Getting through the first few weeks

3aLawyer

Need some pointers.... This is Day 2-3 for me....

I had been using (non sulfur) Biotera products & continue to, so hopefully the transition phase will not be so bad... but my challenge this week is to have "professional" looking hair for select occasions over the next few weeks. I'm a lawyer, so I can't just wear a hat or a huge headband to get by, and my area is pretty conservative.

My hair is long, well past my shoulders but a few inches above my bra strap (but is getting "shorter" as the curls kick into gear). I use color but only 15 developer on the roots and 10 on the rest of the hair, so that's not so bad. I don't usually blow dry so no heat damage but I do use hot curlers which are not that hot (only on more high pressure days), I had *thought* my hair was in relatively good condition... until discovering CG!

I plan to co wash most days if not every day - had been using Biotera just got some $1.52 Sauve Natural Coconut for that purpose & have been deep conditioning. I made sure to be stocked on headbands and scrunchies -- I can do a loose bun but the hair around my face can't be gross. I used dry shampoo today which helped a lot.

Advice? Helpful Hints? Thank you all in advance

BeinDeb

I work in a professional environment as well. When I was transitioning, buns were my best friends, using combs, bobby pins, and hair forks. The combs worked very well for the sides, as did loose twists or braids that I would fasten in the back.

BotticelliBrit

If you're planning to wash your hair every day, why would it look 'gross'?? Surely it would look fresh every day. A little confused over here!

If co-washing is making your hair greasy, it might not be for you and you may want to try low-poo instead

3aLawyer

Thanks-- this is a help. I am through week one and am most of the way out the other side I think. I am learning about how to put it up a little better (& that is probably what I should have been doing all along anyway). Hairpins are my friends, hairpins are my friends....

I am now daily cowashing (sometimes it takes 2x for it to feel "clean") with the Sauve conditioner (and yes, it does feel clean now and not "gross" -- NOT the case for day 2-3!). A couple of days ago I started skipping the rinse out because I thought my hair was too greasy; tonight I used the rinse out again but only on a pony-tail type section that left the roots alone and did not rise it out well (my hair is mostly dry now and it feels really good, so I think this is a plan for now).

As for the products (gel, curl cream, leave in etc), that seems to almost be reacting differently day to day so it sort of seems like a work in progress. When my hair is hydrated enough -- and I think I am getting there -- I will probably need something different, so I am taking some time to play with this.

Thanks for the helpful insight ... !

kathymack

It's really helpful to know your hair properties when choosing ingredients/products. Here's a link to help you with yours Curly Hair Basics | Live Curly Live Free Once you learn your properties, you can look for others with similar properties and "stalk" them on the boards. See what they use and do. It's a good place to start.

Her e-book is really reasonable. Has all the info in one place. While it's a lot of trial and error finding techniques/products that will work for you. The more you read and learn the more helpful.

A good haircut is the foundation for everything. If you have a lousy cut it will be difficult to wear your hair down and have it look good. Not so important if you're going to wear buns everyday.

Alyssa.Cicer

I'm about two weeks into using the Deva Curl No Poo, and I've finally hit the greasy/gross phase. I'm not sure if others can notice, but I definitely can. It's taking a lot for me to not go back to my old shampoo, at least days I straighten my hair because it's far more noticeable then. I feel so conflicted!

spiderlashes5000

What do u mean by "transition"?

Don't force yourself to go 2 - 3 days without a wash.

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