Hair Regimen (Fall/Winter 2010)

Hello Naturals, Transitioning Naturals, and the Curious!

Let's Talk Hair Regimen!!!!

First, my disclaimer..Ya'll know I'm lazy, so my regimen isn't 'rigid'. I am not going to sit here and lie like I do this every week either. (LOL!) But I can say that I don't go more than 2 weeks without washing my hair. Honestly, I can tell how far I am able to push it, based on the way my hair feels. This is something every natural eventually masters as they learn their hair.

Today I am going to share the regimen I had last year. This worked better for me when my hair was shorter. At that time, my hair was too long to be considered a TWA, but too short to put in a ponytail. On my next post, I will share what I do now that my hair is a little longer.

The Old Regimen

#1 - I dry detangled first with Olive Cholesterol (only cost about $4). I considered this my pre-poo/detangler/and deep conditioner (all in one step). I sectioned the hair in 4-6 parts using a goody ouchless band. I spritzed one section with water to dampen/soften the hair, then applied LOTS AND LOTS of Cholesterol and finger detangled. Then, I would twist the detangled section and move on to the next section. Be careful it can be messy...

#2 – Deep Conditioned: (YES - I deep conditioned before the wash!) I added olive oil to my hair , placed a baggie over it and sat under the dryer for at least 30 – 45 minutes. Sometimes I wrapped the hair up in a scarf & skull cap and let it sit overnight. I got the best results overnight.

#3 – Cleaned Scalp:  I messaged diluted peppermint castile soap (75%water/25%soap) split into my scalp. I untwisted one section at a time, poured the castile soap on my scalp. This works better with a color applicator bottle. I messaged the scalp, put that section in an afro puff, & moved on to the next section.

#4 – Co-Washed Hair: By this time -- my scalp felt good and tingly! I co-washed my hair with Herbal Essence Hello Hydration (only cost about $3). I also co-washed it in sections. I took one afro puff down (I never completely washed out all the cholesterol …I just put lots of hello hydration on top of it and washed it all out together.) I have a different washing technique too…I “smoothed” the hair down in one direction  - as I washed it out, so it doesn’t tangle again. I put that section back up in an afro puff and move on to the next section. I typically co-washed two times, rinsing my hair with cold water on the last time.

And that's it!!! Afterwards, my hair was ready to be styled (I always two-strand twist for a twistout) Just a quick note on styling.

Since my hair was already in 4 sections after the wash. I would simply take one section down at a time, then twist my hair in however many twist I felt like. I usually do more product experimenting on this phase -- BUT I only have three main staples: a leave in conditioner +   twisting gel (or some sort of styler)+ oil. We'll talk more about these staples  & the products that I use in a later post.

Stay tuned for the PART II,
Be Blessed,
Bee Franklin