One of the things I was most excited about after I did the big chop, was finally being able to do a wash and go. I remember immediately going to Target to buy as many Shea Moisture products* as I could afford, because I couldn’t wait to test out the infamous curl enhancing smoothie, or the curling soufflé.
I really thought that simply buying these products would make my curls look like my favorite instagram celebs and that I would have popping curls as soon as the product touched my hair.
So, fast forward to when reality struck. I washed my hair and then realized that although I had these products, I really didn’t know how to actually use them, aside from what the directions said on the tubes. Needless to say, I experience my first failed attempt at a wash and go, and I was crushed.
I thought that all I needed to do was just run the products through my hair, and “go.” I mean, it was called a curl enhancing smoothie, however my curls looked duller than ever.
I write this post to say that you shouldn’t fall into the hype of popular name brand products. You should read reviews, and do your research! If I had done more research I would have know that I needed to section my hair, and rub the product into small sections.
Also, since I had a twa, I probably should have finger coiled the product into my tresses. It’s okay to be excited about trying new products, and I still try new products even today, but I am a more informed buyer.
I definitely cut back on the impulse buying, and I don’t buy products unless I’ve read a couple of reviews, and asked around about it. Granted, you will never know how a product will work on your hair, unless you actually try it out on your hair, but it never hurts to be an informed buyer.
It’s harder than one thinks. Being natural sounds easier and pics make you think your hair will be just like the pic.
I learned very early on that my hair cannot do what others can do and to be fine with that. Its called a journey for a reason. I’d say its because we all have to come into our own with our hair and learn to resist the urge to walk someone else’s path.
So very true.
You are so right.
The learning curve is this, you have to know what your hair can and cannot do. A wash & go is NOT that easy. You can not just wash and go unless you have a twa that’s really tiny, and even then it takes more than a minute. If you really want to go natural, it’s more than just researching the products. You need to research your hair. If you were permed or relaxed and then big chopped, your hair and you are in for a huge surprise because you have no clue what your hair will react to, how it will lay and simply how to do your hair. I big chopped down to an inch and then about 3 months later, I chopped it again so that I made sure there was no more relaxer in my hair. My hair got to shoulder length in 1 -1/2 years (heredity and my hair grows like a weed) and I just big chopped it again. I love my twa and that’s where I want to stay. Natural hair, is not for everyone but if this is what you are determined to do, research your hair as well as the products you use.
I was that way too trying different products and none of them working so I just went old school blue magic grease and water lol so much better then I started experimenting some more and found that Shea moisture doesn’t work for me at all I used a moisturizing something I can remember everybody was bragging on it I put it in and my scalp was so dry that it literally felt like scales and it took like 4 separate washes and deep conditionings to make it go away it doesn’t work for me I never have dandruff and my head was white maybe an allergy i dont know and it hurt so what works for me is so weird to loreal corse to dry hair oil and suave ain’t frizz leave in stuff and a root stimulater and of course just grease and water it’s all what works best for your own hair and when you find it just keep it no need in searching for more unless you find something better