What Did You Do/ Would You Do Differently Starting Your Hair Journey Over?

TwistedRoots · May 4, 2015

I have noticed that my hair is completely different this time. The first time I went natural I transitioned...I guess during that time I didn't take care of my hair properly because my curl pattern is sooo much more defined this time. It was extremely difficult to keep it moisturized when I first BC'd but now since I've shaved it off and I'm only concerned with one type of hair my hair is tremendously reaping the benefits of it! Another X on my list is Henna! I wont Henna this time nor will I try to "naturally" alter my hair color using any other methods. It only resulted in lifeless, no curl pattern... fluffy hair. Oh, I also wont be using heat AT ALL well perhaps with the exception of a hooded dryer. Previously having heat damaged hair on several occasions I just can't risk it. What about you? What would you do differently? Natural or relaxed...

Shanzlegendary · May 4, 2015

My hair has been feeling different this time around too..I have cut out on heat a whole lot better,before i used to always blow dry my hair. The T shirt method to dry my hair has made me love air drying more.I am moisturizing and sealing more than i was before and i never used to cowash. It has helped to maintain moisture in my hair. Cutting out on salon trips is also the best thing ive changed,i will go for trim but i do everything else my self. My hair is feeling much thicker now..I cant wait to see how much growth when i relax end of the month. I use cassia x1/mth instead of henna because i dont want the color change,i plan to also incorporate other ayurvedic powders into my deep condition mixes,instead of making a paste with them..

InBloom · May 4, 2015

This is my second time around with a hair journey. I'm texlaxed and loving it.

The first time around was a fail because I was doing too much to my hair. I became a product junkie and I jumped on a lot of bandwagons. I was having breakage galore and couldn't pinpoint the culprit(s) because EVERYTHING was something new to me and my hair.

This time around is better because I have a few products that I use regularly. I'm consistently taking a vitamin for hair in addition to my daily multi vitamin. My clarifying shampoo is gentler than stuff I used previously.

Also, I pay attention to MY hair, and figured out recently that I don't need to do protein treatments as often as I thought.

faithVA · May 4, 2015

If I were starting over I would drop the conditioner and water rinse daily or every other day and seal with an oil or Camille Rose Aloe Whip. If I knew this the last time I big chopped I would be a lot further along. :yep:

cynd · May 4, 2015

I tend to make spur of the moment hair decisions that I usually regret, so I would say I would practice more patience and let things simmer for a few days before acting on them. I also would practice long term protective styling earlier in my journey.

TwistedRoots · May 4, 2015

@cynd I feel you! I'm extremely impulsive I could have saved myself plenty of money and time.

nothidden · May 4, 2015

I would study the Science of Black Hair and the Curly Girl Handbook before making any product purchase.

lana · May 4, 2015

I would have stuck to texlaxing. I would have used castor oil topically on my scalp and silica pills for hair growth. I would not have gone natural - that created a setback for me - but I'm back to texlaxed hair now and already seeing the length that I loved in the first place.

I would not have used demi-permanent hair color on my gray hairs...it caused breakage like I knew it would! I would have stuck to semi-permanent only when needed.

That's about it. But hey, my hair is long, and it's healthy. You really do live and learn!

yaya24 · May 4, 2015

I will not use henna or cassia this time around. I've noticed a HUGE difference in my hairs softness while leaving the messy powders alone.

I'm not using natural products exclusively this go around either.

CodeRed · May 4, 2015

I think I would just think more logically overall. The things I was doing were supposed to be good for my hair but I was not tailoring the technique to what my hair needed. I never did anything drastically bad, just needed to do a little more thinking of how to do these things and what products to use to cater to my hair.

InBloom · May 4, 2015

lana said:
I would have stuck to texlaxing. I would have used castor oil topically on my scalp and silica pills for hair growth. I would not have gone natural - that created a setback for me - but I'm back to texlaxed hair now and already seeing the length that I loved in the first place.

I would not have used demi-permanent hair color on my gray hairs...it caused breakage like I knew it would! I would have stuck to semi-permanent only when needed.

That's about it. But hey, my hair is long, and it's healthy. You really do live and learn!

So now...what's the difference between semi vs. demi perm haircolor? I use what I think is a semi perm for my gray coverage and it's ok....

Just curious because I thought they were referring to the same thing.

TwistedRoots · May 4, 2015

nothidden said:
I would study the Science of Black Hair and the Curly Girl Handbook before making any product purchase.

Interesting...

krissyhair · May 4, 2015

I would cut much less. Cutting off 12 inches, 2 inches, 6 inches, and in some circumstances letting someone unqualified cut my hair set me way behind on length goals.

naija24 · May 4, 2015

I'd transition for 6 months before chopping so I can go straight to pressing my hair every 2 weeks.
Stop jumping on bandwagons.

Lymegreen · May 4, 2015

I would have not become a product junkie. Looking back, I only needed to add more moisture. NOT remove protein.

I ended up getting moisture overload and it took me years to figure out that I needed to work protein back into my regimen.

Now, I'm back to square one. I could have literally kept doing everything I was doing before only thing I needed was a little more moisture.

ag00 · May 4, 2015

I would have never had to big chopped more then 3 times in the past few years had I just known about applying conditioner or grease as my leave-ins.

IDareT'sHair · May 4, 2015

I would have done a Major Haircut at the onset....instead of 'tryna' fake it till you make it'

I would have been much further along. :ohwell:

ms.blue · May 4, 2015

I would've just kept things simple and not trying different fads or ideals. I would've never done a keratin treatment. I have caused setbacks in which I had cut my hair numerous times. I should've been waist length by now.

ClassyJSP · May 4, 2015

If I was starting over I would find a few products and stick to(actually give them time to work)
not become a pj
stay away from quickweaves (with your hair gelled down then stocking cap then glue) lawd :cry3:

actually listen to my hair just because a product is popular on the board doesn't mean YOUR hair will like it

tiredbeauty · May 4, 2015

I would have learned how to apply heat to my hair in the beginning to avoid the ssk's and split ends as a result of the horrid detangling process...which would have lead to more retention (I've learned that my hair does well with heat) because I wouldn't have gotten tired of all of the knots and started ripping them out. I think I would be much further along.

I co-sign with all ladies who stated that I would have listened to my hair.

Now I'm starting over as a straight natural and it's already going better because my hair manageable.

newgrowth15 · May 4, 2015

I would have stopped obsessing with length and focused on health, which means I would have done a big chop at the beginning of my journey. By now, I should be tailbone length or longer, but I am still at BSL. Now, I believe in keeping it simple and using minimal products. I do not have time for nor do I desire a 12 step program to wash my hair.

Prettymetty · May 4, 2015

From here on out I will be washing and conditioning my own hair... the shampoo girl will not ball up my 4b hair and create tangles ever again. I'm making her job easier. Just rinse my hair and let a qualified stylist do my rollers/blowout.

I lost so much hair by not speaking up at the Dominican salon.

Trini_Chutney · May 4, 2015

I would have kept my hair BC short for at least a year. I see so many bomb short cuts these days, I really wish that I would have enjoyed that stage more.

gemruby41 · May 4, 2015

I would have stopped trying to stretch my relaxers. My hair was at it's best when I use to relax every 8 weeks. I suffered so much breakage jumping on the stretching bandwagon.

My hair also likes simplicity. Too many steps on wash day is just too much for my hair. I never pre poo'd or deep conditioned for hours before starting a hair journey and my hair was fine.

YaniraNaturally · May 5, 2015

I would enjoy my short hair more! I was so length obsessed that all I cared about was getting to the next length.

DarkJoy · May 5, 2015

Would have bc my hair into a nice shape. Difficult to even wear a twist out because there's no real style to the shape.

Would never have attempted wash n go. They killed my ends requiring a second bc at cbl.

Would have just seek and destroy the ssk regularly to avoid chopping again.

Started vitamins from the get for internal health and growth boosts.

should have just stuck to combing. Finger detangling did no good and probably contributes to ssk because it wasnt removing enough shed hairs.

Amarilles · May 5, 2015

Interesting thread... I started researching before committing to transition (in 2012) but I see more of us learned as we went. I didn't do/buy anything before finishing the Science of Black Hair and that Live Curly Live Free ebook.

My regret is not having started my HHJ sooner, as it had been on my mind for about 8 months before starting to research.

moneychaser · May 5, 2015

I would have embraced my natural hair and took the time to learn how to style it instead of hiding behind weaves and straightening my hair.

TwistedRoots · May 5, 2015

JunMom2Be said:
I would have embraced my natural hair and took the time to learn how to style it instead of hiding behind weaves and straightening my hair.

This is one of the reasons I'm glad I BC's a second time. Completely different head of hair.

Amarilles said:
Interesting thread... I started researching before committing to transition (in 2012) but I see more of us learned as we went. I didn't do/buy anything before finishing the Science of Black Hair and that Live Curly Live Free ebook.

My regret is not having started my HHJ sooner, as it had been on my mind for about 8 months before starting to research.

I'm just one of those trial and error types. Although now you all have peeked my curiosity with this book...

ManeStreet · May 14, 2015

I wish I found nexxus emergencee earlier.

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