Hola Chicas!
I’m editing the below post to add pics from today– 4th day hair! I would’ve taken pics yesterday but hubby had the camera in Durham.
Although it’s a bit shrinkier and a tad bit frizzier, it’s still totally workable. I again slept (and worked out) with my hair pineappled, and to help it return to a ‘downward’ position, I showered, brushed my teeth, and dressed with it pulled into a low loose pony with my trusty satin scrunchy.
Overall, I’m pleased with the results and can’t wait to try it again! I had plans to do it tonight, but the ‘itis has set in– gotta love those Ihop pancakes.
Later Gators,
Nik
Hola Chicas!
It’s hump day… and I’m friggin’ drained. I’m hungry, achy, puffy, tired and hungry, hungry, HUNGRY! I did my hair on Sunday night (I think)- – the usual Twist-n-Curl, but I styled with the cone-laden Hydralicious Reconditioning Conditioner from Herbal Essence and a touch of Aveda’s Defining Whip. These pics are from Monday, and my hair today looks just as defined and frizz free, despite 89% humidity and a dew point above 70. Usually by day 3 and 4 of the YTC + Aveda combo, I have to pony, bun, or banana clip it to look presentable. Also, my hair feels very soft and moisturized.
I’ve been pineappling (sleeping with my hair in a high, loose pony on a satin pillow case) to preserve the curls, and it’s working like a charm! Definitely give this bedtime routine a whirl if you haven’t- – it keeps the curls stretched, defined, and un-smooshed.
I tried the Hydralicious a while back, but can’t remember if I used it as a detangler, or as a leave-in. I’m too lazy to search my own archives, lol. Anyway, I’ll try it again tomorrow night and report back.
Later Gators!
Nik
Your hair is GORGEOUS! I was wondering if you could suggest a moisturizer to use in extremely kinky hair. I'm trying to find something good for me & my daughters. This site is amazing. Thanks for sharing your experiences. 🙂
The 4th day hair is FABULOUS!!! It's a lot fuller than the 1st day, the big hair complements you!!
I can't be positive, but stretched your hair is well past BSL, right? It looks gorgeous! I wish you would write a post about embracing shrinkage and stuff, cause a lot of us are struggling with the notion of "growing our hair out", not realizing that it isn't going to make a whole heck of a difference in the way our styled hair looks for the most part…
For co-washing, Hydralicious was somewhere in the middle between Hello Hydration (love!) and Totally Twisted (no love!). However, after reading the first comment I decided to try TT as a leave-in today along with some coconut oil after co-washing with HH. Yay! My 4b hair is really soft and it smells good. I was afraid I'd have to throw this bottle out!
@TraciT…Thanks for your response. Any comments are welcomed! I will try your suggestions, even twisting out! LOL! And I have notice if I use too much water; it takes forever to dry and my hair shrinks more. I will be looking for that dryer today!
-Angela
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Wow CN. Your results are amazing! You've got me hooked on the HE line. Don't suppose you know if Hydralicious is known as something else abroad? I'm based in the UK and can't find Hydralicious anywhere ;-(. Btw the look fab, pregnancy really suits you!!
quick question ladies – although my TnC holds the curls after day one, it seems to lose the moisture and therefore looks dry. Any tips (bar moisturing and re-twisting nightly?). Many thanks in advance 🙂
This looks great. But remember to post what the hair looks like right after Cone-e-licious builds up and you have to use a clarifying shampoo to get it out of your hair. The piper will want to get paid. LOL
But again, everybody's hair doesn't hate monster cones and clarifying/sulfate shampoo. You're probably one of them.
Hey Nikki- so do you like your hair better with YTCu or the hydralicious?
I am new to this site, some other "curlies" mentioned it and it has been absolutely wonderful. Products I haven't tried or even heard of. Still trying to find that perfect product for my hair..currently like Miss Jessies buttercreme but just purchased some coconut oil and shea butter and try that mixture.
Great site
Sherrie 2 years natural in August.
@Angela
Hi! I know you asked Nikki the question, but I thought that maybe I could help as well, lol. I can understand where you are probably frustrated, my hair is relatively long, but it shrinks up sooo much in its natural state! (I guess I'm about a 4a/3c mix to give you an idea) I also use Miss Jessies products very often and I'm able to show a bit more length with their products and styling techniques. Not sure how you feel about light heat styling, but if you want to show some length I suggest using a blowdryer on a low heat setting with a nozzle attachment (the mouth looks like a minus sign) and lightly pulling down on your hair to "stretch" it out. Best to do this when your hair is dry. I believe there are videos of this action on the Miss Jessies website and/or YouTube. Also, I've found that using product on damp hair (as opposed to soaking wet hair) helps to weigh the hair down and achieve a little more length (plus your hair dries a bit faster!). And I know you rather not, but twist-outs do work wonders for showing length and you can also do the "stretching" technique when you untwist them for an extra boost. The styles/techniques work just as well with any of your other favorite stylers or gels, not just Miss Jessies in case you were wondering (because we BOTH know that they are an expensive habit! lol) Sorry this response is so long, haha…I hope I've been of some help to you! (^_^)
Oh! Sorry, I didn't include my name in the above post about my 4a hair and not wanting to twist out. Thanks for any any suggestions Nikki!
Angela
Nikki, I have type 4a hair and I'm 8 months natural after the Big Chop. I'm currently using Ms. Jessies curly pudding and Buttercream. Of course, I have alot of shrinkage after it dries. What can I do to show my length? Should I change products or twist out? I love my curly hair and dont want to twist out…HELP!
@ Shelli, I wish I could say I did profit from it… maybe in the future :-/
Thanks ladies!
Monika, the pineapple works pretty well for me. I'll do a more extensive post on this next week (with pics). Basically it keeps my hair stretched out… when I sleep with it out, it does okay, but this works better for me. The only problem is that my hair isn't 'silky' or 'heavy' so once it's been up in the pineapple all night, I have to coax it back down, lol.
Shelli, LOL! I'm so sorry! I promise I don't do it on purpose. My PJ goes crazy and I guess it's contagious 🙂 I'm glad to hear the tips are helpful…i'd love to see pics of your hair! shoot me an email.
Sorry about that duplicate post! Oh, and I forgot to mention, ordered shea butter from Afrikan Republic yesterday and asked a few ladies at work if they were interested in ordering anything so I could get the free shipping for orders over $75. I ended up ordering $150 worth of products and all I got was the shea butter;-). I hope you see some profit sharing from all the business you garner for these companies!! =)
Shelli
You're KILLING me Nikki! You're killing me!! I just bought two bottles of HE Totally Twisted, then Hello Hydration for hennas that I started because of you (love them! Though, think henna deep tx w/conditioner works better for me) about two/three weeks ago. Then, I bought Yes to Carrots and realized you were extolling the virtues of Yes to Cucumbers for your TnC, so I picked that up last week(maybe I can return Carrots to Harmons?). Now, here you go with HE Hydralicious!!!! I'll be in Harmon's getting this now!! I read the reviews at the link you included and the PJ in me has got me itching and scratching for my next hit!!!! LOL!!! But first, to Patel Brothers for some Amla to preserve some curl with these henna treatments! My hair has loosened over the years and it is very similar to your pattern, but it doesn't curl and poof as much!! I like volume too!!
Well, thanks for your wonderful site!! I've been natural for almost 10 years and have had pretty decent hair. But, I have learned so much here and will continue to "stalk" your site=).
Many blessings for you and your family.
Shelli
You're KILLING me Nikki! You're killing me!! I just bought two bottles of HE Totally Twisted, then Hello Hydration for hennas that I started because of you (love them! Though, think henna deep tx w/conditioner works better for me) about two/three weeks ago. Then, I bought Yes to Carrots and realized you were extolling the virtues of Yes to Cucumbers for your TnC, so I picked that up last week(maybe I can return Carrots to Harmons?). Now, here you go with HE Hydralicious!!!! I'll be in Harmon's getting this now!! I read the reviews at the link you included and the PJ in me has got me itching and scratching for my next hit!!!! LOL!!! But first, to Patel Brothers for some Amla to preserve some curl with these henna treatments! My hair has loosened over the years and it is very similar to your pattern, but it doesn't curl and poof as much!! I like volume too!!
Well, thanks for your wonderful site!! I've been natural for almost 10 years and have had pretty decent hair. But, I have learned so much here and will continue to "stalk" your site=).
Many blessings for you and your family.
Shelli
Looks great as always! Ahem…it may sound silly but I tried the pineappling before and always ended w/stretched, limp curls. No bounce. Not cute. Is there a secret how to avoid this? It was a loose pineapple, so to say and my hair was nice before….
Hydralicious works great as a leave-in for me, but not so much as co-wash.
Awesome results!
Just beautiful! I can relate Nikki my hands and feet are swolen too! We are about 22 weeks along and I'm exhausted. The first go ergy round you have more energy that's for sure. I did a twist and curl yesterday I will be taking it down and see what it looks like. Have a good day.
Thank you ladies for all the sweet comments. I feel more puffy than I feel beautiful. My ankles are totally M.I.A., lol. And yes Kitty, a spa day is definitely in order. Y'all know I gotta get my feet done before I have them propped up on that delivery table pushing baby out 🙂
@anon 6:57 pm. i have been natural a little less time than you but i also have 4a and 4b hair. in march i had my second big chop and today my hair has shown a lot of growth. first off you have to remember that 4b hair experiences the most shrinkage and this the reason why youre not seeing your length. but you hair is def still growing. you may have to just use stretching techniques to see your length. i still have a twa but when i stretch it with braids, my length is a lot more apparent. people at work keep tellin my hair is growing!(like i didnt know, lol) so try stretching or give your hair a break and try kinky twists/yarn braids etc. also ive noticed that certain cond i use to cowash define my curls more and some make my hair looser and fluffier, appearing longer. so you could also switch up the cond you cowash with. hth!!
Your hair looks awesome. You and the other ladies on this site is really helping me to stay motivated to continue to wear my hair natural. Thank you for your twist up tutorials. I tried the corn row twist up on my head today and it worked out fabulous. I'm taking a little from each and everyone's hair care advice and I think I am finally starting to get the hang of this. I will try the Herbal Essence product line soon I hope. I am really trying to find products in my house that do not have sulfates, mineral or petroleum oil ingredients in it. I used V05 conditioner today and BB castor oil and a little of Olive Oil chelestorol and my hair feels so soft and more managable. Thanks a lot.
GORGEOUS!
Nik….hair looks marvelous! But let me make sure I understand this. I should stay away from "cones" normally..but when it is humid outside, I should use "cones" so that my hair won't frizz? Just remember to clarify..correct?
Nikki your hair is soooooooooo beautiful, that's all I can say 🙂
Your hair looks gor-ge-ous! I am jealous, my hair is a major frizz ball as of late. Perhaps I will need to reconsider some cones. As long as I do a clarify wash later, it should be OK.
You look beautiful and very ready for baby.
Peace, Love and Chocolate
Tiffany
Wow! Your hair looks so beautiful! I haven't tried it but it may be worth a look. Thanks. ~KF519
I have been using hello hydration by Herbal Essence and it feels good when wet but once it dries it compltely different and nothing really makes it feel hydrated just oily. what do u mean set my hair? with rollers or rods? Thank you for responding I appreciate the help.
Why don't you try setting your hair? What conditioners are you using?
Hi Nikki and ladies.. I need help! my hair is at the inbetween state and I am really frustated. It always look dry, cant find any product to work well on twist out and it appears that it has stopped growing. The only time i really see length is with a blow out and I don't want to damage my hair. I have 4b type hair. im wearing quick weave but would rather wear my own hair in the beautiful styles that i see on this site. I don't want to relax because i am determined to grow my hair out natural and big but am loosing hope of ever accomplishing that goal. I have been natural for 9 months. Please give any advice/suggestion.
Nikki your hair looks amazing..
Nikki you look gorgeous..your hair is fab as always…you at your baby bump :)))
This looks great.
i'm sticking with twist-outs this summer. my braidouts have just ended up being a poofy mess due to the humidity. i will revisit in October(yes it stays heated down here(Houston) until october)
Ur hair looks bomb!
My friend pineapples her hair and I hadn't read about many other people doing it. She loves it.
I haven't tried it but I will be trying it this wkend!! YTCarrot is amazing and I blame you for that purchase as well lol blaming someone for my purchases mks me feel better hahaha
your hair looks amazing per usual 🙂
Your hair looks GORGEOUS…so shiny and defined. And Day 2 wow! I tried the totally twisted and it was so-so, the hello hydration made my head itch for days so I had to toss it. But gosh your results make the PJ in me wanna head out get this one. Hmm right as I finally found out where to get YTC. Dilemmas, which to buy???!!
I haven't used it. However I just wanted to say lol it sounds like you need a pampering day; body massage, pedicure, maybe ur favorite meal prepared or something. You look fabulous tho, take care
I've never tried it but your hair looks so good you make me want to try it. Hmmmmm??? Should I make a quick run to the store after work?
You got my inner PJ sprouting
I haven't used hydralicious but I did try their Totally twisted conditioner and it gave me really awesome definition and slip so I detangled with it in the shower and left it in. I still had curls after a week and I'm 4b. i tried it on my little sister whose about a 3c and it worked for her too.