Hey lovelies, hope you are all fine. This post is dedicated to the newbies who want to start out on caring for their hair and who send me emails on this subject.
A healthy hair regimen is very important for anyone who wants an overall improvement in the health and length of their hair. A hair regimen should act as a guide and should not be strictly set in stone to enable you change or tweak certain aspects of it to suit your hair needs. A lot of people on healthy hair journeys often find themselves changing certain parts of their regimen due to non-availability of a particular hair product, change in their hair/climate, wanting to try out a new product, a certain product no longer working for their hair and so on.
It is important however to maintain some form of consistency throughout your healthy hair regimen. I have listed below the basic things everyone needs to start a healthy hair regimen (this includes whether you have relaxed, texlaxed or natural hair):
1. Sulfate/Clarifying/Chelating Shampoo: Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Creamy Aloe Shampoo, Organic Root Stimulator Uplifting Shampoo, Crème of Nature Neutralizing and Conditioning Shampoo;
2. Non-Sulfate Shampoo*: KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo, Elasta QP Crème Conditioning Shampoo, Crème of Nature Argan Oil Shampoo;
3. Moisture Based Deep Conditioner: Wura’s Secret Whipped Penetrating Moisturising Conditioner, Africa’s Best Organics Olive Oil Deep Conditioner, Elasta QP DPR 11+ Remoisturising Conditioner;
4. Protein Based Deep Conditioner: Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise, Africa’s Best Organics Hair Mayonnaise, Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner;
5. Rinse out conditioner for co-washing*: Any VO5 Conditioner, Any Tresemme Conditioner, Any Suave Naturals Conditioner;
6. Moisture/Light Protein Leave In Treatment: Africa’s Best Organics Leave-in Liquid Hair Mayonnaise, Profectiv Break Free Leave-in, Elasta QP H Two Leave-in Conditioner, Aphogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer;
7. Moisture/Light Protein Hair Moisturiser: Wura’s Secret Hair Moisturiser, Africa’s Best Organics Carrot Oil, Africa’s Best Organics Olive Oil Cream, Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Lotion;
8. Oil for sealing – Wura’s Secret Hair Growth Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil;
9. Oil for scalp* – Wura’s Secret Hair Growth Oil, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil;
10. Wide tooth comb
11. Styling comb
12. Satin/silk scarf/bonnet
Others include:
1. Heat Protectant
2. Ouchless Hair band/Satin scrunchie
Satin Scrunchie, Ouchless Bands, Hair Clip |
*indicates products that are not particularly necessary (please note that this is my own opinion)
If you are mixtress who loves experimenting and whipping up different hair treats you can try different products and mix them to create the perfect balance for your hair but if you like to keep things simple, you can get one product for each item you need.
Please note that I am not limiting you to the products mentioned above as there are loads of products to try out, these suggestions are merely to act as a guide. Also I tried to list some products that are available in Nigeria. If a certain product is not working, you can always switch it up. If you hair is relaxed you might need to use more protein than a person with natural hair. I will list some examples of regimens for those who are beginning on their hair regimens to help them further.
Healthy Hair Regimen – Specimen One
This regimen may be better suited to those who are in the early stages of caring for their hair. Wash and deep condition hair weekly, apply leave in and moisturise and seal thereafter.
Alternate weekly between a moisture and protein deep conditioner.
Moisturise and seal hair every day or every two days.
Use a scalp oil (optional).
Use a clarifying or chelating shampoo once a month or every six weeks.
Healthy Hair Regimen – Specimen Two
Wash and deep condition hair every two weeks, apply leave in and moisturise and seal thereafter. Alternate each wash between a moisture and protein deep conditioner.
Moisturise and seal hair every day or every two days.
Use a scalp oil (optional)
Use a clarifying or chelating shampoo once a month or every six weeks.
Healthy Hair Regimen – Specimen Three
This regimen may be better suited to those who are in the early stages of caring for their hair. Wash and deep condition hair weekly, apply leave in and moisturise and seal thereafter.
Alternate between moisture and protein deep conditioners, use a moisture based deep conditioner for two consecutive weeks and then you follow up the next week with a protein deep conditioner or vice versa. Simply repeat this pattern.
Moisturise and seal hair every day or every two days.
Use a scalp oil (optional)
Use a clarifying or chelating shampoo once a month or every six weeks.
Healthy Hair Regimen – Specimen Four
Wash and deep condition hair every two weeks, apply leave in and moisturise and seal thereafter. Alternate between moisture and protein deep conditioners, use a moisture based deep conditioner on two consecutive washes and then you follow up on the next wash with a protein deep conditioner or vice versa. Simply repeat this pattern.
Moisturise and seal hair every day or every two days.
Use a scalp oil (optional)
Use a clarifying or chelating shampoo once a month or every six weeks.
Healthy Hair Regime – Specimen Five
This regimen may be better suited to those who are very serious about hair care and have the extra time to spend. Wash and deep condition hair weekly, apply leave in and moisturise and seal thereafter.
Alternate weekly between a moisture and protein deep conditioner.
Also do a conditioner wash in the middle of the week, follow up with your leave in and then moisturise and seal thereafter.
Moisturise and seal hair every day or every two days.
Use a scalp oil (optional)
Use a clarifying or chelating shampoo once a month or every six weeks.
Healthy Hair Regimen – Specimen Six
Some relaxed ladies may need this option if they have damaged hair. Wash and deep condition hair weekly, apply leave in and moisturise and seal thereafter.
Alternate between a hard and light protein deep conditioner weekly.
Moisturise and seal hair every day or every two days.
Use a scalp oil (optional)
Use a clarifying or chelating shampoo once a month or every six weeks.
Healthy Hair Regimen – Specimen Seven
This is my go to regimen. Wash and deep condition hair weekly or every two weeks, apply leave in and moisturise and seal thereafter.
Mix a moisture and protein deep conditioner together to get the benefits of both treatments in one. Moisturise and seal hair every day or every two days.
Use a scalp oil (optional)
Use a clarifying or chelating shampoo once a month or every six weeks.
Healthy Hair Regimen – Specimen Eight
Wash and deep condition hair weekly or every two weeks, apply leave in and moisturise and seal thereafter.
Use a protein deep conditioner, rinse off and then follow up with a moisture based deep conditioner.
Moisturise and seal hair every day or every two days.
Use a scalp oil (optional)
Use a clarifying or chelating shampoo once a month or every six weeks.
There are so many other hair regimens that can be tried out however I hope that these specimens help you in making out a hair regimen for your hair. My hair regimen keeps changing however I have never tried Specimen Five, simply because I do not really like to wash my hair more than once a week except in some certain exceptional cases. Also my hair is not particularly fond of co-washing. It is important therefore that during this process you get to know what your hair likes and does not like in terms of products and techniques.
Hope this helps. Kindly share comments or questions you might have and I will gladly respond.
TONKABELLE,xoxo
“They do not love that do not show their love” – William Shakespeare in Two Gentlemen of Verona Act 1, Sc. 2
geemama
Hello dear. Thanks soooo much for your educative post. I currently have a regime quite close to what you have but I have a very pressing question. Please where can I buy these products listed above. I did a little research and duscoveted that most black hair blogs nention these same products. I have tried going to Jumia and Olx online shops but couldn't find them. My second question is what you would recommend for shedding. I trimmed my edges two weeks back hoping that would reduce the shedding but I find hairs almost every where when I use my comb or even my fingers. Thanks in anticipation of your prompt answers.
Tonkabelle
You are welcome love. Products by Organic Root Stimulator, Africa's Best Organics, are readily available in Nigeria.If you are in Lagos you can try Lagos Island Market, some shops around tejuosho, Hair Aisle of Park n Shop, Mega Plaza, Ebeano Supermarket in Lekki Phase 1, Yinka Bodyline as well as your local store (close to where you live). You can also buy other products apart from the ones I listed, just check the ingredients and the claims of the product on the label.
For shedding there are several options available try a protein treatment or black tea/coffee rinse. I will be sure to do a post on this soon. Also you can try garlic I have a post on this already.
Hope I have been able to help.
Lesley Buckle
So much useful info Tonkabelle. Great post 🙂 x
Tonkabelle
Thanks Lesley love, xx
StyleFash25
Thanks so much for this informative post Tonkabelle. I've learnt so much. It would largely work for natural or texturized/relaxed hair.
http://www.stylefash25.blogspot.com
Anonymous
Tnx so much for ur posts, u've really been of great help. Been tryin to get a list together and u just did that for me.is local shea butter (ori) useful? And how can it be included in any of the regimens?
Tonkabelle
Thanks for your comment dear, appreciate it loads. Shea butter can be used to seal moisture into your hair after moisturising. Hope this helps 🙂
Tonkabelle
Thank you for your comment dear Stylefash, this post is definitely for all hair types.
Nneka
Hi Wura, I just found your blog and I love it.I use just water to moisturize my hair sometimes and sometimes use leave in conditioner mixed with water in my spray bottle. I just started my hair care journey and will like to know if I'm doing the right thing.
Nneka
Hiii Wura,I just found your blog and I looove it. It's very educating. I use just water to moisturize my hair, sometimes I mix water with leave in conditioner in my spray bottle. Is this OK. I tried using a hair moisturizer but all the ones I have come across contain mineral oil which I read is bad for texlaxed hair. I just started my texlaxed hair care regimen and I need help!! Lol