Drugstore or inexpensive PT for first-timer?

Lochina

Hi there,

I'm only an occasional user of the board who returned for a quick "help me!" search just now re: my increasing amount of fine frizz and flyaways at my scalp/roots, they are worse than ever and driving me crazy. It seems like I need to be using a PT? I have never done this before but I am broke and need something cheap! I'm sure this thread exists but I couldn't find it, I'd be grateful if you'd direct me to relevant posts or recommend some products. Thaks!

Lochina

Also...can someone tell me what "CG" stands for?

Rytoka

CG stands for the curly girl method. Check the stickies on the newby boards it has tons of info on the method. For a cheap protein try the gelatin recipe. Super easy! You should be able to do a search and find it. Good luck

Firefox7275

Lochina wrote: »

Hi there,

I'm only an occasional user of the board who returned for a quick "help me!" search just now re: my increasing amount of fine frizz and flyaways at my scalp/roots, they are worse than ever and driving me crazy. It seems like I need to be using a PT? I have never done this before but I am broke and need something cheap! I'm sure this thread exists but I couldn't find it, I'd be grateful if you'd direct me to relevant posts or recommend some products. Thaks!

Either the gelatin treatment (see the DIY board) or the Colorful neutral protein filler from Sallys, comes in a small size for a few dollars. For the acronyms see the stickies on the newbies and general haircare boards.

Protein won't necessarily help flyaways at the roots, it works best for damaged hair not healthy virgin hair. Do you know what your hair properties and dew points are? See the 'Live Curly Live Free' website and the frizz forecast app on the main NC site/ free 'Curls on the Go' app if you have a smartphone.

Lochina

Hey, thanks. I'm a 3c with fine hair, not sure about dew point (?). Any suggestions for breaks/flyways at roots besides PTs?

Firefox7275

Lochina wrote: »

Hey, thanks. I'm a 3c with fine hair, not sure about dew point (?). Any suggestions for breaks/flyways at roots besides PTs?

Depends on your full hair properties and dew points, as I said "see the 'Live Curly Live Free' website and the frizz forecast app on the main NC site/ free 'Curls on the Go' app if you have a smartphone". Do come back to us with the results and we can make suggestions otherwise we are just guessing and wasting money you don't have.

Lochina

I looked at the LCLF website, not sure what I'm looking for on that site...I also looked at the frizz forecaster but again I'm not sure what that tells me. Can you be a bit more specific about what I have to do? Thanks!

wavydaze

Lochina, fine hair generally does very well with protein. I have fine, normal-low porosity hair that is 97% virgin (except for 4 skinny highlights that are growing out) and my hair loves protein. It is not damaged, but it is fine.

I do the plain gelatin treatment (no extra additives), which is cheap and easy to make. I try to do it weekly but I don't always have the time. My other products have protein in them as well. Lately I've been using Shescentit Okra Hair Repair Reconstructor + CNPF as my RO. I look for leave-ins with protein as well.

Geek_Chic

Lochina wrote: »

I looked at the LCLF website, not sure what I'm looking for on that site...I also looked at the frizz forecaster but again I'm not sure what that tells me. Can you be a bit more specific about what I have to do? Thanks!

You want the Hair Basics section on the LCLF site: Live Curly Live Free - Curly Hair Basics. Also read through the types of curls, curl care, and product ingredients pages. The cutting curly hair and home remedies pages are also worth reading, but not specifically pertinent to your question in this thread.

The Frizz Forecaster here on nc.com will give you an indicator on whether or not to use humectants in the products you do not rinse out of your hair on that particular day. They aren't generally a problem in rinse out products like low poos, cowashes, and rinse out conditioners. Humectants are things like glycerin, propylene glycol, agave, honey, sorbitol, and more. You'll see people complain most about glycerin, as it is a potent humectant found in a lot of products, but other humectants function in the same way.

Specifically, humectants pull moisture from whatever is the most "wet" and into whatever is dryer. In dewpoints below 40 (especially below 30), that means that humectants pull moisture from your hair in an attempt to hydrate the dry air. This can cause frizz and dryness. In dewpoints from 40 - 60, humectants help maintain a good balance of moisture, keeping hair nicely hydrated, without creating dried out frizz or overly hydrated poof /frizz. In dewpoints above 60, humectants can pull too much moisture out of the air and into your hair, leaving it poofy and frizzy.

Below the frizz forecast temps /humidity /dewpoints section, there's a text block that will suggest appropriate product ingredient options for the day's dewpoints. This page has more detailed information: Dew Points « Pittsburgh Curly

Lochina

Thanks for the thoughtful response! I don't generally have a problem with frizz in the length of my hair and I never vary what I put in it--it's always Tress F/X from Ouidad. Really this question is about breakage/short hairs at my roots/scalp, which stick up and give me a "halo" of frizz. I'm hoping I can treat with protein or some other kind of DC, but was looking for advice for this specific problem.

Firefox7275

Lochina wrote: »

Thanks for the thoughtful response! I don't generally have a problem with frizz in the length of my hair and I never vary what I put in it--it's always Tress F/X from Ouidad. Really this question is about breakage/short hairs at my roots/scalp, which stick up and give me a "halo" of frizz. I'm hoping I can treat with protein or some other kind of DC, but was looking for advice for this specific problem.

We understand what you are asking, but unless you are willing to work with us we cannot help you. We need to know your dew points, hair properties and ideally full routine.

The solution to the problem depends on the cause and your hair properties/ dew points. Some people have breakage and frizz because they need more protein, some because they need less protein, some need more penetrating oils to reduce porosity, some have build up so need to clarify, some are using too many potent humectants in the wrong dews.

It's like asking a doctor to prescribe a cure but only tell them one symptom, you would expect them to ask you more questions/ run blood work/ check your blood pressure or suchlike before they make a diagnosis. Then when they have a diagnosis they might write you a prescription or suggest the right lifestyle modification.

HTH.