Ever since not-so-big-chopping, I’ve pretty much stuck to my same basic wash day routine, with a couple of product changes here and there. I know some ladies have drastic changes after transitioning while trying to build their natural hair regimen and become full blown product junkies again. But honestly – I feel most of the same products I raved about while relaxed, still work wonderfully for my natural hair. Ya’ll know I’ve always preached that healthy hair is healthy hair so that makes sense. Plus, I keep everything super simple these days; my wash day routine is only three steps! Anywhoo, without further adieu let me jump right into my newly natural hair regimen.
Wash Day Routine & Staple Products:
Prepoo with Motions Pre-Wash Detangling Butter: This step is essential, especially while wearing my hair in low or no manipulation styles where my hair hasn’t been combed all week. I have to detangle and remove the shed hair before wetting my hair. I was sent a new product by Motions, and I’m on my third jar (I’ve used it on friends and family members also). LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this pre-wash detangling butter. It dampens the hair just enough to allow for tons of slip and easy detangling. It also softens the hair and gives some conditioning effects to my hair before washing. I’m going to have to do a full review on this product, but I can say it has become a staple
Shampoo. There are tons of good sulfate free shampoos on the market, high to low end and everything in between. I am basically trying to use up all the shampoos I have in my stash. I have too many favorites to list, but in my current rotation is Bee Mine Botanical Shampoo and Shea Moisture Tahitian & Monoi. I have about 4-5 other bottles to go through. *le sigh*
Deep Condition with Bee Mine Bee-U-ti-Ful Deep Conditioner: This is my current staple deep conditioner and I can’t see myself switching anytime soon, it leaves my hair super soft and moisturized and easy to detangle. I always detangle while the conditioner is in my hair – plus it helps distribute the product evenly. I always deep condition with heat.
No Leave-In: My hair usually has SO much moisture from deep conditioning, plus I use the LOC method to style so I generally don’t use a leave in during my wash day routine. I just plait or twist my hair so it doesn’t shrink and become tangled before I have time to complete my style for the week.
Styling Natural Hair Regimen:
I use the LOC method when styling and I finally understand the whoopla! If there is any major difference between my relaxed and natural hair this is it. To be honest, the layering was too heavy and unnecessary for styling and maintaining moisture in my chemically straightened hair. But to maintain moisture all week while my hair is twisted and also give definition while fighting frizz in the twist out styles, layering a liquid, oil and then cream is absolutely perfect! The specific products used during each step depend on the style I aim to create, but here are my staples.
Liquid: If doing a twisted style, I use a leave-in or spritz (Jane Carter Revitalizing Leave In, Bee Mine Juicy Spritz, Curls 2nd Day Refresher). If doing a roller or rod set, I use plain water.
Oil: Either Jamaican Black Castor Oil food or my homemade whipped shea butter, which is absolutely amazing! I’ll have to share more on this soon! These seal the moisture and create a barrier for the cream styler.
Cream: If I am doing a twisted or braided style that I plan to wear all week, I have been loving Ampro Coconut Oil Styling Gel lately. For rod and rollersets, I like Curls Botanical Gelee and I also use Bee Mine Curly Butter from time to time as well.
I find that my hair stays soft and moisturized but if needed, I spray with the liquid a few times throughout the week.
Granted there are literally thousands of styling products geared mainly towards natural hair and trust me, I do plan to try my fair share, but I think this routine gives me the best, most consistent results. For days that I’m trying something different with my hair, I’ll experiment with various products to give different looks. But I think a variation of LOC method will always be a part of my natural hair regimen.
The post My Newly Natural Hair Regimen | Short & Simple appeared first on Longing 4 Length.