Winter Blues - Winter Hair Resolutions/Regimen

 

So that my hair doesn’t have the Winter Blues like I do, I am adopting a new regimen.  Although I’ve been natural for several years, this is my first winter wearing my natural hair in its curly state so we will see how things go.  At the end of the season, I will reevaluate.

I, CC, do solemnly swear to do the following:

Clarify

I have found that there is good and bad when it comes to products that contain “cones”.  While cones do seal the hair shaft, preventing your hair from absorbing moisture, they also aid in helping your mane remain conditioned longer.  Bottom line, some hair likes cones, mine does!  I plan to use a clarifying shampoo when I do use products containing cones. 

What clarifying shampoo will I use?  Neutrogena Anti Residue Shampoo.   After which I will shampoo with a moisturizing shampoo, which leads me to my next resolution.

Shampoo

I promise to do a lot more co – washing this winter.  Since your scalp does not produce as much sebum during the winter, I do not want to use shampoos as often, which can dry your hair out more.  However, when I do shampoo, it will be with a moisturizing shampoo.

What shampoo will I use?  Trader Joes Balanced Moisturizing Nourish Spa Shampoo.  I also recently purchased Suave Almond Shea Moisture shampoo after reading a review from Mop Top Maven.  I have not tried it yet but I will soon.  Review to come at a later date.

What will I use to co –wash?  Herbal Essences Hello Hydration, Long Term Relationship, Yes to Tomatoes.

Conditioner

I promise to ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS apply a leave in conditioner.  This is not something I did consistently before but again, the cold winter air robs your hair of its natural moisture leaving your hair defenseless!

What leave in will I use?  Kinky Curly Knot Today, Herbal Essences None of Your Frizzness.

Deep Conditioner

Since I do have color in my hair, I have to do my best to add moisture, which for me means more frequent deep conditioning.  Sometimes I get lazy and only deep condition once per month.  I am going to deep condition once per week during the cold season.  Depending on who you ask, some say there is a such thing as too much conditioning.  My opinion is – it depends on your hair. 

*to lock in the moisture, I rinse with cool or cold water to close the cuticle.

What will I use?  Honey and Oil (coconut or olive) Homemade concoction and Lustrasilk Shea Butter Cholesterol.  I will probably end up purchasing something else along the way.

Detangling

I promise to take the time to thoroughly detangle!  This is extremely important in preventing knots and loss of hair! 

What will I use?  My fingers and my Ouidad Double Detangler.  I also recently purchased a Denman brush, which I will use after I detangle with the comb to smooth it out more.

Styling

I promise to experiment with protective styles.  Protective styles do just that – protect.  Any style that keeps your ends covered and does not require daily manipulation is a protective style.  To date I have only tried one – the bun, which is one of my favorites when I wear it straight as well. 

Absolutely NO WASH & GOs!

Several reasons I will fore-go the W&G during the winter.

1.      Your hair is extremely vulnerable when it is just out and about!  All of the elements are free to attack and suck all of the moisture out. 

2.      I do not like leaving the house with my hair wet – especially when it’s cold!  I also do not want all of the shrinkage.  Diffusing is not an option for me before I go to work because everyone in my home is still sleeping. 

What styling products will I use?  I will alternate between Oyin Whipped Pudding, Oyin Burnt Sugar Pomade, Aveda Defining Whip and Shea butter.

Give the color a break

 I said “break” not eliminate.  I will NEVER eliminate my color…I will, however, refrain from any color applications until at least May.  I am thinking of trying the Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Conditioner for color treated hair.  I’m always looking for a reason to buy more products! 

What hair regimen will you adopt for the winter?  If there are products you have tried that you would recommend, please comment!  If you would like to do a product review to help other naturals/transitioners or relaxed women, please complete the contact form.

5 Things I Love About My Hair - Pay a compliment to your hair!

 

Today I am loving my hair!  I tried something new last night and the results today were so great that I decided to write down 5 things I love about my hair!

1.      The color – yes I do color my hair and do not intend on stopping! J  I know many naturals choose not to color because of the damage it causes or consider those who color “not natural” but I personally feel that there is nothing wrong with color as long as I give it a little extra attention.  The only time I have ever experienced damage due to the color was when I had a relaxer.

2.      The fact that there is no style really – it just does what it does.  There’s something very free about that.  There’s no "neatness" and no rhyme or reason! 

3.      The length – although I want it to get much much longer, mainly because I heart big hair, it’s at a length where I can do whatever I want with it.  I have more hairstyle options with this length.

4.      My curl pattern – while I don’t get into categorizing my hair with letters and numbers, I do recognize that I do have a tremendous amount of curl definition – even without product!

5.      It inspires others!  My hair is such a conversation piece these days!  It’s very flattering to hear compliments about my hair – especially on those “uggggh” hair days.   Not a day goes by that I don’t get a compliment on my hair. 

How I achieved today’s look:

Last night I separated my dry hair into four sections and sprayed it with a water and olive oil mixture.  I then applied some Kinky Curly Knot Today leave – in/detangler.  I braided my hair into 10 braids (5 on each side), applied Bee Mine Bee Hold Curl Butter (just purchased this last week!!!) to each of the 10 braids prior to braiding.  I sealed the ends with Shea Butter and tied it down with a satin scarf and went to bed. 

* Note:  I applied the leave in prior to the Bee Mine Curly Butter because I recently read that it can be somewhat drying because it is an oil based product vs. an H2O based product.

This morning I applied jojobo oil to each braid as I took it down, mildly fluffed with my fingers, separated most of the pieces and then held my hair upside down a few times and viola!  My hair is extremely soft and shiny and somewhat big, or what I call “corporate big”!  There is a little frizz due to my separation but it’s the good frizz!  Tomorrow it will be even bigger!  Think I'll pineapple it tonight and tie it up with my new locsoc!

Peace and Love
Curly Chic

Official Black History

June 23, 2010


When I was younger, my mom would press my hair with a hot comb on the stove! My hair was long and beautiful but thin. At some point my mother grew tired of pressing my hair every other day, so she decided to put a Kitty Kit Relaxer, which was supposed to be a “gentle” relaxer for kids, in my hair. I was so excited because there was a cute little chocolate girl on the box and her hair was beautiful! I never thought I was beautiful so here was my chance to transform! BIG MISTAKE, but at this time (I’m a 70s baby), that’s what you did to manage a little girl’s hair!


My “naturalhood” journey began in 2002. When I say natural, I am referring to a relaxer free head of hair, not necessarily free of all chemicals. My stylist of over 20 years, Karen Gary, owner of Synergi Salon here in Columbus, Ohio encouraged me to leave the relaxers alone.  (Please visit her site at synergisalon.com)
Initially I thought it was absurd!  After a mere 8 months, I gave up! At the time, I didn’t view it as a lifestyle change, I was simply doing it so that my hair would grow. I was simply not ready.

In 2004, after more encouragement from Karen, I decided to give up the relaxer again! This time, I stuck with it. I started to embrace the look of the natural and only straighten it on special occasions. For whatever reason, I still didn’t think I could look “dressed up” unless my hair was straight! I would tell my friends “I’m going to a wedding so I want to look nice”. As if I couldn’t look nice with my hair in its natural curly state!
Within the last 2 1/2 years I have started to understand that my hair is beautiful either way!  I have thrown away the Motions products and adopted a completely new hair care regimen for myself and my two children (daughter – age 16, son – age 17 months)! I realize that had I been more educated about natural hair, my hair would be all the way down to my butt by now! I am loving my hair and it is loving me back!

I am going to be donating a kidney to my father next week and will be on restrictions for 4-6 weeks and I am looking for a hairstyle that will last at least 3 weeks! Suggestions anyone? Wish me luck!

My current regimen:

Shampoo – Trader Joe’s shampoo/Giovanni Moisture Shampoo

Conditioner - Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Conditioner/Giovanni Deep Moisture Conditioner

Styling - Kinky Curly Knot Today & Custard with Shea Butter on the ends - Wash & Go /Twist Outs

Styling Refreshers - Eco Styler/Aloe Vera Gel

Spritzer – Mix of Glycerin, Jojoba Oil, conditioner & H20

I am still learning and I have only been using these products for a month now but I am becoming a PJ. I am getting to know my hair all over again. I am confident that I will start to see some significant growth!

My latest purchases: Coconut Oil, Aubrey’s Honey Suckle Rose Conditioner

My next purchases: Oyin Burnt Sugar Pomade (it is sold out) and the Ouidad Double Detangler.

Curly Chic