The Results Are In!

I literally just got my LCLF Curl Genie Results and I rushed over (ok, opened a new tab in my browser) to share! And believe me, it's a shocker.

Texture: Medium-Fine

Porosity: Normal

Elasticity: Normal

I haven't read through everything yet (it seems very thorough though, which is good!) and honestly I'm still shocked that my hair has done just about a 180 from where it was a year ago.

It definitely explains why my entire arsenal of products has been failing!

I'm off to finish reading - will probably do a few reviews in the coming weeks of the process, including how well the product suggestions worked and my general experience.

Has anyone else had an analysis done? Or even a drastic change in your hair's properties? How did you deal with the changes?

The Grass Really IS Always Greener...

Coarse. Highly porous. Sounds like every curly's nightmare, right? Hair that is continually dry, with a plethora of ingredients and products available that would just make things worse. Some of these ingredients, like protein, would help in one area (porosity) but hurt in another (straw hair, anyone?). It's like you can't win.

I always thought I had it worse than everyone. I think it was because I was "banned" from using these ingredients and products, and that my "hair idols" at the time all had fine, low-porosity hair (i.e. "All I did was add this product with "banned" ingredients to my routine and my curls are perfect!") Even in the explanations for each texture and porosity, it was always "watch out for this, this, and this. If you have normal hair, congratulations! You can use just about anything!"

It seemed like that would be much easier to deal with. Here I was, unable to get my hair properly moisturized, while so many other people just had to make sure their was protein in their products and they were good to go. I had to lower my standards in the winter months, because moisturized hair (and scalp) wasn't something that was realistic for very long.

Fast forward to now, when my hair has gone into full rebellion. All the rules have changed and I have NO idea what to do anymore. I think I'm still pretty porous. My hair's not really super fine, though sometimes it acts that way. Suddenly none of my product staples are working well, short of KCKT and KCCC. Even my low-poo that worked a few months ago has gone out the window.

Example: I did five protein treatments this week. Yes, you read that right. FIVE. In a WEEK. If you had told me six months ago that this would happen, I would have asked what you were smoking. This is crazy. Nevermind that my hair didn't even get it's protein fill until the fifth one. This whole protein/moisture balance thing is ridiculous.

Right now my hair is responding well to co-washes (albeit one with protein) done more often than I used to. It also likes the KCKT and KCCC combo, both during a routine and for second-day hair. I'm still doing the Spritz & Condition with GVP CB and using it as my rinse-out. I don't know if that's still my HG.

I just don't have the time and money to do this again. It's like starting CG at square one, and I thought I already did that. I almost wish my hair was super coarse again, because at least I'd know how to deal with it.

The grass really is always greener on the other side.

Thursday Tidbits

Wow, is it Thursday already? Sorry for the lack of updates - it's been a busy week! After no real job prospects in the teaching world (lots of layoffs coming this summer and it doesn't look like it's getting better for a few years...) I gave up and applied for some clerical-type jobs on Sunday. Monday I got the call to interview for a long-term sub position. When I got home Tuesday after the interview, I had a message waiting! I ended up subbing yesterday so they could see my awesome teacher skills (it went pretty well), and now I'm waiting for another call... Even if it doesn't work out, I got some great experience. And working as a secretary would mean going to grad school for free, so not a bad alternative. But it's funny how the call came completely out of the blue right after I had pretty much given up.

ANYWAY, here are some quick updates:

• I'm reconsidering the blog sale, because I'm actually re-testing some of my CJ products. Review posts coming soon on this!
  
  
• I'm officially changing my hair's texture from coarse to medium. Why? Because my hair doesn't actually feel coarse anymore. I've been using protein continuously for two months with no dryness to show for it. Actually, my hair gets limp if I don't use it... talk about a 180 degree turn... My theory is the change was caused by going off the pill, but I have no way to prove it. I'm not sure if it's even possible. I know it sounds crazy. But it's true. It's just not coarse like it used to be.
  
  
• The down-side of this is that my tried and true HG products aren't exactly what my hair needs anymore. I'm still using GVP Conditioning Balm for Spritz and Condition, as well as a rinse-out, but sometimes it feels a bit much. And I get frizz/less clumps if I don't S&C. So I guess I need more protein-heavy, lighter conditioners. This would be a situation where buying tons of back-ups did not work out for me...
  
  
• I got a lot of comments on my hair this week when I was out and about. As usual, I was not looking my best. Why does happen? Every compliment was for hair that was either 2nd day or 3rd (!!) day hair that probably would have been more presentable in a bun. On the flip side, one of the ladies I talked to asked me for product recs and even knew about co-washing. First time I've talked to some who knows what a non-sulfate shampoo is!

The Road to Recovery

Just a quick update.

Last night I co-washed with GTTTT conditioner. I figure I need all the moisture I can get, and the tea tree oil is good for the itchiness, which for the most part has gone away. I didn't even think about using this until I read that someone else does this. It's been ok so far. The flakes are starting to disappear. Keeping my fingers crossed!

I then did a DT with a mixture of olive oil, honey, and KBB milk for between an hour and an hour and a half. After rinsing (used more GTTTT to get the olive oil out), I did an ACV rinse and used cold water. I then added a little bit of Suave Cucumber Melon from a bottle that is almost gone and the tiniest amount of FOTE. I started doing the "pump and scrunch" method. Basically I scrunch, hold it, and pump my fist 8 times. I think this mostly just gets rid of water, but it might help spread product. It's working better for me than just regular crazy scrunching and plopping.

I did the usual routine, but used HEBE instead of ASG. Diffused and clipped. When i was ready to go to bed, I just pineappled it loosely. I'm not sure how this works better than adding a scarf, but whatever. I woke up with pretty good curls! My hair feels like it has more moisture, and there was a lot more clumping. Some of my old spirals are back, which was nice to see.

I'm going to do another DT tonight, although probably longer. The temperature dropped considerably overnight. It's 33 (feels like 25) with a dewpoint of 14. Did I mention our weather is crazy?!

I'm glad I figured out this texture/porosity thing. No wonder DTs just didn't seem to matter.

Lightbulb Moment

So I just finished reading through Tiffany's blog and some threads at nc.com, and I think I've figured out my texture/porosity.

I thought a good majority of my hair was fine, but apparently it is coarse. I did several strand tests, and each one is a thick strand with a rough cuticle.

Going the other direction in several strand tests leads me to believe that my hair has a high porosity.

These make sense, because my hair cannot tolerate much protein. Shampoo bars didn't work well for me because of their chemical makeup. My cuticles are already raised, so it's obvious that didn't help.

My hair also sucks up a lot of moisture. My first plop, which only lasts for five minutes at most, leaves the towel soaking. Every time I get my hair cut, I get a comment on how much moisture it holds. But it also can't retain it. Looking at my hair today, you would never know I did a DT the other night. My hair is begging for moisture. I'm not using anything particularly heavy with emollients or humectants (though that one is for obvious reasons), and my hair is reacting to that.

High porosity is also probably a result of my unprotected straightening days. I didn't straighten often, but when I did, I didn't use any heat protection. And I straightened every section multiple times, especially the canopy. And this was all done on the highest setting, which I believe was over 400 degrees (or is that too high? Can't remember).

So with this new information, I'm ready to find what my hair needs. First up is to get some moisture back!