My Current Hair Care Regimen: UPDATED

This is a revised version of “My Current Hair Care Regimen” - originally published on February 16, 2018

I revised this post to make it clearer, easier to read and provide an updated regimen. I hope to make it shorter as well.

Below are 5 key points on my hair care that you may already know from reading my previous blogs or following Dominican Curly on Instagram.

1. I know my porosity and I use that knowledge to maximize the efficiency of my hair regimen.
2. I pre-poo to prep my hair for cleansing.
3. I deep condition to add moisture to my hair.
4. I alternate with a protein treatment to strengthen my hair - but lately, I have been using Ayurvedic herbs instead.
5. I moisturize and seal my hair after washing.

That is the basis of my routine right there! I guess you could consider my routine to be “an introduction to Ayurveda” as well. I use Ayurvedic techniques and practices consistently.

I was introduced to Ayurveda by YouTubers @CurlyProverbz and @FusionofCultures. My Tropical Shea Butter Deep Conditioner, inspired by @FusionofCultures was the first Ayurvedic treatment I ever made and for some time it was the only. I am so grateful to have later found @CurlyProverbz because she really broke down EVERYTHING. I always recommend that anyone interested in using Ayurveda for their hair watch her videos prior to getting started. In addition to reading my blogs of course!

Ayurvedic (hair) practices and techniques are known for helping women grow longer and healthier hair, faster. Ayurveda is one of the oldest holistic healing systems that exist, originating in India more than 3,000 years ago. Ayurvedic hair care includes, but is not limited to, using oils, washing the hair with clays, and using strengthening treatments with herbs (in powder form) like Henna or Brahmi.

Although a lot of people do see an increased growth rate that may not always be the case. There are other things that contribute to hair growth such as genetics, diet, and your overall health. In my experience, my genetic growth rate is not the fastest, but I have found these practices to speed up my growth. I do eat as balanced and clean as I can, and I drink a lot of water and herbs (tea). I don’t take hair vitamins. From my understanding, they, like any other vitamin, only help if you have a certain deficiency. I tried some in the past and found that high doses of biotin (typically the pills prime ingredient) caused my skin to get extremely oily, leading to breakouts.

I mostly wash my hair once a week. With low porosity hair, my curls are very prone to build up. If I get to wash mid-week, I’ll use a co-wash. Otherwise, I shampoo every weekend.

Cleansing - alternate week 1 and week 2

Week 1

• I use a moisturizing, non-stripping shampoo. I currently rotate Alaffia's African Black Soap Shampoo and Annabelle's Perfect Blend Whipped Shampoo. Both are favorites and I’m sure they aren’t leaving my regimen anytime soon. I’m on my 5th 32 oz bottle of the black soap (my son and boyfriend also use it). If the whipped shampoo intrigues you, I highly recommend it. One jar can last you a long time as you don’t need much for a good lather. It also provides some slip and I’m able to finger detangle a bit which I love. Like I mentioned in my post about excessive shedding, finger detangling through every step of my wash day has been a major key!

Week 2 

• I pre-poo with this oil. If I am going to do a clay wash, I'll do it the night before. If I'm going to shampoo, I'll do it the morning of wash day. 
• I use a clarifying shampoo or I make a clay wash or mask.
• The shampoo I have right now is Eden BodyWorks Peppermint Tea Tree Shampoo. I used this a few years ago and I recently got it again. For some time I didn’t have a clarifying shampoo at all and my hair struggled for it because I don’t always have time for clay. Having this shampoo has been great!
• My clay wash and mask recipes are here. I love doing a clay wash every other week, but lately, it’s been once a month. I do what I can.

Deep Conditioning

• I deep condition once a week. 3 out of 4 weeks I use a moisturizing deep conditioner. My low porosity hair is protein sensitive, so I only do protein treatments as needed. I have learned with time though, that if I do an Ayurvedic treatment I can skip the protein altogether. I do keep a protein treatment on hand in case I am rushing through that wash day or I’m away from home.
• My favorite way to mix my Ayurvedic treatments is simply the herbs in powder form, oils, and a generous amount moisturizing deep conditioner. You may also add things like coconut milk or avocados. I have a video tutorial on my Instagram using coconut milk here. I mentioned in an updated post later that next time using coconut milk I would add the deep conditioner as well. I liked the coconut milk, but my hair was not left as soft as I like (could be because of my protein sensitivity). Traditional Ayurvedic treatments don’t include the conditioner, they are powders, water and maybe oils. After doing a treatment like this, your hair is extremely strengthened. You would need to follow up with a moisturizing deep conditioner to soften it. Adding the conditioner to your treatment omits that step.
• I have a more detailed post about how I make my treatments and how you can start yours here. I recommend reading it because it's important you start slow. If you make your treatment too strong too soon, you may be left with hard and brittle hair that will break off easily. That’s the exact opposite of the point!

Styling

I style my hair mostly using the LOC method. Leave-in or Liquid,Oil,Cream. I don’t always use a styling cream, something I use gels or jellies. For some hairstyles, I just do a leave-in or cream sealed with an oil. My favorite oil to use is my own infused blend, you can purchase it here. If my hair feels moisturized enough, meaning I probably just had a super extra wash day, I will use plain water or aloe juice as my "L," seal that with my oil and apply the styler. This is my favorite application for wash and go styles because my hair is light as a feather. 

Weekly Maintenance

Throughout the week I massage my scalp with my oil 2-3 times a week. I also moisturize my hair as needed. Depending on the style this will be 1-3 times a week. I have an example of how I would maintain a “bun week” here, and I have another example for a banded ponytail style here. If I have my hair in a wash & go, I refresh with whatever I have in my spray bottle every day after day 2.

What’s in my spray bottle to refresh with changes from week to week. I will often use an Ayurvedic tea which I have a post about here. Other times I use my aloe juice, which (yay) I also have a tutorial for on my Instagram here. Lastly, I also make herbal non-Ayurvedic teas like this one here. Of course, some weeks I don’t make anything and I use plain old water! I like to mix it up.

Yesss that’s it! My entire regimen from start to finish! I was able to shorten it some so I’m glad I chose to revise it. If you have any questions or feedback on this post,  don’t hesitate to leave me a comment or send me an email.

Thank you for reading! I hope you check out my other blogs as well and follow my Instagram where I post tutorials, product reviews and wash day routines too.

XO

Consy