Hair Regimen (07/02/2012)

Disclaimer: This is a regimen that currently works for my hair, and the products that I use to maintain MY hair. Remember all curls are not equal, you know your hair better then anyone so do what works for your hair. Adapt techniques that help preserve your hair. Above all BE PATIENT with your hair and have no expectations except to have healthy hair!

Here are a list of the products that I currently use to preserve my hair (click on the abbreviations of the products to be directed to the product website, or an article on the benefits of a product):

Cleansing

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Pre Poo

Organic Pure Honey (OH)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

Trader Joe Balance Moisturizing Conditioner

Deep Conditioning Treatment

Kera Care 5 in 1 reconstructor (KC)

Pure Aloe Vera Juice (AVJ)

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner (SMRC)

Conditioner Washing (Co-Washing)

Trader Joe Tea Tingle Conditioner

Trader Joe Balance Moisturizing Conditioner

Sealants

Kinky Curly Knot Today (KCKT)

Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque (SMDTM)

Eco Styler Gel with Olive Oil ( Green)

Moisturizer

Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Style Milk (SMCM)

Friday: Saturday is my wash day, Friday night is when I pre poo my hair. Pre Poo is prepping the hair for cleansing. I chose to finger detangle prior to starting my pre poo, this is what I find to be most effective for my hair. My Pre poo method depends on my Deep Conditioner treatment that week. (I alternate between a Moisturizing Deep Conditioner and a Protein Deep Conditioner). If am doing a Moisture based DC then I do a hot oil treatment for my Pree Poo, and if I am doing a Protein based DC then I use a conditioner for my Pre Poo to give my hair the added moisture, especially because the Protein Treatment I use is strong. I start off by dividing my hair into sections (if your hair isnt long enough then skip this part) then I apply my either my Olive Oil and Honey hot oil treatment OR my TJ Balance Moisturizing Conditioner. I secure each section place a plastic shower cap, and then my satin bonnet and allow it to penetrate my hair overnight. ( I know your thinking, doesnt the honeymake your hair sticky?) The answer is no, for every half cup of olive oil there is only 1 teaspoon of honey.

Saturday: Wash Day! I do not use shampoo! I find that is use useless and unnecessary in my regimen. Instead I use ACV. I take 1 TBSP  of ACV and dissolve it into 1 cup of WARM distilled water (I will explain the importance of this later.) in a spray bottle. Section by section I spray my hair with the mixture and in a DOWNWARD sweeping motion I GENTLY work the mixture through my. The friciton on my hand helps to losen the product build up on my hair. I must admit this method may take sometime to wrap your mind around, especially if you are newly natural, or if you need bubbles to feel as though your hair is "cleansed". I find that this is the most effective way to cleanse my hair. If this method seems to far out for you try a No-Poo or Low-Poo. Once I am satisfied with that my hair is clean i move onto my Deep Conditioning Treatment ( Either my Kera Care 5 in 1 Reconstructor or Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner) I apply a generous amount to each section then i cover my hair with a plastic cover with my bonnet ( you can either steam your hair, sit under a hooded dryer, or use your body heat) and allow it to sit for 45 minutes to and 1hour. Once I rinse the Conditioner, I move onto Conditioner Washing ( Co- Washing) with TJBM first then with TJTTT Conditioner. Once I have rinsed out all the conditioner I take my ACV mixture (that I put in the refridge to make it cold) spray it on my hair section by section to seal my hair cuticle, this is the purpose for using warm water with your ACV in the cleansing stage) and in a DOWNWARD sweeping motion. I complete my wash day by applying a water based leave-in KKNT, then I seal with Olive Oil or Coconut oil, followed by the Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque (I dont like this product as a DC but i love it as a butter for extra sealing). This completes my wash day. I do not style my hair on wash day, because I like to stretch my hair. I place a bonnet on my head and call it a night.

Sunday: Styling Day! I either do two strand twist or flat twist my hair. I use my Eco Styler Gel to give my hair a natural shine, more defined curls, and block out humidity. Then im done!

Monday: If my hair is in two strand twist i will take them out and fluff ( I lubricate my finger tips with olive oil to reduce friction and the chance of frizzies!) and retwist at night. If I am wearing flat twist I do not take my hair down.

Tuesday: If I wear Flat twist I re-moisturize my hair with Shea Moisture Organic Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Style Milk at the end of the night.

Wednesday: I co wash my hair with one of my TJ conditioners. I spray my hair with my organic Aloe Vera Juice seal with my Olive Oil. I don not retwist my hair because I intend to wear my hair out until wash day. I will pineapple my hair in small sections (my hair isnt long enough for a full pineapple).

Thursday: I take my hair out in the morning, and at nite i give my hair a light mist of aloe vera juice and pineapple my hair.

This completes my current hair regimen, this may sound like a lot of "work" and seem very time consuming but its really not, I spend no more then 5 hrs a week on my hair. Whatever your ultimate goal is for you hair it takes patience and dedication. Once this becomes a regimen that you have done over and over again it becomes habit. As your hair grows you will have to revamp your regimen to accomadate your new growth. Im still learning what works for my hair, it took me a year to find products that I am happy with and a regimen that works for me as well as my lifestyle. Please leave questions and comment and I will get back to you!

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