By: NewNaturalista
I’ve gotten quite a few questions about my hair routine – so I thought I’d share it with you!
ONCE A WEEK
Cleanse: Barry Fletcher’s Moisture Therapy Shampoo or Free Your Mane Sulfate Free Shampoo
Condition: My 3 favorites – Jane Carter Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner, Free Your Mane Daily Detangling Conditoner and Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Conditioner
Style Routine:
1. After washing and conditioning I use an old t-shirt to get rid of excess moisture. (Towels rip at my curls)
2. I apply a liberal amount of Kinky Curly Knot Today leave in conditioner. I then section my hair and work through a small amount of Kinky Curly Curling Custard with my fingers. Air dry.
3. Each night I twist my hair into 5 or 6 big twists which keeps it from getting matted. To twist, I alternate between Jane Carter Nourishing Cream and my own afro cocktail of equal parts coconut oil and shea butter warmed with a dash of lavender.
4. Each morning I take out my twists, fluff and go!
ONCE A MONTH
Deep Cleanse: I alternate between two ways of clarifying -
1. I spray my hair and scalp with apple cider vinegar and let sit for about 20 minutes. This gets rid of product build up. Rinse, wash and condition.
2. Every other month or so I do a bentonite clay treatment. I mix the clay, apple cider vinegar and coconut oil together (it comes out looking like a mask.) I put it liberally through wet hair and let sit for about 20 minutes. My curls always seem to spring to life when I do this!
I’d love to hear your hair regimen!
How do you retain moisture? What’s the best way to naturally keep your hair shiny?
10 comments
sumayya says:
Dec 22, 2010
I absolutely adore your curls…..im in the transitioning stage….i have only been using mayo mixed with EVOO just to keep moisture, but I’m going to try your technique.
Elaine says:
Dec 22, 2010
Looking so good, and my how its grown. Interesting about drying with a tee vs. a towel, and the afro cocktail sounds great. I like your scarf.
admin says:
Dec 22, 2010
Thank you Sumayya! I’ve also heard great things about mayo.
Felicia says:
Dec 22, 2010
Tonya!! Your hair so pretty!! It has grown so much! I don’t really have a regimen. I have been doing protective styles. Washing and conditioning as needed. Moisturizing with Juices and berries. Low Low maintenance.
Take care
Kiki (Glastonbury) says:
Dec 22, 2010
Tonya, I absolutely LOVE your hair!!! I must say that you wear it well. I am currently at the beginning of my transition phase…6 weeks no perm…I have a long way to go. But I have been encouraged by your site, articles, and tips. Keep up the good work!
admin says:
Dec 23, 2010
@Elaine, thanks! And yes try out the “Afro Cocktail” and tell me how you like it.
@Felicia, thank you! Once my hair gets long enough I will certainly be wearing protective styles too.
@Kiki! I’m so happy to hear you visit the site! Congrats and please keep me updated on your progress! (6 weeks is great! We’ve all been there!)
Zee Triplett says:
Dec 31, 2010
LOVE YOUR HAIR!!!!
I have locs (going on 2.5 years) so it’s a bit different for me as far as the regime.
I wash every 6-8 weeks with Trader Joe’s Refresh Shampoo…it’s cheap and sulfate-free…and I don’t have to go get it on amazon.com or hunt for it in the “ethnic” section at Target hoping it will be there
To twist my locs I use a home-made cocktail of shea butter and an alcohol free locking gel. In the between times I use a spray bottle with water and a little conditioner for moisture and then spritz with Carol’s Daughter Sugar-Dipped Vanilla All Over Sheen (it’s silicone and petroleum free). So far, so good in the hair department.
I will be adopting your regime for my 6 year old daughter. Her hair journey has been quite interesting for both of us.
NewNaturalista says:
Jan 1, 2011
Thank you Zee! Your locs are beautiful. I’ve heard a lot about Trader Joe’s shampoo – I’m going to have to try it out. I’m also putting the Carol’s Daughter Sugar Dipped Vanilla on my list. Let me know how this works for your daughter – I get my daughter’s hair braided every 4 weeks, deep conditioning in between. Two hair routines is too much to manage!
Happy New Year!
Olivia says:
Jan 26, 2011
Oh my! You and your hair are gorgeous! I can’t wait to take out my kinky twists so I can play in my hair again!!!
NewNaturalista says:
Jan 27, 2011
Thank you Olivia! I want to try kinky twists one day.
Tonya