Lanelle said:
Hi, do you mind sharing your regimen or "hair routine" and what length you started with?
My hair care started with Shamboosie's book, then I joined this site. I am so grateful for the useful information that I've gotten from the wonderful ladies here. The following is MY regimen which works for me. Like I've said, everyone's hair is different, the goal is to find a regimen that works best for your hair. When I joined this site (the spring of 2003 my hair was neck length). I am going to do a journal one of these days. I got color in August of 2003 which produced MAJOR damage. I'm sure my regimen helped prevent major breakage, but I think my hair would be longer but for the damage caused by the highlights. I am glad to say that I am about an inch or so away from bra strap.
In the beginning I did conditioner washes every other day. I would use my humectress or humecto. I've since switch to Suave humectant (I save the real stuff for my weekly shampoo). When I was traveling with my job (3-4 days a week), I would do conditioner washes whenever I was home. Sometimes I would buy bottled water and spray for moisture with my S-Curl, but I never did conditioner washes when I was out of town.
After my condioner wash, I section my hair in four parts and spray surge on my sclap. I then spray a generous amount of S-Curl activator on my hair. I then follow with a good leave in moisturizing conditioner (I switch between Motions CPR, QP Recovery, and Moisture Max). I seal my ends with vaseline (now I add a little ego boost). I wear my hair in either a phony pony or a bun.
Once a week I do a hot oil, shampoo, protein, and deep conditioning treatment.
I do a hot oil treatment with both store bought mixtures or I make my own. Just depends on what I'm feeling. I use Hot Six oil. Sometimes I create my own with olive and castor oil. I put the oil in a bowl, heat it for a few seconds, then I slowly dip my ends first. After my ends are completely covered I put the remaining on the rest of my hair. I put on a plastic cap. Sometimes I'll use my portable bonnet, or I'll leave it in overnight.
I then shampoo with a good moisturizing shampoo. (Nexxus Therappe). I then use a good protein conditioner. I love Aubrey organics GPB conditioner. I rinse, then I used a good moisturizing conditioner. I used to switch with Humecto but I have been sticking to Nexxus Humectress conditioner. I make sure I get it on my ends, then I put on a plastic cap and sit under the dryer for about 15 to 20 minutes.
I do the above treament the week I don't go to the salon. I go to the salon every two weeks. My beautician also does a deep conditioning treatment whenever I go to the salon. So I basically do a deep conditioning treatment once a week.
My new revelations about my hair:
For the past few months I have been truly limiting the amount of direct heat I put on my hair. In fact, I only get rollersets now. I really HATE the way my hair feels when she sprays hair spray and curls my hair.
I have also been stretching my relaxers. I think that has made a huge difference in how healthy my hair feels and looks.
