Thank you so much to Dominique at All Things O’Natural for the template to create a formalized regimen for my hair. Please feel free to use mine and link back to this page.
Daily (Every Other Day) Regimen:
- DRINK LOTS OF WATER: It makes sense that you should hydrate your insides as well as your outside. I try to drink the recommended 64 ounces (8 cups) a day. I usually do 48 ounces (6 cups. I’m pretty sure. Don’t rely on my math.) of plain water and the rest (actually I do more than that) as unsweetened decaf green tea.
- Scalp Massage for Hair Growth: I found a specific concoction on livecurly.com. They don’t say it guarantees hair growth, but it’s worth a try. I’ll adjust as needed.
- Moisturize: I use a spray bottle with a water/oil concoction to keep my hair moisturize. I only spritz when I’m re-braiding/twisting so I don’t lose my defined curls and end up with frizzy hair. I made up this recipe based on numerous posts that I saw on different natural/curly hair boards. I’m starting out with it but I’ll switch it up once a month to see what works best for my hair. I’ll probably keep the aloe vera gel or juice as a constant. Details below.
- Moisturize 2: I’ll be using Alaffia Beautiful Curls Shea Butter Curl Activating Cream for Curly to Kinky Hair until the bottle finishes. I’m putting a rule in place that I won’t buy any new products until I’m finished with the old ones. Self-restraint don’t fail me now!
- Twist: I’ve been flat twisting my hair – usually 8-10 braids.
- Wrap: I wrap my hair with a satin scarf before I go to sleep.
Weekly Regimen:
- Steps noted above: See the steps noted above.
- Co Wash: Since I’m new to the co wash world, I’m choosing to do it only once a week to start with. I’ll monitor it and then decide if to increase the frequency. *Crap! Now I have “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” running through my head. Thanks a lot. Thanks.* Anyway, I’ll co wash using the Aubrey Organics Jojoba & Aloe Desert Herb Revitalizing Conditioner. I like it more than the shampoo, but not enough to buy it again when it’s done.
- Detangler: I have ZERO patience and need all the help I can to make it easy to detangle my hair. I’ll be using a homemade recipe from livecurly.com. Details below.
- Seal: I seal in my moisture using grape seed oil since it’s supposed to be lightweight. I don’t want anything too heavy weighing down my fine hair.
- Style: I usually rock a protective style such as the two strand twist out. Because this style is so versatile, it is one of my favorite go to styles. I add a dime sized amount of the Alaffia Beautiful Curls Shea Butter Curl Activating Cream for Curly to Kinky Hair, and twist it up.
- Moisture: Whenever I take my twists down, I usually didn’t use anything in it. Now I think I’ll use the Alaffia Beautiful Curls Shea Butter Curl Activating Cream for Curly to Kinky Hair to untwist my hair.
Twice a Month Regimen:
- See Daily (Every Other Day) and most of Weekly Steps
- Pre-Shampoo Oil Treatment (Pre-pooing): It’s a pre-treatment designed to moisturize the hair. It’s basically a deep treatment. See below for specifics.
- Shampoo: Right now I’m using Aubrey Organics J.A.Y. Desert Herb Revitalizing Shampoo. I don’t personally like the way it makes my hair feel – stiff – but I’m going to keep using it until the bottle is finished. Hey, I’m not going to waste money. I’m hoping the pre-pooing will make a difference.
- Protein Pack Deep Conditioning Treatment: My hair is ridiculously fragile. You just look at it sideways and it breaks. According to livecurly.com, some girls with curls, especially those with fine hair, have a tendency to become too over-moisturized with emollients and need additional protein treatments to restore the health of their hair. Specifics noted below.
- Regular Conditioning: Like a dog in heat, I’ve been feening to try the Organix  Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner. Can’t wait to make that happen.
- Rinse: I read that you should rinse with warm water first to open the pores. I’ll see if it works. I’ll do a final rinse using cool water and ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar).
Monthly Regimen:
- Deep Condition: My hair is ridiculously dry and damaged. I’m not sure which homemade recipe to use but I think I’ll do a Raw Honey treatment.
- Trimming: I’ll go to a professional (bad idea to let me loose on my hair with scissors) to get rid of split ends. I’m too scared to do the big chop.
Other Methods I Hope to Use:
- Ayurvedic: I’ll let the pros explain it. Click Ayurvedic  to learn more.
- Henna: I’ll let the pros explain it. Click Henna  to learn more.
Recipes and Steps:
Essential Oil Blend for Hair Growth
Please note there is no guarantee this oil will stimulate hair growth in every individual. However, researchers from the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland published a study of 86 individuals who used this oil for seven months and reported 44% of people in the treatment group had new hair growth compared to only 15% in the control group.
Combine:
3 drops cedarwood essential oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops lemon essential oil
3 drops rosemary essential oil
3 drops thyme essential oil
1/8 cup grapeseed oil
1/8 cup jojoba oil
Apply several drops of the mixture to areas of hair loss each night, massaging gently into the scalp for 3-5 minutes. Store oil tightly covered and keep away from heat and light.
Contraindications: avoid rosemary essential oil when pregnant. Cautions: citrus oils are photosensitive and should not be applied prior to sun exposure.
Combine:
1.5 cups Organic aloe vera gel or juice
1 cup purified water
6 drops grape seed oil
10 drop sweet almond oil
- Detangler
Well-moisturized curly hair is virtually tangle-free, but this recipe can help with the tangles while you are in your re-hydration process. You can keep this in a spray bottle and spray it on in the shower to help detangle your hair while cleansing and conditioning:
Combine:
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
1/2 teaspoon grapefruit seed extract
2 drops grapefruit essential oil
2 drops glycerin
8 ounces purified water
Mix together in a spray bottle and keep in the shower. Spray lightly to help detangle hair.
Cautions: citrus oils are photosensitive and should not be applied prior to sun exposure.
Step 1: Using your fingers, divide your hair into 4-6 sections.
Step 2: Apply a heavy coating of pure coconut, olive, or avocado oil throughout each section. Make sure to put oil on every layer of your hair. Use 4-6 tablespoons depending on your hair length and strand thickness.
Step 3: Cover your hair with a plastic cap to keep the oil from dripping down your face and neck.
Step 4: Leave the oil on your hair for 1 hour. Some say it’s better to keep the oil on longer (even overnight), but you’ll have to decide for yourself. You can try different lengths of time to see if your hair feels better after longer treatments.
Step 5: Before you shower, comb your hair out with your fingers to remove tangles or knots.
Step 6: Wash and condition your hair according to these instructions.
Step 7: Be consistent. Do a Pre-Shampoo Oil Treatment before every shampoo.
Some girls with curls, especially those with fine hair, have a tendency to become too over-moisturized with emollients and need additional protein treatments to restore the health of their hair. This is also helpful for lightened (bleached) hair that has not been properly reconstructed after the chemical service:
Combine:
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon mayonnaise (the full fat kind, not the reduced fat)
2 teaspoons olive oil
Massage well into hair from scalp to ends, then cover with a plastic processing cap. Process for one hour at room temperature, then cleanse hair with a non-sulfate cleanser. For added penetration, sit under a warm (not hot) dryer for 30 minutes.
Combine:
The ratio is 3 TSP of ACV to 2 cups of water.
Practical Dreamer 