What is your favorite heat protectant to use when straightening/ironing your hair?

I'm down to my last few drops of CHI Silk Infusion and although I liked it, I've never really tried anything else, so I want to know if there's anything better out there for extremely thick hair.

Any good products to weigh it down? I know most people want the volume but I just have too much!

Any good straightening serums that work? Or any product that helps keep hair from frizzing/curling if you sweat/are in a moist or damp environment?

Any and all thoughts/opinions are greatly appreciated!

stepstomarrow
When granddaughter, Jada, was born with leukemia, a donor-match was located and Jada made a miraculous recovery. In honor of her grandaughter's health, Jeanna has decided to walk across the country (in the dead of winter) to raise awareness and build support for the bone marrow registry (all that's required is a cheek swab). Follow Jeanna's remarkable journey as she travels the United States by foot.

So I'm going to be getting micro braids again during my christmas break, I just a have a couple questions.
Last time I got micro braids my stylist braided past my hair then glued it. I'm going to be using humanr hair and this timeI really don't want the glue and I just want it braided, like my one friend does. I told my hair stylist this and she wanted to know what brands she used so it didn't come out. My friend didn't remeber so does anyone know what is a good brand for human hair micro braids???

Another thing is before my stylist gave me like a part down the middle and I don't really want that next time because it made it difficult to pull it back and look right, so what exactly is the correct term so she doesn't really give me a part??

( Pictures of the micro-braids I want to get )

taste_buds
Holidays provide a built-in excuse for indulgent entertaining. This all-purpose foodie community covers everything from homemade hangover cures to dinner party menus. Need quick advice? Get five-minute snack suggestions, low-fat ingredient substitutes, and even measurement conversions. Delicious recipes garnished with humorous advice. Yum.

naturesbeauty
Always on the lookout for compelling images, we were delighted to discover this flourishing community of artists who share a love of nature. Honoring the subject with photographs, paintings, sketches, prose, poetry, and other creative works, you'll be simultaneously riveted to your monitor and inspired to run helter skelter towards the nearest wooded dale.

does anyone find that their hair absolutely LOVES protein??? i have fine strands and looootssss of them. just to give you an idea of how much protein i use, every week i 1)prepoo with ORS hair mayo (protein) for 1 hr no heat 2) shampoo twice 3)porosity control for 30 seconds 4)aphogee two minute reconstructor (protein) 5)deep condition with either creme of nature nourishing/strengthening conditioner OR ORS replenishing conditioner (protein). 5)Aphogee green tea leave in restructurizer (protein) 6)herbal essences LTR. i knoww that seems like a crazyyyy amount of protein each week but it works for me! before i would always have a little bit of breakage on wash day and when i moisturize my hair daily, but now i have absolutely none since i've been following this new reggie for about 2 months now! I took a huge chance of gettin protein overload when trying this out but i was jus sick of seeing broken little hairs when I kneww that my hair was properly moisturized. is it common for fine relaxed 4b hair to need this muchh protein?
alsoo..
now that it's winter, i think i'm going to add in a moisturizing cowash once a week 4 days after i wash...i use creme of nature nourishing and strengthening conditioner for a couple hours under a shower cap which reaalllyyy moisturizes my hair (almost overmoisturizes)....soo i'll be following it up with aphogee gree tea reconstructor...does this sound like a good idea?

backpacking
Want to embrace your wanderlust on the cheap? If you're tall on adventurous spirit, but short on funds, this community can help you plan a trip to anywhere. Offering plentiful tips on how to travel light, you can post about bargain hotels and hostels if you're into urban exploration or discuss camping gear and mosquito netting for the great outdoors. Hitch your backpack, pitch your tent, and carpe diem!

I'm seriously thinking about doing the Big Chop today, but should I chop on wet or dry hair? I've only ever cut my hair wet, but I'm thinking this might be different.

Anyone?

**FINAL EDIT Thu Dec 10 02:15:47 UTC 2009**

So there is the final update... Over the past day we have processed around 11 million jobs out of the 12 million that were in queue at that time. Please bear in mind that over this past day, more jobs for notifications are also created. So while the queue has been dropping, we are still not fully caught up at this point, due to backlog and new jobs. We have roughly 3 million jobs still pending that involve the notification system in some manner. We had hoped we could have fully cleared the queue in a day, but unfortunately we can't clear it too quickly, since we need the rest of the site to operate normally. From our current perspective on the amount of jobs that are left in queue, and how many it has processed thus far, we believe it will take around another 8 - 12 hours to process everything.

And finally some answers to some questions:

( Read More and Get Some Answers... )

freeskiers
While some of us long to escape the cold, dark stretch of winter for hot tropical beaches, for others, there's nothing quite like whoooooshing down those shimmering sugar alps. If you're fond of freestyle skiing, get ready to slide down the slippery slopes in good company. This passionate, international community shares travel/gear tips, anecdotes, photos, and videos for those who can't get enough of the sweet stuff.

seasonal_icons
Need some extra twinkle to decorate your place? Check out these dazzling holiday-themed icons. If you're an artist, you can post your own creations, provided you abide by the simple rules (which is to say, all cheer and no politicking). Be sure to comment and give credit if you wish to borrow a little spirit (no direct links, please). If you're feeling a touch of humbug this season, this is an instant shot of festivity.

handmade_gifts
High on creativity, but low on cash? You'll find tons of brilliant suggestions for do-it-yourself crafts sure to please everyone on your holiday gift list. Offering detailed instructions, photos, budgets, timelines, and active support, you'll soon turn spare remnants of fabric and time into cherished keepsakes. Be sure to search entries and read user guidelines before you post for help!

has anyone used accutane for acne problems?

i dont know what to do with my hair anymore. i havent gotten a perm since august. and so my hair is nappy as heck! but its falling out like crazy. everytime that i comb my hair, a lot comes out. i hate it. and i all my top hair is short. the one thing that really bothers me is that the pieces that are still permed, the ends, look really studip now. and thats all the lenght that i have now.

i know that i should cut it off. but i really dont have the money right now. and when i do get the money, i dont know how i should cut it. or do anything with it.


oh and i have to straighten it. mostly the front part.

I'm transitioning and currently wearing a sew-in (w/ the periphery exposed) to give my natural hair edges a chance to grow out and catch up to my crown, sides, and the back of my head. Well, it's incredibly slow-going (although I'm sure my hair is benefiting from no flat irons/blow dryers)...my edges won't stop breaking and I know exactly why.

1) My hair has high porosity, meaning it's kind of brittle and breaks easily. Before you suggest more conditioner, it also means that my hair accepts moisture really easily but loses it just as easily...as in 20 minutes later the "moisture" is on my face and neck.

2) I get "fairy knots." If you don't know it's this (really effing annoying) natural hair phenomenon where your curly strands loop around themselves into a knot...as in EACH INDIVIDUAL STRAND has an immediate, f--king tight knot. Once it happens, all you can do is cut them, b/c the knot's contact w/ other curly strands can cause those strands to knot too or join the original knot. Ugh!

My longer hair in my crown and back of my head don't have this problem b/c they have permed ends still and the longer my hair is, the heavier it is, loosening the curls. But my edges are VERY short, so this happens ALL THE TIME. Cutting the knots/brittle feeling bits just makes it shorter and more susceptible. My edges will never grow at this point...they have everything against them! Does anybody have an suggestions on how to combat this?! It's so frustrating.

What are some of your favorite skin care products? Face moisturizers & washes, good body lotions, body washes etc.

for anyone who's had a curly weave, or one like the pic below, how did you maintain it? was it hard? what products did you use? how long was it before it started getting to be too much and you had to remove it? thanks!