Common Mistakes and Misconceptions about “Wash-days.”
How to start taking better care of your hair!
When it comes to styling your hair properly, despite popular belief, the process doesn’t start once you get out of the shower, but rather before you even get in.
I have known many people who have complained that their curls remain flat at the top, or weirdly straight towards the back parts of their crown, whereas the rest stays curly, but many make some of the same mistakes during the wash-day process which unfortunately lead to that. I’m here to tell you how I was able to stop that from happening and fix it.
Here is a list of steps you should follow if you want to see better results after styling and washing your hair!
Though, before I begin I want to preface by saying everyone’s hair types are different, and what works for me may not work for you (in terms of products), however the steps below are still useful and can be easily followed. Use whatever products may work best for you, but I still advise you follow these steps, and even try out some that I recommend!
Before you enter the shower:
Before washing your hair you should prep it. This will not only help your curls last longer outside of styling them but also help the overall health of your scalp and roots.
I start by applying a serum or oil drops onto my scalp and rubbing that in for a little while before getting inside the shower (I use a scalp massager to help apply it). I have recently been using the MIELLE Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil for my hair, though that oil (even though it says it is for all hair types), might not work for people who have thinner hair or looser curls, so please be mindful before purchasing.
Getting into the shower:
This one is going to be a tough pill to swallow, as I know many people love to take hot showers, but when it comes to washing your hair it is crucial that you do not turn the water onto boiling. You should only use warm to lukewarm water on your scalp and hair because not only does hot water cause split ends and breakage, it can make your hair even frizzer when getting out of the shower, which can make it harder to style the way you’d want.
When shampooing your hair you should always shampoo twice!!! When you style your hair you are going to be using many different creams, oils, gels, or whatever suits your fancy, and those products stay in the roots of your hair. You want to get all of that out for a fresh clean start.
Also, when shampooing your hair, only shampoo your roots. Unless you are going to the beach and have sandy hair, or are swimming in a pool full of chlorine, you should not be shampooing the ends of your hair. If you try to shampoo your ends you will also cause split ends and uneven growth. Shrinkage can already make it harder to show hair length, and split ends will cause your hair to break quicker than it can will make it even harder to stay healthy.
Additionally, try to avoid shampoo’s that have sulfates. Though it is good to get a deep clean every once in a while, if you are someone who is washing their hair more regularly, you don’t want to risk drying out your scalp too much/eliminating your natural hair oils as it can become damaging. I personally use and recommend the Rizos Curls Hydrating Shampoo which I use every time I wash my hair, and leaves my hair soft every time (plus it also smells very good in my opinion). You can find this on their website, or at any drugstore or chain.
Rizos Curls Shampoo & Conditioner.
This next part should not be a constant part of your wash routine, but should be included every couple of days, or weeks: Hair masks!!! Your hair needs to be refreshed sometimes, especially after constant use of products, heat, whatever it is that you do, and if you want those soft bouncy curls, buy and use a hair mask — each mask is different so follow the instructions on the box or bottle, but I HIGHLY recommend the Briogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair! hair mask. This mask has truly brought my hair back from its worst and keeps my hair super soft every single time. Use after shampooing your hair and leave-in for the required time, then rise off.
Don’t Despair, Repair! Hair mask. Conditioning your hair is also very important because it is where you will begin to detangle your hair. One thing I remember my sister telling me at a very young age is to never start combing your hair from the roots but to always start gently on your ends, in sections, and work your way up. I know it can seem like a bit of a hassle, but this will also help with breakage and overall hair loss. On wash days I lose so much hair, which is normal, as long as the hair that’s coming out is not coming being pulled painfully then it just means it's old hair growth. I recommend also using the Rizos Curls Deep Conditioner when conditioning.
In addition to that, only condition the bottom parts of your hair, do not place conditioner on the roots you just washed as it will weigh your hair down and sink back into your scalp.
Lastly, I recommend making sure that the combs or brushes you’re using in the shower work for your hair. At times people use brushes with wide flat backs, which your hair can get stuck in and get pulled on. Aim to find a comb with curly ridges or a brush that doesn’t have a hard backing to it. I use many different brushes but for the past 6 weeks have been using Red by Kiss Glide & Define Detangle brush which truly does glide through my hair, and gets the job done so much easier and less painfully. Not only does it not yank at the roots of my hair, but the movable rows in the back detangle it gently which is something I’ve been looking for in a brush for years!
After you get out of the shower/the styling process:
When getting out of the shower you should slightly dry your hair with a microfiber towel or a cotton t-shirt to reduce frizz. Normal towels will add friction (big no-no).
My styling steps:
Make sure that your hair is wet when styling, not damp but wet. I own one of those continuous spray water bottles and use it if I feel my hair drying too much while styling.
Grab a leave-in conditioner, use a very small portion, and use your hands to rake it through your hair evenly.
Then take a curl cream of your choosing, I use Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls Cream, and rake through your hair again, this time in sections.
Miss Jessie’s Jelly Soft Curls & Pillow Soft Curls products. This next part truly depends on your preference, but if you want more voluminous curls, then take a brush, I use a Denmin brush at times, but often just do this with my fingers, and rake the hair and curls away from your scalp. Not down, not flat, but up and away from your head. Take your brush, or hand, and bring it to the root of your hair, raking away from your crown. This will cause your curls to not dry flat on your head when you are done.
If you want to keep the volume in your hair, use a mousse. I prefer Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Mousse, which I shake, apply on my hand, then crunch up and to the top of my head, flipping my hair from side to side to do so.
Lastly, use a gel, if you’d like (if you already used a mousse depending on the strength of it you may not need a gel as it will hold), and apply a little to your hands, being careful just to gently flip your hair over (don’t do it aggressively. Aggressive = frizz always), and apply the gel onto your formed curls. I also use Miss Jessie’s Jelly Soft Curls gel as it leaves my curls together and doesn’t have a crunch at the end when it dries that I’ve gotten with other gels, and personally don’t like.
And just like that, you’re practically done!! I know it may sound like a lot of steps in all, but you should get the results you’re looking for. Plus your hair should last you longer, thus making your wash days more spread out (instead of an everyday thing).
Once it’s styled you can either let your hair air dry, or diffuse, whichever works depending on how quickly you want your results.
I suggest if you don’t have one already, purchase a silk bonnet and some silk scrunchies and use them to keep your hair up at night instead of sleeping directly on them. In the morning you can use any light hair oil you have to gently distribute your curls clumps, and you’re good to go!I hope this was informative and easy to follow, it is a lot to go over in just one post, but this process should only take you about an hour or so depending on the amount of hair you have. I want to start looking into different products to incorporate into my styling process, so I will keep you all updated on when I am able to do so.
Wishing you all the best of luck!
My Top 3 Products Of The Week:
Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls Cream — I honestly consider this to be my holy grail.
Briogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair! — My hair would’ve never been able to get back to being soft after dying it a couple times if it wasn’t for this hair mask!
Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Mousse — Just gives me so much more volume. I hate the flat look on my hair.
Keep a lookout for new posts —— Newsletter sends out every Thursday!
These are such great tips and I love the Miss Jessie’s Curl cream!!! #toogood