What bandwagon have you fallen off of (or just never decided to join)?
For me it’s the CG method. My hair loves cones! In the last few weeks I’ve been using Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine conditioner and I love it! I didn’t even realize it was cone free until I was browsing some thread on naturallycurly.com. So then I kinda tricked myself into believing that I needed to go CG. Well…..fail! I realized that when it isn’t broke, don’t try to fix it!
I really love Tresemme conditioners but I had stopped using them because I “thought” the cones it contained were bad for my hair. Ironically when I look back at some of my old hair pics, my best hair days were when I used Tresemme- – my hair wasn’t suffering from dryness or frizz, etc.
Another thing for me is protective styling. I’m a perfectionist and super impatient and I just don’t have the time to do them and achieve the look I want. What does work for me is a quick bun or a wash and go. I know a lot of naturals don’t seem to wash and go and I’m probably in the minority, but it works for me! I still get tangles but nothing significant and I don’t get knots unless I sleep without covering up my hair at night.
Okay, so that’s all for me! I’m interested in hearing what others have to say about natural bandwagons and trends! 🙂
I fell off the CG bandwagon a while back. Probably when I realized how much my hair enjoyed DevaCare One. They’ve since changed their ingredients (and my hair doesn’t like it as much), but it opened my eyes up to new possibilities. Gone are the days I walk past a conditioner because it has a cone or two. In fact, I’ve been seeking out cones- – my hair seems to thrive with them. I’m even thinking of trying out Paul Mitchell’s Skinny Serum for refreshing day 2 and 3 hair, per Cheyenne’s recommendation.
I may be falling off of the no gel/curl cream bandwagon. As a new mom, I need a way to achieve solid day 4 and 5 hair without starting from scratch. I never had problems with gels, I just prefer a poofy, less defined look. So, I’m on the lookout for soft hold gels (devoid of protein) that will give me more control and longer lasting styles without the sticky or crunchy.
This is a wonderful site HOWEVER, I find that here too are many conflicting tips, advice, articles of how-to's so Nikki, please make sure to weed out the old natural hair care myths and keep the new and improved hair care tips. Also too many products try-this/try-that. How can one prevent from being a PJ under those conditions?
I've officially fallen off the CG wagon as from today (I've tried it for over a month now and I've never seen my hair look or feel so bad!) Can't wait to wash my hair with a shampoo again. Plus it will be a relief not to be constantly scanning ingredients in shops or asking 'is it CG friendly?' Do I feel guilty – no way!!
The main bandwagon I am on is the be your own best resource and your own healthy hair guru. Curly Nikki wrote an article a few months ago about it and Chicoro's book definitely helped me figure it out. I also get tips from other wonderful people, but I don't feel need to jump on bandwagons anymore for my healthy hair routine is coming together and it helped when I accepted it would be a process figuring out the best routine for my hair. Do what is best for you and your head.
Live. Love. Peace. ~Sweetsop
OMG! Paul Mitchell's Skinny Serum is a dream! I recently started using it [found it in my cousin's hair cabinet] for my bantu knots and it's amazing! I love it! And dearly recommend it!
Viviane.
I totaly agree I do what works for my hair and it has never looked better! We live and learn!I think the key is to really find out what works for you and do you!
I just big chopped a 2nd time on Aug. 14th 🙂 and am still figuring it out. I am a product junkie(fighting it) and try not to buy everything I see someone else use. I recently bought HE Hello Hydration and am disappointed… But I am ON the co-washing bandwagon and shampoo with a shampoo for color treated hair(less harsh). I don't like ordering off line either…good thing most natural hair products are available @ Target! 🙂
SN: I ♥ this site!
I'm not on the protective style tip. I don't dislike protective styles, per se, but they either don't look all that good me or they'll damage my hair. My hair is very fine and thin. Twists and braids don't look plump on me. They look spacey unless I put them in extremely small and it takes 3 or 4 hours to put small twists or braids in my hair. I live a fairly active life and I don't have the time or inclination to invest 4 hours on my hair. And I can't do buns because my edges are too sensitive to have my hair pulled back tightly. They are just growing back in after years of hair loss due to the perm and tight micros and glue in weaves, but they are still thinner than they should be. I'm not a fan of wigs, so I will continue to wear my hair out this winter as I've done all summer.
I'm not a big fan of ordering natural products online. I hate ordering products online and then having to wait two months for them to ship. And the shipping fees on many sites are exhorbitant. If I can't get a product on the ground, I just do without.
October will mark the longest period in my entire natural life that I've intentionally kept my hair TWA-short (7 months). So I can say that for right now, I'm definitely off the growing-longer-hair bandwagon. I really like my hair short and it's the only way I can wear WNGs without too much tangling and knots. I always knew I could produce coils at this length, but I'm no longer sure if I can call myself a 4a/4b since I've always thought of myself as a 4b/4a.
Prior to my recent BC I was very much low-cone, but now I'm using cones on a regular basis, which means I'm back to using real shampoo on a regular basis (once a week). Giovanni Deeper Moisture shampoo may not have any of the so-called "bad" ingredients, but it really strips my hair, which is what I want.
I tried avoiding cones, petroleum and mineral oil and no-poo. I fell all the of those wagons, my hair was pissed and dry and just not happy. I went back to Blue Magic Coconut Oil hair grease and chile lemmie tell ya!! I've retained and increased length, my hair feels good it holds moisture. It's like when my mom used to do my hair and it was long and thick. I shampoo as needed with diluted Dr Bronner's Peppermint. Depending on the style I'll use a shea/coco/castor oil mix or for protective styling I use the blue magic. Bandwagons be damned!! I'm doing what my Mommy used to do….back when I had waist length hair 🙂
The only way you will know what works for your hair, is if you try different methods, products, and regimens so don't feel bad if you fall off a particular bandwagon.
I've never been on a wagon I had to fall off of, lol. I've been doing the same things to my hair that my mom did when I was little; with her being Caribbean/West Indian all of these "new" things are old hat…like using castor oil, coconut oil, and leaving in a conditioner.
The only product that I've used consistently since being natural (the first time, and now again) is Oyin, I've been using this since 2003. I may switch if I see something interesting in the store but otherwise it's Oyin.
I remember watching my mother tend to her hair and wondering why she was putting mud in her hair…turned out it was henna, lol.
I think we all go through a trial of trying to figure out what's up with our hair an sometimes may feel guilty or a niggling of "should I be doing this?" but we all need to realize that some of these "bad" ingredients/things really aren't that bad….take it from a natural who still brushes her hair regularly, lol.
I fell off the "wash and go" bandwagon. I have tried at several different lenghts, with different techniques and it's NOT for me. Twistouts, it is!!
I fell of the co-wash bandwagon long ago. I tried the gel thing and that wasn't for me either.
With that said, I am happliy on the protective styling and the 'as natural as possible' bandwagons because they fit my lifestyle. To each is own.
oh wow you posted my topic Nikki!LOL OK I'm done geeking out. Anyway I am glad I'm not alone in the falling off the wagon thing lol. I just bought some more Tresemme condish the other day. I am currently sporting a day 4 TnC and it came out really nice and I got lots of compliments too! But I'm just lazy and it stiill didn't come out the way I'd hope! I'm gonna wear it one more day and then it's a bun again and back to my WnGs!
Just use what works best for your hair. Bad is not always bad. Chicoro uses Vaseline…can't get any worse than that lol. My hair LOVES cones and proteins. I tried the CG method and it didn't work at all, except for the no poo thing(Chagrin is the bomb!!), from now on I will find what works for my hair instead of going on all these bandwagons and destroying my hair. Do your research by finding what works best for your hair instead of listening to everyone else.
The "products for Natural Hair" thing never worked for me. Not only are they way too expensive, I find that I can create similar products by buying the key ingredients and tailoring them to my hair. 🙂
http://collegecurlies.blogspot.com/
Co-washing. My hair would feel moisturized but also it would get to the point that it would create build up. I am happy to go back to using shampoo once a week.
I also use Tressemme and it works well for me! Shampoo and conditioner. I don't make any "homeade" oils and conditioners. I used to read all the different products and spent a lot of money on "natural" products, but the ones that work best for me are only $3.97. The natural products made my hair hard and flaky.
These comments are making me chuckle. I just BCd a month ago and I was shocked to see how much some of the styling products for natural hair cost..Thats when I knew I wouldnt be getting on a lot of these bandwagons. Im a scientist so I need a lot of justification for something before I jump on board.
No poo: sounds gross..washing ones scalp with conditioner? I work out several times a week and live in NC. its HOT and HUMID here! Seems like it would make your scalp itch and leave a buildup
Why can't u just follow up shampoo with a good condish and keep it movin
No cones: why not? My thick 4a?(pen spring shape) coils love it..Ive been putting a dab of Super Skinny on them every morning..and Walmart salons run great sales periodically on this product
Protective styles: does this apply to hair thats not brushing on the shoulders? and if you hair is pulled up in a puff, is that good enough
if you hair is healthy and u sleep with a satin bonnet or pillowcase..wont that suffice?
After much research, the only bandwagon i'll be getting on is the Henna one thanks to CN..If anyone knows where I can buy the Jamila Henna in the Raleigh, Durham NC area, please let me know..
My hair would not let me get on the only use natural products on my hair bandwagon. I just could not argue with good results and what my hair said it likes. My hair likes any ole thick hair conditioner under the heating cap, followed by two strand twists with olive oil and water. Recently , I have been sitting under the heating cap and my hair has been growing like weeds. It's curlier and seems healthier. I don't understand the science behind it, but I like it! Even the two balding cow licks are now growing…
I fell off the "never color your hair" bandwagon. And the only "natural ingredients" bandwagon.
I've fallen off the big hair wagon..my hair has been tucked in (save for a pomp in the front) for over a month and I seem to have run n jumped on the protective style bandwagon. It's easy for me and beneficial..I NEVER thought I'd enjoy protective styles..I didn't enjoy others that I did as much because I liked to play in my hair. I'm slowly getting away from that because it's pretty much off limits lol 🙂
I never understood the cone/no-cone etc thing…hair is dead so what is all the fuss? Either way, I am too lazy to do the wash-n-go, so was never on that bandwagon. Shampoo's and conditioners, have always used Herbal Essence for years, just now added Aussie Shampoo, seems to be on sale right long with Herbal Essence. I've very much been flat twist, single twist, twist out person…been doing that for the past oh, 6 years and until reading natural hair blogs, didn't know it was classified as "protective styling".
I've gotten on the Kimmaytube leave-in-conditioner recipe and seems to work very well; but when I traveled for a month in Aug, I didn't use it, but when I started again Sept, I seem to be breaking out; is it due to recipe? anyone have that experience?
Here are the things I figured out that I had to Just Say No to:
The No-Poo/Co-Wash method:
I want shampoo on my shelf, I need shampoo on my shelf. It just has to be the right shampoo(it is Aubrey Organics for me.)
Detangler:
When I follow "the rules"(pre-poo with Burt's Bees Avocado Treatment or DC using Aubrey Organics on dry hair and wash in sections) nobody gets hurt! LOL. Very few tangles/ssks.
Using Rinse-Out Conditioner as a Deep Conditioner:
Doesn't matter how long I leave it on or how much heat/steam I apply. I don't get the desired outcome.
Using a Leave-In Conditioner on wash day:
I just don't need it when I seal properly after washing and conditioning my hair. I am using up the two I have (Aussie Hair Insurance and Jane Carter Solution)I reserve the right to revisit this after I try the kimmaytube recipe.
Using Rinse-Out Conditioner as a Leave-in:
makes my scalp itch and does nothing to enhance my hair.
I shampoo my hair every week WITH a SULFATE shampoo. It doesnt strip or make my hair dry. Now most of the sulfate free shampoos I've used (except Karen's Body Beautiful) have stripped my hair so bad. As soon as I put it on my hair, it felt like straw.
I am ON the protective styling bandwagon…I have been since my BC (13 months ago). It works for me. If I leave my hair out for more than 2 days, it will be SO dry.
I will use only products that are cruelty-free (personal issue and one I hold to with all my personal care products), and most are natural; my hair hates 'cones. I'm not on the shea butter (or any other butter) bandwagon – it coats my hair and causes dryness. I don't plan on jumping on the protective styling bandwagon. I'm a WNG girl and don't plan on doing too much in the way of protective styling 'cause it ruins my curls and isn't necessary FOR MY HAIR. So, I'm not on the twist-out, braid-out, etc bandwagon either.
Curly Nikki has set up an arena for us to be able to ping-pong ideas off of each other an use this site an exchange of information. I was or my hair was blessed for me to find this site. I read and take what I need away from it. I don't do the wash n' go, because my hair would be mad at me for the detangling session that would have to take place later that day. I've learned that co-washing is the best thing that I've introduced into my own hair care routine and that I don't need to shampoo as often. I shampoo maybe 2x's a month or should I say, one really good deep cleansing and then a mild shampoo with a majority of my own conditioner blend. I try to incorporate the advise people with hair that is more similar to mine. I've always been a product junky, but with my own experimenting with the no-cones, some cones and etc… I'm not buying any new conditoners or shampoos until I use all of my stock. And as far as gel goes, I've traded in the creamy crack for the Eco-crack. I have a love hate relationship with gel,but have finally found my mate in the Olive oil combination. My hair loves glycerine, water, olive oil, and my 4-blend conditioner mixture. I almost wore a puff to work today. Going to co-wash on Friday night or Sunday. Thinking about wearing a few hairstyles in the next 3 days. Wild in free will be for me…. oh yeah, going to Ross to find another satin pillowcase on clearance, because that satin cap feels like its squeezing my head at 3:00 a.m.
i'm *so over* so much – CG, no-poo, protective styling (well, i cut my hair short again this summer so that was the end of that); expensive styling products, leave ins and whatnot. all that money i spent on "all natural" products i now spend on really good, high quality produce and other delectibles and (even better) really good red wine!
I've never decided to join the bandwagon of ordering products on-line like Carol's Daughter, Curlz, Kinky Curly, Miss Jessies, etc. Boy, there are a lot of companies out in the deep sea of the 'Net. My reasons for not trying them are because I have a bunch of stuff already (but product junkie-ism is strong, but I'm putting up a good fight LOL), no samples or too small size of samples (Not enough product for me to have at least a couple uses; I got a sample in the mail and it was 0.33 oz which is two teaspoons… What am I going to do with that?! SMH), and my number one reason is I don't like paying shipping and handling! I like it when I can touch, smell, and see what I'm getting from the products available to me in a store. Also that money for S&H can go to other products. Now, I'm not saying I won't order on-line, but it rarely happens.
I agree with natural bohemian above. I like to wash my hair a little more often. I do co-wash as much as possible. But when I get the itchies, or I feel my hair needs to be shampoo'ed I do it. Also, I used to hang on every word of natural hair bloggers, but more often than not…..you get a lot of conflicting information, don't do this, do that, and frankly I am just sick of it. I listen to MY hair, and follow what's best for me. My hair loves cones to, and I stopped with that cone-free mumbo-jumbo months ago. I use Tresemme, and a couple other conditioners that have cones, and my hair has no problem with that. To each her own! 🙂
All natural products hype, co-wash only. They're too expensive, when you can make your own! I'm a drugstore junkie- I buy on the cheap. My hair likes Cantu shea butter conditioner! I've read bad things about it but 'Ingrid' loves it. I got that from a family member who hated it- SAVED me $5. Just because it's all natural doesn't mean you're hair will like it. I still co-wash, but I have to give my hair a thorough poo at least twice a month!
Only natural products, no poo and the no mineral oil/cone talk. Natural expensive products:I can't see myself spending $30 for conditioner especially when ORS/creme of nature w. argan oil works fantastic for me. No poo – it itches and stinks quickly when I exercise. Mineral oil/cone – some products(not all) work just fine for me if not better then most expensive no sulfates/cone products.
I tried the no-poo method for a month and my scalp was itching so bad that i ran back to washing my hair with shampoo reaaaal quick.
I have also fallen off the all natural ingredient conditionner bandwagon…i use a John Frieda conditionner for colored and that thing is the BUSINESS.
I'll stick the protective styles because my hair gets really dry when left out (4c) and i've been natural for a year. Maybe once i hit my 2-year mark and have more lentgh i'll start bunning.
I can't wait :)))
At the end of the day I think folks want something which works for thier hair. And we musn't loose sight that some folks sincerely care about your hair growth and condition and others need you to buy their products. So I just follow my heart and I do believe some companies have good products with cones and some have good products without. It's unfortunate our hair is variable in texture that we can't come up with better solutions. I for one have about 4 different textures in my hair so one solution will not work for me.
I have somewhat fallen off the Carol's Daughter bandwagon. There are still some items I might try but I tried the hair elixir and another oil product that she has and they not a thing for my hair. However, after doing some research I've learned that oils don't really moisturize your hair anyway…surprise surprise!
I may try Carol's Daughter Hair Milk but I'm kinda over the Carol's Daughter product craze.
I fell off the "I only use all natural ingredients for my hair" bandwagon and the "curly girl method"!
I love V05 conditioners for co-washes and Shea Moisture Shea Butter shampoo for bi-weekkly cleanses!!
I was never interested in the CG method. I use product on my hair, so I need shampoo to remove it. The only thing I use regularly is Kinky Curly Custard due to how short my hair is, but I modified the amount I use to get more usage out of the product. I see the latest craze is the heutiful hair steamer. I will stick with my trusted hood dryer ($20). I can’t justify the cost ($115), or identify the greater benefit of using it.
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This was great.
When I first went natural 6 months ago I knew nothing about taking care of my natural hair, I just wanted to do exactly what was "right".
I read books and articles that talked about the "bad" ingredients. Petroleum, Mineral Oil, Alcohols, Sulfates, Cones, Glycols etc….
I had no clue how my hair would respond to the "bad" ingredients, I just knew they were "bad" and they shouldn't be used.
The first product I bought that was "off the bandwagon" was Herbal Essences None of your Frizziness, it has alcohols and cones. I loved the way it smelled in the store and the name FRIZZINESS attracted my eyes bc thats all my hair loves to do. I figured if everyone loves Hello Hydrations by Herbal Essences, then maybe I will love this one.
I really like this product, but because of the cones and alcohols, I dont use it as often as the Giovanni Deeper Moisture Products, which has none of the "bad" ingredients.
I recently bought YES to Carrots shampoo and Conditiioner and was nervous to pick it up because of the sulfate and cones. After about 2 weeks of contemplating and speaking to a few of my natural hair friends, I decided to buy it. And like the None of Your Frizziness, I loved it.
So to sum this all up, I've been breaking lose from the rigidity that I've incorporated in my staple products in order to figure out how my hair will respond to ingredients. If something changes after using a product, I can just discontinue usage.
www.KinkyCurlyCoilyMe.com
i fell off the CG wagon. cones did wonders for my hair this summer, but it's just now starting to suffer, so i think i may jump back on it for the colder months.
also, the protective styling wagon. it just seems like more trouble than it's worth. i'd rather just wash and go rather than take the extra unneeded steps of more combing and parting and braiding… keep it simple.
It's interesting to see people using skinny for natural hair styles. I only use it when I blow dry and straighten. I've had it for over a year and have barely put a dent in it. I should try using it as a refresher (especially since it costs an arm and a leg! O_O )
I actually fell OFF the wash and go bandwagon and ON to the protective style bandwagon. I used to co-wash daily and probably still would if my schedule was the same. Unfortunately I need something that will last me a few days and I'm sure it is probably better for my hair in the long run.
I shampoo! My hair just does not like the cowash method. I have to clean my scalp or it itches like crazy. I also refuse to by products that cost more than $10 per item. I've used KinkyCurly…it was ok but not worth the 18 bucks or the trip to Wholefoods (a place I do not believe in). I like being a drugstore (or Sally's) natural. Also, I'm not afraid of a little heat.
It's easy to get overwhelmed with so many natural hair bandwagons, but it's really about finding what works for your hair and your preferences.
I use the skinny serum on occasion and I've had pretty good results. :]
I've never bothered to find out my hair porosity, or whether or not my hair hates proteins or glycerin.
Personally, I've found that an information overload can lead me to swear off products that I might like, so as long as the ingredients are natural I'll try it – porosity, proteins, glycerin be damned, lol!
Never got on the pre-poo bandwagon either.
I've fallen off the protective styling bandwagon numerous times, lol! My hair just can't hold a style for more than 2 days. Most likely this is the fault of the stylist(me!).
I agree with you all… I was running to the store and buying everything that I read about online only to find myself going back to what my hair likes best and yes I use Tresemme too! Also I kept reading about water, water and more water only to find that co washing and moisturizing every other day was not at all good for MY hair, it has started to break and has become lifeless =(… I made a promise to my hair that we are sticking to what we know… I love all the great advice though…
Oh that Protective Style bandwagon? I hit the ground HARD when I fall off that one. I always keep getting up and on the wagon but my max is about 4 days, LOL. I agree with MicaiahTy, my hair needs to be wild and free!
I use to run and buy the very first thing that everyone was talking about. I ran to the kimmaytube leave in conditioner. I tried it for like a month, I liked my curl definition. But man, Kinky Curly not today was kicking my finances in the pants, I was going through it like water. So.. I tried using other conditioners.. got the same results. So like Latoya above, I am listening to my hair and not following everyone else.
Oh, and I tried protective styles.. that lasted 48 hours. LOL I need my hair to be wild and free. LOL
Have you tried Kinky Curly?
*what
I think people need to focus on work for their particular head. At first, I was caught up in it and then I realized that I don't need to answer to the natural hair police. Do what works for your hair as long as you are not causing alopecia you will be fine. Hair is dead anyway.