Wash Day October 21, 2014

I noticed this week that I am using a tone more products than I used to for my wash days, and it bothered me a bit at first but I realized the way I style my hair has changed, which inevitably changed the types (and number) of products I need. Despite the fact that I have nearly tripled the number of products I am using each wash day my hair is the healthiest it has been since I started my hair journey (both relaxed and natural). Wash days are continuously successful and predictable and this week was no exception: here is what I did:

1. Beginning with my hair parted in three sections (according to texture) I applied a generous amount of my GVP Reconstructor (Joico K-Pak) to dry hair focusing on the ends but also running the product up the length of my strands. I used this time to detangle my hair and check for split ends; I ended up doing an impromptu search & destroy session and was pleased to report very few split ends. The splits I did encounter were small and at the very ends of my hair *happy dance* I also had very little shed hair. Once this process was complete I secured each section into a small bun and donned a plastic shower cap and my bonnet for bed.
2. The next morning I released one section at a time, rinsed the conditioner from my stands then proceeded to shampoo using a nickel-sized amount of Biosilk Hydrating Therapy Sulfate-Free Shampoo making sure to focus the product on the scalp before allowing the shower stream to run the rest of the product through my hair.
3. After each section was shampooed and rinsed I wrung the excess water from my hair and applied a quarter-sized amount of GVP Conditioning Balm (Matrix Biolage) again focusing the product on the ends of my hair first. I forgot how much I love this conditioner and how well it  instantly detangles. I was able to finger-detangle my hair with this conditioner in and my fingers glided right through my strands. I used more product than normal because I wanted to apply a bit of the conditioner further up the strand near my roots. I felt a little like I may be neglecting this area and wanted to rectify that before it became a problem. I allowed the conditioner to sit for about 3 minutes before rinsing with cool water.
4. Once out of the shower I blotted the excess water from my hair with a cotton t-shirt before applying a generous amount of Hot Six Oil to each section and working it through from ends to roots. I secured my hair beneath a plastic shower cap and a plastic grocery bag and sat beneath a hooded dryer for 20 minutes. I let my hair cool down before rinsing each section with luke-warm water followed by cool water to seal the cuticle.
5. I blotted the excess water from my hair with my t-shirt before spraying generous amount of Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner to each section followed by a nickel-sized amount of ORS Moisturizing Hair Lotion and Organix Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum to seal. I then set my hair using my Culfromer-dupes, alternating the orange and pink rollers to prevent the curls from clumping together, using my boar bristled round brush to smooth each section before rolling. I sat beneath my hooded dryer for about 45 minutes then allowed the curls to cool before removing the curlfomers.

Results: My hair came out butter-soft, moisturized and had a great shine. The steady use of a protein and moisturizing conditioner seems to have really softened and strengthened my hair, I noticed a lot less hair fall when detangling and when I cleaned my brush there was hardly any hair in the bristles. I also noticed my hair has grown at least 1/2 inch (visibly) since my last relaxer in August, and my hair falls just below my nipple. I am planning to relax again on December 1st after a 16 week stretch and hope my hair is fully below my breasts at this point.

 

How was your wash day this week?