How to Build a Haircare Regimen

How to Build a Hair Care Regimen for Natural Hair

When I started my natural hair journey I was so lost in where to go and what to do about finding products for my hair. At the time I was strapped for money so I couldn't try everything I saw ladies on YouTube trying on their hair. I found out the hard way about products that worked on my relaxed hair just wouldn't work on my natural. I started small (and cheap) getting the basics for my hair care needs i.e. shampoo, conditioner, gel. I would research more cost effective ways to say money and have enough products to last me for a while. Before my product junkie gene kicked in to high gear I actually made my own products for my hair. There are countless recipes to make all natural shampoos and hair butters to name a few on the web. My hair butter (which I still make) lasts for a couple of years and is great for hair&skin. Over the course of 2 years and counting I've acquired a few tips that have helped me build a stable hair care routine. 

When building a haircare regimen make sure you have some of the following:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Deep Conditioner/Treatment
• Leave In Conditioner
• Oils
• Moisturizer
• Styler

Shampoo is used to clean the scalp and remove excess dirt product and oils from the hair. Some naturals (including me at times) stray away from shampoo due to the strong stripping and drying process it has on hair. For that I would say to use a sulfate free or natural shampoo every other week or at least once a month just to clarify to hair and scalp.

Conditioner is use to restore moisture and softness to the hair after the shampooing process. Most naturals even used this as their only hair washing product. This process is called "Co washing" or conditioner washing. Some companies even have started to make cleansing conditioners using alternative cleaning agents in a conditioner form that cleanse the hair like shampoo without the dryness. 

Deep Conditioner/Treatment this process is an extended step to help treat and restore moisture shine and some times protein etc. Depending on a person personal hair care needs they can use countless kind of treatments to help with their hair inquiries. There are hot oil treatments for dryness, protein treatments for breakage or shedding, and moisture treatments. You can either buy them from a store or make them right in your own kitchen. 

Leave In Conditioner is used to help continue the moisture process. This acts as the foundation product to help keep hair soft and moisturized before any other product is added. 

Oils are used to feed the scalp and seal moisture into the hair after using a leave in conditioner or moisturizer on the hair. Oils come in different shades, forms, uses and benefits. Depending on personal scalp needs each oil has a healing or hair growth/aid purpose. Do some research and test out a few individually or combine them for your own personal hair elixir. 

Moisturizers are used to help provide hair with manageability, sheen, softening etc. Some naturals either make their own Shea, mango, coconut, etc hair butter moisturizer or use any store bought brand moisturizer. When choosing a moisturizer (or any product) keep in mind the following:

• Does the  ingredients of the product agree with your hair&scalp and won't cause irritation or dryness
• Will the product be  light or  heavy 
• Will the product fit my hair type
• What benefits will your hair receive from using the product
• Is the cost of the product in your price range
• Whats the availability of the product
• Are you going to use the product correctly in your hair care routine 
• How many ways can this product be used
• Will it work properly with other products in your hair care routine

Stylers are used to help add definition, hold, or body to the hair. Things such as gels, curl cremes, twist cremes, edge controls, pomades and the list goes on. These types of product help you "get the look" your going for when styling your hair. Just like the tips for the moisturizer, make sure you select a product that is going to be easy to use. Depending on the hair type more or less of a styler may be used. 

Side Notes

• If you are using heat in your regimen make sure to add a keratin or silicone based shampoo, conditioner, and heat protectant before flat ironing, electric curling, or blow drying. This will help prevent any damage to the hair.
• Always use a sensible heating temperature when using heat tool 
• If you have color treated hair check products to see if they are color friendly or "for all hair types"
• Check out reviews on products before buying to get feed back if your not familiar with a product.

Aussie Moist Conditioner

This has to be one of the best conditioners EVER!!! I bought this family size bottle instead of the regular size, because I knew that this was gonna work on my hair. I tried the 3 minute miracle deep conditioner last winter and kinda liked the feel it. I love this stuff its in my staple of holy grail products now. Even though I'm still experimenting for the last few months of this year with new co-washing cleansers, I will be re buying the family size to keep in the shower. I loved the smell, the creamy thick consistency and the fact that I cold detangle my hair like a hot knife slicing through butter. The price was very cheap for this large bottle ($5.69) that lasted me from July to September. No matter what it always does a great job at keeping my hair moisturized, soft and manageable. I over shampooed my hair trying out a new product and this conditioner saved my hair from having a break down. I'm so glad I gave this a try. I'm finally building a stable hair care regimen and I'm glad that I found a product that not only wow me every time but actually works for my type 4 kinky curly thick hair.

Cocoa Curls Cleansing Conditioner by NeutraLab Product Review

                                                                                              Price Point  $6.99-$7.99
I first eyeballed this product last year and was a little more than cautious to try it, since I've wasn't familiar with this product. I of course took the naturalista's routine of reading the labels for directions, ingredients and every company's open promise that this product should give to me (The Consumer). I'm glad that I gave this product a try. At first glance I was okay with the ingredients. I'm not super hard or picky on products that have more norishing ingredents than "BAD" ones that my hair can use. The consistency was perfect, thick and creamy. The smell of this product was very suttle and not overly fragrant. It reminded me of the Queen Helene Cocoa Butter stick when I was younger. I followed my normal wash day routine. Stepping  bare naked in the shower, turning the knob and letting the water cover my head for a minute or two before applying my product of choice. I loved the consistency and major slip it gave me. After less than two rounds with this product, I was hooked, lined, and sunk into this stuff. My hair felt like butter, detangling was easy and my hair was very moisturized. I followed up with the my special oil blend, a little of my perfect 7 leave in conditioner and Ph Balanced Moisture Gel from this very same line. Over all I enjoyed this product and most likely will keep this in rotation at least for the summer and early fall. There's nothing bad I can say about this product. I give this a major green light for transitioners, newly naturals, and veterian curly tops alike to give this product a try.
(VIDEO VLOG REVIEW COMING SOON--------->www.youtube.com/GirlFridayblog)

Ori Essentials Cleansing Conditioner (Co-Wash)

I was first introduced to this lovely product in the May Curlkit box. This is my first natural co-washing product that I've ever used. I must say I am enjoying this product. I'm not a stranger to Ori Essentials line since I've recently tried the leave in conditioner in which was also from the April Curlkit box. (Got to love Curlkit for that) I enjoyed the leave in conditioner so when I saw this product one month later I couldn't wait to use it. I followed the standard hair washing method wet hair, apply product in sections, finger comb product through hair. I thought it was interesting that this product as it states doesn't sud like a shampoo but cleans like a soft cleanser. I was able to just finger detangle and didn't have to use it more than once in one wash application. One of the few perks of this product outside the fact that it's a natural product (CG friendly) would be the good slip and smell. I really like the smell of fresh bannana - tropical coconut type of aroma. This product left my hair so soft and clean. I have been thinking about repurchasing this product since I live in the south and the summers here are extremely hot and I find my self co-washing more often than in the cooler month. I've been building my summer hair care staples and this has made it to my favorites list for simple go to product. I would highly recommend this product to anyone who co-washes more than shampoo or anyone looking for a nice natural product that simple and just all around just yummy  and easy to use. It's definetly worth trying out.  

Shea Moisture Hair Coloring System (First Impressions)

Tis' the season for sun and holly fa la la la la la la la la. I don't know about you but I can't wait for the summer. Just like most women the mark of summer means whipping out the swim gear, the short shorts, your best pair of sunglasses and the many different styles of sundresses (don't forget the opened toed heels). Now we can't forget the different hair styles along with the delicious array of colors to match. After a long weird fall/winter living in Memphis, Tn I think its time to change my hair up a notch (BAM). Like most women period I need a change ever once in a while. Since summer is my favorite time of year why not switch it up a bit. I've been thinking about coloring my hair on and off for the past few months now. I was against it since it took so long for my last color application (while transitioning almost 2yr ago) to fully grow out. I still have a little color of honey blonde left on my ends as we speak. I loved the (Textures&Tones) "Honey Blonde" it was a good product but I don't think I was ready for the aftermath of color back then. Yet, I have this strong urge to experiment with color again. So I took to the internet to do some research on products that wouldn't harm my natural hair, that weren't filled with super harsh chemicals but would still give me a nice color pay off nothing super intense but a great quality of color. I came across the Shea Moisture Hair Color System (Target.com)  for $14.99 after seeing reviews for most of the 12 colors on youtube I think we have a winner. This coloring system doesn't have super harsh ingredients and actually has some good pay off in color from what I've watch. Besides Shea Moisture is a company that me and my hair can trust because they have natural hair care in mind. I love the fact that they not only give you the color in the kit but some of their imfamous shampoo, conditioner etc to use after your coloring application. I have dark off black hair minus the very ends of my hair so Im thinking I'll have to go with my first choice of the Bright Auburn (I LOVE RED HAIR). I do want to lift my hair a bit because it is so dark in color so I've even thought about using the Dark Golden Blonde first then follow up  6 weeks later with the Bright Auburn to get a better color pay off. I don't want to use the 7 stages color booster pack that I normally use out of fear it would give me a super intense color of red is the reason for wanting to use the Dark Golden Blonde first (since the blonde coloring on black hair gives a slight lift without making the hair traditional blonde). I haven't seen these in stores yet here in Memphis so most likely I will be ordering them from target.com and I will order 2 boxes of each color since I have a lot of hair and want to make sure I have enough to complete my whole head of hair. I'm excited and simply can't wait I think these two colors are going to look hot on me :) Even thought about doing

Some additional tips I've learned through reviews and videos

• Use thicker gloves
• It takes time to see the color so a strand test is recommended for this product
• Make sure you have newspapers or a large towel covering the floor when applying the color
• Using the "Bottle Method" instead of the applicator brush works better for the coloring process
• Makes sure you work in the product very well
• Follow up with the products included in the kit
• Keep your hair moisturized after the coloring applicaition for best results (color care rules)
• Enjoy your new hair color : )