My hair is doing what it do! Growing nicely, getting that health up and turned up off my regimen. I have been super consistent with my regimen and my hair is saying THANK YOU (finally) and I'm basking with unlimited selfies. I never loved my tresses, even when it was relaxed. I feel like we always just put up with each other but neither one of us put our best foot forward to make each other shine. Now, we're besties, I understand my tresses and my tresses understand me and with that I found a regimen that is giving both of us LIFE.
My regimen right now is
1. First week: deep condition with coconut oil with heat for 45 mins then co-wash
2. Second week: Shampoo, ACV, Deep condition anywhere from 30mins - 2 hours with heat.
3. Third week repeat First week
4. Fourth week repeat Second week.
So in a nut shell I alternate weeks between a co-wash and shampoo.
I'll have more deets on products that I use, but in the mean time I just wanted to breeze through and show yall what I'm working with.
Pic on the left is my hair Nov 2012 pic on the right is my current hair Sept 2013
Thought I capture a few selfies cuz I need yall to believe me when I say me and my tresses are besties. My first twist out that I actually was digging. It was juicy and coily!
Do you have a regimen? Please share.
Follow me on instagram for pics before they hit the blog @trackingmytresses
My hair was thriving, then it was like the life got sucked of it. I was hating my hair for a few weeks almost at the verge of chopping it all off (again). Straight up hair frustration because my hair would not shine at all no matter how much moisturizing & sealing or co-washing I did. My rollerset would not last long and it started to look weighed down and I was experiencing some excessive shedding. I couldn't figure out if it was the products I was using or was I doing to much or what? Then a light bulb hit. WELP, I DO NOT CLARIFY MY HAIR.
The point of clarifying is stuff builds up on your hair, all kinds of stuff. Hairsprays, mousses,
and gels; hard water and mineral deposits; chlorine and chemicals from
swimming pools; even the waxes and moisturizers in some shampoos and
conditioners can leave build up on your hair over time. This build up
can cause hair to appear dull, heavy, greasy, and limp. A clarifying
shampoo can help remove those deposits, give your hair a fresh start,
and restore shine.
I pre-poo (a pre-treatment with oils/conditioner before shampooing your
hair) weekly and recently started incorporating co-washing (washing hair with a
moisturizing conditioner) into my regimen, although they are great techniques for the hair,
you eventually have to clarify at some point due to product build-up. So, off to the beauty supply store
(BSS) I went to pick up a clarifying shampoo.
Anyhoo, I wanted to make it easy for myself with the decision making so I purchased Organic Root
Stimulator Uplifting Shampoo. Anytime I buy a product from this line, I am
always pleased and impressed so I figured I couldn't go wrong. And I didn't.
First of all, what a big difference clarifying makes, I never knew! Honestly, this was my first time ever using a clarifying shampoo, since starting my HJ back in January, and I must say my hair does feel lighter, cleaner, silky AND no itchy scalp. I plan on adding clarifying to my regimen by the fifth wash.
The Facts:
This shampoo exfoliates the scalp helping to relieve the itchy
feeling associated with dry scalp. It's ideal for all hair textures, and
adds moisture while helping to condition and detangle.
Enriched with menthol, nettle and horsetail
Gently lifts flakes and excess oils
Stimulates and irrigates scalp
The Instructions:
Conduct a patch test for allergic reaction before use. Apply as
directed to the nape of the neck; wait 24 hours. If itching, bumps or
redness develop, do not use
Apply a generous amount of shampoo to damp hair and work into a lather. Rinse thoroughly
Repeat shampoo, leaving on for 2 minutes to maximize treatment
Rinse thoroughly with warm water and condition with Organic Root Stimulator hair mayonnaise
The Truth:
First off, no allergy reaction for me, thank God. I'm never allergic to anything so I was pretty optimistic about not having some sort of reaction.
Loved the tingling sensation it gave while washing, made me feel like it was really doing something
Clarifying shampoo's are known to strip the hair to release the build up, but for this to be a clarifying shampoo my hair did not feel stripped it actually felt moisturized and stronger.
I will say that my hair also behaved with holding rollerset curls. By day 2 of a rollerset my curls are lifeless.
It definitely did the trick to my tresses they were lighter and shinier and my scalper is definitely cleaner. I usually have itching scalp and I haven't scratched my scalp going on 2 days. Impressive!
Bottom line, hands down, Organic Root Stimulator is winning as far as product lines for me. I always get great results from their products. I'm a trusted fan! The ORS Uplifting Shampoo is surely a staple for me as my clarifying shampoo. If you don't believe check out one of my fav youtubers MrGORGEOUSisMYname who also reviewed this product. He had me LOL'n!!!
So yesterday I co-washed, I rarely ever co-wash, but I want to get rid of my Creme of Nature Nourishing Conditioner. I'm really not feeling it as a deep conditioner (DC) so I'm trying to find ways to get rid of it, so I co-washed with it yesterday. I must say, it was not bad -- at all! I've tried co-washing before and I didn't fall in love with my hair like most of the rave reviews on these hair sites, but CON Nourishing Conditioner did a really good job. My hair feels uber soft and manageable and I like it! My hair doesn't look moisturized as I thought, but it certainly feels like it though. If that makes sense?
So I used the CON Nourishing Conditioner, my last wash I let the conditioner sit in my hair a bit while I got so fresh and so clean. Rinsed with coolish-warm water.
Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Leave In (my hair loves this)
Jamaican Black Castor Oil for my scalp.
My hair was amazingly soft almost like baby hair soft. I thought I was Indian for a second. lol. It was soooo manageable, and I have a lot of new growth happening. I added some aloe vera juice and my Aphogee leave -in. Detangling was a breeze.
Then I air dried. Lots of frizz going on. At this part of the air drying I added my Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter moisturizer and my Biolage Hair Milk which helps tame down the frizz.
About 80% air dry I blow dried on cool air, I applied grapeseed oil then flatironed.Grapeseed Oil is good to be used as a heat protectant. And here's the end result. Not bad right?
What is co-washing? You Ask.. Co-washing is when you wash your hair with a moisturizing conditioner instead of shampoo. It's a technique to restore the moisture in your hair. I know it sounds crazy right? When I started my hair journey I was like "straight up conditioner'"? but the more I researched the more I started to understand the benefits of it. Of course, this technique may not work for everyone, so if you try and your hair feels coated, itchy scalp increases or your hair doesn't feel manageable then this technique is not for you.
The benefits of co-washing:
Co-Washing helps to reduces knots and tangles
Co-washing will help to keep your hair soft and moisturized, which is especially important if you’re transitioning
Co-washing is great for hydrating the scalp
When I saw all the benefits of co-washing I went for it. I tried it with VO5 moisturizing conditioners, my hair said "NO BUENO" it was dry and stiff. I've tried it with Herbal Essence Hello Hydration my hair did say "HELLO." My hair was so moisturized that I didn't have to add any moisturizing products in my hair like I usually do, so I was good until my wash day without adding any products. I've also tried Cream of Nature Nourishing Conditioner and my hair said "Keep Nourishing Me Baby." My new growth was crazy manageable with this one, almost like my hair was a completely different texture.
I will admit that since I'm giving up the creamy crack my hair seems drier than ever, so co-washing does give my hair that restored moisture it needs and my new growth is way more softer and manageable.
A cheapie conditioner is what you use to co-wash. You can usually find these type of conditioners on sale at drugstores like Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens or Target for less than $5.
How often to co-wash? That's all up to you. I try to do it once a week in between my wash days, but I've read some hair regimens and some girls do it more than that. I think my hair is just fine with just once a week or as needed basis. If you try it and see great improvements and results from co-washing then add to your regimen. But if you see no difference, your hair doesn't quite respond right then give it the boot. Not every technique will work for everyone. Finding the right moisturizing conditioner, is part of a successful co-wash.
