PLEASE....Help me with my african hair!!!?

Question

I am currently sick of wearing braids and i want to wear my own God given hair but the problem is I haven't got the best hair in the world. I see some black hair that flows with the wind and go back down after the wind has stopped blowing, unlike mine that just stays up there, it never falls back down. When i get it done at the salon it looks good but after a wk or so it looks like i haven't relaxed it in awhile. After i finish washing my hair, it feels dry and heavy. I use motions conditioner and am guessing it's not good for me. I have been researching products but i am confused with the massive products out there and i don't know which to use. I am begging for help, i also wanna grow out my hair this year. All am asking for are tips on how to maintain my hair, keep it flowing and smooth, and what products i should use. I will really appreciate very thoughful answers. THANKS!!!

am not going natural by the way, am still relaxing my hair.

Answer 1

Here, first I want to show you a link of my hair. It was past bra strap length, I cut it Jan 07, and it's already grown back to my bra strap. But I am very WARY of taking advice about hair when I can't see the hair of the person so:

http://fiu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017039&l=d8e8e&id=18700346

Here you go, that's all mine.

Now:

You should roller set your hair every week. Roller setting your hair distributes low heat over a long time when underneath a dryer. I cannot stress the importance of roller setting to have and keep healthy hair.

Shampoo with a protein shampoo (I use Redken Extreme shampoo) because relaxing robs hair of protein.

Then deep condition (I order Mizani's Hydrafuse online bc they don't sell it to the public, just to the salons AND I mix it with KeraCare Humecto) for about 5-15 minutes UNDER THE DRYER. This is very important, the heat opens up your cuticles. Wash it out with cool water to close it. Relaxing dries out your hair.

Your hair needs a healthy balance of protein and moisture.

After that use a leave-in conditioner. I use KeraCare Leave-In, it is very concentrated so you don't have to use much and it is very, very good at protecting your hair against heat and other damaging factors including sun, wind, etc. I also use Nexxus' leave in conditioner called Luxxtress. It replenishes moisture AND has a bit of protein in it.

I use Design Essentials setting lotion, it is incredible for roller sets for me. So I have two leave in conditioners and a setting lotion in my freshly moisturized (deep conditioner, leave in conditioner) and strengthened (with the protein shampoo and part Luxxtress) hair. My hair is protected and happy.

You don't have to use only ONE brand's products. As you can see, I have mixed it up till I found the perfect matches for my hair.

When I take it out my curls are shiny and bouncy and full. I go to the salon bc I can't roller set my own hair but I can roller set other people's lol. You wouldn't believe the looks my hair gets. People always ask me if it's my own and I proudly say yes. After you take out your roller set, wrap your hair. When you take it down it will be straight with a slight curl underneath and it will flow and you can do the wind thing you wanna do ;)

Wrap your hair at night with a silk scarf, it's so important to keeping your hair moisturized. Use a silk/satin pillowcase just in case your wrap falls out.

I know that money doesn't grow on trees but I promise if you invest your money on high-quality hair products, your hair will thank you.

You might also need a trim or cut because may have split ends. ONLY trim if you have split ends, other than that you have no reason to trim your hair every time you go get a relaxer or roller set your hair.

Also, you can start trying taking supplements. I used to use GNC's Ultranourishair, Biotin, and MSM. All these things are good for your hair. HOWEVER, if after 3 months you don't see improvement (and I mean look at your roots) then stop taking them. Some people don't metabolize synthetic vitamins as well as others, that's why you see some people swear by them and some don't. They help maximize your own hair growth POTENTIAL along with a good diet. They worked for me but I became too lazy.

I think this covers it all but you can always ask for more, I love to help people with relaxed hair! A lot of people hate on us and say we should go natural but there is such thing as healthy relaxed hair that you can grow long and thick as I have!

Answer 2

I definitely have the answers to all your trouble..sit back this will be long. I discovered this about 3 months ago and now my hair flows in the wind and is so weightless and healthy. And no i do not have a relaxer i stopped getting them 5 years ago ( and i've only have 3 relaxers in my life time so this is all natural) it amazes me.
1. The shampoo, unfortunately many black women are using shampoos with alcohol and petroleum jelly. step away from them. Use Aveda's shampoo.. specifically the name is Brilliant...go to the website. I use it, i love it, it mouisterizes my hair and the products are natural. i have also heard that KeraCare is good.
2. Okay, step two condition it and then it is time to comb it out, Do not use a brush on you hair when it is wet,,it will hate you for it then break off in revenge.
3. Do a hot oil treatment atleast once a month with extra virgin olive oil...repeat..EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil..not the regular stuff. unfortunately i have yet to take this step however my hair is doing great.
4. Okay on the daily basis you need to pay close attention to your hair...i recommend conditioning your scalp and your ends so that they will not get dry and unhealthy
Petroleum jellly and mineral oil are weapons of mass destruction,,it does so much harm to your hair it cannot be all explained here. So you ask what do I use...well natural oils
jojoba oi, extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, emu oil, coconut oil...all these natural oils and more love you..i promise.
5. Next,,if you want your hair straight but still be natural it is time to get a freakin good flat iron.,i have the Chi..it does the job but I recommend getting the Sedu because of the good reviews. make sure to protect your hair..i have so thermal protector from Aveda.
6. Eat healthy, drink lots of water,
7. take multivitamins, and fish oil pills you can get from GNC.
Follow these steps and life will be good..the best part about flat iron (which i do once a week or every two weeks not everday since it will kill your hair) is that it is not stringy but thick and healthy, yet straight and light enough to blow in the wind.

Answer 3

You know, I have seen many black women with really pretty short cuts like the one Hallie Berry used to have. It looks easy to take care of and classy. I know you want to grow it out, but you said it isn't the best hair in the world, so growing it out may not be the best way to go. This will also mean less time in the bathroom, less products to buy and more time for other things.

Answer 4

Congrats on your decision to go natural! It's gonna be a long journey, but it's gonna be worth it. I'm sure your hair's beautiful, no matter what the texture. Depending on your texture, it probably won't be "flowing and smooth" but that comes with the territory of being natural. Treat your hair like fine silk and stay away from heat, as hard as that might be. Good luck, and remember, it's just hair!!!

www.nappturality.com
www.motowngirl.com

These websites really helped me [they still help me] with my journey.

Answer 5

http://www.carolsdaughter.com/departments.asp?dept=1002

Answer 6

doo gro and wild growth hair oil
http://www.wildgrowth.com/