Believe it or not, I kinda started my blog with the mindset of it to be solely for natural hair - my intention was to showcase my hair journey and bestow what I had learned on the way. Evidently, that fell by the wayside.
I've been meaning to post about my new routine for my hair for a while now but, it's been a work in progress. I'm not an expert and I've struggled to find a routine and method for a long time + I'm still learning. I say this because I don't want to make it seem like I know everything (I don't) and I want to make it certain that I'm not misguiding and putting wrong information out on the web (there's so much already). This post is all about what works for me, what hasn't and what I'm trying now - that's all.
Plus - shoutout to Abii (from Naturally Evolved) for requesting my routine/hair post - I hope it helps!
Alright - Why the title? Well, its kinda tongue in cheek - natural hair takes effort, it's not "hard" per se but, it's certainly not an easy breezy walk in the park from my experience. I dubb my routine the "Lazy Girls Guide" because my aim is to keep things super simple that some may say or be confused to think its actually lazy. Sometimes I do slip but, as a rule, lets' say this is my routine.
The "Lazy" routine: Cleanse my hair weekly. Keep it in twists routinely. Oil every day. Be gentle. Sleep with a Silk/Satin pillow. Reduce Stress. Avoid cakes - syke! - ok seriously: but do ... do try and eat healthily + exercise etc.
Throwback Pics
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| Pics from 2009 to 2012: I cut my hair in the 3rd pic a little too much while it was in its wet/conditioner stage and it kinda stunted my progress. The last pic is my hair taken out after twists - I'm just trying to see how it looked (?!). What I've left behind and why: |
- Gel - very drying and I believe it caused a lot of breakage and setbacks for me.
- The Curly Girl Method - doesn't work for me.
- Tightly Curly Method - makes my hair flaky and really irritates my scalp causes bumps and tenderness eventually that persist.
- Wearing my hair "out" loosely - this basically meant that on the second day I had to rewash and gel all over again. A sure recipe for breakage-breakage and more breakage.
How I wear my hair now/in "protective styles"
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| Pics as far back from 2010 (first pic) to 2017 (last pic). If I'd had enough time to twist my hair usually I tie my hair back (in a bun) or a section out of my face. Sometimes I wear it down but usually, that's on the first 1-2 days since it has been done and then its bun time all the way for me. |
Main style: Protective styles all/most of the time (twists) - yep I know it can be boring but, it has worked for me in the past. Plus, I know some people don't like the term "protective styles" because it seems to ostracize highly textured / black hair and that our hair can grow without it blah-de-blah. Well, whatever the case maybe - I've learned that my hair, thrives with them and retains moisture that way so as of now I'm choosing what has worked for me. Plus its virtual hassle free (apart from the hours doing two strand twists) and relatively easy to do for a non-skilled hair plaiter like me *evidence below*. Plus even if my parts are messy - I can get away with it by putting it in a bun (hehe) but, if I plait my hair everyone can see (nooo!).
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| Hmm .. not hip and happening - my attempt at cornrow plaits |
Off style: When I decide to take my hair out of twists sometimes I can be a bit um lethargic and end up wearing a messy (and I mean messy) "bun" for a few days while I get to grips with having to twist my hair all over again. To tide me through I oil my hair and moisturise the ends. Plus, if I go swimming I'd wash my hair again with a shampoo to remove the traces of drying chlorine ... When I'm semi-ready to do my hair again I'll laden with conditioner and let it soak - complete my wash routine - and then style aka twist all over again ...
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| Current Hair 2017 |
My current routine:
1. Oil hair and section hair into individual parts
2. Wet each section by section - apply shampoo - then rinse
3. Apply conditioner/deep conditioner and detangle - leave to soak - then rinse - dry with cotton shirt
4. Apply leave in and or Oil - section hair - twist section by section - detangling apply the oil and dusting ends when needed
5. Oil my ends very lightly in the morning and at night
I've found the above method to be the most effective leaving my hair feeling the most moisturised. My hair shrinks significantly when I follow this routine which I think for me is a good indication that its actually gained moisture. Most days I wear it back in a bun but, like I said I'm planning to get some new hair trinkets besides hair bands and wear it down more ...
What's the best style then? Twists are possibly the simplest and easiest hairstyle for a natural girl to get her style on and protect her hair in some way (boys too) whilst wearing it.
Current best advice? I've really been into oiling my ends and dusting them (cutting off split/rough ends) routinely for this month and I'm already seeing an improvement. I think being consistent and having patience is the key to success - as well as not skimping on the conditioner and being gentle.
What products do you use?
Well to not bore you any further, I am splitting up my hair posts so I'll carry this conversation in another post. Hopefully, this had made some sense and Y'all can get the general gist of what I kinda try to do even on my ahem, "lazy" days.
Do you have natural hair?
What is your go-to "lazy" style?
Do you have any tips and tricks that helped you retain/grow your hair out healthily?
Your comments are always welcomed!
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