Sissie:

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What product have you tried?

Yields:

eeyaah, sorry. It will grow back, I promise.

If you wash your braids and don't rinse thoroughly, overtime you will get a ball of buildup at the roots. If you leave those braids in for a long time, it would be difficult to comb out that buildup and when you do you will lose hair along with that clump/ball of buildup. Typically, 5 weeks isn't a long time. I've kept braids in longer and never had problems. I do redo some of my braids after a couple of weeks, especially if they're starting to slip at the roots/gotten loose at the roots because of the new growth. This is the other culprit for loss of hair during braid take-down: slippage. When you see your braids are starting to slip at the roots, either rodo them or take them out completely. If you leave them like that for a long time, the line where the attachment and your hair meets will harbour buildup: residue from shampoo & conditioners, braid sprays and just dirt, and it would be difficult combing out that part without losing hair. The last suggestion is to use a braid spray that make it easy to take out braids. You will find them at black beauty supply stores. They will soften that clump of buildup so it comes out easily and you lose less hair.

Yields:

eeyaah, sorry. It will grow back, I promise.

If you wash your braids and don't rinse thoroughly, overtime you will get a ball of buildup at the roots. If you leave those braids in for a long time, it would be difficult to comb out that buildup and when you do you will lose hair along with that clump/ball of buildup. Typically, 5 weeks isn't a long time. I've kept braids in longer and never had problems. I do redo some of my braids after a couple of weeks, especially if they're starting to slip at the roots/gotten loose at the roots because of the new growth. This is the other culprit for loss of hair during braid take-down: slippage. When you see you're braids are starting to slip at the roots, either rodo them or take them out completely. If you leave them like that for a long time, the line where the attachment and your hair meets will harbour buildup: residue from shampoo & conditioners, braid sprays and just dirt, and it would be difficult combing out that part without losing hair. The last suggestion is to use a braid spray that make it easy to takes out braids. You will find them at black beauty supply stores. They will soften that clump of buildup so it comes out easily and you lose less hair.

Thorerah:


You've kept braids for more than 5 weeks? Do you use a special type of attachment because I can't use a regular for more than a week. It'll look like something I've had on for months. The longest I've gone on braids is 3 weeks and that was because it was a 'kinky' attachment.

Thorerah:


You've kept braids for more than 5 weeks? Do you use a special type of attachment because I can't use a regular for more than a week. It'll look like something I've had on for months. The longest I've gone on braids is 3 weeks and that was because it was a 'kinky' attachment.

mayapop:
Yes Ma'am, I am perfectly doing good and school couldn't be any better, but we just have to keep going Lol!

mayapop:
Anyway I'm planning on going "TWA" soon , I'm super excited and nervous too, but yeah! i just can't wait , I have been transitioning for 6 months now and I'll be doing my big chop next month

Thorerah:


You've kept braids for more than 5 weeks? Do you use a special type of attachment because I can't use a regular for more than a week. It'll look like something I've had on for months. The longest I've gone on braids is 3 weeks and that was because it was a 'kinky' attachment.

Yields:





That's great, maya. You're going natural!! Hurray!! . Aw, don't be nervous. I'm sure you will rock your TWA.

Yields:

Yes, about two months, actually. Typically, I keep my braids in from a month 1/2 to two months. Sometimes if I'm really missing my hair and want the braids out, I keep them in for a month. I have also kept braids in (with regular attachment - xpressions hair) for about two months - last year and earlier this year). Most of the time, I do yarn braids, tho. They do hold pretty well b/c they don't slip like regular attachments. How do you take care of your hair when in braids? They shouldn't start to look old after a week.

shandamaya:
I admire some ladies here. Am finding it hard to keep braids for a month...I just get tired of it after 2 weeks of fixing.

Yields:

Yes, about two months, actually. Typically, I keep my braids in from a month 1/2 to two months. Sometimes if I'm really missing my hair and want the braids out, I keep them in for a month. I have also kept braids in (with regular attachment - xpressions hair) for about two months - last year and earlier this year). Most of the time, I do yarn braids, tho. They do hold pretty well b/c they don't slip like regular attachments. How do you take care of your hair when in braids? They shouldn't start to look old after a week.

Thorerah:

I don't DO anything. I've got very tight type 4 hair so after a few days of braids the spongy nature just appears.

mayapop:
i love your blog.

Yields:

How do you take care of your hair when in braids? They shouldn't start to look old after a week.

Thorerah:

I don't DO anything. I've got very tight type 4 hair so after a few days of braids the spongy nature just appears.

mayapop:
Lol! I know i'll , so i need your help with products, what do i need? . How long have you been natural?

Yields:


Products you will need (the basics):


A water- based moisturizer.
This means the first ingredient must be water.
Suggestion 1: African Pride Olive Miracle Moisturizer Lotion.

You're in H-Town, yeah? You will find it in BSS over there.
Suggestion 2: Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Moisturizer.

Oil
Since it's almost winter, you should use the LOC method (liquid, oil, cream) to moisturize your hair. In other words: water, oil, moisturize. Personally, I do L-C-O, meaning I do: liquid, cream and then seal in the moisture with oil and that works for me. You can use any oil you like. But if your hair is thick, use thick oils like avocado or castor oil.

Prepoo oil: This prevents the shampoo from over-drying out your hair. Before you wash your hair, coat it with grapeseed oil or coconut oil, then put a shower cap on for 30mins to 1hr.

Shampoo
Healthy hair grows from a clean scalp.
Suggestion 1: Anything by Creme of Nature. I love their shampoos because they're great for detangling.
Suggestion 2: Hello Hydration Moisturizing Shampoo. I once thought that cheap shampoos were wack, but I really like this shampoo and it smells good too. Expensive does not mean better.

-A clarifying shampoo will get rid of all the buildup on your scalp left from products used and give you a cleaner scalp to work with.
-Suggestion: VO5 Kiwi Lime Clarifying Shampoo

-Be sure to oil you scalp lightly after you shampoo with a light oil (e.g. olive oil).


Deep conditoner
Deep conditioners are super necessary for natural hair (relaxed hair too). They help restore moisture and/or protein into the hair, keeping your strands healthy & strong. There're moisturizing deep conditioners & protein deep conditioners.
Natural hair has the tendency of being dry, so we typically need more moisture than protein.

The LOC method, as mentioned above, is a great way to moisturize your hair, but doing that isn't enough. It is necessary but not sufficient by itself when it comes to moisturizing the hair thoroughly. Sometimes you need to start with cleansed hair and do a moisturizing DC to infuse your strands with moisture, then carry on with the LOC method and moisturize as you normally would.

Since you're just starting out on your natural hair journey, you should do a moisturizing DC for a couple of weeks, when you wash your hair. I don't know how often you wash your hair, but let's say you wash every week, at the end of the week. By wash, I mean "shampoo". After you've shampooed, do a moisturizing DC.
Suggestion: Elasta QP Dpr-11 deep penetrating conditioner.

Once those weeks have ended, you can introduce a protein DC. About 75% of out hair is made up of protein, but daily styling and improper care can make them weak. Protein DCers rebuild the hair structure and make them stronger.
Suggestion: Milk protein & Olive Oil Really Deep Conditioning Treatment

Note: It's important to maintain a proper moisture-protein balance in your hair in order to prevent breakage and for your hair to thrive. Why, you ask?

Too much or too little moisture in hair = Breakage
Too much or too little protein in hair = Breakage

A wide-tooth comb and a picking comb.

How often you want to be using both depends on how your hair responds to each.
Personally, I use a moisturizing deep conditioner once a month and a protein deep conditioner the rest of the time, typically every two weeks when I wash my hair. I've also used it twice a week and loved it. My hair responds well to protein and it's always much stronger after I use it, so it depends on your hair. Some people's hair breaks with protein deep conditioners. The problem can also be the particular deep conditioner. I used Organic Root Stimulator Hair mayonnaise back when I started my own journey and it always made my hair break, as in I would be combing my hair and seeing lots of strands. Now when I wash my hair I get no breakage. To maintain balance, some people mix their moisturizing and protein deep conditioner together and use that mix each time they wash. Others use them right after the other on their wash day: moisturizing DC first then protein DC, or p-DC then m-DC, rather than using them at separate times.

All of these might sound like a lot, but it's actually not, lol. Once you get the hang of things, it's very simple.

I've been natural for 7 years now, but I'm still learning too =p. I had my last relaxer in May 2007 and did my big chop in October 2007. Last month was my nappiversary . It took me a while to find the right products that work for me, so it does take trial and error, at times.


Hope that helps and feel free to ask further questions.

Lalaland1:
elucence balancing conditioner..cantu leave in..vo5 condish..africas best hair mayo..henna..emily millionaire products..im tired o.so pls help.its nt dat most of them arent working .but its expensive

Yields:

Last month was my nappiversary

mayapop:
Aww! Thanks so much yields , this is quite helpful and i so can't wait to do the big chop next month. i took my time out to check out some of these products you suggested for me, and they are quite affordable for me to get I'm glad, thank you!

About your hair Journey, 7 years? omg! you have come far, you must have passed the shoulder-length test! right?

Lalaland1:
nobody deemed it fit to help me..nt fair

alanic:
Alanic is one of the leading clothing wholesale distributor manufacturer that is operative in the present day market today.
http://www.alanic.com/contact
Phone Number: 1 855 525 2642

Yields:

Yw. I suggested those ones b/c I knew they would be affordable and easily accessible to you. You don't need to spend a whole lot of money. They're products I've used myself and had great results. My hair's bsl when straightened. My shrinkage is craaaazy. It should be longer than bsl but I've cut it 2x times over the years. I'm hoping to reach mbl by the end of next year, but we'll see.