So… today I started my experiments!

This evening I did my last sulphate shampoo (Aussie MM). I followed this with some Naked shampoo (the moisture one) although I’m not sure if I needed to do this, but I didn’t think it would do any harm. Then Naked conditioner, left on while I was in the bath. I rinsed the conditioner out, then put some more in and some Boots pink CC… then panicked because it was really sticky and rinsed my hair a bit more (but not to the point of being squeaky clean).

I then blotted my hair on a t-shirt a bit and added a tiny bit more CC and then I plunked with a fresh t-shirt. Plunking was done for about an hour, which is probably too much but we’ll see! I was so comfortable that I didn’t want to take the t-shirt off.

Hair is out now and definitely curlier… still damp though. Scared to touch it but it’s sitting funny and I’m not convinced it’s a good look.

I do think if I’m going to really make a good go of CG then I’m going to need to get it cut / layered as it’s very long at the back and lacks oomph. But I’ll wait a while before making any rash decisions. 

I might take a photo to post once it’s dry, but at the minute it’s a bit of a sight!!

So… my hair!! Well, it’s been interesting so far!

I haven’t yet been able to bring myself to ditch the shampoo completely and have been mixing a small amount of Naked shampoo in with my Naked conditioner to use on my scalp, but I think I might be ready to phase that out now (or only do it occasionally with a watered down shampoo).

I bought some of the Boots Essentials coconut and almond intensive mask stuff as I think my hair needs moisture. Still not 100% sure but I don’t think it needs protein as it isn’t overly stretchy and snaps quite quickly when stretched. I’ve started using this intensive conditioner after my CO/Low pooing, NOT right to the root, but on the mid-lengths to ends and I leave it in a while if I’ve got time.

Last night, after my CO/Low poo, when my hair was soaking wet… I added a little bit of Naked conditioner back in and then some Naked anti-frizz serum, followed by a small blood on UG scrunching gel. Then I use a towel to blot my hair until it was dry enough to let dry naturally. I do struggle with my parting, but I managed to part it without messing up the curls/waves too much and leave it to dry. Unfortunately it wasn’t dry by bedtime… so I had to go to bed with it damp. Looked somewhat of a mess this morning but I sprayed it with water (with a tiny bit of Naked conditioner in) and the wave sprang right back up. Although it is still frizzy, but I am hoping the frizz factor will start to improve with time.

I do want to try some more products to help with frizz, so if anyone has any suggestions of things that might be worth trying, I would love to hear them. I don’t like the ‘wet look’ and prefer a natural and softer look. I think because my hair is wavy - rather than actually really curly it looks a bit daft when it’s overly gelled.

I have got Frizz-Ease mousse, which I quite like, but I think I’d like to try diffusing with the mousse and I can’t as I don’t have a diffuser. Actually, any recommendations for hairdriers for curly / wavy hair would be useful… unless it doesn’t make a difference?

I was naughty on Saturday and used a non-CG hairspray (Elnette) as I was going out and couldn’t find the Naked hairspray. Must get my hands on some CG hairspray before I next go on a night out as it does really help to old and define my waves. I wore my hair pinned so it all fell over one shoulder (as one side of my hair is much wavier) and got lots of compliments, which was nice as it’s the first time a lot of people have seen my real hair texture. I even got chatted up, so it’s not putting members of the opposite sex of at least! I did put far too much product on it though and it was quite crispy.

I am finding wandering around with my natural hair texture on display really quite liberating I must admit and a few people have said it looks nice… so it can’t be THAT terrible, right?

I will have to get around to posting some photos to make this diary more interesting and less about me just rambling, trouble is I find my hair looks better in real life than in photos…!!

Finally I’m going to have some hair cut off next time I see my hair dresser. I don’t want to lose too much length (hair is BSL at the back) but I feel like the weight is restricting how wavy my hair will go. I do like it long though. My hairdresser has curly hair, so I’m HOPING that she’ll be quite receptive to hearing about the curly girl method and will be somewhat clued up on cutting techniques for curly hair.

I’ve attached a photo of my hair yesterday!

So, my hair experience has been quite interesting thus far. I haven’t strayed too far away from my original products (Naked conditioner, Boots essentials conditioner, Naked serum, UG scunching gel… etc.) although I have expanded my Naked hair care collection quite a bit and have got the leave in conditioner and their curl cream (I have decided that I HATE Boots curl creme) and curl serum.

I have been really good (IMO) and since I started CG I haven’t slipped up (which I was expecting to TBH) and straightened my hair or used any non-CG products. My hair is still a bit hit and miss, but I’m getting more and more used to how to cope with it. I also had a trim last weekend and told my hairdresser about CG… and she was a bit dismissive of it, which disappointed me (especially as she has curly hair herself). I told her to Google it though!

The main problem I’m finding is how to sleep on my hair and know it will be manageable / not flat on one side… etc, etc. the next day. I’ve started twisting it into four sausages (two either side of my head) and clipping the twists together at the bottom so they don’t unravel. I can then sleep with my hair over each shoulder, like pigtails and wake up with quite a nice uniform wave in my hair. This may well count as ‘not working with my natural curl pattern’ but so far it is the only way I’ve found to sleep that works consistently.

I still haven’t been able to really identify what my curl pattern is… I think it’s some kind of wavy or a combination of the wavies… but sometimes it goes REALLY curly and other times less so. I’d like it to be more consistent at least.

I’m still experimenting anyway and need to try some different products I think… but over all I am loving it.

Your hair looks lovely in your recent pics Pea, very pretty!

Thank you PCG! You are very kind. I was really happy with how it looked that day, unfortunately they it really is quite hit and miss and often doesn’t look that nice (or that curly). I’m currently mulling over whether to go and see Tom McMillan in London to see if he can give me a cut that helps in that respect. I also really must invest in a diffuser as I think that might make a big difference.