Contrary to my last wash day post, this was day went a LOT easier, thanks to...drum roll pleeeaasee......CO-WASHING! I actually prefer using shampoo because I know that some of the products I use in my hair do contain cones. Too keep my hair follicles from clogging up and to thoroughly cleanse my scalp, I usually lean toward shampooing. However after that last wash day, I just wanted a break, so I kept it simple. Here's how my "Co-Wash Day Experience" went.
1. I parted my hair in my usual four sections and then pre-pooed and detangled with
Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque mixed with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This mixture definitely helped with detangling. I braided each section (4 braids) and left this in my hair over night for a good deep conditioning.
2. Next I rinsed out the pre-poo and co-washed using Aussie Moist Conditioner. I un-braided a section rinsed, co-washed while finger detangling, re-braided, then repeated with the next section. This conditioner has very nice slip.
3. Next I t-shirt dried my hair for maybe 20 minutes, then applied my leave-ins which were: JessiCurl Too Shea Extra Moisturizing Conditioner, ApHogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer, Matrix Biolage Thermal-Active Repair Cream, and DermOrganic Leave-In Treatment. I blow dried my hair on cool (or more lukewarm setting) using the tension method.
I was so much happier with this Co-wash Day and detangling with these leave-ins was a breeze. I'm going to try incorporating co-washing a lot more into my regimen, because it definitely helps with stretching/transitioning.
I tried to take a few shots of my new growth. There are several different textures throughout my hair. I think there's a mix of type 4 a,b, & c. In the second image I think you can kind of see the looser section from where I texlaxed after my last
long stretch back in February this year. I had about 7 months of new growth at that time. I did not get relaxer to all of the new growth. I guess I underestimated how much there was.
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right front quadrant (freshly washed and towel dried hair
no products) |
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| back left quadrant (freshly washed hair without product) |
I hadn't intended to relax then, but I had one bad tangle-filled wash day that made me think that natural was not for me. Then after, I regretted that I had relaxed my hair.
I've been really interested in learning more about my natural hair and how to manage it. It's possible but it definitely takes patience. One thing I've learned is that co-washing is my natural hair's best friend right now. :-)
So how was your wash day? Does co-washing work for you? What's your favorite conditioner to use when co-washing?
Thanks for reading!
