It’s a delusion that your pure hair routine needs to be a rigmarole, and that utilizing warmth is detrimental. My easy co-washing routine has served me nicely for over a decade now and merchandise like a heated hair straightening brush will be tremendous helpful relying on the way you select to type your hair. 

Again in 2013, after over 20 years of stress-free (chemically straightening) my hair, I selected to “go pure”. And with that got here an entire host of freedom – not having to spend an entire day in a salon and having the flexibleness to have the ability to hit the pool and be taught to swim as an grownup. 

My hair has swam by means of the precise River Thames. It’s truly mad to assume that I solely learnt to swim correctly at aged 30 as a result of within the 20 years earlier my hair was an excessive amount of of a headache to get moist.

After I finished chemically straightening my hair, I bear in mind a pal & colleague telling me that this alternative was like changing into a mom. And he or she was proper. I often obtained the identical questions like – how lengthy (have you ever been transitioning)? or when (did you’ve got the massive chop)? – like a particular membership with appreciative nods and a gap for conversations began by strangers on the tube who additionally rock their curly kinky hair. 

I kinda prefer it although because it’s at all times a possibility to be taught and get concepts on learn how to take care of my hair to encourage wholesome hair development. 

Curly Woman Technique & The Advantages Of Co-Washing 

When most individuals consider co-washing and it’s origins, they confer with the steps of the curly lady technique (CGM). The primary rules of the CGM are switching out conventional shampoos within the cleaning course of for conditioner as an alternative.

This was one of many first issues I did once I stopped straightening my hair because the sulphites in common shampoo strip the hair’s pure oils and much-needed moisture. 

Google ‘black hair’ and ‘shrinkage’. And also you’ll see that black hair likes moisture. The moisture will get all up in it, and the kinks and curls come alive. And sure, your hair will get shorter. However do we have to show to anybody how lengthy our hair is when it’s straight?!

The remainder of the CGM technique then focuses on components and styling instruments to make use of / keep away from.   

My Co-Wash Routine (Wash & Go)

Weekends had been for wash day when my hair was relaxed. Now, 99% of the time it’s a wash and go for me. After a very sweaty indoor biking class. After swimming. Once I want to alter up my type to suit below my biking helmet. It’s an additional ten minutes within the bathe.

Right here’s my step-by-step information that can assist you turn out to be a co-wash convert too. 

Step 1. Begin by getting your hair completely moist. In case your hair takes a very long time to get moist it may very well be resulting from product build-up. 

Step 2. Utilizing a silicone-free conditioner or a cleaning product 

Step 3. Scrub your scalp, very nice scalp therapeutic massage, ensuring that the whole lot you’ve got in your scalp is dislodged. I exploit a scalp exfoliator & massager for this step. 

Step 4. Detangle both utilizing your fingers, or a Tangle Teeezer. I exploit the one for all hair sorts as I discover I can by no means get an honest sufficient grip of the deal with of the one made for 4c hair. You probably have any main knots or pulling, then add extra conditioning cleanser and extra water.

Step 5. Rinse. However you don’t have to totally rinse out the conditioner; the quantity you permit relies in your curls and the way a lot hydration they want, so might take some experimentation and attending to know your hair.

Step 6. (elective) You probably have actually dry hair, it is likely to be price including in a step to deep situation or use a leave-in conditioner. 

Step 7. Take away extra water with a microfibre towel or previous t-shirt. Fashion hair and depart to air dry. 

Submit Wash Styling & Care 

As my typical wash routine of a pineapple up-do requires little to no styling, it’s not usually I exploit warmth on my hair. Whereas the CGM recommends no warmth in any respect, we’re solely human and typically it’s good to modify issues up. 

It wasn’t till I went pure that I ever had braids and often, for those who’re going to a salon to have them finished, it’s helpful to prep your hair by washing after which stretching the hair with one thing like a heated hair straightening brush. As soon as on this protecting type, there’s no want to make use of warmth in any respect. 

For sleep, I exploit a silk or satin pillowcase and failing that, I’ve a satin/silk lined bonnet to guard towards hair breakage and dehydration. 

Finest Co-Wash Conditioner 

In the case of selecting a particular product in your co-wash routine, you may discover that many co-wash merchandise are simply shampoo relabelled or common conditioner marked up in value. 

You may merely use regular conditioner and nonetheless get the very best outcomes. 

Sulphate-Free Shampoo Choices

My typical frequency of co-washing is a few times per week, most, which is on the upper finish for me as I presently have a very dry scalp which I feel is seborrheic dermatitis. 

Additionally, with the quantity of sweating I do on account of exercising nearly every day, I do usually find yourself with product buildup on my scalp which is once I add in a shampoo step to my routine.

I nonetheless go for shampoos containing pure components over typical shampoos and typically go for a clarifying shampoo just like the Aveeno Make clear and Shine ACV shampoo.

It’s a good suggestion and I at all times be certain that to make use of additional hydrating merchandise once I’ve used even the gentlest shampoo to counteract the moisture loss. 

What Works For Somebody Else Gained’t Essentially Work For You

In the case of pure hair and all the assorted hair sorts inside that spectrum, crucial factor to recollect is that what works for another person may not give you the results you want – your hair can have particular person wants. This may be for a lot of causes akin to low vs excessive porosity hair, curl and coily hair sorts, or just time. 

On my journey, I’ve used YouTube and blogs to seek out data and find out about merchandise that I may probably attempt. Now I concentrate on utilizing merchandise that are as pure as doable and swimsuit dry hair sorts as afro hair is often very very dry.

Have you ever obtained an alternate cleaning technique in your pure hair? Or a product you swear by?

Elle