Wash Day
Typically I wash my hair with shampoo every 2 weeks. During the summer I may increase this to every week alternating between co-washing and shampooing. For more in depth details and videos of my wash day routine, check out my wash day posts here.
- I always pre-poo prior to washing my hair. Pre-pooing is great for helping me to reduce the potential stripping effects of shampoo, and it also helps to soften my hair which makes detangling before I wash very easy.
- After washing my hair I deep condition. I usually do this beneath a heat cap for 20 – 30 minutes.
- To moisturise I use either a leave-in conditioner or a moisturiser. I then seal my hair very lightly with oil.
- 90% of the time I style my hair in a twist out and allow my twists to dry overnight before unraveling them.
- Finally I oil my scalp very lightly with a stimulating scalp oil.
Midweek Haircare & Styling
- I usually moisturise (and re-twist) my hair every 2 – 3 days just before bed, and then throw on my silk/satin headscarf so that my hair is protected whilst I sleep.
- Every 2 – 3 days I will also massage my scalp for a few minutes. If my scalp is not too oily and wash day is not far away, I will apply a small amount of my stimulating scalp oil to my scalp and massage it in.
Other
- When washing, detangling and conditioning, I always work with my hair in four sections. It makes life so much easier and from my experience it reduces manipulation and breakage.
- I rarely ever use direct heat
- I dust or trim my hair every 3 months [Watch: How I trim my natural hair]
- I only use tools i.e. my detangling brush on wash day. Other than this I opt for finger detangling 95% of the time.
- I drink a green smoothie almost every day and also drink a lot of water as well as Bamboo tea.
Staple Products
Pre-Shampoo
- Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme
- Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
- Ayurvedic oil treatment (recipe here)
Shampoo/Co-wash
- Afrocenchix Swish Natural Moisturising Shampoo
- As I Am Coconut Co Wash Cleansing Conditioner
- KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo
Deep Conditioners/Treatments
- ORS Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner
- Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm
- Big Hair Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment
- Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor
Leave-In Conditioners/Moisturisers
- Shea Decadence Mango Lassi Conditioning Hair Milk
- KeraCare Buttercream Everyday Moisturiser
- Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner
Serums & Heat Protectants
Stylers/Gels
- Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel
- Cantu Cococnut Curling Cream
- Lottabody Moisturize Me Curl & Style Milk
- Shea Decadence Mango Sorbet Shine & Define Styling Balm
Oils/Butters
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Tools
- Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush
- Curlformers
- Infiniti Pro by Conair Hair Designer 3-in-1 Blowdryer
- Flexi rods
- Hair Therapy Wrap[UK, US]
- RIO Portable Hood Dryer