"No Cone" Natural Hair Care & Styling 4 week Challenge 5-2-09 thru 5-30-09 (intro)

[TheIceiing]

great vid i think i will try this challenge thanks:)..when i do ill post a vid response

[ShidaNatural]

@TheIceiing I would love for you to do a video response.

[sewingstardom90]

I'm transition from heat damaged hair to natural hair. so i just tried tresemme remoisture with cones, I believe this is the first cone product I have ever used. My hair had great slippage in the shower, however my bangs which are fully natural dried almost instantly. my hair feels soft, but my ends feel thick and coaxed with product. Not sure if this is a bad thing or if I'm just not used to the product. I'm open to your opinions.

[ShidaNatural]

Tresemme conditioners offer great slip, but have every cone u can name. Loved the results I got when I was using Tresemme 4 the CO method, but noticed with continued use, my hair was drying out. I'm sure it was due to the cones. Tresemme just came out with a cone-free cond which I picked up from Ulta. I got so excited when I heard about it. This cond has great slippage too, but left a film that didn't rinse out. You can test products for build up using the finger test. I had to shampoo it out.

[kmcl11]

@ShidaNatural Thank you for the review. You are correct, -cones should not be used regularly.

[ssikmoi88]

hey gurlie,

ta for the vid. did u use a sulfate shampoo to cleanse ur hair of the cones b4 starting the no cones challenge? are you currently still on it? I have aussie sydney smooth- thnking of using it to watch out any cones i may have in my hair,. Aussie says that theirl sulfates are biodegradable...

x

[ShidaNatural]

@ssikmoi88 I think I did use a sulfate shampoo before I started, and yes, I am still not using cones in my hair, and my hair has never felt better (in terms of achieving & retaining moisture).

[ssikmoi88]

Ah good to hear your hair thrived. My hair feels awful and try. ): but good to know it ill get better! Thnx for the info gurlie.x

[tdottchickk]

ok, i have african gold braid sheen spray and it has peg-12 dimethicone in it. i use it to moisturize my hair. i notice i do get buildup with it and now hearing this i'lll no longer be using it. do you know anything about lanolin? is it bad for the hair? i'm looking for another spray moisturizer and i've heard of stay soft fro but it has lanolin in it. is it good? i'm 4b

[ShidaNatural]

@tdottchickk U may want to consider my new Moisturizing Spray that's part of ShidaNatural's Healthy Hair Care line. Already getting rave reviews. Just posted a vid. Remember, oil doesn't really moisturize, rather, can be used to seal in moisture after using cream / liquid moisturizer. Lanolin is an oily substance taken from sheep's wool, & used as waterproof agent (or ointment) in some products so I'd be cautious with this ingredient, as it may block out moisture frm getn to hair

[sakuraness]

This was such a well informed and charming series! Your challenge is such a fun idea and I definitely want to participate. I thought all shampoos and conditioners were the same, how wrong I am! Thank you thank you for the fantastic advice and for posting your progress!

[ShidaNatural]

@sakuraness It was my pleasure.

[dachocolateprincess]

LOVE your hair

[Chrissystina22]

hey back to using cones now because my freaking hair is SO MUCH easier to detangle with!

Is it ok to use cones as long as I clarify? I really dont want the damage again, but detangling is so much better with silicone products

[ShidaNatural]

@Chrissystina22 I can understand u wanting 2 use products that make detangling easier, but if ur going 2 go bk 2 cones, I wld suggest conditioners that hv water-soluble cone like Pantene R&N. It has Peg...cone. Anything cone that has a PEG in front is water-sol or one with a slightly water-sol cone in it like Herbal Essences Hello Hydration or Totally Twisted. These have Bis Amino...cone, which is slightly water-sol. Read descr. box for other water-sol & slightly water-sol cones.

[aida011]

Hi! watching your vids I see that you are extremely knowledgeable about natural hair care. I have been transitioning for 3mths and I really do not know how to pick and choose hair care products. If you can please write a list of products i.e shampoo/conditioner, that I should be using and ingredients i should be staying away from it will be greatly appreciated! I notice that the non-permed parts of my hair are dry after a wash but my natural domincan conditioner: "tropical degil" does soften it.

[ShidaNatural]

@aida011 You will really have to go thru my videos, and listen to what may be good for natural hair, and what may not be so good. It's too much to type up. Now, if you're close to Pleasantville, NJ you certainly can come in for a natural hair consultation and receive a hair & scalp analysis and learn more about what's good and what's not good for your specific hair.

[dajewel1982]

how do you/what do you use to moisturize your ends?? what natural products do you use??

[ShidaNatural]

Usually just my conditioner if I'm wearing wash & go's or when I moisturize my ends at night, I either use my own meduim/heavy moisturizer I make which is a blend of Trader Joe's Nourish Spa conditioner mixed with EVOO, Coconut & Avocado oils or for a light mist moisturizer, I will spritz my ends with a water/EVOO. What give me extra moisture is when I sleep with plastic cap but only if I'm wearing wet style next day since my hair will be damp. During winter, I use Ashea products to moisturize.

[dajewel1982]

ok, thanks!

[Chrissystina22]

dammit. I love the Aussie Deeep Conditioner cuz of the slip and the gloss it gives, but even my TRUSTED hair stylist told me not to use it cuz she noticed that my hair had been getting much drier and thats why my hair wont grow.

Ima listen now, cuz this makes two people!

[ominecence37]

How do you keep your twist looking so nice? How do you wrap it?

[ShidaNatural]

I sleep with a satin cap. I'll send you a video, via a personal message, where I explain how I maintain my twistouts...

[ominecence37]

Thanks!

[Pinktoenails718]

Hi Shida can you please send me a personal message on how you maintain your twistouts? Thank you very much. My twist outs care coming out like a dry afro.

[futnyors]

I would love to join a challenge but I am transistioning and I don't think i could live without my aussie moist... I just couldn't do it ;o)

[ShidaNatural]

I like Aussie Moist 2... very moisturizing. The good thing about Aussie Moist is that the cone that is in it, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, is slightly water-soluble which can be removed with a co-wash using a condish like V05 or Suave instead of shampoo. I would recommend using slightly water-soluble cones if u co-wash more than once a week cuz remember, if you're moisturizing your hair in between cone product uses, the moisturizer is not getting to hair cuz of the cone barrier. U feel me?

[ntrlbttrfly22]

Beautiful hair and accessories!

[ShidaNatural]

Thank u girl

[DariceHumphries]

It is very hard to find products without cones so I think that if I can find sulfate free shampoo and a really good conditioner that may have cones I will only have one drying product instead of two

[ShidaNatural]

Thr r sum condishes that r water-soluble & can be rmvd w/out having 2 use shampoo. They can be rmvd w/ a co-wash (no-cone conditioner & water). These cones r: Lauryl methicone copolyol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Hydroxypropyl Polysiloxane, Dimethicone Copolyol, Bisaminopropyl dimethicone, Cones that start w/ PEG- . Sum condishes that have water-soluble cones r: Aussie Moist, Herbal Essences Hello Hydration (my 2 favs), Herbal Essences Totally Twisted, & Pantene Relaxed & Natural

[DariceHumphries]

Hey, do you retwist every night or do you just sleep with a bonnett? Anyone with tips for a TWA only an inch or less please shoot me some ideas

[ShidaNatural]

When I'm wearing a twistout, I do not retwist my hair at night. I just sleep with a satin bonnet, then in the morning, I refresh with Ashea leave-in spray then smooth in the Ashea shea butter pomade.

[luvformykids]

Thank you for the video, very informative.

[ShidaNatural]

Glad you think so... and I hope you get a chance to view all the other videos that were made after this one during my "No Cone" challenge.

[Kimberlene]

Ok, what is a no cone conditioner? I never heard of this term before. Funny, I have some  "no cone" conditioners that works well, detangles, and define my curls, but what is a "cone"?

[ShidaNatural]

Cone is short for silicone. Silicone is a coating which blocks moistures. Thr r sum water-soluble cones, but thr r also cones that r not water-soluble, which basically waterproof your hair and blocks out moisture. Dimethicone being the main one which you will see in a lot of conditioners & styling products.

[ShidaNatural]

... So, if ur moisturizing hair that has been styled with a product containing a cone that is not water-soluble, then the moisturizer is basically sitting on top of the previously applied product & not getting to or penetrating the hair leaving hair with a feeling of dryness over a couple days. Dimethicone is also the hardest type of cone to wash out your hair, unless you clarify with shampoo. A co-wash won't cut it.

[DenverDiva]

What a great video! It was very informative and I learned ALOT! Thank you! I always wondered why "cones" are avoided by some people...now I know! Your hair looks very pretty too. Good luck on your challenge!

[ShidaNatural]

Thanks, and I'm glad you learned something.

[SheSingsLovely]

I don't have cones in any of my products. I stopped using cone products when I started transitioning...Oh wait...actually my old deep conditioner had a cone in it. I stopped using that about 2 months ago. Other than that, I don't have any cone products. My hair didn't seem to hate it or love it. Therefore I just cut that chemical out, since it didn't really affect my hair. Good luck on your challenge sis!!

[ShidaNatural]

Thanks for the support sis, and my hair is already reaping the benefits of the no-cone challenge. It actually stays soft & moist throughout the entire day.

[drksista81]

Hi, ShidaNatural, I am also going cone free since I started my natural journey on 4/11/09. So far I've used Giovanni products and they are great. Also I don't know if you have a Walgreens where you live, but they carry his products and they are on sale buy one get one free here in ga.

[ShidaNatural]

Man! I was just at Walgreen's yesterday. I'm sure if it's on sale in GA, it should be on sale in NJ too. I have to wait til I'm back in that area. The nearest Walgreen's is like 40 min. away from where I live.

[subsistence73]

of course nj does silly! lol almost every two weeks i buy my giovanni products from rite aid and they are always buy one get one free (i need it tht often with this thick mane) :-). good luck my great lady!!

[ShidaNatural]

Oh goody... I have a Rite Aid a half mile from my house... much closer than Algreens. Thank u boo boo.

[schrece]

love your earrings!!

[ShidaNatural]

Thank you Schrece. I love threaded earrings. I did a video of my collections of thread earrings. Go check it out. :-)

[mixedwithcinnamon]

I am on my first 2 wks. product free. I noticed a difference in the 1st wk. It was lighter and fluffier. When I want to twist or braid, I use a combination of flaxseed gel and shea butter that I mix just for that application. I spritz during the day with chamomile, calendula, and distilled water. I wash with baby castile soap mixed with distilled water n grapeseed oil. I condition with yogurt, honey, & splash of lemon alternating wk with avocado. Its going ok so far. (great vid!)

[ShidaNatural]

Wow... U use some good stuff in ur hair. Thanks for sharing.

[mixedwithcinnamon]

Thank u Shida but it is not by choice that I do this, I am allergic to a base ingredient that is found in many hair conditioners. I had allergic reaction and it was baaaad! I wish I could just by something @ the store but if I do, I find myself taking a risk. It's strange because, when I was relaxed, I never had those problems. I guess if I am going 2 b natural, I have to do it 2 the fullest.... uggggh.. (such hard work).

[chevy3007]

Your hair is really growing, looks good.

[ShidaNatural]

Thank u. In this vid, my hair was just trimmed a few days before.

[AKAKristin]

I guess I have to start my research and jump on the bandwagon!!!

[ShidaNatural]

Yea girl... Hop on board.

[ShidaNatural]

... Today was my first day using no cones and I can already feel a difference in how my hair has retained moisture all day today. I did my hair this morning and it's already 5pm and my hair is still very soft and moist, not a feeling of dryness anywhere.

[notsoshy28]

This sounds good! I am taking out my kinky twist tomorrow Thank God! I am tired of these things and since you are going until may 30th i will start Tues only because i want to do a deep deep conditioner and the conditioner i want to use has cones in it, plus i am coloring my hair and the conditioner in the box has cones so i will join you Tuesday

[ShidaNatural]

Great! Thanks for joining the challenge.

[TheSistahChick]

Hello ShidaNatural, I have been recently educating myself on product ingredients and am interested in your results. I am new to the Natural hair Product game so i am not sure how cones affect my hair since i just found out what they are. I have run across a few products in my quest that are cone free and they are: Taliah Waajid's Black Earth Total Body Shampoo & Herbal Conditioner, also Caroles Daughter Khoret Amen Shampoo & Leave - In. Good Luck!

[ShidaNatural]

I bet these products are wonderful but I also bet the prices are high. Are they? I just don't want to be spending too much money on products during this challenge.

[TheSistahChick]

The Taliah Waajid Products are very reasonable and were available in my area at a local beauty supply and also on line. The Carole's Daughter Products are a bit pricey imo but yes, wonderful.

[ShidaNatural]

Maybe I'll look into the Taliah Waajid products, if they have them in my area.

[CoilsKinksCurls]

Your hair is looking good to!!

[CoilsKinksCurls]

Hey girl!! I am already on this bandwagon. I have been using nothing with cones in it for about 3 months and to be honest my hair feel much better and it behaves!! It stays moisturized waaaay better now! So, I guess I'll just continue doing it! LOL Does that count? :o)

[ShidaNatural]

Yea ur in the game girl. Today was the first day I styled my hair without any cone-containing products, and my hair has never stayed so moisturized for so long in the day. I did a wash & go. I got some good curl definition but the shrinkage was unbelievable. It's like a curly afro. I like my hair more elongated so I picked up some aloe vera gel so I'll see how I that works. Believe it or not, I've never used Aloe Vera gel on my hair before. I'm trying not to spend too much money in products.

[NappyEmpress]

Products I like w/ no cones (things you can buy locally) - Shea Moisture leave-in conditioner, Giovanni Smooth as Silk conditioner, Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose conditioner. I like the TJ Tea Tree conditioner too. It's so thick to be so cheap.

[NappyEmpress]

Shida, what are the ingredients in the Ashea pomade?

[ShidaNatural]

The ingredients in the Ashea pomade are: African Shea Butter, Ashea's Herbal Complex, Vitamins A D E, Fragrance. At the B-more hair show, I actually had a conversation with the creator of Ashea products, & he explained how their shea butter gets it's pomade creamy texture (not like the chunky texture of plain African Shea Butter). It's the blending method they use when they blend shea butter with essential oils. Unfortunately, the specific type of essential oils are not listed in the ingredients

[MahoganyCurls]

great video, Well, i just recently made a video about cones, I decided to go cg...bc, i realized that my cones, my beloved conditioners with the cones were drying my hair out. So I decided to do the curly girl method. I just started a few days ago, but i will definitely join you on this challenge. I am using v05 for my cowashes, and svauve naturals as leave in along with HE set me up gel, (styler) and Moisture Maniac w/ honey as my dc...

[MahoganyCurls]

My natural hair end up having a bad reaction to the cones, so I am avoiding them all together. My hair feels so much better now since, i stopped using the cone containing products.

[ShidaNatural]

I saw your vid right before I decided to do the No-Cone Challenge, so I guess I can say that you were my motivation to do it.  :-)

I just hope I can combat frizz without cones.

[MahoganyCurls]

Aww, thanks, I know what you mean. My hair is pretty short, but I can leave the conditoner in my hair and it doesnt frizz, I know you hair is way longer than mine... I think you will be okay...We'll see in four weeks! :) This will be fun!

Jess

[vivacious1083]

I haven't used any cones since natural. Even as a relaxed head, I didn't use them after a while but when I did I didn't notice any problems with them.

I'm ok without them though. The products I use frequently have no cones in them.

[ShidaNatural]

What are some of your no-cone products that you use?

[vivacious1083]

Trader Joes Tea Tree Tingle conditioner-I co wash with it a lot and when I mix diff oils, aloe vera gel, and honey in it becomes a leave-in, detangler, and DC all in one!

For moisture, I like making my own mists which are mainly water and whatever oil I feel like using; I like avocodo or olive oil and coconut oil best though

For twisting I luv Afro Veda PUR Whipped Gelly

[ShidaNatural]

Ok, you use some of the same things I use... Cool

[kimmaytube]

Girl, your hair looks gorgeous and it has grown so much. I believe my hair is indifferent to cones--they don't seem to hurt my hair. I like to dilute "curly cremes" with aloe vera gel. Good info. Thanks! As for me, I'm gonna put twists on my hair for the next few days--not sure if I can ban my cones--gotta go and re-read my labels first. lol.

[ShidaNatural]

It is growing like a weed. I actually just trimmed bout a week ago. The cones don't really hurt my hair. There are just certain cone-containing products I've used and noticed a dry feeling of my hair. Trust & believe I'm not banning the cones. I'll be using them from time to time after I finish my 4 week challenge of not using them.

[LiVeRNoOdLe]

I don't really use cones cause my hair gets pretty dry very easily. My friend told me it's best to use the for heat protection and since I don't straighten like ever, I just don't use them. So yea, enjoy the cone-free life :-)

[ShidaNatural]

ima give it a try... we'll see. :-)

[futuredds2010]

If your hair retains more moisture without cones will you throw out your products with cones?

[ShidaNatural]

Absolutely not! I'll be using my cone products here and again, especially my conditioners. I do love the slip they give, so I am not banning from cone products... just want to see how my hair reacts when I have not cones in my hair.