A 3B In The House!

[soblessed]

I just wanted to say that I am a 3B with medium-to-coarse natural curls. I either do wash-no-gos or just pull my hair back into a bun, when it comes to hairstyles. And, I am a certified "PJ".

I don't use the same products all year-round. Because, I find that I have to use heavier products when the weather is cooler. And, I have to of course use lighter products when the weather is warm out.

I don't use gels in my hair anymore. As, I now prefer to use lotion/creams in my hair only. And, I like to oil my scalp at night too.

I wash and condition my hair once a week. I try to deep condition my hair w/heat aleast 1-2 times a month. I trim my hair approximately every 4-5 months.

My hair is currently BSL. But, my hair goal is to go waistlength. So, yes I am all about the growth aids!

I have used products with cones in them, then stopped using cones, and later went back to using them. And, all that I can say is that I now prefer to use products that work for me period, whether they have cones in them or not! I some that Lorraine Massey is a strict promoter of the Curly Girl Method. Now, I don't exactly how many people this method actually does work for. But, all I can say is that it personally doesn't work for me!

[pspence]

I am brand spanking new at this, just 6 months in and I am finding it harder and harder to stick with it. It seems that I have to purchase an incredible amount of products to try to keep it from frizzing (and it still frizzes). Right now I have new growth that seems like curly puffy cotton close to my scalp so naturally it puffs out by the afternoon. I have to wet my hair every morning and then I use the Curls milkshake sometimes the souffle (milkshade seems to do better) and then I use mousse and then I put in some of the curls glaze. I have tried using a defuser in the morning after putting all that in my hair but by the end of the day it has become Medusa Hair. If I just let if air dry it doesn't frizz out as much. If you have any suggestions, please, I am all ears!

[CurlyMacrina]

Welcome!!!

I'm really a mostly 3b with some 3c (I'm mixed Dominican so resemble bi-racial hair) when straightened my hair is down to my waist...I definately agree with you, that regardless if a product has cones or not, I use whatever works for me. I tried the no cone method but it takes way to long to see results and I never really had problems with build up. Right now what works for me is, Aussie moist conditioners for wash and go and the Aussie volume spray gel (doesn't dry my hair) and coconut oil. When I do rollers and straigten I use Creme of nature poo to wash, dominican Deep conditioners to DT, Sunsilk TLC for rollerset and Frizz Buster serum to flat Iron. (I only do that about once a month or once every two months during cold weather.) My hair has always been ok. I use to use Curls Milkshake and might be purchasing that this spring. I try to keep things simple. I'm no longer a pj anymore.

[CurlyMacrina]

Originally Posted by pspence@ufl.edu

I am brand spanking new at this, just 6 months in and I am finding it harder and harder to stick with it. It seems that I have to purchase an incredible amount of products to try to keep it from frizzing (and it still frizzes). Right now I have new growth that seems like curly puffy cotton close to my scalp so naturally it puffs out by the afternoon. I have to wet my hair every morning and then I use the Curls milkshake sometimes the souffle (milkshade seems to do better) and then I use mousse and then I put in some of the curls glaze. I have tried using a defuser in the morning after putting all that in my hair but by the end of the day it has become Medusa Hair. If I just let if air dry it doesn't frizz out as much. If you have any suggestions, please, I am all ears!

I noticed after I wash my hair, it's always frizzy. I think the biggest trick is to find a really good DT that works for you. Have you tried leaving a very moisturizing conditioner as a leave in?...I use Aussie moist and leave a little on and a little oil to seal in than some spray gel...it works wonders on my hair. Don't give up, you will find what works...keep experimenting. Good Luck!

[soblessed]

Originally Posted by pspence@ufl.edu

I am brand spanking new at this, just 6 months in and I am finding it harder and harder to stick with it. It seems that I have to purchase an incredible amount of products to try to keep it from frizzing (and it still frizzes). Right now I have new growth that seems like curly puffy cotton close to my scalp so naturally it puffs out by the afternoon. I have to wet my hair every morning and then I use the Curls milkshake sometimes the souffle (milkshade seems to do better) and then I use mousse and then I put in some of the curls glaze. I have tried using a defuser in the morning after putting all that in my hair but by the end of the day it has become Medusa Hair. If I just let if air dry it doesn't frizz out as much. If you have any suggestions, please, I am all ears!

Yes, dealing with newgrowth is an experience all in its own. But, I have found that as long as you keep your hair well conditioned and moisturized then your battles with keeping it from frizzing up or tangling should become manageable.

Persoanlly, I believe in the power of deep conditioning weekly and doing a deep treats w/heat approximately 1-2 times a month.

I am not an advocate of using mousse in the hair because that product has drying ingredients in it. So, if you could seek to eliminate this from your regime you would be better off.

I live in Louisiana and it is basically humid down here almost all-year round. And, during the Spring & Summer Seasons arrive it brings with it brings with it sweltering heat. So, keeping my hair frizz free is definitely a challenge.

Hair doesn't need a great number of products in it for it to function at its best. Because, when you keep layering product after product in your hair all you are doing is setting your head up for product overload. And, you will find yourself not liking the results that you are getting.

Are doing daily conditioner washes or are spraying or rinsing your hair down with water first before applying your hair products? Now, it is certainly okay for you to do conditioner washes everyday and then use use a mild shampoo or cleansing cream to wash your hair with once a week. However, just spraying down your hair or rinsing it down with water each morning is totally not necessary. As, water alone is drying to the hair.

Of course, you can do daily conditioner washes and then apply product to your hair. And, then once a week, you would do thorough cleanse with a cleansing cream or gentle moisturizing shampoo and deep condition afterwards. And, then 1-2 times a week after cleanisng your hair, you would deep treat it w/heat.

After washing your hair, in order to help lock out frizz, you should apply your products to soaking wet hair versus damp or even dry hair. While your hair is soaking wet, spray a leave-in conditioning/moisturizing spray all over it. Now, you can use Curls Quenched or another one of your choice. Next, you would section off your hair. To detangle, you would take down a section then begin detangling your hair starting from the bottom working your way up to the top. After detangling the section, take about a quarter size of your favorite cream or lotion styler (whether it be a Curls product or not) and then apply it to the section always making sure to thoroughly smooth it through.

Once you finish detangling and applying product to a section just go on to the next section. Now, once you have finished apply product to your whole head, I would suggest you try this: layering gel on top of your hair only. Because I know that you probaly desire a smoother effect around the hairline make sure to not neglect this area when it comes to your application of hair gel. And, once you have finished applying the hair gel, you should make sure to scrunch your curls into better form. And, then just let your hair airdry.

And, I agree with you regarding blowdryers. As, they are known for increasing curl volume. As, I am sure that you are not looking for added volume, just a more define curl with no frizz.

Good luck! And, if you have any more question definitely feel to ask!

[soblessed]

Originally Posted by CurlyMacrina

Welcome!!!

I'm really a mostly 3b with some 3c (I'm mixed Dominican so resemble bi-racial hair) when straightened my hair is down to my waist...I definately agree with you, that regardless if a product has cones or not, I use whatever works for me. I tried the no cone method but it takes way to long to see results and I never really had problems with build up. Right now what works for me is, Aussie moist conditioners for wash and go and the Aussie volume spray gel (doesn't dry my hair) and coconut oil. When I do rollers and straigten I use Creme of nature poo to wash, dominican Deep conditioners to DT, Sunsilk TLC for rollerset and Frizz Buster serum to flat Iron. (I only do that about once a month or once every two months during cold weather.) My hair has always been ok. I use to use Curls Milkshake and might be purchasing that this spring. I try to keep things simple. I'm no longer a pj anymore.

I'm sure your hair is beauitful CurlyMacrina! Oh, and I feel you on the coconut oil. It is great for the hair!

[salmongirl]

hey girls,
i'm a 3a mostly, 3b sometimes if i put effort into styling my hair (i'm mixed Umatilla/Umpqua Indian from the Pac NW).
my hair was down past my booty for years, and about a month before my baby was born i had it all cut to mid-back length because pregnancy made my hair do some really weird things (it got really dry and poofy). i forgot how curly my hair used to be until i had it cut!!
i missed my curls, and i love them now that i have them again! whether my hair is super long, or mid-back length, it is very hard to manage.
i've been using the whipped cream for a month now, because i find that the heavier creams work better for my hair. but i'm thinking i wont need that heavy of a cream very often, so i'm going to go ahead and try the souffle or maybe the milkshake.
has anyone here tried any of the Curls Q products yet (for kids)?? I'm not really into floral scents, which is why i love the whipped cream (smells so yummy like frosting) so i thought maybe the kids Curls scents would be fun...
anyone tried any?

[salmongirl]

Originally Posted by soblessed

I am not an advocate of using mousse in the hair because that product has drying ingredients in it. So, if you could seek to eliminate this from your regime you would be better off.

Hair doesn't need a great number of products in it for it to function at its best. Because, when you keep layering product after product in your hair all you are doing is setting your head up for product overload. And, you will find yourself not liking the results that you are getting.

that's so good to know!
when my hair was really long, i used mousse to help it stay in place... the kind they say is for curls. well half the mousses i tried didn't do anything but make my hair crispy/crunchy.
i still have bottles of mousse sitting unopened on my shelf in the bathroom because i can't bring myself to use them again. that and i don't like how they smell (like fumes)...

my biggest thing is trying to get the right conditioner, i need something thicker than the average conditioner because most stuff on the market just doesn't cut it. i'm going to order some of the Curls conditioner soon. its so hard finding stuff that works. and it's weird because when i finally do find something that works just right, it works well for a month or two and then i find that it doesn't work very well after a while... because then my hair will go back to being POOFY and big again. so i generally jump from brand to brand, product to product and then back again.

one hair dresser told me that it's because hair gets used to the same thing, and just needs something else for a while because hair can get resilient to one product...?? i don't know if that is true, but it seems to be my case anyway!

so now my daily regimen looks kinda like this:

shampoo every other day, or every couple days (my hair doesn't get oily very fast)
condition hair
use Whipped Cream in hair and scrunch all while hair is still damp
put my hair in a braid or a bun until it dries (which takes forever since my hair is very very thick)
then i take it out and let my hair be free

but keep in mind i don't have a lot of time with a baby in the house... oh well!

so far i like the results with the whipped cream, but i do think maybe the souffle would work better for my 3a/3b hair. i just feel comfortable having the heavier creams in my hair for some reason.
i like using less products on my hair too, but i find that sometimes i just can't go without using conditioner, then spray in conditioner, then a styling cream on top of that, know what i mean???
LOL

[baybelle]

Originally Posted by salmongirl

hey girls,
i'm a 3a mostly, 3b sometimes if i put effort into styling my hair (i'm mixed Umatilla/Umpqua Indian from the Pac NW).
my hair was down past my booty for years, and about a month before my baby was born i had it all cut to mid-back length because pregnancy made my hair do some really weird things (it got really dry and poofy). i forgot how curly my hair used to be until i had it cut!!
i missed my curls, and i love them now that i have them again! whether my hair is super long, or mid-back length, it is very hard to manage.
i've been using the whipped cream for a month now, because i find that the heavier creams work better for my hair. but i'm thinking i wont need that heavy of a cream very often, so i'm going to go ahead and try the souffle or maybe the milkshake.
has anyone here tried any of the Curls Q products yet (for kids)?? I'm not really into floral scents, which is why i love the whipped cream (smells so yummy like frosting) so i thought maybe the kids Curls scents would be fun...
anyone tried any?

I've used the Curly Q coconut cream conditioner and milkshake and I have 3b/3c hair. I'm still learning so I have questions of my own, I believe that most of the Curly Q and Curls products have the same ingredients(at least thats what I saw on the site when reading the ingredients) I just ordered some CURLS for women so I"ll have to get back with you. I also use olive oil in my hair after a conditioning rinse to lock in the moisture as was suggested in the hair tips section of the website. Good Luck!

[soblessed]

Baybelle, I am glad that you mentioned about using some of the CurlyQ products in your hair. As, there is certainly nothing wrong with doing so.

I two am a fan of using natural oils in my hair two! A few drops of olive Oil is a good oil to add to the hair after washing it to lock in softness and increased shine. And, I must also say that coconut oil is another good oil that can be used in the hair as well.