Hair Tools
Tools include a wide tooth comb and Denman Brush which optional but I feel necessary. If your hair is short you can very easily manages curls by finger combing.
If your hair is medium length or long you'll need hair clips such as duck bill clips to section the hair for detangling and styling. Hair Accessories are a necessity.
Cleansing
Shampooing with shampoos that contain harsh detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate or laureth sulfate can be drying and should only be used maybe once a month (if at all). In the meantime you can use baking soda and apple cider vinegar (dilute & rinse well with water) or just use a conditioner for a co-wash. There are some natural shampoos such as glycerin based shampoo or Castile soap but I still do not recommend the use of these products on a daily basis.
As well as cleansing creams such as Curls Cleansing Cream which is very gentle and moisturizes instead of removing natural hair oils. These gentle cleanser can be used daily if you prefered.
Deep Condition
Should be done about once a week or every two weeks with a deep conditioner such as Hair Mayonnaise and/or Olive oil as a hot oil treatment.
Moisturize
Use Shea butter and good a leave-in conditioner I recommend Giovanni products. Creamy moisturizer such as Carol's Daughter Hair Milk is great for all types of hair and a curl aid. I spray a little braid sheen or water with olive oil and vegetable glyerin in my hair daily.
At Night
Make sure you sleep on a satin or silk pillow case or tie your hair up with
satin or silk scarf/bonnet. This is help you retain moisture and keep hair from snagging and then breaking.
Question!!!
"I have been following your blog and its full of great information. I have been natural since '98 and never have been one for long hair.
Well now I have decided I want to start growing my hair but have run into a few obstacles and I am seeking some assistants. I have type 4C hair, tight coils and very, very thick. My main issue that I face is dryness, no matter what I use my hair continues to be dry and dull, plus I live in Michigan and the cold air does nothing for my hair but make it worse. I don't use shampoo and I co-wash no more that three times a week or when I see a build up. I am using Cocount Sublime Moisturize Conditioner & Clarifying Shampoo by Curls.
Do you have any suggestions how to retain moisture in my hair?"
Answer!!!
I understand that Michigan weather, I graduated h.s. in Illinois but anyway a good thing to do is keep your hair covered with a satin scarf until you get to work or your destination. Those below zero wind chills are horrible to the head. The kinkier, more curly your hair is the more porous it is. A good example of this is, to imagine your watering a plant with many holes in the flower pot. The more you water, the more water is lost. Your hair can only absorb so much moister at one time. It is critical to feed it when needed which may be daily.
Make sure all your products are free of sulfate, silicones, mineral oil and petroleum. For hair products keep it as natural as possible. (Silicones and their derivatives end in -cone.) These ingredients will strip oils or prevent absorption by clogging pores.
Do Not Neglect your Scalp. When cleansing focus on removing build up from the scalp. I recommend using a more gentler cleanser the Curlious Curls Cleansing Cream, it moisturizes more than the Clarifying Shampoo. Massage and stimulate your scalp while wet with your finger, wide tooth comb or a brush. Avoid towel drying and direct heat such as blow drying. (Hood Dryer are an acceptable tool.)
Deep condition your hair at least once a week with a conditioner high in protein such as Hair Mayo. Also do hot oil treatments with your favorite natural oil at least once a week. The Deep Conditioning and Hot Oil Treatment can be done at the same time.
When rinsing your head be careful not to rinse all of the conditioner out and do a cool shot at the end of every rinse. A cool shot is when you finish up your rinse with cool/cold water. This creates a shine and closes open pours to retain the natural moister of the water.
Apply a leave-in conditioner such as Cantu Shea Butter Repair Leave in Conditioner.
Invest in a daily creamy moisturizer or a hair butter such as a whipped shea butter or Carol's Daughter Hair Milk.
Protective styles are helpful such as braids, buns, finger coils and two strand twist. These styles can be refreshed with a mist of braid sheen.
A very small amount of hair polisher/glosser can be used to coat the hair.
It is very important to sleep on a satin pillow case or in a satin scarf/bonnet to retain moisture throughout the night.
You will notice a difference in how you hair feel after practicing these tips. Your hair will be shiny and softer and your curls may even loosen a little.
A hot oil treatment is the process of adding warm oil to the hair and scalp. The purpose of the treatment is to ensure that the moisture from water is retained as well as to soothe dry scalp. It is very useful year round. The treatment can be done wet or dry but is more effective when done wet. Water is one of the best moisturizer and this process helps to utilize the moisture from the water naturally.
Tea Tree Oil, Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Sunflower Oil, Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil and Many Other Oils.
You can use either one of those oils and there are others not listed. Keep in mind that the hot oil treatment requires about an ounce of oil depending on the length of your hair which is a good amount of oil per treatment. You don't need to completely saturate your head with oil. This will do more harm than good because the oil is not a source of moisture but a moisture retaining tool. I personally use olive oil because its one of the least expensive natural oils. You can use it as a carrier oil for essential oils such as peppermint, lemon grass, lavendar and etc for their fragrances or beneficiary properties.
How its done?
Prepare the water bath for the oil.
Boil about a cup of water. Pour about an ounce of oil in a smaller bowl, cup, or plastic bottle. After the water has started boiling remove it from the heat. Place the oil container in the water container for about 2-5 mins or until warm. Add the warm oil to wet clean scalp and hair. Rub in and comb through with a wide tooth comb. Cover head with Saran Wrap or plastic shower cap without heat for about 20 to 30 mins . If you sit under a hood dryer 5 to 15 mins while head is still covered. Rinse out excessive oil with warm water. If you wash hair with shampoo or shampoo alternatives you will negate the hot oil treatment.
How often is it done?
It really depends on your hair type. If you have dry hair once a week. Fine hair once every two weeks or once a month. Hot oil treatments in excess will not harm your hair if done correctly.
