Nail Your Regimen Challenge 2020

faithVA

Well-Known Member
Tell us About You

Natural - Relaxed – Texturized/Texlaxed - Transitioning
:

Current Length:

Current Products:

Current Techniques:

What in your regimen are trying to nail:

What's your starting strategy:

Anything else you want to share:

***Check in weekly/monthly to update us on your progress.
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
Natural - Relaxed – Texturized/Texlaxed - Transitioning: Natural

Current Length: SL

Current Products:
Elasta QP Shampoo
Redken Cleansing Conditioner
TGIN Honey Mask
Home made oil blend
Random Rinse out conditioners
TGIN Leave-In
Mane Choice Daily Moisturizer
My Honey Child Type 4 Hair Cream
Random gels, foam stylers and creams


Current Techniques:
Cleanse
Deep Condition
Oil Rinse
LOC or LCO

What in your regimen are trying to nail:
Several things
1. Oil rinsing. Do I need to oil and condition or condition and oil? Do I need to do it multiple times? What oils do I need

2. Is it better to LOC or LCO?

3. Does it work to LOC in the shower and then again after?

4. Can I seal in enough moisture to twist and not have to remoisturize midweek

5. How do I moisturize my twist midweek if needed


What's your starting strategy:
Going to start with an oil rinse where I apply oil then conditioner and rinse
I will do LOC on one side and LCO on the other


Anything else you want to share:
I have a lot to figure out what my hair has done better in 2019 than in previous years. I am not completely at a loss.
 

metro_qt

Well-Known Member
Tell us About You

Natural


Current Length: MBL- just touching in back, APL on the sides

Current Products:
Not sure, always experimenting

Current Techniques:
Wash n gos- deep conditioning every 2 weeks or so, steaming every so often, shower detangling and denman brushing

What in your regimen are trying to nail:
My moisture and conditioning game.
This will improve my tangles, my hair sleekness and curls, stop breakage and retain length.

What's your starting strategy:
Make it a point to deep condition with a masque (shea moisture manuka honey) once a week (even when it's really cold and I don't want to)
I will steam twice a month, preferably once a week while deep conditioning.
I will choose a better day to deep condition and wash, so that whole days aren't sucked up in this process...I will also add plex treatments to my deep condition days for extra strength...since I'll be deep conditioning anyway, might as well take advantage of that moisture.

Anything else you want to share:
I think that's it.
I would like my curls to hang more, be full of moisture, and minimize damage from brushing.
 

HealthyHair2020

Well-Known Member
Tell us About You

Natural - Relaxed – Texturized/Texlaxed - Transitioning
:
Natural

Current Length:
SL

Current Products:
Cantu Sulfate-free Cleansing Shampoo
Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner
As I Am Leave In
Taliah Waajid Curly Curl Cream
ORS HAIRepair Oils
Ecostyler Olive Oil Gel
Shea Moisture Intensive Hydration Hair Masque

Current Techniques:
Pre-Poo (optional)
Shampoo x2
Conditioner to detangle
Deep Conditioner w/ heat
Style as desired

What in your regimen are trying to nail:
Almost everything. I think I have my leave-in, oil, and gel down pat but still looking at various options for everything.

What's your starting strategy:
One new product at a time. Evaluate if my hair felt better or worse while using it, if it's cost effective, and if I would use it again. After doing this, I would look to see which product combinations do or do not work.

Anything else you want to share:
I think that finding hair products for my low porosity 4C hair will definitely be interesting. Looking forward to 2020 (and hopefully not becoming a PJ in the process looooool)!
 

snoop

Well-Known Member
Tell us About You

Natural - Relaxed – Texturized/Texlaxed - Transitioning
:
Natural

Current Length:
Grazing WL

Current Products:
Ayurvedic pre-poos (with oils and shea butter)
DIY Kaolin clay washes
DIY Ayurvedic glosses
Rice water rinses
DIY Tea rinses
Giovanni Smooth as Silk Conditioner
DYI Hair lotion
Broccoli seed oil (to seal)
DIY Ayurvedic oils
Komaza Protein Strengthener
Curly Proverbz scalp oil
Leave in spritz (Giovanni Direct Leave In + water)

Current Techniques:
Pre-poo
Clay wash weekly and shampoo once per month
4 week rotation; 1. ayurvedic gloss; 2. fenugreek mask; 3. tea rinse; 4. rice water rinse
Finger detangle and style with two strand twists
Protein treatment monthly
Moisturize/seal every 1-3 days

What in your regimen are trying to nail:
My product line up. I'm currently experimenting with ayurveda and I want to streamline what I use and when
Also, figure out how to improve my retention to get over my growth plateau

What's your starting strategy:
Determine which ingredients my hair really likes and how often I need to use them
Moisturize more often and keep my ends tucked away

Anything else you want to share:
I started ayurveda at the end of summer and my hair has been changing ever since. My moisture levels has increased and my strands are smoother and shinier. I'm not sure if my shedding has increased or decreased, but my hair is starting to feel thinner, but I think it's because the texture is changing: It's feels cottony and therefore, less voluminous. I'm hoping that my hair is actually growing and thickening despite these changes.
 

metro_qt

Well-Known Member
Question:
Since this is a challenge....how do we know when we've actually nailed our respective regimens?

What are our marker points to know we're on the right track?

Is our baseline consistency or length retention at the end of the year?

(Yes I know this is just for fun, but I like to have guidelines, or I will fall off a challenge faster than acorns fall off a tree)
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
Question:
Since this is a challenge....how do we know when we've actually nailed our respective regimens?

What are our marker points to know we're on the right track?

Is our baseline consistency or length retention at the end of the year?

(Yes I know this is just for fun, but I like to have guidelines, or I will fall off a challenge faster than acorns fall off a tree)
You know you have nailed your regimen when you have your staple product and you have a consistent routine for wash day and moisturizing during the week. You have repeatable steps.
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
I tried LOC and LCO over the weekend. Neither one of them made my hair happy. Yesterday I cleansed with Redken Cleansing Conditioner. Then I did an oil rinse starting with conditioner and following up with oil. I pulled out the Wet Brush and smoothed my ends.

I put my hair in 5 sections and tried different combinations on each section. I tried 1 section with Carol's Daughter Styling Foam. That was a fail. I determined that any foam I want to use needs to be on dry hair and after I have added some oil.

Section 2 was oil only. Section 3 was leave in and oil. Section 4 was leave in only. Section 5 was leave in and gel. None of them were a fail and none were a win but it's a good starting point. I will try leave-in, oil and then gel.

I'm still contemplating whether I should let my hair air dry and then apply the leave-in or apply leave in on wet hair. I need to only try 1 or 2 things at a time so I can determine what works and what doesn't.
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
Last night I started over. I rinsed well and then used my Wet Brush to detangle my hair. I cleansed with Redken Cleansing Conditioner. Put my hair into 4 sections. Added a large amount of Kirkland Moisturizing Conditioner to each section. I added oil on to of that. Used my wet brush to work it into my strands. Then I let it sit while I showered.

I added a bit of water and then used the wet brush again. I bantu knotted under the running water. I used a microfiber cap to soak up the excess water. When I took off the cap, I added diluted leave-in and then bantu knotted again. Later I took out the bantu knots, added oil and put my hair into 6 flat twist.

My hair felt better this morning. Instead of using a cream for LOC I may need to use a gel.

I plan on doing something similar tonight and just adding gel to seal in the moisture.

I will repeat something similar tonight.
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
Tonight I rinsed. My hair accepted water much better today. I think it really likes water more frequently but it is hard to style right now.

I put my hair into 4 sections and rinsed. I combed through the section and then followed with the wet brush to push water into my strands. I added diluted conditioner to each section. I need to add more conditioner to it because it wasn't as slippery as I would like it. So I added some regular conditioner to each section. Then I added a quarter size amount of oil to small sections and then more to the larger sections. I smooth the sections with the Wet Brush and put each section into a bantu knot while I showered.

I used the Wet Brush under running water and rinsed out the conditioner. I bantu knotted each section under running water. When I do this my hair stays smooth and my ends seem happier.

I let my hair air dry a bit and then added the leave in. I think next week I will add diluted leave in while in the shower.

I let the leave-in air dry a bit then sprayed each section with Mane Magic oil and coated my ends with a pomade. I used Carol's Daughter Styling Foam and put my hair into flat twist.

I'm back too work tomorrow so I won't do my hair until Friday. Friday I will color so I will have to modify the regimen a little bit.
 

Nightingale

On the Grow and Keeping it Simple
I thought my hair was pretty healthy, despite the months long neglect I treated it to, but after Revairing and taking a challenge start pic, I found out different. My hair looked rough and I had to cut off quite a few inches to get rid of damaged, thin ends. So, since I will be using the revair regularly and my current regimen and products aren't working, I'm joining this challenge to make some changes.

Tell us About You
Natural, near WL

Current Products:
Ion Hard Water Shampoo
Mane Choice Easy on the Curls Shampoo
ITDF Intense Moisture Cream
Joico Reconstructing Leave In spray

Current Techniques:
I just started using the Revair and plan to use it regularly in the colder months, but do more wet styling in warmer weather.

What in your regimen are trying to nail:
Being more consistent, taking better care of my ends, adjusting my current regimen, and finding a good moisturizer for my curly hair and another for blowdried hair.

What's your starting strategy:
Test out moisturizers, find a good blowdried protective style, and baby my ends.
 

auntybe

Well-Known Member
Tell us About You

Natural - Relaxed – Texturized/Texlaxed - Transitioning
: natural

Current Length: Ear length

Current Products: Nexxus Humectress
Nexxus Therapee
DevaCurl Decadance Line
Curls Blueberry Bliss line
Wen 613

Current Techniques: wash n go and gel

What in your regimen are trying to nail: retain moisture and obtain length

What's your starting strategy: Add a
Deep conditioner
Anything else you want to share:
I take lots of medications and that may add to the dryness
 

CurliDiva

Well-Known Member
Natural

Current Length:
I got faustruated and chopped off my hair in October. :cry:now 3-4 inch fro but my ends are healthy and full. :afro:

Current Products:
I'm doing a NO-BUY for 2020, so I'm using up everything I have. I started Chebe powder on April 18th.

Current Techniques:
I'm hoping technique will be more important than products. I plan to massage my scalp daily. Apply chebe twice per week.

Keep my hair in plaits.

Spritz with water and then seal with Shea butter and/or oil.

Protein treatment monthly.

PS- wigs

What in your regimen are trying to nail:

Deep conditioning for lasting moisture and protein balance.

What's your starting strategy:
Im recording everything I do to my hair in a journal. It easy to forget what worked otherwise.

Anything else you want to share:
I added few drops of peppermint oil to my oil blend and loved the mild tingle.
 
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CurliDiva

Well-Known Member
Hi ladies, ( especially @faithVA )

How long do you try out something new to rate it's effectiveness?

Do you change/try only one thing at time?

Thanks
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
Hi ladies, ( especially @faithVA )

How long do you try out something new to rate it's effectiveness?

Do you change/try only one thing at time?

Thanks

I'm told you need to try something for 30 days. However, I'm usually changing combos within weeks. I usually stop doing things immediately if they seem to put my hair at risk.

I may try a shampoo once or twice and stop if it seems harmful. I will use other products to 50% before moving on. Something that really seems promising like oil rinsing I will do for months but will tweak it small points.

I usually stick with the same products but change up the order or technique .

Hope that helps.
 

Nightingale

On the Grow and Keeping it Simple
Product Updates:
  1. Today, I applied both a demi and semi permanent rinse to my hair after months. It not only helped with shine, but I feel like my hair clumps a bit better when I use them regularly. So, being consistent with rinses will definitely be part of the updated regimen.
  2. I also used a conditioner I had under my sink, Giovanni 2chic Avocado & Olive. It worked surprisingly well as a leave-in underneath Eco Style gel. I'll keep it around as possible less expensive, staple leave-in product.
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
I'm supposed to be nailing my regimen but doing a slight detour for 30 days. For 30 days going to cleanse, condition, gel and style. Let's see how that works. I will probably do it every 3 to 4 days. Let's see how this simple routine works.
 

Nightingale

On the Grow and Keeping it Simple
I picked up my Revair again today. This time, I skipped the silicone and cream leave ins and just used Joico's Liquid Reconstructor before blowing out on level 7 tension, low heat.

My hair was softer and my ends didnt look as rough as when I used the other products. After, I applied a moisturizer and styled my hair in a single braid. My hair looks great, so I think this is how I'll Revair from now on.
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
I picked up my Revair again today. This time, I skipped the silicone and cream leave ins and just used Joico's Liquid Reconstructor before blowing out on level 7 tension, low heat.

My hair was softer and my ends didnt look as rough as when I used the other products. After, I applied a moisturizer and styled my hair in a single braid. My hair looks great, so I think this is how I'll Revair from now on.
That sounds good. I do think minimum product works better with the blow dry.
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
I did a baseline wng over the weekend so wore a puff to work today. I only wear a puff one day because my ends get super angry after a day.

Tonight I rinsed, conditioned, detangled and applied gel. I put my hair in my usual flat twist with a part down the middle. My hair looks moisturized.

I will keep it this way at least until Friday and refresh.
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
For at least 90 days I'm going to keep my products simple and skip oils, butters and creams to see how my hair does. I've decided to cleanse every 3 to 4 days. My scalp really likes water that frequently especially in the winter.

Tonight I cleansed with TGIN shampoo and conditioned with TGIN conditioner. I had some in a travel bottle so I decided to use it up. I detangled with conditioner in my hair. I applied TGIN leave-in on soaking wet hair. I let the leave-in sit in my hair for 10 minutes. I then added 2 to 3 pumps of Carol's Daughter foam to each side and put in flat twist.

I had used gel and foam the previous weeks. I'm trying leave-in and foam to see if I have a different result.
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
I'm going to move towards using conditioners which don't have oils, butters or silicone as the first 5 ingredients. I really want to try conditioners with no oils. So I created a list of the possibilities. I'm going to use what I have and as I use things up I will replace them with more suitable products.

I have a good collection of cleansers. I'm going to shelve one of my cowash cleansers since it has silicones high up the list. I have 2 conditioners but they both have a fair number of oils in them.

I have a lot of samples of masks and gels. I will figure out what to do with those.

I've mapped out my cleansing plan through February. I will cleanse once on the weekend and once during the week. I plan on alternating my cleansers: cleansing conditioner, moisturizing shampoo, cleansing conditioner, regular shampoo. I will use products with oils and butters the week I plan to cleanse with regular shampoo.

I threw out the Kerastase Therapiste mask. It had mineral oil in it. I will probably throw out a few more things before the end of February.
 

snoop

Well-Known Member
I had my hair in mini twists for a month. I've been toying with the idea of stretching out wash days to see if my retention improves. My hair seems to have done really well this month. I've added (my version of) Curly Proverbz growth oil to my lineup and my shedding seems to have subsided.

As much as I balk at the idea of washing monthly, I might switch to that in order to get over my growth plateau.
 

CurliDiva

Well-Known Member
I'm going to move towards using conditioners which don't have oils, butters or silicone as the first 5 ingredients. I really want to try conditioners with no oils. So I created a list of the possibilities. I'm going to use what I have and as I use things up I will replace them with more suitable products.

I have a good collection of cleansers. I'm going to shelve one of my cowash cleansers since it has silicones high up the list. I have 2 conditioners but they both have a fair number of oils in them.

I have a lot of samples of masks and gels. I will figure out what to do with those.

I've mapped out my cleansing plan through February. I will cleanse once on the weekend and once during the week. I plan on alternating my cleansers: cleansing conditioner, moisturizing shampoo, cleansing conditioner, regular shampoo. I will use products with oils and butters the week I plan to cleanse with regular shampoo.

I threw out the Kerastase Therapiste mask. It had mineral oil in it. I will probably throw out a few more things before the end of February.

Hi @faithVA,

Could you share your reasoning for the replacement of oils, butters, etc? Do they make your hair hard? dry? Coated?
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
Hi @faithVA,

Could you share your reasoning for the replacement of oils, butters, etc? Do they make your hair hard? dry? Coated?
I'm just testing out a process I got from a youtuber. My hair has never done well with butters and creams. They just sit on my hair. I was playing around with oil rinses. It seemed to work ok as long as I rinsed.

I've tried loc, loc. Neither worked so just giving this a try.
 

CurliDiva

Well-Known Member
Thanks @faithVA!

It is important for us to pay attention to what is not working - just "ok" products or techniques may lead to a setback in the long term.

It took me a LONG time to realize that cowashing did nothing for my hair, and oil rinsing just had my shower floor slippery. I'm trying to record everything I do to my hair in a journal this year.

for example, I had the best wash day yesterday and need to remember exactly what I did and products used.
 
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