My hair regimen is ever changing, but here is what I currently do. The list may change as I (and my hair) grow.
No or only water soluble silicones
Only comb hair when wet, soaked with conditioner, using a wide-toothed comb or Denman brush, preferably under a shower stream
Only trim when needed or if I see single strand knots/split end
No shampoo (or rarely) unless swimming is involved
Conditioner wash when I wash my hair, especially if it’s everyday
If I need to get rid of buildup, I use ACV rinses, baking soda wash, or diluted castile soap
Protective styling as much as I can. That includes twists, coils, twist out, braids, braid outs, buns, puff buns.
Daily moisturizing. Either with a spritz/spray or cream. I use spritz when in a protective style and a cream when my hair is “out”
Deep conditioning once a week at least one hour, preferably 3 or 4, with a plastic cap or grocery bag. I don’t always do this if I have a protective style that lasts more than one week.
Sleep with a satin cap, scarf, or sleep on a satin pillowcase.
Rarely use heat.
No mineral oil or petroleum products.
Oil rinses before a DC or cowash
Try to wear hair out (ie a wash n go) no more than 3 days in a row to prevent knots.
Oil or moisturize my edges at least every other day and treat them gently to encourage growth/repair relaxer damage
Oil scalp when itchy with jojoba oil or other light product. Otherwise, nothing on the scalp.
Currently I’m transitioning (about 6 mo w/o relaxer) and so I’ve been doing a lot of research on natural hair to prepare my self, I’m doing a slow transition because I’m not ready to do the big chop. I feel that my head is a lil on the big side for a TWA, LOL and right now its shoulder length. But I have a question…. When you say “No shampoo (or rarely)” does that you mean you don’t use shampoo AT ALL? I thought shampoo is supposed to clean your hair and from reading a lot of naturals don’t. I’m confused….. Also, my two girls (4 and 3) have natural hair and it is a task to keep it from drying out and look just a hot mess. What products do you recommend, I would like to use products that are chemical free and all natural but I have idea where to look. I can’t want til all 100% natural, I’m excited! Thanks
Hey Nina, the answer to your question about products I recommend are in this post. You can use shampoo is that works for you…but it can dry the hair out. Most conditioners have agents that cleanse the hair. There are also a lot of cleansing cremes that can be used instead of shampoo. I also like Castile soap diluted in water. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!
Hello…I am transitioning my hair from relaxer to natural; it has been 9 months since my last relaxer and the biggest concern I have is finding hairstyles that fit or look nice on me. I have been wearing different types of braids to make the transition smoother. What are some suggestions for hairstyles or even where to start?
Thanks, K
Kela, congrats on transitioning. There are a lot of styles open for the transitioner. My style of choice was the twist out. I have a tutorial here(you will have to put rollers on the ends). Youtube is a great place to find tutorials or the transitioning sections of Nappturality and Curltalk. Good luck, shoot me an email if you have an questions.
hello im new to this website but I have been transitioning since aug 2009 i have some growth 2+ inches to be exact…I did find some of thses articles very informative on the big chop and hair textures and I know right now have three different textures in my hair right now until I do my big chop friday…..im excited really thanks to my friends and family supporting me and you tube and this website I think my hair is gonna come out beautiful my hair dresser does want me to bring my KCCC products and my V05 i might try that deep conditioner from jessies curl and the suave also um I should be posting pics soon..on my you tube page and facebook and might get a fotki account too thanks for the advice….
hello I have had unprocessed hair since i was 11 and for some reason it wont groe past the nape of my neack and it will not for the love of goodness curl up and sadly I’m 20 now! lol do u have any reccomendatins on how i can get my naturally curly roots and my permed looking ends to match up?I would love to try a wash and go
Tiona, the only thing I can suggest is to cut the permed ends off. You could try using rollers of some sort. Your natural hair will probably retain length much better than the permed hair.
Hey, I’m a young man (16 1/2) looking for some help with hair. I was hoping your site could also apply to men’s hair. You seem to know your stuff and there’s really no home for black male hair on the internet.
I’ve been using texturizers for awhile now and I’m looking to transition into a more natural style. I really liked how the texturizers brought out the curls in my hair, but the product build-up is really gross and leaves my hair thick and greasy! And if I wash it, the curls weaken. So I don’t wanna use s-curls anymore.
Is there any moisturizers/conditioners/any products out there that can exaggerate the curls in my hair without making it greasy, while also allowing me to wash regularly? I could really use your help, thank you
I big chopped 12/5/09. I did not transition, I cut after 6 weeks next perm date. It has only been 20 days but my hair has grown nicely. My only problem is that I have tried shampoo and cowash and each seems to leave my hair extremely dry. I have found the perfect homemade deep conditioner that helps but I would like to find a good cowashing conditioner to take some of the pressure off my deep conditioner. Any suggestions? thanks. Tonya
Could you recommend products i could try if im sensitive to strong smells because of allergies, my hair is dry because im lost everything i try the smell is way too strong even a small smell makes be light headed and prone to breakout in hives!! can anyone help? PLEASE
Jaye, KBB and Curls By Sister Smith make unscented version of their products. If you look, you may find some others, that’s just off the top of my head.
I had hair down to the middle of my back and for the past year, I have slowly cut it shorter and shorter, until one day, i chopped it completely off. I decided to go natural honestly because i was bored. I have always been able to go 12 to 16 weeks with out getting a perm due to the texture of my hair. Now im 12 weeks natural and loving it. My problem is, I am so confused. Because I didnt put much thought into going natural, I don’t know what to do. I have no idea what a cowash is, and until just now, i didnt know I shouldn’t wash with shampoo. I have no clue what type of products, combs, gels, and thing to use. PLEASE offer any advise to a newbie. I need “first you do this” type help.
Tonya (anonymous) I like Suave coconut conditioner for my cowashes. Check out my product reviews.
New and Confused, you can use shampoos if you feel like you need to or you can dilute it. Cowashing is just washing your hair with conditioner and skipping the shampoo. I have a lot of info on my blog, please send me an email at kcurly@newlynatural.com if you have specific questions
Hello. I have been transitioning since July 2009. Before transitioning I only got relaxers every 4 months. I am having a hard time finding a regimen for my hair. I have curly hair and it tangles and sheds very easy. I would like to know what would be a good leave in cond, deep cond and a styling product that would be good for my hair. I think my hair is 3c.
Also I was my hair weekly but should I also do a co-wash in the middle of the week? Thank you
I too am in need of help and direction. I have been natural for about 2.5 years. I have always worn my hair pressed and now I would like to start wearing it truly natural. The problem is that I do not have a curl pattern and I would really like to get one. I don’t know what to do or where to start. Are there any curl enhancing shampoos and/or conditioners i can use to help regain my natural pattern? Also how long does it usually take for the curl pattern to return?
I had a hard time finding a natural style to fit my face and to also look acceptable while short. Solution for me: two strand twist hair on dry hair after it has been stretched by braiding and then roll the twist up on rollers. You have to make the twists Small. When you take down, you will look like you have a styled hair do! Try it. It works!
I have been transitioning for almost 4 months now. I am trying my best to hang on to my hair as long as possible before my BC (I want to wait until the weather gets more spring-like), but I find it hard to style and it definitely needs moisturizer. I am eager to try the co wash idea to see how that works. In the meantime, my hair comes down to about my chin. Can I do bantu knots in my hair? Is there anything specific you do when you take the knots down to make the hairstyle look more styled? I need help bad and I just don’t know what to do. Also, when I rod my hair, I cannot get the rods to last more than 2 days at the most. Is there a secret to making these kinds of hairstyles last?
I love your blog and thanks for any info you can offer.
Receecupcake,
i see we pretty much started our transition at the same time!
I keep saying i want to be a long term transitioner but the more I’m on this site, I am starting to get the urge to do the BC!! I have the same questions you have pretty much so hopefully there will be suggestions soon!
Good luck with your transition!
You mentioned having protein treatment evry 6 weeks or so. What products are you currently using for that? Thanks for all the product reviews by the way. I’m a baby to the transitioning pprocess and I want to keep my hair as healthy as possible during the upcoming stages. Looking forward to posting pics of what’s to come…
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Thanks for reading! Remember that our hair is a gift and that it can blossom and grow if we take good care of it. If you have questions, want to share your story, or just want to say hi, please email me at kcurly@newlynatural.com
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
when you say mineral oil/petroleum…is that basically what we call ‘grease’…blue magic, softee..etc?
Bre, yes, that’s what I mean. There are other pomades (aka grease) out there without the bad ingredients.
Has your hair been growing with this regimen
Currently I’m transitioning (about 6 mo w/o relaxer) and so I’ve been doing a lot of research on natural hair to prepare my self, I’m doing a slow transition because I’m not ready to do the big chop. I feel that my head is a lil on the big side for a TWA, LOL and right now its shoulder length. But I have a question…. When you say “No shampoo (or rarely)” does that you mean you don’t use shampoo AT ALL? I thought shampoo is supposed to clean your hair and from reading a lot of naturals don’t. I’m confused….. Also, my two girls (4 and 3) have natural hair and it is a task to keep it from drying out and look just a hot mess. What products do you recommend, I would like to use products that are chemical free and all natural but I have idea where to look. I can’t want til all 100% natural, I’m excited! Thanks
Hey Nina, the answer to your question about products I recommend are in this post. You can use shampoo is that works for you…but it can dry the hair out. Most conditioners have agents that cleanse the hair. There are also a lot of cleansing cremes that can be used instead of shampoo. I also like Castile soap diluted in water. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!
Hello…I am transitioning my hair from relaxer to natural; it has been 9 months since my last relaxer and the biggest concern I have is finding hairstyles that fit or look nice on me. I have been wearing different types of braids to make the transition smoother. What are some suggestions for hairstyles or even where to start?
Thanks, K
Kela, congrats on transitioning. There are a lot of styles open for the transitioner. My style of choice was the twist out. I have a tutorial here(you will have to put rollers on the ends). Youtube is a great place to find tutorials or the transitioning sections of Nappturality and Curltalk. Good luck, shoot me an email if you have an questions.
hello im new to this website but I have been transitioning since aug 2009 i have some growth 2+ inches to be exact…I did find some of thses articles very informative on the big chop and hair textures and I know right now have three different textures in my hair right now until I do my big chop friday…..im excited really thanks to my friends and family supporting me and you tube and this website I think my hair is gonna come out beautiful my hair dresser does want me to bring my KCCC products and my V05 i might try that deep conditioner from jessies curl and the suave also um I should be posting pics soon..on my you tube page and facebook and might get a fotki account too thanks for the advice….
hello I have had unprocessed hair since i was 11 and for some reason it wont groe past the nape of my neack and it will not for the love of goodness curl up and sadly I’m 20 now! lol do u have any reccomendatins on how i can get my naturally curly roots and my permed looking ends to match up?I would love to try a wash and go
Tiona, the only thing I can suggest is to cut the permed ends off. You could try using rollers of some sort. Your natural hair will probably retain length much better than the permed hair.
Hey, I’m a young man (16 1/2) looking for some help with hair. I was hoping your site could also apply to men’s hair. You seem to know your stuff and there’s really no home for black male hair on the internet.
I’ve been using texturizers for awhile now and I’m looking to transition into a more natural style. I really liked how the texturizers brought out the curls in my hair, but the product build-up is really gross and leaves my hair thick and greasy! And if I wash it, the curls weaken. So I don’t wanna use s-curls anymore.
Is there any moisturizers/conditioners/any products out there that can exaggerate the curls in my hair without making it greasy, while also allowing me to wash regularly? I could really use your help, thank you
I big chopped 12/5/09. I did not transition, I cut after 6 weeks next perm date. It has only been 20 days but my hair has grown nicely. My only problem is that I have tried shampoo and cowash and each seems to leave my hair extremely dry. I have found the perfect homemade deep conditioner that helps but I would like to find a good cowashing conditioner to take some of the pressure off my deep conditioner. Any suggestions? thanks. Tonya
Have you tried Curls coconut sublime conditioner for a ccowash???
Could you recommend products i could try if im sensitive to strong smells because of allergies, my hair is dry because im lost everything i try the smell is way too strong even a small smell makes be light headed and prone to breakout in hives!! can anyone help? PLEASE
Jaye, KBB and Curls By Sister Smith make unscented version of their products. If you look, you may find some others, that’s just off the top of my head.
I had hair down to the middle of my back and for the past year, I have slowly cut it shorter and shorter, until one day, i chopped it completely off. I decided to go natural honestly because i was bored. I have always been able to go 12 to 16 weeks with out getting a perm due to the texture of my hair. Now im 12 weeks natural and loving it. My problem is, I am so confused. Because I didnt put much thought into going natural, I don’t know what to do. I have no idea what a cowash is, and until just now, i didnt know I shouldn’t wash with shampoo. I have no clue what type of products, combs, gels, and thing to use. PLEASE offer any advise to a newbie. I need “first you do this” type help.
Thanks
New and Confused
Tonya (anonymous) I like Suave coconut conditioner for my cowashes. Check out my product reviews.
New and Confused, you can use shampoos if you feel like you need to or you can dilute it. Cowashing is just washing your hair with conditioner and skipping the shampoo. I have a lot of info on my blog, please send me an email at kcurly@newlynatural.com if you have specific questions
Hello. I have been transitioning since July 2009. Before transitioning I only got relaxers every 4 months. I am having a hard time finding a regimen for my hair. I have curly hair and it tangles and sheds very easy. I would like to know what would be a good leave in cond, deep cond and a styling product that would be good for my hair. I think my hair is 3c.
Also I was my hair weekly but should I also do a co-wash in the middle of the week? Thank you
I too am in need of help and direction. I have been natural for about 2.5 years. I have always worn my hair pressed and now I would like to start wearing it truly natural. The problem is that I do not have a curl pattern and I would really like to get one. I don’t know what to do or where to start. Are there any curl enhancing shampoos and/or conditioners i can use to help regain my natural pattern? Also how long does it usually take for the curl pattern to return?
I had a hard time finding a natural style to fit my face and to also look acceptable while short. Solution for me: two strand twist hair on dry hair after it has been stretched by braiding and then roll the twist up on rollers. You have to make the twists Small. When you take down, you will look like you have a styled hair do! Try it. It works!
i need grease without petroleum…what should i use!?
Betty check out almond glaze or a pomade.
Dear Kcurly,
I have been transitioning for almost 4 months now. I am trying my best to hang on to my hair as long as possible before my BC (I want to wait until the weather gets more spring-like), but I find it hard to style and it definitely needs moisturizer. I am eager to try the co wash idea to see how that works. In the meantime, my hair comes down to about my chin. Can I do bantu knots in my hair? Is there anything specific you do when you take the knots down to make the hairstyle look more styled? I need help bad and I just don’t know what to do. Also, when I rod my hair, I cannot get the rods to last more than 2 days at the most. Is there a secret to making these kinds of hairstyles last?
I love your blog and thanks for any info you can offer.
Receecupcake,
i see we pretty much started our transition at the same time!
I keep saying i want to be a long term transitioner but the more I’m on this site, I am starting to get the urge to do the BC!! I have the same questions you have pretty much so hopefully there will be suggestions soon!
Good luck with your transition!
Hey kcurly,
You mentioned having protein treatment evry 6 weeks or so. What products are you currently using for that? Thanks for all the product reviews by the way. I’m a baby to the transitioning pprocess and I want to keep my hair as healthy as possible during the upcoming stages. Looking forward to posting pics of what’s to come…