I think my curls look worse on CG, help!

wacka4macca

Hi everybody, long time lurker.

I am 2c/3a/3b, (normal porosity,I do get itchy if I don't shampoo/cleanse) finally went CG about a month ago because while I had great 3b curls going on up front and underneath, it was lacking in the back and was more 2c. I was using Loreal Intense Smoothing Sulfate free Shampoo(about twice a week)/Conditioner, then styling with Frizz Ease serum and Frizz Ease mousse, and John Frieda smoothing cream. I also would diffuse. Overall, it didn't look too bad, a little frizzy on top/back but curls up front were good. It was impossible to wear second day though.

So when I went CG, I did use a Suave sulfate shampoo. Then I started using the DevaCurl products (used them about 6 or 7 washes) and while they were ok, I wasn't that impressed for that much money and my curls weren't looking that great. Plus, I found it impossible to not touch my hair until it was absolutely dry for the Angel. So I switched to Loreal Evercreme Cleansing Conditioner and Nourishing Conditioner, with Herbal Essences Set Me Up gel, then I plop for about 20 mins and diffuse. While the curls aren't bad, there's no volume, they're too crunchy and they take forever to dry, even with 30 mins of diffusing. I suppose I could be using too much gel, though.

I've also started pinappling, my second day hair is looking great now! very impressed with that.Other than better second day hair, I just don't feel like my curls are looking that much better, if not a little worse, since doing CG. The curls up front don't corkscrew as well anymore.

I guess my question is, is it possible that my hair doesn't work as well on CG as it did before? How terrible were the products I was using before on my hair? Do have any recommendations for me as to what I could do better or what products might work better for me? How long should I give it before I give up? I'm sorry if these questions have been asked before, I just am starting to get frustrated. :help:

Corrina777

First, CG doesn't work for everyone. I've seen CG give some people amazing hair, but I've also seen people with amazing hair who are not CG at all. I hover in the grey area of modified CG. I follow CG most of the time, but I still use some sulfates and cones once in a while. If you have hair that's fine in texture, you might want to try adding some protein (I made the mistake of avoiding protein at first and my curls were definitely more limp). You might also want to rotate in a low-poo. But it all ultimately comes down to what makes your hair look and feel its best.

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wacka4macca

Corrina, I've noticed that you seem to have hair very similar to mine. What do you recommend styling wise and protein wise?

I was thinking that I might stick with the Loreal shampoo/conditioners since they were working before and seem to be sulfate/silicone free but I think I need something different as far as styling goes.

Corrina777

My hair is fine in texture and has yet to meet a protein that it didn't like, so I do a pretty strong protein treatment once every week or two and use very protein heavy conditioners regularly.

For styling I get very consistent results with leave-in (my go-to is Cure Care from Sally's. It's got good slip, it's got protein, and it's super cheap), curl cream (this I still play with- I'm partial to Curls Rock Amplifier, which is not CG, and Re:Coil, which is), and a hard hold gel (I haven't tried HESMU but I use something along those lines). I rinse all conditioner from my hair and apply LI separately so I can control the amount, I use a combo rake and scrunch technique for curl cream and gel, then I very carefully use a microfiber towel to squeeze out extra water. I plop with a flour sack towel for a few minutes, just to keep my hair out of my way while I get dressed. When I take my hair down from plopping I scrunch a little more gel into my hair, focusing on the ends, to make up for what got lost while towel scrunching. Most days I air dry because I'm too lazy to get up 20 minutes earlier to diffuse. Some days I'll diffuse partially, focusing on my roots since they take longest to dry.

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dindlee

I too used the Deva products when I went CG and found that they are not for me. I was getting better results before I went CG. As of right now, I think I have to have a shampoo about 1x week. I'm still experimenting.

wacka4macca

Corrina777 wrote: »

My hair is fine in texture and has yet to meet a protein that it didn't like, so I do a pretty strong protein treatment once every week or two and use very protein heavy conditioners regularly.

For styling I get very consistent results with leave-in (my go-to is Cure Care from Sally's. It's got good slip, it's got protein, and it's super cheap), curl cream (this I still play with- I'm partial to Curls Rock Amplifier, which is not CG, and Re:Coil, which is), and a hard hold gel (I haven't tried HESMU but I use something along those lines). I rinse all conditioner from my hair and apply LI separately so I can control the amount, I use a combo rake and scrunch technique for curl cream and gel, then I very carefully use a microfiber towel to squeeze out extra water. I plop with a flour sack towel for a few minutes, just to keep my hair out of my way while I get dressed. When I take my hair down from plopping I scrunch a little more gel into my hair, focusing on the ends, to make up for what got lost while towel scrunching. Most days I air dry because I'm too lazy to get up 20 minutes earlier to diffuse. Some days I'll diffuse partially, focusing on my roots since they take longest to dry.

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Very interesting...I'll see if I can maybe get some of this stuff going to see how it works for me. Thanks for your input!

BleachedCurls

how far in are you? my hair is always up & down for the first two months.