I have been asked many times, “what makes the perfect regimen?” In my opinion is all depends on your hair type and needs. Many people say knowing your hair type is irrelevant, I disagree. If I didn’t find out what my hair type was I would have been lost when it came to trying products and finding what worked best for me and my kinky, coily, curly hair. I think a lot of people use hair typing in a negative way though, which can cause tension and discouragement in the natural hair community but that’s another story. When it comes to being newly natural having a regimen can be very beneficial especially if you are consistent with your process. Dedicating 1 or 2 days a week on caring and catering to your hair does not have to be a challenging task. Many of you have said that you’re in need of a regime that is quick, simple and to the point so I created one for you. In the “Good Hair” regimen below you will see how simple it is to have and create a quick routine, I will give your basic steps that helped me but feel free to change the regimen around to fit your personal hair needs. I will also give your direct links on where to find products that are affordable and good for your hair! You don’t have to settle for cheap products that may be causing your hair to be dry and brittle. There are a lot of natural, organic and inexpensive items on the market that will do your hair a lot of good.
The Good Hair Regimen
Hair Days: Sunday 2x a month
(Fell free to substitute your own days. These are the ways I cater to my hair)
Pre-Poo (Pre Shampoo Treatment)-
Step 1: Section the hair in 4 to 6 sections and secure with clips
Step 2: Detangle each section of hair carefully from tip to root with a wide tooth comb
Step 3: Spritz sections with warm water
Step 4: Apply
Vatika Oil from root to tip and massage the scalp
Step 5: Cover with plastic cap for 5 minutes
Co-Wash (Conditioner washing)-
Step 2: Detangle the sections with a wide tooth comb
Step 3: Rinse.
**Some of us rather not use shampoo on a regular basis. Co-washing is great alternative for shampooing if you are deciding to stay away from shampoo. However, at least once a month I recommend that you clarify your hair in some way to remove excess gunk and build up that co-washing may miss**
Shampooing-
Step 2.Massage and clean scalp.Hair is dead and can only be preserved so be sure you are paying special attention to your scalp first. In order to grow healthy hair you need healthy and clean scalp. There is no need to shampoo your whole head. Start that the scalp and the soap will run down on to your hair. It will get just as clean.
Step 3: Rinse with cool or cold water to seal the cuticle.
**Castille soap is a great product to use will clarifying. Adding a few drops of castor oil and a tablespoon of glycerin can prevent your hair from feeling stripped after the wash. Be sure to replace your hairs moisture with a good conditioner once you are done washing**
Conditioning (this step can be skipped if you co-washed)-
Step 1: Section hair in 2 or 3 parts
Step 3: Rinse after 5 minutes
Step 4: Towel Dry
Style as normal! Make sure you are using products that will keep your hair moisturized if it’s prone to being dry. Below are some of my favorite styling products:
I hope the above regimen will help some of you! Remember tweak it to fit your needs if you need to. The steps, products and order are completely up to you. I just wanted to set a foundation for those who were at a loss for what to do.
For Alex’s winter regimen tweaks, see
HERE.
How often do you style? What does your routine look like?
Great website! everyone has a regime which caters to their hair needs. I've had a regime since doing the mini big chop, but has changed since my hair is longer…
-every weekend (fri, or sat depending on plans) I do an overnight prepoo w/ coconut oil.
-next day wash hair w/ Giovanni deep moisture shampoo followed by deeper moisture conditioner.
-I DC w/ Oliveyou deep conditioner or make a homemade one.
-do protein treatments (no set schedule) I just check strands from time to time, and also do a homeade treatment.
-apply giovanni leave-in conditioner and seal w/ olive oil or oil mixture, or shea butter mix.
-put a protective style. I'm not to big on wearing my hair out because I like it out of the way lol..
i moisturize daily (mostly concentrating on ends) and keep a satin bonnet on at night. i may do a co-wash during the week because I do work out and my hair stinks!
I just found a regimen that works for me.. I work out 5 days a week so my regimen is tailored to my lifestyle. I cowash after every workout, apply and leave in and oil, two strand twist at night. Take down in the morning and go. I don't really need a moisturizer because I get alot of moisture from the water and conditioner. Once a week I shampoo and deep condish.
We are so beautiful.
I just finally have a regimen after two years of being natural.
-Wash with Jason SLS free Shampoo every other week (I have hard water)
-Deep condition with a protein (Joico K Pak re-constructor) or moisturizing (Nature's gate Aloe Vera) conditioner when i wash.
-Apply Miss Jessie baby buttercream, seal with shea butter
-put a style in for two weeks (it's winter and its dry), apply castor oil on the ends (makes my hair soft) mist daily with water or a DIY leave-in conditioner.
I'll see how this goes after a month or so
– http://curiouskinks.blogspot.com/
Does anyone use Mane & Tail products?
I LOVE THIS WEBSITE – The fact that you share and help others become knowledgable is fantastic. I have been natural for almost a year and even my husband prefers this look much better. I have yet to determine the style that I'd like to create. Currently, its short enough to wear like an big afro, and its growing like crazy, my curls are starting to fall. Can someone help with a website that gives hair style ideas? I love the way you have your hair with the wrap, where can I find a wrap like that,its REALLY CUTE. OR How do you tie a wrap like that? Thanks again Ladies.
Thank you Nikki for all your hair hair tips, you are always on point.
This is a great article! I have been natural for 5 years and I remember not paying attention to my hair type…I finally have a regimen that works for me!
Thank you for posting this! I've been natural all my life & when I finally found Curly Nikki and was shown that I could be creative with my hair I was really happy, but I noticed women were talking about regimens & I couldn't figure out how to make my own. I found out by looking at "Her Best Hair's" blog and adapting & tweaking her regimen to fit my needs. I'm just happy you posted this for anyone else like me who was confused at the beginning. THANK YOU!
I don't think I've ever had this simple of a regimen on this length of hair.
Every weekend (Saturday or Sunday):
-Remove shed hair with fingers (I don't try to get it all out; just most of it)
-Shampoo, protein treatment, and moisture treatment (if it's the end of the month); co-wash (if not)
-Apply leave-in all over and let it sit
-Section hair, apply more leave-in, detangle with comb, put in large twists
– Air-dry in the large twists or make into slightly smaller twists or plaits when it's half-dry OR band it
– Take down twists or plaits in the morning and fluff with a little oil
At night I put my hair up in either a set of large puffs or large knots, cover with a satin scarf, and go to bed. In the morning I take them down, fluff with a little oil, and style. If I want to get the definition back, I'll lightly spritz with water, add a little gel, and replait or retwist, pulling out shed hair as I go. I try to only do that once between wash days. Every two months I dust my ends. My fine 4b hair has NEVER!! looked better.
I have medium length, afro-textured hair. Once every 5-7 days I…
-Detangle/pre-poo w/ Shea Moisture Purification Masque or aloe vera gel/castor oil mix
-Shampoo w/ Shea Moisture Moisture Retention Shampoo
-Moisturize w/ Alba Botanica Leave-In Conditioner and/or Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk
-Do 15 Braids for a Braid-Out
-Seal ends and edges w/ castor oil
-Air-dry under a cute hat for ~24 hrs
-Un-braid and style (Braid-Out, Bun or Updo)
For detangling, I finger-detangle on stretched, sectioned (12 parts), moistened hair (conditioner or DIY mix). Sometimes, I follow up with a seamless wide-toothed comb. Afterward, I twist each section and shampoo in twists–focusing the shampoo to my scalp via an applicator bottle.
At night, I wear a satin bonnet and/or scarf. I re-braid and/or re-moisturize when I deem it necessary.
I finally have a regimen – natural since 5/2010. done every friday or saturday.
prepoo- coconut oil
shampoo – shea moisture curl and shine shampoo
condition – jessicurl deep conditioner
leavein – kinky curly knot today.
styler – many options that work for me. all are light and not too greasy
Style 1 per week
Tie hair down nightly, fluff in AM.
Once a month, protein treatment with either Aubrey GPB or Aphogee 2 min keratin.
Hair is growing well and looks great 90% of the time.
Your hair is fluffy and beautiful!
My regi… I shampoo once a week with almond castille soap, detangle with Tresseme, a strengthening treatment with amla powder, and deep condition with Neutrogena hair mask. If I want to twist it after I use the Shea Moisture mask and a little gel. If I am leaving it out I use a leave-in and a lil gel. During the week I cowash once a day (usually at night) with Tresseme and either twist at night, or just wrap it in a scarf and cowash in the morning. I agree it is important to know your hair type because my hair adores water! My curls pop. When I don't cowash daily my hair/scalp feel awful spritzing it isn't enough.
Every Friday night or Saturday:
~Prepoo- Shea Moisture Purification Masque
~Shampoo- Shea Moisture Moisture Retention Shampoo
~Deep Condition- Shea Moisture Anti Breakage Masque (mixed with Castor oil, Coconut oil, Aloe Vera gel, honey and a few drops of Peppermint or Lavender oil
~Leave in Conditioner- Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner (mixed with some oils and Aloe Vera Juice)
Once done I let my hair dry a little then style.
I have been doing this since I BC 7/11 (7mths) and my hair is strong, soft, shiny and has grown a lot.
I have been natural for 3 years and I FINALLY found a regimine I'm going to stick with. I style my hair once a week, M&S and re-style my hair every day or every other day. I wash and deep condition weekly. I don't really co-wash because I use a moisturizing shampoo when I wash. After I wash and deep condition I use a leave in and seal it with an oil. On the daily I use water or a moisturizing creme with an oil to seal.
I style my hair every 2 weeks. I am still transistioning. My routine is Pre-poo with oils + conditioner (finger detangle), Shampoo with non-sulphate shampoo, Deep Condition with conditioner and oils, and style with a leave in and Shea butter.
-discoveringnatural.blogspot.com