The products that I use when I wear my hair straight are completely different than the products I use when I wear my hair in it's naturally curly state. These products consistently give shine, body, elasticity and strength as well as moisture to last me until my next straightening session. As you can see, I use five products in my hair before pressing it. It may sound like a lot of product but each serves a specific function that I have been unable to find in any one product exclusively.
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Even though I use what some may consider to be an insane amount of products in one styling session, my hair has tons of body and is build-up/residue free. The key to using numerous products and still maintaining body is controlling the amount of product used. I use about a dime to quarter size amount of each product on my entire head.
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Here is a little more about why I use each product:Fermodyl 619: Especially formulated for coarse, curly hair; Fermodyl helps correct porosity and elasticity issues. This is extremely beneficial if you use heat regularly, as regular thermal styling tends to lead towards overly porous hair, and excess combing/detangling can lead to loss of elasticity. Because Fermodyl is formulated with Lactic Acid, it also makes detangling a breeze, which can help cut down on damage from combing! - I use this product on my wet hair prior to adding my leave-in.
Sebastian Potion #9: This is hands down my favorite leave-in when I choose to wear my hair straight. This product leaves my hair shiny, soft, and hydrated without the waxy residue. This leave-in is formulated as a wearable styler which means that your hair will still have movement/body when wearing it in free flowing hair styles. - I apply this product AFTER the Fermodyl 619
Frederick Fekkai Glossing Cream: Definitely earned it's keep amongst the holy grail products. I absolutely love this because it adds extra softness, shine and body; something that is desperately needed during those harsh winter months.- I apply this product after the Sebastian Potion #9
Aveda Brilliant Damage Protection: This is by far the best heat protectant I have used to date. Yes it is a tad on the expensive side, however it protects the hair quite nicely while imparting a sleekness to the hair that is second to no other heat protectant on the market [in my opinion]. - I apply this after the Glossing Cream
Chi Silk Infusion: I use this product to further enhance sheen and seal in the moisture from the aforementioned products. This helps seal the cuticles keeping the ends of your hair nice and smooth ensuring a nice sleek finish. - I apply this product AFTER I blow-dry my hair but BEFORE I press it.
Do I moisturize my hair while it is straight?
For the first 1-2 weeks no. I find that with using the products mentioned above, my hair stays soft and hydrated for up to two weeks. If I add any product to my hair, it will be Coconut Oil added to the ends only to lubricate them and keep them from splitting and/or snagging. I add Coconut Oil to my pressed hair about once every 3-4 days.
If I leave my hair straight for longer than 2 weeks, I then use a thicker moisturizer like Burdock Root Butter by Qhemet's or Whipped Pudding by Oyin.
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Great suggestions. Thanks to you MTM I've managed to retain about two inches of growth since discovering your blog in July. My hair thanks you immensely!! XO
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for these tips. I am getting set to try this in November :-)Much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteHa, I found this on Twitter while sitting under the dryer at the Dominican salon. I had already planned to adopt your straight hair regimen and was just about to ask what products you use in between washes. Good to know!
ReplyDeleteur. hair. is. gorgeous! that shine is amazing! im in awe
ReplyDeletemissdeeplyrooted.blogspot.com
You mentioned in a previous post (Oct. 1 My pressed hair doesn't stay straight) that any conditioner or product left on the hair will make the hair stiff, lacking body, and cause a burnt smell when pressing. So how do you use all of these products without having that problem and still have it last for a couple of weeks?
ReplyDeleteYour hair is soooo pretty! Please do a video tutorial on how you straighten your hair. You obviously know what you're doing!I'm going to give Sebastian Potion #9 a try. Does it have con's in it?
ReplyDelete@Anonymous; Indeed any conditioner or product residue will cause the hair to lack body. - Sebastian Potion #9 is a wearable styler, meaning it is meant for free flowing hair styles. The key to using these products without stiff sticky hair is using them in moderation. As I mentioned in this post, I only use a dime-quarter size amount of each product for my entire head. - You can see in the pictures that my hair is still very straight and has body.
ReplyDeleteResidue from weeks of product/dirt sitting on your hair versus a styler added to clean hair yields a completely different output. I hope this cleared up any confusion, if not drop me a line :-)
your hair looks amazingly stunning straight as well ..sheesh lol
ReplyDeletelove it!
hi moptop...what heat tools do you use? your hair is incrdibly straight! thanks
ReplyDeleteHow do you maintain your straight hair at night? Do you normally wrap it or use some other method?
ReplyDeleteany good anti- humidity products? or do you find that these products take care of this issue?
ReplyDeleteGreat tips!! Do you deep condition prior to pressing your hair and if so what shampoo, conditioner and or deep conditioner do you use and why?
ReplyDeleteThank you in advance ( :
In what order do you use these products?
ReplyDelete@Qzan; Amazing retention, that's what I love to hear! Thank you very much!
ReplyDelete@S; You're welcome! Good Luck!
@Mojo; Perfect timing!
@BreukelensFinest; LOL Thank you very much!
@Passion; I will definitely do a tutorial next time I straighten! And sadly Sebastian Potion #9 does have cones in it. * Le Sigh
@Maggie ☮ Thank you!
@Anonymous; Thank you! I use a regular pressing comb. That's it. My pressing comb of choice is by Kizure
@Cheeky; I do cross-wrap my hair nightly and I pin curl if my hair is curly.
@Anonymous; These products + good straightening techniques like the ones listed in previous posts ensure that I can wear my hair pressed for up to a month if I choose [without reversion].
@Courageously Kinky; Thank you! I use Keracare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo because it leaves my hair ridiculously soft. I use Aveda Damage Remedy because it preps the hair very well for pressing and makes detangling a breeze.
@Olilia; The order that I used them are the order that they appear in the post. I did that for your convenience!
I was just wondering if you use a pressing comb for the whole length of your hair. Or do you just press the roots and flat iron the rest?
ReplyDeleteHey.. iknow this question is random.. but have u every used/heard of hask placenta before? When i saw Fermodyl 619.It reminded me of it. my mother used to use it(hask placenta) and always put it in my head when i was a child...
ReplyDeleteooooh..thanks for responding..a pressing comb...electric or old fashioned on the stove? lol..oh..and do you blow dry first..or air dry? sorry for all of the questions
ReplyDeleteSo you use a pressing comb everytime you straighten your hair? Is there a reason why you don't use a flat iron?
ReplyDeleteHow long does your straight hair last without touch-ups before reverting?
ReplyDeletewhat does reverting mean?
ReplyDeleteOh!! nvr mind i googled it (hee-hee)
ReplyDeleteThis is probably a silly question, but you mentioned the high lactic acid content in Fermodyl 619, and I have lactic acid skin peels that I purchased from makeup artists choice (40%). If I were to add a drop or two to my conditioner in order to aid in detangling would that be damaging?
ReplyDeleteCan one use the same product line-up if she opts to use a flatiron instead of a pressing comb?
ReplyDeleteI am about to try this on my 6 yr old who has waist length hair, my 2 yr old and myself I am following your method to a tee and have purchased everything I need. I am excited to see the results and if I am successful in my attempts I will share those results. I am african/american and my two girls are Italian and african/American so I am interested to see how this method works for all of us! ( : Thx u again for this very helpful info.
ReplyDeleteDavisrl1 is CourageouslyKinky!!!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteafter wearing your hair out for a couple of weeks do you find that you shed. I am not why sure but my hair starts to shed after wearing it in a press in curl for a couple of wk.
ReplyDeleteIm am having scalp problems. I read above and it says you keep your hair pressed for up to 2 weeks. Recently when I go to hair dresser my press only last a week because it gets soo oily so fast. Even though I have put no grease or even moisturizers in my hair. I am not sure what to do.
ReplyDelete