My Staple Products

Quite frequently I get the question regarding the kinds of products and tools that I use on my hair. I don't like to give out recommendations because everyone's hair is different and what works for  me may not work for the next person. For instance, my hair LOVES♥♥♥ shea butter. However I see on forums, YT, and other blogs that often many individuals are unable to get this product to work well for their hair. Sometimes, shea butter is all I use after washing so my recommendation would not do them much good.

But.....in case you are still curious, I have compiled and will continue to add to a list of products that I consider my "holy grail"/staples:
My Staple Products

Check back often for details.

Packing for Vacation

I'm still playing catch up

We stayed at the Wyatt

Last year, my husband and I, for our anniversary went to Jamaica and I styled my hair in box braids. The only hair products I packed were Suave Tropical Coconut Conditioner and some Shea Butter. Very simple.

This year we stayed a little closer to home and while the box braids were perfect for Jamaica I didn't really want to walk around D.C. looking like a 5-yr old. What's a girl to do?

First, I had to decide what I was going to do with my hair for a week and that would make the product selection a little easier. I decided to go with twists and wash-n-gos.

For product selection, I decided to pack:
Shampoo

Conditioner

Leave-in Conditioner

Shower Comb

Denman(like) brush

Hair Butter

Hair Oil

Each night when I showered I co-washed or shampooed depending on how icky my hair felt. Then I put my hair into three flat twist on each side so that my hair would dry quickly over night. It wasn't too time consuming and didn't interfere with our vacation. Plus I got to wear big hair everyday! ;)

What hair products do make sure to pack for trips?

Regimen and Product Finale

Nearing the end of the winter season this is how my regimen and product use ended up looking:

Shampoo
Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Herbal Shampoo (received at a swap)

Suave Tropical Coconut Shampoo

Deep Conditioners
Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat

Lustrasilk Shea Butter Cholesterol

Co-washing Conditioners
Suave Tropical Coconut Conditioner
Herbal Essence Hello Hydration

Leave-In Conditioners
Never found one I liked enough to try or use consistently

Moisturizers
Aloe Gro Treatment (used on ends and on scalp)

Kemi Oyl Conditioning Spray

Oils
Coconut Oil (prepoo)

Olive Oil (prepoo)

Avocado Oil (mixed with Castor oil)

Castor Oil (mixed with Avocado oil)
Peppermint Oil (used in Aloe gro)
Rosemary Oil (used in Aloe gro)

Usually mixed together in different variations when used.

Styling Products
IC Aloe Vera Gel (for slicking back hair for buns)

FOTE Aloe Vera Gel (roller sets)

Shea Butter (for twists)

Special Treatments

Protein: 1 egg & 1 tbs olive oil added to Lustrasilk Shea Butter Cholesterol
Pre-poo: generous amount of coconut oil applied to hair and left overnight

Henna: NOT done during the winter season only because I have decided to Henna just twice a year
Oil Rinse: only done after shampoos

Hair Styles
Buns were worn for the majority of the winter season

Two strand twists were worn a few times

Roller sets were done for special occasions

Hair Challenges

Castor Oil Challenge (group challenge)

Bun Challenge (self challenge)

Regimen

Last weekend of the month - shampoo on that Saturday

Protective style Sunday - Tuesday

Cowash - Tuesday night

Protective Style - Wednesday → Friday

Pre-poo (before shampoo only) → Friday night (overnight)

It seems like this is a lot to use on one head but I like to alternate products and I also use no more than three different products on my head at a time after washing and conditioning. This is my way of keep my hair care regimen simple and effective. I had a great time with my hair this winter and learned something new about my scalp. Now it's time to learn my spring/summer hair.

Hello Spring I see you coming!

Hair Staples

Items that I must have in my house at all times, with these basic items anything is possible:

Note: These items are only the "must have" basics.