My Natural Hair Regimen.

Soooo my classmates {and random strangers in the grocery store 😂} are always saying awesome things about my hair and I often get a lot of questions on the types of products I use. These beautiful people have inspired me to share my hair care regimen on my blog! 🙆🏾💆🏾💁🏾 I have been natural since 2004—right before the naturalist movement. Prior to that, I had a perm for 6 years. When I was 16, I decided to grow out my perm. I knew that I would soon be in college and that I would not be able to afford touch-ups anymore. Also, I just didn’t like the thought of putting chemicals into my hair. Remember that scene in “Good Hair” where Chris Rock told a chemist that women put sodium hydroxide in their hair and the chemist hit Chris Rock with the blank stare? Yea. So here are my favorite ways to care for my mane and a few quick tips I’ve learned over the years. I hope it helps!

Almost all of what I do to my hair mirrors how my mom used to take care of it when I was a little girl. She was amazing at doing natural hair before it was a fad! I’m convinced that she and I invented the braid out! 🤗

So without further adieu…

I predominately use the following products on my hair:

Cream of Nature Detangling and Conditioning Shampoo

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Conditioner

Eden Body Works Coconut Shea Leave-In Conditioner

Qhemet Biologics Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm

SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Milk

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Grow Oil Serum

These are my absolute tried and trues! The products are a bit pricey, but they last for a decent amount of time and always get the job done.

Wash Day:

– Part hair into 4 sections and generously apply SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Conditioner to each section

– Cover hair with a plastic cap and condition for at least 30 minutes

{TIP: Conditioning my hair before shampooing makes it so that I only have to step in and out of the shower once}

– Working with one section at a time, rinse the conditioner out of hair and wash with Cream of Nature Detangling and Conditioning Shampoo

{TIP: I know that it’s currently #ontrend to use sulfate-free shampoos, but I am pretty heavy-handed when it comes to product use. I have to have suds {and lots of them!} in order to feel like my scalp and hair are truly clean. Plus, this is the same shampoo that my Mom used on my hair long ago and it hasn’t hurt me yet! There are several types of this shampoo. I use the detangling brand because it really does work wonders in ensuring my hair is tangle-free}

– Comb the section of hair with a wide tooth comb under the downward stream of water

{TIP: By detangling in the shower, I have less to worry about once I am ready to apply my leave-in conditioner}

– When the shampooing process is complete, apply Eden Body Works Coconut Shea Leave-In Conditioner. {Love Love Love the smell of this stuff!}

– On top of the leave-in, apply Qhemet Biologics Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm and two-strand twist the section

– Once each section is complete, take down the four twists and make two cornrows

{TIP: The cornrows ensure that my hair remains stretched while drying and help to control the frizz. I usually sleep in the cornrows and style the next day}

Styling:

My hair takes FOREVER to dry {especially since it’s in cornrows}, so I usually style it while it’s still wet. To further stretch the hair, I create multiple two-strand twists and moisturize along the way. This is where I really go to town with my Qhemet Biologics and SheaMoisture products! I cannot remember how I discovered these product lines, but I absolutely love them! The products are all natural and leave my hair feeling as soft as clouds after each use. In. Love. In my opinion, these two product lines work best when used in tandem.

– One at a time, spritz each section of hair with a water and aloe vera mixture

– Combine the following products in your hands {2:1.5:1 ratio – yes, the ratio matters!😂}:

Qhemet Biologics Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm

SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Milk

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Grow Oil Serum

– Coat the completed twists with the honey & hydrating balm, ensuring to also cover edges. From this step, I wear my hair in a twist out or an up-do the next day.

{TIP: I am in med school and I really don’t have time to do my hair each morning. I prefer low-maintenance, low-manipulation styles, especially during the school week. After wearing my twist out or up-do for a day or so, I usually wear my hair in a braided up-do}

Just a Few More Thoughts:

– Be mindful of what you label as a protective style. Such styles should conceal all of your ends and involve minimal manipulation. Styles that involve hair ties are not protective {I learned this the hard way!} as constant use of hair ties can eventually result in breakage. Also, added hair may conceal your hair and ends, but the weight of the hair may also damage your edges and pull out your hair. Be careful!

– Everyone’s hair is different. You may have to mix and match regimens in order to determine what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to try new products and try to engage in a product swap once you finally find what your hair likes. That way, you don’t end up wasting a ton of money.

– Natural hair has always been, is, and will always be such a thing of beauty! Wear it how YOU want to and allow it to be your greatest work of art!

I hope this helps! Feel free to ask questions!

xoxo,

Anya