Baby, It's Cold Outside

Hey Y'all!

As the title suggests, it is freakin' cold outside which means I have altered my hair routine to compensate for the loss of moisture that is inevitable. I change my regimens depending on the season because for me, that is what has worked. The basics still apply of course but the frequency and products used in my hair change since my hair has different needs.

Things tend to get really manic around the holidays as I am sure most people can relate to which means I have to literally block out time to do my hair. If I do not schedule it in, I know I will get caught up doing a million other things and completely neglect my hair. Let me tell you, I have neglected her before and she retaliated with a vengeance. You live and you learn though and now I am much more vigilant about taking care of her. Yes, my hair is a she and has gained the nickname Pepper from a friend.

Back to Pep's cleansing and care routine. As I mentioned before, it is basic - cleanse, deep condition, LOC method, style and re-moisturize when needed. I have added colour as well to part of my hair which means I definitely have to be on my hair care like no tomorrow. The products I use now are Herbal Essences Bee Strong shampoo (diluted with water); homemade deep conditioner; Coconut Oil and Shea Butter or my Uncle Funky's Daughter Extra Butter cream. If you want to know what I put into my hair mixes, leave a comment below.

I do alternate my homemade deep conditioners because I want to ensure my hair is getting enough moisture as well as protein. I had tried mixing my protein deep conditioner with my moisturizing conditioner but Pep did not take well to that at all. She likes it best if I use one or the other. As I only wash my hair twice a month in the winter, I will use a protein deep conditioner every three washes - so about every month and a half.

Welp, enough of me jabbering on with this post, here are some photos of my wash day. I am also including a photo of my protective style of choice for the next two weeks - simple single braids with twists at the end. I find that I do not like to braid straight to the bottom because it takes ages to undo when I am ready to wash Pep and I am not as patient as I should be when handling her.

Freshly Washed and t-shirt dried. Gotta love shrinkage!

Deep conditioning time

Finished product!

There you have it! Until next time, I bid you adieu.

- Lissa xx

Wash Day & My Routine [[w/Photos]]

Hey Y'all!

Today's post is going to be about my regimen for wash days. I wash my hair once every two weeks as that is what seems to work best for my hair during the colder months. During the summer months, I wash my hair every week because I feel that it gets all manky from sweating, etc. We all know that there is nothing worse than rank smelling hair! 

My regimen for wash day during the colder months looks like this:

1) Pre-poo with coconut oil (overnight); light finger detangle & put hair into 6 twists.
2) Further finger detangling of each individual twist before shampooing.
3) Shampoo time!
4) Squeeze out excess water then add deep conditioner** in sections.
5) Wrap hair in plastic cap or plastic bag (whichever I have handy).
6) Add heat from my steamer cap for 10 minutes then wrap towel around hair for another 30 minutes.
7) Rinse out DC with a bit of conditioner
8) Squeeze out excess water, dry hair, proceed to add leave-in, moisturize & seal.
9) Style.

There you have it. My winter regimen in 9 steps. It seems like quite a bit to do, and it is but it's worth it as my hair loves to be pampered. I can't deny her (yes, it's a her) anything, especially her bi-weekly pampering sessions. During the warmer months, I switch to washing my hair weekly as I tend to be much more active during that time. My routine for the weekly wash is essentially the same thing with a co-wash added in during the week.

Here are photos that I managed to take during wash day this past weekend...

Products used.

Squeaky clean!

DC added to freshly washed hair & put up to add the oil.

DC washed out and length check.

Medium twists w/braided roots as hair air dries.

There you have it! My winter wash regimen, the products I use and my protective style done after the whole process. If you have any questions or want to share your regimen, please do not hesitate to contact me. I'd love to hear from my readers and I'm open to featuring other people on my blog as well.

Don't be shy! :-)

-Miss Lissa xx

** Deep conditioner alternates between mositure and protein. I mix a moisturizing deep conditioner using the HEHH and EVOO. Protein deep conditioner is made up of Aubrey Organics GPB Glycogen Protein Conditioner mixed with EVOO. I always use an oil (either EVOO or Coconut Oil) to add a bit of shine to my hair not to mention a hot oil treatment never hurt.**

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