My Hair Care Wash Routine

THE PROCESS

Wash day is such a process.  A lot of naturals like to postpone their wash day, including me. So that’s why it’s important to have a ritual so you know when you are going to actually wash your hair.  I mentally have to prepare for my wash day. Usually I will schedule my wash day on the weekend. A natural should give themselves plenty of time to prepare and do their hair properly.  On my wash day I do a few things such as: deep condition, add color, and twist my hair into two strand twists.

 

CURRENT ROUTINE

My current wash routine consists of gathering my products, my microfiber towel, my hooded hair dryer, my pillows to sit on under the dryer, and my spray bottle.  As I figure out what part of the house I want to be in, I bring my shampoo, deep conditioner and towel to the sink. I have a number of shampoo products and I swore not to buy anymore until I use what I currently have. (I’m a recovery product junkie.)  Lately I have been using Tresemme flawless curls curl hydration conditioner 28 Fl oz and Tresemme Flawless Curls Shampoo. Both products are sulfate and paraben free. The shampoo and conditioner both come in a huge bottles and are fairly inexpensive.

 

When I wash my hair I use the fleshy part of my fingertips to massage my scalp.  You don’t want to using your fingernails to scratch your scalp.  This might cause irritation to your scalp. Just use the fleshy parts of your fingers.  I apply the shampoo and work it throughout my scalp. Once my hair has been washed I will either use a hair mask, hair mayonnaise, Tresemme Conditioner or Aphogee Curlific Texture Treatment, 8 Ounce as a deep conditioner.  I mentally keep track of what products I used the prior week and then take in consideration the state of my hair to determine what products I should use to deep condition my hair.

 

Once the product has been applied I will put a plastic grocery bag on my head and twist the ends together. Next I will place a hair clip to keep the bag securely in place.  The other alternative is to use a clear plastic cap. I then proceed to sit on my pillows and place my covered head under my hooded dryer. Sometimes I will sit there for as little as 10 minutes or up to a maximum of 20 minutes. Generally I use my computer or cell phone as a timer to alert me when time is up.

 

Once I am done deep conditioning, I rinse my hair out in cool water.  This helps to close the hair cuticle. Since I wash my hair on the weekend, I will usually add color to my hair. After I apply the color throughout my hair, I will sit under the dryer for about 35 – 40 minutes for the color to set.  Once the color sets, I wash my hair with conditioner to get the excess color out. After washing out the excess color, I take my towel and place my hair into a turban. I proceed to grab one of my choice of oils.

 

PRODUCTS

Africa’s Best Herbal Oil 12 Oz. is my oil of choice because it is a combination of different essential oils, and it is also inexpensive.  I place the oil in my hands and just add it all over my hair. This will help to keep the moisture in my hair. Afterwards, I add my favorite leave in conditioner, Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave In Conditioner/Detangler – 8 oz . This leave in conditioner has marshmallow root which kinky hair loves! Marshmallow root is rich in protein and vitamins. The leave in conditioner is applied throughout my hair.  Afterwards, I grab my hair clips and my rat-tail comb and section my hair into roughly 14 sections. Once an area is sectioned I will add a hair clip to keep it separated.

 

My favorite combination of products are the Cantu Coconut Curling Cream, 12 Ounce and SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Gel Souffle – 12 oz.  I apply the curling cream first and follow-up with the souffle. This is a great combination for me because the Cantu Coconut Cream moisturizes my hair and the Shea Moisture Souffle gives my hair lots of shine.  After applying these products I take a section of hair and began to do the two strand twist.

 

COMPLETION

My hair is usually still wet after I complete my twists.  Normally I don’t go anywhere so I let my hair air dry. When it is time for me to go to bed I take my twists and pin them back on my head.  Lastly, I take a scarf and securely tie it around my head. Generally I leave my hair in twists for a couple of days so that my hair twists sets.  This is an optimal step to get a bomb twist out. Alright…wash day is now done.

 

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