So I thought instead of boring “informational” posts (which I know y’all skim the hell through anyway), I thought it would be better to instead get you guys involved by testing how much you know about natural hair care techniques. Let’s see if you pass or fail…
Of the following, what is the most effective process of moisturizing your hair?
a)Apply an oil, butter, mineral or petroleum based product to your strands and scalp
b)Apply water or a water based product to hair first followed by a sealant such as oil, butter or “grease”.
c)Lightly spritz hair with water
The answer is B.
When dealing with curly or kinky textured hair it is imperative that water or a water based product (aqua as it’s first ingredient) is applied to hair first. Contrary to what you have been taught about water and hair not mixing, water is actually the only thing that can effectively hydrate and provide the moisture that our hair demands. In order to “lock” that water into your hair you must follow with a sealing product such as an oil, butter or grease (whichever you prefer). Moisturizing is a two-step process. Depending on the porosity and density of your hair strands some people may need to re-hydrate daily while others may only need to repeat the process once a week or even farther in between. Only you can discover the products and frequency with which you practice the process.
LESSON LEARNED
Moisturizing curly kinky hair is a two step process which leads with water or water based product and ends with a sealant oil or butter.
Note: For extremely fine and loose curls (type 2 and 3 hair types) oil and butter may be too heavy and unnecessary but water is still a must!
i found the jeopardy bit funny, lol.
i think it goes without saying that moisturising and sealing is the holy grail for dry hair types, whether natural or relaxed.
I passed!
I actually use a light leave-in daily and seal with an oil about every other day …
passed with flying colors…..yeah baby
I passed in theory, but in practice, I rarely follow this process. There was a time when I used curlformers that I had to use shea butter (after a water moisturized product) prior to apply them. My hair never looked better. Shame on me!
100%-Passed!! A+, YEAH!!!!!!! (ahahahahaha)
I am on the MOISTURIZE Band Wagon and I must say,my hair looks and feels much better than when I first started. I use water/olive oil/leave-N-cond. I am a CURLYNIKKI site stalker (harmless, but I must have my daily dose of natural haircare talk)smile, Thanks NIkkI and Baby Gia. But I don't hog it to myself, I've got my sister and two nieces on the wagon also. A second sister is perusing the natural hair arena and I'm spoon feeding her info and sending her info from CURLYNIKKI.COM.
Allnatural1 (Michelle in TX)
Thanks atwc. That's pretty much what I do.
What I was referring to was a prepoo before washing (theres no way I'd put all that stuff in my hair after washing!) – anon 634
Agreed with ATWC, and it only took me almost 2 years to figure out how simple really is better for me.
After shampooing, i blot my hair (don't rub it) with t-shirt or paper towels. And this has been CRUCIAL for me and i learned it from CurlyNikki: i air dry my hair for about 10-15 minutes before i apply my leave in, moisturizer and oil. If i apply all this stuff without letting it dry a little first, my hair does not feel moist and curly when it's fully dry. And then throughout the week i use a homemade spritz of distilled water and whatever oil i have around, coconut, jojoba, etc like ATWC mentioned.
@ ANON 6 :34 and NATURALLYNATURAL
This is my personal opinion IT IS NOT LAW. I think that after a fresh cleansing it is best to keep it simple and direct. After you wash your hair and your hair is wet, add a leave in conditioner and then a sealant (or simply a sealant if you don't require a leave in).
Then as the week goes on and you need a "refresher" you can spritz with your oil, water mixtures.
-Shanti of ATWC
Passed with flying colors!
Passed! I've been wondering if it's important to dampen first or if all can be mixed, heated then applied at once though?
I have a prepoo on now of rosemary water, coconut oil, castor oil, honey.. I mixed it all up, microwaved for 10 sec then applied. By not applying water first do you thinkwill there be less absorption? I haven't rinsed it out yet… And it's my first time with this technique. Curious to see if i notice a difference.
I have been wondering this question for awhile now. I am so happy you did a quiz. I actually got it right cause it just made sense to me. Though I am sometimes nervous about the water part, I still have to unlearn what the relaxer taught me. When your adding water, is it okay to use water and evoo or do you need straight water? Thanks again
Passsssed!! Woot!
Passed! Whoop whoop! And Nikki, yes I do read through the informational posts…..LOL!
Fail, fail, failed!
PASSED! I just big chopped and I'm wearing braids so I've been all about moisturizing and sealing my hair 🙂 Your site definitely taught me that
LOL at the 10 min. Jeopardy music! that's a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong
time to think about the answer to that question.
SN: I love Shanti's hair and personality! Around the Way Curl is a wonderful site too!
Thanks!