Hello All,
My regimen is very simple (to me). For most of 2012 I have worn my hair in buns. I was able to retain most of my growth that way and I have mastered the routine. For 2013 my bun is still going to be my “go to” protective style but I plan to wear my hair straight more often. I have not had a relaxer in over 2 years (March 2011) and my transition has been very easy so I think it is safe to say I am done with relaxers.
I plan to straighten my hair no more than 1 time a month. The most will be 2 times a month. I will deep condition with every wash and clarify about every 6 weeks. I will moisturize and seal at least 4 days a week, every week.
For the summer I am adding a cowash mid week every week. I am using L’oreal Total Repair as my cowash conditioner.
Here are my products:
Sulfate-free shampoo – Keracare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo
Clarifying shampoo – Pantene Pro V Flat to Volume clear
Moisturizing Conditioner – Aussie Moist 3 minute deeeep conditioner
Protein Conditioner – Silicon Mix Pearl protein
Reconstructor – Aphogee 2 minute
Leave-In Conditioner – Fermodyl for Curly or Coarse hair
Moisturizer for straight styles – Wave Nouvea Finishing Lotion or Elasta QP Mango Butter and Oil
Moisturizer for natural styles – S Curl Activating Moisturizer or Elasta QP Mango Butter and Olive Oil
Heat Protectant – Chi Silk Infusion
Oil – Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
For 2014, it looks like I am still following the same regimen with the same products. I mean if it aint broke don’t fix it. I am still doing a co-wash midweek with L’Oreal Total Repair. I love this stuff. I shampoo and deep condtion on the weekends. I bought some Avocado Oil that I use to seal now, but I am also going to use Olive oil to seal sometimes. I have gotten so used to my bun now that I will probably only straighten once every two months or on special occasions. I am only 4 inches from my goal of waist length and I really want to make it this year.
2015 regimen
I am back to wearing buns. I will wash my hair twice a week. Once with my sulfate-free shampoo (KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo) and once with my clarifying shampoo (Pantene Pro V Aqua light Clean Rinse Shampoo). I will deep condition with each wash with my moisturizing conditioner (Aussie Moist 3 minute miracle). I try to steam with my conditioner at least once a week. When preparing my bun, I will use the LOC method using S Curl for the liquid moisturizer, EVOO and grapeseed oil mix for the oil, and Shea Butter whipped with Jamaican Black Castor Oil as the cream. I use Olive Oil Ecostyler gel to set my buns. I only detangle with my seemless Magic Rake comb, not a fine tooth comb. Every night I will take down my bun and moisturize and seal my hair with S Curl and my whipped shea butter, and then put my hair in one plait and tie it for bed. Every morning I will moisturize again before putting my hair back into a bun. I will not use any heat on my hair until June 19th in preparation for my friend’s wedding and at that time I will decide if I will straighten it again in July. I am taking Hairfinity Vitamins as directed on the bottle and trying to drink at least 64 ounces of water each day.
2017 Regimen
Week 1
Shampoo with Joico Color Endure Sulfate free shampoo (red bottle), condition with Joico Moisture Recovery (blue bottle) I let this sit until I feel like washing it out. That could be anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. After conditioning, I do not dry my hair. I spray Scurl and in sections I apply my Grapeseed/EVOO mix and detangle. I use green Eco styler gel to put my hair in a ponytail. Then I moisturize my ends with Curls Creme Brulee and seal with African Shea Butter/Black Castor Oil mix. I braid my ends. Each morning I bun my ends and each night I take the bun out (just the ends) and moisturize, seal, and rebraid.
Week 2
Shampoo with Joico Kpak shampoo (gold bottle not sulfate free), condition with Joico K Pak conditioner (gold bottle) Then I follow the same steps as week one.
I alternate each week. The first week gives me moisture and the second week removes all the gel and other products that I use and gives me the protein I need.
Mane and Tell 
So lets talk about aphogee… Is this the product that gets hard in your hair and I have to wash it out carefully ? What do you use this product for?
Aphogee is a brand like Motions or Dark and Lovely. The product that you are talking about is Aphogee 2 step protein treatment. This is an intense protein treatment that repairs hair and stops breakage. You would use this if you are having bad breakage and weak hair. This is more of an “incase of emergency break the glass” product. The product I use is the Aphogee 2 minute. This is a milder protein conditioner which can be used more often than the two step to maintain strong hair. It gives you moisture and strength and you don’t have to follow up with a deep condition like you do with the 2 step.
I love this treatment for my hair I have been using it for yrs.
Question, how can I put this, Say you have been moisturizing your hair daily, but then you started slacking, being lazy, how many days is too long without moisturizing and sealing your hair before it starts to break or become dry
There isnt really an answer for that because it really just depends on your hair. Everyones hair is different. All you can do is try to pick up where you left off and maybe even do a few extra deep conditioning sessions. Once your hair starts breaking you can still keep it from getting severe by starting and maintaining a healthy regimen.
Hello, I recently got a sew-in and I want to know what your recommendation on the care for the weave and my hair underneath. I brought the African pride braid spray, SCurl for moisture and I have a creme of nature leave in. What should I use for the actual weave and how often should I wash it? The salon said I can come there for maintenance but they like 1 hr 15 minutes away…..Help!!
Hi doll! I actually wrote a post about weaves. I believe it is called basic weave maintenance. I am replying from my phone so I can’t see how far back the post is. There is a search feature. You can search weave on my page and it should come up. Let me know if you dont see it.
I forgot to mention for the actual weave you should use as little product as possible to keep it looking fresh. You can wash as often as you like but depending on the quality of the hair with more frequent washing the weave may not last as long.