I was doing so well; CO-ing, BBBs, no blow-frying or curling iron... And then one day I had a horrid barbed-wire halo, my hair felt crappy, I had terrible scalp build-up, I couldn't wear my hair in an updo because I'm at a point in growing out my bangs where my hair looks much better down. I'd just had enough. I shampooed (homemade with Castille soap), blow-dried and curled!!! Since then my hair LOOKS better so I've been continuing, but it feels like straw. I'm really thinking it's time to go get a few inches cut off to save the whole.
But how to break myself of the blow drying/curling??? I love seeing my hair curl under and look smooth.

HELP!

Don't beat yourself up over it....just really baby your hair.
What about if you got some rollers that are gentle on the hair and used them to set it while its damp? Then you could get that curl under look.

Everybody does it now and again, don't worry about it. I curl my hair too sometimes when I go out

Yeah don't be so hard on yourself. I do know the feeling. I went and got highlights last week and I am enjoying my silky smooth curled on the ends hair too (even though she didn't use an iron she stretched it out with a blow dryer). I am going back to curls next time I wash which will be soon and have been thinking about missing the silkiness. However, I would not use an iron again except on my bangs, it is just awful. I would perhaps use a blow dryer on low if you have to or do the other techniques for curling/straightening. If you have to get a couple of inches cut then let that be learning experience. I have pretty much decided it's a tradeoff, long hair or irons. Now that is just ME though. I am not being hard on you just saying it like it is. In my opinion irons are just the worst damage you can do to your hair. It will be okay though, don't fret too much. It is just hair after all and it does grow back. HUGS!

Get a trim, or give yourself (Feye's method) one to get rid of the damaged ends, this will help it sit a bit better. Try sock curls and beebut curls - I get lovely results with both of these. Try drying your hair in a scrunchy bun - I find it smooths out the fuzz and leaves soft waves.

SMT / DT / Oil / CO to add back moisture.

By some pretty clips to put your fringe area into a half up before doing your updo - this gives you interest on the front and keeps the fringe bits in place.

I blowfry and/or curl every once in a while too, and for a few days afterwards I think I've done permanent damage, but like ChloeDharma said, I just baby it awhile and find that it kinda stops pouting and starts to feel better.

I would wait a week, and then if it's still yucky feeling, it might not hurt to trim a bit off those ends. I've done that too.

And I agree with MerryKat - the scrunchie bun is a great and easy way to dry your hair and have it looking gorgeous.

Has anyone got any links on how to do the scrunchie bun?

I feel like the link master here, hehe:

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=20761

But how to break myself of the blow drying/curling??? I love seeing my hair curl under and look smooth.

HELP!

Like many others have said, don't beat yourself up about it. However, if you really do want to break the habit, just get rid of your curling iron and blowdryer. I gave mine to charity and have never looked back.

Please don't beat yourself up.

I even went off the deep end and colored my hair (once) to try to get rid of my new grays. I backslid and blowdried my hair for about 2 weeks a few months ago too.

Then the crunchy feeling came back. I finally decided that I had to give up the blowdrier and the hair serum for good.

I took my blowdryer, my curling iron, my silicone hair serum (Schwarzkof), and my infusium 23--outside to the trashcan.

I started with a good clarifying, and an SMT, then I started using VO5 KLS as my first CO condish (thankyou Curlsgirl). It really cleans my scalp well. I also shampoo my scalp every couple of weeks.

I've also determined that (for me) CO and cones don't mix. A little protein is OK, but cones seem to make my hair tangly when I'm not using shampoo.

I've also determined that (for me) I need a pre CO scalp treatment. I lobe Moonchaser's Sweet Success Scalp treatment oil. It has reall cut down on my shedding and seems to facilitate my scalp health. Scalp massage helps too.

It took me several months of experimenting to find what seems to work well. I still feel the need to try new things--don't know why.

I think what we're all here for is to support each other in our hair journey.

I think we all have to find what works for our hair and our lifestyle.

I started with a good clarifying, and an SMT, then I started using VO5 KLS as my first CO condish (thankyou Curlsgirl). It really cleans my scalp well. I also shampoo my scalp every couple of weeks.



I helped her!!! Yayyyyyy!!! :grin:

Don't beat yourself up over this. What is done is done. Like other posters have suggested, just pamper your hair like crazy. Feed it tons of moisture and be very nice to it. It will be back in good shape in short order.

When I want smooth, curled hair, I dry it in front of a fan set on low or medium. Then I set it on Caruso rollers. They curl with warm steam and are not at all damaging. That way, I get what I want and don't have to sacrifice the condition of my hair.

I think many people who CO need to shampoo occasionally. So I don't think you need to feel guilty about that. I CO for the most part but end up shampooing between once a week to once every 2 or 3 weeks, depending on weather and if my hair "feels" dirty.

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When I want smooth, curled hair, I dry it in front of a fan set on low or medium. Then I set it on Caruso rollers. They curl with warm steam and are not at all damaging. That way, I get what I want and don't have to sacrifice the condition of my hair.



I agree with that one! Steam curlers are great. I've found they last longer than when I used to curl my hair using normal rollers and (back in the day) hairspray. I ahvent found a lot fo damage to my hair this way either... I have some really old ones from probably 15 years ago, but they seem to work. Havent seen modern ones, however I haven't looked.

But as risk of being repetative... don't fret! Your hair is nice to you if you're nice to it.

Considering getting rid of my curling iron makes me feel like when someone recommends quitting smoking! I start creating all sorts of reasons why it can't be done.

I will tuck the curling iron away, as I don't need it for my bangs any longer, which is why I'd kept it in use up until now. I have given myself several micro-trims which only made it feel better for a few days. It may well be time for a real trim as I have a good bit of hair damaged from years of dying and such still. (I've been henna only for a year now. LOVE it!)

I still only use *real* oils (grapeseed, jojoba, coconut) on my hair/skin. If I can't eat it, I can't wear it. That is my main issue with CO-ing also. I just don't want to use those chemical-laden conditioners any more. I really need to explore some natural alternatives, aside from Trader Joes Organic Essential Conditioner which doesn't leave my hair feeling like I want it to.

The problem is that I have thick, heavy, relatively straight hair. I don't want curls, but rather a slight under-curl at the bottom. My 2" thick curling iron is perfect to acheive that look.

::sigh:: It seems I need to come to terms with my hair, however it wishes to behave.

Maybe you could have a go at WO? As the name suggests, it means you only rinse your hair in water. There's an adjustment period usually, but if you do the massage techniques (Snowy's is good) and stick with it, you get nice shiny hair with no chemical products.