This is the simplist hair regimen that I have ever had to date with my curly hair. I attempted to loc my hair after my son was born, but then removed my locs after 10 months. Unfortunately I haven’t had the time to mix up any awesome DIY herbal hair treatments that you can find throughout this blog. To be honest I’m not even sure when I will have a chance to do a proper henna treatment. Hopefully soon.
I’ve decided to create a minimal product curly hair regimen that contained only four simple steps… cleanse, condition, stretch, and protect.
1. Cleanse
I still LOVE using my simple olive oil soap to wash my hair, yet I am trying out an organic shampoo bar to see if I can find another option to enjoy as well. I have found that certain shampoo bars and my olive oil soap don’t completely strip your hair of its natural oils. I wash my hair every 7-10 days.
2. Condition
Because shampoo bars are alkaline, it helps to follow up with a vinegar rinse especially if you live in an area with hard water. Although we still use a shower filter which helps with hard water, I still need to follow up with a vinegar rinse after each wash to close the hair cuticle.
I dilute raw organic apple cider vinegar with water (usually a 1 to 4 ratio) and add a few drops of essential oils such as lemongrass, rosemary, and sage. My apple cider vinegar rinse adds shine to my hair plus makes it a breeze to detangle.
3. Stretch
As a new mom I don’t have the time for fancy hair styles or long detangling sessions. I also don’t enjoy curious tiny fingers tugging at my hair. Stretching my hair with the banding method and/or braids plus updos are my go-to solution for both styling and future effortless detangling.
I always generously coat my hair with organic unrefined shea butter and gently detangle my hair with a detangling brush. I still finger detangle my hair prior to washing, but having fully detangled hair in the beginning saves me so much time by the end of the week. Saving time is everything right now.
Banding my hair comes as close to blow drying as I can get without heat. This minimizes knots and tangles like no other. I can also easily remove shed hairs as needed during the week. I band my hair 2-4 sections. Braids stretch my curls well too especially if I use at least eight sections.
4. Protect
I’ve been wearing my hair in some form of updo 90% of the time. My hair stays moisturized much longer this way, and it also minimizes breakage and tangles. My main styles are buns and banded ponytails so again nothing fancy.
This minimal regimen has made my life so much easier and takes a little over an hour to complete.
I do miss the days of pampering my hair, but most days I just have way too much going on. I noticed a lot of length retention when I left my hair alone with my starter locs. Ever since I’ve been sold with the idea of protective styling. I used to think of protective styles as very boring. Now it fits into my lifestyle perfectly, and will hopefully help me reach my hair length goal.
Years ago I had wanted to grow my hair to waist length. Since making that goal I cut and layered my hair more times than I can count over the years. Despite my indecisiveness, I think that is is very possible to actually make that length goal this year. I’m just going to keep things simple and see what happens.
Do you have any hair goals for 2018? What are your plans to reach your goal?
Update to regimen here.
(Image by Dawn Michelle)
Janine says
Thank you for sharing your current hair regimen, Dawn. The banded ponytail sounds like a chic protective style. It caused me to think of Sade.
This year, I am intentionally handling my hair less. At the moment, head wraps, scarves, hats and braided buns are my style choices. Once a month, I deep condition and give it the luxury it likes, yet the rest of the month, it’s put away.
Last year, I noticed I had to trim often because I would manipulate my hair so much (braids outs, no-heat roller sets, loose strand twists.). So, this year, I’m redirecting my energy elsewhere and keeping it put away. Doing this has gifted me with a surplus amount of time, which I use to focus on other aspects of my life.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Janine,
The banded ponytail is a super quick and elegant style. It reminds me of Sade too. Just like you I’ve noticed having to trim more often because of wash and go styling. Stretched styles have always worked better for me despite my preferences.
CG says
Opposite of you! I went shorter than I’ve been in years at the end of last year. I just needed to stop putting energy and focus into it, and my stylist surprised me with a bob that turned out a little shorter than anticipated. But the compliments have been nonstop. I didn’t realize how much I needed low maintenance hair in my life. 😊
Dawn Michelle says
Hi CG,
A fresh new hair cut for the new year sounds awesome. I used to wear my hair in a bob when it was relaxed years ago. One of my favorite hairstyles to date. Enjoy your new look to the fullest. Low maintenance styles are always welcome in my world. Happy New Year!
Sancha says
Hey Dawn! So glad you have found a minimal hair routine that works for you having had your little one. I follow your blog keenly for your natural approaches including for hair as we seem to have a similar hair texture and you’ve given me so much advice, so as I hope to be a mother in the next couple years this is more useful guidance to developing a routine like this. Best of luck to you in all you’re doing and I look forward to ordering your oil when I reach America this summer! Love from London x
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Sancha,
Thank you so much for your comment. I truly appreciate your support, and I’m so glad that my blog has been helpful to you. BTW… I do offer international shipping for my skin care line, yet I also understand the desire for shipping within the States. Much love to you too.
Tonya says
Hi there!
Great post. My goal is to grow my hair bra strap length while transitioning to only natural products. So far, I’m using a natural shampoo and henna with coconut milk. I haven’t tried a natural conditioner just yet.
Tonya
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Tonya,
Thank you! Sounds like you have found a great simple hair regimen. Henna is so amazing at strengthening and conditioning the hair. Best wishes on your hair goals!
Amara says
Hi Dawn.
You look like you put on some weight. It suits you; you look beautiful.
Have ever you tried African Black Soap? It’s wonderful for hair and skin care. You can balance and customize it by adding rose water and oils of your choice for the organic raw version. it’s totally natural.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Amara,
Thanks for the compliment! Yes I have tried African black soap. I most recently used it when I had starter locs before removing them. I may revisit it again though.
Lisa says
Hey! I’m fairly new to your page and love how simplistic and informative your beauty routines are. Less is more sometimes!
I’m very very very new to hair regimens lacking in commercial hair products and just wondering how your transition phase went. I have a low porosity TWA (not a hair typer but definitely in the 4’s) and it seems so resistant to letting moisture in which sucks. Do you have any tips that I can use to get started?
Thanks in advance!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Lisa,
Thanks so much for the compliment. A bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar hair treatment will remove any product build up which prevents your hair from absorbing moisturize on wash day. Using a lot of different products and layering them for styling can really suffocate your hair if not properly removed.
After clarifying your hair make sure to find a hair cleanser which really does the job without stripping your hair of it’s natural oils. Moisturizing your hair with water often and sealing that moisture in with an oil or butter can be helpful too. When my hair wash short I didn’t really do too much with it. One great DIY to try is flaxseed gel. It will moisturize and define your hair very easily.
Also transitioning to commercial free hair care was a crazy process for me simply because not everything worked. During that time I didn’t have a little one so I had more time for trial and error. I’ve shared the DIY hair care that was good throughout the blog so definitely check it out. My hair regimen now is the simplest it has ever been. Water only was actually more work for me than what I do now although that was pretty simple too. I hope this helps!
Jessica says
Hi,
I’m curious as to why you switched from doing water only washes?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Jessica,
I wasn’t able to get consistent results with water only especially the way I was doing it. I may try again in the future, but for now I need consistency as I don’t have the time to experiment. As a new mom spending a lot of time trying to experiment with my hair would be a poor use of my time.
Asha Marie says
Hi MB, I’ve loved going to your blog to read up on your WOW techniques for so long. Could you say a bit more about what you mean as to why you stopped? I have 4a/b type hair that’s typically dry (especially at the roots). I really want to achieve full sebum coverage of my hair to help with this. Would I need to do water only until that’s achieved or could I still replicate a simple all natural regimen like what you discussed in this blog and reach full sebum coverage? (Would it be difficult to notice I had reached full sebum coverage if I was using product-even if they were all natural like shea butter?)
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Asha,
I stopped water only washing my hair when I started locs in 2017. When I removed the locs that winter I didn’t go back to water only because I had very little time for caring for my hair with a baby. Also I never was able to use only water with my hair until I had full sebum coverage amd a good amount of it. Prior I always used a bit a shea butter. I also tried various oils but found just small amounts of shea butter with each rinse to be the best. Scritching and preening the hair is very necessary as well as rinsing the hair daily. Overall daily rinsing and two strand twists was too time consuming when my son was small amd that is the best way to stsrt back up. I hope this amswers your question amd helps some too.
Rahima says
Hi Dawn,
Thank you for sharing your hair care regimen. I had a question about the Apple cider vinegar. I would also like to use it as a conditioner and I do have hard water. Would I shampoo my hair first, rinse with water, then add the acv, let it sit and dry in my hair? Or should I rinse it out after a certain period of time (say 15 or 20 minutes)?