Brandi in AZ
New Member
Hello, everyone
My name is Brandi, and I live in Tucson, Arizona. I've been reading this forum for about two weeks, and I've finally decided to join your community. You all seem so knowledgeable and helpful to new people. I have a lot of questions, so here goes.
First, I want to provide some background on me so you ladies can assess my situation. Sorry if this gets too long.
My hair is slightly longer than shoulder-length and relaxed. I think the texture is 4a/b. I have about 2.5 months of new growth now. I usually stretch my relaxer touch ups to 2 to 3 months with no noticable breakage at the interface between new growth and previously relaxed hair. I think my hair grows at a pretty normal rate, but I have problems achieving length because of breakage at the ends. Here in Tucson, it is EXTREMELY dry, so I think that has a lot to do with it. Actually, I'm surprised that I have the length that I do, since I have not been very consistent while caring for my hair. I'm hoping that with diligent care, I can achieve my dream to have hair approximately as long as the late Aaliyah's hair someday. I've had very bad dandruff in the past, but it has gotten better since I've begun washing my hair faithfully once a week. I use Silk Elements Luxury Moisturizing Shampoo, then deep condition with 1 packet of Organic Root Stimulating Olive Oil Replenishing Pak, covering my hair with a plastic cap and sitting under a soft bonnet dryer for at least 20 minutes. After rinsing, I apply Organics Leave-In Liquid Hair Mayonnaise, and Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Oil Moisturizing hair lotion. I then usually blow dry my hair, or attempt a roller set using my soft bonnet hair dryer and jet set rollers. When I roller set, I spray each section with a combination of Infusium 23, setting lotion, and water before rolling. The last time I did this, the ends seemed to come out nice, but my whole head was super poofy because of my new growth, which didn't really bother me. I just wanted a little bump at the ends with so much direct heat. After all that, I applied some Proclaim (from
Sally Beauty Supply) Natural 7 Oil with olive oil, because the first ingredients are: olive oil, castor seed oil, canola oil, and jojoba oil, which I've read here on the board are all good oils for the hair. Then I put on my satin cap and went to sleep. Whew!
Now we get to my questions. You've seen my current regimen which I've only been following for about three weeks. One positive change I've seen is the lack of dandruff, but my hair still feels dry to me. I've read on this board about there being a difference between moisture and oil. From what you ladies know, is there something else I should add to my routine? I'm really excited about conditioner washes, which I'm going to try this coming week. Are there any post washing moisturizers that you can recommend instead of the Olive Oil lotion I've been applying? When you ladies speak of "sealing in moisture," do you mean the moisture added from deep conditioning (which must be rinsed out), or the moistured added post rinsing but before an oil sealant? If so, what product(s) do you recommend?
As I said, I've got 2.5 months of new growth, maybe a good inch when stretched out. Instead of getting a relaxer touch up, in the next week or so, I intend to get a protective braid style (I always get the best growth when I braid my hair). My hair will be cornrolled in the front, when a synthetic curly weave sewn on in the back, if you can visualize that style. Now I need a good hair care regimen for the 2-3 months the hair will be in that style. What do you all suggest? How should I wash it, and what products do you all recommend so that I can maximize hair growth and keep my hair moisturized in the braids? Thanks in advance for all your help!
My name is Brandi, and I live in Tucson, Arizona. I've been reading this forum for about two weeks, and I've finally decided to join your community. You all seem so knowledgeable and helpful to new people. I have a lot of questions, so here goes.
First, I want to provide some background on me so you ladies can assess my situation. Sorry if this gets too long.
My hair is slightly longer than shoulder-length and relaxed. I think the texture is 4a/b. I have about 2.5 months of new growth now. I usually stretch my relaxer touch ups to 2 to 3 months with no noticable breakage at the interface between new growth and previously relaxed hair. I think my hair grows at a pretty normal rate, but I have problems achieving length because of breakage at the ends. Here in Tucson, it is EXTREMELY dry, so I think that has a lot to do with it. Actually, I'm surprised that I have the length that I do, since I have not been very consistent while caring for my hair. I'm hoping that with diligent care, I can achieve my dream to have hair approximately as long as the late Aaliyah's hair someday. I've had very bad dandruff in the past, but it has gotten better since I've begun washing my hair faithfully once a week. I use Silk Elements Luxury Moisturizing Shampoo, then deep condition with 1 packet of Organic Root Stimulating Olive Oil Replenishing Pak, covering my hair with a plastic cap and sitting under a soft bonnet dryer for at least 20 minutes. After rinsing, I apply Organics Leave-In Liquid Hair Mayonnaise, and Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Oil Moisturizing hair lotion. I then usually blow dry my hair, or attempt a roller set using my soft bonnet hair dryer and jet set rollers. When I roller set, I spray each section with a combination of Infusium 23, setting lotion, and water before rolling. The last time I did this, the ends seemed to come out nice, but my whole head was super poofy because of my new growth, which didn't really bother me. I just wanted a little bump at the ends with so much direct heat. After all that, I applied some Proclaim (from
Sally Beauty Supply) Natural 7 Oil with olive oil, because the first ingredients are: olive oil, castor seed oil, canola oil, and jojoba oil, which I've read here on the board are all good oils for the hair. Then I put on my satin cap and went to sleep. Whew!
Now we get to my questions. You've seen my current regimen which I've only been following for about three weeks. One positive change I've seen is the lack of dandruff, but my hair still feels dry to me. I've read on this board about there being a difference between moisture and oil. From what you ladies know, is there something else I should add to my routine? I'm really excited about conditioner washes, which I'm going to try this coming week. Are there any post washing moisturizers that you can recommend instead of the Olive Oil lotion I've been applying? When you ladies speak of "sealing in moisture," do you mean the moisture added from deep conditioning (which must be rinsed out), or the moistured added post rinsing but before an oil sealant? If so, what product(s) do you recommend?
As I said, I've got 2.5 months of new growth, maybe a good inch when stretched out. Instead of getting a relaxer touch up, in the next week or so, I intend to get a protective braid style (I always get the best growth when I braid my hair). My hair will be cornrolled in the front, when a synthetic curly weave sewn on in the back, if you can visualize that style. Now I need a good hair care regimen for the 2-3 months the hair will be in that style. What do you all suggest? How should I wash it, and what products do you all recommend so that I can maximize hair growth and keep my hair moisturized in the braids? Thanks in advance for all your help!
or not wear it for too long so that the hair doesn't get too dry. 
. You could also try the baggy method to retain moisture & length-here are a few links on the baggy method:
