Using a Heat Cap to Set Natural Hair (Giveaway)

About— The Hair Therapy Wrap Thermal Turban Heat Wrap is a reusable, heated hair wrap. Remember when deep conditioning meant soaking a scalding hot towel, wringing it out, and it still went cold in 5 minutes? The heated Hair Therapy Wrap does away with that and will stay hot up to 30 minutes, cordless, reusable and NO MORE sitting under electrical hairdryers!

Hola Chicas,

If you’ve been keeping up with my latest posts, you’re more than aware of my current routine– chunky two strand twists on stretched out hair, worn until I decide to release them to rock a dry twist-out or dry Twist-n-Curl. And when I say ‘dry’, I mean applying a moisturizer to my dry hair either prior to re-twisting, or to the twists themselves. I’ve learned that applying the wet product to my loose, dry hair, can cause tangles and matting, but applying it to the twists prevents the drama.

Since I’ve drastically reduced my styling sessions (I only wash once per month), I’ve been looking for ways to effectively and efficiently moisturize my hair and keep the cuticle smooth and happy.

So for the past month, for the sole purpose of hair health, I’ve been applying water based moisturizers to my twists (along with oils), donning my satin bonnet, and then throwing on my thermal heat cap. The results… nothing short of amazing. My hair is left smooth, soft, shiny, moisturized, and *drum roll please*…. ‘set’. Imagine my surprise! The heat really molds my hair and locks in the ‘s curl’ of the twists without the straw like feeling after a bonnet dryer session.

I was so amazed and happy with my results that I reached out to chemist and friend, Nicole Hollis of Hair Liberty to find out if this was some sort of crazy fluke or placebo effect. To my surprise, she validated my findings. haha, I feel like a scientist! Apparently, applying this mild and gentle form of heat to hair that is lightly saturated with moisturizing butters and oils, mimics a deep treatment… with the added benefit of perfectly set curls! I’m enjoying defined (but HUGE, and voluminous) hair that is less prone to frizz, reversion, and dryness. My hair absorbs and retains the moisture and the set lasts and lasts! I’m talking days. On a dry set. Yep yeppers.

Moisturizers I’m Using (one or more of the following):

– Qhemet Biologics Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee***

–CURLS Curl Souffle

–Oyin Handmade’s Shine and Define



Oils I’m Using:

–Treasured Lock’s African Argan Oil Elixir

–Burts Bees Nourishing Baby Oil (full of porosity reducing ceramides)

-A homemade mix of Agran and Castor oils

Serums/Anti-Humectants I’m Using:

–Sabino Lok and Blok

–Aveda Anti-Humectant Pomade



Heat Cap:

I own the ‘micro heat cap‘ which has been discontinued in most places. But a very similar product can be purchased HERE. I now have this one too and LOVE It!

My process:

-Apply moisturizer to twists… just enough to make them damp. The one’s listed above, especially the Ghee, leaves ZERO residue or flakes. I don’t have to add water.

-Apply a light coating of oil to seal (optional)

-Cover hair with a scarf to hold down roots, and then with a satin bonnet

-Heat cap in the microwave for 1 minute

-Wear cap for 15-30 minutes (with twists flipped up so that the ends are near your crown and under the hat)

-Allow hair to cool if you plan to immediately release the twists.

-Apply a light layer of anti-humectant pomade or serum to your twist-out or Twist-n-Curl prior to leaving house, if appropriate.

I usually apply the moisturizer to my twists, satin bonnet, heat cap, and then leave the twists be… repeating the process the next week. I only add rollers and serums if I plan to rock a Twist-n-Curl.

This has been amazing for my low manipulation routine, allowing me to keep my hair happy even though I’m washing and styling WAY less.

Hope that all made sense!

Nik

p.s. sometimes I do a warm oil treatment, skipping the moisturizer altogether. Leaves my hair unbelievably soft!