How long did it take for you to notice results?

royalmesswithascar

Hello,

I was curious how long it look for you to notice results?  I have just started but I'm curious how long the chaotic messy hair lasted so I don't get frustrated and just give up right before results typically occur. 

tinksaysboo

I started to notice a serious difference after about 1-2 months.  Month 4-5 is when my curls hit their stride.

I will note that my hair was quite damaged when I started and I had zero experience on curly hair care prior. 

royalmesswithascar

Thank you for your response.  Your hair is beautiful.  I have really dry hair and I've been meaning to do deep conditioning treatments but I always forget.  I put my hair in a ponytail the other day and could feel my hair strands snapping

If you don't mind me asking, did your hair get oily after starting to transition? I am worried that using conditioner may make my hair oily.  When I was younger someone told me it made my hair oily and I have been terrified to use it since.

tinksaysboo

Thank you!

I am guessing the someone who told you that probably didn't have curly hair.  Curly hair NEEDS moisture. That is why CG incorporates washing with conditioner, conditioning with conditioner, AND using deep conditioning.    I didn't experience oily hair, but I did experience fast build up at first, which left my hair limp and greasy looking.  I was clarifying once a week the first couple months, now I clarify every 4-6 weeks.

Deep conditioning is an important part of most curlies routines (I DC 2-3 times a week) and it's especially important when you are transitioning.   What is your current routine and products?

royalmesswithascar

You would be right.  They had straight hair.  Currently I am using the Live Clean Mineral Clay Shampoo.  I don't have any conditioner but sometimes I put some sunflower oil in my hair and then throw a shower cap on and sit in the shower until it feels like I'm in a sauna. I have ordered some Innersense products (hairbath shampoo, moisturizing conditioner, i create hold gel, i create volume, daily inspiration conditioner, hydrating mask) that hopefully will be here in a reasonable time.  Currently, my local post office is doing a strike so some parcels are delayed. 

Routine wise, I usually stand in the shower struggling to get all of my hair wet since it takes forever for the water to stop beading or just making my hair look damp only  to dry five minutes later when I'm trying to shampoo. I then shampoo and do my best to get everything off of my scalp and rinsed out.  I gently finger comb and detangle all the loose hair. I then scrunch in some lukewarm water and prepare for inevitable flattening of the curls that form while I'm in the shower.

Guide 65

It took me 6 months before I started seeing results I was really happy with.  Stick with it, it does get better.

I think I mentioned somewhere else that Innersense is tricky to use.  If you've never used conditioner before - I don't know how you'll like it.  Just use a tiny bit when you start.  With other conditioners I can just put some on and work it through and it melts away all the tangles and makes my hair soft - really easy to use.  So if you don't like this conditioner, don't write them all off.  This one is much different than most of the others.

Gretchen

royalmesswithascar said:

Hello,

I was curious how long it look for you to notice results?  I have just started but I'm curious how long the chaotic messy hair lasted so I don't get frustrated and just give up right before results typically occur. 

Don't give up!  It will happen!

tinksaysboo

I agree with @Guide 65, don't write of conditioner if what you bought doesn't work.  If you don't like what it's doing to your hair, I suggest starting with a lightweight conditioner like Not Your Mother's Naturals Linseed Chia Blend & French Plum Seed Oil Volume Boost Conditioner

Your hair taking so long to get wet and it beading could be a couple things:

• It could be due to your hair's porosity hair.  Knowing your hair's porosity will help tremendously when troubleshooting hair issues.
• You might have build up and need to clarify.  Even when you are avoiding products with silicons and waxes, you can still experience build up.  Getting fast build-up is common when transitioning.   You should try doing an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse, or my personal favorite DIY cleanser, "Lemon Aid" from the CG Handbook
  
  LEMON AID
  Combine juice of 1 large lemon* with your usual amount of conditioner, then rinse through hair thoroughly.'
  NOTE: A lot of people find 1/2 a lemon is enough as for some this can be drying. Also, for best results, it should be thoroughly rinsed out with cool water and followed by regular conditioning.

Keep us posted!  And don't give up!

royalmesswithascar

You guys have been a dream come true support wise.  I think my family believes I'm crazy for trying this.  It's been nice to have some support and encouragement to keep going.

royalmesswithascar

I hope it is okay posting here again. I didn’t want to make a new thread but I wanted to update you guys. 

I used Innersense for the first time last night and I don’t think my hair likes styling products but it seemed to love just the shampoo + hydration mask + conditioner.  I had a single strand of hair that sat on top of all my waves and it looked like a 3b ringlet that went all the way to the root. Sure, it was only one strand but I am going to be optimistic and keep at these products.  It’s a shame the styling products didn’t work but I can try to find other uses for them outside of my hair so they don’t get wasted.  

Gretchen

royalmesswithascar said:

You guys have been a dream come true support wise.  I think my family believes I'm crazy for trying this.  It's been nice to have some support and encouragement to keep going.

  

Gretchen

royalmesswithascar said:

I hope it is okay posting here again. I didn’t want to make a new thread but I wanted to update you guys. 

I used Innersense for the first time last night and I don’t think my hair likes styling products but it seemed to love just the shampoo + hydration mask + conditioner.  I had a single strand of hair that sat on top of all my waves and it looked like a 3b ringlet that went all the way to the root. Sure, it was only one strand but I am going to be optimistic and keep at these products.  It’s a shame the styling products didn’t work but I can try to find other uses for them outside of my hair so they don’t get wasted.  

Thanks for the update. Have you tried stylers other than Innersense? 

Guide 65

royalmesswithascar said:

I hope it is okay posting here again. I didn’t want to make a new thread but I wanted to update you guys. 

I used Innersense for the first time last night and I don’t think my hair likes styling products but it seemed to love just the shampoo + hydration mask + conditioner.  I had a single strand of hair that sat on top of all my waves and it looked like a 3b ringlet that went all the way to the root. Sure, it was only one strand but I am going to be optimistic and keep at these products.  It’s a shame the styling products didn’t work but I can try to find other uses for them outside of my hair so they don’t get wasted.  

That's a great start!  Hold onto the styling products.  Once you get a little more experience they may work better for you.  Or they may work better in different weather conditions.  Try them again in summer - they may work better then.

I use the I Create Volume after conditioning, and then use Deva Ultra Defining Gel over top.  The iVolume gives me beautiful definition, and the UDG gives me pretty good hold.  I haven't figured out how to use the I Create Hold.  It just doesn't work as well as the UDG for me.  With iVolume, use just a very small amount. then a generous helping of gel.

Monipen

I've been transitioning for 8 months now, I'm still by far not where I'd like to be, but people keep telling me I need to be patient. I feel like I've had some good days and bad days, but also I feel like my hair did better in the summer and now that winter is here it's not as good anymore. I guess that's why they say one might need to change products in winter time. 

My advice to you is keep on trying different products. I've been doing that so far too, the only way to know what works for you is by trying out different things. But like someone else also mentioned in the above comments: try to find out more about your type of hair... like thickness, density and porosity. In the beginning I just bought products randomly and turns out some of them really weren't right for me.

And please do not skip on conditoner... that's one of the most important things you can use. And deep conditioning too. I do that once a week every Sunday and it makes a huge difference.

Oh and I've also noticed that I do get product build-up soon. So every other week I have to clarify.