Will Naptural85’s 25-Minute Co-wash and Detangle Method Work on Waist-length 4C Hair?

by Chinwe 

As a natural, you’re more than likely familiar with some of the challenges that come with detangling – especially if you are 4C. Some include reducing breakage, avoiding snags and holding back tears from your eyes. (Yes, tears.) If  you tack on washing, conditioning and sealing, for some, this total time can run into the realm of hours. But does this have to be the case?

How Naptural85’s method works:

The first step is to coat your entire hair with coconut oil, which will help to lubricate the hair and loosen the tangles. (According to Whitney, the coconut oil is the “secret weapon” in this entire routine.) Next, follow up with a conditioner that has great slip, and allow the combination to marinate. Afterwards, hop into the shower and finger detangle while water runs down your hair. Next, apply conditioner to your hair (for co-washing), gently comb with a wide-tooth comb, and then rinse. Finally, apply your moisturizer and sealant and you’re done!

The method on waist-length 4C natural hair:

So Asha is a 4C natural vlogger who decided to try out Whitney’s method. What was the final verdict? The coconut oil and conditioner melted her knots and tangles away, and the detangling session ended up being the fastest she’s ever had. So how long did it take her? Check out her videos below for the full results:

PART I:

PART II:

Have you tried Naptural85’s 25-minute co-wash and detangle method?

5 of The Best and Worst Detangling Tools for Fine Natural Hair

by The Natural Haven 

This is a very subjective post but I feel that I am an authority on the subject of detangling fine hair because I have a lot of it. It takes ages to detangle and I have been in this game for over 10 years, constantly trying different things. Now, we’re talking fine individual strands, not overall hair density. I am also skipping out finger detangling. I fully endorse it. It is the best thing ever, but if you have limited time, it will not work. So here’s the list starting from best to worst:

1. Hercules Sägemann Magic Star comb

Taking its rightful place in first position (I really cannot sing the praises of this comb enough) is the Hercules Sägemann! It is a seamless, rubber comb that unlike the flexible combs and brushes touted to be less damaging is completely stiff! It is the closest that a comb will take you to finger detangling. The stiffness of the comb means it acts like your fingers, stopping wherever the hair is too tangled to proceed. It works well on dry or wet detangling. It’a not as beneficial in the mini or jumbo rake size for clumping curls, but my hair does not clump, so I don’t care. If your hair does clump, there are smaller combs from the same manufacturer that could work post-detangling.

2. The Shower Comb

It is cheap and cheerful but not often seamless. You should pay close attention to the finish of the teeth, skipping those that are raggedy and avoid those with decorative painted tips since that paint will chip over time.  I found that shower combs unlike the Hercules Sägemann, are not that great on dry hair, but conditioner combing is easy breezy.

3. Goody Ouchless comb

Sitting right in the middle of the rankings is the Goody ouchless comb. It is seamless, but a little strange as the teeth have no points and are rod-like. Additionally, the spine of the comb is flexible. I have managed to break this comb twice and therefore gave up on it. It’s not really much better than a shower-comb, but it costs more.

4. Denman D3

We are now entering into the devil’s territory. I have yet to find a brush that will not split my fine hair and the Denman D3 did not disappoint. It was stealthy too, because at first, it works beautifully especially with conditioner combing as it has nice firm well shaped bristles and decent spacing. However, a week or two later, I had split ends galore. Some naturals modify the Denman by taking out some of the teeth and say it works just as well without splitting. This was not my experience. I do not think this brush is badly made, I just think it does not suit fine hair. Medium and thick strands…….go for it!

5. Tangle Teezer

This shredder wreaked havoc on my fine strands. Mid shaft splits, split ends, breakage…..all within just two detangling sessions. The claim is that the flexible teeth work to stop hair breakage, but I experienced the exact opposite with horrific immediate breakage. I found too that the teeth were not really well made  and some were rough and snaggle prone. I know some naturals love the tangle teezer but if you have fine hair, steer clear. On a positive note, it works wonderfully on a long haired cat!

Which tools do you swear by when it comes to detangling your hair?

True Life: I’m a Type 4 Natural and I Haven’t Combed My Hair in 2 Years

DETANGLING NATURAL HAIR CARE TRUE LIFE

by Kara, pictured above

I haven’t combed my hair in almost two years and my hair is the longest it has ever been. If someone had told me two years ago I’d do this, I would gasped and fully expected my hair to be loced by now. But two years has gone by without a comb passing through my hair and my loose natural hair is thriving.

A couple of years ago I was inspired by YouTuber Summyr1988 who was following the Curly Girl Method. For those of you that are not familiar, in short the Curly Girl Method was created by a hair stylist called Lorraine Massey who believes that using styling tools, sulphate shampoos and silicone conditioners are not beneficial for the curly girl and her delicate tresses. I was mesmerised by the health and curl definition that Summyr1988 had achieved with her hair, so of course I had to try this method for myself. I didn’t actually know it at the time but I was already following steps to the method. I had already eliminated sulphate shampoos and conditioners with silicones from my normal regimen as I found those ingredients did not work for me.

So how does a natural hair sister with 4a/b type hair not comb her hair in two years and not have a matted birds nest living on her head? These are the rules I follow;

Detangling My detangling process has been a huge contributor in length retention, I traded my wide tooth comb for lots of gentle finger detangling action! Using my fingers has decreased unnecessary breakage, as I always used to notice short broken hairs on the back of my shirt or in the bath. If you have fine hair like me, it may be useful to try this. Using this method I have found that I am able to retain the length of my hair. Using styling tools can apply a lot of undue force and friction to the hair causing the strands to become weak and fragile.