Help! Questions for ya'll... Really need you now Janelle!

[Aquilah]

Okay, so I have naturally thick, curly hair with about 3-5 different textures. The center of my head is by far the WORST part since that's where it's the kinkiest. The hairs framing my face are nice and soft, and the hairs nape of my neck are almost as bad as the center. The rest is pretty much just blech!

When it's in its natural state, I have to use a pound of hairspray along with a pound of gel to get it to NOT frizz and to behave. Hence, then it's nice and hard... Crunchy too *lol* I haven't yet had success with mousse or spray gel. Let alone anything to fight frizz, hold the curl, and still look decent. Oh, and even with all of the gel and hairspray, I still have to wear it pulled back because it's just a thick, hard, crunchy MESS if I leave it down!!!
So, most times I have it chemically straightened at the salon using Affirm or Vital Pro. I'm about 2 relaxers/touch-ups over due, which equals about 4 months *EEK* I'm debating on letting my hair go back into it's natural state for now since I still haven't found a different salon aside from the one I've been going to when I moved here to NY. Problem with letting it go in it's natural state is that the constant washing of my hair dries it out even worse, and it's a PAIN to wash it daily since it's SO thick! And when I say thick, I mean no stylist I've ever had has ever had a client with hair as thick as mine! They almost HATE drying it, so I tip REALLY well *lol*

Therefore, here's what I'm asking of my lovely MuT friends:

[*]Are there any products I can use to allow my hair to be in its natural state without being a hard, crunchy mess BUT will hold my curl and keep my hair from frizzing???

[*]Should I decide to continue straighening my hair, since I have a highly sensitive scalp, is it even worth it for me to look into the permanent straightening? I've heard 100% pure African-American hair is generally too brittle, but that mixed African-American hair is okay for it (which would be me).

I'd REALLY, REALLY appreciate everyones help!!! Thanks my loves!!!

 

[Nox]

Aquilah, check this out, I posted something here just a second ago.

https://forum.makeuptalk.com/showthread.php?t=31101&page=2

Okay, that link may not work, and I don't know why. But the thread topic was "Long Hair Haters". I was post # 20 I think. Take a look.

 

[jennycateyez]

i would just get it permanent straightening to be honest with u. i have no clue what product will help you out but i know alot of people with ur kind of hair and that was the only thing that would help.

 

[Aquilah]

I calculated, and on average, I get my hair done about 7 times a year. At $85-$95 a pop, that's anywhere from $595-$665 a year alone on just relaxers/touch-ups! It's almost a savings if I have it permanently straightened! You know? Well, that depends on how much it costs anyway *lol*

I've never had problems such as those mentioned in the thread you mentioned Noxious. My recent problem is people not listening to me when I tell them how my hair is... My previous stylists back in GA were never a problem for me! I could just sit and let them work their magic without ANY problems! Not to mention, I currently live in an area where the population is mostly Caucasian. I haven't always had long hair; it's just now where it is because I quit damaging it with coloring and relaxing. I quit coloring it altogether.

 

[Nox]

My point, Aquilah, was to look for and find a Dominican salon. They have extensive knowledge of how to work with ALL types of hair, since Hispanics have the full range. Seeing 2-3 different hairtypes on one head will be nothing for them, they know how to work it. I have the same thing going on too.

Also, permanant thermal straightening is not for you. You don't have the texture required for it, and those who do, come out with straw hair anyway... is that what you want?

 

[xkatiex]

Have you ever tried just pure jojoba oil (cold pressed) for the frizz. It mositurises hair so well, you could use it as like a leave in balm. Its not to expensive either

x

 

[Aquilah]

Originally Posted by NoxiousByProxy My point, Aquilah, was to look for and find a Dominican salon. They have extensive knowledge of how to work with ALL types of hair, since Hispanics have the full range. Seeing 2-3 different hairtypes on one head will be nothing for them, they know how to work it. I have the same thing going on too.
Also, permanant thermal straightening is not for you. You don't have the texture required for it, and those who do, come out with straw hair anyway... is that what you want?

That might be quite a stretch! I called every single salon in the area, and not a single one did relaxers without charging upwards of almost $100-$200... When I say I pay $75-$85, that's with a tip! Or, a lot of the salons around here don't even do relaxers. When I say I live in a predominately Caucasian area, I literally mean about 90%+ of the local population is!!!
I should mention I can't change my thread title, and I don't literally mean "now;" I mean in general *lol*

 

[pinkbundles]

i would get it permanently straightened in a heartbeat! hair and eyebrows are my biggest vanity stress right now!

 

[saramy]

You need to try BIOSILK silk therapy. I too have naturally curly, thick, frizzy, color treated hair. The BIOSILK really works on the frizz like nothing I've ever used. It smoothes the hair, adds shine and works wonders!!! I use more than the average person because I have real thick hair. You ought to try it. It can get expensive but it is definetly worth every penny. I had my hair chemically straightened years ago and it hardly worked. It damaged my hair BIG TIME.

 

[Aquilah]

I'm fortunate that I have naturally shiny hair... I don't generally add anything to it for shine. It's full of volume and body, which I'd LOVE to get rid of the volume *lmao* I prefer it as flat as I can get it!

 

[NYAngel98]

Hey hun... sorry for the delay ---

Well, I'd say your first step would be in the shower... get a really good conditioner. I'd go with either the HealthySexyHair Soy Milk, or the Biolage Conditioning Balm.

Then, for curls, I like Alagio's Crazy Curl Balm. It's thick enough to control curls, but won't make it crunchy. You can also try CHI's Pliable Polish. If you're going straight... try StraightSexyHair's Power Straight Balm... that with a drop of Biosilk or Frizz Ease should help get it under control and make it more managable. But I would definitely be generous with conditioner. You can also add some HealthySexyHair tri-wheat leave in conditioner spray after the shower on damp hair. The softer your hair is when it's damp... the easier it'll be when you dry/style

 

[Aquilah]

Thanks SO much Janelle! I have pics of my hair in it's natural state if you want me to post them so you can see the difference. Problem is, as I mentioned, it's pulled back... Also, what would your thoughts be on me permanently straightening my hair? A no-no? I'd love a body wave, but I've been told you can't revert a relaxer into a body wave, only vice versa. I'm not about to chop off my hair in order to let it grow back to have the body wave either *lol* Oh yeah, and I've been told my hair is really porous from all the coloring and relaxing I've done over the years. Does that make a difference? And if so, how bad or good of a difference does it make?

 

[blondie36]

i love paul mitchell sculpting foam- medium -hold,it tames

frizz and holds your style without making it hard and

crunchy(which i hate) its a conditioning foam too

so it also good for your hair, you can buy a small.2 oz

jar at trade secret for about 5.00 just to try it ,but i know you will

love it,the big bottle is about 20.00 but it lasts along time,good luck

 

[NYAngel98]

Originally Posted by Aquilah Thanks SO much Janelle! I have pics of my hair in it's natural state if you want me to post them so you can see the difference. Problem is, as I mentioned, it's pulled back... Also, what would your thoughts be on me permanently straightening my hair? A no-no? I'd love a body wave, but I've been told you can't revert a relaxer into a body wave, only vice versa. I'm not about to chop off my hair in order to let it grow back to have the body wave either *lol* Oh yeah, and I've been told my hair is really porous from all the coloring and relaxing I've done over the years. Does that make a difference? And if so, how bad or good of a difference does it make? Honestly, adding more chemicals (relaxers, body waves) might only make it drier. You need to get the moisture in --- and keep it there, before adding anything that will take more out. I would try the other alternatives first... see how you do with them, and then if you don't see any type of change down the road, talk to a stylist about relaxing again.

 

[Aquilah]

Originally Posted by NYAngel98 Honestly, adding more chemicals (relaxers, body waves) might only make it drier. You need to get the moisture in --- and keep it there, before adding anything that will take more out. I would try the other alternatives first... see how you do with them, and then if you don't see any type of change down the road, talk to a stylist about relaxing again. Got it! Last question for ya... Well maybe three.. Yeah, three *lol*
1) Are the product you mentioned going to help keep my hair from poofing too? It's so thick, that what starts out as nice curls like you have, ends up being a half Afro... I just want it to continue laying "flat."

2) Which of these products are best when used together? And I would assume I should get the shampoo to go along w/ the conditioner, right?

I appreciate it a lot again chica! I think I've asked about everything I wanted to know *lol* I'll be sure to let you know how it works out... Gonna have to go find these products over the weekend since I know Wally World here doesn't have them!

 

[NYAngel98]

No prob!

Yeah, I'd get the shampoo w/ it. (especially the HSHair) See I really don't know how your hair is cut... which could be part of your problem. Did they cut any layers or thin any of it to help keep the shape uniform from root to end? Sometimes if they cut curly hair the wrong way, sometimes you'll get that 'triangle' look... flat on top, and wide at the bottom. I would use all the conditioners together... from the sound of it, your texture needs a lot of moisture, so I'd go for it.

 

[Aquilah]

Originally Posted by NYAngel98 No prob!

Yeah, I'd get the shampoo w/ it. (especially the HSHair) See I really don't know how your hair is cut... which could be part of your problem. Did they cut any layers or thin any of it to help keep the shape uniform from root to end? Sometimes if they cut curly hair the wrong way, sometimes you'll get that 'triangle' look... flat on top, and wide at the bottom. I would use all the conditioners together... from the sound of it, your texture needs a lot of moisture, so I'd go for it. Ah, my hair "cut!" Okay, thing is, this isn't really a cut! I used to have my hair SHORT!!! Like Halle Berry used to be short! This is just what it's grown out from since! Natural layers... Any time it's been trimmed, it was done after the relaxer to ensure too much wasn't being cut. And it was only trimming... No real cutting... Does that make sense? And it hasn't been cut curly since like 1990??? I've always had a relaxer... As bad as it is, I'd skip a trim/cut if it was in its natural state to ensure the cut wasn't butchered! If it would help, I can take some pics... My shortest "layer" is probably a little further past my chin, and then I'd say they're gradual, subtle layers... NO THINNING EITHER!!! Tried that once YEARS ago, and we learned that can't be done on my hair... It actually makes it worse ~ WAY WORSE! Where's the best place to find these products? Sally's Beauty Supply maybe?

 

[dcole710]

Jumping in late yet again but it sounds like you have a similar hair texture to mine. When it's curly the best product line I've found is called Mixed Chicks. No more crunchy! And nice bouncy soft curls. And for a fantastic blowout you definitely need to find a Dominican salon. Those women are miracle workers and the blow outs last and last even if you are overdue for a touch up. My hair never looked so healthy! I moved from Long Island to Michigan for school and I am in blowout hell because there are no Dominican salons here.

Mixed Chicks Home you have to order from the website unless you're in CA.

 

[Nox]

Originally Posted by dcole710 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Jumping in late yet again but it sounds like you have a similar hair texture to mine. When it's curly the best product line I've found is called Mixed Chicks. No more crunchy! And nice bouncy soft curls. And for a fantastic blowout you definitely need to find a Dominican salon. Those women are miracle workers and the blow outs last and last even if you are overdue for a touch up. My hair never looked so healthy! I moved from Long Island to Michigan for school and I am in blowout hell because there are no Dominican salons here.
Mixed Chicks Home you have to order from the website unless you're in CA.

See?!? I'm not nuts when I metioned the Dominican Salon...their service is the bomb! If you ever get a chance Aquilah, you simply HAVE to visit one if you can. I have learned how to do the blowouts myself now, and that really helps me. Hey... maybe they've got a tutorial on YouTube somewhere!!! And I've tried mixed chick stuff, and it's okay, but now I simply use Jojoba oil and Shea Butter on my hair and it's perfect for me.

 

[Aquilah]

I ended up getting it relaxed again in September, and just recently the beginning of March. Between the HSH and Marc Anthony products, it was doing pretty good in its natural state. But, I wanted something that was just "get up and go," so I went back to relaxers. However, it is still definitely much healthier than it was before!