Natural Hair ladies...can we talk wash day routines?

[aqualuv]

I just washed my hair so I can share my routine.

I've been natural for a little over a year and a half now. I tried to transition miserably so I did the BC.

I would consider my hair is at the medium length and right now I'm loving my twist outs. I love my twists outs over a wash n go for the same reason, shrinkage.

I really like Naptural85 on YT so I adopt a lot of what she does.

Here is what I do and use:

With an old twist out

1. Detangle with Tressemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner. As well with Naptural 85's oil blend. She shows this technique on a older detangle video. I have found it really melts the detangles and I've lost less hair with this method of detangling. I also detangle in sections and Bantu knot each section when I'm done.

2. Rinse out the section in the shower and apply Aloe Vera Juice and the oil blend then rinse again. Finish with a Bantu knot to keep hair stretched. Complete all sections.

3. Lately I've liked Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Styling Butter for my twists. Once out the shower I twist each section in about 3 twists using the styling butter.

4. Once complete I then stretch each twist across my head and secure with a Bobby pin. This has helped to keep my hair stretched while drying.

I usually will do this either first thing in the morning on a weekend day when I have no plans. Or the night before when I can just rock a beanie for whatever I'm doing. My hair takes crazy long to dry. Usually at least 12-18 hours.

I hope this helps!

ETA: Every other week I will shampoo with Curls Cleansing Shampoo but after detangling first with the Tresseme conditioner. I've also done the Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse when I feel like I have a ton of build up.

[aqualuv]

Sept 14, 2014 9:22:07 GMT -5 socratic said:

What oils do you use?

The oil blend is olive oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil and Vitamin E.

youtu.be/9R_UMOBOZG0

[nsuhomer]

Disclaimer: I do not live in a humid environment.

My hair is APL currently. I wash with Trader Joes spa nourishing (or something) conditioner. It cleans without stripping. I have not had success with any other conditioners for this, but most shampoos are just too harsh.

On a regular wash day, I will use Kinky-Curly Knot Today as a leave in.

Detangle wet hair.

Blot excess water with a t-shirt.

Seal with a mix (whipped kokum and shea butters, argan oil, and jojoba oil.)

I rarely have time to do twists, and don't often wear a wash n' go. I usually pull it back into a pony, and make some sort of a bun. I do find, however, that this mix along with the KC Knot Today makes a really nice twist/braid out.

[thejackpot]

My routine is kind of like nsuhomer, I co-wash with As I am co wash (or a few other brands). I use Kinky Curly Knot Today as my leave in. Detangle in the shower or right after. Let hair dry for a bit or use a quick blot with a microfiber towel. Use an oil to seal (either shea or jojoba oil). Then I add Kinky Curly Custard and put that throughout my hair. I wear wash n' go's most days. I will stretch my hair- use a elastic band on the 6 or so parted areas of hair that I created. Wear that around the house and take down and shake out a few hrs later/whenever I am heading out.

I have only been completely natural for the past 14 mos so I am not a pro by a long shot. I can't do a twist that lasts more than a few days without looking awful so I am still working on styles. GL

[nsuhomer]

Sept 30, 2014 20:20:51 GMT -5 socratic said:

I am reviving this thread...

Ladies any tips on going to the salon with natural hair? I need a trim but am terrified.

Be careful! LOL. But, no, really. I had an amazing woman who was natural herself that I saw for about a year. Then she moved. I wept. Now, I stretch my hair by putting it into four sections and doing a big, thick braid in each section. I go into the salon with dry, stretched hair, and pray. It's not the world's greatest cut, but it works for a trim to keep my ends healthy.


I just last week had four inches taken off to help with the post partum hair loss situation. I hadn't realized how long my hair had gotten (it was almost bra strap length). Next time I need a trim I think I am going to self cut using the how to from the 'Just Grow Already' blog.

Also, ask around. I am constantly stopping to tell women I love their hair and to get their stylists info. It's how I found my old stylist. 

Good luck!

[aqualuv]

I'm where you are right now and I think I'm just going to attempt to trim my ends myself using the twist method. I'm too scared to go to a salon and have them detangle my hair to trim my ends.

If you are going to a salon I suggest washing and detangling your hair yourself. Then definitely ask around or look on Yelp for reviews. I had toyed with the idea of getting a Deva Cut so maybe you can find a Devachan salon so that at least they are curl friendly.

[busybodyk]

I just had a bad "trim" situation. My hair was cut way too much. I suggest you get reviews of salons and talk to them about what you want. I have had the best trims when my hair was blown out. Cutting my curly hair has been disastrous. Good luck!

Since I didn't respond earlier, here's my regimen:

Wash every 5-7 days with Elucence shampoo, Elucence moisture balancing conditioner, mixed chicks deep conditioner (sometimes under my hair steamer) then a leave-in mixture of knot today, castor oil and aloe vera juice (recipe from Kimmaytube youtube vlogger). Afterwards I dry it with a t-shirt and do a roller set. I either air dry or sit under the dryer for a little while then sleep on it. I rarely twist my hair. Roller sets are easy for me and last for days. Each morning I add coconut oil to the ends and at night I sleep with a satin bonnet on.

[NitaX]

I've heard of trim nightmares too. I haven't had one, but that was because I went in to get my BAA down to a tapered fro. I LOVE my new haircut. LOVE IT.

It has grown out a little since I got it cut in June.




My wash routine:

Shampoo: Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Shampoo
Leave-In Conditioner: Cantu Shea Butter leave In
Styling Products: Wet Twist Out - Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. I seal with Shea Butter.
Dry Twist Out - Spritz with Water, EVOO, Shea Butter Oil and Jojoba Oil Mix. Twist with Shea Moisture Curl Souffle'.

I usually wash my hair every 8 days. I've moved away from co-washing. That was great when I had less hair. Now that I have more hair, I need to shampoo it to avoid product buildup.