My first cowash!

MelBelle

Yesterday I purchased my first ever bottle of KLS! I was so excited to try it out! So, this morning, I used it to cowash. The consistency was different than I expected, it was hard to feel in my hair. It almost felt like it was absorbing into my hair..? I kept having to add more to make sure I got it distributed throughout. That's probably just something I have to get used to! I could feel it once I started to rinse it out, funny how water makes a difference. Anyway, after that I added more to the length of my hair and let it sit while I cleaned up, then I rinsed some of it out too. I scrunched some of the excess water out of my hair, and by that point it felt like I hadn't left any conditioner in my hair at all, so I dabbed/scrunched some more on my ends. I also made a very, very sad attempt at plopping, but I didn't have a suitable t shirt, or a microfiber towel, so... Yeah, I used a normal towel... But it seemed okay, and my curls were as clumpy as they've ever been (which isn't saying a whole awful lot). I'm actually at work now, and my hair is still drying a bit... but my hair is starting to frizz... I've seen where some people use their normal conditioner as a leave in, but maybe this isn't one of the best ones to use to that end..? My hair is soft, but it feels like the conditioner I left in is gone now. Did my hair just...absorb it..? Should I use more if I'm going to try and use it as a leave in? Or should I abandon that idea and find a different conditioner for my LI? I don't like gels, I just want my curls locked and happy, as wash-and-go as possible!

BotticelliBrit

The reason it was probably 'hard to feel' in your hair, is because co-washing doesn't give lather, and so you may not feel as though it's distributing as well. You'll get used to it though

Using a normal towel, especially for plopping, is a big no-no for curls as it roughs up the hair cuticle which can cause frizz (which you're seeing now your hair is drying).

Using a normal conditioner as a leave-in is good, but not necessary. Just depends on your preference. You can use a standard leave-in instead.

If your hair is soft, yet you can't feel the conditioner, that's a good thing. You don't want your hair to feel like it has product in it! The conditioner has done it's job and isn't caked onto your hair, so smile

I've noticed you're missing a styler, which for the majority of curly folks is kind of an essential step. If you don't like gels, you can use curl creams or custards, or even mousse. It'll really help clump your curls together and eliminate frizz.

Can I ask why it is you don't like gel? I feel like gel has such a bad wrap because some people aren't sure how to use it properly.

MelBelle

I wasn't expecting it to lather, but I guess I'm just used to really thick conditioners. This one's kind of thin!
I think I probably will set aside a few tee shirts for plopping. I feel like it could really give me some help if I get better at it/do it right. I have a microfiber towel on my wish list, but my birthday isn't anytime soon...Lol.
I've thought about getting Cantu's curl activator cream or Eden's curl defining creme, but I'm not sure...
Honestly, I probably don't know how to use gel properly, lol! I just don't like the way my hair feels when I try and use it

geekrockgirl85

Do you have a Dollar Tree nearby? They have microfiber hand towels in the kitchen and auto sections.... on the small side, but they get the job done!

BotticelliBrit

Thin conditioners are better for washing because they have more slip and so are more easily distributed

You don't need a microfibre towel - those t-shirts you have work just as well. Heck, I don't even use towels or t-shirts any more.

When you say you don't like the way gel feels . . . do you mean it feels crunchy or stiff? If so, you just need to SOTC (scrunch out the crunch). A gel cast forms and hardens around your hair to protect it as it dries and keep the clumps in shape / minimise frizzing. Once your hair is completely dry, just scrunch your hair and the cast dissolves leaving you with soft, bouncy and frizz-less curls.

sixelamy

There could be a few reasons for frizz - ingredients, technique, and dew point. I frizz no matter what I use without some sort of gel or jelly styler. Some conditioners are better than others for cowashing, and the same for leave ins. What is KLS?

MelBelle

Well, I cowashed for the 2nd time this morning with Kiwi Lime Squeeze. I left more conditioner in my hair this time. Actually I barely rinsed out any of what I applied after the initial cowash, haha. And I used a tee shirt this time!! It's turned out better. Still frizzy in spots because I still haven't got a styling product... Because I still can't decide... I keep narrowing it down, and then finding more products to put in the mix! I think leaving more conditioner in my hair helped the curls to clump better, and keeping frizz at a minimum for not having a styling product. However, I am noticing that a lot of my curls are actually rather looser than usual..? Which isn't what I was going for, so I'm definitely going to need *something.* I think part of my decision-making problem is that I can't figure out if I want a cream, definer, curl activator, or what! I used to just use a leave-in conditioner and let it dry, and that was it! My curls were nicely clumped and frizz wasn't a big deal. But I'm trying to be a good curly and that old leave-in was not CG. So I guess I just don't know where to go from here, hehehe...

curlicious13

If your old leave in had silicones in it, you need to use a clarifying shampoo to get them out before you start co-washing again. But do get some gel. Your styles will last longer if you do. You won't have to wash your hair every 3 days because third day hair looks a hot mess. My hair is almost a week old and most people who compliment me on how my hair looks are floored to find out that my hair is 5 days old. Friday my hair will be a week old.

sixelamy

Oooo Kiwi Lime Squeeze.. I liked that when I used it. I tried it as a leave in once as well, and it didn't do well with my hair either.

You have to be careful about choosing a styling product with cowashing only. Some people have a hard time getting out polyquats. So whatever type of product you choose, just pay attention to the needs of your hair.

MelBelle

I did wash my hair with a clarifying shampoo before I cowashed the first time, I guess it would have been helpful of me to include that lol. I'm thinking I'll probably get a Cantu product to try, since they're kind of cheap and it won't be a big deal if it doesn't do what I want. So, Coconut Curling Cream, Define & Shine Custard, Curl Activator Cream, or should I just try their leave-in conditioner?

Or if you can recommend an inexpensive gel, I could give that a try.

Geek_Chic

MelBelle wrote: »

I did wash my hair with a clarifying shampoo before I cowashed the first time, I guess it would have been helpful of me to include that lol. I'm thinking I'll probably get a Cantu product to try, since they're kind of cheap and it won't be a big deal if it doesn't do what I want. So, Coconut Curling Cream, Define & Shine Custard, Curl Activator Cream, or should I just try their leave-in conditioner?

Or if you can recommend an inexpensive gel, I could give that a try.

Looking at the ingredients, you might try out the Shine and Define Custard. It's polyquat free, unlike the other 2 products you mentioned, plus it has a bit of protein. All the Cantu stuff you mentioned are fairly high in oils and shea butter. They may play well with your hair since it's high porosity, but watch out for buildup and low poo if needed. Since your hair is also fine textured, you might also want to watch the amount you use so you don't weigh your hair down. It's often easier to add more product than it is to rewash.

MelBelle

Geek_Chic wrote: »

MelBelle wrote: »

I did wash my hair with a clarifying shampoo before I cowashed the first time, I guess it would have been helpful of me to include that lol. I'm thinking I'll probably get a Cantu product to try, since they're kind of cheap and it won't be a big deal if it doesn't do what I want. So, Coconut Curling Cream, Define & Shine Custard, Curl Activator Cream, or should I just try their leave-in conditioner?

Or if you can recommend an inexpensive gel, I could give that a try.

Looking at the ingredients, you might try out the Shine and Define Custard. It's polyquat free, unlike the other 2 products you mentioned, plus it has a bit of protein. All the Cantu stuff you mentioned are fairly high in oils and shea butter. They may play well with your hair since it's high porosity, but watch out for buildup and low poo if needed. Since your hair is also fine textured, you might also want to watch the amount you use so you don't weigh your hair down. It's often easier to add more product than it is to rewash.

Oops... I guess I should have waited for a response. I went to Walmart yesterday and while I was there I got the Curl Activator Cream. I'll be really careful with it and I'll be sure to low poo as needed. Do you happen to have a suggestion for what kind of products (gel or cream, etc) I should go for in the future..? Sorry about all the questions...

MelBelle

Well, I used the curl activator cream today, and it actually doesn't feel oily at all! My curls clumped rather well, but I think I did use a little too much because they aren't quite as tight in some spots. I'm pleasantly surprised. I'll keep experimenting though, maybe I'll try Eden next!

Rachpreach

curlicious13 wrote: »

If your old leave in had silicones in it, you need to use a clarifying shampoo to get them out before you start co-washing again. But do get some gel. Your styles will last longer if you do. You won't have to wash your hair every 3 days because third day hair looks a hot mess. My hair is almost a week old and most people who compliment me on how my hair looks are floored to find out that my hair is 5 days old. Friday my hair will be a week old.

Hi! I was wondering about your hair and you going that long without washing. I have gone 3 days without washing and my hair still will look fantastic as far as my curls but will be so tangled and a matted mess all over. Then when I go to shower it takes me a good 20 min to detangle and its so miserable. How do you keep it from doing that?


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