Reddit reviews Bonnet Hood Hair Dryer Attachment- Soft, Adjustable Extra Large Hooded Bonnet for Hand Held Hair Dryer with Stretchable Grip and Extended Hose Length (Black)

Background: I started getting my hair relaxed in my early teens for manageability. I did sports in high school and wasn't going to give it up, so I knew "salon fresh" wasn't sustainable. My mom would help me wash and cornrow my hair in between relaxers (~9 weeks).


At present, I'm 8 months into transitioning to natural. I know there aren't a ton of studies on black hair care products, but figured I could make a potentially healthier move away from relaxers. I'd started stretching them to 4ish months a few years ago since all I was going to do is sweat when I run. My hairdresser has been super supportive.


Challenges (along with learning all about my natural hair):

• Over-protein loading my hair. Post-wash a few weeks back, my hair was super stringy, mangled, and not soft even before drying. I realized that most of my products had protein, and the build up wasn't helping my hair. I think I fixed it, as last week things were much better.
  
• My hair, particularly the new growth, is dry so I'm constantly moisturizing and oiling.
  
  
• Finding our how expensive professionally done cornrows/box braids are in my area. It's $100 min for cornrows, $300 for box braids locally. The fact that they last only 2ish months...that's a lot of investment.
  
  
• My hair just looks poofy on my head scooped in a pony now. No brush is thick enough to tame the curls that lie beneath.
  
  Hair comments from others: No one's ever said anything negative about my hair with working out that I can recall. People have been curious how I manage my hair, or will remark it looks curlier, but other than that not much. I even come back from lunch workouts with slightly sweaty hair and no one bats an eye.
  
  Hair type and usual style: My hair is armpit length with about 4-5 inches of it stupid thick, 3c, coarse, and dry. Usually worn in a ponytail/bun. This week I did 2 big braids and called it a day. It's definitely helped keep it from tangling.
  
  Daily/weekly/monthly hair care routine
  
  
• Daily (morning and bedtime): Spritz the generic It's a 10 leave-in from Sally's beauty supply in, follow up with shea butter or Proclaim 7 Olive Oil and comb. If working out, I'll try to remember putting dry shampoo (I use Not Your Mama's) in before working out, and then lightly blow dry or wrap hair in a t-shirt to dry after if super damp. Satin pillow case and satin lined cap/scarf since I'm a messy sleeper
  
  
• Weekly - wash day + deep condition. Comb detangle, shampoo with Naked honey and almond whip shampoo, (new) condition with Every Strand Shea and Coconut oil conditioner. I leave it in for 20-30 w/ or w/out bonnet, rinse, spray the generic It's a 10 leave-in, let air dry/wrap in a shirt til 70% dry, and then blow dry on low heat. Usually I'll flat iron too for management, follow up with more leave-in + oil
  
  
• I try to see my hairdresser every 3 months to get a good wash and DC. She lives ~1 hr from me, so it takes some planning during training at the moment.
  
  I'm still on the hunt for products as I know my hair could use more TLC. Totally open to suggestions. My hair gets curlier with moisture and I get wispy/soft frizzies all over and even with edge wax idk how to combat that.
  
  Hair style, products, or tips that you find useful
  
  
• Still learning lolol, but wrapping hair at night helps me not tangle.
  
  
• I'm a big fan of dry shampoo. It helps keep me smelling fresh, though doesn't help with preserving hairstyle, which is okay.
  
  
• Detangling at night with a wide tooth comb and detangling leave-in is a savior.
  
  
• Sweat is like a natural sea salt spray for me so adding the leave-in helps make my hair soft with it

I have a shoulder length bob and am 2B on top and a 2C underneath. Here is what my current routine is:

In shower:

1. As I Am Cowash to cleanse hair. Apply just around scalp. (going to have to change this, because I just discovered it is not 100% CG friendly, I love it soo much though)
   
   
2. Completely rinse that out
   
   
3. One pump of Deva Curl - One Condition, run through bottom length of hair.
   
   
4. One more pump of Deva Curl - One Condition, flip head upside down and finger come hair out, trying to avoid scalp until most of conditioner is off of my hands.
   
   
5. Fill a cup with water, flip head upside down and then pour water into cupped hand to squish to condition, one cup is usually enough. I use this method until all of my waves/curls are nicely grouped and there are no stray hairs.
   
   
6. With head still upside down squish excess water out of hair with hands (squish up towards scalp)
   
   
7. Go about the rest of my business, being sure to not get hair any wetter
   
   
8. After drying myself off, I use my towel to wrap up my hair in a twisty turbine method. I don't rub my hair in the towel, just twist it up. I used to wrap my hair up pre CG, and when I first started CG method, I avoided this, because terry cloth is supposed to be bad for curls. I hated squishing with t-shirts or microfiber towels, because my hair still seemed so we afterwards. Between the two methods I don't notice a frizz difference, so I do what is easier for me and it doesn't stretch my curls out.
   
   
9. Take hair out of towel and put a big glob of Eco Olive Oil Styling Gel (from Sally's beauty supply) in hands, evenly distributed. Smooth down hair right around my part then scrunch it into all of my hair. I usually use 3-4 globs (comes in a tub, I love it!). Flip head upside down and squish some on the underside. My hair only gets a little crunchy, if I air dry, or don't completely dry it out before I head out for the day. Usually scrunching it gets rid of any crunchiness.
   
   
10. Plop hair into long sleeve t-shirt. This step is magical and very important.
    
    
11. Take down and diffuse with hair dryer.
    
    I still have a little more frizz than I'd like, so I'm looking for a new product to help with that and I just bought this hooded bonnet to dry my hair instead of using the diffuser.
    
    My waves have really amped up since I've gone CG. I am so thrilled with how they've improved over the past 2 years and am never going back.
    
    (edit: grammar and format)

Get this aphogee: just the protein bottle of the 2 step treatment and use your deep moisture mask of choice for the "second step." 2 minute treatment is completely different and weak compared. This is an actual protein treatment like you'd get at a salon.

It's awkward the first time. You need to wash with a clarifying shampoo, towel dry, then add the liquid protein into your hair in sections. It gets really sticky once it starts drying and you'll want to refrain from touching your hair too much once it is actually dry because protein makes it rock hard and it will rip out or break of you pull hard enough. Once you're saturated, the best thing to do is use a hair dryer with a bonnet attachment like this but a diffuser will work as well. Heat will make the process faster and technically stronger but you can also air dry but it will take a while and gets uncomfortable with super sticky protein soaked hair.

After your hair is dry, wash it out completely. Take a few minutes to get it all out. Use a good deep conditioner after since your hair will feel dry and stiff from the protein right after. I like to leave it in for at least 30 min and add heat if I'm up for it.

Usually, my hair feels decent right after everything is done but it's truly magical after the 1st wash a few days post treatment. I get better culrs than I've ever had in my life, stronger hair, and need less styling products than normally.

My hair loves protein too but not even the strongest protein conditioner or leave in comes close to what a true protein treatment can do.

It's recommended to be repeated every few months after that and you can judge yourself.

I use a soft bonnet attachment like this (you need a hair dryer to be able to use it). I put on the treatment, then a plastic cap, then sit under this for about fifteen to twenty minutes while I watch a TV show (with subtitles) or read.

Hey I just want to say that I really hear your struggle and frustration in this post. I think your hair looks really beautiful but I know its been pissing you off big time!


Your hair screams low porosity to me. I have high porosity so I'm on the other end of the struggle (currently battling super frizz life), but I've watched enough hair videos to know that heat is a low porosity gal's best friend. Hot water and heat caps seem to be the bare minimum of lo-po technique.

I found a heat cap that attaches to your hair dryer here:
Bonnet Hood Hair Dryer Attachment- Soft, Adjustable Extra Large Hooded Bonnet for Hand Held Hair Dryer with Stretchable Grip and Extended Hose Length (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077KGXJGH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_hkoWBbY4ZV4HQ

Forgive me if you already have tried or considered these things but for $22 I'd definitely try out the cap.

Also you mentioned trying all the oils and creams in the book, but say argan is your current go-to. In my opinion argan is too light. I don't think it penetrates the hair shaft as well as olive oil. I'm high porosity and while argan makes my hair nice and soft, it does nothing for the frizzies around my crown. Only olive oil controls them for me.

I have yet to try Jamaican black castor oil but I have heard that is a super thick/penetrating oil as well.

I wish you luck! Don't give up hope!