Think and Discuss: Hair Washing Methods

If you look at natural hair care on websites, forums, youtube channels, etc, you will find that there are MANY different ways to wash your hair! You can find an in numerous amount of techniques and methods. We all have our preferred methods.



How do I wash mine?

Let me start by saying I don’t like hair running down my back, on my legs and arms in the shower. AND I really don’t enjoy washing my hair in general because it makes my body itch (no matter what shampoo or conditioner I use). So I saturate my hair with water from a spray bottle, and apply shampoo in front of my bathroom mirror before getting in the shower. In the shower I rinse, apply my conditioner, detangle, clamp it back up and get out. However, sometimes, I apply conditioner, rinse and detangle out of the shower because I get so itchy!

That’s what works for me,

So I want to know, what works for you? What is your favorite hair washing method? Do you use more than one method?

Let’s think and discuss below!

Challenge of the Month October 2011: Develop a Hair Care Regimen

My challenge to you is to develop a hair care regimen that works for you! There are several components that are necessary to obtaining a good and effective hair care regimen.

1. Shampoo

You need to find a good shampoo for your hair. Sometimes you might find more than one that you like which is fine. You want to look for something with natural -preferably organic ingredients. Avoid sulfates and harmful chemicals.

Keep in mind that shampoo is made to CLEANSE your hair. While you don't want something that makes your hair feel like straw, know that it will make your hair feel slightly stripped.

Here are some options:

-Nourish spa
-Tea tree tingle
-Shea moisture

2. Conditioner

This is essential! You have to put moisture back into your hair to balance out the shampooing process. The same rules apply for your conditioner, opt for natural ingredients! In the long run you will have the best results!



Keep in mind that conditioners are NOT meant to be left in your hair. This can lead to breakage and crunchy hair! This is the job of a leave in conditioner! Also, conditioners are NOT meant to be deep conditioners!

Here are some options:
-nourish spa
-giovannis (there are many types of conditioners offered within this line)

3. Deep Conditioner

A deep conditioning treatment is so important when it comes to the overall health of your hair! So finding one that works for you is vital to your hair. Deep conditioners do heavy repair. They fight against damage and keep your hair moisturized and healthy.




You should deep condition once a week or twice a month!

Here are some options:
-burts bees
-bioinfusion olive oil
-Shea moisture masque

4. Leave in Conditioner

Leave in conditioners are the basis of keeping moisture in our hair. Opt for a cream based leave in conditioner! And as always you want something with natural ingredients. They will vary in thickness so you have to decide if you like a thicker or lighter leave in.




Here are some options:
-Shea moisture
-Giovannis
-Organix ( they have a wide variety)

5. Essential Oils or Butters

This is of the utmost important when it comes to sealing in moisture!

Leave in conditioner is the peanut butter and oils/butters are the jelly- you can't have one without the other!




You want to choose essential oils and/or butters for your hair to seal in moisture. The possibilities are endless :)

Here are options for oils:
-jojoba oil
-castor oil
-safflower oil
-grape-seed oil

Here is an amazing option for a butter: SHEA BUTTER! (unrefined or raw)

Comment below and let me know what you plan to use for your hair care regimen!!

Hair Tip #27: Make Your Shampoo Last Longer

Here is a great way to make your shampoo last longer!

Dilute your shampoo with a little bit of water and apply it to your hair from an applicator bottle. I have recently started doing this to save money to make my shampoo last longer.

Pick up an applicator bottle from your local beauty supply. I purchased mine for $1.98. They have many different sizes that don't normally exceed $3.00.

Fill up your bottle 3/4 of the way with your shampoo then fill the remaining 1/4 with purified water. SHAKE!

What is good about this method?

• Its easier to apply shampoo directly to your scalp
• It saves money
• It saves time when you are washing
• It saves shampoo- no more dropping it in the bottom of the tub!

Will this make my shampoo watery?

My shampoo is not super thick so when I first tried this method I was worried that my shampoo would be watered down. However, it wasn't! And it lathered up very nicely like normal.



hair therapy: Pantene Relaxed & Natural Dry to Moisturized Shampoo and Conditioner

when it comes to shampoo and conditioner, i am definitely the type to go for the most hydrating and moisturizing. i use products for dry or color-treated hair, mostly concerned with ingredients rather than using products that are specified for women of color.

if i'm being honest, i haven't had the best experiences with products for woc when used alone. my hair isn't coarse enough to handle the oils, and they have only left my tresses oily and weighed down. i found this to be frustrating the first time this happened to me because i had to go back and rewash my hair. since then, i have found that i can benefit from the heavier products-- they do give my hair a boost in condition-- but always plan for rewash.

this, however, has not been the case with Pantene Relaxed & Natural Dry to Moisturized shampoo and conditioner. i don't know how they do it, but Pantene has it down when it comes to moisturizing hair! i love their "regular" dry to moisturized line and have used those products many times over.

this new-to-me duo is like a step up in the dry to moisturized range. and no rewashing necessary- yay! i love that i can let my hair air dry and it's left with minimal frizz {tip: if your curly hair is frizzy, it needs moisture!}, and when i style, my hair is soft, shiny and full. fabulous work, Pantene!

i would recommend this to any woman with unruly or coarse tresses. don't let the Relaxed & Natural label deflect you. try them. you can find them at a drugstore near you.