My hair washing routine

A reader e-mailed and asked me if I would share my hair care routine and the products I use.  I told her that it would probably be a bit boring, as I don't do much to my hair, but I aim to please!  So, here you go!

These are the products I used today - Suave Tropical Coconut Shampoo and Wen Lavendar Cleansing Conditioner.  I don't use shampoo much anymore, as I've discovered through research and trial-and-error that shampoo pretty much strips moisture from the hair and my dry, highly-textured hair needs needs all the moisture it can get!  However, on days like today, when my hair and scalp are feeling a bit weighted down and bleh, I use shampoo to clear it all off.

I wash my hair in the shower, however, if you're one who likes to wash your hair at the sink, that's just fine, too.  I thoroughly rinse my hair first - I lean back under the stream of water and let it beat down on my head.  I make sure to separate my locks so that the water gets directly to my scalp, rinsing off any build-up, dandruff, etc.  Then I allow the water to run down the strands of my hair.  Doing such a thorough rinse before lathering removes dirt, dust, and whatever flotsam and jetsma may have accumulated.

After I've done the initial rinse, I put a huge dollop of shampoo in my hands and rub them together, making sure that the shampoo is coating my entire palm and all of my fingers.  Then I work the shampoo into my scalp, rubbing vigorously with the pads of my fingers to loosen any dirt from my scalp.  I urge you not to scratch with your nails.  You don't want to lacerate your scalp and rubbing firmly with your fingers feels just as good and gets rid of the itchies just as effectively.  I then rinse, making sure that the shampoo runs down over the strands of my hair and that I remove it all from my scalp.

I then pump about 20 pumps of the Wen Cleansing Conditioner into my hands and repeat the above - working it into my scalp with the pads of my fingers.  The Cleansing Conditioner needs to stay on for about three to five minutes and then rinse.  You can repeat and/or use a few pumps of the product for a leave-in conditioner.

I have to say, I am really loving the Wen Cleansing Conditioners.  I bought the sampler set from QVC and have been trying all of them.  They all work well, but I am particularly in love with those made for my hair type - Lavendar, Tea Tree, and Fig.  These all work best on curly/highly-textured/coarse/"ethnic" hair.  Yeah, my hair is all of those things - LOL!  I find that my hair isn't as dry or frizzy and my hair is looking the best it's ever looked since I've been using these products.  I'll definitely be repurchasing, once I run out of the sample size.  I'll buy Lavendar, Tea Tree and Fig and just alternate because I love them all so much.  Keep in mind, even if you have relaxed hair or your is naturally straight or wavy, you can still use the Wen Cleansing Conditioners.  Black ladies with relaxed hair should still use the ones made for highly-textured/curly hair, as your hair is still desperately in need of the moisture they will provide.  Ladies with naturally straight or wavy hair should probably try Cucumber Aloe or Vanilla Mint.

So, here it is - my hair, looking healthy, clean and sporting springy natural curls:

So, what did you think?  Talk to me in the comments and tell me how you liked this hair post.  And let me know if you'd like to see more posts about hair in the future!

Comments

[Nadine]

This is a fabulous blog!

I LOVE your natural hair. I am a "maybe" trasitioner (haven't relaxed since early Dec)...Things are getting rough...getting very tempted to just go ahead and relax it...but, anyway back to you...I LOVE your hair and routine. I would absolutely enjoy seeing more hair posts from you.

You are so pretty too, btw

Nadine

[Toya]

Hi Nadine!
I'm so glad you're loving my blog and my hair. I love having natural hair and I urge you to try to stick with transitioning - it gives you enough time to get to know your hair in its natural state before you have to cut off the relaxed ends. And please e-mail me if you need any encouragement or help - I'd be happy to talk you through it. It can be rough time if you don't have another woman in your corner who's gone through the process.

I'll be doing more hair posts in the future!

Hope to talk to you soon!

[gina]

Hurrah! Thanks so much for posting this! Your hair looks great, and I'm always curious about how women with pretty hair get it that way -- especially when they do it themselves. I'm trapped in the stylist cycle, having never learned how to do my own (natural) hair, so it's really beneficial to see how it should be done. Thanks again for the post, and I look forward to more in the future, should you decide to do so.
p.s. you were right about the BB raspberry pot rouge -- gorgeous!

[Toya]

Hi Gina, great to hear from you! I'm glad that you enjoyed this post and I'll be posting more hair topics in the future. Even if you decide never to "go natural", I urge you to learn how to style your own hair. Get out of the stylist trap! Not that you shouldn't go to a stylist, but don't be beholden to one. Instead, learn at least one style that you absolutely love and can execute to great effect, even if it's a simple sleek ponytail or chignon. That way, should you ever find yourself without a stylist or if you're ever having a hair crisis and can't get to the salon, you'll know that you can look your best without any help!

p.s. Glad you like the Pot Rouge!

[Li]

hi, I haven't had a relaxer in 4 months. I really wan to go natural butit gets reallyrough. what products do you suggest I use for this inbetween stage. I definately dont want to cut it.

[Toya]

Hi Li, I'm proud of you! For this in-between stage, you should use products that are as moisturizing as possible - products designed for curly hair work really hair. Also, products that are very, very gentle - be quite gentle on your hair, as it is very fragile during this transition phase. Products I used then: Cream of Nature shampoo, Kerastase Elasta-Curl products, DevaCurl products. If you want more info, e-mail me and we'll talk!

[Vitiligo Dr]

Great info from you. Your hair are very beautyfull. and it is your geniusness that you tell about your hair routine otherwise many girls not tell about such thing.
your choices for "Suave Tropical Coconut Shampoo" and "Wen Lavendar Cleansing Conditioner" is really very outstanding and very good for health. because many health sites like http://hairlosscounter.com/ say that alternative substance are far better and supporting for hair as compare to other products. Hair is very essential component of a person to integrates to the beauty of a person.