MHM Hangout

[HopefulOne]

If you already have curls, perhaps you don't need the clay for such a long time and perhaps you can make it thinner. I haven't seen your hair but its possible bentonite may have been better based on the way you are describing your hair. But just try shortening it to 30 minutes versus the 2 hours and making it a bit thinner. You can also add a bit of oil but I wouldn't add too much. Too much can make it feel more coated. I'm using 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup of rhassoul and 1/2 tsp of olive oil. That is a medium consistency because I don't have defined curls and I need something to weigh my hair down. For a lighter mix add a bit more water. If your curls are already defined then you don't need clay each time, probably only when your hair starts to frizz.

Just to weigh in here I have defined 3c curls to the scalp MHM or not and I love the clay step. I leave it in overnight and I use molasses bentonite clay ACV and very little water. My hair is not dry when I rinse it out. I think that the clay step is an important part of the region everytime. JMHO

 

[faithVA]

That link showing msdeekay altering the original BS regimen really just rubbed me the wrong way. People have been following her/their original clarify BS recipe and regimen for months, even years. Now she says not to leave the BS on more than 15 minutes. 15-1hr. is a big difference. And now we shouldn't use it every time we do the regimen? Why not?

Sent from my SM-N900V using LHCF

I've actually being saying this since the beginning. I've been saying leave the BS step on just long enough to open your cuticle and rinse it off. I've also mentioned that I don't do it every time and that I alternate between other things. I think others have said they do something similar. I think Pinkecube originally said 15 to 30 minutes. It was others that extended it beyond that. I've also said reduce the amount of baking soda and try 1 tsp to 1 tbsp.

I think its just better to be safe and not sorry. Initially the baking soda does wonders to get the water into the cuticle but after doing the regimen for a while I think it helps to find other ways that remove build up and open the cuticle. The baking soda just isn't needed every single time. And as you get closer to max hydration, the extended sessions really just aren't needed.

 

[HopefulOne]

I've actually being saying this since the beginning. I've been saying leave the BS step on just long enough to open your cuticle and rinse it off. I've also mentioned that I don't do it every time and that I alternate between other things. I think others have said they do something similar. I think Pinkecube originally said 15 to 30 minutes. It was others that extended it beyond that. I've also said reduce the amount of baking soda and try 1 tsp to 1 tbsp. I think its just better to be safe and not sorry. Initially the baking soda does wonders to get the water into the cuticle but after doing the regimen for a while I think it helps to find other ways that remove build up and open the cuticle. The baking soda just isn't needed every single time. And as you get closer to max hydration, the extended sessions really just aren't needed.

What damage could occur from leaving the BS on too long?

 

[faithVA]

Just to weigh in here I have defined 3c curls to the scalp MHM or not and I love the clay step. I leave it in overnight and I use molasses bentonite clay ACV and very little water. My hair is not dry when I rinse it out. I think that the clay step is an important part of the region everytime. JMHO

I don't think everyone's hair can take the clay like your hair can. Not disagreeing with your experience, I have just read enough of others experience to know that the clay can be problematic for some.

I think its better for people to start cautiously and add on versus going full out. I'm definitely not against the clay step. But I think some people need to start slow and find out what there hair can handle.

If I were to try to do what you were doing my hair would be in a mess. I think people need to figure out what clay they need, what ingredients they need in it, how long they can leave it in and how often.

 

[faithVA]

What damage could occur from leaving the BS on too long?

When I leave the baking soda on too long, my cuticles raise and my hair tangles together. That is just my experience.

There are those on the web that have written out issues of using baking soda but I haven't done any research to confirm or deny what they have said.

 

[HopefulOne]

I don't think everyone's hair can take the clay like your hair can. Not disagreeing with your experience, I have just read enough of others experience to know that the clay can be problematic for some. I think its better for people to start cautiously and add on versus going full out. I'm definitely not against the clay step. But I think some people need to start slow and find out what there hair can handle. If I were to try to do what you were doing my hair would be in a mess. I think people need to figure out what clay they need, what ingredients they need in it, how long they can leave it in and how often.

I got you, I just love the clay so much I probably got carried away. Sorry if my tone was wrong.

 

[faithVA]

I got you, I just love the clay so much I probably got carried away. Sorry if my tone was wrong.

Not a problem. When you post I feel where you are coming from. And I know you can't even imagine what we are talking about

I do love the clay step too. I think I have on my big girl pants when I can do it for two hours

 

[faithVA]

How would people feel about posting pictures at the end of the quarter? Would love to see some update pictures in March.

 

[HopefulOne]

How would people feel about posting pictures at the end of the quarter? Would love to see some update pictures in March.

I think that is a great idea

 

[faithVA]

I think that is a great idea

Yeah I would love to see some hair

Of course we can post at any time but doing a lot at one time can really be exciting.

 

[msbettyboop]

That link showing msdeekay altering the original BS regimen really just rubbed me the wrong way. People have been following her/their original clarify BS recipe and regimen for months, even years. Now she says not to leave the BS on more than 15 minutes. 15-1hr. is a big difference. And now we shouldn't use it every time we do the regimen? Why not? Sent from my SM-N900V using LHCF

Hold up? What? I leave that mess on for an hour!!!!

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[GGsKin]

Yeah I would love to see some hair

Of course we can post at any time but doing a lot at one time can really be exciting.

I'm all for more hair pics

 

[msbettyboop]

I'm wondering. Wouldn't shampoo do the same thing as baking soda and conditioner which is lift the cuticles? Has anyone tried shampoo for step 1 instead?

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[HopefulOne]

I'm wondering. Wouldn't shampoo do the same thing as baking soda and conditioner which is lift the cuticles? Has anyone tried shampoo for step 1 instead? Sent from my iPad using LHCF

That's a good point, weigh in people

 

[kiannack]

That's a good point, weigh in people

Dr Bronner's Castile shampoo is what I use for step 1 to open my cuticles. I like to prepoo before I do that step.

 

[HopefulOne]

Dr Bronner's Castile shampoo is what I use for step 1 to open my cuticles. I like to prepoo before I do that step.

Thanks, I would love to hear more suggestions.

 

[Cattypus1]

I started out with flaxseed gel which I was liking until tried Hello Curly which I love. My hair is a bit dry by day 2 though so I'm starting to wonder about the aloe in the gel. I bought Curls goddess curls botanical gel to try next wash day. Not sure if it's MHM approved though.

I just bought the Curls Goddess curls too. I tried it today but I wasn't committed to it because I had to go to work. It actually did a pretty good job of not being snotty and defining my curls with out the jeri curl look. It didn't dry crunchy either. I'm going modified MHM tonight.

 

[faithVA]

I'm wondering. Wouldn't shampoo do the same thing as baking soda and conditioner which is lift the cuticles? Has anyone tried shampoo for step 1 instead?

Sent from my iPad using LHCF

Step 1 shouldn't be something that strips the hair of moisture. There are very few naturals that can use shampoo on a regular basis and not have their hair stripped. Those that can probably don't need to this regimen. If you can that is great. But most should try to use something gentle for step 1.

Pinkecube details why step 1 is the way it is but I'm too lazy to break all of that down.

I can neither use shampoo or castille soap on my hair and not have it striom I can barely use a cleansing conditioner. I mix my castille soap with conditioner its the only way I can do it.

Remember this regimen was designed for type 4 low porosity. Shampoo is not their friend.

 

[faithVA]

If you are sharing suggestions for step 1 please share your hair porosity and curl type 3 or 4 so newbies can make an informed decision.

 

[hairtimes5]

Yeah I recently realized that I can't do the baking soda step too often. I found two small sections of my hair where there is significant loosening, something I don't want at all. I'm thinking I may just do the Cherry Lola every couple of mos and find something else for step 1. I used to add a little castille soap to conditioner for my daughter's low po hair. I'm wondering if that's gentler? On my last wash I did the clay step first and then conditioned, left a little conditioner in and sealed with gel. My hair came out just fine. May even make this my regimen. I don't know?? Guess I have to do some experimenting.

 

[faithVA]

If you are sharing suggestions for step 1 please share your hair porosity and curl type 3 or 4 so newbies can make an informed decision.

 

[KiWiStyle]

I've actually being saying this since the beginning. I've been saying leave the BS step on just long enough to open your cuticle and rinse it off. I've also mentioned that I don't do it every time and that I alternate between other things. I think others have said they do something similar. I think Pinkecube originally said 15 to 30 minutes. It was others that extended it beyond that. I've also said reduce the amount of baking soda and try 1 tsp to 1 tbsp.

I think its just better to be safe and not sorry. Initially the baking soda does wonders to get the water into the cuticle but after doing the regimen for a while I think it helps to find other ways that remove build up and open the cuticle. The baking soda just isn't needed every single time. And as you get closer to max hydration, the extended sessions really just aren't needed.

I've been doing the 30 minutes max like you suggested for steps 1 & 3 and I do like the results because they are the same as leaving it on longer. I guess I'm bothered that they were very firm with the BS recipes and time but now its like, oh we were wrong. I'll probably discontinue the BS until I find more evidence of its continued use over time. In the meantime, I need to find a safe and noncontroversial clarify recipe...maybe doing only ACV for now.

Sent from my SM-N900V using LHCF

 

[hairtimes5]

Danabnatural (think that's her name) does the bs step weekly with no problems. She only leaves it on for a couple of minutes though.

 

[hairtimes5]

Oh and even though I didn't make any suggestions, just thinking things through for my own hair, I am low porosity. I don't know my hair type but I already had defined curls when I started, just not from root to tip in some areas.

 

[KiWiStyle]

Here is a chart on pH in the science of transitioning book:


BS has a pH of 9.5
Vinegar had a pH of 2

According to this chart, should we be using products with valued of 7ish and below?? I know that when doing the regimen with BS, were gradually bringing the pH levels back down to normal levels until we get to step 5. But is it really good for our hair to reach alkaline levels of 9-14 to begin with? I'm not really arguing the method, just wanna know more about it seeing that its now questionable due to the change in regimen instructions.

Sent from my SM-N900V using LHCF

 

[KiWiStyle]

Dr Bronner's Castile shampoo is what I use for step 1 to open my cuticles. I like to prepoo before I do that step.

Soaps like Castle soaps are very alkaline so they should lift the cuticle. FaithVA combines it with conditioner.

This is what I found while researching yesterday. Sorry, I don't know how to copy links here. Again from what I learned, your regular shampoo should also be within normal pH range to keep the cuticle stays in good condition. Using something more alkaline should be used sparingly I'm guessing.











Sent from my SM-N900V using LHCF

 

[KiWiStyle]

I'm a new natural and BC recently so I don't really know my hair type. I think I'm 4b/a, low porosity. I have no real suggestions for step 1 but I'm guessing we...I should probably stay within healthy hair pH range when choosing my regular daily/weekly shampoo but at the very top of the scale at 7ish.

Sent from my SM-N900V using LHCF

 

[faithVA]

Here is a chart on pH in the science of transitioning book:

BS has a pH of 9.5
Vinegar had a pH of 2

According to this chart, should we be using products with valued of 7ish and below?? I know that when doing the regimen with BS, were gradually bringing the pH levels back down to normal levels until we get to step 5. But is it really good for our hair to reach alkaline levels of 9-14 to begin with? I'm not really arguing the method, just wanna know more about it seeing that its now questionable due to the change in regimen instructions.

Sent from my SM-N900V using LHCF

This step has always been controversial even when the regimen came out and I don't see that changing. In don't think there will ever be a consensus on using baking soda.

There are those that say its bad and there are those that do it that say they have no problems. Each person pretty much has to follow there gut feeling on this step.

 

[faithVA]

For myself being a low porosity type 4 using something with a pH between 8 and 9 works good for step 1, otherwise I would get very little water into my strands even with heat. A pH of 7 does nothing for my hair since my cuticles remain tightly closed. I definitely avoid shampoo even sulfate free because they strip moisture from my hair which defeats the entire purpose of this regimen. No amount of condition will restore the moisture I lose through shampooing. I have proven that to myself over the past 4 years.

I think if shampoos and pH of 7 worked for most low porosity type 4s this regimen wouldn't even exist. The hair care world does not cater to our hair.

 

[Honey Bee]

I'm wondering. Wouldn't shampoo do the same thing as baking soda and conditioner which is lift the cuticles? Has anyone tried shampoo for step 1 instead?

Sent from my iPad using LHCF

Dr Bronner's Castile shampoo is what I use for step 1 to open my cuticles. I like to prepoo before I do that step.

I still use shampoo somewhat regularly (using conditioner as a pre-poo), but I'm looking for other cleansing methods. I like the ACV but I'm very nervous about the BS, so I'm gathering the supplies now to try out some ayurvedic cleansing techniques. There's also a way to cleanse with AVJ, and another method with honey. I'll share what I find as I experiment.

I think my natural hair is normal porosity but I have no idea what my hair type is at this point. I thought the 'rules', such as they are , meant that any kind of noticeable curl and/or coil was 4a-ish, but I'm seeing naturals all over the place with curls poppin', claiming 4c, so I don't know wth is going on anymore honestly.