I have GPB and used to use it when I was relaxed. I'm only trying to use MHM approved products but this might be easier than a CLT. I only do the CLT every 4-5 weeks. I'm paranoid about the BS now but I haven't had any problems but it could be because I only use about 1teaspoon and DC with heat or steam 2x per week.
. I think when I try one again, I will do so on wet, not damp hair. This may have to wait until I get a dryer lol. Also, the gel left my hair looking flat and stringy once I undid the braids, so I need to work that out.
Your results sound like the results my friend with normal/ low density hair gets. She can do wash and gos, however, when she does a braid out with gel, it's not enough volume and is limp. Mine is overly full because I have so many hairs per inch, but that makes wash and gos hard for met to achieve. If I had wash and gos that look like yours, I probably wouldn't fool with a set style, but if you want a diferrent style one day, consider a flat twist out. She does hers across, not down if that makes sense (like across the back and side of her head instead of straight down) and she gets good volume like that. A braid out is probably going to give you too much stretch/ too little volume.Thanks for your explanation
Its just that wash and gos are so easy, once its done its done. I am too used to this at the mo, to try anything.
I really wanted Irish Moss! That was the one thing I haven't been able to find on the ground. When you use the herbal leave in, do you follow up with gel? I'm wondering if it would be any different then just having it in my gel.
Yes, FaithVA that's what you always say. It's hard for me. I'm one of those, "If it's worth doing. . . it's worth overdoing" people but I'm learning that doesn't make sense for the long haul.
I have used BS treatments in my hair off and on for the past 7+ yrs. I use it for many things from cooking to hair to cleaning to skincare. Listening to DanaB she was using BS 2X per week PLUS claying with Bentonite + BS. Who's cuticle needs raising up 2 x per week?? Plus we've all decided that Bentonite is the most drying of the clays. I'm surprised it took 8-9 months to notice the damage. My hair would have been acting a fool after the 2nd use of the week!
I use BS as a treatment. I either mix conditioner with BS for a clarifying treatment or it's in my CLT. Either or and never both at the same time. Folks be overdoing
And sometimes she was just using baking soda dissolved in water, whereas with original MHM, the Baking soda is dissolved in conditioner or in the CLCT (which also has ACV) to bring down the PH and be more moisturizing.
, which is why I tend to steer clear 
. Thanks for the tip, I will definitely use that pattern when I do try.
She sure does describe her use of BS in her clay (both rhassoul and Bentonite) mixes at about the 4:45 mark. But that was the least of her issues. Using BS 2X a week is too much for most strands.
Word. Multiple uses of BS in the same session. where they do that at??
It was my 20th Line anniversary (pledged Delta) and the humidity was 98%! But of course, I wanted to wear my hair out because I've been babying it for this event. I made some Thick flaxseed gel and put in my plaits, sat under the dryer and set out. My hair was not defined like normal in that crazy humidity/ drizzling, and my hair was HUGE. I actually got lots of compliments though and it really made me rethink the notion that I can only wear my hair out when it is in a perfectly defined braid out. I plait it up in just three big plaits and yesterday I took them down and wore a stretched "undefined" braid out and again I got a lot of compliments, especially from my Caucasian co-workers and friends so definitely rethinking the need for every hair to be in it's place for me to feel comfortable with it! This is a change for my 4c hair but now it still "looks like something" even when it's free form
Thanks for your explanation
Its just that wash and gos are so easy, once its done its done. I am too used to this at the mo, to try anything.
@Holla4mom the conditioner mix I use is a banana deep treatment. I've even used it overnight and got some pretty good hydration with it. I usually use it after I use a protein reconstructor. So the DIY banana treatment that I use is:
.
When you say your friend does her flat twist "across" do you mean ear to ear opposed to forehead to nape which is what I consider front to back/vertically? I have the same kind of results you describe with my low density hair and I've always done them vertically so any method to add volume is good for me.
That's not directed at you at all. I'm just thinking about conversations and debates in other threads that I am refusing to participate in.
I'm on a roll this morning with replying
I'm the opposite, I was noticing more ssks and breakage with the original. Now that I think about it though, it could've been the use of baking soda 2x a week. Hmmm...
Let's see. In the back, she goes across, like ear to ear, instead of down- crown to nape. I imagine on the sides maybe she goes front to back? I think the point is to make it perpendicular to how you want it to lay, instead of parallel (lol- sounding like a Math teacher). For me, I would make my flat twists (if I did them) lay exactly like I want my hair to be to reduce volume but she goes against the grain.
In this past month, how often do you think you have conditioned, DC'ed? I have to find the balance too, because when I tried it last, my hair just declumped and was too soft, but I'm not at your level of definition. I will keep listening to my hair.
Aharri, how long do you spend in the detangling stage? I think your regimen is pretty quick, but you need to do a slow, meticulous detangling with the clay at least once a week I would think if you didn't want shed hairs to build up. Are you getting enough slip with your clay to feel like you can detangle well? I keep playing around with my clay mix (adding slippery elm powder, experimenting with honey, EOs) etc so that it can give me slip and I can stick to the two step process if possible.
