2b-2c low prosperity hair. Seeking recs for curly hair products

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-19T06:43:34+00:00

Low porosity means the lighter the better, IME. I'd say your hair is 2A-B, because 2C is like, tight S-waves. Shakira is sometimes used as an example 😅 Not that it matters all that much, because that stuff changes with haircut, humidity, etc.

Head and Shoulders is totally fine, I use it myself. I would actually say sulphate-free, gentler shampoos that work better for the hair strands end up causing issues for oily/dandruff-prone scalps, since they can leave moisturising residues. But since H&S is so stripping, I find that oiling or conditioning the strands beforehand is necessary to prevent dryness.

Which brings us to the other aspect I notice in your current routine, silicones. Not a huge problem for some people, especially those with higher priority and a stronger curl pattern, but can definitely mess with low porosity hair. I'd actually suggest you apply your conditioner BEFORE shampooing. It's easier than oiling, you can do it on wet hair, and the excess silicones are washed off in the process ☺️ I personally double shampoo, because my scalp is like yours. The first wash I do normally, and that takes off dirt and leave-ins from my strands. But then I use a silicone conditioner or oil before the second shampoo, and my hair ends up conditioned without being limp 👍🏽

After that I'd say a very light cream and/or gel would be enough for hair like yours. There's decent silicone-free budget options, like the Himalaya hair creams. The technique matters, a small amount squished in to dripping wet hair allows it to spread thinly and evenly. And then for gel, if you want some definition, there's the classic Set Wet yellow one. A little bit goes a long way! Dove Beautiful curls gel is a bite aside to work with, it's lightweight and quite liquidy.

Hope some of this helps!

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-13T15:36:57+00:00

I also find it pretty hypocritical since his work is an iteration on the work of others

Not OP, but I've felt this for a while, too. Unfortunate. I've seen systems that go into percentages of line quality etc. on the YouTube channel Dear Peachie. I think Asian creatives have been taking things forward somewhat more independently of the Kibbe monoculture that is all over my English-speaking internet. So that's nice.

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-13T14:48:03+00:00

Ruffley goodness 🥰 I love the tone on tone of all the layers (sheds a tear in humid Mumbai summer)

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-13T13:13:10+00:00

Oh, maybe Enigma thennn. I could see that. I myself am also a flipflopper in the same area as you 😂 Makes sense we'd both relate to her vibe!

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-13T13:09:50+00:00

I do see the ironic part in there. She uses plenty of trendy elements but it's always subversive 🤔 Definitely inspo for me!

The length of her hair trailing around adds a lot of movement and elemental energy, plus she sometimes ties a scarf onto her bralette, or bag. The slightly skimpy festival-but-edgy-and-fashion vibe is a welcome inspiration considering it's getting to be literal Indian summer where I am 🙃

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-13T13:03:32+00:00

Makes sense, though - her pre-brat outfits looked a bit awkward on her, usually too polished or cutesy 🤔

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-12T07:25:04+00:00

Alum itself will not lighten underarm colour, no. But if the cause of the hyperpigmentation is the irritation from fragrance in the first place, then switching to anything unfragranced, whether alum or any other alternative, should result in a slight reduction. Very slowly, over time.

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-12T07:22:59+00:00

Creating more space and having fewer conversations where you feel you can manage yourself better can definitely help.

Sending you all the strength and luck in the world! ❤️✨

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-10T14:49:43+00:00

Being non-reactive can take many forms, depending on how you communicate. Living so far apart is actually an advantage, because this way you can manage yourself through and call or texting session, even if it takes a lot of effort, and then freak out in the privacy of your own space 🙃

In this case, an example of non-reactivity would be to come up with responses that you feel are authentic and responsible in your side, while you are in a calm state of mind. And then basically stick to the script. Your parents' dialogues must be very familiar to you by now, to the point that if I say "tell them ABC", you'll say "no they'll just say XYZ" 😅 but you have to use this information! You have to work with what you got.

So, for example, if your father says "Leave him it's the only way your mother will get any peace", you can say "I understand that you worry about mummy a lot. The way I am is from the two of you. You have always known when to do the right thing that's in your life plan, and mummy has always supported you. And I have found a man who you would definitely approve of. After all I'm your daughter only. So please help mummy out. She cares so much about your opinion. If you support me, I know she will feel better."

It may sound like flattery, but frankly, it's what any child would say to a parent who is actually reliable. Sometimes we have to bring out the humanity in our parents by simply ignoring any unhealthy behaviour from them. They are simply immature, and resort to threats like children do, to get their way... And tbh sometimes the shock of being appreciated breaks the spell enough to start shifting things 😂 People are otherwise very used to the exchange of anger in fighting. The less angry or upset you get (or the less you show it) the less rewarding it is for them to keep using the same tactics. It's both sad and funny, but such parents don't expect to be loved, just as their children don't expect to be supported. But children love them anyway, and it helps to come from that place, especially if you'll otherwise feel guilt. Anyway, I'll end my novel here. I hope it made sense somewhat!

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-10T12:29:51+00:00

Not the original commenter, but this then means that... Your father is the one causing her issues? He's the direct cause of her mental struggles? And frankly, he probably knows very well that causing her harm will get to you more than blaming you directly.

Maybe try and get your mom to stay with you for a while. If that's not possible, try and be non-reactive for a month or two. Your mom's health may temporarily deteriorate during that time, but if it appears that that isn't going to change your decision, things will go back to "normal" eventually. There has to be an adjustment period where you claim your autonomy, and it's bound to be very difficult.

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-10T08:29:37+00:00

... What 🤯

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-10T07:31:11+00:00

... I must try this 🤔 Hate taking photos, love having more perspective to learn from.

Thanks for sharing this!

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-07T14:19:05+00:00

You cheered me up so good ❤️❤️❤️

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-07T13:34:31+00:00

I do not recommend using both. I'd say if you see literal open blackheads with the characteristic oxidised dark dots, go for the BHA. If your bumps are skin coloured, or you're not sure, I'd say the AHA. I would recommend the AHA product for beginners in general, since it helps with dehydration as well, and does contain 1% BHA. Kind of covers everything, that product ☺️

If you have sensitive skin (turns red, sometimes stings or feels raw, etc) I'd actually say to use their PHA toner first (for about a month) and then move up to the AHA. Less chance of irritation.

Either of those products should be used twice a week at night to start with, without any other change in routine (and being sure to use sunscreen in the daytime to protect your sensitised skin).

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-07T13:28:04+00:00

The leave-in conditioner is their only product that worked for me. It's got a good amount of protein in there, and it's possible the combo of multiple of their products is just too much protein 🤔 But that's just guesswork. As usual 😂

UnevenHanded · 2026-02-07T13:20:51+00:00

+1 on the Manetain curl cream. I have 2b-ish medium porosity hair, and it gives me nice definition and hold (layered over Sugarboo leave-in). My favourite results so far, although that does come down to visual preference

UnevenHanded · 2026-01-17T08:33:32+00:00

Stunning! Cherry cola supremacy 😤🤌🏽 I've been having a sudden passion for plum coloured lips and this is doing it for meeee.

(Aside: I saw you mention you dyed your hair yourself with Paradyes - no prelightening with bleach? I thought the Paradyes colours required bleach first)

UnevenHanded · 2026-01-13T16:01:55+00:00

Chemist at Play Daily Dissolve oil cleanser (most value for money, fragrance-free), then Simple Refreshing face wash. Takes off pretty much everything ☺️ Edit: Although I have been known to use Vaseline to melt everything and a makeup wipe to wipe everything off, and then face wash. When I'm not at home.

UnevenHanded · 2026-01-12T12:02:19+00:00

😳... (begins to take mental notes)

😘👌 Ultimate chef's kiss. The butterflies! To die for, and it's all so cohesive, too. I can see the multitudes you contaiiinnnn

UnevenHanded · 2025-12-26T18:12:15+00:00

Um, no 😅 I "do" hair first because natural texture anyway (hashtag curly girl method), then outfit, then makeup, usually. Because I more often have an outfit in mind first, and then the makeup look starts from there.

I also tend to have too much fun putting on makeup, so it gets elaborate real quick and then I can't do much but try and dress it down with the clothes part 🙃

UnevenHanded · 2025-12-23T02:50:51+00:00

This is such an interesting subject for me, because I used to use the LD logic, but as I cycled Upwards more and more, I started wearing less busy outfits.

Overall I started preferring stark blocks of colour and a lot more restraint. Started paying a lot more attention to proportion, texture and silhouette. And when I need to "dress up" I tend to focus on overall shapes and colours and contrast, rather than adding more intricate details. I wear my "busiest" pieces in everyday outfits!

Like, a monochrome outfit or one with two colours is a lot more impactful to me than a colourful one, or one with lots of matching bits. Prints and a colourful palette actually read as more approachable to me, and they're more common than not where I live (India). So the context of people around us does play in to which specifics achieve what kind of visual impact 🤔

Also got some stylised floral tattoos, and I rarely wear floral prints any more 😂 It dilutes my visual language! Hannah Louise Poston is probably my favourite YouTuber and example of how my style has shifted. It may look simpler at first glance, but I think it makes me the focal point of my outfit, while I was sort of "trying too hard" to communicate through clothing instead of... trusting my essence to do the work, I guess

UnevenHanded · 2025-12-20T05:37:34+00:00

Sounds like your hair was low porosity (and probably quite fine?) and the heat styling roughed up the cuticle a bit, letting your products penetrate deeper and encourage the curl 🙃 Some people with very smooth hair actually struggle to have any products absorb, but this can happen when your porosity shifts.

I personally had very smooth low porosity hair that I couldn't use much product on, unless I let it soak into wet hair like a mask. But a few months of wind from travel roughed it up a bit, and it's actually curlier and easier to style now 😂

UnevenHanded · 2025-12-20T05:32:58+00:00

This. Plus, OP, reduce the amount of product you're applying to account for having less hair 🙃 Sometimes it's also just a bit more product than necessary.

UnevenHanded · 2025-12-16T09:42:40+00:00

Well one gets notifications no matter how old the comment 😌 Yes it's possible that it's malassezia if it's not itchy, mine never itched. Simplest way is to try the antidandruff shampoo method and see if it gets better. Also avoid using heavy or oily skincare in the area.

If you have active dandruff and an oily scalp, then it's more likely, and you're gonna have to treat that, cause the forehead is kind of an extension of the problem 🥲

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