The Long Hair Community

leonardiane · April 13th, 2003, 05:59 PM

I'm really not happy with the way my hair has responded to pretty much everything I've done to it lately.

So, if you're a 2a, how do you care for your hair? What product do you use? How often do you S & C? Do you use a BBB? Do you blow dry or not? Do you have color on your hair? Do you CO wash only? Just basically your daily/weekly hair regimen and how it has helped your hair.

Since I've "started over" in a way, in a BIG way, I really wanna do things right this time. And I have for the most part but I'm just wondering if I'm missing something.

When I was dusting my hair again today I noticed that I have mostly "medium" hairs, but spread throughout my hair is very curly hairs, very course and wiry, and I also have a few very fine hairs, pretty much my head hairs run the gamut of every type out there, but the majority of my hairs are medium in texture and wavy. Anyway, how in the world do I care for my hair since it's so weird and abnormal??? Maybe it's not but it sure seems like it. :what:

Thanks in advance and I am not going to check the boards until next weekend, I have to stay away in order to stay on top of the day to day "happenings" in my home.

KajiKodomo · April 13th, 2003, 06:33 PM

I CWC...I have an oily scalp and need some shampoo....I do a vinegar rinse before my last C....and I put some conditioner in a bottle with some water and I've been misting a little on my hair every once in a while.....CWC has really helped my hair...it keeps my ends smooth and soft and my scalp clean....

.....that's all I do really...I take a multivitamin and 3000 MCG of biotin every morning.....hope that helps some

Rachel · April 13th, 2003, 07:02 PM

When I asked the board about my hair type, the consensus was either 1c or 2a. Does that count?

Here's what I do:

<ul><li>Wash every three days, shampooing scalp only - condition scalp lightly and length heavily.
<li>I oil my hair maybe 2 times a week - about the last 10 inches of hair, using a BBB to smooth things around. I don't brush with my bbb, still trying to get used to it.
<li>I used to blowdry, but don't since joining this board. I pat my hair dry with a towel, to get most of the moisture out, and then fluff at the scalp.
<li>I don't dye or henna at all, never have.
<li>I mist about 3 times daily.
<li>I slather on aloe when my hair's still wet after a shower. A little on the scalp, lots on the length and ends.</ul>

Sorry if this doesn't help you much - as you'll see in the 'what's with my ends' post, I haven't been having the best of luck with the ends of my hair - although, since starting the above regime, I've noticed that the hair from my scalp to my shoulders has become really silky, soft, and shiny.

Rachel

snippet · April 14th, 2003, 03:50 AM

Since the first week of February I've been using GM product exclusively. I shampoo my scalp only with the creme shampoo every 5-6 days (although it's getting more like 4-5 days since it's warming up outside) and use the creme rinse on all of my hair. I think using the creme rinse on my scalp is helping with the flakes I've been battling. Then once a month, I use the 12 min conditioner after I shampoo, then use the creme rinse.

I have started combing in the shower too, I've been doing this for about a month. I have a wide tooth shower comb and use it when I'm rinsing the creme rinse out of my hair. This is done very carefully, but it takes very little time to do. I don't use a BBB, I can't find one that will go through my hair and I don't want to buy the expensive ones only to find the same results.

I tried oiling but I wasn't sure if it helped or not. I might add it to my routine, now that I'm happy with the GM process. I used to do an ACV rinse and miss it terribly, but I think the creme rinse does a good job, no need to add to it.

I have used body grade henna twice (once in Oct and once in Jan) and need to do it again. I liked the red reflections I got, it didn't really change my dark dark brown color, but it did give me those reflections when in the sun.

Riverboat Red · April 14th, 2003, 06:26 AM

Like Rachel, I'm either 1c or 2a (depends on the weather!).

I wash my hair about 3 times a week, alternating between washing with shampoo (Ecco Bella vanilla moisturizing shampoo) then conditioning, and CO washing with Suave Naturals coconut conditioner and then conditioning. Which I do depends on what my hair feels like. If my scalp seems oily, I shampoo. If not, then I CO wash.

I alternate between a few different conditioners for post-washing conditioning. I like JASON Biotin conditioner, L'Oreal Mega Moisture, and AO GPB conditioner.

I use a mixture of aloe vera gel, jojoba oil, and shea butter on my ends after I wash my hair.

I've never used a blow dryer. Don't even own one.

I also don't use a BBB. I tried it and HATED it. I only use combs (Speert, Kent, and a great horn comb).

I henna gloss my hair about every 8 weeks.

LMK is there's anything else you want to know!

:-)
RBR

DweamGoiL · April 14th, 2003, 07:13 AM

my website. Click on the link below.

Tomb Raider · April 14th, 2003, 11:20 AM

It sounds like your hair is very similar to mine! I have some hairs that are coarse and black (though not curly) and some that are ultra fine and blonde and everything in between! I have noticed my hair is improving steadily since I started coming here, but the humid days can still be killer (release the halo!) However, like the other ladies have mentioned, I just put my hair in a messy bun (pony tail not pulled all the way through) or a bandana and know I look the best I can on those days.

I have also found that I have to be VERY careful not to overdo anything-- 'cones, protien, oils, or my hair feels really dry and crunchy. So mostly I just CWC 2 times a week and put a little a little "Frizz-Ease" in it and either let it air dry or blow dry (I know, bad!) it straight. I get rid of build up once a month with Neutrogena Anti-Residue shampoo and take my vitamins.

Recently I tried damp bunning (I plan to post a pic when I get around to it) and am undecided about the results. I DO think my hair felt softer and shinier but have to work on those kinks!

Hope this helps, and feel free to commiserate with me anytime-- I think we are kindred hair spirits!! ;-)

moongrrl · April 14th, 2003, 03:57 PM

My hair, though shorter than yours, is definitely a 2a. If I use a really detergent shampoo daily, it gets so incredibly flyaway that I can't do anything with it! I like to use gentle shampoos every other day to daily, and not overdo any kind of oiling, since fine hair gets stringy very easily. I've found that a couple of drops rubbed gently into the scalp and then brushed through with a boar bristle brush, with possibly another drop or two rubbed into the ends. My hair feels great after this, and I can wear the oil all day without looking greasy. HTH a little!

Teechia · April 14th, 2003, 04:43 PM

I'm a 2aFii, and I really LOVE CO washing!!!
It has made a real difference in my hair. I usually use "white rain" conditioner.
Teechia

Chamomile betty · April 15th, 2003, 07:48 AM

I responded to ya over at Fox's LHL.

Also I do use a BBB made by Scrunchi.
I only brush very rarely. Maybe 1-3 times a week.
What I love to use is my Goody wide tooth comb

Hope this helps

Sana · April 15th, 2003, 08:00 AM

Hi , I am a 2a growing out of layers. Here's my routine:

-I Co wash my hair twice a week. I use the White Rain Extra body conditioner with Aussie moist.
-I usually put my hair in a bun or braid....the bun is better for my hair but the braid is more comfortable

- I use a mister with rosewater every time I braid my hair, which is abt a couple of times.
-Jojoba oil for the ends daily at night before braiding
-I also rinse my hair with rosemary tea and patchouli EO - I just pour it over my hair and do not rinse it. Patchouli keeps my hair moisturised but the smell is a bit strange
- Every 15 days I apply a pack of shikakai, Amla, Tulsi, Aritha and leave it for abt an hour and just rinse it in the end. This is a substitute for shampooing since my scalp doesn't agree to any kind of shampoos. I really have fallen in luv with this pack b'coz u don't even need to use a conditioner after washing it and my hair is soft and shiny

-Once a month I henna my hair[ tho' I have done it only once now] . This is to make my hair dark brown-well it is dark brown but more dark with red highlights

I think this routine has worked the best for me-no breakages, no halo and healthy looking hair

I hope this helps. Just try out new things and find the routine that works best for you, and once u do that, try sticking to it

That's the difficult part , I guess

leonardiane · April 18th, 2003, 02:01 PM

Thank you all so much for posting your routines for me!

I have yet to find White Rain Conditioner, silly cause it's such a common brand!

Where have you found it? It's not at Walmart or Target or my grocery store, Kroger! If I could just find some of that then maybe, maybe the CO wash would work for me. I've used Suave and it doesn't work for me at all.

Anyway, after looking at my hair journal I've realized that a lot of the damage I've done in the past is mostly over with. I am going to start wearing hats in the summer and I'm not coloring my hair anymore. I really believe that the sun is just as bad as the peroxide! And the last peroxide I had on my hair was last May, and the last sun damage was last August. But, I'm gonna try some of the products ya'll have mentioned here and I'll let you know what I like. That is if I can find them.

Take care!