Taking care of your hair is really important. It’s just like brushing your teeth, or washing your hands, it just takes a little longer but it’s still important. Today I wanted to talk about the importance of establishing a steady hair care regimen. Life gets busy. But having a schedule that you’re used to sticking with is what’s going to allow your hair to really flourish to its full potential. Below are some important things to consider while creating a regimen!
- Washing
Clean hair is really important. How often you wash is also important. I typically co-wash my hair (with Shea Moisture’s Coconut and Hibiscus Co-Washing Cleanser) about once a week. It really all depends on how my hair is feeling. I use a balancing shampoo (like Shea Moisture’s Jamaican and Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow and Restore Shampoo). Since this shampoo is drying, I only use it about every ten days. I also have a rule of thumb- my hair should never itch. Mostly because if it starts itching I should just wash it. I also always try to oil my hair before washing. I will use olive oil or Jamaican Black Castor Oil, to pre-poo my hair. Before washing, it let my hair rinse under warm water which helps to remove the dirt.
- Conditioning
Conditioning just makes your hair flourish. The weather just recently got drier, but conditioning helps. Also, if I happen to co-wash and not deep condition, I just warm up my conditioner. I typically add olive oil to my conditioner too. After I co-wash, I’ll add the conditioner, comb out my hair and leave a shower cap on while I finish showering. I’ve recently started conditioning my hair in sections. My hair has gotten really thick over the last couple months, making it harder to comb through. I find that the sections help me make sure everything is combed all the way through. I also rinse my conditioner out with cold water, because cold water helps seal in moisture.
- Deep Conditioning
This is a weekly must do for me. I normally sit under my drier for 15-25 minutes under a medium temp and maybe 5 minutes under cool. Deep conditioning honestly helps your hair grow so much. It gives it the added moisture that you need, especially in the winter when there’s not much moisture in the air. Deep conditioning adds shine, prevents damage, moisturizes and promotes elasticity (which helps with reducing breakage).
- Protective styling
Braids to me are a must. Even if it’s just four braids before I go to bed, I always go to bed with my hair braided. Braids retain moisture really well, with helps grow your hair out. Other great protective styles include twists (one of my friends twists her hair very often and it’s so cute on her). Also make sure you’re investing in a good satin bonnet and scarf. I use both every night to make sure that my hair retains its moisture.
- Other important hair tips
Water is your hair’s best friend. I spray my hair down with a mix of water, olive oil and a couple drops of peppermint oil. It’s been leaving my hair incredibly soft and smelling great (the peppermint). The water and oil combination is great. If my hair is braided, I oil my hair everyday and use Curlaide by Camille Rose (which is my favorite product ever- it works on straight or curly hair). I then tie my hair down and go to sleep. Some of my favorite oils include Extra Penetrating Argan Oil by OGX, Silk by Design Essentials, and Raw Organic Shea Butter.
Creating a basic hair care regimen will simplify your life! Plus it will create the structure that so many people (including myself) need to make sure they’re really taking care of their hair well!
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