Building YOUR Regimen

Upon starting my healthy hair journey I never even thought once about developing and having a regimen. Now it is one of the first tips that I give someone when I am asked for advice. Why? Because I wish someone would have told me! I get the most true results from products when I use them on a regular schedule. I lost count of the number of times I tossed something in the trash because it didn't work the 1 or 2 times I used it-and used it inconsistently. While building my regimen I used the following layout and tips (based on my experience):

First decide your overall goals for your hair, assess your hair needs to get there, and research your options.

Once you decide on steps and products then decide how often you want to do those methods.

I found it easy to split my regimen into time frames - daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly.

Here is an example of one method from each time frame:

Daily: Moisturize

Weekly: Deep Condition

Monthly: Shampoo

Quarterly: Trim ends

Yearly: Henna

This is what works for me and some of the methods will change according to the season. Like with shampooing...I do that more frequently in the warmer months because I am outside a lot and there is chance of sweat :)

To help keep me organized I created a chart. I have a lot to do so this helps me keep track of what I am supposed to be doing and when.

Helpful links:
Learning to Build a Hair Regimen That Works

Black Hair Care Regimen

Whipped Shea Butter

I attempted to make my first batch of whipped shea butter today. Normally I just add a little oil to shea and use it that way--not whipped.

This time I actually whipped it with a mixer until it reached a thick creamy consistency. My goal was to create something both my husband and I could use on our hair and body.

I made a small batch since this is my first time. I wanted to make sure it's something we love before I make more. I mixed: Shea butter, Coconut Oil, Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil, and Olive oil. Hopefully, we will know in about a week whether or not this is going to work for us.

So far, it feels nice...

Roller Setting

I decided that since I had a little extra time with the holiday weekend to attempt my first roller set. I read on one of those hair blogs/websites that when roller setting 4abc hair, it was impossible to get smooth curls. That is my problem with the internet..you have people that have never touched your hair telling you what it can and can not do. I have had my hair long enough to know what is possible and what's not. I am here to declare that smoothness can be achieve through roller setting on 4abc hair!

Supplies:

Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel

Sweet Almond oil

Spray Bottle with water/conditioner mix (for detangling)

Elastic Hair Bands

Annie Magnetic Hair Roller

Duck Bill Clips

Rat Tail Comb

Hair Brush (yep you read right)

Home Clips

Shea Butter/Coconut Oil Mix

Hair Dryer

I did my roller set on clean conditioned hair. First, I separated my hair into three sections with a column going down the middle. The column is where I started rolling. Using my rat tail comb I made smaller sections and used the hair clip to hold the rest of my hair back. For each section I detangled very well, applied Aloe Vera, and then sweet almond oil. (Note: Sweet almond oil was used because I like the shine that it gives my hair).

I used the hair brush to evenly distribute the gel and oil and also to smooth before rolling. If you detangle properly the brush will move through your length easily. I did not roll my hair straight down. I came in at an angle to encourage smoother roots. I used elastic bands for the curls within the interior of my hair but only rollers for the edges. I didn't want a lot of tension on my edges and I didn't want the indention from the band to show.

After I was all rolled up, which took about 45min-1hr(keep in mind this was my first time), I sat under the dryer until dry. If the hair is not completely dry, you will experience some reversion and frizziness, so be sure to do this on a day that you can sit for as long as needed. After removing roller wrap your hair until you are ready to take it down. I used the shea butter/coconut oil mix to apply to my curls prior to wrapping. This was an attempt to decrease frizzes.

I strongly believe that the trick to the roller set is to use a water based product that you know will give your hair some slickness and almost weigh it down. Since it's water based the weigh down will not matter because the product evaporates.

Aloe Gro Treatment

I recently came across this vid on YouTube in which the Vlogger was creating a mix to use called "Aloe Gro." I was impressed by how she gained 5inches of growth in 4 months so I decided it was worth giving a try. Also, I can tell by the ingredients that even if I did not experience amazing growth that it would be beneficial to my hair and scalp in other ways.

So far, I have been using the mix on my hair and my hubby's hair for 3 days. He says he is experiencing less itching. I love the refreshed feeling the mixture gives.

Check it out, try it out:

Oil Rinse

I stumbled upon the Oil Rinse technique one day while searching for ways to moisturize my hair.

How To Do An Oil Rinse

*If you’re suffering from dry, brittle hair, you may want to do an oil rinse. Oil rinses are great treatments for natural hair and can help soften follicles and promote hair growth.* Click the link above for more info.

I had no idea what to expect but it turns out that I really like it. It was so simple and not as messy as I assume it will be. I'm going to just put in some two strand twist and call it a day. Now this was truly super simple!

While styling:
My hair felt super soft

Detangling was a breeze

I didn't have to use any other products

I noticed that my curls were really defined.

Next time I will focus more on my ends but overall I really like this treatment.

(I would post pics but my batteries are dead)

*update, I did take a pic with my Blackberry, it's not the best quality but it's better than nothing

Coconut Oil

I used coconut oil for the first ever this past weekend and I must say I LOVED IT! My hair felt so soft, moisturized, and look the way it felt. I picked up the coconut oil from Whole Foods for only $6.99 and I can tell that it is going to go a long way.

I cleansed my scalp with Dudu Osom liquid black soap, deep conditioned LeKair Cholesterol for one hour, and then applied the coconut oil while my hair was still damp. Let it air dry and then styled in a bun for the week. I am trying really hard to protect my ends to see how much growth I can achieve.

The next day after air drying over night.

The bun I plan to wear until the end of the week. I have two braids in the front, inspired by a picture of a model I saw one one the many websites I visit. The pic makes it look frizzy...but it came out really nice and the compliments are stacking up.

Less Can Be More

For years I have been reading up on different hair recipes and products that are suppose to this and that for hair. Rarely did I gets the results that were indicated. For a while now I have been pretty lazy with taking care of my hair, meaning I would, co-wash only, or shampoo/condition only, and only use one product for moisture. What's crazy is I've noticed my hair has been a lot better (shine, growth, moist, etc) since I have become slack. I think I found my niche!

I use the shea butter/olive mixture when I style. I co-wash when I don't feel like doing a real wash. Then when my scalp starts itching(my wash indicator, LOL), I shampoo/condition and then it's back to the shea butter/olive when I style. I have been doing this since the beginning of February (it's when I started Grad school) and I am in love with the outcome. When I wear my hair out I do moisturize at night with my regular conditioner.

Forget all these "special" regimes and "treatments" I have finally found what works for me. :)

Current products:
100% African Shea butter
GreatValue Olive Oil (Wal-Mart brand)
Suave Ocean Mist or Coconut Conditioner
Suave Clarifying Shampoo

I will admit that I broke from the simple routine and started to deep condition with 1/2 jar of LUSTRASILK Placenta & Jojoba Oil cholesterol/Rosemary Oil (8 drops)/Olive Oil (tablespoon). Usually I do not see or feel a difference with deep conditions but this time I did. So here's my theory....I spent almost two months putting very little product on my hair and it was able to just be its healthy self. Therefore, the deep condition concoction was able to actually do what it's supposed to on my hair-it didn't have to fight against the "work" of other treatments/products/compounds. I think I will keep this up.

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"The impossible is God's chance to work a miracle"
-Maurette Brown Clark

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Baking Soda & Conditioner Treatment

I originally found this treatment on Naturally Obsessed

Immediately after administering this treatment to my hair it felt soft-that is while it was wet. As time progressed my hair started to resemble the feeling of coat thread, real hard and stringy. I had to do a super deep conditioning to get my hair back to it original state. I have read reviews of this treatment working for some but I realize this is not for me and my tresses. Trial and error is the name of the game.

Baking Soda Treatment

1/2 Cup of Baking Soda
1 Full Cup of Conditioner
1 Cap Full of EVOO

Directions:
Apply to rinsed damp hair. Do NOT shampoo first-baking soda is a natural cleanser. Once hair is saturated, cover with a plastic bag and cover with a warm towel. Leave on for an hour. Rinse with lukewarm water and co-wash gently.

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(¸.•´ (¸.• tia¸.•*´¨)