Another Lesson on Protein

Just when I thought I knew everything there was to know about how to care for my hair, I'm thrown a curveball. Here's what I've been dealing with for the past two weeks and how I fixed it.

Approximately two weeks ago, but hair started acting up. It presented with these symptoms:

• Became stringy and frizzy as I rinsed out my conditioner
• Stayed stringy and frizzy even with the addition of Pink Boots (aka clump-maker)
• Shrinkage shrank to just 1/2 inch
• Volume disappeared
• Hair was as dry as the Sahara

This continued for several washes.

I initially thought that my hair was just really thirsty. I did two DTs with CJ Curl Rehab, added plenty of GVP Conditioning Balm during the wash process, and even replaced KCKT with generous amounts of GVP CB for my leave-in. My hair lost the dry, frazzled feeling, but was still frizzy, stringy, and limp.

At this point, I figured I needed some protein. Usually I'll add it to my co-wash, since I have so few products with protein in them. I use protein regularly enough so that I don't ever have to do a Protein Treatment. Nothing changed after the protein co-wash; still frizzy and stringy, barely making waves.

My next thought was overconditioning. I'd somehow overdone it and killed my hair with conditioner. An ACV rinse did nothing. Meanwhile, my hair went back to being dry and frazzled.

This was the point where my mind started turning to more drastic decisions: shampooing to remove possible build-up or cutting my hair. The last time I used shampoo was in December when my brother was home for the holidays. I stole his low-poo since it was the only one in the house that did not contain oils (since I shampoo so infrequently, I haven't felt the need to spend the $$ on an oil-free low-poo). A build-up problem seemed unlikely since I have been really good about co-washing regularly and meticulously. I think my last cut was in October. I've loved the way my hair has looked (before this incident of course) and really didn't want to have to cut it.

Wednesday was my last ditch effort at saving my hair. I have been doing a lot of reading at NC trying to figure out my problem. This post was ultimately the answer. I had used protein in my co-wash, but what if that wasn't enough? I have a small bottle of Nexxus Emergencee, a potent PT I picked up at the very beginning of my CG journey (before I discovered my protein sensitivity). I used a nickle-sized amount for the length of my hair. I left it on for probably only 30 seconds; it started to feel weird and I was scared. I followed it up with my usual rinse-out and routine. The results? Better curl! A few clumps! Some shrinkage!

It still wasn't up to usual standards, so I used it again this morning for about a minute and a half. Et voila! Clumps and spirals (which are probably closer to the corkicelli curl type described in the new CG book)! Consistent curl everywhere! Insane shrinkage! Which all adds up to one happy curly girl :)

So I am now convinced of the need to do regular PTs (because co-washes aren't enough) like some of my fellow protein-sensitive curlies. Finding the right protein-moisture balance is harder than it looks!

Good Luck Charm?

I was at the bank today when the teller complimented my hair. We went through the usual "is it natural?" questions, and then she asked to touch my hair.

Now, I've read a lot about strangers complimenting curls and asking to touch them. My hair was still drying (about 2 hrs out of the shower at this point), but she seemed genuine and did ask, so I obliged her.

Then she told me she was touching them for good luck.

...What?!

In two and a half years of better curls, this is definitely the weirdest encounter I've had with a stranger.

Weekend Tidbits

• It's been a while. I have a post on diffusers that's been sitting in my mind for a few weeks. I really need to just sit down and write it. Look for that soon!
  
  
• I learned how to make a fishtail braid over the holidays. It led to an updo for Christmas Eve that turned out really cute! I didn't get any pictures of it (but lots of compliments!), so I may have to recreate it for a post. I like the fishtail almost as much as a french braid, which unfortunately I can't do myself.
  
  
• My hair has been good, but a little dry lately. I switched back to V05 Raspberry for my co-wash (had been using Salon Care's Honey & Almond conditioner, which contains protein, since the CJ Daily Fix debacle) and it's starting to improve. Funny how something as simple as a co-wash can do that.
  
  
• Speaking of CJ Daily Fix, I switched my review status to "tentative." Turns out my reaction could have been medication-related (or really, lack of medication). I started using it RIGHT as I started having a reaction, so DF might not have been related at all. I'm on new medicine right now that could take a few months to really kick in, so I'll hold onto DF and re-evaluate in the spring.
  
  
• I was recently chosen to be one of NC's "Curly Insiders," which means testing out new products and possibly straightening my hair on a semi-regular basis. Which I am ok with. If it works out, I may be posting more reviews here.
  
  
• I started using mousse yesterday for second-day hair. It worked really well. I got the frizz control and curl boost I was looking for, without the crunch I get with gel. Fingers crossed that keeps working.
  
  
• I'm on the verge of taking back my bold comments a few posts ago concerning the clips I've been using on my roots. It hasn't been going well lately, even on wash day. However, they were good yesterday with the mousse, so I'm going to try it on wash day.
  
  
• My bottom layer is ridiculously dry right now. You would think the canopy is the most exposed part of the hair, but I think mine is my bottom layer. Since I wash out my rinse-out conditioner upside-down, the bottom layer gets rinsed out the most. I haven't been paying as much attention to it with my leave-in. And since my hair's so long, most of it falls (on its own) to the front of my shoulder, leaving the bottom layer exposed. I'm going to make a point of hitting it with lots of KCKT and maybe even some protein to stop the tangles.
  
  
• I ordered the new Curly Girl book from Barnes and Noble on Thursday. It was supposed to ship Friday, so it should be here soon. The first book was a bit of a letdown for me, but with the self-trimming section, I have a lot more hope for this one.

A Tentative CJ Daily Fix Review

Updated Jan '11: I'm switching this review to tentative status because there's a possibility my experiences with this product were caused be a reaction to medication. I started using this in mid-October at the same time I started getting this reaction. I don't want to judge this product's performance unfairly. I'm currently on a new medication and will re-evaluate CJDF in the spring.

Alright, I feel that I've used this product long enough to finally give a comprehensive review of how it works for me.

How I've used this:

For most of the time, I've used it only once or twice a week, with a co-wash in between. I have gone a week or two without using it.

Pros:

• This is pretty moisturizing, especially for a cleanser. No dry feeling after use. If I detangle before using it, my hair will feel like I did a DT after rinsing.
  
• Leaves my scalp feeling REALLY clean on wash day.
  
• Doesn't smell too bad.
• Gets rid of any itchiness that's going on.

Cons:

• How to put this? I feel like this product has undone two years of CG. My curls are fine - they haven't changed. But I can't go longer than two days without using this or a regular co-wash. My hair is greasy 12 hrs after using it, and it only gets worse. Even when I go a week or two without using, my hair gets greasy with a regular co-wash.
• Even though it doesn't feel dry after using, it DOES dry me out. My hair is way more frizzy on Day 2, and I have a plethora of dry scalp flakes. Not good.

I bought this thinking it would be the best of both worlds - a co-wash feeling with the cleansing strength of a low-poo. Unfortunately it didn't pan out that way for me. I still like the conditioner, and I think the bottle I have will last for a long time. It will probably be relegated to when I need to remove build-up and don't want to use a clarifying shampoo. I most likely won't be repurchasing.

My Clipping Quest Has Come to an End!

After over two years of looking, I've finally found some clips that get the job done! Not only do they work well for creating volume on top, they also help to achieve second-day hair and work well for putting my hair up on off-days.

I'm not sure what they're called, who makes them, or even how much they cost. I'm pretty sure I got them at Target when I was looking for the circular "Octopus" clips, which they were out of. I grabbed these instead and I'm so glad I did! I've had them for maybe three weeks now, so I've tested them pretty thoroughly.

Here's the main reason I picked these up instead of going somewhere else or waiting until the others were in stock. The bottom is relatively flat, so it's able to get in and really keep the roots lifted. It also expands in the middle, so more hair is able to fit.

I really like that these are long. It's almost like having two clips in one. It only takes one of these to cover my part! I use two total; the other one is on the crown.

I've achieved pretty good second-day hair a few times in the past couple weeks using only one of these clips. Instead of doing a full modified pineapple, I wrap my hair in a bun on the very top of my head and use a clip on the end to keep it up there. It's very secure and protects the curls during the night. And since the clip sits closer to the forehead than the back of my head, there's not even a chance of rolling onto it during the night and causing injury.

Has anyone else used these? What do you think?

So Close, Yet So Far Away...

So a couple of weeks ago, my brother came home from college to surprise my sister for Senior Night at her last football game (she's in color guard, not football!). During the course of the weekend, there was a discussion at home about shampoo.

My mom had a list of stuff she needed at the store, and there was a certain "dandruff" shampoo on that list. Now, my parents have used this for years. I've tried to get them off since going CG, but all to no avail. Upon seeing this on the list, I once again brought up how drying sulfates can be and pointed out that it was probably just dry scalp (and that the shampoo was probably causing it in the first place!). For some reason, this finally got through to her. And apparently my brother.

(Side note: During that trip we picked up a Giovanni shampoo for her, as well as some Herbal Essences mousse; she is the second person in my family I've successfully converted! Hooray!)

Fast forward to today. My brother is home for the week and went with me to Target today to pick up ingredients for the desserts I made for tomorrow. While we're walking around, he became really interested in getting me to pick out "the right" shampoo for him. Since he's on the budget, the only low-poo I could think that would work would be L'Oreal's Everpure. Unfortunately, we couldn't find it. I'm not up on low-poos, so maybe it's discontinued? We couldn't find ANY L'Oreal hair products in the store, though. I did show him what surfactant he needed to look for in a shampoo.

After the trip home, he went and got his hair cut.

When he came home, he begged me to go with him to CVS to pick out a new shampoo and conditioner. Again, no Everpure. They did have the Organix line, so he picked out a shampoo. Also got some V05 conditioner.

I was just about to point out the Ecostyler gel to him when he declared he needed some wax to style his hair. Apparently this was recommended to him during the course of his haircut. Because mousse gives him too much volume, and gel is too crunchy. I tried to explain and reason with him - he could try out some of my stuff at home and then get some wax if he really felt he needed it - all to no avail. I pointed out that he had specifically asked for me to consult with him on hair products, but apparently that was just for shampoo and conditioner. There were other people in the aisle with us, so I didn't escalate the argument. He left with, of all things, a L'Oreal wax. At least the ingredients aren't as bad as the other waxes that were there...

So close to converting him, and yet he resisted. Maybe he'll think differently when the build-up gets bad!

Anyway, as far as my hair is concerned: I think I'm over-conditioned, and I think it was the Daily Fix that did it. Weird, I know. I don't have any other explanation. And I never get over-conditioned! ACV rinse tomorrow will hopefully fix it. Daily Fix review coming as soon as I figure it out all the way! This is one weird product!

My Hair Refuses to Dry

It's been a while since I've had a good old-fashioned rant. I'm rambling a bit here, but you can't say I didn't warn you, considering the title of the blog and all.

Here's the problem: My hair refuses to dry.

I'm not sure what's going on. It's like KCCC has become a magical force field that prevents water from leaving my hair for at least five hours. There are times during this process when it pretends to be dry, but that's not the case.

Not only that, but my dryer refuses to attempt to dry my hair. It's only interested in burning my scalp.

Once I figured out that the weird itch and pain I was feeling hours after diffusing was indeed related to the hot air going through the mega holes of my diffuser from two inches away, I started using the medium speed setting. Now it's content to make all the dryer noise and pretend to dry my hair. Twenty minutes after I turn it on, I realize my hair is still wet and I've fallen for it's tricks.

Here's Friday's hair:

This is after 45 min of diffusing time, three hours of air-drying time, and another hour after what I'll call the fakeout-SOTC. It looked good when I SOTC, but ten minutes later it was flat.

I wish I had a picture from later that night. It finally finished drying and the flat sides perked up to give some much-needed volume.

Today I spent another 45 minutes diffusing. After 30 minutes on medium speed, my hair was still cold and wet. That's ridiculous. I upped it to high speed and pretty much glued my thumb to the cool shot button. Two hours later, it's still not dry and no where near ready to SOTC.

I need to get some things done today (like a picture for a substitute teacher badge) but I can't go out with hair like this. I realize that sounds vain, but I've been burned by ID pictures before. Is it so wrong to want one picture to show what I normally look like?

Anyway, I will be writing a full review of the Remington dryer and our love/hate relationship very soon. I just really needed to vent. Right now, I will say that:

no heat/medium speed = my dryer laughing at me

medium heat/medium speed = hair that doesn't dry, ever

no heat/high speed = same as medium speed, but with cool high speed noises

medium heat/high speed = dry hair that will eventually fall out due to burnt scalp

It's like I can't win.

/rant