Early days
September 2022
I dove in head first, watching oodles of videos, reading tons of Reddit threads, researching endlessly, buying heaps of products and tools, and trying, trying trying. I never did the same thing twice, which definitely wasn’t a great approach for refining my technique or product choices, but it sure was fun.
I remember everything being really overwhelming at this time. I wasn’t sure what “type” of hair I had—low porosity? High porosity? 2a? 2c? How much product did I need? Which products did I need? Ack!
Technique-wise, I remember experimenting with the bowl method. I was using my Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer (+ the diffuser it comes with) to diffuse.
Tools & Products
Some things I purchased and/or used in this time…
September 18, 2022
My second wash attempt. I watched a bunch of videos and took notes so I’d remember all the steps. This one turned out much better! This is before scrunching out the gel cast (SOTC).
September 18, 2022
My second attempt, right after SOTC.
September 18, 2022
My second attempt, a few hours after SOTC. It definitely fell pretty flat quite quickly. This was a big struggle for me early on—it would look really promising with the gel cast, and then fall flat in hours (or minutes…).
September 20, 2022
Attempt 3, pre-SOTC. I tried a bit of spray gel and a sugar spray with this wash.
September 20, 2022
Attempt 3, post-SOTC.
September 20, 2022
Attempt 3, same day.
September 20, 2022
Attempt 3, same day.
September 21, 2022
Attempt 3, day 2—discovering that re-wetting my hair will actually make it wavy again!
September 23, 2022: 4th attempt
Pre-SOTC. This part always looked so promising!
September 23, 2022: 4th attempt
Pre-SOTC.
September 23, 2022: 4th attempt
Immediately after SOTC. I used the AG Re:Coil Curl Activator (applied with the bowl method) and the Kinky-Curly Curling Custard.
September 23, 2022: 4th attempt
Immediately after SOTC.
September 24, 2022
Day two for attempt 4.
September 28, 2022
My first wash day using Aussie Instant Freeze Gel.