I think it's the setting lotion. I cannot find one that I like. I hated the way my hair felt and blew it dry. I curled it too, and used the Satin Creme Press that Kristen recommended. Now, it feels like my hair. Hopefully, blowdrying and curling once a week won't damage it too much. I like it better this way, because it doesn't get as tangled. I think it will be better in the long run. Even with the braid-out, I feel like it gets really tangled and I'm pulling my hair out. I still want to try the straw set.