Wash Day | Stretching Along

I was supposed to post this last week but my site was down for a bit. Excuses, I know. 🙁 However, I’m back with another wash day post. 😀

I’m getting closer to 6 months post relaxer and my hair is holding up pretty well. I’m not itching to relax my hair and I may be able to cope for longer. 🙂 Washing in braids and protective styling have really helped. Here’s how my most recent wash day went…

(1) Pre-poo and detangle: Sectioned hair into 4 and did a hot oil treatment with hemp seed, olive, and coconut oils. I also used  Hairven Moisturize and Soften Conditioner over my oiled hair. I wrapped my hair with cling film and used my heating cap for 30 minutes. I detangled my with wide tooth comb and put in 15 braids.

(2) Shampoo and coffee rinse: I noticed some product build up so I knew I needed to clarify. On dry hair, I applied diluted ORS Neutralizing Shampoo. I made sure to really rub it in my scalp. Rinsed and washed scalp with the same shampoo. Then, I shampooed a final time with Creme of Nature Argan Oil Shampoo. I probably didn’t need to do third shampoo but I really wanted to make sure my scalp was clean. I did a coffee rinse and towel dried for 15 minutes.

(3) Deep conditioning:I brought back protein layering using Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor. I applied it to my ends and my hairline. My hair is breaking in some areas (especially towards the front at the demarcation point). I applied Hairveda Sitrinillah over it and heat 30 minutes. Rinsed with cool water and did an ACV rinse.

(4) Leave-in and Styling: I used a t-shirt to dry for 15 minutes. Then, I applied my leave-ins (Giovanni Direct Leave-in and African Naturalistas Leave-in) and sealed with my oil mix. I took down each braid, detangled, and roller set. Dry for 1 hour with my hooded dryer and slept with rollers overnight. It wasn’t fully dry in the morning so sat under dryer for another 30 minutes. I dusted my ends and did a silk wrap using cling film. Two days later, I braided my hair and put it under my new wig. I posted my first impressions of the wig earlier this week.

I’m so very glad that I trimmed my hair. The roughness and single-strand knots were getting out of hand. My roots got pretty straight with the roller wrap. I was not expecting any miracles, so what I got was good enough.

Washing in braids is where it’s at. No more tangling and matted hair plus very little hair is lost. 🙂 And, my wash days go by so quickly.

How was your wash day?

For more wash day posts, check out the Wash Day Experience.