Wash Day Routine: Conditioning

Hair is fresh and clean. Now, let's condition.

Hey ND Fam! This is the second installment of my wash day series. If you are just tuning in, I encourage you to take a step back and read my previous post on cleansing. Clean hair is a must. Today's post is about conditioning. Let's get those curls right!

“If you don't have a firm foundation, you can't expect your hair to flourish when styling.”

Conditioning

Now that the hair is cleansed, let's get to conditioning. The goal is to provide the hair what's missing. The key here is to understand what is going on with the hair before washing. There are different signs that dictate why types of products you should use. Our focus today is not on product selection. If you would like more on that, let me know.

The conditioning process may require just a deep conditioner/treatment/mask. Sometimes, you may need to prep the hair with a rinse out conditioner before deep conditioning. Like I mentioned in the first post, this may seem like a lot. There is a purpose for each step. Check out my steps and guide for using rinse out and deep conditioners.

Rinse Out Conditioner:

After shampooing, I use the corresponding rinse out conditioner. If I will use a deep conditioner that doesn't have a lot of slip or is a repairing/protein conditioner, I will thoroughly coat the hair. For the deep conditioner that doesn't have slip, this is when I thoroughly detangle. You can apply the rinse out conditioner after rinsing the shampoo (2nd shampoo step) out of a section. Before moving on to shampoo the next section, apply a light coat of the rinse out conditioner.

Prep for a deep conditioner with slip:

Once you are back to the first section, gently finger detangle for about 30 seconds. As you rinse, keep detangling under the water.

Prep for a deep conditioner without slip or a heavy protein treatment:

Both types of deep conditioners require preparation in some way. In each section, apply more rinse out conditioner. To prep for deep conditioners (of any kind) without slip, use this opportunity to thoroughly detangle. For heavy protein treatments WITH slip, lightly detangle as you apply.

Deep Conditioner:

Following the cycle of your sections, rinse out the regular conditioner and apply the deep conditioner. Clip up and move on to the next section. After covering all sections, cover with a plastic cap.

Now what happens next depends on the instructions of the treatment. Yes, boo. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! While our curls require more TLC than straight hair, you need to know the intent of the manufacturer. This is especially important for protein conditioners. Overprocessing is just as damaging as too little processing. See what's on the label and find your next step:

• 1-5 minutes processing: immediately begin detangling the sections.

• 5+ minutes processing: the shorter time frame, I would say you can get away with washing your body first. Longer time frame, go ahead and do your entire body wash routine. Afterwards, thoroughly detangle each section.

After detangling, rinse out the conditioner. Be sure your scalp is rinsed thoroughly. Mine likes to hold on to conditioner. If you are using a moisturizing treatment, feel free to leave a TINY bit on your strands. Don't forget to twist and clip up each section.

You are ready to style!

Don't think I'm just going to skip over detangling. Absolutely not! This entire process is meant to gain and maintain healthy hair. How long it takes to detangle is a HUGE sign of the health of your hair. I got you covered in the next post. You might fight me. But, I love you.

I hope this shines some light on your wash routine. Glean what you can. Try a step or two out. Find what works for you.

Drop a question in the contact form or comment below. Let's help each other.

Ask Naturelle D

Wash Day Routine: Cleansing

It's a Wash Day Routine Series! In this blog series, get the details of my wash day routine. My main focus is the washing process. Styling will fill in as we go. Keep scrolling and get your best wash day experience.

Hey ND Fam! This is the first installment of my wash day routine series. If you don't have a firm foundation, you can't expect your hair to flourish when styling. In order to put your best foot forward, you need a steady base. The washing process consists of three main components: Cleansing, Conditioning, and Detangling. Today's focus is cleansing.

“If you don't have a firm foundation, you can't expect your hair to flourish when styling.”

Cleansing

You are probably thinking "but where is your pre-poo step?" Sorry boo. I don't have one. I personally don't believe in a pre-poo. Your hair has product buildup, sweat, sebum, and the like already present. Why do I want to add an oil on top of that? Any product. My goal is to safely remove all of that and open the cuticle. If that's what your hair calls for, by all means. If I notice something is amiss with my tresses, I MIGHT (hesitantly) consider a pre-poo. At best, I will use a scalp spray. I am tender-headed. If anything needs a pre-poo step, it is my scalp. Not my hair. (Note: if something is absolutely amiss, it's time to schedule a visit with a licensed stylist and/or your physician.) For regular maintenance of my hair, I go straight to shampoo. Ask yourself, does a stylist pre-poo your hair? Just food for thought.

Shampoo! Yes, shampoo. Not a co-wash. A shampoo. "But, they have sulfates." Not all of them. But to that end, didn't you use sulfate when you had a relaxer? Think about it. The layers of hair did not change because you had a relaxer. The bonds were broken and reformed to flatten the layers. Straight hair distributes sebum faster than curly hair. That is the main difference. (I'm not going to get into damage at this point. If you want more on damage, let me know.) Your main concerns as a curly girl is what is happening with the cuticle layer and moisture-protein balance. Co-washes are acceptable every once in a while or in-between #washday (like after a workout if you aren't ready to a full wash day).

Back to shampooing. I shampoo 2 times. First, I use a clarifying shampoo to remove the tough stuff. I focus the shampoo on my scalp. This is the only time I rely on the "travel down method". (This isn't a real term.) Simply, as the suds inherently travel down the shaft of my hair, it picks up debris and rinses away. Second, I use a moisturizing shampoo (sometimes a co-wash) for my entire head, scalp and hair. I begin again with my scalp and deliberately bring the shampoo down the length of my hair.

IMPORTANT: Keep everything in a downward motion. Please (PLEASE) do not smash your hair on your head or pile your hair at the top of your head. Gently rake the shampoo down your hair. If your shampoo has enough slip, this is a slight finger detangling process as well. You should begin seeing shed hair sliding out (sliding, NOT pulling). If you co-wash, this process is the same.

Breakdown Method: The first wash is completed in two sections (part down the middle). The second wash is completed in four sections.

Water Temperature: I use warm/hot water. My goal is to open up the cuticle. You don't want to burn your scalp off. You want a warmer temperature that is tolerable. Bare in mind, I wash my hair in the shower. I also do not use high pressure water. When possible, turn off that water boo. Save your coins.

You are ready to condition! Next step is to replenish the hair.

Disclaimer: This entire process may seem like I do the most and use a ton of water. I promise, the water pressure is on low and the water is off when not used. My hair is longer so I need to wash in the shower. When I had short hair, I was cool at the sink.

Thanks for making it to the end! I hope this shines some light on your wash routine. Glean what you can. Try a tip or two. Find what works for you. Just make sure you are cleansing, conditioning, and detangling sufficiently.

Drop a question in the contact form or comment below. Let's help each other.

Ask Naturelle D

Go on and Launch, Curlfriend!

Do your best to match the energy of the future you want.

I am sitting on my couch feeling amazing!

Why? I just listening to my first radio show appearance. That's right. I was a panelist on a sister friend's radio show. Truth is we have discussed this for a long time. We finally manifested her vision.

Let me tell you something. Get you a friend that is not only a confidante but a mentor when needed. She pushes me into the water forcing me to be a water walker, an exerciser of faith.

Let me not digress. HA!

I did a radio show and in the same week booked a gig as a model for a "local" event. It is local to me but to some...driving an hour on a turnpike and paying tolls is not local. (I'm a roadie. What can I say?)

I have decided to do the most in 2021. So far, I:

1. Launched this website

2. Started a blog

3. Recorded a radio show with more to come!

4. Booked an event as a model

5. Dabbled at TikTok

There is more to the proverbial list. It's passed time for me to write the vision down and make it plain. I know. "That's where you are supposed to start." Listen sis, some of us run differently. Give yourself space and grace to launch how YOU are supposed to. Sure, there is a formula that exists. Is success one size fits all? No.

Whatever your vision is, build up and match the energy now of where you are going. I had been stuck in my head for far too long. 202-ONE is about me handling me. I am walking the path I am on. There are days where I run. Days where I jog. Today is a day to stop and look at the view. There is path behind me. That's what matters. I am no longer in the same place.