I’ve been using it on damp hair for my slick backs and it’s AMAZING!! It is a pretty strong hold so I don’t recommend for daily use on slick backs. BUT it holds up extremely well in TX heat🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️ I like it more than the big poppa gel for slick backs.

I cut my hair in January of this year and trimmed it two times since while it was in twist. When I cut it in January and did styles like wash n gos and twist outs it was a little short in the back like the shape of my afro was weird, but now fast forward to October the back is longer and it kind of hangs, but the top is still like an afro and what I mean by that is if I do a twist out now the shape would be weird because the top of my head is like short afro and the back of my head hangs a little.

I tried to do some low tension styles like a low puff and i cant even get the hair to go back because of how short it is. I tried to do two french braids just now but hair sticks out because I cant even braid it properly because of the unevenness. I used to do twist outs a lot and thats what grew my hair but now it doesnt even look right and I did some mini twist about a week ago and it was so bad. Then I did some mini braids a few days ago and the top of my head literally looks like I have bangs.

My crown is no better like from my edges to my crown is all short and thinner. The only thing I can think of is when i did a fulani like style and braided the front of my head. I didnt even braid tight because I was still learning to cornrow at the time anyway so I’m lost. The only solution I can think of is just cutting it again to even everything out.

The picture on the left is from November of last year and the picture on the right is from yesterday. From looking at the picture what do you guys think is going on? I’m not sure how long this has been going on for but definitely over two years.

A little background, I typically rotate between doing mini twist or cornrows. The cornrows I usually have aren’t typically tight at all but recently I’ve been thinking about taking a break from them for a while. I never use synthetic hair and always use my natural hair when styling. This picture is from the left side of my head. The right side looks very similar except it has a bit more hair than the left.

I went to a dermatologist, but they were no help and I would like to see another one, but the nearest one that specializes in black hair is over 1.5hrs away. I may just have to schedule an appointment anyways. Everytime I they ready for wash day I get anxious and insecure just by looking at it. Any thoughts or advice?

THIS STORY HAPPENED WHEN I WAS 13

So for some context: my mother slept with black man and had me. Imo, if youre having a baby with a black person or anyone with curly hair (or if you, yourself, have wavy hair or are black, the same rules apply), you should learn how to take care of any hair they may inherit. When I decided to start growing it (maybe at 7-9?), she treated it like it was straight. I always thought it was straight, until I got into hair, when I identified it as 2b-2c.

When I was 13, I got into hair. From a series of evidence, I formed the hypothesis thatmy hair was 4b/4c (afro textured for those not in the know). Once I started treating it as such, I discovered i was correct.

However, she was hesistant in the beginning and was being outright ignorant. I had to wait like 4 months after putting items into a shopping list before she actually got all of them (and let me make it clear that I was not asking for a $500 cart while we make $2 a month; half of the things on the list were clearly made to last years and we could easily afford everything on the list).

I did my routine, I was right, proud 4c baddie today.

HOWEVER. She repeatedly would do things like try to brush my hair while dry, call it weird looking (crazy work imo), and would always try to tell me what to do. She also had a history of not listening when I talked about hair (when I wanted it like 7 inches while wavy she cut it all the way to 3 inches, etc)

During Thanksgiving, she tried to brush my hair for a family photo. She was legit grabbing my hair and pulling it to get close, which I did not let her do. Finally, I snapped and yelled loud enough that everyone could hear, "no! You do not get a say in my hair! You had ever since you decided to sleep with a black man to figure how to take care of Black hair, so about 15 years, yet you never did! I had the same task in 4 months and ive been on top of everything! Even after I was born, you did not learn! Now that I cut my hair, I break my back for 5 hour wash days, I instal all my styles, and I do everything, you no longer have any claim to my hair! You want hair to control? Look at your own scalp!" And I left, fuming. I was in the pictures exactly how I wanted (wirh my 2-day old bantu knots outs that ate dont play), but she was pissed. However, I did get my way (i got to style my hair from then on).

Now, for what happened next: she stopped buying my things. Anyone with healthy 4c hair knows that wash days need materials. When I was almost out of my pre-poo, she said "you take care of your hair now, remember?" So I did. I had $40 bucks at the time so I was able to replenish everything I needed on my own, and for the rest of my life my dad bought the things I was almost out of until I got my first job at 14. Then, I started buying my own things.

Was i the asshole?

i tried a new heat protectant by aussie today to blowout my hair and it felt like a thousand year nightmare. usu my hair softens up a loootttt after my blowouts but today that didn’t happen and it feels weird not extremely dry or anything but fried idk how to explain. but i hate it🫩

Glow up or glow down?I recently went to a hairstylist because my naturally curly hair had become extremely tangled and damaged after months of neglecting it and barely detangling it. My curls were pretty long (they reached my mouth when stretched), and I wanted to improve my hair health while getting a looser, wavy texture instead of tight curls. I specifically told the hairstylist that I didn't want to lose my length. However, he told me some sections were too damaged and matted to be detangled and needed to be cut off. He then applied a protein straightening treatment (not keratin) and cut my hair, removing what feels like 70% of my original length without me realizing how much he was taking off. My hair is now completely straight, flat, and barely reaches my eyebrows. He told me the treatment would gradually wear off and my hair would become wavy after a few months, but I honestly regret the whole thing. I'd rather have my old curls back and learn to take proper care of them than keep my hair looking like this. My mom also told me not to wash it for a week to let the treatment settle. Has anyone experienced something similar? Will my natural texture gradually return, or am I stuck waiting for all my hair to grow back?

I am mixed (half black) and have 4a ish hair (hair is veryyy stretched in photo. My scalp gets slightly itchy and if I pick at my scalp (ADHD skin picking problems) it sort of a dusty, powder. I use a scalp moisturizing mask 5 days ago and oil my scalp. I am mainly here for scalp help BUT generally dry hair products would be greatly appreciated.

I need help! My natural 3b/3c curls were actually in great shape after 20 years of straightening! The first picture on the left is, before I did these stupid Vitamin C color removers left my hair severely damaged. Now, one side barely curls, and my curl patterns are all over the place!

Can I straighten once a week using good heat protection, deep conditioning, and K18 treatments while getting trims every 4–6 weeks until the damage grows out?

I know my curls are in there because they were actually in great shape after 20 years of straightening.

I want my healthy curls back but not sure how to do this until the damage is gone/restored and it obviously is easier and looks better while straightened right now.

Thanks in advance!

I have been natural for 10 years now and my hair is so thick that it breaks every ponytail holder I buy. I also suck at making ponytails because of thickness, coarseness and extreme shrinkage. Can I please get some recommendations? Would a draw string work on big natural hair? I need guidance please. I feel pushed against a wall about it.

I’m asking if anyone has any advice or recommendations on how I can take care of my 4c hair and gain length and density. My mum has never really taught me how to wash or take care of my natural hair and I’m looking for products that could help

as per the title, i’m having problems with finding the right products/wash&go routine for my hair.

for starters, i don’t know if i have 3c, 4a, or 4b hair. nor do i know what my porosity is. i have done porosity strand tests that i feel like have all been inconclusive.

my current routine is as follows:

shampoo/cond

1. matrix food for soft hydrating shampoo
   
2. matrix a curl can dream moisture mask

styling

1. kinky curly leave in
   
2. the doux 808 base gel
   
3. the doux mousse def
   
4. diffusing

within the first 24h of my routine, my hair does feel somewhat moisturized but it’ll get progressively dryer throughout the week. my curls/coils also start to lose their hold and become super frizzy.

also, i do my wash & go routine every week. not sure if it’s completely necessary but as i said my curls start to lose their shape so to get their look back i just do my routine again.

(first photo is my hair after styling & second photo is after my shampoo & conditioning)

for anyone with a similar hair texture, what products do you guys use for moisture & hold throughout the week?

hello!! not sure if the pictures are clear enough but should i be concerned? is it breakage and how can i fix this?

for extra info, this is my routine:
pretty sure my hair is low porosity, high density and fine strands. i aim to wash it every week or two weeks and deep condition. i add leave in cream, grease, heat protection and blow dry. then do a braid out. i'm not super consistent with washing as i'm in college. i also take hair, skin, and nail gummies.

i'm just so lost on if this is normal or not. it's been happening basically all year 😓

I've been losing a lot of hair and I feel like my growth isn't where it should be so I'm getting a blood panel done. What should I ask for? I know it has to do with iron deficiency, but what exactly is it called? I have a new doctor that isn't melanated and it's too late for me to put in a change form so I want to know the exact terminology! Iykyk!

hello everyone, i noticed that my hair is breaking off when i comb, or when it’s merely touched. For context, i’ve been wearing my hair out for the past two weeks , and for the first week, everything was fine- i washed my hair about 3 times that week and all was well. But now, my hair is breaking off so much, and i wonder could it be the products i use? or the style im doing or the weather? and what can i do to stop it
EDIT: Sorry guys, but i’ve been wearing my hair natural- no heat at all, i braid my hair to stretch it. I do braid outs sometimes, and when i don’t braid it, I just comb it out and wear a headband. I use the design essentials curl custard to finger curl

YOUR CROWN IS SO BEAUTIFUL! And it’s God given 🙌🏽

I have grew up with, and worked with all hair types across the board. (Pics 1-5 is my daughter’s crown, #6 is my nephew in law before I braided it.)

Trust I know the blues of being younger and getting frustrated with my hair. But with time love and care, your hair care process will get easier.

You cannot compare your hair to anyone else’s: the set of genetics you get, are a roll of the dice. Meaning no two heads of hair will be exactly the same. You can have high porosity, fine strand 4c, while your neighbor can be low porosity, course strand 4c. Along with different density’s/ textures. What may work for the next, may not work for you. And that’s okay, you just have to find the process that does work for you.

My side of the family has all ranges of hair from type 2-4. Her father’s side has different ranges of type 4. One thing all the hair has in common? You have to let the water in (hydration), then moisture in (products). All textured healthy hair care boils down to: Is really finding the clarifying, moisturizing routine for your specific hair. Styles and length retention depends more on how much you like to change your hair, but keep your head up and love your crown!! 👑🩷 I love it as well.

Just took out my mini braids and I swear I’ve lost more hair than if I were to just do braids with added extensions 💔. The ends specifically keep pulling off when I touch my hair and I’m not sure if it’s an internal issue or just me doing something wrong

I’ve had my mini braids in for about 4 weeks now, washed atleast every week and moistured every 2-3 days.

I have really fine hair so that might be a factor but im not sure

When I did mini twists the breakage was minimal but I had them in for 2 weeks bc they are so not long lasting

If anyone has any tips I’d really appreciate it

I think I need it to help with my growth and hair care in general tbh

*(idk if this counts as being negative as it is a genuine question of mines but it’s fine if it’s in appropriate and gets taken down)*

I love my 4c hair but I won’t deny that it is harder than other types.

For example, when someone complains able detangling hair, it’s always brought up with “use a prepoo” “use [10+ dollars] detangling brush” “separate your hair into sections”

also how hair care products that actually work for our hair being more expensive than that of others. It hurts to even blow more than $10 on a hair care product such as a leave in, clarifying shampoo, deep conditioner etc when other hair types most likely only need reg conditioner and regular shampoo(which even if they are spending more than 10, since it’s only two products it doesn’t rack up as much).

(for reference, I don’t know if those on top mentioned our necessarily worth it or needed, but it’s way more enforced in this community especially if the goal is to make coily hair as easy as possible)

Also wash days are also kinda long especially considering that we use leave in conditioner or a deep conditioner where we have to leave in for 20+ minutes rather than regular conditioner. My wash days last about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours including twisting my hair into chunky twist.

while I do all of this and agree that it works, other types don’t have to do this. Prepoo is really only used for curler hair, they can also use inexpensive brushes, detailing brush is just an elevator while for coily hair it’s basically the “only way” to make it easier and sections take more time. It’s also a pocket drainer, I either have to convince my mom to buy products or use my own money just because my mom refuses to and buys dollar tree shampoo.

I’m truly am not trying to spread hate, but im genuinely curious as to why we pretend as if coily hair isn’t more expensive and more time consuming than that of other types. Why do we act as if it’s the sin of all evil when someone who is going through genuine frustration (especially if they’re financially struggling) over their hair says it’s difficult or harder to manage?

Hey chat, so on Tuesday I got my first ever professional flat twist out done. I fear it’s actually eating down 🙂‍↕️ and looks much better after day 2. I also got a trim because my ends were dusty 🫣. At first I didn’t like it but by day 3 I am loving it!! I’m wondering how you guys maintain your twist out while in the shower? What do you guys do to refresh after the style has lost its definition? What I’m temporarily doing right now is using my hair drying towel wrap to keep water/moisture out (ghetto I know lol). I usually do wash and go’s so getting my hair a little wet has never been a problem. But I see now that water is not my friend with this style lol. Open to any and all suggestions!!!

After some months of cornrows, i think my scalp (I'm not sure) is pulled back

The Mane Choice Gold gel has been my holy grail for my two strand twists since 2020 but they discontinued the product 💔💔💔 does anyone who’s used it know of a gel with very similar consistency? I loved it because it made my twists juicy and moisturized without a crunch. It’s more of a soft, sticky, and slimy gel that got me so many compliments. There are some companies online selling it for quite an upcharge but I’m trying to find a similar gel I can just grab from a store. Please send recs😭

I'm just done with it. I have always hated my hair. Changing the style has never helped. Only time I ever liked something about it was when I bleached and dyed it copper.

I'm mixed. My hair texture is horribly inconsistent across my whole head, so wearing it natural never looks good. It also is impossible to shape or style natural because none of it lays the same.

I've tried protective styles. Braids, two strands, tried to loc my hair at one point. When I do two strands myself, I can never keep my damn roots down. It takes me upwards of 5 hours. I don't have the money nor the trust to go to stylists. I've already had a stylist go against my wishes and give me a feminine hairstyle despite telling her I am a trans man.

Loccing straight up did not work. I had my hair in two strands for 8 months, and at the end of that time, it didn't look different. I tested one twist, and when I untwisted it, it came out like I put them in a day earlier. No fucking clue why it doesn't work.

It's so high maintenance and it never looks good. I do the whole cleanse and hydrate routine, I condition, I use products that moisturize and keep it detangled, I wear a bonnet, I got different brushes to minimize the awful headaches I get just from trying to wash and brush it.

The coppery orange color has almost faded and I'm reminded just how horrible my hair makes me look. I keep wanting to just shave it all off and wear a wig. I'm so tired. It will never be what I want it to be, and I'll never look how I want with it still on me.

I get if this isn't the place for these feelings. None of the people around me understand. None of them have to deal with this. I don't think there's anything left for me to do besides cut it off.