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| My mom & I during my traditional wedding (Sept 2009) |
I know it has been a while since I last posted something on here. I've been so busy keeping up with my other blog that I've somewhat neglected this one!
Well, today's post is a little dear to me because I actually wrote this for my mom. If you have read the story of the beginning of my hair journey, you would know that her hair had a lot to do with me going natural the first time around.
Earlier this year, I attended my cousin's wedding in Atlanta, and of course, my family was there. They hadn't seen me since my Big Chop in December of last year, and they all seemed to like how my hair has grown, looking good and feeling healthy. I meant to explain my hair care process to my mom, who was interested, but it was such a busy weekend that we didn't get to it.
So, I made a hair care package for her, including some of my hair favorite hair products andsome hair care instructions. I've had it in mind to do this for a while now, but just never got around to it. Today is her birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!), and I figured this would be a great opportunity.
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| At a Mac Store, having fun with makeup (Oct 2008) |
I have just copied and pasted my write up below. Enjoy! Feel free to ask any questions that you may have, and I'll do my best to answer them!
Have a lovely week ahead!
HAIR CARE
INSTRUCTIONS
Hi Mom!
I remember you were asking me about my hair the last time we
saw in Atlanta, and I know we weren’t able to talk much about it afterwards. So,
I will try to explain step-by-step how to care for your hair the best way I
can. I have included some Shea Moisture hair products for you to use on your
hair. I love Shea Moisture products! They have different types of
products, but I love these their Coconut
& Hibiscus products. Besides the fact that they smell amazing, they work
great for my hair, and I believe they will work for you too. I bought these
from my local beauty supply store, and they should be available at any beauty
supply store near you. If not, you can find them at Target.
Products included:
Shea Moisture® Coconut
& Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
Shea Moisture® Coconut
& Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk (Leave-In Conditioner)
Shea Moisture® Coconut
& Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist
Shea Moisture® Coconut
& Hibiscus Curling Gel Soufflé
I think we have the same kind of hair. So, I’ll be listing
things that work for my hair. Hopefully, they work for you too. You can always
adjust a few things to fit your needs.
It’s easier to work with my hair in sections. So, keep that
in mind when reading the instructions below. When I say, I apply something to
my hair, I usually mean to one section at a time. After working on one section,
it’s best to braid or twist it before moving on to the next one, to keep it separate.
It might seem like a lot of instructions, but after you’ve
done it a few times, you’ll get used to it, and it wouldn’t seem like a lot
anymore. I usually pick one day of the week when I’m less busy to go through
this entire process. For some people, the weekend works best. For me, it’s
usually during the week. So, you decide what would work best for you.
DETANGLING
I ALWAYS detangle my hair before I do anything else (like before
I shampoo, or condition, or deep condition, or braids, etc). Detangling helps
prevent your hair from breaking.
How Do I Detangle: In a spray bottle, I put good amount of any
cheap conditioner (like V05 or Suave), add some water, and maybe a little oil.
I shake the bottle properly to mix everything together. I use my fingers (NOT A
COMB) to divide my hair into 4-6 sections. Working with one section at a time,
I spray an adequate amount of the mixture in the spray bottle on each section,
and with my fingers, I try to “comb” through my hair gently, trying to untangle
any knots. After I have detangled with my fingers, THEN I detangle with a DENMAN
BRUSH (a special bristle brush). When I’m done, and I have removed all the
tangles, I braid or twist the section, and move onto the next. I repeat this
for all the sections before proceeding to wash my hair.
*You can find a spray bottle
in any dollar store. You can get a Denman brush at Sally’s Beauty Supply Store.
If you can’t find a Denman brush, use a WIDE TOOTH COMB.*
CO-WASHING
“Co-washing” just means washing with conditioner, instead of
with shampoo. Co-washing helps remove dirt in your hair without making it feel “stripped”
like a shampoo would. You know that squeaky clean feeling you have after
shampooing your hair? That’s your hair being stripped of all its natural oils. Co-washing
helps prevent that, and keeps your hair soft and moisturized. I co-wash my hair
every week using a cheap conditioner (like V05 or Suave).
How Do I Co-Wash: Working in sections, I just pour a good
amount of the conditioner in my hand, and work it into my hair, like I would if
I was shampooing. I finger detangle, then if necessary, comb with a WIDE TOOTH
COMB. I rinse it out after I’m done.
SHAMPOO
I usually shampoo my hair once a month, unless I just
removed braids or weave on. Then, I shampoo it immediately after. Shampooing
helps to remove dirt and product build-up in your hair. Unless you’re rolling
in mud, you don’t need to shampoo your hair every week. That’s why I co-wash.
Shea Moisture shampoos are really good though, because they don’t leave your
hair stripped like most other regular shampoos.
How Do I Shampoo: Similar to how I co-wash. Working in sections,
I pour a small amount of the shampoo in my hand, and work it into my hair,
until it lathers just like regular shampooing. I finger detangle, then if
necessary, comb with a WIDE TOOTH COMB. I rinse it out after I’m done.
*Note: I do NOT
co-wash AND shampoo! I do one OR the other.*
DEEP CONDITIONING
Just like with shampooing, I deep condition my hair once a
month, unless I just removed braids or weave on. Then, I deep condition AFTER
shampooing.
*I did not include a
deep conditioner, because I haven’t really found one that works great for me
yet. I’m still experimenting, and when I find one, I’ll let you know. In the meantime,
you can use any one you like.*
How Do I Deep Condition: Working in sections, I pour a good
amount of the deep conditioner into my hand and apply generously to my hair. I
work it through my hair while gently detangling with my fingers. I put on a
plastic shower cap, and let it sit for about 30 mins. Then, I rinse it out.
CONDITIONING
I condition my hair after I co-wash OR shampoo & deep
condition. Using a leave-in conditioner helps add moisture to your hair to keep
it soft and manageable.
How Do I Condition: Working in sections, I put a medium size
amount of conditioner in my hand and apply it to my hair. I work it through my
hair while gently detangling with my fingers. At this point, I’m using a
leave-in conditioner. So, I DO NOT RINSE IT OUT.
SEALING
“Sealing” your hair just means sealing the moisture in.After
all your efforts to add moisture to your hair, you want to KEEP the moisture in
your hair! I seal my hair using natural oils, like extra virgin olive oil, OR
coconut oil.
How Do I Seal: After I’m done conditioning my hair, I put a medium
size amount of oil in my hand, rub it together, and apply it to my hair. I run
it through my hair (in sections) AND my scalp, making sure I cover every area
with it.
DRYING
I always let my hair air-dry. I don’t use blow dryers, because
the extreme heat they give is damaging to the hair.
STYLING
This part is really where you can get creative, but I know
you don’t have much time. So I’ll just explain the “easiest” way I style my
hair. When we saw in Atlanta, my hair was in a “twist out”: which just means
twisting your hair, letting it dry, and then, untwisting it. If you can’t twist
your hair, braiding it one by one works just the same. In that case, it’s
called a “braid out.”
How Do I Style: To achieve a twist out, I prefer to work with
my hair when it is still damp. And because I don’t blow dry my hair, I can wait
a couple of hours after I have done all the steps above before twisting. I divide
my hair into very small sections, apply just a little bit of styling product to
that small section with my finger tip, twist or braid to the end. When I get to
the end of the hair and I can’t braid or twist anymore, just twirl the end of
the hair around my finger and let go. I repeat this throughout my whole head.
When I’m done, I let it air-dry, which could take up to 2-3 hours. When it is completely
dry, I undo all the twists/braids. And that’s it!
I also like to flat twist my hair into different styles (in
Atlanta, the sides of my hair was flat twisted, while the top was a twist out).
That’s a little bit more difficult to explain in writing. So, I’ll demonstrate
it for you next time we see (or you can watch some YouTube videos for
demonstrations). In the meantime, you can perfect your twist out or braid out!
*I usually style with Shea
Moisture® Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie, but the beauty supply
store was out of stock. I believe the Gel Soufflé work just as well.*
MOISTURIZING BETWEEN
WASHES
When my hair is styled (twist out, braid out, weave on,
braids, whatever), I still have to keep it moisturized every day. I do so by
spraying the Moisture Mist all over my hair every day. Afterwards, I pour a
little oil in my palm, rub it together, and rub all over my hair (to seal).
My hair is still short, so I don’t have to do much to it at
night. You’re supposed to keep moisture in your hair by wearing a satin scarf
or bonnet on your head to sleep, but those things never stay on my head
throughout the night. So, I bought a couple of satin pillowcases. It works just
as well and I don’t have to do anything!
HAIR CARE
INSTRUCTIONS
Hi Mom!
I remember you were asking me about my hair the last time we
saw in Atlanta, and I know we weren’t able to talk much about it afterwards. So,
I will try to explain step-by-step how to care for your hair the best way I
can. I have included some Shea Moisture hair products for you to use on your
hair. I love Shea Moisture products! They have different types of
products, but I love these their Coconut
& Hibiscus products. Besides the fact that they smell amazing, they work
great for my hair, and I believe they will work for you too. I bought these
from my local beauty supply store, and they should be available at any beauty
supply store near you. If not, you can find them at Target.
Products included:
Shea Moisture® Coconut
& Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
Shea Moisture® Coconut
& Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk (Leave-In Conditioner)
Shea Moisture® Coconut
& Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist
Shea Moisture® Coconut
& Hibiscus Curling Gel Soufflé
I think we have the same kind of hair. So, I’ll be listing
things that work for my hair. Hopefully, they work for you too. You can always
adjust a few things to fit your needs.
It’s easier to work with my hair in sections. So, keep that
in mind when reading the instructions below. When I say, I apply something to
my hair, I usually mean to one section at a time. After working on one section,
it’s best to braid or twist it before moving on to the next one, to keep it separate.
It might seem like a lot of instructions, but after you’ve
done it a few times, you’ll get used to it, and it wouldn’t seem like a lot
anymore. I usually pick one day of the week when I’m less busy to go through
this entire process. For some people, the weekend works best. For me, it’s
usually during the week. So, you decide what would work best for you.
DETANGLING
I ALWAYS detangle my hair before I do anything else (like before
I shampoo, or condition, or deep condition, or braids, etc). Detangling helps
prevent your hair from breaking.
How Do I Detangle: In a spray bottle, I put good amount of any
cheap conditioner (like V05 or Suave), add some water, and maybe a little oil.
I shake the bottle properly to mix everything together. I use my fingers (NOT A
COMB) to divide my hair into 4-6 sections. Working with one section at a time,
I spray an adequate amount of the mixture in the spray bottle on each section,
and with my fingers, I try to “comb” through my hair gently, trying to untangle
any knots. After I have detangled with my fingers, THEN I detangle with a DENMAN
BRUSH (a special bristle brush). When I’m done, and I have removed all the
tangles, I braid or twist the section, and move onto the next. I repeat this
for all the sections before proceeding to wash my hair.
*You can find a spray bottle
in any dollar store. You can get a Denman brush at Sally’s Beauty Supply Store.
If you can’t find a Denman brush, use a WIDE TOOTH COMB.*
CO-WASHING
“Co-washing” just means washing with conditioner, instead of
with shampoo. Co-washing helps remove dirt in your hair without making it feel “stripped”
like a shampoo would. You know that squeaky clean feeling you have after
shampooing your hair? That’s your hair being stripped of all its natural oils. Co-washing
helps prevent that, and keeps your hair soft and moisturized. I co-wash my hair
every week using a cheap conditioner (like V05 or Suave).
How Do I Co-Wash: Working in sections, I just pour a good
amount of the conditioner in my hand, and work it into my hair, like I would if
I was shampooing. I finger detangle, then if necessary, comb with a WIDE TOOTH
COMB. I rinse it out after I’m done.
SHAMPOO
I usually shampoo my hair once a month, unless I just
removed braids or weave on. Then, I shampoo it immediately after. Shampooing
helps to remove dirt and product build-up in your hair. Unless you’re rolling
in mud, you don’t need to shampoo your hair every week. That’s why I co-wash.
Shea Moisture shampoos are really good though, because they don’t leave your
hair stripped like most other regular shampoos.
How Do I Shampoo: Similar to how I co-wash. Working in sections,
I pour a small amount of the shampoo in my hand, and work it into my hair,
until it lathers just like regular shampooing. I finger detangle, then if
necessary, comb with a WIDE TOOTH COMB. I rinse it out after I’m done.
*Note: I do NOT
co-wash AND shampoo! I do one OR the other.*
DEEP CONDITIONING
Just like with shampooing, I deep condition my hair once a
month, unless I just removed braids or weave on. Then, I deep condition AFTER
shampooing.
*I did not include a
deep conditioner, because I haven’t really found one that works great for me
yet. I’m still experimenting, and when I find one, I’ll let you know. In the meantime,
you can use any one you like.*
How Do I Deep Condition: Working in sections, I pour a good
amount of the deep conditioner into my hand and apply generously to my hair. I
work it through my hair while gently detangling with my fingers. I put on a
plastic shower cap, and let it sit for about 30 mins. Then, I rinse it out.
CONDITIONING
I condition my hair after I co-wash OR shampoo & deep
condition. Using a leave-in conditioner helps add moisture to your hair to keep
it soft and manageable.
How Do I Condition: Working in sections, I put a medium size
amount of conditioner in my hand and apply it to my hair. I work it through my
hair while gently detangling with my fingers. At this point, I’m using a
leave-in conditioner. So, I DO NOT RINSE IT OUT.
SEALING
“Sealing” your hair just means sealing the moisture in.After
all your efforts to add moisture to your hair, you want to KEEP the moisture in
your hair! I seal my hair using natural oils, like extra virgin olive oil, OR
coconut oil.
How Do I Seal: After I’m done conditioning my hair, I put a medium
size amount of oil in my hand, rub it together, and apply it to my hair. I run
it through my hair (in sections) AND my scalp, making sure I cover every area
with it.
DRYING
I always let my hair air-dry. I don’t use blow dryers, because
the extreme heat they give is damaging to the hair.
STYLING
This part is really where you can get creative, but I know
you don’t have much time. So I’ll just explain the “easiest” way I style my
hair. When we saw in Atlanta, my hair was in a “twist out”: which just means
twisting your hair, letting it dry, and then, untwisting it. If you can’t twist
your hair, braiding it one by one works just the same. In that case, it’s
called a “braid out.”
How Do I Style: To achieve a twist out, I prefer to work with
my hair when it is still damp. And because I don’t blow dry my hair, I can wait
a couple of hours after I have done all the steps above before twisting. I divide
my hair into very small sections, apply just a little bit of styling product to
that small section with my finger tip, twist or braid to the end. When I get to
the end of the hair and I can’t braid or twist anymore, just twirl the end of
the hair around my finger and let go. I repeat this throughout my whole head.
When I’m done, I let it air-dry, which could take up to 2-3 hours. When it is completely
dry, I undo all the twists/braids. And that’s it!
I also like to flat twist my hair into different styles (in
Atlanta, the sides of my hair was flat twisted, while the top was a twist out).
That’s a little bit more difficult to explain in writing. So, I’ll demonstrate
it for you next time we see (or you can watch some YouTube videos for
demonstrations). In the meantime, you can perfect your twist out or braid out!
*I usually style with Shea
Moisture® Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie, but the beauty supply
store was out of stock. I believe the Gel Soufflé work just as well.*
MOISTURIZING BETWEEN
WASHES
When my hair is styled (twist out, braid out, weave on,
braids, whatever), I still have to keep it moisturized every day. I do so by
spraying the Moisture Mist all over my hair every day. Afterwards, I pour a
little oil in my palm, rub it together, and rub all over my hair (to seal).
My hair is still short, so I don’t have to do much to it at
night. You’re supposed to keep moisture in your hair by wearing a satin scarf
or bonnet on your head to sleep, but those things never stay on my head
throughout the night. So, I bought a couple of satin pillowcases. It works just
as well and I don’t have to do anything!
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