Moisture, Massages, and Maintenance

As a result of having the yarn braids in for about a month and moisturizing my scalp regularly I realized something. I experience less itchy scalp in the winter if I keep my hair and scalp properly moisturized. Properly for me is applying some form of moisture to my hair and scalp almost daily. The Huetiful Hair steamer is also great for those days I want moisture but I am too lazy.

Incorporating a midweek co-wash has done wonders but my hair is telling me it can be better. So along with the mid-week co-washes I am also going to add in nightly scalp massages. I plan to try this for one month to determine if I get any additional benefits from the massages. Hopefully, nightly massages will not be too much for my hair - I will assess daily.

Wash Day

Warm Weather Regimen (update)

Back in March I posted my plans for my warm weather regimen, it has gotten hotter. A lot hotter and I have may a few changes to my regimen:

I am still shampooing weekly and prepooing before every shampoo

My deep conditioning time has shorten to about 10-15mins and I have been using HE LTR

I have only been using shea butter and Care free curl on my hair as styling aids

I'm still protective styling 90% of the time (as a result I have met and passed BSL)

This only exception to this regimen is my hair diet.

My Hair: Pre-poo (update)

I have been combining these items long enough to now provide appropriate feedback - Jasmine oil and Castor oil.

For the last few shampoos I have been pre-pooing with a 50/50 mix of Jasmine oil and Castor oil. The results after each wash have yielded extremely soft hair that did not feel anywhere close to being stripped. This mix has also helped me tolerate the intense smell of the Jasmine oil.

To do the pre-poo:

1. In a empty container I combine equal parts of Jasmine oil and Castor oil. I swirl the container to make sure the oils are mixed. Then I apply liberally all over my hair length (starting about 1/2 - 1 in from my scalp) and leave on for a minimum of 1 hour. Shampoo, condition, and style as usual.

See the tutorial below:

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!