to have to get braids for awhile and slowly cut off the straight pieces.
 

Ozma

New Member
I might have missed this since I haven't read all 36 pages but, what are you ladies doing with your hair when you work out? How are you keeping it from reverting?

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

I just let it slowly revert and keep it oiled. Even when I get sweaty, the roots don't fully revert.
 

CaramelQTpie

New Member
LightEyedMami thank you for the response!! :) im gonna keep trying and hopefully i can find SOMETHING that works for my hair... gonna start using oils again (i only stopped the first time cause it was weighing my hair down) maybe if i try not to be so heavy handed (or try a lighter oil) something will eventually work lol!! :drunk:
What is everyone summertime plans? Will you still straighten or do more curly styles?
naturalagain2 I plan to try out some curly styles this year... usually i just deal with the little bit of reversion (which works ok for me cause where i live its not that hot during summer except august) but i think this summer im gonna try out some bantu knots when it starts reverting... :)
 
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ScorpioBeauty09

Well-Known Member
im at a LOSS as to how to care for my hair when its straightened. i feel like ive tried so many things, and read so many threads... i think i just need a bit of direction. i get my hair washed and straightened (at a salon) every 3 weeks and im wondering how to moisturize it while its straight... some ppl say they moisturize and seal, others say they use oil, but only on the ends.. i tried moisturizing and sealing and the leave in i was using (neutrogena triple moisture) was making my hair shed more (it was obvious :nono:) i used to use olive oil a few years back and now im considering using olive oil again but ONLY on the ends (maybe once or twice a week until i get it washed again) my only fear with this is that i read that if you use oil on ur hair without a moisturizer it will dry ur hair out, PLUS oil accumulating in my hair for 3 WEEKS until its washed again... im just not sure.. i dunno if im in the 'information overload' phase of my journey but i really just need some direction... what do you ladies use on ur hair to moisturize it while its straight?

CaramelQTpie, I can so relate to you. I get my hair straightened every 2 weeks and it was a challenge to find a moisturizer that got the job done without making my scalp too oily. I used thick oils on my hair that caused a lot of build up and I didn't know why.:ohwell: Currently I use Essentious Shine Daily Moisturizer from Brock Beauty on BrockBeauty.com and I love it. I do use a hair/scalp conditioner on dry spots but I don't get those very often anymore. Another suggestion I have is grapeseed oil. I use it as a heat protectant and an added plus is it adds a lot of moisture to my hair so I don't need to moisturize it for a couple days even after flat ironing.:yep: Hope this helps.
 

ScorpioBeauty09

Well-Known Member
I've used everything except the protein treatment since I'm not relaxed, and the shampoo and conditioner didn't really do anything for my hair.:ohwell: I usually use ACV to maintain my pH balance and I didn't that time so maybe that's what it was but it gets rave reviews and my sister who's also a straightened natural loves the Essentious Shampoo/Conditioner so I say give it a try.:yep:
 

isawstars

Well-Known Member
I'm straightening my hair for the first time as a natural... I DCed over night... and I'm about to wash it out. My fingers are crossed for good results!!
 

deedoswell

New Member
I might have missed this since I haven't read all 36 pages but, what are you ladies doing with your hair when you work out? How are you keeping it from reverting?

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

I'm new in this thread - wish I would have read it earlier! Yes, I'd like to know also what you ladies do with your hair when you work out? I can't work out in the summertime and keep my hair straight! (Which I would like to do)
 
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