Detangling: What Works For Us!

Detangling is the process in which you use a particular product or oil to soften and smooth the hair for manageability.  It can be simple or complicated.  It is one of the most important aspects of a healthy hair journey.

Detangling can be done at various points during your wash regimen.  Some prefer to detangle before shampooing while others detangle after shampooing during conditioning or there are those who detangle after shampooing and conditioning.

There are two methods that can be used to detangle: Wet-Detangling or Dry-Detangling.  Here is a great source for more valuable information on detangling.

How We Detangle

BG "S" (Type 4 Coarse)-  I detangle prior to washing using our detangling cocktail or during deep conditioning if done prior to washing.  I detangle in sections.  I start by misting the hair with my cocktail mix and begin by finger detangling first.  I then proceed to detangle the ends of the hair first with my seamless comb. Next, I gently slide the comb in and out of the hair while sliding down any remaining knots/tangles from the top to the bottom until detangled to my liking, I also complete that section with the Denman 31 to ensure all tangles have been removed. I then twist that section.  I do this throughout the entire head and then proceed with her hair regimen.

BG "M" (Type 4 Fine) - I detangle during the conditioning phase after washing using a wide tooth seamless comb.  After detangling in sections with the conditioner still in her hair, I twist that section to prepare for rinsing and proceed with her hair regimen.

A great visual of how I detangle my girls hair by one of my faves...

Another one of my favorite YT'ers... (How to Detangle Children's Hair)

How do you detangle?

Back to the Basics: Keeping It Simple

Boy, what a journey!  I decided to begin this month on a "new" healthy hair journey with BG "S".  Why?  Well, it has been about 5 months since removing her locs.  Since then I have done trims/dustings throughout those months (altogether it can be classified as a mini-chop, lol).  I am finally at a place where I can wash and detangle her hair without having a matted mess on my hands and getting completely frustrated.  I also finally got rid of those nuisance ssk's and there were A LOT!  We have also tried tons of new products and have had our share of ups and downs with ingredients, so I pretty much know what works and what doesn't work for her hair.  She will also be 3 this month!!!

This brings us to the basics of keeping it simple!  I found myself getting off our regular hair regimen a little bit just to experiment but it wasn't yielding the results I wanted or had in the past.  I veered off trying new things and following the masses such a finger detangling and other methods of sealing, etc but I am back on course with following our regular hair regimen! Her hair flourishes with our regimen.  I love my Grapeseed Oil and will continue to us it during daily moisturizing but I will be going back to sealing with my shea butter mix on wash day (I have altered the recipe a bit to avoid refrigeration).

The only thing left for me to try is the Chicoro Leave-In and if that doesn't work I will be sticking to my faithful Kimmaytube Leave-In Recipe! I have also been trying out shampoo bars which I like so far. :)

This is the amount of hair I have trimmed after her 1st initial trim of 2 inches after loc removal.

This is a comparison of pics between Jul 12- Jan 13. July 2012 (before loc'ing), Dec 2012 (after removing loc's and cutting),  Jan 2012 (hair growth)

Current Pic (April 2013, I trimmed last in March) at a good place.

So here we go...healthy hair journey AGAIN! :)

BGS First Trim-Healthier Hair, Here We Come...

Snip, Snip...

After much research and finally gaining the courage, I decided to do it!  Since her hair was already styled in mini two-strand twists I thought this was the perfect time to trim.  I first became familiar with this technique via Baby Big Hair (Trimming BBH, Well...Her Hair).  Since we are currently in a  Protective Style Challenge, I decided to go for it because after removing the mini-twists I will be giving BGS a deep condition treatment.

We used:

• Goody 'Ouchless' Ponytail Holders
• Clips
• 5 1/2 inch Cutting Shears ($2.99 from Beauty Supply Store)

What we did:

• I applied a generous amount of coconut oil throughout the hair.
• Sectioned off the hair evenly.
• I examined each twist and figured out how much to trim (starting from the back). I did this by sliding my finger down the twist to feel for rough areas.  I also looked for thinning.
• I snipped right above my thumb at an angle.
• After trimming a twist (Yes I did it one by one, it was my first time, lol!) I clipped the twist to the side until I finished all twists in that section and then secured section with ponytail holder.
• Repeated until completed.

Here are some other helpful links:
KandyLandKurls (When To Trim My Child's Hair?)
Precious Curls (How To Trim Your Own Natural Hair)

Girly and Curly (The Day Someone Attempted a "Brittney Spears" on Des... (Good Read)

For you viewing pleasure: YouTube Video Demonstrations:

ShidaNatural - Trimming Natural Kinky/Curly/Coily Hair while in Twists
AfriknaHairGod- My Trimming Method For Natural Hair