Do you love that MANE?!

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There’s been an incredible number of questions about my hair texture and the products I use to achieve it as well as healthy hair growth. Well you’re definitely in the right place to begin such a fascinating journey. I’m so excited that you stopped through to begin here as I am so willing to advise and negotiate.

I must say that everyone’s natural hair texture is different , so your results may not look exactly like mine, but I can almost guarantee you a difference in your results. I am definitely in love with my natural hair and wouldn’t trade it for anyone else’s and I’m pretty sure that you can –if you don’t already– feel the same! When it comes to natural hair there’s so much versatility! You’ll see many different hairstyles, natural and protective, that I’ll be consistently uploading to my PINTEREST. Make sure you check out my page for ideas if you’re unsure about styles to wear!

I’m so used to cutting my hair, usually in a really short style. My most recent cut was on January 13, 2020; I promised myself that that was it! I’m glad that I had the epiphany of really missing my longer hair and this was the perfect start to growing it back out while it was healthy. I’m also in the military so mostly throughout the week, I’ll do protective hairstyles; on the weekends, I’ll let it breathe more.

I now have a regimen and would like to share some of my favorite products with you that works for my hair. Now, you don’t have to use the same products I’m using to necessarily get the same results. I’m using my experiences and results for inspiration. Some products may work differently for others. Just in case you need somewhere to start, they’re included in this regimen. Even if you don’t use the products listed, at least you’ll have a regimen using the products you already have or desire to use.

I know you’re ready for the meat and potatoes, so here’s to it!

First thing’s first, I would definitely recommend that if you have split or dead ends that you get RID OF THEM! When the hair is dead at the ends, it doesn’t grow to its fullest potential.. and that’s what we’re here for, right?! Don’t be afraid of new beginnings because I guarantee that it will pay off in the end. Your hair will be growing more than you expect and you’ll appreciate your decision down the road. Split ends only split more and upward when they’re not cut off. You don’t have to do a big chop (BC) if you prefer not to; transitioning is perfectly fine if you want to retain length while going natural.

The best styles for transitioning are transition hairstyles (twist outs, braid outs, rods, etc) and protective hairstyles (braids, twists, wigs, sew-ins, crotchets, etc). You’ll want to stay away from heat as much as possible! Heat damage is the worst damage that you can do to your hair, especially if you flat-iron or blow-dry the hair too often. Personally, I don’t plan on using heat on my hair at all, at least for a while. This will only slow up the process and possibly mess up my curl pattern. Plus, I would like to see my hair in its thickest state.

WASHING/CLEANSING REGIMEN

I wash my hair with shampoo once a month. Washing the hair is very essential, especially when moisturizing and oiling the hair as often as needed. You don’t want to wash your hair with shampoo every week or so as it will cause the hair to strip. Shampoo is for keeping the scalp clean and free of clogging your pores from the oils that we use.

You also want to stay away from shampoos that have sulfate in them. When shopping for shampoos, look for “sulfate-free” or “no sulfates” somewhere in the description. Sulfates in your shampoo cause your hair to be frizzy and that’s the last thing we want our hair to be. You may get more lather from sulfate shampoos, but your hair will still come out squeaky clean from the non sulfate ones.

When washing your hair, make sure that you are intensely cleansing your scalp, as this is the primary reason for using it- to free your pores. Make sure you are also handling your hair with care and gentleness. You never want to frustratingly roughen up the hair to detangle it as this will easily cause unnecessary breakage. Although we’re not using combs, be a little more patient with your hair. Learn to love it and you’ll see differences early in the game.

My favorite shampoo to use is Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo. You can find this at your local beauty supply store, preferably Sally’s since I am a dedicated shopper there, or you may just order it in the provided link. It has coconut oil in it which hydrates the hair and protects it while reducing breakage. It also has silk protein in it for a silky and soft feel. The neem oil in it controls frizziness while adding a shine to the hair.

I co-wash my hair once a week. Co-washing the hair is pretty much a substitute for washing the hair. You use a conditioner to wash the hair instead of shampoo. Remember, too much shampoo may strip the hair as opposed to conditioner, which retains moisture and vital essentials in the hair. I like to think of co-washing as starting over the moisturizing phase. Get rid of all the gunk you’ve built up throughout the week; let’s start with a fresh layer of moisture!

I separate my hair into four sections and wash one section at a time. Why? I like for my hair to get all of the attention it deserves! When washing or doing anything to my hair, I like to focus on each section evenly. If not, you may feel like some parts of the hair are more loved than others. I like to use two methods when co-washing my hair: the praying hands method and the finger comb method.

Starting with a section, I’ll rub conditioner on my hands into my hair while it’s wet and simply, clasp the hair between my hands from the root to the ends. When doing this method, make sure you are looking at your hands for shedded hair. It’s easier to do this in the shower so that you can rinse the hair from your hands after returning them to your hair. You don’t want to put those hairs back into the hair that you’re washing. When doing this in the shower, make sure you have a hair catcher of some sort so that your hair won’t clog the drain. I found this neat little TubShroom 
from Amazon that works for my drain. It catches any little hair that tries go down the drain. They even have them in different colors so your bathroom won’t look so boring! If you don’t have a strainer-like drain in your tub, there’s another hair catcher that I’ve used before and it works tremendously— Good Grips Silicone Drain Protector. This item actually works for pop up drains and regular drains. If you’re someone like me who travels often and want something versatile, this option is for you.

After doing the praying hands method twice, I finger comb the conditioner through my hair for detangling purposes. This is also good for making sure that the conditioner is thoroughly spread throughout the hair evenly. I do not use a comb when detangling my hair because I found that it causes more breakage and brittleness. Repeat this method twice as well and repeat these steps for each section.

My favorite conditioner for co-washing my hair is As I Am Coconut Cowash. When I say that this stuff makes my hair super soft, I couldn’t be more exact! This conditioner is also free of sulfates so you won’t have much suds, but that’s perfectly fine. It includes tangerine, coconut oil, castor oil, saw palmetto, and phytosterols.

I use a protein treatment deep conditioner once a month. The easiest way to keep track of when I do my protein treatments is to do them after my wash (shampoo) days. Protein is a necessity for the hair to retain its strength from a product. You may also get the best of protein from foods with protein or a protein-rich diet. Just in case we are not eating those necessities, we need a backup to make sure our hair is keeping the strength that it needs. Many natural hair journalists make their own protein treatments from home, but I personally found one that works just perfect for my strands.

Giovanni never disappoints me. I’ve been using the Nutrafix Hair Reconstructor for quite some time now and have never had an upset moment with it. Just like the co-wash, I would distribute the treatment on my hair in sections to make sure I’m spreading the love! This time I’m only fingering through the strands, because at this point, my hair is already free of any shedded hair.

After each section is done, I two strand twist it and let it sit under a plastic cap for about three hours. Yes, three hours! Make sure to get all of the treatment that your hair needs, especially if your hair is damaged or colored. Fill those pores with protein! Make sure to rinse with cool water thoroughly after.

I deep condition my hair every week. So if you’ve noticed my routine with washing by now, you’ve noticed that I’ve created a pattern. I deep condition after a co-wash and condition and do a protein treatment after a shampoo and condition.

Deep conditioning is almost the most important step and formula for me when trying to keep my hair manageable. It is a great way to make sure my ends, especially, and the rest of my hair are fairly moisturized. It’s like my pre-moisture phase. It’s like my hair is under construction for the beauty it’s about to give to the world! It adds shine, a plethora of moisture, and is the key to repairing damage. For me, it also minimizes my detangling sessions, (remember fingers only).

Just like with the protein treatment, I finger through each section with conditioner until every strand is coated. Be sure to twist up each section, place the hair under a plastic cap, and rinse with cool water after. Deep conditioning can even go as far as overnighting them. As a matter of fact, I prefer them that way! It’s well worth it after the rinse.

My favorite conditioner for deep conditioning is the Dominican Magic Deep Fortifying Conditioner. This is by far the best deep conditioner that has softened my curls and just left them almost too soft to touch! I literally wanted to play in my hair all day. This product is great for dry hair and treating dry ends.

MOISTURIZING REGIMEN

The first and most important ingredient to keeping the hair moisturized is WATER! Many people may overlook this step but it is the number one key to moisture. Start off by spritzing the hair with a spray water bottle until nearly damp. As you all know, I love sectioning my hair, so of course make sure the hair is sectioned when doing this. Remember, no combs when sectioning.

After the hair is saturated with water, gently rub a decent amount of moisturizer into the hair from the roots to the ends. Make sure to coat the hair as much as possible. If the moisturizer begins to whiten on the hair, you may need to spritz the hair with more water to make the process easier. If the hair is too damp, gently pat the hair with a hair towel to remove the excess moisturizer.

The best moisturizer I’ve found thus far is the Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie w/Silk Protein & Neem Oil. Although this moisturizer is white, it doesn’t leave my hair white with the moisturizer and water method described above. It extremely defines my curls without even using a gel! It leaves it soft and silky and without frizz. It’s definitely my number one choice!

After the hair is completely moisturized, make sure to lock in the moisture with some oil. My go-to oil for this is simply coconut oil (100% Pure LouAna Coconut Oil). You can find this at your local supermarket, Wal-Mart, or you may have it already in your kitchen!

I would take a small amount and rub it in my hands and run my fingers through my hair while trying to hit just about all of those strands. Make sure you’re not adding too much oil; you don’t want to be walking around with an oil leak! About a quarter size of oil is enough for the entire head to lock the moisture in for about a medium hair length.

Oils are also a great base if you’re going to style your hair with a gel. It’s like putting on a base coat before a nail polish. At night make sure you are oiling your scalp, preferably with a spout bottle. If you buy oil that doesn’t come with a spout on it, then I would definitely suggest investing in one. Wal-Mart has them for not even $1. When oiling my hair at night, I like to focus on my edges and nape area. I like to oil my scalp and massage it throughout my entire head. Massaging the scalp is great for blood circulation which promotes hair growth and thickness.

My go-to night oil is Jamaican Black Castor Oil. This oil is really thick so it really doesn’t take much a night. It even smells great with its variety of scents. This oil, for some, has even proven to treat alopecia, bald spots, and promotes hair thickness. To learn more about oils and its advantages, click here.

MY FAVORITE GELS

• KINKY-CURLY ORIGINAL CURLING CUSTARD | This gel is almost everything to me! This is the one gel that I can count on that is not heavy on my hair at all. It is a natural based gel that defines curls, adds all day shine, eliminates that unwanted frizz, and locks in all of that moisture and oil that was recently put into your hair.

• ECO STYLER / KRYSTAL| This gel is perfect for edges. I use this gel on my edges and anywhere I may part my hair for sleekness. Because this gel is clear, you MUST use it sparingly in order for it to not flake. Making sure the hair is moisturized is also great for preventing flakes. When trying to perfect your edges, try using a soft toothbrush instead of your regular hair brush. It’s less stress off of your edges and I found that the hair is more manageable to where you want them to lay.

HAIRFINITY

The Hairfinity dietary supplement is meant to support the hair during its maintenance. It is not, I repeat, it is NOT a replacement for growing the hair with the supplement alone. It is just a support system to all the hair care and maintenance to strengthen the hair throughout the hard work you’ve put into your developed regimen. After even trying these supplements for a week, I’ve noticed a difference in the strength of my hair. I had way stronger hair and my roots felt much thicker. I would definitely advise drinking plenty of water when taking them, as we should be anyway. One bottle comes with 60 capsules for a 30 day supply, advising to take 2 capsules a day with food.

MAINTENANCE

There are a numerous amount of ways to maintain your hair at night. If you are sleeping with a sleek hairstyle, a silk scarf is a great option, especially if you’re trying to lay down those edges! A satin bonnet is a great sleeping tool for twist outs and braid outs or when the hair is not in its sleekest form. I would also recommend a satin pillowcase just in case your scarf or bonnet decides to come off while you’re sleep or if you just want to sleep scarf/bonnet free. Your hair remains protected with that extra protection.

CONSISTENCY

Lastly, have PATIENCE! Don’t get discouraged because your hair didn’t grow waist length overnight. I can almost assure you results as long as you are consistent, patient, and loving on that mane! Remember to have that self love, while you’re cherishing this process! Your goal will be met. Work it until it works!

There you have it! I know it may seem like much, but once you get into the habit of loving your hair and creating your regular days to put these regimens into a schedule, then things become much easier! Start off with these basic guidelines and let me know how it works for you. Remember, I’m here for questions, discussions, and negotiations. Let’s not forget to like, share, and subscribe! Good luck on your thrones; let’s GLOW!