I can’t consider it’s principally August.
Admittedly, I haven’t had a bunch of free time to play in my hair, however maybe it’s for the very best. And despite the fact that I’ve had much less time to play with and in my hair, I really feel like my hair is within the healthiest rising part I’ve had shortly.
Prior to now 5 months, my hair has grown significantly — though my shrinkage is on the peak of disrespect, so you may’t actually inform. My curls feel and appear wholesome, my wash and go’s look full, and better of all, I haven’t got janky splitting ends that have to be lower each month.
So what is the secret?
A handful of routine modifications. Whereas not wild or drastically completely different from my norm, the tweaks I’ve made to my wash day and styling routine whereas in quarantine have helped me enormously to:
- retain size
- scale back frizz
- improve definition
- scale back break up and breaking ends
- protect the well being of my hair long-term
Though its been some months since I’ve sat in Brandies chair, my hair is at a spot the place I do not want to have it trimmed, and I do not actually really feel compelled to seize the scissors myself. Here is what I have been doing:
Change #1: Wash Day is No Longer an ALL-DAY Affair
Wash day is one thing like an olympic sport within the pure hair neighborhood. From in a single day pre-poos to multi-day drying, time-consuming would not even start to explain the trouble a few of us put into our hair. Whereas my wash day was already whittled all the way down to the fundamentals (cleanse, deep situation, type), the styling portion at all times obtained me. Though I might get my wash and go styled in underneath an hour, the dry time on that mamma jamma was insane.
So I finished doing it. Jesus did not die on the cross for me to go to mattress with hair that appears like stirring mac and cheese.
Normally meaning I am going exterior to work out, and let the contemporary air and sunshine do what it’ll when it comes to air drying. And I needn’t inform you that hair dries loads sooner when there’s not 15 layers of gel on high of it. 😭
However what does this imply for my wash and go kinds? I am glad you requested…
Change #2: Damp/Dry Styling
I promise, it is me.
Sure, the identical Christina who’s been saying since like 2014 to type on soaking, drippity, wet-wet hair. I am now telling you that as of July within the 12 months of Our Lord and Corona 2020, I not type on moist hair.
Why? All of it comes all the way down to time and outcomes.
In truth, I at all times shied away from damp or dry styling as a result of I assumed it could depart my hair frizzy and undefined. The lie detector take a look at decided that was a lie:
So now that I’ve gotten the approach down and my type outcomes are the identical as, if not higher than, the moist styling outcomes, I’ve no motive to return.
So far as time is anxious, can we discuss the truth that MY HAIR STARTS DRYING BEFORE I CAN EVEN FINISH STYLING? Not that dry from the mid-shaft down enterprise, however dry-dry. Totally dry. As in after about an hour or so of air drying with out even making an attempt, my hair is completed.
I do not go to mattress with moist hair anymore. Reward Jesus.
I will replace you all with a video tutorial and breakdown of my damp/dry styling technique quickly, I promise.
Change #3: Apple Cider Vinegar
Though the merchandise I’ve utilized in my routine have remained considerably constant (save for a number of that I will clarify in a bit), I’ve centered on including two substances to my routine — apple cider vinegar and rose water.
Again in 2013 I sang the praises of ACV within the type of a spritz, and about two months in the past, one thing prompted me to revisit that publish. Should you select to learn it, please do not choose the VERY 2013 pictures and graphics. Thank God for progress.
Anywho, I started incorporating apple cider vinegar into my routine as a rinse utilizing a 1:3 ratio. After rinsing my deep conditioner, I take advantage of an applicator bottle to use the diluted ACV from scalp to ends earlier than including my leave-in.
My hair has felt phenomenal ever since.
In case you have been questioning, I take advantage of the Kirkland uncooked, unfiltered, and natural apple cider vinegar from Costco as a result of it is available in a 3-pack of 32oz bottle for about $7 or so.
Change #4: Rose Water-Primarily based Mousses
Up till about April or so, I by no means actually “obtained” mousses. I simply chalked them as much as being light-weight stylers that would by no means work for my hair. And effectively, that is solely partially true.
Whereas my hair might NEVER maintain a long-lasting wash and go along with mousse alone, I discovered the right option to incorporate it into my routine with one caveat — it should include rose water.
Why?
Rose water hydrates and soothes the pores and skin in hair, and accommodates a wealth of antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, pH balancing, soothing, and blood-circulating properties. It is stuffed with antioxidants and important fatty acids, and aids in repairing hair porosity points.
Anecdotally, I discover it to assist with hydrating my hair, holding my hair shaft easy (particularly my ends that are likely to get tough and gnarly), lowering frizz, and enhancing shine.
After my wash day twists are dried, I usually type my hair the subsequent day or so. I am in no rush, as a result of effectively, the place am I gonna go? We’re in quarantine. Per part, I take advantage of 1-2 pumps of mousse to reactivate my curls and begin the styling course of.
Since April, I’ve solely rotated between two mousse merchandise to do that: Be Kekoa’s Be Free Rose Water Mousse, and tgin’s Rose Water Curl Defining Mousse. They each include rose because the second ingredient, have nice slip, and play effectively with my leave-ins and curl definers of alternative. I will do a evaluate on the Be Kekoa Be Free Rose Water Mousse quickly. You’ll be able to try my tgin Rose Water Curl Defining Mousse evaluate right here.
What Hasn’t Modified
My Total Routine
All the things I lined on this publish in my Pure Hair 101 sequence nonetheless rings true. I nonetheless alternate between co-washing and clarifying, and I deep situation with warmth. And sure, I nonetheless proudly use silicones. 🙃
How I Protect My Hair
All the things I outlined on this post when it comes to preserving my wash and go’s nonetheless rings true. To keep away from an excessive amount of stress on my strands, I do not band each night time. In reality, most nights after I am going by means of my gel solid break and stretch, I simply use this gigantic banana clip I obtained at Ulta eternally in the past, cowl my hair with a shawl, and name it an evening.
I do not refresh between wash days, as a result of my hair by no means actually requires it anymore.
Throughout exercises, I’ve just lately gravitated towards utilizing the Puff Cuff, which I picked up at Sally Magnificence some months in the past. I’ve the biggest one, however I do know they arrive in a number of sizes.
My Merchandise and Manufacturers of Alternative
Ever since my Pure Hair 101 sequence utilizing the identical merchandise for 3 months, my outlook on being a product junkie has modified significantly. I change issues up sparingly when a product catches my eye — however by and enormous, I take advantage of the identical issues.
I am sorry if it bores y’all. Here is what I take advantage of about 90-95% of the time:
Be Kekoa
Soultanicals
tgin
Alikay Naturals
Lemongrass Maintain It Styling Gel
Lemongrass Slay & Lay Edge Gel
Botanicals Hair and Scalp Balm (evaluate right here)
Zotos Skilled All About Curls
All About Curls Assortment Evaluate
WetLine Xtreme Gel
As a result of I nonetheless obtained some with the inexperienced lid on it.
That different 5-10% of the time, I could also be utilizing merchandise from one other model that I take pleasure in, making an attempt one thing new, or utilizing an occasional remedy.
That is it y’all, that is the tea! Obtained another routine particular questions? Be happy to drop ’em right here or on Instagram! Keep secure, sane, and masked up!
