Is my regimen ruining my curls?

Runna4Life

I am 1 month natural after 4 months of transitioning. I've kind of got a regimen, but my hair is dry and rough feeling by the end of the day. Not even a spritz of water helps it, it just gets even more dry. It's like my hair is only like 4 inches long and near the roots, it's nice, soft and it hold a silky coil all day even without product, but my ends are frizzy, rough, makes my hair look like a picked out fro.

1. I co-wash every morning with Hello Hydration or Tresseme Naturals
2. (I'm planning on getting Giovanni Direct Leave-in), but for now, I moisturize with my conditioner and seal with coconut oil
3. At night, I rub some cocont oil on my ends, but twice a week, I baggy, and of couse a satin scarf
4. I cleanse once a week with Shea Moisture Retention shampoo and deep condition with Mixed Chicks, but it doesn't work well
5. As for protein, my hair doesn't prefer it, but i know it's important and since my hair breaks easily, I do Mega Tek once a month

And by the way, I really haven't had a detangling session, because I'm too scared that I'm gonna rip all my hair out. I have thick 4a hair with fine strands.

System

Afrochika wrote: »

I am 1 month natural after 4 months of transitioning. I've kind of got a regimen, but my hair is dry and rough feeling by the end of the day. Not even a spritz of water helps it, it just gets even more dry. It's like my hair is only like 4 inches long and near the roots, it's nice, soft and it hold a silky coil all day even without product, but my ends are frizzy, rough, makes my hair look like a picked out fro.

1. I co-wash every morning with Hello Hydration or Tresseme Naturals
2. (I'm planning on getting Giovanni Direct Leave-in), but for now, I moisturize with my conditioner and seal with coconut oil
3. At night, I rub some cocont oil on my ends, but twice a week, I baggy, and of couse a satin scarf
4. I cleanse once a week with Shea Moisture Retention shampoo and deep condition with Mixed Chicks, but it doesn't work well
5. As for protein, my hair doesn't prefer it, but i know it's important and since my hair breaks easily, I do Mega Tek once a month

And by the way, I really haven't had a detangling session, because I'm too scared that I'm gonna rip all my hair out. I have thick 4a hair with fine strands.

Hmm, well of the things you mentioned I know that my hair does not like Hello Hydration or coconut oil. HH was reformulated and whatever change they made makes my hair feel very dry. Coconut oil makes my hair feel crispy. Have you tried any other oils? Tressemme Naturals is an awesome conditioner for me, but I usually moisture with a mixture of aloe vera juice, water, and evoo in a spray bottle. My hair likes it a lot. If I am not mistaken, Hello Hydration has a cone in it. That could be contributing to the dryness you are feeling. Doing protein treatments won't do you any favors if you don't have a moisturizing routine down yet. It could make the situation worse.

Ronnieaj

Well, I can't comment on the Herbal Essences, since I only use it to shave, but a lot of women don't do well with coconut oil in the winter. Since it's solid at room temperature, it can definitely get crispy when exposed to even colder temps. I would try a different oil (I personally have a love affair with avocado and castor) to seal, and I'm sure others can chime in on the cowashing.

adthomas

FoxyCleopatraGuide wrote: »

Afrochika wrote: »

I am 1 month natural after 4 months of transitioning. I've kind of got a regimen, but my hair is dry and rough feeling by the end of the day. Not even a spritz of water helps it, it just gets even more dry. It's like my hair is only like 4 inches long and near the roots, it's nice, soft and it hold a silky coil all day even without product, but my ends are frizzy, rough, makes my hair look like a picked out fro.

1. I co-wash every morning with Hello Hydration or Tresseme Naturals
2. (I'm planning on getting Giovanni Direct Leave-in), but for now, I moisturize with my conditioner and seal with coconut oil
3. At night, I rub some cocont oil on my ends, but twice a week, I baggy, and of couse a satin scarf
4. I cleanse once a week with Shea Moisture Retention shampoo and deep condition with Mixed Chicks, but it doesn't work well
5. As for protein, my hair doesn't prefer it, but i know it's important and since my hair breaks easily, I do Mega Tek once a month

And by the way, I really haven't had a detangling session, because I'm too scared that I'm gonna rip all my hair out. I have thick 4a hair with fine strands.

Hmm, well of the things you mentioned I know that my hair does not like Hello Hydration or coconut oil. HH was reformulated and whatever change they made makes my hair feel very dry. Coconut oil makes my hair feel crispy. Have you tried any other oils? Tressemme Naturals is an awesome conditioner for me, but I usually moisture with a mixture of aloe vera juice, water, and evoo in a spray bottle. My hair likes it a lot. If I am not mistaken, Hello Hydration has a cone in it. That could be contributing to the dryness you are feeling. Doing protein treatments won't do you any favors if you don't have a moisturizing routine down yet. It could make the situation worse.

I no longer use silicones but when I did I made the mistake of cowashing with it every day which even most cone users agree is a no no. Will make your hair dry. I think the mc dc may have cones too so if you do your dc after your shampoo then you would be immediatly putting your cones back. Are u using any leave in right now? I mix TJ nourish and spa with aloe vera juice and that works well for me.

ttlolla

Maybe replacing the coconut oil is the key ... And if your hair is high porosity I don't believe TresNat is moisturizing enough as a leave-in , I prefer Giovanni SAS as a LI ( packs more conditioning strength than direct leave-in)

Someone should be able to recommend other good leave-ins

greenjumper

I was having a similar problem and although it's not 100% corrected yet, I would recommend sealing with castor oil. I tried coconut oil and olive oil to seal in the very beginning after my big chop and they did nothing for me. So, I decided that sealing wasn't helping and moved on. I think I got away with not sealing at first because it was summer and moisture was in the air anyway.

Then when winter rolled around and my hair became hard and prickly I made a thread on here and a poster recommended castor oil or Qhemet's Alma and Olive Heavy Cream (haven't tried it yet, but planning on it). Castor oil has really done wonders for me. It is thick and heavy which is good for the winter (you might need to mix it with something to thin it out a bit).

CurlyElectra

If your hair does not prefer protein, the coconut oil may be the issue. It's not a protein per se, but it does help the hair retain protein. Also, like others said, you may have cone build up if you are using the HE a lot, which eventually dries the hair out.

Reeky

You definitely need some richer, more emollient products and a different sealing oil.. if the hair near the roots is softer probably because it has access to your natural scalp oil.

issue #1: Tresemme Naturals has a drying alcohol in it, its a great conditioner but more than one my friends who use it as their primary conditioner have experienced dryness eventually. The Hello Hydration has silicones, though not the bad ones.. I never think using a condish w silicones to fix dryness is a good idea, though some peoples hair likes them.
If you want a drugstore condish maybe try the garnier triple nutrition, trader joes nourish spa or yes to carrots, both are pretty rich and versatile.
#2 ditch the coconut oil, like they said hair that doesnt like protein usually doesnt like coconut oil either.. id switch to something like olive, castor or avocado
#3 the moisture retention shampoo is a great one for dry hair, but that mixed chicks.. again with the silicones. You can mix honey and olive oil and DC with that solo, or add it to the garnier or yes to carrots, both also make good leave ins & DC's. Baby banana food & olive oil is also a great cheap DC
#4 your hair is probably breaking because its dry not because it needs protein..

Just my opinion!

Jo Somebody

Who did your chop? Did you get rid of all the relax ends for sure?

Keenylicious

Maybe it's just me, but my hair gets super dry when I need a good detangling. The curl pattern gets kind of funk, too. Maybe you should think about detangling more.

I have fine 3c/4a Andre Walker reject hair, and I don't get much wreckage w/ detangling. If anything, my hair is more prone to breakage when it's tangled

On my EVO. I'm too fancy for proofreading.

cocodej

I would also suggest a good clarifying shampoo before you try any of the great recommendations the ladies have given. If your hair is coated with silicones the suggested conditioners will not moisturize as well. I find, whenever I am testing something new, starting on clarified hair gives a better idea of the product's performance.

My favorite clarifying shampoos are: KeraCare Dry and Itchy Scalp, Black soap shampoo - this recipe is lovely and easily customizable <Link>, Carol's Daughter Rosemary Mint, Chagrin Valley Shampoo Bars (lather twice)...these cleanse, but not to the point that my hair seizes up and knots so bad that a good conditioner can't help me detangle after...

Runna4Life

thank you ladies for your advice. I had no idea the products I'm using are wrong for my hair! I ditched the coconut oil and am using BB's Pineapple and Guava while I wait til I get castor oil.
I will try Yes To Carrots cuz I've tried GF Triple, but it just doesn't work for me.
My leave-in is KC Knot Today, which works excellent and my moisturizer is Curls Creme Brulee, which is okay,but dries out by the end of the day. I need a good daily moisturizer too.
I haven't clarified at all since my big chop, simply because I'm afraid of dryness, but I will do that tomorrow and see if that helps. I haven't even detangled my hair thoroughly either.
I think I have low porousity: takes a while for my hair to get wet, and takes half the day to dry.
And i was going to get Giovanni DI, but is the SAS (smooth as silk?) really pack more moisture?
And does Aussie 3 Minute have cones? What's a cone-free deeo conditioner?
Sorry I have so many questions

secret_karma

Afrochika wrote: »

thank you ladies for your advice. I had no idea the products I'm using are wrong for my hair! I ditched the coconut oil and am using BB's Pineapple and Guava while I wait til I get castor oil.
I will try Yes To Carrots cuz I've tried GF Triple, but it just doesn't work for me.
My leave-in is KC Knot Today, which works excellent and my moisturizer is Curls Creme Brulee, which is okay,but dries out by the end of the day. I need a good daily moisturizer too.
I haven't clarified at all since my big chop, simply because I'm afraid of dryness, but I will do that tomorrow and see if that helps. I haven't even detangled my hair thoroughly either.
I think I have low porousity: takes a while for my hair to get wet, and takes half the day to dry.
And i was going to get Giovanni DI, but is the SAS (smooth as silk?) really pack more moisture?
And does Aussie 3 Minute have cones? What's a cone-free deeo conditioner?
Sorry I have so many questions

I love KCKT, you can try using the kimmaytube leave-in, thats very moisturizing for me. If you have thick/coarse hair, you don't really need protein, so check your products to see if they have protein, I think Giovanni DL does, I know SAS has a little protein.

Yes Aussie has cones. I use mostly products purchased online so I'm not sure about good store bought dc, but some good ones are Karen's Body Beautiful, Darcy's Botanicals Pumpkin Seed Conditioner, Bee Mine.

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adthomas

Afrochika wrote: »

I haven't clarified at all since my big chop, simply because I'm afraid of dryness, but I will do that tomorrow and see if that helps.

I find this odd because for me not clarifying is the number one cause of dryness because when I get buildup the moisture can no longer get to my strands.

Runna4Life

adthomas wrote: »

Afrochika wrote: »

I haven't clarified at all since my big chop, simply because I'm afraid of dryness, but I will do that tomorrow and see if that helps.

I find this odd because for me not clarifying is the number one cause of dryness because when I get buildup the moisture can no longer get to my strands.

All right! I clarified today with the VO5 Kiwi clarifying shampoo, and I did notice right after rinsing it off, my hair was curling up nicely. So then, I slathered on a homemade deep conditioning treatment of honey,garlic,olive oil, pineapple and guava oi, GF Triple Nutrition Conditioner, and shea butter (it turned out creamy) and let it sit for 30 minutes while I a plastic cap and hats on my head, and omygosh! My hair feels a lot different. Like I have curls now. and they are soft!
I followed with Knot Today leave-in and Curls Creme Brulee.
Thank you for suggesting a clarify. Now, I need to do that once a month?

3c4d7zwhatevs

Reeky wrote: »

You definitely need some richer, more emollient products and a different sealing oil.. if the hair near the roots is softer probably because it has access to your natural scalp oil.

issue #1: Tresemme Naturals has a drying alcohol in it, its a great conditioner but more than one my friends who use it as their primary conditioner have experienced dryness eventually. The Hello Hydration has silicones, though not the bad ones.. I never think using a condish w silicones to fix dryness is a good idea, though some peoples hair likes them.
If you want a drugstore condish maybe try the garnier triple nutrition, trader joes nourish spa or yes to carrots, both are pretty rich and versatile.
#2 ditch the coconut oil, like they said hair that doesnt like protein usually doesnt like coconut oil either.. id switch to something like olive, castor or avocado
#3 the moisture retention shampoo is a great one for dry hair, but that mixed chicks.. again with the silicones. You can mix honey and olive oil and DC with that solo, or add it to the garnier or yes to carrots, both also make good leave ins & DC's. Baby banana food & olive oil is also a great cheap DC
#4 your hair is probably breaking because its dry not because it needs protein..

Just my opinion!

+1 on this whole thing, especially #3. Shea Moisture shampoos do not contain ingredients which remove silicone (What's the Scoop on Silicones?). If you are going to continue this silicone-heavey regimen you need to introduce a stronger shampoo to remove those silicones or this problem will continue or worsen.

cocodej

Afrochika wrote: »

adthomas wrote: »

Afrochika wrote: »

I haven't clarified at all since my big chop, simply because I'm afraid of dryness, but I will do that tomorrow and see if that helps.

I find this odd because for me not clarifying is the number one cause of dryness because when I get buildup the moisture can no longer get to my strands.

All right! I clarified today with the VO5 Kiwi clarifying shampoo, and I did notice right after rinsing it off, my hair was curling up nicely. So then, I slathered on a homemade deep conditioning treatment of honey,garlic,olive oil, pineapple and guava oi, GF Triple Nutrition Conditioner, and shea butter (it turned out creamy) and let it sit for 30 minutes while I a plastic cap and hats on my head, and omygosh! My hair feels a lot different. Like I have curls now. and they are soft!
I followed with Knot Today leave-in and Curls Creme Brulee.
Thank you for suggesting a clarify. Now, I need to do that once a month?

I think you should clarify when you feel your products are not working the way they used to. I tend to be a clarify every week girl because I like the squeaky clean before my usual overnight DC. But, I usually only wash/condition/moisturize/seal my hair once a week (you may not do this because you refresh the TWA during the week, I know I did when I was at that length). The rest of the week I leave it alone if I was heavy on the moisturizer and sealant, otherwise I throw some light leave-in or mist on during the week (which can cause build up that needs to be clarified, IMO).

So it is really up to you, but when tried and true products start failing on you, I think clarifying is a good first step before considering a protein or other type of treatment.

adthomas

You have to listen to your hair and find out how "clean" you need to be . . Like cocoj I do it every week because I use a lot of products ie gel, conditioners, butters, oils ect. I also cowash about every two days. I dont use cones but since my hair is fine i still get buildup easily. I need all product out of my hair once a week for clean slate. I just gave my cousin a Shea Moisture shampoo from the hibiscus line because it wasnt getting my hair clean enough.

*Marah*

Dang yall hating on Tresemme Naturals as a leave-in. I love that stuff for a leave-in!! Never dried my hair out..ever. It's still my favorite conditioner and I had super duper mega high porosity hair.

Long term silicone use is what my high porosity hair couldn't take..talk about straw hair! UGH!

Oh yeah and I could NEVER use coconut as a leave-in. I used it in protein treats to help the protein I had in my PT's bind to my hair. But coconut oil alone always made my hair feel like greasy hay!

Sealing with castor and olive oil mixed together was fabulous for me!

Runna4Life

adthomas wrote: »

You have to listen to your hair and find out how "clean" you need to be . . Like cocoj I do it every week because I use a lot of products ie gel, conditioners, butters, oils ect. I also cowash about every two days. I dont use cones but since my hair is fine i still get buildup easily. I need all product out of my hair once a week for clean slate. I just gave my cousin a Shea Moisture shampoo from the hibiscus line because it wasnt getting my hair clean enough.

for a weekly cleanse, I use Shea Moisture Retention shampoo. Does that get all the gunk out? I do cowash everyday, but with a cone-free conditioner and I use cone-free products.

adthomas

Afrochika wrote: »

adthomas wrote: »

You have to listen to your hair and find out how "clean" you need to be . . Like cocoj I do it every week because I use a lot of products ie gel, conditioners, butters, oils ect. I also cowash about every two days. I dont use cones but since my hair is fine i still get buildup easily. I need all product out of my hair once a week for clean slate. I just gave my cousin a Shea Moisture shampoo from the hibiscus line because it wasnt getting my hair clean enough.

for a weekly cleanse, I use Shea Moisture Retention shampoo. Does that get all the gunk out? I do cowash everyday, but with a cone-free conditioner and I use cone-free products.

Ive never used that shampoo but the good you can gage for yourself now that you know how your hair feels when the gunk is out. How often to clarify is different for everyone. I think some people do it like every couple of months.

adthomas

*Marah* wrote: »

Dang yall hating on Tresemme Naturals as a leave-in. I love that stuff for a leave-in!! Never dried my hair out..ever. It's still my favorite conditioner and I had super duper mega high porosity hair.

Long term silicone use is what my high porosity hair couldn't take..talk about straw hair! UGH!

Oh yeah and I could NEVER use coconut as a leave-in. I used it in protein treats to help the protein I had in my PT's bind to my hair. But coconut oil alone always made my hair feel like greasy hay!

Sealing with castor and olive oil mixed together was fabulous for me!

Lol I guess im one of the haters cause Ive got a big bottle if TN I use to cowash but as a leave in it is a total dud.

ss40

Afrochika wrote: »

adthomas wrote: »

You have to listen to your hair and find out how "clean" you need to be . . Like cocoj I do it every week because I use a lot of products ie gel, conditioners, butters, oils ect. I also cowash about every two days. I dont use cones but since my hair is fine i still get buildup easily. I need all product out of my hair once a week for clean slate. I just gave my cousin a Shea Moisture shampoo from the hibiscus line because it wasnt getting my hair clean enough.

for a weekly cleanse, I use Shea Moisture Retention shampoo. Does that get all the gunk out? I do cowash everyday, but with a cone-free conditioner and I use cone-free products.

No it won't get build up out. I use the mousture retention and its not a clarifying shampoo. Shea Moisture African black soap shampoo is clarifying according to the company. I think it's their only one.

3c4d7zwhatevs

Afrochika wrote: »

adthomas wrote: »

You have to listen to your hair and find out how "clean" you need to be . . Like cocoj I do it every week because I use a lot of products ie gel, conditioners, butters, oils ect. I also cowash about every two days. I dont use cones but since my hair is fine i still get buildup easily. I need all product out of my hair once a week for clean slate. I just gave my cousin a Shea Moisture shampoo from the hibiscus line because it wasnt getting my hair clean enough.

for a weekly cleanse, I use Shea Moisture Retention shampoo. Does that get all the gunk out? I do cowash everyday, but with a cone-free conditioner and I use cone-free products.

If you are using the Mixed Chicks DC, you are not following a 'cone free regimen, and you could experience buildup. The Shea Moisture shampoo has no ingredients to remove it. See my previous post - there is a link to nc.com's list of silicones and what it takes to remove them.

curledlove

I recently had a similar issue. I realized that I was using a condish that had cones and my poos didn't have any sulfates or anything stron enough to remove the cones. This went on for a few months before I noticed. I bought some v05 shampoo and washed till it was squeaky, I followed with GVP conditioning balm, IMO this is an awesome RO/detangling condish, you should try it if you have a sally's in the area. After rinsing that I used KCKT and KCCC. Perfect hair ever since! I had kinda slacked on staying away from the cones but I am now convinced that they are a no go for me since I hate the way my hair feels when I use sulfate poos. I like the kinky curly come clean shampoo. It lathers nicely and is worth the money because you don't need to use too much if you're only washing the scalp.

Runna4Life

sagehen wrote: »

Afrochika wrote: »

adthomas wrote: »

You have to listen to your hair and find out how "clean" you need to be . . Like cocoj I do it every week because I use a lot of products ie gel, conditioners, butters, oils ect. I also cowash about every two days. I dont use cones but since my hair is fine i still get buildup easily. I need all product out of my hair once a week for clean slate. I just gave my cousin a Shea Moisture shampoo from the hibiscus line because it wasnt getting my hair clean enough.

for a weekly cleanse, I use Shea Moisture Retention shampoo. Does that get all the gunk out? I do cowash everyday, but with a cone-free conditioner and I use cone-free products.

If you are using the Mixed Chicks DC, you are not following a 'cone free regimen, and you could experience buildup. The Shea Moisture shampoo has no ingredients to remove it. See my previous post - there is a link to nc.com's list of silicones and what it takes to remove them.

I don't use Mixed Chicks anymore. I stopped that a week ago. It just did NOT moisturize my hair at all. So I just made one myself: honey+shea butter+olive oil+ GF Triple Nutrition.
And for a weekly cleanse, do I have to use a shampoo with sulfates?
I clarify once a month by the way

curledlove

You dont need sulfates unless you are using cones. Try co washing and if your hair needs a little more cleansing go for a sulfate free poo. I'm so glad you are learning to tweek your routine to your hair's liking!

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