via TheManeSource
When it comes to applying products to our natural hair most of us are heavy-handed. It seems that there’s an unspoken notion that you have to use a lot of product in order for it to “work” on natural hair. I’ve seen tutorial after tutorial of women globbing TONS of products on their hair. I have to admit that I, too, at one time was heavy-handed when came to product application. Grant it, with natural hair you are going to need a bit more product to ensure that each strand is coated. However, most of us are using way too much product. I don’t care how much product you apply, your hair strands can only absorb so much. So, that means the rest of that conditioner that you’ve applied will be washed down the drain without having a chance to do its work on your hair. Along with the conditioner, the money you’ve spent to purchase it will also be going down the drain.
Sometimes using too much product on our hair can be a detriment. Let’s take a moisturizer, for example. In your head, you think that you are making sure that your hair is properly moisturized so you add a ton of product to do so. In actuality applying too much of certain products can create a film that coats your hair. This film inhibits water and other vital nutrients from penetrating your hair’s cuticle layer. So, the good stuff your hair needs can’t get in and the bad stuff (dirt, debris, etc.) can’t get out.
I’ve found that the best way to apply product evenly and sufficiently is to apply it in sections. Start off with a small amount and add more as NECESSARY. Remember, the hair doesn’t have to be totally drenched in a product in order for it to work. 😉
Guilty as charged.
The girl who preaches less is more (’cause I promise it is), often goes through more than half a bottle of Aussie Moist to detangle on wash day.
I do, however, notice a substantial difference when I use less leave-in before styling… my hair is lighter, shinier and less stiff.
Are you heavy handed?
I am heavy-handed at times, particularly with my leave-in, moisturizers, and oils. Since I'm transitioning, I have to cover all bases. Using a small amount doesn't always do the trick.
I'm heavy handed but I'm trying to lighten up a bit. I had some pretty bad flakes last week and it was clearly due to too much gel.
Yes, horribly. But watching some YouTube vids have made me more aware of this, like Naptural85. Peace.
Yes maam. But my hair is like a sponge. If i don' t saturate my hair with moisturizer when its wet it looks like tumbleweed .
I am heavy handed because I have bought to much s**t. When I start to get back to the minimal products I had when relaxed. But for right now, I probably have at least 2 years of stylers in my cabinet. (If I go light on product application it is probably 4 years worth.) Nah man, that's to looong.
when it comes to conditioners i am very heavy handed, i dont think you can truly overdo it, cause i wash most of it out anyway. i am getting better at "doing more with less when it comes to styling products" by taking more time to work the product root to tip instead of just piling more one.
I started wearing twists and twistouts about 14 years ago (back before we had a name for them). I was had just delivered my first child and being a working mom I just needed an easy, chemical free way to maintain my APL (unstretched) 3C-4A natural hair. I just washed and conditioned with drugstore products, nothing special. I wore the twists for a week or so then untwisted for a couple of days and repeated. I was stopped frequently with questions of how did I get my hair like that. Fast forward several years to when all of the natural products and regimens started flooding the market. I was constantly on the lookout for the next new miracle product. The more I experimented, the less happy I was with my hair. I was convinced there was a product or product combo that would give me the curls of my dreams.
Recently I have come to a sort of peace with my hair. Keep it simple. Back in the day my hair was soft and shiny and healthy WITHOUT all of these potions and lotions for natural hair. No greasiness, no stiffness, no product buildup, no clarifying. So I am back to my sulfate free shampoo, simple inexpensive conditioner and coconut oil. My hair couldn't be happier. My pocketbook, too.
I used to be. I discovered that "less is more" is the best approach to styling my hair when I got my first blow-out with natural hair. My stylist didn't use a lot of product and my hair was so bouncy and light. I thought, hmm… let me try this the next time I do a braid-out. Needless to say, my hair loved it.
cutekinks.blogspot.com
I'm heavy handed with my products because I have to be otherwise my hair is not happy. It soaks up moisture and products like crazy, and with my hair being thick it really needs it. Have you ladies tried African Pride Hair Moisturizing Hair Lotion?, it smells delicious and has so many good oils in it.
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To Curlynikki wasn't sure if you were still looking for ideas on scarf ideas for the hair. But "Taren916" on YT put up a video last week on her channel that was cute. Video is titled: Hair Scarf Styling Tutorial ~ Natural Hair
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK39RyoACeA&feature=channel_video_title
Normally I'm not heavy-handed but with winter here I've had to become so since my hair has grown quite a lot and I refuse to wear protective styles. If you touch my 'fro right now you'll come away with a light film of olive oil on your hand BUT at least my hair is protected from the elements.
I've noticed that I've been very heave handed especially when it comes to my curly pudding because my hair is so thick and tightly coiled. Its become a nuisance though because it takes a lot longer for my hair to dry and when it does, I notice white dried speckles all over the place in my head so then I have to re-wet my hair a bit to remove of the "unsightly" product. Its a learning process and I'm on the path to success, lol, so i plan to save a little bit more time and money in my future by using less!
I'm very heavy handed to the point that I put sooo much product on my hair that my hair after it dries, it's molded together alot of the times. When it does this, I have to go and rinse my hair to get alot of the product out and then leave it alone after that….lol
I'm heavy handed because I have two different textures and the back needs more product than the front. I usually apply just as much all around, though. If I apply in sections I will most certainly use too much product because my strands are fine. I'll cut back on the conditioner, but not the oil!! My oil mix gives me some great popping curls.
100% guilt. I actually washed my hair yesterday at which point I realized I am very heavy with the Aussie moist. I try to he a little more conservative on the leave in because I too experience stiffness.
>>>>GUILTY<<<<
I ALWAYS feel I have to seal more…and more…
**Raises hand**
Yes, I'm guilty. As a matter of fact, my hair is extra oily right now. I'm so heavy-handed when it comes to sealing. I feel like I'm not putting enough shea butter on my strands.
Guilty as charged. I've got a lead hand when it comes to moisturizers….add to that being a PJ and it could make for an expensive affliction. 🙂 I am learning though that less is more. I recently discovered the wonders of Qhemet products (amla olive heavy cream) and am learning that less is so much more and goes such a long way.Love that stuff!!
Yeap! I am guilty of this too. When I apply my leave in condish in sections and less in the beginning I have better hair days. Softer, fuller and bouncier curls. Thanks for this reminder on the benefits of applying less product. I've already set a hair challenge for the month of December now.
Guilty as charged in addition I am a recovering product junky!
I am still wearing my wash n gos this winter. This is my first year natural so I dont know what to expect from winter hair.. but I digress. LOL Yes, I am always heavy handed with products so I bought a gallon for my fav condiitoner online for much cheaper than store. Problem solved!
I used to be, but now I've taken a minimalist approach since it's winter and I don't have that kind of time. I moisturize with Jamaican Black Castor Oil and Tea Tree Oil every day, I co-wash my hair every two weeks, I shampoo every month and when my hair is damp I seal my ends with regular castor oil. My summer regimen is more hectic simply because I actually wear my fro out then =P. Also homegirl loves color, so… that's a bag of damage I have to deal with at least twice a year.