Daily moisture  

Our hair cries out for moisture everyday!
Let's face it, the coily and kinky hair types need even more moisture. Having the products is not enough! that's like having a full fridge and fasting - no one could tell from looking at you what a stash you have!
Here's what you need to do:

1. Moisturize your hair daily - at least once a day - focus on the ends of your hair.
   
2. Seal in that moisture with an oil applied on top (go easy now!).
3. Use a satin scarf or bonnet at night to keep the moisture in your hair.
   
4. Keep the ends of hair that is past shoulder length off your clothes - these dry your hair out. Dry hair breaks!

Detangling your hair!

Some advocate detangling on wet hair in the shower? Some on damp hair, like me, whilst some detangle on dry hair before shampooing! Find what works best for you and stick to it.
Tools:

• Use a wide-toothed comb or detangling brush - like the Denman or Tangle Teezer brushes.
• A cheap detangler is a moisturizing rinse-out conditioner diluted with water.

Tips:

• Treat your hair like fine silk - with great care.
• Give yourself plenty of time to detangle your hair.
• Detangle hair in small sections.
• NEVER try to comb or detangle DRY hair. Add a moisturizer or detangler first.
• Start at the tips (ends) of the hair and detangle downwards. Then move up a few inches and detangle down. Repeat until you reach the roots.
• Braid or twist already-detangled hair as you move on to the next section.
  

There are also tricks to making your hair less prone to tangling during the washing process:

1. Washing in braids or twists.
2. Detangling mid-week.
3. Keeping hair clipped up and neat overnight (braids, twists, buns, ponytails, pincurls......)

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Shampooing tips!

Simple things really!

1. You can dilute the shampoo with water to make it less stripping.
2. Start with a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment, aka pre-poo, with some oil or conditioner.
3. Then divide your hair into sections or wash in braids.
4. Wet your hair first (a good water rinse), then apply less than a palm full of shampoo to your scalp. Massage scalp well.
5. Rinse and let water wash it down your hair.
6. For a second application only needs half the amount of shampoo!
7. Apply conditioner to your hair for at least 5 mins before rinsing out again.

_Deep Conditioning
To deep condition:

1. Usually you need to leave it in your hair for  at least 20 minutes (with heat) to an hour (without heat).
2. You can use a hot/warm damp towel or a hood dryer (over a shower cap) to aid the process - opens up the cuticles on the hair shaft and allows conditioner to absorb deeper.
3. If pre-pooing, don't forget to apply an instant conditioner for 5 minutes after shampooing!

Do this before or after you wash your hair. If done before, it is called a "pre-poo" = pre-shampoo conditioning treatment.

Night time haircare

• Your night-time routine can make or break your hair!
  
• Healthy hair can be sabotaged by night-time tangles and snares.
• Not to mention how dry your hair feels each morning!
  
• The simplest way to start looking after your hair is by wearing a silk or satin scarf or bonnet to bed, or just sleep on a satin pillowcase.

Before bed
1. I recommend putting your hair in either a loose bun, ponytail or braid before hitting the hay.
2. Add a bit of moisture to your ends before putting on the scarf/bonnet.
3. If you're wearing a low manipulation style like braid-out or twist-outs, a bonnet may do the trick.
4. In the morning, all you have to do is take off the bonnet, apply leave-ins to your ends, fluff and go!

Conditioning / Co-washing:

• A step you cannot miss out! Conditioner will re-infuse moisture into your dry strands and smooth the cuticle giving softer, smoother hair.
• Co-washing: Conditioner Only Washing
• Using conditioner to clean you hair and scalp in lieu of shampoo has two bonuses:

1. It has enough surfactants to clean your hair; and
   
2. It moisturizes your hair!

• How? Wet hair and apply conditioner, first to scalp and hair. Massage scalp for 1-2 mins, then smooth down strands. Rinse and repeat.

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Low manipulation styling!

• These are styles that allow you to "leave your hair alone". It also allows your hair to thicken up - by not breaking strands from rough handling.
• This means not combing your hair too often, restyling your hair everyday, or using heat frequently.
• Some of these styles are also protective styles.
• A bun is a protective style (ends hidden) but braid-outs are low-manipulation (ends are out). Believe it or not, you do retain length with these styles!

DISCLAIMER: This has to be said. These are techniques and products that I use, which work  for me. They may not work for you. Each head of hair is different. I am not advocating one product above another or being paid for any product reviews I do. I am sharing my honest opinion. I am sharing my journey to hopefully inspire and motivate others who are waking up to the truth that " Black women CAN grow long hair!"
God bless! ♥

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