Episode 1 of the " It's All for my Hair Series"

Welcome to Episode 1 of the " It's All for My Hair Series"; if you're new to this blog you can view the Prelude to this series, which will explain it in further details.

Squeaky Clean or Squeaky Dirty?

Before this series, I would follow my hair routine to the CAPITAL "T"; I HAD to WASH my hair EVERY week, whether it needed it or not. Now that it's summer and I rather spend my days outside with my kids rather than a 4 hour washing session, an unnecessary 4 hour session. Now, its not like I used a sulfate shampoo or a strand damaging shampoo; no I used mostly natural/organic shampoos. So there wasn't a scare of excessive use of shampoo; but there was a scare of unnecessary washes. By the end of some weeks, I'd find my scalp and hair with minimum dirt or buildup BUT I'd still scruba dub dub my curly curls. So with the persuasion from Florida beautiful heat and my random laziness, I've started Co-Washing rather than shampooing.

 For those unfamiliar with co-washing, it's the fairly simple method of washing your hair with CONDITIONER!!! Yes, CONDITIONER!! LOL It's a safe and swift way of washing your hair without the excessive oil stripping qualities of shampoos. Plus, your hair doesn't get as tangled from the conditioner like it would with shampoos. AGAIN it's EASIER AND FASTER!! LOL! In addition to co-washing, I've decided to wash when necessary. YES, there may be time when I'd go almost 2 weeks without washing my hair but that might be due to protective styles or extremely busy schedules.

So here's a quick comparison of my  weekly washing regimen:
Past:                                                                                         Current:
Shampoo                                                                     Cowash( once or twice)
Deep Condition                                                          Deep Condition
                                                                                   Clarify/Shampoo when necessary or monthly

Shampoo hair,  deep condition and detangle.            Cowash and detangle, OR Cowash,
                                                                                   deep condition & detangle, OR Clarify/shampoo,
                                                                                   deep condition and detangle.

Now some of you maybe thinking, what's the difference if I'm still going through the process of WASHING my hair? Well, the co-wash is way simplier, the detangling is faster , the conditioner is moisturizing and curl popping, and I don't have to wash the conditioner fully out( cue for wash and go's). It's just my preference! Some of you might love the co-wash or hate it, some may be shampoo regimen strict like I was or some might not really care how it's washed as long as it's washed!

COMMERCIAL BREAK
*Steps on soapbox* Unfortunately, there have been a set of "rules" for natural hair, which is ironic because going natural sorta represents the stand of being "FREE". Yet some naturals are stick on the " YOU MUST NOT's, or the OMG YOU DID NOT USE THAT OR DID THAT" rules; making it hard for new naturals to embrace what THEY want to do with THEIR hair" * off soapbox*

BACK TO PROGRAMMING
Another process, that I've changed in my regime is how I wash my hair. Prior to this series, I'd make it a MUST to not only scrub( with fingertips) my scalp but my entire hair. Now, my major concern is the scalp; I make sure that I clean the scalp first. There are days when I don't have the time to do a proper wash, so I'd wash the scalp first and rinse. While rinsing, I'll rake my fingers through my hair making sure the shampoo runs down the strands with the water. It's important I get the scalp cleaned especially if I'm mostly doing co-washes; then I save the whole head routine for the shampoo.

The point of this episode, is to exclaim that washing my hair isn't my FIRST priority; however it is an important one. I just make sure that I wash when needed rather than when my "routine" calls for it!
 Although I co-wash and yes, I stated that it's easier and faster and although, it does make detangling easier, it doesn't make the battle any more fun!

So Stay Tuned for the next episode, ' The Battle of the Strands'  of the " It's All for My Hair Series"

Episode 1: Squeaky Clean or Squeaky Dirty?
Episode 2: The Battle of the Strands
Episode 3: The MOISTruggle
Episode 4: GIRL, that's out of STYLE!
Episode 5: Organic or not organic.....WHO CARES!?!?
Episode 6: Science Class- "THE EXPERIMENT"
Episode 7: The REVILE- "Revisit of the mirror"
Episode 8: EmbraceTHYroots


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Past vs. Current Products

In the begining of my transition, I had very few products but as I went along I purchased more products. Now due to my budget, I promised myself that I would buy 1 or 2 new products or accesories a month. Boy did I broke that promise! LOL

He's my past products for September 2011:

Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Creamy Aloe Shampoo

Organic Root Stiumlator Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner

Cantu Shea Butter Leave in Conditioning Repair Cream- as a leave in conditioner

Organic Olive Oil Hair Mayonnaise- for cowash

Grapeseed Oil as a  moisture sealant

Coconut Oil - as a moisturizer and sealant

Ecostyler Olive Oil Styling Gel

Organic Root Stimulator Lock and Twist Gel- for twists and twist outs


I changed a few of the products due to the dryness of my hair and my dissatisfaction with them. For example, I changed the shampoo because the second week it dried out my hair extremely. I also changed the Organic Olive Oil Hair Mayonnaise due to the mineral oil.

Half way through September 2011: I ran out of deep conditioner and due to my promise to myself, I did not buy a new shampoo but tried a no poo

New Poo recipee:

1tablespoon of baking soda

1 cup of water

Mix and apply to hair, massage for 1 min and rinse out immediately. MUST CONDITION AFTERWARDS!!!!

In replacement of the conditioner I tried two mixtures:

Attempt 1: The protein conditioner

1 egg

Mayo

Oils

Conditioner( Suave)

Mix, Apply, Detangle hair, do deep conditioning process and rinse

Attempt 2:The oil conditioner

Oils( coconut oil, vitamin E oil, jojoba oil, tea tree oil and EVOO)

Conditioner(Suave)

Organic Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Pak( for extra condtioning)

Mix, Apply, Detangle, do deeo conditioning process and rinse

I will leave a post dicusssin my thoughts/review on those conditions

My Current Products: October 2011

Giovani 50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo- Sulfate Free and Organic

New Oils- Tea tree, Vitamin E,  and Jojoba Oil

Unrefined Shea Butter for shea butter mixture

New shampoo comb

New clamps

Banana Clips

I'm loving the new products and accessories!