Now I'm wearing a TWA and while it's soft when wet, I cannot do anything with it when it's dry. I condition under a steamer, do the LOC method and still when I wear my hair out it feels like cotton but it still feels dry/hard, if that makes sense. I am going to start doing the CG method, which is no shampooing only co-wash but I need help because I'm just beginning this Natural thing and already running into issues. Does anyone have any recommendations on how I can get my hair to feel moisturized when dry. I'm hoping as it grows it will feel better. I would appreciate it if any natural out there can tell me how they got their hair to behave.
Nappy unhappy TWA
- Thread starter Misseyl
- Start date
whiteoleander91
stay at your best ♥
Try giving safflower oil a try if you haven't already :3 It's my favorite oil. I add it to my conditioner and sometimes use it as a leave-in. It's high in ceramides. It makes my hair very soft.
PinkSunshine77
New York's Finest
Thats the texture of our hair. All of us aren't going to have that juicy hair all the time. Even when my hair is wet sometimes it looks almost dry. I just moisturize it often and make sure I seal.
leigh.hill
Active Member
Try making a spitz for your hair. There are tons of recipes out there. Also, what kind of oil r u using? I stopped using coconut oil and that helped. What r u products and technique when using products?
almond eyes
Well-Known Member
I think it depends on the products. Many of these products can leave your hair dry and crunchy. I also have a TWA and I wash daily with diluted Dr. Bonner's liquid soap and a conditioner every now and then. I was glad that I shaved my hair nearly but not quite bald to start with a head of new hair.
Best,
Almond Eyes
Best,
Almond Eyes
overtherainbow
Well-Known Member
I had the same problem when I first BC'd last spring. What is your porosity? My hair was very dry and hard until I realized that it was a porosity issue and that I have to seal faithfully (I'm high porosity). Maybe you should try LCO instead of LOC? I found that putting a "cream" or any water based product as the last step only dried out my hair even more. If you're low porosity, I would clarify well and reevaluate the staples.
Also, I could never achieve baby soft hair with WNGs and I can only get the softest hair if I air dry in twists. I think the twists allow my hair to dry slower and therefore hold onto the moisture longer. Because you just BC'd, I'm not sure if your hair is long enough to twist, but it's just something to keep in mind.
Also, I could never achieve baby soft hair with WNGs and I can only get the softest hair if I air dry in twists. I think the twists allow my hair to dry slower and therefore hold onto the moisture longer. Because you just BC'd, I'm not sure if your hair is long enough to twist, but it's just something to keep in mind.
NaturallyATLPCH
Well-Known Member
What products are you using?
I know when I first big chopped my hair was dry as well. I cowashed almost daily just to keep my moisture levels up.
Have you tried baggying or The Greenhouse method?
Or instead of the LOC method try the LCO method as someone mentioned already. I find that moisturized my hair a little bit better putting the oil last to seal in the moisture.
I know when I first big chopped my hair was dry as well. I cowashed almost daily just to keep my moisture levels up.
Have you tried baggying or The Greenhouse method?
Or instead of the LOC method try the LCO method as someone mentioned already. I find that moisturized my hair a little bit better putting the oil last to seal in the moisture.
RoundEyedGirl504
Well-Known Member
Try clarifying your hair before you make any changes
MissC320
New Member
What she said! My hair is never "soft" per se. I still retain hair length well tho. I think the texture maybe what you are feeling.
meka72
Well-Known Member
I was in the same position a couple of months ago, OP. Things changed after I determined my hair's porosity (I'm hipo) and started implementing the tips for that type of hair. Maybe that would be a good place for you to start as well? I also started Using Annabelle's Perfect Blends leave in and hair cream. If you read about this vendor in the vendor section of lhcf, I think you'll find that many women here are having positive experiences with this line and with the products that I mentioned.
I hope you find what works for you!
I hope you find what works for you!
PinkSunshine77
New York's Finest
What she said! My hair is never "soft" per se. I still retain hair length well tho. I think the texture maybe what you are feeling.
for real, the only thing that helps with the look for me is on soaking wet hair, apply a little Jane Carter's Curl Define cream and a tiny ecostyler and let dry. My hair has a little curl to it though, so it may not work for her but it's worth a try.
Prettymetty
Natural/4b/medium-coarse
Aloe vera juice makes my hair feel moist and happy. I make a spritz with aloe juice and glycerin, then I add a creamy leave in and seal with evoo.
I'm using Coconut, Olive, Aragon and Grape seed oils. I do a pre-poo with any of the oils mentioned and yesterday I used a conditioner in addition with the oil. Currently I'm using Nexxus conditioner, Shea Moisture moisturizer and Giovanni Leave-in. Today I use the lock method, deep conditioned under my steamer using Giovanni's Wellness System, and LOC with Giovanni Leave-in, Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and sealed with coconut oil. I added some olive oil but used too much.
I am low porosity, 4c/4b, medium grade hair. I've learned that my cuticles lay flat and tight to my strands so I make sure to condition using steam. Heat allows the cuticles to open so that the conditioner can penetrate each strand. I tried the LCO method but realized that the LOC is better because if you use the cream last, then your hair will stay pliable because you already sealed in the leave-in, which is the second step.
I do the Greenhouse method with my pre=poo and deep condition under a steamer.
Today I washed with Nexxus Conditioner and deep conditioned with Giovanni Wellness System. I am going to eliminate all products containing silicones and sulfates. I know my hair does not like silicones so that might help to get rid of the hardness.
I'm just hoping that as it gets longer, I will by then learn how to retain and keep moisture in.
leigh.hill
Active Member
OP - I used to Giovanni Direct Leave-in and coconut oil. I posted a similar question as you a few months ago. Some of the ladies said that some ppl experience dryness with those products. I stopped using them and noticed a difference. Just passing on info given to me idk if this will help u.
idk if this will help u.
PinkSunshine77
New York's Finest
Ok I just did another good juicy wash n go. I am trying to find my camera to show you how it looks
snoop
Well-Known Member
What she said! My hair is never "soft" per se. I still retain hair length well tho. I think the texture maybe what you are feeling.
This. If I finger comb and twist my hair, no matter the fact that I m/s everyday my hair feels dryer. However, if I detangle with a comb then twist, my hair always feels softer. In other words, when my hair is closer to it's natural texture, it fools me into thinking that it's dryer than it really is. Especially, the ends.
snoop
Well-Known Member
OP - I used to Giovanni Direct Leave-in and coconut oil. I posted a similar question as you a few months ago. Some of the ladies said that some ppl experience dryness with those products. I stopped using them and noticed a difference. Just passing on info given to me
I use the Giovanni Direct diluted in a spray bottle. I like it. However, my hair (cottony texture, too) is not a fan of oils straight. And certain oils and juices like coconut oil, avocado butter and AVJ I've read have protein in there and I notice that they make my hair hard. It's quite possible that the coconut oil could be a henderance more than a help.
OP - I used to Giovanni Direct Leave-in and coconut oil. I posted a similar question as you a few months ago. Some of the ladies said that some ppl experience dryness with those products. I stopped using them and noticed a difference. Just passing on info given to me
I'm using Giovanni Direct too along with coconut oil. I love coconut oil.
I did bantu knots (after I co-wash and deep conditioning with steam) and today (6/9/14) my hair feels like cotton. It looks hydrated/shiny to me too. I am doing everything to make sure my hair does not break. I am going to watch out for hairs on the floor or in my comb. Away from length, this might be the only way I will be able to determine whether my regimine is working.
whiteoleander91
stay at your best ♥
BostonMaria
Well-Known Member
My hair used to feel the same after the BC and it was the shampoo. I changed over to the curly girl method and it did make a big difference.
Also, if you just BC'd you will go through a trial and error period where you try to find what works for your hair. Good luck!
Also, if you just BC'd you will go through a trial and error period where you try to find what works for your hair. Good luck!
NaturallyATLPCH
Well-Known Member
Someone mentioned avocado butter. My hair dislikes things with avocado butter in them, as well as aloe Vera juice on its own.
Perhaps you can try sealing with an oil that isn't considered a penetrating oil. Like, for me, coconut oil only works when I prepoo or condition with it. As a sealant it sucked. I am assuming because it was penetrating my strands and wasn't creating that barrier between the moisture like sweet almond, grapeseed, sunflower, and safflower oils (great sealing oils), my hair would seem dry whenever it dried instead of soft.
I think that was the biggest breakthrough I had with my hair; figuring out why all oils weren't meant for successful sealing. I was sealing with avocado and olive oils and my hair would still be dry. Both of those are penetrating oils.
Now I just say screw oils and seal with a butter that contains those sealing type oils.
Perhaps you can try sealing with an oil that isn't considered a penetrating oil. Like, for me, coconut oil only works when I prepoo or condition with it. As a sealant it sucked. I am assuming because it was penetrating my strands and wasn't creating that barrier between the moisture like sweet almond, grapeseed, sunflower, and safflower oils (great sealing oils), my hair would seem dry whenever it dried instead of soft.
I think that was the biggest breakthrough I had with my hair; figuring out why all oils weren't meant for successful sealing. I was sealing with avocado and olive oils and my hair would still be dry. Both of those are penetrating oils.
Now I just say screw oils and seal with a butter that contains those sealing type oils.
leigh.hill
Active Member
I just learned this lesson recently - put the comb away! Finger detangle. It's a learning process. Sometimes I cheat and use the large three-prong side of my comb though
.Okay, I am going to watch my oils and see if that's the culprit. I am also doing the Curly Girl method. Right now I'm looking for a sulfate and silicone free shampoo. Last night I spritz my hair with water before twisting and OMG! my hair was sooooo soft, it felt like butter. I am going to say if I can get it that soft when it's wet then I'm doing something right.
Evolving78
Well-Known Member
Oyin handmade products and qhemet worked for me. Also kid' organics Shea butter detangling lotion. I used that instead of gel if I wanted a more softer wash and go. Also get a moisturzing spritz. Just like someone stated, that is the nature of our hair. Spritzing throughout the day can help.
I used fantasia gel and would spritz with a moisturzing spray to prevent dryness and crunchiness.
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Update: (Will be posing new pictures this weekend) Hair got longer and feels soft and moisturized when wet but once it's dry, well it's another story. I moisturize and seal every night and in the morning I pick it out but I still think it should feel different then it does. I've been using shea butter blended with castor oil to seal and it feels a bit better but I guess I am just going to keep going until something clicks because after relaxing for years I think I just don't have any real understanding of how my hair is suppose to be.
niknakmac
Well-Known Member
Do you use Shea Moisture detangler? I use this after I wash.
wash
leave in conidtioner
shea moisture detangler
shea butter mix
This keeps my hair moisturized for a few days and if it is twisted all week.
I found that I need to use a shea butter mix that was mostly shea and not alot of other stuff to really feel a difference in my hair.
wash
leave in conidtioner
shea moisture detangler
shea butter mix
This keeps my hair moisturized for a few days and if it is twisted all week.
I found that I need to use a shea butter mix that was mostly shea and not alot of other stuff to really feel a difference in my hair.
IMFOCSD
Well-Known Member
I am newly natural and what I do is use a leave in after I wash and/or School, I apply some kind of gel to define my curls, I have 4ab hair that shrinks to a tiny afro after I rinse conditioner out. I use the shingling method with eco styler gel w/argon oil. If I don't stick with this method my hair will be tangled and dry.
I have also tried small twistouts which was OK but I prefer to just define my natural curls. I spritz daily with water to reactivate the gel and lightly pull it pick my curls from the root instead if manipulation the pattern.
Everything will workout for you.
I have also tried small twistouts which was OK but I prefer to just define my natural curls. I spritz daily with water to reactivate the gel and lightly pull it pick my curls from the root instead if manipulation the pattern.
Everything will workout for you.
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